A Price for Balancing the Scales

by W Earl Daniels

  Dressed in a dark silk suit with a blue shirt, white silk tie, and brown alligator shoes with pointed toes, Markel Kaplan was the epitome of a wealthy and successful Turkish businessman. From his father, he had learned the importance of maintaining the perfect balance in his relationship with Turkish government officials. This balance was difficult but important so as not to be on the wrong side of a change in government power. He knew who, how, and when to help a politician and to do so in a manner that did not tarnish his or their relationships with leaders of the opposition parties. In short, he was deemed a good friend of whoever was in a leadership position in his government. He was now trying to expand that same talent to other countries, Germany in particular.

  While his grandfather started the company for the production of agricultural equipment, his father had grown it to include heavy-duty tools. Now it was his turn, and he expanded the company into railcars and locomotives, primarily for use by Turkish companies within Turkey. But for Kaplan, the key to diversification was to venture into the export business, whereas his father and grandfather had concentrated on addressing the needs within Turkey.

  When he learned that the German government was planning to upgrade its extensive rail system, Kaplan saw a great opportunity for his company. However, to be competitive with other companies that would be bidding on the German project, it was necessary for him to make a major upgrade to his facilities and their capabilities. To complete the upgrades required him to borrow significant amounts of money for the necessary work to his facilities.

  He then found it paramount to ensure that certain individuals within the Turkish government were adequately rewarded for their efforts to consummate a favorable impression of his company with certain German politicians. Of course, strategically placing cash in the hands of certain German officials appeared to be beneficial in retaining their support of his bid.

  As Kaplan secured the remote for his TV, he thought of the young, naive, holier-than-thou representative sent to the German cabinet by the state of Hesse, who was totally ignorant as to how government worked and how international trade deals are made. The representative appeared to be mortified when he was approached by one of Kaplan’s lobbyists. He could not understand how much better the wheels of governments roll when they are greased with a few euros.

  When the lobbyist failed, Kaplan asked a diplomat to explain to the idealist millennial how the system of international trade works. The representative was incensed to learn that a favorable decision by the German government not only would make his life better but also would in financial gain for the diplomat. From that time, this ignorant representative has accused Kaplan of bribery attempts and payoffs to his diplomatic friends. He couldn’t have cared less, should the bid not be accepted, that it would result in the total collapse of Kaplan’s company, a company three times older than this idealistic obstacle. Thousands of lives would be destroyed. Kaplan could not let that happen. From a business standpoint, what is one life compared to that of thousands?

  From the television, Kaplan heard what he was waiting for. “Problem solved,” he said.

  He pushed the intercom button to connect him with his secretary. “Wire the balance of our payment to Mr. S.”

  Chapter 11

  From Huck Price’s perspective, Sandy Rouse was a take-charge person, intent to prove her son’s innocence. She arrived at his and Rose’s house Sunday afternoon with two round-trip tickets to Frankfurt, Germany. One was for Cedric and one was for him. Both tickets had open return dates but with a departure for Monday morning. In addition, she had called her German attorney and arranged an appointment for them at 2:00 p.m. on the day of their arrival. Furthermore, she provided Huck with two letters.

  One served as an introduction of Cedric and Huck to her son’s attorney, authorizing him to fully cooperate with the investigation by the detectives and to use their services in the best interests of her son. The second letter was to Carl, encouraging him to remain positive about the outcome of his situation while also admonishing him to fully cooperate with Huck and Cedric. Huck gathered that it was not a mother’s request but a mother’s expectation.

  When she departed, Huck could not help but to chuckle to himself when she said, “By the way, the two of you already have hotel reservations at the Bahnhofsviertel. It’s located near Frankfurt’s rail hub, thereby providing you with easy rail travel to anywhere you may need to go. That will save cab fares.”

  After her departure, Huck said to Rose, “If I ever had any intention of expanding our private practice, I would like to hire her as our administrative guru. I can’t think of anything she may have forgotten.”

  Rose smiled and handed Huck a thick envelope. “You might find this helpful.”

  Inside Huck found several hundred dollars in euros. He had completely forgotten that he might need some spending money once he and Cedric hit the ground in Germany.

  Prior the checking into their hotel in Frankfurt, Huck and Cedric had agreed that they needed a few hours to get over their jet lag and to freshen up before they met with Carl’s attorney. Upon arriving at the hotel, they discovered that Sandy Rouse had booked them a two-bedroom suite. All they had to do was receive from the concierge a map of the city rail system. Sure enough, from the hotel they could secure, by underground rail or U-Bahn, travel to within a half a block of the attorney’s address. Knowing that they would be frequently riding the U-Bahn, they each decided to purchase a one-week unlimited travel pass.

  Within minutes of exiting the U-Bahn station, Huck and Cedric were in front of a high-rise office building. From the menu board, they found that the law firm of Berger and Berger was located on the fifth floor.

  “Appears this may be a family business,” said Huck.

  “What’s the name of the Berger we want to see?” asked Cedric.

  “Gunter,” replied Huck.

  The elevator was located next to the menu board. Cedric pushed the up button.

  Upon exiting the elevator, they found themselves in front of the law office.

  “Guten Nachmittag. Do you have an appointment?” questioned the receptionist.

  “Good afternoon to you also. We are Huck Price and Cedric Smart. And yes, we have a two o’clock appointment with Herr Gunter Berger,” said Huck.

  The current time was 1:55 p.m. Huck knew that, historically, Germans were meticulous about being punctual.

  “Please have a seat. I will let him know that you gentlemen are here.”

  Almost instantly the receptionist returned with a young man, about Huck’s height, dressed in a dark suit with a tie. Huck and Cedric were dressed in more business casual attire, with open-collared shirts and sport coats.

  The young man quickly extended his hand. “I’m Gunter Berger. I have been expecting you, Mr. Huxton Price and Mr. Cedric Smart. Please, come into my office.”

  Upon entering Berger’s office, Huck said, “I’m Huxton Price, but I prefer to be called Huck. This is my partner, Mr. Cedric Smart.”

  Berger said, “Please have a seat at my conference table. I’m very impressed with your credentials provided to me by Ms. Sandy Rouse. Do you have something for me?”

  Huck withdrew from his pocket the two letters provided to him by Sandy as well as his own passport. Likewise, Cedric presented his identification.

  Berger looked at the two men’s documents and returned them. He took a seat at the table and then opened the letter addressed to him.

  After having read the letter, Berger began. “First, I want you to know that I am impressed to have both an experienced military man and a retired CIA agent on the team representing Mr. Rouse. I can assure you that he needs all the help he can get. Where would you like to start?”

  Huck replied, “First, we’d like to know what you know and then we’d like the opportunity to interview Mr. Rouse.”

  “I’ll begin by telling you of the charges Mr. Rou
se currently faces. Rest assured that the police are looking for more. The most serious is the murder of a member of the German Bundeskabinett. Second, he is charged with attempting to leave Germany with a false passport. As to what I know in terms of evidence, his US passport was found at the scene of the crime, and there are witnesses who can place Rouse at a firing range practicing with a weapon like the one used to kill the representative. Rouse refuses to share any of the details of what he was doing in Germany, other than interviewing for a security job in Cologne. He claims to have an association with a company by the name of Empire Enterprises; however, there is no evidence that such a company ever existed at the address he provided. Furthermore, the company’s alleged telephone number is to a throwaway cell phone. That information I secured from the police. Mr. Rouse has been noncorporative in his own defense.”

  “Why do you think that is?” asked Cedric.

  “I don’t know. He acts like, as you might say, that someone will suddenly ride in on a white horse to save him. I have not been successful in getting him to open up to me. He insists that he has taken an oath that prevents him from talking.”

  Huck added, “His actions, or lack thereof, are not only confusing but also bizarre. The man has a perfect military record. Do the police give any motive as to why he did what he is alleged to have done?”

  “Not to my knowledge. However, I think they’re trying to make the case that because of Rouse’s unemployment, he was desperate for money and killed the representative for pay,” replied Berger.

  “But why this particular representative?” asked Cedric.

  “I don’t know. And if the police know, they aren’t saying. From the police perspective, they want this crime solved as quickly as possible. They’re not looking for evidence of Rouse’s innocence; they’re looking for evidence to secure his guilt. And he has not helped his situation at all. I hope you gentlemen have a plan because my office does not have the resources to conduct the type of investigation required in this case.”

  Huck spoke up. “We have plan, but before we can move on it, we really need to talk to Rouse.”

  Berger replied, “I have arranged for the three of us to meet with him at three thirty today.”

  Chapter 12

  Carl Rouse did not like the feeling he got when he heard the order, “Give us your hands. You have guests.”

  Carl thought, Guess that means that I’ll be going through another round of interrogations. If the past is any indicator, I’m not going to like this. Carl backed up and put his hands through the small window in the door. He could feel the metal lock around his wrist.

  When Carl entered the interrogation room, not only were his hands cuffed to the table but also his feet were shackled to the floor. He could be meeting with either another police officer or his attorney. He prayed it was the latter.

  After Carl was secured and the officer returned to the door, he said, “You may enter now.”

  Carl heard his attorney speaking outside the door. “You do understand that this session is not to be audiotaped?”

  “Yes, sir,” was the reply. “But it will be videotaped.”

  To Carl’s surprise, two other men entered with his attorney. Bergen said, “Carl, these two men are here to help with the defense of your case. Before I introduce them, I want you to read this letter from your mother.” The attorney withdrew the letter from its envelope and put it under Carl’s cuffed hands.

  When Carl completed reading the letter, an expression of relief appeared on his face. He then asked, in the direction of Huck and Cedric, “Which of you is CIA?”

  Apparently introductions are not necessary. The letter must have provided the necessary information, thought Huck.

  Cedric spoke up. “That’s retired CIA.”

  Carl countered, “Retired or active, it makes me no difference because I was told someone from the agency would be sent to clear this matter up.”

  Cedric said, “Carl, I don’t know where you got that crap, but we’re not here because of the agency, nor am I here as a representative of the CIA. We’re here because your mother hired Mr. Price’s detective agency to help your lawyer secure you a good defense.”

  The expression of relaxation disappeared from Carl’s face and changed to one of confusion and puzzlement.

  Huck spoke. “Carl, my name is Huxton Price, but you can call me Huck. Your mother is very concerned that you will be going to prison for the remainder of your life. For that reason, she hired my private detective agency to help Herr Berger mount a defense to prove your innocence, if that’s the case. But listen to me very carefully: We cannot do that unless you are perfectly truthful with us. Your attorney tells us that you either refuse to answer his questions or that you are evasive. Your mother is paying us by the hour. Do you want to see her go bankrupt because you think something is going to magically set you free?”

  “But I was told—”

  “You need to forget what you were told and start at the beginning of how you managed to find yourself in this very serious situation.”

  Berger said, “Carl, you have to trust that we are the only ones who are willing to try to help you.”

  “But, Agent Smart…?”

  “That’s ex-Agent Smart. Now it’s only Cedric. It’s obvious to me that you are fearful to talk. I want to know why.”

  “I signed an oath not to talk in the event that I was arrested. I was assured that someone from the agency would come to secure my release and return me to the States, where I would commence more in-depth training with the agency.”

  “What agency?”

  “What agency? The CIA.”

  Huck said, “Carl, let’s go back to the beginning. Tell us how and why you think that you are working for the CIA. But before we do that, I have one question for you, and I want a truthful answer. Did you kill the person whom you are alleged to have killed?”

  “No, sir. I did not.”

  “OK. Start at the beginning from the time you arrived in Germany.”

  “The beginning is before I arrived in Germany. While enroute to Germany, the person seated next to me on the plane began to talk. During that time, I told him that I had just gotten out of the marines and was on my way to Cologne for a job interview for an antiterrorist security position with a company there.”

  “What was the name of the company?” asked Huck.

  “Biedenbach Company, and the name of the man I interviewed with was Gerhard.”

  “Were you asked by the other passenger what you did in the marines?”

  “Yes. I told him I had been a sniper. He seemed to be quite impressed. When we were preparing to exit the plane, he gave me his business card and told me that if my interview did not go well to give him a call because his company might be able to use my skills. The interview did not go well, so as I drove back to Frankfurt, I gave him a call and was invited to apply for a position.

  “When I arrived at Empire Enterprises, suite 204 to be exact, the secretary collected my passport and had me sit at a table to fill out a thorough application. The questions suggested that the job was with an intelligence agency. While I was completing the paperwork, four others entered and had a seat against the wall behind me. A strange thing that happened, when I turned in my paperwork, was that I was told to have a seat marked number five and not to talk to any of the other applicants.”

  “Do you know why?” asked Cedric.

  “No. I just assumed that it had something to do with security. Shortly thereafter, my paperwork was taken to Lester—I mean Mr. Storey. Storey was the one who sat next to me during my flight from the States. I thought it better to be more formal during the job interview, so I called him Mr. Storey. Anyway, we were all called into his office, where he told us that we were to refer to one another by the numbers assigned to the chairs we had been sitting in and that we were to call him Mr. S.

 
“There was no real interview. He informed us that everyone, except for me, had passed their background checks but that because of my experience, he was confident that I would pass as well. He told us that his briefing had two phases. Phase one was an orientation and phase two was the classified portion of the briefing.”

  “Before going any further, can you tell us anything about the other applicants?” asked Huck.

  “Not much except that one was Middle Eastern, another was Asian, and the other two were Caucasian. I was the only black applicant.”

  “Please continue.”

  “The orientation was about a new program the intelligence community was initiating to create a faster response time to acquiring elusive targets. It was suspected that targets were being given advance notice of their pending capture. This could have been caused by a mass movement of intelligence personnel into the vicinity of the target or a leak within Interpol. The intelligence agencies had collectively agreed to in-country recruitment for agents in which the target was known to be hiding. This was the first attempt at implementing the program, which was called Operation Crash, and we were the first recruits. At this time, anyone who felt uncomfortable with the program and did not want to participate could leave.”

  “Did anyone leave?” asked Huck.

  “Yes, the Asian left. He was told that he could secure his passport from the secretary. The remainder of us agreed to stay for the classified portion of the briefing. First, we were all required to sign an oath, under penalty of a significant fine and five years in prison, that we would not reveal anything about Operation Crash. The classified portion focused on our two weeks of intense training. Part of the training was to be in the classroom and the other part was weapons training. We were told there was always the possibility that we might be ordered to take out a target.”