Terror Grips the Beach

by Steve McMillen

  Fifteen minutes later, Detective Concile calls Agent Colder. “Both backpacks just had books, no explosives. They are checking for prints now. Stay alert. We are going to get more task force people walking the beach. Keep your eyes open for the black wristbands. Plan on staying until six o’clock instead of 4.”

  Six o’clock comes and goes with no problems. We pack up and leave the beach. Everyone is looking forward to a nice dinner and a good night’s sleep before we start all over again tomorrow.

  After I arrive home, I contemplate whether to return the phone call from the beach.

  CHAPTER 21

  At 9:00, I decide it’s time to make the call. She answers on the second ring. After pausing, I ask, “Are you in town?”

  “I was asked to come down and maybe help with the Homeland Security thing. I was hoping you and I could get together for a drink or dinner.”

  “Beverly, as I said after our meeting with GG, or whatever her name was, I don’t think I’m interested in working for a covert organization like the one you work for. I really don’t think I could kill someone I don’t know, strictly on the word of someone else. Now, I’m not saying I haven’t done some bad things in my life to some really bad people, but I was positive they were guilty and that society would be a better place without them around.”

  “Look, I’m not here to recruit you. I’m here to help with the threat and maybe spend some time with you.”

  I hesitate before saying, “As far as you and I are concerned, I think it’s time to step back and re-evaluate our relationship.”

  From the sudden and unexplained “call ended,” I see on the screen of my phone, I gather I have lost another one of my three possible sticky situations. Strike two, one more and I’m out.

  Beverly is pissed. She hangs up without uttering a word. She calls GG and tells her she doesn’t feel comfortable in Myrtle Beach. GG approves her return. She checks out of The Sleep Inn and goes to the airport in Wilmington where she catches the first available flight back to Atlanta. She decides it’s time to do some real soul-searching on her part. Maybe it’s time to change her line of work.

  CHAPTER 22

  Stephanie Langchester is leaving Antigua and heading to the Bahamas. She has a degree in marine biology and is a former British Intelligence agent. She and three other girls were helping Mickke D’s close friend and salvage partner, retired Federal Judge Thomas Alan Cadium, aka TC, salvage an old wreck off the coast of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The ship, The Queen Beth, was attacked and sunk back in the early 1700s.

  She and the girls ended up stealing TC’s yacht and most of the valuable relics they had salvaged from the sunken ship, but she wanted more. She has a copy of an old map showing where the remaining, unfound, gold, silver, and jewels, supposedly could have been buried. She selected the Bahamas so as not to be too far away from the mainland in case she decides to travel back to South Carolina to search for the buried treasure.

  *****

  Retired Federal Judge Thomas Alan Cadium, is still searching for the possible buried treasure. After much research and study, he has finally decided the only place it can be is Hobcaw Barony Plantation or one of the islands just across the bay from Georgetown: Rabbit Island, Hare Island, Marsh and Big Marsh Island, Middle Ground Island, or MaLady Bush Island.

  He realizes the map he has is not concise enough to give an exact location, so he plans to contact the archaeology departments at Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, and The University of South Carolina to help him. His plan is to meet with all three universities and try to put a detail together to do an archaeological dig for the possible buried treasure. This would be great for him, plus great training for the students, at all three colleges.

  He will be the chief consultant on the project, and if they are not successful, at least he can then eliminate searched areas as possible locations.

  CHAPTER 23

  Sunday dawns with a beautiful sunrise, and we all meet again at my office and go over some basic plans for the upcoming day. Mark and Jim will be at the point today, and Agent Colder and I will be one beach access south.

  On our way to the beach, we keep our eyes open for anyone following us but we spot no tails or a black SUV. Upon arriving, we set up and get ready for a full-day stakeout. We do our walks in between locations and try to look like normal tourists enjoying the beach. Agent Colder and I both spend time reading our books and I have finally succeeded in breaking her of hitting me in the arm, although there were a few times when she started but caught herself. She checks in with Detective Concile every thirty minutes and all seems to be going well.

  At 11:20 a.m., that all changes. Agent Colder receives a call and I can tell by the look on her face something is wrong. Without saying a word, she hands the phone to me.

  It’s Detective Concile. “We weren’t the target. They just hit Charleston. Two car bombs and a propane truck blew up. The city is in panic mode. Keep your eyes open. We could still be a secondary target.”

  She hangs up before I can say anything or ask any questions. I immediately call Mark and Jim and give them the news. I advise them to stay vigilant.

  Detective Concile calls back 20 minutes later and fills us in with what she has learned about what went down in Charleston. At 10:45 a.m., a car bomb went off in the parking lot of the Visitors Center. At 10:55 a.m., a car bomb went off at the Market Center, and at 11:15 a.m., a propane truck exploded on the Ravenel Bridge as people were trying to get away from the other explosions. Several people died and hundreds were injured. So far, they have no suspects.

  The word must have spread through social media, because within a few minutes, people start to leave the beach. Probably one-third of the sun worshippers on the beach are gone. People are getting together in groups and discussing what to do. Without the first sign of a bomb or any police warning, the bad guys have disrupted the tourism industry in Myrtle Beach. Some people are scared, yet others don’t seem the least bit concerned.

  We stay around the rest of the day at our assigned locations and follow the breaking story on our phones. Charleston is not a pretty sight. Luckily, the death toll is only four but more than 200 innocent people were injured and transported to local hospitals. The police and the State Patrol shut down all roads in and out of the area. The Coast Guard is patrolling the waters off shore, and the FBI is now on site.

  When we get back to the office and after Agent Colder leaves, I ask Jim to call his contact at the Bureau to get the latest update. He gets an okay to put him on speakerphone so all three of us can listen.

  They have camera footage of one male driving into the Visitors Center in the car that ultimately exploded. He drove around three times waiting for a parking space to open up close to the center. He had on a hat, a long-sleeve shirt, and jeans. He knew where the cameras were because he covers his face at the right time. Fifteen minutes after he leaves, the car explodes.

  The second car caught on camera parks along the street next to the market. One male and one female exit the car and leave. Neither one of their faces can be seen. Ten minutes after the first explosion, the car at the market explodes.

  The propane truck is also captured on camera traveling north on the bridge. The driver pulls over near the middle of the bridge, acts as if he is having engine problems, and puts the hood up. Another car pulls up and offers him a ride. Just as the police are approaching the scene of the stalled vehicle, it explodes in a huge ball of fire. Both sides of the bridge are still closed. No one knows if there was any structural damage to the bridge, and they probably won’t know for weeks. They do have a description of the car that picked up the driver of the truck, but it was later found abandoned.

  Jim thanks his contact for the update. After he hangs up, we just sit there and don’t say anything for several minutes.

  *****

  We all spend the last day of the holiday weekend at the beach, which is not nearly as crowded as the first two days. The beach-goers are more reserved than
normal. Everyone seems on edge.

  The day is boring and there are no problems. We are all happy the weekend is over. Agent Colder heads to Detective Concile’s office for a de-briefing and the rest of us head home. I ask Agent Colder to call me about going down to see our possible drug dealer. She tells me she will call me tomorrow.

  CHAPTER 24

  Agent Colder calls me early Tuesday morning and agrees to meet me at my office around ten. We do not call Condo Enterprises for an appointment. We are going to make a surprise visit and see if she recognizes Jeffrey Barrons.

  As we pull into the parking area, I notice a black SUV parked in the front row. While I am writing down the license number, I say to Agent Colder, “Jim said we were followed to the beach the first morning by a black SUV. Stay alert and by the way, what name do you want to use?”

  She thinks for a second. “I have a close friend back on Lake Norman named Toni Swartz. Let’s use that.

  “Sounds good to me. Toni Swartz it is.”

  “So am I allowed to ask questions?” she asks.

  “Why don’t you just observe until we see how it’s going to go. Besides that, you’re not acquainted with the case. I’m going to tell them you’re a new agent with our company.” I can tell she’s not happy with that scenario, but she agrees. I continue, “So if you think he could be your guy, why don’t you say something like, ‘Nice office, Mr. Barrons.”

  “Okay, and then what?” she asks.

  “Well, I guess it will depend on whether Bob Linde is in the room. We couldn’t find anything on him. He’s a ghost.” I pause, “If you think Barrons is your man, I think we should cut the interview short and leave. You can decide what you want to do later. I don’t think he’s going anywhere, do you?”

  “Probably not, but I would much rather arrest him right away.”

  “Okay, let’s do this. If Linde is in the room, and you think Barrons is your guy, I’ll take Linde and you take Barrons. If we’re wrong, you can apologize later.”

  She frowns. “Okay. Now, one more question. What if one of them recognizes me?”

  “Same deal. If Linde is in the room, I’ll take him, you take Barrons.”

  “Okay.” She checks her weapon. “Ready?”

  “Let’s do it,” I respond, but I’m a little nervous working with a partner who I don’t really know. I’m hoping she has her head screwed on straight.

  We enter the office. I hand the receptionist my card and ask to see Mr. Barrons. She says he is in a meeting with Mr. Linde. I ask her to tell him I only need a few minutes to ask him some questions about Mary Kay’s death.

  She returns shortly and tells us Mr. Barrons will see us in the conference room. She leads us there and says he will be right in and to take a seat. We both thank her but remain standing.

  Two minutes later, Jeffrey Barrons walks in and closes the door behind him.

  CHAPTER 25

  TC arrives at the Hobcaw Barony Visitor Center to meet with representatives from the archaeology departments of Clemson University, Coastal Carolina and the University of South Carolina. A supervisor for the Belle W. Baruch Foundation for Hobcaw Barony, a private nonprofit foundation created to conserve Hobcaw Barony’s unique natural and cultural resources for research and education, is present, as well. They have gathered to discuss a potential joint venture to look for the possible buried pirate treasure.

  After a little background information on himself, TC holds up the logbook he found on the Queen Beth. “Ladies and gentlemen, I found this logbook buried in the sand next to the Queen Beth, a pirate ship sunk in the early 1700’s, off the coast of Pawleys Island.” After several gasps and murmurs, he holds up the primitive map, incased in plastic, he found in the logbook. “And I found this hand-drawn map inside the logbook which I believe shows where the captain of the ship buried his bounty.” The group is speechless. He tells them after the presentation they are welcome to come up and inspect the logbook and the map. He knows he has them in his hip pocket as he begins his presentation. Now, he just needs to close the deal.

  He goes into detail about finding the logbook and he reads the pages that pertain to how and where Captain Swinely buried the treasure. He tells them he believes that since the map shows what appear to be structures on the left side of a bay, a ship, and the land where the treasure was buried on the right, with the X and the wavy lines, it has to be Winyah Bay, and the structures are on the present site of Georgetown. He believes the location of the buried treasure has to be on Rabbit Island, Hare Island, Hobcaw Barony, or MyLady Bush Island. He never mentions the fact that Captain Swinely may have come back later and dug up the treasure himself.

  Several people ask if they can get copies of the logbook and the map, but TC refuses until they have a signed agreement in place. He suggests that if they find the treasure, he wants half and the other half can be split any way they may wish.

  After many, many questions and many looks at the logbook and map, everyone agrees to meet at the Visitor Center again in two weeks with some sort of a game plan. TC leaves with a very good feeling that finally he will be able to begin his search for Captain Kent Swinely’s buried treasure.

  *****

  The representatives all convene two weeks later at the Visitor Center. A spokesperson for the group begins the discussion “We do not believe Captain Swinely would have buried the treasure on any of the islands because most are at sea level and the ground may have been too marshy for burying anything. We think he would have gone to higher ground on Hobcaw Barony and probably not very far on shore because of the weight of the treasure.”

  TC nods his head. “That makes sense. So where do we go from here?”

  The spokesperson replies, “First, we need grant money and no reputable grant company would ever give money for a treasure hunt dig based on a logbook and a crude map.”

  TC solves that problem by asking, “How much do you need?”

  They put their heads together and come up with a ballpark number of $30,000 to begin with.

  “That is no problem, but since I’m footing the bill, I would like to add to the agreement that if we recover anything, I get my initial investment back off the top and then the split is 50/50.” Everyone agrees.

  Next, they suggest they have students set-up a grid system and do some metal detector sweeps and ultrasound detection sweeps along the shoreline across from Georgetown to see if they can pick-up any possible locations. They plan to go no more than about 200 yards inland from the shoreline. If they detect something, the area will be marked and then the fun begins.

  TC loves the plan and asks when they can begin. Everyone attending seems to think a detail could be organized in about three weeks if all the permits can be secured. They all sign the agreements and TC leaves the meeting light in his checkbook but a happy camper nevertheless.

  CHAPTER 26

  Agent Colder is looking out the window as Jeffrey Barrons enters the conference room and closes the door behind him. She turns as I make the introductions. “Mr. Barrons, this is Toni Swartz, a new agent with our company. She’s working on Mary Kay’s case.”

  Agent Colder walks over, shakes hands with Mr. Barrons, and says, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Barrons. You have a lovely office.”

  Adrenaline soars through and kick starts my body. Here we go, I’m thinking.

  Before Mr. Barrons can release his handshake with Agent Colder, she has twisted his wrist behind him and slammed his face on the conference room table. Blood dribbles from his broken nose.

  “You’re under arrest for drug trafficking, Mr. Barrons.” She reads him his rights, pulls her handcuffs, places them on him and just like that, Mr. Barrons is no longer a threat.

  I am impressed. This girl is good. That was quite a show.

  “What do you think you’re doing, you no good, crazy bitch! You have nothing on me!” Mr. Barrons yells as he tries to stand upright.

  “Nice talk, Jose.” She slams his head down on the table again.

  Just as
I am about to intervene and keep her from a lawsuit, three shots smash through the fabricated wood conference room door. The first two miss everyone, but the third one finds its way into the leg of Jeffrey Barrons.

  “Kill the bastards, Luis, kill them all!” Barrons screams as he topples to the floor of the conference room.

  I look at Agent Colder and she returns my stare as we both back away from the door. I hear running in the hallway and carefully open the door with Agent Colder covering me. I quickly say, “You good here?”

  “I’m good. Go!”

  I move into the hallway leading to the reception area. As I enter the reception vicinity, employees are popping their heads up with terrified looks on their faces. I quickly ask, “Everyone okay?” No one answers. They just nod their heads. “Someone call 911. Where did he go?” I ask.

  As I stare at their blank faces, finally the girl at the front desk answers, “He went out the front door. I already called 911.”

  I hustle to the front door and watch as the black SUV spins out of the parking lot and ventures toward 17 Bypass. I get on my cell phone and call Detective Concile. “I’m rather busy, Mickke D. I just had a call about a shooting at Condo Enterprises.” After a slight pause, and no response from me, she continues, “Oh God, don’t tell me you’re involved.”

  “I’m afraid so. Agent Colder just arrested Jeffrey Barrons and his partner Bob Linde fired at us through the conference room door. We’re fine but he hit his boss in the leg. He just left the parking lot in a black Chevy Tahoe. South Carolina license 1746-SLM.”

  CHAPTER 27

  Marty, Ronnie, Phil, and Anna (as they are called in America), are drinking a toast at their safe house and already planning their next attack. If all goes well, it could happen within the next two weeks.