A Conspiracy Uncovered

by Lindsay Downs

  Do you recall that particular mission?” I was mentally crossing my fingers hoping to find out who the writer, A.K.A shooter, was.

  “I think so. We had dropped off a long-range patrol from the 173rd Airborne and were returning to base when a rescue call came over the radio. A platoon was under heavy enemy fire and they had a man severely wounded who needed to be air evaced to the nearest base hospital. This was my first flight in the right-hand seat so I wasn’t sure if we would be able to lend a hand. My co-pilot said we could but first we needed to call in for air support, which he did. We went in under suppressing fire and got the man loaded.”

  “How badly was he hurt?” I was becoming more and more curious about this turn of events.

  “He had a couple of bullet holes in his stomach and was losing blood like crazy. Anyways, we got him to the base hospital. The next day, out of curiosity, I went to see how he was doing. Turned out we ended up saving his life. I never learned his name because I was involved in a lot of flights and fighting. Later, I did hear he’d been sent home. After that and until this letter I never knew what happened to him,” Edward said, ending his story.

  “I already have one of my agents looking into this man in Leeds. He’s having to be very careful because of the warning Mr. X gave.”

  “You mean the one about James York maybe not being alive?” I asked.

  “Yes. If this is true then, Junior, looks like you might be rewriting the history books.”

  Edward called downstairs to have a fingerprint specialist come to the office with his equipment and several cards. He then told me to instruct the man where to lift the prints from.

  “What about checking for gunpowder residue?” Nancy asked.

  “That comes after the prints are taken. The technician will take everything back to where he works and perform that test. Considering the length of time between the shooting and now I will be surprised if there is any,” Edward explained.

  “Let me guess, you don’t want to leave any stone unturned. That I appreciate.”

  “You’re right, Junior. I’m not sure how long everything will take, in particularly getting the results of the fingerprints.”

  “For the FBI I’ll put pressure on my brother to hurry the process along except if this unknown shooter is Australian, I seriously doubt he will be in any system John checks.”

  “Can I make a suggestion? Since the letter I received said he had been in the Australian Army let me fax the cards to a contact I have Down Under. I’ll ask him to check the military database, specifically their army, and include the year 1963,” Alice suggested.

  “Except the prints from the gloves, those should go to John so he can check them against Oswald’s which will still be on file.”

  The technician walked in and I told him where to take the prints from, or at least try, and the number of sets. Fifteen minutes later he left carrying the box containing the shirt. He wasn’t very positive about the residue test but would check all the material to be sure.

  “What’s your next move, Junior? After all this is your case and we’re here to help and support when and where needed?”

  “I guess Nancy and I are going to Lavina, Montana. Before we go, I’ll book us a room at the Autumn’s Inn in Roundup. According to my letter this Mr. X will contact us there.”

  “Do you want to use the Lear?” Edward asked.

  “The what?” My voice cracked in surprise.

  “Dean & Dean Detective Agency owns a Learjet 36A. When we don’t need the plane for business the interior is reconfigured into a flying hospital room to transport patients in need of specialized care. We bill the hospital who then bills the insurance company,” Edward told me.

  “If the plane isn’t being used for that purpose then sure. Except I don’t know what the nearest airport is, and I seriously doubt there’s one in Roundup or Lavina? We’ll also have to rent a car.”

  Thomas, my twin, took out a map and located where we’d be staying.

  “Billings, Montana is the closest. When do you want to leave?” he asked.

  “We’ll need to go home, pack our bags and tell the kids that we’ll be out of town for a few days.”

  “Give us two hours or do you need more time, Thomas?” my wife asked.

  “No, that will be fine. I’ll call and have the plane fueled up then file the flight plan,” Thomas replied.

  “You two get going. I’ll call the inn and book two rooms. Wouldn’t hurt to have your brother and his wife with you,” Sally told us.

  “Since this is business, I can’t see any reason why you can’t take the company credit card,” Edward said. I accepted the plastic from him.”

  Stunned I didn’t know what to say but finally said, “Thanks.”

  “Tell the boys they are staying in the main house with Edward and myself.”

  “Okay, but make sure their grandparents don’t spoil them too much. They have a half day tomorrow because of Thanksgiving. We hope to be back by then.”

  That is if everything goes off without a hitch, which is doubtful from what my siblings and their wives have told us about cases in the past. Nancy and I started to leave but my older brother stopped us.

  “One last thing. This is totally new and has never been tried before by us, at least. Thomas will take four of these mobile phones with him to the airport along with the chargers. I have no idea if the signal will reach us here,” Edward explained.

  “What number do we call? Here or the house?” Nancy asked.

  “That will depend on when you call. There will be a one-hour time difference between Montana and here so take that into consideration.”

  With the new communication devices with us Nancy and I headed out and to the Dean compound.

  “Did you know about the airplane or credit card?”

  “No. I was just as shocked as you were.”

  “Guess you and I should pay a little more attention to the family business and maybe a little less on teaching,” I suggested.

  I decided I’d take my own advice, even though I’m not exactly sure what I can bring to the company except my brains. Detective wise I know next to nothing and the same for Nancy. Now I’m glad that Thomas and his wife are coming along. I hope this mysterious Mr. X will allow them to be with us when we question him.

  “What’s on your mind?” Nancy asked.

  I told her and she agreed with me that we should be more involved with the business. Maybe starting with this case.

  “Nancy, do you recall all the books in the library at the main house that are written by Mom and Dad?”

  “You mean the ones about some of the cases they’d solved over the years, or more specifically the training manual for private detectives which I use in one of my classes?”

  “Yes, that one but more specifically the cases. Do you think we should do the same with this one?”

  “You mean, take notes? Why not? The plane flight will be somewhere in the vicinity of two plus hours. We can use that time to write down what’s happened so far,” she suggested.

  “Then we’d better pack a couple of legal pads and pens. Along with the cassette recorder because I’d like to tape the meetings. I don’t think he’ll object.”

  “Good idea. To be safe, let’s pack for three days even though I hope we’ll be back before then.”

  “Yes. Better safe than sorry. Make everything casual since I have a feeling there aren’t any fine dining places where we’re going.” I pulled onto the compound and followed the driveway to our house.

  On the way upstairs to our bedroom I stopped in our office and grabbed the items we’d need for note taking. Since we didn’t really have to worry about weight, for a change, I figured they could go into the suitcases instead of carry-on luggage. Nancy was finishing up as I walked in the room.

  “I’ll put this stuff in my bag. Why don’t you write a note to the kids about staying at the main house until we get back.”

  “What do I tell them about why we aren’t home an
d won’t be for a few days?”

  “You don’t have to tell them anything or even leave a note,” Alice said, from the doorway.

  “Why?”

  “With Thomas and June going with you I told them and now you, I’ll meet the school buses and let everyone know they are staying in the main house.”

  That solved a few problems. “Good. Are we taking June to the airport with us?”

  “You are since Thomas is already there. She’ll be over in a few minutes with their suitcases. Now I have a question for you, Junior. Do you know where you’re going? The only reason I’m asking is because when you learned the agency owns a plane you were surprised so I figure you don’t know where the Learjet is kept?”

  “You’re right. I don’t have a clue.” I glanced to my wife who shrugged her shoulders.

  “Santa Monica Airport. June knows where the plane is hangered.”

  Being a gentleman, I carried both of our bag’s downstairs and out to the car. June walked up with her and Thomas’ suitcases.

  “Ready? Alice has already told me she’ll be taking care of the kids so we can be off.”

  During the drive over to the airport Nancy and I filled June in on why and where we were going. She was as astounded as we had been when I opened the box, read the letter then the one Alice had brought from England.

  “Do you think this person is for real?” June asked.

  “We all do. That’s why this flight is so important. Also, Edward recalls flying an Australian soldier to the hospital on the date mentioned in the letter Alice received.”

  That’s when I realized we should be taking them with us when we meet with the mysterious man. At the airport I showed the gate guard my driver’s license and June told him which hanger we were headed to. He passed us through then I followed my sister-in-law’s direction.

  When we got to the plane the first thing I noticed there wasn’t a name painted on the side, only tail numbers.

  “We don’t advertise what we do or that the plane is sometimes used as an air ambulance,” Thomas said.

  “Thanks for explaining that. We were wondering.”

  “Good news, in the cabin is the box you brought to the office along with the letter Alice received. The shirt was positive for small amounts of gunshot residue. No reports on the fingerprints but sis did fax a set from Mr. X to her contact in Australia. Considering the time difference there’s no telling when we’ll hear from him. Climb aboard and we’ll take off.”

  When we walked into the cabin, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Heavily padded swivel chairs covered in a tan material on either side of the cabin. In front of each a table. Right before the cockpit a small, but functional kitchen with all the comforts of home. June showed us were to stow our bags after I took out two pads of paper and pens. Nancy and I sat and buckled in while June joined Thomas in the cockpit.

  “Guess she’s the co-pilot?” I handed Nancy a notepad and pen.

  “Looks that way.”

  Twenty minutes after boarding we reached our cruising altitude, I guessed, because June came back and sat on the arm of a chair.

  “Flying time is going to be about two and a half hours. You’re free to walk around the cabin. In the rear is the lavatory. Feel free to partake of the food and drink in the galley.”

  I thanked her then Nancy and I busied ourselves writing down what had transpired so far. For me, that was when I opened the box. Nancy, I noticed, started her notes when I picked her up. Once that was done, we both had something to eat and relaxed for the rest of the flight.

  CHAPTER THREE

  After landing then taxiing to some part of the Billings Airport we carried our bags down the airplane stairs as two cars drove up.

  “Are those for us?”

  “Yes, Junior. Our brother thought this would be for the best. This way we aren’t tied to one. Granted there isn’t much investigating June and I can do but if you have to meet this person in Lavina we can tail you to make sure you both remain safe.”

  A gust of wind blew his jacket away from his waist and that’s when I saw the pistol. Seeing the weapon I bet his wife had one as well. Something neither Nancy or I had. What I didn’t understand, how were they able to carry them since we weren’t in California? He must have suspected I was puzzled about the weapon because he patted his hip.

  “Thanks to dad all of us have federal pistol permits valid in every state and many countries.”

  “You and Nancy don’t because you’re fulltime professors. If you worked, even part time, as a private detective, and took the FBI course then you’d be able to,” June said.

  The drivers walked up to us.

  “Mr. Dean?” one said.

  “Yes.” Thomas and I answered simultaneously.

  “You’ll have to be more specific? Do you want Richard or Thomas?” I asked.

  “Richard, Jr. I’ll need to see your licenses for the rental record,” the man replied.

  “Then you want me. Here’s my identification.”

  From my money clip I handed over my California driver license. The man took and wrote down the number then returned the permit to me.

  “Here are the keys to both vehicles. When you are finished with them give our office a call and we’ll meet you here.”

  “Thank you. We shouldn’t be more than a few days,” I told him. All the while mentally crossing my fingers hoping that I was right.

  “Fine. There is a map and directions to Roundup on the front seat in both.”

  We shook hands then I carried our bags to one of the cars, not caring which one because, as with Thomas and me, the vehicles are identical.

  “Hey Nancy, what do you want to bet the men get lost and won’t stop and ask for directions,” June teased.

  “I’m not taking that bet because we both know they will.”

  “Tell you what, you’re so confident you can get us to Roundup, you drive,” I told my wife. I held up the keys which she snatched out of my hand.

  I climbed in the passenger side and started to read the directions when they were yanked out of my hand.

  “I’m driving so I’d like to find out where we’re going.”

  After a few minutes she started the car and we headed out of the airport toward Route 87. Cruising along I was kind of happy my wife was behind the wheel because that gave me a chance to look at the scenery, which was beautiful. Very few houses or structures of any kind were erected to break up the landscape, unlike Los Angeles where open space was almost nonexistent. An even better upside, the air was clear, and crisp.

  Coming into the outskirts of Roundup I saw a sign for the airport which had me curious why we didn’t fly into there instead of Billings. My guess, since we have a jet the runway might not be long enough, plus no rental car service.

  Route 87 turned into Main Street and a few minutes later Nancy was pulling into a parking space in front of the motel office with June to our right.

  We got out and walked in to be greeted by a pleasant appearing gentleman “Can I help you, folks?”

  “You should have a reservation for two rooms under the names Richard Dean, Jr. and Thomas Dean.

  “Yes, for two king beds. They are on the ground floor. Fill out the registration cards please, along with the license plate number of the cars. Also, which one of you is Professor Dean?”

  “My wife and I are but I’m guessing you mean me,” I said.

  “Must be. This note was left for you when you arrived.”

  He handed over a plain white envelope which I put down on the counter. Most likely from our Mr. X about meeting him but I wanted to get into our room before reading what he had to say. We returned our registration cards to the gentleman and the manager handed me a key to Room 10 and Thomas the key to Room 11. We thanked the man then left.

  “After you drop your bags in your room come over to ours. Mr. X, I’m guessing, sent me a note.”

  “Give us two minutes,” my brother replied.

  I was pleasantly su
rprised at how clean the room was. I tossed my suitcase on the bed just as someone knocked on our door. Stepping over I looked through the spyhole to see Thomas and his wife. Once they were settled, I read the note aloud.

  Professor Dean,

  Welcome to Roundup.

  I will be at the Grand Bar and Restaurant at eighteen hundred hours. We can meet there. Don’t worry about recognizing me as I have your snap.

  Mr. X

  I gave the note to my wife then glanced at my watch. “We have about thirty minutes.”

  She passed the message to Thomas.

  “We’ll take both cars and will walk in a few minutes after you, Junior. When you see us don’t acknowledge us.”

  “But he’ll know you’re my husband’s twin brother.”

  “That’s the wonderful thing about having a theater major for a wife. You won’t recognize me.”

  “Then we’d better get back to our room so I can start the magical transformation.”

  I got out the cassette recorder, checked to make sure the batteries were good, then grabbed a couple of tapes.

  “You can put that in this bag which I’ll carry instead of a purse.”

  “Let me ask you this, as the meeting is the first one do you think we’ll learn very much? Or is this just to get to know us and him?”

  “Never having done this kind of work before, neither have you, I really can’t say. Why not rely on our memory of what he tells us and later use the recorder.”

  “I’ll have to agree with you on that point.”

  Hopefully, we won’t find the learning curve too steep. If we do, I don’t know about Nancy, but I’ll stick this case out. If for no other reason than to find out what my family does. This hiding behind books is starting to become boring.

  “Richard, I know we’ve only sort of started digging into what he said, but do you think we might want to work part time for the agency? Think about that before you answer.”

  “Honey, I don’t have to think because I’ve had the same thought. Yes, let’s see how we do with this one and if we’re successful, one way or another, then we’ll talk to Edward since he’s senior.”