Trouble And Money #42

Peace O' The Sea Trailer Park - Rye, New Hampshire

"Hi Wally, sorry to bother you so early, but I need an FBI favor."

Wallace Hughes, FBI, and I have become friends, and I hope he knows I would not ask him for a favor frivolously.

I'm sitting at the kitchen table, polishing off a regular coffee while I gather all the facts before tomorrow morning's meeting with the Falters.

I told him about two stupid college kids with intact honor codes who made a drunken bet.

Wally laughed and said "You gotta be shitting me!" "Do you think he went to Ukraine?"

I said, "That's why I'm calling; I'm trying to find out if Jason Falter made it to Warsaw, Poland. I'm assuming that he would try to trek the border. That kid wants to hook up with the Russians."

Wally sipped his coffee and started throwing his rubber band ball against the wall before his desk.

He said, "What used to be an easy request isn't that easy at the moment." "Things are different in Washington right now."

I thought about this and possible alternatives. There isn't one. Wally is my best chance of accessing State Department passport data.

"The only thing I need is a Yes or No about him entering, and if he entered, the date."

Wally said, "I have one good contact at State who may or may not be able to access Passport data at this time." DHS (The Department of Homeland Security) may be an option. Give me a few hours."

I thanked Wally and reinforced how important this was then I added "His parents may create a shitstorm and try to demand help from the government. Whoever your girl is will need to cover her tracks to survive the initial blowback. I'm not sure how they will react."

"Just being honest with you, Wally."

He ended the conversation with "Thank you, I'll get back to you."

In the past day, I have received three more calls from University of Virginia students concerned about Jason Falter.

I learned that he did communicate with some and made it to Warsaw.

A social post was made on one of Jason's friends ' pages. It shows Jason at the Monument to the Fallen and Murdered in the East.

I find it very interesting that the monument honors the Poles who were killed during the Soviet Invasion of the country in 1939.

Jack Vail, a student, said that Jason texted him the photo.

I don't know if there were other communications from Jason Falter.

Can I assume he is in Poland? Not without the proof, he crossed over.

Anyone can send a photo of a monument with themselves baked into the photo.

We live in a complex world.

I'll wait for a call from the FBI and hope for the best.

( I have faith in my friends. Jason Falter has friends who are concerned.)

Trouble And Money is published Monday through Friday. It is a free serial fiction detective story with characters you will love. Read the adventures of Conrad Grange as he solves cases and contends with a harsh world.