Under Water Secret

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Steve looked rather refreshed as Brad shook his hand. Nancy had rosy cheeks as she towered over both Wade and Steve, but the same height as her boss Brad. It was conference time so they all went towards the back room where a large conference table with comfortable chairs waited for an occupant.

  Nancy gasped when she saw the Master on top of the table in deep meditation in the lotus position. Wade went for his pistol until Brad stayed his arm. Brad said, laughing, this is the Master from China. He works for us on a contractual basis. His fee is always in gold. He trusts no paper money from anywhere in the world."

  "Ok, let's get down to it. Nancy what do you have for me?"

  "First the President has a meeting scheduled in two hours that involves the Taliban. Secondly North Korea appears on schedule with some new reforms. The US has sent its first aid ship and it will arrive in about three weeks. They'd like, or I should say, Sul song, the sister of Jongun would like to invite your wife Sujin to the celebration of the arrival of the aid ship. The last thing is from Steve. He's too shy to ask, but would love one of Sandy's off spring."

  "You old dog Steve. You already asked me and I said yes. On our next trip we'll bring her to you. It simply slipped my mind this time."

  "I thought you might have changed your mind. My wife has been nagging me for weeks now. Thanks."

  Wade was still starring at the Master. Brad asked, "Wade, please tell us the story how you came to be one of us here in the X section?"

  "My father is career Navy. He is the Captain of the ship you flew from in China. Your father and my father are old friends. Of course they were bragging about their sons and I guess that piqued your father's interest in me. I'm an Annapolis grad. For some reason, and I'm not sure, but I wound up in Naval Intel after a stint in as a junior officer on a ship. After that, I was chosen; I think my father and your father had some hand in this, for a position in Naval Intel in Maryland."

  "I was sent to Afghanistan to intercept and decipher messages from the Taliban. After two years, I was transferred back here and shortly thereafter, I was sent over here to assist you."

  Brad thought the young man personable and obviously intelligent. Wade continued, "Right now we are following the Taliban in Egypt as they are training some sailors for submarine duty. It's out of character for the Taliban to turn to the sea, but maybe that's the only avenue left for them as we've shut down the skies. Besides I'm told to keep an eye on Egypt as concerns you and your team sir."

  "I appreciate that Wade. You may call me Brad as we're not so formal, but that's up to you. Now I guess it's time for us to visit the President." Brad went around the table and whispered into the Master's ear. Then they left. Nancy would give her long fingernails away if she knew what he said to the old Chinese assassin.

  The President seemed in a cherry mood. Brad thought the sea air agreed with him. They were in the Oval Office. He said, "We're very worried about the Taliban going underwater with their warfare. Sure those Romeo class submarines are old, but given their propensity for self sacrifice, that method of attack may suit them well."

  "A good training site might be an attack on our Round House. At the same time it could be a feint for another strike at New York City. They're really upset over the Osama assassination. Also its rumored I led the attack."

  The President said, "We've good intelligence coming from Egypt through Israel. When the submarine leaves for its mission we'll know it. Given the speed of the sub, we can follow it very well. Also it will be shadowed by our subs."

  "The SEALs are coming in a few weeks to prepare defensive positions around the house. With those guys I've no fear of attack."

  "Now to the gold Brad. Have you made any progress?"

  "Nothing of note Mr. President. We've part of team on site now and after our meeting I'm taking the Chinese Master with me to Vermont. I don't think it will take us long to solve the mystery."

  "Let's hope so. Also, you've heard the North Koreans want Sujin there for the celebration of the first ship of aid we're sending them. A ship load of corn will go along ways to feed one and all including the animals." The President stood to end the meeting; still laughing.

  Brad chose a regular motel for his time in Montpelier. He and the Master were staying together. This would be the only night the Master would stay there. From this night on he would be like a ghost not seen or heard. Meanwhile, he was picked up by Billy's van and they all went to dinner in another town. They didn't want to be seen together just yet.

  It didn't take long to fill Brad in with the idea that the gold was stashed very near the station. The problem was that if the gold was stashed underground or in basement, those basements were now full of old furniture and junk. All agreed this small city had to be the location as the train never stopped before or after Montpelier. Also, to move that many tons of gold would take a big truck and back then, trucks were not moving due to the blizzard conditions. It was simple matter of deduction that the gold was moved by sled; but to where would be the real question.

  ++++

  The next day Eric Weber was at the office of the Historical Society talking to Amos Lynch. Amos was almost as old as Eric's grandmother. Eric had broached the subject of finishing the basement job. Amos said, "Eric, I wondered when you were coming back. It's a mess down there, but let me know how I can help. I've been a little busy helping some college kids researching information just before the war broke out. When you're down there if you see any documents relating to that period of time, let me know. Otherwise it's difficult for an old timer like me to go down the stairs."

  That was music to Eric's ears that the old fart couldn't come down and check on him. He told Amos he was going down and look the job over. After he had a look see, he came back up and asked Amos if he had an extra key so he could work at night. He was doing two jobs at once and needed the money. Amos showed him where they stashed the key every night after the office closed. It was clear to everyone that the Historical Society had nothing of value.

  That night at 6 pm Eric, tool bag in hand, began his tunnel job to the gold next door. The problem was what to do with the waste. He decided that at night when it was dark he could sack up the dirt and dump it in his pickup. Then he would take the truck down a dirt road and dump the dirt. Yes, a grueling job, but the end result was worth it.

  While he worked stacking old boxes of paper to expose the wall, he went to work chipping away the cement. He went over the conversation with Amos especially about the college kids doing some research. What if they came down here and started digging through the boxes. This was not good. He realized he must find a way to cover the hole while he was gone during the day. He could use plywood and cover the whole wall. Well, hell, he thought why not build a small room and lock the door. If anyone opened the door all they would find is storage rooms stacked with old boxes marked important do not take out.

  He worked the night through and left before they opened the office. Even if someone came down there they would find little evidence as he had done a good job of covering his tracks. After leaving he drove to the local lumber yard and loaded up with plywood and two by fours for the night's job coming. Then he went home to bed.

  Wendy and Scott sat the desk of Amos Lynch listening to him tell the story of one of the oldest residents, Alina Muller who immigrated here before the war. He told both she could probably enlighten the two of them on the history of the area back then. They got her address from the phone book and made a call to make an appointment. While they were leaving, Doris Leatherwood came in. Amos introduced her as his co-worker. She appeared as old as Amos, but very friendly.

  Wendy used her cell phone and after about ten rings an old lady answered the phone rather grumpy. She listened to Wendy tell what she wanted and told her she would be available at 11:30 just before lunch. Agent Scott said he would go to the Museum and see what was downstairs; if he could slip down there without being seen. Wendy told him to be careful and left for her meeting with Alina Muller a German immigrant. />
  An old housekeeper met Wendy at the door of Alina Muller. The house was small by today's standards. Like most old people houses, this one was over heated and smelled of stale cigarettes. She was led to a smallish back room where Alina was sitting wrapped up in a wool blanket.

  The housekeeper pointed to a chair and Wendy sat down. The air was full of tension and felt like resentment. The old woman said, "What can I do for you young lady?"

  Wendy shuddered at the gravelly voice that resulted in god knows how many years of smoking. The old lady fired up a Camel cigarette with a Bic lighter. Wendy asked, "Have you lived here most of your life or all of your life Mrs. Muller?"

  "Just call me Alina. I'm originally from Germany. Me and my husband immigrated here before the USA entered the war. I'm 87 years old." Alina stared at Wendy as if saying, why are you really here."

  "I'm doing some historical research for a graduate program at my university. This small state with the smallest state capital has a wealth of historical history. You're perhaps the oldest person living here. I'd like to know what people did from prewar 1935 to the present time. The population has not fluctuated much in 70 years. What was your husband profession, if I might ask?"

  "It's no secret. He was a carpenter and one of the very best. He and two of us friends did most of the work around this town for years. As you can see, we're not rich, but we never went hungry either."

  "What did you do for most of your married life Alina?"

  "We had two daughters and my time was spent as a housewife. German men are head of the households and women do the housework and raising of the kids."

  Wendy was searching for a way to broach the 1940 blizzard, but failed to know how without alerting Alina that she was seeking more than just history. Wendy said, "What was the transportation like before the war? For example, did you own car and or was there any passenger trains to take you to a big city shopping?"

  We didn't own a car until after the war. There was train travel but, if I recall, we only went one time to New York City to meet some of our Old Country friends."

  "Historically, the winters here are snow laden. When it snowed a lot what did you do to entertain yourselves?"

  "We stayed inside and learned English. We used the library for books. My husband did a few inside jobs, but winters here are very severe."

  "Was there any particular winter when the town seemed cut off from the world and what did you and your neighbors do then?"

  Alina could see no harm in what the girl was asking. She answered, "The first year, 1940 was very bad. Snow was up to the roof line almost. No one went anywhere for a week or more. Even the train was stuck up for a few days or longer; I can't really remember now how long we were snowbound."

  "During the war ration cards were issued. How did that work for you and your family?"

  "Not so bad. That first spring we were here, we had a big garden. Our house here is small, but the back yard is good sized. We didn't have a car so gas and other related things were not necessary for us. Now I'm a little tired young lady so I'll say good bye, but come again if you like."

  Wendy left gladly longing to take a shower and wash off the awful cigarette and old people smell.

  After Wendy left, Alina lit another cigarette and did some thinking. Why this young lady would be quizzing her just now about the war years. Is there something fishy going on here? She must alert her grandson to be careful just in case.

  In his room Billy had found the names of the guards, well some of them, anyway. He doubted any were still alive, but maybe their off-spring would have some stories to tell.

  Billy dialed up the first number of a daughter who must be very old, he thought. While the phone was ringing, Billy marveled at the high tech computer that with a click of a mouse, had a name and phone number in mere seconds. The phone was answered. "Hi," Billy said. "I'm trying to reach an Alice Brooks who might give me some historical research about her father as a guard on a train back in 1940."

  "Oh yes, that was my father. He was a very young man then of only twenty years old. I was born in 1950. How can I help you?"

  "Your father was a guard on a train from Montreal to New York in the winter of 1940. He was protecting a valuable shipment. The train became snowbound in Montpelier, Vermont for a few days. I wonder, did he ever talk about that trip at all with you or any other member of your family?"

  "Yes, he did. As the years went by and he returned from the war, he still felt guilty that his group of guards lost a very valuable shipment from another country. He said the government grilled him to no end. All he could say was they didn't think anyone in a blizzard would take something so heavy. I remember him saying that before they left they checked the lock and it was still secure and didn't look like anyone had tampered with it."

  Billy thought how easy it was for someone to buy a lock the same as what was on the door of the box car. However, surely that person or store was long gone. Billy said, "I thank you very much. Your vivid memory will go a long ways to vindicate your father. I work for the government."

  Billy tried the others, but to no avail. The one's that did answer the phone did not have a clue what he was talking about.

  Brad, on the other hand, walked the streets looking for old timers. He first checked the cafés and found two guys that looked like brothers having coffee leaning on their canes with both hands, chin perched on top of their hands. Brad went up to them and said, "May I join you for a few minutes to ask some questions about your town?"

  "Both old timers rose up, coming alert, knowing new blood was for the talking. Dennis and Douglas were twins. Both were pushing 80 or more. They were very happy to have someone new to talk to. Brad sat down and was soon learning the history of the town. Both were just kids just before war broke out.

  Brad asked, "During the winter of 1940 there was a big snow storm that stopped all transportation including the train. Do you recall the story of the blizzard and if so, please tell me about it."

  Dennis and Douglass looked at each other and Dennis took the nod. He said, "We're the sons of the local hardware man during that time. We were about ten years old. We had a pot belly stove and the train people gathered around the stove. Some of them carried rifles or shotguns. We guessed they were carrying something valuable. My father asked them and they said they had no idea what the cargo was, but who would take some heavy crates in weather like this. They filled up the local hotel and stayed for about four days then left. We never knew what was inside the train until later when some government men came inquiring about some lost valuables."

  "This is a hard question for you to answer, but do you know if some strangers came to town about the same time as the train arrived?"

  "My father told us we were being invaded by Germans. He said so many immigrates coming to town was not good for business. They didn't have any money and wanted credit. I recall one time when a new German man who spoke very little English came in and wanted credit for a large padlock. Father told him no credit cash only. The man grumbled and dug in his pockets for change. He went away unhappy, but father had his money."

  Brad's heart was pounding as he was getting close to who stole the gold. He asked, "You have any idea who that man was that bought the lock?"

  "Why do you ask," said Dennis.

  "Well, I'm not sure but maybe that man had something to do with the missing valuables."

  "He died about thirty years ago. They were never rich, so if he was involved he never sold it or used it," said Douglass.

  "Hey Douglass, remember the widow is still alive. What was her name," Dennis asked.

  "Alina Muller and his name was Albert. He was a damn good carpenter. He also had two other German friends that worked with him. But those two died of accidents," said Douglass.

  Brad had literally, well almost, struck gold. He knew it was only a short time before he had the answer he was looking for. He thanked the two old timers and went back to his motel room.

  The Master was sitting watching
TV with the sound off when Brad walked in. Rocky went looking for a back rub and the old Chinese Master ran his hand down his back making Rocky lay down on the floor.

  Brad sat down on the floor cross legged like the Master. Brad told him the story. When he finished the Master said in very good English. "The gold is behind a brick wall in the bottom room of the museum. I'm going back to your house. Some bad buys are coming in a short time from now. Order me a plane would you?"

  Brad called Nancy to make the arrangements. Then she told him Wade would run up and pick him up. He'd also take him to the airport. Wade wanted to do a little field work. Brad chuckled and said make it so.

  Brad later on went to the museum to look at the basement. He found it impossible to get into the room so much stuff in the way. He could see a brick wall but that was all. He tried to guess how long it would take to clean out the room or make a path through the middle of it. Well, tomorrow they would make a plan. Meanwhile he would catch up with Agent Jones and Wendy for dinner. Wade would be back by then.

  Meanwhile Eric, having been warned by his grandmother, hurried to make a hole through the walls. If nothing else he would load up his 4 X 4 one ton and take off. His grandmother had given him an idea and hope it worked.

  The next morning Brad and team went to the museum and told the folks there what they needed to do. Two storage units were needed and after a hard day's work, a path was made to the brick wall. A contractor was hired to dismantle the brick wall.

  After the dust cleared from the big sledge hammer pounding the bricks, a light was shown into an area where crates of gold were still in their original wooden boxes. However, behind the gold a hole was discovered where someone had tunneled in from the building next door. Wade was up the stairs and gone by the time everyone else stood talking about it. Brad was in no hurry. Agent Jones was on the phone ordering National Guard troops to keep out the curious.