The Gillespie Five (A Political / Conspiracy Novel) - Book 1 (42) (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Days!  It had taken Barrett nearly four
days
to set up and transfer all his money to
another set
of off shore accounts.  He still couldn’t believe they had threatened to take away what he had
earned
just because they didn’t want to start over and do it the right way. 

Bastards
! 

And now they were relying on him to 'fix' it by coming up with lies.   

As he paced in front of the two-way mirror watching the doctor question Thomas Moore in the common room, he wondered why she even bothered.  All week he had listened in on each of the interrogations and group interactions, hoping to catch something that sounded real but had heard nothing.  And the doctor hadn't done anything that had helped.  He grew more agitated thinking about the lack of information and just how little of her
esteemed
reputation had proven true.  Everywhere he was surrounded by incompetence!

He was about to walk away when he heard a discreet cough behind him.  Unclenching his jaw, he turned.

"Yes, Agent Stone?"

"Sir, we think we found something, on the guy you asked us to look into deeper after we gave you his initial background check."

"This one of the guys we had a talk with?"

"No, sir.  Those guys are definitely not in the same league as Alex Moore.  Alex Moore is…"

"What?"

"Well, we’ve been following him, checking into his background, investigating his place of work and his apartment, although we didn’t risk bugging it.  And, let’s just say we have more than enough reason to believe the NCCIS may just be a daytime front for him."

She now had Barrett’s full attention and, at his impatient prompting, Stone launched into a detailed background of the countries Alex had visited and some educated guesses as to why he might have been there in the first place.  Then she talked about a few hacker attacks it looked as if he may have participated in.  When she finished, Barrett was feeling slightly optimistic. 

"And do we have enough?"

"Yes, sir." 

"Good.  I'll see what we can do to bring him in then."

"Yes, sir."

Barrett dismissed her with a wave and watched as the agent hurried away, his thoughts on what this information could do for his project. 

Maybe his investors hadn’t turned their backs after all.

Turning back to the mirror, he waited for the doctor to leave and then stepped inside the interrogation room.  

He stared for a moment at the drugged kid lying on the couch.  Somehow, Thomas Moore was at the center of all of this, and Barrett didn't believe for one second that it was for the reasons the kid kept repeating during questioning.  But with an uncle that had the background Stone had just outlined, things started making more sense. 

He asked a few simple questions and then, convinced the kid was well drugged, launched into a series of detailed questions about his uncle.  With each answer, Barrett's excitement grew.  It was beginning to sound like this Alex Moore just might be the ring leader he'd felt they had been missing. 

Moments later, Barrett emerged with a slight smile and an eagerness he could barely contain.  Sure, they might have to throw in a few lies to make up for the missing evidence but having someone like Alex Moore lent the whole series of allegations more credibility.  And, it told him that maybe this group wasn't as innocent as the lack of evidence said.  They were just very good at covering their tracks.

Either way, he would know soon.  With the Director of the FBI on his side, he didn’t think it would take more than a few days – if that – to get permission to bring Alex Moore in.  Now he just needed to get Gillespie to wait patiently until then.  With the holiday coming up, this shouldn’t be a problem, as Gillespie would be kept busy making strategic, political appearances.

At least, that’s what Barrett told himself.  Just a few more days.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jane followed several people into the hotel elevator and rode it to the rooftop, a wine glass and bottle in hand.  The firework display was scheduled to start in fifteen minutes and, though her heart wasn't in it, she thought it might be good for her.  So did Foxxy, who she'd been speaking with up until a few hours ago when Foxxy had signed out on her/his way to another big 'part-A'.  Jane shook her head, smiling at some of Foxxy's outrageous remarks.  It was sad that Jane's current best 'friend' was someone she'd never met.  It was even sadder that her virtual friend was also her
only
friend.

Making her way through the already crowded rooftop, Jane found a relatively open spot near one of the walls.  As she settled in, she tried for a moment to let go of the mounting resentment she had around being forced to continue drugging and questioning the detainees, even though she knew she would get nothing more from them. 

When her jaw began to ache from clenching her teeth, Jane forced herself to relax, instead turning to scan the crowd as she waited for the show to begin.  Standing on either side of her were several couples, laughing and smiling together, holding or kissing each other.  Groups of friends and even a few families with small children were scattered around the roof.  Jane rolled her eyes, wondering why anyone thought a casino town, even one this small, was a good place to bring children. 

Her eyes kept scanning the crowd, looking for what, she wasn't sure, until she realized that there was not one other person standing alone.  Just her.  Jane sighed.  It wasn't anything new.  But it
was
getting old.  And slightly depressing. 

Deciding that watching all the happy people was only further bringing her down, she turned to look over the small, yet surprisingly prosperous town.  Her thoughts began to wander back over her conversation with Foxxy.

hey fly gurl.  whatz up?!

Much the same, Foxxy.  What about you?  More bodacious parties?

don't you know it! you gotz that problem solved yet?

Not even but I have a plan.

spill it!

You know I can't.

huhn.  ya gotta give me something honey.  Foxxy is worried!

Jane smiled. 

Fine.  I'm taking notes and building a case.  I'm going to prove that they have no evidence.

we talking whistles a blowing here?  you KNOW I like some whistle blowing! course itz usually of the sexual kind if you know what I'm sayin ; )

Jane laughed out loud.  Leave it to Foxxy to turn
any
thing into sex talk.

Not exactly as exciting as that Foxxy. : )

:(  now that's a shame.  you are overdue for some of THAT kinda blowing girl seriously though, that dangerous?  you scared?

Jane remembered first thinking about what she might do and how her heart had started racing.  But each day with Tommy and the others had only solidified her conviction until she was no longer afraid.

No.  I just have to figure out
how
.

I hear you.  girl is gonna play spy.  sounds hot! you should dress in something tight, black and revealing girl. leather or spandex maybe. get you in the right frame of mind!

Jane wasn't sure what frame of mind she
needed
to be in, but she was pretty sure it did
not
involve the need to wear spandex or leather.  She typed the same to Foxxy.

suits yourself.  sounds like you could make it a whole lot more exciting that way and maybe get your groove on at the same time.  guys like that kinda thang girl!

Foxxy went on with a few more comments, each more outrageous than the other, until Jane was in tears from laughing so hard.  By the time Foxxy signed out to head to another of her seemingly endless stream of parties, Jane was feeling much better.  But that was usually what happened when she chatted with Foxxy.  One day she was going to have to look Foxxy up and actually meet him/her face-to-face.

Music began to play, pulling Jane from her memories.  Murmurs of excitement rippled through the crowd as the 4
th
of July celebration started.   As the first of the fireworks began to light up the sky, Jane opened her bottle of wine, poured herself an extra-large serving and leaned back to enjoy the show.

Tomorrow, she would go back to figuring out just how she was going to help free the four detainees.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Tommy looked down at his shoes as his sleep deprived mind tried to ignore Wayne's ranting.  Despite the seemingly thick walls in his cell, he had been kept awake the night before by the sound of small explosions that seemed to last for hours.  It had taken several minutes for Tommy to recognize what they were.  Fireworks.  The realization that it was the Fourth of July sent him spiraling towards depression. 

A month.
 

He'd been here nearly a month.  His mind filled with thoughts, wondering what his family was doing, if they knew where he was.  And, the fact that he was missing one of his family's favorite holidays.  He had spent the rest of the night trying to console himself by remembering what past celebrations had been like, when his parents readied the large backyard and invited over all the neighbors, and every family member that they could convince to fly to Colorado for a huge barbeque party. 

They had games for every age and, as the adults started drinking, some of the kid games became the best events to watch as the tipsy adults joined in and tried to outdo each other.  Every year, his uncle and dad had to take a go at each event, trying to see not only which brother was the best, but who could win each game the most outrageously.  Tommy smiled, remembering the one time his uncle had decided to 'run' a race completely on his hands, a jester cap on his head.  He was actually getting ahead of Tommy's father until he started going too fast, lost his balance and ended up toppling into a cooler full of beer.  Tommy remembered his dad hopping over, still holding one leg behind him, pirate wig and patch askew as he stood over his water soaked younger brother, gloating. 

Tommy wondered if he would ever get to see them again.

Wayne's raised voice brought him abruptly out of his memories.  Tommy rolled his eyes.  Over an hour or so ago he had been led back to the room where he'd first met the other captives.  At first it had been quiet.  Awkwardly so.  They had said a few things to each other, but mostly remained lost in their own thoughts as they stared blankly at the pixelated screen of the TV.  Occasionally a baseball game wavered in and out of focus. 

Eventually, however, Frank had started asking Tommy more questions, which had set off Wayne.  First he had ranted at Tommy for getting them all arrested and beaten, and then jumped up screaming in Tommy's face until Frank had pulled him back. Then he had started in on Frank until he lost steam.  When he got his second wind he started ranting about the doctor and the
'damn commies running this country.' 

At some point, he had wondered out loud where they might be, as they had been able to hear the fireworks.  This had sparked off a debate that eventually led to an argument.  Now, he was listing out all the many things wrong with the US government. 

Wayne paused in his tirade.  "Damn Iraqi, what are you doing now?"

Tommy looked up to see that Uday had taken one of the small white towels provided in their cell, and lain it on the floor where he proceeded to kneel.  He watched, fascinated, as Uday bowed his head to the ground several times while beginning a quiet chant in a language Tommy did not recognize.

"Stop that, you damn rag head!  This is fucking America.  We pray to God here!"

"Shut the fuck up, Wayne," Frank interjected.  "This
is
America and that means we get to pray to whomever we please."

Wayne spun on Frank.  "Who died and made you boss?  He doesn't have to do that shit here and now does he?  You don't see me fucking praying and carrying on in public."

"That's probably because the only thing you ever pray to is a bottle."

Tommy snorted.

Uday's litany grew slightly louder as he continued to touch his head to the floor.

"Just shut the fuck up, can't you pray in silence at least?"

Tommy watched as Frank laid a hand on Wayne's shoulder.  "Why don't we just have a seat before they put us back in our own cells? As much as you guys annoy me, I get tired of listening to my own breathing."

Tommy could see the whitened knuckles on the hand Frank was clutching Wayne's shoulder with.

Wayne gave Frank a hard look, his mouth working as if he had something to say but couldn't decide where to start. 

Start at the beginning and when you get to the end, stop.
  Tommy choked back a laugh at the thought. 
Now where had that come from?

When Wayne turned to him, Tommy hid the laugh with a cough.  Wayne shook off Frank’s hand and went over to one of the chairs.  Tommy noted that Uday's praying had gotten much quieter now that Wayne had shut up. 

After a moment, Wayne said, "Well, you'll be able to enjoy some fresh meat soon."

Frank glanced at Wayne who smiled.  Tommy noticed the smile didn't reach his eyes. But then, it never did.

"That's right, big guy.  I guess you didn't hear that they have someone else tagged to take.  Not sure when they’ll grab them yet but I heard the guards talking.  Maybe they just don't like you no more."

Tommy piped up.  "Who?"

Wayne shrugged.  "I didn't hear a name but they were buzzing about him being employed by one of the security groups that's supposed to protect against hackers.  They seem to think he may be our
leader
."  He snorted.  "Our
leader,
for fuck sake.  Of all the things I thought the government would try to pin on me one day, hacking was not one of them."

He mumbled to himself a few moments longer but when he didn't continue, they all turned to stare at the TV, once again lost in their separate thoughts.   Tommy wondered who they were going after now and if that person was going to be 'questioned' like the rest of them had been. 

He shuddered. 
At least the beatings have stopped
, he thought.  It had become his mantra.  He prayed whomever they were going to take next would be spared.

At some point Uday rose, folded his towel and joined them, grabbing a chair on the opposite side of the room from Wayne.  Wayne glared at him for a while and then turned his glare on Tommy. 

Tommy noted this out of the corner of his eyes, trying to ignore the weight of Wayne's stare.  He had no doubt that if it weren't for Frank, Wayne would have started wailing on him the minute he realized that Tommy was responsible for all of them being here.

It was almost a relief when, an hour later, they were led back to their cells.