Danger Point

by Douglas J Bourg

  “I’m with the National Security Agency,” he continues. “I’ve been under deep cover as a drug dealer for the past twelve years. That’s all I can tell you right now. You’ll just have to be patient.” He turns to me, “Bobby, would you please give Chako the puzzle box and let’s see if she can open it?”

  “Wait just a minute,” I say. “I thought you were one of the bad guys.”

  He laughs, “If I were, you wouldn’t be sitting here and I wouldn’t be politely asking for the box. Please. We don’t have much time. You have to trust me, Bobby. Alexis, help me out here.”

  “He’s right, Bobby,” she says. “I’m not one hundred percent sure what’s going on, but I’ve worked for John G. long enough to know if he wants something he just takes it. I think we have to trust him.”

  I’m not sure. I wish I could call Murphy before I do anything, but he’s still tied up. I look between Alexis, John G. and Chako. Our server comes back with our drinks and gives me another minute to try to clear my head. Alexis has still not revealed her true identity to John G. It’s very surreal sitting here in the middle of all this.

  When our server leaves again, Chako says, “It will be alright, Bobby, I promise you. Please, our time is very limited. Let me see if I might be able to open your puzzle box.”

  I look over at Alexis and she nods. Reluctantly, I pull the puzzle box from my back pack and hand it across the table to Chako. She turns it over in her hands.

  “It is very beautiful. Mr. Nueriuma built these between the late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds. These boxes took many hours of intense labor to make, each one was different. This one is exquisite. Each piece was hand crafted and fitted. Mr. Nueriuma had a specific number of moves to open each box he designed. The puzzle boxes ranged from very small to quite large and they were opened using as few as four moves to as many as one hundred and twenty-two. I estimate that this puzzle box will take sixty-nine separate moves to open.”

  “How do you know that?” Alexis asks her.

  “I grew up opening these as a child. Bobby, do you have your friend’s letter? There may be a clue in the letter that my Jeannie might have missed.” Her eyes mist over at her daughter’s name. She takes a napkin and wipes away a tear.

  I reach into my backpack again, this time into one of the interior pockets and pull out Micky’s letter. I open the zip lock bag I’ve been keeping it in and pass it over to Chako. Then we sit quietly for the next fifteen minutes or so as she studies the letter, picks up the box, turns it around and sets it back down again.

  Finally she says, “I do think I will be able to open it. However, if I do make a mistake—just one wrong move—we may forever lose the contents inside. Are you prepared to suffer the consequences if something goes wrong?”

  We look at each other, waiting for someone to make the decision. After what seems like forever, John G. speaks, “Chako, please do your best. You’re the only hope we have. We all understand the consequences if you fail. ”

  She nods, “This is going to take some time. The letter does contain many answers, but it also leaves us with many questions.”

  As Chako starts to work, Alexis looks at John G. “John, I can’t go into detail right now, but you and I have a great deal in common. I work for a shadow government agency that has been trying to take down General Sandoval for the last few years. We’re on the same side. I’ll explain everything to you later, but right now I need to call my boss and apprise him of the situation. Am I to assume that you won’t want your identity to become known just yet?”

  If he’s surprised, he’s hiding it well. “Yes. Thank you. It’s important that I keep my cover. My agency also wants to take down General Sandoval, but it’s much larger than that. What’s inside this puzzle box may allow us to shut down a major drug and terrorist organization.”

  “Okay.” She pauses and takes a deep breath, “I’ll leave your name out of it for the time being, but if we are unable open the puzzle box, then we’ll have to re-evaluate our positions in this matter. I can’t keep my boss in the dark for long.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Wait, I need to notify Detective Murphy,” I say. “He wants to know if and when we open the box.”

  “I’m going to ask you to hold off on that for the moment,” John G. stops me. “You can inform him once we know the outcome.”

  Alexis gets up and walks out of the lounge to make her call. During our conversation, Chako has opened the first six locks of the puzzle box. This is going to take some time.

  “I think I could use a beer,” I say to John.

  “Amen to that,” he says and signals for our server. Alexis returns to the table and sits down.

  “We all needed something to calm our nerves, so I took the liberty of ordering you a martini,” John G. says to her.

  She sinks into the banquet and nods her head gratefully as we all turn our eyes toward Chako to watch her make the many intricate moves it will take to open the box.

  Chapter 37

  Murphy had been at the crime scene for the last hour and a half, when Captain Sprague finally shows up. What the hell took him so long?

  “Bring me up to speed,” he barks.

  Murph checks his frustration before answering, “Well, what we’ve figured out so far is that Castillo had a universal key or a lock-pick hidden on his person and was able to unlock his cuffs. It was probably missed when he was searched at the boat, since the arresting officers just thought he was some petty burglar. Somewhere en route to the jail, he convinced Officer Baker to pull over for some reason. He must have overpowered Baker when he opened the back door. Castillo took Baker’s service revolver, cuffed him, put him in the trunk, and moved the patrol car to a spot where it would take time to be found.”

  “Who assigned a rookie like Baker to transport this guy anyway?”

  “The deputies thought he was just pulling a daytime B and E. We didn’t find out his true identity until later.”

  “Is Baker alright?”

  “Yes, sir. He’s showing no sign of damage, except maybe to his pride. He was taken to the hospital, as a precaution.”

  Captain Sprague shakes his head. “What’s damaging is that Office Baker failed to follow the proper procedures.”

  Murphy can tell the Captain is just warming up to one of his rants. Over Sprague’s shoulder he sees a man say something to one of the uniforms, who points toward them. The man walks up behind the Captain and puts his hand on the Captain’s shoulder. Thank God, rantus interuptus.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen. Let me introduce myself. I’m Special Agent William Delaney with the NSA,” he says holding up his ID. “I need to speak with both of you. Come with me right now, no questions asked, please. This is a matter of national security.”

  Captain Sprague takes Delany’s proffered ID and inspects it carefully before handing it back. “What’s this about, Delaney? As you can see we’re very busy. One of my officers has been attacked.”

  “I’ll bring you up to speed as soon as I can, Captain, but right now, you need to come with me.” Delany looks at the Captain then at Murphy. “Please, gentlemen, this way.”

  Sprague takes a moment to speak to the sergeant, who is interviewing the couple who had found the deputy’s squad car. Delany turns and walks toward a very large, very black Cadillac Escalade. Murphy looks at the Captain who shrugs and follows the NSA agent toward the waiting vehicle. The windows are tinted dark black; no surprise there. Delaney opens the front passenger door for the Captain, as Murphy gets into the back seat. Delaney walks around, gets into the driver’s seat, starts the engine and pulls smoothly into traffic.

  “Wait a minute. Where are we going?” barks the Captain.

  “The information I’m about to divulge is classified, top secret, eyes only and all that other bullshit they say in the movies. Only this time, it’s for real. Understand?” Delaney waits until they agree, then says, “I’ve had both of you checked out and I hope I can trust you. This case really isn�
�t about dope; it’s about terrorism. We have it on good Intel that the Richard Webber case is linked to our case, the investigation on General Miguel Sandoval. John Gomez - you may have heard his name around Laguna Beach as John G., - has been working deep undercover for our agency for the past twelve years. It was he who helped place your murder victim in The General’s employment. Over the years, Mr. Webber helped gather sensitive information for this agency in the countries where he worked. He was a paid asset. We believe Webber got photos of The General after his plastic surgery, and that’s what he hid in your friend’s puzzle box, Detective Murphy. That and information concerning the drop points of drugs, and other materials important to the security of the United States.”

  The Captain shoots Murphy a look which he avoids by turning to look out the window.

  Delany goes on, “We’re on our way to the Hilton Hotel where Chako Francis, Jeannie Francis’s mother, is attempting to open the puzzle box. From what I’ve been told, it’s slow going. She’s gradually making her way through the moves to open it.”

  Captain Sprague looks at Murphy, “What puzzle box?! Murphy did you know about this?”

  Delaney stops him, “Don’t be too hard on the detective, Captain Sprague,” he says. “Detective Murphy has had a feeling for a while that there is a leak in your department. He was following his survival instinct—wisely as it turns out.”

  “His survival instinct may just have cost him his job. We’ll talk about this later. In private, Detective,” Captain Sprague says tersely.

  The rest of the trip is made in silence. The Escalade pulls into the Hilton parking structure and the men get out of the car and head into the hotel. Murphy drops back a little, to avoid being too close to the Captain, at least until he cools down enough for Murphy to explain his actions. As they walk into the lounge, the hostess offers to seat them, but Delany waves her away and points to the table where Chako, Bobby, John G. and Alexis sit.

  John G. stands up. “Bill,” he says, putting his hand out to Delaney, “It’s been a while. Bobby Paladin, Chako Francis, Alexis Clayton, this is Special Agent William Delany, my boss and handler with the agency.”

  Introductions are made all around, but Chako just nods, keeping her head down and her focus on the box.

  “How is it going?" Delaney asks quietly.

  John G. waves them to sit. “Slow, Bill. If Chako makes a wrong move, it could destroy anything stored inside. Luckily, Mrs. Francis is familiar with the maker of this particular type of puzzle box. She’s thirty moves into opening it, but thinks she still has another thirty plus to go.”

  Chako finally looks up at Delany, “This particular box is meant to be used to hide important documents or valuables. Mr. Nueriuma and his disciples handmade each one and they all open differently. There is a chamber inside which holds a powder. If the box is opened incorrectly, the powder will release and destroy the contents of the puzzle box.”

  “Is there any chance the powder was released by all the juggling it’s taken?” asks Murphy.

  “The box itself is made to withstand some abuse. The compartment that holds the powder will open only if there is a wrong move made in opening the puzzle box,” she replies. “Whatever is inside will still be safe.”

  “Will it explode?” asks Captain Sprague, pushing his chair back a little. “Is it like gunpowder or something? Aren’t the Japanese big on fireworks?”

  “No,” she says with a slight smile. “It will not explode. I think that it is some sort of corrosive powder.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Francis, for helping us. I know this is a difficult time for you,” says Delany.

  Chako nods and bites her lip, fighting back tears, “If this helps to find my daughter’s murderer, I will do anything.”

  The table is silent as they watch her move three more locks of the puzzle box.

  Finally Delaney says, “Captain Sprague, and John, I need a moment of your time.”

  John G. looks at Delaney, “Sir, Alexis needs to join us in this conversation; she represents another government agency that has a vested interest in outcome.”

  “Ms. Clayton, I need to see some sort of identification if you’re going to join our little party,” Delaney says.

  Alexis pulls out her cell phone and dials a number. “Let me just make a call to set that up.”

  The three men get up and start to walk out of the hotel lounge, leaving Bobby, Murphy and Chako at the table. Alexis follows the men and holds out her phone, “For you, Agent Delaney.”

  Delaney takes her phone tentatively. “This is Special Agent William Delaney, to whom am I speaking?” The next moment Delaney is answering, “Yes? Yes, ma’am, we will ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.” He closes the phone, white as a ghost and hands it back to Alexis. “That was the Vice President of the United States. She just vouched for Alexis’s identity. How do you happen to have the Vice President’s personal cell phone number, Alexis?”

  Alexis just smiles and says, “That, is classified, Agent Delaney. Shall we go?”

  As soon as his boss is out of sight, Murphy signals our server and orders a beer.

  “Aren’t you still on duty?” I ask.

  “Fuck it. The Captain is going to jump all over me as soon as he gets back. One beer on duty is the least of my problems.”

  I glance at Chako.

  “Oh, sorry, please excuse my French,” he tells her. “It’s just that the Captain now knows I knew about the puzzle box’s existence all this time and didn’t tell him about it. I’ll be fired for cause if this whole thing turns out to be a bust.”

  “Wow, Murph, that’s brutal. You were just trying to protect the integrity of the investigation,” I say.

  “Yeah, but Delany also told the Captain there is a major leak in our department. That news will probably keep me off the hot seat, at least until we find the leak. The Captain’s got a pretty good memory, though, so I won’t be able to dodge him for long.”

  Our server comes back with Murphy’s beer and another for me.

  “If this all goes south do you think that DJ will give me a job?” Murphy says half smiling.

  Chako is looking at me, “Bobby, I may have caused a problem.”

  Murphy has the beer halfway to his mouth and stops. “What kind of problem?”

  I hold up my hand to stop him. “Let her explain. What do you mean, Chako?”

  “These boxes were made very precisely,” she replies. “If you push a piece too far, you may cause the powder to be released. I fear I may have pushed one of the pieces too far. I will still open the box, but we are unable to know until I finish opening the box if what I have done has destroyed the contents inside. I am so very sorry. It is the best I can do.” She carefully sets the box on the table and puts her hands in her lap. She’s trembling.

  “We asked for your help, Chako,” says Murph gently. “There was no way we could have opened the box without you. If the evidence is destroyed, it’s not your fault. No matter what, at least we kept it from falling into the wrong hands.”

  “Besides,” I say. “It could all still be okay, right? You’re not sure you did anything wrong.”

  “We knew the odds were against us from the start,” says Murph. “We’d still like you to finish opening the box. Please?”

  She nods.

  “How close are you?” I ask.

  “Very close. However, this is where a puzzle box gets very hard to open. The last few steps are the most challenging.” Chako’s voice is strained and I can tell this is taking its toll on her.

  I see Delany and his group walk back through the lobby and toward the lounge. I get up to meet them and block their view of Murphy as he finishes his beer and sets the empty bottle on the floor under the table. I take them to the side and quietly explain what’s happened and that Chako almost has it open. We all turn to watch her as she takes both hands and ceremoniously sets the box in the middle of the table.

  “Bobby, will you please do the honor of removing the lid? You were the o
ne who found the clues to locate your friend’s final gift,” she says with a slight bow of her head.

  I look at Agent Delaney who nods then at Captain Sprague, who shrugs his okay. I sit down across from Chako and the puzzle box. I reach for the top. My hands are shaking a little, so I pull them back and wipe my palms on my jeans and try again. I place my thumbs and forefingers on the corners of the lid.

  “Do I have to do anything special to open it, Chako?” I ask.

  She shakes her head, “Just lift the lid straight up, it will need to be wiggled a little as the top is released.

  “Oh for criminy sakes, Paladin,” says Captain Sprague. “Just open the damn thing. There might not be anything inside but dust.”

  I slowly lift the lid and, after it comes free, I set it on the table beside the box. We lean in as one to look inside. Inside the box is not black powder or ashes, but a large, white, letter size envelope, folded in half. There is a collective exhale. The envelope simply reads, “Bobby” on the outside in Micky’s unmistakable backhand.

  “What do I do?” I look around the table.

  “Well, it’s addressed to you,” says Delany. “But it’s still evidence in this investigation. Pick it up carefully by the edges and let’s see what’s inside. Mrs. Francis, is it safe now? Can he release the powder if he takes it out of the box?”

  I look at her and notice she’s been crying. She wipes her eyes with her napkin. “No, no damage can be done now. The contents are safe.”

  I carefully reach into the box and take the envelope by the edges, as instructed. Our server comes to the table and Delany flashes his badge without looking at her. She backs away. Two strips of photo negatives slide out of the envelope and onto the table. Delaney carefully picks them up by the edges.

  “Are there any more of these in there, Bobby?” he asks.

  “No, sir. Just a letter.” I open the letter and start to read to myself, with everyone anxiously looking over my shoulder.