Surrept (17 page)

She adds, "I will take a lie detector test or polygraph or whatever you call it. He would never do anything to harm anyone or be involved in anything shady or illegal. I have known him since my first year in college."

Taylor says, "We appreciate your love and faith for David as well as your willingness to cooperate. And maybe we will ask you to undergo a polygraph examination, but can you explain to us why David is on a private jet coming from Seoul, Korea into Vancouver Canada?"

"He was there on company business, to land the Kiatsu account and they postponed the campaign because of this horrible attack on our country. He could not get a flight into the states because all of the airports are closed so they flew him back on their company jet. I told you: he called me about two or three hours before you came to my dad's house."

Davenport says, "Why did you omit telling us that he was on a private jet when he called?"

Dana replies, "I just assumed you knew. I wasn't omitting anything."

Taylor hits her with another question, "Do you watch the news or read the papers?"

Dana looks at him as if he is stupid. "Of course I do, just about every day."

"Were you aware or have you ever discussed or heard David discuss that Kiatsu Corporation was being investigated for supplying GPS and/or missile guidance components to Iran?"

She is shocked. "I have never heard that, not from the news or from David, and I'm sure that if he knew that he would discuss it with me."

The female agent says, "Are you sure that David is always honest with you?"

Dana stares the agent in the eyes. "I am one hundred percent positive. David was working on an ad campaign for his company to sell and market Kiatsu's GPS product called 'JUJU' before he had the opportunity to go there and pitch his company. I know because I have watched him work like a dog on all the print, radio, and television ads for over five months. He lives it, breathes it, and all he is talking about this damn JUJU. What you are saying is crazy, and as far as I am concerned, this is all complete bullshit. David would never compromise his life, my life, and especially the lives of the people of this country or Israel. If that is what you are accusing him of, then he and I do not have a damn thing to worry about, because you people have the wrong idea completely. David is one of the good guys, he is not a bad person."

A knock at the door interrupts the interrogation and a woman pops her head in. "Agent Taylor, could I interrupt you for a moment please?"

He leaves the room as Dana and Agent Davenport study each other silently for minutes. Taylor returns and remains standing as he closes the door.

"Dana, apparently you do have an attorney. A Mr. Cohen is here, and your father on your behalf has retained him. He has requested that you should terminate your interview with us until you and he have had the opportunity to discuss this matter privately. Is that your wish?"

Dana is relieved and scared to piss off the agents. "If you don't mind, I would like to speak with him. I mean, he is my attorney right?"

"At this time we are going to release you with no charges. However, if upon discovery of any statements made by you that we find to be misleading or false, we will seek charges for obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal officers. Therefore, I would like to give you this one-time opportunity to correct any and/or all of your statements to us thus far. Is there anything you would like to add or correct in the statements you have made during this interrogation?" Agent Taylor knows he is crossing the line continuing to ask her questions after her invoking attorney privilege.

She looks at him, "No, none whatsoever."

They lead Dana out to a reception area where Matt is waiting, she runs to him, hugs him, and begins to speak, and the attorney cuts her off, "Shut up. Not a word Dana."

The agents watch as Matt ushers her out of the office and into the hallway.

Dana tries to speak again as they enter the elevator and he cuts her off again.

"Shut up. I said not a word."

Dana and Matt exit the building it is mid morning. She looks at him as they walk. "Can I talk now?"

Matt keeps his eyes forward as he answers her. "Not a word Dana, look across the street at the blue car."

There are two men sitting in a car.

Matt speaks quietly. "They have David in custody and I cannot find out where he is. We'll talk at my office."

Dana walks quickly to keep up with Matt. "Can we get something to eat first, I'm starving."

Matt waves his hands with wild expression and replies as they walk, "Sure, why not? The best man has his best friends being investigated by the U.S. government for treason and terrorism. We surely can work in a Big Mac and fries or a Whopper with cheese or better yet how about a two-piece and a biscuit. After all, this is America."

Dana looks at him serious, "Matt, why didn't you tell me that you changed your name?"

He looks over at her as they walk, "What are you talking about. I didn't change my name?"

"You could have fooled me, because you sure are acting like someone named Dick right now."

***

David is sitting at a stainless steel table bolted to the floor. He is handcuffed to a chain attached to a steel ring on the concrete floor. There are two agents in the concrete room. He knows that he is in Colorado. He could see the Rockies when they landed. He is transferred into a van with no window, then transported from a hanger at what he thought to be a private airport.

David has undergone interrogation for the past ten hours. Time has become irrelevant as his mind is fighting to remain sane and endure the madness and exhaustion he is suffering.

The interrogating agent badgers him again. "David, you are not cooperating with us, that is not good. This is going to go on until you are forthcoming with your involvement with those who sent you the e-mail from [email protected]. Now once again, who sent this message, and what is their group affiliation, and who are they to you?"

He shakes his head as sweat pours from him. "I have never received any such e-mail, and I have never seen that address in my life."

"We'll come back to that. Tell us again about your relationship with Kiatsu, and the executives there. In addition, how you came to be a guest on the very aircraft, described in three separate federal investigations, as the transport aircraft in an international investigation for the delivery by Kiatsu Corporation of sensitive missile guidance technology to Iran, over the past three years. Which, coincidentally, just happens to be the same time you began your relationship and correspondence with Kiatsu?"

David wants to scream his answer back at the man, but adjusts himself in the chair and responds, "For the last time, I was offered the plane by my request as there were no flights to the U.S. They canceled the advertising deal that I was there to close on with Kiatsu, of which the contracts are still in my luggage, which I'm sure you have reviewed. I do not know anything about missiles guidance systems or Iran. I wanted to get back to my fiancé and family and be home. That's all of it."

He looks the agent, "I am a law-abiding United States citizen. I have never participated in anything illegal, nor have I any idea what this is all about, and I have nothing to do with any of it. I am formerly requesting to speak with an attorney of my choosing now. This interview is over. Either charge me with these allegations or release me. That is all I have to say."

The agent crosses the floor to close the space between him and David. "That presents a problem. You are custody and detained under the Patriot Act statutes. This country you profess to be so fond of was attacked on its soil while you were conveniently abroad, which resulted in over eight thousand casualties of its citizens in less than two days."

The agent places a document on the table and pushes it toward David. "Now I would like you to read the statutes I have just cited, so that you may understand your rights as a suspected enemy combatant of the United States of America. You, David Bloomfield, who we believe has conspired to enable this act of terrorism, and in addition, there is a separate count and charge to commit treason against the United States of America. Then tell me if you feel the same way about your rights please?"

David reads the document that has the rights of suspected enemy combatants highlighted in yellow. His head drops and he fights back the tears of frustration and anger and looks at the man sitting in the corner silently and then to his interrogator.

"I cannot tell you anything because I'm innocent of these allegations. I do not have any information that would help you."

David drops his head exhausted from all that has transpired and wonders if anyone knows where he is, and if they are trying to help him. His mind plays images of his parents and of Dana and him together. He wishes they would allow him a phone call. He fights back tears as he tries not to fall into sleep.

***

Later that morning just before noon, Matt and Dana are sitting in the lunchroom at his law offices and have finished eating burgers. Matt throws away the trash from their lunch and sits down to get insight from her but Dana speaks first. "Matt, did David ever speak to about Kiatsu being investigated by the government?"

He looks at her, wondering if an unknown truth is forthcoming. "No, and if he did, I couldn't speak to you about it just like we have an attorney client arrangement swapping services for advertising and legal counsel."

She looks out the window. "Why is this happening to us? Everything was going so well?"

"I have no idea. I was told that you and he are under investigation for treason and terrorism. Until either of you are charged, they are not going to disclose anything regarding an ongoing investigation."

"Dana, is there anything you can tell me, like something odd or weird? Were there any new faces in either of your lives, or did David act strangely or change his habits, strange phone calls, maybe?"

She looks at her friend as tears well in her eyes.

"I need something. The government does not just snatch people from their homes in the middle of the night or hide their suspects from legal counsel without good reason."

Dana jumps up, "I have told you everything, just like I told the FBI. I do not know anything—I swear to God Matt—if you ask me that again, I will come across this table, and you will regret it. I want to go to my dad's house. Should I call him or are you going to take me?"

He can see her fatigue and that she needs rest. "I'm trying to help. Let's go, I'll take you."

Ahmed watches the traffic outside the store from just inside the door. He was glad that Omar had just closed and had no customers all day. Omar decided to close until Tuesday and take a break. He throws away the perishables that have expired as Omar had asked him to. He walks down the alley and dials one of the cell phones he bought.

Josef the baker answers. "Hello?"

Ahmed speaks with confidence. "Your bakery order will be ready on the day before your customers' wedding, as promised, and is the date still the same?"

Josef answers, "The day is the same, and thank you so much for calling."

The phone goes dead and Ahmed goes inside the store to burn the phone as he did the laptop earlier this morning.

The NSA intercepts the call, the file is then translated and sent Priority 1.

Chapter Ten

Adriana arrives at her offices in the Denver tech center the next morning. It's Friday, and the package should have arrived by now. She wants to get her money secured.

She enters the lobby dressed for work and struts past the security guard toward the elevator as he calls out, "Excuse me, miss, aren't you with National Ad Media Group on eleven?"

Adriana turns to him. "Yes I am, why do you ask?"

The young skinny guard stands up. "There is not going to be anyone there until Monday, ma'am."

She responds with confidence to brush him off. "I just wanted to get some work caught up and check for mail."

The young guard smiles. "Well, there are some packages and mail here that I signed for this morning, but I don't think anyone is supposed to go back to work there until Monday, according to the FBI notice on the door up there."

Adriana freezes as panic runs through her as she tries to maintain composure. "FBI notice, what are you talking about?"

"I just assumed everyone knew about them coming in there the other night and confiscating computers and all kinds of files from your company's offices upstairs. I guess the security officer on duty did not notify everybody."

She wants to vaporize but maintains her cool as she responds.

"I wonder what's going on. I better call my boss and find out. I guess I get to skip the work then. You say you had some of our mail and packages?" She smiles that smile that melts most men.

She impresses him in her tight skirt and blazer as she walks toward him, giving him the full authoritative attention he craves. "They're right over here. Let me get them for you." The guard rushes to accommodate her.

He smiles as he hands her the packages, "Do you need a hand to the car with these? One's kind of heavy."

Adriana puts on her sexiest smile. "That's all right. I can manage, thank you."