The Assassin's Trail

by J. C. Fields

  Chapter 21

  Escambia County, AL

  Thursday

  Kruger watched as deputies set up a command post and roped off the smoldering remains of the house as they waited for the local fire department. Sheriff Lamb walked up to him and said, “Sorry I doubted you back at the office.”

  Kruger smiled, “No problem. You realize this is going to get real ugly, real quick. Reporters, FBI, military, you name it, they’ll arrive shortly and the circus will begin.”

  “Son, this would have gotten ugly with or without you. Glad we found the C4 before someone used it.”

  “Let’s hope this was all of it.” Kruger turned and stared at the barn. “I don’t think he was acting alone. How could he have gotten this much C4 by himself? He’s been out of the military for several years.”

  Lamb stopped walking, looked at Kruger, and said, “Good question. That stuff’s not exactly available at the local farm supply store.”

  Kruger shook his head. “No, it isn’t.”

  In the distance, they heard sirens approaching.

  “That will be the local fire department,” Lamb said. “Guess I’d better make sure they don’t spray down any evidence.”

  He walked toward the smoldering remains of the farm house with three deputies following.

  Kruger’s cell phone vibrated. He checked the caller ID and answered, “Kruger.”

  “Give me a rundown,” Seltzer said. “The corner office is asking lots of questions and I can’t answer any of them.”

  After briefly summarizing the fire fight, Kruger told him about the discovery of the C4 and the destruction of the house.

  Seltzer said, “Okay, you've got Air Force Special Operations coming out of Elgin Air Force Base. They should be there within the hour and will take charge of the C4. Dollar commandeered one of the Bureau’s jets and is bringing his team. They should be there before dark. The deputy director told me to tell you good job, but that’s unofficial right now. Dollar is whining about being kept out of the loop. He’s claiming you’re grandstanding, again.”

  Kruger sighed. “Figures. He’ll probably come down here, look around, and declare he solved the case. Wait till he meets the local sheriff.”

  “Who’s the sheriff?”

  “His name’s Gordon Lamb.”

  Seltzer was silent for a few seconds and then started laughing. “About six foot four, looks like an old hound dog, doesn’t say a lot?”

  “Yeah, that’s him. We got off to a rocky start, but after I told him what was going on, he jumped on board. Good man.”

  “You don’t remember him, do you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s ex-Bureau. One of the rising stars about twelve years ago. He was in line to be deputy director one day. The man’s got more commendations than any other agent in the bureau’s history. One day, he just walked into the director’s office, told him to shove the job and resigned. I lost track of him after that. Guess he’s been in Alabama ever since.”

  Listening to Seltzer, Kruger watched the sheriff. No wonder he liked the man so well. “It will be interesting to see how he and Dollar get along. My money’s on the sheriff.”

  “Mine too. Keep me up to date, Sean, the director’s personally involved.”

  Kruger ended the call and watched a helicopter circling the area, probably media. There was already a lot of activity along the farm road near the driveway leading to the property. The sheriff had the foresight to instruct several of his deputies to block the entrance with squad cars and maintain crowd control. CNN and Fox News already had news vans setting up, and he suspected others would follow. The circus was just starting.

  He was about to head back to the barn when Lamb walked up and said, “Just got a report, a convoy of military Humvees are about a mile out. Deputy told them how to bypass the commotion at the end of the driveway and come directly to the barn. I suggest we meet them and present our little gift.”

  Kruger nodded. “Just heard you’re ex-FBI. Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

  Lamb shrugged. “Didn’t seem important at the time.”

  “Why’d you leave?”

  “Same reason you’ll leave one day. Got tired of the BS.”

  Kruger smiled and said, “Yeah, you’re probably right. It does get deep at times.”

  Thirty minutes after the military took charge of the C4, an FBI forensics team from Montgomery arrived and took charge of the destroyed house. They set up a perimeter and started searching. Kruger knew the lead investigator, Charlie Craft. A few years back on a serial killer investigation, Charlie had been a rookie. Kruger worked with him and explained what an investigator needed. The young man had taken the advice and built on it. Now he was in charge of a medium size forensics department.

  Kruger watched Charlie get his team started. After several minutes, Charlie noticed Kruger watching. He smiled, waved, and hurried over to where Kruger stood on the outside of the crime scene perimeter.

  They shook hands and Kruger said, “How’ve you been, Charlie?”

  “Couldn't be better, Agent Kruger.”

  “Charlie—you know my rules.”

  Charlie looked embarrassed. “Sorry, Sean, I forgot. I've been dealing with too many self-important agents lately.”

  Kruger laughed. “I can only imagine. Speaking of self-important agents, Mint Dollar will be here shortly. He's now the SAC in Kansas City and will be taking over when he gets here.”

  Charlie's happy-to-see-you demeanor changed immediately. “Ahhh, shit, are you kidding me?”

  “Wish I was. He was promoted just before this case broke. Unfortunately he still can't find his ass with both hands behind his back.”

  Charlie chuckled. “Thanks, I needed to hear that.”

  Charlie was one of the techs involved with the case in Utah and witnessed Dollar's lack of ability. Kruger said, “I hate to ask you this, but I need a favor.”

  “Sure, Sean. What is it?”

  “I think this guy was the tip of the spear, just a soldier in a much bigger operation. No one guy has the ability to steal as much C4 as we found in his barn. If there was a computer or a laptop in the house, I need the hard drive. It might lead us to others involved.”

  Charlie looked at Kruger, then back at what remained of the house. “You want JR to look at it, don't you?”

  Kruger nodded. “We both know if there's something on a hard drive, he can find it and a lot faster than anybody at the Bureau.”

  Charlie looked again at the search area and thought for a moment. “Okay, if we find it, I'll log it in, then slip it to you someway. But I have to have it back.”

  Smiling, Kruger put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “You may have just saved a lot of lives.”

  As Charlie walked back to the search area, Kruger glanced at his watch. It was getting late. Mildly surprised Dollar hadn’t arrived yet, he felt it was probably a good time to call Stephanie and let her know he was alright.

  She answered after the first ring, “Sean, are you okay?” Her voice was noticeably stressed.

  “Yes, Stef, I'm fine. It’s a little chaotic right now, but at least we have a starting point for the investigation. Guess you've been watching the news?”

  “Yes, I have, and so has Brian.” Her voice an octave higher than normal. “He’s called several times asking if I had heard from you.”

  This was the first time anybody had expressed a concern about his safety while he conducted an investigation. However, it was also the first time he had ever been involved with an exploding house.

  “Call him back and tell him I'm fine. I can't right now. I’ll be heading back tonight. I have to make one quick stop, then I’ll be home.”

  There was a long silence on the call. Finally he heard, “Okay, just make sure you’re careful. I didn't get married just to become a widow.”

  Kruger suddenly realized he was acting different himself. In the past, he never thought about how quickly he could get home. He work
ed his investigation and it took however long it took. Today he was plotting the fastest way to get home. His decision to retire was the right one. He said, “I'll be careful, I promise.” No more running through a firefight and dodging bullets, he thought. Damn, what was he thinking?

  He noticed Charlie walking back toward him, and when he arrived, Kruger said, “Did you find anything?”

  Charlie offered his hand. Kruger shook it as Charlie passed him a small flat object. Very quietly, he said, “I found it a few minutes ago. It's a solid state drive. They’re extremely sturdy. I haven't logged it in yet, so get it back to me as quickly as possible. Okay?”

  Kruger nodded. “Thanks, Charlie, I will.”

  As Charlie walked away, Sheriff Lamb came up next to Kruger and pointed toward the growing crowd of media vans at the end of the driveway. “I just received a radio call, three black Suburbans have arrived. Would that be your Agent Dollar?”

  Kruger chuckled and nodded, “More than likely.” He paused for a few moments and said, almost to himself, “Where the hell can you rent black Suburbans in Pensacola?”

  Lamb shrugged, “Not sure, but it does seem pretentious.”

  Kruger nodded, “That’s Dollar. By the way, since he's here, I need to follow up on a new lead. Can one of your deputies take me to my Jeep?”

  “Yeah, how soon do you want to leave? I need to get a couple of these guys off overtime.”

  “As soon as someone can take me.”

  The Suburbans slowly worked their way through the swarm of media. Kruger could hear the commotion of questions being yelled all the way from where he stood next to the storage buildings. Once through the crowd, the three vehicles quickly drove down the long drive and parked just outside the tree line. The doors opened in unison, making Kruger suspect Dollar was on his radio saying, ready, set, exit. After he was out of the passenger side of the lead Suburban, Dollar surveyed the scene, buttoned his suit coat, straightened his tie and headed straight toward a deputy guarding the perimeter of the search area. The deputy pointed at Lamb, who was already walking toward Dollar.

  Kruger smiled and followed. He wanted to hear this exchange.

  Dollar offered his hand, which Lamb shook. Dollar said, “Are you Sheriff Gordon Lamb?”

  Lamb nodded and said nothing.

  “I'm Special Agent Franklin Dollar. I am now in charge of this crime scene. Thank you for your assistance, Sheriff. Now if you will have your men vacate the area, I will conduct the investigation from here.”

  Lamb stared at Dollar and in a thick Alabama drawl said, “Well, Agent Dollar, the good Governor of this fine state has told me different. You go ahead and conduct your little investigation, but my men will stay right where they are until I'm told different by him.”

  Dollar, unprepared for this type of response, said nothing. He simply turned, walked back to the Suburbans and started giving orders to the other agents. Kruger walked up next to Lamb and said, “First time I've ever seen him speechless. Well done, Sheriff.”

  Lamb looked at Kruger and with a slight grin said, “Guess I'd better call the Governor and tell him what I just said.”

  Kruger struggled not to laugh. “I’ll have to remember that line.”

  Lamb delivered on his promise of a ride. Fifteen minutes later a deputy asked Kruger if he was ready to go back to the sheriff's office. Thanking the deputy, he told him he'd be right back. He found Lamb. “Thanks for the ride.” He offered his hand to the sheriff and continued, “It’s been a pleasure working with you, Sheriff.”

  Lamb gave Kruger a wide grin and shook his hand. “Pleasure was all mine. I do believe I'm going to enjoy messing with that Dollar fella’s head.”

  Kruger walked back to the deputy's squad car, opened the door and was about to get in when Dollar yelled at him to wait a minute. Tempted to ignore him, Kruger decided to wait. When Dollar got to the car he said, “Where are you going? I need a full report from you about this crime scene.”

  Kruger smiled, looked at Dollar with disdain, and said, “If I remember correctly, I report to Alan Seltzer, not you. After I file my report and he reads it, you can request a copy.”

  Dollar’s eyes grew wide and his face reddened as Kruger got into the squad car and closed the door.

  On the way back to his Jeep, Kruger called the agency's Travel Department, and was told the only flights back to Kansas City were in the morning. He wouldn't be back until almost noon and then have a three-hour drive to Springfield. Too much wasted time. He had to get the cell phone and disk drive to JR as quickly as possible.

  The deputy driving said, “There’s a charter service at the Brewton airport. Would that help?”

  Kruger said, “It might. Is anyone there now?”

  The deputy glanced at his dashboard clock, shook his head and said, “No, it will be morning before the airport opens again. Sorry.”

  They drove in silence for a long time. Finally, a slight smile appeared on Kruger’s face. When they arrived at the sheriff’s office, Kruger thanked the deputy, got into the Jeep, and activated his GPS unit. It estimated his arrival time at JR’s would be just in time for scrambled eggs and coffee. He started the Jeep and began the long drive to Springfield.

  Chapter 22

  Washington, D.C.

  Thursday evening

  “It’s going to be another long evening, honey. I have no idea when I can get home… No, don't wait up for me… I'll grab a sandwich or something here… I love you too.”

  Alan Seltzer pressed the end call icon at the same time he heard a quick rap on his office door. Paul Stumpf, Deputy Director of the FBI, stood in the partially open door and said, “The director wants an update. Do you have a minute?”

  “Yes, Kruger gave me an update a few minutes ago, have a seat.” He pointed to one of the two chairs in front of his desk. Seltzer proceeded to summarize the events in Alabama, leaving out some of the details, like who the sheriff of Escambia County was.

  His 45th birthday had been two days ago. Marking the event as special, he had purchased a high-end Cannondale carbon-frame racing bike. Due to current events, Alan had yet to ride it. Riding a bicycle ten miles a day and more on weekends helped him stay fit. Plus the solitude allowed him to think through problems. The birthday also brought another milestone, a prescription for no-line bifocals. Even though he had worn reading glasses for some time, the new glasses left his eyes fatigued and bloodshot.

  Obtaining his current position within the FBI had taken hard work and perseverance. As one of the few African American assistant deputy directors, he was responsible for several divisions. Kruger and he had been classmates at the FBI Academy and made agent status on the same day. Even though their career paths were different, they had remained close friends throughout the years, with Alan rising into the ranks of management and Kruger establishing his reputation as a top investigator. Unbeknown to him, his current position was the result of a recommendation by Kruger after turning down a promotion. Seltzer had a lot of respect for Kruger, which meant he did not micromanage him, nor did he question his decisions. The results spoke for themselves: Kruger solved more cases than anybody else in his divisions.

  Stumpf said, “Is Kruger still convinced there are more individuals involved?”

  “More so now than before. He believes it’s almost impossible for one person to obtain that much C4 without assistance.”

  Stumpf nodded. “The key word there is almost impossible, not impossible. But, I agree with him. Unfortunately, the director doesn't, and he's listening to Mint Dollar, who’s convinced there’s only one person involved.”

  “How does he know that when he’s not even on site yet?”

  Stumpf smiled. “Do I really have to answer your question?”

  The absurdity of Franklin Dollar finally causing both to start chuckling. Seltzer said, “Yes, I imagine he will work the case very diligently until tomorrow afternoon, declare it solved and take full credit.”

  “Yes, and when he does, we’ll exp
ose him as the fraud he is. But until that happens, the director is listening to him.”

  Stumpf paused and leaned forward in his chair.

  “Unfortunately he’s demanding Kruger be taken off the case immediately.”

  Seltzer shook his head and folded his arms on his desk. “Kruger is thinking about retiring. Pulling him off will push him over the edge. He'll pull the plug. I know him. He told me after the KC explosion he thought Dollar might have changed his ways and wanted to work as a team. After the video conference, Dollar reverted to his normal ego-centric self. To Kruger, the man is dangerous and incompetent.”

  “Dollar is dangerous and incompetent, but there are only a few of us who recognize it. Let him hang himself, and then we can move forward with our plan. Pull Kruger off the case officially, let him take some of the vacation time he's been saving.”

  “What do you mean officially?”

  “I'm not going to tell you what to do, Alan. But we both know Kruger works best without a net. Take his net away, turn him loose.”

  Stumpf stood and headed for the door. He turned just before leaving and said, “We didn't have this conversation.”

  Seltzer just nodded.

  ***

  Finally at 10:45 p.m., Seltzer turned the lights out in his office and headed toward his car. The call to Kruger needed to be made away from the office. No one ever knew who was listening at any given time inside FBI Headquarters. As soon as he had driven out of the parking lot, he made the call. It was answered on the third ring.

  “Kruger.”

  Seltzer heard wind noise in the background.

  “Sean, where the hell are you?”

  “Just outside of Birmingham, why?”

  “Are you driving?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “I couldn't get a flight until mid-morning, which puts me back in Kansas City late afternoon. I have too much to follow up on, and this way I can be there by early morning.”

  Seltzer hesitated for a moment and said, “Sean, you've been officially taken off the case.”