Bonner Incident (19 page)

“Suspect personal: No military background. Vocal advocate of constitutional rights. Known remarks degrading government. Very active outdoors, with seemingly substantial knowledge of wilderness surroundings. Highly active sportsman hunting and fishing. Unknown number of firearms but reported to have amassed a sizable collection. Refer to appendix M for suspected firearms and known ammunition purchases.

“Active member of NRA. Active member of Mountain Men. Active member of Small Business Association. Active member Youth Sports League. Active member of six hunting conservation groups. Member, not active, Safari International. Member, not active, National Shooting Sports Foundation. Christian but doesn’t regularly attend services.

“Hobbies noted: hunting and fishing. Highly active reader of many subjects. List of known book purchases appendix L. Non-active participant of black powder shooting competition. Last active event noted when suspect was thirty-one.  Non-active participant of Cowboy Active Shooting known as SASS, Single Action Shooting Sports. Last active event noted when suspect was thirty-four. Non-active participant, three gun competition. Last active event noted when suspect was forty-one.

“Crime scene investigation reveals suspect highly proficient with side arm. Three officers with weapons drawn engaged with single gunshots to head before they could return fire. Tracks in snow reveal suspect left scene immediately after incident. Further analysis provided in appendix E.

“Profile- Suspect is above average intelligence. Excellent health for age. Well liked in community and would have grassroots support for evading capture. Family bonds strong but doubtful suspect would endanger them or others with presence. Strong moral values. Well known and outwardly adored by influential members of community.

“First conclusion- suspect comfortable and knowledgeable enough to survive and dwell in wilderness environment for great length of time. Known areas suspect hunts game in appendix G. These are primary search areas until proven otherwise. Suspect known to be highly proficient with multiple rifles and as noted previous pistols. See appendix N for competition results and known weapons. Since shooting of two federal agents and one state trooper, suspect hasn’t contacted any known associate. Consider suspect to be armed and highly dangerous to federal law enforcement. Doubtful suspect would surrender to federal officials under any circumstance. Pursue avenues with local law enforcement to assist in capture of suspect. Highly unlikely suspect would engage local departments with lethal force. Only active ground search-,” hearing Stanley gag, Moore looked up to see Stanley and Buck staring at him with open mouths.

“Shall I continue? It’s nine more pages,” he said putting the page down.

Jumping up out of his chair, Stanley exploded. “You call that justifiable?! There is no way you got subpoenas for that kind of information that fast! Hell, medical records alone take weeks to subpoena and gather!”

“I don’t ask where the information is obtained or I can’t use it if it’s questionable,” Moore said leaning back. “My job-”

“We know,” Buck snapped cutting him off. “You know, they got that information from illegal search and seizure, yet you use it without remorse. I’m not talking about a serial killer or terrorist. I’m talking about an outstanding American.”

“Sheriff, Joshua Anderson has been labeled as a lone wolf terrorist by the Attorney General and signed off by the President of the United States.”

Stanley spun around with fire in his eyes. “You can’t do that, he’s an American citizen. The most you can label him is a domestic terrorist.”

“Not true counselor. We have proof that he has traveled repeatedly outside the United States for several years in a row. National security directives clearly state that alone, is ample reason enough,” Moore said. “Now, do you understand why I want your help? They are pulling all stops out to catch Mr. Anderson.”

“He cut trees down in Canada and Alaska!” Stanley yelled.

“So he reported, but he could’ve gone anywhere.”

“And you don’t think your boys want to kill him?” Buck growled.

Shaking his head but returning Buck’s stare. “No, but I can guarantee you, Mr. Anderson will fight back if found and they will be forced to kill him. We aren’t assassins, but we do fight back,” Moore said.

“Oh, on one thing you’re correct about, Joshua is going to fight back, but you and your boys are assassins, sir,” Buck said in a tense voice. “Let it be known from this day forth, my office is hostile to your investigation and apprehension of Joshua Anderson.”

Moore gave a startle with the proclamation and looked at Stanley. “You’re going to just stand there as he says that?”

“I’ll kick his ass if he even lifts a finger to save one of your boys,” Stanley said. “I stand in conjunction with Sheriff Harper, the county prosecutor’s office is hostile to your investigation and considers it not only constitutionally offensive, but morally degradable.”

“I’m sorry then gentlemen,” Moore said getting up and putting the folders back in his briefcase.

“Agent Moore, I’m not going to say what was discussed at this meeting. You asked for a confidential meeting and I’ll keep my word,” Buck said. “But you need to remember, this isn’t one of the New England states full of pussies that will roll over as you rape their rights, this is Idaho. People here cherish their rights and will fight for them and for their neighbors. You’ll be hard pressed to find a house around here with only one gun. Careful on your plan of action.”

“Sheriff, you can tell who you want, I’ve broken no laws,” Moore said closing his briefcase. “But you just told a federal agent that you are hostile in an ongoing investigation against a known cop killer that’s been labeled a lone wolf terrorist. You are the one that needs to worry.”

“Seems to me it’s about to get interesting,” Buck said with a cold smile. “Any contact further with this office needs to be done through the governor. Otherwise, I’ll view it as harassment and intimidation. This department won’t interfere with your investigation unless it violates state law, your supremacy clause be damned. If any of your men harass, threaten, or trespass against a citizen of this county, we will respond code three and be prepared for armed resistance.”

“You’re making a mistake sheriff,” Moore said picking up his briefcase. “You’re going to get people killed.”

“At least my way, they are standing up fighting and not getting hauled in and dying in questioning,” Buck said pointing to the door. “After meeting you I have to wonder, just how many of those people you chased were really criminals?”

Not responding, Moore left and Stanley spun around, hearing Buck pick up the phone and dial a number. “Hey Ralph, I need you to bring two of your clients here now, Sonya and Ben,” Buck said and listened. “Ralph, Sonya isn’t going to let William out of her sight but yes, he needs to be here also.”

Buck listened for a minute shaking his head. “No Ralph, it’s not safe to talk in your office. You’ll understand when you get here and it’s only going to be me, and maybe Stanley.”

“Hey, I’m calling the governor, the attorney general, the director of the state police, hell, I’m going to try to call the Easter Bunny and let him know what’s going on!” Stanley roared and Ralph heard that easily.

“I take it you understand that Stanley’s pissed off,” Buck said into the phone and listened. “As soon as possible Ralph. Ten minutes ago was too long.”

Saying goodbye, Buck looked up at Stanley. “You ready for this shit storm?”

“I’m going to tell my wife and little girl that dad might be going to prison, but be damned if I help build an iron curtain over my own country or stand by as one is built,” Stanley said and started pacing. He stopped when Buck got up and walked over to his desk.

Buck pulled out a drawer and pulled out a digital recorder hitting the stop button. “You old dog,” Stanley said grinning. “Illegal, but very smart.”

“What? I put it in my desk to interview a kid about breaking into a car, didn’t realize I left it on,” Buck said and pushed play to hear Agent Moore’s voice. “Is that believable to you?”

“I’ll check if we can use that,” Stanley said and saw Moore had left the two envelopes he had been reading. “No way,” he hissed walking back over to the table. “Buck, we can use these. Agent Moore clearly labeled his concerns and was told to shut up by the AG and FBI director.”

“That’s good,” Buck said walking over to Stanley. “You really don’t need to be here for what I have to say to Ralph.”

“I’ll stay,” Stanley said putting the letters in his coat.

“No Stanley. You ‘really’ don’t want to be here to hear what I say,” Buck stressed, reaching out and grabbing his arm. “You’re a lawyer and have certain rules I don’t want you to break, in case you have to go into private practice in the near future.”

Looking at the worry in Buck’s face, Stanley shook his head. “You want me to stay away for my own good while the ideals of the country that my daughter is going to inherit goes to hell, is that it?”

“For this, yes. I’m going to break the law and I can’t have you here,” Buck said letting Stanley’s arm go. “Ralph is protected by attorney/client privileges; you’re not. But I do need you to call those people you mentioned, but try the Easter Bunny last; I heard he’s kind of hard to get ahold of.”

***

Two hours later, Ralph walked into Buck’s office with Sonya holding William’s hand and Ben behind them. “Never been in here,” Ben said looking around with a grin. “I usually come in another way and the rooms I’ve seen have bars.”

Ralph stopped, looking at a woman who’d been sitting at the table and now was leaving. “Karen, what are you doing here?”

“Advising my client,” she smiled, holding out her hand and Ralph shook it. “If you need anything, Ralph, call my office.”

When she’d left, Ralph looked over at Buck still sitting at the table. “You need a heavy hitter like Karen for an attorney?”

“Yes, Ralph. Would all of you please sit?” Buck said rubbing his face with his hands. “Ralph, I want you and your clients to listen to something before we talk.”

“Can I take notes?” Ralph asked.

“If you want, but I made you a copy and yes, by doing it, I’ve broken the law; federal law, so you choose.”

As Ralph was pulling a legal pad out of his briefcase he froze. “Buck, are you serious?”

“Just listen,” Buck said and pressed play on the recorder. When the conversation with Agent Moore ended, Buck pressed stop. He looked at Ralph, “Now do you understand?”

“Buck,” was all Ralph could say.

“Ralph, I asked you here so I could talk to your clients, but not as sheriff, as a friend.”

Wiping tears from her eyes, Sonya cleared her throat, “What do you want to say, Buck?” After hearing that recording, she knew in her heart what the feds were going to do.

“Sonya, they are going to kill him on sight. I know you don’t know where he went, but I know you or Ben can get word to him. He needs to know that they aren’t looking for him to arrest, they are looking to kill him.”

“Buck, you’re suggesting my clients know how to get in touch with a-,” Ralph stopped when Sonya grabbed his arm.

“Buck, what’s the difference? He’s hiding and we don’t know where,” she said.

“Sonya, if you’re hiding from someone who’s chasing you: you can make a mistake like letting them see you from a distance or try to lay low till they pass. If you’re hiding from people trying to kill you, you have to disappear or make sure they can’t tell others where you are. If they see you, they shoot. You heard the agent say they labeled Joshua a lone wolf terrorist, right?” he said and she nodded.

“That is the most dangerous kind and they can use any means necessary to capture or kill them,” he said and Ralph nodded in agreement.

Sonya got up shaking her hands out. “It’s Joshua,” she moaned. “How could anyone see him like that?”

“They don’t,” Buck said. “They want to make him a lesson to others who fight back when the government comes to take their life’s work.”

“Buck, you better not be recording this conversation,” Ralph said in a low voice.

“I’m not, and Stanley knows I recorded the other one. He’s already talked to the governor, but I haven’t found out what was said.”

“William, will you come give mom a hug?” Sonya said from across the room holding out her arms. William got up and walked over into her arms as she hugged him. William wrapped his arms around her and Sonya hugged him tight, putting her lips to his ear and breathed. “What do you think?”

She rotated her head, putting her ear to William’s mouth. “I’m not giving it to Buck. I know he’s a friend, but he’s a cop first, like he said.”

Rolling her head back to press her mouth to William’s ear, “We can’t do it William. That was a federal car following us.”

“I’ll give it to Ben then,” he breathed when she pressed her ear to William’s mouth. She lifted her head back and nodded. The others watched and it had looked like they were distraught as they’d hugged each other.

They walked over to the table and William looked at Ben, “Ben, are the feds watching you?”

“Hell yeah,” he laughed. “I called a sex line yesterday afternoon and when the woman answered I yelled, ‘Josh, meet me in my driveway in thirty minutes’ and hung up. The feds came in three SUVs and a helicopter.”