by Mark Goodwin
“Would you mind elaborating on your source’s theory?”
Everett laid out a much-abbreviated version of what Jones had told him. The two talked late into the night and were eventually asked to leave by the manager so the restaurant could close for the evening.
On the way home, Everett said, “My Uncle John has a nice cabin up in the mountains. I know you like the outdoors, and the leaves are beautiful at this time of year. Would you like to go up there and explore a trail tomorrow?”
“Sounds charming, but it would be a long day. Maybe some other time.”
“Sure.” Everett was positive that he’d scared her off with this conspiracy talk.
But then she rekindled his hope. “Are you spending Thanksgiving with the wolves?”
Everett laughed. “No, both sets of the wolves have new families that I never really integrated with.”
“Then maybe we can have Thanksgiving together. We could ask Ken and Lisa over, and Uncle John, of course.”
Everett quickly did the math on Jones and Ken being together for Thanksgiving. He could at least offer. If Jones didn’t want to do it, he could make up an excuse. “That’d be great.” Then Everett considered the likelihood of Jones still being around by Thanksgiving. It was a sobering thought.
CHAPTER 20
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
Proverbs 21:31
Noah straightened his tie as he was getting ready for court Tuesday morning. “Cassie, we should get a move on. I do not want to be late.”
Cassie called out from the bathroom. “Relax. Court doesn’t start for another hour and a half. Besides, if I rush to put my makeup on, I’ll look like a zombie. Then the judge will never let us get custody of Lacy.”
Noah tried to lighten up, but he was very stressed about the custody hearing. He sat down in the living room for a few minutes to pray and ask God for peace.
Cassie was ready to go soon after. “Let’s go!”
Noah led the way out the door.
Once they were in the car, Cassie turned the radio on. She scanned the channels until she found an NPR station airing a news brief. The reporter said,
“After an emergency meeting of the FOMC this morning, the Federal Reserve announced an unprecedented bond buying program. The Chairman indicated that the Fed would make a one-time purchase of 2.5 trillion dollars of US debt. Not only will this be the largest one-day balance sheet increase for the US central bank in history, it will also be the largest annual increase.
“The move is said to be a countermeasure to offset severe spikes in interest rates caused by a massive sell-off in US Treasuries. China and Russia alone have sold nearly 2 trillion in US debt since the market opened yesterday morning. A spokesperson for the Treasury said the two countries were forced to sell because of the breakdown in trade among member nations of the BRICS trading block. He went on to say that the decisive action by the Fed will be the best thing for the US, as well as for Russia and China.
“Critics of the Fed’s move claim that while interest rates may be curtailed, inflation is likely to jump out of control. The rapid rise in food and energy prices over recent years are accredited to the Fed’s bond buying programs back in 2012 and 2013, which were adding just over 1 trillion dollars annually during the peak.
“This argument was debunked by proponents of the Fed’s decision. They point out that this massive infusion of US dollars will go directly to the countries selling their US debt. Since nearly none of the 2.5 trillion dollars will end up in America, the effect on domestic prices will be next to nonexistent.”
Cassie shook her head.
Noah said, “I take it you disagree.”
“NPR is a government shill. Of course, most of the other media outlets are also. Their mandate was to tell the story in a way that keeps people calm. If folks knew the truth, there would be bank runs and rioting in the streets. China isn’t dumping US debt because they need the money; this is a deliberate attack. If they were dumping it because they needed the money, they would have done it slowly, over time. By dumping it, they crushed the prices of US treasuries.”
Noah said, “Maybe Russia started selling and spooked China.”
Cassie replied, “Russia holds less than 200 billion. It isn’t enough to crash the US debt market. China, on the other hand, holds close to 2 trillion. Together, they caused a panic in the market and triggered selling by other large holders.”
Noah thought for a moment. “If they did it to try to crush America, they wasted all the money lost by pushing down the prices. It sounds like this move by the Fed has stemmed the tide.”
Cassie laughed. “Yeah, until hyperinflation sets in. The Fed bought some time; that’s all. When we look back on this, we’ll see it was a life-changing event for America.”
Noah was still buying what he’d been told by NPR. “How will it create inflation here, if all the money goes overseas?”
Cassie said, “Because they’ll take those dollars and buy US assets. China and Russia can buy US factories, real estate, gold . . . 2.5 trillion will buy a lot of stuff! No one wants to hold US dollars anyway. Especially after this move. I think we should buy more gold and silver now.”
Noah processed what Cassie was saying. “Do you have a connection with your phone right now?”
“Let me check.” Cassie took out her phone. “Not yet, but I should in a minute or two.”
“Can you place an order on your phone?”
Cassie nodded. “Yes, we have a little time to drop off the check. Our account is already active, and they have our credit card info.”
“Okay, do what you think is best.”
Cassie studied the signal indicator on her phone. “I also think we should buy some of the things we know are going up in price. We can lock them in at today’s prices. Stuff like peanut butter, coffee, and other dry goods that have skyrocketed over the past few years. It’s the equivalent of buying a stock that you know is going straight up. We have plenty of storage space.”
Noah chuckled. “It’s almost insider trading.”
“It would be, but any consumer who goes to the grocery and follows monetary policy should know what’s about to happen to prices, regardless of what the media tells them.”
Cassie started typing in the metals order. “I have a signal. I’m entering the order now.”
“Great,” Noah replied.
Minutes later, they arrived at the courthouse. They were still over half an hour early. They walked across the street to get two coffees, then came back to sit on the bench in front of the courthouse and wait for Leo.
Noah nervously looked around.
Cassie patted him on the leg. “Leo will be here on time; don’t worry.”
“I probably should have gotten decaf.”
Leo arrived shortly thereafter. “You guys ready?”
Noah stood to shake Leo’s hand. “We’re ready!”
***
Inside the courtroom, the Parkers’ case was the fifth to be called. Noah, Cassie, and Leo approached the defendant’s podium, while Ms. Carrick, from the Department of Child Services, stood at the other podium.
Judge Malone looked over the papers and shook his head. “This is absolute nonsense. Mr. Parker, like many people all around this country, I’ve been following your case. On behalf of the justice system, I want to apologize. The rule of law has failed you, sir. I can’t do anything about your case with the Department of Education, but I can restore custody of your daughter. I’ll do that today, and furthermore, I’m issuing a no-contact order against the Sevier County DCS.”
Noah tried to contain his emotion. “Thank you, your honor.”
The judge peered at Ms. Carrick. “I trust you’ll relay my no-contact order to your office.”
Carrick placed her hands on her hips. “Unlike this court, I followed protocol. You shouldn’t try to demonize me or DCS for following the law. I don’t appreciate being made out to be the bad guy for
doing my job.”
Judge Malone replied, “Then maybe you’d appreciate a three-day vacation from your job. Your next display of contempt for this court will land you in the county jail for the next seventy-two hours.”
Carrick grabbed her folder from the podium and turned her back. “Oh, please!”
Judge Malone looked at the bailiff. “Harry, take Ms. Carrick into custody. She just earned three days.”
Noah squeezed Cassie’s hand. The broad grin on her face showed that she was enjoying this too much.
Cassie put her hand over her mouth to conceal her elation. “Sorry.”
Judge Malone redirected his attention back to Leo. “Mr. Cobb, your clients are free to go. I wish them the best in their ongoing judicial proceedings.”
Leo escorted the Parkers to the area outside. “Go ahead and pick Lacy up from Sharon’s. I’ll drop off the paperwork from court later this evening.”
Cassie blotted the tears from her eyes as she hugged Leo. “Thank you so much.”
Noah patted Leo on the back. “We really appreciate your hard work. You don’t know how much getting Lacy back means to us.”
“I’m glad I could help. I’ll see you later.” Leo headed back to his office.
Cassie called Sharon right away to tell her the news. Noah tugged her toward the car while she chatted with Sharon.
Once in the car, Cassie said, “I’m so happy right now.”
“Me, too.” Noah held Cassie’s hands for a second before he started the car.
Cassie said, “Sharon wanted to have a party at the Kettle tonight and invite everyone from Bible study and a few other people from church. I told her we wanted to be alone with Lacy tonight, and tomorrow would be better.”
Noah agreed. “Good call.”
Cassie took out her makeup mirror to fix the running mascara from her tears. “She really is a sweet person. I’m so glad Lacy has been with her through all of this. I know it’s been rough on Lacy, but it could have been so much worse.”
Noah added, “It’s been a tough time, but God has blessed us with good friends to help us through.”
When they pulled into Sharon’s driveway, Noah saw Isaiah’s truck. “Look who’s here.”
Cassie playfully slapped Noah’s leg. “I told you so! I can’t wait to tell Becky.”
Noah cut the engine. “Gossip is a sin.”
Cassie flung the door open. “It’s not gossip. I’m happy for them, and I want to spread the good news.”
Noah teased her, “Justify it any way you want. You don’t have to answer to me on Judgment Day.”
Cassie gave Noah a look that said watch out.
Sharon’s door opened before they reached the porch. Lacy shot out the door. “Mommy, Daddy, am I really going home?”
Noah bent down to hold her. “Yes, princess. You’re coming home with us today.”
“Forever?” she quizzed.
“Forever!” Cassie affirmed as she bent down to join in the hug.
Isaiah was the first to congratulate them. “We’re all so happy for your family, Noah. Everyone has been praying nonstop this morning.”
Sharon said, “I called the Taylors and the Rays to tell them the good news. I hope you don’t mind.”
Cassie hugged her. “Not at all.”
Then she pinched Noah and whispered, “See, girls like to share good news.”
Noah curled his mouth to one side to show that he was unconvinced by her convoluted reasoning.
Sharon brought Lacy’s things to the door. “Is eight o’clock too late for the get-together tomorrow night? I want to close the Kettle early after tomorrow evening’s rush.”
Noah said, “Eight is fine, but we can’t stay too late. We’re taking Lacy and Lynette to the Fall Homecoming at the Appalachia Museum over in Clinton Thursday morning. It’s an all-weekend event. Thursday is Fall Heritage Day, which is especially for school groups. A lot of people from our homeschool network will be there. The exhibitors show the kids lost arts like butter churning, wool spinning, sorghum making . . . they even have a blacksmith set up.”
Isaiah smiled. “What fun!”
Cassie added, “Yeah, and they’ll have great bluegrass music, as well as gospel. The Rays will be there; you and Sharon should come.”
Isaiah looked at Sharon. “Would you like to go?”
Sharon blushed. “I’d be delighted.”
The Parkers said their farewells and headed home to begin rebuilding their family.
Sox met Lacy at the door. Lacy lay down on the floor and hugged her surviving pet. “Sox! I missed you so much! I’m so happy that you’re okay.”
For their first meal together after being reunited, Cassie made Lacy’s two favorite dishes: macaroni and cheese and chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce.
After lunch, Noah asked Lacy, “Would you like to go put some flowers on Buster’s grave?”
Lacy looked up at him and bit her lower lip as her eyes began to well up with tears. She nodded her head and stretched out her arms for her daddy to hold her.
Noah picked her up and held her in his lap while the floodgates opened. Soon, they were all crying. Cassie knelt beside Noah and put her arms around them both. Sox even rubbed Cassie’s leg, as they were finally able to mourn Buster’s death as a family.
CHAPTER 21
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Matthew 24:6
Tuesday evening, Everett Carroll was happy to get out of work only an hour later than normal. With the obvious attack on the dollar by China and Russia, he knew it could have been another all-nighter. He’d spent the day watching for cyber-attacks against critical US infrastructure.
This time, his workload was passed to a private military intelligence contractor called CACI. With the location of CACI’s administration offices near DC, it was common for people to work for a government intelligence agency for ten years, and then take a job at CACI for triple the pay. The justification for higher earnings in the private sector was hard to make. Like all private companies, they did operate at a higher level of fiscal efficiency than any government agency, but CACI was also able to charge ridiculously high fees. One reason for this was that CACI obtained results; the other reason was the incestuous relationship between DC and corporations. DOD and DHS administrators who signed big private contracts were guaranteed well-paid positions on the boards of those companies, as well as exorbitant speaking fees. It was a sort of delayed kickback.
Everett had once considered the private contractor career path for himself. He ruled out CACI after only an afternoon researching the contractor.
They had earned their reputation for obtaining high quality intel during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. CACI operated prisons, like the infamous Abu Ghraib, which were immune to the laws in the country of operation. Neither were they held accountable to US or international laws. This freedom allowed them to make their own guidelines regarding levels of torture that could be used to extract information. While the private intelligence contractor did produce some actionable information, they also conducted vicious interrogations on individuals who turned out to be innocent. Once released, the blameless detainees who had been tortured would return to their communities and tell the tales of genital mutilation, sexual assault, being beaten to the point of losing vision and hearing, and being forced to watch family members being raped, tortured, or having their tongues cut out with pliers.
These stories of Muslims being tortured at the hands of Americans became the most valuable tools for radicalizing Muslims who had previously been content to live and let live. It was what the intelligence community referred to as blowback.
As Everett walked to his car, he considered what Jones had told him regarding the blatant mishandling of Iraqi politics by Kissinger’s lapdog, Paul Bremer, which had effectively fostered the creation of ISIL. He wondered if CACI had intentionally tortured innocent Iraqis at
the behest of the CIA, in order to bolster the Jihadist movement.
Everett chuckled to himself. If we created Al-Qaeda and ISIL simply because we needed a new boogieman to justify the trillions spent on the military industrial complex after the Cold War, we’ve got our hands full now. Not only do we have them to worry about, but we’ve got the Chinese mad at us, and we’ve managed to reignite the cold war with Russia. That is, if the new cold war doesn’t turn into a hot war.
As Everett started the engine, his phone rang. “Courtney! Wow! She’s never called me before.”
He answered, “Hello.”
“Hey! I was wondering if you want to hang out tonight. I really want to see you.”
“I’d love to, but I have to run out to Uncle John’s to drop off something. You’re welcome to come along. He’d love to meet you.” Everett was sure he’d blown the chance to hang out with her, but he was a man of his word.
“Sure, as long as we can hang out. Should I meet you at your apartment?”
Everett was surprised. Courtney had been playing it pretty cool up until now. “That would be great. Can you be there in about an hour?”
“I’ll try. Text me your address. See you then.”
“Okay, see you in a bit.” Everett’s mouth was dry, and his heart was beating fast. He was actually falling for this girl. And, it seemed, she was falling for him. Unless she had something important to tell him that she couldn’t say over the phone.
An hour later, Everett called in a take-out order to the Thai restaurant around the corner. He put on some comfortable jeans and sneakers.
There was a knock at the door. He opened it to find Courtney standing there, also in comfortable clothes, but still looking very cute. “Right on time.”
“Yeah, traffic wasn’t too bad, and I left right after we hung up. Are you ready?”
“I am. Listen, there’s no reception up at Uncle John’s. Would you mind leaving your phone here?”