The Assassin's Trail (13 page)

Washington, D.C.

Monday

“I fail to understand why we are still committing resources against this investigation. It has been closed,” FBI Director Phillip Wagner said, standing next to the coffee service in his office. He had just poured himself a cup without offering one to Deputy Director Paul Stumpf or Alan Seltzer.

Director Wagner was a political appointee from the previous administration. He was unfamiliar with the internal workings of the FBI. He knew how to get funds and keep Congress at bay, but investigations were handled by others.

“Yes sir, that's the conclusion of Agent Dollar,” Stumpf said. “Unfortunately, he may have been premature in declaring the case resolved. We have evidence discovered last night of at least six more individuals involved.”

“Paul, do you realize how much damage will be done to the agency’s image if we retract our conclusions of last Friday?'“

“Sir, I understand there may be a few eyebrows raised. But if a network of domestic terrorists is targeting U.S. citizens, shouldn’t we keep the case open?”

Wagner walked back to the ceiling-to-floor window behind his desk. He gazed out the window slowly sipping his coffee. He kept his back to them as he spoke.

“There will be more than a few eyebrows raised. There will be congressional hearings and the media will have a feeding frenzy. We have no proof this man belonged to a group of domestic terrorists.” He turned slightly back toward them. “Gentlemen, I do not want those words used with the media, it will raise questions that do not need to be asked. Congress will demand to know why we dropped the ball. No, I don't believe we can go that direction. The case is closed.”

He returned to staring out the window.

“What if the killings continue?” Seltzer said, expecting another lecture on agency image.

The director turned to look at them again. “Then you deal with it, Mr. Seltzer. You deal with it. But it is not to be associated with the Cooper incident. Do I make myself clear?”

He turned back toward the window and sipped his coffee.

Paul Stumpf motioned for Alan to remain quiet and said, “Yes, sir, we understand. Thank you for your time this morning.”

He and Alan stood and left the office as the director continued facing the window as they left.

Stumpf walked quickly down the hall toward his office, Seltzer barely managing to keep up. After they were in Stumpf's office, he closed the door and with a trembling voice said, “What an idiot. I cannot believe I just witnessed a director of the FBI more worried about his public image than the safety of the public. Unbelievable.”

Seltzer leaned against the closed door, listening to his friend vent.

“How in the hell are we supposed to conduct an investigation when the director is blind to the facts? All he can see are the political consequences. Trust me, this incident will blow up in his face, and the rest of us will have to clean up the mess.”

After a few seconds of silence, Seltzer said, “Thanks for keeping me quiet. I was about to say something unproductive.”

Stumpf nodded, “You were going to say the same thing I wanted to. We'll need to keep Kruger's activities quiet. Is he making progress?”

“Yes, in fact he's the one that told Charlie Craft how to find the information on the cell phone and hard drive from Cooper's farm,” Seltzer said.

“Okay, keep Charlie’s involvement quiet, he's a good man. I don't want him in the crossfire when the bullets start flying. I'm surprised we keep any competent people with the likes of Wagner and Dollar in management.”

“When I spoke to Kruger yesterday, he wasn’t pleased with the situation. It's just my opinion, but I think he'll retire when this is over.”

“I wouldn't blame him. If things don't improve around here, I might follow him.”

The room was silent for a few moments, until finally Stumpf said, “Alan, you have to make sure Kruger has as much support as we can provide. I know he trusts you, let him know I’m trying to make changes around here.”

“Yes sir, I will.”

Seltzer headed back to his office hoping Kruger still trusted him.

***

Charlie Craft was discussing evidence found at the Cooper site with two of his team members when the phone rang. It was his boss, Pam.

“I need to take this, let’s take a break and be back in my office in five minutes.”

He answered the call as they walked out of his office.

“Charlie, I hate to tell you this, but the director wants the investigation into the Cooper incident stopped immediately. All the evidence needs to be sent to Quantico as soon as you can box it up. I'm sorry. You did excellent work on this.”

Charlie was stunned. “How in the world can they justify shutting down the investigation. My team just spent two days gathering and cataloging evidence. There’s so much material it’s overwhelming.”

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Pam, I don’t understand. Most of the evidence hasn’t even been given a cursory look. What’s going on?”

Silence was his answer. Finally Pam said, “Politics, nothing more, nothing less. Mint Dollar declared it closed and the director is following his lead. He doesn't want to embarrass the agency with a retraction. Sorry, I wish I had a better answer.”

“This is wrong, Pam.”

“I know, Charlie. But my hands are tied.”

“No they’re not.”

“Charlie, be careful.”

Charlie was silent. He knew his position in the agency was not high enough to effectively fight the decision. He closed his eyes, sighed and said, “I'll have everything sent as soon as we can get it packed. Anything else I need to know?”

“Alan Seltzer said he would call you later today and explain. I’m not sure why he’s involved, but he asked me to tell you.”

Charlie understood immediately, but said, “I have no idea. Guess I'll find out when he calls.”

“Thank you for your cooperation, Charlie. Let's put this behind us and get back to work.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

After the call ended, he sat back in his chair. Seltzer would be honest with him, or at least Charlie hoped he would be. He got up and went into the lab to tell his team the bad news.

The call came two hours later.

“Lab, Charlie Craft.”

“Charlie, Alan Seltzer. How are you today?”

“I've been better. I’d like to understand why my investigation of the Cooper property was shut down.”

“Good question. Wish I had a good answer, but I don't. The fact is the director doesn't want the agency embarrassed by retracting a statement made by Agent Dollar. Regardless of the accuracy of the statement.”

“Sir, I respectfully disagree with this decision. There is ample evidence Cooper did not act alone.”

“A mutual friend of ours agrees with you. In fact, he is conducting a separate and unofficial investigation into this matter.”

Charlie now understood the purpose for the call. “Good.”

“Do you have any vacation time left, Charlie?”

“Not really. I had to use all of it when my father passed away.”

“I'm sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences. Perhaps a personal leave of absence to attend a forensics conference would be in order?”

Curious about where this was going, Charlie said, “I could use a refresh. Do you know of any conferences currently accepting applications?”

“Actually I do. There’s one at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, and it starts this Wednesday. Could you leave early in the morning?”

Charlie finally got it. JR was in Springfield. He frowned. How many people knew about JR? He'd have to ask Kruger later. The cover about the conference would hold. He'd learn more in one day working with JR than he would during several conferences. He finally said, “Will you handle my registration?”

“I would be more than happy to take care of it. In fact I’ll have Deputy Director Stumpf clear it with your boss and make sure all of your expenses are reimbursed.”

Smiling, Charlie said, “Guess I'll pack tonight and leave in the morning. I'll book my flight as soon as we're off the phone.”

“Excellent, I’m sure our friend will be pleased to hear you're going to attend.”

After booking his flight, he decided to call it a day and left the office. He was almost to his apartment when he received a call on his cell phone. The caller ID read “Unknown.” Puzzled, he answered the call.

“Charlie, it’s JR. When do you arrive tomorrow?”

“Around noon.”

“After the plane lands, retrieve your bag, then stand outside the terminal on the west side. I’ll pick you up. What's the flight number?”

Charlie told him. JR said, “Great, see you then.” The call ended abruptly. He smiled, only thirty seconds long. Same old JR.

***

Pappy's Bar and Grill was a small out-of-the-way place in a strip center located near a blue collar neighborhood in Arlington County. Because of its location, very few of Washington's elite patronized the establishment. This was one of the reasons Alan Seltzer relied on it for a quiet beer. Plus they made the best pulled pork sandwich in the district. He was sitting at the bar when Paul Stumpf pulled out the stool next to him and sat down.

“Everything is cleared for Charlie,” Stumpf said. “Did you make contact with the individual you mentioned?”

Seltzer nodded. “Yes, he was very glad to have the help. However, I haven't called Kruger yet. I’m not sure what to tell him.”

“Tell him the truth; he deserves it. We haven't been exactly truthful with him lately, have we?”

“No. It bothers me, too.”

“Alan, this could be the opportunity we need to make real changes around here. But we have to let Kruger do what he does best.”

“I know.” Seltzer took a deep breath. “What if he needs back up, what do we do then?”

“What is the name of the detective Kruger knows in Alexandria? Lark or Stark, something like that. He called for Kruger to come out to the Rousch murder.”

“Ryan Clark, good man.” Seltzer paused for a moment and nodded his head, “You know, that might work. Could we unofficially borrow him from the Alexandria Police Department?”

The deputy director stood. “That's what I had in mind. I’ll call the Chief of Police.”

He retrieved his cell phone from the inside pocket of his suit coat, scrolled through the list of contacts and pressed the send icon. He held the phone to his ear as he walked outside away from the din of the restaurant.

It was ten minutes before he returned. He sat down and took a sip of his beer. “Clark is available whenever and wherever we need him. The Chief and I go back a few years. I explained to him we needed someone to work with one of our agents on a special assignment. I also mentioned how the director swept the Rousch murder under the rug. He understood and agreed to the lend-lease program.” He smiled when he said the last part.

Seltzer took a sip of his beer and relaxed a little. “Good, I'll call Kruger tonight and let him know he has backup.”

“Alan, I want to make sure you understand the ramifications if our conspiracy becomes known.”

Nodding, Seltzer said, “I'm very much aware of what could happen. I'm starting to agree with Kruger. Retirement might look pretty good if things don't change around the agency.”

Houston, TX

Monday evening

The short flight from Dallas to Houston landed a little after 7 p.m. Before leaving the airport, he called the Imam on a payphone.

“As-salamu alaykum.”

“Wa-alaykum salaam. I have good news for you, my brother.”

“Good, please tell me.”

“The help you requested is ready to assist you. When do you need them?”

Abbas was quiet for a few moments.

“Within the next two weeks. I will have to finalize the project and let you know. Their assistance will come at the end, when I need them the most.”

“Excellent, that will give us time to prepare them for their journey. Do you know where yet?”

“Yes, but I will let you know the location later.”

“Very well.”

Their conversation lasted a few more minutes, and after their goodbyes, Abbas walked to the rental car area.

The La Quinta Inn he chose was in La Porte, TX, north of the import warehouses situated around the Port of Houston. This would give him time to wait for the containers due to arrive at the Port the next day. On paper, Eduardo Acosta was identified as one of the principal owners of a Spanish olive oil company. A company who regularly imported oil grown and packed in Tunisia. He had no ownership at all, but it gave him a legitimate reason to be at the Port and to manage the transportation of the containers after clearing customs, a process he knew could last as long as ten days. Because the business did a lot of traffic through the warehouse, their wait was now down to just a few days.

After checking into his room, he left and walked over to a seafood restaurant next to the hotel. While sitting at the bar nursing a beer, Abbas thought about the restraints of his religion. He enjoyed the occasional beer and it helped him blend into the local culture. While he sat, a tall dark man sat down on the stool next to him and ordered a beer.

After the bartender sat the beer down and walked away, the newcomer said, “The ship arrived a day early. Your containers have already off-loaded and are in a holding facility.”

“Any issues?”

“No, not at this time and I don’t see any issues arising.”

Abbas nodded, stared ahead and sipped his beer. “Once they clear customs, your money will be wired to the account you requested.”

The newcomer stood, drained his beer in one long gulp, and walked out of the bar area of the restaurant. Neither man had looked at the other. Their conversation was short and quiet. No one heard it, or even thought twice about the encounter. After the man left, Abbas ordered a meal and spent the next hour sitting at the bar. 

***

California

Wednesday evening

Funerals depressed him. But this one had been a fitting tribute to his mother-in-law. Roy Griffin respected her, and more importantly, he loved her like a mother, and she loved him like a son. Now his task was to help his wife get through the grief and settle the estate.

He wondered how much time he could spend in his home district without generating issues with his staff and the media. He couldn’t even decide if he wanted to run again. The atmosphere in Washington was toxic, unproductive and uncooperative. He spent more time being told by lobbyists how much money they would spend against him in the next election than he did trying to do his job.

His wife was refusing to return with him. Her excuse was the amount of work needed to settle her mother’s estate and keep all of her charitable institutions functioning. This added more pressure for him to just finish out his term. But he had overwhelming support in his district, the poll numbers were good, and a legitimate challenger had yet to emerge, even though the election was just six months away. Anything could happen in that length of time, so he would wait a few weeks before making his decision.

The vibration of his cell phone broke his thoughts. Glancing at the caller ID, he sighed and accepted the call. “Hello.”

“Good evening, Congressman, it’s Bob. Is this a good time to talk?”

Bob Thomas was his Chief of Staff, the one person in Washington Griffin trusted and depended on. “Yes, Bob, it’s fine. Good to hear from you. What’s going on back there?”

“It's been quiet since you left. You have a lot of messages, but nothing that can't wait for your return. Uh, sir, do you have a return date we can announce on your website?”

Griffin hesitated, “No, not yet. I need to help my wife with the estate. My mother-in-law appointed me executor of her will, so I have a few more official duties I need to perform.”

“I see. Sir, could I at least get an approximate date? The emails requesting appointments are mounting up.”

“I'll be back after Memorial Day.”

“Yes, sir. You realize that’s more than two weeks away.”

“Yes. I am very much aware of how long it is, Bob.” Griffin rarely raised his voice with his support team, but Bob was pushing him tonight. “Just put out a press release stating I'm dealing with family matters and will return after Memorial Day.”

His assistant sounded distant when he said, “Yes, sir, I will update your website. Thank you, Congressman.”

The call ended and Griffin felt terrible. He had never kept anything from Bob. Perhaps in a few days he could give an exact date, but not right now.

Bob Thomas set the handset back in the desk phone’s cradle, sighed and accessed the congressman’s website as the administrator. He updated the link on the Home page which informed every one of the congressman’s availability. It simply stated he would return to Washington after Memorial Day. Satisfied, he closed the site and shut down his laptop.

Glancing at his watch, he smiled. There were some advantages in having the congressman out of town. His fiancée had found a trendy new restaurant and it was still early enough that they would have plenty of time to try it tonight. As he walked down the now dark and abandoned halls of the House of Representatives, he called her with the good news.

***

Kruger’s cell phone vibrated. He checked the caller ID and smiled, “I was planning to call you a little later.”

“Were you going to call and quit?” Seltzer asked with a note of seriousness.

Kruger chuckled and said, “No, not yet.”

“Good, I’ve got several things you need to know. First, the director shut Charlie's investigation down.”

“What?”

“He wants the Cooper case closed and wants nothing else associated with it.”

Kruger remained silent.

“I spoke to Joseph,” Seltzer continued.

“And?”

“He worked it out with JR, Charlie is flying to Springfield in the morning to help.”

“Is JR comfortable with this arrangement?”

“From what Joseph said, he jumped at the opportunity. He likes Charlie and plans to hire him one day. Anyway, you now have an underground forensics team working on the investigation. Charlie will be available to travel if needed. Secondly, we have Ryan Clark on loan from the Alexandria police department. He will be your partner and backup. Just tell us when and where you need him and he’ll be there.”

“I'm impressed, Alan.”

“Don't thank me yet. We're trying to give you as much support as possible. We have to be careful with the current political situation.”

Remaining silent for a few moments, Kruger thought about making a comment on the politics, but decided against it. “I'm heading to St. Louis tomorrow. It’s the last location we have for the guy organizing this group. Can Clark meet me there?”

“Are you going as an FBI agent?”

“Hell yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

Seltzer didn’t answer.

“Alan, if you want me to continue this investigation, I can’t do it with one hand tied behind my back.”

“Okay, but be careful. We can't afford to alert the director.”

“Alan, if I have to worry about the director every time I do something, I might as well just stay home.”

“Point made. I'll try not to micromanage. You're the guy in the field.”

“That’s right, I seem to be the only guy putting his neck on the line right now.”

“Calm down, Sean. Paul and I are walking a tightrope on this as well. We’re getting you resources and assistance. If the director finds out, all of us will have our necks stuck out. Besides, we believe your theory. As soon as you have positive proof, get it to us. Paul has a plan. He just needs you to prove there are others involved.”

Kruger took a deep breath. Seltzer was right, but it wasn’t time to tell him so.

“We’ll have Clark fly to St. Louis. Can you pick him up?”

“Yes, have him send me his itinerary as soon as possible.”

“Keep us posted, Sean. We need positive proof more than one individual is involved.”

“I'll talk to you when I know more tomorrow.” He ended the call.

Standing, he paced his small office area for a few seconds before deciding to make coffee. As he walked to the kitchen, a plan for St. Louis started to come together. If JR could determine the locations used by the Traveler, the name he was using for the suspect in St. Louis, he and Clark could stake out various locations and wait for the man to access the internet. It would be time consuming and they stood a good chance of missing the individual. But even with the small odds of matching someone with the pictures JR had retrieved from the Army’s computers, the effort might be worth their time.

After drafting an email to JR, he revised it several times until satisfied. As soon as it was sent, he glanced at the time on his computer. It was after 6 p.m. and Stephanie wasn’t home from the office. When she did work late, she normally called. Mildly concerned, he called her. The call went straight to voicemail.

Thirty minutes later, she walked into the condo and went straight to their bedroom without saying a word. Kruger was sitting at his desk when he heard her come in. He walked out of the office and to their bedroom, where she was standing in front of the closet and taking out clothes. An open suitcase was on the bed. He said, “I heard you come in.”

She turned, looked at him, but didn’t say a word. She went back to getting clothes out before saying, “I have to drive to Arkansas tonight.”

“Why?”

“I got a call from Linda, our District Manager in Bentonville, at five. Apparently Walmart is demanding a top-to-top meeting with our senior management at eight tomorrow morning. Neil  is still in the hospital and since Frank…” She hesitated for a brief second, her voice shaky, “I’m it. I'm leaving as soon as I get packed. Not sure what this is about and neither does Linda. But with this short of notice, it's probably not good news.”

“Do you have a hotel room?”

She shook her head.

“I can make the reservation for you. I’m platinum with Marriot, they have to give me a room. Even this late.” He smiled as he said it.

She stopped, turned to him, and her frown melted. She chuckled and walked to him. They hugged and he kissed the top of her head.

“I have to go to St. Louis in the morning,” Kruger said. “Not sure how long I’ll be gone at this point.”

Looking up at him, she sighed. “I thought when we got married, this hectic pace would stop. It isn’t, is it?”

“Nope.”

“What are we going to do?

“We… No, that’s not correct, I need to make some changes.” He suddenly realized his mistake of not walking away from the case as soon as the director shut it down. “This is my last case, Stef, I'm done.”

Silence was his answer. Finally she said, “I heard from the adoption agency today. They think they may have found an expectant mother for us. They want us to come in on Friday. Can you be here?”

“I’ll make sure I am.”