Chapter 30

Elijah Abrams walked over to the Navy Seahawk helicopter where he was handed a head set. He climbed into the copilot’s seat and placed it on his head. “Rescue, this is Abrams, how can I help you?”

“Sir, I suspect we’ve made your day, and perhaps your career. In the basement of the house we found twenty-three children locked in what’s best described as a dungeon. The children are boys and girls between the ages of six and eleven. Also, there’s a complete photo studio for making child porn. Plus, by our count, there’s two hundred and seventy-five kilos of what appears to be either cocaine or heroin. My money is on cocaine.”

“Good God, man! Are you sure?

“Sir, that part is definite, and I suspect it’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

“What about the opposition?”

“Eliminated, Sir!”

“Casualties?”

“The Marshal is sitting on the floor of the barn, Sir, he’s crying his eyes out.”

“Did he crack?”

“No, Sir. He didn’t even sit down ‘till after the shooting was over. He pretty much covered this operation single-handed. We were here mostly to support him, and carry out the trash. That man was simply awesome.”

“What do we need to do for him?”

“Sir, I’m not a psychologist, but I think we need to get him home, or at least to Phoenix, as soon as possible. I do know he said something about getting married this coming weekend.”

“OK, Rescue. Hang in there for a few minutes. We’ll have people there to relieve or at least support you, shortly. And guard that old man with your life!”

“We will, Sir. We respect and honor him ourselves.”

Abrams took off his headset. The first familiar face he saw was Dennis Conner, the lawyer from Phoenix. He knew there was some sort of relationship between Conner and Magill, so he called him over. “Mister Conner, they tell me that Mister Magill is sitting down on the floor of the barn, crying. What do you recommend?”

“Mister Abrams,” Dennis started, “that man’s own granddaughter has been kidnapped and raped twice. I imagine that when it was over he just emotionally crashed. I know him, because my law firm represents his tribe and his granddaughter’s husband. In fact, it was at my request he was checking this place out.”

“So what can we do for him? That man is some kind of hero!”

“My suggestion is to help him get to his family as quickly as possible. They’re a very tight knit group. Hopefully, they can help get him through this.”

“Can I ask you to contact his family and let them know the situation? Also tell them my prayers are with them, and we’ll get him home as quickly as possible.”

“I would be glad to do that,” Dennis said. Then, with a funny smirk, he added, “but under the circumstances should you, as a governmental official, be offering a prayer?”

Abrams looked back at him, and grinned. “Mister Conner, I’m Jewish. If anyone makes a big deal of it I’ll claim that they’re being Anti-Semitic.” Turning to the next task at hand, Abrams shouted, “Brice!”

The young DEA Agent came running up. “Yes, Sir!”

“Brice, contact our plane in Bakersfield. Tell them to prepare for an emergency flight to Phoenix. Their passenger should be there within thirty minutes to an hour. Son, I want you to take personal responsibility for getting him home.”

“Getting who home, Sir.”

“Marshal Magill has had an emotional breakdown after he personally took out the bad guys. It also appears that this case has developed even greater implications. For that, I also need you to find the judge, Cameron, and one of the FBI agents. Tell them I need to see them immediately.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Catching a passing orderly Abrams said, “Sailor, I need to see the doctor in charge of this operation as quickly as he can break away. I also need to see the civilian woman who’s been organizing the mothers, as well as the head of the rape counseling team. It looks like we’ve more victims.”

“Right away, Sir.”

Elijah Abrams closed his eyes and tried to clear his racing mind. When he reopened them DEA Agent Cameron Townsend was standing there, patiently waiting. The judge and one of the FBI men were standing beside him. A determined Abrams looked at the three, and said, “Gentlemen, it seems this situation is a great deal more than it first appeared. Judge, I need you to carefully make sure every ‘T’ is crossed, and every ‘I’ dotted concerning rules of evidence, search warrants, etcetera. That also goes for the ranch house and other ranch property, not just this small area.”

“I thought I heard Magill had taken down everyone at the ranch?”

“He did, but the implications I’m getting take this thing far deeper. This is looking much bigger than we initially thought. In fact, if you’ve some associates and state law officials you trust, you might see if they can get here.”

“I’ll get right on it.”

“Judge, if you’d hold up a minute, I want the three of you to hear this together.” The Judge was surprised at this, on top of Abram’s earlier statement, but he just nodded and stood waiting. Turning to the FBI agent, he said, “Agent, please forgive me, but I cannot remember your name.”

“Elliott McAdams, Mister Abrams.”

“Agent McAdams. I need you to call your boss, and for him to go as high up the food chain as possible. We need help here, both from the FBI, and the Justice Department. Also, we need a joint effort by all concerned, including state people and any locals who can be trusted. We’ve slavery, child pornography, kidnapping, a major drug bust, a possible pedophile supply center, and links to who knows what, or whom. This is potentially the biggest case of our careers, maybe our lifetimes. We need no turf wars, inter-agency political battles, or glory hounds. The true heroes here are these local people, and two old men who happen to be Native Americans, though they may scalp me for using that phrase. Is that a ‘can do’ Agent McAdams?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Just make sure everyone understands the rules here, or I’ll blow this operation to kingdom come. Judge, are you in agreement?”

“Definitely. I’ll get right on it with a call to the governor.”

“Fine, but tell him I’ve got a real live ‘Commando’ here that I’ll turn loose on him, if he tries to ‘Movie Star’ this thing.”

“Do you really want me to word it like that?”

“Why would you ask that, Judge? Do you think I was being too soft? Just use your own judgment, isn’t that what judges are supposed to be good at, or are you all basically full of legal Bullshit and politics?”

“Abrams, I should be infuriated at that remark, but for some reason I’m not. I’ll get right on it.”

“Cameron, any questions?”

“No, Sir! I’m enjoying myself. I’ve never worked with a ‘kick ass and take names’ boss before. I feel clean and invigorated.”

“Son, I’m a grouchy, cynical old man. I’m too close to retirement, to deserve to be awakened in the middle of the night to experience something like this. Kicking ass and taking names is an activity for enthusiastic youth, but only tired old men who’ve too little to lose actually do it. As for those feelings of ‘clean and invigorated, ‘ it’s probably the mountain air. Just take a couple of aspirins, and you’ll feel more normal in the morning.” Cameron laughed at his bosses comments, as did many of the others standing around. Abrams continued, “Cameron, Brice is responsible for getting Marshal Magill back to Phoenix, so I’m putting you in charge of the drug side of this case. Son, please make me proud.”

Surprised at his boss’s familiarity, Cameron replied, “Sir, I’d like nothing better.”

“Good! And don’t forget to whom we owe everything in this case, or I’ll turn that old Indian loose on you.”

The two agents and the judge moved off to the side and started making calls, and Darlene Murphy, the local mother whom Jason had placed in charge of getting comfort and support to the children, and Sara Alden, from the Bakersfield Rape Crisis Center, stepped up with a Navy Commander. “I understand there’s a problem with Mister Magill. Is he OK?” Darlene asked.

“I just think this whole mess got to him. When the shooting stopped and the adrenaline rush subsided he just collapsed. We’re rushing him to his family in Phoenix, but I think he’ll be all right.”

“I’m glad, I like and respect that old man. He sure changes your opinion of Indians, doesn’t he?”

Sara added, “I’ll have to second that. Especially after I heard about the pep talk he gave these kids. Others can throw around the word hero and list medals and achievements, but that old man is an example of a real hero. I just wish we’d more like him, particularly in places like Sacramento and Washington.”

A thoughtful Abrams said, “Ladies, let’s not elect him governor or senator until after his honeymoon is over. I don’t think his new bride would be happy about that.”

“Now, what I needed to talk to you three about is there are more children to deal with at the ranch house,” Abrams continued. “From what the rescue team members have said they’re all younger children, preteens. Someone needs to go check them out, and give them some care and comfort. We may also need to get their testimony on tape like you did here, but that’s for later. At the same time, try not to discuss specifics with them at this point, as we don’t want to give the opposition any excuse to throw out their testimony.”

It was shortly after 8:00 a.m. when the telephone rang while Hawk, Brenda, and Maria were discussing their plans for the day, Brenda answered in the manner Hawk suggested, “Gilford residence.”

“Brenda?”

“Yes?”

“This is Dennis Conner. Can I talk to Hawk?”

“Sure. Just a second.”

She handed Hawk the phone, whispering, “It’s Dennis Conner.”

Hawk mouthed, ‘Thanks, ‘ in response. Then on the phone he said, “Good Morning, Dennis. How are things there?”

“This ‘little’ problem here has become a major situation. Jason is hurting emotionally, but seems to be OK physically. The DEA Divisional Director says he’ll have Jason back there in about an hour, though I think it’s going to be closer to an hour and a half. An agent Brice is in charge of getting him to you, as well as getting him anything he needs. He’ll probably call you when they leave Bakersfield. I’ve given him Maria’s cell phone number.”

A stunned Hawk said, “Hold on a minute, Dennis. Let us get to the office so we can put this on the speaker phone.”

“Sure.”

The girls, picking up on Hawk’s response, asked, “What happened? Is Jason OK?”

Hawk replied, “He’s not hurt physically, but there’s something going on emotionally. Now, let’s get where we can all hear. Where’s Andy?”

“She went out to the barn a few minutes ago to feed and water the prisoner.”

“Brenda, run get her, please. Meet us in the office.”

“OK, but don’t start without us.”

Hawk and Maria went into the office and turned on the speakerphone. “Dennis, can you hear me?”

“Five by five.”

“Good. Andy is outside, so please give us a minute to get ready.”

“No problem.”

Moments later Brenda and Andy breathlessly joined Hawk and Maria. “OK, Dennis. We’re all here. Can you start again at the top?”

“Sure. It began last night when Jason did some reconnaissance in an area of the reservation Jackson was trying to take over. When he reached the two areas being questioned by the local Indian tribe he discovered large fields of marijuana growing under a camouflaged cover. Inside the second he found a bunch of teens and young adults who’d been kidnapped, or turned over to Jackson by the sheriff. Some were local kids who were missing and others were run-a-ways. They were being held as slaves to work the marijuana, and to provide sex for Jackson and his cronies.”

Hawk interjected, “Dennis, Jason told us all that when he called in the middle of the night. That would’ve been just before Deke called you. What’s happened since then? He sounded like he was ready to go on the warpath when he called.”

“Actually, he held it together surprisingly well. He delegated some of the locals to help until the military doctors and nurses arrived. He contacted an out of town rape crisis center, and got volunteers to come here to help. He worked with local men and some rescue volunteers, who were probably a SEAL team or Marines, to secure this area against attack. Then, when the word was given by the judge to get the Jackson girls out of there he led the team in to rescue them. From what I can understand, it looks like Jason took out Jackson and some of his cronies. Then when the shooting stopped he sent the rescue team into the house to check for more kids, based upon a conversation he’d overheard. Then he walked into the barn, took off his equipment, slumped to the floor and started crying.”

Andy asked, “Do we have any idea what triggered it, or was it just the effects of everything?”

“My guess is that it was everything put together, but it may go deeper. It may be related to the accumulation of his entire past.” Andy’s face turned ashen. Maria grabbed and comforted her.

Brenda asked, “What about Tom’s sisters?”

“I don’t know the details other than they’re safe.”

“So, what needs to be done now?” Hawk asked.

“Take care of Jason in anyway he needs. The man’s a hero to a lot of people right now.”

Hawk replied, “Thanks, Dennis, for the information. We’ll get prepared. Let us know if you need anything else.”

“Will do, Hawk. Andy and Maria, I’m sorry I had to be the bearer of this news, but no one else knows you.”

Andy replied through her tears, “Dennis, it’s OK. At least he’s alive, and I hope and pray he’ll be OK, emotionally.”

“Andy, mine and my family’s prayers are with you. He’s going to be all right, just wait and see. Hawk, one more thing. This DEA Agent might recognize you. I doubt it, but it’s possible. You might get some help until we can slip you into Mexico and get you under the knife. In fact, a trip to Mexico might be a good idea for a couple of days, anyway. You should still be available for the wedding, if it doesn’t get postponed.”

“You might be right, but why would it be postponed?”

Andy added, “Yes, why would it be postponed?”

“Andy, from the sentiment I’m getting here I’ve a feeling your guest list is going to be a lot larger than you originally intended, and this could play right back into Hawk’s idea of generating positive attitudes toward the Indians. Even before the action at the house the local people were listening to Jason tell about how his people had been treated. They made him promise to come back, in the future, to tell them more.”

“Dennis,” Andy stated, “Jason and I will discuss this when he is able, but I do not plan on letting my wedding become a political circus for any cause! Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Ma’am. Very clear.”

To read this story you need a Registration + Premier Membership
If you have an account, then please Log In or Register (Why register?)

Support the author's future writing by purchasing this book from Bookapy

The Hawk and the Chipmunk

Mike Lowe aka The Scot

$5.95