WITH BRIGHT EYES AND an expression of excitement, Ashley dashed into Walter Kent's office and announced, "They found him."
Kent glanced from his desk and saw an energized Ashley Kohen waving a notepad over her head. "You look like you won the lottery. Who found who?"
"Chavez County Sheriff's Office called. They found our man. The Russell Smith impostor."
"That's good news. Only five days since our APB went out." Kent tried to stop staring at her. Never had he seen her face so flushed and her eyes sparkle as they did at that moment. He forced himself to refocus his attention. "Where did they find him?"
"Downstate in an RV Park south of Roswell. A deputy sheriff went camping on his day off. Parked right next to the suspect's rig. He checked it out when he got back to work. Sure enough, the description matched."
Kent didn't expect to find the un-sub this fast, but had prepared a surveillance team to stand ready for mobilization. Checking his assignment roster he turned to Ashley. "I’ve ordered Agent Jerry Cebeck and his surveillance team to work with you. As the lead investigator this will give you a chance to watch the un-sub and learn his modus operandi."
"What about Ramirez?"
"I've reassigned him. I need Mark back doing what he does best–helping me with administrative matters. For now, I want you to work with Cebeck." He paused for a moment. "I hope your work with Agent Ramirez has been a learning experience." Kent checked Ashley's response.
"Oh yes. A unique experience, Mr. Kent. One I will remember for many years."
He noticed the corners of her mouth twisted with amusement.
LATER THAT MORNING Ashley met Cebeck in the staging area of the field office motor pool. Florescent lights disclosed gray concrete walls and a dark tire-marked floor. "Hi, Agent Cebeck, I'm Ashley Kohen, the lead on this case. I have a Covert Entry search warrant for the suspect." She handed him a copy of the order. "I can extend the time period, if needed."
Cebeck, a burly guy with watery blue eyes, dirty blond hair and a perpetual two day growth on his face, took the paper. "A Sneak and Peek warrant. We need that. Thank God for the Patriot Act or whatever they call it nowadays." They shook hands. "Surveillance means long hours in close quarters. You can drop the formalities. Call me Jerry." He tucked the paperwork in his back pocket. "You're new to the field office. Have you done this work before?"
She knew Jerry Cebeck had worked surveillance much of his career with the FBI, and did it well. "Sure. I've done my share of stakeouts with the Chicago PD." He acknowledged her with a skeptical nod.
The other team members joined them in the staging area. Ashley counted ten men. Cebeck began the briefing. "The suspect is in an RV park. Our assigned agent on duty in Roswell is watching him as I speak. I've arranged to rent a truck and a camper so we can locate near him tomorrow, Saturday. This will be a 24-hour shadow operation. Under no circumstance will any member of this team allow the subject to become aware of his presence. The subject is about six feet tall and 180 pounds with dark hair. The size of our team will vary based on the subject's movement. If he’s idle, the team will consist of two stationary observers and two remote agents ready to move as needed." He snapped on his pointer. A tiny red dot danced across a map of Roswell taped to the concrete wall. "If the subject becomes mobile, the team can grow to half a dozen or more agents using various modes of transport–usually four-wheeled vehicles. I have two bicycles and a motorcycle ready if needed. Each of you have a copy of this map in your file folders. Learn the streets and highways." He studied their faces. "Radio contact will remain constant 24-7. We'll work four hour shifts. Dress code is standard seedy American. I will create a base of operations in the travel trailer on-site. The Bureau's satellite office in downtown Roswell will serve as a backup. Any questions?"
A veteran team member asked, "Will we have tracking receivers?"
Agent Cebeck, besides his role as surveillance team leader, also served as the Bug Man. A title given him years ago for good reason. Cebeck's expertise in planting satellite tracking devices matched or exceeded anybody's skill in the Bureau.
"You bet. Every unit will have electronic trackers set to our usual frequency. As soon as we find out the subject's movement pattern, I'll get my gardening tools out and do some planting." A ripple of laughter was heard. “Any other questions?" He heard nothing. “Okay gentlemen tomorrow you start your engines." He gawked at Ashley with a crooked grin. “You too, Agent Kohen.”
FOUND ON THE SOUTH side of the city, the Town and Country RV Park occupied a twenty acre rectangular parcel of land with a paved road that looped the interior. A swimming pool centered the loop with camping spaces backing onto it. Across the looped road the remaining sites lined the park boundary. Most sites had a mature tree to provide shade and all offered standard hookups.
In the northeast corner of the park, facing the interior road, a fancy bronze painted 45-foot motor home housed the subject. The impressive rig bristled with slide-outs, and had a satellite antenna mounted on the roof. The thirty foot awning extended over a picnic table and two bright green folding chairs. Next to the table and chairs, a brown SUV faced the road.
Ashley arrived at the Town and Country early Saturday morning and drove the loop. Only a few sites were occupied because of the hot weather. The big motor home stuck out like a circus clown in a church choir. She got a park map at the office and studied it, then called Jerry. "I've found the perfect site. It will view the entrance side of the subject's motor home with an unobstructed view. The site is a pull-though. That puts the large tinted rear window of our trailer facing the subject. He can't see us enter or leave the trailer."
"Sounds great. Rent it."
"Will do. It's site number twelve."
That afternoon Jerry arrived with a twenty-nine foot trailer and a pickup truck. They parked their trailer, and hooked up. To create an authentic appearance, Ashley unfolded a couple of lawn chairs, strung a clothesline and hung two wet towels on it. "Now we look like real campers." She tossed an overnight bag on the foldout sofa.
Cebeck grinned broadly and clapped his hands. "All the comforts of home. Time to get to work.” In the rear of the trailer, facing the subject's motor home, Cebeck mounted four computer monitors. Two were attached to tiny wireless surveillance cameras mounted on the roof. One camera viewed the subject's campsite, and the other the park entrance. A third monitor remained available for messaging and general Internet use. The fourth served as a backup unit. A 250 watt radio transmitter bounced a satellite signal back to all mobile units–the chase cars. If a power outage occurred, an onboard portable generator stood ready.
Ashley watched as Cebeck scurried about, much like a caterer making last minute preparations for a big banquet. Impressed with the improvised command center, she asked. "What, no binoculars, Jerry?"
He scarcely looked her way. "Of course. Night vision binoculars." He pulled a pair out of a duffel bag and handed them to her. "This will keep you out of trouble working the night shift." He also handed her an infrared digital camera. "Works well under extreme lowlight. I have other cameras for daytime use." He showed Ashley how to work all the equipment. When finished, he asked, "What do you think?"
Ashley reviewed the procedures. A bit more advanced than her stakeouts in Chicago, but easy enough to handle. "Great setup. Now what?"
Cebeck checked his watch. He flicked on his phone and tapped an app. "It's a new moon tonight. It’ll be dark outside."
Ashley nodded. "Great for bug planting, right?"
"Why do you think I dressed in black?"
The story around the office said Jerry would never have to worry about money because if he quit the Bureau he could always make a good living as a cat burglar. A crude joke, but also an implied compliment that recognized his ability to move with stealth. Ashley, using the binoculars, watched his shadowy green form slip through the night planting a miniature satellite tracking device on the SUV and the motor home. It took fewer than five minutes.
Tomorrow would be the first full day of surveillance. She would at last see the killer of Russell Smith. It would also be a day that would turn Ashley's life in a different direction.