Everyone asked Marlo Burns a few more questions, and ultimately lamented the irony of fate.
Due to insufficient authority, even Shane Langston, the security director who orchestrated this private arms deal, was unaware of the flaws in the missiles. This led him to orchestrate this elaborate inside job embezzlement scheme. They deliberately fabricated fake "faulty" chips, gradually intercepting enough of them from the normal production process over six months. They then bribed the Denver missile manufacturing plant to install GPS tracking on the transport trucks, allowing "AM" to intercept the missiles en route.
This elaborate scheme was ingenious, but it encountered Tony Swan, a dedicated former Army Military Police special investigator who also had a team of highly capable former teammates.
Calvin Franz, Sanchez, and Orozco had uncovered "AM," the middleman who absolutely must remain hidden.
Unfortunately, lacking the protection of official status after their military service, they were easily silenced by Langston, a former "captain" with considerable influence in New York.
Jack wasn't sure what Tony Swann had done that Langston had discovered, but it was clear he was initially treating the matter as a simple case of industrial espionage.
This was evident from their recent investigations: Franz had simply encrypted the investigative materials out of professional habit.
Sanchez and Orozco were similarly unaware of the risk until they learned the identity of the middleman, "AM," through connections within the DHS.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Before they could alert anyone else, Langston's hired killers arrived.
Negley, unsure whether it was good or bad luck, missed Franz's email while she was out on a case. Her quick wit might have saved her, allowing Reacher to intervene early and perhaps save the group.
Of course, making such assumptions was pointless now. Hearing how many people had died in this incident, Marlo Burns was genuinely horrified.
"So Swann isn't missing, he's probably already..."
"It's hard to say. We found his electronic signature on the manifest for the hijacked missiles. Perhaps Lanston has him locked up somewhere, ready to take the blame later."
O'Donnell, the grown man, was the most sentimental and optimistic of the remaining special investigators.
"I hope so. Lanston has been a police officer for over 30 years. He's extremely cautious and never leaves anything unsettled. Shortly after Swann disappeared, he summoned me to his office, placed the bag of money on the desk, and threatened me to help cover up what Swann had revealed.
I didn't dare refuse the money, or I'd also become a missing person." Marlo Burns crossed her arms, a look of lingering fear.
"How complicated is it to install the chip containing the 'Little Wings' program into a missile?" Reacher, who had been silent until then, seemingly lost in thought, finally returned to his thoughts and asked thoughtfully.
"For someone completely unfamiliar with the situation, an engineer would need to demonstrate it several times, but it's not complicated; an average person could do it." Marlo Burns looked bewildered, confused as to why he'd asked.
Jack had already guessed where Reacher was going. "Then do you know the identity of the engineer colluding with Lanston?"
The whereabouts of the missing anti-aircraft missiles remain unknown. The DHS and FBI tracked them down to a small airport, but then ran out of leads. They believe the entire container was loaded onto a small private plane.
However, given the density and busyness of small airports around New York, further investigation would take considerable time.
But how much time do they have? Based on the DHS's previous investigation of "AM's" whereabouts and travel time, he should have arrived in New York by now. Perhaps the missiles are already in his possession, waiting for the chips to be shipped overseas.
The Port of New York is one of the world's largest seaports, handling nearly ten million containers annually. Without any clues, accurately intercepting even one of these containers amidst such a vast sea of cargo would be incredibly challenging.
If the engineer's identity could be confirmed, they could learn the time and location of the transaction. As the saying goes, cash on delivery. Bearer bonds must be traded face-to-face, as must instructions on chip installation and how to use the anti-aircraft missiles.
Unfortunately, Marlo Burns's response disappointed everyone. "I don't know. There are over twenty engineers involved, and Swann didn't have time to determine who was colluding with Lanston."
This left them with only two options: either direct the FBI and DHS to raid New Age Technology's headquarters tonight.
Or continue to wait and closely monitor Lanston and his men, catching them in the act of trading with "AM."
The problem was that neither option was particularly promising. Catching Lanston and his men alone would likely alert "AM," forcing him to flee with his 650 missiles.
Although these missiles lack chips, that's just software; the hardware itself isn't a major issue.
The short effective range and weak warhead are only applicable to target aircraft; no one stipulates that portable anti-aircraft missiles can only attack aerial targets.
If these missiles were modified and used as rockets and reappeared on the international arms market, or even dispersed within the United States, any damage they caused would be blamed on everyone, considering there are 650 of them.
Furthermore, Reacher wouldn't be happy if the FBI and DHS were to take over. The big guy's threats to his brother weren't just empty talk; he truly intended to kill Langston and his men to avenge his friend.
As for surveillance and tracking, Danny's embarrassed expression made it clear. The NYPD had previously taken on this task, but the cunning Langston had remained hidden within the New Age Technologies headquarters.
After being forced into a break-in, New Age Technologies' security was significantly tightened, making it difficult for both plainclothes NYPD officers and undercover FBI agents to infiltrate.
As everyone was at a loss, Jack's gaze kept lingering between the still-sobbing Marlo Burns and Reacher.
"Perhaps we could," they said almost simultaneously, their eyes meeting. Jack gestured for the larger man to continue.
Reacher paused, then spoke again, "Ms. Burns, since Langston is so cautious and a man who absolutely leaves no room for trouble, I need you to call him."
—
"Marlo? Where have you been these past few days? I've been worried about you." Langston's old, hoarse voice came from the other end of the line.
"I had to go out of town for a few days. A particularly strong man brought some people to me a few days ago and asked me about Swan. Since then, I've discovered I'm being followed.
They even broke into my house the night before last and threatened me and my daughter." Marlo Burns spoke the lines Jack had prepared for her in a panicked tone.
"What did you say to them?" Langston's voice rose slightly.
Jack quickly wrote a few words on the paper. Marlo Burns nodded slightly to show that she understood and continued on the phone, "I talked a lot of nonsense, but they know about the 'Little Wings' project. I'm worried that sooner or later they will find out something is wrong and come after me again."
Langston said casually on the other end of the phone, "Remember what I told you when I first came to you? As long as you do what I said, you will make a lot of money, and I will guarantee the safety of you and your daughter.
I am a man and I keep my promises, so where are you? I will come to pick you up myself."
(End of this chapter)