"Well that was fast," Karen said, looking at the little bag in his hand.
"Yeah, I lucked out, my manager was off today. The other managers were in a meeting, so I snuck in and out."
"Okay, where to now?"
"I don't know, let's just see where we end up," he said while he put the bag on the back seat.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Karen said as she started the car and pulled out of the parking stall.
Ed Daniels was wondering where his campaign was headed while he shook hands and answered questions. He kept his smile pasted on for the crowd. He talked about reform, change, crime, and job creation, but he wasn't sure he would be able to do any of it as he kept smiling and taking pictures.
The Senator was dealing with a new problem of his own, Mr. Larry Criss, C.E.O. of Whisper Technologies, a multi-billion-dollar corporation that not only dominated the majority of stealth technology in the world, but was also a major player in politics, or at least Mr. Criss was. Mr. Criss would fight the nomination of the Senator for the Presidency tooth and nail, and the billions he had and his influence in politics would assure him that he would put up a great fight and possibly block someone he didn't want to get to the White House. The Senator was looking over the file that Mr. Donaldson had given him and tried to figure out an angle to use to get rid of Mr. Criss, but Mr. Donaldson kept coming up blank. The Senator had canceled all his appearances for the next two days to work this problem out when he heard a televised news report of possible threats on his life as to why he had to back out of these scheduled events. The Senator just smiled because he knew Mr. Donaldson was at work, already putting things in motion. The Senator was so deep in thought that he didn't hear his wife Abigail, come into the study.
"Is everything okay? I heard reports on the news that you got some death threats," she said, looking very nervous.
"Oh, I was working, sorry, dear. Everything is fine, no need for worry."
"Okay, I just wanted to check on you, are you hungry?"
"No, I am just working out a few complex issues, I'll be right here until I get this issue resolved."
"Okay, I am going to run over to Mickey D's, I have the worst craving for some French fries and a soda," she said looking through her purse and finding the car keys.
The Senator's wife didn't know it, but she gave the Senator the answer to his problem. He got up quickly, kissed his wife, and headed toward the door with the Manila envelope in his hand, turning around and going back to his desk because he left his cell phone sitting on a small pile of papers.
"Where in the World are you off to? I thought you were staying here," Gail said, looking a bit puzzled, because of her husband's sudden burst of energy and change of mood.
"I just remembered something I have to get done, enjoy your fries, I'll be back in a few hours," the Senator said as he walked out the front door, punching some numbers into his phone.
"Goodbye dear, I'll see you in a little while," Gail said, and she watched him walk out the door, shaking her head a little, while her mind started to drift back to French fries and an ice-cold Coke.
The Senator didn't know why he hadn't thought of Mickey sooner, thank God, his wife had a craving for French fries he thought. Mickey had been a great addition to his team, and even though he didn't trust him yet, he would use him and his talents, maybe Mickey could find out something he couldn't and help him get rid of the Larry Criss problem forever. Mike finally brought the car around; the Suburban was being serviced. The Senator preferred the big S.U.V., but he didn't really care at the moment, he had more important things on his mind than his mode of transportation. It took about forty minutes to get to Mickey's house, there was an accident on the freeway, that slowed down his trip, but the Senator had finally made it. He walked in and handed the envelope to Mickey.
"See what you can dig up on this guy, I want to know what moves he is going to be making. Do you think you can do that?"
"Sure thing, I like doing this stuff so much better than the garbage Vinny had me doing, I'm a little rusty, so give me a minute," Mickey said as he began keying things into the computer, stopping to adjust his chair to make himself comfortable, then he went right back to punching buttons on the keyboard.
The Senator sat down and started watching T.V. he hadn't realized how long it had been since he just sat and watched a television show. The Senator was enjoying the show when he heard Mickey call him.
"Hey, I think I got something."
The Senator got up and paused for just a moment while he watched the television show, so he could see how the scene ended, he almost laughed out loud as he thought about that silly scene keeping him up all night wondering how it ended, while he walked over to Mickey and looked at the computer screen.
"What do you have?"
"I broke into the guy's email, and I see he is going to some secret meeting tomorrow morning, and the spot is outside the city, looks like it's in the country."
"Check the location. I want to know where that place is."
"Okay, let me get a satellite view."
Mickey punched in more information, and a minute later, he had an image up on the screen.
"Go over there and zoom in," the Senator said, pointing at a spot on the map.
Mickey zoomed in and sat back while the Senator bent over to look closer at the computer screen.
"Do you know what time this meeting is?"
"Eight in the morning."
"That might not do us any good; he'll probably just fly in."
"No, he won't."
"How do you know he won't fly in using his helicopter?"
"That's the beauty of breaking into someone's email; you get everything. This guy is riding in his Bentley because he bought the wine-colored Bentley before one of the guys at this meeting, and he wants to rub it in his face," Mickey said, pointing to the email where Mr. Criss had said he was going to rub it in the guy's face.
"A wine-colored Bentley?"
"Yes, and I even pulled pictures of it up, it is a nice car."
"Okay, so we just need to figure out when he is going to arrive, he could be early or late," the Senator said, scratching his head a little.
"He'll be late, he said in his email, he's going to stop and get coffee at this little place just outside of the meeting spot. Then he will pull up right out front about twenty minutes late, just to be sure everyone gets a look at the car."
"Okay, print out the map and put the time on that paper and what about security?"
"He's riding with two bodyguards, and no chase car, he felt it is an unnecessary expense because this is a private meeting."
"Hmm," the Senator said, rubbing on his chin.
Mickey pressed a few buttons, and then he got up and walked over to a printer that was usually checked by one of his gun-totting roommates, but because the Senator was right there and the paper was being handed to him directly, the gun-totting roommate didn't have any objections. Once Mickey gave the paper to the Senator, the Senator looked at it momentarily and then headed for the door. The Senator stopped at the front door and looked back at Mickey, while Dale held it open for him.
"Good work," the Senator said, and he walked out.
The Senator knew this was a great opportunity, but he had the same issue as Mr. Donaldson did, he knew Mr. Donaldson probably didn't want to use someone he knew because word might get back to Mr. Criss, and he didn't need that kind of heat. The Senator realized that calling Barry in on this one would be his best option, but the job had to get done. The Senator pulled out his other phone and sent Barry a text message to meet him today at one-thirty sharp, a few minutes later he got a message confirming Barry would be there.
"Who was that?"
"The Senator, he wants to meet me at one-thirty," Barry said, Karen was driving so she didn't notice it was the special phone that vibrated.
"Hmm, he already has you going out of town, now what?"
"I don't know, but I know I'll find out soon enough."
&
nbsp; "I don't think that we have time to drop me off and you still get there in time, you better let him know I'm coming," Karen said, looking at the clock in the car.
"Yeah, good point," Barry said as he used the special phone to let the Senator know there would be a party of two.
They started heading for the country house as the phone vibrated and Barry looked at the message.
"That is fine, please leave your driver in the car," is what the message said.
"It looks like it's okay for you to come, but you have to stay in the car."
"That's fine, at least I'll be able to keep an eye on you," Karen said as she grabbed his hand and rubbed it.
"Yes, and I'll be able to keep an eye on you too, I don't want you out shaking that ass around town without me."
"Uh," is all Karen could say as she hit his leg.
Barry decided to call Corey while Karen drove, he had to check in on him, Corey answered on the second ring.
"What up partna' everything good?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to check in on you."
"I'm good, I'm actually at the building now, supervising."
"Well, Karen and I are on our way to meet you know who, so I'll call you when we're done."
"Yeah, hit me for sure, so I know y'all two is cool, or I'll be looking to smoke that fool like a cheap cigar."
"I will call you as soon as we're clear."
"Cool," Corey said and hung up.
They pulled up to the house and Barry directed Karen to go left, but no Suburban this time there was a black sedan. They pulled up and parked behind it, and he got out. He got the wand treatment, pat down and walked over to the Senator. The Senator was sitting on the porch, next to a table with a pitcher of lemonade.
"Sorry to call you on such short notice, but I have a rather urgent matter that needs to be dealt with and the time to do so is very short. Do you know who Larry Criss is?" the Senator said as he handed Barry the map and time.
"The billionaire?" Barry asked, looking surprised.
"Yes, he needs to be dealt with. The paper in your hand is where he will be tomorrow morning, do you think you can get this done?"
"Let me make some calls; I will get back with you today. You know there will be a hefty price tag for this to get done."
"That is no problem; I just need to know it can get done."
"I am going to make a call and meet with some people who I think can get this job done, I will call you as soon I confirm, give me a few hours."
"Ok then, I look forward to hearing from you," the Senator said and stood up and shook his hand.
Barry watched the Senator walk off the porch and get into the sedan; he saw him wave at Karen and her wave back. He took the time not only to figure out a solution to the problem, but he also took time to think about the opportunity that he had obtained as well. Barry figured that he could probably count on Marko to get the job done, but he also had the chance to visit Ted in Arizona, it was the proverbial kill two birds with one stone move and put a few dollars away for their honey pot. He sat deep in thought long enough for Karen to honk the horn at him, so he got up and went to the car.
"You bird watching now?"
"No, miss smarty pants. I always allow the Senator time to leave and be clear."
"Oh yeah, that does make sense."
"Yes, I thought it did."
"So, what is the big to-do all about?"
"Larry Criss."
"Larry Criss, the billionaire?" Karen asked, looking surprised.
"Yes, that Larry Criss."
"Is that who you have to make a delivery to?"
"No, he is going to go see Vinny."
"Oh wow, this is crazy, the Senator wants him dead?"
"Yes, this is politics in America, we are getting to see what happens behind closed doors," Barry said, shaking his head.
"So, what are you going to do?"
"Call Marko and see if he can get this done," Barry said as he pulled out his phone.
"Hey Marko, can you meet me at the building? Oh, ok. We're on our way, and tell Corey we're on our way."
"What?"
"He's already there."
Karen and Barry got to the building about an hour later and went inside. They found Marko and Corey laughing and joking around.
"Hey, what's up?" Marko said.
"I have an urgent request from your Uncle."
"Okay, what does he need?"
"You know who Larry Criss is?"
"Yeah, let me guess, he gotta go."
"Yeah, you guessed it. I know where Mr. Criss is going, what time he’s going to be there and what he's riding in," Barry said, as he handed Marko the map with the information on it for Mr. Criss.
"Oh damn, well that helps a lot, it's easy to kill a bear if he walks into your trap."
"So, I take it you have a way to get this done?"
"Let me make a phone call, then I'll let you know for sure," Marko said as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
Marko walked over to the corner of the building to get a little space and privacy while he talked. He started to walk toward them then he turned around and went back, still talking to whoever was on the other end of the phone. They all stood and watched. Barry thought it was going to be a no as he started walking toward them again and had to turn around and go back again. Barry could tell the conversation was getting a little heated; then he came over to them. Barry saw him put the phone on mute and then he asked him a question.
"Is one point five an acceptable number?"
"Yes," Barry said, nodding his head also.
Marko walked away and took the phone off mute and began talking again. He came back a few moments later after he hung up.
"Okay, I need payment in full, upfront and I will hold the money until the job gets done, is that cool?" Marko said, looking at them all, waiting on a response.
"I think we have a deal, let me make some arrangements with your Uncle, and I will call you," Barry said, shaking Marko's hand.
"If we cancel, they still get sixty percent of the payout."
"That's fair."
"Alright then, I am putting my people in motion."
"They can get it done, no problem?"
"Yeah, these folks ain't missed a mark yet. Mr. Criss is done. The last time you saw that dude, will be the last time you saw that dude."
"Okay, I am going to get things ready on my end, and I'll call you," Barry said as they shook hands again and walked away from each other.
Barry sent a text message from his special phone to the Senator and waited. He got an answer almost immediately; he was glad that things were going well so far. Karen, Corey, and Barry walked over to the car, and he signaled for Karen and Corey to come to the other side of the car, so Polo couldn't hear them talking.
"Okay, this is how we play this game from here on out, the price is one point five million to us, and four million to the Senator," Barry said, as Karen and Corey looked at him.
"Oh damn, that is some smooth criminal type gangster shit," Corey said as he tried to lean like Michael did in the Smooth Criminal video and almost fell on his face.
"It makes sense, but will he go for it," Karen said, as she laughed at Corey.
"He already did," Barry said, then he showed them the text message from the Senator.
"Damn, I think I like this shit," Corey said, smiling and waving his hand dismissively at Karen's laughter.
"We need to start taking opportunities to cash in, in case shit goes sideways, then we have money to run," Barry said, looking at Karen and then Corey.
"So, when this is done, we will be up to a little over eight and a half million dollars, between us," Karen said, smiling.
"Good, we need to be ready for a rainy day, and in this business, money is our umbrella," Barry said.
"I saw you asked for the money and a favor. What's the favor?" Karen asked.
"You will see, I think the Senator can swing it, but I am going to wait for him to let me know, th
en I'll let you two in on the secret."
"Okay, so now what?" Karen asked, hunching her shoulders a little.
"Now we wait to get the money from the Senator, then we take care of Marko, and I have to go on a little trip for the Senator as well."
He knew this was the perfect time to slip in his trip; he could use everything else going on as a distraction and slip away to kill Ted. He just had to let the Senator know so that he could back up his story. He really had no choice; he wanted to win the office pool anyway he thought.
"You didn't say you had to go on a trip."
"I must have forgotten, with everything else going on."
"Yeah, and you have to go alone too, right?"
"Yes, but I'll be back in a day or two max."
"And when do you leave?"
"I leave after we get the money. Then we put this thing in motion."
"Okay, so do you want to go home and pack since we have a few hours to kill?"
"Yes, that way, my bags will be ready, one less thing to worry about."
"Okay, let's go home," Karen said, walking toward the car, leaving Barry and Corey to talk.
"Corey, we will stop by on the way back, I will need you to help Karen get the money home."
"No problem, but Karen don't look too happy dog, you better tap that ass when you get home, I don't want her swinging on me while you're gone," Corey said smiling and laughing.
"I'll handle it," Barry said, with a wink and smile back at Corey.
Ed Daniels was finishing up his event and felt more optimistic about things, he had stopped sliding in the polls, and the Senator didn't show up to ruin his event. He knew he had to get more positive energy flowing because his staff would feed off his energy, and the race wasn't over yet he thought. The event had gone very well, and the media coverage was better than he expected, but Ed knew it was because they were hoping the Senator would show up again. Ed was aware the Senator had canceled a few events because of death threats, he wasn't sure how credible the threats were, but he planned to use this time with the Senator out of the way to try and gain some momentum. Ed thought about leaking a little attention-getting news himself, death threats as well. So he could be the fearless political leader who put himself in harm's way to secure a better future for all his constituents, that he thought would be his legacy. Ed wanted to play it straight; he couldn't see himself trying to manipulate the people for votes. The thought not only crossed his mind, but it also kept returning.
Death of the C C K Killer Page 7
