Evil in High Places

By Bob Lanier Smith

Jack Barnes was struggling. He had made the ballot, but his polling numbers were strong evidence he had no chance in the election. His budget was dwindling, and time was growing short. A friend of his, a sitting senator, noticed his predicament and suggested he meet the man who had helped him secure his senate seat some years before. Such a meeting seemed a godsend, but there was just one problem: "I can't afford to pay for help like that," Jack had said. "This guy is not looking for money. He's looking for support""down the road. He's a lobbyist. Why don't you just meet with him? Then if you decide you don't want his help, no big deal." It sounded reasonable. Jack agreed to meet with him. The meeting was cordial""heck, nothing objectionable""and he agreed to accept his help. It was the biggest mistake of his political career.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098024925

Book preview

1

Senator Jack Barnes entered Cecil Falco’s outer office at precisely 9:59 a.m. Sorry, I’m a little early, he joked with Deborah Whitehouse, the senator’s assistant. She smiled, acknowledging the senator’s attempt at humor, and ushered him into Falco’s private study. Barnes extended his hand, Falco shook it, and the two men settled in comfortable chairs.

Thank you for seeing me, Cecil.

Always glad to see you, Jack. It’d be nice if we had more time to work on the real issues of government. Seems like we’re always at odds about some crap that means little and solves nothing.

Barnes smiled. That’s one of the things I like about you, Cecil. You’re always on point and never beat around the bush.

Life’s too short, and I’m too old to be beating around bushes, Jack. What can I do for you? You were very vague on the phone—almost mysterious.

Yeah, I guess I did sound a bit mysterious. When I tell you why I called, you’ll understand why I didn’t want to discuss the matter on the phone. You never know who might be listening in. The information I want to share is for your ears only.

Before we go any further, Jack, I want you to know I have no secrets from my chief of staff. You know Jonathan. He’s been with me for many years. We’re together so much someone in your party has referred to us as Mutt and Jeff. Falco smiled, knowing it was Barnes who had made the comment.

Barnes blushed slightly. I guess whoever said that thought it was appropriate at the time. I do apologize for the remark of that unthoughtful person.

No problem. Jonathan and I thought it was funny—sort of.

As far as Jonathan is concerned, I consider him in the same vein as you. Invite him into the discussion if you like.

Falco buzzed Jonathan’s office. Why don’t you join Jack and me? He has some interesting information for us. Jonathan entered the room, shook Jack’s hand, greeted him warmly, and took a chair.

Barnes began, What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room. If this information should surface, my career is down the tubes. And worse, my life would not be worth, as you guys say in Texas, spit.

That does sound serious, Jack. Please tell me you are exaggerating a bit?

I wish, said Jack. What I’m going to share with you is fact, undisputable fact. For you to fully understand, I need to start at the beginning—my election to the senate."

The beginning is a good place to start. That was several years ago, wasn’t it, Jack?

That’s right. Please understand that I’m not proud of the story I’m about to tell you. I’d like to blame my actions on the fact I was a young man and didn’t know better, but I can’t. I was fully grown, on the verge of middle age, and knew better. Of course, you were already in the senate, Cecil, but I’m sure you remember my race against your man Donald Douglas.

Oh yes, I remember it well. Donnie was ahead of you in every poll and looked like a shoo-in. Somehow, at the last minute, you pulled it out. It was a squeaker, but you pulled it out. There was some thought given to a recount and maybe an investigation of foul play, but nothing ever happened. Donnie was just not up to the fight.

Did either of you ever hear of a guy named George Scorsone?

Falco tensed. Never without some negative superlative before or after his name.

That’s the one, Barnes said. He’s a lobbyist, but more than that, he is a liar, a cheat, a thief, and worse. I’m certain his past includes murder. You get my drift—he’s no damn good.

Don’t tell me you got involved with him, Jack.

Up to the hilt, Cecil. I may as well have signed on with the devil. He’s the reason I’m in the senate today—there’s no question in my mind. I have no idea what he did to get me elected, but I’m sure he is responsible. And I’m just as sure it was not legitimate. Someone told me he bussed in loads of voters, and I don’t know what else. Back then, I really didn’t care—I was becoming a senator. I could never have pulled that off by myself. He knew it, I knew it. So for the last few years I’ve been playing payback, and now I know now the payback will never end."

That’s quite an admission, Jack. Why are you telling us this?

Because I want to get out from under this burden and start making things right.

As you just said, that would be a very dangerous thing to do. Are you sure you want to make this public?

"No, I don’t want to make it public. That would serve no purpose other than getting me killed. He paused for a moment and said, I guess that would make a point, but it wouldn’t solve any problems."

Okay, so what do you want to do?

I want to let you know what some of his plans are so we can throw a monkey wrench into them and keep us from passing bills that we’ll be paying for ’til hell freezes over.

Falco said, I misjudged you, Jack. I thought you were coming in here to try to sell some lame-brained idea from the far left. There may be hope for you yet, Falco joked.

Senator Jack Barnes smiled. It was his first genuine smile in a long time.

2

Okay, Jack, where do you want to start? Falco asked.

It was a logical question, but it took Jack by surprise. Does that mean you will help me?

What kind of friend wouldn’t help you once you’ve bared your very soul as you just have, Falco said. What were you expecting? ‘We’ll think it over and get back to you’?

I don’t know what I was expecting. I just knew I had to talk with someone, and I respect your clear thinking, your take-the-bull-by-the-horns attitude, and the fact that you will treat this admission as confidential. Let’s see, I think your question was where do we start?

Yes, Jack. I appreciate your kind comments, and you may rest assured that whatever conversation we have concerning these issues will not leave this office. And yes, the question on the floor is, where do we start?

"Scorsone’s interest is all over the board. Basically, he has two agendas. One is getting bills passed. If he can get certain bills passed, he lines his pockets with gold. The other is getting people like me elected to promote his first agenda. His immediate interest has to do with the pharmaceutical industry. First, let me say I have no idea how many senators operate under the thumb of this man. Obviously, it’s not something we talk about in the halls. All who are involved have to be embarrassed about it.

If we had given the matter any serious thought, most of us would never have gotten involved with the monster. But at this point, what can we do? The payoff—getting elected—came first. The prize was all we could think about. On the surface, what appears to be nothing more than lobbying is something much more sinister in our case. He’s bought and paid for our vote. To vote against his ‘suggestion’ becomes a matter of life and death—literally. That’s particularly true if the vote happens to be decisive.

Frankly, Jack, I’m not surprised at much anymore. Are you aware of an instance where a vote has cost a man his life?

I don’t have hard evidence, Cecil, but the circumstantial evidence is so strong it leaves no doubt in my mind. You remember Darrell Soeken, don’t you?

Of course. Although he was across the aisle, he was a good friend. He died a couple of years ago. Are you suggesting he died because he voted wrong?

That’s exactly what I’m telling you. Darrell and I were good friends too. I don’t know anyone who didn’t like Darrell. You may remember he struggled to get elected, just like I did. His problem didn’t have anything to do with people not liking him or thinking he couldn’t do the job. What made his race a toss-up was name recognition of his opponent. To go against a governor of the state is an uphill climb—I don’t care how good a guy you are. That’s what Darrell faced. It was going to be tight. A week from the election date, the governor was leading by several points in the polls. You know how polls are. Darrell might have won without help, but I’m convinced he got help from George Scorsone. He never told me that, and I never confessed to him my dealings with Scorsone, but I think each of us felt the truth about the other. And there is no doubt in my mind that he regretted the involvement as much as I do.

What makes you so sure, Jack?

Conversations I had with Darrell over time. We often discussed the various issues as they came up for a vote. There have been times when it was obvious how he felt about a certain bill, and yet, come voting time, he voted just the opposite. It was so easy to recognize because I was doing exactly the same thing. Considering the squeaky margin of his victory and those situations I just mentioned, I’m convinced he was in the same boat as me. And I haven’t even told you of the last conversation we had.

What you say makes a lot of sense, Jack. Why don’t you share the details of that last conversation?

We met for lunch on the day of the drug card vote. Of course, it’s public record as to how each of us voted. He voted for the bill, and I voted against it. A strong negative vote was suggested. The bill passed—Darrell’s was the deciding vote. He seemed nervous, almost apologetic to me. Given my suspicions, I wondered at the time whether fireworks were in his future because this bill was very important to Scorsone. He stood to make many millions from the bill’s defeat.

So he was nervous. Did he say anything specifically to make you think he feared for his life?

I will never forget what he said. This is verbatim, Cecil. ‘Jack,’ he said, ‘you know I voted my conscience on this bill. There are strong forces who do not agree with me. It’s an evil world out there, and there will likely be repercussions.’

That’s pretty strong sentiment, Jack. I agree. I think he must have expected the hammer to fall. Then what happened?

In less than a week, Darrell Soeken was dead. At his death, he was sixty-two years old and in perfect health. He passed his yearly physical examination two months prior with good numbers in all areas. The suddenness of his death called for an autopsy. The autopsy report contained nothing suspicious, but I know he was murdered.

Over the last few years, medical science has really improved, particularly forensics. Do you think anything might be discovered with another evaluation of the remains? Jonathan offered.

That might be a possibility, but I doubt it. Jennifer said someone from the senate contacted her and arranged for everything and paid for all of it, including a viewing of the body in the rotunda. They told her it was senate protocol. She had not heard of that benefit, but did not question it. Of course, she did not remember who approached her on the subject, and her description of the man was about as vague as you can get: medium height, medium weight, white male, no distinguishing marks, nice-looking middle-aged man with a pleasant personality. She had never seen him before, and the only time she’s seen him since was when the body was being placed on the plane for burial in Utah.

Very suspicious, Falco said.

All nodded.

We’ve got our work cut out for us, Falco said. And I think where we need to start is about two years ago with the death of our friend Darrell Soeken.

3

The death of Darrell Soeken shocked all who knew him. Still a young man by any measure, he exercised regularly and ate right. There seemed no legitimate reason for his untimely death.

After a brief viewing opportunity in the rotunda and a memorial service attended by family and close personal friends, his body was transferred to Utah, where it was laid to rest.

When questioned about what appeared to be senate protocol, Jennifer said, I guess I was just so rattled at the time it seemed appropriate. And the young man was so nice and considerate when he explained the custom when a senator dies in office. He said it was the obligation of the senate to take care of all the details, including all cost involved. Said it was akin to taking care of your own.

***

Shortly after the body was transferred to Utah, George Scorsone met with one of his boys.

A nice piece of work, Aaron. The comment was unusual. George Scorsone was not known for words of praise or appreciation.

Aaron smiled. Thank you, sir. The story about the senate protocol was all it took.

I’m assuming you took care of all the details.

Yes, I did. Had the body moved to our doctor for examination and preparation for the autopsy. Then I moved him to your friend’s funeral home, where they took care of all the paperwork.

Did she question anything?

"She never mentioned a problem to me. She did express her appreciation for our assistance."

Scorsone smiled. If those senators I control can put two and two together, they can probably figure it out. They knew where I stood on this issue, and they know how Darrell voted. I think that should get the attention of those who need it, he said and moved to another project.

4

Is Mrs. Soeken still in the area, Jack? Falco said.

No, she’s not. As soon as she tied up loose ends in Washington, she moved back to Utah. But her son is graduating from Georgetown next week. I’m sure she plans to be here for the graduation. What do you have in mind?

While she’s in town, can you set up a meeting with her? Perhaps a small group for dinner. You and Peggy, me and Jonathan, and maybe a couple of her friends to make her more comfortable. Nothing fancy. Just a leisurely setting—more like a catchup among friends than anything else.

Sure, Cecil, that’s no problem. What will it accomplish?

Maybe we can work the conversation around to Darrell’s passing and the circumstances surrounding it. I have no idea what we may learn from that conversation, but you never know, Falco said. It’s a start.

I’m sure I can set it up. I think maybe this meeting should be on the private side. I’ll have Peggy work up something so we can have dinner at the house.

"Good thinking, Jack. We don’t want to appear on the front page of the Enquirer having a gay old time at the Capitol Grill. People will start to wonder which one of us is on the take."

***

Within the next few days, Jack called to say the party was set for the following Saturday evening. Jennifer and two of her friends would be attending. All ran in similar circles so there would be no strangers involved.

Senator Falco and his assistant, Jonathan Shields, marked their calendars.

How are you going to bring up questions about his death? Jonathan asked.

I have no idea. I’m counting on you to set me up for a natural lead in, Falco said. He smiled, and Jonathan realized he was kidding.

Whew, I was beginning to worry.

"I wouldn’t lay that one on you, Jonathan. If there is an appropriate time to bring up his passing, I’ll bring it up. If not, we’ll ask the question at another time. If we are able to ask a question, I don’t expect to get a lot from the answer—but sometimes we get lucky."

***

The dress was casual. Falco seldom appeared in casual attire, so this was a welcomed change for him. Being from Texas, he enjoyed casual, but he seemed to always be on stage at some fancy function or business meeting that called for more.

Falco and Jonathan arrived early, hoping to work in a little conversation with Jack and Peggy before Jennifer arrived. Although Jack had already told his wife what they hoped to gain, Cecil covered the subject again.

We certainly won’t press the issue if it doesn’t feel right, Falco said. We don’t want Jennifer the least bit uncomfortable with the subject.

We’ll follow your lead on that, Cecil, Jack said.

The doorbell rang, and Peggy moved to the front door and invited her guests in. After greetings and a couple of rounds of wine, the group settled around the dining room table for a delicious meal of roast beef, new potatoes, and green beans.

Falco, obviously pleased with the dinner, said, Peggy, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were from Texas. That meal was wonderful, and just like my mama used to make.

Thank you, Cecil. When what you’ve done compares favorably with what one’s Mama has done, it’s quite the compliment.

All chuckled and nodded agreement.

"It was wonderful, Peggy," Jennifer said.

Thank you, Jennie. We really should do this more often. It seems like we are forever getting stuck in our own little ruts, Peggy said. Shall we hold off on dessert for a while and enjoy after dinner drinks and conversation in the living room?

All agreed, pushed back, and moved toward more comfortable seating.

Falco, sitting across from Jennifer, said, It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Soeken. How have you been?

It’s Jennifer, please, Senator. I’ve been well…actually trying to keep busy since Darrell died. It’s been a struggle, but I’ve got some really good friends in both Utah and here in Washington. She motioned to those around her. I don’t know what I would have done without them. And you may have heard Darrell Jr. just graduated from Georgetown.

Yes, I heard. Congratulations. I know you’re proud of him. What’s his course of study?

Forensics. I don’t understand it, really. His interest has always been in literature. I thought he would end up teaching at some college or maybe joining some newspaper as a reporter.

I guess at that age they have a mind of their own, Falco said.

She smiled.

Back to your husband for a moment. Dealing with Darrell’s untimely passing was a struggle for all of us, Jennifer. I don’t know anyone in the senate who had more friends.

Jennifer smiled in agreement and turned serious. I don’t often talk about this subject, but you’ve been in office for a long time and have pretty much seen it all. I have a question for you, she said.

I’ll answer if I can.

It involves something that has been mentioned to me before, but I think those closest to me have sort of skirted the issue, trying not to hurt my feelings. I hope you will answer directly and truthfully.

You can depend on it, Jennifer.

Is there some custom that when one of you dies, the senate will take care of arrangements and handle all kinds of details?

"In such a situation, I’m sure there will be any number of fellow senators willing to give a hand—it’s nothing more than any good friend would do. As far as anything above that is concerned, there is nothing in place that one could call a custom. Does that answer your question?"

Yes, Senator, thank you. Your answer confirms that I have been taken advantage of, and it leads me to believe that Darrell did not die under normal circumstances. I’ve not shared this feeling before because it just seems too farfetched, but I’ve felt it for a very long time. Darrell had no enemies. Who would want to kill him?

I’m sorry, Falco said. It must be a terrible thing to consider. Several of us thought his untimely death was suspect. We may be able to shed some light on the subject if you are up to talking about it.

I feel like such an idiot just accepting what a perfect stranger said to me about a weird custom that I’d never heard of. If I had given it two thoughts, I would have seen right through it, or at least asked about it. There’s obviously a cover-up involved. If I had been smarter, that guy would be behind bars now, or maybe in the gas chamber. I’m sure now that man murdered Darrell.

Jack, who had joined the conversation, said, Don’t beat yourself up about it, Jennifer. Your mind was working overtime just coping with the catastrophe. We all were.

"If he is what he seems, he should be in prison and charged with murder, Falco said. Tell us what you remember about him—even the slightest detail may be helpful."

"Others have asked me the same question, Cecil, and I’ve racked my brain to come up with something that might shed some light. My memory is clear. I can see the guy, but the description is so common. There is not one distinguishing mark on the bastard. She covered her mouth, embarrassed with her last comment. I’m sorry. That just slipped out."

"It’s all right, Jennifer. We all feel the same way, and really, bastard is too nice a word for him," Jonathan remarked.

Have you ever met a man named George Scorsone? asked Falco.

Yes, I met him several years ago. It was right after Darrell was elected. We never became what you’d call friends, but we would see him on occasion at various parties. He seemed nice enough, but Darrell never liked to be around him. In fact, if Darrell knew he was going to be at a function, he’d sometimes find an excuse not to go. When his name would come up in conversation, Darrell would change the subject. What do you make of that, Cecil?

His reaction to Scorsone was not all that unusual. Many in Congress feel the same way about him. To put it more nicely than he deserves, Scorsone is not one of the good guys. I can’t prove it yet, but we think it was one of Scorsone’s guys who set the wheels in motion that led to Darrell’s death—most likely the guy who talked to you.

Jennifer sat stunned, hearing out loud for the first time something that she had begun to suspect—that something as brutal as murder could take place in the halls of government.

Finally composed, she said, When you say ‘yet,’ does that mean you are looking to bring Scorsone down?

We’ll be working on just that, Jennifer.

That makes me feel so much better. I feel I’ve been such a fool to let them put something over on me like this.

Changing the subject, Falco said, Now let’s talk about what you will be doing for the summer. Are you going to stay pretty close to home or do some traveling with your friends?

Jennifer looked at her two girlfriends. They smiled.

I think I see a trip in your future, Jonathan said.

You read that right, Jonathan. We’re going to take one of those river cruises down the Mississippi next month. I’ve not done that before, but my two friends here have been on several of them and tell me if I take one, it won’t be my last.

Jack and Falco moved to a different part of the room and entered a deep conversation. I can’t believe she brought it up like that, Falco said.

It seemed like she had been thinking about it for a long time and may be concerned about it. She finally concluded she had not been very smart and needed to talk with someone.

I’m glad it worked out that way. At this point, I feel like I can go back to her at any time and bring the subject up without fear of upsetting her. We simply have to do something about Scorsone, and pinning a murder on him might be our ticket to getting rid of him.

Easier said than done, Jack said.

Don’t I know it?

5

Maybe we should look to the future instead of trying to prove something that happened in the past, Falco said.

You’re probably right about that, Cecil, but I’d give anything I’ll ever own to pin Darrell’s murder on the bastard, Jonathan replied.

We might have another opportunity to do just that. If he would stoop to that once, he’ll do it again. Old habits are hard to break, and it seems to have worked for him before. He’s arrogant and thinks he’s untouchable.

He’s a slick devil.

"Slimy might be a better word."

Wouldn’t disagree with you on that, Cecil. Got any plans?

Not concrete enough to talk about at the moment, but some ideas are beginning to surface. For the time being, let’s relax and see if we can’t help Jennifer have a good time.

A worthy objective, Cecil. You’re a good man—I don’t care what they say about you on the floor of the senate, he added jokingly.

Anticipating a full day, Falco and Jonathan made their farewells at ten o’clock, and the party broke shortly after.

***

Conversation was measured on the trip back to their apartment. Jonathan broke the silence. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

I’m pretty sure we’re on the same track, Falco said.

Do you want me to call them?

Falco smiled. Yeah, why don’t you call them tomorrow to see if they are available?

It was strong evidence they were thinking alike.

***

Kelly answered the phone, Oh, hello, Jonathan. How have you been?

After a small amount of small talk, Jonathan delivered the message that prompted the call. Could you and Paul—err, Michael possibly meet Senator Falco and me next Thursday afternoon in his office?

She laughed when Jonathan called Michael by his assumed name in a previous set of circumstances. It took me forever to get his name straight. I thought for a long while it would be far easier not to go back his real name.

Well, we know why we decided to do that, Jonathan said.

"Yes, I know the why, but it sure was difficult to get used to."

Both Kelly and Michael had worked for Senator Falco for a period of time on a different project. During that time, Michael and Kelly were operating undercover as a married couple using the name of Paul and Kelly Logan. Their involvement left them exposed to possible danger. The relationship ended with them actually getting married, and because Kelly was pregnant, they decided to leave the erratic world of espionage. Assuming a different last name through marriage, she liked her assumed name and kept it.

Kelly answered immediately, Of course, we can meet with you and the senator. What time do you want us?

Three would be a good time if you can make it. Do you need to check with Michael?

I happen to know he will be free all day next Thursday. We miss you guys, and I’m pretty sure we will be there early—and ready for an assignment if you have one.

We’ll see, Jonathan said. ’Til next Thursday.

Can’t wait.

6

The meeting was as happy as expected. The first