Chuck — Tuesday
Bud talked to me early in the morning about what progress had been made. There were three distinct groups involved. Bud asked, "Can you come up, it would be easier to show you what I have face to face and graphically?"
"Okay, my schedule is pretty loose right now. I'll be up about noon and we'll work as long as necessary. Ah, do me a favor and book me a room for tonight. That way you'll know we have all the time you need to go over all the details."
When I called Wanda to let her know what my schedule was going to be, she told me to call John as he was looking for me. Wonder why he didn't call my cell phone like he usually does.
When John answered, I said, "Hey, John, Chuck."
"Thanks for calling, Chuck. The Director was asking about your status on the Chicago and Detroit project. What do you have for me?"
I advised John, "I'm headed up to Chicago to get briefed right now. I should have something to report later this afternoon or this evening."
"Hang on a second; let me ask the Director something."
John put me on hold and I heard band marches while waiting. John always was funny about his marching music. When he came back on the phone, he asked, "Can you come by D.C. and pick us up on the way? The Director wants the information first hand, so we want to be in the briefing as well."
"No problem, John. I'll swing by Andrews on the way. It's eight forty-five now, I'll be there at ten thirty. That should give you two enough time to get ready."
"Whew, that's fast. Um, make it eleven, as I don't have a travel bag with me. As it is, we'll have to get a helicopter to get us to our places and out to Andrews on time. We'll see you at eleven."
Since I was still at home, it was easy for me. I put a change of clothes into a bag and called the air charter office to get the plane ready. DeDe said, "I almost chartered it this morning. Good thing they had a group of eight or you would be stuck with something else. How long will you have it?"
"If everything works out, I'll be back late tomorrow morning. I'll do two things while I'm gone. I'll try to figure out what my travel schedule is going to look like, and I'll push to see about getting another plane. It's really too bad everything has to happen 'yesterday', since I would be just as happy flying something smaller."
DeDe said, "You're logging so many hours lately that you need another plane to do leasebacks to us to pay for your expenses. I hope you're charging for your travel expenses. You're really racking them up."
I answered, "I'll make sure Wanda has me covered. It would be a shame to lose money on the deal. I do love to fly though. How about filing for me? I'll be going to Andrews, then to the little Executive airfield on the east side of Chicago"
"Gotcha covered. If you're picking up people in D.C., do you want a right seat? I have Star or Lisa available today. No lessons and all the charters are out."
"No need DeDe, this is just a quickie meeting for some information that needs to be given face to face."
DeDe was smiling, "Lisa will be disappointed, but the plane will be ready."
I was about to get into the car when I had a change of heart. Back inside the house I hollered, "Lisa, you here?"
Lisa came from her room with tall Lena following. "What's up, Chuck?"
"If you want to fly right seat with me, I have a trip up to D.C. then over to Chicago. We'll be coming back tomorrow, so it will be an overnight."
Lisa's face broke into a smile and she said, "I'll be ready in five. I've got a bag packed."
Lena said, "I wish I could come along, but I guess school is more important."
"You know it, Lena. It seems like it takes forever, but you'll be rewarded for sticking to it."
Lisa came back into the kitchen dressed in her uniform, with her small pull along bag and flight case. "I'm ready, let's roll."
At the airport, we did the preflight together checking for write-ups and notations in the logbook. Lisa and I had flown so much together that we went through the startup procedures smoothly and easily. We were calling for taxi and runway access in a few minutes.
We touched down at Andrews at eleven ten and were directed to the operations building. A tanker was waiting for us and came out to top us off. Lisa watched the refueling while I went in to get John and the Director. An air marshal was waiting for me and said their helicopter would be landing out by the Lear any minute.
As I was walking back to the plane, the familiar shape of a Huey was getting ready to set down about a hundred feet from the painted up Learjet. As soon as the helicopter landed, the side door opened, dropped a stairway, followed by John and the Director stepping off with their bags.
When John and the Director got to the plane, Lisa took their bags and put them into the aft storage compartment. I put the two men into the front seats where the computer terminals were and let the computer give them the standard safety information.
The Director asked, "Since you have help flying today, can you sit back here with us so we can talk about some things?"
I said, "Sure, let me help get this bird in the air and I'll come back."
Lisa was starting to get into the right seat but I told her she was going to captain the bird. "Fly the left seat and I'll help us get up. They want to talk on the way."
Lisa said, "Push the button on the coffee pot. By the time we're at flight level, the coffee will be ready. You know I have to have my coffee."
"Sorry about not getting you any on the way up here, Lisa. I forgot."
Lisa was grinning, "That's okay, I already had plenty this morning. It's just time for more now."
As soon as we departed Andrews and D.C. airspace, climbing to our assigned altitude, I got up and served coffee to everyone and got a cup for myself. Sitting back with the two men, I suggested we get into the rear seats so we could face each other and use the center table.
The Director started off, "Chuck, I know you don't want to leave the Marshal Service, but we could really use you in the Bureau. You're damn near too young to be in charge of everyone the way you are, but your supervision is more from a frontline organizational position."
John intruded, "You have been instrumental in leading and teaching men in both services. I know you've been invaluable to the Marshal Service."
The Director continued, "John and I want you to consider moving your office to D.C. and working closer with us. Homeland Security is going to be separate from your supervision and will be handling all of their own administration. They are taking over the air marshal duties. I think John will gladly let them, considering their current methods. An air marshal has to be trained and experienced, so the Marshal Service will still be in charge of training. Homeland is to hire your older deputies for the positions. The men you have been using for air marshal duties will already be trained and are accustomed to the requirements. They will be covering more flights than are currently covered, so that portion of Homeland will increase in numbers."
John spoke up again, "You know the whole administration has changed now, with new people heading up everything except the Marshal Service and the Bureau. The Marshal Service is usually pretty immune to politics but the Bureau is considered a cherry for someone. The good news is that they have decided to keep the Director."
I offered, "So you want me to come to D.C. and get involved in all the politics and forget about protecting the citizens? I can't do much for us sitting behind a desk."
The Director said, "You would be doing more than sitting behind a desk. You would be flying John and me all over the country. You would be involved in every major decision we both make. We could get double duty out of you for flying us around and working with us in the field."
I sat back in my chair and looked at John. He wouldn't even look me in the eye. I said, "Okay, you two, what's really going on?" John looked me in the eye to tell me the straight scoop, but I spoke first. "What's this bullshit about me flying you guys around? Are we going to be using me and an airplane for taxi service or what?"
John looked at the Director then he said, "To be truthful, your job may be excess. It's possible that since Homeland and their divisions will be separate, your job may not be required. Before, you were involved in multiple offices in most cities. If you only have responsibility for the Bureau and Marshal offices, some folks may feel your job is unnecessary."
The Director said, "Some factions are even trying to draw the Bureau and the Marshal Service from the Department of Justice into Homeland Security."
A little aggravated, I said, "Look, the Attorney General is the big guy with a structure that trickles down a long line. As far as law enforcement goes, we do everything except immigration, and we get called out to help them all the time. I think you Bureau guys work at getting a line on things and making it your case before immigration gets wind of it. So far, John, I've worked with ATF, DEA, the FBI, and our offices. I do direct supervision of our stuff, and only assist with Bureau offices. I help out with budgets and real estate for all of them, but even that's limited as you have someone that does most of the real estate. There's no way the Attorney General is going to let the four divisions of law enforcement out of the Department of Justice."
The Director said, "What DOJ really wants is to put you into either the Inspector General's office or the Justice Management Division."
"That's not even a deputy marshal position. What would I do there? Count paperclips or just review paperwork?"
John leaned back, "If you were given a choice of leaving government employment totally or coming to D.C. in one of those offices, what would you do?"
I didn't even hesitate, "Easy, I'd try to go to work at the employment office or perhaps apply as a regular deputy. I could be happy doing that. I don't want to move to D.C. and I prefer to work in the field as I have been. You are going to be hearing about a group of people that are smuggling people in and out of the country, helping federal prison escapees flee the country, organized crime doing business with terrorists groups, and foreign organized crime syndicate people making an attempt to take over local criminal factions. When we get done with this briefing, I want you to consider everything we are up against and you decide whether I need to be front line for the Marshal Service or not here at all."
The Director puffed up a little and said, "That's pretty strong for a guy that we stuck up for to keep you around."
John said, "Yeah, we stuck up for him and he was involved in multiple incidents that were co-handled by your people and mine. Without Chuck at those locations, what would have been our personnel loss? Just the Texas operation alone could have killed a dozen or so of our men. Either that or we would have muffed it so bad the buildings would still be standing and the operation would still be shipping kids across the border. Chuck's right, we need to stand up to those people who question us about his job."
John looked around and said, "Have Wanda document every major incident you managed this last year. Make sure she documents every one that I've sent you on and that you became involved in. Have that on my desk by Friday. I'll add some information on it and have our Marshal add more to it as well. You're right, Chuck, we need you to do exactly what you're doing. Even if you're just directing and pushing buttons, we need your expertise."
"Jesus, this is going to be one hell of a selling job," the Director said. "If we could get that lady at Homeland off our asses we wouldn't be having this conversation."
I offered, "Look the only time we step on her toes is when there is immigration involved. If she doesn't want our help, then we do the take downs before the border and shut down anything that even resembles smuggling. We just won't deal with any illegals except those that might end up in our lockups. It's either that or there are no witnesses. I'd prefer to just lock them up and hand them over to immigration. They might let them go, but that's their problem. If we keep taking them down, they'll eventually point a weapon at us the wrong way."
John and the Director looked at each other, and then the Director said, "We never had this conversation."
John asked, "Do you have anymore coffee?"
I went for more coffee for Lisa, John, and the Director, then used the computer to advise Wanda of what John wanted. She instantly answered the e-mail, saying she had been keeping a running record and it would be compiled and sent by tomorrow.
After advising John and the Director, I went back up front to prepare for landing. Lisa said, "Airspace is really packed today. We are to approach at the lowest level on a twenty mile approach. We're nearing the marker now."
As soon as we were down and parked, I gave Lisa the name of the hotel we had reservations at. She said she had some friends she wanted to say hi to, but should be back to the hotel by six in case she would be invited to supper.
One of Bud's men was waiting for us and drove us straight to the S&S shop near the airport. The local S&S manager had loaned the service the use of a couple of rooms and a conference room. It was there that Bud had the information set up with U.S. and Canadian maps, plus a map of the area of Chicago and Detroit.
Bud immediately began detailing what he had originally found, and then launched into the total picture. "D.C. has been working on the ownership of the rental house in New Jersey. The place is owned by a local business man, Makeem Abdul Bodemo. The place is restocked after each escapee passes through. A cleaning company comes to the house once a week, spends about an hour cleaning and restocking it if someone has used the place. The surveillance team there has now penetrated the house on several occasions and found the clothing stashes and cash, waiting for the next escapee."
"While the Bureau of Prisons was reinforcing their security, we discovered a guard who works three to eleven that has ties to the house owner, Bodemo. The guard, a Mr. Hakim, and Bodemo use the same mosque. We have observed the two together on several occasions. We are watching him now and have his home and cell phones tapped."
Here in Chicago, we now know one congressman is aware of what people in his local office do. When he is in town, he has contact with some Russian immigrants who are known to be involved in criminal activity. In addition, the man has contacts with some local Muslim groups. The Muslims he's dealing with must be bottom feeders, since other Muslim groups here in the city have rejected them. They now have their own mosque, complete with imam. I mention this since we have detected cell like activities from this group. The Bureau is currently investigating them in depth."
"The Chicago warehouse is actually owned by the congressman, but is leased to a suspected Bratva group. Their security is very good, but because of the layout, we can take it down easily without any casualties on our side. We have a plan for when we take it."
"Between here and Detroit, we've found a cell headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan. An escapee will sometimes stop off there for a day or two before being transported on to Detroit. The Bureau has set up shop and is monitoring the house. They have detected that there are arms within the house, along with various components to make bombs. Finding this place is just a bonus for us."
Detroit is nasty. The Russians own the warehouse on the U.S. side, and the Muslims own a warehouse on the Canadian side. While we have been watching the two buildings, we have reason to believe they are constructing, or have constructed, a tunnel between the two warehouses. I don't know how they could have dug a tunnel over a mile long under the river but we have observed an individual going into the States' side warehouse, then later the same day, exiting the Canadian warehouse. We could have missed him going between the two areas, but I doubt it."
"If we take these two buildings it will have to be done at the same time because of the possible connection. The Canadian authorities are willing to work with us, but say we must be able to do it quickly and with as little bloodshed as possible. The infiltration of Muslim radicals within their government has reached a point where loyal law enforcement officers are afraid for their lives and jobs."
"That covers it. Jim Blake, Chuck's second, has worked up plans to take down each of the facilities and a plan to raid the one congressman's office and home. The second congressman is not a part of this and routinely avoids dealing with the other congressman. He receives some monetary support from the same people as the other congressman. Since we've almost completely shut down escapes from the minimum security facilities, I think we should act soon. We need to take the local offices, the warehouses, the house up in Battle Creek, and the New Jersey house and businesses simultaneously. When we do this, we need to increase security at all prison facilities and lock down the minimum security locations."
John and the Director were looking at each other when Bud asked me, "Chuck, let's go over the take down plans and do this quickly. We're tracking five men in two vehicles heading south in Canada, out of Edmonton toward Calgary. They'll be crossing into Montana by tomorrow. I want to take these guys out on the road up in Montana, but the loss of contact with a group this large will alert everyone. We can't take the Canadian mosques, but we can take everything else."
The Director said, "Can we put it all together that fast?"
Bud said, "I have a team to bring in the people in New Jersey, including the cleaning company. I think one of the employees there is an escapee anyway. We have teams for the congressman's offices, his home, and his secretary's home and private office. We have teams ready for the warehouse here and in Detroit. We'll only have to coordinate with the Canadians and it's a go."
John asked, "What do we have to do to get the Canadians to go?"
Bud said, "It's all arranged. They have a task force that has trained for this event and is ready. We can do this with them at every location."
John asked, "How much time would it take to set this up to go?"
"Like I said, it's set up. It'll take an hour or so for the Canadians to set up and about that long to get all of the teams in place for a simultaneous take down. Both sides will have to have boats in the water to make sure none escape by boat. We can satellite phone the chase car up in western Canada and take down the cars there. We can go in an hour to an hour and a half."
The Director said, "John, let's do this right now. I'd like to be in Detroit for that part of it, but let's put Chuck at a desk so he isn't involved in any nasty stuff. If we screw up, we'll know we should have had him."
I said, "Use Jim to lead the group you're going with. He'll protect your butts the same as I would. Bud, what part are you going to take, and where?"
Bud said, "I need to be a part of the congressman's arrest. The take down needs to be fast and quiet. We'll stash the guy in a holding cell as fast as possible to keep him alive, as he's going to be a target immediately. I'll stay here with the three groups that will do this area, I have a team to take down Battle Creek and there is already a team ready for the Detroit warehouse, as well as the local cell house. How about we do this at four this afternoon so we can use the increase in traffic as cover?"
I looked at Jim and asked, "You all right with this? Since I won't be with you, you'll have your neck stuck out."
Jim gave me a half grin, "No restrictions, right? Use what force is necessary, right?"
I smiled back, ignoring the alarm on John's and the Director's faces, "You do the job however it has to be done. Take no chances and keep your men safe."
John said, "I'm going in with you, Jim, but you're in charge. I'll watch your back and if I'm with you, you'll have my say that you acted correctly." John turned to the Director, "Want to put on a vest and join us?"
The Director said, "No, I'll watch from a distance. I think my action days are behind me."
John said, "Chuck, you can fly us to Detroit and stay with the Director. Let's get this show on the road."
Bud began making his calls while I called Lisa to advise her we were heading for Detroit. She said she would have the flight plan filed, the plane ready to go, and warmed up by the time we arrived at the airport.
Jim was putting his vest on while I asked if there was an extra vest for the Director. I didn't want him anywhere near live fire without one. John picked up a rifle and some magazines, along with two extra Glock magazines. A deputy hauled us to the airport where Lisa was waiting in the plane with the engines already started.
The flight to Detroit was quick. It took longer to take off and land than the flight itself. A deputy met us, so we began hauling gear to an SUV. The Director asked me, "Why do you have your arms case? You're going to be an observer."
I nodded, but answered, "If anything goes wrong, or if our position is compromised, I'll be prepared with more than my sidearm."
John looked at me and raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
The deputy drove straight to the warehouse district and pulled into a large warehouse. We were ushered up some steps to a large platform full of telescopes, cameras, and communications equipment. The equipment was being manned by FBI personnel who were instantly very defensive about having the Director there. I told them, "Treat the Director just like you'd treat any observer. He's here to be a part of this, so let's get to work and double check our positions one last time. You've met Jim and know his background. He and John are going to lead this side, so let Jim take over from here."
The FBI agents were still a little nervous, but went back to work.
The FBI team leader said, "There hasn't been a lot of activity today, but there are at least a dozen people in or between the warehouses. The Canucks say they have about a dozen on their side, with no one leaving as well."
Another team member said, "They have some kind of housing in the warehouse since two men arrived to be transported three days ago, but haven't left the other side yet. We're not sure what all they do inside the warehouses, but both sides are going to be prepared."
As four o'clock approached, Jim's team assembled, went over their plan, then with everyone fitted with radios and telemetry equipment, they left to get into position. I watched as John assumed the sidekick, back up, position to Jim as they darted between cover approaching the warehouse.
Men from the team began setting charges to blow doors around the outside of the warehouse. I watched the monitors that showed the Canadians doing the same thing. There were other monitors that displayed the personal telemetry from the team members.
While I was watching and waiting, I put a web harness over my vest then assembled my rifle and stuffed the pockets of the harness with magazines. When I was prepared, I stood by the Director watching the preparation take place.
The Director said, "Hard to just stand here and watch, isn't it?"
I just nodded.
He asked, "What do you think of the take down plan?"
I smiled, "It's a good one. The same as I would have suggested. Jim has experience and knows urban tactics. He'll be fine unless there are more people inside than we anticipate."
The Director asked, "How many people could there be? We've been watching the building and should have a good count on who's in there."
Answering him, I said, "We've only been watching and counting for a week. There's five hundred thousand square feet of warehouse. You can put a lot of people in a place like that. The other side is about the same size, so there could be a few hundred and not just a couple dozen."
"God, I hope not," the Director said, as he looked out the window at the men.
At exactly four o'clock, all the explosives on this side blew the doors off the warehouse. We watched as the same thing was happening on the Canadian side. Our men poured in at all the blown openings, so we were dependent on the personnel telemetry to see what was happening. There was about a sixty second calm, as our men rushed the building, before the occupants had time to think and run for their weapons. Our men didn't fire until the warehouse occupants fired the first shots.
The Director gasped and said, "Did you see that? There are a hell of lot of men in there. Holy shit, we're outnumbered at least four to one."
I said, "We're okay so far, since we're knocking them down as fast as they raise up to fire. Jim and John are getting a little far in front, though. They need to keep their men in a line with them. They need to let them catch up."
As the telemetry showed that our men were assembling properly, I let out a sigh as there were too many men opposing us. One of our men was using a bullhorn to tell the occupants to lay down their weapons as they were surrounded.
There was a team member at each door making sure that no one could circle and come in behind our men. While I was checking on them, I saw one those guards buckle over and fall. A guy complete with a turban ran for the door from a distant building.
I grabbed a radio calling, "You've got one coming in the north door. He took out our guard. Be ready on your backside."
I looked around at the FBI guys. They were in shock that someone had actually shot a member of the team. I yelled, "Keep a lookout. I'm going to cover those doors. Watch and use the radio to warn us."
As I was picking up my rifle the Director was raising his hand then said, "Go, they've knocked down one of ours. You have my permission to get this settled down."
I was down the stairs and hobbling quickly toward the warehouse, using cover to shield me from any more men circling the warehouse. The man who had shot our guy stuck his head out the blown door, then came out to trot toward another blown door just around a corner. Our guard would be surprised, so I radioed for the guard to step inside the building and watch from that position. As the turbaned guy peeked around the corner, I raised my rifle and hollered, "Put you rifle down and lay on the ground or I will shoot you."
The man looked around frantically, but couldn't see me. As he whirled around he let loose a long burst to try to flush me out. I just squeezed the trigger and watched his head snap back.
Using the available cover, I ran to our downed man. He was just knocked down and moaning from the AK round he took in the vest. I helped him up and into the building, telling him to watch from inside so he had cover.
I called Jim on the radio, "I'm at the North entrance. Direct me where to be the most help."
John answered, "We're pinned down behind some metal crates near the east end of the warehouse. If you go around your end, you should find a whole nest of these suckers. Too bad we don't have any grenades."
I spun around and looked at the guard who was still dazed but becoming more observant by the second. He had four grenades hanging from his webbing. "Are these real or just flash bangs?"
"They're the real thing. We only get four a piece."
"Give me three, I need them."
As he was giving me three grenades, I radioed John, "Grab one of the team members and steal some of their ordinance. They have toys. I'll use a couple on your tormentors in just a minute. Keep your head down."
I heard the radio keyed on his end in understanding.
There was so much junk in the warehouse, it was easy to remain concealed as I skirted around the outside edge. Sure enough, I came to a group of men behind a bunch of crates firing at our men. They were spread out about thirty feet so I pulled two grenades. I pulled the pin and released the arming handle from the first grenade and counted to two then threw it high over the enemy position. As it was falling I had the second grenade in the air toward the other end.
I had my head way down as the grenades exploded while still in the air. They were only about ten feet high but the shrapnel did its job. There was a lot of screaming with men jumping up, yelling and being shot by our team members. As one began trying to head toward a door near me, I fired at close range. Hard to miss at fifteen feet. I suppose I could have winged the guy and tried to take him into custody, but we were still under fire and didn't have time to be nice.
The radio crackled, John said, "We're at the entrance to an old tunnel, find out how the Canadians are doing."
I found a high place where I could watch the entire warehouse and see any movement anywhere. I could see the team at a structure over near the east side.
The radio came back with an FBI guy at our watch point, "They have the warehouse secured, but all of the men on their side went into the tunnel as well." There was a pause then, "There's no way they could have a tunnel built all the way across the river. It's over a mile wide."
One of the men on our side keyed his radio, "There are old tunnels all over around here that are left over from the prohibition days. The tunnels all lead down to boathouses on the river. You better make sure the Coast Guard and the river patrol on RMP side are watching close. We need to get some men down to those old boathouses quick."
Jim's voice came across, "Chuck, how do we get them out of the tunnel?"
I radioed back, "Fire a couple of rounds down there and see what happens. Then roll a grenade down there to give them an idea of what can happen. We probably should be giving them a chance to come out first. Start announcing and see what happens."
I turned and looked at the blown doors, then keyed the hand held and said, "All of you door guards be alert. We don't know where that one guy came from, so look sharp and watch for movement. Keep your heads down."
A movement caught my eye. It was high, toward the south end of the warehouse. Two men were climbing up to the high cross members. I could see they had rifles.
"Jim, John, get your men under cover. Two bogeys to the south at twelve o'clock."
There was a pause then Jim's voice, "Got 'em. You want 'em or you want us to hunt?"
I shrugged my shoulders and used the radio, "I'll take care of it."
The shot was almost two hundred yards, but there was no wind or obstructions. I let them get settled in a sitting position, and as they were attempting to find targets, I quickly shot the first, then the second man. They both fell from the upper steel beams with unrecognizable faces.
The radio announced, "Two down, any more?"
"I can't see any more, but I'm going to keep my position for a while. Get those guys out of the tunnel." I said this back to Jim and John so they wouldn't have to watch for me.
The team made the announcement then a few minutes later I heard a few rounds fired followed by a whole lot of lead coming out of the tunnel. Shortly after that I heard a couple of grenades go off but this time there weren't any rounds fired back.
The radio broadcast, "The Canadians are blowing some gas into their tunnel. They will go in with masks shortly. They suggest we do the same to our tunnel and close it up as best as possible."
I watched as Jim directed the team to go over the warehouse inch by inch to make sure no one else was there. Jim called for the dog teams to come in and for the door guards to begin checking from the building out, but to be careful. As the team began making a sweep toward me, I radioed my position and began heading toward the door.
There was already a cleanup truck working on the downed man outside. It was probably better for me to get back to the operations center, so I advised Jim and John where I was headed.
Inside our observation post, I set my rifle down next to my case and joined the Director. He said, "I saw you take out the one guy, did you have to do anything inside?"
"Not really, I helped the team when they were pinned down and spotted a couple of guys setting up as snipers. My time was valuable, but I left right away so I wouldn't be involved in anything."
The Director said, "Well, it was a good thing you were here. At least we didn't lose anyone. I'm surprised our man who was shot is still alive."
"The vests do a good job, that's what they're for," I said, thinking of all the times I had been saved by them.
I asked the men observing the radios, "So what's happening down by the river? What have you heard?"
On our side the Coast Guard and the Detroit police found the outlet to the tunnel and have some people in custody. The Canadians gassed their tunnel to get the bad guys out.
We listened to the radio as the Canadians began announcing how many men they were taking out of the tunnel. They ended up with thirty-four prisoners and had seven D.O.A.'s at our side of the river. The Canadians didn't want the prisoners, so they waited for the gas to be blown out of the tunnel, then brought them across the river to the U.S. side so we can deal with them. We ended up with an array of Russian and Middle Eastern undocumented immigrants, along with four escapees. The Detroit team hauled the prisoners to a federal lockup.
As I was getting ready to leave, Jim came back in and said, "They have enough armament in this warehouse to arm a good sized army. They also have enough explosives to make me wonder how they got it all in there. As soon as we have the place secure, we'll call ATF to clean the place out."
John looked tired, but said to me, "Thanks for coming in behind us. The numbers surprised us. Your man knows urban engagement and kept the team in position. I'm glad I went along, but you know what? It's time for me to let you young guys do this stuff. That shit can get hairy."
John and the Director conferred with the local team, and then turned to me. The Director said, "Let's find a place to get something to eat, and sleep over here tonight. On the way back downtown, let's go by the airport and see something the Marshal Service has."
We had our driver take us to the airport where John took us to a federal storage hangar. Inside was an eighties Learjet that looked to be in decent shape. We climbed around inside it and came to the conclusion that it had been taken care of. I asked, "When is this going up for bid?"
John said, "It's been up for bid for six months, but no one's made a bid. The economy is a little off and there is a problem with one of the engines. Only one engine is good and it's overdue for a major. Make a reasonable bid on it and you can get it out of here."
I used my cell phone to call Steve. "How much is an eighties 55C with two bad engines worth? The rest of the plane looks good, and the inside doesn't show a lot of wear. No one is bidding on it, so it should be cheap."
Steve said, "I'll bet that's the plane I saw in the flyer a while back. The comment in the article then was, 'who would want to put two engines into a twenty year old aircraft?' I'd say offer a hundred and go as high as three, but no more. You're looking at some major bucks for engines, plus you're going to be at the mercy of the mechanics up there."
After hanging up, I turned to the Director and John who were looking at me expectantly and said, "My friend Steve is a little gun shy of this one. Considering we'll get raped up here trying to make the plane airworthy, he said to offer a hundred and go up to three if I had to."
The Director said, "It's got to be worth more than a hundred dollars"
"That's a hundred thousand, Director, not a hundred. I'm not real keen on how much it's going to cost to put it into shape, but I'd go along for a hundred, thousand that is."
John said, "You forget, Director, this guy is buying airplanes and doesn't think a thing about a hundred grand."
The Director was smiling. John said, "Okay, fill out the bid form and I'll pass it through. This thing needs to be gone. Get your certified check in real quick and we'll dump this thing. Oh, if you note those two large crates behind the aircraft, those are new or rebuilt engines that were already bought, but never installed. Why no one bid on this thing is beyond me."
I called Wanda, "Do me a favor, please. Fill out the bid sheet for the Learjet 55C that has been up for bid in Detroit for the last six months and enclose a hundred thousand Cashier's check or an electronic transfer. Make sure it's in D.C. by morning."
Wanda said, "Got it, Boss, it'll be done."
I called Steve back up and said, "I'm getting the Lear for the hundred but there is a bonus. There are two new engines, or at least rebuilds, in crates. Get Jimmy to find some people up here to get the plane ready and you'll have your next aircraft."
Steve said, "Not me, you have another aircraft. I'm full up. You've still got a ways to go to catch up with me."
"This is not a race, Steve. I don't need more aircraft."
Steve answered, "No sweat, another bird will make you some money. We'll make the interior into another show piece like yours and paint it up for you."
"Maybe you should leave one aircraft a plain Jane jet, one that I don't feel as if I have to wipe it down every time I pass through."
"Naw," Steve said, "Your stuff needs to be special. We get more for charters that way."
The Director, John, and I went downtown to a hotel and checked in. I called Lisa on her cell and told her where we were and that I had an adjoining room for her. She said she would be there in about fifteen minutes.
After checking in, the three of us went to the lounge for a drink. John really began belting them down. I cautioned him, "John, you don't want to have too much or you'll not make it for supper."
He said, "You're right. I'm just not used to all the lead flying around any more. That's some scary shit. I'm ready to let you do all of that stuff for me."
The Director said, "Chuck, I saw your value today and know you probably did more than what you said, but I want you to know I'll make sure your position stays in place for while longer. Just make sure that information is on my desk."
"Wanda is sending it in or has already sent it in today."
Jim Blake and Lisa walked in at the same time. They both spotted us and walked over. Jim said, "Man, I need a beer. That was some nasty shit today."
I introduced John and the Director to Lisa, and the Director said, "You're the girl in that video the Marshal has. The one you made in Atlanta. You play and sing blues, right?"
Lisa smiled, "I play blues when I'm not flying; kind of like Chuck. He plays blues too, when he's not playing deputy or flying."
The Director was focusing on Lisa, "So, how well do you know Deputy Johnson back in Tampa?"
Lisa smiled, "We're good friends and I rent a room in his big home, along with nearly a dozen other people."
The Director looked at me, "What kind of home do you have anyway? It must be huge for that many people."
Shaking my head in disagreement, "No, it's not that big, but it is arranged for lots of people. Usually there are only ten people in the house, but we've had some visitors while their house is under construction. Having all the extra people helps keep the place straight, plus it pays the mortgage."
John looked up at me with his head still over his glass, "As if you would have trouble paying your mortgage."
The Director looked at John questioningly, but turned back to Lisa, "So you two play music at home a lot?"
Lisa was grinning, "As often as we can, but that isn't often as I'm flying most of the time, and Chuck is pretty busy. We find time, but it's never enough."
Jim Blake said, "Chuck is a busy boy. He has some friends with a lot of kids and teaches guitar most every Saturday. I think Lisa helps him with that when she's available. These two are really busy, but then there are all of his other friends and girlfriends that take up a lot of his time."
The Director raised an eyebrow, "Girlfriends, as in plural?"
When I rolled my eyes at the question, Jim and Lisa began laughing. Lisa said, "Chuck gathers women like kids to the candy man."
Jim said, "The first time I ate out at his house, one of his girlfriends warned me to keep my wife away from him as he was irresistible. By the time the evening was over, I think my lady had a crush on the guy."
"He can't help it, and I don't think he tries," Lisa laughed. "He just attracts some types of women."
"Enough already; my personal life is mine. I try not to mix business and personal."
Jim and Lisa were smiling, but nodding, while John was choking. The Director recognized that he probably was probing a little hard. He spoke up, "Let's get something to eat. We all could use some food and an early night."
While we were eating, all except Lisa and me kept drinking. When the Director asked about it, I answered, "If I'm flying tomorrow, I don't need to be hungover. I try to always give it eight hours, but a little longer sometimes, especially after an emotional day never hurts."
The Director said, "You know we pay pilots near what you make. You could come to D.C. and fly for the services without getting mixed up in stuff like today."
I shook my head, "You don't give up do you. I'm not moving to D.C. I have a home and friends in Tampa. Every time I fly out of there I feel like I'm leaving part of myself. If I don't work for you guys or another fed group, I can find something to do right there in Tampa."
Jim spoke up, "You know the man was offered a hell of an opportunity in Hawaii. A group of businessmen wanted Chuck to manage their investments over there. He could be a king in Hawaii, managing over a thousand people. If he passed on that, you can't blame him for passing on D.C."
John offered, "I'd rather we keep Chuck in his position and continue to use him in delicate matters only when we have to. The rest of the time he can direct, plan, and initiate operations."
The Director nodded in agreement.
I announced after taking a quick cell phone call, "Bud called and wants us in Chicago early in the morning to review what was accomplished. If you two want to go back to D.C, we'll get you back there, then go to Chicago."
John said, "We need to see this one through, so we'll go to Chicago with you. What time did you want to leave?"
I said, "Let's get to the aircraft about six to six-thirty so we can be in the Chicago office by eight. I'm sure it will take a while to review today's activities. Let's meet in the lobby at five-thirty. I'll order a cab for that time."
After finishing eating, we all went to our rooms, where Lisa came through the connecting door for a quick hug. She asked, "How about a snuggle tonight? We've both had a big day, and tomorrow will be another long one."
"That's a good plan, Lisa, I am bushed," I said while beginning to strip.
The two of us stripped quickly and took a fast shower. We called the desk and left a four-thirty wakeup call, before we buried ourselves in bed, arms and legs wrapped around each other. With a couple of sweet kisses, we fell asleep, smiling.
Primary editing by Pepere
Proofing by Sagacious