Leopard, p.7
Leopard, page 7
“I remember that,” Calvin interjected. “It was around the same time I joined the agency. My first mission was to locate the person who created the chip that LT discovered.”
“Correction, I discovered,” Sapphire stated then continued. “But you are correct, this was all happening around that same time. In your universe you were searching for the person who created that chip. Rolfeman and his minions were preparing their candidate for president of the United States. Election night is where everything is planned to collide.”
“Sapphire, I know your brain works fast. But I’m pretty intelligent and I’m not making the connection…I thought I was there, but you’ve lost me again.”
“Let’s follow one path, before connecting everything. DiscoveryU was a think tank years ago. The founding members designed it to find the most brilliant scientists they could to help cure food shortages in the United States and around the world, discover cures for different diseases that we just couldn't seem to get a handle on, and a way to help with space exploration in addition to climate issues. Anything that you could think of to help the world become a safer, healthier place. You with me so far?" Calvin nodded so she continued. "The board of billionaires' focus was really to take some of the wealth that each of them had and make other people's lives wealthier, so to speak. But about ten years in, they hired a young attorney, by the name of Edward Ackerson. The focus changed. He had different views and ideas on how DiscoveryU could make billions off of some of the discoveries the scientists were making inroads on. So, it became more about greed and power and less about helping people. When that change took place, a number of the original founders stepped away from the organization.”
“Okay, Ackerson was the lead on the change.”
“Exactly. There he met Rolfeman, Cunningham, and Vance. However, since several of their original donors had left, they needed financing. This is where a man named Mackenzie McClintock came in. He was a billionaire out of Texas who had a son he wanted to become president.”
“Jerry McClintock?”
“You are thinking of things during our time. I need you to put your mind on the years before you and I were even thought of. These men have been planning and sowing seeds since before either you or I were born,” she corrected then continued. “So, we are not talking about former Vice President Jerry McClintock. We are talking about his father, Jeremiah McClintock,” Sapphire corrected.
“Sapphire, are you telling me this plot goes back over twenty years?”
“Not only does it go back twenty years, but it also takes different paths to make what is happening today possible,” Sapphire explained. “What happened to Wade Tyson’s and Leslie Carrington’s parents was initiated by the same organization with the assistance of the same men mentioned before. Here is where the first path of DiscoveryU hits the government. McClintock wanted his son to become president. These men wanted to control a president to force their way of life on the American people. The men at DiscoveryU had the plan but not the money. McClintock had money, but no surefire plan. The two merged their interests and created a well-financed plan to infiltrate the government. Here’s how the plan was surefire. They would eliminate people in high positions then replace them with their own people. They were grooming candidates for positions right below the high-ranking position. The person in the higher position would die, then their person was placed in the higher position without having to be voted in.”
“How was it possible to know when someone was going to die? I mean they would have to have a hell of a crystal ball or connection with God to know that.”
“Or they could cause their death at-will.”
Calvin heard what she said but did not quite understand. “They were killing people at-will? Eventually someone would notice the pattern.”
“You would think.” Sapphire smiled. “You’re thinking of the good old fashioned way people would be murdered. These people are leap years ahead of us. Along the way, another branch of DiscoveryU had a scientist who created a serum that would help Alzheimer's patients. They weaponized that serum and were using it to kill people at-will. They were killing people in car accidents, some were tagged as natural deaths, however they were killed by a serum that was originally created by Wade Tyson’s mother, to help people.”
Calvin understood now. “They were killing people to remove them from their positions so their people could replace them and hold those positions until their chosen candidate could become president. Then together the people they had put in place and the president could implement the changes they wanted for the country.”
“Simple summary, but you have the gist of it,” Sapphire stated. “Now, years later, their people are in key government positions, and their candidate is a popular senator who is ready to throw his hat in the ring to become president. Only, Mac McClintock who was behind the shooting on election night when President Harrison’s Vice President was killed, and the son Jeremiah, gets caught up in the scandal and their presidential candidate then becomes Jerry McClintock. We were around for Jerry. Jerry is the man who President Harrison named as his running mate during his first term, making Jerry Vice President. However, a VP cannot implement the changes the men from DiscoveryU wanted. It had to be the president's position, or the entire plan was a wash.”
“Slow up a little.” Calvin adjusted his position. “The bottles of serum you show in the video was the serum being used to kill people?”
“Yes, it was.”
“Did you destroy all of it?”
“All that we found, however, we now have an antidote for it. Before we had nothing to counteract what they were doing.”
“So, we stopped the plan?” Calvin asked.
“We did, on that front, however, they had another plan. The backup plan was to control the voting machines. To do that they needed a power source that could control power grids. Here’s where Leslie Carrington’s mother comes into play. She had a breakthrough on an energy source that could control the power grids without using a satellite. All they needed was a chip inserted into the voting machines and a source to send a message to the machines on election night.”
“The power source that Leslie’s mother was working on would give them ground control of the machines,” Calvin surmised. “Access to the satellite would not be needed.”
“Exactly, only Zena Carrington discovered what they were attempting to do and refused to turn over the final specs to DiscoveryU. Since she was an employee, her contract indicated any product she produced or created was their property.”
“Which according to the law is right.” Calvin nodded. “It’s considered proprietary property.”
“Right,” Sapphire acknowledged. “Based on the law they not only owned the product, but any and all knowledge of the product. We believe she was going to tell someone about their plans.”
“And they killed her,” Calvin ended her statement.
She nodded. “The fire that ended her and her husband’s lives was determined to have been arson.”
“So where is the information from her work?”
“They believe it all went up in smoke,” Sapphire stated. “The fact that a man Leslie Carrington was following is also connected to Congressman Ackerson is not a coincidence. Since some of the founding members of DiscoveryU are still out there, we put together a team of people to bring them down. Now, you are a part of that contingent. Only you will be working alone to connect these men to the Carringtons' deaths and if possible, locate the documents regarding the energy source that was created.”
Calvin nodded, now understanding the full scope of his assignment. “Who are the other members of the team?”
“Federal Prosecutor Skylar Burrell out of the Eastern District will be named Special Council. Special Agent Genesis Morgan and Agent Parker Anderson are our lead investigators on Director Vance. As for the administrative end of this investigation, Charlotte Reigns will be our lead. Our core team is strong. However, there are powerful names on the list as targets. Somewhere along the way you will encounter people that will do all within their power to stop you or anyone else who gets in their way. That includes Leslie Carrington.”
Chapter 12
Generally, whenever Calvin was on a mission, he did not reach out to the guys. However, for this one he would be in the Richmond and DC area. This was basically their stomping grounds. There was a strong possibility they could cross paths while he was with Leslie Carrington.
After meeting with Sapphire at TA, he realized his role in this investigation was crucial. This mission could have an impact on the presidency, the country, hell, the world. He remembered reading about the deaths of Senator Rolfeman and his daughter. What he did not know was the connection between that murder/suicide and the unscrupulous activity happening with the voting machines in Richmond or the impact of the investigation into the death of District Attorney of Richmond, Alex Burnett and other officials. It was the catalyst that revealed traitors high up within the administration. It was now his job to protect Leslie, assist her in figuring out what happened with her parents, and find the formula to the energy source her mother was working on.
“You look lost. Are you supposed to be here?”
Calvin looked up to see he had actually walked into the compound and JC was there.
“Hey.” Calvin took a seat in the semi-circle of sofas with the ottoman/table in the center. “No, I’m not lost,” he replied while resting his feet on the table.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were on assignment?”
“I am,” Calvin exhaled. “Since I’m going to be in this area, I wanted to make sure you guys knew in case we ran into each other.”
“You’re working in Richmond?” JC raised an eyebrow. “Anything we should be aware of?”
“Nothing I can talk about. But since I’m on this assignment, I don’t want any issues when we see each other. The person I’m working with does not know I’m with the agency. She thinks I’m an analyst with the government.”
“You need us to stick to general conversation if we run into you,” JC surmised.
“Exactly.” Calvin nodded. “Where is everyone?”
“Elliott is on Annabella Island with Calley and James is in Baltimore preparing for the ribbon cutting at the Center.”
“Wow, he’s really making progress on that.” Calvin smiled. “How’s it’s going with Legacy Community Development Center at LAW. That’s a good move for you. Are you going to stay there?”
“For a while,” JC acknowledged.
“Are you still working on developing future candidates to run for office at the local level?”
“Oh yeah, we really need good people at all levels of government. Especially at the local and state level. This is where the people need our help the most.”
“When you find people, check them through and through. I mean from the moment they were born all the way up,” Calvin stated. “You would be surprised at the negative influences that hit people and steer them in the wrong direction.”
As soon as he made the comment his cell phone buzzed. It was a secure message. He stood. “I have to go.” He gave JC a pound. “Let the guys know I checked in.”
“Will do. You know how to reach out when you need us.”
“Always.” Calvin waved as he walked out of the compound. Stepping into Genevieve, he activated the communication system.
Secure message from Hypnotic, Genevieve advised.
“Read it to me.”
Meeting with VP set for 6 p.m.
Calvin checked his watch. “Okay, Genevieve, we need to go back to DC.”
Two hours later Calvin was back at his place in DC. He spent the drive gathering information on the P.I.E. organization's activities. Sapphire had barely touched the surface on what actually occurred, but the one thing that stuck with him was the fact that a portion of the deadly serum could still be in enemy hands. He requested a vial of the antidote just in case Vance, Ackerson, or Cunningham had access to the serum. In the meantime, he had to come face to face with Leslie Carrington. While she may not be able to recognize his face, he had to wonder if she would react to his voice or his movements. She did have a chance to observe him, and that might cause a problem.
Well, no need to put it off, Calvin thought. He left his laptop at the house but took his tablet. He'd had the laptop bag with him the night they met and she might recognize it. The tablet was going to have to do for the night. He wanted nothing to connect him to Hammer so he drove his personal vehicle, which had a version of Genevieve, minus the weaponry.
“Scan the area for any tracking devices or surveillance equipment.”
Affirmative. Visual surveillance has detected our presence. No outside coverage detected.
“Thank you, Genevieve. Give me a count on personnel on the grounds.”
Twenty-two armed personnel, four civilians.
“Okay, continue to survey the area while I’m inside,” Calvin ordered as he reached the security gate leading into the home of the Vice President.
“Proceed, Mr. Johnson, you are expected.”
“Thank you,” Calvin replied as he drove his Range Rover to the front door of the home. He had no idea how long the meeting would be, so he parked it to the side in case any other visitors were coming. As he walked up the steps, the front door opened. He was surprised when the VP stepped outside on the porch, closing the door behind her.
“Mr. Johnson, welcome to my home.”
“Thank you,” Calvin replied, wondering why they were on the porch talking.
“I need you to find a way to take this investigation away from Leslie. It is too dangerous, and I would prefer that she not be a part of it. Do we understand each other?”
“I do. However, have you made that clear to her?”
“She’s not going to listen to me. I’m the mother in this situation. You, however, are an attractive young man. She might listen to you.”
Calvin chuckled. “Have you met your goddaughter?”
She gave him an exasperating look. “Of course…” she began then stopped. “That was a rhetorical question.”
“Not really, ma’am. I met your goddaughter and she appears to be very determined and has a stubborn streak.”
“Just like her mother,” Phoenix mumbled then pointed a finger at him. “I still want you to find a way to get her out of this mess. You’ve had the one-on-one with TA?
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then you know what we are dealing with,” Phoenix exclaimed. “These people have taken the lives of many already. I do not want Leslie to be their next victim. It is imperative to find a way to help but channel her energy in another direction.”
“I will do my best.”
She nodded. “Alright.” Then she opened the door and they walked inside.
“Leslie is in the sitting room waiting for you. I’ve explained you are with the government and have a more than average understanding of the technology her mother was working on. Between your big brain and hers, you may be able to finish the project her mother started.”
Calvin assumed that statement was meant for Leslie's benefit because he had not been given the directive to finish the project.
“Leslie, this is Calvin Johnson. Calvin, this is my goddaughter, Leslie Carrington.”
This was not the woman he was expecting. Calvin was stunned, more like stupefied at the woman who was before him. Yes, he had met her the other night, but for the life of him, he did not remember her looking like the vision before him.
It wasn’t a loud or snap your head around kind of look, her beauty was a whisper. The kind that unfolds slowly and covers you like a warm blanket. Her dark brown skin glowed with a richness like it had been kissed by the sun. Her smile wasn’t just on her lips, it showed in her eyes, her cheeks, and the slight tilt of her head.
“Hello, I’m Leslie.” She extended her hand to him.
Her voice was smooth and low, making him feel like he'd been touched by an angel. He was mesmerized by her graceful presence. This woman was nothing like the crazy woman he'd saved the other night. Watching her made him think she moved with purpose, easing from one movement to another in a smooth precise manner, with the promise of other layers unfolding right before his eyes. She's a chameleon, he thought.
“Mr. Johnson,” Phoenix encouraged.
“Yes?” He glanced in her direction.
She tilted her head.
That was when he noticed her hand.
“Oh, my bad.” He took her hand in his, which caused a ripple of sparks up his arm. “I'm um…Calvin Johnson.” He was trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain. “It’s a pleasure to be here.”
There was something familiar about the man. Leslie was sure she had never met him before, simply because there was no way she could have forgotten the very essence of this man. She was five-eight, which meant he had to be a good six-one maybe two, with the smoothest mahogany brown skin she had ever seen, and she could not help but notice the slight bowlegs as he walked into the room with a gentle confidence. It was the kind that let a woman know he could and would protect her without question. Talk about a steady love…there was a strength that radiated from his intense warm brown eyes that lit up when he smiled. Oh, that smile, those lips, the chiseled chin, made parts of her body begin to sweat; yes sweat, not perspire, she was sweating and had to do something before anyone noticed.
She stood to introduce herself. When he took her hand, the warmth spread through her body, calming her spirit. His touch made her feel like home. That was crazy enough, yet when he spoke, there was something familiar about his voice. Not the sound of it, but the way it filled her with pleasure.
“Do I need to mediate here, to get the conversation started?” Phoenix asked as she separated their hands.
“No.” Calvin cleared his throat as he pulled himself together giving Leslie a once-over. She was wearing a colorful dress that fell right above her knee. It accentuated every curve of her body. Why didn’t he see any of that the first night? “I think we can take it from here.”
