The Uvalde Raider by Ben English (great books for teens TXT) 📕

“But if we were forced to admit publicly that Hezbollah was involved in this kind of terror plot against a major city in our country, everything would fall to pieces. The final result could be much the same, as we’d likely get the rest of our people back in pieces. Not to mention how it would adversely affect this forming coalition against the Iraqis.”

Eggers paused again, still studying them as he spoke. “Look, there are parts to this deal I don’t like any better than you do. If there’s anyone who has a grudge against Hezbollah, it’s me. One of these days they, or somebody very much like them, will do catastrophic damage to our nation unless we stop them once and for all. And they’re already here, Qassam proved that.”

He continued on urgently, passionately. “But right now we need just a little bit of breathing room to get our hostages back. We figure it won’t take more than about a year to get this done, then we can start taking the fight to Hezbollah and the Iranians in ways we never have before. On behalf of our country I am asking you, pleading with you, to go along with us for the time being. We will make it right for everyone involved, just give us some time. Please.”

Eggers stopped talking and let his words filter into the heart and conscience of the other men seated in the room. Micah tried to put his own mind around what he had heard as well as what it meant. There was so much at stake in so many different ways and he was being asked to make a decision that would affect all of it. He found himself desperately wanting some more time to think the situation through, and more so about the possible consequences in how he chose to respond.

It was the director who spoke next, and in his words were the echoes of the same questions and soul searching that his trooper was experiencing.

“Mr. Eggers, you do realize the cover story that Wadley and Humboldt were peddling has huge holes, don’t you? What they were proposing would never stand up to any real scrutiny.”

Eggers faced the head of the DPS and answered. “Yes sir, we do. But it will take months, maybe even years, for someone on the outside to thoroughly debunk this story and publicize what actually happened. By that time our hostages will be freed, with no remaining need of not making the whole truth known.

“Besides, our media works mostly on a 24 hour news cycle these days, something different is always coming along. Today a mysterious midair collision in Central Texas but tomorrow who knows, other than it will likely be something different. Much of the curiosity in this should die down once the media turns their attention elsewhere.”

Eggers hesitated and shifted his attention to Micah. “It could be especially so if we can get the man most closely involved, as well as his organization, to go along with this cover story for the time being.”

Micah returned the man’s steady gaze, but said nothing. In his mind was a set of scales, one side labeled ‘right’ and the other ‘wrong.’ Both ends were having weight added to them rapidly as he tried to think this through. While he was doing so, the DPS colonel asked his next question.

“What about the other people involved who have knowledge of what really happened? Are you going to allow federal officials like Wadley to intimidate and strong arm them like he tried to do Trooper Templar?”

Eggers turned his attention back to the man behind the desk. “Director, we both know that those like Wadley will ultimately hang themselves if given enough rope. This has been coming for a while, and by the time I get through filing reports and placing phone calls, he’ll be doing good to keep a job passing out pencils at Quantico.

“There will be no more such tactics used on anyone with knowledge of this. Personally, I was dead set against this method from the very beginning. Now I can go back to Washington and make my case, using what happened today to illustrate why we need to keep good faith and work together. I give you my word, or you can go to every media outlet in Texas with my blessings.”

“I might still do that,” warned the director.

“Yes sir, you might,” replied Eggers. “But I don’t think you will, not as long as I keep my word.” A quiet fell over the room again. Slowly the colonel’s head turned and his eyes fell upon his trooper, who remained deep in his own innermost thoughts.

“Micah?” the colonel queried. It was only one word but it asked so very much.

“What about the sheriff’s offices and other elected peace officers involved?” Micah questioned. “How are you going to make things right for them? They did their duty and risked their necks to keep their citizens safe, but now they are being asked questions. Questions they don’t have any answers for because you guys ignore them, and their own sworn responsibilities.”

“That will change, too.” Eggers responded. “Starting immediately, we will begin providing information and enough assistance to those officials and their counties to make a lot of those questions go away. Again, we need your agency to help coordinate in this. You know so much more about the personalities involved than we could ever hope to.”

“There are some who were in on this from the beginning,” Micah suggested warily. “They are good men, and women, and deserve to know the truth.”

“Then you tell us who they are and if need be, we’ll go and visit with them together,” responded Eggers. “You say they are good people. That tells me they can be trusted once they realize what the stakes really are. Perhaps they can