Page 54 of Undercover Shadow
“Savior, borders’ status?”
Ash’s window expanded so Sullivan was visible beside him. “We’ve identified a shipping broker, Ian MacKenzie, who operates out of Berwick-upon-Tweed. His container routingshows irregularities that match Tower-Meridian’s signature—the same patterns previously documented.”
Sullivan pulled up shipping manifests on the screen. “There are weight discrepancies and suspicious routes through European ports. The cargo documentation lists electronics and industrial equipment, but the routing doesn’t make sense for legitimate trade. Rotterdam to Hamburg to Gdansk. Each transfer creates documentation gaps. And the weight discrepancies average fifteen to twenty percent per container—always explained as ‘packaging materials’ or ‘shipping damage.’”
“He’s moving cargo he doesn’t want inspected,” Ash added. “And he’s meeting with Eastern European contacts Thursday—we’ve got surveillance scheduled at the King’s Arms pub in Berwick.”
“MacKenzie runs a small operation on paper,” Sullivan continued. “Five employees, twelve years in business, but his container volume has tripled in the past six months. He’s not the buyer or the seller—he’s the middleman moving components from point A to point B.”
“Does he connect to Dalgleish?” Viper asked.
Sullivan glanced at Ash. “We’re cross-referencing now. The timing of MacKenzie’s shipments corresponds with peaks in Dalgleish’s gallery transactions. If one is handling money and the other cargo…”
“They’re coordinating,” I said.
Typhon’s gaze shifted again. “Orion, Renegade. Can you confirm that connection?”
Gus’s window came forward. “We can. Dalgleish and MacKenzie are directly connected. Money flows between them through the same Cyprus and Malta shell accounts. The amounts are substantial—we’re talking millions over the past six months. You’d think they’d wise up and create new in- and outflows, but that they haven’t certainly works to our benefit.”
“They’re operating in tandem,” Renegade added. “Dalgleish handles the money; MacKenzie handles the shipping. But there’s a third party funding the entire operation. We’re tracking back to the source, but while I agree with Gus’ assessment, whoever is at the top knew how to hide their trail.”
“How well hidden is it?” Typhon asked.
“Very. Multiple layers, different jurisdictions, accounts that don’t connect directly. We’ll find it, but it’s going to take time.”
Typhon leaned against his chair, processing. “So we have three distinct pieces of the puzzle—underground storage facilities, art gallery money laundering in Edinburgh, and shipping logistics in the Borders. All connected, all active right now. The question that remains is who’s running it. Dalgleish and MacKenzie are assets, but they’re not the mastermind. Someone with considerable means is funding this entire thing.”
“We need to find Janus,” Nightingale said quietly.
“We need to get close enough to both Dalgleish and MacKenzie to figure out who they’re reporting to,” said Viper.
“Agreed, but we do it carefully. If Janus realizes we’re onto them, they’ll shut it down and disappear. We need to track back to the source before we make any moves,” Typhon cautioned. “Infidel, maintain Edinburgh surveillance. Don’t approach Dalgleish yet. Just watch and document. Savior, same with MacKenzie. We need to know their routines, their contacts, and their schedules before we move.”
“And Glenshadow?” I asked.
“Maintain security on all entrances. If they come back to use that storage facility, I want to know immediately.”
The strategy made sense, even though every instinct screamed at me to shut it down now. But Typhon was right—we needed to follow the trail back to its source, and that meant watching and waiting while Labyrinth continued under our noses.
“One more thing.” Lex’s voice cut through the discussion. “The buyer profiles from Dalgleish’s gallery—we’re running them through intelligence databases. If any of them have connections to state actors or known arms dealers, we’ll identify them.”
“Someone is managing all of this. We find that person, we find Janus,” Typhon said before ending the meeting.
I closed my laptop once everyone had signed off and Vanguard excused himself. “Well, that was illuminating.”
Nightingale stared at the now-blank screen. “They’re close. Dalgleish, MacKenzie—they’re close to something big. I can feel it.”
The way all the pieces were aligning—the money and the logistics and the storage facilities—this wasn’t the remnants of Fallon Wallace’s group limping along. This was larger, better organized, and far more dangerous.
“I should check in with Douglas. Make sure the estate is properly secured.”
“Tag,” she started, then stopped.
I waited, hoping she’d continue, hoping she’d say something that would bridge the chasm between us.
But she just shook her head and stood. “I should review the files again. Cross-reference with what Con and Lex found.”
“Right.”
