A Dubious Race: The Phoenician Stones (A Colton Banyon Mystery Book 14)

by Gerald J Kubicki

  “Ah, Mr. Banyon, how was your phone call?” Lisa inquired cheerfully.

  “Huh, oh, just fine,” he responded. Heather must told her that I was on the phone, he thought.

  “Heather and I were just discussing the map you have entrusted to me. You know, it might be the most important archeological find of this century. I can’t believe you chose me to bring it out to the world. I promise to give it my best effort. I am so grateful for this opportunity. Now if I only could get the Smithsonian to back my findings.”

  “I think you will find that they will be more receptive than ever to new discoveries,” Banyon promised.

  “I’ll take your word for it,” she said with a beautiful laugh.

  “I’m sorry about the deception,” Banyon said as he fell into character.

  “What deception?” Lisa sweetly asked as she tilted her head.

  “The deception which got you here,” he explained as he indicated the ranch house.

  “To tell you the truth, I’m not exactly sure where here is,” she admitted as she raised a delicate finger to her chin. Good, thought Banyon. She doesn’t remember.

  “You are at a soon to be demolished ranch of a friend of mine. We are not far from downtown Las Vegas. We brought you here last night after we picked you up at the airport before your flight left,” Banyon fibbed.

  “Ah, yes, I was supposed to fly to Chicago to meet with you.” She agreed shaking her head. “Funny, I don’t remember that.”

  “We have to do things in secrecy,” Banyon forged ahead. “That’s why we intercepted you at the airport. I hope it hasn’t caused you any concern?”

  She now looked at him strangely. “Who are you Mr. Banyon?”

  “Call me Colt and I am your friend. Do you remember, I gave you the copy of the Book of Vril about two years ago? You were standing at the podium after a lecture class at UNLV.”

  Lisa suddenly had a slight blush. She glanced at Heather. She wondered if Heather knew about her position in the Vril Society. “What are you talking about?” she crocked with defensive alarm.

  “It’s okay. She doesn’t know,” Banyon remarked. “That will always be between you and me.”

  “I remember then,” Lisa said softly and shook her head. Heather looked bewildered, but didn’t say anything. She was learning to follow his lead.

  Banyon now handed Lisa another business card. “I may have more artifacts for you in the future, but you have to agree to keep my name anonymous.”

  “I understand. We have mutual reasons for secrecy,” she admitted. The two of them had formed a conspiracy.

  “Good. Then I think we should get you back to the university so you can begin your unveiling of one of history’s greatest mysteries,” he announced happily. Lisa got up from the table and headed out the front door — carrying the jar and her bags. She walked straight and confidently. Banyon admired the view.

  When Lisa stepped out onto the porch, she was surprised by the collection of people standing around on the wooden structure. They all smiled at her and nodded. She saw a tall man in a blue suit and blue Stetson hat. She saw a small Asian women dressed only in a tiny green bikini with bare feet. There was also a young woman who had her arm in a sling and a macho-looking Italian guy who was practicing knife fighting. There were two jeeps parked outside, one was already running.

  “These people will escort you back to UNLV,” Banyon told her. “They can introduce themselves to you on the ride over.”

  “Okay,” Lisa said while being uncertain.

  “You take the front passenger seat, Lisa,” Heather said. “Steve will drive and Mandy and I will get into the back.”

  A minute later the jeep went around the mountain and disappeared into the dry desert.

  Banyon turned to Chase and ordered. “You are not to discuss what you have seen with anyone, do you understand?”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about,” Chase quickly replied.

  “Okay,” Banyon uttered. “Loni you stay here and watch for the gift squad. Chase, help me move Bobby to the table. Then I have to hide something.”

  Chapter Ninety-Eight

  Five minutes later the three of them stood on the porch and watched a black suburban approach the ranch house. Loni stood in the middle and appeared even shorter than the two tall men on either side of her because she was bare footed. They stood in a straight line and stared at the vehicle.

  “Now let me do the talking,” Banyon said. “Unless they start talking some legal mumbo jumbo, then you step in Chase.”

  “Got you,” he replied.

  “I won’t say anything and I’ll just stand here and look pretty, Colt,” Loni commented. It made Banyon chuckle. He never knew her to be quiet.

  “You look devastating in the bathing suit,” he said out of the corner of his mouth.

  “Do you really think so? You know, Mandy and are just about the same size.” She quickly replied. Then she realized she was supposed to be quiet. “Oops, sorry,” she apologized.

  ***

  The suburban pulled up broadside to the porch and stopped in a cloud of dust. Darlene, Joan and the three male gift agents climbed out. They gathered in a row right in front of the porch. They were all dressed in black suits, white shirts and black ties. They all wore a weapon on their hips along with very dark sunglasses. The squad looked like agents from a “Men in Black” movie, except two of the agents were women. The two groups stood across from each other and sized up their opponents in the silent desert. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.

  “My God Joan,” Loni suddenly burst out. “What happened to your face? It’s all splotchy and red.” Loni had met Joan and the rest of the team at their condo during the Lake Mead mystery.

  “We got ambushed last night. I got pepper sprayed,” Joan said through gritted teeth. “But you wouldn’t know anything about that would you?”

  “Was it a robbery? I hope you didn’t lose anything of value?” Banyon smoothly asked with fake concern.

  “Nothing that I want to talk about,” the angry woman agent replied. “By the way, where were you last night,” she suddenly inquired.

  “Why, I was right here, if it matters,” Banyon replied sincerely. “I can produce several witnesses if you would like.”

  “Let’s cut the crap, Banyon,” Darlene shouted. “This is more than a coincidence. Why are you really here?”

  “I could ask you the same question, Darlene,” Banyon shot back and stood defiantly on the porch.

  “We’re here on official government business,” Darlene hissed out. “Don’t get in our way.”

  “And we’re here on official private business,” Banyon replied. “You are trespassing on private property. Do you have a warrant?”

  “You know, I might just run you in for the hell of it, Banyon,” Darlene threatened. “I’ll ask you again. What are you doing here?” Their conversation was turning into a pissing contest. That was not Banyon’s intentions.

  “Okay,” Banyon said and threw up his hands. “I’ll tell you why we are here.”

  “That’s better,” Darlene said.

  “I am a partner in the law firm of Dewey & Beatem located here in Las Vegas. This is one of my best lawyers. His name is Chase Sanborn. We represent the Joey Brownwater estate. We are his lawyers. He is selling this land. That’s why we are here.”

  “How convenient,” Darlene said sarcastically.

  “We’ve come to take Joey Brownwater into custody,” Joan belched out. “Don’t try to stop us, Banyon,” she added in a threatening voice. “Where is he?”

  “Oh, that’s right,” he said drawing out the sentence. “You’re the famous NSA gift squad,” Banyon retorted.

  “How do you know that?” Joan yelled back. “We never told you who we are.”

  Banyon ignored the question for the moment. “Joey Brownwater is inside waiting for you. But I must warn you,” he said sincerely and shook his head.

  “Warn us about what?” Darlene
jumped in.

  “He is not himself. When we got here yesterday he said that he was having premonitions and now doesn’t want to be taken to your Denver facility. He has become completely delusional,” Banyon lied.

  “How do you know about our Denver facility?” Darlene quickly questioned. A furrow had formed on her forehead.

  Banyon didn’t respond to that inquiry either and pressed on. “He is now claiming to be someone named Bobby Brownwater. You should consider him very dangerous. I believe he will fight you if you give him a chance.”

  “Don’t worry, we can handle him,” Joan said with a macho attitude and cracked her knuckles.

  “In fact, we have had to tie him up and gagged him to keep him quiet,” Banyon continued. “He is in a chair in the dining room.”

  “Then we’ll take him right now,” Darlene said.

  “Perhaps you should wait until after you hear what I have to tell you,” Banyon offered subtly.

  “What are you trying to pull, Banyon,” Darlene screamed. “I don’t trust you. You’re up to something.”

  Colton Banyon then set the trap. “I’m the only one who is trying to help you, Darlene. I know things about you personally, your gift squad, your Denver facility and even your Director. These are all things you don’t know,” Banyon pointed out. “Once you hear what I have to say, you are free to take Joey and leave. We know he requested to be sent to your facility when he was rational and that’s why you are here.”

  As soon as Banyon said he knew things about the director of the facility, Darlene took the bait. The truth was that she and Joan had wondered about the leader of their department for some time. Banyon said he had answers. She wanted them. “Okay, we’ll listen, but I want Joey someplace where I can see him while we talk,” Darlene negotiated.

  “Why don’t you bring him out onto the porch,” Banyon agreed. He stepped back and waved his arm towards the open door in invitation.

  “Go get him,” Darlene curtly ordered the three male agents. They went through the door and soon returned carrying the trussed up fake Joey Brownwater while he still sat in the chair. They set him down next to Banyon on the porch. Joan immediately accessed her phone and scrolled through some applications.

  “That’s him alright,” she said as she showed the others his picture. “Hair is a little longer and we didn’t know about the tattoos, but it’s him.”

  Bobby Brownwater was in rage. He tried to scream that he wasn’t Joey, but all that came out of his gagged mouth was gibberish. Everybody ignored him.

  “Okay, let’s hear what you want to so badly tell us,” Darlene offered. She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Have you ever wondered what happens to the people you collect for the Denver facility?” Banyon asked.

  “Not our job,” Darlene threw back. “We collect and arrest people. What happens later is not our concern.”

  “Have you ever followed up on any of them?”

  “Why would we?” Darlene shot back.

  “What do you think happens when your captives reach the facility?” Banyon continued with a question.

  “They participate in some clinical studies because they have demonstrated some unusual mental abilities. Then they are let go,” Darlene recited what her controller had explained to her years ago.

  “After all these years, have you ever been to the actual research center?” Banyon inquired with another question.

  “Actually, we have never been inside,” she answered truthfully.

  “I see,” Banyon said thoughtfully.

  “Where are all these questions going, Banyon?” Darlene showed impatient irritation in her voice.

  “Everything you know about your work is a lie,” Banyon spat out. “Most everyone you snatch from the street is taken against their will. When they reach the facility in Denver they are confined to one room. Various doctors perform experiments on them to attempt to control their mental abilities,” Banyon explained. “Oh, and did I mention, they never get to leave the facility, ever.”

  “We didn’t know that,” Darlene said defensively. She was not happy to hear this revelation.

  “I assume you can prove this?” Joan blurted out nervously. “It doesn’t sound like it is legal.”

  “Originally, when the Denver research center was set up twelve years ago, it was meant to accept volunteers to study the paranormal,” Banyon explained. “They were paid to participate and free to come and go as they pleased.”

  “Then why is everything so secret now?” Darlene suddenly asked with interest. She had suspected that something was not right with the whole program.

  “The current director is trying to develop a human weapon,” Banyon flatly stated. “She believes that if she can develop one, she will become famous. It’s just that simple.”

  “That’s a very big accusation,” Joan said, but with growing dread. She was beginning to believe Colton Banyon. “You’d better be able to back that statement up with some facts or you could be in some serious trouble, mister.”

  “She brought you guys together as a team because you don’t ask questions and you don’t look past your assignment. You are the perfect dupes,” Banyon shouted back at them. “Do you understand that?”

  “That’s an insult. I’m not going to take that from you,” Darlene screamed back and started to draw out her gun.

  “Darlene, stop,” Joan suddenly wailed. “He may be right.”

  Darlene didn’t respond to Joan. She moved her hand away from her gun, but asked another question. “You claim that you know who the director is, right? Give me a name. I want to find out how much you know.”

  “Her name is Cindy Creighton,” Banyon replied evenly.

  “Damn it, I knew there was something shifty about her,” Joan uttered and slammed her fists together.

  “Cindy — the Russian translator?” Darlene said in disbelief.

  “Yes, I’ve known about her for some time,” Banyon explained.

  “I never trusted her. She was too noncommittal about everything.” Joan exclaimed.

  “Hold on Joan,” Darlene said suspiciously “So far all we have is his word on this. We need some evidence.”

  “I’m going to give you the evidence right now,” Banyon replied confidently. He pulled out his phone and pressed a button. He followed that with two words. “Send it,” he ordered into the device.

  Suddenly all five cell phones belonging to the gift squad pinged at one time. “What’s this?” Darlene asked.

  “Your evidence,” Banyon said. “I suggest that you take a minute and read the message. There are several attachments.”

  The task that Banyon had given Timmy when he talked to him late the night before was to hack into the Denver facility’s computer system. Banyon instructed Timmy to find an organization chart, a list of patients, including how long they were in residence, and a list of some of the experiments that were being conducted there. He told Timmy to commandeer one of the computers in the Denver lab and use that to send the emails so the gift team would believe the evidence. To Timmy this was child’s play. A blind copy of the email was also sent to Marlene Moore.

  All five gift squad members stood silently and studied the information on their individual phones. Darlene had moved her sunglasses onto her head to see the screen better. Her face reflected several changes in her mood. It went from disbelief — to startling realization — to loathing and finally fear crossed her face. She understood that the gift squad was compliant with several illegal activities. She could go to jail.

  “How did you collect this information?” Darlene asked with astonishment.

  “We have someone on the inside,” Banyon replied with a straight face.

  “How could this have happened? How could we have become pawns in a much larger game?” Joan screeched. “We never had a hint about what was really going on at the Denver facility.”

  “Cindy planned it that way,” Banyon said with sympathy. “Over the years, she has been able to systemati
cally alter the reports to her boss, the head of the NSA. He has many people reporting to him and there has been more than one crisis that he has had to deal with over that period. Over time, he has tucked her operation into a file and basically forgotten about it. She has taken advantage of the situation.

  “I…I don’t know what to say,” Darlene uttered as she looked up at Banyon. There were tears in her eyes. She was beaten and defeated. “Should we turn ourselves in to the NSA?”

  “That would not be productive. You are good agents,” Banyon said.

  “Then, what do you want from us?” Darlene pleaded.

  “We’re going to take down Cindy Creighton and put the Denver facility back on its original track,” he said confidently. “It should be a volunteer program and people that participate should be paid.”

  “You’re going to help us?” Joan exclaimed. “Even after all the trouble we have caused you.”

  “We need each other to make this work,” he said as an answer. “Joey will get you into the front door. You just have to request to accompany him to his room. Tell the guards he is very hard to handle and your team needs to escort him.”

  “From the looks of him, that won’t be too far from the truth,” Darlene replied. “Then what will we do?”

  “You’re going to find Cindy’s office and arrest her,” Banyon explained.

  “We don’t have that kind of juice,” Darlene complained.

  “Just wait a second,” Banyon held up his finger and pressed a button on his phone again. “Send it,” he said for the second time today.

  All five gift squad agents, once again, looked at their phones. They were shocked when they opened the attachments. The email came from Marlene Moore.

  “I have never seen one of these before,” Darlene admitted in surprise.

  “What is it?” Joan asked.

  “It’s a ‘Presidential Letter’,” Banyon pointed out. “It allows you to commandeer any Federal resources including employees to do your bidding. Under penalty of imprisonment, everyone has to do what you ask of them. You can order anyone in the facility to do what you want, including finding Cindy’s office. You will note that there is a warrant for the arrest of Cindy Creighton attached. You just have to arrest her.”