Soon Troy was sitting in the conference room on the second floor, configured with lighting and camera equipment as well as three comfortable chairs. “Is there someone else participating?”
“You think I’d let you do this alone?” Ian walked in and exchanged a one-armed hug with the reporter. “Troy, Alec and I went to Stanford together.”
“It was more than that. Troy, your boss needed a wingman. And I was it.” Alec laughed.
Ian walked over to Troy and crouched in front of him. In a whisper, he said, “I’m sitting next to you. If you’re in trouble, just sign. Got it?”
Troy looked at his boss. His voice cracked, “Thank you.”
* * *
A technician,under the watchful eye of Caleb Paulsen, attached microphones to Troy and Ian.Alec took his seat and attached his own microphone and earpiece. His producer was sitting in the auditorium with Martin, Julian, Kip, Zach, Saoirse, Wes, Trask, Tim, and the remaining executive staff. The other senior executives were watching from offsite locations.
Gwen was unable to sit. She stood in the back of the room with her arms around herself, rocking back and forth on her heels.
Julian got up and walked to her. “Ian is with him. He’ll do this.”
Chapter 33
“Good evening and welcome toAlec KunzlemanFull Circle. Tonight, we are here to discuss adult themes that may be difficult for some viewers. This report is not intended for children. Moms and Dads, change your channel.
“Joining me tonight are Ian Chase, CEO of the Chase Group and President of Chase Security International, and Mr. Troy Bremen, Assistant Executive Director of the San Diego branch of Chase Security International.
“Last spring, Chase Security International, in conjunction with the US Department of Homeland Security, began work to put an end to a credit card theft ring that was using the stolen funds to produce violent pornography highlighting men, women and children as young as two.”
Alec: Ian, is this a typical case for Chase Security?
Ian: Nothing is typical for us. Every case is unique. What began as a joint case with Homeland Security soon hit close to home. The younger brother of our CEO, Martin Bailey, was critically injured investigating a horrendous assault on a four-year-old girl. In his examination of the scene, he discovered a prisoner from the Silverton jail who had been beaten and sexually assaulted. That, after some investigation, brought us to the conclusion the pornography was being produced by some staff at the jail. In addition, we found drugs were being moved through the jail into the community with assistance from staff of the local police department as well as the jail.
Alec: What occurred next?
Ian: Our personnel on scene went into mission planning.
Alec: Mr. Bremen, were you part of the mission planning?
Troy: Yes. At the time, I was co-leader of the Chase Security’s Rapid Response Team. We had a tabletop discussion of all the potential facets of the case. Five previous investigators died trying to gain information; that broadened the scope of suspects. It also led us to believe there was a leak of investigative information.
Ian: After discussion with some of the senior executive staff, as well as my brother Kieran, our best choice was to go dark and send in one of our people as a real prisoner with real charges. No one other than our people would know he was there.
Alec: Ian, I heard something in your voice. Care to explain?
Ian: If I knew then what I know now, we would have found a different way.
Alec: Troy, are you aware of why Ian said that?
Troy: Yes. Seventeen of us founded Chase Security. Before that, most of us fought side by side from Kosovo to Afghanistan. We have a brotherhood. As part of the mission planning, my co-leader and I were the most experienced to take the assignment. My co-leader was seen by potential suspects. There was no way I would allow one of our team to go in ahead of me.
Alec: Why?
Troy: The odds weren’t good that I’d come out alive.
Alec: You knew that going in?
Troy: Yes. It’s the nature of the job.
Alec: And that’s why we are here. Troy, what happened?
Troy: Our staff created an enticing background for me. Soon after I was placed inside the jail, I garnered attention by purchasing some marijuana. After a couple of purchases, the guards searched my cell and found drugs—drugs they planted. Being caught performing illegal activities gave the prisoner little credibility if they accused a guard of bad behavior.