Golf In A Parallel Universe

by Jimmy Bloodworth

  We landed, and the plane pulled off the runway and made its way to the main terminal. Then it stopped and sat there for about 5 minutes. No big deal. I have seen that a million times. The plane has to wait until the gate clears. Then the plane started moving again. But it took a sharp turn and was heading the opposite direction of the terminal. No one really paid much attention until it was obvious that we were not going to the terminal. We started to wonder what is going on. As we were taxiing the pilot came over the intercom and said we are not going to the terminal because of a security issue. Eventually we stopped way in the back of the airport by some type of maintenance buildings. Everyone was wondering what was going on. We figured there may be some type of terror incident going on here at the airport. The pilot asked us all to stay seated.

  The airport crew pushed up a big ladder to the cockpit door and we could see someone coming up. Two police officers came in and they were talking to the flight attendants up front. After a couple of minutes of talking. The flight attendant pick up the intercom. She looked concerned. “Excuse me ladies and gentlemen. Can Jim Galloway please proceed to the front of the cabin." I could not imagine why they were asking for me. Everyone was quiet. I got up and pointed to my chest with my finger with a confused look on my face. They nodded, and the police officers waved me to come up front. I was in the middle of the plane just past the wings, so I had a ways to walk. Everyone was silent and looking at me. I felt embarrassed and confused walking down the aisle. I am sure everyone was wondering if I am some type of terrorist or something. When I got to the front, the two police officers ushered me out of the plane. We walked across the tarmac and I looked back at the plane. I could see all my friends looking out at me wondering what is going on. I also noticed they were taking the ladder away. I did not say anything as we were walking because of the loud Jet Engines. Besides, I did not know what to say.

  As we walked up to the doors of the building, I noticed the plane that I was on was leaving. The police officers escorted me into the building and we walked down a long hallway. Towards the end of the hallway there were a group of police officers, who had rifles. Along with them stood one gentleman in a suit. He was tall, brown hair, and very fit. He looked like he was in charge. As we walked up to them, I obviously looked dazed and confused. “Mr. Galloway?"

  “Yes," I replied as I nodded head not knowing what is going on. He held out his hand to shake my hand. “David Phillips, FBI." I shook his hand “Hi,” I replied. He smiled. “I know you have some questions, we need to talk," he told me in a professional but urgent tone. They took me in the to a meeting with other men which seemed to be plain-clothes police officers. It was some type of airport office with an oval shaped wooden meeting table with about 8 chairs. All this with a big window with view of the tarmac and maintenance buildings. As we sat down, I noticed the plane I was on was taxing away.

  We all sat down and he put his hands together on the table and leaned towards me a little as he started to explain what is going on. “Mr. Galloway, we have a situation here. And you are in grave danger.” I just nodded and listened. I did not say a word. “Mr Galloway, of course you know Dafford Hilton, correct?," he said as he was looking at me. “Ah yes," I replied. “Well Mr. Galloway. After the incident where he attacked you at the US open, he was put into a Mental Institution in Atlanta Georgia.” He paused and took a deep breath. Yesterday he escaped from that facility. “Whaaat” I said in a surprised tone. “Well here’s the story. At the facility they have a room where the patients can congregate and watch TV. They were watching the British Open on TV. He was watching intently the whole time. And when you tapped in that putt for the victory, he went ballistic. He was yelling at the TV. Actually he was yelling at you. He was screaming “I will kill you Jim Galloway, you cannot do this, I will Kill you, I will get you. You will die. I am coming after you." Then he got his chair and slammed it into the TV. After that, he just started wrecking the place. The staff tried to subdue him, but he overwhelmed them. He is a big guy, and he was in a rage. He was able to find something heavy, and he broke out a window and he ran away. He ran out into the parking lot.

  An elderly lady had just parked and getting out of her car and he pushed her out of the way and hijacked the car and drove off. This all happened in a span of a couple of minutes. Before more staff and security and police could get there," explained Agent Phillips. “Wow” I said leaning back in my chair.

  “Unfortunately it gets much more interesting. We know that he is actively looking for you at this moment. That's why we got you off the plane, he told me. “My gosh” I replied. “Any idea where he is?, I asked. “Well, we have been hot on his trail. And it has been a somewhat tragic trail. Let me fill you in on what we are dealing with here with this guy. First he is crazy, so no telling what he will do. And the disturbing thing is his background. He is using some unique skills to track you down." “What are you talking about” I asked. “He grew up around guns, hunting and all of that. After high school he joined the Marines and became a trained sniper. And apparently a very good one. A trained sniper has unique skill set. They are trained to hide and track their targets. They have to be very smart and they are trained to improvise to do whatever they need to do to obtain their objective. From what we have been able to find out, he was very good at his job. However, he had some incidents with fights and disobeying orders so he was kicked out of the Marines. Most likely because of his mental issues which came to light after he was kicked out.

  He is also a “survivalist type person” we found out. This is where things start to get bad. We had talked to his uncle when he broke out. He has been the only one in his family that has been cooperative with the authorities. He gave us a good lead. He told us that he thinks he knows right where he will go. His uncle told us that their family has cabin in the Chattahooche National Forest about 50 miles North of Atlanta. In that cabin he has all kinds of survival gear including a rifle and handgun. Also, most likely he has money and food stashed."

  I just nodded my head as he continued to talk. "This is where things get bad," he said as he looked down at the table. I took a deep breath and listened intently. I felt like this is a bad dream. “We contacted the National forest service. His uncle gave us the location of the cabin. They dispatched a Forest Ranger to that cabin. And sure enough, Zack was there. The Ranger unfortunately confronted Zack, which was a mistake. He should have waited for backup. There was gunfire, and the ranger was killed," said Agent Phillips in a solemn tone. “My gosh” I said as I sank in my chair. “Yep” he said sharply. “And since the Forest Ranger is a federal officer, this is now a federal matter. That's why I am here. The FBI is leading this investigation," he told me frankly. “What happened after that” I asked. “Any clues where he went?," I asked. “Yeah Plenty. After he shot the Forest Ranger, he went into town with his hijacked car. He went into an electronic store and bought a prepaid smartphone. He is smart to do that because with those prepaid plan smartphones. You can activate them immediately and the police will have no idea what his number is and how to track it." “Why would he want a smartphone?” I asked. “Well," said Agent Phillips. “Apparently his is big on social media. He needs to access the internet and the social media sites to follow you and find out where you are and where you or going." Then he pulled out his phone and looked at it, shaking his head and turning it towards me. “And the looks of it. The party you guys had on the plane last night told the world where you are and when you are going. See these post from all these golfers showing pictures and telling everyone that you will be arriving at Charleston this morning?" “Oh my God” I sighed. “So you think he is following all of this?, I asked. “We know he is, he said sharply. “Right after he bought the cell phone. He ditched the car that he hijacked from the little old lady because he knew that things were getting hot. He hijacked another car. And the guy the owner of that car resisted. And Dafford Hilton shot him dead.”

  I just plopped my head down on the table on my arms. “This is
a nightmare I said” almost in tears. I was thinking about two innocent people dying. The agent went on. “Just before your plane touched down. A airport policemen spotted that second car that he hijacked abandoned in the airport parking lot. He is after you Mr. Galloway. As of now this airport is crawling with cops. We got Swat teams everywhere. If he is here we will find him. However if he is smart. His training will kick in and he will slip out of here some way. “So what's next” I asked. “Well you cannot go home, he knows where you live. We are going to take you into our protective custody program. You will be safe. Just make sure you do not tell anyone where you are at. And you have to cut off all social media post, he is following that," he told me. “OK, I replied. “There will be a private jet arriving here in a few minutes. You will be leaving with a couple of our agents. They will be flying you to an undisclosed location. They will fill you in on all the process. Believe me, we know what we are doing," he said proudly. “This protective custody program will keep you safe. First, we need to fly you out of this area and it will be impossible for him to find you as long as you do what we say. Hopefully, he will be caught soon and this will all be over with," he explained. “Sounds good” I replied. “What about my bags, and my golf clubs on the plane, that I came in on? “Don’t worry about that, they will get them off the plane and bring them here.

  After our meeting we were just waiting for the plane and discussing the process of the Protective Custody Program. He said the team that will be picking me up will go over all the details. I looked at my phone and I had a text from my caddie Zack. “Dude? You OK?” the text read. I asked Agent Phillips if it is OK to call or text someone. He said that will be fine. Just do not tell anyone our location. I agreed and I called Zack. He asked if I was OK. “Dude! this place is crawling with cops and swat teams all are over the place," he told me. “I know," I replied. I filled him in on what's going on. I told him that I will be taken somewhere soon and I have no idea where I am going and when I will be back. He understood and he will let the guys know that I am ok. “At least now we know you are not a terrorist” he said jokingly. “Gee thanks” I replied. I told him I will keep in touch and we hung up.

  A few minutes later a white business jet pulled in. Two men came out of the plane and into the building. I was introduced to Agent Keller and Agent Scott of the FBI protective Custody Unit. We had small talk for a few minutes. They told me they will fill me in on the details once we get airborne. A white van drove up and stopped by the plane. They had my bags and golf clubs and loaded them on the plane. We got on the plane and we were airborne within no time. “Ever been on a business jet before Mr. Galloway” asked agent Keller. “No I have not. Pretty nice” I replied. “You can thank Uncle Sam for picking up the bill on this one” he replied. “Great, I replied, I just wish I was flying under better circumstances. “Well, you are safe now," he said. Dafford Hilton is down there somewhere and he will have no way to know where you be going. That is, if you follow our rules. Any slip up that will disclose your location could be deadly. You understand Mr. Galloway," he said looking at me seriously. “Yes, sir” I replied intently. “Ok let me fill you in on how this works” he said. “The reason that you are in this Protective Custody program is because it is now a federal issue because of the killing of the National Forest Ranger. And since this guy is actively hunting you and because you are somewhat of a public figure, we feel like this program is your best option to keep you safe until we catch this guy.” I nodded my head. Agent Keller went over what I will be going through. They will be flying me to another city. I will be there for a few days. Then they will move me to another location. They will be moving me to various locations until Dafford Hilton is caught. He explained that I have to stay off all social media and not tell anyone where I am. It is OK to talk to people on my phone but do not disclose my location to anyone unless they are authorized by the FBI. He went over the challenges of how things have changed since the smartphones and social media have become so popular. He told me since I am a recognizable figure, I cannot be seen in public. Someone may recognize me as the professional golfer may be happy to see me. They may innocently post on the internet such as “Hey guys guess what, I just ran into the British Open Champion” Or something like that, maybe even get a selfie. And if Dafford Hilton sees that he will know where I am. Agent Keller told me the only way I can go out in public is to have a disguise which they will provide.

  “Mr. Galloway” he said. “During this investigation we had worked with Detective Harrison of Augusta Georgia Police Department. He was the investigator the incident happened at the US Open. “Oh yea, I remember him” I replied. We have been working with him the last few hours on this situation. He has also been in communication with the PGA and they are very concerned about this since it involves two PGA players. They want to assist you in whatever way they can. They have been talking to Jerry Churchill , and he said he is willing to do whatever he can do to assist. We usually allow only one person to have direct contact with the people that we have in protective custody. They will be able to visit you at your location. It's good to have someone such as a good friend that can be the intermediary between you and the outside world. Jerry Churchill said he would be happy to do that. He can help with anything related to your work as a professional golfer and anything else he can do as a friend. If you like we can authorize him to be that person. He will be allowed come and see you at your hidden locations.”

  “Well” I said. “If I could see anyone I would prefer to see my girlfriend instead. Would that be possible?," I asked. “Not a good idea at all," he replied. Family and close relationships are vulnerable. It is not uncommon for the bad guy to follow or influence them. And even cause them harm to them to try to find out where you are," he told me. “OK I guess Jerry Churchill would be a good for this. He is a standup guy that I can trust. And he can work with the PGA on my situation. But now I am worried about my girlfriend," I said in a concerned tone. "Don’t worry, we can provide her with security. We will work with the local police to keep an eye on her. We do this all the time. Basically they have ways of having the local police patrol at her residence and will be on the lookout for anything suspicious," he advised me. “Ok that will make me feel better," I replied. “Also you can use your cell phone to call and text anyone. But you cannot use any social media at all. I need your phone to load an App on it so your phone number, text and GPS cannot be tracked." I agreed and gave him my cell phone. He connected a device to it and loaded the App. It just took a few seconds. “They're your cell phone is not trackable now” He replied. He also put band on my wrist and clamped it with a tools. “This is a GPS tracker” he said. It cannot be cut off. “With this we will always know where you are. He showed me a button on the device. “See this little button here? If you get in any trouble. This is a panic button. Just press it and hold for two seconds and help will be on the way," he said in a positive tone. “Nice," I just hope that I never have to use it," I replied. He just shook his head in agreement.

  Finally the plane landed. My first place I was to be staying was in Chicago. They took me to a high-rise apartment building. This was my home for the next few days. They already had the place stocked with food. And to my surprise even beer was in the fridge. “Well at least I got beer” I said laughing to myself. However, decided, I will not be doing any drinking the next several days. Probably not a good idea, I don’t want to get in a situation where I am drowning my sorrows. Besides, I do not like to drink during bad times. Agent Keller told me that they will be monitoring me. He told me that I will not usually see them, but they will be around.

  “If you want to go out. Let us know. Tomorrow we will have someone here that will fix a disguise for you so you can go out when you want. For now, just get some rest. Any questions?," he asked. “Nope, I think I got it," I replied sadly. “Look Mr. Galloway. I am sure this will be all over soon and you will be able to get back to your life. They are hot on Dafford Hilton's trail and he will be caught soon. "Tha
nks” I replied. We shook hands, and they left.

  I looked out the window. I cannot believe I am here. I am so exhausted and I need to sleep. I have jet lag from traveling clear across the world. And I am not feeling all that well from the party last night on the plane, and now all of this. I just can’t believe all of this is happening. Then I remember that I need to call Emily. I know she was expecting me back in Orlando by now and probably wondering why I have not called her. I texted her first and ask if she was available to talk. She replied that she was. I called, and she answered enthusiastically. “How’s my British Open Champion doing” she said. “I am doing OK” I said trying to keep a positive tone. We had normal chit chat for a couple of minutes, I was not sure how to tell her about all of this. “You OK?” she asked. “You sound a little down.”

  “Well. I am a little tired for sure. However I got something to tell you about a situation that is going on right now," I replied. “OK” she said. “What's going on?" I filled her in on the whole story about how Dafford Hilton’s escaped and I am now in protective custody. She hardly said a word as I was explaining all of this to her. I also told her the FBI and the police will be contacting her and they will be keeping an eye on her. Then I could hear her crying. I am 32-year-old single guy and have not really seen a lot of women cry in my life. So I really did not know what to do. Except I wanted to cry as well. But I was able keep myself together. I just told her that this will be all over and I will be back home in no time. She was able to regroup, and we just talked for a long time. It was really good talking to her, I just wish I was with her. I really feel closer to her than ever.