Secrets: A Twisted Tale of Politics, Perversion and Murder

By Barbara Vaka

Two brothers living in two different worldsone an NCIS agent and the other a master of shibari, the Japanese art of rope bondage, and the owner of an emporium that caters to those into the BDSM lifestylecome together to solve the murder of a US senator destined for the presidency of the United States. The plot they uncover has tentacles that reach far beyond their initial investigation and threatens the lives of those closest to them. Intimacy and brutality collide in a timeless story that takes the reader inside the secret lives of ordinary and extraordinary people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524582920

Barbara Vaka

Barbara Vaka has led an adventurous life traveling around the globe recording her experiences. She currently lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband of 42 years. Throughout her life, she has mingled with the rich and famous including Jerry Lewis with whom she appeared in his 1980 film HARDLY WORKING. Other celebrities include Danny Kaye, Susan Oliver, Steve Franken, and Harold J. Stone. She retired in 2008 from a position with the government as technical writer. HANK’S MOUNTAIN, her first novel, is a story set in Colorado near where she and her husband lived for twelve years, raising horses and their three children. It is a tale of a young Colorado rancher, Hank, who finds himself fighting for the one thing his father treasured most, a ski resort located on what becomes known as Hank’s Mountain following the tragic death of his parents in a car accident. In an inexplicable twist, a young woman from Philadelphia travels to Colorado to decide whether she wants the resort left to her by the young Rancher’s mother and a romance ensues. A New York billionaire wants the property, and will kill to get it. Mystery, revenge, romance, and mayhem fill the pages of this novel. Her next novel, PRETTY MAIDS is scheduled to be released in 2011 and is a story set in the Middle East based on the plight of thousands of young women who are lured into a life of slavery throughout the world. It is a tale of crime and raw passion that explores the contradictions of a modern society still living in the past professing the emancipation of women when in reality it is quite the opposite. Her insightful look at Islamic culture is worth the read alone.

Book preview

Prologue

3 Months Earlier

I will drive you to the airport. You will love the house. I have never taken anyone there. My family does not know that I own a house in the islands. I visit once or twice a month when I am able. It is my secret get-a-way. You will be safe and our child will call me daddy. I do not know how you managed to have me fall in love with you but I did. Usually when I am with a submissive, there is no emotional tie. I never had feelings toward my wife as I do for you. She is from the right background, right political party, and perfect for my career and I love my children.

I take the pill every day and didn’t think I could get pregnant. I do love you; you told me you would leave your wife, Lucinda replied.

This pregnancy complicates things. If I win the nomination, I cannot leave my wife, but I will take care of you. You will have money to live on and a staff to take care of the house and will want for nothing. If I do not get the nomination, I will divorce my wife, quit politics, and we will have a life together here in the islands. I will request full custody of my children. My wife is always going to tea or the correct social gathering or some influential group with her mother. She leaves the girls with a baby sitter or nanny. I love you and if the truth be known, I do not want to win the nomination.

I hope you do not get the nomination, she fell into tears.

He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly, You may get your wish; I am only thirty-six years old, and many think I am too young for the position. I arranged for my pilot to fly us to the islands in my corporate jet. You must not tell anyone where you are.

He handed her a set of keys, These are for the house, and a car is in the garage. I do not want you driving. One of the staff will drive you wherever you need to go. I will miss you.

Come, it is a long flight. My pilot is waiting for us.

It was mid-morning local time when the jet touched down. A small crew met them on the tarmac and unloaded the luggage from the plane into a waiting car. They drove to the house perched atop a hill with a view of the town below in the front and a deck that overlooked the Caribbean Sea in the back. A local bank account with $25,000 had been set up in her name. He gave her a cell phone. Only call me on this phone. It is a Black Berry and more secure than most cell phones. I will text you often. Say no names in your texts and only text the number programmed into the phone. I cannot stay. Go into town and buy a new wardrobe and if you need anything text me. Make no phone calls to anyone. I must leave because of an early appointment in the morning. I will deposit $10,000 in your bank account each month. If you need additional money, text me. I love you. I will visit in a month and whenever I have time.

He kissed her goodbye, returned to the airport and was in his office by 09:00 the next morning.

Chapter 1

Annapolis, Maryland

Juan received a phone call at midnight, The package you are expecting will be on the back road headed for the Severn River a little before three this morning. You know where the side road is, wait for the package.

Yes sir, Juan replied. The other package better be in place when I deliver the first package. I have friends.

I am a man of my word. Not to worry.

A luxury sedan sped along the two lane road that led to the Severn River. It was two am. The driver was a man in his mid-thirties that seemed not to have a care in the world as he sang along to one of his favorite songs Venue in Furs by Velvet Underground. He was headed to a private home with a dock on the river where he kept his yacht.

Thoughts of a problem that occurred three months ago raced through his mind and he dictated a text as he drove, "Lucinda, I love you more than my wife. She was from a family with influence and might guarantee my nomination for the presidency. I think of you all alone in my beach house in the Caribbean. I will fly to the islands next weekend and we will discuss what I plan to do, and it does not include entering the primary election. I love you," he pushed send.

Suddenly, from a side road, a faded green pickup truck with a reinforced grill rammed his car at full speed killing him instantly. The sound of the crash caused a flock of geese to soar into the star-studded sky. The driver of the pick-up was wearing full crash gear the kind worn by stunt men … helmet, heavy gloves, and safety goggles. The driver of the truck staggered from the cab, limped across the road, and got into a small blue sedan driven by a woman. She made a U-turn and drove at high speed back to the cutoff.

Without this gear, I would be dead. I do not know how those stuntmen do this all the time. My body feels like shit. Now I know how fruit feels in a blender before it becomes a smoothie.

Sorry for yah babe, cheer up; we’re rich, the woman told him in an emotional tone of voice leaned over and kissed him. She dialed 911 on a disposable cell phone. In a hysterical voice, she told the operator, Terrible accident between pickup and car. Stopped, looked in the car, the driver looks like he is dead. No sign of the driver from the pickup. She gave the location, threw the phone out of the window, and continued to drive.

We did it babe; hardly wait to leave this country, our bags are packed, shouted Juan, We are set for life.

He handed Angelina an address, Here are directions to our payoff. A case of money filled with American dollars, Euros, and unset diamonds is waiting for us.

Juan leaned over and kissed Angelina, a hard looking woman with long brown hair wearing black jeans and a snap front western style plaid shirt.

When does our flight leave for San Juan?

Plenty of time, flight is at four from Baltimore to Miami. Thought we could visit my cousin before flying to San Juan. We may never be able to return to the states. We’ll park the car in long term parking, wipe it clean of any evidence we were in it, and hang out at Baltimore airport.

Angelina drove to the address. As she drove, Juan shrugged out of the heavily padded gear and stuffed everything into a large black garbage bag. Underneath he was wearing jeans and a western style shirt matching Angelina’s. He had rough stubble of a beard, bushy mustache, and his black hair wet with perspiration was tied in a ponytail.

Pull over; I want to ditch this gear. Won’t need it again and don’t want to leave it in the car.

Angelina pulled to the side and drummed her hands on the wheel, Make it quick, I can hardly wait to get out of here with our money.

Juan slipped out of the car dragging the bag of gear about fifty yards from the road and covered it with leaves. Juan rushed back to the car. Loud Latin music was playing on the radio. Let’s go; it is not far to the side road marked on the map, four tenths of a mile.

The side road was gravel with grass growing down the middle and tire tracks on each side hidden by overgrown bushes. A lane completely overgrown leading to an old abandoned farmhouse was another three tenths of a mile. In its prime, the old farm might have been a lovely tranquil bucolic scene, but now was weather worn and looked dreary. Windows were broken out, and a dead tree had fallen across the roof and ripped off half the shingles. Angelina turned onto the lane, drove a thousand feet, and stopped the car in front of an old broken down gate barely hanging from its hinges between two rotting fence posts.

Juan opened the door to get out when Angelina shouted, Wait, I am coming with you. I can’t wait to see all that money. She hugged him and pressed her body against him as they kissed.

A silver metal case was sitting on the remains of a large tree that had died and cracked off in a windstorm years ago. The tree lay dead and the trunk was ragged with points of wood standing like small sentinels holding the bright silver metal case. Angelina pushed Juan aside, flipped the latches, and opened the case. No sooner was the case open, than a huge explosion rocked the ground. The force of the blast lifted Angelina and Juan ten feet into the air and left their bodies torn and twisted among the damp smoldering leaves that covered the ground. The blast from the explosion was so strong, the car burst into flames several feet from the bomb igniting the gas tank with a second explosion. Nothing remained but body parts and the shell of a burned out car.

A black sedan slowly approached; a man in the right hand seat lowered the window, glanced at the deadly scene, and told the driver, Head back to the main road, onto the Interstate toward DC, and park in the lot under the Senate Office Building. Young Johnny should never have messed with my family.

At the Scene of Accident

Lieutenant Ralph Pennington of the county sheriff’s office was in charge at the scene of the accident. One of the officers was speaking to him in hushed tones. The pickup’s hood had flown open from the impact, and the windshield cracked in several places. No keys were in the ignition. The truck hit the car with such force, the door pushed in and the driver was almost in the passenger seat. His neck was broken from the force of the impact; he was not wearing a seatbelt.

Jack, the trunk release broke from the impact of the truck; check it.

Sergeant Jack Thomas, a county deputy, walked to his patrol car and removed a crowbar from the trunk. He tried the trunk release in the Senator’s car and discovered that Pennington was correct. He moved to the back of the car, placed the crowbar under the lip of the trunk lid, and forced it open. He surveyed the trunk and a sadistic grin crossed his face. He opened a case and quickly closed it. He hurried across the pavement and whispered to the Lieutenant, Ralph you will not believe what is in the trunk of Senator Carter’s car?

Why are you whispering?

There is a large case filled with bondage gear, whips, chains, gags, dildos, and in another case are black leather pants, most likely the Senators, a leather mask, and a leather vest with chains across the front. Fur lined handcuffs and rope are on top of the cases. I set them on the side.

Lieutenant Pennington laughed, No wonder you’re whispering. Take the cases, and other items, and put them in the back of my squad car. If this were to leak to the media, there would be hell to pay. Carter was to be a presidential nominee in the next election. I am sure he is not the only Senator with a secret passion for erotic amusement.

It was thought he would be a second John F. Kennedy. He has …had a lovely wife and two young daughters. Wonder where he was going at this hour in the morning with that gear. No hint of his perversion ever hit the rumor mill.

Who knows? Here comes trouble, former Speaker of the House, Jonathan Carter, Sr. is walking this way. I did not think he would arrive so soon. I called him when I recognized young Carter. No time to grab the cases. Hope he doesn’t want to get near the car. Does anyone else know what you discovered in the trunk?

I don’t think so. I closed it immediately and told deputies nearby not to open it. I gave the reason he was a Senator and might have classified papers in the trunk.

Who is in charge here? shouted Jonathan Carter in an old Virginia accent seldom heard. The Carters were a family going back hundreds of years in Virginia.

Lieutenant Ralph Pennington stood ramrod straight and answered, I am Lieutenant Ralph Pennington, Sir. Sorry for your loss.

Did you find the fucking scum bag that killed my son? I want to see my son, Carter roared.

Lieutenant Pennington answered in a nervous tone of voice, We have police searching the area, but no sign of the driver of the truck. Come this way. Are you certain you want to see your son now? It was a terrible accident; he died instantly.

He’s my son. Lead the way.

Pennington guided Carter, Sr. to the car. The body of his son, Jonathan Carter, Jr. was in the front seat. The side of the car crushed from the truck hitting it, and the Senator’s body lay splayed across the front seats of the car. The windshield broke and small glass cubes covered his body. Blood ran down his face from a large gash to his head from smashing into the rear view mirror. His mouth was wide open in a terrified scream as he died. The Senator was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Carter Sr. looked at the body of his son and his body trembled. He leaned into the car and kissed his son’s forehead. His voiced filled with rage, You have to find the fucking cock sucker that killed my son. Johnny had a future. He would have been the next President of the United States.

Any idea where your son was headed and why he was here? asked Pennington.

He was going fishing off shore. Said he would be gone for a week. He keeps his yacht on the Severn River behind a friend’s house. I always told him to rent space at a marina. He never listened to me.

The Senator looked in the back seat and then demanded, Open the trunk. If he has classified papers, I will secure them. Has anyone opened the trunk?

Pennington lied, No sir, we have not had time to inspect it.

They walked to the back of the luxury sedan. Carter noticed marks on the lip of the trunk lid and knew that someone opened the trunk.

He turned and his face was red with indignation, Do I look stupid? You lied; someone recently forced the trunk open. See the chipped paint on the trunk lid. It is fresh.

Pennington straightened and responded, Sir, one of my officers opened the trunk. You will not like what you see. I was going to remove the contents before the investigation team arrives. Only my officer and I know what is there.

Carter Sr. growled and was flush in the face, I want to see the officer that opened it and you in my office today at eleven o’clock. Carter slapped his palms against the trunk, Open the trunk now!

Pennington called his officer, Jack Thomas who had opened it previously and ordered him to open the trunk for the Senator’s father.

When the trunk opened, the officer opened the case with the bondage equipment and then the case with the Senator’s gear. The handcuffs and other items were off to the side. Carter shook his head, and muttered in a low barely audible voice, Johnny, Johnny what were you doing. He caught his breath, Put these cases in my car’s trunk. Anyone asks; the trunk held confidential legal papers. If this leaks to the press, you two are dead men. I’ll see you in hell.

Carter noticed a CD half out of the player on the dash, Give me that CD from the player, he demanded.

Carter looked at the title, broke the CD in half, dropped it on the pavement, and stomped off toward his car.

Pennington nodded for Jack to follow Carter to his car and put the cases and other items in the trunk. He picked up the broken CD and slipped it into his pocket. Carter followed the officer back to where Pennington was standing, I want the driver of that truck. See you and this officer in my office at eleven. Do not be late. I do not want to hear Senator Jonathan Carter died in a car accident with bondage gear in the trunk. Wait at least until seven to release the story as to who was in the car. I must have time to tell my daughter-in-law Laura and the rest of the family.

The Senator walked back to his car and his driver peeled out with the sound of screeching tires as they left the accident scene headed for Annapolis and the senior Carter’s large mansion overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

Whew, any word of this Jack and we are finished. Here come the crime scene boys. We have to find the driver of the truck. Looks like the truck hit him at an angle to protect the driver of the truck that is why the driver was able to leave the scene of the accident. I would wager the plates and the truck are on a hot sheet of stolen vehicles. In my opinion, this is not an accident; it is murder, and we better find the killer fast.

Another deputy, John Williams ran over to Pennington as the former Speaker of the House drove away. Ran the plates and the truck, found nothing on the wire about the truck being stolen. I have an address. The truck is registered to Harvey Braxton that lives about five miles from here.

Pennington sighed in relief, Maybe we got lucky. This is a crime scene. No one is to enter this area unless they are police, crime scene investigators, or from the Coroner’s Office. Get that other patrol car to follow us. We approach the house with full body armor and guns loaded and ready. Mr. Braxton is a dead man if he tries to run. I planned to vote for Jonathan Carter if he was elected the candidate for president. NCIS will be here shortly; young Carter was a Navy Seal.

The two police cars stopped as a vehicle marked NCIS drove onto the scene of the accident.

Pennington got out of the car and walked over to the leader of the NCIS team that had arrived. The Special Agent in charge was Gregory Dodge, tall muscular build, buzz cut coal black hair, mustache, eyes shielded by dark sunglasses even though it was dark. Dodge was thirty-years old and head of a special murder investigation bureau involving, murder, especially sex crimes, and human trafficking of Navy personnel.

Dodge walked toward the sheriff deputies and asked, Who is in charge?

Pennington looked toward Dodge, I am Lieutenant Ralph Pennington, and this is my first officer Jack Thomas. We do not believe this is an accident; could be premeditated murder. The truck hit at a high rate of speed as the Senator approached that side road. Truck hit Carter’s car on the driver’s side killing him instantly. Jonathan Carter, Sr. was here, I called him as soon as I recognized his son. He is really pissed.

Dodge eyed Pennington, pushed his glasses up on his head, and asked in a deep voice, I am Special Agent Gregory Dodge. Don’t go spreading the word this may be a murder until forensics call it that way. Any idea who owns the truck and was it reported stolen?

Yes sir, but it was not reported stolen; we got lucky. The owner, Harvey Braxton lives five miles from here. We were heading to the Braxton residence when you arrived.

Dodge snapped, Give me the address. We are in charge now; you and your deputies follow us to the Braxton’s.

Special Agent Gregory Dodge ordered his men to suit up, "We have an address of the owner of the truck. No report filled that the truck was stolen. Wear full body armor and heavy weapons. Senator Carter was going to be a nominee for his party for president according to rumors circulating the beltway. Your county deputies follow us; we have the lead. Our forensics team is due in three minutes; traffic accident on the interstate blocked traffic and they are running late.

Chapter 2

The NCIS van and the deputies’ cars arrived at the Braxton’s farmhouse. Unlike the broken down farmhouse where the rigged payoff case was, the Braxton farm was stately and reminiscent of the grandeur of old Virginia plantations. The Braxton family dated back hundreds of years and a marriage between a Carter daughter and Braxton son took place at one time uniting the families.

Special Agent Dodge assembled the four heavily armed agents wearing vests and quietly explained his plan of approach to them and the four county deputies. We have enough information to enact the Patriot Act. It will be a no knock entry with guns drawn. If this is the perpetrator that killed the Senator, he will not escape. Shoot to incapacitate unless it is not possible. We need to find who orchestrated this killing.

Dodge and his team lead the assault on the front of the house and Pennington and his deputies rushed around the back of the farmhouse. It was to be a simultaneous entry, front, and back. Dodge gave the order and an agent swung a ram at the front door at the same time Sergeant Thomas swung a ram at the back door. The heavily armed men rushed into the house, guns drawn and began to search the down stairs shouting, Federal and County Agents, anyone in the house is under suspicion of a crime. Anyone with a gun will be shot immediately.

Harvey Braxton could not believe what he was hearing and nudged his wife Loraine. Someone broke in our door and they are shouting Federal and County Agents. Something about murder.

Before Loraine had a chance to respond, four heavily armed NCIS agents rushed into their bedroom. Sheriff’s deputies were searching the downstairs for evidence.

Dodge almost growled as he shouted at them, Harvey Braxton you are under arrest for the alleged murder of Senator Carter before three this morning.

Harvey shook his head, as armed agents dragged him and his wife from their bed and put them in handcuffs. Harvey was stark naked and his body was shaking. Loraine was in tears and sobbing so hard she could not speak. She was wearing a short nightgown.

What are you talking about? Harvey a man in his late sixties asked. Murder of Senator Carter. I have been in bed sleeping. So has my wife. Careful with her, she has high blood pressure and suffers from osteoporosis. Treat her gently. I have no idea what you are talking about, what murder?

Dodge had one of his agents put a bathrobe around Harvey’s shoulders and sat him and his wife on the bed.

Your truck was found at the scene of the accident over on County Road. If you did nothing, why didn’t you report your truck stolen?

I know nothing of my truck being stolen; we got home around eleven last night. Loraine and I went to the movies, came home, and went to bed. For land’s sake, it’s four in the morning; we haven’t been out of bed.

Dodge shook his head in anguish, At ease men, I do not believe these folks had anything to do with this incident.

Dodge looked at the two frightened seniors and spoke to them in a quieter tone of voice, Get dressed, come downstairs; we need to talk.

The Braxtons dressed and walked downstairs. Loraine looked shaken, but asked, Would you like a cup of coffee?

Dodge responded, I am Gregory Dodge, senior special agent with NCIS. Senator Carter was a former Navy Seal and we have jurisdiction in this case. County sheriff’s deputies are searching the grounds for any evidence concerning the theft of your truck. Crime Scene Investigators will be here shortly. We will try not to break anything else. Your front and back doors were damaged when we entered.

Loraine interrupted, Did you say Johnny Carter was killed. He was going to be President. Our family is related to the Carters.

Yes ma’am.

Harvey was pulling himself together, You damn well better pay for the damage to our doors. I know John Carter, Sr. He is my cousin. We did nothing. We are victims and our truck was stolen.

Dodge shook his head, We do not replace doors Sir; please do not interrupt our investigators. I believe your truck was stolen, but we need to search for evidence the perpetrators may have left.

Harvey slammed his fist on the table, I am calling my lawyer. You need a search warrant to go anywhere on my property.

Dodge was becoming irritated, We are initiating the Patriot Act to authorize our search. This is a Federal Crime. He paused as three NCIS Crime Investigation vans pulled into the drive. The investigators are here; my team and the county deputies are leaving. Here is my card. You should be pleased we are not driving you into DC for questioning. Do not leave town Mr. Braxton. We may have additional questions.

Dodge left without touching the steaming cup of coffee. Loraine was in tears and sobbing, Harvey, we did nothing. These men were ruthless dragging you out of bed and putting you in handcuffs. That other agent was rough when he grabbed me and my arm is beginning to bruise. There must be a law against what they did.

Harvey comforted his wife. They were doing their jobs, but I am calling our attorney. We are victims here and I wager they will not return our truck. I will report the accident to the insurance company later this morning. Dodge gave me his card and case number of the accident. We can only tell the insurance company the Feds took our truck, and we don’t even know the exact address of the accident.

Another agent interrupted the Braxton’s as he entered the kitchen unannounced. He flashed his identification, Sorry for the intrusion. I am special Agent Henry Monroe; did you hear anyone enter your home earlier this morning?

Braxton glared, No sir. Someone stole my truck after eleven last night. It is 4 a.m. in the morning. Please, we did nothing. I am a victim here.

My men are searching outside where you parked your truck. Do you own another car? There are car tracks in the drive near where you parked your truck. Both your truck and another car drove around your wide drive in front of the barn and headed back onto the road.

We have a hybrid car in the barn. We haven’t used it in a couple of days. We took the truck into town last night.

Give me the keys to the barn; we will check if your car is still there. We will be here awhile, stay inside until we leave.

Harvey tossed him the keys and Agent Monroe left. Harvey and Lorraine collapsed into chairs at the kitchen table. Each had a cup of steaming hot coffee.

Lorraine was as pale as their white horse in the barn. Her body was trembling and when she picked up the coffee cup, it splashed onto the table and burned her hand. She dropped the cup and it rolled off the table. It crashed into several pieces as it struck the tile floor.

Turn on the television Harvey, maybe there is news of the accident.

Harvey turned on a small flat screen television on the wall near the kitchen table. No news of the accident was on any channel. We will have to tune in later; I am exhausted, but I don’t think I can sleep.

They are probably waiting until they notify all his relatives and family before they release the name of the driver of the car. There are rumors that Johnny Carter was going to make a run for President next spring if he won the election to determine his candidacy. Can’t believe this happened and our truck was involved. John Carter must be devastated over the loss of his son. I will call him later, Lorraine told him.

Harvey consoled his wife, When this story breaks, if our name is mentioned, reporters will be knocking at our door. He paused and laughed, We need to get a door. The old one is in pieces.

The investigators spent three hours combing the area marking and photographing everything in the driveway. They left after returning the keys. They put them on the kitchen table and left quietly. The Braxtons had fallen asleep from exhaustion on the sofa in the large sitting room.

Ralph Pennington and the NCIS team arrived at the accident scene together. One of the deputies ran over to Ralph’s car as he stopped, Someone called in a report of large fireball lighting up the sky and an explosion near here. We heard the blast and we were about to send a car to investigate when you returned. It happened a few minutes ago.

Pennington walked over to Special Agent Dodge, A large fireball lit up the sky a few minutes ago, and there was a loud explosion that rocked the area.

Where?

My deputy said it must have been close to here. Pennington pointed to the north, See that smoke in the sky. Could be the site of the blast.

Dodge responded, We have this Pennington. Your men did a fine job at the Braxton’s home and containing the accident scene. Please send us all your paperwork. We will investigate the blast sight. If it has nothing to do with this accident, we will turn it back to you. After checking the site of the explosion, my team will drive to Senator Carter’s home in Annapolis.

The investigation team left the crime scene. The truck and car were loaded onto tow trucks and headed to NCIS headquarters in DC. Dodge and his team drove to the large mansion overlooking the Chesapeake on the Virginia side of the Bay. Another NCIS van arrived and headed in the direction of the smoke from a suspected explosion.

Jonathan Carter, Sr. met Dodge’s team at the door of his son’s home.

I am John Carter; I have already informed his wife Laura about the death of Johnny. Can we talk quietly outside? I do not want to wake my grandchildren and Laura is despondent. The live-in-nanny is with her and my physician is on the way.

Dodge stepped back and they sat on the porch at a large glass topped table large enough for eight people to sit comfortably on bright floral upholstered cushions. Maria, an older woman from Honduras, a live in maid arrived with a tray holding a carafe of fresh brewed coffee, cups, and a plate with pastries. A brass bell with a piston mechanism to ring it along with a sugar bowl, creamer filled to the brim, and several small plates and forks were already on the table. Neatly folded napkins matching the floral cushions were at each place setting.

"Put it on the table Maria. Fill the cups with coffee and put on another pot. We will be here awhile. If I need you again, I will ring the bell.

Dodge looked at old man Carter, You were expecting us.

"Johnny was a Navy Seal. Of course, I was expecting you. This is a Federal case and NCIS is always the head investigating team when the victim is former Navy. What have you found?

Dodge picked up his coffee and glanced at Carter over the top of the cup, Sir, we believe the death of your son may not be an accident. The angle of the truck when it hit the car enabled the driver to leave the scene. There are no signs that the truck braked to avoid the collision. We believe the driver was wearing protective gear. We found some padding on the front seat. The force of the collision should have killed the driver of the truck. Do you know of anyone with a grudge against your son?

Carter cleared his throat and drank some coffee before answering. The other agents were drinking coffee and eating pastries. One of the youngest agents had gotten up from the table and walked toward the van smoking a cigarette.

I have been around Washington politics for years … eight of those years as speaker of the House. Politicians always have someone threatening them. I received many threats. It does not make the news because it happens so frequently. Johnny was no exception. He was young and ambitious and stepped on a few toes on his push to the top. I cannot think of any particular threat that was more intimidating. Most threats are anonymous.

I have a team investigating an explosion that took place shortly after the accident when I was in route to the Braxton farm. Do you know a Harvey Braxton? It was his truck that was involved in the accident.

Harvey wouldn’t do anything like that. We have been friends for years and are distant cousins. He is my age and a former Representative to Congress.

We came to the same conclusion. Someone stole his truck after eleven last night. There was evidence of a small sedan entering the Braxton driveway. That car followed the truck back to the road. The truck is on its way to our headquarters in DC along with your son’s car. We will be checking for any evidence in the Senator’s car and the pickup truck. There is evidence that someone pried open the trunk of your son’s car. Did you notice that when you arrived at the accident before us?

Carter looked away and turned back to Dodge, I did Sir. The sheriff’s deputies opened the trunk and there were two cases in the trunk. I put them in my car for security reasons; they may contain classified papers.

We will have to see those cases. Are they in your car? Dodge pointed to the large luxury sedan parked in front of the walkway to the front door.

Carter saw no way to lie about the cases in the trunk, but lied about knowing what they contained, I removed the cases, but have not had time to look in either of them.

Hand me the keys; we will take the cases to NCIS headquarters.

Carter reached into his pocket and handed Dodge the keys. If they are documents, it may be above your pay grade Dodge. I would like my aide to go to headquarters and watch as the cases are opened.

That will not be necessary sir. My team and I have high security clearance.

Let me know what they contain. I will be in my DC law office at eleven.

Before Dodge had a chance to respond, his cell phone rang, he excused himself, stepped away from the table, walked to the end of the porch, and listened carefully. He tossed Carter’s keys to one of his men, Open the trunk of Carter’s car, remove two cases, and put them in the van.

The agent walked to the car, opened the trunk, removed the cases, and other items and put them in the back of the van. The other agents excused themselves from the table and stood smoking cigarettes and discussing the case.

Sir, found the site of the explosion. There are two bodies, a man, and a woman killed in the blast lying on the ground. The remains of what must have been a metal case are there. The car is a burned out hulk. Looks like the gas tank exploded; nasty scene. I called for an investigating team.

Suppose the two were collecting a payoff for killing the Senator? Dodge asked.

I had the same thought. My team is investigating and taking pictures. I will send you digital photos from my iPhone.

Dodge waited a few moments, turned to look back at John Carter that was drumming his fingers on the table.

There in a minute sir, waiting for more information. The explosion is most likely linked to the accident involving your son.

Dodge looked at the photos of the scene and turned to Carter, My men found the bodies of two people, a man, and a woman ripped apart from an explosive force of a bomb hidden in a metal case. The car was still smoldering. We suspect these people had something to do with the accident that killed your son. I personally do not believe in coincidence and I believe they were picking up payment for killing your son. The case showed evidence it contained a bomb. Whoever planned this wanted no witnesses. A partially burned map was found with instructions from the scene of the accident to an old farm road where the two suspects were killed.

Carter slapped his fist on the table sending the sugar bowl dancing toward the edge of the table. Before it crashed to the floor, Dodge caught it.

Damn, who would plan to murder my only son? Carter shouted. His face was filled with rage and turning red. Dodge, You have to find these murdering sons of bitches. Keep me informed. I am speaking with the two county sheriff deputies in my office in DC at eleven.

Dodge gave Carter his card, We will be in touch. If you think of anyone that recently had an argument with your son, call me. I will let you know what is in the cases as soon as we open them. This may be a contract killing. The killers of your son are dead, but we need to find who paid them. Whoever they are, they wanted no one left to lead the investigators to them. I will have more questions later, where may I contact you?

Carter handed him a card, This is my personal cell phone. Very few people have this number. Remember, what is in those cases and other items in the trunk must remain confidential.

I understand, Dodge nodded.

Dodge walked away toward the van. The team got in and drove toward the Interstate.

Carter’s temper was building and muttered, If those investigators leak what is in those cases, I’ll have their badges.

As Dodge