Silent Crickets: A Shallow End Gals, Trilogy Book Three

by Troutman, Kimberly

  Manio had ended his conversation with Core by saying, “I am not a man you want against you, Mr. Mathew Core. I have killed men for far less. I will contact you when I have more information.”

  Core smiled. He knew he would extract his revenge on Manio when the time was right.

  Core hung up and called Roger.

  Roger had accomplished his initial goal to buy time, but at what cost?

  Mary and I met Teresa and Linda at Senator Kenny’s city house. The Senator was pulling out of the driveway as we arrived. Mary looked at Linda and said, “I don’t think the judge had anything on his computer about how the children are being taken. He had some videos I copied and a few e-mails, but that was about it.”

  Teresa chimed in, “Ditto for Andre Baton and Theodore Chain. I’m thinking since Patterson is new to the group the real leader has to be the Senator.”

  We went into the Senator’s house and snooped around until we found a laptop computer hidden in a mahogany bookcase. Teresa sat at the desk and declared, “I think I remember him messing with this middle drawer after Patterson left that day. Remember he told Patterson to go home and pack. The Senator offered to hide him at the country house and have Patterson’s house torched? I think he got a phone number from some little book he had down here. He got the arsonist’s number from that little book.” Teresa started feeling around the bottom of the center drawer. I noticed a tall statute in the corner that looked like an armored man from the Knights of the Round Table. I went over and peeked in the mask. Nothing. Then I went inside to see if I could move it.

  Teresa squealed, “Look! A little black book!” She started taking pictures of the pages and came across one with a checkmark next to a name and next to the checkmark was the word ‘delivery’. The name was Manuel Cotton and there was a phone number. “This has to be important for him to hide it in a secret drawer.” Teresa bent down and looked in the drawer again. She pulled out a tiny yellow envelope, opened it, and a key fell on the desk.

  I waved at everyone with my tin arm, but they ignored me. Mary rolled her eyes and shook her head. I think a little comic relief is a good thing. It doesn’t take four of us to look in a stupid drawer. Besides, Ellen said I had to practice moving things. I tried to do a little soft shoe but someone had welded the suit to an iron post. Shucks. I figured I better pay attention to business, so I moved over to the others.

  Mary asked, “Should we send Ellen what we have so far in case this really is important? It might give Roger a head start.” Linda thought that was a good idea. Teresa downloaded all of our watches to hers and sent it all to Ellen. We hope.

  Mary sighed, “Well, checking out Patterson at the country house is the last thing on our list. We are going to have to get some kind of a bright idea. Ellen is counting on us.” Oh the pressure of some jobs.

  We took off for the country house humming Linda’s ‘Hall of the Mountain King’. We were convinced that song gave us inspiration. We sure needed some now. The flaw in this whole plan is while we still think like mortals, we think like ‘nice’ mortals. Not pedophiles and murderers. I stopped midflight and yelled, “WAIT!”

  Linda, Mary and Teresa came back to where I was and in unison asked, “What?”

  “We need to think like bad guys. We’re thinking like four nice old ladies!” Mary frowned at me, but I pushed on. “That’s why we can’t figure this out! We need to read the minds of some pedophiles, murderers, and slimy types to see how they think. How they plan stuff.”

  Mary stared at me and then looked at Linda, “I hate to say this, but she’s right. The guys we need to catch are in New Orleans now and they are planning now. If we are going to catch them, we have to look for really sicko auras and read their minds.”

  Teresa and Linda were nodding. “Yup. We’re going have to get our hands dirty. Real dirty.” Teresa was rubbing her hands together and nodding. “Right after we go to the country house, we are going to do some ugly aura shopping!”

  What woman doesn’t enjoy a spontaneous shopping trip?

  Roger called Frank Mass at the NO field office and had him send Agent Phillips to the French Quarter Bank. The bank manager needed help getting the information together they needed and there was no way Roger was going to make Ray do that. Roger warned Mass that the bank manager was a nice enough fellow but extremely slow. Being with him might push Agent Phillips to the end of his patience. Mass laughed and said he would instruct Phillips not to shoot the guy.

  In the basement of the Star Ship, Roger drew a chart on a big white board. The rest of the team called out dollar amounts and dates from banking papers handed out by Simon. Roger wanted to establish a flow chart of the transactions posted to Core, Patterson, and Devon‘s bank accounts.

  Simon stated Mathew Core used his corporate account like a clearing account for his clients. Global Corporation’s account had money coming in primarily from two offshore accounts. One was in Patterson’s alias, Bernard Jacobs, and one was in Devon’s alias, Mike Parker. Three hundred million had come into Core’s corporate account in one hour. From that money, Core had sent three wires of fifty million each to three offshore accounts in non-cooperative banking countries. Simon stated it would be nearly impossible to get identifications on those accounts.

  Roger tapped on the white board next to those transactions. “Core moved this money right after Paul and I met with him this afternoon.”

  Simon offered, “I have Patterson making a ten million dollar payment to, drum roll please, retired Senator Rolland Kenny yesterday morning.”

  Roger smiled, “Probably payment to the Senator to hide Patterson at the country house.” Roger drew a line from Patterson’s account and wrote the name Kenny.

  Paul volunteered, “That will be a tough one for the Senator to explain.” Everyone in the room smiled.

  Jeanne looked at Simon and asked, “Did you ever get names on the two accounts Core put money in late yesterday?”

  Simon went to his computer and spoke as he keyed in a search code, “Didn’t see names in this first batch. Wait a minute, read those numbers off again.” Jeanne read the account numbers and Simon pushed his chair back. “Roger, one of these is our Deputy Director, William C. Thornton. I don’t recognize the other name.”

  John offered, “Thomas Fenley?”

  Simon pulled his head back, “How did you know that?”

  Thor asked, “Who the hell is he?”

  Spicey and Sasha hung on to each other for support as Spicey unlocked her apartment door at the Voodoo shop. Sasha gave one wave goodbye to Willie and Wilma. Willie had announced he was going to take Wilma for an ice cream. The mention of food made Sasha start to gag. Willie’s car burped as it turned the corner followed by a whiff of fried chicken, a barking collie, and a wiener dog.

  Sasha collapsed into Spicey’s overstuffed chair and declared, “My first day as a spy ain’t goin’ exactly like I planned.” She shuddered and pulled a colorful blanket from the couch up under her chin. “Tourey gonna need to know ‘bout this.” Sasha frowned, “You think maybe Tourey a real spy? He knows a lot a stuff he don’t need to be knowin’. He told you to stay away from that country house and sure ‘nuff we got issues out there.” Sasha shuddered again. “Somebody made real sure that dude was dead.” Sasha hiccupped again. “Dang hiccups! Makin’ my boobs hurt.”

  Spicey sat on the couch looking at her phone. “I wondered ‘bout Tourey bein’ more ‘an he claims to be. Mambo said he was in danger, and she gave him an amulet. That there makes him a good guy.” Spicey started twirling her long necklace, “I’m thinkin’ Tourey’d like to know Abram and some guy was out there in the prison barn.” Sasha and Spicey both shuddered at the mention of the barn.

  Sasha got a determined look on her face, “You know what I do if’in we catch whoever hurtin’ kids? I take their man part, cut it right off, string it up, and hang it out at Mambo’s on a strap of leather. Decorate one of them little trees of hers. That’s what I’d do!”

  Spicey looked at
Sasha, “I think I saw one of them at Mambo’s when we were there. Man part on a strap. Figured some dog got caught off the porch.” They both chuckled and then got serious again. Spicey tried to dial Tourey, but he didn’t answer. She left him a message saying there was something important he had to know about the country house.

  Spicey looked at Sasha, “I’m gonna take me a nap ‘til Tourey calls back. You goin’ home or stayin’ here?”

  Sasha didn’t hesitate two seconds, “I’m stayin’ here. I’ll take me a nap in this chair.”

  Spicey offered a weak smile, “Nappin’ in a chair didn’t work out so well for that guy at the country house, did it?”

  Neither Spicey nor Sasha even closed their eyes as they laid covered in blankets waiting for Tourey’s call. Spicey jumped every time Sasha hiccupped.

  William C. Thornton nervously sat on the bench in Lincoln Park, DC, waiting on Thomas Fenley. Not only had recent events guaranteed Fenley would be sporting a foul mood, but Fenley did not like being summoned for anything. He always called the shots. William was actually looking forward to this meet though. He had perhaps the best news Thomas could imagine. A safe money haven in the U.S. and they already had accounts established. Thornton knew the members of LUCY would be pleased.

  Thornton saw Fenley approaching. Fenley’s facial expression was exactly what William expected. Sour. Fenley sat heavily on the bench and glared at William. “You wanted to talk. Talk.”

  William squirmed a little. “OSI and CIA did this martial law thing. Roger Dance slipped into it and turned it into a communication sting. Including secure government bands. The sting started at 8:45 last night, ends tomorrow midnight.”

  Fenley’s facial expression changed to fear, “They have our calls from last night?”

  William put his hands up to motion for Fenley to relax. “There was a computer glitch between the government communication bands and the federal banking wire system. They lost all of the early calls and created a huge mess at the Fed. I spoke with Franklin Morris at the Fed. Every existing account at French Quarter Bank has been issued an exempt Fed banking number. They are going to renumber ‘real’ Fed accounts and then work on changing back these problem accounts. Estimate is two years before they can finish. In the meantime, all history on these accounts will be untraceable.”

  “What do you mean ‘exempt’ Fed banking numbers? Exempt from what?”

  William couldn’t contain his excitement, “Everything! All tracking, all regulation! And everywhere these accounts move, they erase the old activity record. We have two years, at least, of safe money haven!”

  Thomas’s expression softened, “Isn’t that where Core opened accounts for us?”

  “Yes. The entire history of how those accounts came to be has been erased.”

  Thomas Fenley stood and looked down at William. “You didn’t even know there was going to be a martial law operation in your own agency. I’m supposed to believe you have good information on this?”

  William stood, “A few guys at the Fed and the National Security Council are the only ones that know. Check it out. Dance is the one who screwed this up. By the way, his only goal is to take out Zelez. Should we rethink our plan?”

  “What about Manio?”

  William shrugged, “Dance is focused on Zelez. Probably sees it as more glory for less work.”

  That made sense. Thomas nodded, “Don’t call again until this is over. If I need you, I’ll call you. For now, tell Core to back off Dance and Casey.”

  Thomas turned and walked back to the waiting BMW.

  Across the park two OSI Agents packed up their listening devices and video cameras. Taking down the big guys was fun. These guys were huge.

  “Can I have Zack back?”

  Roger listened to Core and glanced at Paul. Paul could tell something had taken Roger by surprise. “You know who he is?”

  “Of course, ATF, I’ve always known. I also think he and I can work the docks better than you can. Especially since Zelez just called me with the name of a man in charge of trains.” Roger told Core he would call right back.

  Roger had moved away from the team to take the call, and now motioned for John to join him and Paul in the corner. Roger relayed Core’s request, looked at them both and said, “My gut says we can trust Core to a certain extent. This does bring him much deeper into this operation. What do you guys think?”

  John offered, “Short of Ellen popping up and saying don’t do it, I think it sounds good. Those two are known at the docks. He is right about them getting a lot more than we could. I think we need him.”

  Paul pushed his chin out in his nervous twitch, “ATF might not feel the same way. I heard Zack got somebody at the agency in real trouble for leaving him out to dry.”

  John said, “That was me. Guess I was in the mood for some shit kickin’. I can smooth it out with a call or two. Tell Core we need to be kept posted often. This is really going to move now that he has contacted both cartels.”

  Roger called Zack first. Zack was good with the plan as long as he only had to report to Roger. Zack still felt a little burned by the ATF.

  Roger called Core back. “Just got word someone shot Patterson out at the country house.”

  Core paused and then said, “Might have been a pissed off parent.”

  Roger felt a cold chill run down his spine. He knew from the tone of Core’s voice he was talking to Patterson’s murderer. “Might have been. Zack said to call. I want you reporting to me, Core. Often. I can’t have a loose cannon out there. My team’s safety is at stake.”

  “Zack and I will work the ports all night if we have to. By the way, I live across the street now, over the jewelry store. Keep your phone on.” The line went dead.

  Thor came down the stairs to join the team. His hair was wet from his shower, and he had fresh clothes on. He looked at Simon, “Hey, I grabbed one of your shirts until that laundry guy brings our shit back. Hope you don’t mind.”

  Simon shook his head, “No problem. Where’s the bloody clothes you took off? He’ll do a pickup when he gets here.”

  Thor moved to point and popped two buttons on Simon’s shirt. “Shit!”

  Simon laughed, “I don’t wear size ‘bull’, Mr. Muscle. You better find something that will stretch.”

  Thor left the room cursing and came back in a shirt that fit. “I think this belongs to Core. Found it in Ray’s closet.”

  Ray looked over, “Sure as hell isn’t mine.”

  Roger asked for his team’s attention. He told them about his interview with Core, Core helping them, Zack working with Core, and how Core and Zack were working the ports for information tonight.

  Roger added, almost as an afterthought, “I told Core to tell both cartels the drugs and guns would be on a train Monday heading for Kansas underground storage.”

  Thor stood and his voice boomed. “Do you just think this shit up?” Thor looked at Paul, “Who does this shit?” Thor looked back at Roger, “How are we going to protect a train full of guns and drugs from two cartels that we invited to play?”

  Roger chuckled, “I haven’t really worked that out yet.”

  “I’m goin’ tonight. Don’t care what your skinny ass wants to do.” Toby put one end of the leather strap between his teeth and tied a knot to the end of the dead turkey’s foot and pulled it tight. He left about five foot of slack and then cut the strap from the roll. “I figure I need about three more turkeys for bait. You ridin’ with me into Slidell or not? Don’t matter no way.” Toby was only seventeen years old, but he was a big boy. Stood taller than most men and had hands the size of pig hams.

  Junior was the same age, but on the skinny side. Kind of tall and lanky. They had been friends since they started school. Toby had got it in his head they could get a picture of the Rugaru on his cell phone and sell it to make a bunch of money. Tonight was supposed to be a full moon, and he was dead set on goin’. Junior had talked it up good ‘til Toby actually picked a day. He wasn’t so sure he
really wanted to go into the swamps at night. Especially since everyone in town been talkin’ that cops were findin’ people bones out there.

  Toby said the people bones were proof the Rugaru was back. “Pa’s boat’s already out to the crab shack waitin’ on us. I figure we put on those body waders he’s got in the shack, boat down to where they been findin’ them bones, and walk in from the back. We get deep enough in from shore, string up our bait, get up in the trees, and wait for our money picture. RUGARU!” Toby threw his fist into the air.

  Junior didn’t want Toby tellin’ everybody at school he was too chicken to go. “How long you figure we have to wait? I get home too late and Momma’s gonna ground me again. I want to go to the dance ‘morrow night. You sure Rugaru don’t climb trees?”

  Toby laughed, “Rugaru is part wolf. How many wolves you know climb trees?”

  “He’s also part man. That part might climb trees! I don’t want to be out there in the swamp at night no longer than I have to.”

  Toby shrugged, “Kind of hard to get much information on feedin’ times for the Rugaru since most people don’t believe. I ‘spect they eat dinner like everyone else, when it gets dark. We get there right at dark, should be goin’ home in a couple hours. You in?”

  Junior rubbed on his amulet and shooed a fly away, “Yeah. I bet my ass gettin’ grounded again.”

  We arrived at the Senator’s country house in time to see Tourey taking a bunch of stuff from the trunk of a car hidden in the brush. Teresa asked, “I wonder what he’s doing? Isn’t he that undercover CIA guy John Barry knows?”

  Mary answered, “I think he’s putting a bunch of electronic stuff in his pockets.”

  Tourey closed the trunk lid and made his way toward the mansion walking down the edge of the tree line. Linda said, “He’s trying to be sneaky, or he would be walking up the driveway. Maybe he thinks someone might be coming out here.” Tourey sprinted across the lawn and walked in the front door.