Chapter 35: Washta

Ed and Ellen had just finished their lunch on the terrace. They walked along the corridors to the family room.

As they arrived, Sara appeared, looking flustered. She’d be panting and out of breath if she wasn’t already dead.

“Sara, what’s up?” asked Ed.

“It’s Officer Ouray. He got shot by a crooked detective. He needs help fast!”

“I can call for an ambulance. What’s the address?”

“No! For a GSW (gunshot wound), they’ll call the police. If the police discover this, he’s as good as dead.”

“Okay, I have an idea. What’s the address?”

“It’s the warehouse where they caught the kidnapper.”

Ed called Noah Johnson.

“Noah Johnson.”

“This is Ed Tanner, Diamond 9 4 0. I have an emergency, so no time to meet with you. Officer Ouray got into a firefight with a crooked detective. He needs extraction and emergency medical help, but we can’t get the police involved.”

“Okay, I can handle that. Give me the address.”

Ed told Noah the address of the warehouse.

“I’ll dispatch a unit. Can you meet me in my office now and fill me in?” asked Noah.

“I’ll see you soon.”

Ed ended the call and turned to Sara.

“He’s sending a unit. I have to explain. Would you come with?”

“Okay,” said Sara.

Ed turned to Ellen. “I have to go talk to Noah. It’s urgent.”

“Go! You can explain it to me later,” she said.

Ed exited the mansion, with Sara floating behind. They both got into his car and he sped out toward police headquarters.

Ed parked in the parkade below police headquarters. He and Sara hurried to the office of US Public Affairs.

Before Ed could speak, the receptionist stood and guided him through security to the meeting room. Sara floated along behind him.

The receptionist left Ed there.

“Wow, I’ve not been here before. And this is the CIA?” she asked.

Ed nodded.

“Okay, you already know the details. If he asks something I missed, I’ll tell you.”

Ed sat in a chair and waited.

Soon, Noah arrived.

“Hello again, Ed. Our unit found two police cruisers parked outside the warehouse. Officer Ouray was still alive and is being treated. The other officer was already dead. Can you explain this?” asked Noah.

“I don’t know the reason they met there, although I suspect the other officer lured him there. I believe it’s related to the case involving the mob boss, and I suspect the other officer was crooked. There was an exchange of gunfire. Then I called you.”

“And you don’t believe you can trust the police?” asked Noah.

“No. We already had a suspect murdered in police custody. Evidence went missing. I don’t know who I can trust there.”

“Good. Don’t trust anyone. Welcome to my world!”

“So what happens now?” asked Ed.

“We’ll treat Officer Ouray for his injuries, and when he revives, we’ll debrief him. The other officer had a burner phone on him. It’s been ringing a lot, so we’re tracing the calls.”

“Good. I’m sorry I don’t have more detailed intel. I just learned of the shooting and I called you.”

“You know it’s uncanny. Your knowledge is almost psychic. One day you’ll have to tell me how you do it,” he said.

Ed felt uncomfortable. “Uncanny is a good word for it.”

“I have a team working on the investigation. We also moved the police cruisers and cleaned up the scene. Leave this with me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Soon, Ed left the CIA office. Sara floated along beside him.

“Ed, I’ll search for where they’re keeping Officer Ouray. I’ll check on his condition,” she said.

“Thank you. He helped arrest that kidnapper and rescue Ellie. He’s a good officer, and I owe him.”

“I understand. Anyway, this is where we part ways. I’ll be in touch.”

Sara ascended and flew off.

Ed returned to his car and drove home.

The new henchman followed the same path as his predecessor. He learned the Duwamish nation had a medicine man. He entered their longhouse, planning to get his address.

The henchman approached a man in the front office.

“Excuse me, but I’d like to see the medicine man.”

Since the incident at the gathering, the Duwamish were cautious of outsiders asking for Ed.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help you with that.”

“You can’t or you won’t help me?” the henchman asked with a menace in his voice. He clenched his fists, about ready to strike.

Unknown to the henchman, the man in the office had pressed a panic button. Suddenly, two more Duwamish men arrived in the office, both holding rifles in a ready position.

The henchman eyed the newcomers and figured he couldn’t shoot all three without getting shot. They both looked competent holding their rifles. A tactical withdrawal was in order.

“Well, thank you anyway,” he said.

The henchman pushed past the newcomers and left. He knew the medicine man might later visit the longhouse.

He got into his car as the rifle-wielding Duwamish watched him leave. Unknown to the henchman, one of them used his phone to video him and his car.

“You’d best send that video to Officer Ouray,” said his friend.

He tapped on his phone.

“Done.”

“And call Ed as well. Tell him they’re still searching for him.”

“Okay. I’ll get the number from Washta.”

Ed returned to the mansion and parked out front. He found Ellen in the family room.

“Hello, dear,” he said.

She stood, and they hugged. This had become a regular greeting.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Ed, this is Shweabe. I’m a nephew of Washta’s.”

“Hello, Shweabe. I hope I’m pronouncing it correct. How can I help you?” asked Ed.

“Something happened at the longhouse. A rather unfriendly person came asking for you. We had to chase him away. I also took a video of his license plate. I sent the video to Officer Ouray.”

“Thank you for telling me. You did good, Shweabe. Listen, Officer Ouray got injured in a shooting. Can you send me a copy of the video?”

“Sure.”

“And can you keep it to yourself about his injury? It’s all related to a case he’s working on involving organized crime. We don’t want the wrong people to hear about it.”

“Of course. I’ll keep it to myself. The video should arrive on your phone soon.”

“Thank you, Shweabe. These unfriendly people don’t play fair. Make sure everyone is safe.”

“Yes, I’ll pass on the message. Hey, thank you for what you did for my auntie.”

“Sure. I have to make a call. Bye for now.”

“Bye!”

Ed ended the call.

“What was that about?” asked Ellen.

“A call from the Duwamish longhouse. Another villain was trying to get my address.”

“Oh no! They won’t stop,” she said.

“I plan to get them first. Nobody messes with my family and friends.”

Ed looked at the video he received. He couldn’t make out the license number, but he knew someone who could.

Ed called Noah Johnson.

“Noah Johnson.”

“This is Ed Tanner, Diamond 9 4 0. I have more intel for you.”

“I’ll be expecting your arrival.”

Ed ended the call.

“Ed, please take the SUV with a detail.”

“You’re right. There’s a credible threat out there.”

Ellen made a call on her phone.

“They’ll meet you out front.”

Ed hugged her goodbye and left.

Ed rode in the back of the SUV with two security guards in front. They arrived at the parkade under police headquarters.

He got out and one of his detail walked with him to the office of US Public Affairs.

“Welcome back,” said the receptionist. She escorted him through the security checkpoint and left him in the meeting room.

Soon, Noah arrived, carrying a tablet. He showed it to Ed. It had a view from a CCTV camera just outside the building, showing his security guard.

“That’s my security detail,” said Ed.

“You’re coming up in the world. He’s a good one.”

“There’s a credible threat to me right now. That mob boss sent another villain searching for me.”

“You can’t be too careful. Tell me about the threat.”

“I got a call from the Duwamish longhouse. Another villain was asking about me. They chased him off. They also took a video of him leaving.”

Noah’s eyes lit up. “And you have the video?”

Ed took out his phone. “Yes. I was hoping you could enhance it and see the license plate.”

Ed handed Noah his phone. Noah forwarded the video. He examined the phone.

“This phone is something special. It has the latest in counter-surveillance software.”

“My security detail upgraded me,” said Ed.

“This exceeds what most of my field agents have. I’m impressed, Ed!”

Noah handed Ed his phone. He clicked on a keyboard nearby and it revealed a large screen on the wall.

“Let’s examine that video.”

Noah was talented at the keyboard and mouse. He pulled up the video and zoomed in the face of the departing henchman. That image he sent to facial recognition. Then he zoomed in on the license plate. He sent that to another search.

“It looks like you have a mid-level thug. We might track his vehicle if it’s not stolen.”

“Wow! I wonder what I did to deserve a mid-level thug?” asked Ed.

“He probably works for that mob boss. You should keep a low profile until we make progress on the investigation. I’m hoping Officer Ouray recovers soon, and we can debrief him.”