The Jericho Papers

By Steven Roberts

With the clock ticking, an elite task force of Secret Service agents must track down enemies who threaten America and its global symbols of power. Powerful friends and foes become the puppet masters behind challenging life and death questions.

Special operation forces with Southern Command have become involved in the jungles of the Yucatan, looking for dangerous enemy forces. Secret Service agents search for a killer from New York to Cancun. Dangerous conditions develop with the hidden hands of master strategists working against the best interest of the United States of America and all that it stands for. America’s global symbols of power will fail unless the clock of destruction stops.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Roberts
• Release date: Dec 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9780984945221

Steven Roberts

Writing: Steve has written eight books, non-fiction books, action adventure novels and an anthology of short stories, poems and songs. He has spoken to groups about surviving cancer, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and writing books, as well as presentations of his books.Community: Steve is currently Chairman of the Dearborn Library Foundation and works with Habitat for Humanity in Florida. He is the founder of authors’ clubs in Florida and Michigan.Personal: Steve worked in the automotive industry in Europe and Detroit, later operating his own management consulting firm. Steve and two partners also built and operated a golf course near Jackson, Michigan. Steve and his wife, Jane, live in Dearborn, Michigan and spend winters at Kensington CC in Naples, Florida. They have four married children and twelve grandchildren.

Book preview

The Jericho Papers

By

Steven L. Roberts

The following was inspired by true events.

The Jericho Papers

Copyright 2011

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 978-0-9849452-2-1

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

By

Steven L. Roberts, All rights reserved

www.stevenlroberts.com

Summary

With the clock ticking, an elite task force of Secret Service agents must track down enemies who threaten America and its global symbols of power. Powerful friends and foes become the puppet masters behind challenging life and death questions.

Also by Steven L. Roberts

Wildflowers

The President’s Own

The Proscenium Conspiracy

Homegrown

The Lake

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Special operation forces with Southern Command have become involved in the jungles of the Yucatan, looking for dangerous enemy forces. Secret Service agents search for a killer from New York to Cancun. Dangerous conditions develop with the hidden hands of master strategists working against the best interest of the United States of America and all that it stands for. America’s global symbols of power will fail unless the clock of destruction stops.

This story is dedicated

to my loving wife,

Victoria Mary Roberts,

who taught me to love and laugh

and who remains a constant source of inspiration.

Chapter 1

Phillip churned restlessly in his chair, his eyes blurred and burned. He had spent many hours scanning the seemingly endless lines of numbers. His years of experience had taught him to find what now suddenly popped out at him. His excitement over his discovery had dulled his awareness of his surroundings for the moment. The impatient phone ringing broke his attention. He grabbed at it as a means of ending the distracting nuisance.

Yes? He asked impatiently, anxious to return to his discovery.

It’s me, Gail.

His impatience instantly melted and turned to deep sincerity on hearing her voice. You won’t believe it, Sis, I’ve finally found the...

BAMM-BAMM, the cabana door flew off its hinges as two armed men burst inside.

Phillip sprang to his feet in surprise, turning to fear, while dropping the phone to the floor behind him. His stare fixed on the unknown men.

The two men leveled their machine pistols at their obviously stunned victim. You’re Phillip Endicott. We’ve got a greeting for you. Then the ominous nod from the man who spoke, set in motion the chain of deadly events.

Phillip caught the man’s nod and instantly understood. He raised his hands as if he could stop the thirty bullets ripping through his body.

The papers? asked the second man.

Burn them.

Why not burn everything? asked the second man.

The first man grinned and nodded, Why not?

The second man reached his hand into his shoulder bag and withdrew tennis ball sized devices covered in a plastic covering. He peeled the covering, and threw a sticky ball at each wall and then tossed one onto the desk. The last one he saved for the dead man, Phillip Endicott. The balls instantly burst into flames as they ignited the cabana and its contents into a blazing inferno.

One Day later

New York O’Hare airport

The dark sedan pulled to a stop in front of the cargo freight terminal. Occupants inside carefully watched the busy terminal. The man in the front seat handed each of the two men in the rear seat a shoulder bag. Two seconds each, maybe a little less. The three men had their weapons prepared to fire once they stepped from the car.

The men separated and entered the terminal through different doors, each heading into his assigned areas. Once inside, each man quickly tossed a dozen fragmentation grenades throughout his assigned kill zones. Explosions ripped apart the insides of the large building as debris spew in all directions. Moving quickly through their kill zones, the two men converged on the huge aircraft cargo containers inside, killing everyone as they went.

The taller man stared at the contents of the building and whistled. There are over thirty cargo containers in here. Which ones? asked the taller man.

Hold your water, dammit. The leader pulled a small radio receiver from his coat. I’ll let you know in a second, just give me a moment. The man held a small radio and swept it back and forth until he stopped and pointed in one direction. There! Both are over there. All three men raced to the two cargo containers along one wall.

At the containers, one of the men shot off the locks and opened the doors. The leader peered inside the first container, nodding his approval. The contents are verified. This is it. The shorter man made a similar pronouncement at the second container.

Then do it!

The men set the explosive charges. These charges were thermite. Such explosive charges cause intensely hot fires resistant to firefighting methods. It had to burn until nothing remained to burn.

It’s a real shame there isn’t more to burn, the taller man lamented."

Stick to the plan, yelled the leader. Otherwise, you know the consequences for us all.

Of course! said the tall man. I like sucking air too much, you know that.

The leader laughed. And I hear that’s not all you like to suck.

The tall man stared at the leader. That hurt my feeling, asshole.

Knock it off you two. We all love sucking air, don’t we? Get out...now! The men ran as the charges blew, erupting inside the building, followed immediately, with a thick rain of fire.

Meanwhile

Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport

The military style transport pulled to the rear door of an airfreight terminal. Four hooded men jumped out and ran inside, just as the aircraft pulled to the unloading area. Two more men drove a refueling truck to the airplane and opened valves on the hoses. One man threw a small device into the rapidly forming lake of aviation gas under the plane. Twenty seconds later, the explosive device’s timer functioned. A fireball of bright light lit up the night sky around the terminal.

Three days later

Washington D.C.

United States Secret Service, Special Agent Kevin LeMay, stormed into Roger’s office. I don’t like it at all, Roger. It just isn’t fair.

Life isn’t fair. Now, did you bring me the cheese?

What?

You know, cheese. I like cheese with my whine.

Ha ho hum, just yuck it up. How long have we been best friends Roger? Just tell me how long it’s been. I’d like to get that straight.

Too many years to count on my hands, my friend, I would have to use my toes too.

Wasn’t it me that always pulled your ass out of the fire while we were in the Marines? Just answer me that.

I seem to remember that it was a two way street. We each did a lot of pulling as I remember.

Hah! I think I did more of the pulling. Just like now, Roger.

Come again, Kevin. What’s stuck in your crawl now?

I don’t care much for my extra assignment, that’s what.

I thought I was giving you a break, Kevin.

Kiss my ass. It’s no break. I’m not worth a damn as a training officer to wet behind the ears agents and you know it! Anyway, what kind of a name is A. Leeves?

A tall, slender, female agent walked into the doorway, nodding at Roger, but standing just behind Kevin. It’s a very old family name Agent LeMay, explained the demur voice.

Kevin’s eyes looked like they would pop out as he stood with a sheepish grin on his face, still looking at Roger. The silent words were unmistakable. It’s her?

Roger let out a low laugh and nodded slowly. Agent LeMay, meet Agent Leeves, Autumm Leeves.

Kevin turned slowly, red-faced, facing the new female agent with a grin on his face as he broke out laughing. I guess this is one of those rare circumstances I can get away with being a horse’s ass.

If that’s some sort of apology, I accept, she replied.

I guess that is an old name. I’ve heard it before, he said as he cracked a thin smile.

The woman let a thin smile break out on her faced while she kept her eyes locked with Kevin’s in a battle of wills.

Roger dropped the new agent’s personnel folder on the desk for Kevin. Kevin snatched it up without taking his eyes off the dark haired beauty. The two agents’ eye combat was broken.

Kevin opened the file, scanned the information while the new agent moved to a chair, and settled in. It says you were once in Navy Intelligence. I’m impressed.

Why? I heard you were once in the Marine Corps with Roger. I’m sure I remember that you two were in Force Recon.

Don’t make a big deal out of it, Autumm.

Marine Recon isn’t a little deal. I heard you and Roger were in some real hot spots back in your days.

In my days? I’m still around kicking, and kicking strong, I might add.

Yes, but with a little less punch, am I right?

What? Is that how you Navy Intelligence types operate? Are you trying to get me all twisted up?

Not at all, should that get you all twisted up? she asked.

And trying to get into my head isn’t a good idea, either, sweetheart.

No?

No! I’ll bet you like to put people on the defensive fast, am I right?

Sometimes it has its advantages.

I’ll just bet it does. Don’t practice your interviewing skills on me, okay? Kevin’s eyes betrayed him to Roger. He looked like a wounded puppy, lashing out pathetically.

Kids, enough is enough, said Roger, to calm the interchange.

Autumm quickly disengaged and offered her hand. Truce, Kevin? Her green eyes twinkled as her face oozed with her sincerity.

Roger noted how Kevin seemed to melt in front of his eyes. He stood up and walked to the front of his desk while Kevin took a short pause, obviously weighing his next comment.

It depends, Kevin finally replied.

On what?

How the rest of this day goes. You see, around here, I’ll get the final word on your performance. Now, if you’re really as good as you think you are, then, a truce can work. But if you’re another pretty faced agent with an axe to grind, then that’s another deal altogether.

And how do you feel right now?

You got into my head...a little. I’ll give you some points for that.

Good points or bad?

Kevin shrugged his shoulders while keeping his eyes on her.

Autumm stepped closer. I’ll take that as being good, then.

Roger noticed right away how Kevin softened when she was closer to his face.

Kevin appeared uneasy, as if he was looking for a pleasant way to get free of the woman who obviously was affecting him. This task force operates like a real pressure cooker. We never have enough agents, and everyone here is overloaded. We have cases we’ll work individually, as well as those we work as a team.

I work well under pressure, she soothed and smiled.

I suppose working in Navy Intelligence could teach you that.

You two ‘kids’ can take your further ‘familiarization’ outside now that it looks like I don’t have to worry about you hurting each other. With that, Roger escorted the agents to the door, grinning at the budding relationship between Kevin and Autumm. Kevin gave Roger a wink behind Autumm’s back as they left.

Another agent, Barry, stepped into Roger’s office. I see that you’ve taken on your other new role.

Roger walked back to his desk then stopped and turned, Other role? And what might that be, Barry? Roger asked with his voice showing signs of humor.

You have a new role, the ‘house shrink,’ Roger. Barry turned watched Autumm follow Kevin into the work area.

I can’t help myself. He’s got me worried, Barry.

Crap, Roger, Kevin’s solid as a rock. We lost friends on that Russian case. He worked with the agents who died. One was a female agent who he liked immensely. Give him some time to heal.

Time’s a luxury we don’t have, unfortunately. I need him here, one hundred percent. Agent Leeves may be the right medicine.

I think so too, Barry said while giving a light chuckle. He has that fire in his belly again. I suppose that’s a good sign.

He always needs a little extra project to hold his interest.

Then I guess you’re on the right track.

We needed another agent. She’s right for what we need.

Barry nodded. And having Naval Intelligence background can’t help but be a valuable asset to our task force.

Roger nodded, still watching Kevin in the work area. Keep your eyes on him, Barry. Now what brings you in here?

Have you seen any of the recent news reports, Roger?

Are you talking about the airport in New York?

That’s it. What’s your take on all of that?

Fortunately, we don’t have to worry about it. That’s the FBI, and everyone else’s case, but ours.

What if we were involved? What would you think then?

Roger’s eyes narrowed. His face took on a frown. I don’t like to waste time with hypotheticals. What’s on your mind?

There’s just something about that whole thing that bothers me. I have a real creepy feeling about it, that’s all. I wondered if you were having any of those gut feelings of yours that we ought to worry about.

No! You’ve been listening to Kevin too much.

Oh, I’ve seen your ‘premonitions’ first hand, Roger. So it’s got nothing to do with my listening to Kevin.

Like I said, it’s not our case. Let’s not take on cases that already have the proper people working on them.

It’s in New York. Our task force operates in New York, too.

We have enough to worry about with the Russian Mafia and their banking and other related financial crimes. Right now, that’s pretty boring, I’ll readily admit. But it’s the hand which we’ve been dealt. So we’ll play it out. Now, do you have something else for me?

Barry laid a file on Roger’s desk. This. You might want to look it over. Maybe you’ll see something I don’t.

Give me the bottom line.

I wish I could. I don’t understand it myself. I tracked sixty million dollars in transactions from the suspect businesses to that bank. I thought we had a solid case for money laundering, and ‘puff,’ it’s gone. We fully accounted for the money as soon as it hit the bank. I’m beginning to think that lead was a waste of time.

You’ve tracked it all the way to the bank?

Yes.

Roger picked up the file and scanned the data. Somewhere in all of this clutter of facts there lies a solution.

Barry nodded. I agree, but where?

How many transactions have you been able to trace to the bank, Barry?

You’re looking at the entire list.

These transactions all went to the same bank?

That’s right, all fifty.

Fifty!

That’s right. And you might notice that every transaction was over sixty million dollars.

Are the officers of the bank enjoying outrageous lifestyles?

That’s just it, they’re all on modest salaries, and the bank’s operating expenses are very low for an independent bank.

Tell me about your original lead, what the informant told you, and your impressions.

He said he knew that something wasn’t right at the bank. After the previous owners sold the bank, the informant noticed some odd sorts of behavior. He quit his job but notified our office in New York that we ought to look into the bank’s records. I had a light load of cases and took the lead to do the follow-up. Everything looked clean until I found these odd transactions. I had the impression that the informant was sincere.

Motivations?

I worried that maybe his motivations were more a matter of revenge by him as a disgruntled former employee, and therefore suspect. But that wasn’t what I found at all.

Then what?

I checked him out, Roger, real thoroughly. I thought that his motivations were pure, then, and now. That makes me believe that his concerns are justified.

Then dig deeper. Turn up the heat. Take a team to the bank and let them know we’re interested. Go in walking heavy and making a lot of noise. We all know the Russian Mafia is moving huge sums of crime money back to Russia. We have to find the holes and choke off the flow. If we’re wrong about this bank, I’ll apologize later, personally.

Barry nodded, taking the file back.

Roger raised his finger into the air, as if he was testing the wind’s direction. Wait a second.

You have an idea?

Yeah, I do. Go back to the original owners. Check them out. Go over the bank’s transfer of ownership.

Roger’s phone rang. Yes? the voice on the other end was none other than the Secret Service Director, Jonathan Kemp.

How’s the new agent doing that I sent you?

She seems capable enough. Was there something about her background that made you think of my task force?

I thought that her military background might be of assistance, particularly with your group chasing down those Russian Mafia types.

How so? Was there something I should have read between the lines of her personnel file?

Yes, the voice trailed off. She’s had a considerable amount of experience in special operations.

So you’re suggesting I need more zealous, ex-military types to work on my group’s cases?

Not at all, I sent her to your group because I thought you could use her skills. I could have sent her to a group with a lot less need for her background. Besides, what are you afraid of anyway, that you might get to like her?

Yes... Roger turned to look at the picture of another female agent recently killed on a difficult and deadly case.

Such honesty is refreshing Roger, especially here on Capitol Hill. I could get used to it.

Roger nodded to himself, Things have a tendency of getting pretty rough around here.

Autumm Leeves can handle herself well physically, she’s also intellectually brilliant.

That’s what I thought about the last female agent on this team but things didn’t work out so well, did they?

I admit it was my mistake to keep you from going to Moscow with your team. So there, I’ve said it. Now, get over your loss. Believe me; we all miss your last female agent. But it’s time to move forward.

Roger shuffled the papers on his desk after the call. It wasn’t so easy to put his feelings behind him. The female agent he lost had a name, Mandy Sula. There were others as well. She was still part of his task force, even in her death. He didn’t handle agent losses well. The Director’s avoidance of her name meant he was trying to reduce the pain of her loss and the others. Roger never wanted to lessen the pain. It kept him on a razor edge.

The rest of the week passed quietly. The voices of Kevin and Autumm carried throughout the office. Roger could tell by their voices that they were beginning to acclimate to each other, though such wasn’t so obvious to someone unfamiliar with Kevin. He and Kevin had been a team for many years, from before their days in the Marine Corps, in the Corps, and now in the Secret Service. It was a softening of the voice that told Roger volumes about his friend Kevin. He still maintained his outward appearance of being aloof, and gruff, if not distant. That was just Kevin’s personality.

The following week Kevin stormed into Roger’s office again. It just isn’t going to work out Roger! With that, Kevin tossed the small package onto Roger’s desk.

What isn’t going to work out, Kevin? Roger picked up the odd shaped package.

Open it first, ordered Kevin, defiantly, pointing and shaking his finger at the package.

Roger accommodated him. The package had a wedge of soft cheese inside. Roger’s loud laughter echoed throughout the task force’s offices. You remembered.

She’s hard headed and impossible, Roger. That’s it, she’s just impossible. Kevin seemed to be daring Roger to counter his argument.

I know, and I quite agree. Draw up the papers and I’ll get her shipped out of here this afternoon.

Roger noticed Kevin’s eyes narrowed. It was obvious; he was surprised. Kevin stuttered as his voice toned down by half. Well, I might need to work with her a little more. I mean, it’s only been one week. Maybe we ought to...

Roger raised his hand, as a stop gesture. No, no, I mean it, I think you’re right. You’ve tried your best for a week. That’s all I ever expected.

Kevin shook his head back and forth quickly. Oh hell, I’m not ready to admit defeat just yet. It only makes me look bad. I want to wait, perhaps another week or so. Maybe it’s just me.

Roger kept his poker face on, not giving up anything. Well, I suppose we could wait, perhaps just one more week. Roger’s right eyebrow arched. Only if you insist I do so.

Kevin nodded and turned around, looking out into the work area, mumbling, And enjoy your cheese.

Roger noticed that Kevin’s eyes found Autumm, and then he returned his attention to Roger. It’s the only fair thing to do.

Then it’s settled. You’ll go down in history as being a fair-minded person. Round everyone up for our meeting while I get some coffee.

The members of the task force flooded into the conference room for the routine weekly briefing. Roger followed the crowd in and sat among his agents. Agent Barry White cleared his throat and spoke, quietly at first, then picked up volume. My leads are dead in the water. I’ve pulled the records of the bank apart and can’t find one damn irregularity. Does anyone have any ideas? He looked around and tossed the file disgustedly onto the table in front of him.

Well...it’s the same with me on my investigation, said agent Chris Hayes. I’ve torn the records of my bank apart. Dammit, I’m sure the Russian Mafia has used, and is using this bank in their credit card fraud. I can’t find the trail though. Anyone can jump in with some ideas anytime. He tossed his file on the table next to the other file.

Roger looked around at the agents assigned to other banking investigations. Their faces reflected similar findings. So banks have now become our Achilles Heel?

Oh, that’s simply not true Roger. You’re over-reaching. It’s just in our investigations with this one particular bunch of leads, that I see some problems, said Kevin. And that means this one group of criminals may have found a new twist we haven’t seen before."

The other cases are going well then? Roger asked. He glanced at the other agents and saw some nods. Somebody talk to me.

We’ve all had a chance to talk about some of the new cases, another agent claimed.

Roger picked up the folders. And what’s the verdict on these?

Chris cleared his throat. Well, Boss, Chris went on, acting as if he were testing the water before making the plunge. Those cases do seem to be dead on arrival.

I don’t accept that. Give me a solution I’ll accept.

Chris looked around the room for help. Finding none, he sank back into his chair. Well...

Another agent spoke up. Since we may be looking at a new type of operation going on with these banks, maybe we should make some assumptions about them.

Roger’s head turned and faced the agent. Go on.

Suppose they’re connected.

Connected? You think they’re connected? asked another agent.

Why not treat them like they are? We haven’t been able to find any irregularities yet we’re pretty sure something’s foul.

Then let’s bundle them into one case and turn up the heat. How does that sound? Roger looked around and saw the agents give him an approval. The strategy meeting went on the rest of the day. At the end of the meeting, Roger stayed behind and poured over every detail found in the reports in front of him. It wasn’t normal for a case to stump his agents. They were good in ferreting out criminals in financial crimes using banks. If his agents couldn’t find the trail, then maybe it was true, as his agent had proposed: the Russian Mafia had found a fresh way of hiding and moving their money.

Kevin walked into the conference room. You’re not going home again tonight, Boss?

Eventually. I just wanted...

I got it. You just wanted to make sure that your agents didn’t miss something. They’re better than us Roger, you and me...all of them. They’re the new wave hitting the beach. We’re like part of that old spent wave, lost its energy and washes back into the sea.

I suppose you’re right, but even a spent wave is refreshed and used in the next new wave.

Touché. So did you find anything?

Something’s nagging at my gut on these cases. I’ll be damned if I know what it is though.

Kevin pulled up a chair next to Roger and began looking through the cases. Any hints?

You know how my gut instincts work, they just nag me, but never tell me anything specific.

You really ought to work on those damn guts. It’d sure make our lives easier if they were a little more specific. Roger gave a quick laugh and resumed sorting through the papers, quietly. He stayed behind when Kevin left for the night.

Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Kevin strolled into the task force’s offices. He came prepared to do the task force’s morning reports for Roger’s approval. He looked around and noticed that he had arrived before the other agents. The phone rang. Kevin picked it up.

This is Gail Endicott. Please. I must speak to Roger Murphy.

Sorry Ma’am, he isn’t in yet, but he’s due any minute. Perhaps I can help you.

No! I must speak only to Roger. Please have him call me. It’s urgent, very urgent.

Kevin took down the information and then went to place the message on Roger’s desk. Roger was sleeping at his desk with a heap of papers under his head. Don’t you have someplace to go at night? Kevin tossed the piece of paper to Roger. This call came in while you were asleep. Anyone I know?

Roger read the message and grumbled. You know her brother. He works over at the Federal Reserve bank, Phillip Endicott.

Oh yeah, an auditor, or something like that, right?

He was once upon a time, maybe. Now he’s one of the bank examiners for the New York Federal Reserve.

Why would his sister be calling you? Kevin asked a little suspiciously. You two have something going I should know about?

Slow down Kevin. Give me a few minutes and I’ll find out. Now, don’t you have someone else to bother?

No! Just you!

Roger toyed with the note for a few moments. I’m not sure what would cause Phillip’s sister to call me. I know Phillip, but I’ve only talked to her on a few occasions. She joined Phillip and me for lunch, once. I remember her as an attractive and intelligent woman.

You’ve been separated from Samantha long enough to have some interest in another woman. What’s wrong with this one?

I think that’s what Phillip had in mind when he asked her join us for lunch.

So what went wrong?

She’s a dentist.

And that’s a problem?

"Yeah it’s a problem. You know there is only one thing in the world that really gets me worried.

Kevin laughed. Yeah, I know, bugs right?

Roger chuckled and nodded, Okay, so maybe there are two things, being around a dentist is the second one and it is a big one. I feel like a patient when we talk.

Maybe she’s decided to try harder at being personable.

Roger smiled and shook his head. No. I don’t think so.

Kevin shrugged his shoulders. I guess you’re right.

Roger locked eyes with Kevin. Why do you say that?

Kevin reached for the phone on Roger’s desk and shoved it in front of Roger. Because she sounded so worried, she was almost in tears. Maybe you’d better call her. Forget that she’s a dentist for now. Kevin dialed the number for Roger.

Roger took the phone.

Roger? the excited voice answered.

Yes, he replied, caught by surprise. Is this Gail Endicott, Phillip Endicott’s sister?

Yes-yes. Oh Roger, I need so much to talk to you.

Why? How can I help you, Gail?

I can’t talk now. This phone line isn’t safe.

Gail...you’re going to have to tell me something.

Very well, the voice turned colder, with a monotone quality to it.

My brother has been murdered!

What was that? Roger swung into a sitting position, stunned, alert.

It’s true. Phillip was murdered. He always talked about you. He most admired what you did at the Secret Service. That’s why I called. I thought you’d want to know.

Phillip is...or was a friend of mine. Of course, I’m interested in talking with you. Where and when can I see you?

Remember where you had lunch with Phillip, and I joined you?

Yes, at...?

No! Say nothing! she interrupted. Remember the time of that meeting?

I think so, replied Roger, puzzled by her demeanor. Her behavior was far from a demur woman who had once impressed him as having liked her sedentary life.

Phillip told me about your gut feelings being prophetic. Go by them now. She hung up. Roger sat, uncertain of how to take the news Gail delivered.

Kevin walked back into Roger’s office after the call and took the phone from Roger’s hand. Well?

Roger shrugged. I don’t know what to think. She said Phillip was murdered.

Murdered?

Roger nodded slowly. Yeah, murdered. She was terrified that I might say the name of the place where we would meet.

Oh shit Roger. I wonder...

Yeah, me to. My gut instincts may have been telling me something about this call or about what happened, and not any case. Is that what you thought?

Bingo.

If Phillip has been murdered, it’s way out of our jurisdiction to be involved. I would think she knows that.

Maybe she just wants to have a shoulder to cry on. You do have a strong shoulder, don’t you? Kevin grinned as Autumm entered.

Did I hear someone has strong shoulders? Who has strong shoulders? Autumm asked.

Kevin was telling me he thought you did, Autumm.

How little he knows, she replied with a smile.

I hear those waves crashing on the beach, Roger. I have to go. Then Kevin left, grumbling in an inaudible voice.

Roger checked the clock on the wall. Meet me back here in four hours. We’ll be going to a luncheon. Don’t be bashful in being well prepared. Roger headed for the door. I’m on my way home to change. I’ll be back in time for lunch.

Autumm continued to watch until Roger entered the elevator.

Barry walked by her. What’s the deep concentration all about?

Roger just told me to meet him for a lunch date...I guess.

Barry shook his head. Never happen. It must be something else, believe me. What did he say?

That we’re going to a luncheon and for me not to be bashful in being well prepared.

Then you’d better be well prepared. Got your body armor here?

In the closet.

Get it on. Be sure to have a comm link and check with Kevin to make certain you get one with Roger’s frequency.

For a luncheon?

Barry smiled a big Boy Scout smile. There’s no such thing as a free lunch around here. You’d better learn that fast.

How do you know that’s what Roger had in mind?

I doubt he even knew what he had in mind. See, that’s how it is with Roger. Most of the time he just lets his instincts be his guide. Sometimes he does things because it seems right to him.

Are you telling me that he told me to be ready for trouble, when he had no logical reason to expect trouble, all because of some gut instincts?

Barry nodded and smiled. Bizarre, isn’t it? I think it goes even deeper though. I think he wasn’t even aware that he told you to be prepared.

Autumm shook her head slowly. What he really wants me to do is be his backup?

Take it a step further. There may be a reason having a female backup is better having a male backup. Who knows?

Autumm smiled. This is all bullshit, isn’t it? I mean, you’re just playing some games with me, right? I’ll bet Kevin put you up to this as a gag.

Barry shook his head slowly. No. Kevin may tease and generally play the class joker, but Roger never jokes around except to give Kevin a hard time. They’ve been best friends for more years than I can imagine. But, I’ve seen how Roger’s instincts work first hand. Believe me when I say you’d better listen to them. Ask anyone. I think we all have some stories about his instincts. We usually get into a jam when we don’t listen to them.

No way.

You’ll see. Just make sure you’re on the right side of them so you can learn. Otherwise....

Autumm nodded suspiciously. Yeah, sure thing Barry.

Four hours later Roger walked back into the office with a fresh change of clothes on. Barry approached him with Kevin in tow. Do you anticipate needing some additional backup, Roger?

Backup? Who needs backup?

Yeah, you know, for your lunch meeting.

You guys think I need help with my salad?

Barry shook his head vigorously, No, not even close Boss.

Good. I simply think it’s a good time to take Autumm into the field and see for myself if she’s ready for our type of cases.

Yeah, sure, if you say so, Boss. I’ll have my gear on, just in case though, said Barry.

Kevin opened his jacket to show Roger that he had his equipment on. I’m ready too, Boss. We’ll both be close… just in case.

Roger nodded. Thanks. But it’s just a lunch and field exercise for Autumm, like I told you two knuckleheads.

It’s never that simple, Roger, you should know that, we all do. Everyone seems to understand how things work with you, except you.

I surrender, Kevin. Keep a good distance though; I’m afraid of spooking Phillip’s sister. She sounded like she’s already on the edge. Roger gave a quick motion with his head. Let’s go Autumm. You drive.

Twenty minutes later Autumm drove the big government sedan toward the restaurant; it was a sedan screaming government. Autumm spotted a parking spot and started to pull into the opening.

No, not here, park down there. Roger pointed to another spot.

A restaurant familiar to Roger, sat innocuous, gathering its usual lunch crowd. After a few minutes of searching the customer faces from the street, a familiar one stood out from the rest. Roger vaguely remembered that one face. Now, he recognized that she had become very cautious. Everything she did, he noticed, indicated that she was scared. This sort of behavior seemed out of place for the woman he had once met at this restaurant. He was feeling spooked himself, just watching her. The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up. That was never a good sign.

Autumm’s voice pulled Roger’s attention back to the present and his immediate plans. Any signs of her yet Roger?

He nodded slowly while keeping his eyes fixed on Gail. She’s in the corner booth. Roger exited the car, followed by Autumm. No. You watch my back while I go inside and talk with her.

Are you having one of those feelings everyone talks about?

Roger turned back to face her. I see you’ve been listening to those knot heads at the office.

Then they’re trying to pull something on me?

Well... Roger turned and faced the restaurant again as he began to cross the street. Just watch my back.

Roger entered the restaurant and circled through the crowd just to satisfy his own curiosity. He found no reason for discomfort, yet he still felt unsettled. That worried him more than anything else did, so far. What could make him feel so unsettled in this unthreatening setting? He slipped through the busy crowd to his destination.

Gail?

The woman’s eyes locked onto Roger. She broke her gaze to let her eyes search the lunch crowd once more before answering. Yes, I’m glad you remembered the time. I worried that you wouldn’t.

Roger slid into the booth and positioned himself with his back to one wall so