GOTU - A Robin Marlette Novel (15 page)

“You did what?! Why did you do that?”

“Because you are, Rob. You are a straightforward, no nonsense, no bullshit guy. You have all the tact of a nuclear device. Exactly the kind of person I want running a task force I'm responsible for. That's what I told them. I didn't agree that you were part of the problem.”

“Jesus, Jim, I don't think I'm that bad.”

“You are, but I consider it a virtue, not a flaw. I know very few people who approach the world like you do, Rob. Hell, even the guys in your own squad say they just follow behind you and pick up the pieces.”

“Aw, what do they know?”

“Since they practically live with you, they know you better than anyone else. But, enough about you. Here's the deal. I need you to happily accept one DEA agent into this task force as a favor to me, so I can calm things down for my boss.”

Robin did not answer right away. “All right, Jim, you and your boss have been great to us. I'll take one agent.”

“I would like to emphasize the word ‘happily.’”

Robin let out a slow breath. “For you, just for you.”

“Thanks. I knew I could count on you. I have to get going. Got a hearing to get to.”

“Take it easy, Jim.”

“You too, Rob.”

Robin made it a point to get home a little early that evening. The wire going online meant lots of overtime and less time with his family--the one aspect of his job he hated.

He took some time to sit down with Laurie, who was sixteen and the most serious child in the family. She had already mapped out her career goals. While serious most of time, she went into fits of crazy humor on occasion. Robin figured she maintained a satirical view of life. He gave thanks both of his daughters drew most of their physical qualities from Karen. Laurie looked very much like her mother.

Robin worked the conversation around to Chad Wilson.

“So, who is this Chad person?”

“Just a friend, Dad.”

“How much of a friend?”

“Now don't start interrogating me, Sergeant.”

“I'm not interrogating you, Laurie. You are my daughter and I love you. It wouldn't be fatherly to ignore a possible boyfriend. It just comes naturally to most fathers, I suppose.”

Laurie looked at her father for a moment. “Okay, Dad. We're dating.”

“Is he nice to you?”

“Of course he is.”

“Well, what I really mean is, does he treat you like a princess?”

“Like a typical Marlette. If he doesn't, I'll punch his lights out.”

Robin involuntarily laughed from the bottom of his belly.

Laurie got up and hugged her dad. She looked at him with a warm smile and said, “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you, too, honey.”

“Don't worry. It's not like I'm looking for the one and only. I have a lot of things I want to do in life before I have a family. Chad is a good friend and fun to be with.”

“That's great, Laurie. He sounds like a good guy.”

“He is.”

Laurie went to wash up for dinner. Robin walked into the kitchen, where Karen was working on dinner. Robin gave her a kiss.

“How long before we eat?”

“It will take the meatloaf about another forty-five minutes.”

“Oh, one of my favorites! Would you like to have a glass of wine with me before we eat?”

“That would be lovely.”

Robin opened a bottle of Chateau St. Michelle merlot, a new Washington State wine he and Karen enjoyed. He took the glasses of wine out to the living room, handed Karen her glass, and sat down next to her. They toasted each other and said, “I love you” at the same time. They'd done this since the day they were married. They would rather be out on their back porch, but the July heat made the porch out of the question.

“So, the wire starts tomorrow,” Karen said.

“It does.”

Karen let out a long breath and took a sip of wine. Robin looked at her.

“I know it's tough, Babe. I'm getting a little tired of it myself. I'm missing too much of us and the kids. I'm thinking of going back to patrol after this case is done.”

“Are you really, Rob, or are you just trying to make me feel better?”

“Actually, I have been thinking about it for awhile. I would like to go to another rural duty station. Maybe Flagstaff or the White Mountains.”

“I thought they were tough spots for a sergeant to get.”

“Well, the openings don't come too often because guys just don't want to leave them. But I think I could make a good run at it if one opens up.”

“As long as the lieutenant or the captain isn't someone you've pissed off.”

“Now you are starting to sound like Jim Adams.”

“Why? What did Jim say?”

“He said I have all the tact of a nuclear device.”

Karen laughed. “That's an appropriate description.”

“Don't get carried away. He claimed it's a virtue, not a flaw.”

“That certainly depends on your point of view.”

Robin sipped his wine and shook his head. “I would think my wife would have nice things to say about me.”

“Your wife tells it like it is. She just does it with diplomacy.”

“Well, I guess we make a good pair then. You be the diplomat and I'll be the big stick.”

“I always thought you were, honey,” Karen said, deepening her voice.

“You are a good woman.” They both laughed.

Casey came through the front door. He was carrying Eddie piggyback.

“We're hungry,” Casey announced. “Is it time for dinner yet, Mom?”

“It is almost ready. You two get cleaned up.”

“What are we having?” Casey asked.

“Meatloaf.”

“Aw, I hate meatloaf.”

“I like meatloaf,” Eddie said.

“So do I, Eddie,” Robin replied. “So, we win!”

At dinner, the family discussed getting another dog. Their black lab, Buddy, had died a month ago. Buddy had been in the family for eleven years, after being rescued from the pound. Losing Buddy hit Eddie particularly hard, and he wanted another dog. Robin and Karen decided they should wait a year and see where things were.

After dinner, Robin washed the dishes as the family sat at the kitchen bar and discussed many different things. Eddie asked when they were going camping again. Robin looked at him and felt that guilt building up inside.

“We will probably have to wait until the end of August, Eddie.”

“Why, Dad?”

“Work is going to get really busy for awhile.” Eddie's face fell. Robin felt terrible. He really needed to get back to patrol.

Later in the evening, Robin and Karen lay in bed after making love. Holding Robin close, Karen fell asleep with his arm under her. Even though it started to hurt, Robin didn't want to move it. Instead, he pulled her closer to him. He wondered why she loved him so much. He knew he was a lucky man and when he finished this case he needed to start looking for a rural duty station. Karen and his children deserved it. He just didn't know how to tell his squad. Robin didn't sleep much that night.

SIXTEEN

At 0515 hours, Robin walked into the Phoenix Police Academy auditorium, a large room half-full of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers assigned to the task force. The purpose of this mandatory briefing was to bring everybody up to speed on the case and to have Jim Adams read the court order along with the wiretap operating rules and procedures.

At 0530 Robin gave an introduction and began a description of the case. He talked for about twenty minutes and concluded by ordering everyone to read an up-to-date report located at the wire room within the week. Then Jim Adams got up and read the court order. He spent the next thirty minutes talking about the wiretap operating rules and procedures. When the briefing concluded, Robin announced the first wire shift and surveillance team should head over to the wire room and meet him there.

Thirty minutes later, Robin arrived at the off-site wire room located in a small, non-descript office building which had been empty for about six months. Situated in a rough neighborhood in central Phoenix, it would be manned twenty-four hours a day by armed law enforcement officers, minimizing any problems posed by the local riffraff.

Emmett Franks and Mike Collins did all of the work in getting the wire room set up. Emmett greeted Robin and took him to a back room set up as a supervisor's office.

“Here's your new digs, Sarge.”

“Looks great, Emmett. I'll get settled in. Will you get the listening teams set up?”

“Will do.”

As Robin unloaded his briefcase, he heard a knock on his door. He turned around and saw an attractive woman standing at the door. She stood a little shorter than him, and filled her clothes nicely. She appeared to be of Asian descent, but she had the saddest eyes Robin had ever seen.

“Hi,” Robin said.

“Good morning, Sergeant. I'm Angie Spurline. I'm with DEA, and I have been assigned to this case.”

Robin waved to a chair. “Have a seat, Angie, and you can call me Robin or Rob.”

“Thank you.” Angie seemed tense. “I will get right to the point. I'm told you're not happy to have me here. I just want you to know I will work hard and follow instructions.”

“I appreciate that, Angie, but my beef is with DEA as an agency, not with you personally. I approved an agent to be assigned here. So, don't think you're not welcome.”

Angie seemed to relax a little bit at hearing this. She didn't say anything in reply and Robin felt a little awkward.

“How long have you been assigned to the Phoenix office?” he asked.

“I just arrived here yesterday.”

“Damn, they didn't even give you time to get settled? What about your family?”

“I don't have a family, so it is not that much of a problem. I'll get settled when my things get here.”

“Well, let us know if you need help moving furniture. We'll be glad to help.”

“Why, thank you!” Angie seemed surprised by the offer.

“No problem. All you need is a case of beer and you will have all the help you need,” Robin said, grinning.

“I'll do that,” Angie replied with a smile.

“Well, Angie, if you get with Emmett or Mike out there, they will get you set up on a listening team.”

“Thank you, Sergeant…er, Robin.”

“No problem, Angie.”

What the hell is going on?
Robin thought. It seemed terribly unfair to assign Angie to this case when she just transferred into the Phoenix office. Either the Phoenix DEA SAC Paul Krause had really gone around the bend, or there was something Angie wasn't telling him. Robin certainly had his differences with Krause, but he didn't think Krause was that bad a supervisor. Robin shook his head. Once again, DEA presented a problem to him.

SEVENTEEN

Robin knocked on the door to room seventeen at the Luke Air Force Base BOQ two days later. Chris Fleming opened the door and Robin walked in. He and Carlos nodded to each other, but said nothing. Robin told Chris since Carlos had talked and told the truth as verified by Jorge, Robin's attitude had changed about Carlos as long as he did not insult his men.

Robin knew Carlos didn't tell Chris everything, but what information he did provide turned out to be valuable.

Chris spoke first. “I know this isn't exactly a joyful reunion, but we are at the point where we all have to work together.”

“Good morning, Carlos. You're looking much better than the night we met,” Robin said.

“Yes…a bad night for me.”

“We all have them from time to time.”

“Your men were very good that night, very professional.”

Robin looked at Chris, who just shrugged. “Thank you, Carlos. They are all good men. I am glad you didn't judge them by my bad temper.”

“I should not have insulted your men.”

With that statement, Robin stood up and held out his right hand to Carlos. Carlos stood up and warmly shook Robin's hand. Chris looked at them and thought about how, in the end, all true warriors are alike.

“Okay, gentlemen. Let's get down to business. First of all, Carlos, Robin has some news for you.”

“Carlos, we have an informant at Miguel's ranch. He has verified Maria is safe and that no one bothers her. The only one who visits her is Juan Trinidad, and she does not let him stay long. I have instructed the informant to let us know immediately if there is any threat to her. He said he would watch out for her.”

Carlos seemed somewhat relieved. “How can he do anything against so many men if Miguel tries to hurt her?”

“Let's just say he has the training and capability to take care of business, if he has to. He's certainly better than nothing.”

“We are also working on an extraction plan with assets we have in Mexico,” Chris said. We have to proceed cautiously because of the corruption factor.”

“Yes, I am aware of that problem. I helped cause it.” Carlos looked down at the floor. “There are other Cuban intelligence assets in Mexico.” Chris' eyes widened. “There are also Soviet assets there,” Carlos continued. “The network is heavy around Mexico City and the border.”

Chris looked at Carlos. “Why are you telling us this?”

“I have been thinking. If I were an American intelligence agent captured by the Cubans or the Soviets and told them about my wife, they wouldn't care. I have also been thinking about how you both are fighting drugs and I am smuggling them. I sit here and talk to you two and I find myself liking you. At the ranch I am surrounded by scum, not warriors. I am getting confused about which side I want to be on.”

Robin sat down. “Carlos, the side you need to be on is the one that doesn't kill your soul at night. Our side certainly isn't perfect. We have our own problems, but the principles our founding fathers settled on are magnificent. We just need to keep guiding ourselves back to them.”

“I have read your Constitution. I like it very much, but your government has done some very bad things.”

“True, but we manage to do a lot more good than bad. There are a lot of Americans buried around the world who helped free the oppressed.”

“Look what you are doing to my country.”

“You'll have to decide who is hurting your country. I think you're smart enough to see the truth.”

“Carlos, I really appreciate you telling us more about the intelligence operations in Mexico,” Chris said. “You need to think about what you want to do. As Robin said, you have to be true to your own soul. We have to check in with Juan right now. You can tell more about the Cuban and Soviet intelligence network later, if you want to. Right now we need to make the call.” Carlos picked up the phone and called Juan. Chris and Robin leaned close to listen.