Exigent Circumstances Ch 03

This story is part of an ongoing series.

The chronological order of my stories is listed in WifeWatchman's biography.

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constructive

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***

Part 8 - The Party Never Stops...

"

Smallwood?!

" Cindy exclaimed. "For sure?"

"Yes ma'am." said Martha. "The same certainty with which the DNA around Nicole Brown Simpson was matched to her ex-husband, though he was acquitted anyway."

"If the condom don't fit, you must acquit." Cindy said, then added "What I meant was: Isn't he in prison? Or Witness Protection?"

"Nope. Not anymore." I said. "Father, forgive me for I have sinned: I disobeyed my own edict, and looked it up this weekend---"

"Say a thousand Hail Marys and beg forgiveness for your hideous sinnzzzz." intoned Chief Moynahan, making everyone laugh. Then he said "But what did you fiiiinddd?"

"That Jesse Smallwood is as dumb as a box of rocks, and I apologize to the box of rocks for the insult to them." I replied.

"We knew that already." Cindy said witheringly. "But how did you get onto him to the point to have Martha check

his

DNA, and be right?"

I said "Well, I confirmed this weekend what I learned before. First let me give some background, to catch everyone up. Jesse Smallwood is the guy who turned State's Evidence and testified against Peter Blassingame in the Henry-Withers double murder case, which has Blassingame on Death Row. In exchange, Jesse got a plea deal, in my opinion a

very

generous plea deal of a 10-year sentence, but suspended, followed by 20 years probation." (

Author's note: 'Unresolved', Ch.04

)

Me: "He also got Witness Protection, as did his parents. Edward Blassingame, Peter's father, tried every trick in the book, legal and otherwise, to spirit Peter out of the State's custody, both here in our County Jail and Jacksonville State Prison. Peter's appeals are running out; he's due to be executed soon. And Edward's hatred of Jesse Smallwood is immeasurable, matched only by his hatred of me."

Me: "And so is the hatred of the Taus and the Pi Omegas for Sma;llwood. Smallwood's testimony put a lot of them in prison, and they absolutely consider him to be a traitor. His life is not worth a cup of warm spit if they get ahold of him. I've long known this, of course, and while I don't feel any obligation to help him or protect him... quite the opposite, in fact... I

do

have a problem with people who try to commit murder in my County, and I have a special loathing for Peter Blassingame and his father Edward. So I've been glancing in Smallwood's direction every so often."

Me: "Soooo, when I learned of Bob Gold's associations with the Taus and Kappas, when his name came up as we investigated the Sandstone-Gerard and then the Huntington-Luna crimes (

Author's note: 'Sausage And The Law'.

), I did a spot check to see what Jesse Smallwood was doing. I was able to, seeing that he's technically on parole in this County for the next 30 years. At that time he was still in Witness Protection, working for the Railroad somewhere out West."

Me: "When Gold's name popped up more recently, I again checked Smallwood's name... and got some surprising results. First, he had left Witness Protection, and he actually reported to his Parole Officer via telephone, saying he was living with friends in Coltrane County. All technically legit to that point."

Me: "But then, things started getting sideways. They checked the address he reported to be at. It was an apartment just south of the Town & County Line. They went inside, which they can do because the parolee has no rights. There were belongings there, some mail with his name and that address. But he was never there himself, not even at 3:00am when they went in on a surprise inspection."

Me: "He did show up and met them there when they called him to demand it, and he's met every check-in, so far. Their only problem was verifying how he was making green dollar bills. He said he was doing odd jobs for cash, no names nor questions asked. Just a little

too

clean,

n'est pas?

Long story short---"

"Too late." Cindy Ross and Sheriff Griswold interjected quickly and simultaneously.

I made a 'not amused' face, then said "Bottom line: I knew he was out there, in the area, and getting paid in cash on the sly. With that data, I simply suggested the name to Martha, and it turned out to be a match."

"No holding the red crowbar today!" Julia Rodriguez said with a grin, making everyone laugh. "But... wow, do you really keep up with

all

the people in

all

your past cases like that, sir?"

"Many of them, yes." I replied. "And that's a good point, and a teachable moment. All of you should keep tabs on people you bust, and any others, that might want revenge and would be a threat to you. Get to know the POs (parole officers), give them tips and you'll get tips from them, and so on. In this case, because the Taus and the Blassingames are a threat to me and mine, I watch them like a hawk."

Cindy was shaking her platinum blonde head. She said "I just don't understand

why

Smallwood would do this. Rape, murder in some degree, and at best for him, his suspended sentence is

ovah.

Why would he do this to himself?"

"And we're back to 'dumb as a box of rocks'." said Julia Rodriguez. Everyone laughed.

"True, but let's parse it." I replied. "He may be using the same logic he was using at the time he took the plea deal. We had him dead to rights as being in that car when Henry and Withers were murdered. He was facing life in prison, and you know what happens to rapists in prison. So he makes the plea deal. He testifies against his fellow Taus, probably not really thinking about the hatred for him and the potential threats to him that would result."

Me: "But Witness Protection is rarely a really good life. Here was a guy, hobnobbing with future Elitists, setting up his own political career with the dinners, the influence, and all that money swirling around. So I think one of three things happened: one, he calculated he could safely come out of Witness Protection, get right with his PO, and try to make money; two, Witness Protection became unsafe for him, so he abandoned it..."

Me: "... and third, someone found him, offered him a way to make a lot more money than he had been making, and he took it. And yes, that brings us back to insulting our poor box of rocks... because I believe it was a trap to smoke him out. And it worked."

Understanding began spreading through everyone's minds. "That actually explains a lot." Cindy said. "Especially using petroleum jelly as a lubricant; it was given to him that way."

"Yep." I said. "And that's why I'm not really concerned that he might disappear, because he'll be cajoled or forced to stay in place. But he's also in danger, so now that Martha has confirmed that he's committed a crime, we need two warrants for Smallwood: one for the parole violation, the other for the rape and suspicion of murder charge."

"Coming right up, sir." Lieutenant Mary Milton said as she typed on her laptop.

"Okay, Tanya, lets get Jack Muscone and Clark Webster on in here." I said.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Just a few moments later, FBI Special Agents in Charge Clark Webster and Jack Muscone came in. There was no physical contact, but it felt like Muscone was pushing Webster into the room. They sat down on the far side of the table, facing me and Cindy.

"So, Mr. Webster." Chief Molly Evans said. "Do I need to call the Nextdoor County City Attorney?"

"That's the least of Mr. Webster's problems right now. Isn't that right Mr. Webster?" I said, no one the wiser that this was a carefully scripted repartée between Molly and myself.

"As much as you don't want to be here," I said, "it was more important for you to come in and see just how much I know, so you and the FBI Brass in Washington can cover up the story. Well, allow me to disabuse you of any hope on that score:

I know everything.

"

When Webster just looked blankly at me, I said "I know that something happened at the secret Energy Dynamics facility in

Rivers County sometime last year. Something that caused the seismograph at the nuclear power plant to register a small earthquake." (

Author's note: And you thought I mentioned the LSU-Auburn earthquake game just for the heck of it? No, dear Readers, it was a cluuuue...

)

Me: "It may have been an accident, or maybe caused on purpose as an act of sabotage. Either way, after that incident, Energy Dynamics quietly shut down almost all of their projects there and moved them to their front offices in the Town & County, leaving only the most secret and most dangerous projects in Rivers County. And they've been trying even harder to cover up and keep secret

the death that occurred in that disaster.

"

I continued: "One of the two bodies recently found in Nextdoor County, which you Feds plain stole from Nextdoor County's jurisdiction, was Lana Lane, who met with Geiger and Madden on the day Madden was murdered." (

Author's note: 'Deliver Us From Evil', Ch. 01-02

) "The other body...

is the person who died in the Energy Dynamics explosion!

"

There were gasps in the room... some at my deduction, and some at the look on Clark Webster's face: he did not look surprised, but utterly defeated. Finally, he said "If you know all that, then you know the accident was classified by the Military---"

"Stoppit. Don't even try." I said. "It's classified Secret. Everyone in here is cleared to hear it, even these rowdy Canadian sisters. But more importantly, Mr. Webster, I'm actually trying to help you here, help you make the correct decision as well as help you out of the Swamp Frogs's clutches. Let me explain."

Me: "Not long before the incident... which I'll call that for lack of a better term... a Company operative was sent into Energy Dynamics. Two people came to my mind: May Cialis, on behalf of the Swamp Frogs; and Gayle Roberts, trying to catch Swamp Frogs or, worse, traitors like she found at DataDynamics. And last night, my wife, Dr. Laura Fredricson, helped me determine which one it was... and it was

Gayle Roberts

that died and was ignominiously buried in Nextdoor County."

Me: "What you need to know, Mr. Webster, is that Gayle Roberts was my wife's longtime assistant as well as fellow CIA Officer, and they also were very close personal friends. And you need to understand how much it will

behoove

you to come correct and tell me everything you know... not what they will let you, but

everything

you know, before my wife finds out some other way."

Me: "If she does, there will truly be hell to pay. The worst she will do to me is make me sleep on the couch with the dogs. But if she finds out you actively participated in the coverup of her friend's death?... then there's nothing neither I nor my dogs can do for you."

In the silence of the room, Clark Webster looked over at Jack Muscone, who just said "The FBI is corrupted and not worth it anymore. Do the right and honest thing. For Gayle Roberts, if for no other reason."

Webster nodded and said "Okay." He exhaled, then said "Yes, Commander, it's almost exactly and completely as you said. It was Gayle Roberts, and yes, she's been confirmed as the other body they recently found."

Webster: "As to what exactly killed her, we're not sure if there was an explosion, a large energy release, or something else. We also don't know if foul play was involved. It's been speculated it could be intentional because she was the only person that died... that we know of."

Webster: "Anyhoo, you are right: they began shutting stuff down at the Rivers County facility, and doctoring paperwork to make it look like they'd been shutting things down a lot sooner. I came in on the tail end of it. My Missing Persons Office was notified that a woman named Gayle Roberts had disappeared. They gave an accurate description of her, and said she worked at Energy Dynamics."

Webster: "We began the routine inquiries. The next day, I was personally visited by someone.... and I can't tell you who, so don't ask... who told me that Gayle Roberts was a CIA Officer, and that she'd gone undercover. Naturally, I stopped the inquiry and closed the case. And I heard nothing more until the other day, when the bodies in Nextdoor County were found."

Webster: "A DNA check request went through my office. We found out that one of them was likely Roberts only after other Federal Agents had taken the bodies to the City. And then I got the word from higher-ups that she was no longer missing nor unidentified, that national security was an issue, and for me to stay out of it and say nothing more about it."

"Let me add something at this point." said Jack Muscone. "I knew Gayle, too... and please give Laura my condolences... so I began getting phone calls about it from all over the place, asking if it was true that Gayle was dead. And that's when FBI triphammers began crushing Clark and me like little nuts. But I did tell them that if the Iron Crowbar asked specifically about it, then I would hold nothing back from him, that being you. So now you know what we know... probably more, knowing you."

"One thing I don't know," I said, "is who sent Nat K. Cole into Energy Dynamics, why they did so, and why was she murdered in a way to make it look like an abduction and rape?"

"I have no idea." said Clark Webster.

"Me neither." said Jack Muscone. The other Federal Agents in the room also denied knowledge of any of it.

Roark Coleman asked "Sir, do you believe Ms. Cole was sent in to find out what happened to Ms. Roberts?" Ah, he was getting there, I thought to myself.

"Good question." I said. "And it's either that, or she accidentally found out and was rubbed out herself to try to keep the coverup going. I'm hoping that if we get Smallwood alive and get him talking, we'll get some answers---"

I began getting a vibe... that Cindy was having a big vibe. As I looked at her, she said "What are you leaving out, Mr. Webster? For example---"

I literally grasped her forearm as I interrupted with "Mr. Webster has told us everything we need to know. For now, let's catch up with Smallwood, and go from there."

If looks could kill, I'd look just like Wile E. Coyote after being struck by lightning: burnt to a crisp.

Fortunately

, I was saved by the ringing of Cindy's cellphone.

"It's Deputy Strait from Coltrane County." Cindy said. Answering, she said "Deputy Strait, you're on speaker with all our Detectives and their bosses."

"Hi, Commander Ross! Hi, everyone!" Strait said in his characteristic enthusiastic voice. "We just saw that you issued warrants for Jesse Smallwood."

"Yes, we did." Cindy said. "We're looking for him. Any idea where we might find him?"

"Yes ma'am." Strait said. "

He's here, at our Sheriff's Department building!

Smallwood came in 20 minutes ago with his attorney, to turn himself in..."

Part 9 - The Smallwood Connection

"It's been like the good old days," Cindy said, "when I was your sidekick and went everywhere with you. Now I'm here only because Teresa is on vacation."

We were driving towards Buford in Coltrane County in my Police SUV to interview Jesse Smallwood. "And I'm glad to have you with me for the fun." I replied. "It's kind of like Carole being on vacation gave Tasha some exclusive time with me."

"I heard Tasha is getting that when she's helping you re-write the State Constitution." Cindy said.

I nodded, then Cindy said witheringly: "Of course, just like the old days, you're also exasperating the hell out of me. I wanted to ask Webster who stopped his inquiry into Gayle's disappearance, who sent him the DNA request, exactly who was calling Muscone and asking if Gayle was dead... and who told or asked

them.

... and you stopped me."

"Yes, I did," I admitted, "and thank you for not pushing it. All that was part of the coverup, and at the Federal level. And ultimately, I'd rather have Webster on our side and not the Swamp Frogs's side. Last but not least, I'm

much

more interested in who was with Smallwood when they killed Mark Cooper and abducted, raped, and killed Nat Cole. And also, I cant't wait to see who is Smallwood's attorney. That alone will tell us volumes..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Okay guys," I said, "get a good look at them. Make observations and deductions, and we'll compare notes later."

Our entourage looked through the one-way glass of the Interrogation Room at the Coltrane County Sheriff Department headquarters. So as not to completely overrun them, I had allowed only Captain Claire Michaels, and 'Team Teddy' (Lt. Teddy Parker, Det. Sgt. Julia Rodriguez, and Det. Roark Coleman) to come down with me. I had not 'allowed' Cindy Ross to come; she does whatever the hell she pleases.

"Who is the legal beagle?" Cindy asked. I shrugged; I'd never seen him before. He was elderly, tall and lanky, with relatively heavy jowls. His eyes bespoke a mean disposition.

Coltrane County Sheriff Sorrells said "Said his name was Mortimer D. Randolph, and that he was representing Smallwood. We'd just gotten the APB of your warrant literally only three minutes before when they walked in." He handed me a card.

"Bedford, Benning & Bell, P. C." I said, reading the lawyer's card out loud. "Wow." Seeing the looks on everyone's faces, I said "Bedford, Benning & Bell is a law firm in the City. They are

insanely

expensive. Their main business is large construction and development projects, and they handle some Union work. "

Me: "They are rumored to be (air quotes) 'connected', as in Mob ties, and in more recent times there have been whispers of affiliations with White Supremacy groups. They have absolutely no love for the Federal Government; in fact, one of their attorneys, William J. Rutledge, represented Geiger against the Feds after Keith Madden was killed." (

Author's note: 'Deliver Us From Evil', Ch. 02

)

Sheriff Sorrells said "If you want first crack at him, Commander Troy, have at it."

"Thank you, Sheriff." I said. "Who's going in with me?"

"Don't even bother replying, anyone." Cindy said. "Unless you think you can whip my ass, of course."

"No, Julia, now is not the time." I said with a grin, having seen the sparkle in my Detective Sergeant's eyes. There was chuckling in the room as Cindy followed me into the Interrogation Room...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jesse Smallwood and his lawyer were on the right side of the table as one observed through the one-way glass. Cindy and I took seats opposite them. As we sat down, Cindy said "Mr. Randolph, are you related to Kevin Randolph? He's one of my best paramedics."

"Probably not." Mortimer Randolph muttered dismissively, his voice an outright snarl.

"No, he's not." I said quietly. Then I turned to Smallwood, who'd put on weight since I'd last seen him. He didn't seem nervous, as his soft pudgy hands didn't do anything that would give away nervousness. I said "As you know, Jesse, I'm Commander Troy, and this is Commander Ross. I just have one question for you:

why?