The Prosecution of General Hastings

by A. A. MacQueen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Kincaid leaned forward in his big leather chair. His office was identical to Bobby’s. Both had the stylistic touch of a warehouse supervisor. Functional, they called it, rather than flashy. Oceanic Import-Export was not in business to impress people. The high back leather chairs that Bobby and Harry used could have been found in any high level CEO’s office. But they had bought them for comfort, not looks. Everything else, desks, lamps, tables and chairs were all used and bought at salvage houses.

  Harry punched the numbers into his phone from memory.

  “Director Peers’ office.” It was the soft voice of Dawn McGibbony. Harry knew that voice and could visualize the beautiful face and body of its owner. More than a few of the many men who had passed through Franklin Peers’ reception area and into the inner sanctum at his Langley, Virginia headquarters had been struck by the beauty of the lovely Ms. McGibbony. And more than a few had struck out when they tried to take their acquaintance with her from professional to personal. The fact was that Dawn McGibbony was already deeply in love… with one Patsy Bellamy, the owner of a small coffee shop in DuPont Circle. They’d been a couple for five years, and though disappointing to the men who admired her, Ms. McGibbony was forever true to her love. Harry Kincaid had the same recurring thought every time he heard Dawn’s voice on the phone, or saw her in person… ‘What a waste.’

  “Hi there, Dawn,” he greeted. “Harry Kincaid here.”

  “Well, hello, Mr. Kincaid,” she answered. Harry could picture her captivating smile. Perfect teeth, aqua blue eyes and flawless skin, framed by long blonde hair, silky and tumbling to her shoulders. “Haven’t heard from you in a while.”

  “Yes, it has been some time. How have you been?” he asked pleasantly. Harry well knew of Dawn’s sexual preferences but like a lot of other men, he wanted to be first in line if she ever decided to get back and swing from the right side of the plate. So, like James Bond playing to Miss Moneypenny, he always expressed interest… just in case.

  “Same old, same old, Harry. I assume you would like to speak with my boss?” she asked.

  “Yup. Sure would. Just between us, I call him ‘Big Daddy.’ Is he in?”

  “Big Daddy… I like that,” she said. “He is in and your timing is perfect. Let me put you through before his next meeting. Hold on.”

  “Thanks, Dawn…” he said, but she had put him on hold and didn’t hear his expression of gratitude.

  A moment later, the normal gruff voice of the DCI answered. “Peers,” he said.

  “Good afternoon, Director. Harry Kincaid here.” Harry could picture Franklin Peers standing at the window of his spacious office overlooking the Virginia countryside. Or, he may have been pacing. Peers was a man of restless energy. Unless he was seated and meeting with a superior, one of the few that he had, he was in constant motion. Rarely was he found seated at his desk.

  “Harry,” he said. “good to hear from you. I trust you are well.”

  “Thank you, sir. Yes. I am well.” Knowing the Director was not one for idle chit chat, Harry got right to the point. “Sir, I’ve called with a question concerning an operation that took place down in Mexico. It involved one of my former associates.”

  “Tell me more,” said Peers.

  “Pete Von Karmenn was working on behalf of the Talon Group, a security and consulting firm headed up by a retired Army general by the name of Jack Hastings. The information I have is that Pete was sent across the border to complete the negotiations and arrange for the shipment of some small arms being purchased by the Mexican government.” Harry paused.

  “Go on.”

  “Well, sir, I am now led to understand that the arms would actually end up with the Matamoros Cartel, and this was being done with the consent of our federal government.” Again, Harry paused. He knew he didn’t have to explain to Franklin Peers who the Matamoros Cartel was.

  “Harry, how is it that you have come to have knowledge of such an operation?” Peers sounded none too happy; someone knew something that they had no business knowing.

  “As I mentioned, sir, Von Karmenn was a friend of mine. He was supposedly killed in a fire bombing at his hotel after closing the deal down there.”

  “And your question is…?” asked the Director.

  “I guess I have several, sir. First, is it possible that such a sale of arms to a known drug cartel that is actively shipping into the U.S. could have been sanctioned by our government?

  “Yes.” Peers answered abruptly.

  “Hmm. Then, second question… are you aware that Von Karmenn is still alive?” Harry asked.

  “No. Are you sure? How do you know that?” Peers asked.

  So, Big Daddy knows all about this, Harry thought. He fell silent a moment. The Director’s answers were not what he had been expecting. Then, “And, Hastings…,” Harry started to probe deeper.

  “Look, Harry,” Peers began, “it’s probably a good thing you called. Yeah, I’m aware of the deal. And I know Hastings. Fact is, this thing didn’t come off as expected. We didn’t know that Von Karmenn is alive. We got reports he perished in the bombing of the motel. We need to determine who tried to kill him.”

  “The suspicions point to Hastings,” Harry injected.

  “Why? And who’s suspicions?” Peers asked.

  “Evidently Hastings owns the manufacturer who is selling the guns. Von Karmenn didn’t know that and as soon as he found out, his motel room blows up. I heard from Pete’s brother. And I hope to hear from Pete soon,” Harry explained.

  “Well, we don’t know what happened but we need Pete Von Karmenn to help us figure it out. All this crap going on between these cartels is a powder keg. And it’s already spilling across the border. That’s just for starters. There is more and more intel that says Islamic Jihadists are already in the mix. And they would have a special interest in these particular guns. This deal was approved for two reasons: It was supposed to aid Matamoros in fighting the Sinaloans. And it would allow us to track how arms are disbursed and used down there. Now we don’t know what happened or who actually ended up with them.” Peers paused. “Do you think you can recover Pete Von Karmenn and figure out who tried to kill him? If it’s Hastings, we need to know it. If it’s not, we need to know that too.”

  “I think I can recover Pete. I’m not sure where he is, but I’ll find out. As for who tried to kill him… that’s a bigger job,” Harry said.

  “Oh, Harry, Harry, Harry,” said the Director. He could see what was coming. “I know you don’t work for free. And I know your firm’s fee schedule. Recover Pete Von Karmenn for us and determine what’s happening with those weapons. We don’t need them falling into the wrong hands. It was risky enough to deal with the Matamoros boys and it backfired. Consider yourself hired.”

  Harry was flattered and pleased at the same time. “Sir,” he said, “I really didn’t call you drumming up work…”

  “I know you didn’t, Harry,” Peers responded. “But the fact is we need you. I’m glad you called.”

  “I’ll speak with my team. I’ll get back to you, sir,” Harry said.

  “Well you just do that,” Peers scoffed. “Tell Bobby I said hello, Harry.” With that Franklin Peers ended the call. He had every confidence in Harry Kincaid and Oceanic Import-Export.

  Bobby Lawson was on the phone when Harry walked back into his office. He held up a finger to keep Harry there as he seemed to be completing a call. “Yeah, Sluggo,” he was saying. “That’ll work. Just call me back when you’re free.” He paused, listening. “Okay. Yeah, good to hear from you, too.” He hung up the phone.

  “You got Decker?” Harry asked.

  “Yeah, but he was walking into their production meeting. Said he’ll call back in a couple of hours. Seems eager to talk.”

  “Good. I just got off the phone with Big Daddy,” said Harry. “He confirmed the deal that Hastings and Pete worked out. It was sanctioned by the government. But he didn’t know about Pete being alive. We’ve been hired
to recover Pete and find out what happened to the weapons. The big concern, of course, is who might have ended up with all those pistols.

  “I also talked to Phil Von Karmenn. He’s going to have Pete call me.”

  “Let’s go eat,” said Bobby.

  They left Bobby’s office and walked out to where Prin was chatting with Beth at her desk in the reception area.

  “Ladies, we’re calling a staff meeting, right now,” Harry said. “We need for you two to grab your coats. The meeting is off-site.”

  Bobby walked out tugging his windbreaker on. “I’ll drive,” he said.

  Beth and Prin had answered this call before. “Where is the meeting, Vice President Kincaid?” Prin asked.

  “Yangtse River, Vice President Howard,” he answered. “Chinese joint just opened up over in Arlington. I hear it’s a winner.”

  The four settled into Bobby’s Land Rover, boys in the front, girls in the back, and chatted with small talk for the fifteen minute drive to the restaurant. When they arrived, the hostess showed them to a table for four and gave each a menu. There was a lazy Susan in the center of the round table. It held small vessels of Chinese condiments; Soy Sauce, hot mustard and duck sauce. As soon as they were seated, an attractive young waitress approached their table with a tray containing a plate of spring rolls and a small porcelain pitcher of hot tea. She set the spring rolls and tea on the lazy Susan and placed a small plate and tea cup in front of each guest.

  The waitress introduced herself as Mai Ling and began to explain the menu when Harry’s cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller I.D. and saw that it was Carol Von Karmenn.

  Harry stood, still looking down at his phone. He glanced over at Bobby. “It’s Carol Von Karmenn. Just order something for me, would you? Anything.” He stepped back outside the door of the restaurant.

  “Hello, Carol?” he answered. He walked over and began slowly pacing in a corner of the parking lot.

  “Yes. It’s me Harry. Sorry to bother you again,” she said.

  “It’s not a bother. I was going to call you anyway,” he said. “I had the money wired to your bank this morning. You should be getting a notification, if you haven’t already.”

  “Yes, it has already shown up in my account. I don’t know how to thank you. But that’s not why I called,” she said. “Harry, I just kind of vegged out, playing with the kids all weekend and didn’t see any news until this morning. General Jack Hastings has been arrested in Oklahoma City. He’s charged with murder.”

  Harry Kincaid stopped his pacing. “What?”

  “He was arrested late Friday night or early Saturday morning.” There was an edge to her voice. “Some woman that he had apparently been seeing was found dead in her apartment. And the Police linked it to him.”

  Harry was stunned. He stood silent… thinking.

  “Harry?” she asked.

  “No, no. I’m still here,” he said. “I’m just surprised. Is there any more to the story?”

  “Not that I’ve heard. Apparently it’s been all over the news all weekend. Can’t believe that I’ve just now heard about it,” she answered.

  “Okay, Carol. Sit tight. Let me do some checking and I’ll get back to you.” Harry stood there in the parking lot for another minute trying to make sense of what he had just heard. He walked into the restaurant and sat back down at their table.

  Bobby looked over at Harry. “What’s up, man?” he asked. “Have you seen a ghost?”

  “General Jack Hastings has been arrested in Oklahoma City. He’s charged with murder.”