Dark secrets, p.16
Dark Secrets, page 16
“This is it.” He looked at Julie. “Driscoll’s secret military program.” He exclaimed.
Julie peered closer into the box.
He glanced at his watch. “It’s too late to go through this today. We had better put it in a safe place. Like, back in one of the holding cells. Or better, yet, in the mayor’s safe.”
“The mayor has a safe?”
“Yeah. It was put in when Vince Walsh took over as mayor. I want to lock this up tonight and we can start fresh tomorrow.”
They drove back to the municipal building. Michael turned to her. “Julie, how about we get some dinner? Just let me drop this off, and I’ll pick you up in, say, about an hour?”
“I don’t know, Michael. I’m really beat.”
“What if I bring along the box?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Give me time to get a shower, feed Elvis, and you’re on.” Julie felt excited at the prospect of seeing the contents of the box.
“See you in an hour.”
At six, Michael rang Julie’s doorbell. She was surprised to see him carrying a bag of Chinese take-out. In his other hand, he held a bottle of wine.
Michael kissed her cheek. “I hope you like Chinese?”
“I love Chinese.”
As Julie set the table, Michael opened the wine. He handed Julie a glass and toasted.
“To new endeavors.” He raised his glass.
“Yes. To new endeavors.” Julie sipped her wine.
After dinner, Michael cleared the table. “Go sit down. Let me get this. I’ll join you in a moment.”
Julie sat on the sofa and propped her feet on the ottoman. Elvis, her cat, lay at her side. She stroked his soft fur and sipped her wine. This was her second glass and she was starting to get a slight buzz on.
Michael came in from the kitchen. He looked around the apartment and noticed that the furniture was rearranged. “I like what you’ve done to the place. You certainly have a knack for decorating.”
Julie looked around. “Thank you. It’s very comfortable.” She padded the sofa next to her. Elvis eyed Michael, dropped off the sofa, and headed to the bedroom.
“I don’t think your cat likes me.”
“Elvis?” Julie smiled. “He likes everyone. He just doesn’t know you yet.”
He glanced at the photograph on the side table by the sofa. It was of Julie and a uniformed policeman. “So, who’s the cop?”
“That’s Mack Mackenzie.”
“Mack Mackenzie?” He raised his eyebrows. “The cop whose cruiser you stole?”
Julie smiled and nodded. “He sorta became my protector and mentor.”
“You said you were tired,” Michael knelt down at her feet. “I’ve got something to help you relax.” He gently pulled off her shoes and began to massage her feet, working over the toes and moving onto the soles, rubbing gently.
“Hmm. You’ve got great hands.”
“Just one of my many talents.”
His hand slid to her ankle, slowly massaging, and then her calf, gently caressing and stoking. He touched the back of her knee and moved his fingertips in tiny circles. His hand gradually inched up her leg. He kissed her inner thigh softly.
“Michael…” She was breathless and pulled him up.
He put his arms around her and kissed her softly, his lips brushing against hers ever so slightly. Julie responded eagerly. He kissed her neck as he unbuttoned her blouse. Her heart skipped a beat. He leaned back and their eyes met. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Julie, you are just so beautiful …” He gently picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
Chapter 28
Julie woke to the rain tapping gently against the window. She glanced over at Michael. A lock of his blond hair fell over his eyes. She smiled and moved closer to his warm body. He moaned softly and opened his eyes.
“Morning, sleepyhead.”
“Morning.” He mumbled and nudged his head against her.
“It’s raining.” She said. “Looks like we’ll have to stay in bed all day.
He put his arm around her. “Sounds like heaven to me.” His cell phone rang sharply. Both looked toward the sound. Michael slid out of the bed and picked up his trousers, and pulled the cell phone from the pocket.
Julie pulled the sheet up and watched him. She loved the way his lean hard body moved, muscles upon muscles. “Smooth and sleek like a cat. With a great six-pack.” She thought.
Michael spoke on the phone. “Yes. I’ll be there in ten minutes.” He pressed the end button and looked at Julie. “The warehouse is on fire.” He picked up his clothes and started to get dressed.
“On fire?” She gathered her clothes.
“Yeah.” He stopped and stared at her.
“When? What happened?”
He moved closer and cupped her face in his hands. “You look amazing in this light.” He kissed her softly.
Julie pushed him away. “Come on. Get dressed.”
The block around the warehouse was cordoned off with yellow police tape and barricades as Michael and Julie pulled up. There were several police officers handling traffic and the crowd of umbrella-ed onlookers. There were several fire engines and vehicles surrounded the burning building. The firemen were pumping jets of water into the flames. Smoke billowed out from the broken windows. The smell of burning ashes filled the air.
Officer Sam Palazzo looked up. “Hey, Michael, Julie.”
Michael scanned the warehouse. “What have you got?”
“You’ll have to ask the Fire Marshall.” Sam pointed his thumb to the official.
Michael walked over to Fire Marshall John Mc Kenny. “John, what have you got?”
“Got the call at about 7 am from an anonymous caller. By the time the first engine arrived, the whole building was engulfed. We’ll know more when we get it under control.”
Michael nodded. “Let me know as soon as you can.” He turned and glanced over the crowd. He recognized several faces until his eyes landed on Julie and the Chief. He walked over to them.
“Nolan, McNally and I were just talking. I want a meeting in my office within the hour. I’ll call the mayor and the town’s attorney, William Hawke.” The Chief pulled out his cell phone and started to punch in numbers.
Michael touched Julie’s elbow and led her away from the crowd. They got in the Beemer. He paused before he started the car. Julie looked at him questioningly. He was staring out the windshield.
“Michael, what is it?” She touched his arm.
He took a deep breath and turned to face her. “I think we’ve found something pretty important.” He paused. “So important that someone would resort to arson to destroy it. We’ve got to be careful with this.”
“So you don’t think this fire was just a coincidence?” She asked.
“Do you?” He looked at her.
She shook her head. “No. Definitely not.”
Michael and Julie headed back to town. About a mile into a densely wooded area, Michael noticed a black pickup truck coming up fast behind them.
“We’ve got company.” The truck pulled up beside them. The window slid down and the barrel of a shotgun appeared. Michael stomped on the accelerator. The Beemer took off, tires squealing.
“Hold on.” He glanced at Julie. The Beemer easily took the turns at about 70 mph with the pickup trailing a short distance behind. The passenger of the truck reached out and fired off a shot. The Beemer’s rear window shattered, glass flying everywhere.
“Get down.” He pushed Julie’s head down. He swerved around a curve and braked hard to avoid a wipeout, then floored it. There was a small bridge ahead and a white SUV parked lengthwise across the road, blocking their path.
“Shit!” He yelled and swerved, tires squealing. The Beemer slid down a steep embankment, rolling over before righting itself and crashing into a tall oak tree. The airbags inflated instantly. Steam rose from the engine. Both Michael and Julie were dazed. The man from the pickup truck climbed down the bank. He peered in at them and popped the trunk. He pulled out the box and climbed back up the bank. The pickup and SUV sped off.
Michael shook his head and looked over at Julie. Her eyes were glazed over and her body was trembling. “Julie, Julie.” He reached over and touched her shoulder. “Can you hear me? Are you hurt?” She moaned in reply. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911. “This is Detective Nolan. Detective McNally and I’ve just been in a crash. Somewhere out on Deer Park Lane, just before the bridge. Send an ambulance.” He noticed a faint scent of gasoline. “And the fire department.”
He unlocked his seat belt and reached over to unlock Julie’s. The metal lock was twisted. “Fuck!” He yelled. He pulled out his pocketknife and sliced through the belt. He pushed on the driver side door, but it was jammed. He tried the passenger door, but it too was jammed. He pulled himself up to a kneeling position on the seat, his head and shoulders bumping against the roof. He reached for Julie and grabbed her under her arms and pulled her out of the seat. She moaned. “It’s alright, Julie.” He spoke between heavy breaths. “I’m gonna get you out of here.”
The gas fumes were getting stronger. He strained to pull her up and finally was able to get her on top of the console. He slid out the window, grunting as he squeezed through the small opening. He was breathing heavily as he pulled her out and carried her about ten feet from the car. The Beemer exploded with a whoosh. Flames and smoke billowed skyward from the burning car.
Michael winced at his Beemer and then looked at Julie. She was still shaking. “Are you hurt?”
“What? What happened?” She blinked.
“The bastards ran us off the road.”
Chapter 29
The ambulance raced to the hospital. The emergency-room nurse led Michael into one of the examination rooms and pointed to the next one for Julie and then she pulled a curtain halfway between them. Michael sat on the bed and watched over Julie. She was still trembling.
“How’s your head?” He asked.
“Not too bad. I just can’t stop shaking.” She held her shoulders trying to stop shivering. She looked at him. “You?”
He nodded. “I’m ok.”
“What happened?”
“They ran us off the road. We crashed.”
She rolled her head trying to work out the stiffness in her neck.
“They were waiting for us, Julie.” Their eyes met. “That SUV was blocking the road. They knew we had the files.”
“And, now?”
“The Beemer’s gone. Burned up from the crash. I’m not sure, but I think the trunk was open.” He sighed. “I think the guys from the pickup truck got the box.”
The nurse came in and took their vitals. Julie’s trembling began to subside. A short time later, the chief, Mayor Walsh, and William Hawke, the town’s attorney, arrived at the hospital. The Chief was directed to the exam rooms.
“Nolan, McNally, you guys ok?” The chief looked from one to the other.
“Yeah. We’re ok. What about the Beemer?” Michael asked.
“It’s gone. And, so is the evidence.” The chief said.
“Shit!” Michael yelled.
“Look.” The chief said. “I want you to take a few days off. Rest. Then we figure out our next step.” The men exited the room.
Doctor Robert Baker came in to examine Michael and Julie. Both had a few minor cuts and bruises from the crash.
The doctor looked intensely at Julie. “I want to order x-rays.” He shined a small flashlight into her eyes. “Any chance you might be pregnant?”
“What?”
He looked at her. “We can do the x-rays another day. I like to run some test. Here’s my card. Call my office and set up an appointment.”
She scanned the card as the doctor left the room.
Michael glanced over. “Julie, you didn’t answer his question.”
“What?” She frowned.
“Are you pregnant?” He beamed.
Julie leaned back, closed her eyes, and sighed.
Michael shook his head. “Christ, this has been one hell of a morning. What else is gonna happen?”
Both were later released. William Hawke, the town’s attorney, was waiting to take them home.
At the Hopewell Street Victorian, Michael sat at his computer and motioned for Julie and William to come closer.
“I want to explain something to both of you.” Michael paused. “I know that the cops haven’t found the guys in the pickup or SUV yet. And, we know they’ve taken the evidence. I think someone was watching as we searched the warehouse. Someone had the evidence stashed there and we got too close. So, they decided to burn the building along with the evidence. When they realized the evidence wasn’t in the warehouse, they came after it.”
“And now they have it and we don’t,” Julie added.
Michael held up his hand. “Not entirely.”
“What do you mean?” Julie asked.
Michael moved to his computer. The screen lit up as he pressed several keys. He pulled up a folder listing and clicked on a file, and pressed a few more keys. There before them, on the screen, were images of the documents and photographs from the stained black box. “I scanned these the night we found them. I also copied most of the DVDs. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
“Michael, what great forethought,” William said.
Michael noticed a pained look on Julie’s face. “Why don’t you go lie down for a while? I’ll join you later.” He guided her to the bedroom and she lay down on the bed. He stroked her hair softly and kissed her forehead. “Get some rest. I’ll be right here.”
Chapter 30
Julie awoke sometime around 4 am. Michael was asleep next to her. He was breathing deeply, an angelic look on his face. She smiled and got out of bed and sat down on a chair by the window and looked out to the darkened street, the events of the day ran through her mind. She sighed.
“You alright?” Michael said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You ok?”
She rubbed her neck. “A little stiff. But other than that, I’m fine.”
“What’s on your mind?”
She looked out the window, sighed, and turned to him. “Michael, you saved my life today.” Her voice wavered and tears filled her eyes.
“Julie, come back to bed.”
She slid next to him.
“Oh, Michael, what are we gonna do?”
He pulled her close. “Shh. Don’t think about it.” He kissed her softly and looked into her eyes. He touched her face tenderly and kissed her again. Their lovemaking was slow and comforting. Michael was a very gentle and patient lover and Julie relished his touch. About a half hour later they both fell asleep. Their slumber was interrupted by the ringing phone.
“Yeah,” Michael spoke into the phone. He glanced at the clock. It read 9:45 am. “We’ll be expecting you.” He ended the call and turned to Julie. “William’s coming over.”
She opened her eyes and looked up. “Can we trust him?”
Michael smiled. “I’ve known him since I was a kid. He helped me when my dad died. And, we worked on the Driscoll investigation before you arrived. I admire him and, yes, I trust him completely. He’s really a good guy.” He went to his computer desk and pulled a flash drive out of the desk drawer. “Julie, I want you to keep this.”
“The files?”
“Yeah. I copied most of the files and photos to it, along with most of the DVDs. I want you to keep this somewhere safe.” He placed it in her hand.
A half hour later, William arrived. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Not at all. What’s on your mind?” Michael gestured to the kitchen table.
The men sat down. Julie poured coffee and joined them at the table.
William placed a metal case on the table and took a deep breath. “This is a part of my past I have never shown to anyone. But, you are the two people I most trust. So, please keep an open mind.” He unlocked the case, opened the lid, picked up his coffee mug, and left the room.
Michael reached inside and removed a thick envelope. He placed it on the table, broke open the seal, and removed the contents. An official-looking Department of Defense logo was printed with the words “Confidential. Top Secret” across the page. Michael made a mental note of the date: June 25, 1994. He opened the cover. The inside pages explained the Crowe Program. As Michael finished reading each page out loud, he passed it on to Julie. An hour later, he gave her the last page. He sat back in his chair and let out a sigh. Julie stared down at the last page.
She spoke first. “I’m not sure I understand some of the medical terminologies, but I think I got the gist of it.” She looked at Michael. “Cerebral Reconstruction Operations Warfare Enhancements. The Crowe Program. The U.S. military experimenting with mind-altering drugs to make our soldiers what? Better killers? Ruthless killers? Killers without consciences?”
“And Driscoll was second in command of the Program.” He looked at her. “I guess you’re intuition about him was right.”
William came into the kitchen and sat down across from them.
“Let me give you a little background on this. The U.S. military was part of many such Programs as far back as the 1920s and ’30s. In the fifties and sixties, there was the MKULTRA. That’s short for Manufacturing Killers Utilizing Lethal Tradecraft Requiring Assassinations. Drugs were used as mind manipulators. Then the Bluebird Artichoke Program used LSD on soldiers. There were probably hundreds of such Programs through the seventies, eighties, and nineties. Maybe even today.”
“And this is all legal?” Julie asked.
“I’m afraid so,” William answered. “U.S. Title 50, Section 1520, the Secretary of Defense has the authority to order testing involving the use of chemical/biological agents for research purposes. So, yes, it is legal. Even, withholding this information from the test subjects, including civilians, is legal. It’s all done for the sake of national security.”
“Civilians?” Michael asked.
“Well, in the Crowe Program, the tests were first performed on soldiers. It was a way to determine what effects different drugs had on the men. When this did not produce the desired results, the Program moved onto the penal system. The inmates were led to believe that by agreeing to the experiments, their sentences would be reduced or commuted. Then the Program moved on to illegal immigrants in exchange for green cards. I believe some homeless were also used in exchange for alcohol and drugs.”
