Prey (27 page)

"She took Kobayashi?" MacDonald blinked.

"Oh, hell, no," Brickard laughed. "He extended her out with an arm bar, caught her in the solar plexus with an elbow, locked her into a
morote
shoulder throw, and had her choked out before she hit the floor."

"Sounds like true love to me," MacDonald smiled with relief.

"Yeah, you should have seen it," Brickard grinned. "He brought her back around, took off his belt and gave it to her, 'cause I guess nobody's tagged him like that in about fifteen fucking years, which sent her running off the mat with tears in her eyes. So our number-one
Sensei
evens it all out by stomping the living shit out of Aben, maybe fifteen out of fifteen, until the goddamned arrogant Kraut finally gives up and staggers back to the simulators, where he can play Cowboys and Indians with his buddy Maas."

"Speaking of Maas," MacDonald said, "I'm glad to hear he's mortal after all."

"Yeah, who said that?"

"You did. You said everybody else fell into the range of one-eight to two-six."

"Everybody except Maas." Brickard shook his head. "He pulled a clean three-five."

"Three-five?"

"It's all on tape, and you're going to want to see it," Brickard nodded.

"He and Aben went in as a tag team and tore the goddamn course apart."

"Both
of them logged a three-five?"

"Nah, not really. Our buddy Günter can probably get it up to a three-two, or maybe even a three-three when he's dead- on, but mostly he's pretty inconsistent. Loses his temper and goes ape-shit every time he takes a little paint. That's when they really pick him off."

"And Maas?"

"Cold as a goddamn ice cube," Brickard said. "Con him with a fast shuffle and he goes back in with that look in his eye. Took him three tries with R-twelve, but now he's got that one knocked, too. Three more simulators and he's got the place maxed."

"Three and a half times normal human reaction." MacDonald shook his head. "Where in hell did they find a guy like that?"

"Beats the shit outta me," Brickard shrugged. "I'm about ready to have him X-rayed for wires and chips as it is. Hard to figure a guy like that as being human."

"We could always ratchet the simulators up a couple more notches," MacDonald said contemplatively, "but what's the point? Anything over a three-six just isn't realistic. You're never going to run up against anybody in a field situation with that kind of reaction time."

"Actually, Maas came up to me after the exercises with an interesting request."

"Yeah, what's that?"

"He wanted to know if we could set up an exercise that's a little more competitive. I think that was the word he used."

"More
competitive?"

"Yeah. He wants us to put a couple of live rounds in the simulators, random feed, random mags, and then let him run the course on his own."

"What?"

"Said if we were willing to do that, he thinks he can make a four-oh. Added stimulation. Heightened awareness. Shit like that."

"Christ!" MacDonald whispered.

"Yeah, that's roughly what I said," Brickard nodded. "And I'll tell you what. The more I think about it, the more I'm about half tempted to let him try it."

"Any particular reason?" MacDonald asked after a moment.

"Just one," Brickard said as he reached for the back door to the main cabin. "I'm starting to think we ought to let the robots put this guy down while he's still on our side."

Chapter Twenty-Four

Wednesday June 5th

Walter Crane, chief investigator for the firm of Little, Warren, Nobles and Kole, waited until Albert Bloom, Lisa Abercombie, Dr. Reston Wolfe, and the other five members of the ICER Committee were seated around the teak-and- rosewood table in the quiet, luxurious, and tightly secured conference room.

Then he picked up the crisp manila file folder containing his summary notes, glanced through the first page briefly, and discreetly cleared his throat.

"This is an interesting case," he began, showing the lack of discernible emotion that most of his audiences seemed to find comforting.

"If I were to summarize all of the facts in one brief statement, I would say that our clients apparently stumbled into a federal undercover investigation being conducted by a team of special agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Law Enforcement.

"The team, which seems to be comprised of six special agents operating under the code designation 'Bravo,' is a part of the Special Operations Branch based out of the central Washington, D.C., office.

"I should note here," Crane said, pausing to look up at his audience, "that the Special Operations Branch is authorized to conduct undercover operations throughout the United States. There is no question of illegal or improper jurisdiction on the part of these agents. Or," he added significantly, "at least none that we are aware of at the moment."

"At any rate," he went on when there were no comments from anyone around the table, "the essence of the case is that on or about June the second of this year—which is to say, last Sunday afternoon—three brothers, named Alex, Butch, and Sonny Chareaux, took a Mr. Henry Allen Lightner, and of course our clients," Crane added without the slightest suggestion of sarcasm in his voice, "out on a guided hunt that turned out to be illegal."

"In what sense?" one of the ICER Committee members asked.

"Illegal in the sense that several protected, threatened or endangered animals—specifically, two grizzly bears, at least four elk, three whitetail deer, one peregrine falcon, one red- tailed hawk, and two golden eagles—were illegally killed, transported, and or possessed within or near the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park," Crane explained.

"But can they prove that all of these animals were taken by our clients?" the same man asked.

"That may be the relevant question," Crane nodded. "Right now I can tell you that some of these animals were subsequently found in the possession of Alex and Butch Chareaux at a local Montana taxidermist shop owned and operated by a Mr. Roberto Jacall. We also know that federal agents and state wardens spent several hours in the supposed hunting area taking photographs and collecting evidence. We are still waiting to receive copies of these crime-scene reports. Also, as far as we are aware, none of the individuals involved in the hunt had any hunting licenses, tags or permits that might have allowed them to take or possess these animals legally."

"But this
is
a federal case, and not state?" Albert Bloom interrupted, his normally tanned face looking pale.

"It is predominantly a federal case, although I would expect the state of Montana to be involved at some level, if for no other reason than a desire for mutual cooperation among federal and state agencies," Crane explained. "The initial arrests were made by Montana State Fish and Game officers, based upon the observations of two Stillwater County sheriffs deputies who responded to Mr. Lightner's nine-one-one call. The case was then transferred in fairly quick order to the local federal agent, who appears to have gotten into immediate contact with members of the Bravo Team."

"Which suggests that these federal undercover agents were almost certainly involved in all of this from the start," Bloom said, favoring Reston Wolfe with an ominous glare.

"Yes, it does," Crane nodded, "although I would caution all of you to keep in mind that it is still early in the process and that not all of the facts are in a format to be discoverable."

"What exactly does that mean?" another of the ICER Committee members demanded.

"While the case
has
been filed with the U.S. Attorney," Crane explained, "not all of the follow-up reports have been completed. At least two of the agents involved in the investigation are recovering from rather severe injuries and have not yet been able to put together all of their supplemental reports.

"But I should warn you," Crane added, "that while the investigative efforts of these agents have been summarized in detail by their supervisor—and there is no reason to think that any new information will be revealed in their final reports—there is
always
the possibility that additional charges could be filed as a result of these reports."

"When will we know about that?" the Committee member asked.

"That's difficult to tell," Crane shrugged. "Considering the nature of the injuries sustained by these officers, I would expect the judge to be very lenient in approving requests for continuances."

"One interesting aspect of this case, however," Crane went on, "is the readily apparent fact that there would have been
no
seizure of evidence, and certainly no arrests, at either the state or the federal level," he emphasized, "had it not been for a series of accidental events.

"These being," Crane raised three fingers in succession, "the very severe wounds sustained by Mr. Henry Allen Lightner during the hunt itself. The subsequent accident in which Mr. Butch Chareaux was seriously injured during the process of unloading the carcasses at Mr. Jacall's taxidermy establishment. And the fact that one of the responding deputies—whose brother happens to be a Montana State Fish and Game officer, and is therefore somewhat familiar with hunting regulations— found himself in a position to notice the carcasses in the back of Mr. Chareaux's truck."

"Incredible!" Albert Bloom shook his head.

"An unfortunate series of events at best," the chief investigator nodded.

"What charges have been brought so far?" another ICER Committee member asked.

Crane turned to the seventh typed page of his summary notes.

"So far," he said, "Alex, Butch, and Sonny Chareaux have been charged with a total of seventeen felony and five misdemeanor counts. These include assault on a federal officer, resisting arrest, and violations of the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Lacey Act, and the Airborne Hunting Act.

"In addition," Crane said after pausing for effect, "there are indications that other charges, such as kidnapping and the placing of an explosive device on a passenger airplane, may also be filed against one or more of these individuals at a later date."

"Jesus
Christ
!" some member of the committee whispered under his breath.

"Based upon our initial contacts with the U.S. Attorney's office, I think we can expect the court to set a bail of at least five hundred thousand dollars for each until a decision has been reached on the additional charges."

"Money is not the issue here," Albert Bloom said calmly. "What about the other charges?"

"Roberto Jacall and Henry Allen Lightner," Crane went on, "have been charged with two felony and one misdemeanor counts each, which include possession of untagged hunting trophies and unauthorized possession of a weapon in a national park.

"Mr. Jacall is likely to be charged with additional counts, depending on the lab analysis of hides and furs collected at what appears to be a hidden and illegal taxidermy operation located on his property. Bail is expected to be set at approximately one hundred thousand dollars.

"Mr. Lightner is currently hospitalized in federal custody. He may or may not be charged with the hunting and possession violations, depending upon the lab analysis of the bullets removed from the seized carcasses, footprints at the scenes, and the blood and hair on his clothing. His bail is expected to be set at approximately fifty thousand dollars.

"I should note here that based on our extensive interviews with Dr. Wolfe and Miss Abercombie, there seems to be some question as to the extent of Mr. Lightner's actual involvement in the hunt. Apparently he was scheduled to hunt that day, but then agreed to allow our clients to take his place at the last moment as a result of some financial arrangements.

"While Mr. Lightner certainly did take an active part in the hunt, it is not clear whether he actually shot at or killed any of these animals. Nor is it clear that he could be charged with transportation or possession, since he was apparently unconscious at the time.

"In essence," Crane explained, "it is our considered opinion that of all the subjects involved in this case, Mr. Lightner is the least vulnerable in terms of substantive charges, and therefore, the one most likely to consider a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's office."

"You mean testifying for the prosecution in exchange for a lesser sentence?" an ICER member asked.

"Or possibly he will face no prosecution at all," Crane nodded. "One thing we need to keep in mind about Mr. Lightner is that the majority of his injuries were apparently caused by misdirected gunfire . . . that is to say, bullets fired by our clients."

Albert Bloom closed his eyes and shook his head slowly in disbelief.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen," Crane said quietly, "is the sum of all charges filed in this case to date. Are there any questions?"

"That's
all?"
Albert Bloom blinked.

"Yes, sir," Crane nodded. "As best we are able to tell so far, and—" he gestured toward the thick pile of documents that he and his highly paid team of private investigators had managed to collect during the previous twelve hours—"I would emphasize that we have only
begun
to sort things out. The focus of the federal investigation seems to have been on Alex Chareaux and his brothers. At this point, there is no indication that Dr. Wolfe or Miss Abercombie were ever targets of this undercover operation.