“I got it and now to Wendy. On the one hand she is six years older than I am and on the other she has been in more relationships than I have. How do I know she loves me? She tells me she does, but is it a, for the moment thing, or long term? I just don’t have a clue.” Brad could tell the young man was all tied up inside with feeling going around in circles like a roller coaster. The only thing Brad told him was to let it develop and not worry so much about it. Pretend you are not concerned and then trust in her will solve your anxiety. It is just like our creek by the Round House. It flows at its own speed regardless of circumstances other than man’s interference.”
By now they were near the safe house and Agent Jones told him thanks and led the way into the house. Brad’s focus was now for the safety of the secretary of state.
Hands in the Cookie Jar
Chapter 21
In a seedy hotel, feeling right at home, watching cock roaches races across the bare wood floor, Mr. Widmark of South Africa laid on a bed that sagged in the middle so much he could see his legs sticking up at a twenty degree angle. The window was fully open letting in a smell of garbage and mold, mixed with stale cigarettes. From a rickety side table next to the bed a bolted lamp stood tall and naked without a shade. The light was good enough for him as he looked at the city map and from a telephone book laying open to heating services. His plan was to steal a heating van on the outskirts of town, choosing a very used one so as not to be reported stolen. Next he needed some plastic explosives and earlier walked from one dive to the next leaving word of cash for information on plastic and caps. At each place he left the hotel’s phone number and a twenty to the bar keep. No doubt he would hear something by midnight he thought.
He’d heard on the news she, the secretary of state was back in the states and early tomorrow he would watch her place from his rented used car that blended with the neighborhood not drawing attention to him. After scoping out the place he would find a heating service van then later that night he would steal it. The date was the twenty sixth and in two days the employer emphatically stated the day of the assassination. If he had trouble with obtaining the explosives, he would make a night run to a construction site and pick up what he needed. And if the heating service van was a problem he would take out the secret service guys with a silenced pistol that he picked up from his employer who stashed it in a locker at the bus station leaving the key to the desk with his name on it.
He was woken up by a pounding on the door and a voice saying he had a phone call and could answer it out in the hall where a phone for floor use hung with a well used look much like the person who said hello and waited for a response. A voice on the other end said to meet him in the lobby in five minutes for a special delivery of goods ordered. Widmark went back in and stuck his pistol in the small of the back, grabbed his sport coat and locked the door, thinking that it wouldn’t take much to enter the room, but he doubted that would happen as he was sure the word was passed to steer clear of the big guy in room 301.
Taking the stairs at a fast clip he arrived in the dowdy looking lobby where a black man leaned against the check in counter with not another soul in sight. The black guy gave him the once over and walked out the door with Widmark following him. Halfway down the block the well dressed man stopped at the side of a van and knocked once. The door slid open and he was handed a flashlight to see what was in the dark interior. Cautious as always, he asked the man to climb in with the other guy so he could see them both while he inspected the box with just what the doctor ordered. Fifteen minutes later, back in his room he inspected each item carefully. When he first looked at the box on the street he noticed not near enough plastic was there. He asked the guy if he could double the order and told Widmark that he would have what he needed by an hour before daylight. Someone would deliver it to his door and payment could be transferred at the time.
By daylight he was not far from the secretary’s house. By seven he was in place a block away taking a walk around the neighborhood dressed like a jogger walking fast on a morning’s walk. No one paid him the least attention as he walked past her house seeing two agents out front and one in a car parked on the street reading the morning paper. A block away at seven thirty a long limo pulled up and a few minutes later his mark came out the door with the two agents escorting her to the waiting car. By the time he passed again on the opposite side of the street he smiled and walked to his car. Now all he had to do was check out the heating service company and make a decision to play a heating service technician or just set up explosives around the house and blow the whole thing up at one time.
Brad and team sat around with Steve and discussed the possible attack on Janet Cortez. Billy had the floor saying, “We know our suspect has left South Africa. Presently we are trying to find out what airline and exactly when he departed Africa. CIA agents are viewing poor videos as we speak. Also FBI agents are checking all flights from South Africa with passenger lists and videos of deplaned passengers. A rough description tells us he is a big nasty looking white man which should make our ID easier. I think by tonight we will have an ID on him, or at least a look of what we are up against.”
Brad said, “Good work and now we must toss around how this brute might do the deed. From what I’ve read and heard he is not quiet or cagey, but likes to make a large bang to demonstrate his trademark of putting a final touch on the contract leaving not much to the imagination.” Brad looked at Wendy who was across the room from Agent Jones sitting on a kitchen chair while Agent Jones stood leaning on the wall next to the window with Mike. Mike had refused to go home and was running ideas how this dude might off the secretary of state. Brad then asked Wendy her profile on this mercenary from Africa.
Wendy jumped in with a very thorough reports from around the world that knew anything about this contract killer. She answered saying, “This guy from all reports is one bad guy who loves to show off. He is very typical of an extrovert with hidden emotions of insecurity, mostly brought on by a difficult childhood unloved by his parents. Probably his education is somewhere in the middle school range leaving school at an early age. It is also doubtful he ever married and probably finds relief in prostitutes and God help them as he most likely plays rough. I would guess his age at around the middle thirties. My final thoughts are this: he is not covert in the sense of disguise or stealth. I would guess he would drive up and shoot it out with the secret service and then enter the house spraying bullets killing anything that moves and walking out driving away leaving shocked neighbors staring out of their windows. Or, he will blow the house up from a distance that he can see the results from.”
Brad noticed she kept her eyes focused on him or Steve, never looking at the other members of the team. He liked that a so did Steve. Brad nodded his thanks and then looked at his friend Mike for any ideas of looking around DC for this unusual looking killer. Mike felt the look and was ready for a few thoughts thinking out loud.
“I think this guy will be holed up in a less than desirable hotel amid the lowest social levels of society. I think Agent Jones and I should dress the part and snoop around where the smell of the real city is located. The Salvation Army should have a men’s department to our liking. Agent Jones will learn how to nurse a glass of beer and feel the hard bar stools before the day is over,” he laughed and so did everyone else except Steve who did crack a little grin rarely seen in him.
Billy had returned to the outside for a Marlboro or two before sitting down and fondling his beloved computers. However, before he did that he called his father in the assisted living complex he finally found thanks to Brad and his job. His father was his only family left and had a rare brain disease which slowly brought him a full return to his childhood. However, when he heard Billy’s voice it brought him a ways back to know and understand a few things his son talked about. Billy always felt guilty he wasn’t there more often to visit him, but when not on a case he only lived a short distance from his father visiting as often as he could. Now as he hung
up feeling the pains of guilt for a parent that maybe he shouldn’t feel, he with eyes of love looked at the marvel of high technology sitting in front of him. A feeling of euphoria enveloped him knowing his lover and companion was in front of him waiting for his touch to begin the stimulation he gleaned from the inanimate object in front of him.
Back in the living room Steve, Mike and Agent Jones had left together leaving only Wendy alone with Brad. Nancy was busy adding security for the remaining cabinet members. She would report in later. Now Brad turned his attention to Wendy saying, “What say you and I take ride to Janet Cortez’s house for a look see?”
“Sounds good to me and happy to go do something besides a computer and phone work,” as she rose up and made ready to leave. Once in the van with Rocky sitting between them happy to be going for a ride, Wendy felt some tension in the air. She thought maybe their run alone brought up the subject of their relationship. Agent Jones had seemed a little distant lately and she hadn’t pushed him to see what was on his mind. Wendy decided to push the issue and see where it led as she asked, “Is there something we need to talk about Brad?”
He glanced over at her and said, “Why do you ask, is there something on your mind?” Wendy looked out the window not seeing the cars going by or what the weather was like. She was in deep thought about broaching the subject of her and Agent Jones.
“I have a feeling that maybe Agent Jones and I now in a relationship might be affecting our performance and I would like you to evaluate or expound on maybe what might not be a confidence between you and Agent Jones or me. Let me say this, I have sincere feelings for agent Jones and I love the man. He is honest, sincere, and tender and he listens well to what I have to say. Marriage, well I’m not sure about that and we need time to see where this leads. I’m well aware of the black white issue and he has told me about his early life and what his parents went through to provide him with an opportunity others might envy from his neighborhood. If he shows up with a white woman in a black area to meet his parents, well that is an obstacle yet to be dealt with.”
Brad stopped in front of the secretary’s house and looked at Wendy shutting off the motor. He said, “Wendy I have nothing to add or say, but he is struggling with the race issue and needs time to sort through the issues until he is ready to confront the white black thing. Now let’s take a look around and see what this old place looks like.”
Two FBI agents were taking turns keeping an eye on the home. By now Brad and his team were recognized by most all FBI agents in DC. However, these two had never seen a big black Shepherd before as Rocky followed his master of the steps leading up to the house. In this area of DC houses on both sides of the street sat elevated about five steps up leading to the front door. A neatly trimmed hedge row circled the yard like an old fort thwarting off the invading British. Brad and Wendy both flashed their ID’s and walked around the house.
Wendy asked him what he was looking for and Brad said, “Well if this guy is a lover of explosives then where would he places them for the best results. A natural gas line is a good place to start and then underneath a bedroom would give off the destruction he’s looking for. Kitchen, is it gas or electric we shall soon see,” as he slowly walked around the yard. Brad found what he was looking for at a natural gas line connected at the back of the house near the kitchen. He looked up and a bedroom window, not a bathroom window looking back at him. The backyard was small as land was a premium in this wealthy neighborhood. A small covered patch of concrete housed an outdoor barbeque with a picnic table freshly painted waiting for late spring and summer cookouts. While they stood there looking around a housekeeper came out to see who was invading the back yard. Brad showed her his ID and asked if they might have a look around inside if it wasn’t too much trouble. Ruthie as she gave them her name said if the FBI outside let them in this far come on in; she told them with a nice smile.
The inside was much what you would expect of a family of this stature. Antiques were placed like the magazines showing off the Old World charm in every room except the modern kitchen. Upstairs was an extension of the first floor with large hardwood furniture in each of the three bedrooms. The master bedroom had been remodeled with a bathroom added in nicely modern taste. The other bedrooms neat and clean contained posters and pictures of what usually kids had in their bedrooms. To both Brad and Wendy the home would be a comfortable place to live. Brad thanked Ruthie and they left through the front door. From that position at the top of the steps that led to the walkway and then perhaps ten paces to the last steps down to the sidewalk gave him a view of the next door neighbors and up and down the street. Lining both sides of the street were large elm trees just now putting on jackets of green leaves. He noticed it would be hard to penetrate the hedge anywhere around the house leaving the only opening up the steps. Once more he went down the first set of steps and then around the house next to the neighbors on both sides. Rocky sniffed the place from side to side and around the house a couple of times before he was satisfied. At the back of the house Brad spent some minutes looking at the BBQ area sitting at the picnic table taking in every detail of the backyard. Wendy sat on the steps talking to the FBI agents and telling them to be alert and when they were replaced tell the new agents to not relax their vigil.
Brad walked up and told the agents to not relax for a second as it was a given something could happen on their watch. After that they drove off for some lunch and waited for some information from Mike and agent Jones.
By two in the afternoon, about ten smelly beer joints later with an equal amount of glasses of mostly half finished beers, Mike and agent Jones didn’t know anymore than they did leaving the safe house. Along the way they hit all the flop houses, but even though they were dressed like low life, the questions they asked were heard with suspicion and mouths that were shut. Mike said when they left the last place that hotel on the corner might be their last hope. As they crossed the street amid kids who should have been in school, and lined up along the walls black tough guys smoking cigarettes starring with eyes full of hate at the two strangers dodging cars crossing the street. Mike paid them no attention as it would take more than four or five, even with an arm that was not much use to give him any trouble. In front of the hotel an old car with the hood up and on the street side a black butt crack stuck out while he worked on the motor. He was swearing up a blue cloud as Mike stuck his head under the hood asking what the hell was wrong with this nice ride. The black guy looked at the white face with a white toothy smile and said, “What the hell is it to you man?”
“Well, I was raised on a farm where if we wanted to go to town and the old car we had wouldn’t fire off, we learned quickly how to mechanic. Now my advice is free. What better price could you have? The black guy with low rider jeans pulled his head out and saw agent Jones smiling at him.
“Okay white man, it will start but quit in two seconds. Can’t get it to stay running,” as he wiped his greasy hands on his once blue but now black jeans.
Mike saw an inline gas filter and correctly guessed the problem after he disconnected the filter and gave the black guy’s friend a fiver to run to the parts house for a new one. Meanwhile this gave him the opportunity to talk to this man who no doubt lived in the hood. The guy asked Mike, “What are you guys doing in the place anyway? We don’t get many strangers around her especially white guys. Now in a few days two of you white dudes show up looking for trouble?”
“I’m not looking for trouble, but a friend of mine is around here somewhere and I’m trying to locate him. He’s a big nasty looking bastard that would sooner beat the shit out of you then ask for a light for his cigarette. He’s got the meanest looking eyes and is always looking for a whore to take his meanness out on. Does that sound like the dude who is the stranger in town?”
The black guy smiled and nodded his head yes. Then he said, “He’s staying in the hotel behind you, but he isn't there now. Dude took off early this morning and never returned. Word has it that he is still s
taying here and like you said, ordered a fat black whore for later this afternoon or evening,” as his buddy ran up with a new filter in a box. Mike quickly one handed hooked it up and told the guy to fire it up and let’s see what happens.
The old beater fired off and with a cloud of blue smoke kept running. The black guy smiled a big white tooth an offering of thanks and Mike and agent Jones went inside to verify that their man was indeed staying there. A fifty produced the information they wanted and told the guy if he kept his mouth shut he would live to see Aprils Fools day.
Agent Jones had never seen this side of Mike and even he was rocked to hear his words of warning to the desk clerk as Mike flashed his Glock to seal the deal. Now on the way back to the safe house and a call to Brad who in turn sent out agents to watch and wait for the guy, he asked agent Jones if he had any questions. Jones shook his head and then said, “I’m just a babe in the woods and I’m learning fast. However, I don’t even know how to check the oil in a car to tell you the truth,” as he laughed at his own statement.
Sitting around the living room as before, Mike gave his detailed report leaving out the part of the desk clerk not seeing Fool’s day coming. Nancy came through the door after agent Jones saw her coming through the window. Rocky went to the door to make sure it was friend and not foe. Nancy gave him a head rub and went into to the living room happier than she looked in a few days it appeared to the team. Word had gone around she broke up with her live in and now was staying at a hotel until this case concluded. After that she secretly hoped Brad’s invite her to the team was real. But for now she briefed the team on surveillance of said hotel.
Brad looked at his watch and it showed almost five pm and soon it would be dark. Brad’s plan was to be on location at midnight. As a precaution the family was staying at a hotel and local FBI agents occupied the house making it look like everyone was home if something happened. It had been decided Mike would back up Brad if it came to a showdown with the assassin. As it was Brad wanted to put an end to this killing and he was just angry enough to take on the white haired old man from Virginia. In an earlier conversation with Steve, Brad heard that the president was prepared to address the nation the day before the April first. He didn’t want to wait while the transport of troops was finished; he wanted this over now and as he was the boss, that was the time schedule set for the speech on the new century. There was little doubt this would go down in the history books equal to the civil war of two centuries ago. Today Abe Lincoln sat in his chair watching the comings and goings of thousands of politicians since he took his seat back during construction between 1914 and 1922. But now their attention was on tonight.
Systematic Attrition Page 19