Free They'll Call It Treason by Jordon Greene Page B

Russell.” David’s eyes widened.
    “You mentioned to the officers on the night you were arrested that Congressman Thomas Burr was going to be shot.”
    “I tell you, I don’t know nothin’ about that, I was drunk,” David jumped at the insinuation, his country drawl clear. “Sure, I don’t like Burr, but I wouldn’t kill ‘em. I was just drunk, and maybe my thoughts were a flying a little.”
    “Then why did you call the Congressman’s office just two days before and warn him not to come to Georgia?” Ethan asked, leaning forward again.
    It took Russell a second to speak. “I was drunk then, too.  It helps pass the time.” David’s attention shot back to Ethan.
    That much Ethan believed. He remembered David had seemed a little incoherent in the recording. Maybe the man had been drunk, or high, but it couldn’t be mere coincidence.
    “What about your little mishap on the phone? Let’s play that one for you,” Jason decided. He had the audio ready on his phone. He tapped the play button, and the recording came to life.
    David’s face went white as he heard the synthesized voice and even whiter when his own voice came on the line. He appeared to be re-living the scolding all over again. His shoulders fell as he seemed to realize there was no use holding back now.
    Ethan was not surprised to see Haskins’ brow raise at the sound of the synthesized voice. It was not every day that someone went through that much trouble to obscure their identity.
    “So, do you still know nothing about it, Mr. Russell?” asked Jason.
    David sat still for a long moment, staring at the table. His face pale, his scraggly red beard standing out like a sore thumb. He twiddled his fingers.
    “Nothing?” Ethan asked. “David, we know you are aware of some plot to harm Congressman Burr. We need your help to stop it.”
    Ethan slowed his voice, almost pleading with the man, “You tried to warn him, he didn’t listen. Let us help you. Let us stop this from happening.”
    “If the Congressman is killed, Mr. Russell, you will be held at the very least as an accessory to murder, if not more. Domestic terrorist, perhaps,” Jason informed him. “Combined with your other indiscretions here, that pretty much adds up to the rest of your life in jail. Considering we’re talking about a United States Congressman, your chances of parole are very low.”
    Ethan interjected, “But if you help us, we can help you. We can provide you with protection, reduce your charges.”
    David looked back up at Ethan, staring him in the eyes. “You can’t protect me. Not from them.”
    Ethan sensed a sincerity in the man’s voice which unnerved him, but before he could respond, David started to talk.
    “You’re probably too late already. They plan to snipe him off when he leaves that damn liberal Party’s meeting today,” David admitted, his drawl heavy, his speech quieter. He was scared, but not of Ethan and Jason.
    Ethan took a quick look at his watch. 10:05 am. He turned to Jason; both understood they had little time.
    “You said they would use a sniper. Right?” Ethan urged him.
    “Yeah, they planned to do it from a distance.”
    “Which building?”
    “I don’t know, they only had me recruit more people. They didn’t tell me much, I swear.”
    Ethan believed him; something in his voice and eyes said he was telling the truth. Ethan wanted to stay to question him more, find out who the sniper was, but that would have to fall on Detective Haskins. He stood up and made his way for the door, Jason following.
    “Detective, get some officers down to the World Congress Center ASAP and secure the perimeter of the complex.” Ethan requested. “And find out who the sniper is from Mr. Russell. Let me know as soon as you find out.”
    “Yes, sir.” The Detective jogged out of the room and down the hall with them, radioing in as he ran. The doors opened quickly ahead of them as they rushed out.
    Ethan’s heart pumped rapidly as he focused