A Mission of Evil

By Barbara Wilson Wright

June McDowell, Terri Jewell, Ahmed Zawaibi and Kim Bessinger were innocent bystanders pulled into a whirlpool of conspiracy by terrorists plotting to destroy Denver International Airport. Khalid Kadrim, Ahmed's cousin, came to Denver on the pretext of a visit. He brought a group of terrorists with him and invaded Ahmed's home and life. June did not know her act of kindness to Terri would put her life and her family in danger. Terri perished but her friend Kim doggedly searches for her not realizing that she too would be drawn into the maelstrom. She is aided by Lt. Schonen but even the smart detective does not know the disappearance he is investigating is just a small part of a sinister plot.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781597050647

Book preview

One

It began as a common ordinary day. June McDowell settled her three kids in front of the television. Even though she swore she would never use the TV as a babysitter, here she was grateful that the kids were intrigued by a smiling, dancing dinosaur. This gave her a few minutes of badly needed ‘alone" time. Time... such a precious commodity.

Jimmy, you’re in charge. Don’t answer the door at all! Watch Mandy and Missy for me please. I’m going to take a shower.

With that she bent over to kiss the top of one-year old Missy’s head who was sitting in a jumper seat.

Did you hear me? she inquired of her enthralled five-year-old.

Don’t answer the door, he said without taking his eyes off the set.

June walked into the bathroom and closed the door. Ten minutes at best. Ten minutes to shower, wash her hair, maybe put on some makeup. Ten whole precious minutes. She looked in the mirror. A teenager’s face looked back at her. Long straight hair always worn in a ponytail. At a distance she could pass for seventeen. She scrutinized herself looking for wrinkles or, God forbid, a stray silver-colored hair. Satisfied that so far she had escaped the ravages of time, she turned on the shower and enjoyed the luxury of letting hot water pour over her. She hoped some of her troubles would wash down the drain as she began to wash her hair.

She was just rinsing her hair when she heard a pounding on the door. Jimmy was yelling something.

Dammit, Jimmy, Mommy’s in the shower. What is it? Can’t it wait?

No, yelled Jimmy kicking the door, "Gramps is on the phone. He wants to talk with you. Now he says."

June came out and went to the phone.

Hi, Gramps, how are you? This is an early call. I was just in the shower. She listened for a second. There seemed to be no response. Gramps? she asked again.

Jimmy, she asked irritably, did you say it was Gramps?

Before Jimmy could respond there came a muffled sob over the phone.

Gramps, what is it?

J... Junie-bug, the voice was sobbing. Junie-bug was her grandparents’ name for her ever since she was little.

Gramps, please talk to me. What is it?

Junie, I need you. It’s Grams. The voice of her grandfather was strained. Junie, she’s in the hospital. That’s where I’m calling from. It doesn’t look good for her. She must have had a stroke or something. I went out to feed the cows and when I got back, she was lying on the floor. She can’t talk or anything. The ambulance came to get her and brought her here. Junie, can you come please? Maybe she’ll feel better if she knows you and the kids are here. That was all June could hear except for the sound of sobbing.

Another voice came on the line. It was Rose Tully, her grandparents’ neighbor.

Hi, Junie, I came over as soon as I heard the ambulance go by and I drove Burt here.

She lowered her voice. It doesn’t look good, honey, I’m sorry. Here’s your Grandpa again.

Junie, will you come?

Of course, Grandpa, right away. I’ll have to pack up a few things and we’ll take the bus to Rifle. My old car won’t make it over the mountains and I’d hate to get stuck with three kids. I’ll call you at the hospital when I find out about times and everything. Okay?

No, Junie, please get out here earlier. Take the plane. I’ll give you money for a ticket. You can be out here in a couple of hours. If she hears your voice she’ll... that was all he could say.

June hung up and allowed herself a few seconds to grieve. Then she sprang onto action. After praying that her credit card was good, she made reservations for the flight. She packed up kids’ clothes, something for herself, made a half dozen phone calls and got out of the house within an hour’s time. This was not the way she had planned her day. She prayed that the old Chevy could make it to the Denver International Airport where she would pick up a local flight to Grand Junction. Hopefully someone could pick her up there for the hour and a half drive to Rifle. The children seemed to sense that something was amiss and settled quietly into their car seats. She hadn’t told them much except they were going to see Gramps and Grams if they were good. Jimmy, the oldest, was her intuitive child.

Gramps was crying when I answered the phone. Why?

I think he’s very worried. Grams is sick and he wants us to come out as quickly as possible.

Is she going to die?

June blinked back tears as she answered her son. I hope not. Maybe we can help her get better by being there. She reached over and smoothed her son’s head. Please God, don’t let her die... not Grams, she prayed silently. The old Chevy wheezed and jerked its way into the long-term parking lot and June guided it carefully into a slot. She got out the bags, stroller and picked up Missy. Two other hands, that’s what I need right now.

She started making her way toward the shuttle bus stop when a ruckus erupted in the next row. She could hear shouting and anxiously tried to steer the children closer toward her. Looking around she saw a skinny, bleached blonde, stiletto-heeled girl fighting off a man bent on hitting her. Anger replaced the apprehension she had felt just a minute ago and she yelled out, Hey buster, knock it off!

The man looked up for a second allowing the girl to get away from him.

Mind your own fucking business, a dark haired man with an accented voice responded.

I’m making it my business and if you hit her one more time I’m screaming bloody murder... or rape. That’ll get security here in a minute.

The blonde girl ran ahead and turned around and screamed at her attacker. I’ve had it. I’m sick of it and I’m not going to take anymore of this crap.

She turned and continued to run toward the shuttle bus stop. The man uttered an oath, shook his fist and turned back to his car but not before yelling at the woman.

June pushed her kids in front of her and when she reached the shuttle bus stop she looked around trying to flag somebody down for help in case the man came back.

After what seemed like an eternity, the shuttle bus arrived and she managed to get herself, the kids and bags safely aboard. As the bus pulled away, she saw the blonde-haired girl waving her arms for the bus to stop.

Hey, June called out, please stop. That girl needs a ride now.

Thanks, Miss. I just had to get away for a while, the girl said as she boarded the bus.

A long while I hope. Does he do this all the time to you? I’d report it if I were you.

Oh no, hey listen, it wasn’t as bad as it sounded, really. Honest to God! We just got into it. He’s been on edge a little because some family is coming here. Honest, I’m not kidding. This is nothing. He’ll calm down and I’ll get over my hissy fit and by this afternoon we’ll be okay.

Where have I heard that before? June answered sarcastically.

No, now don’t get the wrong idea. the girl answered smiling as she carefully blotted her eyes trying not to smudge the heavily made up eyes. Ahmed is a real nice guy.

Nice guys don’t beat up on women in a parking lot in broad daylight or any place for that matter. Lose the bum! You don’t need him!

Oh, look, I mean, I know what it must look like but really he is nice. We’ve been together for about five months now. He’s very smart, and he’s really generous. It’s not like what you think at all.

June surveyed the girl. Well, he may be very generous but is it worth getting beaten up just to sport a Louis Vuitton bag?

The girl smiled and was genuinely pleased that someone recognized her handbag.

He gets me lots of nice things and I like him so I don’t see this as a problem.

Whatever! June said shaking her head. I’m just going to say I’ve been there and done that and no bag, no nice clothes, no fancy shoes are worth it.

"It is if you’ve never had things like this before," the girl retorted.

The bus slowed down at the United Express stop and June prepared to get off.

Here let me help you, offered the girl, and she took the bags while June managed the baby and Mandy. Jimmy trailed behind.

Well, thanks and good luck to you. June headed into the airport and toward the counter with her family. A few minutes later she heard a voice behind her. It was the girl.

I hate to ask this of you because you’ve got your hands full but I must have left my wallet in Ahmed’s car and I don’t have any cash in my bag. Could you spot me a twenty so I can get a cab home and I promise you I’ll send it back just as soon as I get home.

You’ve got to be kidding me! A Vuitton bag and no money! Sorry, miss, you’ve come to the wrong person. No way. I’m a single mom, headed for Rifle where my grandmother is hospitalized. I don’t have twenty bucks to give you for a cab ride home.

Oh jeez! Please! I’ll even take a bus if I have to. I swear, I promise I’ll send you the money back. My name is Terri Jewell and, if you can, just give me bus fare. I don’t want to run into Ahmed here at the airport now. Please!

June sighed. Right now she did not need this.

What the heck. Take this five. I’ve got ten left to get me to Grand Junction. Instead of sending me the money, just get rid of the jerk. June handed the girl the bill.

Please give me your name, honest to God, I’ll send you it back today... when I get home.

Terri jotted down June’s address.

Hey, thanks, June. I mean it and I’m real sorry about your Grandma. With that Terri flitted away on her stiletto heels.

The flight from Denver to Grand Junction took about fifty minutes. Jimmy sat by the window mesmerized by the mountain scenery below. The baby and Mandy slept.

June looked across the aisle staring at the Colorado blue sky. Home... she was going home to Rifle. She sort of grew up there... well that was where her mother left her before taking off on another one of her escapes from reality. Her mother, the hippy who was always looking for the next Woodstock. She was a groupie and home was whoever or wherever the next gig was. The fact that she was dragging a child along made no difference. Finally the good times ran dry and her mother brought June back to the family ranch in Rifle. On her last escape from home, her mother died and June was left in the care of her grandparents. Like mother like daughter, June thought to herself as she too had followed a yellow brick road to everywhere and nowhere. She had found Rifle too confining, her grandparents too stodgy, life too ordinary so June took off after high school. Eight years and three kids later, a much humbled June was returning. She prayed that she would be in time to tell her Grams some things which should have been said a long time ago.

The plane taxied, slowed down and stopped. The sky was overcast and June took that as a sign that perhaps she was too late. As she got off the plane, she looked around hoping to spot a familiar face, someone who could give her a ride and get her to Rifle before it was too late. No one looked familiar.

June? Junie-bug?

June spun around and gasped. The voice belonged to one of her Grandpa’s neighbors, Bob Hanlon. Ages ago, she thought he was kind of cute and had flirted outrageously with him. The last time she had seen him, she was a smart-aleck seventeen-year old and had made a remark about not getting too close to her because she was jail-bait. Bob had just grinned and walked away. Now here he was calling her name.

Hi, remember me? Bob Hanlon. Your Grandpa asked me to come get you and the kids. I was so afraid I’d be late and I didn’t want you standing around worrying.

Hello, Bob. It’s been a long time. Uh, have you heard anything, any news?

No he said, gathering bags and heading out the door. Who are these cute kids?

June prompted Jimmy to say his name and then introduced Mandy and Missy.

Howdy there, Partner, Bob said giving Jimmy a handshake. The baby who was just waking up gave him a sleepy smile and held out her arms.

Are you a real cowboy? asked Jimmy.

Yup, I have the ranch right next to your Grandpa. I have cattle just like he has.

Do you have a horse, too?

Lots of them and I think I might have one your size, too.

Jimmy seemed impressed by this.

Have you eaten? Bob asked June. The airlines don’t give much except pretzels and pop.

Wearily June rubbed her eyes. She realized that the kids hadn’t eaten and were hungry.

A quick lunch would be nice, thank you.

Over lunch Bob told her of the frantic call he had gotten from Burt that morning. He had spent some time with him at the hospital and then offered to pick up June. Gently he told her that the prognosis was not good for her Grandmother.

Bessie is a good woman, June. I couldn’t have asked for better neighbors or friends. If there’s anything I can do, I’m counting on you to let me know.

The drive to Rifle seemed to take a long time to June. She stared out the window most of the time letting Jimmy do all of the talking. She prayed again to be there at the hospital in time. There was so much she needed to say.

BURT GIFFORD HEARD a slight commotion in the hallway outside his wife’s room. He turned around in his chair to look and there was June coming into the room. The first few minutes were filled with tears and hugs and then June went over to the bed see Bessie. A monitor attached to her arm hissed as the blood pressure cuff inflated.

Bessie darling, look who’s here. It’s our Junie-bug. She’s come to be with us and she brought the kids. You’ll have to get better darling so you can play with them.

June stepped over to her grandmother’s side and gently kissed her on the forehead. She slipped her hand around her grandmother’s and held it gently.

Grams, it’s Junie. I’m home, Grams. I brought Jimmy and Mandy and Missy. They’re outside waiting and when you’re stronger I’ll bring them in for you to see. They’ve gotten so big.

There was no response, nothing, not even a flutter of recognition.

June looked tearfully at her grandfather who seemed like a lost soul.

What am I going to do without my beloved Bessie? How am I going to live? he asked.

Together they sat down, one on each side, and began their silent, sad vigil.

Their vigil ended later that afternoon.

Two

Terri Jewell winced as she got off the bus. Her stiletto heels, while totally fashionable, were not made for walking any distance and her feet ached. As soon as she got to the front door of her apartment building, she slid them off and walked barefooted up the stairs to her studio apartment. She opened the door and sat down on the sofa, and rubbed her feet, checking out the newly formed blister.

Oh shit! she moaned as she heard her doorbell ring. She was exhausted from her trip to the airport this morning and she needed to be alone right now.

At the door was her best friend Kim smiling and bubbling over as usual. They had been friends forever... well at least for the last three years. They were roommates for a while until Terri got her own digs, courtesy of Ahmed.

Hi, Tigger-Poo, where’ve you been? I called at least three times. Finally I came over. Guess what? Kim squealed. "You know those guys we met at that bar? Remember the tall cute one. YEEEE! He called me and they are having a party tonight at a friend’s house around Park Hill and he wants me to meet him there. I’m freaking out! Remember like I said, ‘No Way was he going to ask,’ and you said, ‘Yeah he will.’ Well, you were right!" She jumped up and clapped her hands together.

Way to go, girl! Terri jumped up and down like her friend and temporarily forgot about her sore feet. That is so great! she squealed.

Okay, so here’s the plan. Get dressed and come on with me to my place and see what you can do with my hair and then we’ll grab a burger and be there around seven or so. I don’t want to miss a minute.

"Oh heck, I’m pooped! I went with Ahmed to show him how to get to the airport and we got into it again. Jesus, I swear I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately. This cousin is coming today and Ahmed’s like freaking out about it. I don’t think he likes him. We get there and he says ‘Go on, Go home!’ Like he dismisses me. Well, we really got into it then. He starts shoving me and telling me that he doesn’t want me to come around for a while. Who does he think he is? I mean, just because he pays the bills, he can’t just treat me like I’m some slave."

What an asshole, sympathized Kim. I hope you told him.

Well, not exactly. Before I could, some woman saw us yelling and carrying on and she started to holler at Ahmed. Anyway, I got on the shuttle bus and had to borrow money from her to get home. I guess I left my wallet in Ahmed’s car. So, she gives me some song and dance about losing the guy, like I’d ever leave Ahmed, but she did give me five bucks for the bus ride home. My feet are killing me! Can we rest before we go? I’ll never make it! Oh, before I forget, let me write down that woman’s address and send her back the money. She claims she was a single mom. She did have a bunch of kids with her.

Terri hobbled away from the couch and looked around for something to write on. She repeated June’s name to herself. I got to do this before we leave.

She pulled open some drawers and finally found an envelope and scrawled June’s name and address on it. When I get my wallet back, I’ll send it off.

IT WAS NOON WHEN TERRI awoke. It took her quite a while to get organized. That was some party last night. Her mouth felt like cotton balls were pasted in it. She looked in the mirror and peered at her smudged eyes. She was so tired last night, or rather this morning, when she came in, she just fell into bed.

Major damage control needed. She yawned into the mirror.

She had to pull herself together, look real nice and be very apologetic when she went to Ahmed’s house. She had to make up for her bad behavior and she knew exactly what to do. She giggled to herself. She had met Ahmed six months ago. He was a foreign exchange student and she found his dark-eyed good looks appealing. He was smart, she guessed, and even more importantly, he had lots of money and was generous. He got her lots of nice things, helped to pay the rent on her studio apartment and even though he had some weird habits and ideas, like praying on a rug in his place and not allowing her to eat pork rinds, he was really an okay guy. Lately though, he’d gotten real grouchy, like not wanting her around. Why couldn’t she meet this cousin who was coming?

As she was leaving her place, she noticed the addressed envelope sitting on the counter by the phone. I gotta take care of this. She rummaged around until she found a blank post-it and in a childish scrawl wrote a thank-you note.

Dear June,

Thanks for helping me out at the airport. I hope your Grandma is better. Don’t worry about me and Ahmed. Honest to God he’s really a nice guy.

Terri Jewell

Then from her secret stash of money in a sugar bowl, she took a five-dollar bill and put it inside and sealed the envelope. Of course, she had no stamps. Oh well, she’d get one later after she went to Ahmed’s house.

Ahmed’s apartment was on the top floor of a building not far from the campus. It was a nicely furnished two-bedroom place which he shared with another student named Jamal. Terri crossed her fingers hoping Jamal would not be there today. She needed alone time with Ahmed, first to make up for yesterday and to try to get back in his good graces and secondly she needed to talk with him about something important. Luck was with her, the door was left unlocked and no one was home. The normally neat place was covered with papers. She couldn’t read the writing. There were papers on the kitchen counter, on the coffee table, on the dining room table.

"Lordy what a mess!" This must be the cousin’s stuff. Ahmed and Jamal were fanatically clean. Nothing was ever left out. She walked over and sat on the couch and picked up some of the papers. There were maps, with that weird Arabic writing on the margins. She always laughed and called it chicken scratches whenever Ahmed wrote in it. There were rolled up blueprints on the floor. She stooped to pick them up and then she noticed a few words written in English. Peña Blvd, Terminal A, Terminal B. Then she noticed the small letters the names of all the airlines written with arrows pointing to their location. United, Frontier, Lufthansa, Delta, British Overseas Airways. Why would Ahmed need airport plans for god’s sake? He was studying graphic designs on computers... like an engineer. Maybe it had something to do with a project he was doing.

She walked to the kitchen. Last night’s party had left her dehydrated and she hoped she could find a bottle of water in the frig or some orange soda. The pictures on the counter were definitely of Denver International Airport. Its unique white pointed roof resembling the Rocky Mountains was instantly recognizable. There was something unsettling about this.

Forgetting her thirst, she walked back into the dining room. Spread out on the table were papers that looked like time schedules. Some were circled in red. An uneasy feeling crept over her and she shuddered as though she was in a cold draft. Terri walked into Ahmed’s bedroom. A valise was by the side of the dresser. There, on top of the dresser, was her wallet. She slipped it back into her bag. She opened the closet door. Ahmed’s clothes were hanging neatly in a row. His shoes lined up carefully in the shoe rack, tennis rackets were hanging on a hook, a backpack leaned up against the side wall. That was the only thing out of place here. Usually it lay on top of the shelf. She bent over to pick it up. It wasn’t empty, in fact, it was heavily weighted down.

What do you got... rocks in there? Terri muttered to herself bending over to open the flap. It wasn’t rocks!

She knelt down on the floor next to the half-opened backpack and stared down, too dumbstruck to even breathe. Very gingerly she took out a small, dark grey pistol.

Jesus, Ahmed, what do you need guns for?

She looked inside. There must be at least five of them. So engrossed was she with the contents of the backpack, she did not hear the front door to the apartment open until it was too late.

Two men had entered and were talking. Suddenly the talking stopped and one man walked into the bedroom.

Who are you? What are you doing here? an angry voice demanded.

Terri jumped up so quickly she almost fell over the shoe rack.

"Who are you?" Terri asked of the heavyset, slightly balding man, with piercing