Kurtherian Gambit Boxed Set One: Books 1-7, Death Becomes Her, Queen Bitch, Love Lost, Bite This, Never Forsaken, Under My Heel, Kneel or Die (Kurtherian Gambit Boxed Sets)

by Michael Anderle

  Captain Wagner had been nodding his head during the whole conversation. “These are certainly a step up from the first design. Why do you have wheels on them?”

  William answered that question. “If someone should see them on the ground, we wanted to add a little more believability to the helicopter identifier. They land better, make them easier to get in and out of, and they allow us to move them around on the ship.”

  Captain Wagner said, “Guys, these are significantly improved from the first ones. I believe you can be proud. I would very much appreciate a report on how well these operate.”

  Bobcat smiled. “Captain, I have direct orders from Bethany Anne. As soon as you give permission, one of these Pods is to be tested, by you, tonight.”

  Captain Wagner turned his head sharply to look at Bobcat. “No shit?”

  “Shit no, Captain.” This time, all three men wore huge smiles as the big reveal was delivered.

  Captain Wagner looked over his shoulder at the setting sun and then lifted his wrist to look at his watch. “I see it’s twenty-five minutes until sunset. Let me give the command to turn due east and see how fast we can darken the sky!” He started walking away from team BMW, towards the bridge.

  All three men heard his exclamation, “Hot Damn!”

  William got busy installing the four remaining engines.

  2

  Chicago, IL, USA

  Anthony Chillenni was driving down E. Lake Shore Drive, heading to his contemporary two-level maisonette. The views were superb, and they should be. He had paid over four and a half million for the five thousand square foot condo.

  He parked in the underground lot and took the private elevator to the top, his floor. He had searched high and low for a beautiful location. Another determining factor was that he needed a place where his security requirements wouldn’t be so obvious. When this condo became available, boasting a secured and private elevator, he didn’t even bother to negotiate the price.

  He figured that not having to add additional security saved him almost a quarter-million. Money well spent, or saved, depending on your point of view.

  He stepped out of the elevator to a sumptuous personal lobby. It was only a few steps to his door where he keyed in his security code. The red light turned to green and he stepped inside, resetting the alarm. Turning around, he walked through the dining room and into his in-home office. He took just a few seconds to set down his briefcase and then he continued into his bedroom. Sitting on his bed, he looked out his windows at the vista of Lake Michigan. He would never tire of this view.

  He was pulling off his second shoe when he felt uneasy. He stood up in his socks and silently went to his nightstand, pulling open the drawer and grabbing the .45 auto. He walked back to the bedroom door and took a look out. Seeing nothing in the dining and living room, he walked out and looked through his kitchen. Finding nothing there either he continued to the other side of the condo, checking each of the doors. He walked back through the house and finally lowered the gun down to his side, still not sure what set off his inner alarm.

  That was when a voice in his head started talking. First softly, then turning hard and sharp. “Mr. Chillenni, just what have you been up to lately? What are you hiding?”

  Anthony raised the gun back up into shooting position. He turned his head left, then right, seeking the voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. It would start in his left ear, but end in his right. “Who’s there?”

  “Shouldn’t you be asking ‘who isn’t there?’”

  Anthony turned around, ensuring that no one was sneaking up on him. He started backing towards the front door, constantly looking side to side. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I am talking about humans, Anthony. People, Anthony. Mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters, ANTHONY.” His name reverberated in his mind.

  Anthony took three more steps toward the front door making sure everything was clear around him. He quickly entered the security code, but the light stayed red.

  Frantically, he keyed the security code in again. The lock indicator remained red.

  The voice taunted him as he tried to open the lock. “Anthony, Anthony, Anthony. Why are you running, Anthony? Would someone with a clean conscience run so quickly?” The woman’s voice rose in anger. Her tone created a fear that threatened to overwhelm him.

  He kept keying the same code into the security pad. The same freaking code that had always worked. The same code that failed him now.

  “Running, Anthony? I haven’t done anything to you yet, and yet you run. What about those innocent people who had guns shooting at them in France, Anthony? Did you feel any sympathy for them, while they were in fear? How about when they had bullets going into and through their bodies? As they helplessly watched friends and loved ones bleeding their lives out onto the ground?”

  Anthony’s shoulders shook in frustration and resignation. His hand went through the motions on the security pad, his hope that somehow it would unlock fading away. Slowly, ever so slowly, his legs weakened and he slid down the wall. When he could move no farther he was kneeling in front of the door, weeping into his chest.

  “That’s right, Anthony. You feel the death that comes for you. As you have paid for death so many times overseas, the long arm of retribution has come back to hug you tight. Who are the people you talk with overseas, Anthony?”

  Anthony shook his head. “No, no, no. I can’t give you that.”

  “I am not the government, Anthony. I don’t have rules I have to follow. You might say I don’t have a conscience, where terrorists are involved.” The voice got colder, dripping with malice. “You. Will. Give. Me. The. FUCKING. NAMES!”

  The recently renovated on spec condo on East Lake Shore Drive had a substantial amount of soundproofing. The expectation was that the new owners would often throw parties. And they wouldn’t want their neighbors on the floor beneath them complaining.

  Unfortunately for Anthony Chillenni, it also stopped anyone from hearing his screams of terror and babbling promises to change his life. The soundproofing stopped anyone outside of his condo from hearing the five names he provided.

  Twenty minutes later, Bethany Anne stepped across the nearly comatose Anthony Chillenni. “Oh my goodness, does this man stink.”

  You did scare the… whatever… out of him.

  >> Should I change the alarm security code now? <<

  Yes ADAM, please change the code back to the original one. And please make sure there are no log records, or whatever, of the changes you made.

  >> What would you have me do next? <<

  Research and verify those names he provided. I’ll wait until you confirm they are legitimate. Then, Mr. Chillenni is going to take his last walk.

  Where are you going to hide the body? Getting this condo all bloody seems almost sacrilegious.

  Bethany Anne looked around; it was a really nice pad. It’s a shame he chose to use his option fund income for such an evil enterprise.

  Perhaps he felt it was appropriate?

  No, ADAM checked on that. He just loved mayhem and it worked to his benefit. He doesn’t have a care in the world about who gets hurt.

  Then why did you promise you wouldn’t hurt him?

  I didn’t say that. I said I wouldn’t stab him.

  Or shoot him, or cut him, or drop him off the balcony.

  All true.

  You’re not letting him go. I know you better than that.

  True.

  TOM thought about it for a little while, as Bethany Anne continued admiring the view out the window.

  Ok, so no physical harm… I give, I have no idea what you’re going to do.

  Remember when we were trying to rescue Michael?

  Yes… NO!

  Yup.

  Damn, that is heartless.

  Not entirely.

  How is it not heartless?

  I don’t know for sure that he can’t survive in the Etheric.

  Bethany
Anne, I’m telling you there is no chance he is going to survive.

  TOM, have you ever been wrong?

  Well, yes. But, I’m not wrong about this.

  I’m counting on that, TOM.

  >> I have been able to trace all of the names he provided. Two names are in the Netherlands, two are in Germany and one in Great Britain. <<

  Bethany Anne reached down and grabbed Anthony Chillenni by the neck. She picked him up with one hand, all one hundred and ninety-four pounds.

  She shook him until he finally woke up enough to get his bearings. He grabbed at the hand holding him, trying to pull free from her grip. “Let me go! You promised me you wouldn’t hurt me!”

  Bethany Anne snorted. “No, you fucking ass-tard. I promised I wouldn’t physically hit or stab you. No guns, no knives, etcetera, etcetera. And strangely enough, no balcony tosses. Not sure why you made me promise twice on that, but a promise is a promise. I didn’t promise I wouldn’t toss your traitorous ass into another dimension.”

  Bethany Anne focused her attention. “Anthony Chillenni, for the crimes you have committed against innocents throughout the world by funding terrorists, you have been sentenced to imprisonment. May Hell greet your soul.” As she finished talking, Bethany Anne pushed Anthony Chillenni into the Etheric. His body disappeared from her hand. She just barely heard a scream when he realized something other than his floor was waiting for him.

  Then the condo was silent.

  Denver, CO, USA

  It had taken a while for Kevin to drive to Denver using I-70. But Lance wanted a great steak and said he would pick up the tab. So, Kevin chose The Capital Grille. It was located near the University of Colorado, off Larimer Street.

  What Kevin hadn’t counted on was some sort of huge event happening. All of the different parking lots were packed. He was past The Cheesecake Factory’s parking and turning onto 17th when he found a spot that a small green Honda Accord was exiting. Fortunately, he was pulling right around the corner and damn near bumped the car as it left the spot on the left side.

  He jumped out and put money into the parking meter. The temperature was a balmy forty-six degrees so he had grabbed a light jacket before locking his car. He noticed a couple heading towards The Old Spaghetti Factory off 18th. Both of them were bundled up against the cold.

  Tourists.

  Kevin walked the two blocks back to The Capital Grille.

  Still not a parking spot anywhere. He had just reached the restaurant when he got a text. It was Lance, letting him know he was a couple of miles away and would be there in a few minutes. Kevin looked around, evaluating the situation. It was getting dark, but he could see well enough to know that even the valet parking was full. He sent a text back to Lance that he would wait in the bar.

  Kevin had given their names to the hostess to put them in queue for a table. He was handed a little buzzer to let him know when his table was available. As he entered the modern looking bar he heard his name. “Kevin!” He turned around to find Lance stepping into the bar right behind him.

  Kevin held out his hand in greeting. “How the hell did you find a parking spot so fast?”

  Smiling, Lance shook his hand. “Corporate secret, my man, corporate secret!” Lance looked around the steakhouse. “You know, I don’t think I’ve been here for years.”

  “Neither have I, but you said you’re paying, so I was willing to make the drive.” Kevin thumbed over his shoulder. “Bar?”

  Lance agreed. “Bar!” They were able to find open seats at the far end of the highly polished bar. After they ordered, Kevin turned to his former boss. “So, how’s the missus?”

  Lance smiled. “Damn, boy, I’m not hitched yet.”

  Kevin smiled as he examined Lance’s nose more closely. “It’s okay, the nose piercing is barely noticeable.” Kevin looked around. “Maybe someone can up the lights?” Lance grinned at the barb. The bartender dropped off their beers. Each man grabbed one and they clinked them together.

  Kevin started, “Here’s to a long life.”

  Lance continued, “And a merry one!”

  “A quick death.”

  “And an easy one.”

  “A pretty girl.”

  “I got me one!” Lance winked when changing that verse.

  Kevin just shook his head and continued, “A cold pint!”

  Both men raised their bottles one more time as Lance finished the toast, “And another one!”

  Both men downed their beers.

  Setting his bottle down hard enough to get the bartender’s attention, Lance gave him the universal symbol for another round.

  Kevin laughed. “I see Patricia already has you knocked for a loop.”

  Lance smiled. “Yeah, I wasn’t thinking relationship anything, while my… boss… was able to see something I wasn’t.”

  Kevin nodded. “Him and about every other person, probably.”

  Lance was focused on a memory and not paying attention when he corrected Kevin. “Her.”

  Kevin sat back in his chair. “You’re working for a ‘her?’”

  Lance’s face clouded up. “What? You don’t think I can work for a woman?”

  “Well, you are looking younger. I guess if you can go in for some sort of surgery and hair dye, maybe you’ve changed enough to respect the fairer sex enough to listen to their suggestions. I’m just wondering how much a ball-buster this lady must be.”

  Lance looked at Kevin. “You have no idea. It’s like she’s known me her whole damn life and can sense every move that assures a victory. I’m not ashamed to admit it’s damn scary, Kevin, damn scary. Wait until you meet the vixen.”

  “So, this is where we finally have ‘the talk,’ right?” Kevin nodded his thanks to the bartender as he was handed another beer.

  “What’s there to talk about?” Lance smiled as he took a sip, knowing Kevin’s inability to be patient. His curiosity was his greatest strength, and his greatest weakness.

  “You know damn well what there is to talk about! You wouldn’t be willing to wine me and dine me…”

  Lance snorted. “Watch it, Patricia might hear you.”

  “Why? Are you wearing a wire now?”

  Lance said, “No, but I have learned women have preternaturally good hearing. You can’t pass gas five houses down the street without them spouting some comment about not being gross, and spraying smelly shit all over the room.”

  “That’s why I’m single.”

  “You’re single because you have a stick up your ass and you’re too damn nosy right off the bat. Most women don’t appreciate you doing a background check before the first date.”

  “What, now you’re Miss Manners?”

  “Out of the two of us, who has a girl?”

  “Et tu, Lance. Et Tu…”

  Both men cracked up.

  Kevin’s little plastic square lit up and started buzzing. “Time to dine.”

  Lance stood up, downed the rest of his drink and then dropped two twenties on the bar and set the bottle on top of them. “Good, I’m hungry! Just make sure the cow doesn’t moo and slap it on my plate.”

  Kevin walked over to give the hostess the pager. A second hostess took them to a smaller area, off to the side of the main dining room. Lance was a few steps back when Kevin turned to sit down. “I asked for a secluded spot.”

  Lance smiled at the hostess and sat across from him. “That’s good for me.”

  The guys checked out the menu and then settled on the basics. Steaks, with baked potatoes done all the way. Kevin cut the green onions from his.

  Lance bit into the bread. “There is nothing better than bread at a steakhouse.”

  “What about Italian restaurants?”

  Lance considered his question. “Mostly, they work. But you can end up eating nothing but a straight pretzel-like thing that they call bread. It’s a disgrace to bread. They’re nothing more than a long, round piece of crust in a skinny bag.”

  Kevin conceded the point and moved the con
versation to the main event. “Okay, you’ve strung me along long enough. I’m out of the service with nothing more than your ‘think bigger’ comment. I trust you haven’t led me astray?”

  Lance finished his bite. “Never would, Kevin, or you wouldn’t have signed out of the military. The job we need you to do is run the base.”

  Kevin’s eye’s narrowed. “I thought you might be coming back to run the base.”

  Lance shook his head. “No can do. I’m needed to keep all of the boss lady’s companies pointed the right way. Prioritizing and highlighting the ones that have the tools, talent, or technology we need to move forward.”

  They were interrupted by the arrival of their steaks. Both were asked to cut into their meat and confirm it was cooked appropriately. Kevin agreed his was and Lance barely eyed his before cutting a piece off and telling the server, “Sorry! Yup, it’s not mooing so it’s good for me.” He paused to enjoy the first bite before cutting another.

  Kevin took a minute to get his potato ready as he asked his follow up question. “Ok. That explains my role and your role, what about your boss’ role? What is she doing in all of this?”

  Lance put his fork and knife down and looked Kevin square in the eyes. “Working to save the planet.”

  Kevin’s first reaction was to laugh off Lance’s statement, but his nascent laughter quickly died when his humor wasn’t mirrored in Lance’s eyes. “You’re serious?”

  Lance pursed his lips and nodded.

  “And Patricia?”

  “Would continue on course even if I should die. We are in this until the end.”

  “Why wouldn’t the Army be a good place to work from?”

  Lance picked up his fork and knife. “The answer to that is more of a show thing than a tell thing. The boss is aware you are a nosy shit, so she’s going to meet with you after dinner, if I haven’t scared you off.”