Hard Case 12: Climate of Chaos (John Harding)

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  “Raul… when we ask you questions… you answer them truthfully and quickly, or your remaining time on earth will make you pray for death. Do you understand now?”

  “Yes! Mig…Miguel Cortez! He…he works for some woman named Rooks!”

  There’s some good news. “I thought Tijuana Cartel crashed to the point they sold five buck bags of weed on the corners.”

  “We…we had some hard times when Sinaloa gained control. Some war messed them up bad. Tijuana is building back up again with contacts all along the coast.”

  The Sinaloa Cartel adjustment, another Muerto masterpiece, the Energizer Bunny of cartel killers. Nick stared into Raul’s eyes. “We’re recording you. We want all the drug trafficking spots along the coast. I hope you know the coordinates and times of transfer. Otherwise… Dr. Deville must give you another energetic foot massage just to be sure you haven’t forgotten anything.”

  “No! I…I can give you the coordinates and estimated… days and times. The exchanges are not… exact at sea. I will give you the code and phone numbers.”

  “Cortez works for Rooks,” Jafar confirmed the prior statement.

  “You’re doing good,” Lynn said after getting a nod from Nick as he moved away from Raul. “How is it you know so much, Raul?”

  “I…I acted as second-in-charge. I communicated with the mainland when at sea.”

  “Very good. Take your time. Speak slowly and clearly for our guy who will check everything you say on a network you would have no clue understanding,” Lynn directed.

  Over the next half hour, Raul gave us everything. He never hesitated while rattling off the coordinates as if he had to have them memorized. Jafar confirmed they were separate points along the coast near ports. I gave Raul his reward and deposited him in a body-bag and then into our freezer. Jafar collated the information received and passed it on to CIA Assistant Director Denny Strobert, who acted as our go between when needing informational releases to other agencies. We didn’t want Coast Guard duties conjoined with the DEA. We wanted Cortez and Rooks. It appeared Rooks had reached the end of her line.

  * * *

  While drinking coffee together in our meeting room, Nick spoke for the first time since depositing our guest in the freezer. “I have an idea that may seem harsh, but how about after I deal with guarding Trevor Pallen, I put .50 caliber rounds through this Nat Rooks head, and then Miguel Cortez. Do we actually need information from those two weasels?”

  “I’ll play Denny’s bitch for a moment… we can’t know that until they’re questioned.”

  “Good one, Cheese,” Lynn replied. “I think our main aim should be this Knut Tomney guy. He used to be way up the political ladder on the Rino fake Republican ticket. He made a fortune financially, mostly due to his connections to the Illuminati sect of Free Masons. He’s so wishy-washy in his speeches, no one thought he believed in anything, other than the next step up politically. It hurt him. Knut stepped up for his puppet-masters publicly, endorsing anything and everything New World Order sanctioned, open borders, anti-Second Amendment… the works.”

  “He’s on the East Coast,” Clint said, “but I think he wanted to do something impressive for his masters he could take credit for after the deed was done. I checked on his destination after the scheduled offloading of drugs in LA. Knut plans a voyage to the Cayman Islands for party time. Lynn and I both believe this clown will simply do anything to get back into the limelight. This caper was his jewel. It failed. You can bet he will be lying low in the Caymans until knowing what happened.”

  “If anyone finds the debris, the knowledge of what happened will remain a mystery,” I said. “Tomney couldn’t lose in this, to his thinking. He believed it would be a non-reported incident whether Knut won or lost. Unfortunately, for him, we Monsters don’t play the politically correct mantra. Tomney took a swing at us. We take a swing at him, only he won’t survive it, and we place another death marker the Illuminati can’t miss.”

  “Tomney will need to be fixed into the afterlife with care. I’m thinking suicide. Who’s with me?” Nick asked.

  “How the hell do we do that, Muerto?” Lynn was confused along with the rest of us.

  “Naturally… I need to journey with Knut into his Cayman Islands retreat. I need to be his guide at first, seeking knowledge the hard way, learning whether he took orders or launched the boats on his own. We’ll work the rest out later if I simply need to get the job done,” Nick said. “Look! All these figures strut upon the stage of life in bigtime circles. We can’t simply shoot Tomney in the head. We could possibly frame Tomney for the alleged murder of Miguel Cortez… and Nat Rooks… eventually. Right now… as I see it… I need to take out Cortez and Rooks… assassin style. Dev began his duties as mayor. I don’t want to sanction Cortez and Rooks on Dev’s watch. I know Mayor Constantine would understand, but the citizens might not like it.”

  I liked Nick’s thinking on this. “At least we know who contracted our boating incident. You’re taking on a lot of jobs for a semi-retired assassin, Marshal Muerto.”

  “You know how writers’ imaginations run the gamut of plots and subplots, changing and evolving. I believe we need something fluid to deal with these latest entrants into the Monster Death Race.”

  “Achmed? You still there?”

  Jafar acknowledged over the speaker system. “I’m listening from the computer room.”

  “Can you keep tabs on both Cortez and Rooks for Nick?”

  “Ever since Rooks ambushed us with her minions a few times, I began tracking her cell-phone. I can do the same with Cortez. I’ll need to find the tracker Cortez polluted our lovely Sea Wolf with before we need to go cruising. I will install a proximity alarm on our dock gate, along with a more sensitive security system on Sea Wolf. I haven’t updated the old system for quite some time. Cortez must have disabled it.”

  “Thanks. We’re like shoemakers fixing everyone else’s shoes but our own,” I remarked.

  “Do you want some help tonight guarding Pallen?”

  “I don’t think so, Lynn. I need to talk with Pallen first when he gets into Sonoma, so he doesn’t think we’re the ones after him. Once we establish our identities, I’m hoping Pallen will beef up his security people until Achmed finds the person responsible for trying to contact the dead Cobus Whitehead on his Dark Web drop,” Nick replied.

  “I’m getting close, Nick,” Jafar replied. “I know it would be nice to find the person’s ID before you guard Pallen. This will be legal too. Our FBI contacts, Sam and Janie, obtained a warrant for me to find and pursue the person responsible.”

  “Excellent. How has Dev’s first days as mayor been?” Nick asked.

  “Busy. He’s met with all the key players keeping Oakland safe, following Flo’s template. The police know Dev won’t throw them under the bus the first time someone starts yelling police brutality.”

  Nick stood. “I better get to the house and take my Rachel retribution medicine for our voyage this morning. I’ll be leaving for the Grove tomorrow morning. The kids will be starting school again tomorrow. I admit you were right about Captain Hook. That is one very strange shark and you are nuts to be riding him like a pony, but he did sink a boat for you.”

  “Call us if you need us,” Clint said.

  “I will. I don’t want anything happening to Pallen. He’s running to become the California Republican Party Chairman.”

  Jafar’s voice broke in. “Nick! I found the guy responsible – Ron Dox.”

  “The Rino who ran for Governor?”

  “Yes. I hacked his personal emails once I established his identity. He has been conspiring with Gary Drowne and Neven Lewsome to influence the media into backing Dox for Republican Party Chairman in California. That can’t happen right now because Pallen is a lock for the job. Dox wants the position so he can screw the Republican Party again by making sure the Democrats win against weak Rinos throughout the state.”

  “That makes sense,” Lynn said. “Flo ruined the liber
als’ plan to use Dox to split the party vote. The Republicans need a party Chairman who can get strong conservative candidates elected and take back the Legislature. Pallen is a Nationalist and Dox is a New World Order minion.”

  “Exactly,” Jafar agreed. “Dox found two takers on the Dark Web after failing to reach Cobus. They’re better at concealment than Dox. I’ll get through their firewalls; but not in time for your Pallen protection plan.”

  “You did great. I saw the speakers’ names who will be there tonight. Ron Dox is on the list. Do you think I can get a warrant for Dox’s arrest with the proof you’ve gathered?”

  “Absolutely. Sam said he and Janie will take him off your hands.”

  “Good. They can have all the credit.”

  “Flo will eventually need the Legislature so Pallen will be an important guy to protect,” I pointed out. “I’m certain the liberal leftist morons will call the self-contained communities, that Flo plans using to end out of control vagrancy in the state, concentration camps. The opposite will be true. The vagrants can go anywhere they want, just not in California. If they stay here, they will work every day, talk with counselors, and return to society as productive citizens. The vagrants will also have the option to get the hell out of our state. We need the Republican Party Chairman to help explain and back Flo’s idea.”

  “I know she has high hopes for us to help spearhead the building of them, but that’s going to be a long hard road,” Nick said.

  “She worked a small miracle getting the vagrants helped in Oakland and off the streets,” Clint said. “Our Oakland Tactical Unit had to bust some of the worst camps. Flo was happy with the number who took advantage of community resources here in the city to find work and housing; but was disappointed in the number who simply moved to some other city’s streets.”

  “That will be a challenge for another day.” Nick smiled and walked away with a wave. “Don’t get eaten, John.”

  * * *

  Trevor Pallen exited his car. Nick approached him without his crew, so as not to alarm him, ID in hand. “Hello, Sir. I’m Deputy US Marshal Nick McCarty. We’ve uncovered a plan to assassinate you, perpetrated by your rival, Ron Dox. I have a warrant for his arrest.”

  Pallen looked stunned. “Why… why would he do such a thing?”

  “He needs you out of the way.” Nick explained the collusion and reasoning in detail.

  “I’m glad I didn’t bring my family along. Drowne and Lewsome weren’t in on this Dark Web plot to hire killers, were they?”

  “Our IT forensics man could not find anything linking those two in the assassination plot. Their part would be backing Dox if he became a viable candidate for Party Chairman.”

  Two men in suits hurriedly exited their vehicle, nearly jogging toward Pallen and Nick.

  Nick moved in front of Pallen. “Stop right there! I’m US Dep-”

  The men grabbed at their weapons, only to face Nick’s Colt already in his hand. “Draw and you die!”

  Claude Chardin and the rest of the Unholies rushed over with weapons in hand. The assassins, seeing they had no chance at all, put their hands up. Johnny and Jian handcuffed the two, holding them in place. The prisoners began protesting immediately. Gus frisked them with Claude holding open the evidence bags. Nitrile gloves on, Gus scanned in the contents with weapon and picture of the suspect, depositing them in the bags.

  “We’re here to guard Pallen,” one of the men stated.

  “Yeah, right,” Gus said. “I uploaded your IDs and pictures to our IT guy. Secondly, if you’re here to protect Mr. Pallen, why did you try and draw on Marshal McCarty?”

  “We thought Pallen was in danger!”

  Gus’s phone buzzed. He put it on speaker. “Jafar.”

  “Both fake, Gus. It didn’t take long to find them. They’re mobbed up – real names are Carmen Desoto and Truman Santori. They’ve been hiding in San Francisco, getting new identities after fleeing a Philadelphia murder investigation. I called Sam and Janie. They’re on their way. Sam said even if Dox doesn’t show up, he won’t get far.”

  “Thanks, brother… great work as usual,” Nick said. “Your boss will be here shortly guys. Maybe you two can get a deal to not die in jail if you testify against him. Come inside with us, Mr. Pallen. We’ll all wait for Chicago Dox inside. He will be surprised his hitmen failed.”

  “This was a frame job,” Desoto countered.

  “Ahhhh… you’re so cute.” Gus Mirandized them eliciting a sullen response from each one.

  “Thank you for this, Marshal.” Pallen followed Nick inside the building with prisoners and Marshals.

  Jean, Sonny, and Jay greeted them inside.

  “You got them already?”

  “Yes, but the boss hasn’t arrived yet,” Nick answered Jean. He introduced the kids to Trevor Pallen.

  “Your dad saved my life,” Pallen told Jean.

  “He does that a lot, Sir.”

  “Here comes a limousine, Nick,” Johnny said.

  The limousine driver opened the rear door for Ron Dox and two big men. They looked around before walking to the entrance. Inside, where Nick had moved everyone to the side, Dox saw the group, and tried to reverse his course. Johnny and Jian blocked his way with weapons drawn. Claude stayed with the two handcuffed prisoners as Nick joined them with ID out.

  “I’m Deputy US Marshal McCarty. With me are Marshals Nason, Groves, and Chen.” Nick pointed at the two bodyguards. “You two grab your lapels and keep them there so we don’t have a misunderstanding that gets you shot.”

  The men did as they were told. Jian positioned them away from Ron Dox.

  “Ron Dox. You are under arrest for contracting the death of Trevor Pallen. We have the proof and the Justice Department issued this warrant, I’m the listed arresting officer, but you will be transferred into the hands of the FBI shortly. Turn and be restrained, Sir.”

  “You’re crazy! You can’t arrest me. There’s no way you have proof I did any such thing.”

  “This document states differently.” Nick handed him the warrant.

  Dox read it with mouth open in disbelief. He glared at Pallen. “You can’t believe this Trevor.”

  “I don’t know what to believe but Marshal McCarty does. Those two men over there tried to kill me. As I understand it, Marshal McCarty has irrefutable proof you hired them.”

  Nick retrieved the warrant. “Please don’t make this hard, Mr. Dox. I am going to handcuff you. If I need to body-slam you first, it will be painful.”

  Dox reluctantly turned and allowed Nick to handcuff him. Nick Mirandized him. Dox sullenly acknowledged it. Nick had already informed the staff, explaining some of the details. They waited in the next room. Nick expected audience members would be arriving soon. Nick addressed the two bodyguards.

  “You two can go. I’ll hold the door open for you. Don’t let go of your lapels until you reach the limousine.”

  Nick held open the door and the men walked to the limousine. They entered. After a brief conference with the driver, the limousine drove away. Nick escorted Pallen to where the staff were waiting. They shook hands.

  “Governor Florence Brown needs you, Mr. Pallen, as Republican Party Chairman. A staunch conservative, Governor Brown needs real conservatives to regain control of the Legislature.”

  “She could have run in the Republican primary.”

  “The election was fixed. Ever since they stopped running separate party primary races, the fix has been in. In most state races, we have one Democrat crook running against another.”

  “Pretty cynical, Marshal,” Pallen replied. “I will do my best to get the strongest conservatives elected. Whether it happens or not will depend on Governor Brown’s illegal immigration policies being enforced. I love everything about her platform. I am going to be loud and vocal in supporting her. Thank you again, Marshal.”

  “It was a pleasure meeting you.” Nick rejoined his crew.

  An hour later two unmarked cars arrived. Nick and the
Unholies had kept busy directing attendees to the proper room for Pallen’s speech. Sam and Janie walked in and shook hands all around.

  “Remember the credit agreement,” Nick said. “FBI Special Agents Reeves and Labrie in conjunction with a Deputy US Marshal’s Special Unit today arrested Ron Dox and two hired assassins. Fill in the rest from there.”

  “Thanks, Nick,” Janie responded. “As you know… we need this. Otherwise… they’ll be opening another office in the basement across from the X-Files for us.”

  “I wish we would have had time to do an arrest with the bounty hunters.”

  “Lynn has the entire season in the can already. Maybe we’ll get to do one at another time before next season,” Sam replied. “Call us anytime. We know with Flo Brown in the Governor’s office there will be a crackdown on crime statewide. Janie and I will do anything and everything to help her win this state back.”

  “John’s team in Oakland and my crew in Pacific Grove will be backing ICE agents whenever they need us. Once Flo strips the entitlements from the illegal immigrants as passed by law, they will self-deport onto the other side of the wall. We will then only be facing the criminal element who remain working the drug distribution business for the cartels. Think of this state without illegal aliens and possibly without vagrants. We could be the richest state in the nation once again.”

  “You sound hooked on this political and criminal intrigue, Nick,” Janie remarked.

  “I am. Flo Brown winning the Governorship convinced me we have enough sane California citizens to take this state back if we can keep the liberal air-heads from corrupting our elections with illegal aliens, felons and the dead.”

  “It will be a hell of a challenge with the leftist looneys running the Legislature,” Sam replied. “Take care, Nick. We know you don’t often take prisoners, so we appreciate your restraint.”

  “Very funny, Sam. See you later.” Nick collected his crew and the kids. “Sorry we didn’t have a chance to involve you kids, but not needing to shoot those two hitmen made this a win/win for us and our FBI contacts.”