The Lottery Council: Chapter 13 – Chaos

What in the world could Metzger possibly want with him? Jim's mind was going in ten different directions at once. Before he could speak, Metzger went on...

"Look, Jim, there's an open-air coffee shop right down the street from your office, right there on the corner... we can meet there if you like, there's always plenty of people around in case you're worried. I just need to talk to you -- that's all."

Jim was thinking hard. What would he want to talk to me about? Most likely a warning of some sort given the tone of Leyland’s note. Surely there would be no harm to meet in such a public place, a busy Boston street in the financial district. What could he do there?

Metzger continued: "I want to go over some Council business – nondisclosure stuff mostly, that kind of thing. We just want your assurances that our business stays just that... our business."

At least now it made sense. Jim thought for a moment, he needed some time. "When," he asked.

"It's just after 9:30 now, how about an early lunch, say 11:45. We can beat the rush and you can be back in your office before noon to eat your lunch, or whatever."

"Ok," Jim agreed. "See you at 11:45." Jim planned to leave early enough to have a little time to survey the surroundings. He considered mentioning something to Leyland, but thought better of it, just in case. He wanted desperately to trust Leyland, but wasn't sure enough yet. Sitting at his desk, he took out his encrypted cell-phone and holding it under his desk, just above his knees he texted David, asking that he inform Jack as to what was happening. He was pretty sure everything would be ok as long as he was careful and didn't get into a situation where he was alone with Metzger. It couldn't hurt to have another set of eyes on things, he figured.

'Got it,' came David's reply.

Feeling a little more assured, he went back about his work. At 11:35 he informed his secretary he was running an errand and would return in just a few minutes, just after noon, if anybody wanted him. In front of his building he looked up and down the busy street, looking for any suspicious or unusual vehicles. There were none in sight. He then looked in the direction of the outdoor cafe for any sign of Metzger, finding that he had apparently not yet arrived. Jim began making his way toward the coffee shop on the corner. Just as he arrived a cab pulled up and Metzger got out.

"How's that for timing?" He asked. "How about getting us a cup of coffee – I take mine black. I'll hunt us up a table."

Jim entered the crowded coffee shop and finally got them each a cup of coffee. When he returned, Metzger was standing next to a table with his hands clasped behind his back. What Jim couldn't observe was and couldn’t possibly suspect was Metzger pushing on the stone of a college class ring, depressing it slightly, activating a tiny needle-like prong, no more than 1/8 of an inch long. It was impregnated with aconite, a deadly poison, the effects of which emulated the symptoms of a heart attack. It also absorbs quickly into the bloodstream and if administered- the victim would be dead in seconds, apparently from a cardiac arrest. It was also virtually untraceable.

Metzger extended his hand saying: "I figured if I had you buy the coffee, you'd know I wasn't trying to poison you," he said with a broad grin.

Jim reached out to take his hand when Metzger was suddenly thrown sideways as if hit by a car. He went headlong into a table full of young women who jumped up and began screaming frantically. Looking down, Jim could observe that the left side of Metzger's head was gone and blood was beginning to pool on the ground around it. There was a smaller hole on the right temple about a half-inch in diameter. His eyes were open wide, staring straight ahead and his mouth appeared as if he was shouting "Oooh!" Jim looked around for the shooter – he hadn’t heard the usual loud report that typically accompanied a gunshot. When Metzger lunged sideways he could feel a wet spray on his face which he wiped with his hand seeing that it was blood.

People were moving around, he could see them, taking photographs with their cell-phones. Jim felt numb, shock was beginning to set in. He slumped into a chair someone had offered. Someone was talking to him, but it took a few seconds to register.

"Are you all right, sir," the voice asked.

Jim looked up, unable to answer as yet. He had never seen a dead body before, except at the funerals of relatives once or twice... certainly nothing like this. He tried to shake his head in the affirmative.

"The police are on their way," someone else said. "Do you need an ambulance? Are you hurt?"

Jim shook his head again, indicating that he wasn't. "My coffee," he managed numbly. One of the many people who had gathered handed him his cup, asking if it was the right one.

Meanwhile, on the 6th floor of an office building nearly 1000 meters away, Jack was breaking down an M-14, outfitted with a high-power scope and sound suppressor. He hated taking a headshot but Metzger was standing sideways to him and he had no time to wait for a better shot... a chest shot would of course have been preferable, but time was of the essence. Metzger was about to grasp Jim's hand and that would have been it. Jack knew all too well from experience how these guys worked. He packed up his stuff, packed it away in a golf bag along with a set of clubs and departed into the crowded street – an executive on his way to a golf outing.

At the coffee shop, the police had arrived... it had taken only minutes for them to arrive. Jim, unaware of the certain death he had just avoided, prepared himself to answer the many questions that would surely come...

AFTERMATH

Jim was still visibly shaken when the police arrived... First the uniform guys, then detectives. He sat quietly sipping his coffee trying to gather his thoughts as the crime scene was processed, then it was question and answer time. A burly detective sat next to Jim at the table...

"Feel up to a few questions," he asked.

"Might as well get it over with." Jim noticed his hand shaking when he reached for his coffee.

"How did you know the deceased?" The policeman wanted to know.

"From work. He comes by there from time to time, mostly to see my boss, and from a civic group we both belong to," said Jim nervously. He hoped the cop wouldn't press him for more information than he was ready to give.

"You don't know why anybody would want to do this?" The detective waved his hand toward where Metzger lay a minute or so ago. "Any enemies you know of?"

Jim could think of many... "No, I really didn't know him very well. I was frankly surprised when he called earlier suggesting coffee. I had just walked up and was about to shake hands and then... this."

"Ok," the cop said. "Do you have a card or something in case we have some more questions later? I can see you're still pretty shaken up by all this."

They exchanged business cards and shook hands. "Here's mine, in case you think of anything else," the detective said. Jim left, visibly relieved.

Metzger's death bought the terrified conspirators a little time, but how much was anybody's guess. Winstead and his compatriots would lose little time moving against them. Jack had texted David that he had bought them a day, maybe two at the outside. Ann noticed the van was gone from in front of the house. It was time to throw caution to the wind, but not too much according to Jack. The kids were sent to stay with grandparents until the school break, not so much because they were in direct danger themselves, but because it would make movement easier.

Ann got a text from Jack instructing her to begin transferring larger sums, staying under the $10,000 limit to avoid unwanted attention from the government. The Council certainly had people positioned where they could access sensitive records. Arrangements to sell the house were made through an attorney suggested by Jack. One advantage they had was that Jack was from the area and although he had been gone a long time, he had maintained friendships with his old comrades.

Jim was concerned for Leyland. The latter had stuck his neck way out warning him, and Jim was determined that it not get chopped off. He sent Jack a text encouraging him to at least let Jim make the offer, without disclosing any details, just to feel him out. Jack reluctantly agreed. If Masters proved a liability, there was always the "Metzger option." Jim called Leyland's office asking for a brief meeting.

"Thanks for seeing me on such short notice, Leyland," Jim began. "I'm going to trust you and lay my cards on the table. You were good enough to warn me about Metzger, but I need to know one thing... Can I trust you?"

"At this point, Jim, I'm as afraid as you are," Leyland replied, voice shaking. He motioned to Jim that they were likely being listened to and to be cautious. "Not so much for myself. God knows I got myself into this, but for Margaret and the kids. You don't know those people, Jim. Metzger was just one. There are hundreds like him. They're bad, pure evil. They'll stop at nothing. We might have a little time now that Metzger's gone -- a day, possibly two. We have to act fast."

That was fairly consistent with what Jack had said... a couple of days. Jim was thinking, trying to gauge Masters' response. It was a moment before he spoke: "I've been in touch with some people who may be inclined to help."

"They... I knew you were talking to someone, they know it too. I've been going to bat for you, Hell Jim, I brought you into this bloody mess, but, the jig is up. Metzger was at that coffee shop to kill you... don't ask me how, but that's why he was there." Jim could tell by Leyland's face he was telling the truth. So that was it, Jim thought. He silently counted his blessings, he had either been incredibly lucky, or had a guardian angel looking over his shoulder, perhaps both. He also made up his mind about Leyland. He went on...

"How long will it take you to clear out?" He asked.

"Clear out?" Leyland looked puzzled. "What do you mean, clear out?"

"Surely you're aware we can't stay here," Jim said. "If they're on to me, most likely they're on to you as well."

This was a fact not lost on Masters, in fact it had occurred to him as soon as Metzger made his unexpected departure. He had cash stashed away in offshore accounts and a safety deposit box in the Caymans. These he could access immediately – perhaps he could access his regular accounts later. He would call his wife and have her begin withdrawing funds.

"What's the plan?" Leyland asked.

I'm not exactly sure. I have to contact a couple of people for the details. I'll let you know soon, later today," Jim told the frightened man trying to sound reassuring. In fact he didn't know if he would be able to help Leyland at all. But he would certainly try.

Jack and the Nolans had put their time to good use in the confusion following Metzger's demise. Children reunited, money safely out of reach, precious metals under the floorboards of their spacious RV, the "Dawsons" and their eccentric uncle Jack were on "vacation."

The view along Route 2 heading through the Berkshires is one of the most spectacular in all New England. The leaves had changed and the hills were ablaze with color. They couldn't have picked a more beautiful time to depart. Jack had seen to it they all had new identities. When Jim had asked how he was able to pull it all off, he just smiled... Who was this guy? Jim guessed it didn't really matter, his family was safe. It was the first time they had met face to face. Jim had expected someone much younger.

The plan was to stay on the less traveled back roads, a family out seeing the country. They had brought plenty of cash, their credit cards destroyed and a new identity firmly in place. It would be a little hard to get used to, especially for the kids... Dawson, not one Jim would have picked, but it would do. The future may be uncertain, but at least there was one. He reflected on his luck, having escaped certain death at the hands of Metzger. Luck, in reality, had nothing whatsoever to do with it. Jack's watchful eye had seen everything. His reaction had been swift and decisive, and Jim was still alive. He moved toward the front of the RV where Jack was driving. He was concerned about Leyland.

"Where are we headed?" he asked Jack.

"First to Arkansas for a week or two until things blow over a bit and to get you and your family used to your new names. Then it will be up to you. We could use a guy with your talents," Jack told him looking straight out the windshield. Turning his head slightly, he asked, "Why, what did you have in mind?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't really given it much thought. I've just been concentrating on keeping my family alive. Ever since... you know."

"Look, Jim," Jack went on. "You have to forget all about that -- it's over. Over and done with. You didn't do anything wrong. And you have to forget about escaping. If you think like you're running away, you act like you're running away. That's the last thing you need. We're just a big happy family on vacation. We've saved our money and we're out to see the country. If you think like that, you act like that. Tell your wife too. It will make her feel better."

Jim hadn't really talked much to Ann about what was going on. They were too busy making preparations to get away. She had filled her role admirably -- even Jack had said so. He decided to go and talk some with her. He could quiz Jack about Leyland later, they had plenty of time. Ann was sitting quietly looking out the window. The kids were playing video games and David was asleep. He sat beside her and took her hand. She turned her head and smiled.

"You Ok?" He asked.

"I'm fine," she smiled. "As long as we're all together and safe, I don't care about the rest. Did Jack tell you where we're going?"

"Arkansas, first. Just to make sure everything's safe – until it all blows over and dies down some," he replied. "I'm so sorry about all this, I thought..."

"I know," she cut him off. "None of this is your fault. You were just being you, trying to do the right thing. Trying to save the world, as usual. I'm just glad David caught on to everything and that Jack guy stepped in. Where would we be right now without him?"

"I'll never doubt his crazy conspiracies again... at least I'll listen." Jim looked seriously at his wife. "I wish I knew what we were going to do."

"Do?" She asked. "We're going to do what we always do – Mr. Dawson." She smiled.

Jim smiled back... everything was going to be alright. It was time to ask Jack about Leyland. He excused himself and went back toward the front.

"There's something I need to talk about," he said.

"Your friend Leyland is fine," Jack grinned. "Right about now, he's on a plane to the Caymans to get his money. That's what he seems most concerned about."

"So he's ok? He made it out with no problems?"

"We drove him down to Charlotte and put him on a flight under an assumed name... Passport and everything," Jack told him confidently. "Once he gets his money, he's supposed to contact us."

"There's something else... Who is US?" Jim quizzed him.

"Us is us. The good guys. We're the ones that don't want our country... Hell, our world, taken away by scumbags who want it all to themselves. We are many and we are strong." Jack was grinning widely. "Don't worry who Us is, you're one of us and that's all you really need to know for now. If you really want to make a difference, like you thought you were doing with that fucked up council -- join us. We can always use good people. Ann too, she's a good lady and she would be a good fit."

Jim felt better. "How did you finally come to the conclusion that Leyland was Ok... that you could trust him?"

"Trust him? I don't trust him, not yet at least. I gave him an encrypted phone with a number programmed into it. I told him to call that number and no other. If he tries to get hold of his former friends, we won't be seeing Leyland again." Jack looked at Jim, eyebrows raised. Jim looked like he was beginning to get it.

Jim shook his head. "I'm not sure what you mean," he said.

"Ok," Jack went on. "There's just enough C-4 in that phone to take your buddy's head off. If he calls the right number- Ok... If he doesn't- Boom!"

Jim got it. The rest of the journey to Arkansas was uneventful. They stopped only for food and gas, with David, Jack and Jim taking turns driving. By the time they reached the hilltop retreat in the Ozarks, it was dark. They all desperately wanted showers and to sleep in a real bed. There was plenty of time to make plans tomorrow... And the very best part was that there was a tomorrow.

                                                                        FINIS