The Rowen (A Rossler Foundation Mystery Book 7)

by JC Ryan

  “You can bet on that rough ride Daniel,” Laurie replied as she stared across the room and paused a while before she continued. “You can certainly bet on it.”

  “Well, Daniel, from your response I gathered you are still on the bucking horse?” Nigel quipped.

  Daniel just nodded quietly.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that.” The President replied. “Let’s talk about the Rossler Foundation.”

  Daniel’s ears pitched immediately, he leaned forward, and was about to say, the Rossler Foundation will not become government property, but didn’t.

  “Daniel, as I have said before, the Foundation’s achievements are beyond astounding. There are no words to express the gratitude I have and that everyone on this planet should have.”

  “Thank you, Laurie. I will pass on your message to the team,” Daniel smiled.

  “The Foundation seems to be uniquely qualified to be of great assistance, at least during the transition period, and I’m sure in the longer term. I don’t know what’s ahead, but I’m willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that Thomas Hayden’s ego was hurt, much more than he could handle—he is going to make trouble.”

  “What makes you think that?” Daniel asked.

  Laurie leaned back in her chair resting her elbows on the armrests and tapped the tips of her fingers together thoughtfully.

  “Thomas Hayden is a proud man and a natural leader; he’s career military and comes from a long line of career military people. He’s extremely proud of his family’s history of service to this country and can trace it back as far as the Revolutionary War. Men in his family have received honors and decorations during the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korea, and the Middle East.

  “He is a West Point graduate who had an extremely successful military career, working his way up through the officer ranks. He’s a highly-decorated Army officer who reached the rank of 4 Star General—there is no higher level except in times of war. His list of medals and citations goes on for pages.

  “He exhibited a lot of charisma over the years and became popular among his colleagues. As a popular and successful General, he came to the attention of politicians and previous presidents who drew him into politics in an effort to gain support from the populace. In fact, that is how he became Secretary of Defense.

  “My concern is with his popularity, at least amongst the military, and with his charisma, should he decide to cause trouble he could sway many people and possibly obtain a wide following,” she concluded.

  “What do you have in mind?” Daniel asked cautiously. Daniel and Sarah, right from the beginning, and everyone else who became part of the Rossler Foundation over the years, agreed and stood by their decision that the Foundation would never be ceded to government control. He was worried that Laurie was steering in that direction.

  Nigel, who had firsthand experience with the Rosslerites resoluteness about this particular view could see the angst building in Daniel’s demeanor and came to the rescue.

  “Laurie, I’m part of the Rossler Foundation now. Esther and I are the oldest of the group when it comes to our ages, except for Daniel’s grandmother, Bess, but we are the latest of the members. There is one thing that must be made clear right from the beginning, and may I add, is not negotiable—the Rossler Foundation must remain independent. It will not fall under government control, and we want your solemn promise you won’t try to bring it under government control.”

  Laurie held her hand up. “There is no issue with that Nigel. Please don’t worry; you have my solemn promise. I can understand what ruckuses it will cause if we brought the Foundation into the fold of government bureaucracy—no, it won’t happen, not on my watch.

  “I am very aware that it is the independence of the Rossler Foundation which enabled you to turn world events around. That could never have been achieved by any government—not once Brideaux staged his coup in New Delhi.”

  “Phew.” Daniel’s sigh was loud and caused everyone to start laughing.

  “I am more interested to hear what the three of you think would be the best way the Rossler Foundation can help us,” Laurie said. “I am thinking about security and technology.”

  “Security we can certainly help with, Ms. President,” Sam Lewis spoke for the first time.

  “Laurie, please Sam. We don’t have time for the formalities.”

  “Mhh, sorry that’s going to take some getting used to Ms. President,” Sam laughed. “Ah, I mean Laurie.”

  The President just smiled as she thought, I still have to get used to being the President.

  Sam continued. “You see, between the technology we have and our relationship with Tectus, we have access to a small but loyal and ready force of ex-military and law enforcement people who would all be willing to do their bit.

  “Through Tectus, we have contacts throughout the country and the world which can keep us up to date while you reestablish Homeland Security, the CIA, NSA, FBI, and other agencies.

  “Some of those people might even be ideal to take up interim leadership positions to help reestablish those agencies.”

  “That’s the stuff I like to hear,” Laurie said. She looked at Daniel, “Can I leave it with you and Sam to discuss this with the rest of your team and create a plan of action?”

  Daniel nodded, “I’ll be happy to speak with the team and see in what ways they think they can and are willing to serve. I will try and get a high-level plan to you within the next twenty-four hours.”

  “Thank you, Daniel; that will be good.”

  “Anything else on your mind Laurie?” Nigel asked.

  “Several things, actually. I’d like to discuss John Brideaux and his Council and what to do with them. I’d also like to review some possible Cabinet replacements with you and get your feel for where we should be heading.”

  “We have to deal with John Brideaux and his Council, and they are going to be a considerable problem.” Nigel started.

  A knock sounded on the door, and Laurie invited the person to enter.

  A dark-haired girl stepped through the doorway carrying a tray. “I thought you might like some refreshments, Ms. President.”

  “Thank you, that’s very kind and very thoughtful.” Laurie smiled.

  “Thank you, Elize. How are you and how is your mom?” Nigel said to her as she turned to leave.

  “I am good Mr. President; it’s great to be back here. Mom is doing fine; she’s back here as well. “

  “Give her my regards when you see her again.”

  “I’ll do that Mr. President.” She said as smiled and left.

  “You know her?” Laurie inquired.

  “Her mother used to be the head baker here; I watched Elize grow up while I was in office.”

  “She seems to be a nice girl.”

  “Indeed, very loyal and conscientious. Now, where were we?

  “You were about to tell me what a problem Brideaux is going to be.”

  “Ah, yes,” Nigel said, leaning back on the couch crossing his legs. “Everybody and their brother is going to be out for blood when it comes to Brideaux and his Council members. And I don’t think jail sentences are going to suffice where Barbara Cohen and John Brideaux are concerned. The atrocities they committed while experimenting on those people are enough to turn even pacifists and humanitarians into sadistic executioners.”

  “As much as I don’t like it, we can’t give in to barbarism. I’m going to have to protect them from that kind of thing until they can be brought to justice in a court of law.

  “They’ll have to be kept in a secure location under heavy guard, and that in itself will almost certainly give them away.”

  “You may have to move them and send decoys to several locations so their exact position can be secure,” Nigel suggested.

  “That’s a good idea. I just hope we have enough military and security personnel to pull it off.”

  “I would use military personnel if at all possible. As Commander in Chief, you will have more con
trol over them should the need arise.”

  “Good point, Nigel. Okay, I’ll get some people working on the logistics and locations for their move and detention.”

  Laurie got up to get a paper from her desk and handed it to Nigel. “This is a list of people I’m considering for nomination to fill empty Cabinet positions.”

  Nigel perused the list for a moment. “Hmmm. There are a lot of good people here, Laurie; you’ll be able to assemble an excellent team from this list.”

  “Do you have any recommendations or comments?”

  “When I was choosing my Cabinet, the nation was a little more stable than it is right now.” He smiled. “I made my choices based on the person’s proven track record and qualifications, and whether or not I thought we could work well together.

  “In this case,” he continued, “you’re going to need people you know you can trust without a doubt.”

  “I thought about that—it would mean replacing a lot of the Cabinet. I’d prefer not to do that right now. I believe some experienced people would be a benefit.”

  Nigel frowned slightly. “I see your point, but you’re a new broom and everyone expects new brooms to sweep clean. I think it’s risky to have people with divided loyalties in your midst—like an adder at your bosom.”

  “Hmmm,” she mused, “yes, that’s true. I will give it some more consideration before making my final decision.”

  Chapter 14- Accountability

  After returning to their hotel, Daniel called a meeting of all the Rosslerites who were in Washington, to apprise them of President Campbell’s request.

  Although they were burning to let everyone know, Sarah, Esther, and Susan, who had returned to the hotel when their spouses accompanied President Campbell to the White House, had kept the secret about Daniel’s pending nomination as Vice President.

  “President Daniel Rossler—has a nice ring to it,” Luke wisecracked, once the group had gathered and before anyone could speak.

  Daniel just grinned. “Right now, it’s President Laurie Campbell.”

  “She was a fine Senator, how do you think she’ll do as a President, Nigel?” Salome asked.

  “She has what it takes Salome—I have no doubts about her. You should have seen her today—it looked as if she’d been doing this for a long time. She handled a difficult situation with grace and competence. She’s going to be a great President.” Nigel responded.

  “She has a world in chaos and a big job ahead of her,” Daniel said. “That’s why I’ve called this meeting. She has requested our assistance.”

  “Oh. What does she have in mind?” JR wanted to know.

  “She believes we, the Rossler Foundation, will have a significant role to play in the immediate future.”

  Luke raised his eyebrows and looked at Salome. “Well, I guess it all depends on what she wants us to do.”

  “The President is concerned that there will be those nations that will blame the United States for loosing that madman, Brideaux, on the world and will want revenge. Apart from that, there is also law and order to establish and maintain on the home front. She can use our help with both matters.

  “She’s undoubtedly right and could need our help with both matters,” Luke agreed.

  “President Campbell is about to make appointments to fill the vacant cabinet positions and has called a meeting with everyone later today. I am hoping we can have an answer for her before then. What are your thoughts on the idea?”

  “I don’t think there will be any objection in principal—we will help where we can— but I don’t want this to become the ‘Rossler Agency’ of the Federal Government. We’re not a spy organization or a law enforcement agency. We are custodians of information, and our first priority is to that purpose.” Sinclair said.

  “I agree with Sinclair,” Salome added. “I don’t want to see the Rossler Foundation placed under the control of the Government. I don’t mind helping to protect our nation and the world using the information from the libraries to benefit all humanity, but to become active members of a government force, I don’t agree with. You know our government—give them your pinkie, and they want your hand and the rest of your body too.”

  “You know some of the Tectus members won’t want to have any involvement with the government, so we will need to consider them as well,” Raj added.

  Daniel allowed everyone to have their say and then told them that they had the President’s promise not to try to nationalize the Rossler Foundation and that she understood the importance for the Foundation to remain independent to be efficient. Everyone relaxed.

  “So, the question is,” he continued, “What is it we can do to help and how can we do it?”

  “Well, now that we are assured that they won’t try to hijack our operation we can certainly work out a plan,” Jack was looking at Sam, Luke, and Salome.

  They nodded their agreement.

  Sam continued, “Okay let’s get all our security and military experts together and start working on a strategy. Madame President,” he stopped and grinned, “my apologies, Laurie, wants something definite within twenty-four hours.”

  “Who agreed to that crazy timeframe?” Luke asked.

  “Our new Vice President,” Nigel muttered under his breath.

  “We have one of those now?” JR asked.

  “Well, sort of, maybe, perhaps, almost, more or less, in a manner of speaking.” Nigel chuckled.

  “Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?” JR asked.

  “I think it’s best if he tells us himself.”

  A long perplexing silence spread through the group.

  Salome spoke first. “So, when can we meet the Vice President then? Do we know him or her? Does he or she have a name? Come-on, out with it Nigel.”

  Nigel looked at Daniel. “Your turn Daniel—you heard them. They want to meet you. Introduce yourself. Don’t be shy.”

  Another moment of incredulous silence fell on the group and then, as if on cue, everyone understood what Nigel just said, jumped up and descended on the poor, bewildered Daniel and Sarah.

  It took a good half hour to get the group to return to order and discuss the rest of the agenda.

  General Hayden’s abhorrent behavior in the Oval Office earlier and the potential threat he could pose was first on the agenda. Because the Secret Service, responsible for the security of the President, Vice President and other high ranking government officials, was currently almost nonexistent and hopelessly understaffed, Sam advised including a security strategy in their plan.

  Daniel asked his friend and computer expert, Raj, to immediately get in touch with the Tectus hacker team and ask them to put tabs on Hayden and anyone he connected with.

  At this stage of the discussions their resident nano-technology expert, Roy James, looked a bit disappointed—it seemed as if there was nothing for him and his team to do.

  In a high-pitched voice, sounding a lot like a little boy who has just learned he was not going to get any of the candy being dished out to his friends, he asked, “Is there nothing you want to blow up with my Nano bombs or cut with my laser tools? No use for my spyflies and drones? Maybe someone you want to put to sleep with my etorphine mosquitoes?”

  Everyone started laughing. Salome was just shaking her head as she thought how Roy has changed over the years, my husband has certainly become an extrovert since he joined the Rossler Foundation. The women-shy, socially inept Roy James is long gone.

  “Don’t worry Roy,” Daniel laughed. “I was saving the best for last.”

  Roy beamed—he was going to get some of that candy after all.

  “I am of the opinion you need to make sure that all of those gadgets of yours are in a good working condition—ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. And, we’ll probably need a lot more of them.” Daniel said as he looked around to see if everyone agreed. They all nodded.

  “What about the Nano-explosives and Nano-nukes?” Roy asked. “Brideaux only destroyed the world’s nuclear a
rsenals; he didn’t destroy the capability to build them again.”

  Nigel and Sam looked at each other and nodded. “Roy’s got a good point there Daniel;” Nigel said. “I hate the whole idea of nuclear weapons—it would have been ideal if we have seen the last of them. But that’s wishful thinking—in reality, we’ll be facing a new nuclear arms race.”

  “I agree with Nigel,” Sam added. “We will soon see nuclear weapons all over the world again. And although I’m not sure that we could make the decision to build nuclear weapons it would be wise for Roy to continue his research on Nano-nukes.”

  Daniel gave everyone a chance to air their opinion and then concluded the discussion. “I’m seeing Laurie again in two hours and will convey our suggestions.”

  ***

  Later that afternoon Daniel was ushered back into the Oval Office by the same Marine guard who stood up to General Hayden earlier in the day. As the guard turned to leave, the President called him back. “Lieutenant, I’d like a word with you.”

  “What’s your name, Lieutenant?”

  “Rick Jackson, Ms. President,” he answered, snapping to attention.

  Laurie moved from behind her desk, stopping to face him, like a caring mother, she removed a speck of dust from the shoulder of his otherwise perfect dress uniform.

  “Disobeying an order of a superior officer is a court martial offense, Lieutenant. You do realize that, don’t you?”

  Rick swallowed hard. Court martial! Hayden is retired and wasn’t legally Commander in Chief; he had no right to give me an order—besides it was an illegal order.

  He felt dismay wash through him. “Yes, Ms. President, I’m painfully aware of that.”

  “And yet you disobeyed General Hayden’s order to remove me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I did what was right, but these politicians never see it that way. As a rule, they don’t like the military, regardless of the reason. I’ll be lucky if I just lose my rank and position—hope this isn’t the end of my career.