CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

They put the bottle on the chopper and sent it home for analysis. While in D.C., they planned to visit the DEA chief. Before they could even locate him, home was calling.

"It's exactly what we suspected. They've modified the new drugs that are legal and safe and added an opioid to it along with a grouping of uppers that make people anxious and hyperactive, causing them to lose even more weight," said Suzette. "The problem is it will also make their blood pressure and pulse go up. They're killing people on their dreams of losing weight."

"None of this tells us why someone is out to kill these Marines," said Alistair.

"It doesn't," said Suzette, "but maybe show them the picture of the doctor. If he was out there, they would know it."

"You're pretty smart, Aunt Suzette," smirked Luke.

"I will kick your ass," she frowned, leaving them to their work. After talking to the three Marines on the island and to Clark, none of them recognized the face of the doctor.

"We're headed to speak with Juarez's chief. If he missed him in the count, I need to know if it was intentional or truly an accident," said Alistair.

Springfield, Virginia, was the home of the DEA headquarters. The sprawling campus of buildings, offices, and training facilities were relatively new as D.C. went. Andy Brashear was on the second floor in a cubicle more befitting a junior agent than a team leader or chief.

"Agent Brashear?" asked Alistair.

"Yes," he said quietly. "That's me."

"Sir, we'd like to speak with you about Juarez." The man eyed them and nodded, walking toward an open conference room. He took the seat along the side of the table and folded his hands like a child.

"Am I fired?" he asked.

"Sir, we're not with the DEA. We're investigating why Juarez was killed and why someone wants the Marines dead, including the pilot."

"God, will this never end," he said, shaking his head. "Juarez is my fault. I thought everyone was on board, and I gave the order to leave. I-I was forgetful that night. I've been that way on and off the last year. My wife had been driving me crazy to retire, and I think I'm going to be forced to do so."

"Have you seen someone for a full work-up?" asked Kev.

"Yesterday," he nodded, looking away from the men. "They did a brain scan, all sorts of tests. I have early onset dementia."

"I'm so damn sorry, sir," said Matt. The man just shook his head.

"I should have resigned last year. I did this. Had I been thinking clearly, I would have noticed that kid not on the chopper."

"There are things that can help, sir," said Garr. "Maybe if you retired, you'd have more time to focus on those things and improve your cognitive abilities."

"Maybe."

"If you don't mind, would you try to think back to that night? Was there anyone there that stood out to you? Maybe someone who didn't fit? Someone who shouldn't have been there?" asked Alistair.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "Marines and DEA agents. That's it. The men we were arresting were fairly cooperative. There were three that took off into the forest, but I told the guys not to follow. I was worried it was a trap, and they weren't as familiar with the woods as the dealers."

"Did you see the faces of the three that took off?" he stared at Garr, confusion filling his face.

"Took off? Who took off where?" he said quietly. Garr swallowed and looked at the other men.

"Sir," said Sor, gripping his hand. "You just said that three men took off into the woods. We were wondering if you saw their faces."

"Oh. Oh, that. No. Not really. It was dark, and they appeared dark. I mean, dark hair and dark clothes."

"I see. That's helpful," said Sor. "Are some of your agents here to speak with? The men who were there that night?"

"Yes. I'll take you to them." Sor looked at the others, nodding in their direction.

"I'm going to talk to his agents. I think you guys need to find his chief and have a conversation about him being here."

"I'm going with you," said Alistair. Matt, Garr, and Kev had Andy lead them to his chief and leave them alone to speak with the man. They weren't experts, but his mind was placing men in danger.

"This is the team that was there that night," said Andy, pointing to a group of men seated in a pod of desks and chairs.

"What's up, Andy?" asked one of the men.

"These boys are here… Um, they're here to, what are you here for again?" he asked Sor. The younger man smiled at him, gripping his shoulder.

"It's okay, Andy. It's been a long day. I'm Sor. This is Alistair. We'd like to speak with you about the raid in West Virginia. We found Juarez's body last night."

"We heard it was pretty gruesome," said one of the men.

"It wasn't something I want to see again," said Sor. "We're investigating why someone is trying to kill the Marines and Marine pilot who were there. Do you remember seeing anything or anyone that was out of place?"

They all looked at each other, trying to recall everything from that night.

"No. The Marines are good at what they do. They know they're shit, and when it comes to first contact and takedown, we let them rule the road. After that, it's up to us to get the drugs. That's what we did. It was dark for the first twenty minutes. Then, once we had everything under control, we used the floodlights. It was either dead or wounded bodies at that point."

"Anything strange happening with any of you? Someone following you? Maybe messing with your car or home?" asked Alistair.

"Nothing that I know of," said one of the agents. "We're all pretty careful about that and check twice."

"That's smart," said Alistair. "Listen, if you think of anything at all, please give us a call. This is the number to our information line."

"I know this number," frowned one of the guys. "You're with VG."

"We are," nodded Alistair.

"Why are you guys investigating this?"

"The chopper pilot is my fiancée," smiled Alistair. "I'd like to keep her alive for another sixty years or so."

"She was great, brother. Knew her shit all the way and didn't get distracted by the noise from the guys we were cuffing and loading. She's a keeper for sure."

"I think so," said Alistair. "Thanks for your help." The men looked around Alistair and Sor, then whispered.

"Andy's gone now. What do you guys think about him? I mean, I know you just met him. He's been around forever, and I damn sure don't want to make an old guy quit, but shit. He's not right anymore."

"I think he has some medical reasons to take leave," said Sor. "He's obviously been a great agent with the different agencies before coming to the DEA, but it might be time for him to retire. Someone should have seen this and caught it sooner. It doesn't make it right, and it doesn't make it his fault. I don't think he knows or understands fully what's happening to him. If your supervisor asks you about him, be honest, but be respectful. He deserves that and a fuck lot more."

"Thanks," nodded one of the guys. "I promise we'll be honest about it. We should have said something sooner, but it's because we respect him that we didn't."

When they left the building, Kev, Matt, and Garr stared at the others.

"They're making the old man resign due to medical reasons. He's so confused. Today is a really bad day for him. What pisses me off is that someone saw that and didn't confront him sooner. I thought everyone had to go through yearly evaluations. Don't they still make all of them take the yearly tests?"

"They do, Garr, but sometimes the old guys are able to slip through the cracks. They schedule it and come up with some reason why they can't make the appointment, and there's no one there to ensure that they do. Doesn't make it right, but it is what it is," said Alistair. "We're looking for a fucking ghost. No one saw him or her. No one remembers anything suspicious. But whoever was out there believes that Clark and the other Marines saw something or someone that they can't reveal."

"Maybe we find our rednecks who made bail. If they're desperate for the drugs or desperate for money, they might be willing to sell someone out," said Sor. "Put some extra pressure on them and see what happens." Alistair smiled at him, nodding.

"Now that sounds like fun."