Chapter 5

"Like I said, they have delusions of grandeur and want to take over this country. The chatter we've captured indicates their first step is a massive terror strike to dismantle the government. The unholy thought at Bone Frog is that the cabal has made a deal with these terrorists to be group leaders, with small armies made up of low-level terrorists and cartel soldiers."

For a moment, Max was afraid he would throw up.

"Terrorism is, as we know, a tactic. A strategy used to achieve a specific end. One effect of what they're planning is the weakening of the American economy by forcing massive spending on security. But that's only stage two. Others will follow as the country collapses and these maniacs take control."

Mac dipped his head. "Go on."

"The cabal is pandering to the desires of these animals," Si continued, "to help create a network in this country as they've done in their own. Then these traitors can destroy our existing structure through fear and intimidation and take over the country. With, we assume, the cartel soldiers as backup enforcement. That gives them an open market for their drugs with no controls." He paused. "Think of it, Max. Their plan is to control the government, the media, the schools, the military. You name it."

"Jesus Christ, Si." Max could feel the blood draining from his face. He'd fought enough years in the sandbox to know what kind of governments operated when people like this were in charge.

"No kidding. And that's not all. One of the three top people in the government is their new chosen figurehead. Someone who already has incredible power. Heor she, I guessis helping them with this."

Max stared at him. "The president?"

Si shrugged. "That's one possibility. But it's definitely at that level. We need you to find out who that person is and, so far, we're stymied."

"You know," Max said slowly, "this sounds like they want to take over the world where others using the same methods have failed."

"I wouldn't say no to that. It's what terrifies us. And we have a very short time frame."

"What do you mean?"

"According to the chatter we've picked up, the big launch is scheduled for three weeks from now." He paused. "July 4th."

Max wanted to believe he'd heard wrong but knew he hadn't. Holy motherfucker. He pushed himself out of his chair and went to stare out the big window, hands in his pockets, brain rushing full steam ahead.

"They picked Independence Day to take away the country's independence?"

"That's exactly what the fuckers did." Si spat out the words. "That's why we need you to help us stop them."

"And just how am I supposed to do this? Exactly?"

"That picture I showed you of the guy who could be your doppelganger?"

Max nodded.

"He's suddenly become a key player."

"Suddenly?" Max frowned. "You'd better explain that."

"Okay. DHS has been working on this for two years, ever since they got the first hint of trouble. Once we knew all the names involved, we dug around looking for anything that gave us some leverage. We got one lucky break. We got information on Bernardo Ferron, arms and munitions billionaire, of some things he's done that could send him to prison for a long time. Illegal arms sales. Hiding money in offshore accounts. Funding revolutions in small countries to provide more markets for his merchandise."

Max made a rude noise. "Nice guy."

"Tell me about it." A muscle ticked in his jaw, the only sign of the stress he was under. "We were only able to learn the date this thing explodes a couple of days ago. And think about it, Max. We can't even alert the military without sending signals to everyone and his brother. Not to mention the fact, where would we send them? There are so many logical targets I'm not even sure we have enough military to cover them all."

"Fuck." It was all Max could think of to say. He was well aware of the effect multiple terrorists strikes would have in this country

"Anyway," Si continued, "we don't have too many options. We need confirmation of the date and a blueprint of the strikes. We 'convinced' Bernardo to have a heart attack and to tell the others his brother, Max, will be taking his place." He paused. "The man you're a dead ringer for. And who, by the way, as you're now aware, coincidentally happens to have the same first name you do."

Max snorted. "I hope you aren't using the word 'dead' literally."

One corner of Si's mouth turned up in a half grin. "Only figuratively, I promise you."

"Do the others in this disgusting group know they're getting a substitute? Are they even willing to do this?"

"Jed Whitlow, the person who put this group together, made sure everyone knew this was their best and only course of action. Bernardo, at our urging, was very convincing."

"I won't even ask what you mean by urging. But let me ask you this. What makes you think Bernardo won't spill the beans? Or get away from his hospital room?"

Si's smile was positively evil. "Because we have four former SEALs guarding him day and night. Jed Whitlow, who flew up to see him, thinks they are private security Ferron has hired. When he came to check it out we made sure everyone, including Ferron, put on a good performance."

"And what does he get out of it."

"He thinks he's getting a free pass on prison and will have the opportunity to live out his life on some island in luxury."

"He thinks? And what's really going to happen."

"That's above my pay grade." He walked over to Max. "Anyway, as soon as I saw the picture and heard the name, I knew we had to get you into this. You've got all the necessary skills. If you say yes, you've got five days to learn everything you need to know to become Max Ferron."

"What happens then?"

"Their next very private, very secret meeting I told you about? It's taking place at a lodge hidden away from the world. We believe it's the final get-together before July 4th. We want you to go in there as Max Ferren and get every bit of information available to bring them down."

Max gave a hard laugh. "You don't want much, do you."

"Listen. You're our only chance. There's no one else we can insert. We'll give you all the protection we can. But, in the end, it may be up to you." He sighed. "Will you do it, Max? I know this is a cheesy line, but like I said earlier, your country needs you."

Max stared out the window for a long time. He knew this was risky. He might even get killed. But for the first time since he'd been shot, his blood was stirring and his pulse racing. He had a purpose. This was what he lived for. To serve his country in any way he could.

"Well?" Si prodded.

Max turned. "You knew I'd do it, or you'd never have come here. But I need the morning to get things organized with the boat crews and put someone in charge while I'm away."

"No problem."

"Fourth of July, huh? They picked a symbolic day to do this. On purpose, I'm sure."

"No shit. The assholes. I'd like to take them apart myself." He paused. "There's one more thing. I haven't discussed it with anyone except my boss and Regan."

"Yeah? What's that?"

"Part of their attack could include biological weapons."

Max's blood chilled, and he had trouble breathing. "Bioterrorism? Are you kidding me?"

"I hope so. We haven't picked up any chatter about it, but you know it is a favorite of the terrorists in the Middle East."

Max knew that very well. The possibility of it on missions was always there in the background, which was why they carried special gear.

"Fuck, Si. We need to shut this damn thing down before it goes any further."

Si nodded. "That we do. Okay, I'll have the chopper pick us up at one tomorrow. That do it for you?"

"The chopper?" Max chuckled. "Yeah, that'll be fine, but we'd better do it somewhere away from here or the townspeople will be gossiping twenty/four seven."

"Gotcha. Oh, and there's a bonus with this. You'll have a wife with you."

"A wife?" Max stared at his friend.

"Yeah. Max Ferron was recently married. No one in the group has met her, but we had Bernardo vouch for her along with his brother."

"They can't be too happy about all this."

Si nodded. "They're not. But Bernardo's been a driving force in this group. His arms and munitions are the key to pulling this off. He's had to reach out to others to gather the quantity he needs, which means they're no doubt already setting up the beginning of their worldwide network."

Max stared at the other man. "And who is this woman who's my supposed wife?"

"She works for DHS as an Intelligence Operations Specialist. Analyzes chatter coming in. She's the one who first picked up on this. When she did, she was moved onto the Bone Frog staff so we could keep the people in the loop as few as possible. She's been thoroughly briefed ln everything and will be a big help."

Right. Some computer analyst who probably thought this would be a walk in the park.

"I assume she looks enough like the new Mrs. Ferren to pass for her?"

"Even more than we could have hoped for. We were able to scrub whatever is out there on the Internet, but I'm sure this group already has printouts with her picture. They leave nothing to chance. It's a given when your plan is to take over the world."

"What's her name, anyway?"

"Regan Shaw. Another reason she fits the bill. Max Ferren's wife is also named Regan. How bizarre is it that both first names, yours and hers, fit? We figure it's some kind of sign."

"One can pray." He rubbed his jaw. "I just hope she knows enough to make this charade work."

"Don't write her off before you meet her," Si joked. "You might be in for a surprise."

"We'll see," was all Max said.