Page 55 of Dead Drift

“You have?” Declan’s brows furrowed.

“Unfortunately,” Luke said, the memory fixing in place. “It’s a form of shorthand used by Bedan’s grandfather during his time with Operation Paperclip. There are samples in the classified records from that project.”

“I’m assuming Bedan’s grandfather left some of the paperwork behind, that he only stole certain files from the project?” Declan asked.

Luke nodded. “Correct.”

Declan slid his hands into his trouser pockets. “Can you decode it?”

“I’m afraid not. I just know that’s what it is.”

“What was on the other pages you saw with this shorthand?”

“Formulas for biological weapons, if I remember correctly.”

“Whatever happened to Bedan’s grandfather?”

“It took them a few days to find him after the theft, but before they could bring him in for questioning, he committed suicide.”

Just like their sniper on the roof.

“Since he committed suicide before he confessed, the Agency doesn’t positively know Abel Bedan was responsible for stealing those documents.” Declan shrugged. “So how do they know Bedan is currently working off them?”

“Because after Bedan’s biological attack in Munich, he was forced to flee and leave most everything behind. When we combed through his office and lab, we found a few of the missing Operation Paperclip files.”

“Just a few?”

“Afraid so. He’s still got some of them.”

“Any idea what’s on them?”

“Not specifically, but we know the scope of the project centered around the use of anthrax as a biological weapon. In addition, some of Bedan’s current work was left behind, and it was directly built upon the work done during Operation Paperclip.”

“I can’t believe he’d leave it behind. He had to know there was a strong chance he’d have to run following the Munich attack. He must have made preparations.”

“That makes what he left behind even more terrifying.”

“Why?”

“Because what we found was awful. If he felt secure leaving that level of work behind, I hate to even fathom what level of destruction he’s working on now.”

“Agent Grey,” someone behind them said.

“Yes?”

A young agent motioned toward a window overlooking the lab. Inside, a hazmat team member held up an evidence bag with several aerosol cans in it. “Apparently, Bedan’s big on his hair care.”

“Those were in the lab, not the bathroom?” Luke asked.

“Yes, sir,” the young man said.

“Not good,” Luke said, striding over to the window.

“What is it?” Declan asked.

“Bedan’s hair on a good day looks like Einstein’s on his worst. No way Bedan spends time on his hair, and he definitely doesn’t use product.”

“So why the hairspray cans?”