The Border Crosser

Ian takes in the scene as the news camera zooms in as the police open the back of a panel truck. The heat waves shimmering up from the pavement speak to the extreme desert heat. One of the police officers turns and holds his hand over his mouth as he gets sick. The people in the back of the semi are dead and it is clear that many tried unsuccessfully to claw their way out. The camera man turns the camera to the field reporter who describes the scene and the awful smell associated with the horrible scene.

This was the second such discovery in as many months.

When the reporter poses the question of how or who would solve such a horrible problem. Ian knew immediately that he had been activated.

Almost immediately after the news cast his phone displays a simple message, "call".

Using one of his disposable phones Ian called the number that he has memorize. He got briefed on what was expected of him. As always he was reminded that he had a support team that he could leverage.

Ian became Herman A. Lunquist senior FBI investigator. This was one of the most used identities that he had on record.

He contacted the FBI regional office in Phoenix and arranged for a visit.

His thorough understanding of the situation and his research into the region provide him with the break he needs to resolve the current situation.

He knew any solution he accomplished would only be good for the near future. The pressure to cross the border into the US was not going to lessen.

He discovers that a key person second in command of the local police department complicates the situation. And persons that are part of the border security office add more complexity to the situation. The two support a Mexican Cartel's human trafficking operation.

Ian and the team come up short on the needed incriminating evidence to charge the police second in command. Ian utilizes both threat and bluff to extract a confession from the crooked assistant police chief.

Ian leaves the Phoenix FBI office, and the local law enforcement leaders with a success story that they all embrace.

Ian leaves on a helicopter that will take him directly home to the warmth of his Lesley.