Incoming transmission from A Cell
Activating O Cell assets
Particulars to follow.
A Cell to O Cell Operatives:
* Activate Agent O Identity.
** Proceed via established protocols to Charleston WV.
*** Coordinate with fellow agency team members en route as necessary.
** Locate and Advise retiree Daniel Myers to stand down.
** Investigate and ascertain the nature of the threat.
*** Neutralize and eliminate the threat in the best possible manner.
*** Limit any exposure of the nature of the threat outside agency controls.
**** Deliver any relevant articles or evidence to nearest agency control group.
** Return to control positions via established protocols.
* Stand down Agent O Identity.
Each member of O Cell has been provided the following items to complete the current assignment.
A four digit access code for a secure locker at the local airport.
Inside you will find the following:
* A plane ticket routing to Charleston, WV with a return flight three days later.
* An 11x14 manila envelope outlining an appropriate cover story to allow for roughly 3-4 days of travel, investigation, and follow-up. This is usually an agency conference, performance review, or training sabbatical as deemed appropriate. Date appropriate stubs, flyers, documentation, receipts, and other appropriate source material is included, if somewhat outdated or impersonal.
* An ID packet identifying your Agent O persona as an FBI agent, on a special review assignment, investigating the case of a missing girl as part of a current international task force investigating human trafficking. The packet includes ID appropriate firearm permits, a driver’s license issued in Washington DC, and miscellaneous other non-valid identifiers and cards.
* An FBI ball cap and windbreaker, size appropriate.
* One prepaid VISA card marked as FBI Expense Account cards, with a $1200 limit. Receipts should be collected and returned to the control group if possible.
Once in Charleston your group together will be provided the follow items to complete the current assignment.
One four wheel drive four door slate grey 2016 Chevy Tahoe rental vehicle from Enterprise with airport pickup and return. The vehicle key chain includes a spare key to the current residence of Daniel Myers, the Dunbar Towers retirement apartment building in Dunbar, WV. An installed GPS unit has been preprogrammed with your hotel location, the address of the local police station, the FBI field office address, and a route to Daniel Myers’ residential building.
You will be booked at the Charleston House Holiday Inn downtown for four nights. Two double occupancy queen sized non-smoking rooms have been reserved for your team, situated adjacent. In the first room a small welcome bag has been delivered, which features Myer's reports, his contact information, and up to date information acquired by A Cell.
Michael collected his items from the locker and returns home to gather his personal effects. He transports his private weapons according to the usual protocols, checks his tactical knife folded properly into his luggage along with his personal and night vision goggles and heads to Charleston.
Fendar arrives at the hotel front desk and checks in, going to his room and unpacking as much as he needs to while he waits for others to arrive.
This mostly involved cleaning and loading his weapons, and re-reading the background material.
He keeps the assault rifle in a large duffle. He arranges the body armor with the extra clips, grenades, etc and stuffs it in the duffle too, ready for quick access.
The 10mm glock he puts in his shoulder holster and slides the extra clips in the pockets of his sport coat.
The combat knife goes at the small of his back in a belt rig, easily accessible.
July 15th 11:45 AM
Fendar turns on the TV as he and Michael put away their gear and ready themselves to begin the investigation. The welcome "kit" from A Cell is spread out on the table, having given it a quick once over.
A news blurb interrupts the Reds/Nationals game to report a developing story, a pair of hikers has gone missing in Kanawha State Forest, near where a recent would be carjacker escaped police attention.
Hig will pull out a map and mark the known events on it, along with the location of the retired officer's residence. Looking for any sort of pattern.
He texts Ms Jones and asks her to join the rest of the team and talk about our next steps.
Do a pair of us go to meet the former agent, and a pair go to the hiker's campsite? Then check out the cemetery and the car jacking location before we link up to discuss?
Ms Jones - can you pull up anything on the history of this area that might give us a clue?
Looking for any sort of pattern.
Amongst the files and images Myers forwarded to A Cell is the below map. The key is not actually on the map but with your prior training and a perusal of the available data you can make a fair estimation of the notations as well as add your deductions to the legend.
"The hikers and the carjacker was near the same spot, much as I'd like to research the are, perhaps we'd be better over there first. If one of you guys is up for driving I may be able to check for info on-route if I can stay connected." Olive prefers to get on with stuff.
July 15th Noon
Agent Oscar's cellphone buzzes to indicate an incoming text, an alert from UPS indicating his package is available for pick-up.
Oscar, AKA Michael AKA Redacted puts down the folder he was looking through, glances at his phone, shuts it back off and pockets it again.
"I can drive. Gotta pick up my 'In Case of Emergency' hardware, and I don't think I'll be doing much beyond rereading those files anyhow. That'll give you another five or so minutes in clear signal territory. Might consider picking up some cash on Company Dime at a bank beforehand too. Gimme a minute."
He straps his service weapon on, attaches his combat knife to a wrist sheathe, shoves his hair under a baseball cap and throws the FBI windbreaker into a small bag to carry out to the car.
"Anyone got any objections to using the company car?"
"Sure." Olive jumps into the back of tha car. Rapidly logging in and searching up local legends and checking for any older reports in various crackpot news sites, maybe she'll strike gold.
Shotgun calls out Higs as he tosses his duffle in the back of the Company car, and gets in the front passenger seat.
Recommend we pick up your gear, then head to see the retired agent, then the last place of concern? The campsite?
He turns and extends a hand to Ms. Jones Higs. Then to Oscar Shooter, all by way of introduction.
Calling Myers on his listed cell phone receives a "The subscriber you have dialed is not in service, if you feel you have reached this message in error please hang and try your call again."
Calling Myers on his landline number receives six rings and then goes to a standard voicemail, "The caller you have dialed, 304-555-0820 is unavailable. At the tone please leave a message." BEEP
Agent Olive is able to maintain a wifi signal for the entire trip from the Hotel to the UPS lot, which takes 10 minutes. Dealing with the UPS clerk takes Agent Oscar another 10 minutes to retrieve the package, confirm contents, and stow appropriately in the Tahoe.
Myers' apartment is 8 minutes away across the river. The hiker search area is 14 minutes away.
We will head to Myers apartment; and wait outside long enough for Ms. Jones to make one search roll.
I plan to use my FBI ID to get into Myers' apartment, and talk about some information that came our way from a 'mutual source'.
I was thinking we had a photo of Myers - but perhaps we do not? I want to be sure we are talking to the right guy, and not a plant or spy.
For the campsite, we will just be FBI agents from the Cincinnati Field Office, looking at this case for similarities to an abduction in western Ohio.
Story correction. I am Agent Ormando, part of an FBI taskforce looking into the human traffickng - hence our interest in the missing gir.
We will check to see if we find anything with the first search attempt, and then we will move into the building.
I suggest all three of us....make sense?
"Sounds like a plan, Ormando. Let's take a look from within the car first.
He pulls out a sight from the box he got from the UPS lot, stashes the box back under the cargo canopy, then looks up at the appropriate window through the sight.
Upon arriving she'll let the others take lead
, and he passes.
Let's make a quick check around the building, looking for anything of concern, and then head in
From the pictures, it looks like we won't be able to drive around(?) so we will take a casual stroll.
Remember, my Dad used to work with Myers, who is retired. That's why we are visiting while we are in the area on an assignment.
1) Graffiti Magazine had a letter two weeks ago to the editor about the "White Shadows" reported around the Charleston area really belonging to men in "oily suits" which warp and reflect certain light waves making them photograph as shadows instead of as men. He states that was the cause of so many urban ghost myths around the country. It was a secret government project to spy on it's own people.
2) The Charleston Gazette had a story about the Health Inspector receiving numerous "anonymous" reports about local Asian restaurants being behind the rash of animal thefts and mutilations. The article discusses a two week investigation which turned up 0 instances of any restaurant in the area using non-beef/pork/chicken meat sources in it's cuisine. The article further urged caution, judgment, and safety when either seeing suspicious activities or reporting suspected behaviors to local authorities.
1) A missing persons report filed March 1st in Wheeling WV involving two young girls presumably abducted by a family member and her boyfriend. Tina Gail Lamb age 8 and Francis May Tanner age 6 are believed to have been kidnapped by Grace Helen Lamb and her biker boyfriend Dayle Marcus Allen of the gang Hell's Revenants after a series of escalating domestic disturbances. Both Grace and Dayle are wanted for questioning in regards to the children’s disappearances. The case has grown cold, like the Glesson case, no sightings reported since the initial disappearances.
2) A barge worker on the Ohio/Kanawha River was reported as missing/overboard near Charleston in the early hours of March 8th. Drake Matthew Turner's absence was noted as the craft reached the Marmet Locks and Dam. The craft's captain believed Drake went overboard between the Marmet Locks and the previous Winfield Locks while performing barge cover lock inspections. Drake’s body was found, at least the partial torso, head, and arm, badly mangled and torn apart. It was presumed he died by being dragged into the craft’s props or while in the water by another passing vehicle. The body was recovered city side of the 35th street Bridge in Charleston.
A sun-faded pennant hangs on the balcony that would belong to Myers.
OK Lads and Lasses - that pennant is hanging points down, and it's green. I read that as "danger". Any suggestions on the approach?
"Agreed. I'm thinking we take off the windbreakers, flash our badges at the visitor's desk and get a key. Go in quiet without too much fanfare. Keep whoever had our man spooked in the dark as much as possible."
Given nothing specific to the here and now Olive makes a mental note to apprise her colleagues later. "Sounds good, do we all go in, or should one of us keep an eye out from out here?"
July 15th 12:45 PM
From the outside you see there is one staff person behind the desk, a woman of roughly 30, medium height, weight, build, with dark hair done up in a loose bun. Five elderly tenants, a mix of three women and two men, are milling about the lounge area, watching television or talking with one another. Beyond the visitor's station is a bank of two elevators which likely lead up to the apartments. It is impossible to see what the back half of the ground floor contains from your current vantage point(s) outside.
There are two safety exits, one on each side of the building, and a service entrance to the rear opposite and offset to the right of the main doors.
We'll go with Mr. Felix's plan. Let's all go together, is my thought.
Might be some tech inside to check out.
Hig will hang back and let Felix do the talking at the desk. He will do his best to look non threatening but keep his eye out out for trouble.
Michael leads the group in and walks directly to the counter and waves the woman over then leans in closely.
Agent Lee Robinson, FBI. We need to get into one of your apartments.
The woman seems less affected than might have been expected to your appearance and credentials. So who was swindled this time? Mrs. Newell investing in cat ranches again? Mr. Smith complaining about the hair gel conspiracy? Maybe Ms. Jones paying those gypsies for roofing work like she did last summer.
The woman shakes her head sadly and tosses down a clipboard with a visitor sign in sheet and takes three orange colored lanyards from a desk drawer. Sign in here and wear these at all times visibly so staff and residents can recognize you belong here.
So, who is it we have on base today? she asks, smiling.
Michael leans in as he signs in in simple, basic print.
Afraid I can't tell you too much. He gestures her in closer It's not so much what he did as what he might have seen or who he might know. There's an account at a bank in DC where some Russian money might have been stowed under his social security number, probably got lifted from any of a number of sources - you know how it is - so we need to talk to him and get a look at his computer or phone if he has either. Anyway, we're here for number 451, not supposed to use names too openly in financial investigations.
Leaning in the caregiver takes on a more conspiratorial tone, You mean mad man Myers. He may be a bit off sometimes, and sure when he drinks tells some really wild stories, but I think he's mostly harmless. And he'd never do anything against this country. Dyed in the wool red, white, and blue that one. Served in Vietnam, with distinction to hear him tell it, and a few places after that I never did hear of. Said he was in Beirut, Grenada, the taking of Cuchillo Co... Made up stuff I'm sure, but he tells the stories like he was really there.
She straightens back up, shaking her head sadly. Poor Mr. M, he's had it rough since his wife passed. Pretty much locked himself away about a month after she died. Stopped going to their cabin, rarely left the building, until a few months ago that is. Seemed to get a bit of pep back. Kinda nice at first, but then he started getting agitated, loopy. Was out at all hours, coming and going in a frantic rush, always mumbling to himself, scribbling in his journals. He kept thinking he was being watched, followed even when he left the building. He started borrowing other tenants' cars, riding buses, calling cabs and never taking them, breaking out the side exits, just crazy paranoid stuff. Come to think I haven't seen him in a few days now. His cars in the lot though. Green Reliant K across the lot so he should be home.
She taps the sign-in sheet. Just put General Review, if you would. Names and ID numbers should suffice, but please keep the lanyards on at all times, and no disturbing the other tenants please. We do have a few residents with restrictive or special medical concerns to be considered.
Higs smiles at the conversation, trying to look friendly. He keeps his eyes peeled for anything like security cameras or someone paying too much attention to their conversation, or anything like that.
Hig notices there is a security camera pointing towards the front door and one in the hallway watching the elevators. A small station behind the counter shows a monitor with three lit views and one dark screen. Peering closer while the attendant continues chit-chatting with Agent Oscar he guesses the views are the front door, the elevators on this floor, and the third looks to be watching the common area nearby.
Do I see the stairs?
If I do, is there any good way to head up them (unseen by the desk) while Felix and Jones take the elevator?
Felix takes the badges, passes them out and wishes the desk ladies a good afternoon.
He heads to the elevator.
Hig will tag along to the elevator, unless he sees an opportunity to slip off and take the stairs. It doesn't seem likely given the cameras, so he will probably just ride up the elevator.
Do I see the stairs?
If I do, is there any good way to head up them (unseen by the desk) while Felix and Jones take the elevator?
If I don't think it is in line-of-sight of the security camera, I will go up the stairs to the apartment floor. If it IS in line-of-sight, I will take the elevator.
If I don't think it is in line-of-sight of the security camera, I will go up the stairs to the apartment floor. If it IS in line-of-sight, I will take the elevator.
Hig sticks with the elevator.
The elevator rises slowly to the fifth floor and opens onto a stark, bland environment. The hallway is carpeted, the walls painted, and the lights well and evenly placed. A sign directs visitors left to the even numbered rooms, right to the odd. Faint noises can be heard from some of the rooms, the well insulated walls not quite up to blocking the televisions or music played at higher volumes for tenants likely suffering from hearing issues. The elevator doors shut slowly behind you and the car can be heard rumbling as it lowers back down the shaft.
The thickly covered floor muffles your steps as you proceed towards Mr. Myers' room. A small nameplate is attached to the right of the door, Mr. & Mrs. Myers.
Felix goes to knock on the door, then pauses.
Hope he doesn't put some buckshot through the door.
He knocks.
Mr Myers? We're here about the sign in your window?
You think for a moment you heard faint rustling around inside, but after a short pause no one answers your call and no one comes to the door.
Think think think! Old-school codes!
Agent Oscar knocks on the door the first few beats to Shave and a Haircut Bump, bump, babump-bump and then slams his fist hard into the door BANG, sliding the fist down the door before removing it.
A faint whiff of air comes from around the door, but still no sound of movement by the door.
Oscar tries the knob from behind the wall, not directly behind the door.
Higs steps to the other side of the door, and checks to make sure his pistol is ready. Should have brought a silencer he thinks.
Agent Oscar turns the door handle slowly, lowering the lever and hearing the door mechanism click into place, then continue on, opening the latch. Something thin and metallic falls to the floor as the door latch releases and the door swings open only a quarter inch or so. Looking down, all three agents recognize a small lockpick tension bar laying on the floor, then glance over at each other, concerned.
The feeling of blowing air grew stronger as the door was cracked, carrying with it the scents of outdoors, a sharp metallic smell, and the faintest whiff of spent gunpowder.