Surrept (30 page)

Reggie hangs up his phone and places his hand on hers. "We have to just be cool." He waits for the second motor home to turn the corner and slowly follows behind.

Dana is bouncing off the walls of the car. "Reggie, switch places with me and let me drive. She probably will not recognize me. You should get in the back and stay low."

Reggie hears her and considers what she said earlier about Montana state troopers. He stops the car and gets in the backseat, as Dana slides over and takes off before he can close the door.

He says, "Dana, relax on the speed. We are not going to lose them. Stay back so they don't notice us. If they get on the highway then we can lie back, just keep your eye on that van no matter what. Don't lose it or her."

Chapter Sixteen

Matthew Cohen enters the United States Federal Courthouse on Tenth Street in downtown Denver where the offices of the U.S. attorney's offices are for the Tenth District of the United States. Security is thick with numerous guards present at every level. He makes his way through security at the main doors and enters an elevator, briefcase in hand. His heart pounds as he nears his floor. He exits the elevator knowing this meeting will either destroy him and his career or make him one of the most respected lawyers in the United States of America.

His phone rings, and he sees that it is Reggie. "Be brief."

Reggie verifies that Adriana Pucci is there along with other suspects from Denver.

Matt hangs up. He whispers to himself as he enters the office door. "No pressure, Matt."

He announces himself to the receptionist and she directs him to a large conference room. Present are U.S. Assistant Attorney Jay Watts, whom he spoke with; his boss, Senior U.S. Assistant Attorney Barry Cullen; Special Agents Davenport and Taylor of the FBI; and the head of Denver's DEA, Mike Navarro.

Matt takes his seat after the introductions and begins his lengthy tale, exactly as it has occurred, and he wastes no time, knowing that it is all on record as Joe had warned him. Thirty minutes later, he finishes by citing his conditions.

"So, in conclusion, my clients are willing to give you a top-level suspect, all of the evidence that they have discovered and alert you as to the location to remove the contraband from the community. In addition, they will provide you with their testimony and full cooperation in return for immunity from prosecution and the immediate release of David Bloomfield. And we will wave the FBI's posted rewards of twenty-five million dollars for the apprehension and prosecution of criminal suspects, which they would normally be entitled to as per the conditions set forth in the rewards statutes. My clients are citizens who wish to contribute to their country. They seek no monetary gain for their participation, just a resolution that is in the country's best interest and fair for all, but we want it in writing and approved by the U.S. attorney general."

The senior assistant U.S. attorney general responds, "That was some dissertation, Mr. Cohen. You don't ask for much. Are you aware that I could subpoena your clients to testify at a grand jury without counsel present, and if they decline, or suddenly lose their memories then I could charge them with contempt and obstruction? In addition, you and your firm all could be charged separately and/or as a conspiracy with intent of obstruction and aiding and abetting a terrorist act against the United States?"

"I am aware of that," Matt says, "but I don't think that would be wise at this time, with all due respect sir."

The federal senior prosecutor answers, "And why is that, Mr. Cohen?"

Matt throws his cards down. "Because, Mr. Cullen, in that evidence my clients offer, there are lists of the locations of the next terrorist attacks, the specific targets, and identification of the domestic and foreign collaborators and/or suspects. Included is a list of seventy-four suspected Muslim terrorists, complete with their individual immigration status, and their United States contacts, including the method and delivery systems to be used in that same planned coast-to-coast biological attack. In addition, there's the opportunity to shut down a major Afghanistan-based heroin trafficking ring that is obviously funding this international group here and abroad."

The room is so quiet Matt can hear his hair grow as he keeps his eyes fixed on the senior federal prosecutor.

The senior prosecutor blinks. "When exactly is this attack supposed to take place?"

"We don't know for sure, but according to the Al Jezeera video released seven days ago, 'before the passing of the next moon', was the threat issued. I assure you the evidence will speak for itself."

The senior fed asks, "So how certain are you that you can produce this evidence and these suspects?"

Matt knows he has him. "Considering that we have the suspects under observation at this very moment, as well as the evidence I've described, and forfeiting the rights to a reward of twenty-five million dollars, I would say that I am betting my entire career and life on it, Mr. Cullen."

Special Agent Taylor interrupts. "Who has them under observation at this very moment?"

Matt replies, "I will be happy to disclose that as soon as we come to a resolution."

The senior prosecutor stands up from the table abruptly. "I need to make a call to Washington to place Mr. Cohen's bet on his career and his life."

***

The man is boarding a private jet in Vancouver. He sits down after having a few words with the pilot. His phone rings.

Adriana's voice greets him, "Hi there, handsome."

He responds, "Darling, how are you?"

"I'm delightful. All the kids and I are on our outing."

He smiles. "All of them, that is fabulous, they must be tired?"

Ahmed is listening to her as he drives the van.

She says, "Yes, but they are looking forward to their destination so much that they have forgotten their weariness."

Ahmed can hear the man's voice. "They will not be disappointed. I have arranged a wonderful party for them. They will surely be surprised."

Adriana feels her gut wrench. "Wonderful, you are so thoughtful. I am looking forward to our rendezvous. Are they still expecting me in the south?"

"Everything is arranged. I must go now. Send the children my love. I will see you soon."

Adriana hears here phone go dead and tosses it in her bag.

Ahmed asks, "Is everything all right?"

"Right on schedule," she says. "All is well."

Reggie and Dana are following about a half-mile behind the motor homes. Reggie is in the back seat.

He says, "I wonder where we are going. How's the gas?"

Dana checks the gauge. "Almost three quarters full. We are good. That sign back there said Sweet Grass Canadian border, forty-three miles."

Reggie says, "They're headed to Canada, I better call Mr. C. Give me your phone."

Dana fishes for her cell and hands it to him. "His number is on my speed dial."

He scrolls and hits the one marked Matt.

Matt is sitting there with Assistant U.S. Attorney General Jay Watts and the three agents, waiting for Watts to return and give him an answer, when his phone rings. "Be brief. I'm in a meeting."

Reggie speaks quickly. "We are northbound on highway fifteen, heading toward the Canadian border. Our girlfriend is following the vehicles. The principle is present a half a mile ahead in a follow vehicle behind the others I described earlier. We are forty out from the line at seventy miles per hour, that's the math. ETA thirty minutes max."

Matt takes notes as his client speaks, he knows time is running out. "I understand the urgency. Stay on it, I'll be back to you ASAP. I have to go."

The NSA monitors the call from Dana's phone, a top-priority message is sent to the director and the FBI office in Denver.

Matt finishes his notes as the agents try to decipher what he is writing. He folds the notes and places them in his pocket. "I guess we're still waiting?"

Jay Watts says, "The top law enforcement official of this nation is a busy man, Mr. Cohen."

DEA agent Navarro speaks up. "Why don't you just tell us where the dope is and who's moving it and give the FBI the evidence to prevent another attack from happening again, if you are such a good citizen, Cohen?"

"Why don't you just relax Agent Navarro? And we all will do our jobs right."

Special agent Davenport jumps in. "You realize, if you don't get your deal, you become our mission Mr. Cohen. Are you aware of that?"

Matt says, "I do Agent Davenport, and so do the other sixteen attorneys waiting back at our firm."

Agent Taylor throws his pennies in. "Do you really think the United States attorney general is going to be coerced into such a ridiculous proposal? You have to be either stupid or high on some of that dope you're protecting."

Matt locks eyes with the FBI agent. "I believe in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Agent Taylor, both of which I am presently exercising under the rules of law. I suggest that you refrain from the intimidation tactics you are all demonstrating. As it will have no result with me or the other members of my firm, and that's for the record."

Taylor jumps up. "You are treading on very thin ice. Over twelve thousand people have died, and you say you can solve it and bring the suspects to justice." He moves toward Matt.

Barry Cullen, the senior assistant prosecutor, enters the room with papers in his hand. "That will be enough Agent Taylor." He hands Matt some documents. "Here you go, Mr. Cohen. You got your deal, but the evidence you claim to have must be reviewed immediately, and the locations of the suspects revealed immediately as well. Please review the attorney general's acceptance. It is signed by the attorney general and myself, and Mr. Watts will also sign it, if the terms are acceptable."

Matt reads the documents twice to be sure. "Let's sign it, and I need to fax a copy of it to my firm."

All three sign the immunity and provisions agreement, and Matt takes the original.

He asks, "Where can I fax this?" He writes a message to Joe by hand on the fax sheet: "I take full responsibility for the firm's reputation from this point forward, Matthew J. Cohen, Attorney at Law."

They fax the document and return to the conference room where all of the faces are determined and serious. They are now waiting for the young attorney to produce what he has promised.

"Mr. Cohen, you got your deal for immunity for your clients and the release of Bloomfield. Now where can we send the agents to pick up the evidence, Mr. Cohen? Your office, I presume?"

Matt lifts his briefcase onto the table and pulls out his presentation of evidence and the laptop, "It's all right here."

The agents are all surprised and impressed by the young attorney's gamble. The evidence was right there in the room the whole time. They all now realize that he was going to give it to them either way.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Watts smiles at his opponent's play. "It was in your bag on the laptop. Jesus, Cohen, you have balls."

Matt smiles as he hands copies to all three agents and the two prosecutors. "Here is the address and waiver of search warrant to enter the property where the narcotics are located. This is a summary outline of all of the evidence we have discussed. In addition, we have to get someone to Montana on Highway 15 northbound right away. My two clients are presently following the suspects. Miss Dana Underwood and Reginald Haynes. They believe the suspects are heading for Canada, we have to move fast."

Agent Taylor looks at the text on his phone. "He is being straight; NSA just intercepted a call transmitting from that region, originating from Underwood's phone between him and his client Haynes. Okay, Cohen, where are they, and what's happening?"

Dana is driving and it is starting to rain. She looks in the rearview mirror and speaks to Reggie. "What did he say? We have only forty miles left!"

Reggie is irritable. "He said that we should stay on them and he will call back as soon as he could. It sounded like he was with the feds still. I have to take a leak like, right now."

Dana looks at him in the mirror. "We're not stopping, and we're not going to lose them."

"Give me your water bottle."

Dana hands him the empty bottle, "Ah, that is so gross."

Reggie smiles like the Cheshire cat. "Bless you. Oh, man, that needed to happen."

She throws the plastic bag from the store over the seat. "That is disgusting, you better put that lid on tight, and put it in this bag. There's some hand sanitizer in my purse. Jesus, Reggie."

They pass a sign,
"SWEET GRASS CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL BORDER 39 MILES."

Dana says, "We will be at the border in less than twenty-five minutes. What is Matt doing. We are going to lose them, we don't have passports."

Reggie leans forward. "We will give him five more minutes then we either have to make a move or risk calling him again and blowing our cover."

"I'll drive this car into that bitch and her ass will be all mine. She isn't getting into Canada today or any other day. She is my only hope for David and getting you out of the deep crap that you're buried in. Two more minutes and we make our move." Dana begins to accelerate.