SILVER-2 (NORRIS FILES)

by Marshall Huffman

  The snowplows were out in force but they were losing the battle. He made the turn off towards the Unitech Facility. The secondary roads were even worse. He crept along towards his destination. He spotted a small diner and on impulse decided to stop.

  He saw that several rigs were parked in the lot. He entered and took a seat at the counter. The waitress sauntered over, placed a coffee cup in front of him and started filling it.

  "Coffee?" she asked when the cup was nearly full.

  "Sure. Why not?" PJ answered, "How about a couple over easy, toast and bacon."

  "You got it," she answered and disappeared behind the swing door into the kitchen.

  Several truckers drifted in and out as he finished his meal.

  PJ said to the waitress, "Say that was real good. My compliments to the chef. Are you guys open all night?"

  "All night, all day, every day. 365 days a year."

  "Wow. You must make a lot of money if you work all those hours," he kidded her.

  "Sure. Another day another dollar. Ten thousand days, I still have a dollar. Something ain't right," she shot back.

  "Can I ask you a couple of questions? I ain't a cop. Honest."

  "Maybe. What is it that you want to know?"

  "Did anything unusual happen last night?"

  "Like what?"

  "I don't know. Any strange guys hanging around? Lookin' like they didn't belong maybe?"

  "Hell, look around you. They all look a little strange to me. You ever see such a motley crew?"

  "Did you happen to notice a big van parked outside for a long time?"

  "Honey, someone is always parked out in the lot. Lots of the drivers take a quick nap out there."

  "OK. It was just fishing anyway."

  "What happened? Something going on?"

  "Na, not really. I was just doing some checking for an insurance company I work with from time to time," he lied.

  He paid for the food, over tipped the waitress and headed for the door.

  A guy setting on the last stool by the door said, "Look mister. I ain't trying to be nosy, but I heard what you asked Mary, about a van in the lot."

  "Yeah. Did you see something?"

  “Well I ain't sure it was important, but I do a short haul between Frederick and Hanover. Usually I make the run four, sometimes five, times a night. Last night was a real bitch because of the weather. I only made three trips last night. I always sort of check this place out to see who's in, ya know? Last night I noticed a white cargo van setting way out on the side lot. I didn't think much about it really. That was about 1:00 A.M. On my back haul, it was still there. That would be around 3:00 A.M. or so. When I came by on my next trip the cargo door was up and three men were setting in the back smoking. Well sir, to make a long story short, when I made my return trip to Hanover this van comes hot footing it out of the lot, right in front of me. I almost hit the dumb ass right in the rear end. My rig was all over the place. I still ain't sure why I didn't cream the dumb shit."

  "What time was that?" PJ asked.

  "Around 4:30 A.M. or a little after. I had to stay behind him going up the road. The snow was really coming down. That van was moving at a good clip, considering the roads and all. I saw them turn off at the Unitech Facility later. I gave the dumb ass the finger. It's lucky for them I couldn't catch up to them," he said.

  "Did you notice anything else?"

  "Well, it was a white cargo van. I said that already didn't I? It had no plates on it and no ICC number that I could see. It was some kind of foreign van. A Mitsubishi or something like that. Guess that's about it."

  "Super, thanks for your help," PJ said laying a ten dollar bill on the counter, "Here, let me buy your breakfast."

  "Thanks buddy. Hey, one other thing. The gates to Unitech were open. That's kind of strange. They usually keep that place locked tighter than a virgin."

  "Thanks again," PJ said and returned to his car.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  He drove a short distance to the Unitech turn off. He was met at the gate by two guards. One holding a 12 gage shotgun, the other with an M-16. They motioned him to roll down his window. As he did, he was greeted with a blast of frigid air and swirling snow.

  "Can we help you sir?" the guard asked.

  "Paul Matts. OPS3 Security. I have a meeting with your Chief of Security."

  "One minute sir. Can I see you ID, Please?"

  PJ handed it to the guard.

  He said, "Just one minute sir," and head to the guard shack.

  The other guard never took his eyes off PJ. After making a phone call the guard came back and handed PJ his ID.

  "You can proceed to the main building. Please go to Bay One. A guard will meet you there and escort you to Captain Zimmer. He is expecting you."

  PJ drove through the gate thinking, too little, too late. He pulled up by the bay where the guard was waiting.

  "This way sir. Captain Zimmer is in main security. Follow me please."

  PJ followed the guard up the stairs to the security room. He hadn't been able to see much in the way of protection for the facility because of the blowing snow. What he had seen seemed OK, but not state of the art.

  "Good morning, or I should say morning. So far it has been less than good. I'm Jon Zimmer, Chief of Security here. You are Paul Matts, from OPS3 I assume," said the tall distinguished man.

  "What can I do for you Mr. Matts?"

  "First of all sir, you can start by telling me how someone waltzed into the place, stole one of the world’s most sophisticated weapons and then just drove off. I guess that as good a place as any to start," PJ replied.

  "Mr. Matts. It wasn't quit that easy..."

  "The hell it wasn't. What do your security men do here all night? Read porno magazine and munch on Twinkies?"

  "No need to get insulting, Mr. Matts. We have had an excellent record here at Unitech. I have only been the Chief of Security for the past six months but I can tell you sir, that I have made every effort to upgrade the protection systems here. I have been trying, to no avail, to get state of the art systems approved since I took over."

  "All I can say is that your current system seems pretty inadequate."

  "I couldn't agree more. If you would just take a look at some of the proposals I have made and the response from management, maybe you wouldn't be so quick to judge."

  "Fine, show me."

  Jon led him to his office and produced a correspondence file.

  "I report to Alex Zoll, Vice President of Unitech. As you can see from the tone of the memos, my suggestions have not been received favorably.”

  PJ read the top memo. He started to say something then decided to read it again before asking any questions. No matter how he read it, the message seemed clear enough to him.

  TO : ALEX ZOLL, VICE PRESIDENT

  FROM : JON ZIMMER, CHIEF OF SECURITY

  RE : FENCE FORTIFICATIONS

  DATE : AUGUST 21

  Since the procurement of an electrified fence has been denied per my previous request, I strongly feel we should, at the very minimum,

  add an additional outer perimeter fence. The

  cost would be minimal. As you well know, the

  Fielding Weapon Center was recently broken into.

  They have a far superior protection system than

  ours. Please give this your utmost

  consideration.

  MEMO

  TO : JON ZIMMER

  FROM : ALEX ZOLL

  RE : FORTIFICATION REQUEST

  DATE : AUGUST 23

  We have been over this before. The current security system at Unitech is more than

  sufficient. In the past seven years we have not

  had so much as a paper clip come up missing. I

  strongly advise you to spend more time in

  training your men and less in generating

  unnecessary memos.

  "Whoa. That sort of puts it in perspective," PJ said as he read through some of the other mem
os.

  "As you can see Mr. Matts, I have been fighting an uphill battle since I arrived."

  Some of the memos were requesting high tech systems; others were trying to get some of the basics security measures in place. PJ could not understand why they had all been turned down. Either Alex Zoll was a total ass, or he was out of touch with reality. He intended to find out.

  "Jon, it seems I owe you an apology. Sorry if I seemed like a shithead."

  "It's quite understandable. I'm sure OPS3 isn't called in on many break in's. I can understand your apprehension with the SILVER-2 missing."

  "I need to see Alex Zoll. How do I find him?"

  "Here, let me get his secretary on the line. She can tell you where he is at present," Jon said picking up the phone and pushed a button.

  "Mr. Zoll's office. May I help you?" the voice said.

  "Barbra, Jon here. I have a Paul Matts from OPS3, Government Security here with me. He needs to see Alex right away."

  “Gosh Jon, this isn't a very good day to see Mr. Zoll. I mean with the events of last night and all. He has meetings scheduled all day. I think it would be better if Mr. Matts came back tomorrow," she said.

  "Ah, Barbra. I think I'll just bring Mr. Matts along to your office and let you tell him this in person. And Barbra, I don't think Mr. Matts is a patient man," he said and hung up the phone.

  "It seems that Alex is too busy to see you today. His secretary suggested you come back tomorrow."

  "Oh sure, like that’s going to happen. Take me to his office please."

  "My pleasure. It's just down the hall," Jon said leading the way.

  They walked briskly down the hall until they came to a large glass wall. Jon swiped his magnetic card and the door clicked open. Jon led them down another hall until they came to, what looked to PJ like a bronze wall with a fancy door. He used his card again to gain access. A neat dressed prim looking secretary sat behind a huge desk with a headset on.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  "Barbra, I would like you to meet Mr. Paul Matts. He is from OPS3, Government Security. Mr. Matts needs to see Mr. Zoll right away."

  Barbra smile sweetly and said, "Very nice to meet you Mr. Matts. I'm terribly sorry but Mr. Zoll has meetings scheduled all day. Would it be inconvenient for you to come back tomorrow?"

  JP just look at her for as second then said, "Barbra dear, please don't take this the wrong way, but I will see Zoll today. Now, what I want you to do is to haul your butt into his office and tell him I am here. I don't care about his schedule or his meetings."

  Barbra looked at him with disbelief, "You…you can't be serious. Mr. Zoll has a full day planned. He is meeting with the remaining SILVER-2 staff right now to try and settle them down. Surly you don't expect me to barge in?"

  "Lady, either you go, or I go. Believe me it would be best if you went, but....." PJ said heading for the door.

  Barbra stood and darted in front of him.

  "You are despicably rude, Mr. Matts," she said glaring at him, "I'll tell him you’re here. Just wait a minute."

  "One minute. You get him or I will."

  Barbra opened the door to Alex's office and slipped inside.

  "My you handled that smoothly. It's nice to see you're a prick with everyone you first meet. I almost took it personal," Jon said.

  "Yeah, my charm gets people every time."

  "Looks like you don't need me right now and I have a ton of work to do. I will be leaving the complex for a few minutes. I need to run into town and track down a security employee. I should be gone for an hour at most. If you need me further, and I am sure you will, I'll be in my office."

  "Alright Jon, but don't go too far okay? You’re right. I still have a thousand questions. I'll look you up after I finish here."

  "See ya later," Jon said as he turned to leave.

  Barbra emerged from Zoll's office just as PJ was starting towards his door.

  "Mr. Matts. Mr. Zoll has asked, if it wouldn't be too inconvenient, for you to wait until after this meeting is over. The surviving team members are very upset and he needs a few more minutes with them."

  "How long?"

  "Twenty minutes at the most."

  "Fine. Twenty minutes it is," he said turning to head out the door.

  Barbra stuck her tongue out at him as he opened the door.

  PJ stopped and without turning around said, "Now Barbra, you don't want to be outrageously rude like me do you?"

  "Whatever do you mean?" Barbra stammered as he closed the door.

  **

  PJ decided to locate the SILVER Project lab. He had seen it on his way to Zoll's office. Within a few seconds he recognized a landmark and with a few more turns he located the lab. The door to the lab was propped open.

  "Yo, Alan."

  "Hey ya, PJ. I wondered when you would show up. Have a nice chat with Ron did you?"

  "Just peachy. So what do you have so far?" PJ said looking at the outline marks on the floor where the lab technicians had fallen. Blood was congealing on the floors and walls.

  "Not shit really. These guys were good. I mean really good. Total professionals. They came into the lab, killed everyone and rolled the cart with the weapon on it out to the loading dock and into the van. We have no prints, no shell casings, and no foot prints. We got zip, nada, zero so far. PJ, someone on the inside set this all up, that's for sure."

  "You look into the security systems installed here so far?"

  "Not really. Nick is covering that. He seemed fairly impressed with what he saw."

  "Well the Chief of Security, Jon Zimmer, didn't think much about it."

  "Humm. Well, Nick will check it out for you."

  "Okay. Look I want you and Nick to talk to every security guy that was on duty last night."

  "Hey. Been there, done that. PJ, this isn't our first day on the job."

  "Sorry Alan. This just isn't adding up and that always pisses me off. What in the hell went down here?"

  "PJ, if we knew that we would be over at the Canterbury Pub knocking down a couple of Double Diamond pints and swapping bullshit stories. I'll go check and see what Nick as come up with. You have a magnetic security card with you?"

  "Yep, Zimmer gave me one."

  "Good. We'll look you up later," Alan said.

  PJ looked around the lab a few more minutes and then decided it was time to have a chat with Mr. Zoll. He back tracked the way he had come to Zoll's office.

  "Ah," Barbra said, as he came into the room, "Mr. Zoll is ready for you now."

  "Lady, I got news for you. He ain't never gonna' be ready for me."

  PJ pushed the heavy door open and entered. The room was huge and very expensively appointed. Alex was standing with his back to PJ and he was looking out the window.

  "Mr. Matts. I understand that you have been very rude to my secretary. I don't appreciate that very much."

  "Well Mr. Zoll, I don't really care what you appreciate. You see Zoll, the thing is, I don't like what I'm being told about the way the facility is being run. Since you seem to be one of the big cogs in the machinery here, I guess that just makes you a natural person for me to dislike."

  "Mr. Matts you do rattle on. Just what is it that you think the big cogs haven't been doing?"

  "Well, let’s start with your security systems. With the type of weapons you produce here, why in the hell do you have such an unsophicated system? Hell, the fence around my house is stronger than the one around Unitech."

  "That doesn't particularly surprise me," Alex said sarcastically.

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "It means Mr. Matts, that you are an ass. You act like a barbarian to my secretary then you come in here and try to intimidate me. I am not amused Mr. Matts. Now unless you want to act like a civilized human being, this meeting is over."

  "I appreciate your position Mr. Zoll, but this meeting is over when I say it's over. Not one second before. Now I want to know why you have denied every request from Jon Zimmer about the securi
ty upgrades necessary for a facility of this type."

  "What? What the hell are you talking about? Ever since the Fielding Weapon Center break-in, we have been on Jon's ass to get the new security systems on line. Just what the hell did Jon tell you anyway?"

  "According to him, you have been denying every request for security improvements."

  "That's just not true."

  "Alex, I saw twenty or twenty five memo's from him to you. Each had been denied."

  "Mr. Matts I don't know what he showed you but if you would like to see my correspondence file to Jon, I'll be happy to provide it."

  "Yeah, I think you had better do that," PJ said skeptically.

  "Barbra," Alex said into the intercom, "Would you bring me my memo file concerning Jon Zimmer?"

  "Yes sir, Mr. Zoll," came the reply.

  In a few seconds Barbra appeared and handed the thick file to Alex.

  "Thank you, Barbra,"

  She just glared at PJ as she left the room.

  "I don't think she cares much for me," PJ said.

  "I can't say that I'm too fond of you either Mr. Matts. Here is the file. Please help yourself."

  PJ read through the thick stack of memos.

  After reading over half of the memo's he looked up at Alex and said, "This just isn't making sense. I mean, this is 180 degrees out from what I read in Jon' files."

  "Would it help if you looked at what we have currently operational? I have the blueprints over on the work table," Alex said pointing to a drafting table across the room.

  "You can read blueprints can't you Mr. Matts? If you will look at page S-1 you will see what we are using at present. S-2 has the proposed changes," Alex said.

  PJ was fairly impressed. The systems were more sophisticated than he had been lead to believe. The motion detectors, video monitors and door sensors should have been more than enough to warn of the intrusion last night. He looked at page S-2 and saw that they were installing the latest infer red perimeter system with overlapping sensors. Microwave beam detectors were being installed around the building as well. This just wasn't adding up.

  "Alex, I just ain't getting the picture here. Jon paints a picture of a facility just ripe for picking. On the other hand, you show me a relatively good system. If all this is in place why didn't it work last night?"