Double-Back (Jake Waters Book 3) (29 page)

"That's correct," Jake confirmed.  "We need to either confirm or eliminate her as their Back-Tracker.  If we can do that, then I can Back-Track myself and we can deal with her at a time of our choosing when she won't expect it.  With their Back-Tracker contained, the others will be easy enough to deal with."

"Once you have killed her, why not let it rest?" Eric asked.

"Well, Nate has asked we try to make your involvement never happen," Jake said, "but more importantly we need to prevent the murder of one of Susan's friends.  Not only do we want to save her, but she can shed light on exactly what this is all about."

"Are you certain they are even coming?" Jim asked.

"They tailed you to the airport," Jake reminded him.  "As hard as they've worked this matter, I can't see them simply letting it go."

"Let's call Susan and see what she's learned," Jim said.

"You do that, and Eric and I will have a look around outside," Tony said.  "We want to see if we can find a place to set up a sniper position.  We might want to set up against the possibility of a shot at them, and they might just think of having the same idea in an attempt to get a shot at Jake.  It would be good to know where the possible positions would be."

"They haven't flown commercial," Susan said when they called.  "They are smart enough to know that wouldn't be wise.  That means we don't know for certain what they are doing.  Shaun has been busy and has tapped into the FAA databases that track all flights which have filed a flight plan.  Anyone heading from this area to California would have done so.  Our friends can't afford to fly in a slow moving, low altitude plane.  They are going to want to beat Norm and me there so they can follow us.  Since Jim is already there with you, and they don't know where you are, we are their only chance of finding you."

"Has Shaun found anything?" Jim asked hopefully.

"You have to remember, there are a lot of planes flying between this coast and that one," Susan replied.  "Since they want to get there quickly, stay off of the passenger lists, and would want to bring their weapons along, it is almost certain they have arranged some kind of charter flight, assuming they are coming at all.  The desire for their weapons and secrecy would limit somewhat the charters that are available to them."

"What about private jets?" Jake asked.  "The Mob must have access to some with all their connections."

"Those too," Susan agreed.  "Given the starting location, the general location where the flight would have to end to be useful, and the timing, based on Jim's surprise departure, Shaun has come up with a list of several hundred possibles."

Jim Laney groaned.

"It's not that bad.  he's been working through the list.  Some of the flights are regular, or belong to firms we don't believe would be aligned with the Mob.  Some he has been able to verify are cargo flights, etc.  We can't be certain, of course, and may have to simply wait and see who is there to monitor Norm and my arrival, but Shaun has identified two flights that look to him to be possible."

"Tell me about those," Jake asked.

"One leaves from New York City and flies into Concord across the Bay from you.  It's interesting for several reasons, especially because it originates in the Mob's backyard, and leaves at a time consistent with someone having to drive from Washington to New York.  Concord is not far enough away that someone wouldn't be able to get to San Francisco Airport by the time Norm and I arrive."

"And the other?" Jim asked.

"It's originates in Baltimore, nor too far from here, and flies into Livermore, an hour or so south and east of Oakland.  Again, the timing is consistent, and we can't find out much about the plane and who owns it, just like the first one I told you about."

"We can cover those two," Jake said.  "Any more will exceed our ability.  If Shaun can give us anything that might suggest one or the other, or if he finds something that points to another plane, someone needs to call us."

"He will be set up to contact you directly," Susan agreed.  "It won't be much longer until Norm and I will be leaving.  Make certain that someone is there to watch us.  That's probably our best hope of seeing who is watching our maneuvering."

"Will do," Jake agreed.

Late Friday Afternoon, May 20

"Nate, Jim, and I will take the plane coming into Concord," Jake said.  Shaun's call a few minutes earlier had revealed nothing new, and he still believed those were the most likely candidates for their quarry to be aboard.  "It's the first one in, and Shaun thinks it's the poorer choice of the two.  It will give Nate and me more time to be at San Francisco International to meet Susan and Norm, and I'd rather Tony and Eric meet the plane Martin and the Rineri's are likely to be on.  They are both unknowns to them, which is an advantage."

"Even if they are on the Livermore plane, we'll have plenty of time to get to the airport before the Washington flight gets in," Tony said.  "We have to assume that's where they'll be headed as well."

"True, but it is better if you are tailing them, and Nate and I are either watching the arrival gate before they get to the airport, or I make an appearance to gain their interest.  It'll all depend on what we find on the planes when they land."

Jake's group headed off first.  Their assigned plane would be landing in an hour and a half, which meant they needed to get moving if they were to find the airport and get into position before it arrived.  Tony and Eric would leave a bit later.

Rather than fight the city traffic and try to cross the Bay Bridge this time of day, Jake directed Nate to follow the 92 highway to the San Mateo Bridge.  It would take them across the bay, and if they continued inland to the 680 freeway, which they would take north to Concord and Buchanan Field, they would miss most of the congestion.

"There was no one we're interested in onboard," Jake reported to Tony some time later.   Tony and Eric were waiting in Livermore for the arrival of the second of the two aircraft Shaun had selected to be monitored, their drive having gone smoothly and without delays.

"Are you certain it was the correct flight?" Tony asked.

"We confirmed the plane's tail number with Shaun.  It's the right plane, but the passengers were some rich kids and their dates.  They have nothing to do with Martin and his friends."

"Maybe we'll have better luck," Tony replied.  "Our plane is due in just under an hour.  What are your plans now?"

"We are going back to the safe house, then we'll head to the airport in time to meet Susan and Norm.  Keep us informed on what happens out there at Livermore."

Tony slipped the phone into his pocket and walked back into Beeks Sports Bar and Grill where he and Eric would wait for the flight to arrive.  Waiting in the terminal was simply not an option.  It was small, and unlike a large commercial airport, there weren't throngs of people waiting to greet arrivals.  They'd be noticed in a heartbeat. The bar was located on the edge of the Las Positas Golf Course, and while the focus of the facility was on the golf course and those who had come to play a round or two, the windows in the place had an acceptable view of the runways as well as the golfing greens.  Most importantly, they could watch the skies for approaching aircraft.  Being inside with other patrons also made them less conspicuous. They had already checked out the Five Rivers Aviation FBO where the charter flight would be directed.  Conveniently, the business jets were assigned spaces closest to the facility where they waited, with the smaller private planes farther down the runway. 

The parking just outside allowed them quick access to Clubhouse Drive, and a short drive would allow them to move over to Terminal Circle where there were multiple parking spots with views of both the parking area and the exits from the terminals.  It was unclear whether their targets had a car waiting, would take a taxi, or whether someone would be meeting them.

After ordering their drinks and settling into a comfortable booth near the back of the bar, Tony withdrew the phone and activated one of the special commercial Apps and entered the tail number of the plane they were interested in.  The tracking software provided by the FAA showed the current location of the plane against a map of the United States and the estimated time of arrival at Livermore.

"Just over forty minutes," Tony told Eric, who nodded and stared out the window. 

There were a lot of questions Eric would have liked to ask, but this wasn't the place, and he held his silence as he contemplated what Jake had told them back at the safe house.  He and Tony had scouted the land around the house, and had chosen three acceptable sites where a sniper might be positioned.  It was very obvious that Tony had done this kind of thing before, and Eric couldn't help wondering just what his normal career activities involved.  They had chosen the most likely spot an enemy would select if he wanted to set up for shots toward the house, then selected two sites that provided a workable counter position to that threat.  Just under three hundred and fifty yards, the closest also provided good coverage of the entire area.  The other option was closer to five hundred yards out, but still within reasonable sniping range for either of the skilled riflemen.  One of the two of them would man that spot whenever their adversaries were present around the house.

Although neither were particularly hungry, they ordered a couple of hamburgers and pretended to be interested in the game prominently displayed on all of the flat screens located about the room.  Both were relieved when the plane finally arrived.

"It's on approach," Tony said softly, showing Eric the App which indicated the plane was about to land.  "Let's go."

Tony dropped several bills on the table which more than covered their burgers and beers, and they headed outside to the Pathfinder.  Once inside, Tony handed Eric the camera with a large telephoto from the back seat while he started the Nissan and drove down the heavily treed street, turning onto Terminal Circle.  While the Sports Bar had had an adequate view of the runway, the tree-lined roadway blocked it too much to meet their needs.  Moments later he pulled into a shaded parking slot down the block from the terminal, which offered a good view where the plane would park in its assigned space.  They'd also be in a position to see where the people went when they exited the terminal.

"There it is," Tony said, seeing the plane coming in for a landing.

"The tail number is right," Eric replied.  "Now let's see who's aboard.

It took several minutes for the plane to touch down and roll to taxi speed, but then it turned and headed back toward the parking spot next to the FBO.  Less than a minute passed from the time the plane came to a halt until the door opened, and people started to pile out.

"Your girlfriend Miss Rineri was aboard," Eric said as he continued to watch the group assembling at the base of the stairs from the jet.  "There's her brother, and Paul Martin.  He's calling someone and pointing toward the terminal.  I'll bet someone is waiting for them."

"Any others?" Tony asked.

"Two more.  One a large guy that sort of matches Jake's verbal description, and a tall, thin guy that doesn't look like anyone you've talked about.  Five total."

While Eric continued to watch the group, Tony made a quick call to Jake.

"We have them," he said.  "Five total.  Four of those who were in Brooklyn, and a fifth we haven't encountered before."

"Do you think the new person might be their Back-Tracker?" Jake asked.  "I was hoping it would just be people we'd encountered up to now."

"You would know more about that than me," Tony said.  "I'll call you back once we see where they are going."

"They have a ride," Eric said as Tony hung up the phone.

Tony had already noted the two vehicles that were pulling up to the front doors of the terminal, a large Mercedes and a more utilitarian Ford Expedition. 

"That means they have help on this end," Tony mused.  "We hoped they might have had less support, but it appears that won't be the case."

As he spoke, the front doors to the terminal opened, and the group Eric had spotted getting off the plane hurried toward the two vehicles.  A tall, powerful looking man met Martin and shook his hand.  Muscle, Tony guessed.  The bags were all loaded into the Expedition, and then the two Rineris and Martin climbed into the Mercedes, while the rest slid into the rear seats of the Ford.  When the cars pulled away from the curb and started toward the main road, Tony slid out onto Terminal Circle and followed from a discrete distance.  He didn't know if they'd be watching, but until they reached a more heavily traveled road, they were too exposed.

Fortunately the airport was adjacent to the freeway, and the two vehicles made a direct path, getting on to the 580 Freeway headed west, back toward the coast.  Tony was able to follow five cars back, moving into the flow of traffic which now made them far less obvious to anyone who might be watching.

The cars retraced the route that Tony and Eric had taken to get to Livermore, crossing over the San Mateo Bridge, then turning north on 101 toward San Francisco.  They bypassed the airport, which made certain sense as it was a number of hours before Susan and Norm were to land.  Even if Martin had discovered that they were coming, which Tony had no doubt was the case, there was no point in hanging out at the airport that long.  They would probably get settled first, having a meal before going to meet the plane.  That worked in Tony's favor, because they'd have a chance to see where the group would be staying.

The two vehicles exited near the Mission Bay area, an upscale part of the city.  After making a number of turns as they negotiated the streets of the expensive neighborhood, they turned into a walled and gated estate.  The gates were opening as the vehicles approached, and they barely needed to slow as they turned in.  Tony made a left turn at the block before the estate so they wouldn't have to drive by the front of house where it appeared Martin and friends would be staying.  Once out of sight of the estate, he made a quick U-turn, returning to the intersection and parking just short of it in a spot where he and Eric could watch the gate for any vehicles departing.

"They certainly do have friends," Eric noted sarcastically.

"Yes they do.  Wealthy ones at that," Tony agreed.  "Given the size and location of the place, I'd hazard a guess it belongs to a Mob big-shot of some kind.  That means they'll have access to lots of manpower, something we hoped might not be the case."

"Does that change your plans?"

"We'll have to see.  We didn't have a definite plan beyond wanting to get a shot at Natalie Rineri, or whoever else they brought who might be the person with Jake's ability.  That's the link we need to verify.  Once that happens, we'll know how to act, although it'll probably be some time that Jake loops back to."

"Are you going to update Jake?"

Tony nodded. 

"We might as well give him the good news."

"An estate in the city?" Jake asked.  "Did you get any pictures of the group?"

"Even with the telephoto they aren't very good," Tony admitted, "but I'll send you what we got."

"Good.  I'll have Jim forward them to Shaun.  Maybe he can run his magic and come up with names and relationships.  He can also see who owns that estate.  I assume you're staying put until they hopefully head to the airport?"

"And to see if anyone else shows up.  I have a suspicion that not everyone will be going to the airport.  It would be good if we had another car and Eric could remain here to see what happens later."

"I'll have Nate drop me where I can rent another, and he'll come and join you.  He can watch the house when you and Eric follow whomever heads to the airport.  I'll go alone to the airport, and Jim will keep watch at the safe house.  It was a mistake not to have additional cars."

"We need a couple of sets of wheels the other side is unaware of.  Anything they see going in or out of the safe house will become known to them.  Since we have time, you and Jim should each rent another car.  I'm sure there's a place in Half Moon Bay.  One of the two should be hidden on the back road near where Eric and I might want to make our way in or out unseen.  The other you can use to go to the airport.  If they haven't already arranged for a car, have Norm and Susan get one when they arrive at the airport.  That will give us five vehicles for the seven of us, which will be enough."

"Agreed," Jake replied.  "We should have planned this better in the beginning."  He briefly wondered what other holes might exist in their loosely thought out plan.

"Maybe it would be better if both you and Jim go to meet Susan and Norm," Tony suggested.  "By going there together, Martin will see the four of you at the airport arrival gate.  Later, maybe when Eric and I relieve Nate, he can show up at the safe house, and Martin and his friends will wonder if he's the unidentified man from Brooklyn.  It will also fix our number at five in their mind, and hopefully they won't think there might be more of us."

"I like it," Jake agreed.  "We'll do it your way."

Several hours later they were all in position.  Nate had met up with Tony and Eric, and both Jake and Jim Laney were headed toward the airport.  Jake would have preferred that Susan ride back with him, and Norm with Jim, but he was aware that Norm would be feeling protective, and not wish to be separated from Susan.

"We have activity here," Eric said when Jake answered his phone.  "A pair of vehicles are leaving the estate.

"Can you tell who is in the vehicles?" Jake asked.