Between Right and Wrong Read online

  Maybe he could have left the building alone and not worried about what was going on had they not spilled his blood; had they not shot Roo. Phil was not use to walking away from a fight and never lost. His determination was now revenge. Even if he never found out what was in the boxes, there was a reckoning due. He was fairly sure Brad Revis was his man, but would wait until Mickey responded. As for Paul Odem, he could be a big part or he could just be the guy that needs things evened up. For now Phil knew he had to wait. But, while he waited, he would contemplate his plan. He was sure it was not a wasted effort. He would find out who else was involved. He couldn’t get Roo his eye back, but he would not let his friend suffer without compensation.

  Monday morning Phil was back in his baggy suite and wire framed glasses. Roo was still recovering from the surgery and wounds so Pam agreed to come over and give him the antibiotics Doc Liggins prescribed. Once at work, Phil went to Gary’s office. It was empty. Gary’s secretary, Linda, was busy filing and making copies in the adjoining workroom.

  Phil tapped on the door to get Linda’s attention. “Hey, Linda, how was your weekend?”

  Her face brightened with a smile, ”hey stranger, haven’t seen you in a while. Mine was fine how bout yours?” She was a middle aged woman who wore knee length dressed that went out of style in the 60’s. Her brown hair was now streaked with grey; always neck length and curled under. Any success Gary and his team had was in great part because of Linda. She was organized to perfection and had a great memory. She was easily the office historian, having worked there since she was in high school.

  “Nothing special, where’s Gary?”

  ‘He had a family issue is all I know. He should be back in a couple of days. Did you come to pick up the info he left you?”

  Phil was a bit surprised, “yes, thanks Linda.” He had no idea there was information from Gary.

  She scurried over to her desk and pulled out a sealed thick package and brought it to him.

  “Did Gary leave any message for me?”

  “Nope just the package. Did you need me to get him to call you when he gets back?”

  “Yea Linda, good idea.” Phil said with a smile and waved bye as he turned and left; trying to ignore the motherly look she had on her face.

  “Phil, I have a friend who I think would be interested in a date.”

  “Thanks Linda, but, as usual, no thanks.” He smiled at her and shook his head.

  “Shame” Linda said under her breath. “That poor guy needs a gal to get some home cooking in him.”

  Phil went into his office. It reminded him of one of the old newspaper offices in the movies. The walls were solid wood paneling half way up then windows all around. The only privacy one had, was to close the out of style blinds on all sides and close the door. He set the package down on his desk and took off his coat. He was straightening his desk and sorting the mail when Lou walked in and closed the door.

  “Hey Lou, what’s wrong, you never come in here, no less close the door. Myra ok?”

  “Yea, yea, we’re ok, what about you?” his gravelly voice seemed very serious. Lou sat down and peered at Phil over his glasses with a parental stare. “What happened this weekend Phil?” Lou wasn’t normally nosy.

  “What are you talking about, Lou?” A chill ran down Phil’s spine as he tried to show no emotion.

  “The Elm Street Property.”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “Phil, I stopped by there this morning and was met by some maintenance supervisor named Paul. I guess he noticed the company logo on my car and stopped me. I was going to measure the freight elevator and the dock. This guy asked me if I was the owner of the company so he could complain to the top dog.”

  “What did you tell him, Lou?”

  “What else? I told the turd I was the damn President and asked what he wanted.”

  They both laughed. “Dang Lou you beat all.”

  “Anyways, he said you was coming around there all the time and they didn’t have time to deal with you so he demanded you stay away.”

  “What did you tell him Mr. President?”

  “I told him if I bought the building he was the first one fired. He got really pissed and went back in the building.”

  Phil busted out laughing.

  “What’s in the package, Phil?”

  “Oh, something Gary left for me to look at on the Elm property. Linda just gave it to me.”

  “Let me know if there are any structural drawings in there. It would be nice to have column measurements and floor heights.” Lou was out the door as he spoke.

  Phil opened the package and found Gary had indeed put together some original building drawings, along with the story of the old railways that went under the streets of Dallas, and an article about how the old hotel next door was known to have a speakeasy in the basement. The tunnels under the streets were thought to have been used by organized crime to move the illegal alcohol during prohibition and the conspiracy theory was there were hidden entrances and rooms for that use. The article had interesting connotations.

  Could the mystery door lead to other areas where items could be transported? Mickey has stated the boxes go down to the basement and were never seen again.

  Phil unfolded the drawings in the package. They were architectural layouts of each floor, copied from the originals. Phil felt excited as he carefully peeled back each page of the set. With anticipation, he found the basement level and spread it out on his desk. Some parts of the copy were easily readable and some areas were poorly copied due to the age of the originals. Apparently, the originals Gary had found were paper copies not sepia. Phil turned the copies so that North on the drawings matched true north. While it seemed just a quirk to others, it helped Phil keep his sense of direction when studying drawings and maps. Phil found the freight elevator and then the stairs on the drawings and knew the door was to the right and about 40 feet from the elevator door. This was part of the faded area of the drawing and it was difficult to follow the lines. Phil moved the copies over to an old under- lit drafting table he kept in the office. Placing the drawings over the lighted table helped to disseminate what was a copied wrinkle and what was an original drawn line. His fingers followed the exterior wall. There was no door on the drawings. Pulling a scale out of his desk, Phil measured the distance from the elevator to the wall - sixty feet. Between the wall and the elevator was the furnace. Apparently coal fired at the time, as were many in the era of that building. It appeared the door in question was right in line with the original door to the furnace. If this was true, why was there a wall and a door with a new lock on it? Hopefully Mickey had new information that could clear this up.

  The phone rang and Phil answered. It was Agnes, the front desk clerk. “Mr. Warner, there are two people here to see you, should I send them up?”

  “Who are they Agnes, I am not expecting anyone.” Phil queried.

  “They wouldn’t say, only, they said they needed to talk to you right now.”

  “Ok Agnes, send them up, please.”

  Phil was placing the Elm Street building drawings in a flat file when there was a knock at the door. Phil looked up to see a mid-thirty’s woman dressed in an expensive business suit. She had short black hair and piercing blue eyes. “Hello, I’m Phil.” He reached his hand out to shake hers, but she walked past him and sat in one of his guest chairs facing his desk.

  “Yes, I know who you are, Mr. Warner.” Phil wondered if the dark red lipstick was an accessory to the mean demeanor she displayed. He also noticed her rather tall and well-built partner in the ‘I’m a cop’ suit outside the door with his back to Phil and the office. The man had a large bubble head and a flat top haircut.

  “I am at a disadvantage then,” Phil smiled, “I don’t know your name nor why you are here.”

  “My name is Teresa Long and I work out of DC for the Department of Homeland Security.” I am here because I need you to answer some questions.”

  “I’ll help any way I
can but would like to know how I am important to you.”

  “You were a Colonel in the Air Force.” It was more of a statement than a question but she stopped waiting for him to answer.

  “Yes, an engineer.”

  “Funny so much of your records are very vague.” She was far from laughing.

  “Are you asking or stating?” Phil retorted. “I was not aware my service record was open to public consumption or critique. “ Phil was a little nervous, though he could hide it. After all he had sent a target for a last swim, though he doubted there was any way she could connect him to that job.

  “I was waiting for you to fill me in.” Her lips were pursed as if to force him to talk.

  He couldn’t help but think of how that red lipstick made her look like a super villain on some movie.

  “I am not sure what you mean? Is this a job interview?” He knew she could have a short fuse and was entertained to find out.

  “No, Mr. Warner, this is not a job interview.” Her voice raised as she stood up.

  As she did her partner half turned to take a look. Phil remembered all the recruits from Training Camp.

  “Hello Tom.” Phil called. It was Tom Ulzman, the big dope from Oregon who was the first to learn about their TI’s fighting skills. “No one out there is dangerous except Agnes at the front desk, and I asked her not to bother you.”

  Now, Phil was a little uneasy. Tom knew the deal. Tom had trained in similar fashion as Phil, and had become one of the better operatives, though he was not a lone operative like Phil, he had a reputation for always being successful. “Come in and close the door please Tom.”

  The big man silently turned through the office door and shut it. Phil noticed that Tom, though big, was lean and fit, apparently accustom to the weight room too. He looked more like an NFL linebacker, than a 40ish DHS agent. “Hello Phil, good to see you.” Tom shook Phil’s hand while Teresa looked on with obvious irritation.

  “So, since Tom and you are partners, Teresa, I’ll assume you already know the answers to my military records.”

  She was looking at Tom with that look. Phil wondered if she wasn’t irritated at all. Perhaps that’s her normal look, he thought.

  “Tom, what does he mean?” Uh oh, Phil thought, looks like it’s going to hit the fan.

  “Phil was an engineer, Teresa, just like he said. I tried to tell you.” Tom was serious.

  Now Phil was really curious. The special team Tom and Phil worked under in the military were sworn to secrecy. Apparently Tom was a man of his word, as was Phil.

  “Tom, sometimes, I’d like to catch up. Be interested to know how you went from a CPA to DHS.”

  “That will have to wait, Mr. Warner. I have more questions.” Teresa seemed to lose her edge.

  “Are you surveying a property on Elm Street?” she asked.

  “Yes, well not surveying, doing an engineering study. This company is thinking on buying it. We convert empty buildings to useful space when the opportunity is right.”

  “Why would you put cameras up?”

  Phil looked up at her from doodling. “Who says I put cameras up?”

  “I do, please answer the question.”

  “Someone ambushed me when I was doing my study. I needed to know if the building had dangerous people in it.” It was the truth, just not all of it. “Question is, how did you know I put cameras up?”

  His eyes met Tom’s. He knew then whose voice was on the phone that night with the 202 area code.

  ‘Mr. Warner, I don’t believe you. I know your company is thinking of buying the Elm Street property, I just don’t think that is why you put the cameras up.” She looked at Tom. “Just like I don’t think you were ‘just an engineer’ in the Air Force. “ She waited as if Phil was going to spill his guts.

  “Are you sure this isn’t a job interview?” Phil couldn’t help himself. She was way too self-important and snobbish.

  She was not amused. “Mr. Warner, I’ll ask again. Why are you doing surveillance on that building?”

  “I have a better question, why are you so interested? Do I need to tell my company to forget the offer we are about to make?”

  “I will need to see the pictures you took in the building, Mr. Warner.” She was stern but had regained her composure, “Mr. Ulzman and I are part of an investigation and your information could be evidence”

  “I will cooperate of course.” Phil was just relieved she was not investigating a recent death of a certain known child porn convict. “I can have the pictures sent to you or bring them in the office tomorrow."

  She cut him off. “We will need them today. Can you get them right now?”

  “So what is the investigation? You know my company doesn’t want to buy into trouble.”

  “I am not at liberty to say. Only your company should continue business as usual, no one has been found guilty of anything yet.” She paused. “Mr. Warner, as a former service member, I know you will understand when I say, it is important no one else knows about our conversation.” Her voice had softened.

  Perhaps she was a more complex person than he thought. “Of course.” Phil was serious. After all, his company knew nothing of the cameras or voice recorders.

  “How would you like me to get them to you?”

  “We will follow you home.” She stood up as if every thought out of her mouth was an order to be followed.

  “Were you in the military Teresa?” Phil was curious and it was important to him to know all he could. It was imperative not to underestimate anyone.

  She turned to look at him quizzically, “no, why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering, that is all. By the way if your plan is to follow me home, I don’t think that is a good idea. I have nosy neighbors. I don’t need to have them thinking I am in trouble with the law.”

  “Mr. Warner,” She objected, “why would anyone get that idea; we are in an unmarked vehicle.”

  “Well, don’t take offense, but you two both look like the police.” Phil smiled and Tom winked at him.

  Phil was really trying to get Tom alone so he could try to probe a little. “How about I drive Tom to the house and we pick up the pictures and meet you somewhere?”

  Tom broke in, “good idea Phil, let’s get going. Teresa, we will meet you at the grocery store parking lot on Spivey and Moss Street in an hour.” She gave him a stern look and after a couple of seconds nodded.

  Once in Phil’s Volvo for the thirty minute drive, Tom opened the conversation. “Do you keep up with the others?”

  “I use to keep up with Joe Gilliam; he was my mentor you know.” Phil saddened.

  “I heard Joe died. He was a good man.” Phil knew Tom had worked with him also. “Anyone else, Phil?”

  “Ernie and I use to exchange Christmas cards, strangely enough, after a couple of years of not getting one from him, I stopped. And you, do you keep up with the ole team, Tom?”

  “To be honest, yes, and that is why I wanted to get you alone. Don’t get me wrong, Teresa is one of the good guys, but she has no idea about us, really. She is sharp and great at her job. But, everything she knows, she learned in the academy and from her mentors in DHS. So she is a cop and wants everyone to be strictly law abiding.”

  Phil’s curiosity was piqued. “You said you wanted to get me alone, why?”

  “I’ll give you the short version. When I got out of the service, I wanted a quiet life. No more of the operations side. No crawling through drainage pipes, no more hiding in foreign countries, no stress of failing a critical mission.”

  “I felt the same way, Tom.”

  “Well it was good to get away, Phil. I needed some time to look at things as an experienced adult. Heck, they took us as kids and tuned us up like race cars. Damn we were good too.” Tom smiled for a second, thinking back. “Well that lasted about a year. A lot of vets say PTSD affects them. For me it was that lack of the missions. I really missed it. One day, I was just getting home from my job as an accountant with this pa
yroll firm and I get a call from a DC area code. It was Mike Brumbage. Remember Mike, ol’ hey Bub?”

  Phil laughed, “Who could forget Mike. I thought he was slow, but that sucker aced every test we took.”

  “Yea that Mike,” Tom smiled. “Well Mike is a big shot in my division and has been for a number of years. Mike offered me a job and I am glad I took it. No telling what trouble I would get into if he hadn’t.”

  Phil glanced at Tom who was looking at Phil very seriously. “You missed it that bad, Tom?”

  Tom continued to search Phil’s face for an expression. “Yea Phil. I may have gotten mixed up in something, had I not taken Mike up on his offer. Who knows, I might have gone vigilante. I might have done things thinking I was doing good, that I could go to jail for.”

  Phil felt himself start to perspire. He pulled into his driveway and stopped the car. “Sounds like you made a good move.”

  “Phil, Mike wants you to have the same offer I got. We want you.”

  “Dang Tom, I appreciate the offer. I have to think…” He was cut off.

  “You know Phil; an ex-military operative with your background could get into trouble, too. Why, someone with your background could get caught up in, I don’t know; taking out child molesters. Those people go to jail for a long time, you know. And that leaves their pretty red headed girlfriends all alone.”

  Phil was surprised that he wasn’t shocked by Tom’s comments. It was obvious, Tom knew everything or at least enough. “Tom, lay it out plain.”

  Tom shook his head and frowned. “It’s plain enough. You take the job I offer and the facts of your extracurricular activities go away.”

  “Good of you Tom.”

  “Mike is the one you should thank. He knew you were here when he watched the news. We need you, but this isn’t a complete life changer. You need a cover and your existing job is perfect.”

  “So what now, Tom?”

  “Does that mean you accept?”

  “Do I have a choice? There are extenuating circumstances though.” Phil was thinking about Roo.