“All state of the art, all this thanks to the deceased Peter Grayden, Sarnev’s original tech guru. He is probably the one responsible for the monitoring bypass. You probably located these bypass systems in his old room and the former room of Jason Orr. Two major players who were tasked with the security of Sarnev International and the protection of Andre himself. Have either of you heard of Jason Orr or know him?”
Both Bar-Lev and Fromer answered no.
“Let me go on.” Lehan got up from his seat and walked to a full-length open window.
He turned to face the two as he began to speak, a strong ocean breeze had been cooling the room and now was blowing the back of Lehan’s hair in a way that made him seem animated to Fromer. She thought his features were rather odd to begin with, and now she held back her smile as she knew what he was about to say needed to be taken seriously.
“I will be blunt. I believe Jason Orr was directly responsible for the disappearance and probable death of Andre Sarnev. The information that I have gathered through numerous sources have led me to believe Jason Orr left this island and ended up in Alaska where he began a full-on assault on this company.
“He is a dangerous man without any ethical standards. I sent well-trained men to find him and bring him back to Bermuda to face justice, and he brutally murdered them, all four of them. I want Jason Orr found. I want him brought to me for justice.
“His crimes have never been reported to authorities. A report on the disappearance of Andre Sarnev was never made, not in Alaska where it took place or locally here on the island. It was decided by the Sarnev governing body to withhold that information from the public.
“Only those who attended the corporate meeting two days ago are aware, and obviously, you two. No unauthorized person here at the estate even knows. They all believe Andre is in a facility for his cancer treatment.
“So, you two, how good are you at tracking someone down, someone with the training and skills of a Jason Orr? Someone who has gone off the grid, probably changed identities, and does not want to be found. Does your expertise encompass the skills that can accomplish this assignment in the name of Andre Sarnev and justice?”
Lehan looked from Bar-Lev to Fromer, both looked confident and did not hesitate to assure Lehan by stating, “Yes, absolutely.”
Bar-Lev then said, “We have history and experience. The Israeli government developed many techniques to obtain information in their hunt for Nazi war criminals. They attempted to hide all over the world, but our success rate has been very high, and we are still pursuing leads. We will never give up.” Bar-Lev then asked Lehan, “So your monitoring breach here at the estate, you believe Grayden and Orr were involved in those?”
“Absolutely, I am sure of it. Grayden developed our entire system. He made sure it was maintained properly. He installed the bypass systems Andre and I could activate if we needed to. I am sure he installed whatever bypass you have found in the rooms on the fourth floor, for himself and Jason Orr to use, so they could discuss their schemes without being detected.
Fromer then asked, “Can I inquire what led to Grayden’s death?”
Lehan answered, “He unfortunately died in a plane crash in the South Pacific. He was on an assignment for us. He was traveling from Fiji to Sydney.”
“And how did Orr leave the Island?”
“He stole one of our helicopters, kidnapped the pilot. We don’t know if the pilot survived. The helicopter was found on the South Carolina coast. But like I said, I am certain he went to Alaska. He owns a cabin in a small village named Levelock. Local authorities have no record of him showing up there, but I believe he changed his identity. I would recommend starting any search for him in Alaska.”
“So this Jason Orr sounds ruthless. What caused him to turn so violent and vindictive toward Sarnev International?” Bar-Lev asked.
“Personally, I think it was jealousy. You see, Grayden and a young woman in our employee Sarah Mercer had been on several assignments together. Sarah was Orr’s romantic interest. Then he discovered that his best friend and the woman he loved were having an affair. I think he blamed Sarnev for sending them on assignments together. I have no proof, but I believe somehow, he arranged for the plane they were flying in together to be sabotaged, killing both Grayden, Mercer, and two pilots.”
“He sounds like a very dangerous man who is willing to do anything to achieve his goals,” Fromer said.
“Yes, he is, and I am afraid his vendetta against Sarnev International has just begun,” Lehan answered.
Bar-Lev changed the subject, “So, Mr. Lehan, you say you have security tapes of all the estate’s monitoring going back, let’s say for the past year?”
“Yes, and even farther back. I think I should bring in my own team to review all the tapes. It is a daunting process, but it would give us all peace of mind to find anyone who may have leaked, who still might be on the island working. They could still be leaking vital security information off the estate. And if we are lucky, we might find clues to help us locate our target, Mr. Orr.
“I agree, but what about our current staff? They are all well-trained and know the system.”
Bar-Lev answered, “That could be where your problem lies. I will bring in my people, and your staff can be given temporary time off. Just don’t let them leave the estate. It would probably take a week, maybe two.”
Lehan sat back down. He looked as if he was pondering a big decision. Fromer and Bar-Lev sat silently, waiting for Lehan to answer.
“I concur with your assessments and your plan to resolve these issues. I will give the proposed time off to my current team when your people have arrived on the island. How long till they can be here?”
“Give us a week. We will have to tie up some business on the coast, then bring them on board.”
“Good, but I want to emphasize, Jason Orr must be found. I will spare no expense for his capture, or,” Lehan paused, “verifiable proof of his death.”
Chapter 10
Mariya Kamanev’s cell phone buzzed. She looked at the screen. Klopov’s name appeared. She turned the phone so Viktor could see it.
“Should I answer?”
“Da!” Viktor said. “Remember the plan.”
“Matvej, where are you?” she asked when she answered.
“Moscow, I am back. I can’t reach Bogdan. Is he with you?”
“Nyet,”
“I am worried. He always answers his phone,” Klopov said.
“I am worried too. Viktor is not back. Now Bogdan is missing. I feel something is wrong. I have left my apartment in Moscow, just temporary for now. I don’t feel safe with these mysteries, Viktor and Bogdan, not hearing from them.”
“So, Mariya, where are you?”
Mariya hesitated on purpose before answering. She wanted Klopov to think she was reluctantly letting him in on where she was.
“Can I tell you in confidence?” she asked. “We have trusted each other in the past. We need to do that now more than ever, da? Matvej?”
“Da, da! You have my word.”
“I am at Pleshcheyevo Lake, at my dacha, can you come here, meet with me so we can make plans in case things have gone wrong?”
“Da, I can be there in three hours. I have to get fuel. Should I bring a go bag and weapons?”
“Da, Matvej, and make sure you are not followed. Take longer if you feel you are being tailed. I am not going anywhere.”