The Final Proclamation (An America Reborn Thriller Book 2)

by Carlton James

  Looking at Mike, Linda said, “This not your typical neighborhood.”

  Mike blushed under his knit cap and looked at his feet for a moment before deciding to change the subject. “The best part of this evening,” Mike said with a chuckle, “was the bumbling mess you made out of Kerry. That was worth the price of admission.”

  Mike’s smile was short-lived when Linda said, “Unfortunately, now Kerry, and by extension Coyote Collins, will know the neighborhood won’t be easy to pillage. That’s a double edged sword. They may hesitate to send out their thugs, but when they do, they’ll come in force.”

  The whole concept of what Linda said gave Mike a very restless night.

  Chapter 33

  The New Year - Plus Thirteen Days

  Outside of Cronin, Kentucky

  2130 Hours EST

  After talking with Mike following the neighborhood meeting, Peter Worthington and his wife, Liz, walked through the woods on the path toward their own home when suddenly Peter grabbed Liz’s arm and motioned for silence. Peering through the leafless trees Peter could just make out a small vehicle sitting in their driveway with the engine running. No lights were visible on the vehicle and the windows were beginning to fog up. Peter indicated Liz should wait behind a large tree trunk while he carefully approached the vehicle. He had removed his gloves and drawn his favorite .45 caliber automatic pistol. It felt very cold in his hands, but reassuring.

  Peter approached the vehicle from the rear, he saw that the driver’s window was rolled down a full inch. Through the window he could hear a woman talking to someone else in the car. Waiting patiently for a full two minutes, he was rewarded by finally recognizing one of the voices in the car.

  “All right, young lady, what are you doing sneaking up to my house at this late hour?”

  Peter used his command voice and still kept his pistol drawn, although it was now hanging by his side. From inside, he could hear a sharp intake of breath from more than one person.

  “Uncle Peter!” The driver’s door popped open and Lisa spilled out to give Peter a bear hug, made more than a bit awkward since Peter’s pistol was trapped in between them. At the sounds of Lisa’s voice, Liz moved quickly from her position behind the large tree trunk and came over to greet Lisa.

  “Lisa!” Liz said loudly, “why are you sitting out here in the dark?”

  Lisa’s reaction was not what either Peter or Liz expected. Dropping her voice to just above a whisper, Lisa said, “Can we talk about it inside? Also, Uncle Peter, can I put my car into a garage or somewhere out of sight?”

  Both Peter and Liz were mystified, but caught up quickly.

  Peter said, “Okay.” He drug out the word for a few seconds and then asked, “Are you going to be staying with us for a while?”

  When Lisa nodded, he said, “Then why don’t you drive into the attached garage right after Liz backs out, and we’ll get everything sorted out. Is that all right?”

  “Yes, thank you so much,” said Lisa quietly. Peter was rewarded with another quick hug before she hopped into her car. Liz walked to the garage, raised the door and backed out her full sized SUV, leaving a nice big space for Lisa’s car.

  Both Peter and Liz stood by the door into the house as Lisa and a beautiful Asian girl exited the vehicle. Lisa walked to the girl and took her gently by the arm before leading her up the five stairs and into the house. From there, Liz took charge.

  Because of Lisa’s earlier warning tone of voice, Liz asked both girls to find the powder room and then get settled in the family room while she made some hot cocoa. Lisa and her friend mumbled their thanks and walked quickly to the restroom where Lisa waited while Su used the facilities. Both girls were almost ready to pop after their long drive. Peter made himself useful by putting together a small tray of snacks while Liz fixed the cocoa.

  Finally, everyone was settled around the unlit fire pit in the overstuffed couch and chairs. Each held a mug of hot cocoa. The indirect lighting in the room gave just enough soft glow to see lots of wood, stone, and a few large animal heads hanging from the walls.

  After a satisfied sigh of appreciation for the cocoa, Peter cleared his throat and said, “In the vernacular of today’s youth, ‘Sup?”

  Lisa giggled and Su smiled hesitantly. Lisa said, “Uncle Peter, Dad left a note for me last night before ordering us to load up and head here at 7:00 a.m. We destroyed it,” she said while glancing conspiratorially at Su, “but it said, ‘Lisa, Sweetheart.’” Lisa then recited the rest of her father’s note.

  After thinking about it for a few moments, Peter said, “Well, that certainly clears up all of my questions.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice. “Oh, and are you going to introduce us to your friend, Lisa?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry! This is Suzie. And let me apologize in advance, because I won’t be able to answer most of your questions.”

  “Dear Lord, my dear!” Liz’s comment was blurted out with more than a little exasperation. “What has your father gotten you into?”

  Lisa took a deep breath and then launched into her rehearsed speech. “Suzie is my best friend and she has gotten wrapped up in the stuff that Dad told me not to talk about. Being my best friend means I trust her with anything. Except for my promise to Dad, I’d be telling you both everything, so hopefully he and Mom will get here soon and do that for me. Dad asked me to come here and insure that no one, and I mean no one, outside of this house, is aware that we are here. It is literally a life and death situation. He also said I should tell you that we should treat this as though the Russians, Chinese, FBI, CIA, NSA, space aliens, zombies and everyone else in the universe is looking for us and we must NOT be found. He knew he could trust you, Uncle Peter and asks that you help keep us safe. He also told me to assure you that none of this is illegal or wrong in any way. It involves the craziness going on in Washington and the rest of the world.”

  Lisa let what she had just said sink in a little before asking, “Will you help us? Please?” Tears of fear and stress began to drip down her cheeks.

  Peter’s response was immediate and heartfelt. “Of course, my dear. Your vouching for Suzie is good enough for us and let me assure you both, you are as safe here as you could be anywhere in the country. In fact, I’m sorry now that I drew my pistol on you, but damn it, I couldn’t imagine why anyone would sit in a running car outside of my house with no lights on!”

  Turning toward his wife, Peter asked, “Dear?” Liz again jumped right in and asked, “Would I be correct that you have been traveling constantly for at least the whole day? I can see you’re both exhausted. Why don’t you go to your car and get just what you’ll need for tonight and set up shop in Junior’s old room. There are two beds in the room. We can talk more tomorrow.” With that she herded both girls out of the family room and soon had them bedded down in the spare bedroom.

  Walking back into the great room Liz sat down across from her husband and softly, but firmly, asked, “Did you know this was coming, Peter?”

  He looked his wife in the eyes and said, “No, Sweetie I did not. Hugh had asked me back in the fall if things got really bad, would it be all right for him to send Lisa and her mom here, but there was nothing about it involving bureau business or a Chinese girl. My guess is that this has to do with something else and probably the security of the country. Hugh would never endanger his family or us for something less.” Peter motioned Liz to come over to his chair, where she plopped down into his lap. “Do you know how much I love you?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “This time, my love, you know as much as I do about this. What I do know is that Hugh is neither melodramatic nor foolish, so if he sent the girls here that covertly, he had to. It also sounded like he and his bride will need to disa
ppear themselves. I’m going to take him at his word and help the girls stay off the radar. Nobody needs to know they’re here. Can you help me with that?”

  “I have some ideas,” Liz said softly.

  . . .

  The White House

  2330 Hours EST

  Once again, Susan Cassel found herself slipping out of the President’s bedroom late at night while wondering what Marc Baxter thought about her trysts. She had no illusions that Marc didn’t know. After all, she would be sliding into his bed within the next half hour in the vain hope to grab a few hours of sleep before returning to the pressure cooker again in the morning. Considering what she had just learned, it was a wonder that she could even sit down.

  Susan had expected the President to be wound tight with stress when she appeared as instructed ninety minutes ago. Instead Katherine was sitting at her makeup table in a sheer gown sipping on a glass of wine when Susan entered. She had suggested Susan pour herself a glass, which turned out to be an incredible vintage of Chardonnay.

  “Susan, dear, why don’t you get comfortable?” Katherine had said after Susan had poured the wine and refilled hers. “Those straps must be about to cut into your shoulders by now.”

  Although Katherine was not flat chested, she was not nearly as busty as Susan. Katherine seemed to have somewhat of an infatuation with what she frequently called Susan’s perfect breasts.

  From past experience, Susan knew Katherine preferred that she remove everything before putting her blouse back on – unbuttoned of course. As Susan crossed the room toward Katherine, she regretted having worn a blouse that stopped just above her waist that day. It clearly showed where she had gone a bit wild with her razor down below, leaving only soft skin in its wake. Katherine’s eyes seemed to focus directly on her crotch as she approached. Over the next several minutes, Susan was reminded of the groping she had received from her boyfriend in college. She already knew Katherine was incapable of gentle intimate subtleties. She was more into taking what she wanted by force. Although reluctant, Susan did not need to be taken by force as she still believed anything she could do to relieve Katherine’s stress was, well, her patriotic duty. This evening she went above and beyond the call of duty.

  Marc was awake and reading when Susan reached his apartment. All he did was smile when Susan walked into his bathroom and turned on the shower. She had never told him directly that she was sexually involved with the President, but he did have a nose for such things. A few minutes later, she came out of the bathroom wearing one of his work button-down shirts and crawled into bed, wet hair and all.

  Susan looked at him with a troubled smile and asked, “Do you know what she’s going to do tomorrow?”

  Marc tried to look innocent, but failed miserably.

  “You do know, don’t you?” Susan’s accusation was strong and surprised.

  “Honey, whatever I know I’ve been threatened with not just removal of gonads, but that I’ll literally permanently disappear if I tell anyone. Can you please let me leave it at that?”

  “Oh, dear God. Well, I can believe Burt would say something like that. How about being a good guy and just listening? Can you do at least that?”

  Marc grabbed her face and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Yes, I can.”

  For the next twenty minutes, Susan poured out all of her fears and frustrations concerning Katherine’s plans to declare the emergency. “I think she’s already thinking that the Constitution no longer applies and that she’ll be able to rule with absolute fiat. God, Marc. I’m scared to death.”

  Marc held her in his arms and whispered, “Me, too.”

  Chapter 34

  The New Year - Plus Fourteen Days

  The Mountains of Southeastern Afghanistan

  0700 Hours Local Time

  Ahmed met Hadi over a small campfire as both sipped on a cup of bitter tea. Although they could both see the clear winter sky up through the rocks above their heads, their campfire would only be visible to the devil Americans if they were to fly directly over the two meter wide and eight meter deep crack in the ground that made up the ravine.

  “Hadi?” Ahmed asked, “What do you think about the two that came with Ali al-Hadiz yesterday?” Ahmed had barely had enough time to formally greet the three men before being called away for a briefing.

  “At first I was concerned,” Hadi began, “but both of his scientists seemed to be even more focused on doing the work of Allah than Ali himself. When Ali was here before, I spoke with him at length and am impressed with his devotion.”

  “Good,” Ahmed said thoughtfully. “I will speak to them over tea later this morning, but expect that you can take them to the laboratory cave to let them begin setting up.” As an afterthought Ahmed continued, “Did you have people assigned in Kabul to follow the Infidel Cho?”

  “Yes, great leader.” Hadi said this while bowing his head, but his voice was full of pride at having anticipated Ahmed’s wishes.

  “Three of our more dependable men grew up just outside of Kabul and know the city well. They will follow Cho as well as it can be done without being observed.”

  “Good,” Ahmed said softly. “Also send them instructions to identify every hotel or other building the Infidel visits or passes that might be used to prepare for the great day. I want to know where they will plan to meet our martyrs. In this they cannot fail. Do you understand?”

  “Completely, great leader.”

  “Also,” Ahmed continued, “send an additional twenty men to Kabul and have them set themselves up to observe the logical choke points leading to and from the airport. If they need more men to do this, send whatever number they need even if it is everyone but the martyrs themselves.”

  “It will be done.” Hadi hurried away to send the additional twenty men.

  Ahmed then began to give thought on how best to test Ali’s two friends to ensure they would prove to be entirely faithful to the cause.

  . . .

  Looking into the eyes of Ali and his two friends, Ahmed liked what he saw. A fire burned in all three. Also, they each had an advanced degree at a university in the land of the Great Satan-America. It was fitting that they should be trained there in skills that would lead directly to that country’s downfall.

  “Ali,” Ahmed said softly, “you have explained that they will be working on a project that will do more to kill Infidels than anything else has throughout the ages?”

  Ali nodded and smiled, “I have, Ahmed, without telling them too much. They have heard such claims before and have had their hopes crushed.”

  Ali glanced at each of his two assistants and found them glaring their anger at past lies, but showed fervent hopes for what they were told by Ali.

  After a deep breath, Ahmed said, “None of you will leave here for at least a year. After I tell you how we are to do what no others have ever done, you cannot leave. Your possessions are being searched. There must be no chance you can communicate what I am about to tell you to anyone outside of this camp.”

  They each first showed alarm and then quickly quelled resentment.

  Ahmed continued, “Now, you will each place your cell phones and anything else that can transmit a signal in this cloth bag. They will be destroyed. If you should need another, it will be provided for you.”

  Under Ahmed’s intense glare, each man took out his cell phone to place in the bag. Ali and one assistant also pulled out tablet computers and did the same thing.

  “Ahmed,” Ali said quietly, “we will need the tablets and our laptop computers to accomplish the goals you have set.”

  Nodding twice, Ahmed said, “I have brought a man from Kabul that will respond to your req
uests for information and other things that you need from your equipment. He is very good with such things and will ensure that nothing is contained in the request that should not be. If he does find anything in your equipment that should not be there, you may find yourself meeting Allah in a very painful way. Understand?”

  Each of the three men bowed and loudly proclaimed their faithfulness to both Allah and to Ahmed, as His instrument.

  . . .

  Beijing, China

  1230 Hours Local Time

  General Secretary Song walked calmly toward his office, in full view of several members of his staff. Although inside he felt extremely uncomfortable, it was important to appear that he was acting normally. Once inside his office behind a closed door, he immediately loosened his necktie and tall dress-shirt collar to reveal a thin red line on his neck where the bullet wound had been glued together. The slacks of his suit covered the sutures on his leg and some judiciously applied makeup covered up the discoloration on his hands and one cheek.

  Wong had followed him into his office to help with the tie and collar. “General Secretary, Lao has requested an audience as soon as possible. I have scheduled him for thirty minutes from now, if that is convenient?”

  “Wong, do you know the subject matter of his visit?” Song knew Lao could and, in fact, should have news on a number of areas of interest for him.

  “No, General Secretary. However, Japanese and Australian news agencies are reporting that an American destroyer was struck overnight by a two hundred twenty two meter container ship. Early reports indicate the destroyer may have been at a full stop in the ocean, off the coast of Australia.”

  Song waited for any additional information about the collision, but Wong remained silent. After a moment, he looked at his desk, Song asked Wong, “Those are the most recent economic reports?”