Murder in Foggy Bottom - Margaret Truman [70]
The director referred to his notes. “That audiotape you played,” he said. “It’s not very audible.”
“It was recorded under difficult circumstances, sir,” Traxler said. “But I think the thrust of it comes through loud and clear. Jasper intends further attacks.”
“But it doesn’t specify what form those attacks might take,” Templeton said.
“True, sir, but considering that he masterminded bringing down three civilian aircraft with innocent victims aboard, it’s reasonable to assume, I think, that future attacks will be similar in nature.”
“Let me see those pictures,” Templeton said to Harris, who was staring at them. He handed them to the director, who adjusted his half-glasses and squinted as he took a close look. “These shots of the weapons storage shed,” he said to Traxler. “You say those bags on the shelf are the ones used to transport the missiles to California, Idaho, and New York?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And they’re empty.”
“Yes, sir. There are only two of them. The one used to transport the missile to California never came back to the ranch.”
“I’m a little confused, Agent Traxler. You say the missiles were carried from Jasper’s ranch to California, New York, and Idaho by members of his group, but that those same people weren’t necessarily the ones who actually fired them at the planes.”
“That’s correct, sir. Jasper is affiliated with other groups around the country. I’ve included the names of the ones I know in my report. It’s my understanding that members of those splinter groups used the missiles supplied by Jasper, but I can’t be certain of that.”
“Who actually transported the missiles from the ranch?”
“Page seven, sir. Those names are listed there.”
Templeton sat back, removed his glasses, and frowned.
“How did the three missiles end up in Jasper’s hands, Skip?” Harris asked. “You say they were smuggled into the country by Chinese arms dealers. How did Jasper make the contact with these dealers?”
“I don’t know,” Traxler responded. “I tried to find out but didn’t want to push it. I sensed I was walking on thinner ice and wasn’t about to blow my cover.” He smiled. “As it turned out, my cover was blown, but you know about that.”
“What blew it?” Templeton asked.
A shrug from Traxler. “I don’t know specifically. Lots of times it isn’t any one thing. You just know that they’re looking at you in a different way from when you managed to infiltrate.”
“And fortunately you recognized it when you did and were able to get out in one piece,” Sydney Wingate said.
“Wasn’t hard to recognize it,” Traxler said, smiling. “Jasper sent two of his people after me with guns. I got the message.”
Wingate asked Traxler, “As far as you know, Skip, they don’t have any other missiles in their possession.”
“Correct,” Traxler replied. “At least I didn’t see any.”
“You say the missiles came through Chinese arms dealers.”
“According to Jasper.”
Templeton came forward, elbows on his desk. “When did you learn of the missile attacks on the civilian aircraft, Agent Traxler?”
“When? After the fact, sir. If I’d known in advance, I would have passed the information along to—” He looked at Wingate and almost said Elephant Man. “To Agent Wingate, sir. Jasper kept the operation very much to himself. It was only after the planes had been attacked that he talked openly about it, bragged about it, to be more accurate. He had the TV on day and night after it happened and damn near cheered as the news reports came through at how successful the attacks had been, the number of people dead as a result. Those times were the toughest for me. I wanted to shoot the bastard right there in the lodge.”
“I can understand,” said Templeton, “and I applaud your restraint.” He turned to the others. “Anything else?”
“Jasper gives the impression that he’s a reasonable man, sir,” Traxler said. “Former college professor, Bible reader, which he uses to bolster his claims, a father figure on the ranch. But beneath that veneer