“I’ve read something about that,” I said, trying to recall the details.
“What the public knows at present is just a scratch on the surface,” Wesley said. “Her latest efforts have been directed at ACTMAD. The American Coalition of Tough Mothers Against Drugs.”
“You gotta be kidding,” Marino said. “That’s like saying UNICEF’s dirty.”
I did not volunteer that I sent money to ACTMAD every year and considered myself an enthusiastic supporter.
Wesley went on, “Mrs. Harvey has been gathering, evidence to prove that ACTMAD has been serving as a front for a drug cartel and other illegal activities in Central America.”
“Geez,” Marino said shaking his head. “Good thing I don’t give a dime to nobody except the FOP.”
“Deborah’s and Fred’s disappearance is perplexing because it seems connected to the other four couples,” Wesley said. “But this could also be deliberate, someone’s attempt to make us assume there is a link, when in fact there may not be. We may be dealing with a serial killer. We may be dealing with something else. Whatever the case, we want to work this as quietly as possible.”
So I guess what you’re waiting for now is a ransom or something, huh?” Marino said.
“You know, some Central American thugs will return Deborah to her for a price.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen, Pete.”
Wesley replied: “It may be worse than that. Pat Harvey is due to testify in a congressional hearing early next year – and again, this all has to do with the illegitimate charities. There isn’t anything much worse that could have happened right now than to have her daughter disappear.”
My stomach knotted at the thought. Professionally, Pat Harvey did not seem particularly vulnerable, having enjoyed a spotless reputation throughout her career. But she was also a mother. The welfare of her children would be more precious to her than her own life her family was her Achilles’ heel.
“We can’t dismiss the possibility, of political kidnapping,” Wesley remark, staring out at the yard thrashed by the wind.
Wesley had a family, too. The nightmare was that a crime family boss, a murderer, someone Wesley had been instrumental in bringing down would go after Wesley’s wife or children. He lad a sophisticated burglar alarm system in tic house and an intercom outside the front door. He had chosen to live in the far-removed setting of the Virginia countryside, telephone number unlisted, address never given to reporters or even to most of his colleagues and acquaintances. Until today, even I had not known where he lived, but had assumed his home was closer to Quantico, perhaps in McLean or Alexandria.
Wesley said, “I’m sure Marino’s mentioned to you this business about Hilda 0zimek.”
I nodded. “Is she genuine?”
‘The Bureau has used her on a number of occasions, though we don’t like to admit it. Her gift, power, whatever you want to call it, is quite genuine. Don’t ask me to explain. This sort of phenomenon goes beyond my immediate experience. I can tell you, however; that on one occasion she helped us locate a Bureau plane that had gone down in the mountains of West Virginia. She also predated Sadat’s assassination, and we might have had a little more forewarning about the attempt on Reagan had we listened to her words more carefully”.
“You’re not going to tell me she predicted Reagans shooting,” Marino said.
“Almost the day. We didn’t pass along what she’d said. Didn’t, well, take it seriously, I suppose. That was our mistake, weird as it may seem. Ever since, whenever she says anything, the Secret Service wants to know.”
“The Secret Service reading horoscopes, too?” Marino asked.
“I believe that Hilda Ozimek would consider horoscopes rather generic. And as far as I know, she doesn’t read palms,” Wesley said pointedly.
“How did Mrs. Harvey find out about her?” I asked.
“Possibly from someone within the Justice Department,” Wesley said. “In any event, she flew the psychic to Richmond on Friday and apparently was told a number of things that have succeeded in making her… well, let’s just say that I’m viewing Mrs. Harvey as a loose cannon. I’m concerned that her activities may prove to do a lot more harm than good.”