Green Dreams

by Gary W Ritter

  She nodded and the three of them found seats apart. When Mason rose to depart, Evans and Jason followed her.

  After the rush of commuters at Mason’s stop had thinned, Jason said, “We’re so sorry about your boss. None of us expected what happened. He told us we could trust you, that you’re in a small group that prays about the things going on at the UN.” He glanced expectantly at Evans.

  She said, “I’m a Christ follower. I understand some of the dark forces at work. This has to be such a blow, especially how it happened. We know Wordlaw’s wife isn’t going to be in very good shape tonight, but we were hoping we could join with your group for the evening. We have to talk about what you know.”

  Shelly Mason pulled out their business cards and examined them. “IRS. How does that fit into all this?”

  “We’ve been investigating fraudulent activities surrounding various Green organizations,” Jason said. “That led me to the Georgia Guidestones, which brought us here to learn how the GRI fits into the puzzle.”

  “There’s a lot.” Mason sniffled and dabbed at a tear leaking from her eye. She checked her watch. “We meet at 7:00. If you’re okay with a quick sandwich, we can eat and make it by then.”

  Mason drove. They stopped at a local deli, rushed through a meal, and pulled into Mason’s apartment complex where the group was meeting that night. They had barely gotten in the front door of the lobby when a woman followed them in.

  “Oh, Natalie,” Mason said, rushing to embrace her. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now…that you would even join us tonight.”

  “I need this more than anything.” Her face was blotched and puffy. “Are these the folks you mentioned? I’m Natalie Wordlaw.”

  The four of them went up to Mason’s apartment following introductions and condolences. Although grief-stricken, the widow maintained a presence about her that Jason couldn’t understand and only got close to comprehending during their time that evening.

  Three other people joined them. In the early part of their time together, everyone simply came around Natalie Wordlaw with prayer and a display of love that Jason had never seen before. It touched him and made him appreciate what these folks had in their Christian beliefs. About an hour into their gathering, Natalie Wordlaw turned to Jason and Evans.

  “I understand you want to know more about our efforts to combat GRI’s efforts, what we see as threatening about them, and what concerned my husband.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Jason said. “First, let me say how awful this all was. He believed we were safe, that no one suspected his non-compliance with the GRI agenda. That obviously wasn’t the case. Every one of you should maintain absolute vigilance going forward as this has really ratcheted up the stakes.”

  Natalie Wordlaw closed her eyes and leaned back on the couch. “You’re right. We knew there was a possibility of danger.” She paused as a wave of emotion overtook her. Finally, she said, “I don’t think we realized the extent of it. Nancy, you’re probably going to grasp what I have to say. Jason, I’m afraid it’ll be tougher for you not having our faith as a basis for this.”

  She pursed her lips, eyes still closed, then opened them to focus on Jason. “What we have learned, what my husband found himself in the middle of that we’ve attempted to combat with prayer, is an all-out assault. Not the kind you may be used to in your profession. Its root is demonic. Dark, occult forces have been unleashed. We’re in a spiritual war whose very intent is to eradicate mankind through the elimination of God’s truth.

  “Before long, the nature of this battle will be made manifest and the entire world will suffer the consequences.”

  Chapter 46

  “What in the world were you thinking?”

  Steve Drennan raged back and forth by Jason’s desk the morning following his and Nancy Evans’ return to Chicago.

  “Who was this guy? Why were you meeting him?” Spittle spewed from his mouth in the uncontrolled fury he unleashed.

  “You know where all this rolls uphill to? Me! For something I explicitly told you not to pursue. You know what that is? Insubordination.”

  There was no in-between with everyone in the office. Either they were hanging on Drennan’s every word or ducking their heads not to get caught in the crossfire. Some people wore concerned expressions; others hid sly smiles.

  “And you!” Drennan pointed an accusing finger at Nancy Evans. “You should know better. I expect this kind of crap from Ruger; how could you justify going along with his schemes?”

  Jason knew responding was fruitless, so he kept his mouth shut. His and Evans’ eyes had met at the beginning of this tirade; she obviously was adopting the same tactic.

  The elevator bell rang and Norris Malony stepped out. As soon as he heard Drennan’s continuing rant, his face hardened. Jason noticed him take a steadying breath and stride toward them.

  Drennan’s invective-laced monologue persisted full-tilt as Norris approached.

  “What seems to be the problem, Steve?”

  The Branch Chief wheeled on his direct subordinate who was Jason’s and Evans’ supervisor. “And you! Did you know about this?”

  In the face of uncontrolled wrath, Malony was a paragon of tranquility. He spoke in a low, modulated tone, “Know about what, Steve?”

  Drennan could barely get the words out. He sputtered, “New York! UN guy killed in their presence! Pursuing what? Unauthorized!”

  “They were on legitimate CID business to interview people associated with cases they’re working. What seems to be the problem?”

  His chest heaving, Drennan said, “The guy killed. Associated with Gaiatic Charities.”

  “That’s really interesting. I thought we shut down that investigation. How would it even come to your attention that there’s a Gaiatic connection?”

  Drennan’s eyes grew wide and hard. He knew he’d stepped in it and said more than he should have. If Gaiatic was no longer a valid case that CID had an interest in, then Drennan’s knowledge had to come through a source only he knew. In this exchange, Jason’s appreciation for Norris Malony grew. He’d just publicly nailed Steve Drennan and his involvement of some nature with Gaiatic. Of course, Jason already knew that Drennan was up to his ears in it since seeing him at the Smithfield Academy.

  He could have been chomping gum, but Jason figured instead that Drennan was chewing his tongue to a pulp trying not to erupt further. He finally glared at the three of them, turned heel, and stomped back to his office.

  Once his door had slammed shut, Norris Malony said softly to Jason and Evans, “Watch your backs. Oh yes, get your travel expense vouchers to me right away so we can get those approved before Drennan comes gunning for you.”

  Chapter 47

  Senator Franklin Toomey III examined the bags under his eyes as he brushed his teeth. The fetus stem-cell treatments hadn’t done anything to alleviate the creeping effects of age that were particularly ravaging his face, despite claims of the manufacturer to the contrary. If he wanted to appear youthful and vibrant as the presidential campaign progressed, he had to find something better than his current routine. That or give up the gin and tonics.

  He rubbed his nose that in recent years had become more bulbous than he recalled. Better hope my liver is doing better than my outward appearance. Then he thought about his failure last night with his intern Susan. Weren’t those generic blue pills supposed to be better than Viagra? He shook his head in dismay. What would he say when he saw her later this morning? Maybe he should go back to the real thing.

  Then he thought about how understanding she’d been, cradling him and cooing softly. It made him want to talk, and for hours he’d poured out his hopes and dreams, going into great detail as to his dealings with the different Green groups and the hold they had on him because of the lure of big money to finance his campaign. Unburdening himself had felt so good. When she had slipped out at midnight, it felt like he’d lost a part of his soul.

  Even so, in his office an hour later,
he avoided Susan and prepped for the Senate hearings later that day. One of the Republicans had slipped in a resolution to investigate the disappearance of children around the country. It was Toomey’s opportunity to exhibit his compassionate side while seeming to be tough on potential human traffickers. With election season in full swing, he had to do everything he could to continue gaining positive publicity. The rallies he’d held lately hadn’t attracted much in the way of crowds. His early lead had slipped slightly. That was the nature of presidential politics. Polls ebbed and flowed—up and down. It meant he needed to raise his profile through other venues. The upcoming Universal Children’s Day, coupled with this hearing, should help enlist the many bleeding hearts among the undecideds.

  On his way to the Senate floor, he rounded a corner and almost collided with Susan. Her scent reached him immediately in the midst of his embarrassment. “Ah, Susan, you’re…ah…smell…um…looking good today.”

  She gave him a glorious smile and winked. In a confidential whisper, she said, “Don’t you worry,” and flitted away.

  His eyes followed her with longing. With a start he pulled himself together, self-conscious that others may have seen his unbridled lust. A shiver came over him, and he hurried to his destination, now more than ever ready to advocate for the children he would tell the world that he loved so much.

  Chapter 48

  Papers lay spread over the entire conference room table. Jason and Nancy Evans had spent hours reviewing their various cases. The one that kept rising to the top when they’d finished discussing each case in turn—the one they weren’t allowed to pursue—was Gaiatic Charities.

  “Did you see Franklin Toomey spout about his undying devotion for kids the other day?” Jason asked.

  “I must have missed it. I think I was clipping my toenails.”

  “He made a point during Senate hearings about the increase in child abductions, how he’s doing everything possible to protect kids, and oh, by the way, he’s a major sponsor of the upcoming Universal Children’s Day. The UN made a big deal about moving the date later into summer and he’s all over it.

  “The camera panned the chamber as he spoke. I could have sworn I saw Stephen Moriarty standing in a corner.”

  Evans pushed aside the file in front of her. “What would he have been doing there?”

  “Making sure his puppet does what he’s supposed to do? Moriarty is Green Liberation. Maybe he has something unpleasant planned for Universal Children’s Day. Remember Clarence Short’s concern that Moriarty would use Toomey; that Moriarty wouldn’t think twice about hurting him.”

  Jason’s cell phone rang. Seeing who it was, he answered, “Lizzy, what’s up?”

  “Can you talk?”

  He glanced at Evans. “No problem.”

  “I’ve got a lot to dump on you. Rick has disappeared. The family has pulled all business from me. All my legal dealings with Green Liberation have gone dark. I have no idea what they’re doing. In fact, none of my contacts return my calls and I can’t find any of them.”

  “Moriarty?”

  “Yeah, I even tried him. Nothing.”

  “Since you’re free, why don’t you come to Chicago?”

  Lizzy hesitated only a moment.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  Chapter 49

  When the email came, Jason knew it was legitimate. He had invited the sender to contact him. The problem was that he didn’t know what to do with the content of the message.

  They moved us. It was a long ride in the back of a van with no windows. If we had to go to the bathroom, we used a portable toilet in plain view of the others. It was humiliating. There were other vans because there are so many of us—both kids and babysitters. Now we’re at the new place. Every now and then I hear airplanes overhead. Is there an airport nearby?

  The only reason I can write this is because I have moments of clarity. It’s not easy. They’ve brainwashed all of us. I’m able to pretend sometimes, so I guess they think I’m fully programmed like everyone else. If they learn I still have free will every now and then, I don’t know how they’ll deal with me.

  We play at killing. The children think it’s all a game. I have to go along and teach them what to do and when. From what I can tell, it won’t be long now. We seem to be building toward something awful, and I can’t do anything about it.

  I’ve already taken too much time. Please help me.

  She had written to Jason in his Smiley persona, the name he used for his Cheshire Cat blog. The email address was nondescript, a male name plus five numbers at gmail. It didn’t tell him anything and certainly wasn’t her. Probably that of one of her kidnappers—one she’d come across at the facility where they kept her, on a computer they’d left unsecured.

  Maybe all of the PCs were like the ones at the school in North Carolina. Perhaps the people in charge thought their brainwashing was so comprehensive that they weren’t concerned about security.

  All that aside, the question was what Jason could do about this. He and Nancy Evans had seen the very thing at Smithfield Academy the babysitter described in her email. They’d been attacked by crazed children at the facility in North Carolina. With that school apparently abandoned—why he didn’t know—they must have moved everyone elsewhere. Was it to Smithfield right at his back door in the Chicago suburbs? With O’Hare Airport nearby, it could qualify based on the babysitter’s description. Or, it could be anywhere in the country close to an airport.

  He’d raid it in a heartbeat if he could, but that was the rub. None of his other cases coincided with Gaiatic Charities, and he had no authority to pursue anything related to it. He couldn’t legitimately obtain a search warrant or bring other CID agents into the loop. Only Nancy Evans knew about this and might help him. The numerical odds were insurmountable. It was maddening. He knew these people were dangerous and breaking the law, and there were many of them—probably more than he imagined—but he was helpless to do anything about it.

  ***

  Jason stewed about these things until he picked up Lizzy at Midway Airport at noon. When they walked into the restaurant, Nancy Evans was waiting for them as he’d planned. They ordered lunch; Jason not getting down to business until they were served.

  “Nancy, I hope you’re okay with this. I’ve been collaborating with Lizzy on Gaiatic.”

  It exceeded the bounds of confidentiality and CID protocol, but so did the fact that they’d continued to surreptitiously work on the case against orders.

  Evans shrugged. “Don’t have much to lose. Okay by me.”

  Lizzy had insights they didn’t. She was also violating client confidentiality but also realized the stakes were too high to keep information to herself. The three agreed to share further and work together.

  After an hour of discussion, they finally got to the point that Jason told Lizzy about seeing Moriarty during Toomey’s speech in the Senate.

  It didn’t surprise Lizzy. “He’s got his hands on the reins of Toomey’s presidential bid. Money talks. Moriarty has been funneling big bucks to the senator through Gaiatic Charities. Toomey’s a puppet for whatever Moriarty wants.”

  They were near enough to the kitchen that the clank of dishes reached them. Evans cocked her ear to the sound and asked, “What is it he wants?”

  Lizzy hesitated and exhaled hugely. She picked at a fingernail as she formulated a response. She gave it in one word. “Control.”

  Jason beat Evans to the question. “What’s that mean?”

  “Remember what you told me earlier about your discovery of the Guidestones and the objectives of the Global Religions Initiative? He wants to be at the top of the heap and will stop at nothing to accomplish that. I don’t know what that means—I never learned that in my time with him—but his ambition knows no bounds. He’ll do anything to acquire the power necessary to be in control of it all.”

  Chapter 50

  Lizzy’s words chilled Jason. If she knew all this about Moriarty, was she saf
e?

  He cast his eyes around the restaurant, suddenly concerned. Everything seemed normal for a weekday lunch hour. Maybe he was excessively paranoid after seeing Ted Wordlaw die a horrible death because he knew too much. He patted his Ruger snug in its shoulder holster.

  Evans saw him. “Something wrong?”

  “I’m not comfortable. Like right before Wordlaw died.”

  “You want to get out of here?”

  “I don’t know if it makes any difference where we are. Just keep an eye out.”

  “You think we’re in danger.” It wasn’t a question from Lizzy.

  “Let’s just say that you might be radioactive. It bothers me you know so much and you’re still here to talk about it.”

  “Don’t forget they tried to do away with me once before.”

  Again, he warily swept the interior of the place. Nothing. “Are there any other aspects of this, we might be missing? What brings these pieces together?”

  Lizzy blinked rapidly as though in thought and lowered her head. Frowning, she said, “What about Universal Children’s Day?”

  “Yes. That seems to be the focal point. What are you thinking?”

  “The children. What you guys discovered. Toomey spouting off about how much he loves kids. This upcoming United Nations initiative may be where they jumpstart their plans.”

  “There’s so much more, though,” Nancy Evans said. “How does the Green connection relate to the children?”

  “It seems to me,” Lizzy said, “that we have to consider the bigger picture. We know that Moriarty will use the Green position to accomplish his goals—that’s been his MO for as long as I’ve known him. From my work, I’ve seen the tie-in with Toomey. Clarence Short can confirm that, right? The man wants to be president. He’s being pimped by Moriarty and his gang. As long as the money rolls into his campaign, he’ll obey their every command. Moriarty’s affair with your ex-wife, Jason, links him to the children you two encountered. Also, Mary Sue is a known Green radical.”