"LISTEN UP, EVERYBODY. We have work to do this morning." Walter Kent sat at an oak table centered in the main conference room of the Albuquerque Field Office. Agents Kohen and Ramirez, flanked by Dorothy Hogan and Lead Analyst Bill Johnson, faced him. Other agents with active cases occupied chairs around the table. They contributed to a subtle humidity in the air. Heavy drapes at each window blocked the summer sun.
"We have a dozen items to review this morning." Kent read from a roster of cases. "First is Case Number NM-1056." He dipped his head and turned to Ashley. "You have assembled your team, Agent Kohan, what can you tell us?"
"Thank you Mr. Kent." Ashley stood. "This case is starting to shape up. I and my partner, Agent Ramirez, working with Staff Analyst Bill Johnson, have made good progress in a short period of time."
Ramirez interrupted. "The Mummy Case."
Ashley made a face, then continued. "This is a murder case that involves a male victim found buried in the desert south of Roswell. The killer tried to make identification of the victim difficult: a calculated act by the un-sub–the unknown subject. As a result of a post mortem study we discovered a unique body marking. Using a photograph of this marking we have identified the victim. His name was Russell Smith. "We have Smith's former address, place of work, his Social Security number and insights into his life until his death two weeks ago. We also found the victim's brother and sister. Both are cooperating in this investigation.”
Ramirez still seated, exclaimed, “Piece of cake.”
“At the crime scene it was discovered the burial of the victim by the killer followed ceremonial rituals associated with a Middle Eastern religion. A terrorist link is possible."
"Ramirez again interrupted, “We don't have any proof of that yet."
Ashley’s jawline hardened. Her expression softened when she turned toward Johnson. “You all know Bill is a former field agent with an impressive record and many commendations. He’s been hard at work. What can you report today, Bill?" Ashley sat down.
Johnson, an elderly man with wavy white hair, giant eyeglasses, well-hidden hearing aids and bushy eyebrows remained seated. He viewed Ashley with a cheerful expression. "Thank you young lady. Based on the excellent legwork you and your partner over there have performed I can tell you quite a bit." He cut a glance at Ramirez, dropped the smile, and addressed the room. "Russell Smith, like everyone here, drove a car. I checked the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles, that agency we have all grown to love and adore, and found that Mr. Smith still lives." He thumped his cane on the floor three times.
Ramirez piped up, "What do you mean old man? He's as dead as a doornail."
"Well if he's a doornail he most certainly would be dead considering doornails are imamate objects." The room exploded into laughter. "Of course he's dead." Johnson glared at Ramirez, and then continued. "Someone assuming his identity traded a VW Bug on a luxury motor home that cost about a quarter of a million bucks and a 4-wheel drive SUV worth another 50K. DMV records show these transactions in detail."
Walter Kent took note. "Do you have an address of the current Russell Smith?”
"Yep, Number One, Boring Lane, Maljamar, New Mexico. Little place west of Lovington. There’s nothing there but a bunch of pump jacks, a few houses, and a radio relay tower used by the Public Broadcasting System."
"Boring Lane?" Kent raised an eyebrow.
“The name kind a fits the place, don't you think?" Johnson peered at Kent over-the-top of his glasses. "There's more. Russell Smith also owns a 1979 Ford pickup truck recently transferred to his name from an Allen Lee, who has a New Mexico driver's license and the same address as the deceased. Very likely Allen Lee and Russell Smith are one and the same persons.”
"That needs a follow up," said Ashley.
"I'm sure you will get on this like flies on..." He searched for an acceptable word. "...manure, my dear." Johnson appeared pleased with his word choice. "But I'm not finished." He flipped a few pages and began again. "The thumbprint discovered on the moleskin patch that covered the victim’s wound doesn't match anything recorded in our database. INTERPOL can't get a match either.” He paused. “The lock of black hair found in the body wrapping is awaiting DNA analysis. That will take months unless this case gets a top priority rating from Headquarters. Not likely.” He eyed the attentive audience. “An analysis of photographic footprints at the site of the burial suggest the un-sub is around 180 pounds and six feet tall, give or take an inch. Background checks on Russell Smith's brother and sister reveal nothing unusual." Johnson slapped his hands together. "For now, that's about it folks.”
Ashley again stood. "You've done a great job in a short time, Bill. I need descriptions and license plate numbers for all the vehicles."
"Right here, my dear." he said, holding a sheet of paper. Ashley thought he looked like Santa Claus without a beard. Cute and smart.
"Agent Kohen is right," agreed Kent. “You have done your usual good work, Bill." He turned to Dorothy Hogan. "I will issue an All-Points-Bulletin for the owner of these plates. I want the APB to read Acquire Do Not Apprehend. I want it sent to all local jurisdictions, the State Police and appropriate Federal agencies. If we don't make contact in a week, I'll broaden the distribution."
Ramirez jumped up, "Wait a minute. We have this guy by the short and curlies. He lives close to the burial site, he has assumed the victim's name, and stolen his car. We may have a matching thumbprint. We should arrest him on the spot."
Ashley, already on her feet, "We don't know what he's up to, and can only speculate on the danger he poses. We don't have enough proof for an indictment."
Both agents glared at each other.
Kent shook his head in disgust. "Okay. Enough. Sit down both of you." He scratched a note to himself: Review pairing of Kohen and Ramirez.
A moment of silence lingered in the room before he spoke. "Based on what we know, it’s my judgment that making a move on the un-sub this early in the investigation would be premature. Here's why. First, stealing the victim's identity may not be the killer's only purpose for the murder, since the victim didn't have anything else of value to steal. To what use could this stolen identity be put? I need to know the answer to that question. Second, there are Islamic practices linked to facets of this case. The Muslim faith is not practiced in the general area where the crime occurred. I have to wonder if the un-sub is using this identity as cover, while planning an act of terror. I want to rule out a threat to national security, not leave this question unresolved. The best way to do that is to let this person show us what he is up to. Placing him in custody and using interrogation techniques to find out his mission is a less reliable alternative." Kent glanced over at Ramirez. "Third, where in the hell did this un-sub get close to 300,000 dollars to buy a top of the line RV and car, and why does he need them?"
Ashley surveyed the room and surmised by the body language the audience approved of their boss's logic.
"To sum up. Once we find him, and we will find him, I’ll put him under twenty-four hour surveillance while this investigation continues."
"I agree. That's the right thing to do." Ashley blurted, then covered her mouth as if to control herself. She cast a shy glance at Kent.
"I'm pleased you agree," Kent said with a good-natured wink.
For a moment, the room remained quiet, followed by an exchange of knowing looks. Dorothy Hogan bowed her head and smothered a giggle.