Breach of Protocol

NEW TRAVEL PLANS

8

NEW TRAVEL PLANS

Blueberry Café, Avenue M at East Sixteenth Street, Brooklyn, New York

Rafael logged into the sss account. Here, he would find further instructions from his employer, if there were any. Instead of sending encrypted emails to one another and risking them being intercepted by the NSA, Rafael’s employer had suggested a more simplistic approach.

Both Rafael and the employer had the login information to the account. When the employer wanted to communicate, he would compose an email, and then leave it in the draft folder. Since the email was never sent, there was nothing for the NSA to intercept. As long as no one found out this email account was being used by terrorists, the two could communicate at will. It was a low-tech solution, and it worked like a charm.

After successfully carrying out the assassination of the director of the FBI, Rafael found a single email in the draft folder.

This employer paid very well and, in all likelihood, the email contained instructions for another assignment. With his Cayman Islands bank account flush with cash, Rafael didn’t really need the money. He needed the thrill.

He opened the email and read:

“A most successful venture. I congratulate you. Your timing was perfect. No doubt you were more than satisfied with the transfer made into your bank account. Based on the success of your first assignment, I have decided to continue your services. Your first mission was a target of the highest value, and thus, the highest pay. The next target, however, is of lower value and comes with lower pay. I am certain you will understand. However, the same bonus structure remains in place. If you carry out the assignment at the exact time of 2:16 p.m. EST, your pay doubles. And if you continue to be successful, you will receive new assignments. Attached is a photograph and details of your next objective. It is critical that you carry out this task at the exact time of day specified. Failure to carry out the task at the time specified will result in the termination of our relationship. For this assignment, you will use the vial labeled “number two.” Remember, after you are sure your objective has been completed, empty the contents of the vial at the scene so they will be found.”

The email contained a name, home and business address, cell phone number, and photograph of a soon-to-be-deceased target. He tore open a padded manila envelope that had previously been delivered, and withdrew vial number two. He held the vial to the light and stared at the contents. At the bottom sat a clear glass bead similar to the one he had left at the scene of the Stephen Latent assassination. It, too, was oblong in shape, yet no larger than a pea. Inside the bead was a tiny object embedded into the center of the glass.

Upon examination, Rafael found the object to be different from the one contained in vial number one. He shook his head, then pulled out his phone to begin searching for the next available flight to Louisiana.