by J. C. Fields
Kruger nodded. “Just heard you’re ex-FBI. Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
Lamb shrugged. “Didn’t seem important at the time.”
“Why’d you leave?”
“Same reason you’ll leave one day. Got tired of the BS.”
Kruger smiled and said, “Yeah, you’re probably right. It does get deep at times.”
Thirty minutes after the military took charge of the C4, an FBI forensics team from Montgomery arrived and took charge of the destroyed house. They set up a perimeter and started searching. Kruger knew the lead investigator, Charlie Craft. A few years back on a serial killer investigation, Charlie had been a rookie. Kruger worked with him and explained what an investigator needed. The young man had taken the advice and built on it. Now he was in charge of a medium size forensics department.
Kruger watched Charlie get his team started. After several minutes, Charlie noticed Kruger watching. He smiled, waved, and hurried over to where Kruger stood on the outside of the crime scene perimeter.
They shook hands and Kruger said, “How’ve you been, Charlie?”
“Couldn't be better, Agent Kruger.”
“Charlie—you know my rules.”
Charlie looked embarrassed. “Sorry, Sean, I forgot. I've been dealing with too many self-important agents lately.”
Kruger laughed. “I can only imagine. Speaking of self-important agents, Mint Dollar will be here shortly. He's now the SAC in Kansas City and will be taking over when he gets here.”
Charlie's happy-to-see-you demeanor changed immediately. “Ahhh, shit, are you kidding me?”
“Wish I was. He was promoted just before this case broke. Unfortunately he still can't find his ass with both hands behind his back.”
Charlie chuckled. “Thanks, I needed to hear that.”
Charlie was one of the techs involved with the case in Utah and witnessed Dollar's lack of ability. Kruger said, “I hate to ask you this, but I need a favor.”
“Sure, Sean. What is it?”
“I think this guy was the tip of the spear, just a soldier in a much bigger operation. No one guy has the ability to steal as much C4 as we found in his barn. If there was a computer or a laptop in the house, I need the hard drive. It might lead us to others involved.”
Charlie looked at Kruger, then back at what remained of the house. “You want JR to look at it, don't you?”
Kruger nodded. “We both know if there's something on a hard drive, he can find it and a lot faster than anybody at the Bureau.”
Charlie looked again at the search area and thought for a moment. “Okay, if we find it, I'll log it in, then slip it to you someway. But I have to have it back.”
Smiling, Kruger put his hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “You may have just saved a lot of lives.”
As Charlie walked back to the search area, Kruger glanced at his watch. It was getting late. Mildly surprised Dollar hadn’t arrived yet, he felt it was probably a good time to call Stephanie and let her know he was alright.
She answered after the first ring, “Sean, are you okay?” Her voice was noticeably stressed.
“Yes, Stef, I'm fine. It’s a little chaotic right now, but at least we have a starting point for the investigation. Guess you've been watching the news?”
“Yes, I have, and so has Brian.” Her voice an octave higher than normal. “He’s called several times asking if I had heard from you.”
This was the first time anybody had expressed a concern about his safety while he conducted an investigation. However, it was also the first time he had ever been involved with an exploding house.
“Call him back and tell him I'm fine. I can't right now. I’ll be heading back tonight. I have to make one quick stop, then I’ll be home.”
There was a long silence on the call. Finally he heard, “Okay, just make sure you’re careful. I didn't get married just to become a widow.”
Kruger suddenly realized he was acting different himself. In the past, he never thought about how quickly he could get home. He worked his investigation and it took however long it took. Today he was plotting the fastest way to get home. His decision to retire was the right one. He said, “I'll be careful, I promise.” No more running through a firefight and dodging bullets, he thought. Damn, what was he thinking?
He noticed Charlie walking back toward him, and when he arrived, Kruger said, “Did you find anything?”
Charlie offered his hand. Kruger shook it as Charlie passed him a small flat object. Very quietly, he said, “I found it a few minutes ago. It's a solid state drive. They’re extremely sturdy. I haven't logged it in yet, so get it back to me as quickly as possible. Okay?”
Kruger nodded. “Thanks, Charlie, I will.”
As Charlie walked away, Sheriff Lamb came up next to Kruger and pointed toward the growing crowd of media vans at the end of the driveway. “I just received a radio call, three black Suburbans have arrived. Would that be your Agent Dollar?”
Kruger chuckled and nodded, “More than likely.” He paused for a few moments and said, almost to himself, “Where the hell can you rent black Suburbans in Pensacola?”
Lamb shrugged, “Not sure, but it does seem pretentious.”
Kruger nodded, “That’s Dollar. By the way, since he's here, I need to follow up on a new lead. Can one of your deputies take me to my Jeep?”
“Yeah, how soon do you want to leave? I need to get a couple of these guys off overtime.”
“As soon as someone can take me.”
The Suburbans slowly worked their way through the swarm of media. Kruger could hear the commotion of questions being yelled all the way from where he stood next to the storage buildings. Once through the crowd, the three vehicles quickly drove down the long drive and parked just outside the tree line. The doors opened in unison, making Kruger suspect Dollar was on his radio saying, ready, set, exit. After he was out of the passenger side of the lead Suburban, Dollar surveyed the scene, buttoned his suit coat, straightened his tie and headed straight toward a deputy guarding the perimeter of the search area. The deputy pointed at Lamb, who was already walking toward Dollar.
Kruger smiled and followed. He wanted to hear this exchange.
Dollar offered his hand, which Lamb shook. Dollar said, “Are you Sheriff Gordon Lamb?”
Lamb nodded and said nothing.
“I'm Special Agent Franklin Dollar. I am now in charge of this crime scene. Thank you for your assistance, Sheriff. Now if you will have your men vacate the area, I will conduct the investigation from here.”
Lamb stared at Dollar and in a thick Alabama drawl said, “Well, Agent Dollar, the good Governor of this fine state has told me different. You go ahead and conduct your little investigation, but my men will stay right where they are until I'm told different by him.”
Dollar, unprepared for this type of response, said nothing. He simply turned, walked back to the Suburbans and started giving orders to the other agents. Kruger walked up next to Lamb and said, “First time I've ever seen him speechless. Well done, Sheriff.”
Lamb looked at Kruger and with a slight grin said, “Guess I'd better call the Governor and tell him what I just said.”
Kruger struggled not to laugh. “I’ll have to remember that line.”
Lamb delivered on his promise of a ride. Fifteen minutes later a deputy asked Kruger if he was ready to go back to the sheriff's office. Thanking the deputy, he told him he'd be right back. He found Lamb. “Thanks for the ride.” He offered his hand to the sheriff and continued, “It’s been a pleasure working with you, Sheriff.”
Lamb gave Kruger a wide grin and shook his hand. “Pleasure was all mine. I do believe I'm going to enjoy messing with that Dollar fella’s head.”
Kruger walked back to the deputy's squad car, opened the door and was about to get in when Dollar yelled at him to wait a minute. Tempted to ignore him, Kruger decided to wait. When Dollar got to the car he said, “Where are you going? I need a full report from you about this crime
scene.”
Kruger smiled, looked at Dollar with disdain, and said, “If I remember correctly, I report to Alan Seltzer, not you. After I file my report and he reads it, you can request a copy.”
Dollar’s eyes grew wide and his face reddened as Kruger got into the squad car and closed the door.
On the way back to his Jeep, Kruger called the agency's Travel Department, and was told the only flights back to Kansas City were in the morning. He wouldn't be back until almost noon and then have a three-hour drive to Springfield. Too much wasted time. He had to get the cell phone and disk drive to JR as quickly as possible.
The deputy driving said, “There’s a charter service at the Brewton airport. Would that help?”
Kruger said, “It might. Is anyone there now?”
The deputy glanced at his dashboard clock, shook his head and said, “No, it will be morning before the airport opens again. Sorry.”
They drove in silence for a long time. Finally, a slight smile appeared on Kruger’s face. When they arrived at the sheriff’s office, Kruger thanked the deputy, got into the Jeep, and activated his GPS unit. It estimated his arrival time at JR’s would be just in time for scrambled eggs and coffee. He started the Jeep and began the long drive to Springfield.
Chapter 22
Washington, D.C.
Thursday evening
“It’s going to be another long evening, honey. I have no idea when I can get home… No, don't wait up for me… I'll grab a sandwich or something here… I love you too.”
Alan Seltzer pressed the end call icon at the same time he heard a quick rap on his office door. Paul Stumpf, Deputy Director of the FBI, stood in the partially open door and said, “The director wants an update. Do you have a minute?”
“Yes, Kruger gave me an update a few minutes ago, have a seat.” He pointed to one of the two chairs in front of his desk. Seltzer proceeded to summarize the events in Alabama, leaving out some of the details, like who the sheriff of Escambia County was.
His 45th birthday had been two days ago. Marking the event as special, he had purchased a high-end Cannondale carbon-frame racing bike. Due to current events, Alan had yet to ride it. Riding a bicycle ten miles a day and more on weekends helped him stay fit. Plus the solitude allowed him to think through problems. The birthday also brought another milestone, a prescription for no-line bifocals. Even though he had worn reading glasses for some time, the new glasses left his eyes fatigued and bloodshot.
Obtaining his current position within the FBI had taken hard work and perseverance. As one of the few African American assistant deputy directors, he was responsible for several divisions. Kruger and he had been classmates at the FBI Academy and made agent status on the same day. Even though their career paths were different, they had remained close friends throughout the years, with Alan rising into the ranks of management and Kruger establishing his reputation as a top investigator. Unbeknown to him, his current position was the result of a recommendation by Kruger after turning down a promotion. Seltzer had a lot of respect for Kruger, which meant he did not micromanage him, nor did he question his decisions. The results spoke for themselves: Kruger solved more cases than anybody else in his divisions.
Stumpf said, “Is Kruger still convinced there are more individuals involved?”
“More so now than before. He believes it’s almost impossible for one person to obtain that much C4 without assistance.”
Stumpf nodded. “The key word there is almost impossible, not impossible. But, I agree with him. Unfortunately, the director doesn't, and he's listening to Mint Dollar, who’s convinced there’s only one person involved.”
“How does he know that when he’s not even on site yet?”
Stumpf smiled. “Do I really have to answer your question?”
The absurdity of Franklin Dollar finally causing both to start chuckling. Seltzer said, “Yes, I imagine he will work the case very diligently until tomorrow afternoon, declare it solved and take full credit.”
“Yes, and when he does, we’ll expose him as the fraud he is. But until that happens, the director is listening to him.”
Stumpf paused and leaned forward in his chair.
“Unfortunately he’s demanding Kruger be taken off the case immediately.”
Seltzer shook his head and folded his arms on his desk. “Kruger is thinking about retiring. Pulling him off will push him over the edge. He'll pull the plug. I know him. He told me after the KC explosion he thought Dollar might have changed his ways and wanted to work as a team. After the video conference, Dollar reverted to his normal ego-centric self. To Kruger, the man is dangerous and incompetent.”
“Dollar is dangerous and incompetent, but there are only a few of us who recognize it. Let him hang himself, and then we can move forward with our plan. Pull Kruger off the case officially, let him take some of the vacation time he's been saving.”
“What do you mean officially?”
“I'm not going to tell you what to do, Alan. But we both know Kruger works best without a net. Take his net away, turn him loose.”
Stumpf stood and headed for the door. He turned just before leaving and said, “We didn't have this conversation.”
Seltzer just nodded.
***
Finally at 10:45 p.m., Seltzer turned the lights out in his office and headed toward his car. The call to Kruger needed to be made away from the office. No one ever knew who was listening at any given time inside FBI Headquarters. As soon as he had driven out of the parking lot, he made the call. It was answered on the third ring.
“Kruger.”
Seltzer heard wind noise in the background.
“Sean, where the hell are you?”
“Just outside of Birmingham, why?”
“Are you driving?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I couldn't get a flight until mid-morning, which puts me back in Kansas City late afternoon. I have too much to follow up on, and this way I can be there by early morning.”
Seltzer hesitated for a moment and said, “Sean, you've been officially taken off the case.”
“By who?”
“The director.”
“Why?”
“He believes you are getting in the way of Dollar's investigation.”
“Did he say that, or did Dollar put words in his mouth?”
Kruger’s anger was growing, Seltzer could sense it, even though his voice didn't betray his emotions. He said, “Dollar complained he was left out of the loop about Cooper and it delayed his arrival at the scene.”
Kruger started laughing. “Give me a break, Alan. Dollar was nowhere on this case. He had absolutely no idea how to move it forward.”
“I know, you told me before you left for Alabama. But the fact remains, you are officially off the case.”
“Alan, are you using code here? You've used the word officially twice now. Am I unofficially on it?”
“I can't say that, but you are officially off the case.”
Kruger chuckled. “And everybody wonders why I want to retire. This is BS. What am I supposed to do, Alan, take a vacation?”
“I think that’s an excellent idea. Why don’t you take a trip to Springfield and go fishing with your buddy.”
Kruger was silent.
Seltzer continued, “I'd like to join you, but I can’t. Too much going on here.”
Kruger’s voice grew quiet. “Who else knows about my fishing trips?”
“No one, just me. We have a mutual friend who’s invited me several times, but I’ve never been able to make it.”
Kruger let out a sigh of relief. “How do you and Joseph know each other?”
“Who do you think talked me into applying for the FBI? He didn't always live in Springfield, you know.”
Seltzer waited, hoping that revealing he knew about Kruger's information source would send the right message.
“Okay, I get it. You can tell the director that I will officially turn in my ret
irement papers in June.”
“Sorry it has to be this way, Sean. Paul and I know you won’t let us down. We also understand your frustration. Don’t make a hasty decision.”
“I have no intentions of letting you down. Dollar's the one everyone needs to worry about. He's going to embarrass the agency one more time, Alan, probably tomorrow.”
“Paul and I know that. I can't say any more. I'll explain it the next time I see you.”
“I'll let you know how the fish are biting.”
Seltzer ended the call and continued his drive home. If Dollar declared the case closed with the death of Cooper and Kruger proved more individuals were involved, it would effectively end Franklin Dollar's career. But if Cooper did act alone, Dollar’s career would be sealed. He'd be in Washington in some high-profile position making everybody’s life miserable. If events proceeded in that direction, Seltzer would join Kruger and retire.
As he pulled into his driveway, he thought of Joseph. It had been too long since they had last spoken. He missed Joseph’s clarity of thought and his wisdom. Yes, he would have to call his uncle as soon as possible.
Chapter 23
Dallas, TX
Thursday
The Hertz rental car agent looked at the driver’s license and then at the customer. He smiled, typed on his computer key board, handed the license back, and said, “What type of credit card will you be using, Mr. Acosta?”
Aazim Abbas smiled back and handed the clerk a platinum American Express card in the name of Edward Acosta. “I reserved the car for two weeks. Can I extend the reservation an additional week?”
The agent nodded and continued typing on his computer. Several minutes later, he handed Abbas the completed rental agreement and told him where the car was parked. As he walked toward the exit, he stopped, his attention drawn to a flat-screen TV in a waiting area. CNN was showing an aerial view of Cooper’s destroyed house and the crowd of sheriff’s deputies, firemen and FBI agents. Walking closer to the TV, he started reading the crawl at the bottom of the screen.
