Slightly dazed, Andrew left astonished at what had just transpired in Carr’s office. “He did it… he killed Lyle Ramsey. He knows that I know he did it and he also knows that I can’t do anything about it.”
Chapter 23
Wednesday, October 8, 1980
Lyle Ramsey was buried next to his father in the family plot at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery. His funeral was attended by a host of prestigious individuals, many of whom were political leaders of past years and who were friends and associates of Lyle Ramsey, Sr., many trekking to the cemetery for a final farewell.
As the casket was lowered, Harrison Carr leaned on Connie Porter’s arm for support walking from the graveside to the waiting limousine; his despair and grief visible to all those present.
Andrew and Jim watched the procession from a distance.
Jim commented, “Well they’ve put my prime suspect for Monte and George Kelshaw’s murders in the ground. Too bad he chose to end his own life. I would like to have seen the man sweat out his years in Walla Walla. I still feel sorry for old man Carr.”
Andrew smiled sardonically, “I have a hunch he sweated some before he died,” he philosophized. “I’ve got to get going; I have to pick up Neil Klein at SeaTac, want to come? I could use a police escort,” he jibed.
“No, Andy, but thanks for opportunity to use the bells and whistles. I think I’ll go back to my office and try to catch up on the mountain of paperwork on my desk,” Jim sighed.
“Okay, but remember Klein is going to want to talk with both of us so don’t be too far out of reach.”
Andrew was waiting when Neil Klein’s plane touched down. This time there was no subterfuge, no Evan Scott scenario; the threat that had hung over them was gone. They greeted each other as old friends.
“Neil, it’s good to see you… what brings you back to Seattle, GCI?”
“In a way, Andrew… it’s good to see you too—I came mostly to meet with you and Father Ben and Charlene Thayer and I’d like to see Jim Savalza as well. I will see some of you together and some individually.” As an afterthought, Neil asked, “By the way, is Jack Hubbard still in town? I would very much like to talk with him about George and to thank him for all of his help.”
“Yes, Neil, as a matter of fact he has been crashing at my place off and on; I’ll have him call you. I’ve made a reservation for you at the WAC if that’s all right.”
“Yes, Andrew it is and hopefully under my own name.”
“That’s how you’re booked.
Andrew delivered Neil to the Washington Athletic Club and after registering, Neil said, “Join me for a drink, Andrew; I’d like to get caught up.”
Their drinks were brought to their table; Neil leaned forward and spoke softly, “Tell me about Ramsey’s suicide, Andy.”
“It wasn’t suicide, Neil—but there’s no way to prove it. It was the perfect crime. I’m the only one who doesn’t believe that Ramsey took his own life. Savalza and the coroner are convinced that it was suicide; the note was handwritten and signed by Ramsey and there was no indication of duress.”
“Then why do you think it wasn’t, Andrew?”
“I had a gut feeling; so I went to see Carr and it was clear, he did it. I accused him and he didn’t deny it, but he let me know that my bread is buttered by virtue of his pleasure. He pulls some powerful strings and the powers in the Seattle Times dance. He knows that I can’t prove he did it. He isn’t worried.”
Neil was struck by Andrew’s temerity, “So now what? What are you going to do?”
“Nothing,” Andrew took a deep breath took a long drink and looked steadily at Neil, “There is nothing that I can do, the old man got away with murder. Sometimes it happens,” he shrugged. “Now, what about Coleman? What did you find out? He was tied to GCI wasn’t he?”
“Yes Andy, he was, and my boss and the Secretary have given us the green light to turn the information from George Kelshaw and Chernakov over to the Armed Services Committee. Senator Ken Stone who has worked with us on the POW/MIA issue for years is on that committee along with Senator Mike Owens who chairs it.
“I expect there will be a Senate Hearing on this whole mess and I also expect a number of subpoenas will be issued to key individuals.”
“How will that affect Coleman?” Andrew’s frustration level was growing.
“Patience Andrew, General Coleman is going to have to explain his failure at DIA to the Senate Armed Services Committee and why DIA ignored the reports of POWs being used as slave labor; he will have to answer to Senator Mike Owens and I think that will be a little hard for General Coleman.
“He will also be asked to explain his ties with GCI and Lyle Ramsey. However, now with Lyle Ramsey dead, it complicates things a little more; he was the only tangible GCI tie we had to Coleman.”
“What about the attempt to kill Charlene and me—is he going to get away with that too?”
“I confronted him, Andrew, and like you and Harrison Carr, I can’t prove it, but he knows that I know he was behind it and that I know he was behind Kelshaw’s murder also. Unlike Carr, Coleman is very worried. I will leave it to your discretion whether or not you tell Charlene Thayer.”
Andrew thought about Olivia Coleman and Charlene’s friendship and said, “Maybe some secrets should be left alone, Neil. What about Harrison Carr and GCI? Carr used his influence to kill our Times story unveiling GCI.”
“I’m not surprised. Harrison Carr will no doubt be asked to testify before the Senate as the United States member of the GCI Board of Directors. GCI will insulate Carr and Carr will insulate GCI… it’s the way it works, Andrew.
“There are some fights that no matter how hard you try, you can’t win totally. This thing with GCI is one of them.
“The good news is that the evidence we will present regarding GCI’s use of POW’s will undoubtedly wind up before the International Court of Justice or the United Nations, eventually. I believe that when all of the information on the POW slave labor issue sees the light of day and receives the well deserved adverse publicity, GCI itself will make the necessary changes.
“Don’t worry, Andrew, the papers will get the story and then maybe you can try again, although The Washington Post and the New York Times may be the ones who initially break the story.
“Our office will continue to track and trace any reports of POW sightings; and because of Coleman, the DIA will take the brunt of the failure to do a good job of follow-up on such sightings.”
“So that’s it then, Neil, we all compromise; everybody gets a slap on the wrist and we all go home; George Kelshaw gives his life,” he paused, “For this? It stinks!”
“Yes it does, Andrew; but as for George, the information he gave us is invaluable and I don’t believe he would have it any other way. George was a realist; it’s the world we live in and he knew that very well. All in all we haven’t done too badly considering what we’re up against.
“You know, Andrew, one of the greatest empires in history slept in the comfort of wealth and stagnation and ignored the ‘little stuff’. If you don’t pay attention to the ‘little stuff’, big stuff happens, and then its too late…, the foundation has crumbled. But the good guys still have to try, Andrew, compromises or not.”
Andrew was thoughtful then said, “You once commented that I should run for public office, maybe that’s a good plan and if I do, I think I’ll do it right here in my own back yard.”
“Not the House or Senate to start?”
“Nope, maybe someday, but I think I’ll start with the ‘little stuff’… then maybe governor.”