The Assassin's Trail (3 page)

Southern Alabama

Monday

“How much for this one?” Thomas Cooper said as he opened the driver’s side door of a white 2008 Ford Econoline van?

“Now there’s an excellent vehicle. This baby only has a hundred and forty thousand miles on it, barely broke in. The manager of our service department told me he’d never seen one this well maintained.” The overweight salesman smiled as he followed Cooper around the vehicle.

“I didn’t ask about its pedigree. How much?”

The salesmen paused, a little taken aback by his new customer’s attitude. But he recovered quickly. “Ninety five.”

Cooper shook his head. “It’s almost ten years old. That’s too much.”

The salesman shrugged. “Age doesn’t matter on these fleet vans. It’s how they’re maintained. This one…”

Cooper cut him off and said, “Seven and new tires.”

“Can’t do the new tires, but I can let you have it for nine.”

“I’m paying cash, dude. Seven and new tires.”

The salesman stared at Cooper for a moment, then at the van. “Make it seventy-five and you’ve got a deal.”

One hour later, Thomas Cooper drove the newly purchased van off the used truck lot with a 30-day temporary tag, four new tires and no intention of registering or licensing the van. Its purpose was to provide a means of transferring his equipment from his small farm in southern rural Alabama to Kansas City. His personal car was currently parked in the long term parking area at Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta. If everything worked according to plan, he would be retrieving his car in a week.

Cooper was a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. He had a Purple Heart and an Honorable Discharge. The Purple Heart was from being the only survivor of an IED explosion that destroyed the Humvee he was driving. He had watched his two closest buddies die in front of his eyes waiting to be medevaced out of the explosion site. It was later discovered that all of the armor plates protecting the Humvees in theater had been manufactured with inadequate strength. It was a problem the Army eventually corrected, but too late for his buddies. Cooper didn’t blame the Army; he blamed the company that supplied the armor plates. More specifically, he blamed the men who put profit above protecting the guys fighting for their country.

His second and third tour found him deactivating IEDs. He had become an expert in explosives. It became his mission to prevent more buddies from being killed. Now he was a civilian. Not too many IEDs needed to be dismantled in his part of Alabama. With employment hard to find, he lived on his deceased grandparent’s farm and worked part-time for an excavating contractor. To fill the rest of his time, he served as a volunteer fireman.

But the rage and anger remained.

He met Sargent Norman Ortega on his second tour. During their off duty times, the discussions always came back to their anger at the men who were profiting from the war. Ortega was a kindred spirit, his anger even greater than Cooper’s. Six months ago, Sargent Ortega had called him with a proposal, one he readily agreed to. His trip to Kansas City would channel his anger toward a specific action.

It was early afternoon when Cooper backed the van up to the largest of three storage buildings on his farm near Atmore, Alabama. Two hours later, the equipment and supplies he needed in Kansas City were loaded and stored for the thirteen-hour drive. The last task he had to complete was to attach license plates stolen from a wrecked Ford van in a U-Haul lot two weeks ago in Montgomery. He wasn’t concerned about someone reporting the plates stolen. The van was waiting for the insurance claim to be settled before being hauled off, which would not happen for several more weeks. By then, it wouldn’t matter.

He glanced at his wrist watch. Memphis was seven hours away and the halfway mark of his drive. If he left now, he could be there by nine, grab some BBQ and be in a strip joint before 10 p.m.

Kansas City, MO

Monday

Stephanie left early to turn her vacation request into Human Resources and finish up a project. Her plan was to be back by noon. Kruger waited until 10 a.m. on the east coast to call Seltzer, plenty of time for his boss to finish his Monday morning briefing with Deputy Director Paul Stumpf and return to his office.

His call was answered on the fourth ring. “I didn't think you were going to call until tomorrow.”

“Well, Alan, since we didn’t go to war with Israel over the weekend, I figured the pressure was off.”

Alan laughed. “Sorry about the theatrics Saturday. I was pissed and took it out on you.”

“I could tell. Anyway, I called to discuss something with you.”

Seltzer didn’t answer for a few moments. “Okay, I hope this isn't about you quitting or something similarly stupid.”

“No, I’m not quitting. But those personal matters I spoke about were true. Stephanie and I are going to get married this coming Saturday. Afterward I want to start the process of a transfer to the KC office, that's all.”

Kruger heard a chuckle. Alan said, “Kind of figured that might be what you were planning. Congratulations. Will it be a big wedding?”

“No, just my son Brian, Stephanie’s sister and her husband. We’re trying to keep it low key.”

“Sounds like a good way to get married. We had way too many people at mine. My wife couldn’t say no to anyone.” He was quiet for several moments. “About the transfer. Do you know who’s managing the KC office now?”

The comment concerned Kruger. The last time he had been there, the office was headed by a friend from his academy days. “Isn’t Charlie Brewer the Special Agent in Charge?”

“No, he was promoted. Mint Dollar was named to that position about a month ago.”

“Good for Charlie. What office did he get?”

“San Francisco. It’s a great opportunity for him, more agents and more visibility.”

“I'll have to call him and congratulate him.” Kruger was stalling, trying to think through what his next move should be.

“You still want that transfer?”

“Well, let me think about it. Mint Dollar and I don’t agree on, let's say, management styles.”

Seltzer laughed. “Sean, you're being polite. The guy’s a jerk and has no management skills. But the director likes him, or at least that’s the talk around here.”

Kruger was quiet again. He took a deep breath and finalized his decision. “Alan, I won’t work for him, or with him, for that matter. He’s an idiot.”

“I agree. Is this about you cutting back on traveling?”

“That’s all it’s about. I’ve been doing too much of it lately. Maybe it’s time for me to really consider retiring.”

“Sean, don’t make a rash decision just yet. Let me work on my end to see what I can do to slow down the traveling. I need to keep you on my team.”

“Okay, Alan, I’d appreciate it. I'll talk to you soon.”

Ending the call he went back to the kitchen to pour another cup of coffee. After returning to the balcony, he sat down, stared at the early morning activity on The Plaza, and started thinking.

Of all the people in the agency to be managing the Kansas City office, why did it have to be Franklin “Mint” Dollar? The man was incompetent, uninspiring, lazy, and an ass-kisser. The last time he and Kruger had worked together, Dollar almost caused Kruger to end his career with the agency.

Almost seven years ago, Kruger was working as a consultant to the Salt Lake City police department on the investigation of the torture and murders of seven young women. At the time, Dollar was working in the local FBI office and forced himself onto the case as it started drawing national media coverage. All the evidence Dollar had pointed to a drifter currently under arrest. Dollar was ready to close the case, but Kruger did not believe the homeless man was even capable of committing the crimes.

Despite strong disagreement from both Kruger and the local police chief, Dollar scheduled a press conference to announce they had captured the suspect, and the case was officially closed.

Two days later, another young woman disappeared and was found dead, tortured like the others.

The morning after the eighth girl was found, Kruger was waiting for Dollar in the Utah FBI office. When Dollar entered, Kruger said, “Dollar, you're an idiot.”

He stared at Kruger. “What are you talking about?”

“The guy you have in custody is totally innocent of these crimes. He can barely read and has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.”

“He’s our guy.”

“The person who committed these murders planned them with great care and forethought. The guy you have in jail can’t even plan his next meal, let alone a complex crime.”

Dollar’s face grew crimson. He screamed at Kruger, “Your fucking psychological mumbo jumbo hasn't produced one damn suspect. At least I've been doing something.”

Shaking his head, Kruger said. “All you've accomplished is to embarrass the agency with this ridiculous arrest. The man isn't capable of this type of violence.”

“Oh, the great Sean Kruger. The Bureau’s savior and seer of all men’s souls, I suppose you know who it is. Tell me, who is it?”

Kruger was tired of the exchange. He stood, headed toward the door and opened it. Before he walked out, he turned back to face Dollar.

“It's a cop.”

The next night, a police officer was caught with a drugged young woman just before he assaulted her.

Dollar held a press conference the next day and took full credit for the arrest and closing the case. Completely disgusted, Kruger left Utah, flew straight to Washington and filed a formal report critical of Agent Dollar. When he was told Dollar had the support of upper agency management, Kruger offered his resignation.

What followed was a typical agency cover up. Kruger was offered a promotion and a promise he would never have to work with the man again. He demanded Dollar at least be reprimanded. Needless to say, that didn't happen either.

Now the incompetent Neanderthal was in charge of the Kansas City Office.

Well, that made his decision easy. He would retire. He really didn’t want to work for an organization that would promote someone like Franklin Dollar. Smiling, he stood up, walked to his bedroom, put on his running clothes, and left the condo.

***

Stephanie walked through Kruger's door at exactly 12:30 p.m. She had changed into jeans and sweatshirt and looked like she was ready for a vacation. She smiled and said, “Hi, how’d the phone call go?”

Kruger was sitting on his sofa reading. He looked up, removed his reading glasses, and said, “Not worth a damn. They promoted someone to the Kansas City SAC position I refuse to work for.”

Snuggling up next to him on the sofa, Kruger put his arm around her and kissed her. She said, “So, now what do we do?”

“I changed my mind, I’m going to retire. I’ll let them know officially next week. I’ll work through June, then I’m done.”

She nodded. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes.” He paused for a few seconds. “I’m tired of putting up with people like Dollar. Seltzer said he would work something out so I could stay in his department and not travel. But I think it was BS, just trying to pacify me. It's time for a change.”

Placing her arm around his chest, she held him tighter. “As long as you're comfortable with the decision.”

“I am.” Kruger took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll listen to what Seltzer comes up with, and if it’s a good proposal, I'll think about it.  But I'm ready to move on.” He stood up and looked at her. Smiling, he reached for her hand as she stood up. “What's on our agenda this week?”

With an impish grin, Stephanie said, “Let's go get our marriage license this afternoon.”

“Good plan.”

Kansas City, MO

Friday

“I’ll bet you a dollar, Brian and his girlfriend show up around dinnertime,” Kruger said while putting fresh sheets on the bed in the guest bedroom.

Stephanie was cleaning the small bathroom attached to the bedroom and replacing dusty towels with fresh ones. “Of course they’ll show up at dinner time. Where do you want to take them?”

“Well, I thought about O’Dowd’s, but we have such a busy day tomorrow we probably won’t get much of a chance to sit down and talk. Besides, on Friday night, the place can be loud. Not real conducive to getting to know your son’s girlfriend. One I didn’t know existed.”

Stephanie peeked around the door of the bathroom and looked at Kruger. “Are you still mad about not knowing?”

“Not really. He’s too much like me to be mad. More jealous than anything.”

“Why would you be jealous?”

“He told you, not me.” Kruger smiled at her and finished fluffing the pillows. “What do you say we fix dinner here? We can have a quiet evening and get to know this young lady?”

“That would be perfect. I may have known about her, but I’ve never met her either. Now, the age old question of having dinner at home. What are we going to fix?”

***

They arrived just after 6 p.m. Friday, having left Columbia after Brian’s last class of the day. Brian was the spitting image of his father, just over six feet tall, slender and muscled like a swimmer. He wore his dark brown hair long and pulled back into a short pony tail. His face was slender, like his father’s. Where Kruger had crystal blue eyes, Brian’s were hazel and changed shades with the prevailing light. The father and son looked more like twins, except for the age difference. Kruger’s hair was short, which allowed a small amount of gray to show at his temples. He also had the beginning of worry lines on his forehead and around his eyes.

Brian embraced his father and Stephanie, then introduced his companion. “This is Michele Brickman,” he said with a proud smile. “We’ve known each other since our sophomore year.” He was holding her hand as he introduced her, but released it when he continued, “Michele, this is my dad, Sean, and his fiancée, Stephanie Harris.”

Michele smiled, shook both their hands, “Brian has told me so much about both of you, it’s really nice to finally meet you.” She was a slender woman, five inches shorter than Brian, with long brunette hair, emerald green eyes that sparkled in the lights coming in the room from The Plaza. She was pretty in a subtle way, an honest beauty, not enhanced with make-up. Her smile lit up the room, displaying a natural confidence in herself. Kruger admired this in people, and he liked her immediately.

The evening progressed nicely. Michele was not a vegetarian, but preferred food dominated by fresh fruits and vegetables, so the stir fry and rice prepared by Stephanie and Kruger was a hit.

After dinner, Stephanie started the inquisition.

“Michele, when do you graduate?”

Michele smiled and looked at Brian. “We both graduate in August. I start my postgraduate work at the same time Brian does. We got lucky. The university offers programs for both of us.”

Brian looked at his father. “Michele will be working on her master’s in child development.”

Kruger nodded. “Good field.” He looked at his son. “Have you made up your mind about concentrating on software or hardware?”

His son shook his head. “I’m not sure. I don’t have to make that decision for another semester.”

Michele held Brian’s hand. “We have something in common,” she said by way of changing the subject.

Stephanie smiled. “Oh, what’s that?”

“We were both raised by single parents. My dad divorced my mom when I was young. I really don’t remember ever living with him. Kind of like Brian and his mom.”

Kruger remained quiet, but looked at Brian to see his reaction. There was none.

Michele continued. “He remarried and lives with his other family in North Carolina. I see him once in a while, but not very often.”

Stephanie said, “Where does your mother live?”

Michele was quiet and looked at the tabletop. Brian said, “Her mom lived in Hazelwood, but she passed away last year.”

Stephanie reached for Michele’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry, Michele.”

She nodded, but remained quiet. Brain continued. “I met her dad a few weeks ago. He seems like a nice guy. He’s helping with her college tuition.”

Kruger nodded and said, “Good. He should.”

The conversation changed abruptly when Brian said, “Why’d you two suddenly decide to get married?”

Kruger looked at Stephanie and nodded for her to answer.

“Brian, your father and I have been friends for over four years. During that time we both discovered something missing in our lives. Someone to come home to. It’s something you don’t realize is missing until you find it. We knew we loved each other. Unfortunately we just hadn't taken the time to talk about it until last Friday night. Getting married is the just the first step. The second step will be adopting a baby brother or sister for you.”

Congratulations exploded from both Brian and Michele, with the hugging lasting several minutes. Finally Brian said, “When? Do you know yet?”

Both Kruger and Stephanie shook their heads, and he said, “No, not really, could be next week or it could be next year. They never know. We have the paperwork done, which took all week. We decided we would have a small wedding with just you two and Stef’s sister and husband in attendance. On Sunday, a reception has been planned at the Marriot over on Brookside. Her office surprised us with the news early this morning. So the plans are as follows, a minister will drop by here around six tomorrow evening, perform the ceremony, and then we’re all going to Houston’s for dinner.”

Michele turned to Stephanie and said, “I didn’t bring any clothes for a reception. Is there somewhere around here I could find a nice dress?”

Stephanie eyed Michele for a second and said, “Yes, there is. Let me take you to my apartment and show you a few things. Then we’ll know where to go tomorrow.” They both stood and grinned at Brian and Sean.

As they watched the two ladies walk out the front door, Brian said, “Dad, I’m really happy for you and Stephanie. Why didn’t you do this earlier?”

Sean sighed. “Well, there were a lot of reasons, but one very important one, and you’re old enough now to understand. When your mother left, I made a pledge to myself to never say or do anything that would make you to resent her. I knew the reason she walked out. She hated being a mother. I just kept hoping she would change.” He shook his head. “She never did.”

Brian stared at his father. “Was it something I did?”

Kruger shook his head rapidly. “No, it was nothing you did, it started before you were born. I should have seen the signs, but I was too busy with my new career and traveling all the time. At that stage, I was gone more than I was home. She was always a little self-centered, but being pregnant caused her to become extremely selfish. She hated being pregnant and wanted me home to take care of her. My job didn’t allow me to cater to her every whim. One day, you were about 10 months old, I returned from a two-day trip to St. Louis. I found you alone in your playpen crying. Your diaper was soiled, you were starving and screaming your lungs out. She was nowhere to be found.”

Brian was quiet, fascinated with the story. After a few moments, he said, “What happened?”

“I was pissed beyond words. I cleaned you up, got a bottle, fed and rocked you until you settled down. I couldn’t put you in the crib. Every time I did, you’d start crying, afraid you’d be left again. So I held you until you fell asleep. Your mother had packed most of her clothes and personal things, and then left you in your playpen. I don’t know how long she’d been gone, probably twenty-four hours, maybe more. I never did find out. I called a lawyer friend of mine and had an injunction filed against her. She wasn’t allowed to be with you unless I or my parents were in the same room. The injunction didn’t really matter. She never made an attempt to see you until you were five. By that time, I had secured the divorce and was granted sole custody.”

Brian stared at his father and said nothing.

Kruger continued, “Another pledge I made to myself was that I would never leave you with someone I didn’t completely and unquestionably trust. That’s when my parents jumped at the opportunity to help. They moved here so they could keep you when I traveled.”

Brian nodded. “Grandma always told me they felt blessed about being able to help. She also told me they were sad you didn’t have anyone in your life to love you.”

“I wasn’t aware they felt that way. They never said anything to me, but that’s the way they were.” Kruger shrugged. “I just didn’t take the time to look for another relationship. Stephanie and I just happened. We moved in next to each other by chance, became friends, then our friendship grew into something else.” He chuckled and was quiet for a moment. “Love sometimes just happens, without looking for it.”

Brian sat quietly staring out the window toward the lights of The Plaza. Finally he said, “Wow. I didn’t know that about my mother. I always thought it was something I did. Guess it wasn’t.”

“No, it wasn’t. I realize now I should have told you earlier. Sorry, Brian.”

Brian shrugged and looked back at his father. “It’s okay, I’ve always known she was my mother, but Grandma was my mom.” He paused, his eyes grew moist, and he blinked a few times. “I miss her.”

Kruger nodded. “So do I.”

Stephanie and Michele returned, giggling like teenagers. Stephanie said, “Oh, we are going to have so much fun tomorrow. We know exactly where to go.”

She saw Brian’s somber mood and glanced at Sean. “Did we come back at a bad time?”

Brian quickly recovered from his funk and said with a grin, “Nope, just having the birds and the bees talk with my father before his wedding night. Can’t be too careful, you know.”

Stephanie grinned, and Michele’s face turned red with embarrassment. After a few moments, they all started laughing. As the laughter died down, Kruger said, “What time are you two going shopping?”

“Early, then I have a few things I need to get done before tomorrow night,” Stephanie said.

“Great, that will give Michele and me time tomorrow to run a few errands,” said Brian. “Right now I’d like to walk around The Plaza and show her some of the sights. Do you two want to go?”

Kruger shook his head. “No, you two go have fun. We need to clean up.”

After they left, he and Stephanie started gathering the dishes. As they loaded the dishwasher, she said, “While you were at the grocery store this afternoon, I got a disturbing phone call from my assistant at the office.”

His turned his attention to her and frowned. “What about?”

“It seems a private equity group is trying to take over the company. Have you ever heard of a firm called Whiterock Equities?”

He shook his head, “Nope, but then, I don’t deal in financial crimes. Why was the call so disturbing?”

“I’m not really sure. She didn’t go into detail, but Sally was very upset. Rumors have been flying all over the office this week. Kind of glad I wasn’t there. Apparently this group is famous for buying a company, firing all the top management, breaking it up and selling pieces off to get their money back. I’ve never heard of them.”

“Is this just a rumor or something else?”

“Sally said the CEO of the Whiterock is in town next week for a board of directors meeting. The investment firm has already bought enough shares to demand a seat on the board. From what I was told, once that happens, they just continue to buy shares until Whiterock owns a majority of the company and they control the board.”

“Give me an old-fashioned crazy guy any day. At least you know his intentions when you see him running at you with a knife.”

She lightly hit his arm with her fist. “You aren’t taking this seriously. This could be a problem down the road.”

“For whom?” he smiled as he said it.

“Both of us. We might have to rethink our remodeling plans. What if I lose my job before the baby gets here, what then?”

“You aren’t going to lose your job.”

“Sean, as smart as you think you are, you’re clueless when it comes to the ways of big corporations.”

“Oh, I am? How many corporations have you raided lately?” He was beginning to enjoy the bantering and grabbed her around the waist as he said it.

She put her hands on his chest and feebly—but briefly—tried to free herself from his embrace. Placing her head on his chest, she sighed.

“I know, I’m being paranoid. I’m so glad I have you. For the first time in my adult life, I have something besides my career to think about. But I just don’t need a crisis at work right now.”

He kissed the top of her head and embraced her tightly. “Well, whatever happens we’ll get through it together.” Kruger paused. “Hey, I could get Mint Dollar to arrest him.”

She pushed away, frowned and looked up at him. “It’s not funny. I’m worried about this.”

“Okay, if you’re really concerned, I’ll call a friend in D.C. Who should I ask about?”