The President's Own

By Steven Roberts

A new case pits agents of both the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation against powerful foes who have left a trail of death and destruction. Surprising adversaries and allies both unite on each side of the battle lines drawn in blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Roberts
• Release date: Feb 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9780984945238

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 President’s Own

By

Steven L. Roberts

The President’s Own

Copyright 2012

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 978-0-9849452-3-8

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

A new case pits agents of both the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation against powerful foes who have left a trail of death and destruction. Surprising adversaries and allies both unite on each side of the battle lines drawn in blood.

Also by Steven L. Roberts

Wildflowers

The Proscenium Conspiracy

The Jericho Papers

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 1

Bucharest, Romania

Three men lined up against the manufacturing plant’s now crumbling wall. Only ten feet away, two men held AK-47s leveled at them. The dark dressed leader stepped from the back end of a canvas covered heavy transport truck. He walked a short distance to the captive men. He addressed one of the men. You know who I am?

The man nodded nervously, Of course I do.

Only inches away, the darkly dressed man spoke, just above a whisper, Then say it! Say my name so I’ll know you really do know my name and who I am!

Hesitating, the captive studied his tormentor. Radu! You are Radu. You are the brother of the President.

A smile broke out across the darkly dressed man as he nodded his approval. Yes! You are right; I am the brother of the great man himself, the President!

But the load was arranged by him. We were only following the orders he gave us.

My brother is a pig. He’s a Western lackey. I have a better use for these than him lining his pockets. Pick one man to live and deliver a message to him.

The three men broke into an argument among themselves.

Impatiently, Radu tapped his foot until he could wait no longer. Well? Who lives? He sneered at the men. No answers came from them. He waved. The AK 47s were unleashed and barked streams of death. Three bodies slumped to the ground. Radu waved to the new driver of the shipment, and then he inched closer to the bodies. No sounds reached his ears.

A man in military attire stood nearby. Who will deliver the message now, Radu?

He’s the President. Let him figure it out himself. I have my date to go on. I had no more time to waste on these jackals.

You have a date?

Of course I do. I’m taking my niece out on the town. It’s for her birthday.

You’re taking out Laurian?

I only have one niece.

Yes, of course. Do you think the President will object? The men broke into laughter.

Are you going to...?

Tread very carefully, my friend, remember, this is my niece. I’ll kill everyone else in my brother’s family, but my niece is like my own daughter. A silence immediately fell over the men.

One Month Later

A cell phone rang. The leader answered it and ended the short exchange. Remember that everybody except the one witness must die!

How many people are in there? Do you have any idea? asked one of the men.

The leader slammed a full bullet magazine into his weapon and drew a deep breath. The Ambassador’s estate has twenty full time staffers there all of the time. The guest list for tonight says there’s going to be twenty, plus the staff.

You’re sure about your numbers? asked another.

The leader grinned, I have it from two well-informed sources.

I hope so. I hate surprises, replied the questioner.

A whispered voice broke the silence, Are we on time?

The leader looked at his watch. He nodded, As planned. Has everyone memorized their responsibilities on the mission tonight? The leader, David, looked into each man’s eyes. Any of them with reservations could cost the mission. It was going to be a particularly brutal one.

One of the men spoke up, Are you sure this will send the right message?

David nodded, Oh yes, this will send the message we want sent. His eyes darted about the men, This will be easy for all of you, once you get started and killing is all about being warmed up. This should get everyone adequately warmed up, David laughed. Ten men inside a van nodded and let loose with nervous laughs.

The leader used his cell phone. Ten minutes. If anyone drives in that even looks like they may be a threat, eliminate the problem. Don’t waste time. He disconnected and dialed a second number, an observation post. Nine minutes. Remember the plan and stick with it.

The second in command shoved his magazine into his weapon and charged the bolt. The weapon was now ready. He sat for a second, sporting a look on his face that indicated he was in deep thought. He stared at David, looking over a list of names, And the Ambassador, David, what about him?

I’m getting there. The leader’s finger slid down the list. He stopped and picked a name. He dialed the residence. An attendant answered after three rings.

Yes?

I’m calling for Mr. Radziki. He ran off and forgot a package for the Ambassador. He needs it brought as a party surprise, for the Ambassador and his wife. Do I have time to get it delivered before the Ambassador arrives?

Well, I’m not supposed to say anything about his timing, but since you called on the private line, I guess I can say it’s too late. The Ambassador arrived minutes ago.

I guess Mr. Radziki will have to make other arrangements. A quick nod followed to the second in command.

The black van snaked its way past the quiet residential houses, then among larger residences and mansions. The mansion sits in the most exclusive enclave in Alexandria, Virginia. Ahead of them, the headlights catch the fringes of the high stone and steel reinforced walls looming in the driver’s view. They marked the outer boundaries of a large mansion and its estate belonging to Romania’s Ambassador to the United States, Emil Hagi.

Get ready back there. I’m driving past the estate now. The guardhouse has three guards out at the front gate, David, the driver whispered into his intercom. Are they part of your body count?

No, they would be extras! Do they look paramilitary, asked the leader into the van intercom.

I would say that they’re not Romanian paramilitary types

Then it doesn’t really matter who else they might be, they have to die, David’s hand slipped from the intercom button as he sat back down.

The black commercial van came to a stop inside dark shadows. Stationary cameras sat atop the mansion’s roof, covering particular sectors of the property. The first man exiting the vehicle brought six sharp metal poles, each with a step near its bottom to drive the long spike into the ground. He carried additional devices he mounted on the poles and then activated them all at the proper time.

Ten men in black, camouflaged clothing, and heavily armed, moved among the shadows toward their destination. The men had trained for the operation and had memorized every detail about the property. The men quickly closed the last twenty feet gap to the guardhouse when each man came to a stop at his assigned place to hide. The man leading the others had a black box with a button and antenna. Glancing at his watch, he nodded to his men. Two fingers went into the air, the signal for them to wait two minutes, exactly.

When the last spike went into the ground, the man affixed a high quality laser emitter to the pole. Then the man meticulously aimed the laser at a particular camera lens on the top of the mansion. He pulled the antenna out of the device just as he had done with each of the others. They were now all in place. Each awaited the signal, instantly powering up powerful emitters, neutralizing each of the six cameras. The man reentered the van and turned on the radio frequency jamming equipment. This equipment neutralizes all radio frequencies, after activation of the laser equipment. The roof-mounted cameras, in the gated compound, sends pictures to a remotely located guard service. He still had one more job that he must complete.

The equipment man grabbed a small pack and a heavy metal tool then ran to a manhole access cover one hundred yards away. There, he opened the cover. He climbed inside and wrapped multiple layers of explosive detonation cord around the Steel conduit housing thousands of telephone cables as well as other communications lines. In so doing, he reduced ten minutes in cutting time to a mere ten seconds, all accomplished once he activated the timed delay ignition device. Done, he left, and replaced the manhole cover to contain the blast effects. Once back at the van, the manhole cover exploded into the air, as if in a cartoon-like picture, with fire trailing behind. It came crashing down with a loud thud and rolling metal sound. It was all over as fast as it had happened.

The leader glanced at his men, having heard the sound at the end of the long property. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, as if contemplating his next action. It was time to roll. He gave his hand signals for his men to go and then hit the radio transmitter button. Ten men exploded into action in the direction of the guardhouse, just as the guards were taking action after hearing the explosion.

The raiders burst from the protective shadows with assault rifle automatic weapons. Two men carried even smaller weapons, sub-machine guns firing 9mm bullets. The men with sub-machine guns opened up with sustained bursts of bullets, instantly killing three men standing near the gatehouse. These three dead men wore the standard government communications links with tiny microphones on their sport coat lapels and earphones stuck into their ears. The two last men on this team of marauders stayed behind and pulled the three dead guards into the guardhouse. These two raiders then went about destroying the communication system found at the front gate. The gate was now secure, once the men operated the anti-entry tire guard and vehicle barriers. The two men then joined with those preparing to invade the mansion. The men split into their two man teams before entering the house at their assigned entry points.

Team One, slammed through the front door, the first man shooting left and the second shooting right as they run through the large open hall. People inside the hall were walking about and socializing with the ambassador’s embassy staff as the gunmen started shooting. The main room off the entry was the central gathering location. The men’s weapons did not sport silencers. Their plan was to drive the people like cattle, to the awaiting muzzles of teams Two and Three, entering at each of the other ends of the mansion. The well-choreographed slaughter broke off into multiple locations as survivors of the initial wave of carnage attempted to flee.

Team Two, entered through the service entrance fifteen seconds after the sounds of the gunfire erupts in the main room. As the initial attack began, those people in the mansion who were not in the main room, immediately fled to remote exits, running into ambush teams waiting to take over the elimination process. This ambush team, however, used silencers on their weapons. The fast staccatos of bullets hitting wood, glass, and metal items in the room needed no explanation to any person present, still alive. These were patterns of sounds that horrified innocent people, suddenly caught up in the maelstrom of violence, which had spontaneously erupted around them as they entered the corridor of death.

Team Three, entered the farthest wing of the mansion by way of the front entrance fifteen seconds later. Just like those men at the service entrance, these men were also using silencers on the weapons they carried. This team was given orders to let one person live. The men on this team wore full masks and stocking caps. Two men with two women came running down a long corridor. The killers stepped from their sheltered hiding spot with their assault weapons leveled.

The party is just beginning. Why leave so soon?

What do you want with us, the escapees shouted as they panted from running. We’re not a part of this embassy.

No?

Who are you?

We’re with the United States government. The taller man replied, still catching his breath from running.

Really? All four of you? the closest invader asked as he moved closer.

Well, anyway, three of us are. That’s my wife Linda, she’s a civilian. The man replied as he pointed at one of the women.

The closest armed man looked at the woman carefully before speaking. Linda, have you ever felt lucky before?

Not usually. I’m here, aren’t I? How lucky can that be? The killer broke out in a loud laugh followed by the second killer. The cell phone made a hushed tone.

The loud killer answered. Yeah. No. I haven’t seen that one. He closed his phone and returned his attention to the woman. Where was I? Oh yeah. Yes you’re here. But you have a ticket to pass. First, put these on. The killer handed the woman handcuffs. One hand only and leave the other free.

No. I’m not going anywhere.

I know. You’re staying. But put those on or you can die like all the rest. She reluctantly put on the cuffs as she glanced at the other three with her. The killer squeezed the handcuff link tighter so the cuff securely fit Linda’s wrist.

Now what? Linda’s husband asked.

The first killer nodded at the second, as the second man’s rounds ripped from the barrel of the sub-machine gun into the three other people in front of the woman. The first killer kept his eyes on the woman as the second killer reduced the bodies into crumpled, unholy rubble of bloody remains.

Take a good look. Remember those bodies and that we had such fun in their murders.

Animals! Filthy pigs! she yelled and cursed.

Oh, oh, insults! With that sort of emotion, your husband is a lucky man too. He doesn’t have to deal with all the raw outrage and passion you must have! He stepped closer to the bodies and thrust a hand into the bloodiest part of the mess. With blood all over his hand, he rubbed it onto the woman’s face and hair. Now explode in rage. Let me feel your anger or I’ll go find another to live and you can die, he whispered softly into her ear.

I will not give you the satisfaction of being your puppet. I will remember this moment and make sure I see you die, up close and very painfully. Everyone will know about you.

Good, I want you to tell your story about tonight. Do not leave out any of the details and the gore you witnessed. Let them feel your pain. You’ll be the lone survivor to tell how horribly everyone here died.

Oh my God. You’re such butchers. She yelled, defiantly.

Say it just like that, just like that. See…you’re already doing so well. The killer grabbed the handcuff end and locked it to the door handle on a steel door.

David found the Ambassador running from his study. So, Mister Ambassador, you’re deserting your guests!

What are you doing? My country will pay you. What is it that you want?"

Only to watch you die Emil, only to watch you die.

But why? I don’t know you. What have I done?

It’s not what you did do Emil, it’s what you didn’t do?

David pulled the trigger twice, and watched as Ambassador Emil Hagi’s body crashed down the steps to the floor below. David was quick to rejoin the systematic elimination of the people at the Ambassador’s party.

The equipment man pulled the black van to the rear gate. This gated entrance had chains on the massive steel gates and an alarm circuit. Its design, however, allowed a grounds crew onto the property for taking care of the thirty acres that make up the ambassador’s estate. This gate, while large, imposing, and intimidating, offered little resistance to the powerful hydraulic cutting jaws. The thick jaws sliced the big lock and chain like a butter knife through warm butter. Alarms, once guaranteed to bring the security officers running, fell upon dead ears in the guardhouse. The massive gate was now open. Ten men were almost ready to leave through the rear of the house to the waiting van.

David found the Chief of Staff in the room where the communications codes and satellite communications links to Romania were located. The room offered no help. The Ambassador’s house would be empty of life in three minutes, or less. David walked inside with his weapon leveled at the man absorbed in his futile attempt to use the communication system.

You must not like the party either. I have a message that I want to send to your boss.

The Ambassador was my boss. I saw you kill him on the monitor, only seconds ago.

Is that so? Somehow, I don’t think you answer to him.

What do you mean by that?

You know what I mean? The Chief of Staff turned and glared at David.

Please enlighten me if you would. The Chief of Staff replied as he stared at the weapon leveled at him.

You know who I am?

The Chief of Staff shook his head, No, of course not.

Does fifty million dollars ring a bell? The man’s eyes reflected his sign of surprise.

No. Should it?

I have no time for this. Send the message to your boss. Tell him to either ‘comply’ or more will die. The man turned and the keyboard for the computer was a blur of keystrokes.

It is done, just as you ordered.

So are you. David fired two rounds into the Chief of Staff. His limp body crashed forward onto the computer keyboard. David stared at the oozing blood for a moment, and then, satisfied with the death, turned and left to check the progress of his men.

Team Four and Five went room by room, upstairs and down, searching for any others who were hiding. None found, the cleanup was finished.

Observation post One, watched as the local police car wound its way along the drive heading in the direction of the Ambassador’s Estate. A barely audible metal sound indicated the charging lever on a sub-machine gun was pulled back, charging the gun’s mechanism, was now prepared to fire. The first man nodded at the second, the trap was set. The car approached the hidden attackers. The car’s occupants were unaware of the deadly confrontation waiting just around the bend in the road. The first man punched in the numbers on his cell phone. Two in one unit are making the last turn to you now.

The man in the van spoke. We can now see their headlights.

The man at observation post one spoke again, That’s them.

The attacker’s car made the last turn. The passenger stepped out, onto the street, attracting the attention of the police inside the cruiser, and holding his weapon behind him. The police cruiser slowed down. An attacker stepped into the street behind the slowing police car. Once the car had slowed, two men opened a deadly barrage of gunfire that could not miss the officers in the car. Both officers received bullets from the front and rear of the car. The police cruiser veered off into the trees and crashed. The attackers checked the time and returned to their car. The passenger side attacker removed a can of gasoline and quickly doused the police cruiser’s interior. He moved to the rear and fired a round into the gas tank. The streaming gas fumes ignited as both men returned to their car and left. The fire lit up the night in their rear window.

Phillip, the second in command, approached the leader at a running stride.

The package isn’t here, not anywhere, he said while catching his breath. I checked with the others. They were not able to find it either.

No? You’re absolutely sure?

Positive. I’ve gone through every room, David.

David sighed, Then take me to the room. The two men ran to a room.

David looked all over the room for any signs that might help.

What do you make of this? David joined Phillip as he displayed the birthday card. Did you know about this, David?

No. He read the card several times. Plans can change. Now, we must clear out of here.

David returned to the code room and removed all the recording drives for the mansion’s internal cameras, inserting fresh digital drives. He made sure he left all of the machines in the off position. He went to the two computers and inserted a small flash drive. He then typed the format commands to make both computers perform a full formatting of the internal hard drives. Once done, he stood and ran to the main floor where his men were now gathered.

You have accounted for everyone? He glanced around the men.

Yes, they replied in unison.

Very well, we go to the van, now!

The black van snaked through the streets on a different path as it exited the area.

Phillip slowly removed his gear. Without looking up he asked, You sent the communication?

David nodded as he stripped off his equipment, Yes, of course.

And the fifty million dollars, our money? asked another man.

David shrugged his shoulders and sighed. I’m sure it’s gone, it seems inevitable.

And now? asked another of the men.

Now? Now we go home. The sooner we return the better.

Falls Church, Virginia

Roger rolled over in bed having a hard time sleeping. A phone rang. He lunged at it so hard he slipped out of bed and smacked his head on his dresser. Several seconds later, Samantha picked up the phone. Roger was still cursing and carrying on about his head as he rubbed at it.

Samantha handed him the phone. It’s for you Roger, it’s the Director. He’s waiting.

Roger pulled himself up off the floor, still rubbing his head when he answered the phone. It’s Roger, Sir. Sorry for the delay.

This is way out of your task force’s responsibility Roger. I think you’ll be interested in working on this though.

We’re overloaded, Sir, you know that, but I’m listening.

The police reports are just coming in and they’re sketchy at best, but we lost three agents tonight.

Three!

Yes, that’s right. I would feel more comfortable having you and your task force looking into this matter.

What happened?

The Romanian Ambassador’s estate was hit a short time ago. I know you haven’t worked much with a Foreign Mission assignment Roger, but I could really use you on this one.

"No Sir, it’s not like I haven’t worked much on them, you may try to remember that I’ve never worked on any of them. Foreign Mission assignments are ‘foreign’ to me, Sir. I even know that you’ve heard me mention my reluctance to do so.

Ha, ha! Well, sometimes people’s interests change.

After the last two cases I’ve turned down the President when he requested to have me work with the White House detail. I’ll continue to stiffly resist any change in my assignment.

Yes, yes, I know. I might add that I’m happy you have turned his requests down. But this is important.

Why? What’s so special here? All of them are important.

Aside from our three agents, the body count is thirty-seven, Roger, thirty-seven.

Thirty-seven!

Yes. I don’t like losing Secret Service agents. I especially don’t like it when they’re killed working on a Foreign Mission protection detail.

Was there any hint of problems?

None, nada, zip. I might add that our agents were there only because of the usual formal request. The Ambassador, Emil Hagi, only asked that we provide a detail when he is on the estate, hosting a party. That only amounts to perhaps a few nights a month. The rest of the time he resides in the city at the Embassy compound.

You still haven’t told me why you want me on this case.

Roger, the one survivor to the massacre is my sister, Linda. She’ll remember you. I know she trusts you and Kevin, she has said so many times in the past. I doubt she trusts many people in government. I trust any of my agents, but I know she won’t.

I see. Where’s Linda now.

She’s still there. Roger, they murdered her husband right in front of her and then wiped his blood on her face and hair. I have to admit that I’m not handling this too well myself. I want someone to bring this crew of murderers to justice. You now have full jurisdiction on this case.

Then I guess I had better go on over there.

There was a brief quiet on the line. Finally, the Director spoke in a subdued tone. Yes, I guess you better do that.

Roger? Samantha purred as she rolled over to him. He was rubbing a rising bump on his head. Are you going out?

Looks like it. There’s been some trouble with the Romanian mission. Guess I’ll have to take the case.

But Honey, you don’t work on Foreign Mission cases. Isn’t it a little...weak for your normal cases, like chasing down gangs of Russian Mafia counterfeiters or terrorists and stuff like that? Roger laughed at her thinking his cases were somehow macho and in Foreign Mission, assignments were sissy, or easy.

He shook his head and gave her a firm pat on her rear end. Look, there were three agents killed on one of those weak assignments my darling. All assignments are potentially dangerous.

Oh sweetheart, I’m sorry. She shot up out of bed.

I understand. Usually it’s just checking cars and personnel, as they go through gates. The Director’s sister is lone survivor and she has a history of not trusting government people much.

It’s Linda? Samantha blurted out.

Yeah, Linda, Roger gave a mumbled response.

Maybe I’d better go too. Didn’t you two once have one pretty hot thing going?

Baby, compared to us, it was a cold shower, you know that.

Roger picked up the phone dialing Kevin LeMay, his task Force partner, former partner in the Marine Corps, and best friend in life.

Get ready, I’ll be there in ten minutes to pick you up.

What? The hell you say.

Be ready, we’ll talk when I pick you up.

Alexandria Virginia Countryside

The drive to the Ambassador’s estate was less than an hour. A contingent of Alexandria police had already blocked the gates when Roger pulled to a stop near the estate entrance. Agents of the FBI were at the front gate, inside the estate’s walls, and swarming around the surrounding area. Roger pulled his car into a long line of official vehicles and walked close to the gate, stopping briefly to look at the drives and walls of the estate. Nearing the main house Roger could see inside the main estate entry and locked eyes with Linda. Roger didn’t need to flash his credentials; working in Washington D.C. has the advantage of being familiar with many of the federal agents who worked there and in the surrounding areas.

I thought you handled the more macho cases, Roger. This one is not the sort of stuff I thought you got assigned to. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent Karl Vinson, asked as he smiled at Roger.

Now that’s really funny, Vinson, my wife said the same thing, not more than twenty minutes ago. Are you two talking behind my back?

Vinson laughed as he shook his head, Not in this lifetime, Roger. Who would ever want to cross you?

I’m a pussy-cat Karl, you know that. Roger smiled with a devilish grin.

Your reputation and my personal knowledge precede you, my friend.

Roger looked around, So what can you tell me so far?

We haven’t touched anything. Guess this mess is all yours now. If we can help with anything let me know. By the way, here’s a brass shell case I picked up at the front gate. I didn’t want it driven on, or stepped on, before someone collected all the others.

Roger took the evidence bag with the casing enclosed. Thanks, I’ll be sure and add it to my collection. I suppose there will be a lot, from what I heard.

Karl nodded solemnly, Yes that is an understatement. Then I’ll get out of here, Roger.

Roger shook his head, Hang around awhile buddy, who knows what might turn up. Extra eyes are always better.

Karl followed Roger inside. Roger stood at the door watching Linda in the main salon. Karl whispered to Roger, I heard she’s been like that since we arrived.

I would expect nothing less. Roger sighed as he approached Linda.

She was shaking. I’m surprised to see you Roger. She looked at him for a moment. I’d forgotten how tall you are.

He gave her a smile with his embarrassment written all over his face. I’m taking lots of vitamins these days, I guess they help.

And look at you; you’re just as much a hunk now as before. She smiled, relaxing a bit. Oh that’s right, I heard about you getting married. She must be pretty athletic to keep you in such good shape. I think that was the trouble we had. I wasn’t the athletic type.

I was in good shape then, too.

She gave him a weak smile. I’m glad you remembered that.

Roger shook his head slowly. That’s not where we had our problems. We didn’t have much in common in our politics, as I remember.

She smiled and nodded slowly. I guess that’s right, too. So, is your wife more ‘politically’ correct?

Roger looked around uncomfortably and returned his attention to Linda. She’s a University Professor in International Finance and Banking.

Linda gave him a look he didn’t understand. I guess that’s a yes, then.

Can we get on with why I’m here, Linda?"

I’ve been waiting for you to get to that. Did my brother ask you to be here?

Roger nodded as he looked around uncomfortably, Yes, of course.

She looked surprised, My-my, such honesty, straight out with it and with no pretenses at all. You haven’t changed. This isn’t your kind of case though, is it?

I guess that’s what everyone thinks. I’m here though. I’m sorry to hear about Ted.

Thanks. I guess I’m glad you came, after all.

Roger smiled, "I don’t mind being a calm place in a troubled world.

She seemed to relax more, "You were always that way, unflappable no matter what was going on around you.

Linda, tell me anything you can remember that can get me started.

Phones!

What do you mean, phones, Linda?

The bastard who killed Ted and the others in the hall used a phone. Someone called him. Imagine that. They’re so cavalier in their murders they actually take time out to talk on the phone. I’m galled by their depraved indifference to our lives and deaths.

Do you have any recollection of what time it was?

It was exactly at 8:17, Roger.

You sound convinced and you are so precise? How can you be that sure.

Ted was killed at 8:16. The call came one minute later.

How do you know that, Linda?

Go look at Ted’s watch. They hit the watch with those twenty rounds or more when they killed him. It was at 8:16 exactly.

Were they wearing any comm links like we use?

She shook her head slowly, almost reluctantly. No. I didn’t see any.

Did you see any faces?

She shook her head again, No, None.

Roger watched her reactions closely, No faces?

Masks, but that bastard who smeared Ted’s blood on me didn’t wear gloves like the other one. He had a mark on his left hand, which I remember.

What sort of mark?

Like someone who wants a tattoo but can’t afford one. It was one of those marks someone makes with a pen.

Remember what it said?

It didn’t say anything. There were four letters. All had a period after each letter. The four capital letters were ALMM. That was all there was, Roger, ALMM.

Remember the phone he used?

It was real small. I might even go so far as to say it was a tiny phone, maybe an inch and a half wide or smaller. It was no more than four inches long, maybe a little shorter.

Remember the weapons?

Oh yeah, I have no problem remembering that detail. They were those plain, long barrel, full automatic AK47s, with big silencers attached. There’s something else, Roger, now that I think about it.

Yeah...what?

I just remembered the boots.

That’s pretty good. You looked at the boots?

When you’re on the floor, horrified at what you just saw, to be on the floor isn’t so bad.

The boots, Linda? What about the boots

They had a little zipper on the side. Like a small pouch was under it.

What color?

They had a dull black finish, maybe as if it was suede.

Do you remember anything else?

Perhaps I’ll remember more in time, Roger. And one other thing I’d like to say right now, while it’s fresh in my mind.

Roger nodded and gave her a reassured look. Please…go on.

She took in a deep breath and sighed, I told the bastard I would make sure I see him die, up close and very painfully. Don’t make me out a liar, please, Roger!

I’ll try to remember that but can’t make you any promises about something like you now suggest, you know that.

She nodded with tears in her eyes. I know, I know. But I am also remembering how you were on your cases.

Roger shrugged and pivoted on one foot. He and his second in command walked away and went through the house carefully examining every detail. Later they approached the rear gate and noticed the manhole.

Kevin looked at the remains of the chains and locks. And I thought dealing with the Russian Mafia was ugly.

Having second thoughts, Kevin?

This is all pretty gruesome, on top of being downright ugly. It’s a lot to take in at one time Roger.

I know it is. I’m having some problems adjusting to it myself. But we have to get on top of this, sooner rather than later, if you get my drift.

Kevin scoffed, Don’t worry about me, I’ll handle my end.

I never had a doubt. I may have been trying to convince myself. Roger looked around at the remains of the carnage. I would say we have our jobs cut out for us, Kevin. We’ll be playing catch on this for several days. We need to go over what we can find out about Romania and Ambassador Hagi.

Do you think this had anything to do with Romania’s national politics, or is it something else? Kevin asked. By now you must have a sense of what happened here

Well, somehow they blinded the cameras outside to keep the guards from seeing much of anything. They even remembered to do a change in the disk drives so the alarm in the machines wouldn’t activate on being empty. Then, there is the whole issue with them taking out all of the phones, the radio systems, and other communications links to the estate. Whoever did this was acting with great precision in their attack and knew something about the estate.

Well what does that sixth sense of yours tell you about all this, asks Kevin.

Knock that crap off. You know better than that.

Well, I’m a believer, remarked Vinson as he walked up near Roger. I’ve seen it firsthand on that case down in Georgia. We can all rest better at night when Roger pays closer attention to that little twitch in his gut. Agent Karl Vinson chuckled as he winked at Kevin.

See Kevin, now you have others talking about that crap.

Oh it’s not crap Bubba, like I said, I’ve seen it first hand and on more than one occasion. So don’t dumb down about it. Use it or let me use it. It saved my ass in the past. Vinson laughed as he watched Roger closely.

Kevin grinned and pointed toward Vinson. See there. He’s just like the others. We all appreciate it. You should too.

Don’t encourage him Karl, he’s bad enough as he is, without you adding to his list of testimonials.

The sun peeked through the morning mist as Roger and Kevin, headed for their Secret Service task force office. Roger Murphy was the Supervising Agent in Charge of this team of agents, who usually worked on cases involving the Russian Mafia. His Secret Service task force dealt with counterfeiting, credit card fraud and other financial instruments, and every once in a while, on crimes using cellular phones. Roger’s task force, however, had never worked on the protective service roles such as Diplomatic Protection or White House duty.

Kevin bounced the cut security lock in his hand So where do we go first, Roger, check out the politicos?

If these murders were part of Romanian political upheavals, then why kill everyone except Linda, Kevin?

They wanted her to tell of the carnage in as horrific terms as she could remember. That was why the killer rubbed blood on her, to impress upon her their brutality in the murders.

Roger was silent for a moment then slowly nodded. I think the message he wanted to send is just as you said.

Kevin turned to face Roger directly. The message? Then you don’t think the murders were politically related, they were instead an exercise in communications?

Roger thought for a moment then nodded, So far, I’d discount any other possibilities.

Kevin’s look reflected his disbelief. Totally? No wiggle room on this?

Roger nodded, Yes, totally, no wiggle room. Look, whoever it was didn’t even try to open the safe. Now I remember our days in the Marine Corps when we worked with the American Embassies, the safe was always a hot target. Ever have any doubts about why huge shredders are kept in the vaults?

Kevin shook his head, No, of course not. However, this was his estate, not the embassy. Maybe the killers didn’t think there would be anything worth an extra few minutes to get it open.

With his safe the size of a room, believe me, something with political value is definitely going to be found inside.

Kevin shrugged, But nothing was taken, at least as far as we could tell.

That’s right. So what’s left?