More Secrets In Black

By Michael Don Fess

More Secrets In Black is a current sequel to "A Secret In Black". Retired feds take on today;s problems of Chinese spying involving the deep state. They are asked to help solve the rioting and looting problems in large cities like New York and Washington DC. Their job is made more difficult by the restrictions imposed because of COVID-19. The novel solutions to these problems are enhanced by several newcomers to the group. You can follow the harrowing experiences from the safety of your living room recliner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Don Fess
• Release date: Aug 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005498030

Michael Don Fess

Michael Don Fess, an author since the early 1990s, has over twenty published books to his credit. His favorite genre is mystery novels, but has published some non-fiction books. He is a informative speaker at civic clubs and is an accomplished artist.His popular Caribbean Mystery series consist of four books and the historical fiction series about the wild Louisiana politics in 1964 is a three book series. The latest series about "The Secret DNA Code" has a sequel, "The DNA Conspiracy."

Book preview

Chapter One

April 22, 2020, Washington DC

Bartmouth Bart Wells lifted his special phone out of its hiding place in a drawer and looked at it wistfully. He missed those covert messages from his friend and former boss in the FBI. It had been a little over a year since he had last used it. He plugged it back in so it would remain charged, just in case.

His group of five retired friends had made their decision to end their dangerous off the books missions because they made a few mistakes that could have turned deadly. Their decision didn’t come easily, but several narrow escapes dictated their reluctant choice to cease this activity.

After a short time, he began to realize that his future without these missions would be life changing and boring. Their weekly penny-ante poker game had become the highlight of his week. So much so, that they changed it to twice a week over six months ago.

Two months ago, the COVID-19 virus had changed that also. Now, tired of the self isolation, he decided to take some creative action. He looked at his watch, pleased that it read almost 2:00 PM. Shortly, his cell phone began to buzz, signaling that his conference call was beginning.

Hey guys, I’ve figured out how we can still play our weekly poker game during the Corona Virus Quarantine, he said, as the last participant called in.

Is that why you set up this conference call? asked Alex Simpson.

I was hopin’ you had another job for us, said Jimbo. I’m getting’ stir crazy, man. This self isolation ain’t workin’ for me. I spent too many years doin’ drug busts and chasin’ drug dealers.

I know how you feel, said Bart, but remember, we all agreed that as a bunch of retired feds, we were getting too old for that kind of dangerous work.

That was before we sat on our butts for two months with not even our weekly poker games, injected Jimbo. I phoned Trey the other day and told him I needed some real action. Retirement is bad enough, but this self isolation is the pits.

I’m wondering how you think we’re gonna play poker and try to maintain the recommended six foot social distancing? asked Trey Willikins.

Yeah . . . what about this social distancing they keep touting? asked Alex.

Not that I care about that guideline, injected Jimbo.

Easy, said Bart, ignoring Jimbo’s remark, I’ll set up four card tables in a two by two square which will create about a seven foot square table. That will allow us to sit five or six feet away from each other around the huge table this arrangement creates.

Interesting . . . what about the cards, we’ll all handle them? asked Clark.

We all sanitize our hands and we play with a brand new deck, said Bart.

What about the pennies? asked Alex.

I’ll get some rolls of new uncirculated pennies from the bank, said Bart. We’ll be the only ones to touch them with our sanitized hands.

Hey men, said Jimbo, that’ll work. I promise not to hug anyone . . . so count me in and I’ll bring the beer.

That brought on chuckles.

Sounds safe enough to me . . . when do you have in mind? asked Clark.

How about next Wednesday at 2:00 PM, said Bart.

I have an idea, said Trey. What do you say we all get tested by next Tuesday? I’d like us to err on the cautious side. It’s a free drive-thru, so it’s not a lot of trouble.

Hmmmm . . . good idea, said Alex. We don’t need to take any chances at our ages.

Okay then, said Bart, check it out. If you test negative for the virus, I’ll see you next Wednesday.

He smiled at the prospect of getting together with his poker playing buddies again. It was a harmless game, since they each started with one roll of pennies and if they lost them, they had to sit out until a winner was declared.

As he placed his phone on the table beside his easy chair, his special phone, buzzed over in the drawer. Shocked to hear it, he listened again to be sure before he jumped up and retrieved it.

Hello, said Bart, as he saw a familiar caller ID on the display.

The voice said, Meet me in the park on Jefferson Street at 5:00 by the fountain.

Bart started to say something, but heard the disconnected beep instead. It quickly registered in his mind that this was not a request.

He glanced at his watch and saw that he had less than three hours before meeting his friend, so he showered and dressed in one of his black suits for the first time in over a year.

About 13 months ago

Guys . . . I’m really concerned about the slip-ups we’ve made lately, said Bart, as he shuffled the cards, especially during that last mission. We’re getting a little sloppy and any one of those careless mistakes could have been fatal.

Several heads nodded around the table as they paused before the next hand.

That’s a sobering thought, said Alex, as he grimaced. I agree that this would be a great time for us to think about retiring for good. We’ve probably stretched our luck about as far as it will go.

We’re not paying enough attention to detail, said Bart.

There are still plenty of bad guys out there, said Jimbo. I like getting’ rid of them.

Well . . . we can’t do it all, said Carl. Somebody else can pick up the cause.

Yeah, said Clark, we’ve had a good run. It’s kinda like shooting craps in Las Vegas, we ought to quit while we’re ahead.

A pause in the conversation indicated everyone was thinking about the decision.

Hey . . . let’s deal the cards, said Trey. We can sleep on it and decide tomorrow.

Bart’s special phone buzzed, so he handed the deck of cards to Alex.

You can deal, he said. I need to answer this.

This is Bart, he said, stepping into the kitchen.

You fellows deserve a medal for all your work, said the familiar voice.

Thanks, I’ll tell the guys. We’re beginning to realize that we’re getting old and aren’t quite as sharp as we used to be. We tend to get a little sloppy with procedure.

Are you considering a second retirement? You tried it once, but it didn’t stick.

Well . . . that seems to be the present mood. The verdict is still out, but from the sound of things, we’re leaning in that direction.

Well . . . you know there are still a lot of bad guys out there. I hope you choose to stay in the game. Keep me posted.

Bart nodded as he looked at the dead cell phone.

Back to the present

You sounded like something’s urgent said Bart, as he walked up to his old boss sitting on the fountain ledge.

It is, he said, that’s why we’re at the fountain. The water noise should drown out any chance of being overheard. Those parabolic microphones have a long range.

You think you’re being watched?

It’s possible.

Hmmmm . . . so I’ll keep my voice down.

His old friend nodded.

You’re not your normal confident self, said Bart. You look worried.

I am . . . can you re-activate your team of retired buddies? he asked in a hushed tone.

Bart’s face registered surprise.

Well . . . it’s been over a year since our last mission, but I can probably gather most of them, he said, after a pause. We haven’t seen each other much lately because of the quarantine. Re-activating the team will depend on the danger level. What’s the time frame?

Like . . . maybe tomorrow?

Wow . . . you don’t fool around.

Look Bart . . . I’m on a short fuse today. Take this envelope home, read it, then destroy the contents. Call me by noon tomorrow and simply say ‘go’ or ‘no go.’ If it’s go, I can give you further instructions after I hear from you.

Bart’s face reflected confusion as he watched his friend walk away. In all of their past contacts about threats and eliminating bad guys, he had never acted this way.

Chapter Two

Bill Loveless sat at his desk in the Washington Post news room staring at his computer screen trying to decide on his next move. He had just received an anonymous phone call about a major shake-up at the Department of Justice.

He clicked his mouse to the private news feed his paper subscribed to. It was currently showing two men in handcuffs being led out of the DOJ building by three men in black suits. He couldn’t see the two men’s faces clearly enough to recognize them. The video seemed to be from a surveillance camera in the distance. The commentary stated that no explanation was available.

The prisoners were put into a waiting black SUV and their escorts climbed into a second black SUV and both vehicles quickly drove off.

Bill quickly phoned his source at DOJ but heard a recorded message that his friend was unavailable at this time. He punched in the number of his detective friend at the police precinct only to get a busy signal.

Something strange is going on, he said to his news editor, as he stepped through his doorway.

I know, said Roland Witcher, I just saw the news feed. I couldn’t identify the prisoners, they were too far away. It was obviously a government operation, considering the black suits and black SUVs . . . probably CIA or Homeland.

Roland’s cell buzzed and he checked the text.

Hmmm . . . DOJ has just scheduled a news conference for 11:00 AM. That’s a little over an hour from now.

He looked up at Bill with raised eyebrows.

I’ll be there, said Bill, recognizing the look. This may become tomorrow’s front page story.

*****

Bart quickly answered his cell when he saw Carl Consen on the caller ID.

Thanks for getting back to me Carl, he said. I was getting worried that maybe you weren’t available.

My phone died yesterday because I forgot to charge it. I just remembered to turn it back on.

We have an opportunity to re-activate our group if the proposed mission isn’t too dangerous.

Geeeze . . . it’s been over a year, hasn’t it?

Thirteen months, to be exact.

Hey man . . . with no weekly poker games for well over a month and with the restaurants and bars all closed, I’m ready for most anything.

Well, you’re the last one of our group to make contact and it is now unanimous. Depending on the danger level, which we’ll assess together, we’ll make the final decision.

When will that be?

We’re meeting at my house at 4:00 this afternoon. Jimbo is bringing the beer, Alex is picking up some barbeque and I’ll have plenty of hand sanitizer for everyone. We won’t need masks, since we’ll be talking while we eat.

Thanks buddy . . . I’ll see you then.

Bart pocketed his phone and took another sip of coffee. He had been re-reading the contents of the envelope to be sure he understood its implications. After sitting for a few minutes reflecting on the information, he opened the patio door and walked over to his metal garbage can.

He struck a match, lit the papers on fire and dropped them in the empty vessel. As he watched them burn, he couldn’t remember ever having similar instructions. These were precarious times.

Back inside, he pondered the secret message and wondered how much of it he should share with his team. After giving it somber thought and remembering how these men had risked their lives to protect the country, he made his decision.

*****

Bill Loveless stood over in a corner for one of the strangest news conferences he had ever attended. The few reporters present were spaced eight to ten feet apart in the large briefing room with some wearing masks.

When he entered the building, he was ushered over to a sanitizing station where he doused his hands and was told to wipe down his laptop, phone and pen with sanitary wipes. Finally, they checked his temperature with an electronic device. Only then was he allowed to go through the metal detector where he was handed his possessions by a gloved security guard and told to enter the briefing room.

Precisely at 11:00 AM, one of the Deputy AGs entered the room and took the podium. His face reflected stress, making it obvious that this was not standard briefing.

The Mayor of this city has issued a quarantine order for all non-essential personel beginning at midnight tonight, Tomorrow, we will begin to operate this department with only a skeleton staff. During this crisis, they will be all be housed on the premises.

Bill noticed the astounded looks on the few unmasked faces.

The announcement continued.

Communication with other government units, law enforcement and legal authorities will be limited to emergency situations. There will be no questions allowed at this time. You will be notified of any changes by email and thank you in advance for your understanding.

Murmuring filled the room as the man walked out the door.

This was not at all what Bill was expecting. There was no mention of the two men who were arrested by the FBI, if that’s who were wearing the black suits.

*****

Alex Simpson was the first to arrive at Bart’s condo. He had to set the box containing the barbeque down on the porch when he saw the hand-written sign. It said, Sanitize your hands before entering. A bottle of high alcohol sanitizer was provided on the small table by the door.

He set his box down and pushed the door bell button after the hand-rub procedure and Bart came to the door.

I couldn’t open the door while carrying this box of food, he said.

Mmmmm . . . it smells good from here, Bart said. Come on in, my friend, you’re the first to arrive. Just set it on the kitchen counter for now. We’ll be eating and meeting out on the patio.

I’m hoping I smell some action, Alex said, as he set the box down. I’m more than ready for a challenge.

Careful what you wish for, my friend, he said, as they sat down on the patio.

Alex started to respond when the door bell sounded again.

That must be Jimbo with the beer, said Bart, going to the door.

Hmm . . . I smell Barbeque, said Jimbo, as he entered with two six-packs. I’ll put these in the Fridge till the rest of the guys arrive.

Good . . . we’re meeting out on the patio, said Bart, heading back outside.

Before he reached the patio door, he heard the front door open. Clark and Trey were smiling as they came in together.

Hi guys, said Trey, Clark had car trouble so I picked him up.

I smell food, said Carl Consen, as he followed them in. Lead me to it.

Now that we’re all here, let’s get everyone out on the patio, please, said Bart. I’ve got the chairs spaced apart so we can talk. We can eat later. We have an important decision to make.

*****

That was a very strange press conference, said Bill Loveless, as he returned from the DOJ building and related what he saw.

Everything seems a little strange these days, said Roland, his editor. If they are placing all non-essential personnel on furlough, we probably won’t get much news for a while.

Kinda makes you wonder, doesn’t it? If all those employees are non-essential, why don’t they reduce the staff?

Don’t you remember that law? The number of government employees are directly proportional to the space available. Just maybe, for a change, those two prisoners in that video qualified for a permanent furlough.

Bill chuckled. Well . . . I have a theory about that video showing those guys in handcuffs.

You have good insight . . . let’s hear it.

I’m thinking they were caught spying for the Chinese. Those Communists are the big threat these days since Trump is making them toe the line. The current trade talks are a good example, he’s insisting on a level playing field.

Roland nodded, as Bill continued.

We know that the NSA has ears everywhere which is probably how they caught them, It’s obvious the DOJ wouldn’t want news about Chinese moles made public while these talks are ongoing.

Hmmm, that’s an interesting theory . . . think you can find any evidence to substantiate it?

I can try, said Bill, with a determined look on his face. I’ll check some sources.

Chapter Three

The information I’m about to share is for your ears only. I’m told that there may be a second, more infectious, virus on the way, said Bart, as he began the discussion.

Several of the guys uttered groans.

Oh no! exclaimed Clark.

You mean there could be a re-play of this pandemic? asked Alex.

It’s possible, but all of the agencies have been mobilized to try to prevent that. Our borders are closed, inbound traffic is very limited and people will be thoroughly screened. Production of medical supplies are being ramped up along with the manufacture of sanitizing supplies.

That doesn’t sound like something we can help with or do anything about, said Carl.

I don’t know ‘bout that, said Jimbo, I’m pretty good with Band Aids.

The ensuing chuckles eased the tense atmosphere.

I know Jimbo was kidding, but how do we fit in? asked Trey.

We don’t. said Bart. Those jobs will be handled by the agencies, but they don’t have the manpower to handle this virus and follow up on every other type of lead they receive.

Bart looked around to be sure they knew he was serious.

Our job, if we accept it, is to help root out the Chinese and Russian spies that NSA identifies as the sources of bad information. These spies keep trying to influence and undermine our upcoming election while our nation is fighting the virus threat. They also keep feeding the gullible media with misinformation and fake news.

"How can anyone doubt the outcome of the election when Trump will be running against an old political hack with dementia?’ asked Trey.

Word is . . . the Dems are going to choose another candidate instead of Biden when they get to the convention, said Bart. Some of the possibilities include Mike Bloomberg or that wild man, the New York Mayor or Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Well . . . any one of them might carry New York City, but should have limited support in the rest of the country, said Carl. I don’t see much of a problem.

We should never underestimate how much influence a major disinformation campaign can have, said Bart. With the likes of Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff and Nadler constantly repeating the lies and with the liberal media’s assistance, there’s no telling what could happen.

I read where Bloomberg gave the DNC $15 million, said Alex. With all of their other donations, they will have a big war chest for ads.

They’ll probably have major funding from Soros and those liberal Hollywood elites, too, said Clark.

True . . . but another major area of concern is the scam artists calling people for bank information so they can deposit their stimulus checks, said Bart.

My God . . . there’s always crooks ready to scam unsuspectin’ folks, especially the uneducated ones. How we gonna do anything ‘bout that? asked Jimbo.

Another theory making the rounds, said Clark, "is that Biden is just a stand-in. After the election, if he wins, the