Mike punched in the alarm code on the keypad, and armed the alarm. He pulled the door closed behind him, and nervously inserted his key into the lock and locked the dead-bolt. He turned and walked towards his car and waved to the men from the coroner’s office who still sat in their van at the street. Von Hogue was inside in a body bag. He had watched them zip it up and carry the body outside. The driver was engrossed in his paper work, and didn’t notice Mike as he waved. Mike got into his car and backed out into the street, and drove quickly to the end of the street. He stopped briefly at the stop sign, before he turned towards the main road. The driver of the coroner’s van finished the last little bit of paperwork, put it away, and cranked his vehicle. He fastened his seat-belt and pulled away from the curb. Jack pulled the jeep into the driveway, just as the coroner’s van drove off down the street.
“Looks like our friend has been bagged, Jack.” Ted said as he climbed out of the car.
“And tagged. Couldn’t have happened to a better sleaze ball. Let’s see if Mike has found anything.” He said as the walked towards the front of the house. He grabbed the door knob of the front door and turned it, but it was locked. Absentmindedly he reached for his key and inserted it in the lock, and then paused just before he turned it. He looked around the front of the house, the driveway, the street. “Where’s Mike’s car?”
“Maybe he left.”
“But he knew we were on the way back.” Jack said as he turned the key and opened the door. The alarm pad began to beep and he stepped towards it. He entered his code to silence the alarm. They walked to the rear of the house and entered Jack’s office. The computer was still on, but the house was empty. Jack peered at the display of the computer. The flying windows that often were displayed on computers that had been left unattended fluttered across the screen. Jack tapped the keyboard. The screensaver disappeared. The home screen was up, and a small notepad window contained a message from Mike. He said that he had a few things to check out and that he would see him later.
“I don’t get it.” Jack said as he sat down at the computer.
“What’s the matter?” Ted asked, as he shared his friend’s uneasiness about Mike’s disappearance at such a crucial time. Even though Mike was not a member of any law enforcement agency, Ted knew that he was aware that his computer skills could definitely be useful. Jack began to tap away at the keyboard. “What are you doing?” Ted asked.
“Mike’s not the only hacker in this family.” He said as he grinned slightly. Moments later he brought up a detailed diagram. Evidently Mike had tracked the owner of the account that they had found at the bus station to an overseas holding company. On the computer screen the diagram of ownership appeared as a web of connections. The overseas company apparently was owned entirely by another holding company out of Tokyo, which in turn was held by a British investment firm, which was wholly owned by another investment firm out of Texas. The Texas firm was in turn owned by a California corporation who had only one stock holder. Steven Leslie Atwater.
“Atwater!” Jack exclaimed. Ted had followed Jack’s revelation and was shocked as he realized the ramifications. His own boss, one of the most powerful men he knew, a man that answered to no one, not even the president. His friend. Atwater was behind it all.
“That son of a bitch, I’ll rip his fucking heart out!” Ted said as he pounded his fist on the desktop.
“Let’s go.” Jack said as he turned and ran towards the front door. Ted followed close behind.
“Where are we going?” Ted asked.
“We need some equipment.” Jack said as he jumped into the jeep and started the engine before he had even shut the door. He tore out of the tranquil neighborhood and merged with traffic as he headed for the precinct. Shortly, he pulled in front of the station, locked his brakes, and slid to a stop. A few officers looked in his direction, but no one even lifted a hand to reprimand his driving skills. He and Ted leapt from the car and ran into the building. Jack banged several times on the elevators up button before finally the doors opened. Half a dozen officers spilled out into the lobby. Jack and Ted worked their way through the miniature crowd, and entered the elevator. Again Jack began to punch the button for the second floor. Moments later the doors closed and they rode up to the second floor. Jack bolted down the hallway and into the equipment room with Ted at his heels.
“Jack. What’s the hurry?” Bob Lemke asked from behind the counter.
“I need your help.” Jack said desperately. Lemke’s smile faded as he looked at the expression on his friends face.
“Whatever you need, Jack.” Jack explained to Lemke what equipment he needed, and without question Lemke gathered it all together and moments later handed Jack two duffel bags loaded with the required equipment. “Sign here, Jack, and try to bring this stuff back in one piece if you can...be careful.” Jack signed the paper, and then smiled slightly at Lemke.
“Thanks, Bob. I owe you one.” He said as he passed one of the duffel bags to Ted and then slung the other over his shoulder. They made their way back to the elevator, more patient now that they had what they needed. Once back in the jeep, Jack peeled out of the parking lot into traffic.
“We’ll call for backup once we get there and we’re sure that he’s still there.” Jack said.
“No backup.” Ted answered.
“No backup? Are you crazy? It’s a military installation for Christ’s sake!”
“Exactly. You guys don’t have any jurisdiction. And besides, you saw the diagram, Jack. Just how deep are this guys pockets? How many people has he bought and sold. We can’t risk calling in backup and them being under his control. Surprise. That’s our edge.” Jack looked from the road to his friend, as Ted stared ahead. He knew he was right, but he had to fight his years of training to accept it. Jack drove to the military base. He speeded when able, and was cautious when he could not. He pulled over to the side of the road, just before they reached the main gate.
“Okay, how are we going to get in?” He asked Ted.
“That’s the easy part.” Ted said as he pointed to the windshield at the base decal that was affixed in the corner. “Remember...you stole this jeep from here.” Jack smiled and pulled back out into traffic and followed the flow right into the military base. As he slowed before the guard house, he expected the guard to wave him through with out hesitation. The guard motioned for him to stop. Jack hesitated as he thought about running the gate, but that would tip off Atwater and it would all be a wasted effort. He put his foot on the brake and brought the jeep to a stop. Jack leaned out of the jeep to speak to the guard.
“Yes, sir.” He said, as his heart beat in his chest. The guard looked him over, and then stared at Ted for a moment.
“Your left front tire, sir. It looks like its low on air. You need to take a look at it.” Jack tried not to visibly show the relief that he felt. He smiled slightly and thanked the guard. He leaned back in as the guard stepped away from the jeep and waved them through. Ted chuckled softly as Jack drove towards the complex.
“Park at the rear where we came out.” Ted directed. Moments later they were parked. They pulled out the duffel bags and sat them on the back seat, and began to remove their contents. First Jack put on a bullet proof vest, which Ted did as well. Next he removed the laser sighted rifle, snapped a clip in place, and chambered a shell. The vest had pockets where he began to store extra clips. He hung stun grenades from the loops across the bottom on the left, and tear gas canisters from the loops across the right. He pulled riot headgear from the bag and put it on, and tightened the chin strap. Lastly he strapped a utility belt around his waste, and unsnapped the holster’s flap. He checked the handgun inside to ensure that it was loaded and ready to fire. He checked the pouches of the belt and found extra clips for the nine millimeter, and several sets of handcuffs. Jack was ready, and as he looked at Ted, Ted tightened his own chin strap. He nodded that he was ready and
they both headed for the door that they had exited from the night before.
They reached the door, and Jack handed Ted the keys that he had taken off of the guard. Ted inserted the key, turned it, and the lock opened. Stealthily, they entered the building.
Chapter 33