The sun was climbing into a clear blue sky as Lonnie Mixell drove northwest on Highway 30M, tapping a thumb on the steering wheel as he traveled along the dusty, desolate road. He was in a good mood; everything was proceeding according to plan, and he would soon be on a flight departing from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport to begin the next phase of his plot.
He was approaching the Masnaa Syria-Lebanon border crossing when his cell phone rang. After verifying the call was the one he was expecting, he answered.
“Everything is arranged,” Issad Futtaim said. “Your item has been procured and is being prepared for shipment. The shipping manifest and instructions for pickup at the destination will be emailed to your account.” Mixell had a few questions, which Futtaim answered, then the Arab ended the conversation with, “It has been a pleasure doing business with you. Please keep me in mind for future procurements.”
The call concluded as Mixell approached the first of two border checkpoints, this one at Jdeidat Yabous, Syria, which marked the beginning of a five-mile trek through neutral territory between the two countries.
Mixell’s cell phone vibrated. It was a unique text-tone vibration, set to one person. Mixell picked up the phone and read the text.
The CIA is gaining ground on you. Your friend Harrison now works for them and is in Damascus. He’s meeting with Futtaim this afternoon.
Mixell replied, What time?
3 p.m. I recommend you tie up loose ends before then.
Mixell slammed a hand against his steering wheel. Harrison was going to muck things up. After contemplating his options, Mixell slowed and turned around, heading back to Damascus. He placed a call.
When the man answered, Mixell said, “I need assistance.”
After explaining his needs and verifying they could be met, the two men struck a deal, which included a dozen armed men. They wouldn’t be as well trained as Harrison, but there would be a lot of them.
Additionally, Mixell wasn’t about to let the outcome rest in someone else’s hands. He asked the man to hold as he pulled up a map on his cell phone, then zoomed in to Futtaim’s building. After assessing the nearby terrain, a plan formed.
“I need some equipment this afternoon,” Mixell said, then detailed his requirements.
“That won’t be a problem,” the man replied.