William Bernhardt - Dark Justice

Rick’s expression was decidedly unsympathetic.

“My name is Tess. What’s yours?”

“Rick. But then, you knew that already, didn’t you?”

Tess pulled up, startled. “Wha-what do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean. Who sent you?”

“Sent me? I just-this was the only place open-”

“Uh-huh. Right. Look, if you’re snooping for information, just ask. Chances are I won’t tell you squat, but at least we’ll save time and you won’t have to demean yourself by pretending to come on to me.”

Tess pressed her lips together. Some investigative reporter-it hadn’t taken him two seconds to make her. It was time to retrench.

“Look, I’m sorry,” she said. She cast her eyes downward. “I didn’t know how to approach you. I just … wanted to talk.”

“On whose behalf?”

“Just-for me. I wanted to get to know you.”

“Like I said, if you’ll excuse me-”

“Please wait.” She held up her hands and put on her most pathetic expression. “I want to help you.” She glanced at his companion. “All of you.”

Rick let out a guffaw. “I’m sure. Now I’ve heard everything.”

“It’s true.” She glanced around the bar, as if checking for spies, then lowered her voice. “I know about the Cabal.”

Rick’s eyebrows formed a broad ridge over his eyes. “What are you babbling about?”

“You heard me. I know about them. And I think I have information you could use.”

“And just what is it you think this Cabal is?”

“The Cabal is a secret organization formed and funded by a consortium of major logging companies. From what I understand, each of the eight largest companies kicked in a million dollars. They hired a man to lead it, a former CIA operative experienced with dirty tricks. His name is Amos Slade.” She paused. “Although those who know him call him the Prince of Darkness.”

“And what is it you think this so-called Cabal is supposed to do?”

“The Cabal was formed for one reason and one reason only-to screw the environmental groups, particularly the so-called eco-terrorists like Green Rage.”

“And why would they want to do that? We haven’t stopped the logging, as any fool can see.”

“No, but you have made it more expensive. Most analysts estimate that eco-terrorism costs the logging industry about twenty million a year in lost equipment, derailed plans, overtime, and other related costs. I suppose compared with that, the cost of funding the Cabal seemed pretty minor.”

“So far you haven’t told me anything I don’t already know.”

“Do you know they’re planning to strike? Strike and strike hard.” Tess tried to keep her eyes locked firmly on his, tried not to give any hint that she had segued from known fact to pure fiction. She had learned about the Cabal, or at least heard rumors about it, during her preliminary research before coming out here. What she didn’t know-had no way of knowing-was what the Cabal planned to do next. Although any educated guesser could anticipate that a strike against Green Rage was imminent.

Rick was obviously unconvinced. “Lots of people have heard about the Cabal. That doesn’t prove you have any inside information. How do I know this isn’t all some fantasy you’ve cooked up?”

“They’ve already hit you, haven’t they? Twice, from what I heard.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I know what I’m talking about. Don’t I?”

Rick hesitated before speaking. “There have been two raids on our camp out in the forest. Minor property damage. No one was hurt.”

“Those were just warnings-warnings you didn’t heed. The next attack will hurt.”

Rick batted a finger against his lips. “When will they strike?”

“I can’t say exactly. But I know it will be soon.”

“And how do you know all this?”

Tess lowered her head. If ever in her life she was going to give an Oscar-quality performance, it had better be now. “I–I’m having a relationship with a man in Slade’s organization. One of his most trusted advisers.”

“A relationship?”

“An … intimate relationship.”

“You’re sleeping with someone in the Cabal? And you’re talking to me?”

“Please try to understand. I’m not a bad person. At least I don’t think I am. I want to do the right thing. And I’m sympathetic to your cause.”

“I’m supposed to believe that some Cabal piece of ass is a secret environmentalist?”

“It’s true! I mean-” She paused, trying to create the right effect. “I suppose I wasn’t at first. I’d never really thought about it-forests, trees, nature. Truth is, I never spent much time outdoors. But then when I got involved with John and started seeing what those loggers are doing, I was horrified! They’re just destroying everything. At the rate they’re going, soon there won’t be anything left. And they know that! But they don’t care.”

Rick’s jaw was set, but if Tess wasn’t mistaken, his hard exterior had softened just the tiniest bit. “I still don’t understand what it is you want.”

“I want to join you. I want to be part of your work.” She sat up straight. “I want to join Green Rage.”

“Have you broken it off with this-what’s his name? John?”

“No, I haven’t.”

Rick rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe this.” He nudged his companion. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Wait. Please!” She grabbed his shirt sleeve and literally held him down on his stool. “Don’t you see? This could be perfect.”

“What could be?”

“Me.” She leaned closer to him and lowered her voice. “Don’t think of me as a Cabal insider. Think of me as Mata Hari.”

You re saying-

“That’s right. I’ll stay with John, much as he disgusts me. I’ll learn whatever I can. And I’ll report back to you.”

Rick chewed his lip for a moment. “And in return?”

“Nothing. All I want is to be part of Green Rage. To spend time with you. To help you with your work. I want to run with people whose hearts and minds are in the right place. I want to be a part of something that matters.”

Rick continued to ponder. “I’ll have to talk to Maureen. Some of the others. They’ll want to meet you.”

“I understand.”

“I don’t know what they’ll say. We haven’t been receptive to new members, other than those we recruited ourselves. We’re too worried about being infiltrated by loggers or the Cabal.”

“I understand. I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”

Rick shook his head. “An inside line on the Cabal. Damn. It’s almost too good to believe.” He stared at her another long moment. “You’ll have to give me an address or phone number.”

“No problem.” Tess smiled, and for once, her expression without reflected her feelings within. She had him hooked now. It was just a matter of time-and she was betting it would be a short time-before she’d be in like Flynn with Green Rage. Once she had their confidence, it should be a cinch for an old pro like her to find out what she wanted to know.

Like who was wearing the Sasquatch suit the night of the murder.

Sasquatch was sitting in the back of the bar, drinking alone. Sasquatch had seen Tess make her grand entrance, watched her cozy up to Rick Collier and initiate a conversation. Although Sasquatch didn’t know exactly what they were talking about, it didn’t take a genius to figure out what she was trying to do.

She was trying to worm her way into Green Rage.

She was trying to find the killer.

Wouldn’t she be surprised to know that killer was sitting barely ten feet away, downing a tall cool one?

Sasquatch turned slightly so she wouldn’t have a clear view of him. There was no telling what she knew anymore. Best to assume the worst-that she’d gotten a good view and it was recorded for all time on Video-8 tape. But if so, why all this subterfuge? Why all the investigation? Why hadn’t she gone directly to the source-or contacted the police? There was something strange going on here.