“All clear. Rendezvous point.”
Zach took his time, finishing the bourbon. He paid his bill and calmly walked out of the hotel and strolled several blocks to where he had found a parking spot on a side street. He got into his car and drove off, making numerous turns while watching his rearview mirror to be sure he wasn’t followed. He then drove to a pre-designated pick-up point where Will got in the car at an intersection.
“That was close!” said Will, letting out a relieved sigh.
“Yeah, too bad we didn’t have to kill the son of a bitch.”
“What did we have to pay the girl?” asked Will.
“We paid her twelve hundred dollars last night. The dumb ass thinks he’s getting lucky. She’ll dump him about thirty minutes from now,” said Zach, glancing at his watch.
“Let’s hope we got something useful.”
“This was too easy. Either he’s got nothing useful to us or he thinks he’s bulletproof.”
“Did Beard say encrypted?”
“Yes, a laptop and two cell phones. Who the hell carries two cell phones unless he’s hiding something.”
“This guy’s M.O. is he’s a player. Maybe the two extra phones are how he keeps his affairs from his wife.”
“Just remember, two hours ago this guy was about to enter the White House for a meeting that wasn’t on the White House calendar. But he didn’t get in, for whatever reason.”
“We’ll know tomorrow if he shows up on the log. People don’t just show up and demand to be let in.”
“He’s too well-connected to be a nut case.”
“We’ll soon find out.”
Chapter 20
“I want a government small enough to fit inside the Constitution.”
- Harry Browne (1933-2006)
Libertarian candidate
for US President 1996 & 2000
Although months had passed since the Texas Crisis, it had roiled markets on a global scale. Oil prices skyrocketed and the stock market lost almost twelve percent of its value in three days.
There was some bounce-back in the markets once Bartlett was elected, with a small surge in the stock market that evaporated a week later. There was another surge right after her inauguration but, like the brief rally that occurred after Election Day, the small gains made after her inauguration quickly evaporated.
Politicians across the country continued to ignore the staggering debt that was nearly thirty-nine trillion dollars and instead focused the blame of the economic quagmire squarely on Texas. Governor Brahman had briefly shut down natural gas and oil pipelines from Texas to the rest of the country when the feds blocked access to Texas ports and interstate highways. Oil surged to over $100 per barrel as a result, but had dropped back down to eighty-five dollars per barrel.
Gasoline reached record levels with some Northeastern and West coast states paying over six dollars per gallon. Although the markets improved slightly, gas prices across the country remained high.
“Texas’ treasonous acts dented the economy. It may take several more years to recover,” said a Harvard economic professor on a CNN talk show.
“Should Texas be punished?” asked the female CNN host.
“Well, definitely. At a minimum, state leaders should be held accountable,” retorted the economist.
“How do you punish an entire state? And, if so, you can’t blame everyone in Texas for what happened, can you?” exclaimed the host.
“Well, Martha, the people of Texas elected their leaders. We should treat the State of Texas just like any other rogue state in the world. We punish other countries with economic sanctions. Why not Texas?” asked the economist.
“I’m not an expert on history, but have we ever imposed sanctions on a state? Wouldn’t that be counterproductive to an economic recovery?” asked the host.
“I think there is precedent. The federal government put sanctions on many states in the South during reconstruction,” the economist noted.
“And it took years and years for them to recover as a result of Reconstruction. It also can be argued that the feelings harbored in the South were more the result of Reconstruction than the war itself―and many of those feelings of ill-will still exist today, generations later.”
“Rightly so. This is the same old South, the Confederacy that fought for slavery and was treasonous to the federal government,” the man stated.
“I’m sure you are aware, Professor, that many people, especially in the South, do not believe slavery was the only issue.”
“Yes, many illiterate and ignorant rednecks believe that to be the case, but that doesn’t make them right,” the professor said in a sanctimonious tone.
The host changed subjects and turned to a different guest.
“Congressman Phillips, you’re a Democrat from California. Do you believe Texas is to blame for the current economic mess?”
“Well, the Texas Crisis certainly seemed to be the catalyst for the economic downturn we are saddled with currently. The fact they are still talking about a referendum to secede doesn’t provide the markets any sense of stability, and we all know markets do not like instability.”
“It’s simply illegal,” jumped in the professor.
“I would have to agree with the professor that this nonsense about an independence referendum is ludicrous. Essentially, Texas held the entire country hostage, demanding a president be impeached or they would secede. Who does that?” smirked the congressman.
Trying to appear fair to all sides of the issue, the host asked them both, “Gentlemen, Texas definitely had some grievances, but wouldn’t you agree that dispatching federal agents into Texas that ultimately led to the death of their governor and his wife did nothing to help the crisis, indeed escalated its intensity?”
“We don’t typically negotiate with terrorists,” exclaimed the congressman.
“Let’s be clear here. Are you saying that state leaders in Texas were, or are currently, terrorists?” she asked, looking perplexed.
“Dispatching thugs to arrest federal agents probably qualifies,” added the professor sarcastically, referring to an order by the Texas governor for Texas lawman Pops Younger to arrest several FBI, ATF and Homeland Security agents.
“Professor, are you stating that the Texas Rangers are thugs?”
“Listen, Iran, North Korea and other rogue nations have official-sounding law enforcement outfits, too. Hitler had the SS. Stalin had the KGB. The fact is that these state officials took it upon themselves to arrest federal agents. How dare they?” questioned the congressman in a self-righteous voice.
“My goodness, gentlemen. Are we reduced to calling a very historic and respected law enforcement unit thugs and terrorists? The Texas Rangers have a very proud tradition. This is obviously going way off track here,” she said. “I brought you both on the show to discuss the current economy, and instead you are both pointing fingers at Texas as the cause of the current economic troubles. Do you both really believe the Texas Rangers are thugs, which means Texas has thugs for state law enforcement?”
“They killed federal agents. They tried to secede, and are still trying,” answered the congressman.
“But…” started the host.
Raising his voice significantly, the red-faced and visibly agitated professor interrupted, “If not for Texas’ treasonous actions against the federal government, our economy would be humming along. The economy has gotten a bump typically after every election since the 1940s. The entire country knows Texas has put us all in this quagmire. It’s not fair to the rest of the states and fellow Americans!”
“So what would you have Texas specifically do to help right the ship, Congressman?” the host asked as she turned from the professor to the congressman.
“For starters, drop any talk of an independence referendum, then issue a formal apology to the rest of the country, especially to the families of the federal agents who lost their lives during the crisis,” answered the congressman.
“Cong
ressman, there were also Texans who lost their lives.”
The congressman continued, barely allowing the host to finish her statement, “What, would you have the rest of the country or the current administration apologize to them? They broke the law.”
“Let’s not forget the racist nature of secession!” added the professor.
“Professor, are you making the claim Texas would go back to a slave state?” she said half-jokingly.
“Texas has a history when it comes to reasons for secession. Texas was dragged kicking and screaming into the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Don’t think they wouldn’t turn back the clock to the Jim Crow days immediately if they were successful,” claimed the professor.
“Gentlemen, we’ve run out of time. I appreciate you coming on the program today.”
The camera now focused squarely on the CNN host, dropping the video feeds of the congressman and professor.
“Well, there you have it. We brought these two guests on to specifically address aspects of the economy and you saw what happened. Both our guests, an economics professor from Harvard and a sitting congressman, put the fault of the current economic downturn squarely on Texas and the recent crisis,” she commented.
“Now, I’m sure some will vehemently argue that Texas’ flirtation with secession has nothing to do with a return to slavery,” she stated emphatically, ridiculing the professor. “But it is clear that many in the U.S. feel the country’s current economic condition was directly impacted by Texas’ decisions during the Texas Crisis. The crisis, thankfully eased somewhat by the new Bartlett administration, created a cloud that, unfortunately, still hangs over the economy. It is apparent that Texas’ governor and legislature will still consider this secession legislation in a special session.”
She paused for effect to make the following commentary.
“Maybe it’s time for Texas leaders to rejoin their fellow Americans in their own hearts and minds in the union of states. For the state leadership to continue to foster the notion that secession is either plausible or possible does nothing but continue to hurt the economy and the rest of America.”
Chapter 21
“We Americans have no commission from God to police the world.”
- Benjamin Harrison
(1833-1901) 23rd US President
Kymbra Turner lumbered through the garage with four bags of groceries in her arms, almost dropping two of them trying to hit the garage door opener button on her way into the house. After setting the bags on her kitchen counter, she glanced through the kitchen window above the sink. With some alarm, she spotted four cars parked out front blocking her driveway. She thought it strange that she hadn’t noticed them when she was unloading the groceries.
Suddenly, she heard loud pounding on the front door, followed by someone announcing they were agents from the Department of the Treasury. She immediately dialed Zach, who had just picked up Will at the rendezvous point after their clandestine operation at The Jefferson Hotel.
“Zach, some men are at the front door pounding on it, saying they are federal agents!”
“What? Damn it,” said Zach, feeling highly ticked off and helpless at the same time.
“Go to the door, but do not open it! Do you hear me? I’ll tell you what to say to them. Grab your Glock.”
“Okay,” she said, trying to concentrate on what Zach was telling her while the agents at the door kept demanding she open it. She reached into a small table in the foyer and pulled out her Glock handgun.
“My name is Kymbra. Please identify yourselves. I am fearful for my safety and will not open the door. I want a local sheriff or constable here before I will open my door. Do you have a warrant?” she yelled through the door.
“Ma’am, I have a summons that you must sign in person,” came a voice from the other side of the door.
She repeated what Zach told her. “If you do not have a warrant, I am not required by law to open this door.”
“Ma’am, I need your signature.”
Zach covered his cell phone and turned to Will, “Call the sheriff’s office, now! I have agents at my damned house and they are demanding Kymbra open the door!”
“Damn!” Will said as he dialed his main contact at the sheriff’s office.
“I cannot let you in without a warrant!” she yelled back at the agent from behind the door.
“Tell me what’s happening, baby. You may need to put me on the phone with them.” stressed Zach.
“Ma’am, it’s not going to make any difference anyway. We will lay this summons right here by your door. You can consider yourself served by the United States Treasury Department,” stated the agent.
“They left some papers at the front door but they are still here in the yard, two of them on their cell phones, but there are six in total.”
“See if you can give them my cell number.”
“Sir, my husband wants to speak with you. Sir?” she yelled from inside the house.
The agent in charge heard her talking but couldn’t make out what she was saying, so he stepped closer to the door.
“Ma’am, I heard you ask something but I didn’t understand it,” said the agent.
“My husband wants your cell phone number or wants you to call him on his,” replied Kymbra.
“I’ll bet he does!” snickered the agent. “But, ma’am, we are about done here, so tell your husband his instructions are in the summons.” He began walking down the sidewalk toward the five other agents standing in the yard, all three now decked out in black paramilitary gear with fully automatic weapons.
Suddenly, the wail of a police siren could be heard getting closer in a hurry. A deputy sheriff’s car careened around the corner with sirens and lights and sped up to the house, suddenly braking as the patrol car angled between two of the dark-colored government sedans.
“What the hell is going on here?” asked the young deputy, flinging open his door.
“We are serving a summons here,” the head agent shot back at him. “Nothing to get excited about, Deputy.”
“Then why are you demanding that the resident open her door? Do you have a warrant?” he asked.
“No, like I said, Deputy, we are serving a summons and would prefer to have her sign for it. She has a duty to respond to law enforcement requests at her front door,” said the agent.
“Not without a warrant, she doesn’t. You know that! Does she have her summons? What else is needed here?” demanded the deputy, who was obviously agitated that these agents frightened the wife of his good friend at her own home.
“It’s right there by the front door.”
“Okay, then you boys are done here.”
“Careful, Deputy. We are serving a legal summons here. No need to get territorial,” snarked the agent, speaking down to the deputy.
The agent stopped before he was about to say something else, as he heard two distinct sirens coming from different directions.
“The man of the house must have some friends in the department,” said the agent as two more sheriff’s cars pulled up from opposite directions.
“That would be an understatement. He does indeed,” said the deputy.
“I’ll make sure that is in my report,” said the agent, opening a small binder and jotting down some notes.
“I want you to leave now but, before you leave, I want all of your names and badge numbers,” the deputy told him.
“Well, Deputy…” the agent said, peering at the deputy’s name tag, “Clarke, is it? My name is on that summons, along with the name of my immediate supervisor. You can go take a picture of it with your phone. And we aren’t leaving until my superiors tell us to. As you can see, one of my men is on the phone with headquarters right now.”
The deputy went over and took a photo of the summons, then pulled aside the other two deputies and had a private conversation with them while Kymbra continued to provide play by play to Zach on the phone fifteen hundred miles away.
The sheriff’s deputies broke t
heir huddle and approached the agents.
“You’re done here unless you can produce a warrant. You served your summons. Now it’s time to leave their private property and go on about your business.”
“We just got word that we are done here for now. But I have a feeling we may be back at some point,” said the lead agent sarcastically as the agents began walking back to their government sedans. The deputies waited until all the federal agents were gone before they got in their cars and left.
“Zach, they’re leaving,” Kymbra told him.
“Okay, open the door and grab the papers they left.”
She cracked open the door and reached down to retrieve the documents. “It’s a summons from the IRS. They’re demanding documents for ten years to support our income tax returns,” cried Kymbra into the phone.
“Geez, these sons of bitches never stop.”
“Zach, I was just at the grocery store and my debit card and credit card wouldn’t work. I had to write a check,” she said. “Do you think there could be a connection?”
“That’s impossible! We have money in all our accounts and I pay the credit cards off each month! Let me go online and see what's going on.”
“Okay, baby, let me know. When are you coming home?”
“I need two more days,” he told her. “Scan that summons and email it to me so I can get on it.”
“Okay, Zach, I love you.”
“Love you, too. Try not to worry. This is harassment and we’ll get our attorney to get them to back off.”
As soon as he hung up the phone, Zach powered up his laptop to check his bank accounts. He had done very well financially in the security business and wasn’t too worried about his accounts.
He was fanatical about taking precautions from prying government eyes. Using his specially encrypted laptop and a proxy web browser, he logged into his bank accounts and all seemed normal. To make sure, he called the bank where Kymbra had the debit card account.
Purge on the Potomac Page 10
