When the Dead Speak

Chapter 76

Chapter 76

"I've made several copies. Study his face carefully." Preston passed Cain's picture to the three security guards, copies of the picture Sam had left with him. "You can check with Chief Murphy if you want. This man is suspected in the possible murder of a Korean War veteran in Dallas and the MIA whose body was found recently in a concrete overpass. He's been seen in Chasen Heights and I could be his next target."

The three guards were former mercenaries who had trained with the Secret Service. Preston had used them in Springfield when he had received numerous death threats after introducing a bill to end welfare as we know it. On the surface, his argument for the bill had basis. There were almost ten thousand alcoholics and drug addicts receiving Social Security benefits. Preston had argued that all they did was take their checks to the nearest bar or drug dealer.

But Preston actually was targeting the black inner cities. He had made a statement to a close friend that welfare to the blacks was nothing more than a way for them to receive monetary restitution for years of slavery suffered by their ancestors. He hadn't realized the cameras were rolling.

The guards were well-trained and heavily armed with Ruger police carbines, Stealth C-1000 9mm handguns, laser sightings, and night vision goggles. They would spend the night patrolling the grounds.

Two of the guards referred to the taller one as, "Sergeant." Sergeant Cowles passed out walkie-talkies to his men instructing them what channel to use. They were dressed in dark jumpsuits and combat boots.

"This man is armed and dangerous," Preston continued. It was unfortunate, but Preston couldn't leave any witnesses behind. The only other person who had seen Cain in the house was Juanita. This morning he sent her back to Mexico on a one-month vacation. In a week, he would send her a telegram informing her that her services were no longer needed.

"How do you want us to handle it, Sir," Sergeant Cowles asked.

Preston tilted his head up in a condescending posture and replied, "Do whatever needs to be done."

Having left his fortress under the protection of Cowles and his men, Preston retreated to his study. He flipped the master switch on his computer just as the phone rang.

"Avery, it's about time you returned my call." Preston said. "The baseball cards were a nice touch, but really. Couldn't you have tossed in a Babe Ruth?"

"I don't believe you have any more than one set of those pictures, Preston. I will not resign nor will I ever endorse you. So don't try to..."

"Shut up. I don't give a damn what you believe." The cursor on the computer ran down the menu to the lock and key icon. Preston clicked the mouse. "I do have to admit, though, I didn't think you'd have the balls to hire someone to steal them. Now, I want you to listen carefully."

A rectangular box appeared on the screen with one question, Do you wish to execute program? Yes - No. Preston placed the cursor on Yes and clicked it once. Executing, the screen flashed. A time clock appeared in the lower right hand side. At the press of a button it would begin a countdown preset by Preston. He had given it a release time of seven in the morning. Enough time for the press to review it before his speech. Once released, the time could not be altered or canceled.

"Did you hear that, Avery?" Preston leaned back, a triumphant smile turning up the corners of his mouth. "That's the sound of your career crashing and burning."