Green Dreams

by Gary W Ritter

  “I had a bad feeling earlier,” Jason said. “Hold on.”

  Part of his IRS-CID training involved vehicle maneuvering skills. It had been awhile since his last remedial class, but he remembered the basics.

  He jammed the accelerator to gain space between them. Ahead the road continued to be clear. With a brief prayer, he stood on the brakes, turned the wheels and on the wet road fishtailed into a one-hundred-eighty degree turn.

  As they passed the Cadillac Escalade, Lizzy cried, “It’s Moriarty!”

  Trying to stay on the pavement, Jason’s eyes remained glued to the road. “Doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Jason, what’s that ahead?”

  He’d seen it a moment before Lizzy. Not more than three hundred yards and closing fast was a semi-tractor-trailer jackknifed across the road. Behind him, Jason saw Moriarty’s Escalade right behind him.

  “Uhn,” he grunted.

  Moriarty hit them once more with even more force.

  “I’m going to try to go around him.”

  “There’s nowhere to go!”

  “No choice.”

  At the last moment before impact with the truck, he spun the wheel. The tires crunched over gravel on the side of the road. Just missing a mile marker, the SUV careened down the slope.

  Jason desperately held onto the steering wheel which had a life of its own. Because of the amount of rain, the ditch at the bottom flowed with running water. They splashed headlong into it, and the car tilted tail up for an instant. The engine quit. A wave of wind and water hit them, and the SUV righted itself and floated in the river of floodwater.

  Jason tried to start the engine. It coughed and sputtered, then caught. He threw the gearshift into first and gunned it. The tires spun uselessly, but somehow gained purchase. Jason saw a spot ahead that was their only hope.

  He drove at a wild sideways angle on the slope, fearful the car would tip over. Ahead was the flat spot. He held his breath.

  The SUV kicked up mud and water, but shot up onto the road. He wedged his foot against the accelerator pedal. Ignoring the rain and the poor visibility, he drove like the madman he figured must have taken over his body to make it this far.

  Chapter 71

  “How did he know we’d be there?” Lizzy asked.

  “We told him.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “On the call with Nancy. We told her our plans.”

  It dawned on her. “The phones are tapped.”

  “We knew that, but ignored common sense.”

  Back at Lizzy’s house, almost in one piece, they deliberated what to do next.

  “We keep coming back to UCD.”

  “Universal Children’s Day.”

  “Right.”

  “But what do we do about it?” Lizzy asked.

  “I think we have three shots. One, maybe Nancy can make inroads at the FBI with the data I sent her. Officially, that’s probably our only hope. Two, we try to find Mary Sue to shake something out of her. Three, we go where Senator Toomey goes since he’s our high-profile politician in all this. Ultimately, this thing is political.”

  “With a religious aspect,” Lizzy added. “How about the schools where they train the kids?”

  “We have the list where they’re all at, but I don’t know what getting to another one of them does for us at this point. We know they’ll be using those children, and it won’t be good however it turns out.” Jason made a fist and pounded the arm of the couch where they sat. “There are too many moving parts, and people in high places planning things. And we have no idea what all those things may be. Moriarty’s at the heart of it. Mary Sue is involved. And Toomey.”

  “And dark forces,” Lizzy reminded him. “They may be the ultimate wildcard. We don’t understand what they are and have no means of combatting them.”

  “Yet, as we’ve seen, they’re real.” And frightening, Jason thought.

  “We can’t give up. Lives are at stake.”

  It all appeared so hopeless.

  Jason said, “I don’t know if we can even find Mary Sue. We haven’t spoken with her yet, and it’s doubtful she’ll divulge anything, but what else can we do before UCD hits?”

  Chapter 72

  The next several days were spent in a futile effort to track down Mary Sue, Jason’s ex-wife. As the improbable flirt with his brother, Rick, and paramour of Moriarty, she kept cropping up in the center of all that was happening.

  Jason, Lizzy, and Nancy Evans arranged for a new set of cell phones to avoid eavesdropping. At the same time Evans helped them find the location of Mary Sue’s home, but it appeared no one had been there for some time. They went back around to the house of Jason’s old buddy, Tenor. But there was no sign of Art Kerry and his wife Heather, nor their naked, free-range child. They even surreptitiously swung by Moriarty’s house with the same lack of success.

  “After trying to kill us, maybe he skipped town,” Jason said.

  “He must have been terribly disappointed in that failure,” Lizzy commented. “There’s nothing he likes less than losing.”

  “Since we’ve struck out here with everyone local, looks like we need to get political.”

  “Try to see Toomey?”

  “I don’t know what else we can do,” Jason said.

  “Didn’t you hand in your IRS ID badge?”

  “The current one. But when the swap was made for the new design, HR neglected to ask me for my old badge. I kept it ’cause I thought it might come in handy someday.”

  “Looks like that day has arrived.”

  Chapter 73

  “Senator, there’s an IRS agent here to see you.”

  Franklin Toomey III heard the different voice announcing his visitor and figured Susan must have gone on break.

  “Does he have an appointment?”

  “He says he doesn’t need one, sir.”

  This was all he needed today. He had so many priorities stacking up as Universal Children’s Day approached. Plus, he was tired as usual. His perpetual lack of energy each day could only attributed to his late nights with the lively Susan since he’d solved his little problem. The throbbing at his temple told him a headache was on its way. He downed three Advil and steadied himself.

  “Send him in.”

  The stand-in secretary ushered in a man and a woman.

  He called to the temp, “When Susan returns, let her know I have a task for her.”

  The woman acknowledged and discreetly closed the door.

  Toomey remained seated and didn’t attempt a handshake. These two weren’t constituents. “What can I do for you?”

  “Senator, my name is Jason Ruger and this is my associate, Attorney Elizabeth Morris. I’m with the IRS – Criminal Investigation Division.”

  The agent flicked out his badge for Toomey to see. All he had eyes for were “IRS-CID,” and his blood ran cold, although something niggled at the back of his mind. IRS? Is that it? If he wasn’t so blasted tired, maybe he could remember.

  “Care for a seat?” Maybe I should have shaken their hands.

  They settled in and Ruger said, “We’ve been investigating Gaiatic Charities, and the evidence has led us to you, Senator.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “That’s fine, sir. It’s your right to deny the facts, however, based on the cumulative and overwhelming evidence we’ve assembled, you don’t even have plausible deniability.”

  “Evidence? Like what?”

  “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to divulge that. At the proper time, it’ll all come before a grand jury.”

  “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Toomey rose and held up his hands to stop Ruger. “This is a serious charge. Should I have my attorney present?”

  “Again, that’s your right,” Ruger said, “but you may wish to hear me out.”

  Gingerly, Toomey sat down and said warily, “Proceed.”

  “I’m going to give you a broad outline. Gaiatic Charities has bee
n involved in fraudulent activities generating significant amounts of cash. They’re in league with a mafia family to launder the money and sow it into your campaign. We also have reason to believe that the Green groups you’re associated with have terrorist plots they intend to activate within days. One of our concerns is that Universal Children’s Day—of which you’re a major participant—may initiate the beginning of these plans and be the catalyst for even more deadly ones.”

  Hearing the catalog of connections, Toomey groaned inwardly. It had all begun when Stephen Moriarty came to him with the bad news that if he—Toomey—didn’t cooperate with the agenda of Green Liberation and its network of other entities, he’d divulge certain salacious secrets from Toomey’s past that he thought were buried forever. If this got out, his career as a politician was doomed, and probably the rest of his life.

  There was a knock at the door and Susan stuck her head in with a quizzical expression on her face. Toomey said, “For now, Susan, can you just bring us some refreshments?”

  He leaned forward, elbows on desk. “What do you want from me?”

  “Before I get to that,” Ruger said, “I want to make one other thing clear. These different groups are also involved in a child kidnapping and exploitation ring. Children who were abducted and disappeared over the last several years are being used for Universal Children’s Day.”

  Toomey dropped his head. “Oh. I didn’t know that.” His mind was whirling. This was almost worse than the exposure of his past sins. If this connection was publicized, he might as well kill himself like Clarence Short. What had Moriarty gotten him into?

  “We didn’t think you were aware of this, Senator. Your love and admiration for children is renown. You’ve been used. The question is: What are you going to do about it?”

  “What can I do?” His headache pounded like a jackhammer had exploded.

  Just then, there was another knock, and Susan entered with a tray. In the lull of discussion, she said, “I have your refreshments, Senator.”

  At the sound of her voice, both Jason Ruger and Elizabeth Morris swung their heads to look, shocked expressions on each of their faces.

  Ruger said, “Mary Sue?”

  Susan’s eyes grew wide, and her lips parted. Toomey at that instant wasn’t privy to why she showed alarm, but he couldn’t help but notice the way her mouth, framed by her luscious, red lipstick, formed a word.

  “Jason?” And then, “Lizzy?”

  His two guests were as bugged-eyed as Susan. And who was Mary Sue?

  Ruger began to laugh. Toomey couldn’t figure out what was so funny. He was being pinched by this IRS agent, and the guy was busting a gut at the sight of Susan. What was that?

  “Somebody want to tell me what’s going on?” Toomey demanded.

  Ruger caught his breath in order to speak. “We’ve been looking for Mary Sue, and here she is, in the place we least expected her.”

  Toomey said to his intern, “Susan, why is he calling you Mary Sue?”

  She set the coffee tray down and said coolly. “It’s my name.”

  Puzzled, Toomey asked, “How do you and these people know each other?”

  Clearly unhappy, Susan—Mary Sue—said, “We grew up together. I used to be married to Jason.”

  Toomey’s mouth dropped, but his brain was whirring. “Why were they looking for you?”

  “I have no idea.”

  The attorney, Elizabeth Morris—who apparently went by Lizzy—said, “I happen to be Jason’s cousin, and I’ve also known Mary Sue for many years. She happens to be integral to our investigation.”

  Red flags started rising in Toomey’s mind. Cautiously, he said, “Why?”

  Ruger said, “I’m happy to answer that, Senator, although it might be a little delicate for you. She’s in an intimate relationship with Stephen Moriarty and in the middle of the children’s trafficking ring. In fact, she’s using our own child together and her kids—hers and my grandchildren—to further the terrorist plans of Green Liberation.”

  Mary Sue flared, “You don’t know anything, Jason! Who do you think you are waltzing in here like this? Senator, did you know that he’s been suspended from his position at the IRS?”

  “What do you mean? He showed me his ID when he came in.” It was then that he remembered Moriarty’s warning about a fraudulent IRS agent.

  “I don’t know what you saw, but I know that he’s a rogue agent and not operating in any official capacity.”

  Outraged, Toomey turned to Ruger. “Is this true?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then you…” he pointed at Ruger, “and you…” he jabbed a trembling finger at Morris, “get out of here!”

  They both rose. “Before we leave,” Ruger said, “you might want to clarify what Mary Sue is doing working for you, and whatever other favors she might be dispensing.”

  Despite being so angry he could barely see straight, Toomey had to agree. What is she doing here? “Susan, uh, Mary Sue, are you and Moriarty in a relationship?”

  “Sure, Franklin,” she said, “if you want to use that quaint term. Stephen and I are a thing. We sleep together. The difference is that he can perform in the bedroom.”

  A flush ran up Toomey’s neck and face. It felt like he’d taken an overdose of niacin. In a tiny voice, he asked, “Why have you been with me?”

  “Don’t you imagine it’s been useful for Moriarty to have someone placed so intimately in your office?”

  “You’ve been spying on me?”

  The corner of one side of her mouth turned up. “You’ve been very forthcoming following our many tête-à-têtes.”

  “You whore!” Toomey said. “You can leave right now along with this fake IRS agent, ex-husband of yours.”

  “Oh, no, Franklin. There’s where you’re wrong. Jason and Lizzy are going to leave, but I’m staying. Moriarty wouldn’t like it if you kicked me out. If you don’t want the money spigot to stop, I’m not going anywhere. You and I, we have plans to discuss.”

  Senator Franklin Toomey III knew the truth that she spoke. He sank into his chair, leaned forward, and covered his head with his hands.

  Chapter 74

  On his burner phone, Jason reported back to Nancy Evans, who had likewise purchased a throwaway cell phone so it couldn’t be surveilled. After they’d left Toomey’s office, he and Lizzy found a quiet outdoor café where they could talk and make this call with relative security.

  “Mary Sue controls Toomey. It looks like whatever she and Moriarty want, they have the political leverage with the senator,” Jason said. While speaking to his associate, he and Lizzy held each other’s eyes. “He realizes he’s been used, but I don’t think he’s got an out.”

  Evans replied, “I don’t know what to tell you, Jason. We’re locked up so tight here, my head’s about to burst. Drennan has clamped down on all computers. They’re actively monitoring everything we do. I can’t do a random search without one of his thugs coming up and questioning me.”

  “What do you mean, one of his thugs?”

  Jason could almost see her helpless shrug through the phone connection.

  “He’s brought in agents—I don’t even know where they’re from—to keep us in line.”

  “Nancy, we’ve talked about this before, but what about going over his head?”

  “I think the entire organization has been compromised, Jason. I don’t trust any of the top brass over Drennan. Norris Malony seems to be our only ally, but he’s been neutered by Drennan. I can’t give you any official help. Whatever is going to go down on UCD with the kids is going to happen. This is too big for us; too many players aligned against us.”

  A white panel truck passed by on the peaceful street. Jason watched it absently.

  The same truck drove by again. Lizzy’s brow furrowed, and she placed her hand on Jason’s arm. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Startled at her insistence, he realized it was more than restlessness. Forgetting his call with Evans, he jumped up.
>
  At that same moment, the white panel truck sped a third time down the street, only now accelerating rapidly. It jumped the curb, its engine roaring and came straight for their table.

  Jason’s chair fell backward. To clear a path for escape, he threw the table over and grabbed Lizzy. The truck bore down on them and compensated for their movement. It struck another couple seated closer to the street, flinging them into the air

  At the last instant, Jason dragged Lizzy down prone to the ground. The engine roared and the tires squealed. Darkness blotted out the light. The smell of burning rubber assaulted Jason as the driver braked and swerved. Flat on the ground, he sensed the vehicle pass over them.

  It struck the storefront with a crack and the picture window shattered. Hand-in-hand, Jason and Lizzy rose shakily.

  “We have to get out of here,” he said.

  “But those people?” The man and woman who’d been flung aside lay still and bleeding. Lizzy pulled at Jason.

  A quickly approaching siren sounded.

  “Nothing we can do for them. Help’s on the way,” Jason said. “If we get caught up in police inquiries, who knows how that’ll go down.”

  Reluctantly, Lizzy agreed, and they slipped into the gathering crowd of onlookers.

  Chapter 75

  Safely in their hotel room, Jason held a shivering Lizzy.

  “That was too close, Jason.”

  Goose bumps had risen on her arms; her teeth chattered.

  “You knew something was wrong,” he said. “How?”

  She pulled a blanket closer around her shoulders.

  “It just…it didn’t seem right. I had this feeling.”

  “Women’s intuition.”

  “It was more than that, Jason. It was as though a voice spoke in my ear, but it wasn’t audible—I heard it but I didn’t hear it. Danger. It said, danger. That’s all, but I knew it had to do with that truck.”

  “This is twice in a week we could have been killed. It had to be Moriarty behind it again.”

  “Mary Sue alerted him.”

  “No doubt.”

  Lizzy turned to hold his gaze with a wide-open, vulnerable expression. “Jason, do you ever think about death and dying?”