Beneath The Surface

by Glenn, Roy

  “With the full senate poised to consider a climate change bill, the usual talking points from environmental public-interest groups have begun to rear their ugly heads,” Canfield added.

  “As usual, during these debates, there are those who predict that any movement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions will mean the end of the use of coal, to generate electricity,” Benson said.

  “Nothing could be further from the truth,” Hall said. “If anything, it means the need to increase investments in carbon capture and storage technology, is even stronger than ever.”

  “Let’s be perfectly clear about the facts. Coal currently provides about 50 percent of America’s electricity. And the United States has more coal than any other fuel. A quarter of all the known coal in the entire world is here in America. In fact, we’ve got more coal than the entire Middle East has oil,” Redding said proudly repeating the lines he memorized from the speech he’d been giving.

  “The EPA thinks that approving new mountaintop removal coal mines can be done, provided sufficient steps are taken, but there are scientists that disagree. They say that there’s no mitigation effort that can ever make mountaintop mining safe, and the practice should be stopped,” Hall said.

  “Key groups like the International Panel on Climate Change, and others, have said that you cannot achieve a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale, without successful deployment of carbon capture and storage,” Benson said.

  “You question that carbon capture and storage is a viable option, consider this,” Canfield began. “North America has enough storage capacity at our current rate of production for more than 900 year’s worth of carbon dioxide.

  “That storage capacity is located deep underground across the continent in varying types of geological formations including unminable coal seams, and oil and gas reservoirs,” Redding said, and then there was silence in the room. “Listen, gentlemen, we could sit here for the next week debating the pros and cons of this, but here are the facts: This bill is going to pass the full house, and then there’ll be a rush to get on the ship before it leaves the dock. So do we have a deal or not?”

  There was more silence in the room; then Benson spoke. “You have our backing, congressman, you know that.”

  “That’s good to know,” Redding said.

  “What about that other matter we discussed with your aide?” Hall asked.

  “What other matter?” Canfield asked.

  “A member of the group is having problems getting a visa to enter this country from Afghanistan,” Benson said. “If a way can be made to overcome the obstacles, I’m sure that we can come to a favorable arrangement.”

  “What are we talking about here?” Redding asked.

  “Our group would be willing to make a hundred thousand dollar contribution,” Hall said, then added, “to whatever charity or cause you like, of course.”

  “I think that we can make that work,” Redding said.

  “What are you doing, Terry?” Canfield asked.

  There was a very brief silence.

  “If we’re in agreement,” Benson said, “I’ll leave this with you.”

  “What’s in there?” Canfield asked.

  “Thank you, gentlemen, very much for coming. And for this,” Redding said.

  When the door to the room opened, Black took a few more pictures of Benson and Hall leaving the room and shaking hands with Josh. Then the door to the room closed.

  “What the fuck did you just get us into?” Canfield asked.

  “I just got you twenty-five thousand dollars, with twenty-five more to come from Geoffrey.”

  “You should have told me, Terry. This could be something we shouldn’t be involved in.”

  “You worry too much, Geoffrey.”

  “Who is this individual?”

  “From what I understand, he is a tribal warlord and his family was involved in the heroin business.”

  “Heroin, Terry!” Canfield shouted. “Are you out of your fuckin’ mind?”

  “After the Afghan invasion, coalition forces made deals with certain warlords to provide information on the Taliban and Al-Quaida.”

  “I don’t want any part of that money,” Canfield said.

  Suddenly the door swung open and Canfield rushed out. “Let’s go,” he said to his aide.

  Redding came out of the room. He put his hand on Josh’s shoulder. “We may have a problem with Geoffrey,” he said. And the two men returned to their car.

  Meanwhile, there was complete silence in the van until Carmen broke the silence. “Wow.”

  “Our government in action,” Monika said and prepared to leave.

  “What do you want to do now, Carmen?” Black asked.

  “I think I need to go to the FBI with this,” Carmen replied.

  Black and Monika looked at one another, and then at Carmen.

  “We’ll drop you off,” Monika said and started the van.

  “Too many law enforcement types for me,” Black said.

  “I’m sayin’,” Monika said and shook her head.

  As Monika drove back to the city, Carmen wondered what any of this had to do with Tangela House’s death, or if the two were connected at all.

  Chapter Forty-seven

  At this point, the murder of Tangela House had become a secondary issue. Monika dropped Black at the Marriott on 45th Street, and then she took Carmen back to her apartment. Monika developed the film they had taken and made her a copy of the recording. After that, Carmen took a cab to the Federal Building to talk with the FBI.

  Carmen was escorted to a conference room and asked to wait there. After awhile, two agents came in the room. “Ms. Taylor, I’m Agent Todd and this is Agent Nelson.”

  “It’s good to meet you both,” Carmen said and shook hands with the agents.

  “I understand that you have some information that you’d like to share with us.” Agent’s Todd and Nelson sat down at the conference room table across from Carmen.

  She began by telling the agents about the murder of Tangela House, and how that led her to the victim’s apartment, where she found the newspaper article about Congressman Redding. She told them that Jack and Jeannette Winters were arrested for the crime. “But after talking with Mrs. Winters, I wasn’t convinced that she and her husband killed Tangela House.”

  “What made you believe they didn’t?”

  “Just a feeling,” Carmen said.

  She went on to tell the agents about Hammdee Yasir; about his association with the victim, and about the murders that TR said were committed by Yasir.

  The two agents glanced at one another. “Other than the statement of a confessed con man, do you have any actual information about this crime?” agent Todd asked.

  “No.”

  Undaunted, Carmen explained how she found that Hammdee Yasir was involved in an investment group with ties to the congressman, and how that led her to follow Redding and eventually obtain the pictures and the recording, which she then played for the agents. When it was over, once again, the two agents glanced at each other. “How did you come into possession of that recording?” Agent Nelson asked.

  “I’d rather not say.”

  Agent Todd stood up and Nelson followed suite. “Would you mind waiting here, Ms. Taylor?” Todd asked.

  “No problem.”

  For the next hour and a half, Carmen sat alone in the conference room waiting for the agents to return. When the conference room door opened, Carmen was surprised when another agent entered the room. “Ms. Taylor,” he began, “I’m Special Agent Reed Kent. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

  Carmen stood up and shook hands with the agent. “It’s okay.”

  “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “All right then.” Kent sat down at the table next to Carmen. “Do you mind it I take a look at these?” he asked, pointing at the pictures.

  “Not at all. Would you like to hear the recording?” Carmen
asked and began to start the recording.

  “That won’t be necessary. I’ve already heard it.” Kent looked at the pictures and then leaned back in his chair. “You wouldn’t want to tell me how you came into possession of these, would you?”

  “I’d rather not,” Carmen said.

  “And now you’re going to tell me about protecting your sources.” Kent looked at Carmen and smiled. “Not really an issue,” he paused. “Has anybody outside of this building seen these pictures or listened to that recording?”

  “No, sir. I didn’t know what else to do with the information, so I came here.”

  “Good. That’s good.” Kent put down the pictures. “With your permission, Ms. Taylor, I’m going to take possession of the recording and the pictures. And I’m going ask that you not to discuss this information or this meeting, with anybody.”

  “I understand.”

  “Thank you. Now, I know that you told the other agents this, but please, would you mind walking me through how you got to this point.”

  “Sure,” Carmen said and once again told her story. When she was finished, Special Agent Kent got up and stood by the window.

  “Here’s the deal, Ms. Taylor. We know all about Congressman Redding.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m not at liberty to discuss the case, but he has been under investigation for a number of ethics violations for quite some time. In fact, the other two men in those photographs that offered Redding the bribe, are Federal undercover agents.”

  “That’s why you said that you already heard the recording,” Carmen said as it all began to come together for her.

  “That’s right. But now let’s talk about Tangela House and Hammdee Yasir.”

  “Okay.”

  “Before her death, Tangela House was a Federal informant. In this particular case, we used her to create background for Hammdee Yasir, who is in fact, a Federal agent working on a matter that is totally unrelated to the Redding investigation.”

  “So the investment scam and the murders that TR told me that him and Tangela House witnessed Yasir committing, were staged for his benefit.”

  “That’s correct. So you see, Ms. Taylor, this whole thing is part of an FBI sting to catch corrupt congressmen. But I have to be honest with you. I don’t see how any of this has any connection to Tangela House’s murder.”

  “I’m starting to wonder about that myself,” Carmen told the agent.

  Chapter Forty-eight

  When she was on her way out of the building, Carmen saw Congressman Canfield coming out of the building. She immediately threw her press credentials around her neck and approached the congressman. Since he didn’t take the money that Benson and Hall had offered him earlier that day, Carmen had to know what he was doing there.

  “Congressman, excuse me, Congressman Canfield.” When Canfield stopped and acknowledged her, she continued, “My name is Carmen Taylor. I’m a reporter with channel five’s news.”

  “Yes, Ms. Taylor. What can I do for you?”

  “I want to ask if you have any comment on the upcoming senate vote on the Climate Change Bill?”

  “I am confident that the bill before the senate will pass.” Canfield smiled. “But you don’t want to ask me about that, Ms. Taylor.”

  “I don’t?” Carmen looked confused.

  “No, Ms. Taylor; you want to ask me what I’m doing here and about Tangela House.”

  Carmen looked surprised. She wasn’t expecting him to mention that, but since he did, and that was actually part of what she wanted to talk about, she decided to go with it.

  Canfield had a relieved look on his face. “I watch you on the news, Ms. Taylor, and I know that you’ve been covering her murder. Why don’t you come ride with me.”

  “Sure,” Carmen said and followed him to his limo.

  “Where would you like to start?”

  “Let’s start with what you’re doing here.”

  “This morning I had a meeting with Congressman Terrence Redding, and two men who were interested in investing in coal technologies. At the meeting, those gentlemen offered us one hundred thousand dollars for our help in getting an Afghani tribal leader into this country. I declined to accept the money, and I felt it was my duty to report the meeting to the FBI. At that time, they informed me that Terrance Redding is the subject of an on-going investigation, and asked me to cooperate. I told them everything, and that I plan to resign and go public with what I’ve done; which is why I’m talking to you now.”

  “Tell me about Tangela House.”

  “Over the years, I’ve had multiple sexual encounters with call girls. Several of those encounters involved Terrence Redding and others. Now I’m being blackmailed. I received a picture of Redding and I, in a very compromising position with a woman, and it cost me. Cost me everything.”

  “How so?”

  “My wife found out about it and left with the children,” Canfield said and dabbed his eyes with his handkerchief.

  Carmen reached in her bag and showed him a picture of Tangela House. “Is this the woman who is blackmailing you?”

  “I’ve never had any direct contact with her. When this first surfaced, I went to Terry—Congressman Redding. He had gotten the same picture. He told me not to worry, that he would take care of everything. Just don’t fall apart: is what he told me.”

  Canfield looked at the picture. “That’s her—the woman in the picture. She apparently took it with a cell phone camera.” He laughed. “This was years ago, mind you. At the time, I didn’t even know that you could do that with a phone. I remember wondering why she would be reaching for her phone at a time like that.”

  “How much did she want?”

  “One hundred thousand each; or she was going to the press.”

  “What happened then?” Carmen asked.

  “I gave Terry the money and told him to pay her off and be done with it,” Canfield said.

  “Do you know anything about how the payoff was to take place?”

  “No. Regrettably, I left all of those details to Terry.”

  “So you have no idea if the money was paid or not?”

  “No, unfortunately not.”

  “Have you spoken with Redding about it?”

  “No. He hasn’t brought it up, and neither have I. I was just trying to put all this behind me and make a fresh start. But my wife found the blackmail picture and confronted me about it.” Canfield took a deep breath. “I had told so many lies, so many half truths—I thought that it was time to tell her the truth. I thought she would understand.” He shook his head. “She left that same night and took everything from me—my children. Now, I have nothing else to live for.”

  “When did you find out she was dead?”

  “When you told me, Ms. Taylor—that same night on the 11 o’clock news.”

  The following day, Carmen got the word that Congressman Canfield was found dead in his home. “How’d he die?” Carmen asked.

  “He hung himself,” Max told her.

  With Canfield dead, there was no way for Carmen to prove that Terrance Redding had any involvement with, nor any knowledge of, Tangela House or her murder. At this point, all she had was the word of a dead man.

  Seeing no other alternative, Carmen decided to go to see Redding and confront him with what she knew to be the truth about the murder of Tangela House. Since she had previously made an appointment to sit down for an interview with Redding, Carmen hoped that she wouldn’t have a problem.

  While she sat in the lobby of Redding’s office, Carmen thought about what she would say. Would she begin by asking him about the upcoming climate change vote, or would she throw caution to the wind and ask him about the murder? She decided that the way to go was a combination of both. She would begin by offering her condolences in the suicide of Geoffrey Canfield. Then she would ask how his untimely death would affect the senate vote. Once that was out of the way and she had created a relaxed atmosphere, she would turn the conver
sation to Tangela House.

  “The congressman will see you now,” Redding’s secretary said and showed Carmen into the office. The door opened and there stood Terrence Redding. “Good afternoon, Ms. Taylor. I’ve been looking forward to this interview,” Redding said and extended his hand.

  “Believe me, so have I,” Carmen said and shook his hand.

  Maybe it was the fact that her flesh crawled when she shook his hand, or maybe it was the smug look on his face that turned Carmen off, but her idea of taking it slow and creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere went out the window. “Tell me about Tangela House.” Carmen asked and sat down.

  Redding looked at Carmen and smiled, before taking a seat behind his desk. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, practically grinning at that point.

  Carmen took out a picture and handed it to Redding. “I know you’ve never seen that woman before, so I’ll tell you about her. She was the woman that was blackmailing you and Geoffrey Canfield over a picture of you, her, and Canfield.”

  “I don’t know who that woman is,” Redding said and dropped the picture on his desk. “But I’m curious—do you have a copy of this alleged picture?”

  “It’s someplace safe,” Carmen lied and hoped it would fly.

  “No, you don’t have any picture.” Redding stood up. “As I said, I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about, Ms. Taylor.” Redding came around his desk and stood over Carmen. “So if there’s nothing else,” he said and motioned toward the door. “Besides, Geoffrey is dead and you can’t prove a word of what he told you.”

  Carmen got up and walked slowly toward the door, which the congressman gladly opened for her. When she came out of the office agents of the FBI were waiting to take him into custody.

  Chapter Forty-nine

  Meka spent the day on the phone at her office, trying to come up with at least some of the money she needed to give Cerrone. So far, her efforts had not been successful. It was getting late in the day and she was running out of options, fast. The way Meka saw it, she had three choices. She could ask Leon to lend her the money. After all, it was sort of his fault she was in this mess.