Intervention

By Michael Widmer

What if there was a "system" that allowed the users to identify who was the most likely to plan and carry out a mass shooting? What if the government conducted a test to see how the "system" functioned and employed a team to intervene and stop the act before it happened? Is there such a "system" and could it be developed? . The rules have changed and the gloves are off. The team and their leader Max Martin face the ones picked by the "system." With Doc, Tag, VJ, Christy and a new tool that he

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781628385380

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One

Max looked at his watch and knew he was going to be late for his morning tee time. He didn’t think he could make it even if he hurried. There wasn’t much traffic, so he stepped on it a bit. He grabbed his cell and speed dialed the starter at the eastside golf course.

Roxie, this is Max, he said as he changed lanes and picked it up even more.

Where you at Max? Roxie asked.

I’m hurrying. Max looked in the rearview mirror. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.

All right, Max. Roxie chuckled. Your group is calling you names.

I bet. See you in a few.

The morning Tucson sun was almost unbearable as it began to rise in the east, and it blinded him because it was still low on the horizon. It was August, and Tucson was already heating up and pretty humid. He took a sip of coffee and noticed a Tucson police car moving up quickly a couple of cars behind him. He backed off on his speed and took another sip before the red-and-blue lights on the black-and-white came on. The cruiser pulled in directly behind him.

You have got to be kidding. Max set his cup down and looked for a place to pull over.

He took the next exit and pulled to the side of the road. A fairly young officer got out and walked toward his driver-side window. Max didn’t recognize him.

Good morning, sir. The officer smiled. Max, right?

Yes, I’m Max.

I’m Officer Randall, Max, the officer said, watching traffic as it passed where they were stopped. You were speeding and making lane changes without signaling, but that’s not really why I stopped you. The chief has been trying to call you, and he believes you may have changed your cell number.

I did change cells after I retired, Max said. What does Chuck want?

He needs to talk to you, sir, Officer Randall said. I get the sense it’s urgent, and I don’t know what it’s about, but if you can follow me, he’s waiting for you.

What’s your first name, Officer Randall?

Billy, sir.

Well, Billy, I have a tee time shortly at the east side golf course, and I’m already late, Max said looking at his watch. How about I get Chuck’s number and call him later?

Actually, your group went ahead, and you have a new tee time with the chief. Officer Randall smiled. You have another foursome, and Roxie will start you in thirty minutes, so we should hurry.

How did you…what is going on here? Max looked around outside the car, feeling a little uneasy.

I honestly don’t know, sir, Officer Randall said. I am just doing what the chief told me to.

All right, Max said, starting the car. I can just go there. I know the way.

Uh, I’m really supposed to make sure you get there?

Lead the way, Max said as Officer Randall walked back to the black and white.

Max followed the officer back onto the freeway and they headed east.

Lot of mystery going on here, Max muttered to himself.

Max Martin retired two years earlier from Tucson police. His wife Lillian had gotten breast cancer, and though he intended to stay for a few years more, she needed him. He joined the force when he was twenty-three, stayed twenty-five, and left at forty-eight years old. He kept in good shape over the years. Average height and weight, staying active and working out were still important to him. He was fifty now and still couldn’t believe that after all the treatment, all the surgeries, Lillian still lost her battle with cancer. Living alone was difficult at times, but he spent a lot of time playing golf, working out, and from time to time, helping with cancer walks and other cancer charities. The group he usually played golf with was all cops. One retired and two still on the job.

Max worked hard to get good assignments. He was fortunate that some of those assignments were available when he put in for them. He did his time in uniform, did the detective thing for a while, got promoted to sergeant, and then got into an FBI robbery task force. He liked that assignment because every day was unpredictable. He also liked the travel that was part of the job because cities all over the United States borrowed the task force to try and stop serial robbery suspects. The trick was to bring the predictability and experience to the table for each operation. It was what he did best. Lillian was always uneasy and worried about police work. She used to think Max liked the violence. Max would always tell her that he just dealt with what was put in front of him, but deep inside, he knew she was probably right. Max retired as a sergeant but had days when he wished he would have tried to go further. Retired sergeants don’t make a lot of money.

Max’s life was fairly simple now. He had a few lady interests since his wife passed away but still felt anything serious was too soon. He wasn’t wealthy, but he had nice things. His black Dodge Charger was impressive but really not that expensive. He lived in a quiet neighborhood on the northwest side. He and Lillian never had any children. Lillian was unable to have children, and their plans to adopt never really took shape. Every so often, he visited Lillian’s parents. Bill and Rhoda Weese were always good to Max, and losing their daughter had worn hard on them. They lived in a retirement community called Green Valley now, and they were getting up in years.

As for Lance and Becky Martin, Max’s parents, they had lived long lives and had passed away. His father worked in city planning, where he met Becky. They both worked in the same building their whole lives. After Lance died, Becky was so distraught, it didn’t take long for her broken heart to take her too. In many ways, Max was fighting that same syndrome. His only brother died when Max was young, and then he lost his wife. The tendency to give up when you lose someone you love is so hard to overcome. People on the outside, who never had that experience, can only speculate how difficult it really is.

Max really hadn’t had much interaction with Police Chief Chuck Knoll since he retired. Max liked Chuck. He was his last captain before he retired, and he was known for being fair and straightforward. After Max retired, Chuck was appointed chief of police. Max wondered why he wanted to see him, but he knew there had been a little too much drama this morning for it to be just a joke or an unimportant occasion. Chuck wasn’t real good at golf, though he could hit it a mile when he caught one. Max was a five handicap and had played on and off for years but felt he could be better with more practice. Who were the other two in the foursome? Max didn’t have a clue. He took another sip of coffee as the patrol car in front of him neared the exit for the golf course.

Officer Randall pulled up short of the golf shop and walked over to where Max parked. Max got out of the car, and Randall was talking on his radio. When he was done, he reached out and shook hands with Max.

I’ve heard a lot about you, sir he said Nice to meet you. The chief is in the restaurant.

Okay, thanks, Billy, Max said.

Max sat down in the car and put his golf shoes on, then grabbed his clubs and made his way up to the clubhouse. As he walked, he could see the chief’s unmarked car parked along the front entrance. It was parked behind two black SUV’s. Definitely federal vehicles, Max thought. As he entered the clubhouse, he could see two plainclothes agents standing on either end of the hallway. Max went back and set his clubs outside and then walked into the restaurant. Plainclothes agents stood on either end of the dining room, looking outside. Max looked around and knew there must be someone important here, and the chief was surely with them. Max could see Chuck and two other men sitting in a booth. Chuck waived him over, and Max walked slowly as he nodded and acknowledged one of the agents standing watch. He nodded back, and Max got the feeling the agent knew who he was.

Morning, Max, Chuck said as he stood up and reached out to shake hands.

Good to see you, Chuck. Max smiled as he shook his hand.

Max looked at the two men with Chuck and recognized both of them immediately.

Max, I think you have met both Governor Richardson and Vice President Whitney? Chuck said.

I have, Max replied as he shook hands with both men and sat down.

Been a while, Max, the vice president said. Eight years?

At least, Max replied. It’s definitely been a while.

Yea, about the same time you worked protection for the bike race, Max, the vice president said.

I’m sorry, I haven’t talked to you since you left, Max, the governor said. I was sorry to hear about your wife’s passing.

It was a hard time, sir. Max smiled. She sure liked you, Governor.

Roxie Taylor, the tee starter was waiving from the back door.

I think they are ready for us, Chuck said.

So we are playing golf? Max asked. Does anyone want to tell me what’s going on?

Let’s do that on the golf course, the vice president said standing up.

The group filed out of the clubhouse. Their clubs were already on carts and the agents had moved to four additional carts. Another agent had been posted at the first tee and starter position.

The governor teed off first and hit a solid drive over the hazard and onto the first fairway. Next the vice president followed suit and was a little right. Chuck stepped up and put his tee into the ground and his ball on top. He stood to take a practice swing.

Everything we talk about here stays here, Max, Chuck said, looking down the fairway. We need to know you won’t discuss this with anyone else.

Max looked first at Chuck then the other two men.

Okay, Max replied.

Chuck took a practice swing and then struck his drive. It went left but stayed in play. Max hit next, and bombed it squarely in the center of the fairway. All of the players got to the green in two. There were no other golfers behind them, so they took their time on the green.

We want to offer you a job, Max, the vice president said, stopping and leaning on his putter.

A job? Max looked puzzled.

The vice president leaned over his putt and struck it lightly, steadily watching as it went in the hole.

I want you to head up a small unit, Max. We have a new software system that helps us spot potential in a person to go on one of those rampage shooting sprees. We want to do a test to see how it works and to gauge how many such units we need nationally. The test would run over, say, a year period. Richard, I think you’re out.

The governor tapped his putt, and it just missed the hole. Max took his place over his ball, and from about four feet, knocked it in for a birdie.

Nice, the vice president said.

Thanks. Max took the ball out of the hole. So how does it work?

I’m not able to tell you how right now, Max the vice president got back into his cart with the governor and headed for the next tee. When he got to the tee, Max and Chuck caught up.

What are we looking at here? the vice president surveyed the hole.

It’s about two hundred yards par three, Max said, taking out a four iron. Most of the hazard is just below the tee.

So we need to have the unit target the people identified as high risk on a regional basis. The vice president lined up his shot, and he too had a four iron. With what we learn, we can build a program that actually focuses on prevention. Max, the fact is these massacres have to stop. The president and I agree at least on that. Where we disagree is he thinks it will get better if we add more gun control. With what we know now, Max, there’s no way it gets better just because new gun laws are added. Someone goes on a spree, kills a lot of people, we waste a lot of money doing a lengthy investigation, the guy who did it may or may not kill themselves. We talk tough but nothing really of substance is done.

I wouldn’t disagree. Max took aim and hit his shot high, and it faded into the green.

The governor followed with a low running shot that bounced up onto the fringe.

You don’t think these mass killers are connected do you? Max put his club back into the bag. Because they aren’t.

In most cases, they are planned, and they are not random; but no, I agree. I don’t think these guys know each other except maybe their handles on World of Warcraft and Grand Theft Auto, the vice president said as he and the governor headed for the green. Max and Chuck followed.

As the group walked onto the green, Max stopped and looked at the vice president.

You know signals were ignored with a lot of these guys, right? Max asked.

Yea, I know. We should have figured out that the people involved were capable but we didn’t have this new ability. The vice president went to the bench on the tee and sat down. Mental health facilities and schools as well as family and friends all have said that in most cases, they were aware of the dark side of these perpetrators. Trouble is, no one shared with us, and even if they did, we had no way of dealing with it until something overt occurred. And we surely had no way of acquiring the suspicious activity information without being approached by someone who figured out a problem existed. I’m saying now we do.

The governor chipped in for birdie, Max and the vice president two-putted for pars.

Okay, so you have a new system for prediction. Max smiled. Why do you want me to run this unit?

Your specialty is intervention, the vice president said. The governor and I knew you well before our political and government successes were reached. the vice president got up. Frankly, there is a violent side of your personality that I need in this unit. And right now you don’t have any commitments to keep you from an operation of this magnitude. I can’t afford to put the success of this assignment in the hands of someone who is still trying to make grade and rank. And I cannot trust the military to operate in the civil climate. Besides, Max, no one hates crooks more than you. And if I hear one more commentator asking the question Why we weren’t able to get these people help? I’m gonna go on a rampage. I already know what you think of the mental health system. What about the third hole?

I’m touched by your sentiment, sir. Max laughed. Long par five, six hundred or so yards. There is a lake and large green. Keep left and not too long off the tee, Max said, taking out a three wood. Hit it on the cart path, and it will for sure hit the desert hazard.

It’s fairly simple really, the governor said. The system picks the targets, gives a percentage of likelihood, and you work them. If they begin to act, you stop them.

Just stop them, Max said. Something tells me if you expected it to be that easy, you wouldn’t need me. Governor, you’re up.

Tests on this intelligence system will provide information on expansion, the chief said. We just need to see how effective it is.

We have thought of all of the negatives, Max, the vice president said as Max teed off. Good shot. As I said, the test will be regional, starting with the southwest. We are going to give you the authority to do a lot of things not allowed previously. You already have a headquarters; equipment has been acquired, and you have four people assigned. You will have federal credentials and federal authority. This is a chance to make a difference, Max. If this system works, units like the one you test will be all over this country.

These killings have evolved, gentlemen. Max adjusted his glove. They have changed from being mostly schools and workplace events to vulnerability in malls, theatres, and other places. This test sounds expensive.

We are working to get you what you need to undertake this assignment. And, Max, there’s something else, the governor said as the vice president hit a driver straight down the fairway. Raymond?

Chuck lined up his tee shot and stopped to hear what the vice president was going to say. Max now noticed that there were no other golfers on the course.

Max, we aren’t, I should say you aren’t going to be arresting as a means to intervene, the vice president said, looking first at Max then at Chuck and the governor. Let’s say, we aren’t looking to have pursuits, gun fights, wrestling matches, and people who aren’t involved being hurt or killed.

So what am I supposed do, kill them?

Yes. Once they are engaged and are committed to doing the act, they are to be eliminated. You won’t be doing any scene work, and you won’t be going to court.

Christ, I was just kidding! Max said.

Chuck stared briefly at Max and then hit his drive cleanly into the fairway.

Kill them. Max smiled and sat back in the cart. You want us to kill them. What about due process?

Don’t you see how we have thus far failed miserably to stop these stupid killings? the Vice President asked. Do you have any idea how much money was spent on investigations of single mass killers in the last few years? And they mostly were people who killed themselves. And there were collateral deaths while trying to apprehend. And the ones where there were multiple killers? Let’s put aside for a second the cost and realize that families all over the country have been and will continue to lose other family members. And we can’t have our children hiding under desks, in closets with a masked mad man hunting for someone else to shoot. This is insanity, Max.

In its worst form, Max agreed.

So in addition to our new detection ‘system, as I like to call it, we have another toy that will aid you in your endeavors the Vice President took a towel and wiped his forehead. It’s called InSight."

InSight?

"Because you have a limited number of people, you will need a surveillance edge. Do you remember the movie Enemy of the State?"

Sure.

That camera system? The one they used to track the star of the movie?

Yes.

Yours makes that one look like a Polaroid.

Satellite? Max started to get out of the cart and sat back down. Real time?

Real time. The vice president chuckled.

Max leaned out of the cart and looked up to the sky, looked back at the governor, then Chuck. Chuck was smiling and nodding his head.

Both carts headed for their ball locations. All four players hit the green in four and made par.

You know, I think we will all get along well together the Vice President said. I also think I play better golf here in Arizona. We will have to do this again. Richard, pull over; we need to talk before I leave. We can’t tie up this course all day, and I need to get back.

Both carts pulled off the previous green and all four men got out.

Executive orders will give the power for your team to take action. The vice president retrieved a bottle of water from his bag. There will be a review of the incident using the InSight recording. Max, the public tires of this shit, and we don’t have time or the money any more to allow these things to continue. And we aren’t going to keep spending millions for investigations that only yield the fact that we should have known. At first we will keep the events low key, and the local police and sheriffs will take care of scene cleanup and restoration of order. In time, the public will know there is a special unit working against these killers, and the hope is that the would-be perpetrators will feel the presence of the unit and not be so prone to act. Chiefs of police for each event will be briefed by either Chuck, since he is in your base location, or the governor, since he is responsible for your base location. I will supplement as I can and oversee operations.

So what if something happens to you guys? Max looked at all three of them. Who will verify my job and my authority to do it?

The assignment is not a secret, Max. What’s secret is how we are getting the rating we assign to the person of interest. I won’t tell you that we haven’t had to resort to some questionable methods. We have three years left in office. The executive order has been approved already. This is something we have been working on for some time. I’ll even provide you with a copy of the order. For Christ’ sake, it says in plain words that there will be an elimination instead of an arrest. You are not doing anything criminal, Max. You would only intervene when the perpetrator starts to act. Let’s call it self-defense or defense of another. We just don’t want the perpetrator to try and run or shoot more people or shoot you or get away and start over again. Max, there is much more to discuss, but we can’t do it here. Tell me you are at least interested, and we will set up a meeting at the office we are providing for the unit. In the meantime, develop your questions and concerns, and we address them each and solidify our intentions. Is that fair?

Okay, Max said. Let’s set up the meeting. I am interested but I’m not promising anything yet.

Richard, you and Chuck finish out your golf game with Max. The vice president smiled. Let’s meet in the morning at the new office then. I’ll square it with your assistant.

Will do, sir, the governor said.

The vice president and his security teams caravanned back to the clubhouse and departed. Chuck, the governor, and Max finished out their game then went to the bar for a beer.

That was a good round, Max, Chuck said. You’ve gotten better.

Thanks, Chuck, Max said. You and the governor have gotten better too.

What do you think, Max? The governor sipped his beer.

He’s interested, Governor, Chuck said, smiling. I know he’s interested.

I have questions, but I am interested. Max laughed. I should have my head examined but I am interested. The vice president mentioned an office, so I guess you guys have been working on this for some time. What else is in place?

Everything is in place, Max, the governor said. Your people are already experienced and trained. I think you know a couple of them. They just need a leader.

Rules? Procedures?

You will be using the undercover FBI rules coupled with the executive order that’s already in place, Chuck said.

The southwest is a large area. How does the team get from place to place? Max asked.

Chuck looked at the governor. I will show you on the way to the office tomorrow.

As the men got up to leave, a well-dressed young lady came into the bar and approached the governor.

Max, this is my aide, Cheryl Jackson, the governor said. Cheryl, you already know Chuck.

Hi, Max. Cheryl shook his hand. Hi, Chuck. Governor, we should probably go. The vice president sent me a text to set up a meeting. It will be tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Max, if that’s okay with you, Governor. Chuck, are you coming too?

I will be bringing, Max, Chuck said. Will you be there to let us in?

Sure. Cheryl laughed. What would you do without me? Max, it was good to meet you finally. I have heard a lot about you and almost all of it was good.

Max smiled and took another look at her. She dressed with class; she was slim, and she was very pretty.

I’m just kidding, Max, she said, smiling. It was all good. We will be seeing a lot of one another, yes?

I will look forward to it, Max said and then wished he hadn’t sounded so eager.

Max, I will pick you up at your place at 7:00 AM, Chuck said.

See you then.

As the group left, Max watched Cheryl walking with the governor and Chuck toward the front door.

She’s a hard body, Max said to himself.

Cheryl looked back and caught Max staring. He turned a light shade of red and she just smiled.

Max put his clubs in the trunk and