Tarizon: Desert Swarm Read online

  Chapter 38

  Obstruction of Justice

  After the meeting broke up, Senator Rawlings called Joe Spencer at the FBI.

  “Senator, what can I do for you,” Joe said.

  “You got the memo from the President about backing off the Bat Mountain investigations?”

  “Yes, we’ve backed off as ordered.”

  “Then what’s your agent, Marcia Sanders doing with George Palmer and his assistant?”

  “I don’t know. She’s on vacation. Perhaps she knows them socially.”

  “On vacation? Do you expect me to believe that? There was a shootout in Lone Pine and she called in for backup from the Sheriff’s office. An FBI chopper was seen in the area too.”

  “She was attacked without provocation by unidentified assailants. Of course, she called for backup. You’d do the same if you were attacked. You wouldn’t happen to know who tried to kill her, would you?”

  “I have no idea,” Senator Rawlings lied. “But tell her to follow orders and take her vacation outside of the Mojave Desert. Captain Winslow is handling the Bat Mountain murders now and anyone interfering with his investigation will be charged with obstruction of justice.”

  “Nobody is trying to obstruct the investigation, but there is a lot of concern about what’s going on at Bat Mountain and, in particular, Death Valley Junction,” Joe noted. “What exactly is going on there? I know the official story is that it was an earthquake, however, there seems to be some controversy about whether there really was an earthquake or not.”

  “You saw the buildings collapse on the news. What else could it have been but an earthquake?”

  “You tell me,” Joe said.

  “I don’t have to tell you anything. Just get your people to back off or there will be repercussions.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “No. I’m just stating a fact. The President will have no tolerance of anyone who disobeys his orders. And if Agent Sanders is working with Jack Carpenter, then we’re going to have some serious issues.”

  “Jack Carpenter? What is he doing that’s got your panties in a wad?”

  “He was seen leaving with one of our consultants and we want him back immediately.”

  “Consultant? What kind of consultant?”

  “That’s classified.”

  Joe sighed. “Well, I don’t have any details about Agent Sander’s vacation, but I’ll pass on the message to her when she checks in. I just hope that you have control of the situation at Death Valley Junction and will call us for help if you need it.”

  “Don’t sit by the phone,” Senator Rawlings spat and hung up.