THE BROTHERHOOD (13 page)

‘Don’t worry about him. It’s typical of Bill, snooping around and sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong.’

‘Will he pose a problem? I need solutions, not promises,’ Sam insisted.

‘He
is
the solution,’ the insider said. ‘He’s planned a little stakeout with an old friend of his from ASIO. Aazim’s staying at a motel in the suburbs.’

‘You tracked him down?’ Sam was mildly impressed.

‘Without lifting a finger.’

‘Are you sure it’s a good idea to go through with this? We can take care of both of them right now.’

‘No. We wait and do as planned, and make sure you bring that twenty grand.’ The insider leaned back in his chair, pulling his trousers over his bulging gut, a smug look on his face. ‘I heard there was an accident at the mosque. Someone fell and broke his neck. He was one of your guys, wasn’t he?’

‘Yes, a very unfortunate accident,’ Sam replied stonily.

‘Have you got Aazim’s father yet?’

‘No, he’s managed to slip through our fingers. A tracking device was planted in his mobile but the signal was lost once he was on the move. He either discovered it or the phone’s damaged.’

‘You guys couldn’t organise a screw in a brothel.’ The insider snorted and skolled the remainder of his drink.

‘My men are more than capable of locating one old man. You just focus on your task,’ Sam retorted. If anyone else had thrown such insults at him Sam would have reached over the table and pulled out their tongue. But he maintained his cool and gritted his teeth.

‘All right, don’t get all worked up.’

‘What should I do about Bill? The plan was to have him deliver the money.’

‘He’ll be there. Make sure you cancel your arrangement with him. He’ll expect it.’

‘What do you mean he’ll be there?’ Sam was getting annoyed at receiving such vital information in dribbles.

‘Relax. Let’s just say Billy’s life is about to change.’ The insider started laughing while Sam observed him with distaste.

Having ASIO people moving about his room was a surreal experience for Aazim. Bill had introduced him to Janelle, the agent in charge, an attractive woman with the legs of a supermodel. A stakeout operation was being prepared that would hopefully lead to Sam’s arrest once the exchange took place. Janelle had explained the details of the plan. Around him agents carried equipment to the adjoining room and performed checks on miniature microphones and surveillance cameras. The receptionist was given a handful of cash to relocate the occupants next to Aazim’s room and make sure it stayed available. No questions were to be asked and no entries made in the guest book. A miniscule microphone was pinned to Aazim’s shirt collar. A couple of cameras were mounted in various locations of the room, ensuring all possible angles were covered. If it had been any other day he would have taken more interest in the technology behind it.

Bill rehearsed the plan’s details with Aazim. As soon as the exchange was made the agents would move in for the arrest. He returned the laptop so Aazim could use it to show Sam the databases, instructing Aazim to mention The Brotherhood and gauge Sam’s reaction. As much information as possible had to be divulged if they were to uncover other members. Finally, Bill assured Aazim of his safety, telling him that all entries and exits to the motel were covered, agents were in constant communication and his room was being monitored from the control base next door. The slightest sign of trouble and they would swarm in to his aid.

Janelle and Bill finalised the plan’s details while the technical agents completed their tests on the surveillance equipment.

‘Did you have a hard time convincing Barry to go along with this?’ he asked her.

‘It was easier than I thought, actually,’ Janelle said. ‘At first when I mentioned your name he didn’t want to hear about it.’

‘Why am I not surprised?’

‘He doesn’t like you very much,’ she said sarcastically and smiled. ‘Once I showed him the evidence and ran a thorough check myself he couldn’t dismiss it. He’s taking a personal interest in the whole operation but I’m still in charge of tonight’s bust.’

‘It’s his big chance to kiss arse with Canberra politicians,’ Bill sneered.

‘You’re lucky he’s willing to let you anywhere near this arrest. I don’t think he’s ever mentioned your name without a profanity associated with it.’

‘You’re just saying that to make me feel better. Hey, I’m a civilian now, he can’t touch me,’ Bill said smiling. He relished the thought of making Barry’s blood boil after all this time.

‘Okay, what’s our status? How are we looking?’ Bill felt the excitement of a covert operation. It was getting close to midnight and Aazim was about to call Sam.

‘We’re all set. I’ve got men stationed around the motel, two in the surveillance unit. We’re in radio communication with all agents and I’ve had over thirty federal cops seal the outside perimeter. No one gets out once he arrives.’

‘Good, I’ll see how Aazim’s going.’

‘One thing I must ask of you, Bill.’ Janelle stepped in front of him. ‘I need you to remain outside.’

‘What?’

‘Sorry, mate. Barry’s orders. You’re not an active agent so it’s illegal to have you here.’

‘That’s bullshit!’ Bill was fuming and knew that Barry just wanted to piss him off.

‘You are not supposed to be here, Bill. I’ve already overstepped ASIO protocol as it is.’

‘I know ASIO protocol. Bloody hell, I was one of you guys, Janelle!’ That damned protocol. She was one agent who followed it religiously and there was no moving her once she was set on enforcing it.

‘We have it under control,’ she assured him. ‘Just wait in your car. Here, put this on.’ Janelle handed him a receiver that was tuned to the same frequency as the other agents so he could follow proceedings.

He accepted it reluctantly and went to check on Aazim. Janelle had been a great help so far and she was the best asset he had. There was no point arguing, even though he felt it wasn’t right.

An agent finished fiddling with Aazim’s microphone, packed up the electronic equipment and left the room. Aazim was sitting on the edge of the bed, a bundle of nerves as he contemplated his involvement in something way beyond his grasp.

‘How are you holding up, buddy? Ready to kick some ass?’ Grabbing a chair, Bill sat beside him and observed the young man’s state.

‘I can’t wait for this to be over with, and honestly, I don’t know if I can go through with it,’ Aazim said, his face pale. 

‘It’s okay, mate, we won’t let anything happen to you. The whole place is crawling with agents and feds and Sam won’t dare hurt you. As soon as you make the exchange they’ll bust through that door and he’ll be in cuffs within seconds.’ Bill said, trying to ease Aazim’s mood by lifting his confidence. ‘Sam called me earlier and told me my services were no longer required. I guess I won’t be getting another twenty gees after all.’

‘Maybe you should take this, I don’t want it anymore.’ Aazim reached into his pocket and handed Bill a small yellow key with a number on it. ‘It’s the motel safe key. You’ll find the flash drive with the original data I downloaded.’

‘Thanks, I’ll take care of it.’

Bill placed a comforting hand on Aazim’s shoulder, feeling sorry for him; the man just wanted to get on with his life. Despite all the planning and precautions, Bill couldn’t really guarantee they would get everything they wanted; experience told him that. Before Aazim could have his life back he had to take a risk.

‘You think I’d make a good ASIO agent?’ Aazim asked, attempting to take his mind off his nerves.

‘Thinking of signing up?’ Bill grinned.

‘I’ve always been curious but I’d rather be one of those guys.’ He pointed to the technicians. ‘A lot safer.’

‘Those guys are techies like you but with training of course. If you became an ASIO employee you wouldn’t be able to tell anyone, even those closest to you. Before you got the job you’d go through a security check. You’d have to reveal all the addresses you’ve lived at, countries you’ve travelled to, how many girlfriends you’ve had and provide their details, name political factions you’re aligned to and so on. Your friends and relatives would be interviewed to corroborate your answers and then every two years your security clearance would be updated.’

‘I think I’ve changed my mind,’ Aazim said.

Bill laughed. ‘It’s not that bad once you get used to it.  Granted it can take you out of your usual social circle but you get exposed to an extraordinary one. Our satellites cover the whole of Asia and parts of Russia, and telecommunication traffic gets intercepted and ranges from terrorist activity to drug deals. We have technicians sifting through this information round the clock and that’s how a lot of major crime’s been uncovered. Did you know there are underground tunnels all over Canberra? Parliament House and the ASIO office are like an ant farm, interconnected underground and leading to other strategic buildings.’ Bill looked at his watch. ‘Ready?’

Aazim picked up the phone and made the call. ‘Motel Horizon, sixty-five Greenfield Avenue, Greenmeadows, in one hour. I’m in unit nine. Make sure you come alone.’

‘As agreed, Aazim,’ Sam replied calmly.

‘That’s it, then,’ Aazim said, turning to Bill. There was nothing more to do but wait.

A crackling sound broke the silence and Janelle’s voice came alive on Bill’s receiver. ‘We’re all set here. Everyone take your positions and stay out of sight until the suspect arrives. Good luck, Aazim, and Bill, please stay in your car until we move in.’

‘Yeah, yeah,’ he mumbled and walked out, leaving Aazim on his own.

The car, an ’89 Holden Commodore, was parked about fifteen metres away facing unit nine. It was discreet enough so no one entering would notice him inside. There was no sign of any agents, who were hiding out of sight, and the whole motel seemed deserted. Clouds formed and with them came a steady flow of rain, reducing visibility in the motel grounds and breaking the ominous silence. Most of the lamps around the motel were broken or missing, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Bill wondered whether they should have raided the company and arrested anyone associated with Sam. It would have been safer but who knows whether they would have got to the server in time, or if indeed it was still at Aust Global Fund at all. For all he knew, the whole Australian operation had been closed down or moved to another location. Without a warrant a lawsuit would follow and The Brotherhood for Justice would slip out of their hands.

The occasional crackling of receivers was the only sound filling the silence in the car. He listened as Janelle contacted each agent and prompted for a status update on any suspects approaching the perimeter. He didn’t like being isolated like an outcast. He lit up his last cigarette and threw the packet out of the window.

At that moment a car drew up to the front reception area, two people emerged and walked hurriedly inside. An agent came on the airwaves describing a male and a female talking to the receptionist at the front desk. False alarm. They were just a young couple getting a room for the night. Probably a one-night stand, Bill thought. Lucky bastard.

It was well past midnight and there was still no sign of Sam. Janelle came on the line and called in her scheduled round of updates from each agent.

‘Agent Daniels, your status update please.’ There was silence. ‘Agent Daniels, report to base.’ Still the agent covering the front entrance outside the reception area didn’t respond. ‘He better not be in the toilet,’ she said to one of her colleagues, clearly annoyed.

‘Hicks, check on Daniels at the front entrance.’ Hicks was covering the east wing of the motel and was closest to Daniels, but he didn’t respond either. What’s going on? she wondered nervously. ‘Come on, guys, I need a status update.’ She tried the agent in the west wing but didn’t get an answer from him either. All she heard was crackling white noise.

Bill straightened up in his seat. Something was wrong. Rain poured heavily and lightning lit the sky.

Janelle sent two of her technical agents to check up on the others and was left alone in the communications room. She kept an eye on Aazim and tried to figure out what was happening to her unit. The motel surroundings were cleared and both agents reported back. They couldn’t locate the others or see any signs of a struggle, a very bad sign.

‘Return to your posts, I’m shutting down this operation. All units break out immediately,’ Janelle ordered, but the receivers were silent.

Bill thought he saw a figure in the shadows heading towards the communications room. He grabbed the receiver and blasted into the microphone, ‘Janelle, call for backup, you’ve been compromised. Watch your back!’

‘Bill, secure the witness. I’ll get –’ There was the sound of a door being kicked open. ‘Hey, what’re you – no!’ The receiver crackled and went dead.

‘Janelle! What the fuck’s going on? Janelle!’ Bill jumped out of the car and ran. Visibility in the heavy downpour was nearly zero and heavy raindrops lashed at his face. He reached for his ankle holster and drew a .45 semi-automatic. With his back against the wall he extended his arm and pushed the door open, revealing flickering monitors that lit up Aazim’s room. He entered with the gun aimed, ready to shoot at anything that moved.

He found Janelle on the floor staring blankly at the ceiling. Her chest was covered in blood that still trickled out of her lifeless body, forming a dark puddle underneath. Bill knelt shakily beside her and looked into her dilated pupils. He checked for a pulse but couldn’t feel one. She wasn’t breathing. Three shots had been fired at close range and there was nothing he could do for her. He placed a hand over her eyes and screamed at the touch of her cold skin. He was torn with grief. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered.

He looked up at the monitors. There was no sign of Aazim; all the rooms were empty. Shit! Not him too. Bill left Janelle and ran to Aazim’s room, kicking the door open and splintering the frame around the lock. The flimsy door smashed into the wall as it swung back with a noisy thud. Aazim, bound and gagged, was looking up at him, struggling frantically and making incomprehensible noises. He was on the floor next to the bed right in the camera’s blind spot.