Holy crap, Charlie thought, his hand wrapped around the wet glass. Just got here, and already the base’s short future is threatened.
Chapter 9
Niagara Falls, New York
On a normal day at a normal hour, slipping into a motel off the Niagara Falls Boulevard would be near career-suicide. But for Congressman Bruce Anderson at this late Friday night hour, it was a risk worth taking. The night sky and lack of traffic provided first-rate cover, as he entered the drive-up motel a different direction each time. Dimly lit, with only a few letters illuminated in neon on the sign out front, it read “M T L” versus MOTEL. The elderly gentlemen working behind the counter had no concept of his identity but knew him extremely well by sight as the customer who always used cash. It was that extra step of security Bruce used to prevent reporters from snooping around.
The two women he frequented were able to park their black BMW M3 a few spots down the motel parking lot, knowing that Bruce was always able to rent the same room each visit. At least one of them visited with him on a routine basis, and it was his thing to do when he was within the local district visiting constituents. He had a ravenous drive for them, and because this was their profession, the girls stepped up to deliver.
This evening was no different than any other, except that the black-haired Nikki was tasked with something unusual tonight that Bruce had no idea about. After being asked by Bruce’s cop friend Joe, Nikki figured it was more easy money, considering she had payments to take care of, child care, and rent due. Never understanding how powerful and significant he was, Nikki just did the job she was asked. Taking pictures of this guy for Joe, while out of the ordinary, was workable.
Nikki went into the bathroom a few hours later with her phone and locked the door. Before getting in the shower, she attached her pictures and videos and hit send. It was the start of a superb photoshoot, as her phone transmitted multiple shots. Hung up for a while with sending so much data, she started her shower.
Upon finishing, Nikki checked her phone, and it showed the media delivered.
Mission complete, she thought.
Stevens Residence, Lewiston, New York
Charlie approached the attractive two-story, white-trimmed home after parking in Ford’s large three-car driveway. He noticed the window boxes full of pink flowers and the navy-blue-and-white awnings that hung nicely over each window. Between the homes and through the trees he could see shoreline in the backyards, along with the cool morning mist rising from the water. Charlie put his knuckles up to the wooden door.
Bump-bump-bump-bump.
A few seconds went by, then he saw someone slide the white side-window curtains over to the side to peek. Next came someone’s blonde hair and red lipstick. The front door whipped opened with speed.
“Hi, Em. How are you?” asked Charlie, standing with some bagels. She clapped and jumped up and down a bit in excitement, giving him a big hug. Charlie got a face-full of her long, blonde hair, smelling her fragrant scent of shampoo.
“Oh my gosh, Charlie, please come in! We missed you! Blimey! Ford told me you had arrived back from your flight training. Wonderful,” she said, welcoming him into their home. “Come in, come in!”
Their wedding weekend last year on Hilton Head was the last time Emily and Charlie had seen each other.
“You look as beautiful as ever,” Charlie said, happy to see her. “Thanks for letting me barge in on your quiet Saturday morning. Really great to see you, Emily.”
“You’re always welcome in our home, mate. Ford’s in the sunroom. I’ll take your nosh. I know he will be excited to see you. You go ahead, and I’ll meet you in there, yeah?”
Ford and Emily must have already been drinking their Battle Brew coffee, as the fresh smell wafted throughout the house. Charlie slowly entered the home as Emily trotted off to the kitchen, allowing him to glance around at the beautiful interior. Charlie thought about how Ford and Emily met as he gawked at their towering, built-in bookcases and what he thought was magazine-ready, high-end furniture.
During Emily’s college years, she had worked part-time in the jewelry department at Harrod’s Department Store in London. A young Ford on temporary assignment to the U.S. Embassy in London spotted her gorgeous smile while shopping one day. Charlie remembered Ford saying he noticed her stunning good looks and long blonde hair and generated a fictitious plan to meet her. He pretended to be interested in purchasing a diamond, and she showed him a variety of rings on top of the glass counter. The glow of the jewelry counter lights made her look like a star on a red-carpeted runway, and he was taken in by her magnetism.
It was also during these college years that she was recruited as a British intelligence officer.
Emily Livingston Stevens later became a liaison to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) China desk team and an expert on field operations. As former British Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, or Military Intelligence Section 6, she supplied the British government with foreign agent information. Emily’s petite size, good looks, and athletic figure were an asset to her government through the years and bait for traps for many foreign assets. Before settling down with Ford in the Buffalo area, she was an expert in operations and human intelligence, but you’d never know it from her external presence. A gifted, clever, and skilled officer, she could have selected any number of careers, but serving her country in this capacity was her first choice.
Through the years, she’d had somewhat of a temper when it came to Ford and his squadron shenanigans, but had settled down now that Ford did the same. They had a happy life together, but she did spend some considerable time helping Ford plow through his alcoholism and survivor’s guilt related to prior flying missions. Emily was an optimist, a positive thinker, and to Ford, a dream wife.
Charlie could hear a motorboat outside cruising on the calm, morning water as he continued to casually look around their home. Located on Lower River Road, which overlooked the Niagara River, it could have been one of the nicest homes Charlie was ever in. The cost of living was low in this area of New York, and he was impressed with the location, the riverfront deck, and extensive terrace. With spectacular views during sunsets and water access during the warmer months, it looked to be the best place to live in Lewiston.
Charlie saw that a neighbor had a wooden staircase, and wondered what it was like in the harsh winters, perhaps a wind tunnel with a treacherous climb and descent. Maybe Ford is doing some fishing and kayaking?
Glancing around the living room on his way in, he saw the cathedral ceilings and fireplace. Wet bar. He saw all the family photos lined up on the built-in bookshelves, on display as if an interior designer spent the week working overtime. He even spotted the one where Ford was always giving him the beatdown in Okinawa, the pre-teenage years when fighting was common. You don’t have a clue, do you? was repeated so often that it scarred Charlie. It was something that still resonated with him.
He also saw for the first time an Air Force Cross Award framed and displayed in the corner of their living room wall. Nearly hidden from view like some afterthought, Charlie took a closer look at the framed document. Complete paragraphs were blacked out, line by line, protecting and hiding whatever he did in the cockpit. Classified? Wow… new respect for Ford. When the hell did he get that?
“I figured it might be you,” Ford said, happy he was there. “Come on in. Emily getting you a drink?”
“Yeah, grabbing me a coffee. Thanks. Hey, when did you get awarded an Air Force Cross? I mean…wow.”
“Thanks, man. I’ve been involved in a lot of stuff, Charlie. Domestic. Overseas. IC stuff.”
“What’s the IC?” Charlie asked.
“Intelligence Community, dummy. Anyway, come on in, sit down, bro.”
The two brothers looked at each other awkwardly, as Charlie felt small and compared himself to his bigger brother. Wow, intel? Charlie rolled his sleeves up out of
uneasiness. He ran his tongue on the back of his teeth, a habit he had had since he was a kid.
Rather than harp on his past missions, Charlie wanted to get another subject off his chest. “Ford. I was kind of hurt you skipped my winging. You couldn’t make it out for just a few hours? Couldn’t you have just taken one of your jets and flown it in?”
Ford just stared at his younger brother. “Bro,” he paused, trying to be sympathetic. “You don’t have a frickin’ clue. I know you aren’t aware of what I was up to these past few years, and that’s reasonable. The missions, the locations, the pressure… it was tough on me. I hope you understand. Just needed a rest instead of always being someplace. People wanting things from me.”
“I mean, I kind of understand. But, like, what? Where were you?”
“Well, do you know what the National Defense Strategy is? Great Power Competition. South China Sea ops?”
“Kind of, yeah.”
“No, you don’t, goof-ball. I can tell you don’t. Put it this way. For twenty years, we were fighting terror in the Middle East and all absorbed with that issue, while the Chinese were thinking of how to steal more of our intellectual property. We’re behind the curve, and they are coming for us. I was involved with operations related to that.”
Charlie was bewildered.
Ford sat staring at the table, then glanced outside. “Charlie, it’s okay that you don’t know. Barely anyone knows the specifics. It’s sensitive info. Which is why the award is blacked out.”
“Super impressive. I’d like to hear more about it.”
“Okay. Artificial intelligence is growing, and we could talk all day about that one. How about-”
“No, Ford, I want to hear more about the Cross and these other missions,” Charlie interrupted.
“Look, I was left for dead during my last mission. One day we can talk about it. I struggle with some of the after-effects… drank a lot at one point, but quit cold turkey. Clean now,” Ford said.
Charlie could tell from his demeanor he was proud of it, too.
Ford was also opening up to Charlie on his last mission with the DIA. As a result of information provided by their childhood friend, Chinese Air Force Captain Wu Lee, the United States Intelligence Community and Ford were able to get ahold of some significant high-performance flying machine data. Unless you had the security clearance, like Ford and Emily did, others would never hear of the mission.
Not only was Emily involved in Ford’s last two missions as part of her U.K. liaison job, she was part of plenty of British operations on her own. A student of history and intelligence, Emily was a fan of studying about the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War, a subject not normally looked at by good-looking 30-something blondes. She loved finding books about how the British forces engaged in networks of spies in Spain and Portugal, especially their deep espionage on collecting the French intentions and actions, sometimes ahead of the French military officers.
Emily walked in with a fresh coffee tray and sat down. Interrupting, Emily jumped in. “So, chap, what’s the name of the gal you’re shagging in Myrtle Beach, Charlie?”
Charlie laughed but wanted to finish his thought.
“Ford, I hope to one day hear the details, maybe when I get clearance. And if there is something, anything I can do on the alcoholism business to help, let me know. Got your back. Good?”
Ford shook his head yes, and smiled at Emily’s question and her timing. “Dude, I can’t tell you anything about the missions, but one day I hope to. I guess I was just pretty messed up but lived to talk about it. And thanks for the support. More importantly, you’re here now, man.”
A few seconds of silence passed, and Emily beamed warmly at both of them. Her comfort was felt, but she knew enough to stay quiet on his past missions. Emily leaned over and put her hand on Ford’s hand.
The Air Force Reserve didn’t know all the details of this DIA mission either, but they knew enough that Ford would need time to recover, both physically and emotionally. A future for him outside of bombers was the best, all around, next step. When an opportunity came to lead a team as commander in a crew aircraft, Niagara was a good fit for him. Flying a KC-135 and passing fuel to other pilots was a great mission, and Ford felt right at home.
“Enough about me, Charlie. Let’s get down to how I can help you ramp up at the squadron. You will be expected to work hard in the squadron, just like everyone else. Learn as much as you can. Learn from the maintenance team, boom operators, some of the lingering flight engineers and navigators left over in the squadron from our transition from the C-130. They are great people. No trash talk, acting like you’re better than they are. I’ve seen your actions in the past, and you weren’t winning any community service awards.” He paused. “Charlie, I don’t give a hoot what the critics say, just be a good leader to these guys. Make them feel good. Take care of them. They love the Bills, the Sabres, and Labatt’s Beer. But they love each other more.”
“Ford, I’ll work hard. You know I will. I passed the police academy, flight training. I’ll do the best I can here,” Charlie said.
“Charlie, one thing to chat about, too. We’re not from Buffalo… so like me, you have to earn their trust. The curve is steep, but not impossible. All these guys grew up with one another. They are cousins… neighbors… relatives. Someone gets a speeding ticket, and the squadron guy who is a trooper looks at it for him. Their parents know each other. You didn’t grow up in the Southern Tier or western New York and barely have a lick of connections, so you’re an outsider. You’re even a cop from a different state, right? This isn’t the active component. Do you understand how that works here?”
“Yeah, absolutely. I’ll work it, Ford. Come early, stay late. I got it,” Charlie said, nodding in agreement.
Ford sighed. “Based upon your gimmicks of the past, yeah, you’ll need to. At times, I do think you’re a goofy-ass, but just focus on flying and being a good leader. We’re going to put you through this flying syllabus, picking up more of where you left off at Altus, Oklahoma. Instructor pilots will take you out for missions, both locally and refueling other birds. C-17s to fighters, even the Thunderbirds. We’ll also give you a desk job in the squadron, perhaps something like awards and decorations officer, or even admin. Are you prepared to work hard?”
“Come on Ford, I’m your brother.” Charlie looked at Ford, who was sporting his best poker face.
“Okay, you do sometimes have the ability to work hard. Passed the police academy. Agreed.”
Emily perked up a little bit more now, knowing this was an opportune time to change the subject. “Ford, luv, tell us about your meeting with the congressman last night, will you?”
Ford scratched his ear, trying to determine what words he wanted to use. “Congressman Anderson has already told us that Congress is putting together a new Base Realignment and Closure Commission. They’ve been doing this for years, wanting to increase Defense Department efficiency and save money. He had some of his team there last night, one of them being his senior guy on the matter… he also happens to be our part-time maintenance officer at the 914th, Richard Lansing. Congressman says he’s going to do all he can to save the base if they appear on the list of closures.”
Charlie was puzzled. There seemed to be so much talent, so many jobs between the Air Guard and Reserves. It seemed strange. “Why, Ford? Doesn’t this area have enough issues with the economy?”
“I understand, I really do. The rest of the reservists at Niagara won’t get it. The D.C. politics. We all want the base to stay open,” Ford said.
Charlie shook his head back and forth. “We are so close to Canada. We have long runways. We share the same real estate with the Air National Guard and Army Reserve. A new building is sitting, waiting for a big simulator to be installed. Customs and Border Protection use the base. For heaven’s sake, all the interagency has aircraft there!” Charlie sa
id emotionally.
Ford eyed him up, almost impressed with his knowledge already on the subject. “I forgot you worked on that congressman’s campaign in South Carolina. Maybe your new desk job will be to help defend the base. Use some of that college volunteerism. Would you help out with that?”
Emily gave her beautiful smile, the one that earned her a job at Harrod’s. “Now we’re talking, Ford.”
“Hey, when can I see Wu?” Charlie asked, his arms folded, looking out the large bay windows to the Canada shoreline.
“I’ll take you to see him soon. He’s just up the road in Youngstown, next town up from here.”
“Ok. What’s he doing up there?” Charlie asked.
Emily and Ford covertly locked eyes as if they didn’t want to tell Charlie something about Wu, but Charlie didn’t see the exchange.
Chapter 10
Rayburn House Office Building, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
A few days had gone by since Anderson was in Washington, and it was another busy Wednesday at noon in the city. The hustle of typical spring traffic blared in the streets, as the rumble of the D.C. Metro filled the air. Capitol Hill was buzzing with business as upcoming hearings were being prepared for in the coming hours and days.
Back in his third-floor Rayburn Office Building, Bruce worked both the halls and phones of the building. Shaking hands, taking meetings, voting on the floor, attending fancy lunches, and eating dry chicken dinners was the norm. He always had a full schedule of events, overflowing with more meet and greets, including the more important laborious task of fundraising just off the Capitol Hill property.
After shaking more hands more times than he could count, the congressman felt his personal cellphone vibrate in his pocket. Sliding away from his desk, he fished the phone out of his pocket and saw a strange number on the screen. The text notification showed a small photograph that he didn’t recognize at first. Nearly ignoring and deleting it as spam, he looked more closely at it this time. Logging into the phone now to get a better view, he opened the text to inspect the photo.
The Buffalo Pilot: A Ford Stevens Military-Aviation Thriller (Book 3) Page 8