The Smoking of Carlos

THE SMOKING OF CARLOS.
CIRCA,,, 2004 BAGHDAD, IRAQ 101ST AIR ASSAULT DIVISION, CAMP IRON
HORSE.

THE LIFE OF AN AIR ASSAULT INFANTRYMAN, BEING IN A MECHANIZED INFANTRY COMBAT BRIGADE, SERVING IN AN INFANTRY MANEUVER PLATOON. HE WAS LATINO, WILD, YOUNG AND DARING; AND HAD A PASSION FOR GOING OVER THE LIMIT WHEN POSSIBLE. WHETHER GETTING DRUNK AND BUCK WILD AT A STRIP CLUB AND NOT REMEMBERING WHAT HAPPENED THE PREVIOUS NIGHT: WHETHER IT WAS GOING IN THE PARKING LOT AND BENDING THE RADIO ANTENNA OF ALL THE PARKED CARS, OR MOONING THE MOTORIST AS THEY PASSED ON THE HIGHWAY.
NOT ONLY WAS HE DRUNK AND WILD, SO WERE HIS BUDDIES WHO WOULD WAKE UP IN DIFFERENT APARTMENTS
OR BARRACK ROOMS, WITH OR WITHOUT THEIR CLOTHES ON, WONDERING HOW THEY GOT THERE AND WHO WERE DRIVING?

(FLASH BACK TO BAGHDAD, IRAQ)…. THE PLATOON SERGEANT HAD A PLATOON MEETING IN THE EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING MISSION,
THE NEXT MORNING…. (ENTER STAFF SERGEANT JEHOSHAPHAT BORDEAUX, AGE 39, BE-SPECKLED, TALKS WITH A LISP, AND MEAN AS A RATTLESNAKE. HE WALKS BACK TO THE CHU AREA, AFTER WAITING 3 MINUTES FOR SPECIALIST BOB DOLDERFISH,
WHO IS BIG AS CONAN, WITH AN ATTITUDE LIKE VIN DIESEL; AND SERGEANT GIVONNI SANCHEZ, WHO LIKES HOT RODS, FAT WOMEN, RAP MUSIC, AND SLEEPS IN THE VEHICLE ALL THE TIME. SGT BOUDREUX IS MUMBLING, TALKING TO HIMSELF, AS HE WALKS OUT THROUGH THE MUD TO GET TO THEIR LOCATION. HE BELLOWS OUT “ BLA,BLA, BLA, BLA, AND BLA, BLA, BLA!!”
(GET YO’ DANG GOAT SMELLING TALES TO DAT MEETING! PLAT DADDY WAITING, AND SO AM I!!) “
AFTER THAT TIRADE. THEN A MUCH LONGER TIME, AFTER THE MEETING; BECAUSE THE PLATOON SERGEANT, MUCH OLDER THAN BOUDREAUX, LATINO, GRUFFY VOICE LIKE FRED G. SANDFORD, AND MORE COMBAT STRIPES THAN A ZEBRA ASS, IS LONG WINDED. …. THE MISSION BRIEF.
SITUATION: LINK UP AT 38MSE 4297-6543, KLE COMPOUND, SEARCHING FOR SUSPECTED BOMB MAKER, OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBORING IRAQI ARMY COMPOUND TO SERVE AS AN ESCORT FOR THE IP’S AT THEIR LOCATION.

TIME: 0715 SP FROM GATE 5 NLT 0800 HRS WITH 4 VEHICLES, 23 PERSONNEL.
AFTER RECEIVING THE MISSION BRIEF, THE SOLDIERS DEPARTED TO GO THEIR PERSPECTIVE WAYS. SOME WENT TO WORK OUT AT THE GYM; SOME WENT TO PLAY BASKETBALL AT THE BALL COURT. SOME TURNED
IN THEIR LAUNDRY AT THE TURN IN POINT AT THE MWR, WHICH STANDS FOR MORALE AND RECREATION, SEVERAL OF THE PLATOON’S SOLDEIRS WERE GATHERED THERE. SPECIALIST BRYAN JAMES, KNOWN AS ‘BILLY’ WAS THERE, PLAYING HIS IPOD WHILE CLUTCHING A DECK OF CARDS. HIS PARTNERS WERE FELIPE SANCHEZ,AND RUBIO VELACRUZ; BOTH OF WHOM WERE E-4, SPECIALIST AND CUTTING NOTHING BUT DIAMONDS IN THEIR GAME OF SPADES.

BILLY WAS FUCKING UP, BECAUSE HE WAS PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO THE SONG BEING PLAYED ON HIS IPOD; SINGING IT, AND PAYING LESS ATTENTION TO THE CARDS BEING DEALT. HIS PARTNER, MORE EXPERIENCED AND MORE SEASONED THAN THE REST OF THE GUYS AT THE TABLE, PLUS HE WAS THE ONLY BLACK PERSON AT THE CARD TABLE. WATCHING THEM INTENSLY, WITH AN EYE FOR TALENT. CLIFFORD FRANKLIN IS HIS NAME, FROM DES MOINES, IOWA; WITH MORE KIDS THAN THE LAKERS BENCH.
HE WAS GETTING PISSED OFF BY THE SECOND, BY HIS CARD BUDDY MISCUES.

AT THE CORNER OF THE REC ROOM, SGT BERMUDEZ SAT, WATCHING THE SPADE GAME UNFOLD; WHILE KEEPING A WATCHFUL EYE ON HIS QUEEN, FOR THE NEXT MOVE FOR THE CHESS GAME HE WAS PLAYING. WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON, PFC FRYE, OR ‘FRY GUY’ CAME BY WITH A MESSAGE. “WE GOTTA ROLL OUT”, HE SAID TO THE GROUP. HE WAS PARTIALY OUT OF BREATH, AND STUTTERING THE REST OF THE MESSAGE. “PUH-PUH-PUH, THE PLA-T-T-TOON S-S-SURGENT SA-SASAID” MAN, “SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE, BEFORE YOU HAVE A SEIZURE”, BILLY ANNOUNCED OVER THE CARD TABLE, INTERRUPTING PFC FRYE. BUT, PVT FYRE WAS PERSISTANT, HE REPLIED, “OKAY, IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BELIEVE ME, GO AND T-T-TELL, TELL THAT TO HIM THEN!” “I AM TELLING MY CH-CH-CHIEF!” THEN HE LEFT. “GO AHEAD AND TELL YOUR CHIEF, EXCEPT HE IS NOT A CHIEF, BUT A SQUAD LEADER, YOU LITTLE TRICK” BILLY SAID. HE GETS THAT WAY, WHEN HE IS FRUSTRATED OR LOSING A CARD GAME.

THAT’S USUALLY HOW THINGS GO IN THE PLATOON; WHENEVER THERE IS TIME OFF FROM A MISSION. THE NEXT MORNING: THE PLATOON SERGEANT WANTS EVERYONE PRESENT AT THE MOTOR POOL; 0800, STANDING BY THE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES FOR THE MOUNTED PATROL CONSISTED OF 4 M1114 UP ARMORED HUMVEES, AND TWO NEW MRAPS, WHICH STANDS FOR MINE RESISTANT VEHICLES, THEY ARE OF THE BUFFALO VARIETY. IT’S LIKE A LARGER VERSION OF A HUMVEE, EXCEPT IN SHAPE, AND DESIGN. IT WAS DESIGNED ONLY FOR ONROAD OPERATIONS, AND CAN BE VERY SCARY WHEN TAKING A CURVE WHEN ON HIGHWAYS.

SPC DOOLITLE, WHO IS CONSISERED A SMART ASS BY SOME, AND A WALKING –10 BY MOST WAS TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF INCORPORATING USE OF THE MRAPS IN THE CONVOYS. NO ONE ASKED HIM FOR HIS INPUT, NOR DID IT SEEM NEEDED; DOOLITTLE, FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS ALWAYS HAD A SAY IN MATTERS WHEN HE THOUGHT HE KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT HOW THINGS SHOULD BE. SGT SANCHEZ WAS SITTING IN ONE OF THE UP ARMOR HUMVEES, LISTENING TO DOOLITTLE, WHILE HE WAS CHECKING THE TIME ON THE VEHICLE’S SINGAR RADIO SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, HE WAS FAST ASLEEP IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT; DOOLITTLE’S TALKING AND THE STRICT TASK OF CHECKING AND SETTING “PLUGGER” TIME ONTO THE RADIO SET, PUT HIM TO SLEEP.

THE REST OF THE PLATOON WERE DOING THEIR PCC’S AND PRE COMBAT CHECKS, WHILE SGT SANCHEZ SLEPT; SALIVA DROOLING DOWN HIS CHIN AND DOWN THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. SQUAD MEMBERS CHECKED WEAPON SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT. MAINTENANCE WAS BEING DONE ON THE VEHICLES, AND COMMO CHECKS WERE BEING DONE ON THE VARIOUS RADIO SYSTEMS; EXCEPT SGT SANCHEZ’S VEHICLE. HIS EXCESSIVE DROOLING THAT DRIPPED DOWN THE RADIO MOUNT APPEARERED TO SHORT OUT THE RADIO IN HIS VEHICLE. BUT, WHATEVER THE CASE, HE NEVER MADE THAT RADIO CHECK. THAT WAS, UNTIL THE PLATOON SERGEANT CAME BY AND WOKE HIM; “GET YO GOAT SMELLING TALE UP OUT DAT TRUCK!” “AND STOP DROOLING ALL OVER DAT RADIO!” “LAWD, YOU DONE SHORT THE HELL OUT OF IT” “GET UP!” HE CONTINUED. “AND GET DAT RADIO FILLED!”

SGT SANCHEZ JUMPED UP, WIDE AWAKE; MOSTLY BEING WHEN THE PLATOON SERGEANT TAPPED THE SIDE OF THE ROOF WITH A PIPE OR SOMETHING HE FOUND ON THE GROUND, BEFORE HE TORE INTO THE SERGEANT.
HE COULD’NT FIND WORDS, ONLY A STICKY STREAM OF SALIVA ALONG HIS CHIN, AND A STEADY BEEPING TONE MEANING HE LOST THE FILL IN HIS RADIO SYSTEM. WHEN HE STRAIGHTENED UP IN THE TRUCK SEAT, HE WAS STARING INTO THE GRINNING FACE OF SPC WINCHESTER, HIS DRIVER FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY; SMART AS A TURD IN THE TOILET, BUT SHARPER THAN A NUMBER 2 PENCIL. HE WAS LAUGHING, AND GRINNING SO MUCH, THAT HE LOST MORE THAN HALF OF THE “RED MAN” CHEW WHICH WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE CORNER OF HIS MOUTH. “SON”, THE PLATOON SERGEANT SAID. “THAT’S A DISGUSTING HABIT YOU GOT THERE” “LONG AS NONE OF DAT JUNK GET INSIDE THE TRUCK, YOU ALRIGHT WITH ME” HE CONTINUED.

WAITING FOR THE PLATOON SERGEANT TO WALK OFF, SGT SANCHEZ MOTIONED FOR SPC WINCHESTER TO COME OVER AND ASSIST HIM WITH COMPLETING THE PROCESS OF LOADING THE FILL ON THE RADIO, WHILE HE PRETENDED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE IN THE TRUCK; WHICH HE NEVER INTENDED TO FINISH, FOR HE WAS SOUND ASLEEP 5 MINUTES INTO DOING SO.

SPC WINCHESTER CRACKED A GRIN AND CALLED OVER, PRIVATE KLINK. KLINK, WHO HAILS FROM IOWA, AND GRINS ALL THE TIME AND HAVE A GOOFY, LOPEY WALK SUNTERED OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE; HIS UNIFORM WAS COVERED IN DUST FROM CONSTANTLY WORKING AROUND THE TRUCK, DOING ALL OF WINCHESTER’S DIRTY WORK. REFUSING THE CAN OF DIP OFFERED BY WINCHESTER, HE PREFERABLY TOOK A CIGARETTE AND GINGERLY LIT ONE AND WAS FORMALLY REMANDED BY THE SPECIALIST FOR ONE, SMOKING LESS THAN 50 METERS FROM VEHICLES, SECONDLY, DOING SO
IN THE VEHICLE, AND IN ADDITION DOING SO WHILE THE PLATOON SERGEANT WAS STILL WALKING AROUND LOOKING VERY DISPLEASED AT THE PROGRESS OF HIS PLATOON.

AND ON CUE, LIKE ALWAYS; ON THROUGH THE PARKING LINE STRODE THE “PL”, SHORT FOR THE PLATOON LEADER, 1ST LT JIMMY CREEDWATER, A PRODUCT OF VIRGINIA TECH, A CANNON ARM FOOTBALL PLAYER WHO GOT HIS START AFTER THE PLAYER THAT REPLACED MICHAEL VICK WENT TO THE NFL TO PLAY
FOR THE PROS. GRADUATING 2ND IN HIS CLASS AND MAJORING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, GOT HIS DEGREE AND HIS COMMISSION IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, IN 2003, SPENT A TOUR IN KOREA, THEN FOLLOWED HIS FORMER BATTALION COMMANDER TO HIS CURRENT DUTY STATION OF FORT CAMPBELL, THEN EVENTUALLY DEPLOYING TO IRAQ.

HE WALKED THROUGH THE VEHICLE LINE; STRIDING PURPOSELY, HOPING TO CATCH THE ATTENTION OF HIS DRIVER WHO WAS FINISHING UP PMCS OF THE PLATOON LEADER’S VEHICLE, OBVIOUS TO THE FACT HIS HAND HELD RADIO ANTENNAE WAS STICKING OUT LIKE AN ARROW, STUCK TO THE BACK OF HIS COLLAR. RUBIO AND SEVERAL OTHERS CAUGHT SIGHT OF HIS FUNNY APPEARANCE AND BEGAN SNICKERING AMONGS EACH OTHER. THEN, THEY IN TURN ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF THE PLATOON SERGEANT, WHO INQUIRED OF WHAT WAS SO FUNNY? HE HAD TO ASK EVERYONE TO STOP WHAT THEY WERE DOING, BEING THAT A GREAT DEAL OF SNICKERING AND SIDE BAR CHATTER WAS GOING ON,AND HE JUST WANTED TO GET ON WITH THE MEETING.
AS HE APPROACHED THE LIEUTENANT, HE NOTICED THAT CREEDWATER’S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO SOMETHING ELSE. RUBIO AND THE OTHER SOLDIERS WERE TALKING ABOUT THE TIME SOMEONE IN THE CONVOY SENT A BFT MESSAGE TO THE ‘CP’ THAT “A MEETING WAS BEING CONDUCTED WITH GENERAL ‘JERK OFF’”. THAT WAS AT THE LAST POSITION OF THE LATEST PATROL OF THE WEEK. APPARENTLY, SOMEONE HAD GOTTEN IN TROUBLE FOR USE ON THE COMMAND NET.

THE COMMAND NET IS THE PRIMARY CONTROL NET USED BY THE CP, WHICH STANDS FOR THE COMMAND POST OF EVERY UNIT IN THEATER. EACH, PLATOON OR ELEMENT, HAS THEIR OWN PLATOON, OR SECONDARY NET, OF WHICH THEY CAN TALK AMONG EACH OTHER, WHEN THEY REPORT WHAT THEY SEE ON THE ROAD; AND AS A MEAN TO KEEP RADIO CONTACT WITH EACH VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. NO ONE IS SUPPOSED TO USE THE CP’S NET UNLESS IT IS THE CONVOY COMMANDER REPORTING IN AT EACH CHECK POINT, OR TO ESTABLISH RADIO CONTACT WITH HIM OR HER.

BUT THIS WAS A SIMPLE BFT MESSAGE, WHICH COMES FROM THE BLUE FORCE TRACKER, WHICH IS SOMEWHAT OF A DIGITAL MAP WHICH SHOWS THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, DISPLAYING EACH VEHICLE AS AN ICON, AND THE GRID LINE OF THE AREA BEING TRAVELLED. MESSAGES ARE SENT BY HITTING THE DIALOG BOX IN THE TOP CORNER OF THE VIRTUAL MAP.
YOU CAN SEND A REPLY TO AN INCOMING MESSAGE, OR JUST LOOK FOR THE CP’S ADDRESS AND TYPE THE MESSAGE, AND HIT THE SEND BUTTON; JUST LIKE ON THE INTERNET. ANYONE MISSUSING THE BFT AND RADIO WILL BE SEVERLY ADOMONISHED. EVERYBODY KNOWS THE PEOPLE WORKING IN THE TOC, WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR THE CP, ARE THE UPTIGHT TYPE. THEY TAKE EVERYTHING SERIOUS, AND NOTHING FOR GRANTED. EVEN IF YOU MAKE A TOKEN MISTAKE THEY DON’T TAKE THAT IN CONSIDERATION.

SO, WHEN BILLY TRICKED ONE OF THE NCOS TO SEND THAT MESSAGE, IT MADE THINGS TAKE A SOMEWHAT SOMBER TURN FOR THE PLATOON. LIEUTENANT CREEDWATER DIDN’T WAIT FOR ALL THE MEMBERS IN THE PLATOON TO GATHER; HE JUST STARTED HIS BRIEF SOON AS ENOUGH PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND HIM. KLINK ALMOST TORE HIS ACL, JUMPING OFF THE TOP OF THE HOOD, AND RUNNING TOWARD THE GROUP AS HE SPOTTED THE PLATOON SERGEANT WALKING TOWARD THE GROUP; GLASSES FOGGING UP, GREY HAIRS
STICKING UP AND A RED COLORING COMING ONTO HIS FACE; HE LOOKED AS IF HE WAS READY TO EITHER, CHOKE SOMEONE OR SHANK SOMEONE, EVEN IF IT WAS A GERBER! HE WAS PISSED!

THE MEETING STARTED WITHOUT HIS SAY SO, AND NOT ALL OF HIS SOLDIERS WERE GATHERED.
“TC’S” HE ROARED. “SORRY, SIR. GOT TO STOP YOU RIGHT THERE! I DON’T HAVE ALL MY PEOPLE HERE!” SGT’S SANCHEZ, BERMUDEZ. BOUDREAUX, AND FRESHLY OFF R&R LEAVE, SGT BUILDING, WHO EVERYONE REFERS TO AS “BUILD A” OR “SUGA BEAR”, AND SGT SCORSESE, WHO REMINDS PEOPLE OF THAT DIRECTOR OF THE MOVIE ‘SCARFACE’ RESPONDED IN TURN, BY WALKING FROM THE BRIEF TO GET A CHEWING FROM THE PLATOON SERGEANT.

ALL CREEDWATER AND THE REMAINING SOLDIERS COULD DO IS LOOK ON MEEKLY, AND TALK AT A LOW, SIDE BAR CHATTER: SOME SAID THINGS LIKE, “I’M GLAD I AM NOT THE SQUAD LEADER”, OR “THEY GOING TO GET IT!” WHATEVER THE CASE. THE PLATOON SERGEANT TALKED AND TALKED. THE NCO’S LISTENED
INTENTLY, TAKING IN EVERY NOD, AND EVERY WORD SPOKEN TO THEM.

MEANWHILE, THE PLATOON LEADER TALKED WITH SOME OF THE MEN HOW THE COMMO SYSTEMS WERE, AND WHAT WAS THE CURRENT FUEL STATUS AND AMMUNITION COUNT. SOME OF THE GUYS DRIFTED AWAY
TO SHARE A SMOKE OR BUM ONE FROM ONE OF THEIR BUDDIES. THAT’S WHEN THE COMMO DADDY, AS THEY REFER TO SGT PINK, WHO THEY SOMETIMES REFER TO “PINKIE” DERIVED FROM THAT CARTOON
“PINKY AND THE BRAIN”, WALKED UP, AND ASKED THE STATUS OF COMMO. HE WAS TOLD OF WHAT WERE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS; AND, OF COURSE, ‘SANCHEZ DROOLING IN THE TRUCK SHORTING OUT THE RADIOS’ WAS OBVIOUS.

THEN HE DIRECTED, ONE OF HIS SOLDIERS, SPC BEASLEY, A 31U TO ASSIST HIM IN CHECKING COMMO IN THE VEHICLES; WHICH WAS BETTER THAN RELYING ON HIS SO CALLED SIDE KICK, WHO WAS NOT COMMUNICATIONS, BUT RATHER A SENIOR TAC FIRE SPECIALIST WHO LIKES TO GET ON EVERYBODY’S NERVES. HE IS CONSIDERED THE SIDE KICK BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE CALL HIM ‘THE BRAIN’ OR ‘BRAIN’,
FOR SHORT.
JUST LIKE HIS STATURE, HE IS JUST THAT: SHORT, BUT NOT ON CHARACTER, OR PERSONALITIES, OF WHICH HE HAS MANY. BUT THE MOST UNLIKELY ONE IS HIS ATTITUDE, AND HAVING A SMALL OR INFERIOR MENTALITY.

HE CAN SEEM BIG AS GODZILLA, AND MAKE YOU SEEM SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT AS AN ANT. OTHER THAN THAT, IF YOU MENTION THE WORD, ‘COFFEE’, AND WERE TO GET IT IN ABUNDANCE, THEN YOU STAND A CHANCE OF BEING ON HIS GOOD SIDE.
MICKEY ODONNEL, FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK WORKED IN THE TACTICAL OPERATION CENTER, OR THE TOC, FOR SHORT; SPENT EVERY TOUR IN IRAQ WORKING THERE. THAT’S WHY HE KNEW SO MUCH. MOSTLY
EVERYONE AVOIDED HIM AT EVERY COST. IF WE NEEDED SOMETHING FROM THE TOC, LIKE MAIL, WE WENT THROUGH OUR PLATOON SERGEANT FIRST. BUT, FOR NOW OUR MAIN THING WAS GETTING THROUGH WITH THIS BOGUS INVENTORY, AND FINISHING UP ON OUR PCC’S AND PCI’S SO WE CAN CONTINUE WITH OUR MISSION FOR THE DAY.
SO THE DAY STARTED OUT, WITH ‘PLAT DADDY’ FINDING SGT G SLEEPING IN HIS HUMVEE, CREEDWATER WALKING TO THE MOTOR POOL WITH HIS ANTENNAE STICKING IN HIS COAT, AND GETTING CHEWED OUT BY THE PLATOON SERGEANT FOR THE OBVIOUS. WE RECEIVED OUR BRIEF, LINED UP AND ROLLED OUT THE ‘HOLE’, AS WE CALLED IT, AND WENT TO PICK UP THE MEDIC AT THE AID STATION ON THE WAY TO THE FIRING PIT. WE WERE ALMOST LATE, LEAVING OUT OF GATE5.

WE HAD 5 VEHICLES. THE LEAD VEHICLE WAS BERMUDEZ; HIS TRUCK WAS KNOWN AS V1, OR VICTOR ONE. NEXT WAS V2, THEN SO FORTH, AND LASTLY V4 WHICH WAS THE PLATOON SERGEANT’S VEHICLE. THE SOP (STANDARD OPERATIONG PROCEDURE) IN PLACE, CALLS FOR CLEARING AND LOADING THE WEAPON SYSTEMS, AND FIRING THE WEAPON PRIOR TO TURNING ON ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS. THE GUNNER, WHO IS STATIONED IN THE GUNNER’S HATCH FIRES BETWEEN 6 TO 8 BURSTS WITH HIS ASSIGNED CREW SERVED WEAPON, WHETHER IT IS A 240B, 249 SAW, AND USUALLY ONE 50 CAL. AFTER DOING SO, EACH TRUCK COMMANDER CALLS IN HIS STATUS AFTER TURNING ON HIS VARIOUS SYSTEMS. THEY DO SO ONE BY
ONE IN ORDER FROM 1 TO 5, OR DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN THE CONVOY. AFTERWHICH, THEY GET A TRIP TICKET NUMBER WHICH DESIGNATE THEIR STATUS AS THEY GO OUT THE ENTRY GATE. THEY ALSO ESTABLISH COMS WITH THEIR PERSPECTIVE CP, AS THEY MAKE THERE WAY OUT OF THE COMPOUND, OR FOB AS IT IS COMMONLY REFERRED AS.

ON THIS PARTICULAR DATE WE, CHARLIE COMPANY, 2ND INFANTRY MANUEVER PLATOON WENT ON MISSION TO KLE FOR SUSPECTED BOMB MAKER WITH INTEL PLACING HIM IN VICINITY OF THE CITY OUR MISSION
DICTATES US TO SEARCH OUT AND SEEK INFORMATION OF HOW THE MATERIALS WERE GATHERED AND IF ANY, WHO IS HARBORING AND AIDING SAID PERSON IN BUILDING AND PLACING ROAD SIDE BOMBS IN THE PARTICULAR REGION. WE WERE SENT OUT ON THIS PRETTY TUESDAY MORNING, IN THE MIDDLE
OF MAY, NICE 98 DEGREE WEATHER, AIR AND MEDIVAC STATUS GREEN, AND ALL AVAILABLE AIR ASSETS WERE A GO. BERMUDEZ AND HIS CREW WERE IN THE LEAD TRUCK; CARLOS RODE IN THE SECOND ONE WITH CREEDWATER, THE NEW KID FRYE RODE WITH THEM AS THE GUNNER. THE PLATOON WENT OUT THIS PARTICULAR MISSION WITH THE 6 ELEMENT, WHO RODE IN THE MIDDLE; RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK
CREWED BY BOUDREAUX, WINCHESTER, DOLDERFISH, AND G SANCHEZ. THE PLATOON SERGEANT TOOK UP THE REAR, WITH FRANKLIN AS HIS DRIVER, AND JAMES AND RUBIO AS PART OF HIS CREW.
BERMUDEZ’S VOICE WAS PREDOMINATE ON THE RADIO FREQUENCY.
HIS JOB AS THE LEAD ELEMENT WAS TO CALL OUT EVERYTHING SEEN ON THE ROAD WAYS, HILL TOPS, BUILDING TOPS, AND WHO ARE WHAT WAS SEEN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE SPOKE WITH THAT RICH Puerto Rican ACCENT, BUT EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD AND KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.

YOU CAN’T SAY TOO MUCH ABOUT BOUDREAUX OR ‘FRYE GUY’. FRYE WASN’T EVEN ALLOWED TO HANDLE THE HAND SET. THE LIEUTENANT SEEMINGLY SHOULD’NT BE ALLOWED BASED ON THE FACT HIS COMMO IN HIS TRUCK NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, IF NOT ALL THE TIME SOME OF THE TIME.

COMMUNICATIONS PLAY A VITAL PART OF CONVOY OPERATIONS, BUT WHEN AN ADDITIONAL CHANNEL IS USED CAMARADERIE COMES INTO PLAY. BOREDOM AND MONOTONY SETTLES IN WHEN YOU CAN’T SAY CERTAIN THINGS OR THE NET IS BEING CROWDED WITH ALL SORTS OF RADIO CHATTER. SOME OF THE
TRANSMISSIONS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT SOME CAN SEEM OUT OF PLACE OR JUST UNNECESSARY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE OUT THERE PATROLLING A REGION AND TRANSMISSIONS BECOME NOTHING MORE BUT CONVERSATIONS ON HOW TO FIX SOMETHING, OR SOME EXPLANATION ON HOW SOMETHING COULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED FOR THE BETTER. YOU CAN’T HELP BUT THINK, WHO ARE THESE BUMS!
AND WHY IS THIS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW, WHEN I CAN HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TRANSMIT, BUT TOO MUCH TRAFFIC ON THE RADIO IS COMING THROUGH THE RADIO, AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO PUT OUT ON THE NET!

THE RULE OF THUMB FOR SECOND PLATOON: IF IT IS NOT PERTINENT OR IMPORTANT TO THE MISSION, JUST BE QUIET. GOOD THING BERMUDEZ DOESN’T ALWAYS FOLLOW THAT RULE. IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR HIS VOICE: HE IS FUNNY AND HIS CONSTANT CHATTER ENTERTAIN THE PEOPLE IN THE CONVOY. HE SAYS THINGS THAT BOTH KEEP US LAUGHING AND AWAKE ON THOSE LONG CONVOYS. WHEN HE TRANSMITS, HE TELLS YOU EVERYTHING HE SEES OUT THERE! I.E., ‘COWS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD’, ‘GROCERY STAND ON THE RIGHT’, AND SO ON, AND SO MUCH. A LOT OF WHAT HE SAYS DOESN’T MAKE SENSE SOMETIMES.

YOU CAN LOOK AND SEE WHATS ON BOTH SIDES OF YOU, BUT IT IS USUALLY AFTER THE SECOND AND FIRST TRUCK PASSES BY. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN ONLY THE CONVOY COMMANDER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS UP AHEAD, AND ONLY HE WOULD ANSWER UP AND REPEAT WHAT THE FIRST TRUCK SEEN AND SAID.
......................................................................................... Continued the rest of this passage next week. Check in and see
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Chapter 2: ..... Continued from the recent passage

BUT NOW, WE ALL HAVE TO ANSWER UP AS PART OF THE PROCEDURE. THAT WAY, ANY GUNNER OR TC IN A TRUCK CAN SPOT SOME ACTIVITY AND REPORT WHAT HE SEES, AS TO KEEP THE TRANSMISSION GOING.
‘
PLAT DADDY’, AS WE CALL HIM ALWAYS SEEMS TO GET INCREASINGLY GRUMPY WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME THING BEING CALLED OUT, OR IF IT IS SOMETHING HE DOESN’T CONSIDER SIGNIFICANT.
AS THE PLATOON SERGEANT OF THE PLATOON, WHO RIDES EITHER IN THE MIDDLE OR IN THE REAR OF THE CONVOY HE HAS MOSTLY CONTROL OF THE TRAFFIC, AND CIVILIAN TRAFFIC ON THE ROUTE BEING TRAVELED.
HE USUALLY REMINDS THE PLATOON LEADER OR THE LEAD ELEMENT OF WHICH CHECK POINT TO REPORT ON; AND SOMETIMES CERTAIN ASPECTS OF CONVOY OPERATIONS. MOST OF WHAT HE DOES IS VITAL; MOSTLY IF SOMEONE ON THE CONVOY DOESN’T REMEMBER WHAT ROLE, OR WHAT HE OR SHE SUPPOSED TO DO BASED ON GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THE EXCITEMENT OR BECAUSE OF COMPLACENCY.

AT ANY RATE, WE GO THROUGH THIS SAME SCENARIO BUT ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ROUTE TO AVOID HAVING THE SAME ROUTINE WHEN WE GO OUT. WE TOOK A LEFT ON ROUTE KANSAS, AND HEADED NORTH ON VERMONT A FEW KLIKS OR ‘KILOMETERS’ WATCHING FOR AN UNIMPROVED ROAD ON THE RIGHT, WHICH SHOULD LEAD US TO A COMPOUND. THIS COMPOUND IS WHERE AN ELEMENT OF THE REGIMENTAL GUARD BRIGADE, 1ST BATTALION IS HOUSED. OUR BUSINESS OVER THERE WAS TO CHECK WITH THEM TO FIND OUT ANY INFO ON SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ON AND AROUND THEIR SECTOR, OR AREA OF OPERATIONS. THEY ARE EITHER UNHAPPY ABOUT OUR PRESENCE; BEING THAT WE SHOW UP THERE OFTEN TO MUCH, AND THEY CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL THAT WE ARE MONITORING THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB.
THAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED HERE, OTHER THAN MOTORIST FEELING BULLIED BY US BEING ON THE ROADWAYS OF THEIR COUNTRY.

IN THE PAST, IT WAS COMMON FOR US TO COME BARRELING DOWN THE ROADWAY; THE GUNNERS HAD THIS CONVOY FLAG, A METAL POLE WITH AN ORANGE PANEL ATTACHED TO IT TO WAVE THE TRAFFIC AWAY,
TO A HALT. WE WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES LIKE FIRING PIN FLARES IN THE DIRECTION OF THE NEAREST VEHICLE TO DIVERT THE DRIVERS TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

ONLY ON AN EXTREME, ONE OF THE GUNNERS, NORMALLY THE FIRST TRUCK WOULD FIRE A WARNING SHOT INTO THE AIR; THAT WOULD STOP WHOLE LANES OF TRAFFIC. EVERY NOW AND THEN WE WOULD ENCOUNTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FOR DOING OUR JOB: IT WON’T BE A BIG DEAL, MOREOVER SOMEONE WOULD SMACK INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, NOONE WOULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT AND THE TIMELY ARRIVAL OF THE IRAQI POLICE, OR THE ‘IP’S’ AS WE REFER TO THEM. WE WOULD NEVER GO OUT OF OUR WAY TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR ANYONE GETTING INJURED.

FOR OUR SOP, BACK THEN WAS FOR US TO DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, WITH NO CIVILIAN TRAFFIC MOVING, AND THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES HAD TO BE CLEAR OF ANY TRAFFIC; THAT WAS THE BEST
WAY, AT THAT TIME TO AVOID RUNNING INTO ANY IED’S, (TECHNICAL TERM FOR IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES). EVER SINCE THE WAR ON TERRORISM BEGAN, MANY A CONVOY GOING THROUGH THE TOWNS AND HIGHWAYS OF THE MANY DIFFERENT DISTRICTS OF IRAQ WERE PLAGUED BY IEDS.

WE HAVEN’T FOUND THE PERFECT DEFENSE AGAINST IEDS AND OTHER ROAD SIDE BOMBS. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, WE TRIED DRIVING FAST, LIKE OVER 45 MILES PER HOUR.

WE USED WHATEVER CREW SYSTEMS AVAILABLE FOR THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF IED. MOST OF THEM ARE
RADIO CONTROLLED, TRIP WIRE ACTIVATED, PRESSURE PLATE ACTIVATED, AND COMMAND DETONATED; THE LATER OF WHICH REQUIRES A TRIGGER MAN TO ACTIVATE. WE HAD TO INCORPORATE THIS INTO
OUR SOPS.
WE ALWAYS HAVE HAD A DILEMMA WHEN ENCOUNTERING AN IED; WE KNOW THERE IS SOMEONE WATCHING, AND WE CAN’T ENGAGE UNTIL POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION IS ESTABLISHED.

THE FIRST THING THAT USUALLY HAPPENS IS WE DRIVE PASS THE FIRST IED, THEN THE SECOND IED DETONATES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONVOY, TO DISABLE AT MOST; THEN WHEN THE OCCUPANTS GET OUT TO DETERMINE THE DAMAGE, THE TRIGGER MAN OR A SNIPER PICKS OFF SOMEONE ON THE GROUND TO ADD TO THE CONFUSION. USUALLY AFTERWARDS, ANOTHER SECONDARY IED EXPLODES INFLICTING
MULTIPLE CASUALTIES.

THROUGH OUT THE YEARS, WE HAVE TESTED DIFFERENT CREW SYSTEMS. THEY ARE ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT SENDS OUT A SIGNAL THAT DISRUPTS WHAT TYPE OF ELECTRODE BEING USED IN THE ROAD SIDE BOMB. THEY USE THE SAME KIND OF DEVICE USED IN A CONVENIENCE STORE THAT BEEPS OR CHIME WHEN SOMEONE ENTERS THE STORE.

SOME ARE THE SAME DEVICE USED IN AN AUTOMATIC GARAGE OPENER, OR EVEN A 2 OR 4 BAND RADIO.
SO WE COUNTER THEM WITH HEATING DEVICES AND JAMMERS TO DISRUPT OR SET OFF THOSE BOMBS
PREMATURELY.

BUT TO BE HONEST, COMMON SENSE IS PREVALENT IN OUR LINE OF BUSINESS. WE NO LONGER DRIVE IN THE VERY MIDDLE OF THE ROAD; WE ALLOW TRAFFIC TO COME THROUGH AND THEY PASS US BY ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE LAST TRUCK IN THE CONVOY HOLDS BACK THE TRAFFIC. THAT IS THE SOP WE GO BY. THAT JOB, AS THE LAST TRUCK IN THE CONVOY GOES TO OUR PLATOON SERGEANT.

HE CONTACTS THE LEAD TRUCK AND DIRECTS HIM TO PICK A LANE, AND THEN THE REST OF THE CONVOY FOLLOWS HIM TO THE PARTICULAR LANE OF CHOICE. THAT IS THE RULE OF THUMB FOR US. WE SEND THE TRAFFIC BEHIND US ON THROUGH AND WE SWITCH TO THE LANE ADJACENT TO THE TRAFFIC FLOW.
WE FOLLOW CERTAIN RULES UNDER OUR OWN VERSION OF CONVOY OPERATIONS.

WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH THE CITIES AND TOWNS WE TEND TO CLOSE UP UPON ONE ANOTHER;
WE SPREAD OUT WHEN WE ARE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, AND ON THE OPEN ROADS. WE TEND TO
CHANGE UP DIFFERENT TACTICS TO KEEP THE BAD GUYS GUESSING.

AT ONE POINT THE GUNNER IN THE TRUCK IS ALL THE WAY TO ‘NAME TAPE DEFILADE’, THEN THE NEXT, HE IS DOWN, SITTING ON HIS GUNNER’S SEAT, WHICH IS NOTHING MORE THAN A CLIP ON STRAP WHICH IS WIDE
TO SEAT SOLDIERS OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND CLIP ON MEDAL PROTRUSIONS WELDED INSIDE THE RIM OF THE GUNNER TURRET.
IT ISN’T REALLY A TURRET, BUT AN OPENING WITH A HATCH THAT LATCHES TO THE BACK PORTION OF THE OUTER TURRET. THAT IS THE UPPER PART THAT HOUSES THE CREW SERVED WEAPON, WHICH SITS
IN A PINTLE.
IT IS LOCKED IN WITH A PIN THAT KEEPS THE WEAPON SYSTEM FROM BOUNCING LOOSE AND CAUSING INJURY TO THE GUNNER, OR FALLING DOWN ON AN UNSUSPECTING CREW MEMBER. EACH GUNNER
HAS HIS OR HER ASSIGNED SECTOR TO WATCH, IN ADDITION TO WHATEVER TASK IS GIVEN BY THE TRUCK COMMANDER.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT NOW. OUR CONVOY, WHICH CONSISTED OF 5 VEHICLES MADE IT UP TO THE COMPOUND, KICKING OUT DISMOUNTS, POSTING THEIR ESCORTS AROUND THE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING, ONE OF THEM GOING IN WITH THE INTERPRETER AND THE LIEUTENANT.

USUALLY THE LEAD TRUCK COMMANDER MAKES CONTACT WITH THE CP AFTER ARRIVING ON SITE; MOSTLY BECAUSE ALL THE OTHER TRUCKS DON’T HAVE THE GREATEST CABLES IN THEIR TRUCKS TO PUT OUT
COMMUNICATION FROM THAT GREAT A DISTANCE.

THE TRUCK CONTAINING BOUDREAUX SENDS UP A MESSAGE ON THE BLUE FORCE TRACKER, NOTIFYING THE CP OF THE DESTINATION, VICINITY GRID AND THE TIME OF OCCUPATION IN THE AREA. ‘CARLOS’ ALWAYS HAS A GOOD ROUTINE, HE IS ONE OF THE DISMOUNTS; HE WAITS UNTIL THE TRUCK COMMANDER CHECKS THE VEHICLE THEN SIGNALS FOR THE SOLDIERS TASKED FOR THAT DUTY TO DISMOUNT AND FOLLOW HIM TO THE COMPOUND.
EVERYONE ELSE GOES THROUGH A SIMILAR ROUTINE; THEY DISMOUNT, RUN TO THE LATRINE TO RELIEVE THEIR SELVES AND SET THEIR SYSTEMS ON STAND BY. THE GUNNERS USUALLY STAY UP AND MAINTAIN THEIR SECTORS. MOST OF THE TRUCK COMMANDERS, LIKE BERMUDEZ CAN’T WAIT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO HAVE A SMOKE. PROBABLY FOR HIM, IT IS A GOOD EXCUSE TO GET AWAY FROM DOLITTLE
FOR A WHILE, WHO CONSTANTLY CHATTER ABOUT SOMETHING RATHER IRRELEVANT THAT GETS ON EVERYBODY NERVES.

HE IS THE GUNNER FOR VICTOR 1 AND MOST OF THE TIME HE IS THERE ALL BY HIMSELF, CONVERSATING WITH THE OTHER GUNNERS WHO ARE STILL WEARING HEADSETS, PROBABLY NOT FOR LONG. G SANCHEZ MAY HAVE HAD ON A HEADSET BUT NOT HEARING ANYTHING. HE FALLS ASLEEP AFTER EVERYONE GETS SITUATED, OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN MOTION.

THE SAME GOES FOR THE SQUAD MEDIC WHO IS ON CALL ANYTIME TO ADMINISTER MEDICAL TREATMENT
IF NEEDED, WHO FALLS ASLEEP ALONG SIDE SANCHEZ. NO ONE KNOWS HOW A SOLDIER IN IRAQ CAN JUST FALL ASLEEP LIKE THAT! IF IT ISN’T GUARD DUTY WHERE YOU HAVE TWO GUARDS UP AND MAYBE FOUR DOWN, THEY GET SOME REST UNTIL THERE SHIFT TIME COMES ALONG.

EVERYTHING SEEMS SET IN PLACE; THE VEHICLES SPACED APART FROM ONE ANOTHER, NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS KEEPING WATCH ON THE GROUND, AND THE GUNNERS MAINTAINING THEIR SECTOR OF FIRE. THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT AT A LOCATION DEPENDS ON HOW LONG THE MEETING IS, AND THE DETERMINATION OF THE NEXT LOCATION.

CAREFUL TIMING SHOULD BE PREVALENT, BUT WHEN INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE GATHERED FROM ITS SOURCE, MULTIPLE SOURCING MEANS GATHERING IT FROM VARIOUS MANY PLACES. SO, WE WOULD LEAVE AND GO TO ANOTHER LOCATION, AT THE PROTEST OF SOME OF THE YOUNGER GUYS IN THE PLATOON.

MAINLY, BECAUSE THEY GET TIRED OF EATING MEALS-READY-TO EAT, AND WANT SOME REAL FOOD FROM THE CHOW HALL. IT IS SAD, SOMETIMES WHEN SOLDIERS DON’T MAKE TIME FOR BREAKFAST CHOW IN THE MORNING. IF THEY WOULD DO THAT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO SLEEP IN BEFORE THE ALLOTTED TIME TO BE
IN THE MOTOR POOL THEY WOULD’NT HAVE HUNGER PAINS AND BE EXPECTING AN EARLY CONVOY BACK TO THE FOB.
MOST OF US OLDER GUYS ARE CONTENT WITH LONG DAYS ON CONVOYS, AND CONVEY OUR KNOWLEDGE TO THEM OF THE VALUE OF EATING BEFORE LEAVING OUT! WE NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING TO CHANCE.

ALWAYS GET A BITE TO EAT; YOU NEVER KNOW HOW LONG YOU WILL GONE FROM THE FOB, AND YOU
NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET WHEN YOU OPEN UP AN OLD BOX OF MEALS-READY-TO EAT. AS A SOLDIER, YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH ANYTHING; LIKE THE SAYING GOES: EXPECT
THE WORSE, HOPE FOR THE BEST.

SO WHEN WE FINALLY PULLED OUT OF THE ‘PARKING LOT’ AND HUNG A RIGHT ONTO THE HIGHWAY, WE WERE THINKING HOW LONG WE WILL BE THERE AT THIS OTHER LOCATION. YOU CALL IT MURPHY’S LAW,
OR JUST SNAFU OR SOMETHING, HAVING TO DEAL WITH CHANGING CONDITIONS LIKE BAD WEATHER IS
THE NORM FOR US.
LEAVING OUT WITH 5 VEHICLES AND 23 PERSONNEL, YOU ALWAYS EXPECT THAT TO BE ON THE PLATOON SERGEANT’S MIND, LEAVE OUT WITH A DOZEN EGGS, COME BACK WITH A DOZEN EGGS.
WE HAD GONE NO FURTHER THAN 100 METERS WHEN THE SOUND OF MACHINE GUN FIRE ERUPTED.
......................................................................................... Continued the rest of this passage next week. Got to get
ready for work!



Chapter 3: ..... Continued from the recent passage

AUTOMATICALLY, THE FIRST VEHICLE MOVED AHEAD 5 METERS AND CAME TO A HALT. THE SECOND AND THIRD
VEHICLE SPREAD APART AND MOVED IN POSITION TO BLOCK AND PREVENT TRAFFIC FROM COMING THROUGH.
AS IF BY INSTINCT, ALL THE GUNNERS IN THE CONVOY SWUNG TO THEIR PERSPECTIVE SECTORS OF FIRE.
THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD FIRED WAS THE FIRST VEHICLE AS A WARINING MEASURE TO MAKE SURE 2 CIVILIAN VEHICLES DIDN’T TRY TO MOVE.

AFTER IT APPEARED THAT SOMEONE IN ONE OF THEM THREW SOMETHING PASS THE FIRST VEHICLE, TOWARD THE TRUCK BEHIND THEM. APPARANTLY, SOMETHING WENT THROUGH THE GUNNER TURRET AND STRUCK THE GUNNER IN THE SECOND TRUCK.
CONFUSION AND CHAOS SET IN; RADIO CHATTER BECAME INCESSANT THAT THE PLATOON SERGEANT HAD TO RUDELY TELL EVERYONE TO ‘CUT THE CHATTER’ SO HE CAN DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT THE FIRST GUNNER HAD OBSERVED BEFORE HE CUT LOOSE A 9 ROUND BURST IN THE DIRECTION OF THOSE TWO VEHICLES.

SERGEANT SCORSEE, WHO HAD REPLACED THE GUNNER IN THE HATCH, WAS HIT BY SOMETHING AND WAS BLEEDING FROM THE MOUTH, BUT APPARANTLY WAS OKAY, BUT STUNNED FOR THE MOMENT.THE LIEUTENANT
IN THE SAME TRUCK WAS FREAKING OUT BECAUSE HE HEARD SOMETHING COME FROM THE VEHICLE INTERCOM LIKE AN AUDIBLE “UH, SHIT!!” THEN HE NOTICED THE GUNNER SLUMPING SLIGHTLY AND HOLDING HIS HEAD WITH HIS HANDS. THEN HE HEARD GUN FIRE AND IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT THE CONVOY WAS UNDER ATTACK.
HE DIDN’T GET A CHANCE TO MAKE A TRANSMISSION, BEING THAT DOOLITTLE IN THE FIRST TRUCK SAID SOMETHING LIKE “I AM ENGAGING, REPEAT, I AM ENGAGING, THEY THREW SOMETHING AT THE CONVOY”. THAT’S WHEN ALL THE HELL BROKE LOOSE AND ALL THE TRUCKS MOVED INTO POSITION AND STOPPED ALL TRAFFIC FROM MOVING.

THE PLATOON SERGEANT THEN ORDERED ALL THE DISMOUNTS TO MAKE A PERIMETER AROUND THE CONVOY, INCLUDING THE MEDIC TO HEAD TOWARD THE WOUNDED SOLDIER IN THE GUNNER HATCH TO CHECK HIS STATUS.
DOLDERFISH, ‘FLIP’ FRYE GUY, SGT BUILDING, SGT SANCHEZ, AND TWO OF THE TRUCK COMMANDERS JUMPED OUT, WHILE THE MEDIC FOLLOWED SANCHEZ TO THE BACK OF VICTOR 2. BY THE TIME THE MEDIC MADE HIS WAY INSIDE, ‘CARLOS’ WAS SITTING DOWN IN THE CREW COMPARTMENT AFTER BEING REPLACED IN THE HATCH.

HE WAS BLEEDING PROFUSELY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS FACE. HE WAS CONSCIOUS AND SITTING DOWN, SLUMPED IN ONE OF THE CREW SEATS. A LARGE OBJECT, LIKE A BRICK OR STONE WAS HURLED AT HIM, AND STRUCK HIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BELOW THE KEVLAR AND HEADSET HE WAS WEARING.

ALL HE NOTICED WAS, THE VEHICLE WENT TO A HALT AND HE PITCHED FORWARD IN THE HATCH, AND SOMETHING HIT HIM, CAUSING HIM TO GRUNT OUT “UH SHIT”. THEN THE LIEUTENTANT PULLED HIM DOWN AND TOLD ONE OF THE CREW MEMBERS IN THE BACK TO TAKE HIS PLACE, AND CONTINUE WATCHING THE 9’O CLOCK SECTOR OF FIRE.

NORMALLY A CASE LIKE THIS DICTATES US TO MAKE A SALT OR SALUTE REPORT, RATHER THAN A 9 LINE. SO, WE JUST PUT OUT A BFT MESSAGE TO THE CP OF THE INCIDENT, AND MADE RADIO CONTACT. SOON AS THEY GOT THE
MESSAGE, THEY CONTACTED THE PARENT UNIT AND SENT A REQUEST FOR SCOUT WEAPONS TEAM AND PREDATOR, IN CASE WE NEEDED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
IN THIS CASE, WE ONLY NEEDED THE IRAQI POLICE PRESCENCE AT THE SCENE TO HELP WITH THE CONTROLLING OF TRAFFIC.THEN WE MADE THE DETERMINATION TO SCRUB THE MISSION AND ROLL BACK INTO THE FOB, TO TAKE THE WOUNDED SOLDIER TO MEDICAL.THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE FEW INCIDENTS WE ENCOUNTERED IN THE LAST
TWO MONTHS OVER THE PAST YEAR. WE HAD BEEN WORKING THESE SCENARIOS DESIGNED TO MAKE US REACT AND COUNTER ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS DURNING CONVOY OPERATIONS.

THESE SAME SCENARIOS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED UPON DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS. THEY ARE NOT ENTIRELY FOOL PROOF, THERE ARE FLAWS INVOLVED. SINCE THE BUILD UP OF TROOPS SENT TO IRAQ, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 3,OOO AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN THEATRE. A MAJORITY OF THOSE NUMBERS WERE SOLDIERS KILLED BY GUN SHOT WOUNDS, GRENADE ATTACKS, AND THE BIGGEST NUMBER WERE BY THE INFAMOUS
IEDS. ONLY A QUARTER OF THAT NUMBER WERE SOLDIERS KILLED BY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, LIKE VEHICLE ROLL OVERS.
ON AN AVERAGE, IT WOULD SEEM THE BIGGEST SOLDIER KILLER, ALONG WITH SUICIDE IS TRAFFIC DEATHS; WHICH CAN BE ACCREDITED TO DRIVERS TRYING TO AVOID ROAD SIDE BOMBS AND OTHER FORMS OF DISTRACTIONS LIKE
ROCK THROWING, OR EVEN TOSSING A GRENADE. LUCKILY FOR US, IT WAS A ROCK THROWN FROM A CAR, AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE APPREHENDED AND DETAINED BY THE IRAQI POLICE FOR QUESTIONING: NOT TO MENTION WHEN TIME WAS APPLICIBLE THEIR PRINTS AND IDENTIFICATION WERE PROCESSED. YOU WOULD FIGURE
THIS WAS A CLOSE CALL FOR ‘CARLOS’. AFTER ALL, THIS WAS HIS SECOND TOUR. HE HAD A SIMILAR CLOSE CALL, WHEN THE CONVOY HE WAS IN CAME UNDER ATTACK AFTER ONE OF THE TRUCKS WAS HIT BY
AN IED.
THE TRUCK WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED, AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK. HIS TRUCK WAS RIGHT BEHIND THE DAMAGED VEHICLE AND HE RECEIVED SOME SHRAPNEL TO THE FACE AND ARMS, BUT WAS SHAKEN UP OVER THE AFFAIR: TWO OF HIS FRIENDS WERE KILLED, ONE DYING AFTER BEING FLOWN TO THE LOCAL COMBAT SURGICAL HOSPITAL, OR
‘CSH’ FOR SHORT. HE WAS A LITTLE SHAKEN OVER THIS TOO; A FEW DAYS AGO SOMEONE HE KNEW AT A DIFFERENT DUTY STATION WAS SHOT FROM A PASSING CAR, NEAR A CHECK POINT; HE IS STILL RECOVERING FROM HIS WOUNDS.

OF COURSE, WE GO BACK, RE FIT, AND RE ARM TO GO OUT. ‘CARLOS’ FELT READY WHEN THE TIME CAME, AND THE PLATOON WOULD BE GIVEN THE WORD THEY ARE TO ROLL OUT TO TALK WITH THE IP’S THAT DETAINED THE SUSPECTS. HE DIDN’T FEEL ANY TREPIDATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, HE JUST WANTED TO GO OUT. IT’S ONE OF THOSE THINGS SOLDIERS GO THROUGH SOMETIMES WHEN THEY ARE SHOT, OR SHOT AT, AND INJURED. THEY WANT TO PROVE THEY ARE IMPREGNABLE, AND CAN TAKE ANYTHING. WE WENT OUT AGAIN THAT WEEK. MUCH TO OUR
DISMAY, WE DIDN’T GO TO THAT COMPOUND WHERE THE SUSPECTS WERE BEING HELD.

TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, WE WERE INFORMED THEY WERE RELEASED AFTER A PHONE CALL FROM GENERAL ABDULLAH THAT THEY WERE RELATED TO SOMEONE IN THE REPUBLICAN GUARD, AND THAT THEY WERE JUST UPSET ABOUT AMERICAN PRESCENSE IN THE AREA.
IN A RELATED STORY, AN COALITION UNIT STOPPING TRAFFIC AT A CHECK POINT DURING A WEDDING CELEBRATION IN TH CITY MISTOOK THE CELEBRATORY FIRING TO BE INCOMING FIRED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FIRING, RESULTING IN CASUALITES INCLUDING 3 FATALITIES, MEMBERS OF THE WEDDING PARTY.
SO, INSTEAD OF GOING BACK TO THE AREA WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WE CONDUCTED BATTLE FIELD
CIRCULATION, WHICH IS PRIMARILY A WASTE OF TIME AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED. WE ROLLED OUT WITH 4 VEHICLES AND 19 PERSONNEL OUT OF GATE5. THIS TIME, WE HAD A DAMN FENDER BENDER!

IT OCCURRED AFTER WE RAN OVER SOME DEBRI GOING THROUGH A CHECK POINT, PROBABLY CHECK POINT3.
WE TOOK A RIGHT TURN AFTER COMING OFF RTE SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE THIRD TRUCK, SERGEANT BOURDREAUX’S
VEHICLE HAD TO STOP AN CHECK HIS RIGHT SIDE REAR TIRE TO CHECK IF SOMETHING WAS EMBEDDED IN IT THEN CONTINUED ON. WE WERE TOLD TO MAKE A QUICK RIGHT TURN AT A CERTAIN GRID, BUT SERGEANT
BERMUDEZ ALMOST PASSED IT UP AND MADE HIS DRIVER, ‘FLIP’ CONDUCT A HASTY ‘FLOW AND TURN’ ONTO THE TRAIL. ALMOST ALL AT ONCE THE CONVOY WAS SLAMMING ON BRAKES AND EXECUTING A QUICK TURN. WHEN THE FIRST AND SECOND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN BEFORE INFORMING THE REST OF THE CONVOY OF WHAT THEY WERE
DOING, CAUSING THE THIRD TRUCK TO SKID TO A HALT TO AVOID HITTING THE REAR OF THE SECOND VEHICLE.

AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE LAST VEHICLE, ONE OF THE UP ARMOR HUMVEES THAT DOESN’T HAVE AIR BRAKES CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE THIRD ONE. PIECES OF ALUMINUM, AND GLASS LITTERED THE PAVEMENT WHERE THE POINT OF IMPACT OCCURRED.
THE PLATOON SERGEANT RADIOED FOR THE FIRST VEHICLE TO MOVE UP, SO THEY CAN GET THE REST OF THE CONVOY OFF THE HARD BALL. WHEN SURVEYING THE DAMAGE, WHILE POSTING ROAD GUARDS, THEY WERE ABLE TO ROLL THE HUMVEE FORWARD INTO THE STAGING AREA, PRODUCED BY PLACING THE OTHER 3 VEHICLES IN A
WAGON WHEEL FORMATION. AND ONCE AGAIN, WE HAD TO CALL FOR AIR AND RECOVERY ASSETS.

IT IS REALLY EMBARRASSING TO SEND OUT FOR AIR WHEN THERE IS NO FIRE FIGHT, ONLY A FENDER BENDER; SOMETHING WHICH COULD’VE BEEN AVOIDED. WE HAD SOME DISGRUNTLED PEOPLE; BOTH IN THE CONVOY AND THE CONVOY SENT OUT AS QRF ESCORT FOR THE RECOVERY ASSET. NOT TO MENTION THAT SOMEONE IN THE AIR HAD A
BIRDS EYE VIEW OF THE SCENE. USUALLY, THEY ARE THERE TO LOOK FOR THE BAD GUY OR ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES, BUT ALL THEY SEEN WERE THE RESULT OF SOLDIERS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY ARE
DOING, AND THE IMPACT THAT INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS HAVE ON COMPLETION OF A MISSION.

THE PILOTS, LIKE US DON’T LIKE THEIR TIME WASTED; WHEN ON A MISSION THEY WANT TO COMPLETE THE MISSION
THEN RTB, WHICH MEANS RETURN TO BASE. SO, YOU CAN IMAGINE THEY FELT LIKE US, RETURNING WITH A MUCH LARGER CONVOY, WITH A DISABLED OR TOWED VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE. AT ONE TIME, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A PERFECT TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ENEMY.
THE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES FOR RECOVERING A VEHICLE HAD CHANGED AS WELL. WE WOULD ROLL TO THE NEAREST FOB FOR THE NEAREST MAINTENANCE ASSET TO MITIGATE THE RECOVERY. IT DIDN’T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE FOR A BIG CONVOY TO COME IN AT THE SAME GATE, ESSENTIALY CROWDING, AND BUNCHING UP. THE MAIN PART THAT BOTHERED US THE MOST WAS SHARING THE RADIO NET WITH ANOTHER PLATOON.

WHEN YOU USE A CERTAIN TECHNIQUE OR METHOD EVERYTIME IT HELPS TO ELIMINATE STAGNATION OF THE RADIO NET. THIS OTHER PLATOON WAS WACK! THEY HAD A VERY GREEN, UNSEASONED SOLDIER CALLING OUT, AND REPORTING WHAT WAS SEEN OUT IN THE FRONT. . NOT ONLY WAS HE PLAIN MONOTONOUS; BUT HE DIDN’T SEEM TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE, AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, HIS PLATOON SERGEANT KEPT MAKING REMARKS ABOUT US NOT ANSWERING UP!
IF WE DIDN’T THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH, WE DIDN’T ANSWER. WE WANTED TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT WE DO. THAT’S WHY WE MADE IT AN ISSUE TO HAVE OUR OWN PLATOON FREQUENCY: THE OTHER PLATOONS SEEM TO USE THE MAIN RADIO NET, SIMPLY CROWDING IT AND UPSETTING THE BATTLE CAPTAIN AND RADIO OPERATORS IN THE TOC.
AS YOU WOULD GUESS, IT WAS AN UPSETTINGLY AND INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATING TIRADE TO GO THROUGH; GETTING A TRUCK TOWED BACK, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TALK OUR USUAL BANTER ON THE RADIO NET. IF THIS HAD TAKEN PLACE EARLIER, LIKE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING; WE WOULD HAVE WENT OUT AGAIN.
EACH PLATOON HAS EXTRA VEHICLES TO USE. SO THAT WAY WHEN ONE GOES DOWN, WE CAN RECOVER ONE, AND SEND THE CREW BACK TO GET THE OTHER ONE. THAT WAY WE CONTINUE THE MISSION; EVEN THOUGH
WE HAVE TO BE OUT LONGER BECAUSE OF THE SWITCHING OF VEHICLES.

WE FOUND SOLICE, IN THE FACT THAT OUR CAMARADERIE IS GREAT IN THE PLATOON AND WE GET ALONG WELL NO MATTER HOW DREAD THE SITUATION, OR ENVIRONMENT MIGHT BE. WE HAD AT BEST, ANOTHER 12 HOUR DAY AND PENDING ANOTHER CONVOY IN THE AFTERNOON. NONE OF US WAS RESTED, BUT OUR MORALE WAS WHAT KEPT US GOING. SO, MUCH LATER, AFTER RETURNING TO THE FOB; MOST OF US TOO TIRED TO EAT CHOW, OR WORK OUT AT THE GYM. WE HAD OUR DAILY AFTER CONVOY MEETING AND WINDED DOWN; WHETHER THAT MEANT, BEDDING DOWN OR RELAXING, WE WERE ON THE ‘DOWN LOW”. BUT, IT DID’NT LAST FOR LONG. INSTEAD, WE WERE PUT ON HIGH ALERT BECAUSE OF A MORTAR ATTACK ON THE FOB. NOONE WERE HURT SERIOUSLY, OTHER THAN SUPERFICIAL WOUNDS AND DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING; BUT IT GAVE US QUITE A SCARE.
......................................................................................... Continued the rest of this passage next week. Hadn't written anything
since 2020.

Chapter 4: ..... Continued from the recent passage: Just got back from work; so bear with me.

“THE RECENT TIME AND YEAR, AUGUST 2006, VIRGINIA.”…, 1745hrs SOMEWHERE ON THE MAIN POST OF FORT MEYER, VIRGINIA.
SLEEPING IN ON A CLOUDY, BUT RATHER NICE SATURDAY AFTERNOON, SANCHEZ WAS WAKENED BY THE BUZZING
OF HIS CELL PHONE AND THE POUNDING OF THE FRONT DOOR OF HIS 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT SHARED BY HIMSELF AND A ROOM MATE. WHEN HE FINALLY GAVE UP IGNORING HIS PHONE, AND RATHER ANNOYED BY THE POUNDING AT THE DOOR, HE AROUSE; WALKING IN NOTHING BUT SOCKS, BOXERS AND A CRAZED LOOK ON HIS FACE, THAT WOULD SCARE THE HECK OUT OF WHOEVER WAS AT THE DOOR AWAY.

WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR, HE WAS STARING INTO THE FACE OF HIS FORMER SOLDIER, WINCHESTER FROM KENTUCKY. STORIED AS HE USUALLY IS AROUND HIS FORMER MENTOR, WINCHESTER SEEMED DISTURBED ABOUT SOMETHING.EITHER AVOIDING THE SITUATION, OR BEING GRUMPY FROM BEING BOTHERED FROM HIS REST, HE MOTIONED FOR HIS FRIEND TO ENTER. WINCHESTER INVITED HIMSELF INTO THE LIVING ROOM WHERE HE PLOPPED DOWN ON THE COUCH, NEXT TO THE OTHER ONE THAT SANCHEZ SLEPT ON; NOT BOTHERING TO CLEAN THE PILE OF JUNK OFF HIS QUEEN SIZE BED SET.
EVIDENTLY, SANCHEZ WAS STILL HALF ASLEEP BUT LISTENING TO HIS FRIEND, RATTLE ON WHAT OCCURRED DURING THEIR RECENT DEPLOYMENT TO IRAQ, AND HIS EXPERIENCES SHAREDTOGETHER WITH SANCHEZ AND THE REST OF THE PLATOON; ESPECIALLY THE SITUATION THAT HAPPENED WITH CARLOS. CARLOS WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF NEARLY EVERYONE IN THE PLATOON. EVENTHOUGH, IT SEEMED THAT SANCHEZ WASN’T LISTENING, YOU COULD TELL HE WAS FEELING SOME GUILT ABOUT WHAT HE COULD AND SHOULD HAVE DONE ABOUT THE PAST EVENTS, DEALING WITH CARLOS’S DEATH. HIS DEATH HAD TAKEN A TOLL ON JUST ABOUT EVERYONE WHO KNEW, AND WORKED WITH HIM. WINCHESTER, HIMSELF HAD DECIDED NOT TO REENLIST, AND INSTEAD HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE SERVICE MONTHS AFTER THE UNIT HAD RETURNED FROM OVERSEAS.

FOR THE MOST PART, MEMBERS OF THE PLATOON HAD MOVED ON.

SOME WENT TDY, MEANING TEMPORARY DUTY, EITHER AS AN INSTRUCTOR, LIKE BOUDREAUX; OR A DRILL SERGEANT, LIKE BERMUDEZ. SUGAR BEAR HAD GOTTEN OUT TOO; AND TOOK AN ON POST JOB TO HELP SUPPORT HIS TWINS. THE PLATOON LEADER, CREEDWATER, HAD GOTTEN SELECTED FOR PROMOTION TO CAPTAIN, AND WENT TDY TO ATTEND THE CAPTAINS CAREER COURSE. EVEN THE MEAN AND GRIZZLED PLATOON SERGEANT, WHO IS REFERRED TO AS “THE SMOKE” HAD ACCEPTED AN ASSIGNMENT BACK TO HIS OLD STOMPING GROUNDS BACK AT FORT RILEY, KANSAS.
HE HAD DECIDED TO FINALLY PUT IN HIS RETIREMENT PAPERS AND RIDE OUT HIS LAST REMAING MONTHS PUSHING PAPERWORK FOR AMMUNITION REQUESTS. SOME OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PLATOON, AS WELL AS THE
COMPANY ITSELF HAD WENT ON WITH THEIR LIVES AS USUAL.

SOME OF THEM HAD GOTTEN IN TROUBLE AND RECEIVED “NON-JUDICIAL” PUNISHMENT. ONE OF THEM WENT TO JAIL FOR 30 DAYS FOR FIRING A HAND GUN IN THE AIR. BOUDREAUX CLAIMED HE WAS JUST UPSET, AND SNAPPED.
BUT THEN, HE HIMSELF, HAD SNAPPED, WHEN HE “PIMP SLAPPED” A SOLDIER, ONE NIGHT WHEN HE WAS ON STAFF DUTY. INSTEAD OF GETTING AN ARTICLE-15, WHICH IS A FORM OF NON-JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT, HE RECEIVED ONLY 30 DAYS OF SUMMARY PUNISHMENT LIKE, OVERSEEING THE EXTRA DUTY SOLDIERS PERFORMING TASKS, AS
PICKING UP TRASH IN THE PARKING LOT, AND SWEEPING AND MOPPING THE HALL WAYS OF THE BUILDING. HE WAS EVEN MORE GRUMPY WHEN ON DUTY! NO OTHER NCO GOT IN TROUBLE

THEY WERE EITHER GOING ON WITH THEIR LIVES AND TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS HELPING TO KEEP THEIR PERSPECTIVE PLATOONS INTACT. IN THE MEANWHILE, FELIPE SANCHEZ WHO IS A GOOD FRIEND OF G. SANCHEZ, BUT NO RELATION WAS FIGUIRING OUT HOW TO GET USED TO THE FACT THAT HE IS NOW A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER, AND NEARLY ALL OF HIS FRIENDS ARE STILL JUNIOR ENLISTED. ALSO, FACT OF THE MATTER WAS THAT HE NOW HAS LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OF SERVICE REMAINING TO RE-ENLIST OR GET OUT.

HE WAS DRINKING MORE THAN USUAL ON THE WEEKENDS. MOST OF HIS FRIENDS BEGAN TO WORRY ABOUT HIM; THE DRINKING, HIS ATTITUDE, AND HIS SOMETIME COMPULSIVE GAMBLING. HIS GAMBLING WASN’T ANYTHING MAJOR, IT’S JUST THAT HE DID IT SO OFTEN; IT ALSO BEGAN TO WORRY THOSE CLOSE TO HIM. FOR THE MOST PART, HE BEGAN TO CHANGE FOR THE WORST, SO DID RUBIO, WHO FREQUENTLY HUNG OUT WITH HIM. THEY WOULD SEEM
TO BE STRANGERS TO THOSE WHO DIDN’T KNOW THEM WELL, BUT THEY SEEM TO BE THE SAME GUYS TO THEIR CLOSE ASSOCIATES.

LUCKILY, THEY WERE AMONG THE MAJORITY OF SOLDIERS WHO OFTEN CAME UP NEGATIVE ON THE MONTHLY URINALYSIS CONDUCTED BY THE COMMANDER.
MOST OF THEM WOULD BE COMPELLED TO USE DRUGS, SOME OF THEM BEER AND OTHER TYPES OF ALCOHOL; BEING THAT THE MANY FLASH BACKS SOME OF THEM WOULD HAVE ARE BASED ON THE FACT OF THE MANY DEPLOYMENTS TO IRAQ, THAT MANY OF THEM HAD.
......................................................................................... Continued the rest of this passage tomorrow, or next week.
I am tired!!


Chapter 5: ..... Continued from the recent passage: Just got back from work, again; so bear with me

SOME OF THEIR NIGHTMARES WERE OF THE FOLLOWING:

HAVING SOME RECURRING DREAM OR MOMENT THAT THEY ALL SHARED TOGETHER. EITHER A LOUD NOISE OR SOMETHING ELSE WOULD TRIGGER IT. BUT IT WOULD ALL COME DOWN TO A SIMPLE SCENARIO…

“GATHERING TOGETHER IN THE MOTOR POOL FOR A CONVOY BRIEF, THEN LOADING UP IN THE MRAPS, AND THEN HEADING OUT OF THE GATE LINED UP 50 METERS BEHIND EACH OTHER.” THE SAME SCENARIO PLAYED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT WITH DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPENING. SOME WOULD SEE FRIENDS BEING KILLED.

OTHERS WOULD SEE THEM SELVES KILLED THEN WAKE UP IN A POOL OF SWEAT AND PERSPIRATION.
IT WOULD EVEN BE A SITUATION WHERE ONE WOULD BE MOTIONLESS, ENVISIONING SOMETHING AND THEN SNAP BACK TO REALITY.
THIS HAPPENS TO BE MORE OR LESS, THE SYMPTOMS OF PTSD FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF DEPLOYMENT IN COMBAT, WHILE STATIONED OVERSEAS.

NORMALLY, WHEN RETURNING SOLDIERS ARE BACK AT THEIR PERSPECTIVE HOME BASE, THEY UNDERGO
A SERIES OF SEMINARS AND BRIEFS TO ADDRESS WHICH ISSUES THEY MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED INTHEATRE;
AND USUALLY A ROUTINE OR FOLLOW UP WITH A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHO DEALS WITH ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION SOLVING TECHNIQUES ESSENTIAL TO A SOLDIER’S RECOVERY, AND RE-HOMING.

THE MOST USUAL BEHAVIOR IS EXCESSIVE DRINKING TO COPE WITH PROBLEMS, AND BEING EITHER STRANGLY DISTANT AND HOSTILE AROUND OTHERS. THE OTHER ROUTINE IS SCHEDULING SOLDIERS TO SEE
A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER, WHO PRESCRIBES MEDICATION TO HELP REDUCE OR REMEDY WHAT MENTAL ISSUE THE SOLDIER MAY HAVE.

ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM THAT BILLY, RUBIO, AND BOTH SANCHEZS MAY HAVE SOME SORT OF ILLNESSES;
BUT THEY HAVE’NT BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ANY TYPE OF PTSD AS OF CURRENT.

THEY HANG AROUND TOGETHER AND ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING.
FOR THEY HAD CAME UP WITH AN INGENIOUS PLAN TO COME FULL CIRCLE. THEY HATCHED A PLOT TO DO SOMETHING TO BE REMEMBERED FOR; THEY WILL NEED TO GET OTHERS INVOLVED IN THEIR PLAN.

LIKE ANYTHING THAT SOLDIERS DO, IT STARTED OUT AS A JOKE; THEN SLOWLY, IT EVOLVED INTO A PLAN. BILLY SEEN A MOVIE, AND IT GAVE HIM AN IDEA THAT HE SHARED WITH G. SANCHEZ AND FELIPE. SOON OTHERS WERE APPRISED OF IT.
FIRST, THERE WERE LAUGHS, SPILLED BEVERAGES, SPITTING OUT OF FOOD, AND CHOKING; THEN THERE WAS
AFFIRMITIVE GESTURES OF CERTAINTY, ALONG WITH SELECTING WHAT ROLE WHO WOULD PLAY, THEN SWEARING AN OATH, NEVER TO REVEAL THIS PLOT TO ANYONE OUTSIDE THE INNER CIRCLE.

WHEN SERGEANT BOUDREAUX HAPPENED TO COME ACROSS THE GOSSIP ABOUT THE STORY, HE ONLY TOOK IT IN CONSIDERATION AS SOLDIER TALK, A BIG JOKE TO PASS AROUND FOR ‘SHIT AND GIGGLES’, SO TO SAY.
OTHERS, LIKE “SUGA BEAR” KIND OF TOOK IT SERIOUSLY, BEING THAT HE KNEW THESE GUYS, AND HOW THEY CAN TAKE THINGS TO THE LIMIT WHEN COMPELLED.

CLIFFORD FRANKLIN, LIKE “SUGA BEAR” TOOK IT SERIOUSLY TOO, AND OPTED OUT; BUT LATER, AFTER BEING CONVINCED BY BILLY, THOUGHT IT THROUGH AND AGREED TO PLAY A PART.
BOB DOLDERFISH WAS ALSO APPROACHED BY BILLY, AND RELUNCTEDLY AGREED TO BE PART OF THE PLAN,
AS LONG AS IT WAS A SMALL PART.

SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PLOT HAD SECOND THOUGHTS THOUGH: WINCHESTER DRUNK A WHOLE PINT OF ‘JACK” BY HIMSELF AND COULD’NT REMEMBER AGREEING TO THE PLAN.
LATER, HE WOULD DECIDE TO HELP PLAY A MAJOR PART. ONLY UNTIL LATER, HE ASSAULTED A SOLDIER, ONE OF THE GUYS HE WORKED WITH IN THE PLATOON FOR GOSSIPING TOO MUCH!

AFTER SEVERAL GUYS PULLED HIM FROM OFF THE SOLDIER IT WAS SETTLED; PVT, SOON TO BE SPECIALIST
KLINK DECIDED NOT TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST HIM. TO MANY OF THE SOLDIERS, IT SEEMED TO BE
A CLOSE CALL; EVENTHOUGH IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A CASE OF WINCHESTER DRINKING TOO MUCH, AND KLINK
GETTING ON HIS NERVE AS USUAL, THEN GETTING BEAT ACROSS THE HEAD WITH AN EMPTY BEER BOTTLE!
SO, THEY COOKED UP A STORY THAT KLINK SIMPLY FELL DOWN THE STAIRS WHILE TAKING OUT A GARBAGE BAG WITH EMPTY BEER BOTTLES; HE SIMPLY SLIPPED DOWN THE STAIRWELL AND CUT HIS HEAD WHEN HE FELL ON SOME BOTTLES!

SO WITH THAT OUT THE WAY, THE REST OF THE GROUP CAME UP WITH AN IDEA TO GO AND VISIT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY. MOST PEOPLE SHOW A CERTAIN DEGREE OF REVERANCE TOWARD MILITARY CEMETARIES, , AND WOULD NEVER CONSIDER DOING SOMETHING DISHONEST, OR DISRESPECTFUL; BUT THE GUYS WERE ONLY THINKING OF A WAY TO REUNITE WITH A LONG LOST FRIEND.
YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE WOULD SIMPLY BLOG, AND CREATE A WEBSITE TO THE FALLEN SOLDIERS. MOST PEOPLE WOULD JUST SIMPLY VISIT THE PERSPECTIVE CEMETARY TO PAY HOMAGE TO A FALLEN SOLDIER.
NO ONE HAD EVER THOUGHT OF GOING OUT OF THE WAY TO BRING BACK A FORMER FRIEND; SOME PEOPLE WOULD PRETEND THEIR FRIEND IS BACK AND REMINENSE ON THE GOOD TIMES, AND IT WOULD BE LEFT AT
THAT!
THESE GUYS WERE THINKING OF SOMETHING ELSE! IT WAS JUST ABOUT THIS TIME THAT THE NEW PLAYER CAME INTO PLAY.
SGT ROB, OR SGT ROB CARPENTER, WHO WAS JUST AS BIG AS DOLDERFISH, BUT SHORTER HAD DECIDED TO HELP PUT THE PLAN IN MOTION. HE WAS A MASON, AND BELIEVED IN THE BOTHAMEN; A SECRET GATHERING OF MEN WHO HAD CONNECTIONS. IF ANYBODY COULD HELP SET THE PLAN IN MOTION FROM THE START, IT WOULD BE HIM!
TO START WITH, EVERYBODY WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO AN IDEA TO TAKE LEAVE TOGETHER; THAT WOULD BE TO PREPARE TO GO “AWOL”, IN OTHER WORDS TO TAKE AN UNATHORIZED LEAVE OF ABSENCE. THEN, IN
ACCORDANCE TO THE PLAN, EVERYONE WOULD SPLIT UP FOR A WHILE AND INQUIRE ABOUT MORTICIANS WHO USES A FURNACE. THEN FROM THERE THE ASSEMBLED GROUP WOULD MEET TOGETHER AT AN
APPOINTED PLACE THEN PROCEED ON TO THE NEXT OBJECTIVE.

FOR THE SKY’S THE LIMIT ON WHAT THESE GUYS HAVE IN STORE!
ALL THE PLANS NEED SCHEDULES, TIME LINES, AND ORGANIZATION. BUT, THERE WAS A SPARK REQUIRED TO BEGIN WITH; THAT SPARK WAS ROB. FIRST, WHEN THE DESIGNATED VAN DRIVER FAILED TO COMPLY, AND NOT SHOW UP,
HE SWORE TO DEAL WITH THAT SOLDIER WHEN THE TIME COMES. HE TALKED TO “SUGA BEAR” AND CONVINCED HIM TO DRIVE THE VAN. THEN NEXT, HE TALKED TO THE MANAGER OF THE CEMETARY GROUNDS SO HE AND THE CREW CAN “COME AND PLAN A VISIT” THEY WERE MERELY STAKING OUT THE AREA! THE NEXT STEP
THAT ROB PLANNED WAS TO GET ACCESS TO THE GROUNDS AT NIGHT WHEN TRAFFIC WAS LIMITED, AS TO CONTINUE PART OF THEIR DIABOLICAL PLAN. AT ABOUT THIS TIME, SGT SCORSESE CAME INTO THE
LOBBY OF THE ‘HOLIDAY INN” TO MEET ROB. SCORSESE HAD CALLED HIM THE OTHER DAY AND INFORMED HIM THAT HE WAS AFTER CLIFFORD FRANKLIN, BUT THE LITTLE DUDE WAS ALWAYS A STEP AHEAD, AND
ALLUDED HIM TIME AFTER TIME AGAIN.

SCORSESE AND ROB SET DOWN AND TALKED OF THE TRIP, AND DRIVE TO ARLINGTON. THEY WERE GOING TO LEAVE THE NEXT DAY AND CONDUCT A “DRY RUN” ON HOW THINGS WERE GOING TO FIT IN PLACE FOR THEIR PLANS. FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES, IT SEEMED SCORSESE COULD DO NOTHING BUT TALK ABOUT HOW HE WAS GOING TO GET FRANKLIN, WHEN ROB FINALLY HAD ENOUGH, AND POLITELY, ‘TOLD HIM TO SHUT THE FUCK UP’ ABOUT THAT SITUATION, AND INFORMED HIM TO FOCUS ON THE SITUATION AT HAND.
THE DAY THEY WENT FOR A DRY RUN AT THE CEMETARY, THEY BROUGHT BILLY ALONG FOR THE RIDE; BUT, THEY WERE’NT ALONE. THERE WERE TWO WORKERS WHO WERE MAKING THEIR ROUNDS THROUGH THE PLOTS, CHECKING FOR ANY OLD, DISCARDED OR FRAYED FLOWERS ON TOP OF THE GRAVES.
WE TOLD BILLY NOT TO SAY ANYTHING; JUST ROB AND SCORSESE WOULD DO ANY TALKING. BUT SCORSESE HAD TO SAY SOMETHING! HE SAID SOMETHING LIKE” WHERE WOULD I BE PUT IF I WAS TO BE BURNT, AND PLACED IN ONE OF THOSE URN THINGS?” WE ALL LOOKED AT HIM LIKE HE SAID”NIGGER OR HONKY”. GOOD THING THE GROUNDS KEEPER HAD BETTER THINGS TO DO, PLUS HE WAS’NT SUSPICIOUS LIKE WE THOUGHT! BUT, IT DID’NT MATTER. HE WAS’NT SUPPOSESED TO MENTION SOMETHING LIKE THAT!
THE GROUNDS KEEPER GAVE HIM A SCKEPTICAL LOOK, THEN TOLD HIM OF A CREMATORIAM BUSINESS NOT TOO FAR FROM A FUNERAL HOME IN THE SAME AREA. WHEN WE WALKED OFF, WE WERE STILL WONDERING WHAT
WAS GOING THROUGH HIS MIND.

AFTER WE ALL SETTLED DOWN, WE GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE OFF. ROB, WHO WAS
WATCHING SCORSESE INTENTLY SUDDENLY REACHED ACROSS AND SOCKED HIM ACROSS THE JAW, MAKING SCORSESE SWERVE WILDLY INTO THE OUTER LANE.

ONCOMING CARS WERE BLOWING THEIR CAR HORNS; BRAKES SCREECHING, AND PROFANITIES EXCHANGED. AFTER MISSING GETTING JACK KNIFED BY A DELIVERY TRUCK, SCORSESE PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, UNTIL ROB TOLD HIM, ’GET THIS SHIT BACK ON THE ROAD!’ WITH HIS JAW SWOLLEN, FEELINGS
HURT, SCORSESE DROVE BACK ONTO THE ROAD. NO ONE SAID ANYTHING FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
BILLY BROKE THE SILENCE, WHEN HE REMARKED ABOUT SCORSESE BEING PUNCHED BY ROB. SAYING, “WHY
DID YOU HAVE TO PUNCH HIM WHILE HE WAS DRIVING?” HE REMARKED. ROB GAVE HIM AN OFFHANDED LOOKED AND TURNED BACK FORWARD IN HIS CAR SEAT. WHEN HE DIDN’T REPLY. BILLY REPLIED, “YOU COULD
HAVE MADE HIM WRECKED AND WE ALL WOULD HAVE BEEN FUCKEDUP”.
FINALLY ROB REPLIED, “HOW BOUT I FUCK YOU UP, IF YOU DON’T SHUT UP!” “YOU LIKE THAT!” ROB SAID. “NO THANKS.” BILLY REPLIED, “I THINK I PASS ON THAT”. “JACKING HIM UP WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME”.
THEN THEY PROCEEDED ON, TRAVELING EAST ON HWY 95 IN SILENCE UNTIL THEY REACHED ONE OF THE CREMATORIUMS THAT THEY SPOTTED ON MAPQUEST.

WHEN THEY ARRIVED THERE, IT WAS ALREADY 5 MINUTES AFTER 5’O CLOCK, AND THE SHOP WAS CLOSED. ROB
CONVINCED THEM TO GO AHEAD AND CHECK IT OUT. THEY WERE JUMPING THE FENCE WHEN THEY HEARD THE BARKING OF DOGS. DOGS WHICH WERE’NT TIRED UP! THE THREE OF THEM SPLIT UP; ROB AND BILLY GOING ONE WAY, AND SCORCESE GOING THE OTHER. LUCKILY THEY DIDN’T GET BEHIND SCORSESE BECAUSE HE CAN’T RUN FOR SHIT!
THEY CHASED ROB AND BILLY BACK TOWARD THE FENCE, WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF REACH. WHILE THEY WERE RUNNING FOR THE FENCE, SCORCESE SHIMMIED UP A LEDGE AND MANAGE TO SQUEEZE
HIS CHUNKY BUTT IN THROUGH THE WINDOW.

SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES AWAY: AGENT MARIA VELA WAS CHECKING THE SERVICE REPORT OF THE TRIO OF MISSING SOLDIERS. SHE WAS SITTING IN THE OFFICE OF THE SAC OR SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE OF THE
DISTRICT’S CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DETACHMENT FOR FORT CAMPBELL. VELA WAS 35 YEARS OLD, BUT LOOKED MUCH YOUNGER; SILKY SKIN, AND A CASCADE OF MEDIUM LONG BLACK HAIR. SHE HAD TALKED WITH BOTH THE BRIGADE COMMANDER, AND THE CO OF THE SOLDIER’S COMPANY EARLIER LAST WEEK AND WAS STILL POURING THROUGH THE COMPOSITES AND THE MILITARY POLICE REPORT, OR BLOTTER ON THE THREE SOLDIERS.
THERE WAS NO REAL LEADS ON THE CASE, OTHER THAN THE SOLDIERS TAKING AN AVERAGE OF 15 DAYS
LEAVE TO GO TO A FRIEND’S GRADUATION AND NOT RETURNING BACK TO THEIR PLACE OF DUTY. SOLDIERS GO AWOL ALL THE TIME, FOR VARIOUS REASONS. SOME GO AWOL TO AVOID PUNISHMENT AT THEIR UNIT; USUALLY THEY GO AFTER THE FIRST OR THE FIFTEEN OF THE NORMAL PAY PERIOD, THAT WAY THEY HAVE AN ABUNCANCE OF FUNDS TO CARRY THEM.
THEY USUALLY DON’T GET TOO FAR; FOR FINANCE GET THE PERSTAT REPORT ON THE SOLDIER AND FREEZE THEIR MILITARY PAY UNTIL THEY RETURN BACK TO THEIR ASSIGNED UNIT. THEN AT THAT POINT, THEY ARE PROCESSED FOR SEPARATION FROM THE MILITARY; THAT IS UNTIL AFTER FINANCE STOP THEIR PAY FOR 30 DAYS, THEN THEY ARE DROPPED FROM THE ROLLS.

VELA UNDERSTOOD MUCH OF HOW THIS PROCESS OCCURS FROM HER MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN DEALINGS WITH AWOL SOLDIERS, DESERTERS, AND MANY OTHER CRIMES SOLDIERS ARE CONVICTED OF.
THERE WAS THAT ONE TIME, WHEN SHE WAS MUCH YOUNGER; SHE SOUGHT TO PROVE THAT AN AWOL SOLDIER WAS PRESUMED MISSING, AND A VICTIM OF A HORRIBLE CRIME: COMMITTED BY TWO OF HIS BUDDIES.
THAT EVENT, TOOK PLACE AT FORT BENNING SHORTLY AFTER OIF I.

THE UNIT REPORTED SPECIALIST EVAN BYRAN AS AWOL, AND HAD SUCCESSFULLY MADE CONTACT WITH HIS PARENTS. THE ELDER BRYAN CLAIMED THAT HIS SON WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND, AND DEMANDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT FIND HIS SON!
IT FELT SO IRONIC! COMPARING THAT CASE SO LONG AGO, WITH THIS ONE. SO, ON THAT FRIDAY, SHE PREPARED TO TAKE A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC TO ATTEND A MEETING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS. OVER THERE, AT DOA, THEY COMPILE DATA AND SPREADSHEETS ON A NATION WIDE DATA BASE ON CRIMES COMMITTED, AND FELONIES.
AT THE MEETING, THE FOCUS WAS ON TOPICS DEALING WITH HOW TO CHARGE MISSING SOLDIERS AS FELONS,
AND QUESTIONS WERE ASKED: ‘DID THEY PROFERATE GOVERNMENT FUNDS’; ‘USE VEHICLES WITH AN IMPACT CARD’; ‘DID THEY DELIBERATELY TAKE LEAVE TO AT THE SAME LOCATION’; AND ‘ARE THEY PLANNING SOME KIND OF EVENT WHILE THEY ARE THERE’.
DURING THE QUESTION/ANSWER PHASE, VELA HAD HER PORTABLE RING BINDER JOTTING DOWN NOTES FOR HER TO QUERRY OVER IN PRIVATE LATER ON, WHEN THE MEETING CAME TO AN END. VELA, SATISFIED WITH
WHICH SHE CAME FOR, PACKED AWAY HER FOLDER AND WENT TO FIND EITHER A STARBUK, OR GREENBEAN COFFEE SHOP, BEFORE HEADING OUT THE BUILDING TO HER SUV. AGENT VELA HAD MORE ON HER MIND THAN
JUST THE CASE; SHE WAS THINKING ABOUT HER POUNDING HEAD, AND WHERE TO GET SOME MORE ADVIL FROM, AND WHAT KIND OF WORK LOAD LAY BEFORE HER ON THE TRIP BACK TO KENTUCKY.

…AFTER SCORCESE GOT THROUGH THE WINDOW, THE MOMENTUM OF HIS 235LB FRAME CAUSED HIM TO FALL.
HE WAS SENT TUMBLING DOWN ON AN OFFICE DESK; CRACKING THE GLASS, AND SENT BOOKS AND
TRINKENTS SCATTERING ALL OVER THE PLACE. THIS AND ALL, CAUSED A CASCADE OF NOISE SO BAD, HE THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE TRIGGERED OFF EVERY ALARM IN THE BUILDING.
HE LANDED HARD, AND ARKWARD ON TO THE FLOOR, WITH HIS LEGS DANGLING OFF THE DESK AND A WASTE BASKET.

HE SAT UP WITH HIS GLASSES SITTING LOW ON HIS NOSE, AND A DAZED EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE. AS HE GATHERED HIMSELF TOGETHER, HE COULD’NT HELP BUT THINK WHAT ROB WOULD SAY HAD HE BEEN HERE. “SEE, THAT’S THAT
BULLSHIT I’M TALKING ABOUT”. ROB WOULD SAY.

ONCE HE GOTTEN SQUARED AWAY IN HIS THOUGHTS; HE BEGAN FISHING THROUGH HIS PANTS POCKETS TO LOCATE HIS CELL PHONE. OBVIOUSLY, IT MUST HAVE FALLEN OUT, EITHER WHEN RUNNING FROM THE GUARD DOGS, JUMPING THROUGH THE WINDOW, OR WHEN HE AND THE OTHER GUYS HAD FIRST SCALED THAT EMBANKMENT AND CREPT
OVER THE FIRST FENCE LINE. HE HAD JUMPED THE FENCE AND HIS RIGHT FOOT HAD CAUGHT ON THE TOP STRAND CAUSING HIM TO TUMBLE HEAVILY TO THE GROUND.
HE REMEMBERED ROB SAYING, “SHIT, MAN YOU ARE A WHOLE BUNCH OF DEAD WEIGHT. STOP FOOLING AROUND
AND GET YOUR BITCH ASS UP AND LETS GO DO THIS!” THEN CONTINUING: “MAKE SURE YOU CALL ME ON YOUR CELL PHONE WHEN YOU GET THOSE RECORDS!”
REALIZING THE DILEMMA HE WAS IN HE BEGAN TO SEARCH THE NOW DEBRIS FILLED OFFICE FOR ANY RECORDS ON RECENT MILITARY DEATHS

… THE FIRST THING AGENT VELA NOTICED ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN SEATED IN THE GUEST LOUNGE OF THE CID OFFICE WAS THE AMOUNT OF APPREHENSION AND TENSION SWIRLING ABOUT HIM. HE WAS AFRICAN AMERICAN, APPROXIMATELY 24 YRS OLD; BOTH WITNESS AND ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT TO A SERIOUS GOVERNMENT CRIME.

HE HAD ALREADY BEEN GIVEN LEGAL ADVICE, PROVIDED BY THE BASE TRIAL DEFENSE SERVICES AND THE JAG OFFICE; ‘SO HE SHOULD’NT HAVE ANYTHING TO BE NERVOUS ABOUT, OR SHOULD HE?’ SHE THOUGHT SCEPTICALLY. AFTER INTRODUCING HERSELF AND PLACING HER “STARBUCK’S” COFFEE AND A PLATE OF ASSORTED DONUTS ON THE
TABLE WHERE HE WAS SEATED. SHE ASKED HIM A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
“WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS SITUATION,” AGENT VELA SAID. “BEFORE WE BEGAN, WOULD YOU LIKE SOMETHING TO DRINK? MAYBE ONE OF THESE DONUTS TO GO WITH IT?” SHE ASKED POLITELY. OBSERVING BOTH TIMES HE ANSWERED WITH ‘NO.’ SHE HAD TO REMIND HIM THAT IT WAS’NT REQUIRED TO READ HIM ARTICLE-31, A MILITARY
VERSION OF THE MIRANDA WARNING, THE RIGHT TO BE SILENT, AND SO FORTH.
SHE ARRANGED HERSELF OPPOSITE HIM, PULLING DOWN ON THE HEM OF HER DRESS TRYING NOT TO APPEAR UPTIGHT AND NERVOUS HERSELF.
“YOU REALLY NEED TO TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON FRANKLIN!” SHE ASKED HIM. “IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT YOU TELL ME
WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FRIENDS.” SHE CONTINUED. “THEY WAS’NT MY FRIENDS, I JUST KNEW THEM FROM WHERE I WORK AT.” FRANKLIN REPLIED.
“WELL, TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR VAN, THEN?” VELA RETORTED. SEEMINGLY SURPRISED SHE KNEW ABOUT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HIS VAN, AND PAUSING FOR EFFECT. FRANKLIN ADMITTED THAT HE WAS PAID MONEY TO TAKE SOME PART, EVEN IF IT WAS A LITTLE PART OFTHE PLOT; AND TO LOAN HIS VAN OUT TO ROB AND HIS CRONNIES.
HE WAS TO MENTION THAT IT WAS STOLEN, AND IF ANYONE ASKED ABOUT IT TO USE SOME CREATIVE THINKING TO
CONFUSE OR THROW THEM OFF THE SUBJECT. FEELING RELIEVED THAT HE GOT THAT PART OF THE STORY OFF HIS CHEST, HE WAS ABLE TO RELAX SOME; THE FEELING, HOWEVER PASSED MOMENTARILY: VELA JUST DIDN’T BUY HIS STORY.

STANDING UP, WITH HER HANDS ON HER HIP, VELA SIMPLY TOLD HIM THAT HE WILL BE DETAINED FOR FURTHER
QUESTIONING, AND THAT HIS STORY WAS’NT BELIEVEABLE ENOUGH. THE LOOK ON FRANKLIN’S FACE REVEALED THE DEPTH OF HIS CONCEIT; HE WAS THOROUGHLY CRUSHED: NOT EVEN HAVING A CHANCE TO BLURT OUT A REPLY, OTHER THAN,”BUT, BUT YOU SEE.” AT THIS POINT IT WAS ALL SHE WROTE.
THE CID INVESTIGATORS WALKED IN AFTER BEING MOTIONED IN BY A ‘HAND SIGNAL’ FROM VELA, PROMPTLY TELLING
FRANKLIN TO JUST SAVE IT, YOU WILL GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH TRIAL DEFENSE SERVICES. VELA, LEAVING HER CUP OF COFFEE AND THE DONUTS BEHIND WALKED OUT THE DOOR AND DOWN THE HALL, TO TAKE
THE STAIR WELL UP TO THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATONS OFFICE WHICH SHE WAS ALLOWED TO USE AS HER PERSONAL WORK SPACE. SHE OPENED THE DOOR AND LOCKED IT BEHIND HER, THEN SET DOWN TO MAKE A HEARTY BUT RATHER DIFFICULT FIELD REPORT.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, SCORCESE REALIZED HE WAS IN A WORLD OF SHIT! HE HADN’T CONJURED THE RECORDS THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR; AND ALSO HIS BUDDIES WERE OUTSIDE, PROBABLY STILL BEING CHASED AROUND BY THE GUARD DOGS AND REQUESTING HIS HEAD ON A PLATE AT THIS POINT.
HE STILL NEVER FIGUIRED WHERE HIS CELL PHONE WAS, AND ROB IS OBVIOUSLY VERY PISSED AT HIM FOR NOT CONTACTING HIM ABOUT THE RECORDS! HE SOON FOUND HIMSELF WALKING AROUND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OFFICE.
IT WASN’T UNTIL HE NOTICED A GLASS DOOR LEADING TO A HALL WAY; THAT HE PEERED OUT THROUGH THE GLASS
PANE AND SEEN A SIGN ON A DOOR THAT READ “RECORDS AND NOTICES DEPARTMENT”. HE TURNED THE KNOB TO OPEN THE DOOR AND WALKED THROUGH THE DIMLY LIT HALL WAY UNTIL HE APPROACHED THE DOOR. ONLY THEN HE DISCOVERED IT WAS UN-LOCKED! ********* Stay tuned for Chapter 6 and the rest of the story!



Chapter 6: ..... Continued from the recent passage: Sit for a spell, enjoy!

BACK AT FORT CAMPBELL; FRANKLIN HAD TO WAIT NEARLY ONE HOUR TO WAIT TO SPEAK TO A TRIAL DEFENSE LAWYER. HE HAD BEEN TWIDDLING HIS THUMBS, AND OCCASSIONALY CHECKING HIS VOICE MAIL, AND HIS INBOX ON HIS PHONE.
HE WAS HARDLY ALONE, OUTSIDE OF THE OTHER SOLDIERS AWAITING THE SAME SERVICE AS HE; HE WAS
ACCOMPANIED BY A DRIVER, AND TWO NCO’S. BEFORE HE HAD A CHANCE TO CLEAR HIS NEXT INBOX MESSAGE,
A NEW ONE POPPED UP! IF HE WERE STANDING WHEN HE OPENED THE TEXT, HE STILL WOULD HAVE JUMPED,
FOR HE NEARLY JUMPED OUT OF HIS SEAT.
AFTER RECOVERING FROM HIS INITIAL SHOCK, HE SET UP STRAIGHT IN HIS SEAT TRYING HARD TO HIDE HIS EMBARASSMENT. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE STARED HIS WAY, AWARE OF HIS ODD BEHAVIOR. WHAT HE READ IN THE
TEXT MESSAGE WAS SOMETHING LIKE: ‘WE ARE ON TO YOU BOY!! WE KNOW WHERE YOU AT, AND WHAT YOU TOLD CID! WE GOING TO GET YOU @##*!’
HE HAD A GOOD IDEA WHO SENT THE TEXT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW HE WAS TALKING TO ANYBODY? HE GUESSED. THERE WASN’T TOO MUCH HE COULD DO NOW EXCEPT WAIT AND FIGURE WHAT WAS NEXT AFTER HE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH SOMEBODY AT TDS.

…. ROB AND BILLY HAD TO EVENTUALLY MOVE BACK TO THE OUTER FENCE WHEN BILLY DECIDED TO INFURIATE THE DOGS FURTHER BY THROWING ROCKS AT THEM! BAD ENOUGH, THE DOGS HAD MADE AN AWFUL FUSS ABOUT THE INTRUDERS, BUT THEY HAD QUIET DOWN AND RETREATED TO A FAR CORNER OF THE BUILDING; AND BILLY HAVING
NOTHING BETTER TO DO, STARTED THROWING ROCKS AND THE DOGS STARTED BACK WITH THAT INFERNAL BARKING.

ROB COULD’NT HELP BUT THINK OF HOW HE WOULD: BUST BILLY IN THE HEAD WITH A ROCK, OR PICK HIM UP, CARRY HIM ALL THE WAY TO THE FENCE AND FORCIBLY TOSS HIM OVER THE FENCE TO ENJOY A DOG CHASE BILLY SHOW!
INSTEAD, HE PULLED HIS CELL PHONE FROM THE POUCH AND ATTEMPTED TO REACH SCORCESE INSTEAD.
MEANWHILE, INSIDE THE BUILDING, SCORSESE WAS POURING OVER ALL KIND OF RECORDS, AND REPORTS IN THE “RECORDS AND NOTICES DEPARTMENT”. IT WASN’T FOR A MOMENT THAT HE FOUND WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR;
A DEATH NOTICE ON CARLOS, AND WHERE HIS BODY WAS INTERRED AT. AFTER PLACING THE WHOLE 12-PAGE REPORT BACK IN THE YELLOW MANILA PACKET, HE WENT ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF LOOKING FOR HIS CELL PHONE AGAIN.

AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF WAITING, ROB AND BILLY CREPT BACK TOWARD THE FENCE LINE NEAR THE BUILDING.
ROB STILL CARRIED HIS CELL PHONE IN HIS HAND AND OBSERVED BILLY CHECKING MESSAGES ON HIS.

AFTER MAKING NOTICE THAT THE DOGS HAD RELAXED SOME, AND RETREATED BACK ALONG SIDE THE BUILDING, BILLY MOVED CLOSE TO ROB AND ASKED WHETHER HE HAD HEARD FROM SCORCESE, ROB REPLIED ‘NO’. WHEN BILLY MENTIONED THAT HE HAD A RATHER ODD TEXT ON HIS PHONE, HE SHOWED IT TO ROB.
ROB REPLYING, “MAN, I WASN’T TEXTING YOU! HOW DID THIS TEXT GET ON YOUR PHONE?” “UH, DUNNO. BUT I JUST FOUND OUT WHEN WE HAD TO GO OVER BY THE FENCE.” “THOUGHT IT WAS A TEXT FOR ME.” THINKING FOR A MINUTE,
ROB REPLIED. “YOUR PHONE IS STILL ON YOUR HIP. WHERE YOU GET THE OTHER PHONE FROM?”

************************************************** I will clean this up tomorrow! Have to get some sleep.
***** Continued from the story break... PERTURBED FOR A SECOND, BILLY REMEMBERED THE PHONE HE PICKED
UP BY THE FENCE AND STUFFED INTO HIS POCKET; THEN REPLIED. “SHOOT, WELL THAT MUST MEAN THIS PHONE BELONGS TO DUDE, AND THAT’S PROBABLY WHY HE NEVER TEXT YOU, “ HE SAID. “NO SHIT,
SHERLOCK,” ROB SAID. “ONE OF US GOING TO HAVE TO GO IN THERE AND CHECK ON HIM,” ROB CONTINUED.

THE IDEA HE HAD WAS FOR SOMEONE TO JUMP THE FENCE AND HEAD TOWARD THE WINDOW LEDGE OF THE BUILDING; WHILE THE OTHER CAUSED A DISTRACTION TO DIVERT THE DOGS AWAY FROM THE PREMISES SO THAT PERSON CAN GO INSIDE THE BUILDING. SMILING TO HIMSELF, ROB KNEW EXACTLY WHO WAS GOING TO JUMP
THE FENCE, AND RUN TOWARD THE BUILDING.
MEANWHILE, INSIDE THE BUILDING SCORCESE HAD THE MANILA FOLDER TUCKED AGAINST HIS WAIST AS HE BEGAN THE PROCESS OF RETRACING HIS STEPS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE HE HAD LAST SEEN HIS PHONE.
MOMENTS EARLY, HE THOUGHT HE HAD HEARD THE DOGS OUTSIDE BARKING AND MAKING A FUSS ABOUT IT. WHILE OUTSIDE, BILLY WAS MAKING A MAD RUSH TOWARD THE BUILDING; OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE HE EITHER LOST A BET, OR WAS THREATENED BY ROB TO DO IT. BEING THAT HE WAS RUNNING AND HOLLERING; THE DOGS SOON GOT
BEHIND HIM, AND HE RAN LIKE HIS ASS WAS ON FIRE: MAY BE, BECAUSE HE DIDN’T TRUST ROB!

THE DOGS STARTED TO RUN TO WHERE ROB WAS AT; STRADDLING ON THE FENCE WITH ONE HAND HOLDING HIM UP, AND THE OTHER HAND BANGING A STEEL PIPE ON TO A MEDAL BUCKLE ON THE FENCE. THEN THEY MUST HAVE LOST INTEREST. THEY HEARD BILLY SCREAMING, “OH NO, OH NO!”

SCORCESE WAS IN THE HALLWAY LEADING TO THE MAIN EXIT AND STOPPED IN PLACE WHEN HE HEARD SOMEONE SCREAMING. NOW HE WAS SURE THE DOGS WERE AFTER HIS FRIENDS! HE THOUGHT FOR A MINUTE;
HE SHOULD GO AND HELP THEM BY GETTING SOMETHING HARD TO THROW OR TO BATTLE THE DOGS WITH.
HE DECIDED TO GIVE UP SEARCHING FOR HIS PHONE AND GO HELP HIS FRIENDS, AS HE SEARCHED
FOR SOMETHING TO USE AS A WEAPON.
BILLY HAD RAN ALMOST TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING WHERE A RAISED HANDICAPPED ENTRANCE WAS AND CLIMBED UP THE ENTRANCE AND JUMPED ON A HIGHER VANTAGE POINT ALONG THE RAILING:

THE DOGS WHICH WERE CHASING HIM HAD STOPPED SHORT OF THE RAISED ENTRANCE, BARKING AND GROWLING FROM BELOW. ROB HAD BARELY UNHOOKED HIS RIGHT PANTS LEG FROM THE FENCE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD REPORT, LIKE A GUNS SHOT!
SCORCESE WAS RUMAGING THROUGH A UTILITY CLOSET WHEN HE TOO, WAS STARTLED BY THE SOUND OF A GUN SHOT. HE THOUGHT FOR A SECOND, MAY BE THE COPS HAD SHOWED UP ON THE SCENE, TO FOIL THEIR PLANS AND FIRED A WARNING SHOT:
THEN MAY BE IT WAS A SECURITY GUARD APPRISED OF THEM ON THE PROPERTY.

BILLY FELL FLAT ON HIS REAR END ON TO THE STEEL PLATFORM, WRITHING IN PAIN FROM A SHOT TO HIS FOOT.
ALL THREE OF THE DOGS; ONE TAN HUSKY, AND TWO BLACK GERMAN SHEPHEARDS RAN OFF AND
DISAPPEARED AROUND THE CORNER. BILLY HAD PULLED A SMALL SEMIAUTOMATIC 9MM HAND GUN FROM HIS WAIST BAND, TRIED TO AIM AND LOST HIS BALANCE. APPARANTLY, HE PULLED THE TRIGGER WHILE TUMBLING OFF THE RAILING, SHOOTING HIMSELF IN THE FOOT!
HE GASPED IN ASTONISHMENT AS HE REALIZED, HE SHOT HIS PINKIE TOE OFF!! ROB JUMPED THE FENCE AND HEADED TO WHERE BILLY HAD RUN OFF TO; BRANDISHING a 2x4 BOARD IN HIS HANDS. PEERING AROUND THE CORNER TO ENSURE IT WAS SAFE TO PROCEED, ROB RAN THE REMAINING DISTANCE TO THE ENTRANCE WHERE BILLY WAS LYING DOWN ON THE RAILING. WHEN HE WALKED UP THE STEPS, BILLY WAS SITTING AGAINST THE
WALL OF THE BUILDING.

“YOU ALRIGHT, MAN!” ROB ASKED HIM. “YEAH, EXCEPT FOR MY TOE. PRETTY STUPID THOUGH.” BILLY REPLIED.
ROB THEN, TOLD HIM TO STAY PUT, PICKED UP THE GUN AND WENT TO THE MAIN DOOR AND TRIED TO OPEN IT.
TO HIS SURPRISE, SCORCESE APPEARED AT THE DOOR, OPENING IT FROM THE INSIDE, HOLDING A WINDOW BAR, AND HAVING A CRAZED LOOK IN HIS EYES!

“WHOAH! HOLD UP PARTNER! ROB SAID TO HIM. “EVERYTHING IS GOOD NOW,” ROB SAID TO HIM.
LOWERING HIS ‘WEAPON’ AND CATCHING HIS BREATH, HE ASKED, “WHAT WAS THAT DAMN NOISE I HEARD OUTSIDE?’
LOOKING TOWARD WHERE BILLY WAS STILL SITTING, AND TURNING BACK TO SCORCESE HE REPLIED, “THAT DAMN FOOL SHOT HIMSELF WITH A PISTOL!”

“HE WHAT?” “WAS HE TRYING TO SHOOT THE DOGS?”SCORCESE ASKED CURIOUSLY. “SHIT, I DON’T KNOW!” “SAID HE FELL AND THE GUN WENT OFF!” ROB REPLIED. BEFORE SCORCESE COULD ASK ANY MORE QUESTIONS, ROB ASKED IF HE GOT THE PACKAGE. HE REPLIED, “YES.” HE THEN, EXPLAINED OF HIS PHONE MISSING, AND THE DISCOVERY OF
THE RECORDS; THEN THEY CARRIED BILLY OUT OF THE YARD, AND PROCEEDED IN THE DIRECTION WHERE THE VAN WAS HIDDEN.

…BACK AT FORT CAMPBELL, THINGS WASN’T GOING TOO WELL FOR CLIFFORD FRANKLIN. HE HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER CUSTODY AT THE COUNTY REGIONAL LOCK-UP, WHICH HAD A SEPARATE WING RESERVED FOR MILITARY, AND OTHER FEDERAL INMATES.
HE HAD BEEN LANGUISHING FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEHIND BARS, UPSET ABOUT BEING CHARGED WITH “CONSPIRACEY TO PROFERATE GOVERNMENT FUNDS”; BESIDES THE FACT OF ALSO BEING CHARGED WITH PERJURY, AND FABRICATING PART OF HIS STORY.

AT THE PRESENT MOMENT, BY SURE LUCK THE MESSAGE ON HIS PHONE WAS TRACED TO AN AREA WHERE A BREAK IN ON FEDERAL GROUNDS HAD TAKEN PLACE.
TO ADD A TWIST TO THE STORY, VIRGINIA STATE POLICE RECEIVED AN ALL POINTS BULLETIN FROM HOSPITAL SECURITY ABOUT SUSPICIOUS LOOKING PEOPLE WHO PARKED A VAN ON THE CURB OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM ENTRANCE; SOMEONE WHO RODE IN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS TREATED FOR A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE FOOT.

ABOUT THE SAME TIME: A MEETING WAS TAKING PLACE AT THE UNIT’S BATTALION. DURING THE MEETING, WITH VARIOUS STAFF MEMBERS, THE S-1 PERSONNEL MENTIONED FRANKLIN’S NAME BUT FORGOT THE FACT THAT TWO OTHER NAMES FAILED TO APPEAR ON THE UNIT SIDPERS REPORT: THE TWO SOLDIERS THAT FELL UNDER THE FAILURE TO REPORT FOR TUESDAY, TODAY WAS WEDNESDAY! THE TWO SOLDIERS; WINCHESTER AND RUBIO HAD RENTED A CAR AT HERTZ AND ALMOST HALF WAY OUT OF THE COUNTY.

RUBIO AND WINCHESTER HAD BEEN STRESSED OUT BY RECENT EVENTS, AND WAS ALMOST WORRIED SICK
BEING THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT ROB AND BILLY WERE UP TO. THEY DIDN’T KNOW THAT SCORCESE HAD JOINED UP WITH THEM, TURNING THE GROUP INTO A TRIO. SCORCESE WHO WAS ON LEAVE, HAD TAKEN A FLIGHT OUT OF AMARILLO, TEXAS AND CAUGHT THE GREYHOUND FROM KENTUCKY WHICH TOOK HIM ALL THE WAY TO
VIRGINIA.
THE AFTERNOON BEFORE, RUBIO AND WINCHESTER HAD LOADED UP IN A RECENT MODEL, BLUE FORD TAURUS RENTED FROM HERTZ; AND AFTER LOADING UP WITH COLD CUTS, TWO PACKS OF ‘MOUNTAIN DEW’ SODA,
‘TWIZZLER’ CANDIES, AND PACKS OF ‘SLIM JIMS’.
THEY FILLED UP THE GAS TANK AT AN EXXON STATION 5 MILES FROM THE BASE, AND PRECEDED WEST DOWN I-75 SOUTH. THEY SPENT A GREAT PORTION OF THE TRIP FUSSING AND ARGUING ABOUT ‘WHO SMOKED THE MOST
‘NEWPORTS’ AND ‘WHY GET ONLY ‘WINTERGREEN’ SKOAL AND NOT ‘BLUEMINT’! RUBIO DIPPED MORE THAN HE SMOKED, WHILE WINCHESTER WHO SMOKES A LOT, RATHER HAVE A PLUG OF DIP BETWEEN HIS CHEEKS.

WHILE SMOKING A CIGARETTE. WHEN THEY WERE DONE FUSSING ABOUT THAT, THEY DECIDED TO HAVE A BET WHO COULD GO LONGER WITHOUT A CIGARETTE: THAT WAY, WHOMEVER COULD LAST THE LONGER WITHOUT FIRING UP A CIGARETTE WOULD GET TO SLEEP FIRST FOR 5 HOURS, THEN WAKE UP AND TAKE OVER FOR 5 HOURS UNTIL THE REACH THEIR DESTINATION.
ONCE REACHING THE OUTSKIRTS OF VIRGINIA THEY PRICED, AND CHECKED INTO THE CHEAPEST HOTEL THEY COULD
FIND. THEY PLANNED TO STOP FOR AN 8 HOUR REST THEN PROCEED ON TO THE ARLINGTON DISTRICT, AND HOPEFULLY MAKE CONTACT WITH THEIR PARTY ALREADY IN THE AREA.

…AT THE CROWED AIRPORT IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA. STAFF SERGEANT BOUDREAU, WHO FINALLY HAD TAKEN LEAVE AFTER HIS EXTRA DUTY PUNISHMENT WAS OVER, WAS GETTING INCREASINGLY IRRITATED BY THE MINUTE BECAUSE OF THE SLUGGISH BOOKING PROCEDURES.
HE POSTED HIMSELF OUTSIDE OF THE TICKET COUNTERTERMINAL TO DIP TOBACCO. BEING THAT HE COULDN’T DO IT INSIDE, HE SETTLED DOWN ON A WAITING BENCH, PULLING HIS CARRY-ON LUGGAGE NEXT TO HIM.
HE SAT DOWN MULLING OVER THE RECENT EVENTS, AND THINKING BACK TO BACK WHEN BEFORE THE EVENTS OF 9-11 WHEN YOU COULD PURCHASE YOUR TICKET AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE SECURITY CHECK POINT, AND HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE DEPARTURE GATE AREA WITH NO PROBLEM AT ALL.

HE FINISHED CHEWING HIS SKOAL TOBACCO AND SPIT OUT THE WAD, AND A STREAMING MOUTHFULL OF TOBACCO
JUICE INTO A TRASH RECEPTICLE, THEN RETURNED INSIDE TO WAIT AT THE BACK OF A LONG LINE. IT WAS GOING TO TAKE HIM ANOTHER 15 MINUTES TO WAIT IN LINE TO GET HIS BOARDING PASS SCANNED AND IDENTIFICATION CHECKED BEFORE TAKING HIS CARRY-ON LUGGAGE AND HIMSELF TO GET CHECKED AT THE SECURITY CHECK IN AREA.

…. PONDERING IN HIS THOUGHTS, AND GETTING HIMSELF READY TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD; RUBIO’S MIND WAS ADRIFT AND FOCUSING ON MANY THINGS. HE WAS THINKING MOSTLY OF HIS AND WINCHESTER’S FRIEND, SANCHEZ. GIVONNI SANCHEZ CURRENTLY, WAS A PATIENT IN AN INPATIENT UNIT AT A MENTAL HOSPITAL IN NORI, MICHIGAN.
HE WAS ADMITTED FOR MENTAL DISORDERS DEALING WITH HAVING PTSD. HAD HE NOT HAD BEEN ADMITTED OVER 30 DAYS AGO, HE WOULD HAVE JOINED THEM ON THEIR TRIP TO VIRGINIA.

AFTER GIVING THE NURSE ATTENDANT A FULLY FABRICATED STORY ON WHERE HE HAD BEEN AND HOW THE ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED; BILLY WAS RELEASED BACK INTO THE COMPANY OF HIS FRIENDS. THEY LOADED UP IN THEIR VEHICLE AND PULLED OUT OF THE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT, AND DROVE OFF IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ‘SLEEP EAZY
HOTEL’ DOWN MAIN STREET. AFTER CHECKING IN; SCORCESE IN A ROOM WITH BILLY, AND ROB, IN A ROOM ALL TO HIMSELF. THE FELLOWS DECIDED TO SETTLE DOWN FOR THE EVENING, AND PLAN FOR THE NEXT DAY.
MEANWHILE, ROB HAD FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO HIDE THE HAND GUN, UNTIL NEEDED; CHARGED HIS CELL PHONE ON THE OUTLET ON THE WALL.
THEN SECONDS LATER, HE WAS SURPRISED BY THE RINGING OF A FAMILIAR RING TONE. IT WAS A RING TONE TO THE SONG “I WANT TO TOUCH YOU GIRL” BY TRICK DADDY. PICKING IT UP AND LIFTING THE FLIP TOP TO ANSWER THE CALL, HE RECOGNIZED THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END: IT WAS RUBIO.

…BOUDREAUX ALWAYS HATED COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS; EVEN WORSE, HE HATED THE IN-FLIGHT MOVIE SELECTIONS, AND CIVILIANS WHO ALWAYS SEEM TO GO TO THE LAVATORY EVERY 5 MINUTES. EVERYTIME HE SEEMS TO GET COMFORTBLE ENOUGH TO FALL ASLEEP; SOMEONE WOULD BUMP HIS SEAT, OR A STEWARDESS WOULD ASK HIM IF HE NEEDED SOMETHING, OR CHECK TO SEE IF HE HAD HIS SEAT BELT ON. ALL THIS MADE HIM WONDER WHY HE WAS SEATED IN THE WINDOW SEAT. ‘WHAT WAS THE POINT’ HE WONDERED TO HIMSELF. HE WAS FEELING A WHOLE LOT
BETTER WHEN THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN ARLINGTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT; A SMALL SIZED AIRPORT NOT TOO FAR FROM THE COUNTY LINE. WHEN HE STEPPED OFF THE PLANE AND ON TO THE TARMAC, HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, ‘NOW, I CAN FIND FOR MYSELF WHAT THEM BOYS ARE UP TO!’

LEAVING HIS FRIENDS BEHIND, ROB DROVE OFF IN THE SAME VAN THAT THE CREW HAD BEEN USING, SO HE PACKED THE HAND GUN IN HIS WASTE JUST IN CASE SOMETHING CAME UP. HE DROVE THE VAN TO A DINER ABOUT 10 MILES AWAY. STOPPED AND CALLED RUBIO, AND GAVE HIM DIRECTIONS TO GET THERE.

HE HAD EATEN A SMALL MEAL: AN ORDER OF SWEET POTATOE FRIES, BUFFALO WINGS W/BLUE CHEESE SAUCE, AND A
LARGE SWEETENED ICE TEA. HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SMOKED A ‘NEWPORT’ AND CAME BACK INSIDE HELPING HIMSELF TO SOME FREE BREAD WHILE WAITING FOR RUBIO TO ARRIVE. RUBIO AND WINCHESTER ARRIVED ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER. ROB REMAINED SITTING AND MOTIONED FOR THE TWO TO HAVE A SEAT AND ORDER SOMETHING TO EAT.
RUBIO GRABBED A MENU AND BROWSED OVER THE SELECTION; WINCHESTER JUST SAT THERE STARING OUTSIDE AND DECLINING TO ORDER ANYTHING.
WHEN RUBIO ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED TO ORDER ANYTHING, HE SAID NO. THEN HE CHANGED HIS MIND STARTED TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT ROB CUT HIM OFF. “OH NO YOU DON’T!” ROB INTERRUPTED; HE STARTED TO STARE AT HIM BUT SAID. “YOU MESSED THAT UP.” WHEN WINCHESTER CONTINUED TO STARE AT HIM. ROB JUST STARED BACK.
“YOU CAN STARE ALL YOU WANT, STARING DOESN’T BOTHER ME.” ROB SAID. “IF YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH ME, WE CAN HANDLE THIS OUTSIDE.” ROB CONTINUED.
AFTER TRADING LOOKS WITH ROB, AND GLANCING BACK AT RUBIO WHO WAS WAITING FOR HIS FOOD TO ARRIVE; NODDED AND SAID “THAT’S OKAY, I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU.” WITH THAT LITTLE PROBLEM SOLVED, BOTH GUYS WERE CONTENT WITH EACH OTHER TO SIT BACK AND DRINK SWEETENED ICE TEA.
RUBIO, WHO FINALLY GOT HIS ORDER SERVED, SAT BACK AND LITERALLY SWALLOWED HIS FOOD. AFTER THE GUYS FINISHED DINING AT THE ‘QUICK AND EAT’ DINER, THEY LOADED UP IN BOTH CARS AND DROVE BACK TO THE MOTEL TO DISCUSS BUSINESS. UPON ARRIVING BACK AT THE MOTEL, ROB WENT UP TO HIS ROOM AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR, ONLY TO FIND SCORCESE INSIDE THE ROOM. HE WAS EATING A BIG HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH.

…. AGENT VELA HAD THE INFORMATION SHE NEEDED TO FOLLOW UP ON THE CASE. JUST 2 DAYS AGO. SHE HAD FOLLOWED UP ON SOME NEW LEADS ON THE CASE. SHE WOUND UP MAKING A TRIP TO FORT CAMPBELL.
SHE EVENTUALLY HAD A MEETING WITH THE BATTALION COMMANDER, LT COL ROGER WALTRIP. SCHEDULED AFTER 11:00 AM, THE MEETING STARTED OUT PLEASANT ENOUGH.
INVITED TO SIT INSIDE THE COLONEL’S SPACIOUS OFFICE, WHICH WAS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE REGIMENT ROOM WHERE THE UNIT’S REGIMENTAL COLORS WERE DISPLAYED, OFF FROM THE G-2 AREA.

IT WAS 11:25 ON THE CLOCK WHICH MEANT SHE HAD ONLY 15 MINUTES OF SCHEDULED TALK TIME WITH HIM.
AFTER WHICH, HE WOULD BE OFF TO A QUICK LUNCH OVER AT THE OFFICER’S CLUB. THEN BACK TO THE BRIGADE AREA FOR A STAFF MEETING WITH THE BRIGADE COMMANDER. AFTER EXCHANGING PLEASANTRIES, HE WITH HIS, THEN HERS; SHE GAVE HIM THE FULL RUN DOWN OF WHAT SHE KNEW, AND WHO WAS INVOLVED, MOSTLY
SPECULATION. HE WAS COOL, CALM AT FIRST. NOT BELIEVING ANY OF HIS SOLDIERS WAS PART OF A PLOT!
HE STARTED INTERRUPTING, AND CAUSED HER TO REPEAT MOST OF WHICH SHE WAS SAYING. SHE HAD TO
FINISH WITH HER INTERVIEW AND WANTED TO MAKE KNOWN THAT SHE WANTED TO SEE THIS THING THROUGH.

COLONEL WALTRIP SOON DECIDED HE HAD HEARD ENOUGH. SO HE STOPPED HER BEFORE SHE WENT ANY FURTHER. “AGENT VELA.” HE EXCLAIMED. “I THINK IT IS FAIR TO TELL YOU, THIS CASE YOU HAVE AGAINST MY BOYS IS GOING TO GET NOWHERE!” “THIS IS A MILITARY MATTER AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.” “YOU MAY BE JAG, CID, OR WHATEVER.” “BUT I PLAN TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AT MY LEVEL.” HE EXPLAINED.
“ARE YOU FINISHED?” SHE STARTED TO ASK. “NO, I HAVE ONLY ONE AWOL, AND TWO FAILURES TO REPORT, AND THAT FRANKLIN KID IN CONFINEMENT.” HE CONTINUED.

“LOOK SIR!” SHE SAID. “YOU ARE FAILING TO LOOK AT THE FACT THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON.” “IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO AGREE WITH ME THAT PEOPLE IN YOUR UNIT ARE INVOLVED IN SOMETHING BIGGER, THAT IS TOO BAD!” “YOU DAMN RIGHT THAT IS TOO BAD!” HE INTERJECTED. “JUST BECAUSE I DON’T BELIEVE THIS CONSPIRACY, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SHOW ME MORE EVIDENCE BEFORE I SUPPORT YOU!” CALMING HIMSELF, AND ALLOWING HER TO FINISH SPEAKING.
VELA SAT UP. “WELL SIR, THAT’S WHY I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED THIS CASE,” “GOOD.” HE SAID. “YOU KNOW WHERE TO REACH ME.” “JUST DON’T FILE NOTHING UNTIL I FIND OUT WHERE THOSE MISSING SOLDIERS ARE, OKAY?” “YOU GIVING ME YOUR WORD, AND MY APPROVAL TO QUESTION ANYONE I COME ACROSS?” PAUSING FOR A MOMENT, CONTEMPLATING WHAT WAS SAID. “IM GIVING YOU MY WORD.” HE REPLIED. “HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON AGENT VELA.” “YOU TOO SIR.” VELA REPLIED. AND LEFT.

*********************************************************************************************************************************
I'm sorry, but I will clean this up tomorrow! Have to get some sleep.
Continued from yesterday------

…. SOMEWHERE, IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF ARLINGTON DISTRICT, BOUDREAUX WAS WAITING AGAIN, AT THE HERTZ TO GET A RENTAL CAR. AFTER SIGNING FOR A JEEP WRANGLER AND LOADING UP HIS BAGS, BOUDREAUX DROVE OFF; HEADING TO THE LOCATION BILLY GAVE HIM.

BOUDREAUX ARRIVED 30 MINUTES LATER, DESPITE THE LONG DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM THE AIRPORT. HE WAS ALWAYS A GREAT NAVIGATOR. BILLY WAS WATCHING ‘SPONGE BOB SQUAREPANTS’ ON THE TELEVISION AND ABOUT TO PUT A CUP OF NODDLES IN THE MICROWAVE WHEN HE HEARD A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. HE UNFASTENED THE DOOR LOCK AND TURNED THE KNOB TO OPEN THE DOOR. HE WAS IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE! STAFF SERGEANT BOUDREAUX WAS AT THE DOOR.
“SARGE”. BILLY SAID. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!”? “COME ON IN.” “HEY BOY.” THE SARGE SAID. “HOW YOU BEEN DOING?” “FINE.” “AND HOW ABOUT YOURSELF?” BILLY REPLIED. “OH, IM OKAY.” “BUT FIRST, LET ME USE YOUR LATRINE,
THEN I GOT SOMETHING TO ASK YOU.” “OKAY, IT’S ON YOUR LEFT.” BILLY SAID.
WHILE BOUDREAUX WAS IN THE RESTROOM. A KNOCK AT THE DOOR STARTLED BILLY. WHEN HE APPROACHED AND OPENED THE DOOR HE FOUND HIMSELF STARING INTO THE SULLEN FACE OF ROB. “WHO WERE YOU TALKING TO?” ROB ASKED HIM. “UH, YOU-YOU CAN ASK HIM WHEN HE COME OUT THE RESTROOM.” BILLY STAMMERED.
UNPERTERBED, ROB ASKED HIM AGAIN. “WHOM AM I SUPPOSED TO BE TALKING TO MAN!”? “TH-TH-THE SARGE, SERGEANT BOUDREAUX THAT’S WHO.” BILLY STAMMERED AGAIN. FEELING UNEASY, AND NOT KNOWING
WHO BILLY WAS REFERRING TO, HE ASKED. “WHO?”
‘ME FOOL’ WAS THE ANSWER HE RECEIVED FROM BEHIND HIM. TURNING AROUND AND ALMOST WALKING INTO BOUDREAUX, HE STEPPED TO THE SIDE. “BILLY WAS ONE OF MY SOLDIERS IN IRAQ, NOW SIT YOUR PUNK ASS DOWN!”
STUNNED LIKE HE WAS SLAPPED. ROB TURNED TO FACE HIM, ONLY TO STARE AT THE AGED, GANGLY LOOKING, BESPECTLED OLD MAN WITH THINNING GRAYING HAIR STARING BACK AT HIM.

HIS FIRST IMPULSE WAS TO GRAB THE OLD SOLDIER BY HIS SKINNY NECK, BUT THE TONE OF HIS VOICE MADE HIM COMPLY. ROB SAT DOWN. BOUDREAUX SAT AND TOLD HIM WHY HE WAS HERE. “OLD MAN, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING.” “WHO SENT YOU?” ROB SAID, TURNING TO STARE IN BILLY’S DIRECTION. NOT BEING FAZED BY WHAT WAS SAID. “YOU BOYS ARE UP TO SOMETHING REAL CRAZY, AND YOU GOT MY BOY INVOLVED!” “LOOK MAN- NO, YOU LOOK!” BOUDREAUX INTERRUPTED.
GETTING UP AND PULLING A SMALL HAND GUN FROM A FOLD-IN POCKET HOLSTER. “I TEND TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.” “YOU CAN EITHER WALK BACK TO YOUR ROOM, OR LIMP BACK IF YOU DON’T TELL ME!’ DAMN, ROB THOUGHT TO HIMSELF. THIS OLD MAN IS CRAZY. BUT HE HAS A WAY OF CONVINCING PEOPLE. “OKAY MAN.” ROB SAID. “PUT YOUR GUN AWAY, SIT DOWN. LETS TALK.” “BILLY, GO GET US A BOTTLE OF SOME OF THAT GOOD SHIT YOU GOT STASHED.” INDICATING THE BOTTLE OF GIN IN THE REFRIGERATOR.
“GOT ONLY ONE GLASS.” BILLY REPLIED. “JUST BRING THE BOTTLE, WE CAN JUST TAKE A SWIG OUT OF THAT BITCH.”
“THAT’S OKAY WITH YOU OLD MAN?” “SURE, SURE THAT LONG DRIVE GOT ME THIRSTY FOR MORE THAN WATER.” SAID BOUDREAUX. PUTTING AWAY THE GUN, AND PLACING THE HOLSTER BACK IN HIS POCKET.

ROB EXPLAINED THE WHOLE STORY TO THE OLD MAN, CONVINCING HIM TO JOIN IN THEIR CAUSE. AFTER ROB, NOW RELIEVED HE HAD WON BOUDREAUX OVER PROFERRED THE BOTTLE OF GIN TO HIM. NODDING HIS HEAD, AND TAKING A BIG SWIG OF THE GIN; THEN GRIMACING BECAUSE HE SWALLOWED TOO FAST. HE LET OUT A LARGE BURP. “BETTER OUT THAN IN.” SAID BOUDREAUX. “THAT ONLY COUNTS WHEN YOU FART, I THINK.” BILLY INTERJECTED.
“HECK, IF I WAS TO FART, YOU TWO FOOLS WOULD BE ON THE FLOOR, PASSED OUT AND DROOLING.”SAID BOUDREAUX. AFTER THE CONVERSATION ENDED, ROB TOOK THE GROUP OVER TO HIS ROOM, STOPPING BY SCORCESE’S ROOM ON THE WAY. BILLY KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR. SCORCESE OPENED IT, WHILE CRAMMING A HAM AND CHEESE SANDWHICH IN HIS MOUTH.
THEY MOTIONED HIM TO FOLLOW THEM. THEY ALL CRAMMED INTO ROB’S ROOM. THERE, ALL OF THEM GAVE BOUDREAUX THE RUNDOWN INTO WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THEIR PLAN; AND LAID OUT THE FULL DETAIL OF THEIR BIZARRE PLAN TO HIM. IF BOUDREAUX HAIR WASN’T THINNING, HE WOULD HAVE A FULL HEAD OF GRAY HAIR AFTER HE LEFT THE ROOM. HOW, WHAT, AND IF WERE IRRELEVANT NOW. HE WAS IN IT DEEP JUST AS EVERYONE ELSE!

…. AGENT VELA RECEIVED A TEXT 45 MINUTES AGO. LT COL WALTRIP WAS JUST FINISHING UP ON THE 9nth HOLE OF A GAME OF GOLF, AND DECIDED TO CALL IT A DAY. VELA WAS TO MEET HIM AT THE GAZEEBO IN THE BACK OF THE GOLF COURSE. VELA WASN’T TOO SURPRISED TO HEAR ABOUT THE TWO AWOL SOLDIERS, AND THE REPORT OF ONE SOLDIER WHOM WAS ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND TREATED FOR A GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE FOOT. SHE WAS MORE SURPRISED WHEN WALTRIP INFORMED HER THAT BRIGADE REQUESTED THAT HE COOPERATE MORE, AND ASSIST HER
WITH ANY INFORMATION SHE MAY NEED.
WITH THAT SAID, SHE DECIDED TO HEAD OUT TO VIRGINIA FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. ONCE THERE, SHE WAS PLANNING TO FOLLOW UP ON ANY LEADS, AS TO; WHO WAS ADMITTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND WHICH DOCTOR OR PHYSICIAN HAD TREATED THE WOUNDS OF COL WALTRIP SOLDERS. MEDICAL RECORDS. X-RAY. PRESCRIPTIONS. ANYTHING THAT GAVE TRACE TO A NAME, SHE WANTED IT!

SHE MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH FEDERAL AGENTS IN THE ARLINGTON DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA; TO MEET THEM AT THE REGIONAL AIRPORT SOMETIME IN THE AFTERNOON.

AT THE PRESENT MOMENT, BOUDREAUX WHO WAS SLEEPING ON A SOFA BED GOT UP SCRATCHING HIS EARS. SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY SOMETHING BAD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN, WHEN YOUR PALMS OR TOES- FEET ARE ITCHING. OR A STORM IS ON ITS WAY; OR THEY ARE ABOUT TO COME INTO SOME MONEY! BUT ITCHING EARS? MAYBE HE HAD DANDRUFF BAD, OR JUST HAD TO CHANGE HIS SHAMPOO. WHATEVER THE CASE, BOUDREAUX WASN’T EXPECTING ANY MONEY. HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THAT SOMETHING HE WAS REFERRING TO WAS THE PRESCENCE OF AGENT VELA AT THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DOWNTOWN.

AT THAT VERY MOMENT, VELA WAS IN A HEATED ARGUMENT OVER JURISDICTION CONCERNING WHO WOULD
RECEIVE THE INFORMATION AND / OR THE CASE. THOUGH IT WAS A SIMPLE PROCESS. GATHERING THE INFORMATION THAT IS. SOMEONE HAD TO GATHER THE INFORMATION THE SECURITY GUARDS AT THE HOSPITAL HAD COMPILED;
THE VEHICLE’S LICENSE PLATES, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT.
SINCE THE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO THE POLICE INVESTIGATERS, CAREFUL COOPERATION WOULD BE NEEDED TO OBTAIN WHAT WAS NEEDED. VELA WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE CONNECTION TO BILLY, AND THE ONGOING CASE IN VIRGINIA. BE THAT AS IT MAY, SHE DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH PHYSICAL INFORMATION YET! AFTER EVERYONE SIMMERED DOWN, THE LEAD AGENT, BILL CUNDIFF TALKED THINGS OVER WITH HIS COLLEAGUES AND RELUCTENTLY DECIDED TO SHARE WHAT INFORMATION THEY HAD WITH HER.
AS LONG AS SHE DIDN’T GET TOO AHEAD ON HER INVESTIGATION, THEY WERE WILLING TO COOPERATE.

AGENTS DOUG BROWN, AND PATRICK O’REILLY WERE HELD TO HIGH STANDARDS FOR THE CASE BY THEIR BOSS, AGENT BILL CUNDIFF, WHO WAS KNOWN IN HIS CIRCLE AS THE ‘WALRUS’ BECAUSE OF HIS BIG BUSHY MUSTACHE.
THEY WERE HOPING TO PUT THEIR COLLECTIVE MINDS TOGETHER AND MAKE SOME PROGRESS IN THE NEXT 48HRS.

ON OR ABOUT 8AM, VELA RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM A JAG ATTORNEY WHO RELATED INFORMATION CONCERNING BILLY AND SERGEANT BOUDREAUX. AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE TIPPED OFF A PARALEGAL SPECIALIST WHO WORKED ON A CASE FOR A SOLDIER IN THEIR UNIT. THE INFORMATION PROVED WHAT VELA HAD CONCLUDED:

BILLY AND BOUDREAUX WERE SOME HOW LINKED TOGETHER; AND THEY WERE SOMEWHERE IN THE ARLINGTON DISTRICT PLOTTING SOMETHING TOGETHER. SHE COULDN’T HAVE BEEN CLOSER TO THE TRUTH.

BOUDREAUX WAS AWAKE AT 830 AM, HANDS, WELL PALMS ON BOTH HANDS ITCHING. HE HAD HALF A MIND TO TELL THE GUYS ABORT THE MISSION; RETURN BACK TO FORT CAMPBELL, REPORT TO THEIR PERSPECTIVE SUPERVISORS, AND DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.
FOR A WHILE, HE EVEN CONTEMPLATED GETTING HIS CAR KEYS, GRABBING HIS JACKET AND LOAD UP HIS STUFF: GETTING THE HELL OUT OF DODGE


Chapter 7: ..... Continued from the recent, very long passage:


…. FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY, WHICH WAS CONTRACTED TO THE FACILITY, WHICH WAS BROKEN IN; VELA FOUND OUT ABOUT FOOTPRINTS, SHELL CASINGS, AND PROOF OF A BREAK-IN. THE LOCAL SECURITY INVESTIGATORS GAVE HER ACCESS TO THE SAMPLES. SOON ENOUGH, SHE HAD EVERYTHING IN PLACE. SHE PICKED UP HER CELL PHONE AND DIALED UP AGENT BROWN.
OVER THE PHONE, THEY DISCUSSED WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO. THEY HAD TO CHECK OUT THE AREA, DUST FOR PRINTS, AND LOOK FOR SAMPLES OF BLOOD ON THE ENTRANCE. THEY WERE ALSO CHECKING FOR HAND PRINTS, FINGER PRINTS THAT COULD BE FOUND, ALL ALONG THE BUILDING.
SO, THEIR GAME PLAN WAS TO OPERATE IN TWO GROUPS; CHECKING OUT THE BROKEN WINDOWS, AND DAMAGED DESK. AND ONE GROUP WOULD CHECK OUT THE OFFICE, WHICH WAS RIFLED THROUGH.
SHE WAS TOLD TO ACCOMPANY THE TWO AGENTS ON ONE CONDITION: THEY WOULD USE THEIR FIELD KITS TO DRAW THE BLOOD SAMPLES; SHE WAS TO OBSERVE AND TAKE NOTES TO BE COMPARED LATER.

VELA, DOUG BROWN, AND O’REILLY TOOK A 2 HR TRIP OUT TO THE CEMATARY RECORDS STORAGE YARD. THE GROUNDS KEEPER, MR. GUNTHER EXPLAINED TO THEM, WEEKS AGO SOMEONE HAD BROKEN INTO THE FACILITY DURING A TRAINING HOLIDAY.
HE EVEN QUESTIONED ONE OF THE SECURITY GUARDS WHO WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FACILITY.
A DISTRURBANCE OUTSIDE OF THE PROPERTY HAD DISTRACTED HIM: EVENTHOUGH HE HEARD DOGS BARKING ON THE SITE, HE DIDN’T GET THERE ON TIME. HE WAS DISMISSED FROM HIS DUTIES, AND LATER FIRED FOR NOT PROPERLY GUARDING THE FACILITY.

WHAT THEY FOUND WAS, A HALF DESTROYED DESK, AN OPENED DOOR WHERE PAPERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS WERE STORED: A SMORGAS BOARD OF EVIDENCE. BOTH AGENTS BROWN, AND O’REILLY WERE AUTHORIZED TO LIFT PRINTS. VELA DID A CURSORARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA. SHE OBSERVED WHERE SOMEONE WAS CHASED UP THE RAMP, LEADING TO AN ENTRANCE; STOOD RIGHT ABOUT HERE, FIRED ONE SHOT WITH A HANDGUN, AND FELL OVER NEAR THE ENTRANCE DOOR.
SHE COULDN’T FIGURE OUT WHY THE SHOT WAS SO LOW. THEN SHE DISCOVERED OTHER PRINTS, MEANING THAT ONE OF THE SUSPECTS CAME TO HIS AID: HE WASN’T EVEN SHOOTING AT THE DOGS!

WHEN THEY FINISHED UP COLLECTING SAMPLES, AGENTS BROWN AND O’REILLY JOINED HER OUT IN THE YARD.
AFTER 15 MINUTES OF SEARCHING, AND COMPARING NOTES. THEY MADE A DETERMINATION THAT THE SUSPECTS HAD COME FROM THE FENCE LINE, THEN DEPARTED BACK IN THE SAME DIRECTION. SO, TO BACK TRACK THE SUSPECT’S FOOT PRINTS, THEY HAD TO WALK FOR ABOUT A QUARTER MILE, THEN THEY DECIDED TO TAKE ONE OF THE VEHICLES WEST ON THE SERVICE ROAD, AND LOOK FOR WHERE A PERSON COULD PARK A VEHICLE TO CONCEAL IT FROM THE ROAD.
O’REILLY WAS MAD ABOUT GETTING MUD ON HIS LOAFERS. BROWN STEPPED IN DOG SHIT, AND VELA WAS GETTING KIND OF PISSED: NEITHER OF THEM WAS ALLOWED TO SMOKE IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE SMELL OF DOG POO WAS
OVER POWERING EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN! AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF COMPARING, SWAPING NOTES, AND TAKING A LOT OF ‘ADVIL EXTRA STRENGTH’THEY WERE READY TO GO.

THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE SAMPLES TO THE LAB, AND TO HAVE A SEAT IN BROWN’S OFFICE TO PREPARE THE REPORT TO TAKE TO THE WALRUS. HE WASN’T TOO HAPPY, ESPECIALLY AFTER 3 HOURS OF PUTTING TOGETHER COURSES OF ACTION.
AT THE LAB, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT ALL THE PRINTS HAD CAME FROM SERVICE-MEMBERS. USING HI-TECH ANALYSIS, AND MATCHING FINGER PRINT FILES; THEY FOUND SCORCESE’S PRINTS ON A DESK, AND ON A DOOR KNOB LEADING TO THE DOOR WHERE RECORDS WERE KEPT. THE BLOOD SAMPLES MATCHED A PATIENT WHO WAS TREATED AT A LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM.
IT WAS LATER CROSS-MATCHED TO BELONG TO ANOTHER SERVICE MEMBER; RECOGNIZED AS ‘BILLY’. THERE WAS STILL NO KIND OF TRACE ON THE HAND GUN IN QUESTION. BUT THEY CAME UP WITH A DATA BASE FILE ON BILLY FROM FORT CAMPBELL.
THAT IS WHAT THE WALRUS WAS FUMING ABOUT; HE WASN’T EVEN CONSIDERED A FUGITIVE. THAT MEANS AGENT VELA WOULD GET FULL CREDIT FOR THE ARREST, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE JOINT DOMICILE IN THE CASE. AS LONG AS HE, OR HIS COMPANIONS DIDN’T GET ARRESTED OR PULLED OVER, THEY MIGHT HAVE AN EDGE.

BOUDREAUX HAD SPENT A GOOD PORTION OF THE MORNING CONTEMPLATING ON WHAT HE WAS GOIND TO DO.
HE FIGURED THAT HE WOULD LOSE SOME CREDABILITY WITH THE GUYS, ESPECIALLY BILLY. THE REST OF THE GUYS HAD NO IDEA WHAT HE FELT ABOUT THE PLAN; MOST OF THEM COULD CARE LESS. ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THEY WERE
GOING TO CONTINUE ON WITH WHAT THEY HAD PLANNED.
ROB AND SCORCESE HAD BOTH CAME UP WITH AN IDEA OF WHERE TO GO. RUBIO AGREED TO STAY BEHIND WITH BILLY AND GO IN SEARCH OF TOOLS TO USE FOR THE BACK UP PLAN. SINCE BOUDREAUX HAD FEIGNED ABOUT BEING SICK HE DIDN’T GO. INSTEAD, WINCHESTER WENT ALONG FOR THE RIDE. THEY USED THE FORD TAURUS TO DRIVE DOWN HWY 81 TO FIND A SHORTER ROUTE TO THE NATIONAL CEMETARY. SINCE BEING SUBTLE WASN’T A PART OF THEIR PLANS, THEY HAD INSTRUCTED WINCHESTER TO RENT A FORD VAN AND DRIVE THEM OUT TO THE CEMETARY
GROUNDS. BASED ON CAREFUL PLANNING, THE GROUP HAD EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED TO CONCOCT THEIR PLAN. WINCHESTER HAD LEFT SHORTLY AFTER THE GROUP HAD ARRIVED, AND WENT TO A HARD WARE STORE TO PURCHASE SUPPLIES.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY IS A LARGE GOVERNMENT TRACT OF LAND, BUT IT IS ACTUALLY DIVIDED IN TWO PARTS. MOSTLY, VIP’S, HEADS OF STATE, MEDAL OF HONOR AWARDEES, AND OTHER DIGNITARIES ARE INTERRED IN THE MAIN AREA.
THAT AREA INCLUDES THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. IT IS USUALLY PATROLLED BY ELEMENTS OF THE OLD GUARD. LUCKILY FOR THEM, THE OBJECT OF THEIR SEARCH WAS ON THE RELATIVELY UNPROTECTED SIDE OF THE
CEMETARY. MOSTLY, SOLDIERS WHO WERE DOUBLE BRONZE STARS, OR SILVER STAR AWARDEES WERE NOMINATED FOR A FINAL RESTING SPOT ON THIS PARTICULAR SIDE.

ROB AND SCORCESE HAD STAYED OUT AMONG PATRONS AND WORKERS SCOUTING OUT THE AREA. THEY STAYED AS LONG AS THEY COULD: THEY HAD FOUND THE OBJECT THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR.

JUST WAITING FOR WINCHESTER TO COME BACK, TO NOT GET CAUGHT CARRYING TOOLS HAD THEM WORRIED.
SOON THEREAFTER, PEOPLE HAD STARTED TO DRIFT AWAY, AND SOON NO MORE GROUND PERSONNEL WERE AROUND.
IT MUST HAVE FELT GOOD TO THE GUYS; SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE EVENING CHILL. WINDS BLOWING STEADILY, LEAVES RUSTLING IN THE TREES ON A CLEAR AUTUNM NIGHT.
FEELING THE COOL, NIGHT TIME WIND BLOWING AGAINST HIS FACE, ROB HAD TO FIGHT AN URGE TO LIGHT UP A CIGARETTE. TOO BAD, SCORCESE COULDN’T. ROB NOTICED A FLICKER OF LIGHT, WHICH CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION.
HE TURNED TO SEE
THE OWL LIKE FORM OF SCORCESE PUFFING AWAY ON A CIGARETTE. WITH THE LIGHT OF THE MOON GLINTING OF HIS GLASSES, AND OBVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT IF HE COULD SEE THE FLAME OF THE CIGARETTE, SO COULD SOMEONE ELSE.
HE COULDN’T BELIEVE IT, HE STANDING THERE WITH HIS CHEEKS PUFFED OUT DRAGGING ON A CIGARETTE!

“HEY MAN, YOU DUMB ASS.” “PUT THAT SHIT OUT!” ROB WAS INCREDULOUSLY CONTEMPLATING DECKING HIM. THEY COULD WOUND UP GETTING CAUGHT AND ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING.

THEY STILL HAD TO WAIT AROUND FOR ALMOST AN HOUR, THEN THEY CAUGHT SIGHT OF A FIGURE CARRYING A COLEMAN LANTERN WITH A HOOD OVER HIS HEAD, AND SOME TYPE OF CANVAS BAG CARRIED OVER HIS SHOULDER.
THEY RAN OVER TO WHERE HE WAS WALKING. EVIDENTLY, HE GOT THE TEXT ON WHICH LOCATION, WHAT PLOT TO HEAD TO. HE HAD TAKEN A LONG TIME GATHERING SUPPLIES, AND COMING BACK. NO ONE NOTICED THEM LOITERING AROUND; PASSING THE SAME GRAVE MARKERS TIME AND TIME AGAIN. HOWEVER, WINCHESTER HAD COME THROUGH, AND SOON HE WAS THERE AT THE CORRECT SPOT.

DIGGING. GRUNTING AND GROANING, HE WAS SHOVING DIRT TO THE SIDE. SCORCESE HOLDING THE LAMP, UNTIL ROB TOOK IT FROM HIM AND TOLD HIM TO GRAB A SHOVEL. IT TOOK NEALY 2 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE GRIZZLY TASK AT HAND. WHEN THEY HAD COMPLETED DIGGING UP THE CORPSE, AND WRAPPED IT IN A BLACK BODY BAG PROVIDED BY WINCHESTER. THEY NOTICED SCORCESE HAD BEGUN HYPERVENTILATING REAL BAD.
THEY TOLD HIM TO SIT FOR A SPELL, AND ROB TOOK THE OTHER END OF THE BAG, AND HELPED WINCHESTER CARRY IT DOWN THE SLOPE TO HIDE IT AMONG THE BUSHES.

THEY CAME BACK WHERE SCORCESE WAS RECOVERING, AND RE-PACKED THE MOUND OF DIRT. IT WAS A VERY MURKY DARKNESS IN THE CEMETARY WHEN THEY PROCEEDED OUT TOWARD THE VAN.
THEY HAD TO RISK BEING NOTICED HAULING THE BODY BAG FROM BEHIND THE BUSHES, THEN GOING SEVERAL FEET UP TO THE CURB TO LOAD THE BODY IN. BUT THEY FINALLY MADE IT! EVERYONE WAS SHIVERING AND SHAKING, MOSTLY BECAUSE IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE.

ALL THREE LIT UP CIGARETTES AT THE SAME TIME; SCORCESE SHAKING AND NERVOUSNESS PREVENTED HIM FROM ENJOYING HIS. WINCHESTER HAD SMOKED TWO, WHILE ROB WAS STILL ON HIS FIRST ONE, THEN THEY WERE READY TO DEPART. PLAN A, B, AND C HAD GONE ON AS PLANNED. NOW, IT WAS ON TO PLAN D, AND THEN PLAN E. IT WAS ONE LONG PART, LEADING TO ANOTHER.

…. RUBIO WAS USING BILLY’S PHONE WHEN A MYSTERIOUS CALL HAD COME THROUGH. ALL HE KNEW, IT WAS SOME CHICK ON THE OTHER END; ASKING ABOUT BILLY, SAYING SHE KNEW ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS THAT HAD TREATED BILLY AT THE HOSPITAL. SHE ASKED HOW HE LIKED THE AREA. HE PLAYED EVERYTHING OFF: ANSWERING QUESTIONS WITH, “YES, NO, I CANT STAND BEING HERE.” STUFF A PERSON WOULD EXPECT A TELEMARKETER TO SAY. BUT HE MANAGED TO NOT REVEAL ANYTHING, AND ENDED THE CONVERSATION. THEN HE WENT OVER TO BILLY’S ROOM
TO DISCUSS IT, AND HAD TO WAIT 2 MINUTES OUT IN THE HALLWAY. BILLY WAS IN THE CAN. WHEN HE CAME OUT, HE ANSWERED THE DOOR WITH A CAN OF ‘SUMMER BREEZE’ GLADE IN HIS HANDS. ‘DUDE’. RUBIO THOUGHT, ‘MUST HAVE HAD SOME EXTRA KIND OF FUNK.’ HE LOOKED AROUND, REMEMBERING THAT OLD GRAY SERGEANT BOUDREAUX
WASN’T AROUND, AND NEITHER WAS ANY OF HIS BELONGINGS. “WHERE DID THAT OLD FART GO?” “I DUNNO, I WAS TAKING A CRAP AND READING MAXIM MAGAZINE.” THEY LOOKED OUTSIDE, AND DISCOVERED HIS CAR WAS GONE.

…. BOUDREAUX HAD LEFT ONE HOUR AFTER THE GUYS LEFT. HE WASN’T SURE OF WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO, BUT HE WASN’T GOING TO STAY AROUND TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. HE WAS ON THE MAIN ROAD, AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. HE HAD A REAL WEIRD FEELING ABOUT THE LADY SITTING IN A CHEVY BLAZER.
SHE WAS WATCHING HIM INQUISITELY, ALMOST AS IF SHE REMEMBERED HIM SOMEWHERE.

VELA WAS ON HER WAY BACK FROM PICKING UP COMPOSITES OF MILITARY FILES FROM THE STATES ADJUCTANTS OFFICE. THE OFFICE WORKS HAND-IN HAND WITH THE MILITARY THROUGH THE NATIONAL GUARD THROUGH INTERNAL AFFAIRS THAT HANDLES INVESTIGATIONS.
SHE CONTACTED THE ‘WALRUS’ TO TELL HIM WHAT HAD TRANSPIRED, AND WAS ON HER WAY TO MEET UP AT THE ‘REGENCY INN’ LOBBY.
SITTING IN A TAN, JEEP WRANGLER AT THE SAME STOP LIGHT ADJACENT FROM HER WAS A FAMILIAR FACE, SHE HAD SEEN IN A DATA FILE. HE DECIDED IT WAS NO BIG DEAL, JUST SOME CRAZY WOMAN WHO CAUGHT HIM EYEING HER FIRST, AND THEN STARING BACK.

THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND HE PRESSED THE ACCELLERATOR GENTLY, DRIVING OFF AND CONTEMPLATING JUST HOW FAR HE HAD GOTTEN OUT OF TROUBLE. HE FAILED TO SEE THE CHEVY BLAZER DRIVE PASS THEN BUST A U-TURN BEHIND HIM.
WHEN ROB, SCORCESE AND WINCHESTER RETURNED, THEY WERENT PREPARED TO FIND OUT THAT THE OLD MAN HAD VANISHED. THEY LEFT TWO MEN BEHIND TO WATCH OVER HIM, AND CONTACT THEM IF HE DID SOMETHING FISHEY.

RUBIO AND BILLY DIDN’T SEEM TO BE COMPETENT ENOUGH TO HANDLE THINGS. NOW, THEIR HANDS WERE FORCED, AND THEY HAD TO ACCELERATE THEIR PLANS, AND GET THAT CORPSE AND THE GUYS OVER TO THEIR NEXT LOCATION BEFORE THEIR PLANS COME CRASHING DOWN AROUND THEM.

WHAT WAS DISCUSSED THE MOST WAS THEY HAD TO USE THEIR ORIGINAL VAN THE LEAST, JUST TO HELP MAINTAIN A LOW PROFILE. NOT KNOWING WHAT THE OLD GEEZER WAS UP TO WAS THE HARDEST THING TO ACCEPT. WAS HE GOING TO THE POLICE WITH HIS STORY? WAS HE AN IFORMANT WITH CID, OR THE FEDS? BILLY HOPED NOT.
HE HAD TOO MUCH TRUST IN THE OLD DUDE; EVEN VOUCHED FOR HIM.

AT ANY RATE; THE GUYS EITHER TRASHED THINGS THEY DIDN’T NEED, AND QUICKLY PACKED AWAY THEIR BELONGINGS. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE BY ROB, WHILE THE OTHER GUYS WERE CLEANING UP, AND PACKING STUFF IN TWO VEHICLES. “LOOK HERE SPORT.” ROB BEGAN TALKING TO HIM. “YOU BETTER HOPE BOUDREAUX DON’T GO TELL NO ONE.” “HERES HOW THIS CAN GO BAD.” “IF YOU DON’T GET CONTACT WITH HIM AND ASK HIM ‘WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?’
YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF IN A BAG NEXT TO THAT FUCKER!” REELING WITH SHOCK, AND HORRIFIED AT WHAT ROB SAID. “WHAT IF I MAKE CONTACT WITH HIM, AND PUT YOU ON THE PHONE, WILL YOU TALK TO HIM?” BILLY OFFERED AS A RE BUTTLE. “OH, WE CAN TALK. IF HE DOESN’T LISTEN OR DO SOMETHING FUNNY, IM GOING TO WHACK YOU AND HIM!” “HOPE YOU GET A HOLD OF HIM.”
NOTHING COULD HAVE PUT MORE OF A DAMPER ON THINGS, THAN HAVING THE OLD MAN MISSING AND HAVING TO STEP UP THEIR PLANS. WHAT WAS WORST, IF THEY RUN OUT OF ROOM TO PUT STUFF; OR IF THEY HAVE TO DITCH FRANKLIN’S VAN. WHO WAS GOING TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEAD BODY?

BOUDREAUX WAS RIDING ALONG, HEADING TOWARD DOWNTOWN. ABOUT 2 CARS LENGTH BEHIND WAS AGENT VELA IN HER CHEVY BLAZER. SHE WAS CERTAIN IT WAS HIM, BILLY’S FORMER SUPERVISOR. IT WAS CLEAR ENOUGH HE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR, BUT WHAT THE BLAZES HE WAS UP TO? SHE DECIDED TO FOLLOW AT A DISTANCE, SEE WHERE HE
WAS HEADED. IN THE MEANWHILE, SHE ACTIVATED HER BLUE TOOTH DEVICE TO PLACE A CALL WITH THE AGENTS.

…. THE GUYS CAME UP WITH A PLAN: ALL THE TOOLS, THE TOOL ROLL, AND THE TACK BOX, EVEN THE FOOTWEAR THEY USED OUT AT THE CEMETARY WAS LOADED UP IN THE RENTAL VAN. THE ONE WITH THE DEAD BODY INSIDE. ALL OF THE OTHER BELONGINGS WERE CRAMMED IN THE TRUNK OF THE FORD FOCUS, AS WELL AS THE BACK SEAT.
FRANKLIN’S VAN WAS TO BE USED AS A DECOY. SINCE, BOTH RUBIO AND BILLY HAD DROPPED THE BALL; THEY COULDN’T BE TRUSTED TO RIDE TOGETHER. RUBIO WAS ASSIGNED TO BE DRIVER OF THE DECOY VAN.

WINCHESTER VOLUNTEERED TO DRIVE THE RENTAL, LADEN WITH ALL THE EVIDENCE, INCLUDING THE BODY. PROUD THAT HE STEPPED UP TO TAKE ON THE TASK; ROB ENTRUSTED HIM BY HANDING HIM BILLY’S HAND GUN WITH AN EXTRA CLIP, AND A PAPER BAG CONTAINING EXTRA AMMUNITION. THEN, HE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE POSSIBILTY OF DEALING WITH BILLY, IF IT CAME DOWN TO IT. HE AGREED, OF COURSE AND REQUESTED BILLY RIDE WITH HIM.
THAT LEFT ROB AND SCORCESE RIDING TOGETHER IN THE FORD FOCUS.
ENSURING EVERYONE LOADED UP, ROB AND WINCHESTER WENT FROM ROOM TO ROOM. THEY WERE CHECKING ROOMS, LOCKING THE DOORS, AND PERSONALLY ENSURING EVERYONE HAD CHECKED OUT OF THEIR ROOMS.
THEN THEY PROCEEDED OUT AS A GROUP.

BOUDREAUX TURNED UP AT A BIG CONVENIENCE STORE/ GAS STOP THAT HAD ONE OF THOSE ‘HARDEES’ LOOK ALIKE RESTURANTS INSIDE. HE HAD RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM BILLY AND HAD TO WAIT UNTIL HE PULLED OFF IN THE PARKING LOT TO CALL HIM BACK.
UNBEKNOWNST, AGENT VELA HAD TURNED INTO THE OFF RANP, FOLLOWED HIM FROM BEHIND, AND MADE THE SAME RIGHT TURN ON TO PATRIOT’S BOULEVARD, AND TURNED LEFT BUT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE TRACTOR TRAILER SECTION AND CIRCLED BACK AROUND. SHE DROVE AROUND TO THE CORNER WHERE THE DUMPSTERS WERE LINED ALONG A METAL FENCE AND PARKED. GETTING OUT OF HER RIDE, AND USING HER MINOLTA CAMERA, WHICH DOUBLED UP AS BINOCULARS, SHE WAS ABLE TO PICK OUT THE JEEP WRANGLER PARKED ALONG A CURB NEAR THE STORE.
SHE WAS ABLE TO MAKE OUT HIS FEATURES, HIS BODY LANGUAGE AND GUESTERING WHILE EMBROILED IN A CONVERSATION
ON A CELL PHONE. SHE QUICKLY SNAPPED TWO COMPOSITES AND DUCKED BACK AROUND THE CORNER. SOON AS SHE RETURNED TO HER VEHICLE HER CELL PHONE STARTED CHIRPING. IT WAS AGENT BROWN. SINCE VELA WAS A GOVERNMENT AGENT, AND HE WAS A FED. HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPROACH BOUDREAUX, HOPING TO GET HIM TO
COOPERATE, AND THEN TAKE HIM FOR A RIDE. VELA WASN’T TOO THRILLED WITH THE IDEA, BUT PROMISED TO CONTINUE SURVEILANCE JUST IN CASE HE TRIED TO LEAVE THE AREA.

IT TOOK THE GROUP ALMOST A DAYS TRAVEL AND A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON GAS TO GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THEIR DESTINATION. THE BOYS DIDN’T WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES BY DRAWING ANY ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES. HAVING TWO OVER CROWDED VANS, ONE OF THEM MUDDY UP TO THE BUMPERS; AND ONE CAR FULL OF BELONGINGS WAS ENOUGH TO DRAW SUSPICION. PLUS THEY HAD A PRECIOUS CARGO IN THE RENTAL VAN, AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO RISKY TO BE AROUND SOME MOTEL. INSTEAD, THEY LOCATED A TRUCK STOP, AND EVERYONE PARKED IN A DIFFERENT SPOT.
WINCHESTER HAD GONE OUT FOR A SMOKE. HE WAS JUST ABIDING HIS TIME; WAITING FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT TO ASK BILLY ABOUT THE CONVERSATION HE HAD ON HIS PHONE MOMENTS AGO.

BOUDREAUX DIDN’T STOP TO FUEL UP HIS VEHICLE. INSTEAD, HE WENT INSIDE AND ORDERED 2 VEGGIE BURGERS, AND LARGE FRIES. HE BOUGHT 2 MOUNTAIN DEWS, AND A CAN OF SKOAL. HE POURED OUT ONE BOTTLE
OF MOUNTAIN DEW ON THE GROUND SO HE CAN HAVE AN EMPTY BOTTLE TO SPIT IN. AS HE STARTED HIS ENGINE, AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT; A TAN EXPEDITION DARTED FORWARD AND BLOCKED HIM FROM MOVING.

HE STARTED TO BLARE HIS HORN, BOTH OBSERVED FROM THE SIDE MIRROR, A FIGURE WEARING A BUSINESS SUIT WITH A BADGE COMING HIS WAY. THE SUITED PERSON IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS AGENT O’REILLY. HE ASKED BOUDREAUX TO PULL FORWARD AND PARK. HE WANTED TO TALK TO HIM. ‘OH SHIT.’ BOUDREAUX THOUGHT. ‘WHAT DID THEM
ASSHOLES GET ME INTO.’ HE PARKED, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, REMOVED THE KEYS, AND GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND LOCKED THE DOOR.
HE WAS TOLD TO GET IN THE BACK SEAT. HE OBLIGED AND GOT IN. ONCE SEATED INSIDE, HE ASKED WAS HE UNDER ARREST. HE WAS TOLD, NOT AT THE MOMENT. HE WAS TO BE BROUGHT IN FOR QUESTIONING. UNLESS HE WAS NOT GOING TO COOPERATE, HE COULD BE DETAINED UNTIL CID WAS NOTIFIED. IF HE COOPERATE AND TALK, A DEAL COULD BE MADE TO DELAY SUCH ARREST ORDERS. HE WAS SIMPLY TOO TIRED TO PUT UP ANY RESISTANCE AND AGREED TO HAVE A TALK WITH THEM.
THEY DROVE OFF TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON PATRIOT’S BOULEVARD. AGENT VELA WAS TOLD TO MEET THE AGENTS AT A SUPER 6 MOTEL OFF THE FREE WAY. SHE RESERVED A FAMILY SIZED ROOM, WHICH HAD A LARGE SIZE LIVING ROOM AREA, WITH AN ENCLOSED PATIO: PERFECT PLACE FOR AN INTERVIEW OR AN INTERROGATION.

SHE WAS EATING AN APPLE PIE, AND PICKING THROUGH SOME POTATO WEDGES WHEN SHE HEARD A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. PEEPING THROUGH THE PEEP HOLE, SHE OBSERVED AGENTS BROWN AND O’REILLY, AND SOME GANGLY LOOKING, BESPECTLED MAN WITH THEM. AS THEY ENTERED THE DOOR, THEY INTRODUCED THE OLD MAN AS STAFF SERGEANT BOUDREAUX FROM FORT CAMPBELL. WHEN THEY BROUGHT HIM UP, HE WAS SEARCHED BEFORE HAND, AND SURRENDERED HIS HAND GUN FOR SAFE KEEPING; BUT HE WASN’T TOLD HE WAS GOING TO BE MEETING A CID AGENT.
HE WAS INTRODUCED TO “SUZIE” WHO WAS AN ASSISTANT TO THEM. THEY SHOWED HIM TO THE LIVING ROOM AND ASKED IF HE WANTED A DRINK. PAUSING, THEN ASKING WHAT THEY HAD TO DRINK. PEPSI, SPRITE, BOTTLE WATER. ANYTHING HEAVY HE ASKED. “SURE.” BROWN SAID. “THAT’S WHY WE HAVE AN ASSISTANT.” BROWN SAID. “SUZIE, GET ROOM SERVICE ON THE LINE.” “ORDER UP SOME SCOTCH OR WHISKEY.” AGENT O’REILLY SPOKE. “ALREADY HAVE THE BOTTLES, GENTLEMEN.” VELA SAID. “HERE, I’LL GET HIM A GLASS, YOU GUYS WANT A DRINK TOO?
OFF DUTY FOR A WHILE.” “WELL, ONE OF YOU IS.” “YOU DRIVING JIM.” “I’M JUST TAKING NOTES.” SAID O’REILLY. “SO, HOW ABOUT IT SARGE?” “I’LL TAKE THE SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS.” BOUDREAUX SAID.

…. WINCHESTER HAD BILLY BY THE COLLAR OF HIS SHIRT, DEMANDING WHOM HE WAS TALKING TO, AND WHAT DID HE KNOW ABOUT BOUDREAUX LEAVING. “I DUNNO, I DUNNO. HE DIDN’T SAY WHERE HE WAS GOING.” “YOU BETTER TELL ME YOU GUTLESS SHIT.” “YOU KNOW WHERE HE WENT!”

BY THAT TIME, ROB AND THE OTHER GUYS HAD GATHERED AROUND, DRAWN IN BY THE COMMOTION. WINCHESTER WAS ACCUSING BILLY OF TELLING BOUDREAUX ABOUT THE PLOT, AND NOW HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO KNEW WHERE HE WENT. THEY CROWDED AROUND HIM, DEMANDING TO KNOW WHAT HIS FORMER MENTOR WAS UP TO.
ALL HE WOULD SAY WAS THAT HE TALKED TO HIM, AND HE JUST DIDN’T WANT TO BE A PART OF THE PLOT ANYMORE.
HE LEFT. ROB FINALLY INTERVENED, AND SAID. “GIVE ME YOUR PHONE.” “ I WILL HOLD THIS BITCH UNTIL HE DECIDES TO CALL.” “IF HE DON’T CALL, THAT MEANS HE JUST MAKING A RUN FOR IT.” “BUT IF HE DO CALL, IT’S A SETUP.” “THEY WILL MAKE HIM CALL SO THEY CAN TRACK US, WHERE EVER WE AT.”

“THEY CAN TRACK US ON A CELL PHONE?” “MAN,” ROB SAID. “SOMEONE TALK TO HIM.” “THE FEDS GOT HIM, ASSHOLE.” REMARKED WINCHESTER. “THEY CAN GET HIM TO CALL YOU, EITHER EAVESDROP ON THE CALL, OR HE TELL THEM WHERE WE HEADING OFF TO.” “HE DON’T KNOW WHERE WE GOING TO!” “I DIDN’T TELL HIM!” BILLY EXPLAINED.
“I HOPE YOU RIGHT FOR YOUR SAKE!” “I’M GOING TO HOLD ON TO YOUR PHONE, AND WE RIDING TOGETHER IN THE VAN.” “SOMETHING HAPPEN, THEY CALL OR TEXT, IF I THINK WE BEING TRACKED, I’M GOING TO POP YO’ ASS AND DUMP YOU ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOAH!”

“AW MAN, I DIDN’T TELL HIM ANYTHING!” “WAIT A MINUTE.” “YOU RIDE IN THE VAN, WHERE I’M GOING TO BE?” WINCHESTER ASKED. ROB EXPLAINED THEY WOULD HAVE TO SPLIT UP. WINCHESTER AND HE WOULD SWAP PLACES.
EVERYONE ELSE WOULD LEAVE AN HOUR EARLY, WHILE HE AND BILLY STAYED BEHIND IN THE DECOY VAN.
IT MADE NO SENSE. THEY GOT THE PACKAGE FOR ONE REASON. TO GO ON TO THEIR NEXT SITE: THE CLIMAX
OF THEIR MASTERFUL PLAN. SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS, THEY GET CAUGHT WITH THE BODY IN THE VAN!

BEFORE THEY LEFT, ROB TALKED PRIVATELY WITH WINCHESTER; DISCUSSING WHAT TO DO IN CASE THE FEDS CAUGHT UP WITH THEM.
“PREPARE TO LEAVE IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES, COME WITH ME SLICK, YOU DRIVE AND I’LL RIDE SHOTGUN.” SHAKING HIS HEAD AFTER ROB, RUBIO THOUGHT HOW COMPLICATED THINGS HAVE BEGUN.


Chapter 8: ..... Continued from the recent, very long passage, coming up on the final stretch:


BILLY DIDN’T FEEL COMFORTABLE AT ALL; RIDING WITH ROB. HE JUST COULDN’T FIGURE WHY THE LAST MINUTE SWITCH! NOT ONLY WAS HE WITH ANOTHER MEAN PERSON, HE WAS IN THE DECOY VAN. HOWEVER,
WITH ROB RIDING SHOTGUN ALONG SIDE HIM. ALSO, THEY WERE SOON GOING TO BE ALL ALONE.

RUBIO WAS NOW, BY HIMSELF DRIVING THE FORD FOCUS. RIGHT BEHIND HIM WAS WINCHESTER AND SCORCESE IN
THE RENTAL VAN; THE ONE CARRYING THE BODY INSIDE. THERE WAS NO NEED TO FEEL SUSPICIOUS. BUT IF ROB DID SOMETHING WHILE THEY WERE GONE; EVERYONE WOULD SURELY FEEL GUILTY. NOT ONLY WAS HE A HOT HEAD, SHORT TEMPERED GUY, HE HAD SOME SERIOUS ISSUES. SOON, THE FIRST PART OF THE GROUP HAD DRIVEN OFF.
BILLY NOW FELT LIKE THE LONELIEST GUY IN THE WORLD. HE WAS SURPRISED, THOUGH IT WAS A CALM, SMOOTH MINUTE OR TWO AFTER THE FIRST GROUP HAD DRIVEN OFF.

ROB LIT UP A CIGARETTE AND WALKED OFF, WHISTLING AND SNAPPING HIS FINGER TO A TUNE. BILLY WALKED FROM THE BACK, UP TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND OPENED THE DOOR. HE DECIDED TO SIT BACK AND CHILL; WAITING FOR WHEN THEY HAD TO LEAVE THE AREA.

…. BOUDREAUX WAS SITTING ON A COUCH BY THE TELEVISION, WHICH WAS SHOWING A PROGRAM ON CNN. HE WAS SITTING THERE IN A REAL FUNK. HE HAD BEEN GRILLED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. IT DIDN’T MATTER TO THE AGENTS THAT HE WAS INEBRIATED, THEY JUST WANTED INFORMATION. ONE MINUTE THEY WOULD ASK HIM NICELY; THEN THE
NEXT SECOND SCREAMING AT HIM FOR PROTECTING SOMEONE ELSE. THEY KNEW HE WAS NOT INVOLVED DIRECTLY, BUT HE KNEW WHO WERE. SINCE HE REFUSED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH BILLY ON HIS PHONE, THEY CONFISCATED IT TO USE AS EVIDENCE.
WHEN THE AGENTS RETURNED, THEY ANNOUNCED THAT A WARRANT WAS ISSUED AGAINST HIM; AND THAT HE WILL BE TURNED OVER TO CID. THEY TOOK HIM FOR A LONG DRIVE ACROSS TOWN. HE FELT SAD, DEPRESSED, AND VERY, VERY
OLD; SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT. HE WAS THINKING TO HIMSELF, WHAT NEXT?

BILLY WAS SOUND ASLEEP IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT, WHEN HE WAS AWAKENED BY ROB OPENING THE SIDE DOOR. ALL HE SAID WAS, “YO, LETS GET READY TO ROLL OUT.” HE STARTED UP THE ENGINE, AND LET IT IDLE FOR A WHILE, THEN TURNED THE CLIMATE CONTROL DIAL TO MEDIUM HEAT. THEY DROVE OFF AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST GROUP DEPARTED. MEANWHILE, AT THAT PRESENT MOMENT, THE REST OF THE GROUP WAS ABOUT 100 MILES FROM THEIR DESTINATION. MOST OF THEM WERE DEALING WITH A GREAT DEAL OF
APPREHENSION, AND SOME WERE WORRYING ABOUT THE SERIES OF EVENTS THAT AFFECTED THEM. EVERYONE KNEW THEIR ROLE; THEY HAD WENT OVER THE DETAILS, STEP-BY STEP.

EVEN WHEN THE PLAN WAS ALMOST COMPROMISED, THEY HAD ADAPTED AND CAME UP WITH MEASURES THAT ENABLED THEM TO ACT ON THE MOMENT. TOO BAD THE PLAN WAS ALTERED. WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY PARKED A MILE AWAY IN AN UNDISCLOSED AREA. AS THE DEFACTO LEADER, WINCHESTER HAD TO ENSURE THE VAN WAS PARKED IN A WAY NOT TO BRING ATTENTION.
HE HAD RUBIO COME WITH HIM, AND SCORCESE STAY BEHIND: HE DIDN’T TRUST RUBIO TO BE BY HIMSELF. SO, THE TWO OF THEM WALKED THE WHOLE KLICK UP TO THE ‘EVEREST CREMERY AND BURIAL PREPARATIONS’ BUILDING.

WHEN THEY FINALLY REACHED THE BUILDING, THEY DECIDED TO MAKE MENTAL NOTES OF WHERE TO PARK THE VAN, WHERE TO FIND THE MOST FAST, AND FEASIBLE SPOT TO GO IN AND OUT. THEY WENT INSIDE AND HAD TO RING THE BELL ON THE COUNTER. A SHORT TIME LATER, A MIDDLE-AGED MAN WITH A BEARD WALKED IN FROM THE BACK AND
ASKED THEM, ‘CAN I HELP YOU?’ HE INFORMED THEM HE WAS CLEGG NARVES, THE MANAGER. WINCHESTER TOLD HIM THEY WERE STUDENTS FROM A NEAR BY COLLEGE, INTERESTED IN HOW BODIES WERE EMBALMED, THEN TAKEN TO BE CREMATED. RUBIO WAS ALLOWED TO SPEAK, AND ASKED HIM HOW LONG WAS THE PROCESS, AND WHAT IT
COST TO HAVE IT DONE. THEN CLEGG WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS, AND EVEN TOOK THEM TO THE ROOM WHICH RESEMBLED A LABORATORY. IT HAD ALL TYPES OF BEAKERS, VALVES PROTRUDING FROM THE WALLS; JARS WITH ALL TYPES OF DISGUSTING, SMELLY FLUIDS, AND A BIG FURNACE IN THE REAR.

AFTERWHICH, HE AGREED TO HAVE THEM COME BACK, AND HAVE A TALK. THEY WOULD BE COMING BACK SOONER THAN HE EXPECTED. IN THE MEANWHILE, THE GROUP WOULD HAVE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ROB AND DISCUSS WHAT TO DO NEXT. “WHAT TO DO NEXT?” “I’M STUCK OUT HERE WITH BILLY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, AND YOU ARE ASKING ME WHAT TO DO NEXT?”
HE PAUSED, THEN CONTINUED. “WE OUT HERE KEEPING A LOOK OUT FOR THE COPS, WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?”

“WE WENT OVER TO THE CREMATORY BUILDING, SPOKE TO THE MAN.” “DID YOU SET SOMETHING UP?” “YEAH”, RUBIO OBJECTIVELY REPLIED. HE WAS TIRED OF BEING PRESSURED TO EXPLAIN HIMSELF.
BUT THEY TALKED OVER THE PHONE FOR FIVE MORE MINUTES ON WHAT THEY WOULD DO THE FOLLOWING DAY.

A SERIES OF EVENTS WERE BEGINNING TO COME IN PLACE. WEDNESDAY, 4:15 PM THE GROUP SHOWED UP AS THEY SAID THEY WOULD. FIRST, THEY HAD TO USE A DIVERSION: THE DECOY VAN WAS MOVED FROM IT’S DESIGNATED SPOT AND PARKED IN AN AREA SO IT WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. RUBIO PICKED UP SCORCESE, AND THEY DROVE OUT TO WHERE THE VAN WAS PARKED TO PICK UP ROB, AND REPLACE HIM WITH SCORCESE.
NOT TOO SOON, AFTER GETTING EVERYONE ORGANIZED; THEY PROCEEDED OVER TO THE CREMATORY BUILDING AS A GROUP.
THIS TIME THE VAN WAS PARKED ALONG SIDE THE CURB. THEY WENT INSIDE LIKE MEN ON A MISSION. MR. NARVES MET
THEM AT THE COUNTER, AND LISTENED TO THEIR DEMANDS. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF DELIBERATING, AND SHOWING NARVES THEY MEANT BUSINESS; THEY OFFERED HIM A BRIBE THAT HE GENEROUSLY ACCEPTED.
AFTERWHICH, ROB WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR AND SIGNALED FOR WINCHESTER TO BRING THE VAN FORWARD. AFTER CONFIRMING WITH NARVES IF IT WAS OKAY TO USE THE BACK ENTRANCE, THEY WENT OUT TO ASSIST WINCHESTER WITH CARRYING THE BODY AROUND TO THE BACK DOOR. ONCE UNLOCKED, THEY PROCEEDED INSIDE.

WHETHER HE WAS SOLD ON THEIR STORY OR NOT, IT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT MONEY WAS HIS MOTIVATION, FOR HE COMPLIED. AFTER ALL, A JOB WAS A JOB. ONCE ENSURED, HE WOULD DO THE TASK, THE GROUP WERE SATISFIED AND LEFT. THE CREMATORIAN TECHNICIANS BEGAN THE GRUESOME TASK AT HAND. FEELING GREAT THAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED ANOTHER STEP IN THEIR PROCESS, THE GROUP WENT BACK TO THEIR PLANNED ROUTINE. WHEN THEY WENT TO DROP OFF ROB, BACK AT HIS POSITION; IT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT RUBIO WAS STILL CONFUSED ABOUT THE SITUATION. NOT TO MENTION THAT SOMEONE COULD BE WATCHING: ROB GOING BACK TO THE DECOY VAN, AND SCORCESE GETTING OUT AND REPLACING HIM IN THE RENTAL VAN.

EVENTHOUGH, ROB AND BILLY WERE GOING TO DRIVE OFF AND PROCEED IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION JUST TO THROW ANYONE OFF THEIR TRAIL; EVEN MAKE A RUN TO EVADE CAPTURE IF NECESSARY. IT WAS, AS IF GETTING CLOSE TO FINALIZING THEIR PLAN WAS NERVE WRACKING ENOUGH. NEW PROBLEMS ALWAYS SEEM TO COME AND REPLACE OLD PROBLEMS.
RUBIO WAS SITTING IN THE CAR, LAYING BACK WITH THE SEAT RECLYINED, LISTENING TO SOFT, SALSA MUSIC ON THE RADIO. WINCHESTER WALKED UP AND TAPPED ON THE SLIGHTLY LOWERED WINDOW. “HEY BUDDY, WE CAN MOVE BACK TO THE ROAD.” “MOVE BY THE CREMATORIUM BUILDING.” THAT MEANT HE RECEIVED A CALL FROM
THE BUILDING THAT THE PROCESS WAS COMPLETED.
THEY DIDN’T WANT TO DRAW SUSPICION, PARKED ALONG SIDE THE CURB MORE THAN 24 HOURS. THEY HAD MOVED THE VEHICLES 10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, AND PARKED OVER 50 FEET FROM ONE ANOTHER BUT FACED TOWARD EACH OTHER.

AT THE PRESENT TIME; THINGS WEREN’T GOING SO WELL WITH THE OTHER PART OF THE GROUP. THEY WERE SITTING IN THE VAN TALKING AS IF THEY WERE ON GOOD TERMS, WHEN BILLY NOTICED A SQUAD CAR DRIVING TOWARD THEM. IT WAS CRUISING AS IF CHECKING OUT THE VAN. IT DROVE PASS A FEW FEET, THEN STOPPED. THE POLICE SQUAD CAR STOPPED, AS IF THE OFFICER INSIDE WAS CHECKING SOMETHING ON HIS MDC OR MOBILE DIGITAL COMPUTER,
LOCATED ON THE VEHICLE’S DASHBOARD. THE CAR WENT A FEW MORE FEET, THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ROB TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND PUT THE VAN IN MOTION. INSTEAD OF DRIVING FORWARD, HE THREW THE VAN IN REVERSE, AS THE OFFICER ACTIVATED HIS SIREN AND TURNED ON THE LIGHTS TO THE
ROOF RACK. BILLY BARELY HAD TIME TO BUCKLE HIS SEAT BELTS, AS HE WAS SENT FORWARD INTO THE DASHBOARD. NEXT THING HE KNEW THEY WERE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.


Chapter 9: ..... Continued from the recent passage; on the final stretch:


…. UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE GUYS IN THE DECOY VAN RUBIO AND THE REST OF THE GUYS DROVE OFF, HEADED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE PLANNED RENDEVOUS. RUBIO HEARD WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE SOUND OF A POLICE SIREN IN THE DISTANCE.
THE GROUP WAS WELL ON THEIR WAY TO THE RENDEVOUS WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT BE FALLEN THE REST OF THEIR BUDDIES. RUBIO WAS GLAD HE HAD A BLUETOOTH ATTACHMENT ON HIS DASHBOARD, SO IT WAS SIMPLE FOR HIM TO PLACE A CALL TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH BILLY AND ROB. ALL HE RECEIVED WAS ‘SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE’. HE KEPT THE FACT HE COULDN’T REACH THE GROUP TO HIMSELF UNTIL LATER. THEY TOOK THE PURPLE HEART EXPRESSWAY, AND PROCEEDED NORTH. TRAVELING AT THE SPEED LIMIT WOULD GET THEM TO THEIR DESTINATION ABOUT ONE HOUR AND HALF.

…. BOUDREAUX WAS IN HAND CUFFS. EMBARRASSED MOSTLY, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE CAUGHT SIGHT OF HIM ENTERING THE TERMINAL OF THE BUS STATION. AS A REPRIEVE HE WAS STASHED AWAY IN ONE OF THE MANAGERS OFFICE UNTIL AGENT VELA COULD SIGN THE AGREEMENT FOR RIDING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WHICH WOULD ENABLE HIM TO RIDE THE REST OF THE WAY WITHOUT THEM. HE FELT HURT, DEJECTED AND WISHED HE WASN’T INVOLVED. HE WAS EVEN MORE DEVASTED WHEN HE OVERHEARD BROWN SAYING THAT ‘A BILLY HAD SENT A TEXT
TO BOUDREAUX’S PHONE. THAT WOULD REALLY PUT THE BLAME ON HIM FOR EXPOSING THE GUYS POSITION (S). THOUGH, HE STILL HAD REASON TO WORRY FOR BILLY.

BILLY WAS IN ACCOMPANIED WITH SOME VILE AGGRESSIVE GUYS, WHO MIGHT STOP AT ANYTHING TO CONTINUE ON
WITH THE PLAN. BUT, FOR ALL HE KNEW HE WAS ON A GREYHOUND BUS WITH AGENT VELA, HEADING BACK TO FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY. THERE WASN’T ANYTHING GOOD WAITING FOR HIM WHEN HE GOT THERE.

ROB AND BILLY HAD TURNED ONTO A DIRT ROAD WHILE BEING CHASED BY THE POLICE. IT LOOKED ALMOST LIKE A SCENE FROM ‘SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT’. THEY HAD PULLED AHEAD AT ONE POINT BUT THE OFFICER WAS VERY PERSISTANT AND STARTED TO GAIN GROUND.
AFTER A SERIES OF TURNS, THEY FOUND THEMSELVES APPROACHING ANOTHER ROADWAY. ONCE ON THE ROAD, ROB QUICKLY TOOK A SIDE ROAD. GLANCING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, HE NOTICED THE SQUAD CAR HAVING TO STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER.
LUCKILY FOR ROB AND BILLY, THEY WERE ON A SIDE ROAD HEADING TOWARD A FISHING RESORT. IMMEDIATELY ON THE RIGHT SIDE, WAS AN ENTRANCE TO THE LAKE. HE SLOWED DOWN CONSIDERABLY, WHILE EXECUTING A HARD RIGHT TURN. BILLY POINTED OUT A LARGE BEARM ON THE RIGHT, POINTED IT OUT TO ROB AND HE TOOK IT. ROB SLOWED DOWN EVEN MORE TO AVOID KICKING UP DIRT AND DEBRIS, AND PULLED TO A STOP.

FROM WHERE THEY WERE STOPPED THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MONITOR THE APPROACH OF THE SQUAD CAR.
SOON, THE SOUND OF A SIREN WAILED OUT ITS APPROACH. THEY WERE HOPING THE OFFICER DIDN’T NOTICE THE TURN THEY MADE. SURE ENOUGH, THEIR SUSPICIONS WERE CONFIRMED. THE OFFICER CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD, THINKING THE VAN WENT DOWN TO THE FISHING AREA.
SLOWLY, BUT SURELY ROB MADE A LEFT TURN THROUGH A GAP BETWEEN THE TREES AND WENT ALL THE WAY BACK TOWARD THE ROAD.

BACK ON THE HARD BALL HE DROVE CAUTIOUSLY, WHILE KEEPING A VIGILIANT LOOK OUT FOR ANY MORE PATROL CARS.

…. NOW THAT THE GROUP WAS ACROSS THE STATE LINE, 5 MILES INTO WEST VIRGINIA, THEY TOOK THE NEXT EXIT TO A REST AREA. RUBIO STAYED IN HIS VEHICLE, WHILE THE REST OF THE GUYS PARKED, AND DISEMBARKED TO SMOKE AND STRETCH THEIR LEGS. RUBIO ACTIVATED HIS BLUETOOTH DEVICE OVER THE CAR RADIO AND DIALED ROB’S
NUMBER. HE RECEIVED A DIAL TONE FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN A VOICE MAIL CAME ON. HE PRESSED THE END BUTTON, TERMINATING THE CALL. RUBIO UNPLUGGED THE BLUETOOTH, GRABBED THE CELL PHONE OFF THE CRADLE, AND WALKED AROUND THE PARKING LOT.
HE WENT UP TO THE ATRIUM, SAT ON A BENCH, DIALED THE NUMBER AGAIN. AFTER 3 RINGS HE GOT A SEMI-STATIC TRANSMISSION. BEFORE HE COULD END
THE CALL, HE HEARD ROB’S VOICE AMIDST THE STATIC, AND SOUNDS OF THE WIND BLOWING, SAYING, ‘I WILL CALL YOU BACK’. IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES A RING TONE LETTING HIM KNOW ITS ROB STARTED PLAYING.
HE OPENED THE FLAP TO TALK, AND LISTENED TO: “BRO, THIS SHIT DONE GONE BAD. LIL’ TRICK SET US UP.” RUBIO STARTED TO REPLY, BUT ROB CONTINUED: “COP CAR CHASED US, BUT WE LOST HIM, I HAD TO PULL OVER, DIDN’T LIKE THE ANSWER I GOT, SO I POPPED HIM!” “YOU DID WHAT?” PAUSING FOR A SECOND, ROB REPLIED, “YEAH I SHOT HIM,
PUSHED HIS ASS OUT THE CAR AND KEPT GOING.” “YEAH, I DID IT!”


*********************************************************************************************************************************
I'm sorry, but I will clean this up tomorrow! Have to get some sleep.

Continuing with the rest of the chapter ***********************************************************************************

SHOCKED, NUMB WITH TREPIDATION, RUBIO STRUGGLED TO GET HIS VOICE. “DAMN MAN, YOU TRIPPING!”
“THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!” “CHECK IT!” ROB SAID. “STALL THAT SHIT, WHATS DONE IS DONE.” “YOU”LL CONTINUE ON, I WILL FIND THAT FARM ROAD AND TAKE IT SLOW AND EASY.” “DON’T WAIT FOR ME! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!”
“IF I DON’T GET CAUGHT, I WILL LINK UP LATER, ROB OUT!!” HE HUNG UP.
SCORCESE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO APPROACH RUBIO. FROM THE EXPRESSION HE HAD ON HIS FACE, SCORCESE KNEW SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAD HAPPENED. BILLY WAS ALL HE HAD TO SAY. SCORCESE WAS TRYING TO FORMULATE IN HIS MIND IF HE HAD HEARD CORRECTLY WHAT RUBIO HAD SAID. HE WAS STILL PONDERING THAT TO HIM SELF WHEN WINCHESTER WALKED UP AND DEMANDED TO KNOW, WHAT WAS GOING ON. “WHAT FOOL, WHAT HAPPENED?” “SOMEONE GOT SHOT?” TRYING NOT TO SOUND TOO DRAMATIC. “BILLY.” HE SAID. “ROB SHOT HIM!”

“YOU SURE?” “YEAH, SHOT HIM AND PUSHED HIM OUT ON THE ROAD, AND DROVE OFF!” “SAID THE COPS WERE CHASING THEM.” “OLD DUDE MUST HAVE TOLD THE AUTHORITIES, BUT ROB GAVE THEM THE SLIP.” HOLDING HIS HEAD
AND WALKING BACK TO THE PARKING LOT, HE LEANED UP AGAINST THE FORD FOCUS AND GAZED OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT. SCORCESE AND WINCHESTER WERE TALKING AMONGST THEMSELVES. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THEY WALKED OVER TO RUBIO AND WINCHESTER INFORMED HIM THEY WILL BE DEPARTING IN 10 MINUTES.

EVERYONE DROVE OFF IN COMPLETE SILENCE. AFTER THE 2 HOUR DRIVE, THE TIRED, AND EMOTIONAL DRAINED GROUP CHECKED INTO AN OUT OF THE WAY MOTEL. AFTER PARKING THE VAN, WINCHESTER HAD SCORCESE
BRING THE BELONGINGS IN ONE OF THE TWO ROOMS. WINCHESTER AND RUBIO TOOK THE URN WITH THEM IN THE CAR, AND WENT DOWNTOWN.
THEY SOUGHT OUT ONE OF THEIR CONTACTS IN THE SEEDY PART OF THE TOWN, IN THE AREA OFF OF 8TH STREET. AFTER PURCHASING SEVERAL DIME BAGS FROM A SHOTGUN HOUSE, THEY HEADED BACK TO THE MOTEL.
WHILE ENROUTE, WINCHESTER RECEIVED A PHONE CALL BELIEVED TO BE ROB; HOWEVER, IT WAS TOO FULL OF STATIC TO BE SURE. WHAT HE PERCEIVED WAS, ROB WAS ABLE TO EVADE LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND WAS HOPING TO MAKE IT TO THE STATE LINE.
RIGHT BEFORE THE REACHED THE OUTSKIRTS OF WELTERVILLE, WEST VIRGINA THE GROUP HAD TO STOP AT A SERVICE STATION. BOTH RUBIO AND SCORCESE HAD CONSUMED A FEW ‘RED BULL’ DRINKS, AND HAD EXTRA SPICY BURRITOS, THEY HAD TO GO REAL BAD. WHILE THEY WERE INDISPOSED, WINCHESTER ATTEMPTED TO CALL ROB
BACK, TO NO AVAIL.
AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF WAITING, HE GREW IMPATIENT AND WALKED OVER TO WHERE THE RESTROOMS WERE LOCATED. “HEY, YOU BUNCH OF FAGS, WHAT’S THE HOLD UP?” “YOU GUYS BUTT FUCKING EACH OTHER IN THEIR OR WHAT? WE GOT TO GO!” ALL HE GOT AS A REPLY WAS “HOLD UP A MINUTE, I’M WAITING ON HIM TO PASS ME SOME PAPER.” WAS RUBIO’S REPLY. “OKAY THEN, YOU’LL GOT ABOUT 5 MINUTES, OR I’LL LEAVE YOU BOZOS BEHIND!”
WINCHESTER SAID WALKING AWAY. “BUNCH OF BUTT FUCKING FAGS!” THEN ALMOST BUMBPING INTO A PATRON THEN SAYING, “NOT YOU!” “TALKING ABOUT MY FRIENDS TAKING FOREVER IN THERE.”

SOON, THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TO A NEIGHBORHOOD OF ONE OF SCORCESE’S FRIENDS. AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE A SERIES OF TURNING RIGHT, LEFT, AND RIGHT AGAIN; THEY PULLED UP TO 1400 WATERLOO DRIVE.
SCORCESE WALKED OUT FIRST, AND WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR AND RANG THE DOOR BELL. AS HE GLANCED AT ONE OF THE WINDOWS HE PERCEIVED MOVEMENT BEHIND THE CURTAINS. ‘SWEET’ HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF.
KATSAN HAD COME THROUGH FOR THEM. HIS FRIEND, RAUL KATSAN WAS ORIGINALLY FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. HE HAD SINCE MOVED OUT HERE, LIVING WITH HIS BROTHER-IN LAW. HE HAD SERVED HIS TIME IN THE SERVICE, AND JOINED AN ARMY RESERVE UNIT.

AFTER ANSWERING THE DOOR, HE CAME OUT AND SHOOK HANDS WITH SCORCESE, AND THEY HUGGED EACH OTHER.
KATSAN, WHO ALSO GOES BY THE NAME SHARKY, WENT OUT TO THE CURB TO GREAT THE GUYS, AND THEN INVITED THEM INSIDE. LUCKILY FOR THEM, KATSAN’S IN LAWS WERE OUT OF TOWN. ONCE EVERYONE WAS SITUATED THEY BEGAN TO REMINENCE ON THEIR PAST ACTIVITIES. AFTERWHICH, SCORCESE AND HIS GROUP BEGAN THE MUNDANE TASK OF PREPARING THEIR CELEBRATORY SMOKE AND DRINK FORAY. KATSAN THOUGHT THE GUYS WERE JOKING; INTENTIONALLY MAKING HIM BELIEVE SOMETHING ELSE WAS IN THE PRODUCT.

WHILE THEY WERE MAKING PREPARATIONS, KATSAN MOTIONED FOR THEM TO SEE SOMETHING ON THE EVENING NEWS THAT CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION.
CHANNEL KATV-8 HAD A NEWS EXCLUSIVE: ….IN OTHER EVENTS, POLICE OFFICIALS IN VIRGINIA WERE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR A LATE MODEL PURPLE AEROSTAR VAN. THE VAN WAS STOLEN FROM A MILITARY BASE, AND WAS BELIEVED TO BE A VEHICLE USED DURING A BREAK IN AT A FEDERAL SITE.
ALSO, THE BODY OF A MISSING SOLDIER WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, NOT TOO FAR FROM HWY 180 IN
CLINTON COUNTY VIRGINIA, A CORRESPONDENT WAS SAYING. EVERYONE HAD STARTED TALKING AT THIS POINT; BEING THAT THEY TOOK IN WHAT THEY SEEN ON THE NEWS IN THEIR OWN COLLECTIVE WAY.

SCORCESE QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE TELEVISION. KATSAN LOOKED ON IN CONFUSION. WINCHESTER DID MOST OF THE TALKING, TO HELP GET THE STORY STAIGHT. KATSAN COULD ONLY LOOK ON WITH ASTONISHMENT.
EVERYONE ELSE HAD MIXED FEELINGS, OF REGRET, BEWILDERMENT, AND SOME STAGES OF SHOCK. BESIDES THE FACT THAT THEY HAD ALL INSTIGATED THE WHOLE EVENT, THEY WERE READY TO BLAZE UP.
WINCHESTER WAS THE FIRST PARTICIPANT TO GET A STASH OF THE MIX, WHICH WAS NOW IN A SHOE BOX. HE EMPTIED THE CONTENTS OF A PHILLY BLUNT ON THE COFFEE TABLE, AND SHOWED EVERYONE HOW TO PROCEED.

THEN HE LIT UP THE FIRST SPARK; INHALING DEEPLY, THEN BLOWING IT OUT SLOWLY INTO A PERFECT SMOKE RING.
SOON, ALL THE GUYS HAD ONE IN THEIR HANDS. AS ALMOST IN SUCCESSION ALL FOUR OF THEM TOOK A LONG DRAG AND PUFFED OUT A LARGE SMOKE CLOUD, SEEMINGLY TO THE HEAVENS: LITERALLY AS A SYMBOLIC GUESTURE TO WHERE A LONG DEPARTED FRIEND HAD VENTURED.

AS THE GROUP SMOKED, THEIR THOUGHTS WENT TO THEIR OTHER FRIENDS; THE ONES CAPTURED, THE ONES WHO DIDN’T MAKE IT; AND THE ONES BACK AT THE UNIT. THEY WERE SADDENED BY THE DEATH OF BILLY; BUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ROB?

ON THE NEWS, IT WAS REPORTED THAT SOMEONE WAS IN CUSTODY. WAS IT EITHER THE OLD MAN, OR ROB? AND IF IT WASN’T ROB, WHAT WAS HIS STATUS? THAT WAS STILL TO BE DEBATED.

FROM OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, A HAZE OF SMOKE COULD BE SEEN FROM THE VENTS ON THE ROOF, IF SOMEONE WOULD LOOK CLOSELY. AT THE CORNER OF THE STREET LEADING UP TO WATERLOO AVENUE, A PURPLE AEROSTAR VAN WAS APPROACHING.
SOMEWHERE BLOCKS AWAY IN THE BUSINESS SECTION OF TOWN THE SOUNDS OF SIRENS WERE WAILING AWAY…. END.



I'm just finished this up!! Nothing more to add, but give me your reviews and thoughts on this story, thanks!!