Even his six year old daughter Susie was no consolation. She was just a chore. George's wife Mary took care of her very well. Susie didn't seem to need him very much.

It seemed as if nothing was good enough for Mary lately. Often, when they were talking, Mary would tell George that he had told her something he didn't remember saying. Could she be deliberately trying to confuse him?

George had once suggested to his wife Mary that they would be better off if he were dead. Credit life insurance would pay off the mortgage. Mary and Susie would collect Social Security and other life insurance benefits.

Mary didn't respond to his suggestion. She did say that she seemed to be "falling out of love" with him. She suggested that they see a marriage counselor and hypnotherapist named Wendy. Mary's friend Sheila had recommended Wendy. Wendy might even be able to help with George's depression and confusion.

Mary had been spending a lot of time on the telephone with Sheila lately. Sheila had operated the home day care where Susie had stayed, from age two to five. Sheila had been operating the home day care for eleven years. She was very good at taking care of children. She was a trusted friend to many of the parents.

Susie went to an after-school day care now. Mary and Sheila were still good friends. They went out together at least twice a month. It was a 'girls night out" she told George. Sheila and Mary had been talking on the telephone a lot lately.

George agreed to the marriage counseling. He certainly didn't need a broken marriage along with his depression. He would be sure to ask Wendy about his confusion.

Wendy was strange. She had at least two different office locations. George asked for a business card. Wendy was reluctant to give it to him. She referred to the names of her businesses as "just something I go by." George couldn't find her name in the Elizabeth telephone directory.

George asked Wendy about the antidepressant drug Prozac. He had read in a magazine article that it was very effective for depression. Wendy told him that Prozac "interfered with the program, but the program has been proven to be effective anyway."

George decided not to see a psychiatrist about Prozac, at least until he had given the "program" a chance.

Wendy had said that she used "whatever works. There isn't any specific school of thought that I adhere to. I have twelve years of marriage counseling experience. I've learned what works and what doesn't."

Wendy told George that she used to practice in California. She said that business used to be very good there. George asked her why she left California. Wendy began the counseling program and never mentioned California again.

Wendy said that there would be hypnotherapy at the appropriate time. That was usually after the first three or four sessions.

The marriage counseling seemed to be helping George's marriage. It did not seem to be helping with his depression and confusion. Mary had become so sexually active that he began to have occasional problems with impotence. Mary said that they should continue the program with Wendy.

Then, George began to be less confused. It was becoming clear to him that there was one simple solution to his problems. He would talk to Wendy about it. Everything seemed to make sense when Wendy spoke.

"My marriage is stronger now, but life is still meaningless. I really don't have any reason to go on living. Mary and Susie would be fine without me." said George. Wendy's response didn't suprise George. He seemed to expect it.

"Are you certain that you want to commit suicide?" asked Wendy.

"Yes" said George.

"We can begin the hypnotherapy." Wendy said.

Mary had been following Sheila's instructions for months.

"Make the unreal seem real. Make the familiar seem unfamiliar. This leads to a trust accident." were Sheila's instructions.

George sat in his car, waiting for the arranged call from John on his cell phone. He was at the Cool Spot curb market, beside the entrance ramp to Interstate 58 South. When he received the call, he was to go down the entrance ramp. He would accelerate to 70 miles per hour.

There had been weeks of preparation for this day. John had the gasoline tank and fuel line coated with battery acid. After two weeks of corrosion and metal fatigue, the metal would rupture in a collision. The full gas tank would explode.

Mary had been giving George the anticoagulant medication coumadin. Coumadin is also used as rat poison. Coumadin is beneficial to cardiac patients. It prevents blood clotting. George's lacerations and internal bleeding from an accident would bleed uncontrollably. George was forty-two years old.

George was three miles from the Elizabeth city limits. The countryside became rural on George's planned route.

It was 10:42 Wednesday morning. George had a lunch meeting scheduled in Marshall, twenty-eight miles south of Elizabeth on Interstate 58. John had been very specific about time. He said timing was very critical.

Six miles south on Interstate 58, Randall and Steve waited in their cars. They used high horsepower, mid-sized cars. There would be another call from John to Randall. When Randall and Steve received the call, they would join George on Interstate 58.

John had been scanning the highway. He was looking for the right truck. It had to be on his list of target common carriers. These would be profitable companies, with high insurance limits.

George received his call from John. He drove toward Marshall.

A lead car was a half mile ahead. John was four miles behind George.

George felt calm, at peace with himself. He knew that his reflexes wouldn't fail him at the critical moment. Wendy had said that her hypnotherapy was "100% effective, with a committed subject."

George knew that Susie would be taught that her father was a brave hero.

George saw Randall and Steve in his rear view mirror. They blinked their headlights. George pulled in front of the target tractor-trailer, at annoyingly close distance. Randall placed himself in the left lane beside the truck. Steve tailgated the tractor-trailer.

One half mile behind George, four other cars interfered and blocked traffic. There would be no witnesses.

George saw Randall in his side view mirror. All that was needed was a nod of the head. The front of the truck filled George's rear view mirror.

"Lock her down!" were John's instructions to George.

George mashed the brake pedal. The truck driver had no time to react. He had wanted to escape the congestion, but had been sandwiched in. The truck windshield was a wall of flame. The truck driver suffered smoke inhalation and second degree burns, along with neck and back injuries.

The force of the impact cause George to have internal bleeding. Cuts on his arms bled profusely. He lost fluid from the third degree burns on the back of the head.

George was pronounced dead when the paramedics arrived. It took them twenty-two minutes. The accident location had been chosen fourteen miles from the nearest paramedic facility. They had been delayed while traveling on the interstate. Two cars had been on the shoulder, with their hoods raised. The four cars causing interference had created two miles of traffic congestion for the ambulance to negotiate.

The Highway Patrol officer dutifully filled out the accident report. He assumed that the skid marks made by George's car were from some other incident. He saw the family pictures in George's wallet. At least the wife and child will be taken care of, he thought to himself.

The truck driver gave his statement to his attorney. The attorney advised him to plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He also advised the driver not to tell his story in court. With a speedy trial, the driver's injuries might elicit some sympathy from the jury. The driver was sentenced to three years. He was released after one year. He was never hired to drive again.

Mary collected 45% of the insurance settlement. The attorney collected 55%. The settlement totaled $474,000. Wendy was given $4500 in cash from the attorney. John received $34,000, for him and his "employees." Sheila received $8500.

A large pool of attorneys was used to distribute fatality claims. No one attorney would have an unusual number of fatality claims in any one year.

FALIF Part 2

Jane was thrilled when she heard the news. He friend Sheila had just made $8500. Sheila was going to introduce Jane to Charles. Charles was Sheila's contact with the fraud ring.

Jane didn't love her husband anymore. She had sent Curt back to school. He had been an honor roll student. But, he failed the practical internship. He couldn't apply what he knew. He had gone back to work, still earning less than Jane.

Sheila had kept their daughter, Samantha, until she reached kindergarten age. That was three years ago. Sheila had stayed in contact with Jane. Their contact with each other had increased during the past year. Sheila had comforted Jane when Jane cried to her with her frustration with Curt.

Jane liked bingo. She especially liked the high stakes bingo now available across the state line. She played bingo almost every Saturday night with her friend Sheila. Sheila was addicted to gambling, losing $1500 some nights. Jane didn't think that she was addicted to gambling. She had never lost more than $200 in one night.

Sheila, Jane and Charles met in a restaurant across the street from the bingo hall.

"This is the perfect crime," said Charles. "Outside of the organization, no one knows of its existence. There has never been a case to reach the courts. Because the crime is never reported, it has never been in the press. Who would report it? The widow could lose her settlement if she said anything. The deceased certainly can't confess. No one will believe the at-fault driver of the other vehicle."

Charles continued. "The police and insurance companies are oblivious, because the crime has never been reported. They ignore the evidence because they are not aware of the crime. Our crime does not exist in anyone's mind, outside of the organization."

"We have a large pool of attorneys to selct from. No one attorney has a suspicious number of fatality claims. Here is the number to call when you have a claim." Charles said as he handed Jane a slip of paper.

"We focus on men because they are four times as likely to commit suicide." explained Charles.

"Five times, thanks to us!" laughed Sheila.

"If the press ever publicizes a case of fatal accident fraud, then it is all over for us. Imagine the public outcry if they found out about our operation. You don't have any problem with the idea of selling someone's life, do you?" Charles asked.

"When can I start?" asked Jane. She was impressed. She had always liked mystery stories. Here it was the perfect crime, and she was actually doing it!

"We can use you. Jealous wives make good prospects. You can assist in persuading the husbands to cooperate. we will pay you $1500 for every successful case. We can teach you how to earn more later. $1500 is certainly more than the occasional tricks you have been turning for bingo money." explained Charles. He knew that he could profit from Jane's 38DD breasts.

"Is that all?" Jane implored. She looked at Charles with disappointment. "I want to make real money, like the $8500 that Sheila just made. What about my husband? Sheila told me that you could collect for all of the income that he could provide to me and my daughter until she is an adult, as well as other damages. Susie is only eight years old now."

"Charles and I have already looked into that. with his income, it simply isn't worth our while." Sheila explained.

"You did say that he drove a company pickup? He also works in construction, doesn't he?" Charles asked.

"Yes, he is an engineering soil and concrete testing technician at Quadtron Engineering Consultants. He drives a company truck to different job sites. He is allowed to take it home as personal transportation." Jane answered.

"Well, maybe he could be worth our while, if it happened in the company truck. But Quadtron isn't on our list of good companies. We would have to do something to sweeten the pot. Maybe John would have an idea, Sheila." Charles said.

"Do you think that you could persuade Curt to cooperate? As he ever expressed any thoughts of suicide?" Sheila asked.

"YES! He once told me that he thought Samantha and I would be better off if he were dead. When we added up our debts, life insurance couldn't begin to cover them. I told him that it would be terrible if our daughter knew that her daddy committed suicide." Jane replied.

"Good answer." said Charles. "Life insurance is small change to us. Sheila, give Jane the profile questionnaire to fill out on Curt. We like to know everything that we can about our clients. We will begin by training you to work with us part-time. It is very important that you maintain the appearence that nothing has changed. We have the most successful criminal operation in history. It will never be part of any known history. It will be as if it never existed. It will disappear into the shadows of time, unless the press finds out."

Jane went home, full of excitement. It was late. Curt was asleep. She had stayed at the bingo hall until one a.m. She hadn't needed to turn any tricks for quick cash. Sheila had loaned her another two hundred dollars.

Curt woke up and played with Samantha that morning. Jane always said that he was like a child himself.

After Jane had been to her first "training session" with Sheila, she asked Curt, "How would you like to make your daughter rich?"

"That would be wonderful, but how. I doubt that I will ever make any more money than I do now." Curt answered.

"Sheila has introduced me to a huge network of people involved in insurance fraud." said Jane.

"Like whiplash? But, isn't that dangerous? With our combined incomes, do we really need the money?" Curt asked.

"We could collect for all future income, until Samantha became an adult." Jane explained.

"But I would have to die to do that." Curt said.

"Yes. When you die, you automatically go to heaven." Jane explained.

"But, I don't want to spend eternity with Hitler." Curt said, ending the conversation.

Jane continued her job at the hospital. Curt often worked on Saturdays. On weekends, Jane seduced husbands chosen by Sheila. Someone in the syndicate, who had found the prospective client, would inform the wife. The wife would often be willing to join the program. They would be referred to Wendy for counseling. Sooner or later, a husband would volunteer to cooperate.

Curt was too busy to notice what was going on. he would never consider that Jane could ever be unfaithful.

It took two months for Jane to receive he first $1500. After repaying Sheila, she had $300 left over for bingo. She lost it on her next excursion across the state line.

Jane tried to get Kurt to go to counseling sessions with Wendy. Curt went once. He refused to go anymore. Since most of their fights had been about money, why spend $90 an hour on therapy?

A contact within the syndicate said that Quadtron engineering had been operating at a loss for three years. In fact, the supervisor at the Elizabeth office had caused the loss of the license for using a nuclear density gauge. While the competition could test large areas of earthmoving with digital technology, the Elizabeth Quadtron technicians were using obsolete m,annual methods. They could perform less than one fifth as many tests in the same amount of time as their competitors.

Thirteen gallon propane tanks were carried in the back of each pickup. Propane stoves were used in the manual tests.

The Quadtron supervisor, Rick Hall, was responsible for coordinating the work of the field technicians. The technicians averaged testing three different construction projects per day. They averaged traveling more than one hundred miles per day. The technicians were always late, attempting to compensate for outdated test methods. Rick had been responsible for the loss of the license for the nuclear testing gauge.

Jane called Rick one day. "This is Jane, Curt's wife. How would you like to make Quadtron profitable again?"

"Of I course I would." Rick said.

"Quadtron's vehicle liability insurance premiums are pretty high, aren't they?" Jane asked.

"yes. It's just money out of the window. We never have any claims. There's a million in coverage on each truck and technician, as a requirement at some construction sites. Most of the technicians are young and have engineering degrees, with a high earnings potential." Rick explained.

"How would you like to earn a return on your investment?" Jane asked.

"Yes, we should get something back. I should get something back, too. What do you have in mind?" Rick asked.

Jane explained her proposition to Rick.

Rick contacted John, the vehicle coordinator for the syndicate. The program would be worth millions! Rick could funnel cash back into Quadtron's coffers. No one at Quadtron would question Rick's activities.Rick had a fleet of six trucks to assist in accidents. He knew that there was no criminal liability for causing a death by vehicle on a construction site, off the public roads. The operator of earth moving equipment could actually cause the death, without fear of prosecution. It had to look like an accident, of course.

Rick and John decided that the first accident should occur on the highway. Why arouse suspicion by creating a pattern of construction site fatalities? By selecting a location with defective road design, there would be punitive damages. The punitive damages would compensate for Curt's meager earnings potential. If road design was the cause, no one would face a vehicular manslaughter charge.

Jane had given up on coercing Curt to commit suicide. The accident would be planned as a murder.

The location was selected, conveniently near the Quadtron office. Interstate 66 intersected Interstate 58 in Elizabeth. The merge lane from Interstate 66 became a third lane for interstate 58 South. Three fourths of a mile south, the entrance ramp for Jetty Road merged directly into the same lane. Technically, Jetty road had no merge lane on I-58 South.

Curt's company owned pickup could be sandwiched in between several rented tractor trailers. A tractor-trailer coming down the Jetty Road ramp would force Curt into a collision. The thirteen gallon propane tank in the back of Curt's pickup would enhance the accident.

Jane had been mixing coumadin into Curt's supper for two weeks.

Since the Quadtron office was located near Interstate 66, it would be easy to arrange for Curt to be routed from Interstate 66 to Interstate 58 South. Curt would be detoured to come by the office. He would be told to get his directions to the airport project at the office. That way he would be enroute to the airport project when the accident occured. The general contractor for the airport project would be liable.

On a Tuesday morning, Rick telephoned Curt at home with the day's agenda. First, Curt was to go to a project in Salisville. This was north of Elizabeth on I-58. He was to leave Salisville at 10:30 am. Then, he would go to the Quadtron office to pick up directions to a project at the airport. The airport was located on the south side of Elizabeth. Curt was to follow these directions exactly. Curt was to arrive at the airport project at precisely 12:00 noon. When he arrived at the site, he was to go to the bottom of a trench excavation and obtain a 50 pound soil sample.

Curt was late leaving the project in Salisville. At 11:15, he was still on the way to the office. He would never have the time to go by the office and get the directions to the airport project. Also, Curt had an odd feeling about this day. He had frequently received directions to new job sites over the telephone. Why had it been so important for him to detour by the office?

Going to the office would involve leaving the I-58 South and traveling west on I-66 to the office, then back east to I-58 again. Curt decided not to detour by the office for directions. He would continue on I-58 to the airport. He would call for specific directions to the project when he reached the airport area.

Traveling on I-58 South, Curt approached the I-66 interchange. A tractor-trailer approached rapidly in the left lane. It passed him, pulled in front of Curt and slowed to Curt's speed. A second truck approached in the left lane and paced itself with Curt. A pickup truck pulled behind Curt. Curt was one lane left of the merge lane from I-66.

Another tractor-trailer came screaming down the entrance ramp from Jetty's Road. It was going faster than Curt's seventy miles per hour. Curt's thoughts raced back to the conversation he had with Jane about a suicide accident. Curt reacted. He quickly downshifted. He maneuvered out of the trap by slipping out between the pickup and tractor-trailer on his left.

The driver of the pickup held his forearm out the window. He rotated his arm with one finger extended. Curt had no doubt that this was a signal to end the chase. The trucks sped off, before Curt could collect his wits to see a license plate number. He had seen the word "Rental" on the side of one of the trucks, however. Curt exited I-58.

Curt drove the Quadtron pickup to the nearest city police station. There, he insisted that an officer take down his Curt's incident report.

Curt didn't care about the 12:00 arrival time at the airport project. He drove the pickup back to the Quadtron office and left the keys on the floorboard. Curt quietly walked away from the Quadtron compound, went to a nearby service station and called a cab.

The cab took him home. Jane was at work, and Samantha at school. Jane had planned to pick up Samantha that day. Curt got into his 1989 Dodge Omni. He went to his bank and withdrew the $632.14 balance.

Curt crossed three state lines before he stopped the Omni. He rented a room in an ancient boarding house, the last of its kind. He found work with temporary agencies, avoiding construction jobs and company vehicles.

Curt attempted to initiate several investigations. He contacted the Elizabeth Police Department, State Insurance Fraud Investigations, and the FBI. The minimal investigations produced no results. None of the investigators had heard of a fraud ring that specialized in fatalities.

Curt bought a used laptop computer. He researched and web surfed under the key words of fraud, crime, insurance, highway accidents, highway fatality statistics, corruption, murder and suicide.

Curt could not find any reference to the crime that he had escaped. There were no references to fatal accident liability insurance fraud. Curt used his own acronym, FALIF, for Fatal Accident Liability Insurance Fraud. He did discover that there were approximately 30,000 confirmed suicides and 40,000 automobile accident fatalities in the USA annually. Yet there had never been a reported case of FALIF. There had never been a case in the courts or the press! Yet, he had been asked to commit FALIF, had escaped a staged fatal accident, and his wife was a confessed member of a "huge network of people involved in accident fraud."

Curt realized that the only way to expose FALIF was through the press. With media exposure, other witnesses might have the courage to come forward. With publication of his story, he could prevent any more attempts on his life. He would publish his story as fiction, until coraborative witnesses came forward.

Also, Curt emailed his story to several investigative journalists. Curt arranged for the journalists to be notified, if his death resulted in any sort of litigation. His own death might be the proof needed to expose FALIF. He knew that Jane and her friends wouldn't dare risk that kind of exposure.

The entire FALIF operation depends upon lack of public awareness.

"If you have any first hand knowledge of Fatal Accident Insurance Fraud, please contact the author at [email protected]. Requests for confidentiality will be respected."

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