B.B.U.S.A. (Buying Back the United States of America)

by Lessil Richards

  The three men could hardly believe what was flashing across the computer screen. They had stumbled upon the news story of the decade. No wonder all their lives were at risk. Leo finally spoke up. “Can you copy this information?”

  “Sure.”

  “We should copy it immediately for safety’s sake.”

  Leo and David groped their way down the dark hillside to Doug’s truck to retrieve his box of flash drives. Within minutes they were copying the information.

  Leo was pacing and doing some serious thinking. He spoke up: “I have a plan, guys. I promised Sarah that I would do everything in my power to avoid an armed conflict with Bob. Making this flash drive public will be the means to our freedom. David, could you take this copy with the password and leave right now in the Bravada for Boise?”

  “Sure. Right this second if you wish.” David was relieved to be leaving. He did not want to kill or be killed, but he didn’t want to let his good friends down either. Going to Boise seemed like a wonderful idea to him. Life is too short, he thought to himself, to get involved in a mess like this.

  “Great, let me jot a note to our corporate attorney. He is located in the First Interstate Building in downtown Boise. He’s a great attorney and has his license in both Idaho and California. He’ll know how to get this flash drive public. I’ll write him a letter explaining what’s taken place, you can fill him in on the details. We need this in the papers and on TV as soon as possible. I want you to take another flash drive, too. Please make another one, Doug. David, if it isn’t in tomorrow’s papers, you’ll have to assume our attorney isn’t the man I think he is, and you’ll have to take the second flash drive to Channel 7 News yourself, and see what can be done.”

  Doug thought he should make two more copies and both he and Leo should carry one just in case something happened. They all agreed it was a good idea.

  “Two more things, David. Sarah, Joyce and the kids will probably be flying into the airport within the next day or so. Here’s some money. Please take it and stay close to the airport. Keep an eye on all incoming flights from Chicago and Denver. Take them to a motel and stay away from the house. Take them and check into one of the suites at the Grove Hotel in downtown Boise. There are plenty of restaurants nearby as well as the downtown Edwards theaters. We should catch up to you within a day or two, just keep them in public places and away from the house, okay?”

  David took the wad of hundred-dollar bills that Leo pulled out of his wallet. “Okay, sure, I can do that. Sounds like a whole lot more fun than staying here with you two. Didn’t you say two things? What was the other thing?” David asked.

  “Call the police after you see our attorney and drop off the letter and flash drive. Tell them you suspect foul play at Custer. Tell them anything you want to, but get someone to come and investigate.”

  “I could do that from Stanley and get someone here maybe before they even get to you.” David was hopeful.

  “No,” Leo said. “You have to be sure you are clear first and that you have delivered the flash drive to our attorney. It simply trumps all and has to reach the papers. Until it is in the news I don’t know who we can trust. I don’t even trust the police, if this news isn’t public. When you know the news has gone public, don’t waste any time calling the police.”

  Leo took a deep breath, made eye contact with Doug, and then looked sternly at David and continued. “David I know you don’t believe in revenge, but it’s a bit beyond settling scores right now. I have to think of my family and their safety. I have to know this ends here. I can’t risk looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. Even once this has made headline news there is no guarantee that Bob and his grunts won’t enact their own revenge on me and my family for blowing this up. I simply have to end this on my terms. I hope you understand.” Leo looked over to his best friend for reassurance.

  Doug nodded.

  The men packed-up David’s gear and some food. Doug insisted that David take a hand gun. Against David’s better judgment, he allowed Doug to put Leo’s loaded .357 Highway Patrolman in the glove compartment of the Bravada. Leo told David that he did not have to look at it or use it, but it was there if he needed it. Ultimately, David could give it to Sarah when they got out of the airport, as she was very skilled with that particular weapon.

  Leo and Doug poured two of the five-gallon containers of gas into the Bravada, ensuring that David could make it back to Boise without having to make any unnecessary stops along the way. David hugged both men good-bye and eagerly jumped into the vehicle. He was still digesting Leo’s final statements and was visibly relieved that he would not be there to witness the outcome.

  It was after two in the morning when David finally drove off to accomplish his important mission. Leo felt that since the password had been broken Bob would have to listen to reason, although secretly, he kind of hoped he would choose not to listen to common sense. Leo had never been vengeful before, but knowing what he now knew about Bob and his henchmen, and the long line of murders, he thought of him as a rabid dog that was beyond saving. It bothered Leo to know that the B.B.U.S.A. had been getting away with murder for some time now. Furthermore, he was not entirely convinced that the law would ultimately apply to Bob the same way it would to ordinary citizens. Therefore, he really wanted to make a stand and end it in Custer, once and for all.

  Leo wanted to get to his family as soon as possible, but after everything the agency had done to his family, he would either convince Bob to turn State’s witness against the B.B.U.S.A. or he would ensure no one was left to threaten his family. Hopefully, Bob would give up when he realized that the B.B.U.S.A. was completely exposed and the game was over.

  Although the two friends did not expect Bob to show up in the middle of the night in unfamiliar terrain, they still decided to take turns sleeping and keeping watch. They agreed to take two-hour shifts. Leo was still feeling an adrenaline rush, so he volunteered to take the first shift. He wouldn’t have been able to sleep if he wanted to, while Doug, on the other hand, had been working continuously on the computer and welcomed the opportunity to close his tired eyes and sleep. His eyes burned. It probably hadn’t helped to have left his contacts in for two days straight.

  Leo sat outside the tent, wrapped in a sleeping bag, and looked at the night sky. The entire sky was a mass of little twinkling lights, though there was still no sign of the moon. He could hear Doug snoring in the tent. He must have been very tired. Leo’s mind wandered to his family. He wondered how Sarah and his mother were coping. What a perfect time it had been for his grandmother to be on a cruise. At least she didn’t have to get involved in the entire affair. Most likely she was having a grand time watching whales and seeing the northernmost state.

  The Big Dipper was obvious and Leo traced the stars across the sky to locate the North Star. The air was cold. As soon as the sun had set, the men had felt the sudden drop in temperature. Winter would soon engulf the higher elevations. It was breathing down his neck. He pulled the sleeping bag up higher so the back of his head was not exposed, exhilarated by the enormity of the clear night sky. The lower part of the old town site of Custer was obscured by the darkness. The tall ridges were outlined against the night sky, but below and in the creek bottom it was nearly invisible in a wall of blackness.

  A light wind rattled the trees and brush by the spring. Perhaps a deer had come to drink and had disturbed the bushes. Leo looked in the direction of the spring but could not ascertain whether it was the wind that rustled the light aspens or indeed an animal. He felt a little uneasy and vulnerable, but more alert and awake, and decided not to call Doug until he felt as if he could sleep. He covered both watches and listened to the light rumbling snores coming from inside the tent.

  Chapter 37

  When Joyce, Sarah, and the boys arrived in Windhoek, the only available flight leaving the country that day would refuel in the Canary Islands and then have a four hour lay-over in London before flying out to New York City
. They went ahead and bought their tickets and boarded in late afternoon, well aware that they would be in for a mighty long flight after the eventful day.

  Before leaving Windhoek, Joyce called the hospital in Swakopmund to check on Ursula, and was able to talk to her directly. Ursula was doing all right. She would remain in the hospital for observation for a couple of days suffering from a dislocated shoulder, a few cuts and bruises and a concussion. They were monitoring her brain to make sure it did not swell. Joyce told her about the money and made the final decision not to return to her business. Ursula could not believe her ears when Joyce told her to disburse fifteen thousand rand among the other employees and to keep the twenty thousand rand for herself.

  Ursula promised to come and visit her in the States in a few months. It had always been her dream to see the United States of America. Joyce promised to send Ursula her address as soon as she reestablished herself State side. She was glad that she could make a dream come true.

  Traykie continued to keep a nervous eye on their surroundings, in between feeding his face or flirting with various girls. Chris seemed very quiet and stuck to his mother’s side. Sarah wondered how traumatic the events of the past few days might be on her children and wondered if they would suffer any lasting effects from the stress and trauma they endured and witnessed. She looked around her sadly. They had talked so much about the trip they would all take to Africa to see Joyce. Leo had promised to take them to Etosha Pan. The boys wanted to see elephants and lions. Now they were in Africa without their father and were leaving without any of the things they had anticipated. She wondered if they would ever come back now. It was with a heavy feeling of nostalgia for what might have been that Sarah walked up the ramp and boarded the flight.

  Sarah’s feelings of gloom increased as they flew over the desolate terrain. She felt as empty as the dry river beds that looked like streaks in the sand. She tried to figure out if the feeling was regret for what might have been here in Africa, or foreboding about what might lay ahead when they finally touched down in Boise. She just knew, as she so often did, that something was amiss. As she dwelled on it she suddenly knew that a tragedy was going to happen. It was in the future but she couldn’t decide if it was to happen to them or to Leo. She wished there was some way to find out where he was and what was happening to him.

  They changed planes in Pretoria and Sarah tried to call Leo’s grandmother’s house but no one answered. Knowing it wouldn’t help she called their own phone number and heard her own voice on the answering-machine. She tried Leo’s cell even though she knew she shouldn’t, but was informed that it was out of the service area. What did that mean? Where could he be? Had he taken her advice and gone to the police? Was he trying to play cops and robbers out in some God-forsaken stronghold he and Doug might have dreamed up? She felt a shiver go through her whole body.

  When they were far over the Atlantic Ocean, Sarah looked around. Both boys seemed to be sleeping peacefully. When she looked over at Joyce, they held eye contact for a while, giving each other a sorrowful look of mutual unexpressed sympathy. Sarah knew that Joyce was having her own thoughts. Leo was her only child and their bond had always been something very special. Sarah managed a weak smile and tried to look hopeful. She then turned her head and closed her eyes. She wanted to spare Joyce from trying to look strong and optimistic for her. She was far too worried to sleep, but she would try to rest. She had no idea what lay ahead of them beyond their very long flights.

  Powerful premonitions flooded her mind. She could see glimpses, just partial flashes of images. Her gift did not always relay clear concise pictures, merely perceptions of feelings, smells, fear, alertness, pain, and the unmistakable sounds of gunfire. The fear of knowing a disaster was in store, but realizing she was helpless to avert it was crippling. Sarah forced the images and sounds from her mind and began praying earnestly for assistance, strength, and protection for her loved ones.

  Chapter 38

  Bob had his men ready at six in the morning. They did not get to enjoy a full breakfast, as he was too anxious to get to Custer. They stuffed their faces with several doughnuts and drank orange juice and coffee at the motel’s free continental breakfast bar. No one seemed inclined to talk much. As soon as they had all grabbed some food, they went to the van.

  This time Ervin sat up front in the passenger seat, holding the little map and brochure and acting important. All of them knew exactly where they were going, but Ervin gave directions anyway.

  Florin had contemplated disappearing in the middle of the night, but reluctantly stayed with the other men in the event that he could assist Leo and Doug if it became necessary. Bob turned right at the junction of Highway 93, a couple of miles outside of Challis.

  Marcus laughed at the name of the convenience store located at the intersection. “Look, there’s Hickie’s Quicky.” He turned to John. “Bet you’d like to stop in there for a ‘Hickie’s Quicky,’ huh?”

  Before John could answer, Bob made his dour reply. “Sorry Marcus, we have more important things to do today.”

  Ervin pointed out the “Land of the Yankee Fork Visitor’s Center” on their right as they headed up the scenic Salmon River towards Sunbeam. Three deer were grazing on the grass in front of the building, and at first they didn’t think they were real until the buck jerked his head up and looked curiously in their direction. They drove up the highway, following the twists and turns of the Salmon River until they reached the overlook at the old Sunbeam Dam. They stopped at the restroom, and then turned to the right, driving up the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River. The narrow, paved road was filled with potholes and had many sharp turns. It was beautiful scenery, as the sun was just beginning to poke over the mountains. Little bits of steam rose from the Yankee Fork as they continued up the road. A big buck mule deer jumped into the road and Bob had to hit the brakes and swerve to avoid hitting it.

  The paved road ended in two miles, and they found themselves on a wide dirt road that seemed to be cut through the middle of miles of piled river rocks. The entire area had been dredged. It was not unusual to find relics of old mining towns in Idaho. Bob eased off the throttle as they approached what seemed like some old, freestanding buildings at the bottom of a hill where a Forest Service Guard Station was located. The wooden sign at the side of the road welcomed them to Bonanza. He brought the van to a stop as they tried to figure out from the map where Custer might be located. The map showed a spot further ahead where an old ‘gold dredge’ could still be seen. The town site of Custer seemed to be approximately two miles beyond that. He drove ahead at a slower pace following the road as it curved to the right.

  They crossed Jordan Creek. The men were restless. Bob warned them to prepare themselves. Hopefully, this would be their final confrontation with Leo. He told them that Leo could have company; after all he had lived in this area and would know people. They had no idea what this “Custer” would be like and if they were in the town or just in the area. They knew that Doug would be with him and they must be very cautious. The men un-holstered their weapons and made sure they were fully loaded and ready for action.

  Doug awakened from sleeping for the second time. Leo had let him sleep an extra two hours the first round and he appreciated it very much. The sun had weak beams peeking over the surrounding mountains. Leo could see his breath. No clouds could be seen in the clear sky.

  Doug stirred and glanced at his wrist watch. When he noticed the time, he shot up and looked out of the tent to see if his friend had fallen asleep. Leo looked at Doug’s big tired eyes, straining to focus in the sudden light, and was glad he had let him sleep longer. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

  “You were snoring so loudly I knew you needed your beauty sleep. Besides, the sun is up now and I would have had a hard time sleeping myself. I started a little fire here. Do you want something hot? I have hot water here if you want some.”

  “Sure, brew me up a cup while I get dressed, OK?”

  “Okay, lazy
butt!”

  “Lazy butt?”

  “Heck yes, you’ve slept more than twice as much as I did and you are still asking me to wait on you too.”

  “You’re impossible, Leo. Remember this is your crazy adventure. I’m just nice enough to come along to protect your sorry ass.”

  “So far, the only one that I feared might shoot me was you last night when I was returning from the Pfeiffer house.”

  “You know you are full of shit, don’t you? It’s too early to try and get the upper hand in a conversation with you. Don’t you have any coffee instead of cider? I really could use something with caffeine.”

  “There you go again buddy; remember, I’m not your servant. No, there isn’t any coffee. I didn’t bring any because I don’t like coffee and never even thought about it.”

  “See how you are Leo, always just thinking about yourself.”

  “Hey man, if you want caffeine, why don’t you try some Mtn. Dew? I had one a little while ago, they’re like drinking a slushy. Actually, it was pretty darn good.”

  Doug shuddered. “Cider will be fine.”

  “Good, I already poured you a cup.”

  Doug got dressed and joined him outside the tent. “Man that ground is hard.” He reached back and rubbed his lower back.

  “Yeah, another good reason I didn’t wake you. The two hours I slept, I found the ground to be frozen and hard with little rocks poking me through the sleeping bag.”