“Mr. Palmer, I’m Alfonse Coscarelli, and this is my chief of staff, Ben Dare,” Al said, ushering him into the office. “I do appreciate your coming here on such short notice. Have you been told why I’ve asked you here this morning?” Alfonse asked, eschewing customary pleasantries but indicating that Palmer make himself comfortable.
“Not exactly, sir,” Palmer replied. “I’ve had a brief conversation with Mr. Dare, but he only told me that something may have happened to your daughter and grandson. How can I be of service, Senator?” he asked, settling into the soft leather couch as he looked around the room.
It’s amazing, Emerson thought. All 100 senators’ offices look exactly the same. The furnishings were different, but each office was decorated with memorabilia from the senator’s home state, pictures of the senator with the president or key cabinet members, the American and corresponding state flags, and other prized treasures of the office-holder. Anyone visiting a congressional office was at a significant disadvantage. This office epitomizes a home-court advantage.
“Mr. Palmer, we don’t have much time, so please forgive my bluntness,” Al said. “It’s true my daughter Sela Coscarelli and grandson, Jeremiah Marshall, have been abducted. Ben has informed me that you’re not only an excellent private investigator, but also have information about an organization called the ‘cleaners.’ Is my information correct? Am I speaking to the right man?” he asked worriedly, craning his neck forward while perched on the edge of his seat.
“Yes, Senator…I suppose you are…if the group you’re referring to is the one that our government has been secretly deploying but refusing to acknowledge ever since the Revolutionary War,” he answered cautiously, measuring the man for any sign of trickery. It didn’t seem likely the senator would be up to any chicanery because he wasn’t lying about his daughter; news of her disappearance was just hitting the news channels. Still, it was better to be cautious when speaking to the chairman on the Senate Intelligence Committee about secret information known only to the president.
“Throughout our history, Senator, there have been times when in the best interest of our country, the Executive Office has taken actions to protect the values and freedoms we Americans hold dear, freedoms that were paid for with the blood of patriots ever since our country was founded. Many of these actions would be considered highly illegal were they reported, damaging the ability of the president and our Armed Forces to properly protect this country. In the interest of providing a strong national defense, keep the peace, and fight insurrection and oppression, there is a group of highly skilled people who work outside the channels of government. They are known as cleaners. Why do you ask about them, Senator?”
“I ask, Mr. Palmer, because I want to know if this resource is an available option to find my missing family. I’m in dire straits here. You saw the director of the Secret Service just depart. You probably also know there is nothing they can do for me. That means I’m totally at the mercy of local law enforcement to rescue my daughter and grandson. That’s unacceptable,” Alfonse said, summing up the situation as best he could. “I’m willing to try anything…”
“‘Unacceptable’ is an interesting word, sir. There are members of your Intelligence Committee that speak with great conviction that there should never be a time when our government acts outside the bounds of the Geneva Convention. They abhor any activity that strays from conventional intelligence-gathering methods. These liberal zealots are the very same people who would weaken our national defense in the interest of providing full disclosure, when to do so would compromise the safety of those brave patriots who tackle jobs none of them have the temerity, courage, or wherewithal to perform. It might be well for you to recognize the spew of conscientious objectors on your committee who would just as soon issue warnings to our enemy before we take actions to protect this country,” he said harshly, as Ben twisted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Has anyone contacted you with a ransom demand?” Palmer asked, looking at Ben.
“Not so far,” Ben replied, composing himself, flummoxed that Palmer would use this opportunity to espouse his personal views about members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Early this morning I spoke to Lieutenant Dave Morris from the Palo Alto PD,” he said, fully explaining the salient facts as he knew them. “Morris claims there’s more to the kidnappings than meets the eye. He’s been working with Agent Jason Henry from DOD following the theft of nuclear material from the Lawrence Livermore Lab. Morris and Agent Henry think all this is interconnected and hinges on new technology that Dr. Jarrod Conrad has developed out at Stanford.”
“The facts are intriguing, I’ll grant you that, sir,” Palmer replied, looking steadily at Al, weighing everything he’d heard. “Let’s say I believe you…and I’m able to get in touch with parties that may be of assistance. What’s this service worth to you, Senator?”
“I beg your pardon?” Al replied, taken aback by the presumption of the man’s question. “I thought this was a secret government operation…that you would get these cleaners to do the job.”
“Senator, forgive me…I merely said I’ve heard rumors of this organization. I did not mean to imply that I could get anyone beyond myself involved. Your case offers an interesting challenge and I offer my undivided attention.”
“What do you charge, Mr. Palmer?” Al asked gruffly, perturbed that the subject of money had been broached. He would gladly pay anything to get his family back, but he never expected to be dealing with a mercenary when Palmer was invited to advise him.
“There’s a reason for my question, Senator,” Palmer said, sensing his umbrage. “Believe me, you do not want your fingerprints on what I’m about to set in motion, sir. What I’m offering is deniability. If there’s even a hint of conspiracy or collusion regarding the deployment of covert government resources, you’ll want to truthfully testify that you had no knowledge of any impropriety- especially in your capacity as chairman of the Intelligence Committee. By hiring my firm at the going rate, you’ll successfully avoid any perception of impropriety. While I’m not considered beyond reproach by many of my contemporaries, I have assembled a credible private detective agency that will provide a suitable cover. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, I understand, Mr. Palmer. Please forgive my indignation,” Al replied. “What’s the going rate to retain your services?”
“A thousand dollars a day, plus expenses…times two missing persons,” he replied. “I need my standard retainer of $5,000 to begin. I’ll have my office assistant draft a contract and send it right over.”
“Ben, I’ll need the contact information for Lieutenant Morris and Agent Henry. I’ll make a call and see how we can begin to fit in without stepping on any toes.”
“Try not to worry, Senator. You’ll have the most experienced personnel in the country looking for your family,” he said reassuringly.
“Thank you, Mr. Palmer,” Al said, warmly embracing his hand as they each stood to conclude the meeting. “I feel an overwhelming sense of relief knowing you’ll be involved. Here, let me give you a check before you leave.”
“Not necessary, sir. That can be handled when the contract is delivered. Just be sure to inform me the minute you hear about a ransom…or anything else. Here’s my private number,” he said, handing Ben his card.
Emerson Palmer left the senator’s office feeling more alive than he had in a dozen years. He was frankly amazed that Ben Dare somehow had known to contact him, but chalked it up to mere coincidence. No one knew about his connection to the most notorious organization in the annals of the United States government. He had been recruited early in his career to join this secret group, and he had never regretted his decision. It was explained to him early on that he would likely have no family, no close friends, and no professional colleagues as a result of his secret involvement as a cleaner, all of which had come true. But he eagerly made this choice, sacrificing a stable private life and his future career in the government in exchange for the promise of helping to protect the American way of life in ways that were beyond all comprehension. Reflecting on that fateful decision never gave him pause; he’d make the same decision again today and twice on Sunday.