“Case Report #112-47B”
The following is a short story I wrote a number of years back.
“The best safeguard against abuses in the future is a complete public accounting of the abuses of the past” - Senator Edward Kennedy at the 1979 Congressional Hearing regarding MKULTRA, The CIA’s Program in Behavioral Modification
~
“Gruesome Murder/Suicide in Harbrook County
Quiet Harbrook County was thrown into chaos Sunday afternoon when Dan Patina, noticing their absence from Sunday service, knocked on the door of his neighbors, Jerome and Patty Martens. When they failed to answer, Mr. Patina let himself in (he later told police he often watered the Martens plants when they were away, and knew where they hid a spare key). What he found inside was a haunting sight, one he could only describe as ‘unthinkable.’ Blood was streaked and splattered across the walls, staining the carpets, filling the air with an iron scent. The Sheriff’s deputy who was first to arrive said he had ‘never seen anything like it.’ Patty Martens’ body was found, face down, in front of the stairs. The cause of death was obvious: her body was littered with cuts, some deep, some shallow. Her husband was found moments after, sitting in the kitchen, a grim smile on his face, and a large knife sticking out of his chest. State police were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they determined that Mr. Martens chased his wife with the knife, killed her, and then himself. Neither individual had any history of mental illness, violent behavior, or criminal activity. Their friends and neighbors are reeling from this horrific loss. ‘Jerome and Pat were honest, hard-working, and faithful, full of love and life,’ their pastor, Robert Parsimony, wrote in a statement. He echoed the words of Mr. Patina, saying ‘the idea that Jerome could be capable of such a cruel act is unthinkable.’ He also invited the community to come to his church, to pray for the Martens’ souls and to root out ‘the blight in our town’”
To: REDACTED
From: kb29@REDACTED
Subject: UPDATE
Sent: Sunday, 8/12/16, 2:53 PM
Subject J. Martens and subject P. Martens found dead by subject D. Patina. J killed P, then himself. Local PD alerted immediately, state troopers imminent. As of writing, forensics still on scene. Media presence unknown. Agent CF and I implementing damage control by your direction. Protocol 00 authorized?
Agent out
To: kb29@REDACTED
From: REDACTED
Subject: Re: UPDATE
Sent: Sunday, 8/12/16, 2:57 PM
Protocol 00 NOT authorized. Agents on ground are only authorized basic clean up. Husband was deranged, killed wife in fit of rage. Make sure that is the story. Keep it small. Stay quiet. Make this go away. Do not implement any protocols without express authorization from this office. Resume normal operations ASAP.
To: Sheriff John Cowley [johncowley@gmail.com]
From: Lieutenant Mark Maxwell [mm739@oklahoma.gov]
Subject: ME Report
Sent: Monday, 8/13/16, 4:42 PM
Sheriff,
The medical examiner has completed her autopsy of both Mr and Mrs Martens. Toxicology came back with traces of LSD in both husband and wife. We need some local insight. Do you get much acid there in Harbrook?
And, Sheriff, I know you have mixed feelings about us staties getting involved in delicate local events, but we will be as respectful as possible, and we want to work with you, supposing you’ll work with us.
To: Lieutenant Mark Maxwell [mm739@oklahoma.gov]
From: Sheriff John Cowley [johncowley@gmail.com]
Subject: Re: ME Report
Sent: Monday, 8/13/16. 5:03 PM
Mark,
We got some kids playing around with junk like that, every so often we even nab one dealing. But most seems to come from the city, and even then it’s rare. More often it’s pot and pills, we don’t get much of the exotic stuff down here. Can’t imagine Pat and Jerry ever did that. But I guess there’s a lot about them I didn’t know.
I appreciate the effort to include me, Lieutenant, but I still think the state brings too much media. Can you do something about those damn reporters?
“Religious Sighting in Harbrook?
Ethel Murszt, septuagenarian and volunteer teacher, was brought to the hospital early Tuesday, after an incident wherein she walked naked through the streets, loudly proclaiming that God had spoken to her in a vision. Ms. Murszt is regarded as a pillar of the community, working with troubled youth in the afternoons and teaching Sunday school. Friends and neighbors say that she’s never been known to have any trouble with dementia, and the consensus seems to be that she must have been shaken by the recent troublesome events in Harbrook. Ms. Murszt is at St. Ignacious Hospital and in stable condition, although it is unclear how long she will need to be hospitalized.”
To: kb29@REDACTED, cf47@REDACTED
From: REDACTED
Subject: URGENT
Sent: Tuesday, 8/14/16, 9:27 AM
State MEs found LSD in J. Martens and P. Martens. State and local PD both know. More troubling still is E. Murszt. Create an explanation for this NOW or we are compromised. Protocol 00 still not authorized.
Transcript of telephone call placed between NUMBER UNKNOWN and Harbrook County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, 8/14/16, 5:53 PM
Sheriff’s Office: Hello, this is the Sheriff’s office, Pete speaking, how may I help you?
Number unknown: Hi, I’d like to report an anonymous tip.
SO: Alright… [paper shuffling] And what’s your name?
[silence]
SO: Right, sorry, anonymous. What would you like to tell us?
NU: I think a boy at school is dealing drugs.
SO: His name?
NU: Kyle Delancey.
SO: Kyle Delancey. Yeah, I know him. Wouldn’t be surprised, to be honest. Well, what makes you think he’s dealing?
NU: He said he could get me acid if I wanted.
SO: Acid? You’re certain he said acid, like LSD?
NU: Yeah, that’s what he said.
SO: Well, thank you very much, ma’am, you’ve done-
NU: He said if I wanted it, I should meet him in the Denny’s parking lot tonight at ten.
SO: Is that the Denny’s by the highway or by the mall?
NU: The mall.
SO: Alright. [writing sounds] Thank you for your tip, ma’am. You can- [click] Ma’am?
“Police Bulletin
Harbrook County and residing townships
Tues., 8/14/16. Kyle Delancey arrested for possession of illegal narcotics by Crescent Hill Mall. Police reportedly found a large, unspecified amount of LSD in his vehicle. Kyle is a local high school student. It is believed he was selling the narcotics.”
Transcript of police questioning of suspect Kyle Delancey
Tuesday, 8/14/16, 10:56 PM
Mark Maxwell: -lright, we’re recording. I’ve read Mr. Delancey his rights already, let’s just shoot off a quick role call for the recording. I am Lieutenant Mark Maxwell, with me is Harbrook County Sheriff John Cowley.
Sheriff Cowley: Hello
MM: Kyle’s lawyer, Linda Moderno.
Linda Moderno: Present. I can attest to my client’s hospitable treatment.
MM: Thank you, Miss Moderno, we do our best. And of course, Kyle Delancey himself.
[silence]
MM: Kyle, would you please introduce yourself?
Kyle Delancey: Hi.
MM: Very good. John, would you please read off the charges.
SC: Possession of illegal narcotics, possession with intent to sell, sale of narcotics, being a general pain in my ass, and potential connection with other criminal activities and entities.
MM: Thank you, John. Now, this will all be very easy, Kyle. You’ll tell us where you got the acid and who you’re working for, and we’re prepared to only charge you with possession. You’ll be out in two to five.
KD: But I told you already, it wasn’t mine.
SC: Come on, Kyle, everyone knows what you’re up to. I would have brought you in myself if I’d known that it was more than just pot.
KD: That’s all it was.
MM: So why was your trunk, and your backpack, full of LSD?
KD: I don’t know. I think I’m being framed.
SC: [laughs]
MM: Kyle, listen, No one cares about your youthful indiscretions. Pot, your momma’s pills, even if this were just a few tabs, we’d let it slide. Slap you on the wrist and send you on your way. But this? [paper shuffling] That was about one hundred tabs of LSD. The lab hasn’t finished its work but they say it’s good stuff too. This is major league activity. We know this didn’t come from Harbrook.
SC: No sir.
MM: So where’s it from?
KD: I’m telling you, I don’t know!
MM: [sighs]
LM: I think I’d like a minute alone with my client.
MM: I think you need it. Come on, John, I need a cup of coffee. Where’s the pause button on this thing?
SC: You two need anything from the vending ma-
To: REDACTED
From: kb29@REDACTED
Subject: UPDATE
Sent: Tuesday, 8/14/16, 11:14 PM
Police suspicion successfully diverted. Subject K. Delancey apprehended with felony amount of LSD. Police still seeking LSD source, but looking towards the city. Please instruct agents there to set up a patsy. Agent CF and I reviewing data. Still unsure about what triggered aberrant behavior. Please have lab check control sample of batch HB-103 against last sample I sent. Should we lower levels to avoid future incidents?
Agent CF complaining of dizziness, occasional disorientation. Likely due to lack of sleep and recent stress. Will keep you updated on her condition. My condition is nominal.
Agent out
To: marie.franklin@gmail.com
From: carlafranklin37@doj.gov
Subject: Hey sis
Sent: Tuesday, 8/14/16, 11:14 PM
I know, I know. I don’t talk to you or mom and dad for three months and now an email? I’m sorry, Murray, I’ve been… busy? I wish I could tell you about it. No, I don’t. You don’t need the burden. How are you? How is life? School? Boys?? Tell me all of it.
I wish I could talk to you more. I wish I could just be a person again. I feel crushed. I can’t breathe. I miss our time together. The bus. The ferris wheel. Tolkien.
I can’t stop thinking that something terrible is coming. Maybe it’s already here, lying in the shadows by the foot of my bed, waiting to snatch me up and eat me the moment I put my feet on the ground. A monster of my own making. You get back what you put into the world, that’s what dad always says. If that’s true, I don’t want to stick around for payday. I know, Carla’s being self-pitying again, soaking up all the attention and the “no, you’re great”s. That’s not what this is. Or maybe it is. I’ve been the monster in the shadows too long, little sister. Maybe it’s time to bask in the sunlight, to be seen by the world. Or by God. That’s what Grandma would’ve said. Remember how much she used to preach? We’d always laugh. The place I’m in, they sound like her. I understand her now. I understand them. I understand Him. Sometimes, just for a moment, I feel like I can understand everything. Then it’s gone.
Thanks for reading my word-barf, Murray.
I love you. See you on the other side.
Yours, now and forever,
Carla
To: kb29@REDACTED
From: REDACTED
Subject: Re: UPDATE
Sent: Wednesday, 8/15/16, 10:03 AM
Lab analysis has come back, comparing control sample HB-103 with the sample you sent postmarked 8/7/16. Everything is up to par. We’ll know more when you send a newer sample. Recent incidents appear to be aberration. Continue mission. Do not alter course, dosage, or any other parameters for the time being.
Agents in the city have implicated cartels. DEA, FBI, ICE all very interested now, will take this far, far away from Harbrook. Good job with clean-up, agents. Ensure that Agent CF gets some sleep. We don’t need any more slip-ups.
Transcript from Indiscrete Microphone, Routine Agent Monitoring
Wednesday, 8/15/16, 3:54 PM
[car sounds, radio]
Agent KB: [singing to radio] Hmm-hm-hm - now get in formation… You alright? You’re giving me a real weird look.
Agent CF: Huh? Oh. Yeah. I’m fine.
KB: Are you sure? If you’re sick, tell me now, I don’t want to catch whatever you have.
CF: I’m fine, Katy. I’m just feeling out of it, you know?
KB: What do you mean?
CF: Like, like something’s not right. About this.
KB: About us?
CF: All of this!
KB: You mean the mission? I know we hit some speed bumps, but that’s all they were.
CF: Not just the mission. This town. The sky. Life.
[pause]
KB: Well, you’re right about this town. I’ve seen more porn since we got here than my entire life up to that point. Goddamn.
CF: Don’t use those words.
KB: Porn?
CF: No. His name.
[pause]
KB: Well, you weren’t so tight-laced about that just a few nights ago.
[extended silence]
KB: I’m sorry, that-
CF: Don’t. Just don’t.
To: REDACTED
From: kb29@REDACTED
Subject: UPDATE
Sent: Wednesday, 8/15/16, 11:09 PM
Mission status nominal. Subject K. Delancey is still detained. Public has heard rumors of LSD and is connecting the dots on their own. Mourning for subjects J. Martens and P. Martens continues.
Agent CF’s condition has deteriorated. She is increasingly irrational and argumentative, and has repeatedly mentioned a sense of disorientation. This is my informal request that she be pulled from the field ASAP. She needs a psych eval and a physical. I’m worried about her, REDA.
My condition nominal.
Agent out.
To: kb29@REDACTED
From: REDACTED
Subject: Re: UPDATE
Sent: Wednesday, 8/15/16, 11:42 PM
Request for agent withdrawal denied. You may still make a formal request if you like, but you know that will involve an on the record statement saying agent CF is unfit for duty. Continue mission as it stands for now. Does agent CF drink tea? An herbal tea often helps relieve both physical and mental symptoms of stress.
Keep me updated.
Transcript from Indiscrete Microphone, Routine Agent Monitoring
Thursday, 8/16/16. 2:12 PM
[squeaking rubber, indecipherable noises, indecipherable chatter, amplified recording]
Voice over PA: Here at Stop’n’Save, we stop to-
Agent KB: There you are. You find the hot pockets?
Agent CF: [indecipherable]
KB: What?
CF: [groaning] Whoa.
KB: Are you okay?
CF: Katy…
KB: Yeah?
CF: Katy, He spoke to me.
KB: What? Who?
CF: Him.
KB: God spoke to you? Carla, breathe.
CF: He spoke to me, to me. His voice. His face!
KB: Carla! Get a hold of yourself.
CF: I was right about this town, it’s off, it’s wrong.
KB: Hey, what are you-
CF: Protocol 00!
KB: Put that down, Carla.
[gun cocks]
CF: [shouting] It’s time.
[gunshot, screaming]
KB: Put it down, agent. You’re blowing this whole operation.
CF: I have bathed in the light of God! I am His eyes! [gunshot] I am His ears! [gunshot] I am- [gunshot]
[screaming]
[sirens]
KB: Oh, fuck, Carla. Carla, oh no, oh no, Carla, speak to me, speak to me, baby. Breathe. Please, Carla, please-
“In Harbrook, a Nightmare Continues
Last Sunday, a married couple was found dead in their home in Harbrook County, a grizzly murder/suicide. Two days later, an elderly woman hospitalized for a public breakdown. That same day, a local teen arrested with a felony level of narcotics, implicating him in a major DEA investigation. And now, a horrific public shooting. Wednesday, around 2 PM, shoppers at the Stop’n’Save grocery store on Clairmont Avenue ran in terror when a deranged woman fired a gun into a crowd of people. The first shot missed, but as chaos erupted, she fired twice more, striking both times. One bullet struck Darrel Jenkins, 24, an employee at the Stop’n’Save. The other struck Betsy Carmichael, 19. Both were rushed to St. Ignacious Hospital, where they are in critical condition. Before the shooter could fire again, another woman, believed to be connected to her in some way, fired at her from point-blank range, killing her. The second shooter fled the scene on foot, running into the woods before authorities could arrive. Local police have set up a man-hunt, assisted by the State Troopers and later FBI, who are believed to be taking command of the investigation. Witnesses said they recognized the two women, saying they had moved in on the edge of town almost a year ago but kept mostly to themselves. The fugitive is described as average height and weight, curly brown hair, and of indeterminate race. ‘There is reason to consider the suspect both armed and dangerous,’ said Sheriff John Cowley in a press conference Wednesday night. ‘We caution residents of Harbrook and the surrounding areas to lock their doors, stay in after dark, and generally keep an eye out. If you see the suspect, do not engage, withdraw to a safe distance and call the police,’ he added. The parents of both Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Carmichael have invited the community to come pray with them in the chapel hospital.”
Notes.
I know that the events of Harbrook are dismaying. Agents KB and CF were two of our most stalwart operatives, and they set in motion one of our greatest operations in half a century. Our resultant findings, even in the adolescence of Project Harbrook, exceed all projections. Unfortunately, in a project like this, human error, whether a heretofore unknown psychosis or a romantic indiscretion, is inevitable. We will continue with our mission. We are so close. We will succeed, for agent CF, for our country, and for the planet. God bless America and God bless this project.
-REDACTED