Purge on the Potomac

by Roberts, David Thomas;

  “We’ve got to be smart about it. This is banana republic kind of shit. It will throw our entire system into a tailspin. So, no media. Everybody understand? We are going to use this information strategically,” commanded Will.

  “Got it,” they both said in unison.

  “Let’s go have some more fun,” said the third operative.

  Ottosson was doing his best to remain still as the three men returned with their masks on, but the clamps from the battery booster were causing immense pain to his scrotum.

  “Mr. Ottosson, tell me about the crash of the Texas governor’s plane,” said Will.

  “I wasn’t there,” Ottosson answered painfully.

  “That’s not what I asked you. Were you involved?”

  “No, I wasn’t. Please take these cables off me. Please!”

  “You’re lying again! Hit it!” yelled Will.

  Five seconds is a very long time when you are getting shocked on your scrotum. Ottosson’s screams were guttural. He writhed grotesquely in response to the pain.

  “Stop! Now damn it, Ottosson, I thought you were learning your lesson. My bullshit detector is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Hell, the U.S. government was thinking about using me to replace their polygraphs!” Will joked to Ottosson. “Now, I’ll ask you again what happened to the plane?”

  “Volkov was there. He’s an expert at that kind of thing. I don’t know exactly what he did but he promised he would take that plane down.”

  “And what about the mechanic and his family?”

  “Volkov,” Ottosson said flatly.

  “Jesus, Volkov killed the wife and the small boy?”

  “Volkov doesn’t leave loose ends – of any kind.”

  Beard stepped up in front of Ottosson to ask the next set of questions.

  “There was a Texas state senator named Milsap that was murdered execution style in downtown Austin. Is this the work of Volkov too?”

  “Yes, it was Volkov.”

  Beard turned and looked at Will.

  “Why in the hell would you have this guy killed? He was about to leave office,” said Beard.

  “We had secrets on him that compromised him with his wife, but he told her before we could. We had to make sure we had the numbers,” Ottosson said as he grimaced and tried to get comfortable.

  “I’m going to have these cables taken off you. If for a split second we think you’re lying to us again, they are back on and this time it ain’t shutting off after five seconds. Do you understand, Mr. Ottosson?” Will asked.

  “Yes, sir. Please, please. Take them off. The pain is unbearable.”

  Two operatives reached over and removed the clamps. Ottosson was sitting in a small pool of blood where the clamps had penetrated the skin of the scrotum.

  “A little blood, but he ain’t going to bleed to death,” said one of the operatives.

  “Mr. Ottosson, you were using leverage on State Senator Milsap. What were you using this leverage for?”

  “To kill the Texas independence referendum vote.”

  Beard and Will turned and looked at each other. Surely, this move wouldn’t have been Ottosson’s alone.

  “Kill it? By whose orders?” demanded Will.

  “My superiors.”

  “Boys, get those cables ready!”

  “Okay, okay, okay. The administration wanted it defeated, by any means necessary,” Ottosson revealed.

  Will stood up and looked back at the operative who was manning the video camera to make sure she captured this moment. The operative nodded affirmatively.

  “Mr. Ottosson, I’m going to ask you very plainly about this in particular and you had better give me very straightforward answers. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Where did the orders come from to assassinate Milsap?”

  “We didn’t get exact orders like this to take anyone out. How those orders were executed was up to others.”

  “Who ordered the Texas independence referendum vote to be stopped by any means necessary? Who was it?”

  “The White House.”

  There was complete silence in the room for a few seconds and Will again looked back at the video recorder to make sure the red light was on, indicating it was still recording.

  “Who at the White House, Mr. Ottosson, ordered the vote to be stopped by any means necessary?” demanded Will.

  “Chief of Staff Weingold.”

  “We had you tracked and our records showed you were at the White House nineteen times total with President Johnson’s administration and now Bartlett’s administration. Who were you meeting with at each one of those meetings and what was discussed?”

  “During the Johnson administration, it was mainly Attorney General Jamail Tibbs.”

  “Did you ever meet with President Johnson?”

  “Yes, one time.”

  “Why? What was discussed?”

  “It was a formal introduction and a celebration of sorts when Congress approved funding for our voting software.”

  “That was it?”

  “Yes, sir,” Ottosson said.

  “What was the context of the meetings with the attorney general?”

  “Mostly to report on simulated elections when we were testing our software.”

  “Mr. Ottosson, this is another booster cable moment for you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “What was done in those simulations?”

  “We produced varied outcomes in simulated elections.”

  “Am I understanding you to say that you manipulated votes in those simulated elections?”

  “Yes.”

  “These were all simulated elections?”

  “At first, yes. Then we actually did live test runs in actual state and local elections.”

  “So, in effect, you changed some election outcomes?”

  “Yes.”

  “How many elections during this testing phase did CIS impact?”

  “I honestly don’t remember, probably twenty or so.”

  “Who told you who should win those elections?”

  “The attorney general.”

  “Was the software successful?”

  “We failed to produce the desired outcome in two of the first five, but once we fixed our algorithms in the tabulation coding we got it right every single time after.”

  “Was your CIS corporate headquarters in Sweden aware of this manipulation?”

  “Not at first; we had some rogue programmers who got paid on the side to hijack the systems in place in the states. The Johnson administration was very successful in promoting the software and orders were streaming in from most of the states.”

  “Are you saying CIS corporate later became aware of the reason these orders were coming in? At what levels in CIS were they aware that you were being asked to manipulate voting results?”

  “I assume at the very top, although I’ve never spoken with the CEO directly about it. Sales of the software and support were sensational. If he had a clue, he didn’t ask, but there were others in management that turned a blind eye as the bonuses started to roll in,” admitted Ottosson.

  “Here’s another booster-type question for you, Mr. Ottosson,” began Will. “Was the last presidential election modified or altered in any way by the CIS voting systems?”

  “Yes.”

  “How so?”

  “Bartlett was losing in most of the battleground states. We changed the coding algorithms late in the evening to adjust the vote tabulations,” replied Ottosson, almost as if proud that they were able to do so without being caught.

  “How can that go undetected?”

  “The coding tabulation is done at the precinct level. This was a very tight election and a few counties in a few swing states were all Bartlett needed. We knew it would be a tight race and we were prepared for weeks ahead of time to adjust what was necessary.”

  “I don’t understand. The Bartlett comeback was really unbelievable. Why not ma
ke it look simpler and therefore more believable?” reasoned Beard who was fascinated by what he was hearing from Ottosson.

  “I was told to stand down on this until very late on election night. I don’t know this for a fact, but it is my understanding from Weingold that Bartlett really wanted to win this outright, without our manipulation. When it became clear that she could, in fact, lose, Weingold had us initiate our plan. It was later than we would have liked, but it did make for a great story.”

  “A great story that wasn’t real, and a story people like us who have seen this government work, didn’t really believe,” retorted Beard angrily.

  “So you have firsthand knowledge President Bartlett knew this election outcome was manipulated?”

  “Well, no. I have never spoke to the president about any of this. My dealings were with Weingold only.”

  “But you have every reason to believe the president knew this plan to change the outcome was in fact operationalized?”

  “I have every reason to believe she did,” answered Ottosson flatly.

  “What was CIS’ reward for this outcome?”

  “More government contracts, but not just the election systems. Operating systems for many government functions. We also got approval for a $2.6 billion overhaul to the IRS systems.”

  “Let’s go back to the Texas vote for a minute. How many people did you get to?”

  “We had dossiers on every state legislator and state senator. We got to about twenty-five in total. Some had girlfriends, some had boyfriends, some had other secrets and a few, Volkov simply threatened family members.”

  “And the White House was involved in this also?”

  “Both administrations, yes.”

  “Tell me about Senator Simpson? Have you had direct contact with him or with Governor Strasburg?” asked Will.

  “We’ve met with both on numerous occasions about getting the voting systems into Texas. They have both been in meetings I have been in with Weingold.”

  “Do you have firsthand knowledge of their participation or knowledge of Madison, the governor’s plane, the assassination of the chief justice, or the stolen elections?”

  “I’ve never had any direct contact with them on any of those items, nor have I been present when they were discussed with, or in front of them.”

  “But you said they were in meetings with Weingold?”

  “Yes, but not at the White House.”

  “Which means they aren’t on any official record or visitors log,” stated Beard to Will.

  “Are you aware of meetings they might have had with Weingold or the president when you weren’t present?” asked Beard.

  “Only to the extent that they stayed in meetings with Weingold after I had left.”

  “How many of those meetings were there?”

  “I can’t really remember the number, probably three or four.”

  “Did CIS contribute any monies to their individual election campaigns?”

  “Not directly.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “It means we got creative about how we helped them. CIS had American subsidiaries and dummy individuals who could contribute themselves, but the money actually originated with CIS.”

  “Jesus, this just keeps getting better,” said Beard sarcastically.

  “Sir, please tell me I’m not going to die today,” begged Ottosson.

  “At the rate you are cooperating, probably not,” answered Will. “Just keep doing what you are doing. We will want more details later.”

  “Let me ask you this, Mr. Ottosson,” asked Beard. “In your best guess, how many officials in this administration knew the motives and players regarding Madison?”

  “Probably five or six.”

  “Who would they be?” pressed Beard.

  “Weingold, the attorney general, the president, and likely a couple of others.”

  “You’re telling me right here and now that the president of the United States knew this mass shooting was going to occur?”

  “What I’m telling you is she knew an event, or a series of events, was going to take place that would bolster her position on reversing or minimalizing your 2nd Amendment.”

  “That’s unreal, but I think I get it!” said Beard. “So, something like this was in the works before y’all killed Chief Justice Noyner?”

  “Even with the mass shootings that have happened in the past, the president’s political party couldn’t defeat the NRA and they couldn’t overturn a conservative majority in the Supreme Court. It was a three-step plan. Make sure the majority of the Court was changed by electing Bartlett for future nominations, get rid of Noyner, who was the primary conservative, and sway public opinion in a massive way. You have to admit it was ingenious.”

  “Look, you frickin’ scumbag. Don’t get too cocky or I’ll slap those booster cables back on your balls so fast your eyes will bulge out!” yelled Will, irritated at Ottosson’s cockiness and willful disregard for American laws.

  “Mr. Ottosson, can you tell us how many members of Congress and the Senate are familiar with any of these operations you have spoken about today?” pressed Beard.

  “About a dozen of them would be aware of one or more of these operations.”

  “Which ones? Would it be safe to assume that there are members of both parties that may have a hand in these?”

  “You gentlemen must remember my main point of contact for all these operations was the chief of staff. Rarely was I at any meetings where any members of Congress could be trusted with the magnitude of these operations, but I can tell you that the leadership in Congress from both parties knew or was aware of some of these operations.”

  “Leadership from both parties?” Beard asked to confirm.

  “Yes.”

  “How many members of Congress and senators did CIS funnel election campaign funds to?”

  “Literally, most of them.”

  “What about state politics? Did CIS fund elections in individual state elections?”

  “Most definitely. That was my primary job. I got forty-eight out of fifty states to buy our election software. CIS gave me a lot of money to spread around and there’s nothing easier in life than getting politicians to follow the money.”

  “Do you have any direct evidence that President Bartlett was fully aware of all of these operations?”

  “Only insinuations in conversations with Weingold.”

  “What about President Johnson?”

  “Same answer, except in his case in conversations with Attorney General Jamail Tibbs.”

  “Was CIS’ solution ever a legitimate attempt to sell secure voting systems?” asked Will.

  “In the beginning. But Tibbs really pressed to find a back door. In fact, our big test was Johnson’s re-election. That outcome was also manipulated.”

  Beard and Will turned and looked at each other again, shaking their heads.

  “Roll that battery charger over here closer,” said Will.

  “I’ve been cooperating with you people. What the hell? Please!”

  “These are your most important questions of the day,” announced Will.

  “Who paid Volkov and how much?”

  “Volkov has been paid several million dollars. Most of it has come from CIS or your CIA.”

  “Damn it,” said Will as he looked in another direction.

  “How much were you directly involved with paying Volkov?”

  “I’ve personally funneled over $3 million to him.”

  “Where did the money go?”

  “Various offshore banks, with strict privacy laws, laundered under a host of different entities.”

  “Where is Volkov?”

  “I swear I don’t know.”

  “Last time I’m going to ask you. Where is Volkov?”

  “Last thing I heard, he was flying from Houston to Paris after the Dallas shooting, but under some other passport.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “I don’t know. Ho
nestly, I don’t know. If he knew or finds out I’m telling you any of this, I’m as good as dead. None of you can protect me from him. What are you going to do now? If you pursue any of this information or it comes out I’ve talked to you, I’m a dead man anyway.”

  “Where is Volkov?”

  “You can ask me that a hundred times and you’ll get the same answer. Volkov is not going to tell me where he is. He never has and he never will.”

  “How did you meet Volkov?”

  “It was arranged by Weingold and a contact at CIA.”

  “Our own government introduced you to Volkov?” pressed Beard.

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Where is Volkov right now?”

  “Same answer again. I don’t know.”

  Will stared at Ottosson.

  “Clamp them on him.”

  “What? Why? No! Please, I don’t know!” screamed Ottosson.

  The team put the battery booster clamps back onto Ottosson’s scrotum.

  “Where is Volkov?”

  “I don’t know! I swear on my mother’s life, I don’t know! Please!”

  “Three seconds! Hit it now!” ordered Will.

  “Noooo! Ahhhh! No! Damn you!”

  “I’ll ask you again. Where is Volkov?”

  “He doesn’t tell me. I told you so! No! Please, no!”

  “Five seconds! Hit him again!”

  “God damn you! Ahhhhh! Stop! Please stop!” Ottosson contorted and writhed around in the chair.

  “Where do you think Volkov is?”

  Crying and in immense pain, Ottosson said, “Probably Russia or Chechnya. I don’t know! Please stop!”

  “Take the cables off. We’ve got what we need for today.”

  The team removed the booster cables. “You son of a bitch, I bet you’ve never had anything that hot between your legs!” said one of the operatives.

  “Please, please just let me be. Please,” begged Ottosson.

  “Today’s your lucky day, Ottosson. Really. You’ve given us enough information to keep you alive for one more day. Now this gentleman here is going to take you through a series of questions about your operations, your encryption methods, devices and security. I’m going to go eat my lunch. If I get interrupted because they tell me you aren’t cooperating, we will replay these last five minutes with your friend over there.” Will pointed to the roll-away battery booster.