FREEDOM PLUS
The next day, after checking in to the office, Cole and Aaron went to the motor home. When they opened the door, a large briefcase was sitting on the drivers’ side seat. A manual and a sealed envelope were sitting on top. The envelope contained 2 American Express Gold Cards with a yellow sticky attached that said “for business expenses, unlimited balance available, receipts not required.” The front page of the manual said T O P S E C R E T. They looked at each other and drove on out to the shooting range.
“I wonder what this is all about,” said Cole as he opened the manual.
“There are bottles of some kind of liquid, syringes and a package of latex gloves in here.”
“Don’t touch anything,” ordered Cole. Then he read the first sentence out loud to Aaron.
“DO NOT OPEN THE BRIEFCASE UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THIS MANUAL. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE HANDLE ANYTHING IN THE CASE WITHOUT LATEX GLOVES! I’ll read this manual while you get the pistols ready, then you can read it.”
After both men had read the TOP SECRET manual, they looked at each in silence for a moment.
“Poisons, I never even considered poisons,” said Aaron.
“Me either, but when you think about it, if we are taking out bad people, there may be situations where poisons could be the best method. According to the manual, they’re all colorless, odorless and induce different kinds of medical symptoms. A drop of bottle A and you have a heart attack. A drop of bottle B, you have a stroke. A drop of bottle C and you go to sleep for 12 hours and forget whatever happened the previous 24 hours. A drop of bottle D and you simply stop breathing after about 30 minutes. In all cases there is no residue to indicate that it was poison. Is there a place in the ceiling where we can put this case?”
Aaron said, “Yeah, there is a place that looks like it was made for it.”
“Let’s put it away and do some shooting.”
Their shoulders were still tender, so they spent a couple of hours with the pistols. The Glocks from the Mexican brothers handled the best. Even with the silencers, they were accurate and deadly. Their unseen mentors on the radio seemed to be impressed with the pistols and one man, the same man who had helped them before, came to the motor home for a look at the pistols. “I’m supposed to instruct you in any way that I feel is helpful to your ability to use the firearms in your possession. I just wanted you to know that I’ve seen a lot of shooters with a lot of different pistols. Your consistency and accuracy now rank right up with the best of them. With regular practice, you guys will be exceptional world class shooters. Now I need to get out of your office.”
“That makes me feel good about that part of our job,” said Cole.
“What do you mean by that part of our job,” asked Aaron?
“I mean accuracy and consistency is one thing, but being able to pull the trigger and shooting the same every time no matter what the target I’m shooting at is probably as important as anything. If I can hit every target dead center, but miss when I have a drug dealer in my crosshairs, then I’m not worth a damn.”
On the way back to town, they discussed the list. They tossed a coin and Cole took #1 while Aaron took #2. Cole would call Poulson construction and set up an appointment to go see them. Hopefully he would meet the boss, Charles Poulson, and see what developed. They would meet for lunch.
Aaron would follow Ms. Robertson and enroll in the exercise facility where she went daily. Ms. Robertson was pulling out of her estate as Aaron drove down the street. He backed off and followed at a discreet distance. He thought that he knew where she was going, but he kept her in sight just in case. Her driver pulled up in front of USA Fitness. Ms. Robertson got out and the driver pulled the car into the parking lot and sat there with the motor running. Aaron had pulled into the parking lot as Ms. Robertson was getting out of the car. He got out and went into the building. He could feel the eyes of the driver on his back as he opened the door. Inside he got his first good look at Ms. Robertson. She was checking in at the front desk. She was a middle aged woman and even at her age of maybe 50 years old, she was a knockout. She looked Aaron up and down and gave him the “I’m available” look. Aaron turned away and told the attendant that he was looking for a place to exercise and to get back in shape. Ms. Robertson laughed and said in a sultry voice, “you look to me like you’re in pretty good shape already.”
Aaron turned and looked at her again and trying not to think about the fact that she was old enough to be his mother, winked and said, “You’re the one that doesn’t look like you need any exercise.”
“We all need all kinds of exercise,” she purred.
Just then the door opened and a young Arnold Swartzinnegger clone stepped in and said, “I’m ready for you Rhonda.”
“Maybe we can get together sometime,” she whispered to Aaron as she brushed beside him pressing her breast against his arm.
Ms. Robertson followed the clone through the door. Aaron looked at the young attendant, smiled and said, “What’s that about?”
The attendant, her name badge said Jill, laughed, “She has had at least 5 husbands and is currently looking for number 6 or 7. We call her Elvira. You may not be qualified for her. You need to be rich and hopefully in bad health.”
“Well, I think I fail the test on both counts. Is she always …. Like that?”
“Every time I’ve seen her meet a man in here, it’s the same. It’s almost like she practices her lines, her body movements, and her closing line as she rubs her breast against the subjects arm”, she said as the both laughed.
“Does she come here every day?”
“She comes in just about every day during the week. She comes in at 10:00 AM and leaves at 1:30 PM. Her car will pull up in front at exactly 10:00 AM. She will come in and check for any male prospects. About the only time she misses is if she has to go have a little more nip and tuck at the plastic surgeons. If you fit her qualifications, you could probably go home with her.”
“No thanks, I’m happily married so I’m not applying. Is it possible to learn where she will be so I can make sure to avoid her?”
“I don’t know exactly what she does in the exercise rooms, but I know that she reserves the suntan booth at 11 and then goes in the sauna from 11:30 till 11:45 AM. Then it’s a shower and make up. “We laugh about her daily schedule. She needs an hour and 45 minutes to shower and prepare her face for the hunt.”
“The hunt?”
“The hunt for the next husband.”
“I’m going to be coming in at about the same time for awhile. I’ll try to avoid her,” said Aaron. “Anything else I need to know?’
“We supply bottles of water, just help yourself from the cooler.” Just then an executive type came in the front door, looked at both Aaron and Jill like they were something that had crawled out from under a rock, ran his card under the sensor, and went into the locker area as the door clicked open.
Aaron looked at Jill, “maybe we should hook him up with Elvira.”
At that comment Jill exploded, “Very good, in fact they were seeing a lot of each other for awhile, but it seems their romance has cooled off. He’s an arrogant prick, his name is Charles Poulson, and he builds houses all over the area. I’ve heard that he’s married, but you wouldn’t know it from the way he chases every attractive woman who comes in here. He even hit on me!”
“Does he come in here at this time every day as well?”
“He misses some days, but probably 3 out of 5 days during the week he’ll be here at this time.”
Aaron went back to the lockers and then into the rest of the building. He wanted to see the layout of the entire facility. The sauna and suntan room was next to the locker room. He went into the door marked Suntan to see how it was set up. There was a dressing room with an unlocked locker for clothes and a swinging door into the actual suntan booth. It was being used at the time. There were some gym shoes on the floor and a bottle of water on the table. The sauna was next to the suntan room and it was set up a similar fashion. First a small room with lockers, a table with towels, and a door marked SAUNA. There was also the standard warning about temperature and how long to stay inside. Aaron had just enough time to get up a good sweat and take a shower before time to go meet with Cole. He looked in the main equipment room; Poulson was running on a treadmill. A half full bottle of water was on the floor beside him.
At lunch, Aaron told Cole about following Ms. Robertson to USA Fitness and how Poulson also showed up.
Cole told Aaron, “I wondered where he had gone. I was in his offices talking to a salesman when he came out of his office and told everyone that he was going to work out.”
Poulson brusquely said “I don’t want you people slacking off just because I’m not here! I’ll be watching you!”
“I assumed it was Poulson, because of how he acted. I asked the salesman “do you get that kind of respect all of the time around here?”
The sales guy said, “Yes, that’s pretty much standard treatment. In fact it’s probably the exact words he says each day when he leaves the office. If I could afford it, I would tell him where to go and leave right now. But since I can’t afford it, let me show you some pictures of the homes that we now have available.”
“I felt sorry for the salesman, but he was trying to make the best of a bad situation.”
Aaron sat looking at his hamburger, “I have an idea. We may be able to kill 2 birds with one stone here!”
“I’m listening.”
“What if we could poison one of them and put the blame on the other one?”
“Go on, you have my attention.”
Ms. Robertson goes into the suntan booth and then into the sauna. Both times her water bottle is outside the room. “If I could get a water bottle that had Poulson’s fingerprints on it, we could fill it back up with water and some stuff from our new case, and substitute if for the real water bottle. She would expire and the police would discover Poulson’s fingerprints all over the bottle. With a little luck he would be convicted. If he got off, we would have to think of something else for him. The front office attendant told me that Poulson and Robertson had some history. “I would rather try to get both of them at once, but I don’t know if Poulson would give me an opportunity to switch water bottles.”
“I like it; do you want to go in every day until you can get a bottle with his fingerprints? It may take a couple of days or weeks. The critical thing is to get a bottle with Poulson’s fingerprints on it” said Cole.
Friday lunch, “finally, I got a water bottle with Poulson’s fingerprints. Each day he has his water bottle, but he hangs on to it. One time he threw it into the trash but by the time I could get to it, there were 3 bottles and I couldn’t tell which one was his. Today, he threw it in and left, nobody else was in the room. I went to the trash bucket and carefully grabbed it by the cap and took it to my locker. I wrapped it in a towell and tried not to wipe or smear the fingerprints. If he and Ms. Robertson are both there Monday, I’ll try to make the switch.”
“Have we decided which poison to use?”
“I figured that because of her age, the heart attack would be best. She appears to be in good physical condition, but I hear about lots of people who are in prime condition having heart attacks or strokes all of the time,” said Aaron.
The weekend passed and Monday morning after a short discussion with Cole, Aaron took his workout clothes and headed for USA Fitness. He had put the amount of poison in the bottle per the instruction book for heart attack. They figured Ms. Robertson would’ve been drinking water during her workout, so he thought that the bottle should be about half full. It should take 15 to 30 minutes after drinking the poison before the victim collapsed. Aaron planned on leaving as soon as he had made the switch. It went like clockwork.
Robertson came in at 10 AM and started her routine. She went into the suntan booth just after Poulson arrived. Robertson and Poulson snarled at each other as they passed in the main exercise room. Aaron gathered up his stuff and walked back to the locker room, made a detour into the tanning room, saw Robertson’s half full water bottle, switched bottles and then continued on down to the locker. He took a quick shower and left. As he went out the door, he noticed that Jill wasn’t at the desk. She wasn’t there when he had checked in either. He didn’t know if the security system recorded everyone who passed through the locked door each day, but if it did, he would be questioned by the police after the murder was discovered. There was always a chance that the police might not even check for fingerprints and assume that the death was caused by natural causes. If that was the case, Charles Poulson would have to be handled separately.
Cole and Aaron met for lunch just down the street from USA Fitness. They were eating when an ambulance came roaring by with lights flashing and siren blaring and turned into USA Fitness. The ambulance was followed by a police cruiser. A few minutes later, the ambulance came back, lights off and no siren. There was no hurry since the passenger was dead.
“Let’s get started on Mr. Trong the drug guy,” suggested Cole.
RIZZO
Rizzo didn’t get the call to investigate the death of Ms. Robertson, but since the victim was on his list he told the computer to copy him in on everything that happened with the case. ‘The guys were doing just fine.’ The report said that cause of death was Natural Causes-heart attack. Then it was amended to say that due to evidence found at the scene, the Cause of Death was now suspected Homicide. In a routine sweep for evidence, fingerprints of a former lover were found on the water bottle. The former lover, Charles Poulson (another person on his list-this is great!) emphatically denies any involvement. The medical examiner couldn’t identify any poison in the woman’s body, but because of her physical condition and past physical exams, a heart attack was unlikely. The water bottle had traces of an unidentified toxic substance that was strong enough to induce a heart attack. Charles Poulson was arrested and charged with the murder of Rhonda Robertson.
‘These guys are exceeding all of my expectations. Wonder whose idea it was to set up poor Mr. Poulson.’
The hand written message from JUSTICE FOR ALL said “great, whose idea was it?”
That night at the trail-head Rizzo asked, “Ok, whose idea was it to frame Poulson anyway?”
Not being able to tell from his tone whether he was happy or mad, Aaron hesitated and then said, “It was Cole’s idea.”
“Since I can’t see you guys, I think that it’s Aaron talking. Is that right?”
Cole jumped in, “Wait a minute, let’s give credit where it’s due, I wish it had been my idea!”
“So it was Aaron’s Idea?”
“That’s correct, sir.”
“You don’t have to call me sir; Just because you have been around some military types the past few days, doesn’t mean that I expect a salute or to be called sir. That was an exceptionally good operation. Eliminating one target and implicating another at the same time is a stroke of genius. I even got a question from my contact in JUSTICE FOR ALL wanting to know if I was responsible. I told them that of course it was my idea!” Then laughing, “No, I wouldn’t do that; my report to them will give credit where it’s due. We are all impressed and wonder what you will come up with to top that one.”
“Well old buddy, you have screwed up this time. They’re going to expect this kind of thing every time,” said Cole laughing.
The newspaper headline and article said, Socialite Poisoned, Lover Arrested. Prominent millionaire socialite Ms. Rhonda Robertson was poisoned at USA Fitness in Draper. She died at the scene. Her reported former lover, well known businessman Charles Poulson, was arrested and charged with her murder. Police would not release any additional details. It’s expected that a vigorous and timely legal action will be pursued by the prosecutor’s office.
2 months later, Charles Poulson was convicted of the 1st degree murder of Ms. Rhonda Robertson and sentenced to 20 years to life in the Utah State Prison in Bluffdale, Utah. That means he will probably be out in 5 years if he survives the prison population.
Aaron went to USA Fitness the next day after the death of Ms. Robertson and was greeted by Jill, “you missed all of the excitement.”
“I heard in the paper that Elvira died of poisoning here yesterday.”
“Yeah, I was in the back room when I heard a scream; one of the clients went into the sauna and found her lying on the floor. At first we thought that she had passed out from the heat, but when someone checked her and found that she wasn’t breathing they told me and I called 911. I didn’t see you yesterday.”
Realizing that there must not be a record of who had come and gone, Aaron said, “I got busy at the office and missed my window to be out of the office. Did the police want a list of everyone who was here yesterday?”
“Yeah, I made a list of every one that I had seen. I guess they’re calling everyone on the list to see if anyone saw that prick put the poison in her water bottle.”
“I’ll probably see you tomorrow, take care.”
‘It looks like I’m not even on the list of people who were at USA Fitness. Lucked out again, thought Aaron.’
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Chapter Twelve
THE LIST
Cole and Aaron stopped at the ski bus parking lot at the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon and opened the sealed manila envelope. There were two copies of the hand written “list.” Cole handed a copy to Aaron and started to read. Attached to the handwritten pages were clippings from the newspaper and copies of police reports. There were 6 people on this first list. It took a good half hour to go through the entire list from start to finish. “What do you think of our first list,” asked Cole.
“My God, I had no idea that some of these people were so corrupt. I don’t recognize most of these people, but a few of them I’ve heard off. The amount of criminal activity of each is staggering. How can these people walk around free without being thrown in jail?”
“That’s our job, to remedy the situation. I guess it only makes statistical sense, but I’m surprised that there’s a woman on the list. Even thought we both think we know who our contact is, I guess we should not use his name, so shall we call him Mr. X?”
Aaron said, “why not, it works for me.”
“We have a week, shall we study the list and talk about them each day at lunch. The preparation time will be easier when we don’t have to work around our jobs.”
The next day at lunch, “Did you get a call about a job interview?”
“Not yet” said Aaron.
“Then I’m sure you’ll get a call this afternoon. I got a call this morning. My interview is at 4 PM today.”
“These people don’t mess around. It appears that the mechanics are all in place just waiting for us,” said Aaron.
“We have a few minutes, lets at least go over the list,” said Cole.
#1 Charles Poulson
Occupation- Real estate development and home construction. His managers all speak Spanish; all labor is done by illegal aliens. 8 accidental deaths have happened on the construction sites. He always has a high turnover of workers and constant complains of bounced checks and paying workers for less than worked hours. Investors have been brought in with promises of high profits. These investors make a deposit and sign a contract where they are to receive a percentage of profits. Poulson buys the building lots and sells them back to the investor at a huge profit. Construction draws are structured so that most of the profits are sucked out during construction. Usually the investor ends up with a house that may or may not sell for a profit. Poulson walks away with a nice profit on each home, while the investor, if he is lucky, usually loses $5,000 to $10,000 on the home before he can sell it.
Poulson’s first wife disappeared several years ago. A $1,500,000 life insurance policy was paid to Poulson 1 year after her disappearance. His second wife has been admitted to the emergency room at the Provo Hospital numerous times. “Causes of injury are falling down stairs, and tripping and falling over landscaping.” The injuries are getting progressively worse. There’s a large life insurance policy on her. He has been investigated numerous times and in each case it was thrown out for insufficient evidence.
On a personal note he goes bar hopping 2 or 3 times per week looking for 1 night stands. He loves fast cars, boats and women. He also likes to fish and hunt. He doesn’t drink a lot, but his hunting parties are legendary for drunkenness and parties with female invitees. Hunting comes secondarily if anyone feels good enough the next morning.
#2 Rhonda Robertson
Occupation- housewife. She is an exceptionally attractive woman. She has married 6 times. In every case her husband dies and leaves her everything. Life insurance policy payouts have totaled $10 million dollars. Other assets received total much more. Husbands have died from freak accidents as well as “natural causes.” Police have investigated these deaths but have not uncovered any evidence of wrong doing. She is now looking for husband #7, preferable a rich older gentleman in poor health.
#3 Harry Trong
Occupation- Real Estate Development (Drugs). He is the drug kingpin for the intermountain area of Utah, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico & Wyoming. He is a heavy contributor to both Democratic and Republican political parties. He wines and dines with the movers and shakers. He’s on a first name basis with the governors of these 5 states. He pays off corrupt police officials in the major cities of these 5 states. Multiple murders of people within and without the drug trade can be attributed to him, but nothing can be proven. His headquarters are in Salt Lake City. He takes week long vacation/business trips to Lake Powell in a house boat. He may be untouchable. His organization may be his weak link, 2 of his distributors have died in the last few months.
#4 Oboma
Occupation- Owner/Operator of a convenience store. Terrorist in hiding. He works for a terrorist network headquartered in Afghanistan. He’s in the country legally and his connections and terrorist training activities have never been proven in court. Any witnesses found would not testify. An undercover informant was set to testify against him until he disappeared. The case was thrown out. He appears to spend most of his time in his store. He switches clothes and disguises himself as a customer and leaves for unknown destinations. The police have tried to follow everyone who comes to his store that is his general height and weight, but have never been able to come up with a match. A large number of Arabic people frequent the store. There is a 95% probability that he has a training camp somewhere in the mountains of Utah, but police have not been able to find it.
#5 Judge George W. Cramer
Judge Cramer exemplifies all that is wrong with the American Legal system. He is extremely lenient on all law breakers. Where any other judge would sentence the criminal a long prison term, he will give them a 1 year suspended sentence. Rapist, murderers, and drug dealers all have been released on their own recognizance time after time. He believes that no criminal is beyond salvaging. The criminals that he releases go on with their murders, raping, and drug dealing as if nothing has happened. He has made the police and justice system in Utah a mockery to the American legal system. Efforts to remove him by the police and judicial systems have been thwarted at every turn. He’s in an elected position and his election is funded by the ACLU, among other less well known underworld people.
#6 Billy Ray Thornley
Billy Ray Thornley works in construction whenever he can find work. His real occupation is a pedophile. Most of his money is made on the internet from child porn sales. The police have seen pictures of all his 6 kids, aged 3 to 16 on the internet, but the money goes through other people and so far it’s untraceable back to him. It doesn’t make any difference to him if it’s the neighbor kids or his own. Somehow he always hides all evidence and so far has not been charged with anything. The Children’s Justice Center have interviewed his children, but his kids are so scared of their father they won’t say anything. His 16 year old pregnant daughter, probably by him, has disappeared. Billy Ray said “she’s with family in Arkansas.” He refuses to give the police any other information. His home address was listed in the records attached.
NEW JOBS
Cole said, “It may look a little weird to the girls, both of us quitting our jobs at the same time and going to work for the same company with a huge increase in salary. Before that first meeting with Mr. X, I told Jan that I thought it might be about a job. How about if I tell Jan that when I was interviewed, they asked if I knew anyone that I would recommend for a similar position covering a different area?”
“OK, if Rachel asks, that’s what I’ll tell her.”
“Let’s go back to work; I have that interview at 4 so I will have to leave early. I can’t get in too much trouble since I’m giving my notice tomorrow. Are they going to fire me?”
Aaron had a message waiting for him when he returned to work. His meeting was at 4:30 PM right after Coles. The funny thing was that both accepted the job offer! Next morning both went to their bosses and resigned. Cole’s boss told him how sorry he was to hear that he was leaving and said that he appreciated his willingness to stay for 2 weeks to help ease the transition to another person.
Aaron’s boss also thanked him for his work and then said, “Our policy is to pay you for the 2 weeks that you’re willing to stay and help out, but as of right now, you have to empty your desk of personal items and I’ll have security escort you out of the office.”
Aaron was elated and hurt at the same time. He was elated because he could get busy in the new job, but hurt because he was being treated like someone who his former boss couldn’t trust. He understood that some people would do anything they could think of to hurt and sabotage the company before they left, even if they quit like he was doing. He was also hurt because he felt he was doing a good job and his leaving would be easier on his replacement if he stayed on for the 2 weeks.
Aaron told his boss, “When you have put someone in my job, I’m willing to answer any questions for the two week period.”
“Thanks, we appreciate that. I wish I could have you stay on and help, but I can’t fight company policy,” said his boss.
“I was interviewed for a new job today and I told them I would take it,” said Cole to Jan when he got home. “It’s a lot more money, better benefits, and flexible hours.”
“Is it the same kind of work or what?”
“No, it’s completely different; I will be in sales. There will be some traveling, but it will work out great,” said Cole enthusiastically. “I gave my 2 week notice today.”
“A lot more money, how much more money?”
“It will be about double what I’ve been making. I figure that we can afford to move to a new house if you want.”
“What about my job? My maternity leave gives me 3 months after the birth?”
“It’s up to you, we don’t need the money. It’s your decision. I would prefer you stay at home and be a stay at home mom.”
“I’ll call my old boss and tell her I won’t be coming back to work. I wanted to stay home with the baby but I thought that we needed the extra money.”
“We need to find a bigger house; we’re going to be a little crowded here. Please don’t feel like we have to find another house today or by the end of the week. I figure that we should look around and if we can’t find one that we like in the right location, we could build a home.”
“This is even more like a dream come true. I don’t deserve this!”
“That’s crazy; you’re the most deserving person I’ve ever met. And besides that, you’re my wife. If you can put up with me, you’ve earned a lot more than you’ll ever get!”
Aaron had a similar reception when he told Rachel and Jamie. Jamie had become an integral part of the family. Church members were laughingly accusing him of having 2 wives. To that accusation Aaron would only say, “I wish.”
Like Cole, Aaron told Rachel “with the new job and the increase in income we should think about buying our own house.”
Rachel screamed and yelled and danced around the room then she hugged Aaron, “I love you so much. I never dreamed that we would ever be able to buy a house. This is all so perfect!”
“I’m going to be traveling out of town on the new job. Rachel and I haven’t talked about what I am about to ask you Jamie, but I like having you here especially when I have to be out of town, I feel so much better knowing that you’re here with Rachel.”
“I couldn’t agree with Aaron more. You have a home here with us for as long as you want.”
Janie had been feeling kind of like a fifth wheel. She knew that Rachel, her cousin, would always do anything she could for her, but she didn’t know if Aaron felt the same way or not. With the unprovoked feeling of acceptance and genuine gratitude from Aaron, she ran to both of them and they had a group hug. They stepped back and the three of them all had tears in their eyes.
“What exactly will you be doing,” asked Jamie?
“It’s a sales position but I don’t really know exactly yet, I’m going in to the new office tomorrow. I wasn’t expected for 2 weeks but since it’s a policy of the old company to cut anyone loose when they give notice, I’ll go in early. Did I tell you that Cole has also been hired? “We have the same title covering different territories. I don’t know what territory we both will have, but I’ll know more tomorrow.”
Rachel said, ‘that sounds kind of weird, best friends getting hired at the same time.”
“You’re right, Cole interviewed with them and they asked if he could recommend anybody and he put in a good word for me.”
The next day at lunch Aaron told Cole, “You’re not going to believe this. It’s a real company. There is some kind of advertising campaign going on and the telephone is ringing off the hook. We’re in the position of Sales Managers. The HR department is screening, hiring, and training people. We’ll receive reports of what’s happening and make an appearance from time to time. We’re in the middle of something that has taken an enormous amount of planning and money. Mr. X didn’t tell us much about what kind of organization we’re becoming a part of. I can’t tell if the company was designed to provide a cover for us to go about cleaning out “Rabid Dogs”, or if Mr. X and Gleason took a company and created positions in sales where we would be hidden. In either case, I’m excited! We also have a motor home to use in our sales efforts. It’s loaded with everything including bullet proof Glass and armor around the chassis. It has everything a person in our position could possible want and some things that I for one had not thought of.”
“Aaron, what are you talking about?”
“In our new line of work, what kind of equipment might we need that we don’t have already?”
Cole thought for a minute and listed:
We have our martial arts training,
Pistols, holsters and silencers,
Tire irons or equivalent,
Job to cover activities with plenty of money,
Let’s see, wives don’t count in this category.
“What else do we need?”
“Let me give you another hint. The motor home has some unique customized features. The front window has a smaller window that can be opened. There is also a similar arrangement on both sides and in the rear. These openings would be convenient if someone wanted to, for instance, shoot something through the window.”
“You’re talking about sniper rifles!”
“Yeah, and the biggest scopes that I’ve ever seen!” There are boxes of ammunition, range finders, pistols, AK-47 automatic type rifles, and some other things that I didn’t recognize. The motor home is only for you and me, for obvious reasons. The sniper rifles, scopes, night scopes, night glasses, and all kinds of other things are kept in a hidden compartment in the ceiling. The roof and ceiling must have a couple of extra feet of space. There is no sign of anything from outside or inside. The whole ceiling swings down on hinges at the push of a button. The button looks like the door lock/unlock/trunk open/panic button that is standard on all new cars now. This one has another button that is recessed so you can’t hit it by accident. That is the one that lowers the ceiling. We could even go on a camping trip with the families if we wanted to and the false ceiling would never be seen.”
“I wonder if maybe Mr. X should have recruited some Special Forces, or Navy Seal people.”
“I wondered the same thing, but it occurred to me that, they would be better at whacking people, but they would always be FORMER TOUGH DUDES, while we are just everyday dudes just trying to make a living.”
“I’ll pick you up at 9:30”, said Cole.
It was the same as the other meetings; Cole and Aaron pulled into the trailhead parking lot, turned off the lights, opened the windows and turned the truck off.
“Right on time”, spoke the voice out of the darkness. “How do you feel about what’s happening?”
“I feel like I’ve stumbled onto a movie set of a James Bond thriller,” said Aaron. “I gave my notice at work and was cut loose, so I went into the new office early. They gave me the tour and gave me the key to the motor home. Those are the biggest rifle scopes that I’ve ever seen.”
“Did you notice the night light feature?”
“No, I looked at the size of it and put it back, I felt that I shouldn’t be looking at it.”
Rizzo laughed and said, “JUSTICE FOR ALL” expect you to become the ultimate killer of those criminal elements of society that cannot be touched. As such, you will be supplied with every piece of equipment that is available. The sniper rifles are of the latest design. You should take a trip out to the desert and learn how to use it. Please note that the ammunition is military issue and as such cannot be traced. The rifles have never been fired, so in the case of police trying to trace the bullets there will be no match. When you need more ammunition, just tell anyone at the rifle range or let me know. The instructions for the scope are in the case with the scopes. There should be instructions for all of the equipment. You will need to become expert with it all. All you need is practice. You will probably be surprised at the accuracy and the distance that the rifles are capable of. If needed, there are also silencers for the sniper rifles, however, the silencer messes up the accuracy a little. The top notch assassins refuse to use a silencer. Did you see the instructions on the recommended care of the rifles?”
“Yes, it’s going to take some practice to be able to disassemble and assemble in the time specified. The cleaning procedures are similar to what I do with my guns, except more detailed,” said Aaron.
Cole asked, “Wouldn’t it be better to recruit Special Forces type people to do what we’ll be doing?”
“In some ways, maybe. In some parts of the country, that is exactly what has been done. You guys kind of popped up as someone that I should consider. I wanted someone who the criminals, and the police, would never suspect. From the people you have already eliminated, the drug people and police have no idea who you are. The first man that you killed was called an accidental death, you were close to being suspects and questioned in detail. After that, with the exception of Gleason, there was no evidence to tie you to the deaths. Have you had time to study the list?”
“We never talked to you about that first one. The cougar killed the guy about 50 yards from where we were sitting. We were afraid that we would have been connected to the death so we threw him over the cliff.”
“I’ll be dammed, you’re right; it would have been hard to convince me that the cougar actually killed the guy when his ex-wife and her boyfriend was so close.”
“That’s what we thought,” said Aaron.
“Have you had time to study the list?”
Cole answered, “Not really. At least, I haven’t. I looked through them and read it but I haven’t had time to do anything else.”
“Same here, I did drive out to one of Poulsons’ construction sites. Since both Cole and I are planning on building homes, I thought that we could go through the investigation stage with his company and see if Poulson shows up. I picked up some of his folders.”
Mr. X said, “That’s what I want to hear. I didn’t expect you would have much time to get started until you were both actually on board. Aaron, you have a head start and that should get you guys going a little quicker. For the first few months, I would like to meet here every Monday night at 10 PM. Do you have any more questions for me at this time?”
“What do you envision where we would need sniper rifles,” asked Aaron?
“The drug guy might be a good candidate. Also I will be giving you some gang bangers. These men are pretty hard to get close to. A sniper round from a mile away may be the only way to get them. Plus in both cases, drug organizations and gangs, there is a lot of competition. Their first reaction to a hit is to go after their rivals. It would be a good thing if we could precipitate a war where they kill each other off. You shouldn’t use them very often, but sometimes it may be the only way.”
“Do you have anything else for me? OK, you know how to contact me. I will be here next Monday night, good luck and goodbye.”
Cole and Aaron drove back down the canyon. Both were thinking about what was next. It was no longer a once in awhile thing. This was now an everyday thing for Aaron and after another week Cole would join him working “Full time” against evil. “I wonder if other people doing what we’re now doing operate as teams, or if they are operate as a single individual.”
Aaron replied, “I don’t think that I would even attempt this by myself.”
“I might, but if I was doing it by myself, it would be really hard not to talk to Jan about what was going on.”
“Until you start coming to our office every day, I am going to follow up on those 6 people on the list. I’ve already looked at #1, so I will go down the list and see what I can find out.”
“Still meeting everyday for lunch?”
“Of course, I will pick you up at your office,” laughed Aaron.
They had started eating in a different part of town every day. They also rotated days driving. They might be in North Salt Lake City in Cole’s car on Monday, then again in North Salt Lake City the following week, but it would be in Aaron’s car on a different day and at a different drive-in restaurant. Aaron was keeping a log to make sure that they didn’t fall into any kind of pattern. It seemed like it might be paranoid at this point, but they thought that it was probably a good idea.
“I went by #2, Ms. Robertson’s place today. It’s a mansion complete with a guard at the gate, a high fence around the place. I looked through a hole in the bushes along the fence and saw guard dogs running across the yard. It looks like a gangster home from a movie set.”
Cole scratched his head and said, “That could be a tough one. The background says that she visits all kinds of places on a regular basis. She never drives; she is always driven by a body guard who also functions as a chauffeur to places like a hair salon, exercise facility, grocery stores, etc. It looks like we should be able to follow her around and pick the best place. How about checking out the exercise place? Is it the same company where we exercise?”
“It’s a different place, but that sounds like as good a place to start as any. I will also find out if her driver goes in with her and exercises or stays in the car. I went by #3, the drug guy’s office. From the outside it looks like any other office in a medium sized strip mall. The neighborhood is kind of seedy. Not a place I would want my family to live. Now his home is something else. He lives in an old home on a huge lot. You can’t even see the house from the street. The drive-way goes back into the trees and the manicured bushes. A locked gate crosses the drive-way. I couldn’t see a fence, but I would bet it’s there. There is no way we could pick him off while he’s at home. I will keep on gathering information for us. By the time you’re able to come in every day we can get down to the actual planning.”
Next Monday, Cole went to work at the new office. Aaron showed him around. There were only a few people to meet. The work that they were getting credit for doing was all being done by others. It was almost like they were invisible. They had a secretary who gave them reports of all kinds of things. She would leave the report on their desks. They would initial it and put it into an out box. She would come in periodically to give them more reports and empty the out box.”
“I’ve been thinking, now that you’re here, let’s go for a ride in the motor home and try out those rifles. There’s a private shooting range out in the west desert. It’s about an hour away, right along the salt flats,” said Aaron.
“You say it’s private?”
“Yeah, we will have to stop at the entrance, show our I.D. before we can go through in. I went out there last week to look around. You’re going to love it.”
Cole drove and Aaron gave directions to the private rifle range. They turned off the freeway. The Great Salt Lake was to the North, a thriving little town to the South. Its name was Tooele, pronounced “Too illa.” They drove through town and continued past signs that described Army Testing Grounds. Bunkers had been scraped out of the desert soil years ago. Finally they came to a huge sign that said, “PRIVATE PROPERTY, DO NOT ENTER, TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED.” The side road turned to the left beside the sign and headed directly toward a towering range of mountains that stood at least 4,000 ft above the valley floor. Directly in front of them were a small hill and a hidden valley beyond. They reached the crest of the small hill and then could see a guard house. There was a fence going as far as the eye could see both directions. A motorized gate was closed. The uniformed man stepped out of the guard house. He was carrying a side arm and an automatic rifle. May I see your identification please? Cole pulled out his new ID card from Freedom Plus while Aaron handed his to Cole. The guard looked at the pictures and then at Cole and Aaron. Satisfied, he said “thank you sir, saluted, and handed them back along with a 2 way radio with a 6 inch screen. He then turned and nodded to an unseen second guard. The gate retreated across the road.
Cole and Aaron drove the motor home over another small knoll and there was a rifle range that every person who has every shot at a target could only dream about. The range had been set up to shoot from a prone position, standing, in a vehicle, and even from a motor home. The shooting positions were clearly marked. Marching down into infinity were targets. Each target was clearly marked at 50 YDS, 100 YDS, 200 YDS, and every 100 YDS to 1,500 YDS. A man appeared from somewhere and walked over to them. “Have you been here before?”
“No, this is our first time.”
“Welcome, he looked at Aaron, you should have come in when you came down last week, we were expecting you.”
Addressing them both, “I believe you will enjoy your stay here. Let me explain the radio. Each time you shoot, just press the # button, the results will appear on the screen. When you shoot at the further targets, it’s the only way to know where you are hitting. If you want a verbal explanation of where the bullets are hitting that don’t hit the target, push the * button. As you can see, the targets are off-set to the right. It’s possible to hit the wrong target if you’re shooting wide to the left or right, but I’m assuming that you’re good enough so that probably won’t happen much. Enjoy, I’ll be here until 18 hundred. This facility is open 24 hours a day. If you want to practice night shooting, we’re always open. It’s never very busy, so feel free to come at any time. It gets kind of boring for us. We are glad to see you come. When you’re done, give the radio back to the guard at the gate.” The man walked around the motor home and was gone.
“Can you believe this? Did you come in here last week?”
“No, I just drove to the where the sign was, turned around and headed back to the office. How did he know that I was here last week?”
“There has to be some kind of monitoring system where they examine every vehicle coming south out of Tooele.”
They dropped the ceiling and took out the sniper rifles and scopes. They were trying to figure out how to attach them when the man appeared again at the door, “I believe that I may be able to help. Don’t worry; I am cleared to see the inside of your vehicle. I’m not cleared to give you my name or to hear yours.” He took Coles rifle and showed them how to attach the scope. He also explained how to adjust the scope for wind and how the night vision feature worked. They wouldn’t need the built in range finder because the distances were printed beside each target, but he suggested that they check the range finder against the targets to get a feel for how it worked. The man seemed eager to talk and to show them how to use the rifles.
“These are the finest sniper rifles made. You’ll note that these are bolt action. Automatic rifles are great for sending a lot of bullets in a general area, but for accurate shooting, the bolt action design has proven to be the best. Soon there will be laser scopes and rifles and who knows what else, but for now, you have the best there is. Everything I’ve told you about this rifle and the scope is in your instructions. I just thought that I could save you some time and as an added benefit I would get to handle these rifles. I will be leaving now, good luck and thank you.”
Cole and Aaron both returned his salute and a hardy “Thank You!”
They each shot until their shoulders were sore. Their first shots were off, but after some adjustment and with the instant report of where they were hitting, they were soon hitting a respectable 6 inch pattern at 600 yards. At 1000 yards, they were able to get within a 12 inch circle once they learned how much the bullet would drop at that distance. The scope was programmed for the rifle. By using the range finder, the scope would make the adjustment for you, but you had to tell it to make the adjustment. The results of the first shots at the long distances were pathetic. The voice on the radio told them to “turn on the scope automatic features.” After that it was almost a slam dunk. The rifle still had to be held steady and the trigger must be squeezed. There was no wind or the results would have been erratic at best. They each tried 1500 yards and decided to quit for the night. They were doing better than they expected. They cleaned the rifles and gave the casings to another man who showed up and asked for them.
“Congratulations,” said the guard as Aaron & Cole handed him their radios on the way out of the rifle range.
“For what,” asked Cole?
“Your shooting, you did remarkable well for your first time here.”
“Do you observe the shooting that goes on at the rifle range?”
“I can’t answer that sir. Drive safely back to Salt Lake.”
“It will be 7 PM before we can get home, so I am going to call Jan and see if I can bring home a takeout supper before our meeting with Mr. X.”
“I’ll do the same,” said Aaron. “I’ll pick you up tonight if that is ok.”
At the trailhead, the voice said, “excellent shooting for your first time! Your practice today showed that your accuracy is much better than expected for this point in your development. Remember to use the built in feature of the scope. You probably wouldn’t believe how much of Uncle Sam’s money was spent on the development of that scope. The guys with tons of experience talk about how good the rifle and the cartridges are, but they won’t turn on the scope because they don’t trust it. I believe once you become familiar with the scopes’ automatic programs, you will be able to compete, and win in 9 out of 10 competitions with the best marksmen in the world.”
Cole said, “thank you, is there anything that you don’t know?”
“I try to keep informed about everything that I need to know. You guys are very important to me and to JUSTICE FOR ALL. I try to keep up to date on everything you’re doing. How are you doing with the list?”
They reported what they had learned about the people on the list.
“Let me suggest that you pick one of them, concentrate on what you’re going to do and then do it. If you take care of any of them before our next meeting I’ll know about it. I also suggest that you continue to practice at least every other day with the rifles, but also with the pistols and with the automatic rifles. Some of the sniper rifle practice should be after dark.”
Cole asked, “The shooting range is a military facility. We were surprised that we were allowed to enter and they acted like they were expecting us. Can you tell us anymore about how extensive the JUSTICE FOR ALL organization is?”
“No, not really, only that JUSTICE FOR ALL crosses all aspects of American law enforcement and military organizations. Today you saw an example of that. Just feel good about what you’re doing. There are a lot of people behind you every step of the way. We all feel that the most dangerous enemy that our country faces today is from within our country. You and other like you are the warriors that will keep our country strong and free. Do I sound like some right-wing nut? If so, I’m sorry, but that is what I believe! Just so we are clear on my feelings let me add a little more. There are a lot of people with power, money, and influence that want our country to be absorbed into some kind of world government. These people believe that the only salvation for the entire world is for the USA to be destroyed as we know it. The standard of living in the USA must be lowered so that people in other countries will no longer want to come here. They believe that the masses around the world must be controlled. They must not be allowed to dream that a place of freedom and opportunity even exists. These same people plan on being the ones in control of the entire world. They are planning on the entire world having 3 classes of people. The ruling elite made up of a small number of wealthy powerful people. A second class or middle class made of the law enforcement, military, and bureaucratic management type people. The third is everybody else. The workers who will do what they are told or else. Movement between classes would be aggressively discouraged and punished. A free country with the right to bear arms will not be tolerated!”
“That sounds like what I hear the talk show conservatives talking about. You obviously know a lot more than I do about it and it scares the crap out of me,” said Cole as Aaron vigorously nodded his head in agreement.
“Gentlemen, there is a lot more at stake here than just the elimination of a few bad people. This is the first step. I haven’t mentioned what’s happening in other parts of the country since we first talked. The latest report, that I received, shows 26 offices active in the Robin Hood movement. None have been as active or as successful as you have been here in Utah. However, with the copy cat Robin Hoods, we can count hundreds of criminals being removed every week across the nation. I’ve mentioned some of the most prominent national leaders who have been removed. There are a lot more of the corrupt state leaders and even local crooked leaders who are finding it very difficult to stay alive. Your example of professionalism is without equal. The corrupt people who are hidden across America are getting more and more desperate to see you apprehended and hopefully to be killed.”
“It appears that you may be asked to do some training or speaking to other groups in the future. The other groups or offices all have information in the form of films, CDs, paper reports and statistics of your target practices.”
“As I learn more I will keep you informed. I will talk to you again next Monday night.”
“People all over the country are reading about my target practices,” asked Aaron?
“What have we got ourselves into, I’ve never wanted to be famous.”
“I don’t know about being famous, as far as I’m concerned, I will let JUSTICE FOR ALL take care of the big picture. I just want to continue doing my part by killing RABID DOGS!”
Cole and Aaron stopped at the ski bus parking lot at the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon and opened the sealed manila envelope. There were two copies of the hand written “list.” Cole handed a copy to Aaron and started to read. Attached to the handwritten pages were clippings from the newspaper and copies of police reports. There were 6 people on this first list. It took a good half hour to go through the entire list from start to finish. “What do you think of our first list,” asked Cole.
“My God, I had no idea that some of these people were so corrupt. I don’t recognize most of these people, but a few of them I’ve heard off. The amount of criminal activity of each is staggering. How can these people walk around free without being thrown in jail?”
“That’s our job, to remedy the situation. I guess it only makes statistical sense, but I’m surprised that there’s a woman on the list. Even thought we both think we know who our contact is, I guess we should not use his name, so shall we call him Mr. X?”
Aaron said, “why not, it works for me.”
“We have a week, shall we study the list and talk about them each day at lunch. The preparation time will be easier when we don’t have to work around our jobs.”
The next day at lunch, “Did you get a call about a job interview?”
“Not yet” said Aaron.
“Then I’m sure you’ll get a call this afternoon. I got a call this morning. My interview is at 4 PM today.”
“These people don’t mess around. It appears that the mechanics are all in place just waiting for us,” said Aaron.
“We have a few minutes, lets at least go over the list,” said Cole.
#1 Charles Poulson
Occupation- Real estate development and home construction. His managers all speak Spanish; all labor is done by illegal aliens. 8 accidental deaths have happened on the construction sites. He always has a high turnover of workers and constant complains of bounced checks and paying workers for less than worked hours. Investors have been brought in with promises of high profits. These investors make a deposit and sign a contract where they are to receive a percentage of profits. Poulson buys the building lots and sells them back to the investor at a huge profit. Construction draws are structured so that most of the profits are sucked out during construction. Usually the investor ends up with a house that may or may not sell for a profit. Poulson walks away with a nice profit on each home, while the investor, if he is lucky, usually loses $5,000 to $10,000 on the home before he can sell it.
Poulson’s first wife disappeared several years ago. A $1,500,000 life insurance policy was paid to Poulson 1 year after her disappearance. His second wife has been admitted to the emergency room at the Provo Hospital numerous times. “Causes of injury are falling down stairs, and tripping and falling over landscaping.” The injuries are getting progressively worse. There’s a large life insurance policy on her. He has been investigated numerous times and in each case it was thrown out for insufficient evidence.
On a personal note he goes bar hopping 2 or 3 times per week looking for 1 night stands. He loves fast cars, boats and women. He also likes to fish and hunt. He doesn’t drink a lot, but his hunting parties are legendary for drunkenness and parties with female invitees. Hunting comes secondarily if anyone feels good enough the next morning.
#2 Rhonda Robertson
Occupation- housewife. She is an exceptionally attractive woman. She has married 6 times. In every case her husband dies and leaves her everything. Life insurance policy payouts have totaled $10 million dollars. Other assets received total much more. Husbands have died from freak accidents as well as “natural causes.” Police have investigated these deaths but have not uncovered any evidence of wrong doing. She is now looking for husband #7, preferable a rich older gentleman in poor health.
#3 Harry Trong
Occupation- Real Estate Development (Drugs). He is the drug kingpin for the intermountain area of Utah, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico & Wyoming. He is a heavy contributor to both Democratic and Republican political parties. He wines and dines with the movers and shakers. He’s on a first name basis with the governors of these 5 states. He pays off corrupt police officials in the major cities of these 5 states. Multiple murders of people within and without the drug trade can be attributed to him, but nothing can be proven. His headquarters are in Salt Lake City. He takes week long vacation/business trips to Lake Powell in a house boat. He may be untouchable. His organization may be his weak link, 2 of his distributors have died in the last few months.
#4 Oboma
Occupation- Owner/Operator of a convenience store. Terrorist in hiding. He works for a terrorist network headquartered in Afghanistan. He’s in the country legally and his connections and terrorist training activities have never been proven in court. Any witnesses found would not testify. An undercover informant was set to testify against him until he disappeared. The case was thrown out. He appears to spend most of his time in his store. He switches clothes and disguises himself as a customer and leaves for unknown destinations. The police have tried to follow everyone who comes to his store that is his general height and weight, but have never been able to come up with a match. A large number of Arabic people frequent the store. There is a 95% probability that he has a training camp somewhere in the mountains of Utah, but police have not been able to find it.
#5 Judge George W. Cramer
Judge Cramer exemplifies all that is wrong with the American Legal system. He is extremely lenient on all law breakers. Where any other judge would sentence the criminal a long prison term, he will give them a 1 year suspended sentence. Rapist, murderers, and drug dealers all have been released on their own recognizance time after time. He believes that no criminal is beyond salvaging. The criminals that he releases go on with their murders, raping, and drug dealing as if nothing has happened. He has made the police and justice system in Utah a mockery to the American legal system. Efforts to remove him by the police and judicial systems have been thwarted at every turn. He’s in an elected position and his election is funded by the ACLU, among other less well known underworld people.
#6 Billy Ray Thornley
Billy Ray Thornley works in construction whenever he can find work. His real occupation is a pedophile. Most of his money is made on the internet from child porn sales. The police have seen pictures of all his 6 kids, aged 3 to 16 on the internet, but the money goes through other people and so far it’s untraceable back to him. It doesn’t make any difference to him if it’s the neighbor kids or his own. Somehow he always hides all evidence and so far has not been charged with anything. The Children’s Justice Center have interviewed his children, but his kids are so scared of their father they won’t say anything. His 16 year old pregnant daughter, probably by him, has disappeared. Billy Ray said “she’s with family in Arkansas.” He refuses to give the police any other information. His home address was listed in the records attached.
NEW JOBS
Cole said, “It may look a little weird to the girls, both of us quitting our jobs at the same time and going to work for the same company with a huge increase in salary. Before that first meeting with Mr. X, I told Jan that I thought it might be about a job. How about if I tell Jan that when I was interviewed, they asked if I knew anyone that I would recommend for a similar position covering a different area?”
“OK, if Rachel asks, that’s what I’ll tell her.”
“Let’s go back to work; I have that interview at 4 so I will have to leave early. I can’t get in too much trouble since I’m giving my notice tomorrow. Are they going to fire me?”
Aaron had a message waiting for him when he returned to work. His meeting was at 4:30 PM right after Coles. The funny thing was that both accepted the job offer! Next morning both went to their bosses and resigned. Cole’s boss told him how sorry he was to hear that he was leaving and said that he appreciated his willingness to stay for 2 weeks to help ease the transition to another person.
Aaron’s boss also thanked him for his work and then said, “Our policy is to pay you for the 2 weeks that you’re willing to stay and help out, but as of right now, you have to empty your desk of personal items and I’ll have security escort you out of the office.”
Aaron was elated and hurt at the same time. He was elated because he could get busy in the new job, but hurt because he was being treated like someone who his former boss couldn’t trust. He understood that some people would do anything they could think of to hurt and sabotage the company before they left, even if they quit like he was doing. He was also hurt because he felt he was doing a good job and his leaving would be easier on his replacement if he stayed on for the 2 weeks.
Aaron told his boss, “When you have put someone in my job, I’m willing to answer any questions for the two week period.”
“Thanks, we appreciate that. I wish I could have you stay on and help, but I can’t fight company policy,” said his boss.
“I was interviewed for a new job today and I told them I would take it,” said Cole to Jan when he got home. “It’s a lot more money, better benefits, and flexible hours.”
“Is it the same kind of work or what?”
“No, it’s completely different; I will be in sales. There will be some traveling, but it will work out great,” said Cole enthusiastically. “I gave my 2 week notice today.”
“A lot more money, how much more money?”
“It will be about double what I’ve been making. I figure that we can afford to move to a new house if you want.”
“What about my job? My maternity leave gives me 3 months after the birth?”
“It’s up to you, we don’t need the money. It’s your decision. I would prefer you stay at home and be a stay at home mom.”
“I’ll call my old boss and tell her I won’t be coming back to work. I wanted to stay home with the baby but I thought that we needed the extra money.”
“We need to find a bigger house; we’re going to be a little crowded here. Please don’t feel like we have to find another house today or by the end of the week. I figure that we should look around and if we can’t find one that we like in the right location, we could build a home.”
“This is even more like a dream come true. I don’t deserve this!”
“That’s crazy; you’re the most deserving person I’ve ever met. And besides that, you’re my wife. If you can put up with me, you’ve earned a lot more than you’ll ever get!”
Aaron had a similar reception when he told Rachel and Jamie. Jamie had become an integral part of the family. Church members were laughingly accusing him of having 2 wives. To that accusation Aaron would only say, “I wish.”
Like Cole, Aaron told Rachel “with the new job and the increase in income we should think about buying our own house.”
Rachel screamed and yelled and danced around the room then she hugged Aaron, “I love you so much. I never dreamed that we would ever be able to buy a house. This is all so perfect!”
“I’m going to be traveling out of town on the new job. Rachel and I haven’t talked about what I am about to ask you Jamie, but I like having you here especially when I have to be out of town, I feel so much better knowing that you’re here with Rachel.”
“I couldn’t agree with Aaron more. You have a home here with us for as long as you want.”
Janie had been feeling kind of like a fifth wheel. She knew that Rachel, her cousin, would always do anything she could for her, but she didn’t know if Aaron felt the same way or not. With the unprovoked feeling of acceptance and genuine gratitude from Aaron, she ran to both of them and they had a group hug. They stepped back and the three of them all had tears in their eyes.
“What exactly will you be doing,” asked Jamie?
“It’s a sales position but I don’t really know exactly yet, I’m going in to the new office tomorrow. I wasn’t expected for 2 weeks but since it’s a policy of the old company to cut anyone loose when they give notice, I’ll go in early. Did I tell you that Cole has also been hired? “We have the same title covering different territories. I don’t know what territory we both will have, but I’ll know more tomorrow.”
Rachel said, ‘that sounds kind of weird, best friends getting hired at the same time.”
“You’re right, Cole interviewed with them and they asked if he could recommend anybody and he put in a good word for me.”
The next day at lunch Aaron told Cole, “You’re not going to believe this. It’s a real company. There is some kind of advertising campaign going on and the telephone is ringing off the hook. We’re in the position of Sales Managers. The HR department is screening, hiring, and training people. We’ll receive reports of what’s happening and make an appearance from time to time. We’re in the middle of something that has taken an enormous amount of planning and money. Mr. X didn’t tell us much about what kind of organization we’re becoming a part of. I can’t tell if the company was designed to provide a cover for us to go about cleaning out “Rabid Dogs”, or if Mr. X and Gleason took a company and created positions in sales where we would be hidden. In either case, I’m excited! We also have a motor home to use in our sales efforts. It’s loaded with everything including bullet proof Glass and armor around the chassis. It has everything a person in our position could possible want and some things that I for one had not thought of.”
“Aaron, what are you talking about?”
“In our new line of work, what kind of equipment might we need that we don’t have already?”
Cole thought for a minute and listed:
We have our martial arts training,
Pistols, holsters and silencers,
Tire irons or equivalent,
Job to cover activities with plenty of money,
Let’s see, wives don’t count in this category.
“What else do we need?”
“Let me give you another hint. The motor home has some unique customized features. The front window has a smaller window that can be opened. There is also a similar arrangement on both sides and in the rear. These openings would be convenient if someone wanted to, for instance, shoot something through the window.”
“You’re talking about sniper rifles!”
“Yeah, and the biggest scopes that I’ve ever seen!” There are boxes of ammunition, range finders, pistols, AK-47 automatic type rifles, and some other things that I didn’t recognize. The motor home is only for you and me, for obvious reasons. The sniper rifles, scopes, night scopes, night glasses, and all kinds of other things are kept in a hidden compartment in the ceiling. The roof and ceiling must have a couple of extra feet of space. There is no sign of anything from outside or inside. The whole ceiling swings down on hinges at the push of a button. The button looks like the door lock/unlock/trunk open/panic button that is standard on all new cars now. This one has another button that is recessed so you can’t hit it by accident. That is the one that lowers the ceiling. We could even go on a camping trip with the families if we wanted to and the false ceiling would never be seen.”
“I wonder if maybe Mr. X should have recruited some Special Forces, or Navy Seal people.”
“I wondered the same thing, but it occurred to me that, they would be better at whacking people, but they would always be FORMER TOUGH DUDES, while we are just everyday dudes just trying to make a living.”
“I’ll pick you up at 9:30”, said Cole.
It was the same as the other meetings; Cole and Aaron pulled into the trailhead parking lot, turned off the lights, opened the windows and turned the truck off.
“Right on time”, spoke the voice out of the darkness. “How do you feel about what’s happening?”
“I feel like I’ve stumbled onto a movie set of a James Bond thriller,” said Aaron. “I gave my notice at work and was cut loose, so I went into the new office early. They gave me the tour and gave me the key to the motor home. Those are the biggest rifle scopes that I’ve ever seen.”
“Did you notice the night light feature?”
“No, I looked at the size of it and put it back, I felt that I shouldn’t be looking at it.”
Rizzo laughed and said, “JUSTICE FOR ALL” expect you to become the ultimate killer of those criminal elements of society that cannot be touched. As such, you will be supplied with every piece of equipment that is available. The sniper rifles are of the latest design. You should take a trip out to the desert and learn how to use it. Please note that the ammunition is military issue and as such cannot be traced. The rifles have never been fired, so in the case of police trying to trace the bullets there will be no match. When you need more ammunition, just tell anyone at the rifle range or let me know. The instructions for the scope are in the case with the scopes. There should be instructions for all of the equipment. You will need to become expert with it all. All you need is practice. You will probably be surprised at the accuracy and the distance that the rifles are capable of. If needed, there are also silencers for the sniper rifles, however, the silencer messes up the accuracy a little. The top notch assassins refuse to use a silencer. Did you see the instructions on the recommended care of the rifles?”
“Yes, it’s going to take some practice to be able to disassemble and assemble in the time specified. The cleaning procedures are similar to what I do with my guns, except more detailed,” said Aaron.
Cole asked, “Wouldn’t it be better to recruit Special Forces type people to do what we’ll be doing?”
“In some ways, maybe. In some parts of the country, that is exactly what has been done. You guys kind of popped up as someone that I should consider. I wanted someone who the criminals, and the police, would never suspect. From the people you have already eliminated, the drug people and police have no idea who you are. The first man that you killed was called an accidental death, you were close to being suspects and questioned in detail. After that, with the exception of Gleason, there was no evidence to tie you to the deaths. Have you had time to study the list?”
“We never talked to you about that first one. The cougar killed the guy about 50 yards from where we were sitting. We were afraid that we would have been connected to the death so we threw him over the cliff.”
“I’ll be dammed, you’re right; it would have been hard to convince me that the cougar actually killed the guy when his ex-wife and her boyfriend was so close.”
“That’s what we thought,” said Aaron.
“Have you had time to study the list?”
Cole answered, “Not really. At least, I haven’t. I looked through them and read it but I haven’t had time to do anything else.”
“Same here, I did drive out to one of Poulsons’ construction sites. Since both Cole and I are planning on building homes, I thought that we could go through the investigation stage with his company and see if Poulson shows up. I picked up some of his folders.”
Mr. X said, “That’s what I want to hear. I didn’t expect you would have much time to get started until you were both actually on board. Aaron, you have a head start and that should get you guys going a little quicker. For the first few months, I would like to meet here every Monday night at 10 PM. Do you have any more questions for me at this time?”
“What do you envision where we would need sniper rifles,” asked Aaron?
“The drug guy might be a good candidate. Also I will be giving you some gang bangers. These men are pretty hard to get close to. A sniper round from a mile away may be the only way to get them. Plus in both cases, drug organizations and gangs, there is a lot of competition. Their first reaction to a hit is to go after their rivals. It would be a good thing if we could precipitate a war where they kill each other off. You shouldn’t use them very often, but sometimes it may be the only way.”
“Do you have anything else for me? OK, you know how to contact me. I will be here next Monday night, good luck and goodbye.”
Cole and Aaron drove back down the canyon. Both were thinking about what was next. It was no longer a once in awhile thing. This was now an everyday thing for Aaron and after another week Cole would join him working “Full time” against evil. “I wonder if other people doing what we’re now doing operate as teams, or if they are operate as a single individual.”
Aaron replied, “I don’t think that I would even attempt this by myself.”
“I might, but if I was doing it by myself, it would be really hard not to talk to Jan about what was going on.”
“Until you start coming to our office every day, I am going to follow up on those 6 people on the list. I’ve already looked at #1, so I will go down the list and see what I can find out.”
“Still meeting everyday for lunch?”
“Of course, I will pick you up at your office,” laughed Aaron.
They had started eating in a different part of town every day. They also rotated days driving. They might be in North Salt Lake City in Cole’s car on Monday, then again in North Salt Lake City the following week, but it would be in Aaron’s car on a different day and at a different drive-in restaurant. Aaron was keeping a log to make sure that they didn’t fall into any kind of pattern. It seemed like it might be paranoid at this point, but they thought that it was probably a good idea.
“I went by #2, Ms. Robertson’s place today. It’s a mansion complete with a guard at the gate, a high fence around the place. I looked through a hole in the bushes along the fence and saw guard dogs running across the yard. It looks like a gangster home from a movie set.”
Cole scratched his head and said, “That could be a tough one. The background says that she visits all kinds of places on a regular basis. She never drives; she is always driven by a body guard who also functions as a chauffeur to places like a hair salon, exercise facility, grocery stores, etc. It looks like we should be able to follow her around and pick the best place. How about checking out the exercise place? Is it the same company where we exercise?”
“It’s a different place, but that sounds like as good a place to start as any. I will also find out if her driver goes in with her and exercises or stays in the car. I went by #3, the drug guy’s office. From the outside it looks like any other office in a medium sized strip mall. The neighborhood is kind of seedy. Not a place I would want my family to live. Now his home is something else. He lives in an old home on a huge lot. You can’t even see the house from the street. The drive-way goes back into the trees and the manicured bushes. A locked gate crosses the drive-way. I couldn’t see a fence, but I would bet it’s there. There is no way we could pick him off while he’s at home. I will keep on gathering information for us. By the time you’re able to come in every day we can get down to the actual planning.”
Next Monday, Cole went to work at the new office. Aaron showed him around. There were only a few people to meet. The work that they were getting credit for doing was all being done by others. It was almost like they were invisible. They had a secretary who gave them reports of all kinds of things. She would leave the report on their desks. They would initial it and put it into an out box. She would come in periodically to give them more reports and empty the out box.”
“I’ve been thinking, now that you’re here, let’s go for a ride in the motor home and try out those rifles. There’s a private shooting range out in the west desert. It’s about an hour away, right along the salt flats,” said Aaron.
“You say it’s private?”
“Yeah, we will have to stop at the entrance, show our I.D. before we can go through in. I went out there last week to look around. You’re going to love it.”
Cole drove and Aaron gave directions to the private rifle range. They turned off the freeway. The Great Salt Lake was to the North, a thriving little town to the South. Its name was Tooele, pronounced “Too illa.” They drove through town and continued past signs that described Army Testing Grounds. Bunkers had been scraped out of the desert soil years ago. Finally they came to a huge sign that said, “PRIVATE PROPERTY, DO NOT ENTER, TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED.” The side road turned to the left beside the sign and headed directly toward a towering range of mountains that stood at least 4,000 ft above the valley floor. Directly in front of them were a small hill and a hidden valley beyond. They reached the crest of the small hill and then could see a guard house. There was a fence going as far as the eye could see both directions. A motorized gate was closed. The uniformed man stepped out of the guard house. He was carrying a side arm and an automatic rifle. May I see your identification please? Cole pulled out his new ID card from Freedom Plus while Aaron handed his to Cole. The guard looked at the pictures and then at Cole and Aaron. Satisfied, he said “thank you sir, saluted, and handed them back along with a 2 way radio with a 6 inch screen. He then turned and nodded to an unseen second guard. The gate retreated across the road.
Cole and Aaron drove the motor home over another small knoll and there was a rifle range that every person who has every shot at a target could only dream about. The range had been set up to shoot from a prone position, standing, in a vehicle, and even from a motor home. The shooting positions were clearly marked. Marching down into infinity were targets. Each target was clearly marked at 50 YDS, 100 YDS, 200 YDS, and every 100 YDS to 1,500 YDS. A man appeared from somewhere and walked over to them. “Have you been here before?”
“No, this is our first time.”
“Welcome, he looked at Aaron, you should have come in when you came down last week, we were expecting you.”
Addressing them both, “I believe you will enjoy your stay here. Let me explain the radio. Each time you shoot, just press the # button, the results will appear on the screen. When you shoot at the further targets, it’s the only way to know where you are hitting. If you want a verbal explanation of where the bullets are hitting that don’t hit the target, push the * button. As you can see, the targets are off-set to the right. It’s possible to hit the wrong target if you’re shooting wide to the left or right, but I’m assuming that you’re good enough so that probably won’t happen much. Enjoy, I’ll be here until 18 hundred. This facility is open 24 hours a day. If you want to practice night shooting, we’re always open. It’s never very busy, so feel free to come at any time. It gets kind of boring for us. We are glad to see you come. When you’re done, give the radio back to the guard at the gate.” The man walked around the motor home and was gone.
“Can you believe this? Did you come in here last week?”
“No, I just drove to the where the sign was, turned around and headed back to the office. How did he know that I was here last week?”
“There has to be some kind of monitoring system where they examine every vehicle coming south out of Tooele.”
They dropped the ceiling and took out the sniper rifles and scopes. They were trying to figure out how to attach them when the man appeared again at the door, “I believe that I may be able to help. Don’t worry; I am cleared to see the inside of your vehicle. I’m not cleared to give you my name or to hear yours.” He took Coles rifle and showed them how to attach the scope. He also explained how to adjust the scope for wind and how the night vision feature worked. They wouldn’t need the built in range finder because the distances were printed beside each target, but he suggested that they check the range finder against the targets to get a feel for how it worked. The man seemed eager to talk and to show them how to use the rifles.
“These are the finest sniper rifles made. You’ll note that these are bolt action. Automatic rifles are great for sending a lot of bullets in a general area, but for accurate shooting, the bolt action design has proven to be the best. Soon there will be laser scopes and rifles and who knows what else, but for now, you have the best there is. Everything I’ve told you about this rifle and the scope is in your instructions. I just thought that I could save you some time and as an added benefit I would get to handle these rifles. I will be leaving now, good luck and thank you.”
Cole and Aaron both returned his salute and a hardy “Thank You!”
They each shot until their shoulders were sore. Their first shots were off, but after some adjustment and with the instant report of where they were hitting, they were soon hitting a respectable 6 inch pattern at 600 yards. At 1000 yards, they were able to get within a 12 inch circle once they learned how much the bullet would drop at that distance. The scope was programmed for the rifle. By using the range finder, the scope would make the adjustment for you, but you had to tell it to make the adjustment. The results of the first shots at the long distances were pathetic. The voice on the radio told them to “turn on the scope automatic features.” After that it was almost a slam dunk. The rifle still had to be held steady and the trigger must be squeezed. There was no wind or the results would have been erratic at best. They each tried 1500 yards and decided to quit for the night. They were doing better than they expected. They cleaned the rifles and gave the casings to another man who showed up and asked for them.
“Congratulations,” said the guard as Aaron & Cole handed him their radios on the way out of the rifle range.
“For what,” asked Cole?
“Your shooting, you did remarkable well for your first time here.”
“Do you observe the shooting that goes on at the rifle range?”
“I can’t answer that sir. Drive safely back to Salt Lake.”
“It will be 7 PM before we can get home, so I am going to call Jan and see if I can bring home a takeout supper before our meeting with Mr. X.”
“I’ll do the same,” said Aaron. “I’ll pick you up tonight if that is ok.”
At the trailhead, the voice said, “excellent shooting for your first time! Your practice today showed that your accuracy is much better than expected for this point in your development. Remember to use the built in feature of the scope. You probably wouldn’t believe how much of Uncle Sam’s money was spent on the development of that scope. The guys with tons of experience talk about how good the rifle and the cartridges are, but they won’t turn on the scope because they don’t trust it. I believe once you become familiar with the scopes’ automatic programs, you will be able to compete, and win in 9 out of 10 competitions with the best marksmen in the world.”
Cole said, “thank you, is there anything that you don’t know?”
“I try to keep informed about everything that I need to know. You guys are very important to me and to JUSTICE FOR ALL. I try to keep up to date on everything you’re doing. How are you doing with the list?”
They reported what they had learned about the people on the list.
“Let me suggest that you pick one of them, concentrate on what you’re going to do and then do it. If you take care of any of them before our next meeting I’ll know about it. I also suggest that you continue to practice at least every other day with the rifles, but also with the pistols and with the automatic rifles. Some of the sniper rifle practice should be after dark.”
Cole asked, “The shooting range is a military facility. We were surprised that we were allowed to enter and they acted like they were expecting us. Can you tell us anymore about how extensive the JUSTICE FOR ALL organization is?”
“No, not really, only that JUSTICE FOR ALL crosses all aspects of American law enforcement and military organizations. Today you saw an example of that. Just feel good about what you’re doing. There are a lot of people behind you every step of the way. We all feel that the most dangerous enemy that our country faces today is from within our country. You and other like you are the warriors that will keep our country strong and free. Do I sound like some right-wing nut? If so, I’m sorry, but that is what I believe! Just so we are clear on my feelings let me add a little more. There are a lot of people with power, money, and influence that want our country to be absorbed into some kind of world government. These people believe that the only salvation for the entire world is for the USA to be destroyed as we know it. The standard of living in the USA must be lowered so that people in other countries will no longer want to come here. They believe that the masses around the world must be controlled. They must not be allowed to dream that a place of freedom and opportunity even exists. These same people plan on being the ones in control of the entire world. They are planning on the entire world having 3 classes of people. The ruling elite made up of a small number of wealthy powerful people. A second class or middle class made of the law enforcement, military, and bureaucratic management type people. The third is everybody else. The workers who will do what they are told or else. Movement between classes would be aggressively discouraged and punished. A free country with the right to bear arms will not be tolerated!”
“That sounds like what I hear the talk show conservatives talking about. You obviously know a lot more than I do about it and it scares the crap out of me,” said Cole as Aaron vigorously nodded his head in agreement.
“Gentlemen, there is a lot more at stake here than just the elimination of a few bad people. This is the first step. I haven’t mentioned what’s happening in other parts of the country since we first talked. The latest report, that I received, shows 26 offices active in the Robin Hood movement. None have been as active or as successful as you have been here in Utah. However, with the copy cat Robin Hoods, we can count hundreds of criminals being removed every week across the nation. I’ve mentioned some of the most prominent national leaders who have been removed. There are a lot more of the corrupt state leaders and even local crooked leaders who are finding it very difficult to stay alive. Your example of professionalism is without equal. The corrupt people who are hidden across America are getting more and more desperate to see you apprehended and hopefully to be killed.”
“It appears that you may be asked to do some training or speaking to other groups in the future. The other groups or offices all have information in the form of films, CDs, paper reports and statistics of your target practices.”
“As I learn more I will keep you informed. I will talk to you again next Monday night.”
“People all over the country are reading about my target practices,” asked Aaron?
“What have we got ourselves into, I’ve never wanted to be famous.”
“I don’t know about being famous, as far as I’m concerned, I will let JUSTICE FOR ALL take care of the big picture. I just want to continue doing my part by killing RABID DOGS!”
Friday, April 16, 2010
Chapter Eleven
PONY-TAIL
Monday at lunch Aaron said, “Jamie told me about a guy that came into the hospital early Sunday morning with two women. Each of them had a broken arm, internal injuries, and bruises all over. They should be released later today or tomorrow morning. Jamie said that she has seen him at the hospital lots of times and it seems like each time it’s with a different woman; some of them more than once. Some of them are teenagers. She thinks that he’s a polygamist with a bunch of wives that he regularly beats.”
“I’ve heard that there are still a few polygamists around Utah. Did she have any other information for us?”
“She said that she watched him leave last night, he has a pony-tail and he got into an old faded blue suburban. He gave a Salt Lake City Address.”
Cole asked, “Shall we go for a ride by the hospital after work? I’ll pick you up at your office.”
On the way to the hospital they ended up behind an old faded blue suburban. The windows were dirty but clean enough to see that there was only one person in the vehicle; A big man with a Pony-tail.
“Funny how things work, that car ahead of us is our target,” laughed Aaron.
“Are you ready, I’ll pull up beside him before he can get out of his burb, when he rolls down his window, put a bullet in his head.”
Aaron checked his 9 MM and put a bullet in the chamber and tightened the silencer. “I’m ready.”
The suburban pulled into the “Disability” parking spaces with empty spaces on either side of him. Cole pulled up beside the driver’s side with a few inches to spare. Aaron powered his window down and motioned to the man to roll down his window. The guy glared at them, said something to the steering wheel that looked like F--- and the window slowly moved down. “Pony-tail’s” eyes went wide as he realized the circle in the window was in fact the business end of a large caliber pistol. Clap, the impact of the bullet threw “Pony-tail” across the front seat of the suburban. The window on the other side of the suburban disintegrated as a fragment of the hollow point bullet had just enough energy left to pulverize the window. Blood and pieces of “Pony-tail” covered the far side of the car and the few pieces of glass still in place.
Cole backed out and drove out of the parking lot. They didn’t see anyone around who had witnessed the shooting.
15 minutes later three of the hospital security officers arrived who were going on shift at 6 pm. They rode together and were walking across the parking lot. One of them noticed some bloody glass on the sidewalk beside an old faded blue suburban. He looked inside, turned and lost the big Mac that his stomach had just received. His companions looked inside and followed suit. They were new to this fringe area of law enforcement and had never seen anything like this. The first one recovered enough to pull his cell phone out and called 911.
Inside the hospital, two very nervous women were waiting to be picked up by their husband. They were sisters and terrified of “Pony-tail.” The older sister had married “Pony-tail” 3 years ago and the younger sister was a newlywed of only 2 months. “Pony-tail” was a good provider and they had all that money could buy. The sisters and the other 4 wives of “Pony-tail” lived in terror of him. “Pony-tail” would go on a tirade and beat whoever he came in contact with. The beatings were getting worse and seemed to be triggered by a phone call each time. It had something to do with his business, but none of them knew what that business was. He had a big fancy truck, but he didn’t leave town very often, usually once a week he would leave and be back the next day.
In fact, “Pony-tail” was Utah’s most successful importer of illegal aliens. For $1,000 “Pony-tail would guarantee transportation from the desert between Nogales and Tucson, Arizona to Salt Lake City, Utah in air conditioned comfort. Unlike most of his competitors, Pony-tail’s truck had benches, drinking water and was air conditioned. His weekly trip grossed him $50,000 and provided fifty new residents to Utah. His business partners in Arizona would sorely miss Pony-tail.
Detective Davis arrived at the hospital to find a crime scene compromised by hospital security officers, 3 patrol cars, 2 fire trucks, 5 ambulances, and a multitude of people. There also appeared to be at least 4 people looking out from every window in the hospital facing this direction. ‘There should be at least a witness or two from all those windows;’ but he was wrong.
He gathered information from the first people on the scene, the three security officers and from the patrol officers. The patrol officers had already canvassed the hospital to see if anyone had seen what happened through one of those windows, to no avail. “Pony-tail” had been shot through his open window with a high powered pistol. The bullet fragments had apparently blown out the window on the far side of the vehicle. The murder had happened sometime around 5:30 PM. Pony-tail was supposed to pick up his 2 wives at that time. The hospital had supplied him with records of all of “Pony-tail’s” charges. It appeared that there were hospital charges and ER admittances for 5 different women all claiming to be his spouse. All of them had been badly beaten; some more than once. The last two had broken arms and serious internal injuries.
Davis went to the address listed on the hospital records. It was inside a fenced compound in East Salt Lake City. The compound was owned by a small religious group. “Pony-tail” was one of the leaders of the group. His wives all told him the same thing.
“Yes, he beat them regularly and the beatings were getting worse.”
“No, they didn’t know what he hauled with his truck, but he was gone one day a week, usually he would leave Thursday and be home late Friday evening.”
“No, they didn’t know of anybody who would want to kill him.’ The other occupants of the compound echoed the wives story.
“He had a violent temper but with no enemies that they knew of.”
The report from ballistics was inconclusive. Bullet fragments were from a hollow point cartridge, probably a 9 MM. The crime scene report produced quite a few fingerprints, all of them from the 6 wives, their children, and the victim. There were no witnesses to the shooting. He was at a dead end. There were no clues and no motive except for the beatings of his wives. The wives all seemed the passive submissive sort.
The news report “Polygamy Leader Killed at Hospital. The leader (name withheld) of a Sugar House polygamy group was shot and killed as he arrived at the hospital to take two of his wives home. The women had been admitted and treated for suspected spousal abuse. Police report that they have no suspects or motives for the shooting. Could this be another killing by Robin Hood? Police ask for any witness to come forward. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s).”
SAM CHRISTIANSEN
Cole came into his office to find Sam Christiansen sitting behind his desk. “I want my Skull & Crossbones file back.”
“I gave it back to you.”
“I know, but I can’t find it. And now someone is going down my list killing them.”
“I’ve noticed that some of them have been killed recently.”
“Not some of them, but three of them, one after the other, right down the list!”
“So what do you want from me?”
“I want the copy of my list that you made. Nobody but you knows about the list. If the cops found out about it, they would think that I had something to do with those guys deaths.”
Cole had the original list in his truck. He pulled the copy out of his desk drawer and handed it to Christiansen. “Do you think that Robin Hood somehow got your list and took them out?”
“That’s exactly what I think. I thought that it was you until I couldn’t find my list.”
“Me, that’s ridiculous!”
“Yeah, that’s what I decided. It had to be someone else.”
‘Why do you think the idea of me being Robin Hood is ridiculous,’ thought Cole to himself? To Christiansen he said, “Where did you put the list after I gave it back to you?”
“I put it in my car. I’m always leaving the windows down, so someone could have easily stolen it. Do you realize how big it would have been if I could have actually interviewed Robin Hood?”
“That would have been big alright. We know he’s around somewhere, but to think that he actually reached in your car and stole your bad guy list is amazing,” said Cole, barely able to stop laughing. Cole had stolen the list back from Christiansen just in case Christiansen saw a connection between the bad guys on his list being killed and Cole.
Christiansen walked out of Cole’s office muttering about missing his big chance. “It might be my only big chance to get to the big time.”
Cole considered the possibilities of using Christiansen if the he ever needed publicity. ‘Maybe I’ll give you that big story someday,’ reflected Cole.
JUSTICE FOR ALL
Rizzo sat back, locked his office door, and looked out the window at the Mountains. ‘I really need to get out more often. Up those canyons is the best skiing in the world. There are hiking and bike trails winding down these canyons that people from back east or California would die for. I’ve driven up Big Cottonwood Canyon a few times.’ One time he had driven all the way to the end of the road. He had read that the road now goes on over the summit and down into Park City. That road is closed in winter, but now it would be open. Just before the summit he remembered there was a trailhead where bikers would park, unload their bikes and pick from 4 or 5 trails to ride down toward Salt Lake City.
‘My skiing is so rusty, I would probably kill myself if I tried anything more than a rope tow. I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a teenager, so that’s out too. Back to business’ he said out loud. Rizzo didn’t know why it helped him think, to sit and talk out loud to himself. ‘If people could hear me they would probably think I’m crazy. Whatever, I think that it’s about time to arrange a meeting with Cole and Aaron where they can’t see me. I don’t want them to know who they’re talking too.’
He was still looking at the row of mountains that reached toward the eastern sky, ‘I know just the place, that trailhead parking lot at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon would be perfect; it would be empty in the evening. I could meet them and not have to worry about anybody hearing them talk. Gleason had given me the key to a summer cabin about a mile down the hill from the parking lot. Gleason used the cabin about a month per year during the prime skiing season and maybe a day or two at a time in other times of the year. Mostly it sat empty.’ Rizzo had a standing invitation to help himself to the cabin anytime he liked, up till now he had not made the time. He would check with Gleason to see if it was available. I’ll park my car at the cabin and walk up to the parking lot. It might not be critical that he remain anonymous but it could mean the difference between his life and death if “JUSTICE FOR ALL” became known to the wrong people.’
Cole was sitting on the couch with his arm around Jan, thinking what a lucky man he was. ‘He had a sweet, beautiful, loving wife that he had searched for since he was 20 years old. His job was ok. Nothing to brag about, but he didn’t hate it like some people felt about their job. He even expected a promotion within the next few months. His family corporation was flush with cash, so if he became unemployed, he could pull out enough money to replace his salary from the monthly income and not touch the investment balance. He had a storage unit with much more cash available if needed. He had good friends. He just felt lucky. How else could you explain what happened to him, Jan and Aaron over the last 2 years?’
“Why are you smiling,” laughed Jan?
“Just thinking about you,” responded Cole.
Jan melted into his shoulder and said, “I love you, why did it take so long to find you?”
“I don’t know. I’m just so happy that we finally got together, I love you.”
“I saw the doctor today,” said Jan.
Instantly alarmed, Cole asked, “What’s the matter, why did you go see the doctor?”
“Well, DAD, there is nothing to worry about,” said Jan as she winked at him.
“What do you mean……WE’RE PREGNANT,” shouted Cole?
Jan laughed again, “You could say that, YES WE’RE PREGNANT!”
Cole felt a helpless feeling and said, “What do we do, shouldn’t you be lying down or something, let me help you.”
Laughing Jan said, “I’m pregnant, not helpless or sick. I’m supposed to get plenty of exercise and eat properly. Speaking of exercise, how about I race you to the bedroom, last one to get naked loses.”
Cole jumped to his feet and said, “Can you, I mean can we, I mean, is it ok to, you know?”
From the bedroom, “YOU LOSE.”
Sitting in the kitchen an hour later, “I’m starving, can we order in Pizza.”
“Sure, why not,” said Cole.
Cole just put down the phone from ordering the pizza when his phone rang. He figured it was the pizza place confirming the order. Instead he heard, “Cole, please listen for a moment, I know about the extracurricular activities you and Aaron have been doing the past 2 years. I’m not calling to blackmail you, or to cause you any problem, quite the contrary, but I do need to talk to you in absolute privacy. Can you and Aaron meet me at the trailhead parking lot at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, tomorrow night 9 PM? Pull into the parking lot, turn off the lights and open your windows. There won’t be any other vehicles, but I’ll be there. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand, we’ll be there.”
“Who was that?”
“I don’t know, he wanted to meet with me tomorrow night,” Cole said as he frantically tried to think of what else to say. He didn’t want to worry Jan so he said, “I think it’s about a job.”
“Kind of late to be calling about a job isn’t it?”
“Yes it is, but you know how some people are, they think everyone works the same hours they do, even if its 9 PM at night. He also said that if I have a friend that I trust, to please bring him. So I’m going to ask Aaron to go with me.”
“I’m glad you’re not going alone. Do you think I’ll be ugly as I get more and more pregnant?”
“I hate to inform you, but you either are, or you’re not pregnant, you do not get more or less pregnant. You probably haven’t noticed, but when a beautiful woman like you gets pregnant, they get even more beautiful. It’s like they almost glow. You have that glow now; I didn’t put the signs together. You’re getting more gorgeous every day.”
Laughing Jan said, “You’re such a liar, but don’t stop I love it.”
The next day at their lunch, Cole filled Aaron in on everything the mysterious caller had said and what he had told Jan. Jan and Rachel talked almost every day. If either Cole or Aaron were going to be stretching the facts, they needed to cover all of the bases.
“What do you think is going on,” asked Aaron.
“The only thing that I can come up with is the comment you made after that police detective who came to question Jamie. You said he gave you a look that told you he knew more about you than he should have. How about I pick you up at 8 PM?”
“I had forgotten about that, hmmmmmm, OK”
The rest of the day crept by at an unbearable pace. Finally it was time to go home. A quick meal and Cole drove to Aaron’s place and they headed up the canyon. It was 8:30 Pm when they got there. Cole turned off the lights. They didn’t see anyone else there. “He said 9 PM,” said Aaron.
“Yeah, I remember, but I wanted to be here a little early. I’ll roll down all the windows.”
A voice from the darkness “you’re early. I thought that you might be, so I came early as well.”
“Who are you?”
“That’s not important. It’s best that you don’t know who I am. When I’m done talking, you will see why you really don’t need to know who I am. I don’t want to know who you are, but it has to start somewhere.”
Cole had a dozen questions, but decided that he would wait and if he still had questions when the mysterious person finished, he would ask them then.
“I asked you to come here because I’ve been watching some of your irregular activities over the last couple of years. When I first noticed you, I was concerned that you may be killing people because you just plain liked to kill people. You have satisfied that concern because you didn’t have any kind of pattern and the time between these killings varied. If you were crazy with the power of killing, it would be like a sickness and you would have to kill more and more and quicker and quicker. I’m not a shrink so I will quit with my psychobabble. I’m impressed that you were able to have several people die of accidents. It’s much simpler to have the bad guy’s die of an accident when possible. I’m satisfied that in every case that I am aware of, you have picked those members of our society that needed to be killed. You have chosen people that were beating their spouses who would soon kill those spouses. Other people that you chose were making their living from the misery and addiction of others.
I should add at this point that Mr. Gleason is extremely grateful for your work in saving his son. He also wants you to know that he saw your license number when you were sitting in his driveway waiting for his son to go in the house, but because of some selective short term memory loss, that number has been forgotten.”
“Oops, we didn’t realize that we were being watched from inside the house. I guess we’re lucky that he didn’t turn that number into the police,” said Cole.
“I was impressed with your methods. I was also impressed that you have learned martial arts skills and learned to use firearms in a very professional manner. Your resourcefulness in taking the drug money and hiding it also showed your intelligence and self control. I’ve chosen to approach you at this time so that I may be able to perhaps direct your efforts for the maximum benefit. If you decide to utilize my information and skills, you’ll continue your work as assassins, but you would be working for an organization whose only purpose is to help the legal system handle those criminals that slip through the cracks of the Justice system. Some examples are,
Judges giving criminals reduced sentences and a slap on the wrist;
Corrupt people in positions of power taking advantages of the freedoms in this country;
Men who feel it’s their right to abuse their wives or girlfriends;
Terrorists who use the freedoms of America to actively work to kill American citizens and destroy America;
Men who feel it’s their right to physically and sexually abuse innocent children of their own or others;
Corrupt policemen who abuse their power;
And foreign diplomatic personnel, who use their immunity to kill, rob and steal with impunity.
You get the idea. The organization is called JUSTICE FOR ALL. I’m sure that you have questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.”
Aaron asked, “Why don’t you show your face? I believe I know who you are.”
“With your intelligence, I would be surprised if you didn’t suspect who I am, however, for the foreseeable future you won’t know for sure. Because the activities that we’ll be engaged in are frowned on by some law enforcement people, there’s the possibility that we may be questioned by those who would like to know others in our organization. You don’t know for sure who I am. Therefore you cannot be forced to tell anybody who I am. It’s true that I know you. You’re known as Robin Hood and because I know, there’s a danger to you, but it couldn’t be helped. There is a greater chance that you would be questioned than would I.”
“Finally there’s the fact that I haven’t made my offer to you yet. If you know who I am and decline my offer, it could become a delicate situation.”
“You talk as if this organization is broader in scope than just you and us?”
“Correct, I don’t even know how big the organization is. I know that there are at least 23 offices across the country. I was contacted by someone in a similar setting as this one. My attitude and frustration with the legal climate that many times released criminals to prey on the innocent people of this country became well enough known that I was contacted by a member of the organization. I was asked to find people who I could recruit. You two fit the description of who I should be watching for.”
“You seemed to take a long time to contact us. Do you operate under any kind of a time line?”
“No, my instructions are to take whatever time I needed to be sure before contacting anyone.”
“You obviously have been watching us since our first incident.” How did you know we’re involved in the accidents,” said Cole?
“I wasn’t’ sure of any of them. It just seemed logical that in every case, one or both of you were close enough to be considered. I’ve been watching unsolved cases where the criminal dies and each time, if you’re in the general neighborhood, I assume one or both of you 2 were involved. I also have been watching your personal preparation with martial arts training and with pistols, again, only circumstantial evidence.”
“You talk like a police detective.”
“I also sound like I watch a lot of police shows on television.”
“You know a lot about us. Why would we want to work with you or JUSTICE FOR ALL?”
“Finally, the right question! JUSTICE FOR ALL is a secret society. Most secret societies operate outside the law. That’s why they’re secret. However, JUSTICE FOR ALL is different from every other secret society I’ve ever heard of. The others are into all kinds of rituals, killing sometimes to consolidate or achieve power or money. If JUSTICE FOR ALL ever becomes common knowledge, every secret society and every person who has achieved power illegally or immorally will do everything they can to destroy every person connected with JUSTICE FOR ALL. Can you imagine the pressure that organized crime, corrupt politicians and law enforcement people would apply if they learn that JUSTICE FOR ALL is an active organization whose only reason to exist is to destroy them?”
“You’re scaring the crap out of me,” said Aaron.
“Good, I don’t want you to take this lightly. If you make this commitment, you’ll become assassins for good. I’ll guide you to a great paying job at a legitimate profitable company. You will have regular hours, take vacations, get promoted and from the outside will have a normal business life. Your job will be a cover that enables you to spend your working hours identifying human vermin, planning their assassinations, and then killing the worst criminals in the country. We don’t plan on expanding to any other countries, yet. You’ve already started your financial retirement with your own corporations. That’s great; we will provide the means to help you if you need it. Frankly you’re doing pretty well. You’ll file tax returns each year and pay a great deal of taxes. You’ll be a model American by day and a secret super patriotic American by night. What you have done so far is only a small example of what you’ll be able to do. I don’t expect an answer now, but I do expect an answer in 48 hours. Either way, I want you to meet me here at this spot in exactly 48 hours from now, that’s 10 PM the day after tomorrow. Do you have any more questions?”
“Should we tell our wives, they probably suspect us but really don’t know about our nefarious activities”, asked Aaron?”
“I would rather that you didn’t. Let’s think about it for a moment. The incidence of divorce is close to 50%. I would guess that divorce is the farthest thing from either of your minds right now. Statistics say that one of you will be divorced within a couple of years. Do you want to face the prospect of a former spouse who knows your deepest, darkest secret? The ramifications could be complex and might require drastic measures. A woman is wired differently that you are. Their emotions get in the way of logic sometimes. Anyway, I could talk about the different reasons not to tell your wives all night long. There are a few reasons to tell them, but not many.
For your information, my wife gave up on me years ago. She was a fantastic woman who I will love forever, but she couldn’t live with the long hours and my silence about what I was doing. My work was becoming more dangerous, so for her safety I let her go. I think the best way to approach this decision is like a career decision. Analyze the pros and the cons. At your lunch meeting tomorrow, make a list and talk them out. We can discuss any questions when we meet in 2 days. I will talk to you then, goodbye.”
Cole and Aaron didn’t hear a sound after the goodbye. “Are you still there, I have another question,” said Cole.
There was no answer.
“Let’s go,” said Aaron, “Rachel will be worried if I don’t get home soon.”
At lunch the next day, “how did you sleep,” asked Cole?
“I didn’t sleep much. This guy knows everything about us. It’s so exciting and so scary. I was imagining what it would be like to spend all of our time, except family time, trying to destroy the bad people.”
“I have a friend who was a police officer in southern California. He told me when he first started; every day was like playing cowboys and Indians. Every day they were chasing the bad guys. High speed chases through town, shooting back and forth sometimes. It was so much fun that his boss had to make him go home each night. Over the years as the paperwork increased and the restrictions and rules were heaped on them, it stopped being fun and turned into drudgery. I can imagine that this would be like his example when he first started in some respects. We wouldn’t be chasing bad people all around southern California, but we would be watching, planning and pulling the plug on some really bad people. I’m guessing that if we slipped up and were caught by the police, JUSTICE FOR ALL would help us.”
“That’s a good question, let’s remember to ask him tomorrow night.”
Cole asked Aaron, “What’re you thinking? Do you want to accept the offer, or are you still mulling it over?”
“At this point, I think that I want to go ahead with it. If I didn’t accept the offer, I would kick myself every time I saw a criminal or a politician get away with something. Every woman that I saw with bruises on her face and neck would remind me that I may have saved her from a beating or even an early death.”
Cole became deadly serious, “I was thinking about Jan, Billy, and our baby that is coming in another 5 months. I’m taking a chance, but I’m making the world a better place. What could I do that has the possibility of doing as much good as this? I agree with you, let’s think about it some more and meet for lunch again tomorrow, how about Chinese?”
Cole was chewing some orange chicken, “I’m so excited that I can’t believe it. Before we were doing our own thing and I was afraid that I was becoming a mass murderer. Now, it seems we have even more incentive to keep on getting rid of the rabid dogs. I’m actually like a policeman without the paperwork and the corrupt politicians telling me what I can and can’t do. How about I pick you up at 9:30 PM?”
At 10:00 PM sharp they pulled into the trailhead parking lot, rolled down the windows and turned off the lights.
“You’re right on time tonight. Do you have any question for me?”
“What happens if we slip up and are caught by the police?”
“Excellent question, it could happen. However, there are members of JUSTICE FOR ALL in every police station that I’m aware of. Every honest policeman, and there are a lot of them, is sick to their stomach about what’s happening. When the detectives see a bad guy killed, they don’t look quite so hard for the killer if they suspect it’s a good guy. Evidence that may tie one case with another is never tied together. Why do you think that you weren’t questioned on most of the people that you have put away? Is there a danger that you may be caught and arrested by some overzealous or corrupt policeman? The answer is yes. I’m going to help you avoid that possibility as much as possible. So far you’ve done very well without my help. I guess I’m trying to say I don’t really know. If you were caught and prosecuted, “JUSTICE FOR ALL” would pay all legal costs and would hire the best legal defense that money could buy.”
“Are you going to give us a list of who to go after?”
“I will supply you with the first page of my list of people that I believe deserve to die. The list will have a complete dossier on why they’re on the list, as well as phone numbers, and addresses and sometimes pictures. I don’t want you to simply accept my list and go kill them. You’ll need to check them out and plan the assassinations. We want you to make it look like an accident if possible, or a rival group. You’ve done a perfect job with the drug people. It had the look of a robbery by someone in their organization or from a rival group. Both times you took out a drug supplier, additional drug people died in the groups as they frantically tried to find out who was responsible and kill them.”
“I take it from your questions, that you’ve decided to accept our proposal?”
In unison Cole and Aaron said, “Yes.”
“Do you have untraceable pistols with silencers?”
“We liberated 2 Glock pistols and silencers from the Mexican brothers as well as other pistols we picked up from the first drug dealer and the tall black man and his friends.”
“Perfect, if the police have any record of those guns, they would be really confused if bullets turned up that were fired from them. We’re not going to communicate by any electronic means. That means no internet email, no cell phones or regular phones. All of those leave tracks that can be easily traced. I will give you a hand printed list, good luck on my hand writing, periodically. If we need to talk to me, look under classifieds in KSL.com. Go to the Services Heading, then Accounting. Look for “Experienced Accountant, $75 per hour…” call that number and let it ring 3 times, and then hang up. I will meet you here that night at 9:30 PM.”
“Tomorrow you’ll be called by a man who will identify himself as a human relations manager from “FREEDOM PLUS.” Incidentally for your information, “FREEDOM PLUS”, is a Gleason company. The HR Manager will set up an appointment for you to come to interview with him in his office. It’s a sales position for a foreign currency trading company. You will need to travel at least a week or two per month. You will receive a guarantee of $10,000 per month plus commission, full benefits including life insurance, health insurance, retirement, 401K, the works. You will of course accept and give 2 weeks’ notice at your current job. Here’s the first list. I don’t expect you to take care of all of these this week! Take your time, study the material, and then go study the individuals. You must try to get in position to take them out in the manner we discussed. We don’t want the police or anybody to suspect that you have a list or that the string of bad guy deaths is all being done by the same people or group. On this first list, I want you to meet me here a week from now at 10 PM. We will discuss the list and what your plans are for them at that point. Please have at least a preliminary idea of how you’re going to take them out. I’m sure at that time you’ll have some more questions for me. I’ll see you then.”
“I’m not even going to ask if he’s there this time. He is spooky,” said Aaron.
Rizzo was sitting on a big rock 10 yards from the car. It was pitch black so they couldn’t see him. In a week, there would be some moonlight. They would be able to see his shape if they looked in the right direction. The light would not be good enough to see the features of his face. When he said goodbye, he stepped behind a big tree. He could hear their comments until they started the car or rolled up the windows.
‘I’m spooky, huh, if they only knew.’
If they turned this way when they left the parking lot, they would not see him. The car started up, lights blinked on, and they pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the canyon road. 17 miles down, and about a mile lower in elevation, were the lights of Salt Lake City. Rizzo watched the tail lights winding down the canyon and walked down to Gleason’s cabin. Some cabin, most people would consider this cabin a castle. Rizzo figured that the value would be at least 3 million dollars, maybe a lot more. The acreage that the building sat on would be at least a million dollars all by itself. ‘Well, my part of this enterprise is now off and running. This is going to get real interesting. I can’t wait to report my progress to my JUSTICE FOR ALL contact. This is my first chance to really get something done since I became a part of JUSTICE FOR ALL 3 years ago. The list that I’ve been working on for 2 years should be interesting reading to Robin Hood’. He pulled the special cell phone out of his pocket and called the memorized number, ‘the prospective employees have accepted the employment offer, please follow through with the hiring process as soon as practical.’
Monday at lunch Aaron said, “Jamie told me about a guy that came into the hospital early Sunday morning with two women. Each of them had a broken arm, internal injuries, and bruises all over. They should be released later today or tomorrow morning. Jamie said that she has seen him at the hospital lots of times and it seems like each time it’s with a different woman; some of them more than once. Some of them are teenagers. She thinks that he’s a polygamist with a bunch of wives that he regularly beats.”
“I’ve heard that there are still a few polygamists around Utah. Did she have any other information for us?”
“She said that she watched him leave last night, he has a pony-tail and he got into an old faded blue suburban. He gave a Salt Lake City Address.”
Cole asked, “Shall we go for a ride by the hospital after work? I’ll pick you up at your office.”
On the way to the hospital they ended up behind an old faded blue suburban. The windows were dirty but clean enough to see that there was only one person in the vehicle; A big man with a Pony-tail.
“Funny how things work, that car ahead of us is our target,” laughed Aaron.
“Are you ready, I’ll pull up beside him before he can get out of his burb, when he rolls down his window, put a bullet in his head.”
Aaron checked his 9 MM and put a bullet in the chamber and tightened the silencer. “I’m ready.”
The suburban pulled into the “Disability” parking spaces with empty spaces on either side of him. Cole pulled up beside the driver’s side with a few inches to spare. Aaron powered his window down and motioned to the man to roll down his window. The guy glared at them, said something to the steering wheel that looked like F--- and the window slowly moved down. “Pony-tail’s” eyes went wide as he realized the circle in the window was in fact the business end of a large caliber pistol. Clap, the impact of the bullet threw “Pony-tail” across the front seat of the suburban. The window on the other side of the suburban disintegrated as a fragment of the hollow point bullet had just enough energy left to pulverize the window. Blood and pieces of “Pony-tail” covered the far side of the car and the few pieces of glass still in place.
Cole backed out and drove out of the parking lot. They didn’t see anyone around who had witnessed the shooting.
15 minutes later three of the hospital security officers arrived who were going on shift at 6 pm. They rode together and were walking across the parking lot. One of them noticed some bloody glass on the sidewalk beside an old faded blue suburban. He looked inside, turned and lost the big Mac that his stomach had just received. His companions looked inside and followed suit. They were new to this fringe area of law enforcement and had never seen anything like this. The first one recovered enough to pull his cell phone out and called 911.
Inside the hospital, two very nervous women were waiting to be picked up by their husband. They were sisters and terrified of “Pony-tail.” The older sister had married “Pony-tail” 3 years ago and the younger sister was a newlywed of only 2 months. “Pony-tail” was a good provider and they had all that money could buy. The sisters and the other 4 wives of “Pony-tail” lived in terror of him. “Pony-tail” would go on a tirade and beat whoever he came in contact with. The beatings were getting worse and seemed to be triggered by a phone call each time. It had something to do with his business, but none of them knew what that business was. He had a big fancy truck, but he didn’t leave town very often, usually once a week he would leave and be back the next day.
In fact, “Pony-tail” was Utah’s most successful importer of illegal aliens. For $1,000 “Pony-tail would guarantee transportation from the desert between Nogales and Tucson, Arizona to Salt Lake City, Utah in air conditioned comfort. Unlike most of his competitors, Pony-tail’s truck had benches, drinking water and was air conditioned. His weekly trip grossed him $50,000 and provided fifty new residents to Utah. His business partners in Arizona would sorely miss Pony-tail.
Detective Davis arrived at the hospital to find a crime scene compromised by hospital security officers, 3 patrol cars, 2 fire trucks, 5 ambulances, and a multitude of people. There also appeared to be at least 4 people looking out from every window in the hospital facing this direction. ‘There should be at least a witness or two from all those windows;’ but he was wrong.
He gathered information from the first people on the scene, the three security officers and from the patrol officers. The patrol officers had already canvassed the hospital to see if anyone had seen what happened through one of those windows, to no avail. “Pony-tail” had been shot through his open window with a high powered pistol. The bullet fragments had apparently blown out the window on the far side of the vehicle. The murder had happened sometime around 5:30 PM. Pony-tail was supposed to pick up his 2 wives at that time. The hospital had supplied him with records of all of “Pony-tail’s” charges. It appeared that there were hospital charges and ER admittances for 5 different women all claiming to be his spouse. All of them had been badly beaten; some more than once. The last two had broken arms and serious internal injuries.
Davis went to the address listed on the hospital records. It was inside a fenced compound in East Salt Lake City. The compound was owned by a small religious group. “Pony-tail” was one of the leaders of the group. His wives all told him the same thing.
“Yes, he beat them regularly and the beatings were getting worse.”
“No, they didn’t know what he hauled with his truck, but he was gone one day a week, usually he would leave Thursday and be home late Friday evening.”
“No, they didn’t know of anybody who would want to kill him.’ The other occupants of the compound echoed the wives story.
“He had a violent temper but with no enemies that they knew of.”
The report from ballistics was inconclusive. Bullet fragments were from a hollow point cartridge, probably a 9 MM. The crime scene report produced quite a few fingerprints, all of them from the 6 wives, their children, and the victim. There were no witnesses to the shooting. He was at a dead end. There were no clues and no motive except for the beatings of his wives. The wives all seemed the passive submissive sort.
The news report “Polygamy Leader Killed at Hospital. The leader (name withheld) of a Sugar House polygamy group was shot and killed as he arrived at the hospital to take two of his wives home. The women had been admitted and treated for suspected spousal abuse. Police report that they have no suspects or motives for the shooting. Could this be another killing by Robin Hood? Police ask for any witness to come forward. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s).”
SAM CHRISTIANSEN
Cole came into his office to find Sam Christiansen sitting behind his desk. “I want my Skull & Crossbones file back.”
“I gave it back to you.”
“I know, but I can’t find it. And now someone is going down my list killing them.”
“I’ve noticed that some of them have been killed recently.”
“Not some of them, but three of them, one after the other, right down the list!”
“So what do you want from me?”
“I want the copy of my list that you made. Nobody but you knows about the list. If the cops found out about it, they would think that I had something to do with those guys deaths.”
Cole had the original list in his truck. He pulled the copy out of his desk drawer and handed it to Christiansen. “Do you think that Robin Hood somehow got your list and took them out?”
“That’s exactly what I think. I thought that it was you until I couldn’t find my list.”
“Me, that’s ridiculous!”
“Yeah, that’s what I decided. It had to be someone else.”
‘Why do you think the idea of me being Robin Hood is ridiculous,’ thought Cole to himself? To Christiansen he said, “Where did you put the list after I gave it back to you?”
“I put it in my car. I’m always leaving the windows down, so someone could have easily stolen it. Do you realize how big it would have been if I could have actually interviewed Robin Hood?”
“That would have been big alright. We know he’s around somewhere, but to think that he actually reached in your car and stole your bad guy list is amazing,” said Cole, barely able to stop laughing. Cole had stolen the list back from Christiansen just in case Christiansen saw a connection between the bad guys on his list being killed and Cole.
Christiansen walked out of Cole’s office muttering about missing his big chance. “It might be my only big chance to get to the big time.”
Cole considered the possibilities of using Christiansen if the he ever needed publicity. ‘Maybe I’ll give you that big story someday,’ reflected Cole.
JUSTICE FOR ALL
Rizzo sat back, locked his office door, and looked out the window at the Mountains. ‘I really need to get out more often. Up those canyons is the best skiing in the world. There are hiking and bike trails winding down these canyons that people from back east or California would die for. I’ve driven up Big Cottonwood Canyon a few times.’ One time he had driven all the way to the end of the road. He had read that the road now goes on over the summit and down into Park City. That road is closed in winter, but now it would be open. Just before the summit he remembered there was a trailhead where bikers would park, unload their bikes and pick from 4 or 5 trails to ride down toward Salt Lake City.
‘My skiing is so rusty, I would probably kill myself if I tried anything more than a rope tow. I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a teenager, so that’s out too. Back to business’ he said out loud. Rizzo didn’t know why it helped him think, to sit and talk out loud to himself. ‘If people could hear me they would probably think I’m crazy. Whatever, I think that it’s about time to arrange a meeting with Cole and Aaron where they can’t see me. I don’t want them to know who they’re talking too.’
He was still looking at the row of mountains that reached toward the eastern sky, ‘I know just the place, that trailhead parking lot at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon would be perfect; it would be empty in the evening. I could meet them and not have to worry about anybody hearing them talk. Gleason had given me the key to a summer cabin about a mile down the hill from the parking lot. Gleason used the cabin about a month per year during the prime skiing season and maybe a day or two at a time in other times of the year. Mostly it sat empty.’ Rizzo had a standing invitation to help himself to the cabin anytime he liked, up till now he had not made the time. He would check with Gleason to see if it was available. I’ll park my car at the cabin and walk up to the parking lot. It might not be critical that he remain anonymous but it could mean the difference between his life and death if “JUSTICE FOR ALL” became known to the wrong people.’
Cole was sitting on the couch with his arm around Jan, thinking what a lucky man he was. ‘He had a sweet, beautiful, loving wife that he had searched for since he was 20 years old. His job was ok. Nothing to brag about, but he didn’t hate it like some people felt about their job. He even expected a promotion within the next few months. His family corporation was flush with cash, so if he became unemployed, he could pull out enough money to replace his salary from the monthly income and not touch the investment balance. He had a storage unit with much more cash available if needed. He had good friends. He just felt lucky. How else could you explain what happened to him, Jan and Aaron over the last 2 years?’
“Why are you smiling,” laughed Jan?
“Just thinking about you,” responded Cole.
Jan melted into his shoulder and said, “I love you, why did it take so long to find you?”
“I don’t know. I’m just so happy that we finally got together, I love you.”
“I saw the doctor today,” said Jan.
Instantly alarmed, Cole asked, “What’s the matter, why did you go see the doctor?”
“Well, DAD, there is nothing to worry about,” said Jan as she winked at him.
“What do you mean……WE’RE PREGNANT,” shouted Cole?
Jan laughed again, “You could say that, YES WE’RE PREGNANT!”
Cole felt a helpless feeling and said, “What do we do, shouldn’t you be lying down or something, let me help you.”
Laughing Jan said, “I’m pregnant, not helpless or sick. I’m supposed to get plenty of exercise and eat properly. Speaking of exercise, how about I race you to the bedroom, last one to get naked loses.”
Cole jumped to his feet and said, “Can you, I mean can we, I mean, is it ok to, you know?”
From the bedroom, “YOU LOSE.”
Sitting in the kitchen an hour later, “I’m starving, can we order in Pizza.”
“Sure, why not,” said Cole.
Cole just put down the phone from ordering the pizza when his phone rang. He figured it was the pizza place confirming the order. Instead he heard, “Cole, please listen for a moment, I know about the extracurricular activities you and Aaron have been doing the past 2 years. I’m not calling to blackmail you, or to cause you any problem, quite the contrary, but I do need to talk to you in absolute privacy. Can you and Aaron meet me at the trailhead parking lot at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, tomorrow night 9 PM? Pull into the parking lot, turn off the lights and open your windows. There won’t be any other vehicles, but I’ll be there. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand, we’ll be there.”
“Who was that?”
“I don’t know, he wanted to meet with me tomorrow night,” Cole said as he frantically tried to think of what else to say. He didn’t want to worry Jan so he said, “I think it’s about a job.”
“Kind of late to be calling about a job isn’t it?”
“Yes it is, but you know how some people are, they think everyone works the same hours they do, even if its 9 PM at night. He also said that if I have a friend that I trust, to please bring him. So I’m going to ask Aaron to go with me.”
“I’m glad you’re not going alone. Do you think I’ll be ugly as I get more and more pregnant?”
“I hate to inform you, but you either are, or you’re not pregnant, you do not get more or less pregnant. You probably haven’t noticed, but when a beautiful woman like you gets pregnant, they get even more beautiful. It’s like they almost glow. You have that glow now; I didn’t put the signs together. You’re getting more gorgeous every day.”
Laughing Jan said, “You’re such a liar, but don’t stop I love it.”
The next day at their lunch, Cole filled Aaron in on everything the mysterious caller had said and what he had told Jan. Jan and Rachel talked almost every day. If either Cole or Aaron were going to be stretching the facts, they needed to cover all of the bases.
“What do you think is going on,” asked Aaron.
“The only thing that I can come up with is the comment you made after that police detective who came to question Jamie. You said he gave you a look that told you he knew more about you than he should have. How about I pick you up at 8 PM?”
“I had forgotten about that, hmmmmmm, OK”
The rest of the day crept by at an unbearable pace. Finally it was time to go home. A quick meal and Cole drove to Aaron’s place and they headed up the canyon. It was 8:30 Pm when they got there. Cole turned off the lights. They didn’t see anyone else there. “He said 9 PM,” said Aaron.
“Yeah, I remember, but I wanted to be here a little early. I’ll roll down all the windows.”
A voice from the darkness “you’re early. I thought that you might be, so I came early as well.”
“Who are you?”
“That’s not important. It’s best that you don’t know who I am. When I’m done talking, you will see why you really don’t need to know who I am. I don’t want to know who you are, but it has to start somewhere.”
Cole had a dozen questions, but decided that he would wait and if he still had questions when the mysterious person finished, he would ask them then.
“I asked you to come here because I’ve been watching some of your irregular activities over the last couple of years. When I first noticed you, I was concerned that you may be killing people because you just plain liked to kill people. You have satisfied that concern because you didn’t have any kind of pattern and the time between these killings varied. If you were crazy with the power of killing, it would be like a sickness and you would have to kill more and more and quicker and quicker. I’m not a shrink so I will quit with my psychobabble. I’m impressed that you were able to have several people die of accidents. It’s much simpler to have the bad guy’s die of an accident when possible. I’m satisfied that in every case that I am aware of, you have picked those members of our society that needed to be killed. You have chosen people that were beating their spouses who would soon kill those spouses. Other people that you chose were making their living from the misery and addiction of others.
I should add at this point that Mr. Gleason is extremely grateful for your work in saving his son. He also wants you to know that he saw your license number when you were sitting in his driveway waiting for his son to go in the house, but because of some selective short term memory loss, that number has been forgotten.”
“Oops, we didn’t realize that we were being watched from inside the house. I guess we’re lucky that he didn’t turn that number into the police,” said Cole.
“I was impressed with your methods. I was also impressed that you have learned martial arts skills and learned to use firearms in a very professional manner. Your resourcefulness in taking the drug money and hiding it also showed your intelligence and self control. I’ve chosen to approach you at this time so that I may be able to perhaps direct your efforts for the maximum benefit. If you decide to utilize my information and skills, you’ll continue your work as assassins, but you would be working for an organization whose only purpose is to help the legal system handle those criminals that slip through the cracks of the Justice system. Some examples are,
Judges giving criminals reduced sentences and a slap on the wrist;
Corrupt people in positions of power taking advantages of the freedoms in this country;
Men who feel it’s their right to abuse their wives or girlfriends;
Terrorists who use the freedoms of America to actively work to kill American citizens and destroy America;
Men who feel it’s their right to physically and sexually abuse innocent children of their own or others;
Corrupt policemen who abuse their power;
And foreign diplomatic personnel, who use their immunity to kill, rob and steal with impunity.
You get the idea. The organization is called JUSTICE FOR ALL. I’m sure that you have questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.”
Aaron asked, “Why don’t you show your face? I believe I know who you are.”
“With your intelligence, I would be surprised if you didn’t suspect who I am, however, for the foreseeable future you won’t know for sure. Because the activities that we’ll be engaged in are frowned on by some law enforcement people, there’s the possibility that we may be questioned by those who would like to know others in our organization. You don’t know for sure who I am. Therefore you cannot be forced to tell anybody who I am. It’s true that I know you. You’re known as Robin Hood and because I know, there’s a danger to you, but it couldn’t be helped. There is a greater chance that you would be questioned than would I.”
“Finally there’s the fact that I haven’t made my offer to you yet. If you know who I am and decline my offer, it could become a delicate situation.”
“You talk as if this organization is broader in scope than just you and us?”
“Correct, I don’t even know how big the organization is. I know that there are at least 23 offices across the country. I was contacted by someone in a similar setting as this one. My attitude and frustration with the legal climate that many times released criminals to prey on the innocent people of this country became well enough known that I was contacted by a member of the organization. I was asked to find people who I could recruit. You two fit the description of who I should be watching for.”
“You seemed to take a long time to contact us. Do you operate under any kind of a time line?”
“No, my instructions are to take whatever time I needed to be sure before contacting anyone.”
“You obviously have been watching us since our first incident.” How did you know we’re involved in the accidents,” said Cole?
“I wasn’t’ sure of any of them. It just seemed logical that in every case, one or both of you were close enough to be considered. I’ve been watching unsolved cases where the criminal dies and each time, if you’re in the general neighborhood, I assume one or both of you 2 were involved. I also have been watching your personal preparation with martial arts training and with pistols, again, only circumstantial evidence.”
“You talk like a police detective.”
“I also sound like I watch a lot of police shows on television.”
“You know a lot about us. Why would we want to work with you or JUSTICE FOR ALL?”
“Finally, the right question! JUSTICE FOR ALL is a secret society. Most secret societies operate outside the law. That’s why they’re secret. However, JUSTICE FOR ALL is different from every other secret society I’ve ever heard of. The others are into all kinds of rituals, killing sometimes to consolidate or achieve power or money. If JUSTICE FOR ALL ever becomes common knowledge, every secret society and every person who has achieved power illegally or immorally will do everything they can to destroy every person connected with JUSTICE FOR ALL. Can you imagine the pressure that organized crime, corrupt politicians and law enforcement people would apply if they learn that JUSTICE FOR ALL is an active organization whose only reason to exist is to destroy them?”
“You’re scaring the crap out of me,” said Aaron.
“Good, I don’t want you to take this lightly. If you make this commitment, you’ll become assassins for good. I’ll guide you to a great paying job at a legitimate profitable company. You will have regular hours, take vacations, get promoted and from the outside will have a normal business life. Your job will be a cover that enables you to spend your working hours identifying human vermin, planning their assassinations, and then killing the worst criminals in the country. We don’t plan on expanding to any other countries, yet. You’ve already started your financial retirement with your own corporations. That’s great; we will provide the means to help you if you need it. Frankly you’re doing pretty well. You’ll file tax returns each year and pay a great deal of taxes. You’ll be a model American by day and a secret super patriotic American by night. What you have done so far is only a small example of what you’ll be able to do. I don’t expect an answer now, but I do expect an answer in 48 hours. Either way, I want you to meet me here at this spot in exactly 48 hours from now, that’s 10 PM the day after tomorrow. Do you have any more questions?”
“Should we tell our wives, they probably suspect us but really don’t know about our nefarious activities”, asked Aaron?”
“I would rather that you didn’t. Let’s think about it for a moment. The incidence of divorce is close to 50%. I would guess that divorce is the farthest thing from either of your minds right now. Statistics say that one of you will be divorced within a couple of years. Do you want to face the prospect of a former spouse who knows your deepest, darkest secret? The ramifications could be complex and might require drastic measures. A woman is wired differently that you are. Their emotions get in the way of logic sometimes. Anyway, I could talk about the different reasons not to tell your wives all night long. There are a few reasons to tell them, but not many.
For your information, my wife gave up on me years ago. She was a fantastic woman who I will love forever, but she couldn’t live with the long hours and my silence about what I was doing. My work was becoming more dangerous, so for her safety I let her go. I think the best way to approach this decision is like a career decision. Analyze the pros and the cons. At your lunch meeting tomorrow, make a list and talk them out. We can discuss any questions when we meet in 2 days. I will talk to you then, goodbye.”
Cole and Aaron didn’t hear a sound after the goodbye. “Are you still there, I have another question,” said Cole.
There was no answer.
“Let’s go,” said Aaron, “Rachel will be worried if I don’t get home soon.”
At lunch the next day, “how did you sleep,” asked Cole?
“I didn’t sleep much. This guy knows everything about us. It’s so exciting and so scary. I was imagining what it would be like to spend all of our time, except family time, trying to destroy the bad people.”
“I have a friend who was a police officer in southern California. He told me when he first started; every day was like playing cowboys and Indians. Every day they were chasing the bad guys. High speed chases through town, shooting back and forth sometimes. It was so much fun that his boss had to make him go home each night. Over the years as the paperwork increased and the restrictions and rules were heaped on them, it stopped being fun and turned into drudgery. I can imagine that this would be like his example when he first started in some respects. We wouldn’t be chasing bad people all around southern California, but we would be watching, planning and pulling the plug on some really bad people. I’m guessing that if we slipped up and were caught by the police, JUSTICE FOR ALL would help us.”
“That’s a good question, let’s remember to ask him tomorrow night.”
Cole asked Aaron, “What’re you thinking? Do you want to accept the offer, or are you still mulling it over?”
“At this point, I think that I want to go ahead with it. If I didn’t accept the offer, I would kick myself every time I saw a criminal or a politician get away with something. Every woman that I saw with bruises on her face and neck would remind me that I may have saved her from a beating or even an early death.”
Cole became deadly serious, “I was thinking about Jan, Billy, and our baby that is coming in another 5 months. I’m taking a chance, but I’m making the world a better place. What could I do that has the possibility of doing as much good as this? I agree with you, let’s think about it some more and meet for lunch again tomorrow, how about Chinese?”
Cole was chewing some orange chicken, “I’m so excited that I can’t believe it. Before we were doing our own thing and I was afraid that I was becoming a mass murderer. Now, it seems we have even more incentive to keep on getting rid of the rabid dogs. I’m actually like a policeman without the paperwork and the corrupt politicians telling me what I can and can’t do. How about I pick you up at 9:30 PM?”
At 10:00 PM sharp they pulled into the trailhead parking lot, rolled down the windows and turned off the lights.
“You’re right on time tonight. Do you have any question for me?”
“What happens if we slip up and are caught by the police?”
“Excellent question, it could happen. However, there are members of JUSTICE FOR ALL in every police station that I’m aware of. Every honest policeman, and there are a lot of them, is sick to their stomach about what’s happening. When the detectives see a bad guy killed, they don’t look quite so hard for the killer if they suspect it’s a good guy. Evidence that may tie one case with another is never tied together. Why do you think that you weren’t questioned on most of the people that you have put away? Is there a danger that you may be caught and arrested by some overzealous or corrupt policeman? The answer is yes. I’m going to help you avoid that possibility as much as possible. So far you’ve done very well without my help. I guess I’m trying to say I don’t really know. If you were caught and prosecuted, “JUSTICE FOR ALL” would pay all legal costs and would hire the best legal defense that money could buy.”
“Are you going to give us a list of who to go after?”
“I will supply you with the first page of my list of people that I believe deserve to die. The list will have a complete dossier on why they’re on the list, as well as phone numbers, and addresses and sometimes pictures. I don’t want you to simply accept my list and go kill them. You’ll need to check them out and plan the assassinations. We want you to make it look like an accident if possible, or a rival group. You’ve done a perfect job with the drug people. It had the look of a robbery by someone in their organization or from a rival group. Both times you took out a drug supplier, additional drug people died in the groups as they frantically tried to find out who was responsible and kill them.”
“I take it from your questions, that you’ve decided to accept our proposal?”
In unison Cole and Aaron said, “Yes.”
“Do you have untraceable pistols with silencers?”
“We liberated 2 Glock pistols and silencers from the Mexican brothers as well as other pistols we picked up from the first drug dealer and the tall black man and his friends.”
“Perfect, if the police have any record of those guns, they would be really confused if bullets turned up that were fired from them. We’re not going to communicate by any electronic means. That means no internet email, no cell phones or regular phones. All of those leave tracks that can be easily traced. I will give you a hand printed list, good luck on my hand writing, periodically. If we need to talk to me, look under classifieds in KSL.com. Go to the Services Heading, then Accounting. Look for “Experienced Accountant, $75 per hour…” call that number and let it ring 3 times, and then hang up. I will meet you here that night at 9:30 PM.”
“Tomorrow you’ll be called by a man who will identify himself as a human relations manager from “FREEDOM PLUS.” Incidentally for your information, “FREEDOM PLUS”, is a Gleason company. The HR Manager will set up an appointment for you to come to interview with him in his office. It’s a sales position for a foreign currency trading company. You will need to travel at least a week or two per month. You will receive a guarantee of $10,000 per month plus commission, full benefits including life insurance, health insurance, retirement, 401K, the works. You will of course accept and give 2 weeks’ notice at your current job. Here’s the first list. I don’t expect you to take care of all of these this week! Take your time, study the material, and then go study the individuals. You must try to get in position to take them out in the manner we discussed. We don’t want the police or anybody to suspect that you have a list or that the string of bad guy deaths is all being done by the same people or group. On this first list, I want you to meet me here a week from now at 10 PM. We will discuss the list and what your plans are for them at that point. Please have at least a preliminary idea of how you’re going to take them out. I’m sure at that time you’ll have some more questions for me. I’ll see you then.”
“I’m not even going to ask if he’s there this time. He is spooky,” said Aaron.
Rizzo was sitting on a big rock 10 yards from the car. It was pitch black so they couldn’t see him. In a week, there would be some moonlight. They would be able to see his shape if they looked in the right direction. The light would not be good enough to see the features of his face. When he said goodbye, he stepped behind a big tree. He could hear their comments until they started the car or rolled up the windows.
‘I’m spooky, huh, if they only knew.’
If they turned this way when they left the parking lot, they would not see him. The car started up, lights blinked on, and they pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the canyon road. 17 miles down, and about a mile lower in elevation, were the lights of Salt Lake City. Rizzo watched the tail lights winding down the canyon and walked down to Gleason’s cabin. Some cabin, most people would consider this cabin a castle. Rizzo figured that the value would be at least 3 million dollars, maybe a lot more. The acreage that the building sat on would be at least a million dollars all by itself. ‘Well, my part of this enterprise is now off and running. This is going to get real interesting. I can’t wait to report my progress to my JUSTICE FOR ALL contact. This is my first chance to really get something done since I became a part of JUSTICE FOR ALL 3 years ago. The list that I’ve been working on for 2 years should be interesting reading to Robin Hood’. He pulled the special cell phone out of his pocket and called the memorized number, ‘the prospective employees have accepted the employment offer, please follow through with the hiring process as soon as practical.’
Friday, April 9, 2010
Chapter Ten
JAMES GLEASON
Detective Rizzo got the call from the police commissioner, Ken Parr. It was noteworthy that the call came from the police commissioner and not the police chief. It seems that one of the Utah’s big wigs wanted to talk to him.
“Go see James Gleason as quick as you can get to his home. He’s expecting you.”
James R. Gleason was a pillar of the community and respected by just about everyone except the unions and those who hate all rich people. He was the president and CEO of the biggest coal mining company in Utah. His net worth was reported to be close to a Billion dollars. He had a large family and was scrupulously honest. His operations were all non-union and he treated his employees fairly and made sure that their employment packages were always better than their union counterparts. The unions constantly demanded to represent his workers and filed lawsuit after lawsuit in an effort to force Gleason to bring in the union to avoid the harassment.
“Detective, I wanted to talk to you before the reporters turn this into a media circus. My youngest son was kidnapped earlier today.”
Rizzo interrupted, “Why are you talking to me then? We have a team trained to handle kidnappings?”
“My son was returned to us about an hour ago by Robin Hood. I called Ken Parr and explained what had happened and what I wanted to do. I asked for the best detective he had because I want to make sure that justice is served here. He told me he would have you come see me.”
“I’m not sure that I understand what you’re saying.”
“I apologize for beating around the bush, but I want to make sure that you’re the man that I want to talk to. My wife was frantic and I was about to call the police when my son ran up to the door, but before he opened it, he turned around and waved to a truck in the driveway. When he opened the door, the truck left. I have the license number of that truck, but I’m not going to give it to you.”
“Like most 12 year old boys, my son has an active imagination. He told us that he had been kidnapped by men who threw blankets over him and then placed him in a box. The box was picked up and taken somewhere. Then he heard what he thought was shooting. He wasn’t sure it was shooting; he said it sounded more like a loud clapping sound. He thought maybe it was guns with silencers. When the clapping stopped he was freed from the box and brought home by 2 men who claimed to be Robin Hood.
Frankly we didn’t believe him. Then he gave us a piece of paper with an address printed on it. I was going to ignore it, but instead, I called my good friend Ken Parr, the police commissioner and told him the story. He asked for the address and reported back to me that they found 3 dead men at that address along with a wooden box and blankets that matched what my son had described. I want to know who these men who saved my son are and I don’t want them prosecuted for killing those animals. I told Ken that I wanted to talk to his best detective. He said that unofficially, he agreed with me and told me that he would have you come see me. Can you help me?”
‘That explains why I wasn’t called on the murder case.’ “Yes, I think that I can help you. This is a very delicate matter. If you didn’t have the reputation that you do, we would not have this conversation, no matter how much money you have.”
“This isn’t about money,” said Gleason.
“No, it’s not, and I wanted to be sure that you understood that. You’re a rich man; but as you’re aware, there are some things that aren’t for sale. I know who saved your son, and like you said, it’s not about money. I can’t tell you their names for obvious reasons. These men are called Robin Hood because a family, rejoicing over their saved daughter, came up with the nick name. They never sought any recognition. They only want to help people. At this point in time, they don’t even know that I know who they are. Letting you see their license plate was a mistake. They’re willing to take the chance to make sure that Jimmy got into the house safely. Please forget that you saw it.”
“My number recognition skill is fading fast.”
“Thank you.”
“Detective Rizzo, please come into the study. I need to sit down and I want to make sure that you and I understand each other.”
“Would you care for something to drink?”
“A cold water would be great.”
Gleason pulled a bottle of water out of the refrigerator built into the wall and handed it to Rizzo. “This is my private study. It’s electronically swept daily. About once a week, we find a bug. It was swept this morning. Please correct me if I have any of the details wrong. Robin Hood is actually 2 men who go around killing criminals where ever they find one. The police are unofficially looking the other way. Robin Hood isn’t aware that the police are helping him. These two guys, Robin Hood, saved my son today without knowing who he was and returned him to me with no thought to ask for a reward. Do I have it right so far?”
“You have it mostly correct. Some of the police look the other way. There are others in law enforcement that are very uncomfortable with the idea of Robin Hood and want him killed. For example, you talked to the police commissioner who referred you directly to me instead of going through Bruce Mortenson, the police chief.”
“I wondered about that, but decided not to ask why. It seemed to me that maybe Ken doesn’t trust Bruce.”
“I don’t trust him either. The chief is a politician and like a lot of politicians, he has trouble with moral decisions. If you have money and influence, you’ve got his support. The people with power want Robin Hood found and killed, that’s good enough for Bruce. Anyway, since Robin Hood doesn’t know that I’m aware of them and their activities, I’m not sure how this rescue came about. It looks to me that they went to kill the murderer that Judge Cramer released, because he couldn’t speak English, and in the process stumbled on a kidnapping in progress. They then probably shot all of the available bad guys, opened the box and freed your son and returned him home. They had to find out who he was and where he lived to bring him home. If they were looking for a reward, you would have been the first to know.”
“Is there any way that I can help Robin Hood?”
“What I am about to say to you must remain confidential and only between you and me.”
“You have my word. There’s no recording of what’s said in this room and I won’t tell anyone what you tell me tonight.”
“Again, I must emphasize that it’s only because of your impeccable reputation that I can tell you about my unofficial activities. First off, the commissioner, Ken Parr, doesn’t know what I’m doing. He suspects a little, but because of his public responsibilities, he wanted to stay out of our organization until he is released from his elected office.
Between you and me, I can only say that there is a nationwide organization dedicated to strengthening America. Our goal is to remove those members of society who threaten America. Murderers, rapists, terrorists, pedophiles, traitors and corrupt elected officials all tear down the fabric of a strong America. We will use any method available to remove those people. Robin Hood has not been invited to become a part of our organization, yet. If you want to learn more and how you can help, I will have a person contact you. He will use my name to make the appointment and will want to meet in a place such as this. We have individuals, such as you, who have established trust funds to help those people and projects who are short of money. We don’t need money at present, but that situation could change.”
“I’ve wanted to do something more for my country but didn’t know what to do. You can count on me. If there’s something that I can do for you on a personal basis, don’t hesitate to call me. I feel that I need to do something to repay you and Robin Hood for saving my sons’ life. I want to learn more, please contact me. Here is my card with my private number.”
Rizzo thanked him for his time, and gave him his card, “as far as the kidnapping, if it’s ok with you, I won’t even report it, I’ll see what’s happening to those dead kidnappers, but there will be no connection to your son. When I talk to Robin Hood, I’ll tell them that you want to thank them for saving their son. Will you talk to your son and ask him to not tell anyone about the kidnapping. It would probably be a good idea if you informed the school administration that you want them to increase the security measures of the school. You could tell them you tested the existing security now in place and were able to avoid security and kidnap your son without a trace yesterday as he left the school.”
Back on the highway, Rizzo said to his steering wheel, ‘I hope Gleason is the person his reputation says he is. The wrong move could cost me my life, but if I’m right, he’ll be a valuable ally.’
Rizzo went to the shack to see what was going on. Detective Davis was talking to a patrol officer. He saw Rizzo, “Where’ve you been, this should’ve been your case?”
“I had a case that I couldn’t break away from until now. Here I am, what’s going on?”
Davis had learned the ropes from Rizzo and respected him above everyone else in the department. “There are 3 bodies perforated by what looks like 9 MM hollow point cartridges. You don’t get that much damage with a 38. One of the bodies is the man that was released by the Judge Cramer because he doesn’t speak English. The other 2 are low life muscle types that have records longer than my arm. It looks to me like a kidnapping was in progress. There’s a wooden box with blankets right in the middle of the bodies. It’s covered with blood and guts. It looks like the box was forced open and a small person had been wrapped in the blankets inside. These guys ended up dead and the kidnapping victim is gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a kidnapping and a demand for money materializing in the next day or two.”
“Could be; let me know if anything develops.”
The news media reported, “THREE MEN KILLED GANGLAND STYLE. Three men were found in a shack on the west side of Salt Lake City. The bodies were found through “excellent dedicated police work.” One of the victims had just been released from a murder charge because he was from a remote country in Africa, could not speak English, and a translator could not be found. The other two are long time local trouble makers with criminal records. Names are withheld until notification of next of kin. Police are suggesting that the murders may have been gang and drug related or, could it be Robin Hood at work?”
Judge Cramer read about the death of the guy who couldn’t speak English, without a second of remorse. The police had told him that the man both spoke and understood English, but the police officer was a jerk and he wanted to show him who was boss. The guy never spoke to him and acted like he didn’t understand what was being said to him. It worked out for the best, no prison time and he’s dead. The judge didn’t even consider the innocent woman who had been picked out at a park and then raped and killed when she refused to go with the tall black man. He wondered about this Robin Hood thing. ‘I hope they find him and he comes to my court. I would put him away for the rest of his life!’
MURDERER IN CANAL
Cole said, “Pass the soy sauce. Hey, the next guy on the Skull and Crossbones list just walked in front of us. That’s him walking down the street.”
“What’s the story?”
“I recognize him from the newspaper stories about the murder of a bank teller a few months ago. There is also a picture in the Skull & Crossbones file. He went into a bank to steal some money. He handed the teller a handwritten note that was pretty much unintelligible. The teller hesitated, probably because she couldn’t read it. He shot her. He then tried to take hostages before the guard shot him in the leg. The teller died before she reached the hospital.”
“The judge, Cramer, dismissed the case because the guard didn’t tell the robber to drop his gun before he shot him. The guy has a history of armed robbery and attempted murder. Cramer has been the judge in many of his cases and has either dismissed the case or given him a reduced sentence every time.”
Aaron put his truck in gear and pulled down the street following the target. “My 9 MM is under the seat and the silencer is already attached.” They passed the target and went around the block to come back up behind him again.
“There is a bridge over a little canal in the next block. If you’re really good, you can shoot him and make him fall into the canal,” laughed Aaron.
“How do you expect me to even hit him when it’s your gun,” said Cole with tongue firmly planted in his cheek as he put a bullet in the chamber and checked the silencer?
Aaron waited until the man crossed the street and approached the bridge. He pulled up slightly ahead of the guy who was having an animated conversation with someone on his cell phone. “It’s clear, No cars coming toward us from front or back.”
Cole opened the door and shot him twice in the chest at a range of about 10 feet. Before he could fall to the concrete, Cole gave him a push to make sure that he fell over the bridge railing and down into the canal.
Under the bridge a witness watched the shooting. His name was Samuel Westcott III. Samuel, as his name suggests, was born into a wealthy family in Boston. Samuel rebelled at the age of 15 against his family, its privilege, and society in general. He decided to act crazy. When it was accepted that he was crazy, he ran away. That was 10 years ago. He was a homeless man living under a bridge who had just witnessed Robin Hood kill a man.
‘No one would believe me even if I told them,’ he thought.
Three days later and 5 miles downstream from the bridge, some teenagers were swimming in the canal. One of the guys bumped into something in the water. He wanted to impress the girls so he reached down and grabbed it and yelled to his companions,
“Hey, I just found a dead body!” He grabbed what he thought was a round pole. It turned out to be an ankle. A shoe broke the water first and the guy forgot that he was trying to impress the girls, he screamed like a girl, pushed the leg down and came out of the water as fast as he could, all the time yelling and screaming. “It’s a body, it’s a body, it’s a body!”
One of his companions, who had opted out of swimming, had a cell phone and called 911.
The detective assigned to the case put the facts together. The guy was the murderer who got out of jail because of a lenient judge. He was shot twice in the chest with a high powered pistol. The coroner put the death at 3 to 4 days ago. The place of death was unknown. The body could have been thrown into the canal anywhere upstream. The guy had not been reported missing and his home address that was listed on his driver’s license was an office building in South Salt Lake City. The guy had lots of enemies including the family of the bank teller he killed about a year ago. “He’s not worth the trouble of doing a lot of investigation, so I’m going to trash can it. Death caused by unknown shooter with unknown motive.
The news report was buried in the paper and simply gave the facts in a short paragraph. “Killer who walked because of a technicality found dead in Canal. The police do not have a suspect or a motive. They listed his name and gave the details of the attempted bank robbery. Could this be the work of Robin Hood?”
Rizzo smiled and thought, ‘they’re ready, now to find a place.’
CLINT STOVER
“It doesn’t appear that many people miss that guy. Who’s next on the list,” asked Aaron?
“Going to work is getting to be a real pain. I look forward to going after these “rabid dogs” while work takes up most of my time. This next guy is a real piece of work. His name is Clint Stover. He killed his wife, 5 kids and his mother in law. The neighbors called police when they heard the gunshots. The guy was sitting there with a smile on his face and an empty shotgun on his lap when the police arrived. The arresting officer was so enraged at the carnage, that he pistol whipped Stover and didn’t read him his rights. Judge Cramer released him on bail of $1,000 and will undoubtedly throw out the case because of “police brutality” and failure to read him his rights. Stover works as a cab driver days and pizza delivery man in the evenings.”
“We can’t call for a cab or a pizza because those calls are recorded. We could get his cab number and wait for him at the cab company; then follow him until we find a good place to put him out of his misery.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said Cole.
Aaron continued, “I’ll take some time off and sit where I can see the drivers coming and going. I have a picture of Stover and a description of his car.”
“Call me if I can help, meanwhile I’ll go to work.”
Aaron parked across the street from the entrance to the cab company’s office and watched for Stover to arrive. Stover drove in 10 minutes later and a few minutes later pulled out in cab #31702. Aaron followed him out to the airport where Stover got in line with a bunch of other cabs. Aaron picked up his cell phone, “Hey Cole, I have a plan. Stover is parked in line at the airport. I’ll park my truck in short term parking and wait until Stover is next up, then hail a cab and go for a ride. I’ll have him take me to his old address. That’s an appropriate place for him to die, don’t you think. Can you pick me up there in about 30 minutes?”
Aaron watched the cabs until #31702 was the next in line. He called for a cab and from out of nowhere a cab swooped in to give him a ride. Aaron told him to “get lost” and beckoned Stover to come on up.
Stover pulled up, “Thanks, I appreciate that. Those independent cabs drive us crazy. We sit in line for hours and then an independent cab swings in and steals our fares. Where do you want to go?”
Aaron gave him an address down the street from Stover’s home address. Stover looked at him in the mirror. “That’s just down the street from where I live, do I know you?”
“No, probably not, I’m just visiting your neighbor.”
Stover was satisfied with that answer for awhile, and then asked, “Which neighbor are you visiting?”
“You have the address, don’t you know your neighbors, I’m going to visit Cole Taylor?”
“Cole Taylor, oh yeah, I know who that is, he’s a heck of a guy.”
Aaron laughed to himself at Stover pretended to know his neighbor. He pulled up to the house. “Go ahead and pull in front of that one”, as he pointed to Stover’s house.
“What’s going on?”
Aaron showed the 9 MM to Stover, “Just do it!”
Stover pulled up in front of his house and reached for his microphone. Aaron squeezed the trigger and Stover and all of his legal problems went away.
Cole pulled up and Aaron quickly got out of the cab for the ride back to the airport. “I love a good plan,” said Aaron. Cole dropped Aaron off at the departures gate into the airport terminal.
“Have a good weekend, see you for lunch Monday.”
Cole responded, “Tell Rachel and Jamie hi for us.”
Aaron walked to the baggage area and then back out to the parking area just like any other airline passenger coming home to Salt Lake City.
The cab company dispatcher called and called for Stover. The identification marker indicated that he was at his home but wouldn’t respond to the radio or the telephone. Stover’s boss blew up! “First this clown kills his family and swears that he’s innocent, so I give him another chance. Now he flakes out in the middle of the day. He’s fired as of now! Nancy, call the cops and tell them we have a problem. Give them Stover’s address!”
The police patrol officer was the same man who had pistol whipped Stover. He pulled up behind Stover’s cab and walked up beside the cab. Parts of Stover’s head were smeared all over the inside of the windshield. The officer grabbed his shoulder microphone and called dispatch with music in his voice, “honey, it’s a wonderful day, I just discovered a homicide from the cab company’s complaint, that snake who killed his family is now in hell, please send a meat wagon and a crime scene team to his home address.”
The officer canvassed the neighborhood. Most of the homes were empty and the few people who were home were watching “soap operas” or other mind wiping TV programs. None of them had seen any activity outside.
The detective went over the details with the responding officer. “The cab had picked up a fare at the airport and drove straight to the cabbie’s home address. There the fare had blown Stover’s head away and disappeared. The cab was covered with fingerprints, but none of them came up in the data bank. No witnesses were found. ‘A very bad guy is dead. No further work is necessary,’ thought the detective. He filed his report and stated that no clues to the identification of the shooter were found.
The news story was short. “Accused multiple murderer Clint Stover, accused murderer of his family and mother in law, was found shot to death in his cab in front of his home. No motive or clues to the shooter have been found. Could the shooter be Robin Hood? Any witnesses are asked to contact the police.
Judge Cramer read the news story and suddenly got a cold chill when he thought about the other death of a person who he had released from jail. ‘I wonder if Robin Hood will be coming after me?’ He answered his own question, ‘Nah, why would Robin Hood come after me?’
Rizzo read the report and smiled at the increasing sophistication of Cole and Aaron’s efforts. “Yep it’s time.”
Detective Rizzo got the call from the police commissioner, Ken Parr. It was noteworthy that the call came from the police commissioner and not the police chief. It seems that one of the Utah’s big wigs wanted to talk to him.
“Go see James Gleason as quick as you can get to his home. He’s expecting you.”
James R. Gleason was a pillar of the community and respected by just about everyone except the unions and those who hate all rich people. He was the president and CEO of the biggest coal mining company in Utah. His net worth was reported to be close to a Billion dollars. He had a large family and was scrupulously honest. His operations were all non-union and he treated his employees fairly and made sure that their employment packages were always better than their union counterparts. The unions constantly demanded to represent his workers and filed lawsuit after lawsuit in an effort to force Gleason to bring in the union to avoid the harassment.
“Detective, I wanted to talk to you before the reporters turn this into a media circus. My youngest son was kidnapped earlier today.”
Rizzo interrupted, “Why are you talking to me then? We have a team trained to handle kidnappings?”
“My son was returned to us about an hour ago by Robin Hood. I called Ken Parr and explained what had happened and what I wanted to do. I asked for the best detective he had because I want to make sure that justice is served here. He told me he would have you come see me.”
“I’m not sure that I understand what you’re saying.”
“I apologize for beating around the bush, but I want to make sure that you’re the man that I want to talk to. My wife was frantic and I was about to call the police when my son ran up to the door, but before he opened it, he turned around and waved to a truck in the driveway. When he opened the door, the truck left. I have the license number of that truck, but I’m not going to give it to you.”
“Like most 12 year old boys, my son has an active imagination. He told us that he had been kidnapped by men who threw blankets over him and then placed him in a box. The box was picked up and taken somewhere. Then he heard what he thought was shooting. He wasn’t sure it was shooting; he said it sounded more like a loud clapping sound. He thought maybe it was guns with silencers. When the clapping stopped he was freed from the box and brought home by 2 men who claimed to be Robin Hood.
Frankly we didn’t believe him. Then he gave us a piece of paper with an address printed on it. I was going to ignore it, but instead, I called my good friend Ken Parr, the police commissioner and told him the story. He asked for the address and reported back to me that they found 3 dead men at that address along with a wooden box and blankets that matched what my son had described. I want to know who these men who saved my son are and I don’t want them prosecuted for killing those animals. I told Ken that I wanted to talk to his best detective. He said that unofficially, he agreed with me and told me that he would have you come see me. Can you help me?”
‘That explains why I wasn’t called on the murder case.’ “Yes, I think that I can help you. This is a very delicate matter. If you didn’t have the reputation that you do, we would not have this conversation, no matter how much money you have.”
“This isn’t about money,” said Gleason.
“No, it’s not, and I wanted to be sure that you understood that. You’re a rich man; but as you’re aware, there are some things that aren’t for sale. I know who saved your son, and like you said, it’s not about money. I can’t tell you their names for obvious reasons. These men are called Robin Hood because a family, rejoicing over their saved daughter, came up with the nick name. They never sought any recognition. They only want to help people. At this point in time, they don’t even know that I know who they are. Letting you see their license plate was a mistake. They’re willing to take the chance to make sure that Jimmy got into the house safely. Please forget that you saw it.”
“My number recognition skill is fading fast.”
“Thank you.”
“Detective Rizzo, please come into the study. I need to sit down and I want to make sure that you and I understand each other.”
“Would you care for something to drink?”
“A cold water would be great.”
Gleason pulled a bottle of water out of the refrigerator built into the wall and handed it to Rizzo. “This is my private study. It’s electronically swept daily. About once a week, we find a bug. It was swept this morning. Please correct me if I have any of the details wrong. Robin Hood is actually 2 men who go around killing criminals where ever they find one. The police are unofficially looking the other way. Robin Hood isn’t aware that the police are helping him. These two guys, Robin Hood, saved my son today without knowing who he was and returned him to me with no thought to ask for a reward. Do I have it right so far?”
“You have it mostly correct. Some of the police look the other way. There are others in law enforcement that are very uncomfortable with the idea of Robin Hood and want him killed. For example, you talked to the police commissioner who referred you directly to me instead of going through Bruce Mortenson, the police chief.”
“I wondered about that, but decided not to ask why. It seemed to me that maybe Ken doesn’t trust Bruce.”
“I don’t trust him either. The chief is a politician and like a lot of politicians, he has trouble with moral decisions. If you have money and influence, you’ve got his support. The people with power want Robin Hood found and killed, that’s good enough for Bruce. Anyway, since Robin Hood doesn’t know that I’m aware of them and their activities, I’m not sure how this rescue came about. It looks to me that they went to kill the murderer that Judge Cramer released, because he couldn’t speak English, and in the process stumbled on a kidnapping in progress. They then probably shot all of the available bad guys, opened the box and freed your son and returned him home. They had to find out who he was and where he lived to bring him home. If they were looking for a reward, you would have been the first to know.”
“Is there any way that I can help Robin Hood?”
“What I am about to say to you must remain confidential and only between you and me.”
“You have my word. There’s no recording of what’s said in this room and I won’t tell anyone what you tell me tonight.”
“Again, I must emphasize that it’s only because of your impeccable reputation that I can tell you about my unofficial activities. First off, the commissioner, Ken Parr, doesn’t know what I’m doing. He suspects a little, but because of his public responsibilities, he wanted to stay out of our organization until he is released from his elected office.
Between you and me, I can only say that there is a nationwide organization dedicated to strengthening America. Our goal is to remove those members of society who threaten America. Murderers, rapists, terrorists, pedophiles, traitors and corrupt elected officials all tear down the fabric of a strong America. We will use any method available to remove those people. Robin Hood has not been invited to become a part of our organization, yet. If you want to learn more and how you can help, I will have a person contact you. He will use my name to make the appointment and will want to meet in a place such as this. We have individuals, such as you, who have established trust funds to help those people and projects who are short of money. We don’t need money at present, but that situation could change.”
“I’ve wanted to do something more for my country but didn’t know what to do. You can count on me. If there’s something that I can do for you on a personal basis, don’t hesitate to call me. I feel that I need to do something to repay you and Robin Hood for saving my sons’ life. I want to learn more, please contact me. Here is my card with my private number.”
Rizzo thanked him for his time, and gave him his card, “as far as the kidnapping, if it’s ok with you, I won’t even report it, I’ll see what’s happening to those dead kidnappers, but there will be no connection to your son. When I talk to Robin Hood, I’ll tell them that you want to thank them for saving their son. Will you talk to your son and ask him to not tell anyone about the kidnapping. It would probably be a good idea if you informed the school administration that you want them to increase the security measures of the school. You could tell them you tested the existing security now in place and were able to avoid security and kidnap your son without a trace yesterday as he left the school.”
Back on the highway, Rizzo said to his steering wheel, ‘I hope Gleason is the person his reputation says he is. The wrong move could cost me my life, but if I’m right, he’ll be a valuable ally.’
Rizzo went to the shack to see what was going on. Detective Davis was talking to a patrol officer. He saw Rizzo, “Where’ve you been, this should’ve been your case?”
“I had a case that I couldn’t break away from until now. Here I am, what’s going on?”
Davis had learned the ropes from Rizzo and respected him above everyone else in the department. “There are 3 bodies perforated by what looks like 9 MM hollow point cartridges. You don’t get that much damage with a 38. One of the bodies is the man that was released by the Judge Cramer because he doesn’t speak English. The other 2 are low life muscle types that have records longer than my arm. It looks to me like a kidnapping was in progress. There’s a wooden box with blankets right in the middle of the bodies. It’s covered with blood and guts. It looks like the box was forced open and a small person had been wrapped in the blankets inside. These guys ended up dead and the kidnapping victim is gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a kidnapping and a demand for money materializing in the next day or two.”
“Could be; let me know if anything develops.”
The news media reported, “THREE MEN KILLED GANGLAND STYLE. Three men were found in a shack on the west side of Salt Lake City. The bodies were found through “excellent dedicated police work.” One of the victims had just been released from a murder charge because he was from a remote country in Africa, could not speak English, and a translator could not be found. The other two are long time local trouble makers with criminal records. Names are withheld until notification of next of kin. Police are suggesting that the murders may have been gang and drug related or, could it be Robin Hood at work?”
Judge Cramer read about the death of the guy who couldn’t speak English, without a second of remorse. The police had told him that the man both spoke and understood English, but the police officer was a jerk and he wanted to show him who was boss. The guy never spoke to him and acted like he didn’t understand what was being said to him. It worked out for the best, no prison time and he’s dead. The judge didn’t even consider the innocent woman who had been picked out at a park and then raped and killed when she refused to go with the tall black man. He wondered about this Robin Hood thing. ‘I hope they find him and he comes to my court. I would put him away for the rest of his life!’
MURDERER IN CANAL
Cole said, “Pass the soy sauce. Hey, the next guy on the Skull and Crossbones list just walked in front of us. That’s him walking down the street.”
“What’s the story?”
“I recognize him from the newspaper stories about the murder of a bank teller a few months ago. There is also a picture in the Skull & Crossbones file. He went into a bank to steal some money. He handed the teller a handwritten note that was pretty much unintelligible. The teller hesitated, probably because she couldn’t read it. He shot her. He then tried to take hostages before the guard shot him in the leg. The teller died before she reached the hospital.”
“The judge, Cramer, dismissed the case because the guard didn’t tell the robber to drop his gun before he shot him. The guy has a history of armed robbery and attempted murder. Cramer has been the judge in many of his cases and has either dismissed the case or given him a reduced sentence every time.”
Aaron put his truck in gear and pulled down the street following the target. “My 9 MM is under the seat and the silencer is already attached.” They passed the target and went around the block to come back up behind him again.
“There is a bridge over a little canal in the next block. If you’re really good, you can shoot him and make him fall into the canal,” laughed Aaron.
“How do you expect me to even hit him when it’s your gun,” said Cole with tongue firmly planted in his cheek as he put a bullet in the chamber and checked the silencer?
Aaron waited until the man crossed the street and approached the bridge. He pulled up slightly ahead of the guy who was having an animated conversation with someone on his cell phone. “It’s clear, No cars coming toward us from front or back.”
Cole opened the door and shot him twice in the chest at a range of about 10 feet. Before he could fall to the concrete, Cole gave him a push to make sure that he fell over the bridge railing and down into the canal.
Under the bridge a witness watched the shooting. His name was Samuel Westcott III. Samuel, as his name suggests, was born into a wealthy family in Boston. Samuel rebelled at the age of 15 against his family, its privilege, and society in general. He decided to act crazy. When it was accepted that he was crazy, he ran away. That was 10 years ago. He was a homeless man living under a bridge who had just witnessed Robin Hood kill a man.
‘No one would believe me even if I told them,’ he thought.
Three days later and 5 miles downstream from the bridge, some teenagers were swimming in the canal. One of the guys bumped into something in the water. He wanted to impress the girls so he reached down and grabbed it and yelled to his companions,
“Hey, I just found a dead body!” He grabbed what he thought was a round pole. It turned out to be an ankle. A shoe broke the water first and the guy forgot that he was trying to impress the girls, he screamed like a girl, pushed the leg down and came out of the water as fast as he could, all the time yelling and screaming. “It’s a body, it’s a body, it’s a body!”
One of his companions, who had opted out of swimming, had a cell phone and called 911.
The detective assigned to the case put the facts together. The guy was the murderer who got out of jail because of a lenient judge. He was shot twice in the chest with a high powered pistol. The coroner put the death at 3 to 4 days ago. The place of death was unknown. The body could have been thrown into the canal anywhere upstream. The guy had not been reported missing and his home address that was listed on his driver’s license was an office building in South Salt Lake City. The guy had lots of enemies including the family of the bank teller he killed about a year ago. “He’s not worth the trouble of doing a lot of investigation, so I’m going to trash can it. Death caused by unknown shooter with unknown motive.
The news report was buried in the paper and simply gave the facts in a short paragraph. “Killer who walked because of a technicality found dead in Canal. The police do not have a suspect or a motive. They listed his name and gave the details of the attempted bank robbery. Could this be the work of Robin Hood?”
Rizzo smiled and thought, ‘they’re ready, now to find a place.’
CLINT STOVER
“It doesn’t appear that many people miss that guy. Who’s next on the list,” asked Aaron?
“Going to work is getting to be a real pain. I look forward to going after these “rabid dogs” while work takes up most of my time. This next guy is a real piece of work. His name is Clint Stover. He killed his wife, 5 kids and his mother in law. The neighbors called police when they heard the gunshots. The guy was sitting there with a smile on his face and an empty shotgun on his lap when the police arrived. The arresting officer was so enraged at the carnage, that he pistol whipped Stover and didn’t read him his rights. Judge Cramer released him on bail of $1,000 and will undoubtedly throw out the case because of “police brutality” and failure to read him his rights. Stover works as a cab driver days and pizza delivery man in the evenings.”
“We can’t call for a cab or a pizza because those calls are recorded. We could get his cab number and wait for him at the cab company; then follow him until we find a good place to put him out of his misery.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said Cole.
Aaron continued, “I’ll take some time off and sit where I can see the drivers coming and going. I have a picture of Stover and a description of his car.”
“Call me if I can help, meanwhile I’ll go to work.”
Aaron parked across the street from the entrance to the cab company’s office and watched for Stover to arrive. Stover drove in 10 minutes later and a few minutes later pulled out in cab #31702. Aaron followed him out to the airport where Stover got in line with a bunch of other cabs. Aaron picked up his cell phone, “Hey Cole, I have a plan. Stover is parked in line at the airport. I’ll park my truck in short term parking and wait until Stover is next up, then hail a cab and go for a ride. I’ll have him take me to his old address. That’s an appropriate place for him to die, don’t you think. Can you pick me up there in about 30 minutes?”
Aaron watched the cabs until #31702 was the next in line. He called for a cab and from out of nowhere a cab swooped in to give him a ride. Aaron told him to “get lost” and beckoned Stover to come on up.
Stover pulled up, “Thanks, I appreciate that. Those independent cabs drive us crazy. We sit in line for hours and then an independent cab swings in and steals our fares. Where do you want to go?”
Aaron gave him an address down the street from Stover’s home address. Stover looked at him in the mirror. “That’s just down the street from where I live, do I know you?”
“No, probably not, I’m just visiting your neighbor.”
Stover was satisfied with that answer for awhile, and then asked, “Which neighbor are you visiting?”
“You have the address, don’t you know your neighbors, I’m going to visit Cole Taylor?”
“Cole Taylor, oh yeah, I know who that is, he’s a heck of a guy.”
Aaron laughed to himself at Stover pretended to know his neighbor. He pulled up to the house. “Go ahead and pull in front of that one”, as he pointed to Stover’s house.
“What’s going on?”
Aaron showed the 9 MM to Stover, “Just do it!”
Stover pulled up in front of his house and reached for his microphone. Aaron squeezed the trigger and Stover and all of his legal problems went away.
Cole pulled up and Aaron quickly got out of the cab for the ride back to the airport. “I love a good plan,” said Aaron. Cole dropped Aaron off at the departures gate into the airport terminal.
“Have a good weekend, see you for lunch Monday.”
Cole responded, “Tell Rachel and Jamie hi for us.”
Aaron walked to the baggage area and then back out to the parking area just like any other airline passenger coming home to Salt Lake City.
The cab company dispatcher called and called for Stover. The identification marker indicated that he was at his home but wouldn’t respond to the radio or the telephone. Stover’s boss blew up! “First this clown kills his family and swears that he’s innocent, so I give him another chance. Now he flakes out in the middle of the day. He’s fired as of now! Nancy, call the cops and tell them we have a problem. Give them Stover’s address!”
The police patrol officer was the same man who had pistol whipped Stover. He pulled up behind Stover’s cab and walked up beside the cab. Parts of Stover’s head were smeared all over the inside of the windshield. The officer grabbed his shoulder microphone and called dispatch with music in his voice, “honey, it’s a wonderful day, I just discovered a homicide from the cab company’s complaint, that snake who killed his family is now in hell, please send a meat wagon and a crime scene team to his home address.”
The officer canvassed the neighborhood. Most of the homes were empty and the few people who were home were watching “soap operas” or other mind wiping TV programs. None of them had seen any activity outside.
The detective went over the details with the responding officer. “The cab had picked up a fare at the airport and drove straight to the cabbie’s home address. There the fare had blown Stover’s head away and disappeared. The cab was covered with fingerprints, but none of them came up in the data bank. No witnesses were found. ‘A very bad guy is dead. No further work is necessary,’ thought the detective. He filed his report and stated that no clues to the identification of the shooter were found.
The news story was short. “Accused multiple murderer Clint Stover, accused murderer of his family and mother in law, was found shot to death in his cab in front of his home. No motive or clues to the shooter have been found. Could the shooter be Robin Hood? Any witnesses are asked to contact the police.
Judge Cramer read the news story and suddenly got a cold chill when he thought about the other death of a person who he had released from jail. ‘I wonder if Robin Hood will be coming after me?’ He answered his own question, ‘Nah, why would Robin Hood come after me?’
Rizzo read the report and smiled at the increasing sophistication of Cole and Aaron’s efforts. “Yep it’s time.”
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