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who put profit above protecting the guys fighting for their country.
    His second and third tour found him deactivating IEDs. He had become an expert in explosives. It became his mission to prevent more buddies from being killed. Now he was a civilian. Not too many IEDs needed to be dismantled in his part of Alabama. With employment hard to find, he lived on his deceased grandparent’s farm and worked part-time for an excavating contractor. To fill the rest of his time, he served as a volunteer fireman.
    But the rage and anger remained.
    He met Sargent Norman Ortega on his second tour. During their off duty times, the discussions always came back to their anger at the men who were profiting from the war. Ortega was a kindred spirit, his anger even greater than Cooper’s. Six months ago, Sargent Ortega had called him with a proposal, one he readily agreed to. His trip to Kansas City would channel his anger toward a specific action.
    It was early afternoon when Cooper backed the van up to the largest of three storage buildings on his farm near Atmore, Alabama. Two hours later, the equipment and supplies he needed in Kansas City were loaded and stored for the thirteen-hour drive. The last task he had to complete was to attach license plates stolen from a wrecked Ford van in a U-Haul lot two weeks ago in Montgomery. He wasn’t concerned about someone reporting the plates stolen. The van was waiting for the insurance claim to be settled before being hauled off, which would not happen for several more weeks. By then, it wouldn’t matter.
    He glanced at his wrist watch. Memphis was seven hours away and the halfway mark of his drive. If he left now, he could be there by nine, grab some BBQ and be in a strip joint before 10 p.m.

Chapter 6
     
    Kansas City, MO
    Monday
     
    Stephanie left early to turn her vacation request into Human Resources and finish up a project. Her plan was to be back by noon. Kruger waited until 10 a.m. on the east coast to call Seltzer, plenty of time for his boss to finish his Monday morning briefing with Deputy Director Paul Stumpf and return to his office.
    His call was answered on the fourth ring. “I didn't think you were going to call until tomorrow.”
    “Well, Alan, since we didn’t go to war with Israel over the weekend, I figured the pressure was off.”
    Alan laughed. “Sorry about the theatrics Saturday. I was pissed and took it out on you.”
    “I could tell. Anyway, I called to discuss something with you.”
    Seltzer didn’t answer for a few moments. “Okay, I hope this isn't about you quitting or something similarly stupid.”
    “No, I’m not quitting. But those personal matters I spoke about were true. Stephanie and I are going to get married this coming Saturday. Afterward I want to start the process of a transfer to the KC office, that's all.”
    Kruger heard a chuckle. Alan said, “Kind of figured that might be what you were planning. Congratulations. Will it be a big wedding?”
    “No, just my son Brian, Stephanie’s sister and her husband. We’re trying to keep it low key.”
    “Sounds like a good way to get married. We had way too many people at mine. My wife couldn’t say no to anyone.” He was quiet for several moments. “About the transfer. Do you know who’s managing the KC office now?”
    The comment concerned Kruger. The last time he had been there, the office was headed by a friend from his academy days. “Isn’t Charlie Brewer the Special Agent in Charge?”
    “No, he was promoted. Mint Dollar was named to that position about a month ago.”
    “Good for Charlie. What office did he get?”
    “San Francisco. It’s a great opportunity for him, more agents and more visibility.”
    “I'll have to call him and congratulate him.” Kruger was stalling, trying to think through what his next move should be.
    “You still want that transfer?”
    “Well, let me think about it. Mint Dollar and I don’t agree on, let's say, management styles.”
    Seltzer laughed.