by Tim Blagge
“I’m sure he’s on his way to meet the survivors of his failed mission to plan another attack.” I commented.
“Remember Bill, we have a meeting with the head FBI man in the area tomorrow,” Stella reminded me. “Since they have a bunch of bad guys locked up now, I hope we will finally find out who’s behind all these attacks. Let’s hope it’s no more than one or two groups. So Bill do you need a ride now?”
“I think we’re going to be here a little while longer,” I said. “There are still some emergency vehicles arriving and we have about fifty ‘lookieloos’ that have assembled. If we can’t get a ride later on I’ll call. If I don’t see you tonight I’ll see you in the morning. You know Stella; working out of a room in Area 51 with an alien roommate is starting to look better and better. You could move into the room next door. We’d make it a threesome.”
About twenty minutes later Rolf, Jerry Pops and number one returned. They had lost the red van in traffic.
“Did the bad guys get away Jerry?” I asked.
“They did.” Jerry answered. “It was obvious they were either going to get away or die in a fiery crash trying. We decided that there was too much risk to the public to pursue them further so we are hoping that the police or CHP will find them. Where do I line up to give my statement? And where do I get on the bus to go to Afghanistan? It would be like being on vacation there compared to here!”
After we had given our statements to the authorities, Jerry called me and Joanna over. Rolf was standing there too.
“I’d like to introduce you two to the people who helped save your butts today. Jerry said proudly. This is Corporal Jeff Barnes, formerly called Number Two. This is Corporal Jack Pierson, formerly known as Number Three, and last but not least Sergeant Fred Noble, formerly known as Number One.”
“Oh come on Jerry, so we were just saved by Barnes and Noble?” I joked. “You’re kidding right?”
“Barnes and Noble and Pierson; don’t forget Pierson.” Jerry answered.
“I suppose you have a Laurel and a Hardy in your crew too.” I laughed.
“No, but I might have a Martin and a Lewis. I’ll check my roster later.” Jerry answered.
We all had a good laugh which helped relieve some of the pressure of the ordeal we’d all just been through. I thanked Jerry’s men and then Joanna looked at Jerry and asked, “What happened to your ear?”
“It’s a new battle scar. I’ll be fine but I might need you to nurse me back to health,” answered Jerry.
Joanna saluted and said “Certainly Lieutenant Smith I’ll kiss it and make it better.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” said Jerry as he put his arms around Joanna and gave her a hug.
That night, the news reported the story of two huge gang shootouts in the San Gabriel Valley. The newscasters were all commiserating about how drug trafficking had gotten out of control and the authorities had to do something about it. At least the FBI and police got their cover story straight.
-30-
Monday morning at ten, Stella, Jerry and I were assembled in the conference room. Dr. Brooks was still in the hospital but was expected to be released by the end of the week. The receptionist escorted Agent Cushing and a new man into the room.
“This is Special Agent-In-Charge Marvin Vaughn,” said Cushing. “He is our Southern California Division Chief and one of the best men I have.”
Vaughn was a trim, handsome black man, about six feet two or three and looked to be about forty years old.
“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” Vaughn pronounced. “I am fully up to speed on your situation and I must admit, your story reads like a bad science fiction novel. After yesterday’s attacks, I’m pleasantly surprised that you were able to keep this appointment. I want you to know that from here on out, I am fully committed to keeping you safe and making sure your invention sees the full light of day.”
With that, Cushing stood up and excused himself.
“I’ve got to get back to Washington,” Cushing elaborated. “On Wednesday, a car will pick up Dr. Morton and Mr. Burton and take you to the airport. A private jet will fly you to Washington for your meeting with the President. A car will meet you at the airport and take you to the White House. You will spend the evening at the Senator Hotel. You will be transported back to the airport and fly home the next morning. All the details are in this envelope. If you have any questions, call me or my assistant in Washington. All the names and numbers are in here too.” With that he handed Stella an envelope.
“Agent Cushing,” I asked, “is it OK if Lieutenant Smith accompanies us to Washington? As you know, he along with Special Agent Vaughn will be heading up our security detail now.”
“That’s a decision you folks must make.” Cushing answered. “Let my assistant know if there will be three on the plane instead of two.”
After Cushing was out of earshot, Vaughn began to address our small group. “Do you people know why Cushing left so fast?” We all knew but shook our heads no anyway. “He knows you don’t trust him and I don’t blame you. He told me about Waterman and all the bugs he scattered around. My guess is that Cushing was fully aware of every clandestine thing that occurred but I can’t prove it.”
“He is and we can,” Stella jumped in with her typically direct approach.
“If you have information, Dr. Morton, you need to give it to me,” said Vaughn.
“Even if we turn over evidence to you where would it go? You report to Cushing and from what I’ve seen, bureaucrats seem to stick together.” Stella responded.
“I don’t report directly to Cushing,” said Vaughn. “He has a superior position to mine but my immediate boss is an Executive Assistant Director also based in Washington. His name is Dale Victor and I hear from the grapevine that he and Cushing don’t get along too well. So tell me, what evidence do you have?”
“Before we answer that question Agent Vaughn, let me ask you one,” said Stella. “Pretend for a moment that you are us. You have just made an earth shaking discovery. Like good citizens you take this information to the authorities; people whose task is to protect and defend you. These authorities then try to steal the device by offering you a tiny fraction of what it’s worth and then sell it to some other criminal. In addition, they bug your office, record your conversations, lie to you and worst of all; they deliberately leak the information confirming that the device exists. In essence they have tattooed a gigantic target on your forehead. How does that make you feel Agent Vaughn?”
“Totally betrayed by my own government,” Vaughn answered. “Is that what you think happened?”
“It is way beyond think, Agent Vaughn, we know,” Stella stated with certainty.
“You’ve got to tell me what you know,” ordered Vaughn.
“That is our dilemma,” Stella continued. “We put our trust in the government and we are lucky to still be alive. Why should we trust you again? How can you, Special Agent Vaughn, prove to us that you have ours and the country’s best interest as your primary motive?”
“I don’t know what to tell you Dr. Morton,” said Vaughn. “I’ve sworn an oath to defend the constitution and the laws of the United States. I am here to help but I can’t correct or reverse what has happened the last few days. Now that I understand more of what you believe, I will be better equipped to assist you. If you don’t like the way I handle upcoming events, you have the power to replace me.”
“Let’s hope that won’t be necessary,” Stella said. “And do you have one of those gadgets that can find listening devices if they are in the room?”
“Yes,” answered Vaughn. With that he opened his briefcase and pulled out a device about twice the size of Stella’s. He turned it on and it immediately started to flash. He tracked the signal to the side of his own briefcase. When he found the bug, his eyes got huge.
“My God!” he yelled. “I swear I didn’t know it was there. I did not put it there!”
“Why don’t you blame Waterman? Tha
t’s what Cushing always did.” I interjected.
“That damned Cushing! He’s the one. If you will excuse me, I’m going to go outside and call my superior. He’s got to know what’s just happened. I assure you people that Cushing will pay for this!”
After Vaughn left the room, Stella whispered in my ear. “Remember that device we found on my purse; the one I put in the filing cabinet in case we needed it later? Well I think Agent Vaughn just found it!”
As I sat there in hysterics, Stella motioned to me to be quiet. She opened her purse and scanned the room for bugs. It was clean.
“OK,” Jerry asked, “what the hell is so funny?”
Since we knew no one else was listening, I told him the story.
After he recomposed himself, Jerry asked Stella why she would try to discredit a nice guy like Vaughn.
Stella responded quietly and with resolve. “Jerry, there are several factors in play here. First, there are crooks in our government. Because of their stupidity we are seriously at risk. We don’t know how deep or wide this conspiracy extends. Trusting any of them may be a mistake. My little scheme was the first test of Agent Vaughn and in my opinion he passed. It may also keep our benefactors, both good and evil, off balance.”
While Agent Vaughn was still outside on the phone, I descended into small talk. “Jerry, have you ever been to D.C.?”
“Yes I have,” was the answer. “I went there one weekend when I was training in North Carolina. The place kind of renews your patriotism until you remember all the partisan crap that keeps oozing out of there. It’s like these people are two rival enemy camps. They have two goals; harm the opposition and work on their reelection bids. They do this when they should be working to solve the country’s problems.”
“I am quite sure most of the rest of the country agrees with you Lieutenant,” Stella said.
Vaughn walked back in and announced, “what I am about to tell you must remain confidential. Cushing and Waterman will be investigated. Director Victor will head this investigation. Victor has a reputation of always getting to the bottom of everything he pursues. Because of what’s happened, he doesn’t expect you to tell him what you know. He said that after we have earned your trust again, he hopes you will reveal your information and its source.”
“With your permission I’d like to go over what we know so far,” continued Vaughn. “First, the guy who Dr. Morton dispatched gave us very little information before he was killed. He said he didn’t know who was in charge; just that he was being paid $20,000.00 to grab Dr. Morton and deliver her to a particular location. He did give us the name of his accomplice though and he has been in custody for a couple days. Unfortunately he is telling the same story as his dead friend.”
“Second, the two Indian Nationals posing as Mexicans who tried to kidnap Bill and his girlfriend gave us a little more information. They are former operatives who worked for the equivalent of the Indian CIA. These men have solid training and it is good you pushed your girlfriend when you did, Bill. Otherwise saving you and apprehending them could not have happened.”
“They were hired and paid by an organization called ‘The Mantra’ based in Yemen. This is an Arab splinter group, and like a lot of them their goal is to destabilize the West. We are slowly increasing our interrogation pressure so we should get more intel soon.”
“Third, we have run into a dead end on the Dr. Brooks attack. Since both attackers died, we don’t have much to go on and the clues we recovered have led nowhere so far.”
“Next was the attempted abduction of you two. The kid that followed you first was just a decoy and doesn’t know anything. One person in the van died in the crash and the second one is still in a coma. So we have little from that episode yet.”
“Fifth, the full fledged military attack on your home Mr. Burton has yielded some information. We have three attackers that were captured and one of them is singing like a canary. He was a Mexican national who spent time in their military. He worked for the Zeta Cartel for a while until his commander sent him and eight of their members over the border three days ago to be the foot soldiers in the operation. He said that he overheard some negotiations between his Commander and three Russian men. The only name that he heard was Montenegro but he wasn’t sure if it was a person or an area. The leader of the operation was killed in the firefight. We showed the survivor pictures of known Russian operatives and he identified a man connected to the Russian mob in Europe. We are still looking for a connection to Montenegro but so far haven’t found anything.”
“This brings us to the kidnapping of your sister. Between the abduction and the rescue, we lost two of our men. This entire ordeal has taken a huge turn south. It appears the criminals yesterday afternoon were even more organized than the assault on your house. They had several vehicles scattered around the area so that they could ditch one and pick up another. We found the red van you were chasing lieutenant. Witnesses said six men in military fatigues got out of that van and into another. Some wise observer got the license number of that van and we found it early this morning abandoned; so they had yet another vehicle stashed. All the vehicles had been stolen in the last two days.”
“We have two prisoners that your men secured lieutenant and we are interrogating them now. These are the toughest people we have run into yet. The two appear to be radical Islamists who will stop at nothing to get you and your machine. They are not afraid to die.”
“Now I need to meet with Lieutenant Smith and hammer out the details of your security protocols,” said Vaughn.
Stella and I went back to our office while Jerry met with Vaughn.
“What’s your take on Vaughn, Stella?” I asked.
“So far so good,” she answered.
“Bill, I’m having second thoughts about trying to work here,” Stella continued. “There have been what, six attacks on us and our families in the last week? I haven’t figured out any of the details yet but maybe we could take our work someplace else and lay low for a while until things die down. When Dr. Brooks returns he could still hire the support staff we need and have them work here. Our hideout could even be someplace in the area where the security team could protect us and you could still see Brenda once in a while.”
“But there’s my grandparents, Joanna and Brenda to consider too,” I said. “The bad guys will still try to get to them to get to us.”
“I’m sure the FBI has safe houses in the area,” Stella pondered. “Maybe they have some in the same area. We could all stay in close proximity at least until the threat eases some.”
With that, Stella and I went back in to the conference room.
“We may have a change gentleman, so before you cast your plans in concrete let’s talk,” I announced. “Stella was thinking that everybody at risk might move into a safe house in the area until things cool down a bit. We could continue the project and still have close contact with JPL where the support and periphery work will be done.”
“We tossed around a similar scenario in our discussions here,” said Jerry. “For now though we have agreed to provide the security with several teams of two. There will be one of my guys teamed with one FBI agent. Agent Vaughn and I determined that their skills would complement each other and there would be negligible danger of bribes, conspiracy or collusion. One man would report to Agent Vaughn and one to me.”
“This method will double our complement of men available,” added Vaughn. “Lieutenant Smith is bringing sixteen men. With sixteen FBI agents we will have sixteen teams on rotating shifts to provide the security.”
“To address your suggestion concerning a safe house; it certainly would make the security issues easier.” Vaughn said. “Let me go back and talk to my people and check on the availability of housing.”
“Speaking of housing,” I asked Jerry. “Where are you staying?”
“We got permission to bunk at the National Guard facility in Glendale,” Jerry answered. “It’s not swanky but, hey, we are in the military.”<
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“Jerry’s coming back with me to my office.” Vaughn said while he started packing up. “I want to introduce him to my agents and management people who will interface with him if I am unavailable. I know you three have a meeting with the President on Wednesday. I hope all goes well. We will meet here on Thursday. I should have all the details in place by then. See you when you get back.”
Stella and I went back to our office and she said “Why don’t we blow this taco stand and go to my apartment and see if Rolf has discovered anything new.”
“Stella, interesting choice of words,” I chided.
“I heard it on TV last night on some old comedy show. It was late and I couldn’t sleep,” Stella said.
“You should have called. I would have come over and we could have not slept together.” I added.
“My error Bill, my error,” Stella mused.
When we got to Stella’s place, it was still early afternoon. We walked in and Rolf was working feverishly at his laptop.
“Hi, Bill, I’ve got information,” he announced proudly. “This mess is starting to fall into place. There are so many layers of bad guys it’s difficult to sort it all out but here’s what I’ve got on Montenegro. He was born in Russia and is about 45 years old. His real name is Dmitri Vasilov. He’s done everything from gun running to securities fraud. He is considered a good detail man and executes plans to the letter. With just a couple days’ notice, he secured men from the Zeta Cartel, got them across our border and into position to attack your house and steal the device. They had a plane with all the correct documentation parked at the Burbank airport. The plane was to fly the device to a small airport in Mexico where it was to be moved to a larger plane and flown to an airport in Romania. From there it was to be transferred by truck to a secret scientific facility in Southern Russia. This facility was supposed to reverse engineer your unit.”