The Rowen (A Rossler Foundation Mystery Book 7)

by JC Ryan

  The President continued. “In that case, I am going to declare Martial Law at my inauguration.”

  “Richard, what can the Department of Agriculture do to help with the food issue, especially in the cities?”

  “Ms. President, we’ve been sending in trucks of food, but as you’ve heard; the gangs are commandeering them. We could stop sending in the trucks.”

  “No. As terrible as it is, the people are able to trade for food,” President Campbell responded. “What information do we have on the transportation capabilities of the people in the cities?” she was looking at the Undersecretary of Transportation.

  “Ma’am, I’m still gathering reports, but from what I can tell, those that have cars are able to use them where the streets haven’t been too badly damaged by the homemade bombs used in the gang wars.”

  “What about the bus and rail systems? Are they still operational?”

  “Most of them are.”

  “Alright, here’s what we’re going to do until we have enough military to enforce martial law.” The President was up and pacing, her anger evident in her stride. “Richard, in the cities that are under gang control find locations near the outskirts where the food can be safely distributed.

  “Ruth, I know you’re new to the position of Secretary of Labor, but meet with your people and get as much law enforcement back in place as quickly as you can. They will wait for military reinforcement before moving into the cities to deal with the gangs, but they are to report to the areas where the food is being distributed to provide support and security there.

  “Bob, is there anything left of the Federal Emergency Management Agency?”

  “Most of the FEMA personnel were moved to the chipping program. What do you have in mind?”

  “Carrie,” she said addressing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, “I’d like to set up and staff emergency shelters at schools, warehouses, and churches – if they’re willing to help – near the food distribution points. I think the gangs will try to retaliate against those who seek food from the points we establish and they may need shelter out of reach of the gangs.

  “Helen, Carrie, have your departments work with FEMA on getting food and medical attention to those areas as soon as possible.”

  “Carol, what is our status where commerce is concerned?”

  “As you know, Ms. President, without viable currency, domestic commerce is nearly at a standstill. As with what Helen reported, business is pretty much shut down in the cities due to gangs. In the urban and rural areas, there are some functioning organizations, mostly either on good will or a barter system.

  “On the foreign front, everything has come to a standstill. We need a meeting as soon as possible with our foreign counterparts to re-establish trade agreements and get things moving again—for their benefit as well as our own. In today’s world, trade has become so interwoven that we are all dependent on one another and cannot survive alone.”

  “Thank you all. One last announcement.” She turned and pointed to Daniel. “For those of you who don’t already know him, that person there is Daniel Rossler, CEO of the Rossler Foundation. Their organization is the one who liberated the world from John Brideaux and his Council. Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today, free citizens, only because of the brilliance and resourcefulness of this man, Daniel Rossler and his team of patriots.

  “As soon as I have taken the oath of office I will be nominating Daniel Rossler for Vice President.”

  Everyone in the room immediately turned and stared at Daniel. A long silence followed and then, all of a sudden, thunderous applause broke out.

  When the room went quiet again, Laurie ended the meeting. “Bill and Scott,” she said looking at the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, “I will need to see you after this meeting to talk about Brideaux and his Councilors.”

  Chapter 15- ‘Need-to-know’ and ‘face-to-face’

  As the room emptied the four of them, which included Daniel, pulled up chairs at one end of the table and sat down.

  “I’d like to discuss what we’re going to do with the prisoners.

  “They created this mess with that technological Beast they constructed and killed millions with. Nearly everyone on the planet had one of those damned biochips implanted, and suffered beyond description because of it. And they’re going to be after revenge.

  “I know what I would personally like to do with Brideaux and his colleagues,” Bill Simms, the new Secretary of State, said, “but I’m sure it won’t be acceptable.”

  “It isn’t a matter of what we want to do with them, Bill,” Scott said. “I think most of us feel like you. Their crimes are against humanity and as such fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court—the ICC.”

  “That court is in The Hague in the Netherlands,” Laurie said. “It would be difficult for us to try to transport them over there right now. Besides, we don’t know what treaties are still in place and what offices are still capable of functioning. Is it legal for us to detain them until things settle down?”

  “Under the circumstances, I don’t think we have a choice, Ms. President. We brought them back here; we’re going to have to protect them until we can hand them over to the ICC. If that’s what we decide to do.”

  “Alright, but I’m of the opinion we only hand over the non-Americans to the ICC. We deal with the American citizens of the Council in our own justice system. That includes Brideaux. Does that sound right, Scott?

  “No, Ma’am; I’m afraid we can’t do that. Their crimes were against humanity just like the others and thus fall under the same jurisdiction as the others, the ICC—provided it still exists.

  “If we fail to turn them over with the rest of the prisoners, we will be putting the United States above international law. It would set a terrible precedent and encourage other countries to disobey international law—after all, why should they obey it if we don’t?”

  Bill added, “So if we keep our citizens, the other countries would demand the return of theirs.”

  “I see,” the President said, thoughtfully.

  “Currently, they are under heavy guard at Andrews,” Bill said, referring to Andrews Air Force Base. “It seemed the safest place for now since security is already high there as it’s the home of the Presidential aircraft, and they flew in there, so they didn’t have to be moved elsewhere.”

  “I didn’t know there were detention cells at Andrews,” the President said with surprise.

  “There aren’t, but we have them under heavy guard.”

  “Not good enough!” the President exploded. “We need those people in proper detention facilities before someone kills them, or they escape.”

  “I would suggest a military detention center at this point,” Bill said, “it would be harder for someone to gain access to them on a military base.”

  “Agreed. Get Cliff Willis and FBI Director Mike Steele in here; we’ll have them work out a plan to move them from Andrews.”

  Forty-five minutes later both Secretary of Defense, Cliff Willis and FBI Director, Mike Steele were still deep in discussion with the President, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.

  “I think it makes the most sense to hold them at the Navy’s Joint Regional Correctional Facility in Chesapeake, Virginia,” Cliff said.

  “We ought to have a couple of decoy locations,” Mike said. “I suggest Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in DC and an FBI safe house in Virginia.”

  “I like the plan. Ms. President?” Cliff asked.

  She paused thoughtfully. “Scott, Bill, what are your thoughts?”

  “I don’t see anything wrong with the plan or in violation of the law,” Scott replied.

  Bill nodded. “Agreed.”

  “Okay. Let’s make it happen. How long will it take?”

  “I’ll need several hours to pull together agents for decoys, transport, and staff at the safe house,” Mike advised, “say six to eight hours.”

  “Same here,�
�� Cliff stated. “I’ll need time to have the troops, transportation, and facilities arranged.”

  “Good. We’ll plan on moving them by noon tomorrow. You two work together to arrange the timing. Cliff, I have a few more questions for you, the rest of you are excused.”

  After they had left, Laurie turned to Cliff Willis. “I’ve been cautioned about trusting the Cabinet members left over from the previous administration.”

  “Cautioned? By whom?”

  “No names, no pack drills” She grinned. Let’s just say it was from someone I trust with my life. Scott and Mike are both inherited, not my appointments, and while I want to trust them, I need to be absolutely sure the prisoners are safe.”

  “Do you want me to set up another decoy?”

  “No, we have all the decoys we need. Here’s what I want you to do.”

  As she filled him in, his eyebrows raised in amazement.

  “I’ll call Admiral Johnson right away.”

  “No, Cliff. Talk to him in person. Keep this above Top Secret. Communications about this are on a ‘need-to-know’ and ‘face-to-face’ basis only. Nothing gets communicated in any way except face-to-face. Understood?”

  “Yes ma’am,” Cliff said. He got up and left to execute the President’s orders. He smiled as he closed the door; Laurie Campbell is going to be a great President.

  Chapter 16- Shut up and move

  John Brideaux paced the room like a caged tiger. He had regained much of his insufferable demeanor and bravado once he realized he was not going to be killed on the spot by JR, in Brussels.

  He was back to his old self; incessant blasphemous, foul swearing, and mad rages rolled out of him in waves. It was annoying the two Air Force, Military Police guards to no end, but somehow, they managed to resist any reaction to anything he said and held their guns at the ready.

  He had clearly heard the order given by their superior officer: “If he comes within five feet of you or tries anything, don’t hesitate, shoot him in the leg and then call me.”

  He assumed the others were being held in a similar manner. It would take time, but he would figure out how to escape, and then the first order of business would be to take care of JR Rossler and all the rest of the ‘goody-two-shoes’ Rosslerites.

  A knock sounded on the door. One of the MP’s spoke, “Turn around and put your hands on the wall above your head.”

  Brideaux obeyed the command and listened while the other MP unlocked the door. Both men successfully suppressed their surprise when Admiral Ben Johnson walked in.

  “Cuff him. We’re moving all the prisoners—now.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Brideaux felt the metal of the cuff snap around his left wrist; his arm was pulled down and behind his back. The MP pulled his right wrist down to meet his left and a second snap secured his hands together.

  “Let’s go,” ordered the Admiral.

  Brideaux exited the room following one of the MP’s. The Admiral and the other MP brought up the rear. In the hallway, he saw the rest of his group lining up single file and walking toward the exit. He fell in line with them.

  They were loaded onto a military bus with dark tinted windows. Two MP’s rode in the back, two in the front, and two on either side in the middle; one pair watching the prisoners in the back, and the other two watching the front.

  The ride was brief, ten to fifteen minutes before they were ushered off the bus and quickly loaded onto a waiting transport plane.

  When they deplaned, they weren’t in any place Brideaux ever expected to be.

  “What the hell is this?” he shouted.

  “Move,” was the only response he got.

  “You…” Brideaux started to object.

  “Shut up and move Brideaux!”

  Brideaux heard the sound of a rifle being cocked, and he felt the pressure of the muzzle in his back as the MP pushed him forward. He went quietly and started walking.

  Chapter 17- A quiet prayer

  “How did the Cabinet meeting go yesterday?” Hayden asked his visitor while handing her a martini. The woman, dressed in a short, tight, red skirt that hugged her curves, accepted the drink. Her low-cut, cream-colored blouse trimmed in lace revealed quite a bit of cleavage, and Hayden eyed it appreciatively. She was a remarkably beautiful and sexy woman, and in Hayden’s personal experience, she knew how to please a man.

  “Have a seat,” he invited and sat next to her touching her bare knee for a few moments.

  She winked at him and started talking. “Campbell made appointments to fill the vacant Cabinet positions and had a private meeting with Scott and the new Secretary of State, Bill Simms after we adjourned.”

  “I wonder what that was about?”

  “You’re in luck,” she said with a sly little smile. “The corridor was empty, and I hung around for a while.”

  “You are one devious woman!” He grinned. “What did you find out?”

  “She’s going to try to protect the prisoners until she can turn them over to the ICC. Can you believe that? The ICC.”

  “Only that stupid bitch could come up with something as idiotic as that. Those monsters need to be brought out into the streets and executed in public.”

  “Well, she’s going to move them to a military detention center in Chesapeake, but there will be two decoy transports to make it look like they are going to someplace in Virginia and another base here in DC.”

  “When?”

  “Noon today.”

  “Noon today? That doesn’t leave much time. I’ll get some people in place to take care of them before they’re moved,” he muttered.

  “Why didn’t you tell me about this last night,” he exclaimed.

  “Well, I waited until 2am, but you didn’t come over as promised,” she pouted. “So, this is the first chance I had to talk to you. You wouldn’t have wanted me to risk calling you on your home phone or mobile. I don’t have to tell you; phone calls are not secure.”

  Hayden was not married. As successful as he was in his military career, so unsuccessful was he in keeping a marriage together. He had divorced from his fourth wife four years prior.

  “Okay, you’re right; sorry about that. I just have a lot on my mind. What else?”

  “Well, I have left the best for last. I have also overheard her discussing the arrangements to announce Daniel Rossler as her Vice President.”

  A long pause ensued. Hayden was speechless. “Daniel Rossler for Vice President! Now I know she is not fit to be the President, forget even mentioning Commander in Chief in the same breath. She is definitely going to lead us back into the dark ages!”

  “I agree with you Tom, but what’s done is done. Rossler is very popular right now because of his appearance of having stopped John Brideaux and shutting down that Beast.”

  “I don’t care how popular he is—he’ll be as bad or worse than Brideaux was if he gets control of everything—and I guarantee you that’s what he’s up to,” Hayden raged. “Call the group members; we’ve got to put a stop to this.”

  Within hours Hayden and his protestors descended on the White House carrying signs objecting to Daniel’s appointment to the Vice-Presidency, referring to him as the New Beast that would be the downfall of America.

  Some claimed he was a dictator who wanted to control the world; others blamed him for giving John Brideaux the technology in the first place. The news media arrived with them and began broadcasting immediately.

  Daniel and President Campbell watched from the second floor of the White House as Hayden, wearing his Army dress uniform, complete with its four stars and rack of ribbon bars, climbed the steps to a hastily built platform on the other side of the fence, and began speaking to the crowd on a bullhorn. In no time, he had managed to whip them up into a fit of rage, shouting, and waving their fists in the air.

  “Well, it sure didn’t take him long, did it?” Daniel said quietly. “And how did he find out about my pending nomination to the Vice-Presidency?”

  �
��We have a traitor in our midst – that’s how he found out. Ugly. This is going to turn very ugly,” the President stated.

  Daniel spoke softly, “Aristotle said, “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.”

  “He was right about that.” Laurie nodded and left for her office.

  Daniel watched the demonstration for a few more minutes and then called Luke on the ultra-secure mirror phone developed by Roy and Raj.

  “Luke, it’s time that everyone returns to the Rabbit Hole. The unrest is building here, and I’m afraid riots are unavoidable.”

  “Okay, Daniel, we’ve been anticipating this; we’re already packed and will head out right now.

  “Peter, Jack, Max, Mark, and Doug have requested to remain behind in case you need help.”

  Daniel smiled at the names of the five men. Former Marine medic Max Ellis, John ‘Doug’ MacArthur a former Marine chopper pilot, and Mark Bryant a former Captain in the Marines had all come to the rescue of the Rossler team that was attacked and stranded in the Grand Canyon by John Brideaux. Peter Scott and Jack Symonds were both former CIA operatives who had been indispensable in helping to bring Brideaux and his council down.

  “Thanks, Luke. Let the guys know I will be glad to have their help.”

  Luke added, “Sarah wanted to stay, but I’ve convinced her it isn’t safe.”

  At that moment, the President returned and motioned for him to follow her. “Luke. Please tell Sarah I’ll call her shortly; I have to go now.”

  “What’s up?” Daniel asked as they headed toward the West Wing at a brisk pace.

  “We’re having an emergency meeting with Bill Simms, Cliff Willis, and FBI Director Mike Steele. It seems our traitor has been busy—someone tipped off the press that the prisoners are being moved.

  “Also, that dog and pony show out front is already being broadcast nationwide, and protests are erupting everywhere. They’re protesting against moving the prisoners, calling for their public execution. And,” she glanced at him, “against your appointment as Vice President.”