James Ross - A Character-Based Collection (Prairie Winds Golf Course)

by James Ross

  Booker and Hayden awaited her decision. They couldn’t do anything until she started the process.

  “If we go on this, then the case will be assigned over to Peter. The three of you will have to work together to make this case stick.”

  Booker nodded. Hayden and Dooley looked at each other.

  “You guys have worked together before. I don’t want this guy to spit out the hook like he did last time. If we’re going after him, then I want to succeed.” Ellie lowered the boom. “Do you guys understand?”

  The silence was deafening. “I’ll authorize the necessary paperwork,” she stated.

  A big grin came over Booker’s face. He wanted to get Zerrmann for his wrongdoing, but he also wanted to indirectly aid J Dub. Not only had Zerrmann defrauded the IRS and the government, but, in the process, he had pulled a fast one on an unassuming victim that didn’t stand a chance.

  “I want to work closely with you guys. Keep me informed. Get the survey out and start the interview process,” Ellie concluded. She made reference to the first couple of tasks that Booker and Hayden had before them.

  “Let’s get this guy! Make this one stick!” Ellie was fired up to settle a grudge.

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  It was hard to believe, but Monty had spent nearly a decade in prison. The last six months were spent in a halfway house just around the corner from his old stomping grounds. His law license had been stripped by the State of Illinois. He needed to find new employment. The halfway house served as a temporary stop to reacquaint him with society and prepare him for his next means of contribution to the public.

  Lew thought that it would be appropriate to have a small gathering of old friends. He felt that it was the least that he could do since Monty had more-or-less taken the fall for him. Lew made a call to Raymond Parsons and arranged for him to pick up Monty and drive over to the Big Z.

  When Lew mentioned that he wanted a small gathering, he meant it. He wasn’t a very social person. In fact, he was anti-social. He shied away from large get-togethers. In reality, the party that he was going to throw for Monty ended up being a very small congregation.

  Raymond pulled the car up to the gate, received permission to enter, and drove down Lew’s winding driveway. As was customary, Lew was outside awaiting their arrival. Upon exiting the car, Lew took a hard look at Monty. It was obvious that his old look was returning. He had put on a few pounds at the halfway house. His ponytail showed signs of returning.

  After shaking hands, Lew led the men into the barn. It was just like old times sake. Monty and Raymond grabbed shotguns out of the barn and Lew grabbed an assault rifle. They proceeded to the back of the barn and blasted away at clay pigeons as the gloom of winter hovered overhead. The conversation was peripheral, almost non-existent, as the men mainly shot the guns and enjoyed themselves.

  As they returned the rifles to the barn the conversation heated up a bit. Monty was not too happy that he had given up a large chunk of his life for Lew. “I wasted nearly ten years of my life for you,” Monty said.

  Obviously Lew could only think of himself. “Hey we won!” he exclaimed.

  “You won!” Monty hollered back, his bitterness evident.

  Lew led the men inside demanding they take off their shoes to protect the carpet from wear and tear and guard against dirt. Lew hated to vacuum. As they went down the steps to the lower level Lew said, “You did what you had to do. Raymond and I appreciate it.”

  “Yeah, well, you two guys don’t have to start life all over again. I’ve lost everything. The restitution alone to the government cleaned me out. Then the state yanked my license to practice law. I’ve lost my livelihood,” Monty complained.

  “We’ll come up with something to help you out,” Raymond conceded.

  “It can’t come soon enough,” Monty reiterated.

  “ . . . Beer?” Lew offered as he reached into the refrigerator that was behind the bar in the lower level. Both men nodded. “We do have good reason to celebrate,” Lew continued.

  “Why? Because I didn’t rat on you?” Monty persisted.

  “No. You’re out of prison. Now you’re a free man again,” Lew said.

  “He did us both a favor,” Raymond admitted to Lew.

  “If I had it to do all over again I’m not so sure that I would make the same choices,” Monty complained.

  “It’s over and done with. Let’s move on,” Lew urged.

  “Then help me out. Times are tough right now,” Monty begged.

  “That’s what I intend to do,” Lew said. “Come on.”

  A wry grin encompassed Monty’s face. “What are friends for, right?”

  “Let me give you a little tour,” Lew said as he motioned for them to follow him down the hallway. The two men grabbed their beer and trailed Lew by a few steps. The lower level was gloomy. Dark walnut paneling soaked up any inkling of daylight and the low ceiling sapped all of the air out of the room.

  Lew stopped at a doorway. Next to the opening was an Uncle Sam yard jockey. It was complete with red-and-white striped trousers and a blue shirt with white stars. The top hat gleamed red, white, and blue. Lew grabbed a set of keys that hung from an ear and unlocked the door.

  “This is my bomb shelter,” he declared. Monty and Raymond exchanged mystified glances. Lew entered the bomb shelter and yelled over his shoulder. “It’s complete with twelve-inch thick concrete walls, a years’ supply of food, and separate ventilation and utilities. Of course, it’s radiation proof in case we get a nuclear attack.”

  The inside of the shelter was like a fortress. Bundles and bundles of cash were neatly stacked next to piles of old newspapers. Enormous supplies of pork and beans, bottled water, tomato juice, and chicken noodle soup crowded the space. Light porno from cheap detective magazines adorned the walls and Lew’s Tupperware collection was neatly stacked in one corner, each containing a pair of women’s panties and labeled with a name and date. A Nazi uniform and a Ku Klux Klan robe hung from hangars.

  Littered around the bomb shelter were copies of Mein Kampf and The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It was true that Lew was a disciple of Adolph Hitler and a worshipper of his principles. It was his opinion that Jews deserved discrimination. In fact, Lew idolized the most notorious dictator the world has ever known. He adopted “The Fuhrer’s” doctrine and applied it to life around him.

  Strewn around the shelter were pamphlets from the Aryan Nations. Lew’s take on this ideology was that for a group of people to survive they must have their own land so that their own ways could be adopted. He believed that the system had to be broken down so that the oppressed people could prosper.

  Leaflets from the Ku Klux Klan were scattered throughout the shelter. Lew’s views about white supremacy were vindicated in these writings. The literature called for a one-race society and an anti-gay movement. The writings supported his belief that blacks were an inferior race and needed to be extinguished.

  It was as if Lew had created a shrine to himself inside the bomb shelter. The text in these books and pamphlets would most certainly provide insight into the principles of Lewferd E. Zerrmann. He was dangerously close to making that knowledge available to Monty and Raymond.

  Standing in the room made Lew’s excitement level rise. He started to hyperventilate. His breathing increased rapidly. He hurriedly grabbed two bundles of cash and wrapped them in newspapers. He exited the bomb shelter and handed a separate package to Monty and Raymond. Perspiration dripped from his brow and soaked his clothing.

  “You’re my guests tonight. This should show you my appreciation,” Lew stated. His tone was formal, as if he was conducting a funeral.

  Lew was dripping with sweat. “What the hell happened to you?” Monty asked inquisitively.

  “Oh, nothing,” Lew stammered weakly. The adrenalin rush caused him to be light-headed. “Sometimes I get claustrophobic in there.” Monty and Ray opened the bundles and saw a huge quantity of cash. They both forced a grin, but were confused by the
odd circumstances. “That should help both of you. I appreciate how you have protected me.”

  Monty and Raymond were dumbfounded. Both of them thought that they knew Lew pretty well. The last several minutes completely caught both of them by surprise. They were speechless.

  With a jerk of his head Lew motioned for both of them to follow him further down the hall. He led them to another door. “This is my favorite room,” he said mischievously. “I’ve prepared it especially for you.”

  Lew threw open the door and led them into an elaborate sex dungeon. He and Lois had made it especially appealing to any guests. A six by six foot flag bearing a Swastika hung on the dark paneled wall. A cache of guns filled the far corner of the room. Sophisticated bondage equipment was centered in the dungeon. A table covered with sex toys sat nearby.

  Whips and chains, ropes, and dog collars were scattered throughout the room. A stained pair of women’s panties was wadded up on the floor. Spread out around the dungeon was a slave collar, ball gag, muzzle, mask, hood, paddle, nipple clamp, and harness. Lew had even erected a sex swing in one corner.

  Monty and Raymond stood with gaping mouths at what was before them. For years they had both known that Lew was a little unorthodox in his approach to things, yet, seeing all of this shocked them. Monty immediately thought about his ex-wife and what she must have been exposed to under Lew’s domination.

  A very shapely and beautiful Cancun and Raven entered from a side door. Cancun wore a black choker. She was dressed in black leather thigh-high ballet boots with a red garter belt and crotch-less panties. Her eyes were covered by a black blindfold. She had a red ball gag in her mouth. Her long, exquisite blond hair provided sizzling contrast to the black shining leather. She was hooked up to a leash and was led into the room by Raven.

  Raven carried a whip and handcuffs. She wore white-lace, thigh-high stockings and as if to compliment her auburn hair, she wore a forest green thong. A white open breast bra highlighted her tremendous attributes. Monty and Raymond had no idea what to expect.

  “This room is complete with live entertainment for my good friends. Enjoy!” Lew said as he turned and exited the room.

  Raven led Cancun to Raymond and handed him the leash. Cancun purred like a kitten and crawled up and down Raymond’s body. She rubbed and stroked every inch of him while bringing out various toys, lotions and lubricants. The night had just begun.

  Monty was handcuffed by Raven. She proceeded to strip him of his clothes and whip him unmercifully. In time, he too, would have his way with Raven. The pair of twosomes eventually became a foursome. The party was in full swing.

  After what seemed like an eternal blissful moment for Monty and Raymond, the door to the dungeon cracked open. In the doorway Lew Zerrmann stood dressed in a full Nazi uniform. He looked like an exact clone of Adolph Hitler, complete with a fake moustache.

  The four participants in the room were momentarily startled and looked up from their various sexual escapades. Just when Monty and Raymond thought they had seen it all and done it all, Lew gave the Nazi salute. He stood before them at attention and witnessed their every move just like the concealed and undetected video camera in a high corner of the room.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Walter was still miffed and a little uptight from the lawsuit when a knock on his door came from Booker and Hayden. He answered the door and quickly found out that the IRS meant business.

  Booker was the special agent assigned to the case and spoke immediately. “In connection with our investigation of Lewferd E. Zerrmann, I would like to ask you some questions. However, first I must advise you that under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, I cannot force you to answer any questions or to submit any information if such answers or information might tend to incriminate you in any way. Anything that you might say or submit might be used against you in any criminal proceeding. If you wish, you can seek the assistance of an attorney before responding.”

  Walter shifted his weight from one foot to the other. If the coffee hadn’t gotten his attention by now, Booker certainly did. His eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. Walter’s worst nightmare was unfolding right before him. He was certain that his association with Lew Zerrmann had led to this predicament. However, what stood before him did not come unexpectedly. He had lived on the edge during his tax consulting career. He anticipated that this day would happen at some time.

  “This matter should be easily resolved if you cooperate and tell your side of the story,” Booker continued. Walter stood in stunned silence in the middle of the doorway. “Will you waive your rights?” Booker asked.

  “No. I want you to contact my attorney,” Walter wisely blurted.

  “That is a right that you are entitled to,” Booker stated. “Who is your attorney?”

  “Donald Farrell,” Walter revealed.

  “ . . . Very well. We will be in touch,” Booker concluded. He and Hayden turned and left.

  Walter stood in astonished distress with mouth agape as they drove off. His first thought was that the red flags that he had cautioned Lew about had finally gotten the attention of the IRS. He was going to have to wait until the conference with the IRS agents to find out what they were after.

  Walter had been successfully filing tax returns for clients for years. His accounting methods had been aggressive. This was the first time that the IRS had actually knocked on his door. After thinking rationally for a second, he picked up the phone and called his attorney.

  Walter felt confident that Farrell would help him out of this mess. He most certainly would accompany him to the conference he thought. During their brief conversation, Farrell advised Walter to not have any contact with Lew Zerrmann. It became clear that it was going to be “an-every-man-for-himself” situation.

  It didn’t come as much of a surprise when the phone rang later in the day in Walter’s office and Lew was on the other end of the line. “Were they over at your place, too?” Lew demanded.

  “My attorney has instructed me to cut all my communication with you,” Walter advised Lew.

  “You didn’t say anything, did you?” Lew inquired.

  “It’s better if we don’t talk,” Walter stressed.

  “You’re my accountant!” Lew yelled.

  “And in this matter we might have conflicting positions.”

  “Look, dammit! If you keep your damn mouth shut the burden of proof is on them,” Lew shouted. The earpiece to the phone was about a foot away from Walter’s head. “We didn’t do anything wrong!”

  “That is all we should probably say to each other right now. Have a nice night,” Walter said as he quickly wrapped up the conversation.

  An IRS investigation was an event that Walter always thought could happen in his business. It could be nothing or it could turn into the biggest headache that anyone could imagine. Upon ending the conversation he immediately started doing research. He wanted to find out the severity of the probable yet undisclosed and declared situation and what penalties might be involved.

  Walter quickly found that if he was to be found guilty of tax evasion it would be a felony offense. The maximum fine would not be more than one hundred thousand dollars. The longest prison time he could serve would be five years. Plus he would be liable for the costs of prosecution. This was information that he already knew but re-reading the statute reminded him of the severity of the crime that he might be accused of.

  Walter also discovered that if he admitted to filing a fraudulent tax return the maximum fine was only ten thousand dollars and a maximum of one year in prison.

  After digesting that information it became clear that he was in a little bit of a quandary. Yet, Lew was right. The government had to prove that he had knowledge that he was filing a false return. It was true what Lew had said. If they both shut up, then it would make the government’s task that much more difficult.

  He was going to have to wait and see how the investigation unfolded. It was going to be a long and
tedious process. He quickly deduced that his interests would best be served by cooperating with the government to some degree. However, when push came to shove he would be better off saying nothing.

  Walter had a tough few nights of sleep ahead of him. The knock on the door had worried him a little. What he was truly concerned about was what Nora was going to say when she found out. “I told you not to get mixed up with that guy!” Nora screamed that night at dinner.

  “It’s just a misunderstanding. I’m sure that it is something that we can explain out,” Walter said as he tried his best to soothe his wife.

  “They don’t come knocking unless they have a pretty damn good idea what they are looking for,” Nora shouted at a decibel level close to climbing off the chart.

  “We’ll have to see how the investigation unfolds,” Walter explained as calmly as he could.

  “If you’re mixed up with that idiot I can’t imagine anything good coming out of it.” Nora was not going to let the topic die.

  “You’re innocent until proven guilty, remember?” Walter said meekly.

  “You better damn well make sure that you are innocent or you’ll be hearing from my lawyer, too,” Nora shouted.

  “Where’s the support that I was hoping to hear?”

  “I told you several years ago to get away from that guy. You didn’t want to listen then. Now look at the mess he’s gotten you in,” Nora ranted.

  “Farrell told me not to talk with Lew,” Walter stated.