The Wolf's Lair Conspiracy: Book One

By William L Inman

A supernatural thriller. The first book in a series detailing the exploits of FBI Agent David Cortez. The first book in the series uncovers a monstrous plot to return Hitler's Third Reich to power sixty years after its defeat in WW II. The book combines historical fact with ancient legends and the wonders of modern technology to paint an unsettling portrait of a world gone mad.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781624887543

Book preview

The Wolf’s Lair

Conspiracy

by

William Inman

~ Disclaimer and Copyright Information ~

The Wolf’s Lair Conspiracy is the first part of a series and is a work of fiction. Although historical persons, organizations, places and events are used as a framework, upon which the story is crafted. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental or used fictitiously. Any acts or quotes attributed to actual historical figures are a product of the author’s imagination and there is no intent to depict their actual conduct.

Copyright © 2012 by William Inman

All rights reserved. This book, or any excerpts from this book, may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the author.

E-ISBN 9781624887543

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my beloved wife Jackie, without whose unbounded understanding of long periods of inattentiveness, while the muse was upon me, this book would never have been written. Her willingness to fore go a summer vacation and many weekends out in the motorhome, afforded me the time and concentration necessary to see it through to completion. Thank you Dear, for your unwavering support and encouragement of this endeavor.

Acknowledgments

I also owe a debt of gratitude to Kathy Reynolds MS and Erika Stevens for all their help with ediing. Their advice was invaluable in the crafting of this novel. I would also like to thank Julian Smart and Anthemion Software for creating, in my humble opinion, the best authoring software available, Jutoh 1.60.0. Also many thanks to the other prepublication readers.

A Word from the Author

I hope you enjoy this, the first part of the Wolf’s Lair Conspiracy. If you purchased the book and would like to see more of this series, I invite you to become part of the process. Review the book. Encourage the author. We live in exciting times where literature is not constrained by the brick and mortar world of conventional publishing and you can now buy great books for little more than the price of a cup of coffee. I know that we live in a busy society and writing a book review takes time and effort, but it is the best way to help a new author get started. If you do decide to review the book, email me a copy at [e-mail]. I would like to gift the first 25 reviewers, an epub of The Lost Bell (Book Two of the WLC series), when it is completed. If you chose not to review it, please accept my thanks for the purchase and keep on reading.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Acknowledgments

Preface

Chapter 1 - Remembering

Chapter 2 - At the Bureau

Chapter 3 - An Unexpected Package

Chapter 4 - The Journal

Chapter 5 - Escape from Colombia

Chapter 6 - Cara's return

Chapter 7 - Series 214

Chapter 8 - The Sniper

Chapter 9 - California Assignment

Chapter 10 - The Night of the Beast

Chapter 11 - Aftermath

Chapter 12 - The Waiting Game

Chapter 13 - Le Grand Tour

Chapter 14 - Cruzin'

Chapter 15 - A Deadly Plan

Chapter 16 - End Game

Epilogue

Coming Soon

~ From the Back Cover ~

A cryptic email and a failed assassination attempt on a US Congressman, puts FBI Agent David Cortez squarely in the middle of a decades old conspiracy. The plot, hatched within the depths of Hitler’s Wolf’s Lair, is so diabolic, it threatens to tear apart the fabric of the modern world and plunge civilization into anarchy.

He must race against time to thwart the scheme, facing unspeakable horrors and forces within his own government. A terrorist attack brings our nation to the brink of destruction and he is forced to make an unholy alliance to defend it.

A journal written by a dead Nazi scientist will take him on a journey where modern science will clash with ancient legend and change him forever…

~ Chapter 1 – Remembering ~

The loud, rapid patter of rain on the window pane caused David to drift between a state of semi-consciousness and fitful sleep. His dreams were filled with the terrible events of the last 45 days...

It all began with an email, from Cara Fenton. He hadn’t heard from her in years, not since their junior year at USC. They dated exclusively through their junior year, even though her father disliked him and considered him a distraction to his daughter’s studies. Cara’s father, Malcolm Fenton PhD, was the pre-eminent authority on early Central and South American Cultures and while extremely intelligent, was aloof, terrible with social graces and very protective of his only daughter.

During his junior year David was recruited by the FBI. The Bureau’s interest in him stemmed from the fact that he was majoring in Language and was fluent in several languages including Spanish, French, German, and Chinese. It also helped that he was an All-American athlete, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and his father, Michael Cortez, was head of the San Diego Field Office. The more he became involved with choosing the Bureau as a career path, the farther he and Cara drifted apart.

They split up during the summer before their senior year and afterward, they were barely civil to each other. Why would she be emailing him now, on an old email account which he rarely used but still maintained to keep in touch with old college friends? As he clicked the email, the good memories of their time together flooded back.

The email read;

David,

I hope this reaches you, as it is the only contact info I have.

I’ll bet you are surprised to hear from me after all these years, but I’m in trouble and I have no one else to turn to. I fear my father is dead... or worse, and since I believe you are still with the FBI, I am hoping you can help me. We were on an expedition to the far reaches of the Amazon River, when we discovered something. I can’t talk about it in this email but I am hoping you will be willing to meet me. I will explain the details at that time.

I can’t stay here in Brazil and I can’t return to the US directly, as it is too dangerous for me. I will be staying with friends in Bogotá Colombia. I hope you can meet me at the bar in the Bogotá Plaza Summit Hotel (near the airport) next Friday at 3:00 PM.

Please David, this is urgent and you are my only hope! Please reply, and let me know you are coming. If you can’t... I don’t know what I’ll do!

Your Friend,

Cara Fenton

He pushed back from the computer and tried to comprehend what he had just read. What had she stumbled upon to cause her father’s death and put her life at risk? Next Friday was only five days away and he would have to have leave approved by his Superior, Matt Clark. Clark was a self avowed workaholic with little patience for unscheduled leave. Still, he knew he would have to help her, and it appeared that she thought he was her last hope. He dialed Clark's cell number.

Clark here. answered the gruff voice at the other end of the line.

Matt, this is David Cortez.

Why the hell are you calling me on Sunday? replied Clark, obviously annoyed.

I’m sorry to bother you, but I need emergency leave. David said apologetically.

When and why? Clark questioned.

I need to leave Tuesday and it’s personal. he said.

For how long? Clark said in an impatient tone.

At least seven days. he said.

What about the Sniper Case? again with the impatient tone.

I’ll come on Monday to brief Warner and Grimes. They can follow the leads while I’m gone.

What’s all this about, anyway? inquired his boss.

I can’t explain right now but I’ll fill you in when I return.

Okay, Okay.... Come in and see me on Monday and I’ll approve it, but you will owe me big time.

Thanks Matt, I’ll see you tomorrow.

He hung up the phone and dashed off a reply to Cara’s email, confirming the place, date and time of the meeting. Next he booked a room at the Bogotá Plaza Summit Hotel and a flight through Expedia. As he confirmed the purchase, he thought to himself,

This better be important, Cara. You just cost me $3,300.

Packing was no problem. He always kept a bag packed with casual clothes, in case he was assigned a case involving undercover work and a suit bag for more formal requirements. It was a habit which he learned from his father and had served him well on more than one last minute assignment. The only thing he would have to remember was to pick up a current Security SIM Card for his special issue Blackberry. The phone worked as a normal GSM phone until a three digit code was keyed in. It would then connect to a world wide secure network and would deliver encrypted email to and from the network. The phone would also allow connections to a special number within the Bureau, so Agents could check in and be contacted, no matter where in the world they traveled. The device could also hijack various networks to make local calls. This feature had saved his life more than once on covert assignments to Mexico and Colombia in support of the DEA’s War on Drugs. He only had to add an electric razor, toothpaste and toothbrush to complete packing.

Should I take just my civilian ID? he wondered, not knowing what he was getting himself into, and not wanting to risk an international incident. He knew he could pick up a legal firearm and Colombian permit, from a friend in the DEA, when he arrived in Bogotá.

He spent the rest of the day reminiscing about Cara and worrying about the trouble she might be in.

~ Chapter 2 - At the Bureau ~

Monday morning he awoke at his customary 6:00 AM. He showered, shaved and gulped down a bowl of granola. By then it was 6:45 AM, plenty of time to catch the Metro and arrive at the Bureau by 8:00 AM. At the Station he spotted Cameron Warner about to board. Cam and David had been friends since their training days at Quantico and both had risen quickly through the ranks to become Field Agents. Cam was extremely intelligent and while fit, he was not athletically inclined, preferring a computer keyboard to a vigorous workout at the gym. Cam was a family man with a beautiful wife, Lisa, and two young boys, Kevin and Michael. On the other hand, David was a confirmed bachelor, preferring quantity over quality. Despite their differences, they worked well together and had solved a lot of difficult cases, with David doing the field work and Cam providing research and profiling expertise.

Cam, wait up!

Hey Bud, what’s up?

I need to get together with you and Grimes to update him on the Sniper Investigation.

Why Grimes? You know that guy rubs me the wrong way and anyway we don’t need any help... we’re doing just fine. Cam scowled.

I have to leave for a week to take care of something personal and you’re going to need someone in the field to help you run down leads.

What’s up? Family problems? Are your Mom and Dad Ok?

No, it’s nothing like that. It’s Cara Fenton. She’s in some sort of trouble! Cara’s name had come up a few times in conversations, over drinks at Degrees, their favorite weekend bar in Georgetown.

You mean the ex-girlfriend Cara from USC? What kind of trouble? The doors to the car opened and they boarded.

I don’t really know except she thinks her life is in danger. I’ll know more when I meet her in Bogotá on Friday? he said, finding a seat near the back of the car.

Bogotá! What’s she doing there? asked Cam with a surprised look on his face.

Again, I don’t know until I see her... she said she would be staying with friends and to meet her at the bar in the Bogotá Plaza Summit Hotel.

Have you talked to Clark about this? he asked.

Yeah, but only that I need personal time off.

Cam offered to help in any way he could and they passed the rest of the ride discussing how best to bring Grimes up to speed on the investigation. When they arrived, they checked through security and went directly to Tom Grimes office. Tom Grimes was a veteran of 25 years with the Bureau, a balding 52 year old with a strictly by the book attitude. His career to date had been unexceptional, and consequently he had been passed over for several promotions. He hadn’t embraced the technological advances made over the last 15 years and still considered a pad, pencil and shoe leather to be the tools of the trade. Still, he was a competent agent and when paired with Cam’s knack for research, he could certainly pursue any new leads over the next few days. David and Cam had worked with him on several cases in the past and even though Cam didn’t like his Old School attitude, David knew Cam’s sense of professionalism would win out.

As they entered his office, Grimes greeted them.

Well if it isn’t the Dynamic Duo. What can I do for you boys?

Tom I need a favor from you. I have to leave for 7 to 10 days on personal business and I need you to help Cam follow up on new leads in the Sniper Investigation.

Yeah, yeah, Clark already asked if I could give you boys a hand. I told him I had a heavy case load myself but if the Bureau needs something I’m always willing to pitch in.

David knew that Grimes only current case was a year old investigation involving the hijacking of a tractor trailer full of HP Computers and transporting them across state lines. He decided to appeal to his vanity.

Thanks Tom, if everyone around here had your work ethic, we could get by with a lot less agents.

With a big smile on his face, Grimes invited them to sit. They spent the next several hours, including lunch, going over the details of the investigation and what specifically Grimes would follow up on. About midway through the session Matt Clark paged David. He wanted him to stop by his office after the briefing. It was 3:30 PM when the briefing finished. David told Cam he would see him before he left the building and headed for Clark’s office.

As he approached the office at the far end of the floor, Clark waved for him to enter through the open doorway. Matt Clark was an imposing figure to say the least. At 6 feet 7 inches and 250 lbs, he towered over David (a mere 6 feet 2 inches). Clark had been David’s supervisor since his promotion to Field Agent seven years prior. Clark was known as a tenacious investigator who always produced results, a fact that did not go unnoticed by his superiors and led to his promotion nearly 15 years ago to Head of the Department. He had taken the promotion seriously to the detriment of his personal life. Long hours and frequent long trips weighed heavily on his marriage and eventually led to divorce. He had never remarried and spent much of his time at the office. While he maintained cordial relationships with both his wife Adele and son Matt Jr., it was obvious to all who knew him that The Job always came first. He motioned for David to sit in the chair across from him.

Did you bring Grimes up to date? Clark said impatiently.

Yes, and we gave him several leads to follow up on while I’m away.

That’s good, because I’m getting pressure from upstairs to produce some results. You picked a helluva time to take off. Where are you going? You at least owe me that much information. Clark said with an expectant look.

David thought for a moment about divulging more information than was necessary but decided he should at least tell Clark where he was going.

I have to go to Bogotá, Colombia. David replied.

Colombia! I thought you were going to be state-side. Why in the hell do you have to go to Colombia? You know from experience what a shit hole that can be!

Please, trust me, I have a good reason and someone is depending on me to be there.

I don’t like this one bit, but since you’re going out of the country, pick up a new Encrypted World SIM card from TSD before you leave. he said, as he jotted something on a requisition form and handed it to David. I want to be able to get in touch with you if I need to. I just hope you know what you’re doing. It better not be anything that will affect the Bureau negatively. he said with a stern look.

It’s not. Thank you Matt, I know this is last minute...

Clark cut him off. OK, just get out of here and get back as soon as possible!

David left hurriedly and headed for TSD, an abbreviation for Technical Support Division. At the counter he handed the requisition form to a thirty something, bespectacled clerk and received a plastic case containing the SIM card.

Going out of the country, huh? asked the clerk.

Yeah, something like that, he said while opening the case. David slipped the SIM card into his phone and entered his access code. He waited for the three beeps which indicated that the SIM card was accepted and was working properly on the secure network.

Thanks. David said, turning to leave.

Have a good trip, said the clerk, with a good natured smile.

David smiled and headed to Cam’s office. Cam was sitting behind the desk with a disturbed look on his face.

David, I’ve been thinking about this and I really think you need backup. You don’t know what you might be getting into.

Relax, this isn’t my first rodeo and besides I just picked up a new World SIM card. I’ll make sure to keep you informed. I’ll contact Juan Moreno at the Bogotá DEA Office when I arrive to pick up a firearm and backup if necessary.

OK, but make sure you stay in touch. Cam replied with a worried look.

They shook hands and David left for home to get some rest. On the way, he stopped by his bank and withdrew $2,000 in cash for the trip. At home, he placed the cash, a 64 gigabyte SD camera/voice recorder and his passport in a special travel belt he used for out of country trips. At the last second, he decided to take his FBI badge. After all, it could speed his re-entry through customs when he returned.

He called to have Chinese food delivered from his favorite neighborhood restaurant and watched CNN while he ate, paying particular attention to a segment about the alleged assassination attempt on Congressman Zeigler. The segment covered his meteoric rise from junior California Congressman to become Speaker of the House at the young age of 45. The commentator commented that he was lucky to survive the ordeal with only a minor flesh wound. Several pundits speculated on the reasons behind the shooting, ranging from political enemies to radicals who disagreed with his support of current gun law and his alleged anti-Israel agenda. They also commented that those views had been the reason his bid for the Presidency had been unsuccessful. The Congressman, now in his mid fifties, failed to gain his party’s nomination.

Remembering the trip to Bogotá would be eighteen hours, including an overnight in Panama City, he turned off the television and was asleep by 8:30 PM.

~ Chapter 3 - An Unexpected Package ~

The 11:05 AM flight to Miami was a typical commuter flight, filled with businessmen of several nationalities. He dozed for most of the short flight and arrived in Miami with a wait of 3 hours before the flight to Panama City. He decided to have a quick lunch and a couple of drinks to pass the time. He called Cam to let him know he was about to take off.

Cam answered. Hey Bud, what’s up?

Just thought I would check in before I took off. Any new leads on the sniper case?

We’re still waiting to hear from ballistics on the round found embedded in the tree. Congressman Zeigler was lucky the bullet just grazed him. He will be heading back to California for some well deserved rest.

"Does the Secret Service think that’s a good idea so soon after an attempt was made on his life?’

I guess they have no choice, the Congressman insists. Anyway that’s their problem, ours is finding the asshole who shot him. replied Cam.

Is Grimes following up on the Enemies List?

Yeah, but it’s a long list. Zeigler climbed over a lot of people in his political career.

Ok, I gotta go. See ya when I get back.

Ok, Buddy. Watch your back and stay in touch!

I will. David said as he hung up.

The loudspeaker announced boarding for the flight to Bogotá. While he waited for his boarding group to be called, he checked his email to see if there was anything new from Cara. There was no new mail. He quickly dashed off an email, letting her know he would arrive tomorrow and would be staying at the Bogotá Plaza Summit. His group was announced and he joined a line consisting of tourists, Latin American nationals, and business people. His attire, Hawaiian shirt and khaki Dockers, definitely put him in the tourist category. He shut off his Blackberry and boarded the plane.

Cara, I hope this isn’t a wild goose chase. He thought, as he found his aisle seat.

The flight to Panama City was uneventful. He pretended he didn’t understand Spanish to discourage conversation with the elderly woman sitting next to him and slept most of the way. Upon arriving at Panama City, he disembarked and after clearing Customs, found a comfortable hotel next to the airport. He checked the Blackberry but found no reply to his email. After a late dinner, he called the desk for a 5:00 AM wake up and fell asleep watching CNN.

The next morning, he arrived at the airport in time for a quick breakfast before boarding the 7:56 AM flight to Bogotá. His Blackberry still showed no reply from Cara. During the hour and a half flight he imagined several scenarios which might explain why Cara hadn’t responded to his email. Perhaps she was still in transit or maybe she didn’t have access to the Internet. Maybe she never made it out of Brazil at all. In any case, he would see Juan Moreno, at the DEA under cover office to pick up a firearm before checking into the Bogotá Plaza.

In Bogotá, he disembarked and cleared Customs without incident. Outside the airport he hailed a taxi, turned on the Blackberry, and hastily looked up an address. He gave the driver the address and dialed the number from the contact screen.

David, it’s been awhile amigo. How are you? said the heavily accented voice.

Juan, it’s good to hear your voice again. How did you know who it was?

The wonders of modern Chinese electronics. Juan replied.

You still have my contact info from five years ago?