First to Kill

by Andrew Peterson

  Ernie sat forward in his chair. “This oughtta be good.”

  “We aren’t out of the woods yet, Ern.”

  “Shit, these feebs couldn’t find their own ass with a mirror on a stick.” Ernie cranked the volume and sat back.

  ASAC Breckensen’s face filled the screen. “Thank you, Governor Schwarzenegger. I’d also like to thank the press for attending on such short notice. As you know, on October seventeenth, our Sacramento field office was bombed with catastrophic results. The blast killed twenty-four people and wounded fifty-five others, many with career-ending injuries. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our employees and their families.”

  “Breaks my fuckin’ heart,” Ernie said.

  Leonard increased the volume.

  Breckensen continued, outlining the chain of events leading up to the bombing. “One of the reasons we called this conference was to make a plea to the general public to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem. As an example, I’d like to introduce Ms. Amber Mills Sheldon.” He gestured off-camera to his right.

  Ernie jumped up from the sofa. “What the fuck?” Then he yelled at Leonard. “What the fuck is this?”

  His mind already working, Leonard squinted and said nothing.

  The camera followed Amber Sheldon as she stepped up to the podium. The makeup artists had earned their pay, Leonard thought. She actually looked good. She placed a piece of paper on the podium and thanked Governor Schwarzenegger and ASAC Breckensen. She looked visibly nervous. Reading from a prepared statement, she began.

  “My name is Amber Sheldon. I was married to Ernie Bridgestone in Pensacola, Florida, where he worked as a drill instructor training naval-aviator candidates at the NAS. I am both shocked and horrified at the bombing of the FBI’s field office. I would not have thought him capable of such an act.”

  Sheldon looked up and stared into the camera for several seconds with the haunted look of a woman in emotional pain. “I wish to express my deepest sorrow and condolences to the colleagues, friends, and families of the slain FBI employees. I have fully cooperated with the FBI.” Her lip quivered and a tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away and looked off-camera. Breckensen stepped up to the podium and put his arm around her.

  “Look at that son of a bitch,” Ernie hissed. “He wants a piece of that. I can’t believe this shit.”

  “Shut up, Ernie,” Leonard said. “He’s just comforting her.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  Breckensen leaned in toward the microphones. “Ms. Sheldon has agreed to take a few questions.” He pointed to a reporter seated in the middle of the first row.

  “Ms. Sheldon, have you had any contact with Ernie since the bombing?”

  “No,” she said.

  The same reporter fired a second question. “When was the last time you spoke with him?”

  She looked at Breckensen, silently asking if it was okay to answer. He nodded. “Years ago. After he was released from the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. I haven’t heard from him since.”

  Breckensen pointed to another reporter.

  “Ms. Sheldon, is there anything from Ernie’s past that might’ve led up to this?”

  “Not really. He was very angry about his court-martial, but that happened a long time ago. I don’t think this is about that.”

  Just as Breckensen was about to point to a third reporter, a question boomed out from one of the back rows. “Have you told Ernie Bridgestone that he’s the father of your daughter, Janey Sheldon?”

  The sudden anger in Amber’s face couldn’t be hidden. “That’s none of your damned business.” She twisted away from Breckensen and stormed from the podium. The camera showed Governor Schwarzenegger running to catch her.

  Leonard looked at his brother, who was staring at the television with his mouth hanging open. “Ernie? You okay, man?”

  “She never told me. How could she never fucking tell me?” He hurled the TV remote across the room.

  Leonard didn’t know what to say, didn’t want to provoke Ernie, who seemed dangerously poised at the moment.

  “She never told me. I knew she had a daughter, but I didn’t know she was mine. She said she got knocked up by accident in my first year in the Castle.”

  “Hey, man, it doesn’t matter, okay?”

  “It doesn’t matter? Doesn’t matter? What do you mean, it doesn’t matter?”

  “Take it easy, Ern.”

  “I had a right to know.”

  “I’m not disagreeing with you, but we can’t let this change anything. We’ve got too much to lose.”

  “I can’t fucking believe this shit.”

  “This isn’t a coincidence, Ern. Can’t you see this whole thing is staged? They’re trying to bait us, to flush us out. It could be bullshit.”

  “I can’t believe this.”

  “It’s a trap, they’re baiting us. You know that.”

  “Yeah, I know. Shit. This really sucks.”

  “What can you do about it? Do you honestly think Janey’s going to welcome you into her life with open arms? She doesn’t even know you other than what she’s seen on TV and that hasn’t exactly been favorable lately. Think about it, Ern. You were out of Amber’s life. She wanted a divorce and you agreed. You must know Janey can never be a part of your life. Let’s not blow everything we’ve worked for over this.”

  Ernie nodded, but didn’t respond.

  Leonard walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. On the television, Breckensen was wrapping up the press conference. He watched his brother closely. What a disaster. He had to admit it, though. It was brilliant move on the FBI’s part. But it only worked if Ernie took the bait.

  Leonard thought through his own options. It might be wise to put some distance between himself and Ernie, but he’d need to do it carefully, so it didn’t look obvious. He wasn’t willing to lose everything they’d earned over this. He didn’t plan on rotting on death row over a long-lost niece that he neither knew nor cared about. If Ernie became a liability over this, he’d be on his own.

  He went back to the TV room. “We might want to accelerate our plans. Are you okay for a few hours? I’m gonna get our cash near Quincy. We’re gonna need it. We’ll pick up the big stash on our trip up north.”

  “Want me to go with you?”

  “Safer if you don’t. We shouldn’t be seen together, even in disguise.” He came over and patted Ernie on the shoulder. “I know you got a lot to think about. I’ll be back by sundown. If you haven’t heard from me, don’t assume the worst, just head up north to the rendezvous point. We’ll meet there. How much time do you have left on your cell?”

  “I don’t know, a few hours.”

  “Me too. I may not call, depending on the situation. Keep your cool, okay?”

  “I will.”

  He looked Ernie in the eyes. “I know you want to call Amber. I’m not even gonna tell you not to. But be careful when you do it. Make sure she calls you back from a pay phone to your cell. Don’t use the phone in here. Keep your conversation under thirty seconds. Don’t do anything until we’ve had a chance to work out a plan. I’m serious, Ernie, stay put. Everything’s going to be fine if you keep your cool. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  Ernie nodded.

  “One more thing.”

  “What.”

  “If the owners of this place show up, don’t kill them.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I won’t.”

  As Leonard drove away from the cabin, he looked in the rearview mirror and wondered if he’d ever see his brother again.

  Chapter 20

  Rather than order room service, Nathan and Harv decided to head downstairs to Dawson’s American Bistro, a nice place with a classy atmosphere. The hostess seated them in a corner table. A few couples, engaged in quiet conversation, were present.

  They hadn’t been real talkative with each other, and for good reason. They both felt deeply. Nathan took a swig of iced
tea and again wondered why Frank Ortega hadn’t told them the truth. Ortega must’ve thought they wouldn’t take the assignment. The truth was that they would have helped him find his grandson, no matter what his motivation had been. None of this deception had been necessary. He really felt bad for Harv.

  Nathan set his glass down. “You okay, partner?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay. Just embarrassed I got us into this mess.”

  “Harv, forget about it.”

  “I can’t. I’ve known the Ortegas for over twenty years. Maybe I should’ve seen this coming.”

  “Be careful, you’re starting to sound like me.”

  Harv raised his glass in a toast. “I consider that a compliment.”

  Nathan smiled and clinked his glass. “Everything’s in place, we’ve done what we can. Let’s hope Ernie takes the bait.”

  “He probably knows it’s a trap.”

  “No doubt he does.”

  They both turned at the same time and saw their two FBI friends enter the restaurant. When Grangeland noticed them sitting across the room, she seemed to hesitate. Nathan was sure they weren’t here to keep an eye on them: that game ended in a wrestling match. He motioned them over with a nod. Harv switched sides and sat next to him.

  “Will you join us?” Nathan asked.

  Grangeland managed a smile. “Are you sure? We don’t want to impose.”

  “Not at all.” Both he and Harv stood as Grangeland slipped into her chair.

  “Such gentlemen,” she said.

  Ferris seemed all-business. To each his own. Nathan addressed Grangeland. “Are you okay? No broken ribs, or… other damage?”

  “I’m not a china vase. But to answer your question, yes, I’m fine. I was raised with three older brothers who sometimes fought dirty. I’ll live.”

  Nathan thought Grangeland looked stunning. Her red cocktail dress was cut low and tight. Below her blond hair, half-karat diamond studs adorned her ears. Nathan grinned. “I was… just wondering where your piece is concealed.”

  She leaned forward and whispered, “It’s a secret.”

  “I’ll bet it is.”

  “Do you want Ferris and me to leave?” Harvey asked.

  “No,” Nathan said quickly. “That would be dangerous.”

  “Agreed,” Grangeland added.

  Harvey looked at Ferris. “I apologize for snapping at you up there.”

  “Already forgotten.”

  “So,” Nathan continued. “Ferris here said you were an alternate for the 2000 Olympic team. I’m assuming it wasn’t for synchronized swimming?”

  “Yes, that’s a fair assumption.”

  “Look, I know we didn’t get off to a good start. I’m sorry for busting in on you like that. I was frustrated with the surveillance. Not a very good excuse, I know.”

  Grangeland placed her napkin in her lap. “Understandable, given the circumstances.”

  “Were you guys in the building when it blew?” Harvey asked.

  Ferris shook his head. “No, we’re from the Fresno resident agency.”

  “We’ve been under a lot of stress too,” said Grangeland. “I feel like I wake up every morning with a gun in my face. I guess that’s why I challenged you. I shouldn’t have done that. At least there’s one saving grace to all this,” she said, looking around. “This hotel’s first-class. We’ve stayed in some real fleabags before.”

  “I can imagine,” Nathan said.

  Their server arrived and took their orders for dinner. Grangeland and Ferris ordered iced tea. Officially, they were on duty.

  “Harv and I discussed it, and although we don’t think very highly of Director Lansing’s tactics, we don’t extend that resentment to you. We’d like to work with you, if you’re willing.”

  “What do you have in mind?” Grangeland asked.

  “We’ve set a trap for Ernie Bridgestone. If he calls Amber Sheldon again, I specifically told her to mention my name. She didn’t know why that was so important. Do you?”

  Grangeland looked at Ferris, then back to Nathan. “No, should we?”

  “During the Freedom’s Echo SWAT raid, we killed their little brother.”

  “You were there at the compound when the claymores went off?”

  “Yes,” Harvey said. “Sammy Bridgestone was seconds away from shooting the SWAT team when we nailed him.”

  “I see.”

  Nathan leaned forward slightly. “We can’t tell you everything that’s happened, but we can tell you this. We’re going to need your help if my plan is going to work.”

  “To avenge his little brother, you’re thinking Ernie Bridgestone will use Amber to set you guys up.”

  “That’s right.”

  “It sounds like another SWAT job. Why use us?” Ferris asked.

  “Because we don’t know who we can trust.”

  “But you can trust us?” Grangeland asked.

  “I don’t know, can we?”

  An awkward silence settled around the table. No one spoke for several seconds.

  Grangeland broke the silence. “You’re already working with one of our agents, Bruce Henning. Why involve us?”

  “Because five is better than three. Simple as that.”

  “I’m not sure we can do this without clearance. I’m assuming you don’t want Director Lansing to know.”

  “You assume correctly.”

  She shook her head.

  “Would it help if SAC Simpson gave you a green light? You’re technically under her command, aren’t you?”

  “Technically, yes.”

  Nathan waited.

  “I suppose that would give us some protection,” she said, “but we have orders from Director Lansing to report only to him.”

  “Doesn’t that strike you as odd?” Harvey asked

  “It’s not protocol, but when the big man gives you an assignment, you do it without question.”

  “So you should,” Nathan said. “Let me ask you something. What’s the ultimate goal here? To capture the Bridgestone brothers and recover the missing Semtex, right? What if you were in on it? It wouldn’t look too bad on your résumés if you helped collar both men at the top of the FBI’s most-wanted list.”

  “No argument there,” she said.

  “Needless to say, it’s going to be dangerous. Vest work for sure. Shots will probably be fired.”

  “When do you think it’s going down?”

  “I’m hoping tonight,” Nathan said.

  She and Ferris exchanged glances. “We’re in,” she said, “but we’re not doing anything without SAC Simpson’s orders.”

  Nathan made the call.

  * * *

  As much as she’d mentally prepared herself for it, Amber Sheldon wasn’t ready for Ernie’s call when it came. She must have gone over what’d she’d say dozens of times and yet she found herself totally unprepared. When Ernie called her at work a little after 8:30 pm, she told him to call her back in ten minutes with the number she gave him. With irritation in his voice, Ernie had agreed and seemed to understand the need for it.

  Amber was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. She’d seen the sedan following her and assumed it was the FBI. Who else could it be? Both she and Janey had driven to Pete’s Truck Palace together, parked in a dark area of the parking lot, and walked into the restaurant. Janey had a large purse slung over her shoulder. She scanned the area, not sure what she was looking for. Over fifty trucks were parked in the transient lot. Several dozen had their motors idling to keep their compressors supplying refrigerant to their cargo boxes. Diesel fumes hung in the air like fog. To her left, the diesel-fueling area was brightly lit by mercury vapor lights suspended under a flat metal canopy.

  It was time to call Ernie.

  * * *

  A plain four-door sedan lurked in the northwest corner of the complex facing the restaurant. The two FBI agents inside the sedan watched Amber park her car and walk into the restaurant.

  “Looks like her daughter’s with
her.”

  “Yep.”

  “Now we wait.”

  “Yep.”

  Their wait wasn’t long. Five minutes later, Amber Sheldon marched across the parking lot and slid into her car.

  “Here we go, she’s on the move.” At a safe distance, they followed her onto Highway 99 heading south. After three miles or so, she used her turn signal and exited the highway at a convenience-store gas station. Screened by mature eucalyptus trees, they stopped on the exit ramp. The driver watched through field glasses as Amber pulled into the gas station’s parking lot and climbed out. She walked over to a pay phone on the side of the building and stood there, as if waiting for a call. Like a bad actress trying to look impatient, she kept glancing at her watch every few seconds. The agent on the passenger side pointed a clear, sixteen-inch parabolic mike at Sheldon’s location and donned a headset.

  “She’s waiting for a call,” the driver said.

  “Yep.”

  Somewhat irritated, the driver asked, “You ever say anything other than yep?”

  “Nope.”

  “Funny. Real funny.”

  “What the hell?” the driver said. He watched Amber Sheldon reach up to her head and pull off a blond wig, exposing dark-brown hair. She held it high in the air and waved it like a flag. “Shit. We’ve been had. That’s not Amber Sheldon, it’s her daughter.”

  * * *

  Would the real Amber Sheldon please stand up? Driving her supervisor’s car, she grinned as she pulled into the McDonald’s driveway seven miles north of Pete’s Truck Palace. Her smile faded as she realized this trick only worked once. She kept telling herself she was doing it for Janey, but she had plans for McBride’s fifty grand. Even if she never got the million-dollar reward for Leonard and Ernie, McBride’s money wasn’t peanuts. Had it not been for Janey, she would’ve told Nathan McBride and his FBI pals to stuff it. With a little luck, this would all be over tonight and she believed in her heart she was doing the right thing. When the pay phone rang, she quickly picked up the receiver.