An outstanding leader and organizational genius, Knight spent the first couple of years building his network, his financial support base, his lecture and teaching materials, and, most importantly, his leadership team. Once the organization began preaching its brand of values, Gary Knight quickly became a rock star of moral values. Marketing the events through fundamental Christian churches and organizations, Knight appealed to the men to become better husbands and fathers, and to the women to become better women and homemakers. With Knight’s message clear and on point for his followers, the Coalition of Values quickly became a household name, impacting the lives of a great many people.
The long weekend events were targeted at couples. The Coalition of Values organization focused on a strong marriage and family, defining the epicenter of the family as the husband and wife or mother and father. Thus, the events were for couples. Children were to stay home. Single people were allowed to register alone only if they provided an affidavit stating they were in a committed relationship. Each was then required to provide an acceptable reason the spouse or significant other could not attend. One exception was that single parents were welcomed at the events. The events were, of course, for heterosexuals only.
The cost of the weekend events was nominal compared to most other similar training sessions. At $600 per couple for three days, the payment was designed to cover the costs with a small amount put into reserve for future needs. The price covered only the event—the couple was required to arrange transportation and lodging. However, the Coalition of Values did solicit local members in each city visited to volunteer to ‘host’ visitors. This information was then published on the Coalition’s website, and matches were made to keep costs low to the participants.
Gary Knight never expected the response to what would come to be termed a movement. The first year of meetings, Knight planned to hold them bi-monthly in metropolitan areas with a population between two and five million people. They were to be held in small venues, the coliseums of local colleges or universities, targeting anywhere from five thousand to ten thousand people for each three-day event. Gary and his board felt if the organization reached fifty thousand people in the first year, it would be an overwhelming success.
The first meeting, in Denver, had twenty-five thousand people sign up, and the venue would only accommodate eight thousand, so seventeen thousand people ended up being disappointed. The first event was deemed a grand success, by the Coalition and its board, by an overwhelming majority of the participants, and by the city. The liberal Mayor of Denver gushed praises for three full days and four nights of only positive messages and training, focusing on family values, responsibility, and commitment. He further praised the organization for holding an event for which the police reported not one single incident, not so much as a littering violation or parking ticket. Knight beamed at the praise but was not surprised. This is who the people involved in the movement were supposed to be.
Knight’s organizer had been unable to find the type of venue he wanted in Dallas, the second city they would visit. The smallest one they could line up would accommodate almost twenty thousand people. As it turned out, over one-hundred thousand signed up, showing the strength of word-of-mouth—the marketing for the event had been miniscule. For this event, they disappointed eighty thousand, but the praise following it was similar to that of Denver.
Knight, ever the CEO, reacted swiftly. They canceled the small venue planned for the third event in New Orleans and booked the Super Dome. With eighty thousand packed closely together, it turned into nothing short of Woodstock for the soul. The Coalition of Values was off and running, less than six months after Gary Knight’s first event. For the next ten years the Coalition would continue to grow and thrive, becoming more and more of an influence throughout the country. Many felt the Coalition’s values focus had been the turning point for the presidential election.
“But before I give you Gary Knight,” at that, the crowd exploded, and it was several minutes before they quieted.
“But before I give you Gary,” he continued, “I would like to tell you a little more about him. Many of you already know this, but for those of you who don’t, our leader here is also an American icon. He really has lived the American dream.”
“Gary Knight was born in Wichita, Kansas during an economic downturn. He has two younger siblings, a brother and a sister. His father died tragically while his mother was still pregnant with his sister. Gary’s mother, having dropped out of high school during the Depression to help with her family’s financial needs, had no real skills. She worked as a laborer at a meat packing plant. Most of Gary’s meals when he was young were things she was allowed to bring home from the plant, parts that were not deemed suitable to sell.
“His mother contracted cancer when Gary was eleven and died when he was thirteen. His parents were both only children, and all four grandparents died before Gary’s mom. For those last two years of her life, Gary spent more time caring for her than she did for him. The healthcare choices were limited in those days, and of course they had no money, so Gary went to work.
“As an eleven-year old, he formed his own lawn mowing business. A brilliant businessman and determined marketer, Gary grew his lawn care business and developed a landscaping business as well.
“When his mother died, Gary had two choices. Allow child welfare to take him and his brother and sister and try to place them—knowing most likely they would be separated, or best-case-scenario they would remain together in an orphanage. Or he could go to work, support his brother and sister, and head the family starting at this young age. I’ll finish the story, folks, but this is the time when Gary first realized the importance of the family.”
“I won’t bore you with the details of how Gary managed to keep a house, a mortgage, and all that goes with that as a thirteen-year-old. Suffice it to say he did. The first few years Gary struggled as he toiled to make the business work. The three missed many meals and enjoyed none of the luxuries of life, but they were together.
“Over several years, though, Gary grew his business into a true commercial enterprise. The company became extremely profitable, at least for a kid, and the three of them lived happily and comfortably for the next several years. Gary maintained the business until both his brother and sister had completed college. At age twenty-six, Gary sold his commercial and residential property management company for $1.2 million. He split the profits equally with his brother and sister and went to school himself.
“Again, I won’t bore you with the details, but Gary graduated from Harvard Business School just after his thirtieth birthday, barely four years after he went back to school to catch up from everything he had missed from eighth grade on. Folks, Gary graduated valedictorian.” The applause again was overwhelming
“Gary was recruited to Rocky Mountain Data Storage out of business school by A. William Purdy, the company’s hard-charging founder and chairman. He went there as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. His successes led him to the CEO position within three years. During his tenure as the company’s chief executive, sales grew from under $10 million to over $2 billion over a period of ten years. He was named CEO of the year by every major business magazine at least once, and his shareholders made many, many fortunes. Those that wrote about Gary said while he was brilliant in almost every area, his real talent lay in leadership. Those who know him and work with him say Gary Knight is the strongest leader they have ever come across.
“After thirteen years at Rocky Mountain Data Storage, and ten years in the big seat, Gary Knight decided there was something more important in life. Family. Values. Ethics. While I’m sure he made plenty of money, Gary Knight left a fortune behind to form the Coalition of Values, an organization impacting hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of lives. Thank you, Gary.” The speaker turned to Knight and nodded. “Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I give you the inimitable Gary Knight.” The ovation was thunderous, and Gary Knight strode to the lectern, his
face sparkling.
Like most great figures, Gary Knight had his demons, too. While there were elements of truth to what the person introducing him said, most of it was exaggerated or false. Knight had heard this introduction, or many different varieties, any number of times over the course of the years in many different settings—speaking to the Rotary, lecturing at this or that university, leading his folks at Rocky Mountain Data Storage or at the Coalition, or simply speaking at church. At this point, he could hardly remember which parts were completely true. “Whatever,” he thought as he started to speak.
People interviewed later, people at the event who knew Gary, would remark that he seemed off or distracted.
“I’m not sure what it was exactly,” said Betty Messing (47, who saved money for months to attend). “He was flat or something. His mind seemed a million miles away. I don’t know.”
“It wasn’t Gary,” was what Eric Bonney (who had driven all the way from Los Angeles) would say. “I’ve followed him for a number of years. He knew something was about to happen. I could tell.”
The investigators would conclude none of the statements were worthwhile. People like attention and will alter their recollections to match the facts as they know them.
Gary began, “I want to thank each and every one of you for being here.”
Among Gary’s many talents, public speaking was not one of them. On his best days he was monotone and uninspiring. On nights like this, he was downright boring. But he knew it. He spoke barely longer than the person who introduced him and moved back to the chair, thinking about where he would go that night.
Taking no chances, Gary Knight had made the arrangements and put on his disguise. He justified these adventures like many more average Americans. The stress on him was enormous. As well-known as he was, it was difficult to develop relationships. After two failed marriages and no children, Gary’s expectations had been lowered significantly. Now all he looked for was sexual release. That could be bought.
As he lay back, the two women took turns pleasuring him, glancing at one another conspiratorially. During the second interlude, Gary, bathed in sweat, drank thirstily from the champagne flute. Normally not one to indulge, he especially enjoyed that part of the exquisite service included a bottle of passable champagne. “Really is three for the price of one,” Gary giggled to himself.
As he drank and relaxed, he suddenly felt extremely tired. He decided he would lay back and take a brief nap before he insisted on round three. “Ladies, wake me in fifteen minutes and we’ll get back to it,” he said before he passed out. “Sure, no problem,” one said as they glanced at each other and paled.
“Here’s another one,” Jenny laughed as she started her next joke. This was the first thing Nick heard when he walked through the Shamrock doors.
A couple of idiot hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing; his eyes are rolled back in his head.
The other idiot starts to panic, then whips out his cell phone and calls 911.
He frantically blurts out to the operator, "O my gawd! Help! My friend just died. He's dead! What can I do?"
The operator, trying to calm him says, "Take it easy. I can help. Listen to me and follow my instructions. First, let’s make sure he's dead."
There's a short pause, and then the operator hears a loud gunshot!!!
The idiot comes back on the line and says, "Okay, now what?"
Nick observed the good mood from a distance. He was tempted to walk out, but knew this was where much of his healing occurred. He knew some of the healing had to begin to include less Wild Turkey and more Coke.
Jenny sensed him and turned. She smiled, her body language and ebullience providing an invitation no words ever could. He sauntered over.
“Hey gorgeous,” he said as he pecked her on the cheek.
“Hey, yourself. I’m on a roll,” and she turned back to her following.
A guy walks into a bar, orders twelve shots, and starts drinking them as fast as he can.
“Dang, why are you drinking them so fast?” the bartender asks.
“You would, too, if you had what I have,” the guy responds.
The bartender, curious, replies, “That sounds bad. What have you got?”
“Seventy-five cents.”
The response was subdued.
“I give, that’s all I have today,” Jenny said, laughing.
“C’mon, do some dirty ones,” somebody shouted.
Jenny turned and the group disbursed. Bill silently handed Nick a double Wild Turkey and Coke. Nick waved off the drink. “Can I just have a Coke?”
Bill obliged as Nick continued. “Ms. Deputy DA, what’s going on in your life?”
“You know how it is. Scumbag this, low life that, same old day at the office. What about you?”
“That’s not what I heard. I heard a rumor that a young up-and-coming Deputy DA has landed the enviable task of prosecuting one A. William Purdy, founder and Chairman of Rocky Mountain Data Storage, and current chief suspect in the brutal murder of his about to be ex-wife,” he intoned.
Then he laughed. “Seriously, you got the case?”
A. William Purdy was a legend in Colorado. Worth well over three billion dollars, he was a man amongst boys. Building Rocky Mountain Data Storage from a fledgling high-tech company and running counter to conventional wisdom of the “irrational exuberance” of the late 1990’s, he had built a solid, highly profitable company that grabbed market share, bullied the competition, bypassed important regulations, acquired competitors by sheer force of will, and always won.
As a Coloradan, he was an enigma. A liberal Democrat and owner of two of Denver’s major sports franchises, he lived life large. He made his opinions known, supported political and philanthropic causes with generous donations, and treated relationships with women much like the coaches of his sports teams. Never one to shy away from controversy, Purdy had many friends and enemies.
At only forty-seven, he had already been married four times, with seven children, at least one with each wife. There were rumors of other children as well, but none substantiated. The affairs were ongoing and almost unquestioned. But the legend of A. William Purdy grew when his current wife was found brutally murdered in his downtown Denver penthouse loft three months earlier.
The Purdy mansion was on the thirteenth hole of Castle Pines, the beautiful golf community south of Denver, and former home of the annual International Golf Tournament, which used the unusual, modified Stableford system of scoring. With homes in Aspen, New York, and Milan, and a yacht in Portofino, Italy, it was not unusual for wife number four, Celia, to move from one location to another. What was unusual was for her to visit the penthouse, because this was Purdy’s secret, the place he entertained his dalliances.
The Denver Police Department had made quick work of the investigation and concluded that the murderer was none other than A. William Purdy. Rumors abounded that the Denver PD had gone too fast and not looked hard enough at possible suspects, from Purdy’s two current girlfriends, to Celia’s boyfriend, to the doorman at the loft. The trial would be the event of the season in Denver.
“He’s pretty cute, don’t you think?” Jenny said, goading Nick.
He laughed. “He’s probably looking for a new girlfriend about right now, too.”
“Nick,” Jenny said, turning serious, “I’m really excited about this. It’s a big deal for me.”
“I’m excited for you, too. When do you start prepping for the trail?”
“Now. Purdy’s defense team is already making noises about a quick trial, so we must be ready. These folks seem to think they can prepare more quickly than us. They’ve used this trick before. And judges do tend to like quick trials. If they ask for the trial to be as soon as possible, I’m guessing the judge is going to say okay.”
“I’m really glad you got this, but I hate I’m going to lose you for a while.” Nick knew once the trial preparation began, Jenny
would become a non-entity in his life for many weeks.
She snuggled up to his arm. “I know, but it will be good for you, now. You have healed quite a bit in the last three months. You may not see it, but I do. It has thrilled me to have you lean on me; you cannot know how much it has meant to me to be able to be there for you. But I really do believe it’ll probably be good for you for me to not be there much for a while. Does that make any sense?” Jenny looked at him adoringly.
Nick motioned for Bill. “Hey, can I have another coke?” he asked. “With lots of cherries?”
“Sure.” Bill dumped in a handful of cherries, poured without speaking, turned, and left.
“You know, Jenny, sometimes I think that’s right, and sometimes I’m not so sure.” He proceeded to tell her about his latest row with Phyllis.
The Nuggets were playing, and losing, in Philadelphia, so the game had started at five o’clock. Some of the new additions were fun to watch, so the crowd gathered around the area with the big screen and screamed for the home team. At halftime Nick checked his watch, pecked Jenny on the cheek, and left.
Gary Knight regained consciousness slowly. Disoriented, he attempted to reconstruct his final moments of lucidity before passing out. Using a cell phone that could not be traced to him, he had made calls until he had lined up the services of two prostitutes. They had insisted on a certain motel in the sleazier part of town, even paying for it and having him reimburse them. Using a credit card with a separate identity, he had lined up a rental car that could not be traced back to him. Gary Knight would not fall into the same trap so many other men of ‘morals’ had fallen into. He would be careful.
Wherever he was now, though, it was pitch black, and he was moving. His guess was that he was in the back of some sort of vehicle. As he attempted to move, he found his hands were bound behind him. His feet were also bound and tied to his hands. He was hog tied. Knowing it was a dire circumstance, he attempted to remain silent. As his head cleared slightly, he realized he was also gagged and blindfolded. He began to panic. What in the hell is going on?
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