Nandita To Nandini
- 4 years ago
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The MD11 carrying Jason and the freed women landed smoothly and began the long roll-out to its assigned runway exit. As it slowed to taxi speed Mike opened the cockpit door and stepped into the cabin looking for Jan. Not realizing she was sitting on a little fold-down jump seat to the right of the cockpit door he was startled when he heard her voice behind him ask, “Looking for me, Cowboy?”
Turning back to where she sat he replied, “As a matter of fact, I am. I need you to find one of the women named Kim, and bring her to me.”
With a trace of concern in her voice, Jan responded, “Are you already planning threesomes?”
Turning a bright red Mike answered, “Jan, to the best of my knowledge I’ve never met the young lady, but I do need to give her some instructions from her father.”
Jan teased him with a grin, and replied, “I guess that’s all right then. I’ll see if I can find her.”
Mike returned to his seat in the cockpit, waiting for Jan to return. By the time she did the pilots had pulled the aircraft into a large empty hangar and brought it to a complete stop, including the shutting down of the engines. “Mike, there are two Kims and a Kimberly. Do you know which one you are seeking?”
Mike replied, while trying to remember the Colonel’s conversation with Brian Two Feathers, “It seems her last name was Burt, Bart, or something like that. There was also something the Colonel said about a stuffed skunk named ‘Flower.’“
“That should help. She and I will meet you here after the plane empties.”
“Thanks,” Mike replied, not catching the inclusion of Jan.
Minutes later the only passengers left in the aircraft were Jan, Mike, and a young slender blonde. The pilots were still in the cockpit, going through some end of flight procedures. When he approached the blonde looked up at him, held out her hand to shake, and said, “I’m Kimberly Burke. Did you have a message for me?”
“Well first,” Mike answered, “you need to forget you’re Kimberly Burke. Jan, I need you to also forget the name.”
“You’ll have to buy my silence,” proclaimed Jan.
“And how much will that take?” he asked cautiously.
“How about a romantic candlelit dinner?”
Beginning to get used to Jan’s teasing Mike answered, “How about a long horse ride into the mountains, followed by a campfire meal.”
Jan replied, “Close enough,” causing both girls to giggle.
Mike shook his head in disbelief, turned back to Kimberly, and said, “We need to get you to the same emergency room they’re taking the Colonel, as your new family will be meeting you there.”
Now very confused Kim exclaimed, “New Family! I don’t understand. I’m no longer Kimberly Burke, and now I’ve a new family.”
“It will make more sense to you shortly, but you’ll be staying with your new cousins until things become more stable, and your father, their new uncle, can join you.”
On the verge of tears, she cried, “And, when will that be?”
“When Admiral Frank Burke has died.” There was a brief moment of panic in Kim’s eyes. Then, suddenly, the light of understanding was turned on when she realized it wasn’t enough to get free of that Monster, Vasquez; they had to leave no trail he could follow.
“I’m following what you’re saying, but I do have one concern.”
“And that is?”
“Our nurse here knows the secret.”
“Should I ‘bump her off’?” Mike asked teasingly.
“No, I think you should marry her and make her part of the conspiracy.”
Jan grinned, and added, “You’ll get no argument from me.”
An embarrassed and rather overwhelmed Mike replied, “Then let’s get a ride to the hospital before everyone has left. We’ll discuss the rest of this when things are a little calmer.”
“How about around that campfire you mentioned?” asked Jan.
“That sounds like a good idea,” remarked Kim. “When do we go?”
“Kim,” answered Jan, “I may not be opposed to a threesome sometime in the future, but around this campfire it’ll just be Mike and me.”
“Dayum!” Kim grinned teasingly, and replied, “Well, you can’t blame a girl for trying.”
The four historians sat around the big conference table they’d been using as a work area, dwelling on what they’d just discovered. They were alone, since they’d sent their two volunteers home for the day. They felt the information was just too controversial to be discussed in front of anyone besides themselves. Finally Doctor Herbert Metzger asked, “Do you think this is genuine?”
“I can’t see how it could be,” answered Jacob Levine. “If it was real there should have been something about it in the Washington Archives.”
“True,” remarked Consuela, “but notice the date of Lincoln’s signature; July twenty-second, eighteen sixty-one. That’s the day after the union army was routed at Bull Run.”
“I remember reading where he instinctively knew it was going to be a long war. Is it possible this was one of the results of that realization?”
“Charles,” responded Doctor Metzger, “it would fit the time line and the circumstances.”
“Then why wasn’t it activated? It gave the Apache everything they could have wanted.”
Consuela answered, “Though it’s speculation, I think this ties to the death of the great chief. From what I remember a new Union General, Carleton I believe, was placed in charge of the territory. Almost as soon as he arrived, a young officer showed him letter after letter of complaints of alleged atrocities by the Apache, even though things had actually been reasonably peaceful between the two groups. This was in spite of the incident with Mangas Colorado’s son, Cochise.”
“And what incident was that?” asked Jacob.
“Shortly before the dating of this agreement Cochise was falsely accused by a group of whites of stealing a rancher’s children and some of his cattle. Cochise denied the accusation and had evidence of his innocence, but he was still beaten and shot three times in the act of escaping. The fact the Apache didn’t retaliate was completely out of character, and for years historians have debated the reasons for such behavior.”
Herbert squinted in concentration and, after moment, replied, “While I’m not familiar with the specific facts, I can easily imagine the Apache’s normal reaction. It’s puzzling they didn’t retaliate. Now, what happened with this General Carleton?”
“When the green general asked the seasoned officer his opinion, the officer proclaimed, ‘The Apache are as venomous as rattlesnakes and that the only way to affect a permanent peace is to slaughter every Indian capable of bearing arms.’ In response, the general issued orders to kill all the Indian braves, but to spare the women and children. Thus, in January, eighteen sixty-three a small troop of men were sent to Mangas Colorado to invite him and some of his chiefs to come to Fort McLane to finalize a treaty and to receive some gifts. Once inside the Fort they were thrown into jail cells and killed by the guards who claimed they were trying to escape. If this young officer was our now infamous Captain McAllister, or someone working with him, then this set up could’ve been the means to steal this paper and, through the chief’s death, erase any valid claims the Apache might have had.”
“It would certainly fit with the rest of the events of that time,” replied Jacob, “though I’m sure we’ll learn more from Captain McAllister’s journals. Also remember, this was around the time of the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation, and as slow as information moved from the west at that time it might not have reached Lincoln until shortly before Gettysburg, if at all. With all that was happening it would be quite possible it was just shoved aside, either intentionally or by accident.”
“I agree,” replied Charles, “so, where do we go from here?”
Consuela answered, “I think we should immediately get everything scanned and the original documents secured in a vault someplace. I think we should also continue working our way through the journals.”
“Sounds right to me,” said Doctor Metzger.
“I concur,” agreed Doctor Levine.
“Me, too,” added Charles Healy.
While Dan’s wife Margaret packed their clothes for the trip to Arizona Dan headed toward downtown Mazatlán. Though he had several things to do his first stop was a meeting with his banker, Frederico Ortiz. Banco de International is a private bank with direct affiliation with the private Swiss Bank, AABK, along with banks in Costa Rica, the Cayman Islands, and the Caribbean Central Bank based on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. These were all banks with an impeccable reputation for integrity, secrecy, and security. They accepted no one involved with the drug trade or with any hints of political corruption and potential depositors had to pass a tougher security clearance than an aide to the President of the United States. In reality, you didn’t seek them, but they sought you. Dan arrived at a rather nondescript office located in one of the better business areas of Mazatlán. As soon as he entered he was ushered back to Frederico’s office.
“Dan, my friend. How are things at home?”
“Hectic at the moment, Frederico. We’re supposed to leave later this morning for a wedding in Phoenix, and it’ll be sometime next week before we return.”
“Well, a wedding is always a joyous time, so that’s good.”
“It would be better if the groom hadn’t been hurt a short time ago. He was working in a mountainous area and his leg was crushed by a falling rock. He should be OK, but it’ll take some of the merriment out of the ceremony.”
“That’s true, and it would definitely put a damper on the honeymoon,” chuckled the banker.
Dan laughed, “I agree, but I think the two of them will just be happy he’s alive. Now, I don’t like to cut our Mexican greeting time short, but I’m under a tight schedule. Will you forgive me?”
“Of course, and I should have been more sensitive. I guess I’ve lived here so long I get caught up in the long traditional greetings and didn’t think about your situation. So then, how can I help you?”
“Remember our conversation regarding finding gold from the time of the American Civil War?”
“I remember. I thought it was a fascinating tale.”
“Well, it’s more than a tale, and there are several shipping containers of gold bars and coins on a ship headed this way from Ensenada.”
The banker studied his friend for several moments before he exclaimed, “You’re not joking, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Just how much is there?”
“I don’t have any idea, but I’m guessing that at today’s prices it’s close to a hundred million US dollars. Also, in our recent adventures we gained access to a lot of currency which is also on the same ship.”
“Daniel, I’ve known you for years, and you’ve always been straight with me. Is this drug money?”
“Probably at one time, but we aren’t involved with drugs, nor with laundering money for drug dealers. This find was just as much a surprise to us as it is to you.”
“Then I’ll accept that explanation. How much cash are we talking about?”
“Again, I don’t know. What I do know is there are bales of it, and most of them seemed to be composed of hundred dollar bills.”
Frederico lapsed into Spanish as he added a few profane expletives to the conversation. Finally getting a hold of his emotions the banker said, “Daniel, I’m just not equipped to handle such a large amount of funds. I’ll need to make some calls to see what can be done.”
“That’s fine, as the ship won’t arrive until sometime tomorrow. My problem is I need to stay here until we get the logistics of all this sorted out. Hopefully it won’t take you long to come up with a workable solution.”
“Hopefully, I’ll have an answer in a couple of hours. How about giving me a call around eleven-thirty or twelve? I won’t go to lunch until after we talk.”
“How about I take you to lunch around that time?”
“Dan, forgive me for being so stunned by this information. It’s I who should be taking you to lunch.”
“We’ll work out who buys lunch after we get a solution to our larger problem. I’ll call you shortly.”
Dan left the bank and returned to his car. From there he drove north a few streets and parked close to a cultural abnormality for the Mexican city, an authentic English Pub. Before he exited the car, he called his wife. “Hi, Sweet. How’s it coming?”
“Overall, I think everything is progressing well, but I just discovered my dress needs some minor alterations. My problem is I don’t know if I can get it done before this afternoon.”
“That’s all right. I’ve run into some delays, too, so it may even be tomorrow before we can leave.”
“That helps, but I’ll still try to be ready as early as I can this afternoon. That way I’m not holding us up when you’re ready.”
“That would be appreciated. Now, I need to run, but I’ll call you back as soon as I have more information.”
Dan terminated the call, exited the car, and headed toward the Pub. Just as he approached the door, the person he was seeking left the pub, so he asked, “Nigel, do you have a few moments?”
“Daniel, ol’ chap, I’ll make a few minutes. Come, let’s step back into my office.”
Dan followed the stocky Englishman inside, and they headed for a table in the back.
As they passed the bar Nigel asked, “You up for a beer this early?”
“I’ll pass, though I would enjoy a cup of Roger’s tea.”
“Roger, did you hear that?”
“Cup of tea?”
“Yes, but make it two.”
“Nige, I just put some on the burner. I’ll bring it right over.”
Although he wasn’t English Dan had a strange affection for this British outpost set in the heart of the west coast of Mexico, and though he knew something about some of the expatriates who hung out here he never asked why they’d all ended up here.
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Hawk stared at the face of the law officer, realizing he was facing his worst nightmare, going back to prison. In his mind the hardest part to accept was, yet again, it would be for something he didn’t do. At that moment his entire brain seemed to shut down, and he collapsed to the floor. The police officer / deputy immediately rolled Hawk over onto his stomach and cuffed him. Once he had Hawk subdued, he carefully checked his prisoner for weapons. Finding none, he picked Hawk up by the right...
The Hawk did not sail on the morning tide. The city watch scoured Pedro's uncle's villa from top to bottom. It took the watch most of the night and Pedro was forced to stand by and watch. They found very little though it was clear that someone had been hiding within the servant quarters of the villa. They found food and drink and a knife of exceptional quality. It was a nobleman's weapon and not a blade found in a scullery. They also found a secret passage that led from the servant...
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After the bellhop left the room, an anxious Maria walked out on the balcony and looked in awe at the far ranging ocean. She was almost spellbound as she watched three foot waves breaking just off the beach. This feeling was magnified when she observed several men being almost knocked off their feet by the force of the waves. Everything was so different from anything she’d experienced before. Even the gulls that soared on the cool, salty ocean breeze added to her new list of sensations. Maria...
Let me say right up front that Gunther was definitely not a young man.I knew he had been around the Santa operation at the North Pole long before I arrived with my bright ideas for cost reduction. I was called in to promote increased toy production by the easily distracted Elves. Those little imps preferred being silly rather than busy little workers focused on their quotas like dedicated employees. As a small-sized human male, I was able to relate easily to the female Elves because they liked...
Fantasy & Sci-FiElijah Abrams walked over to the Navy Seahawk helicopter where he was handed a head set. He climbed into the copilot’s seat and placed it on his head. “Rescue, this is Abrams, how can I help you?” “Sir, I suspect we’ve made your day, and perhaps your career. In the basement of the house we found twenty-three children locked in what’s best described as a dungeon. The children are boys and girls between the ages of six and eleven. Also, there’s a complete photo studio for making child porn....
Back in Phoenix Consuela’s cell phone began ringing. While she answered it the other three historians continued to box up the different papers, which were to be taken to an archive vault in the basement of the history building at the University. “Hello.” “I’m trying to reach Consuela Kennedy. Are you her?” “Yes, I am,” she responded. “Good. Doctor Kennedy, my name is Malcolm Leven, and I’m working with a Mister Daniel Cashman concerning a movie. Are you familiar with what I’m talking...
“Yes, it’s time to create some corporate structure, including impressive offices for the executives.” “Dan, I thought the intention was for me to remain hidden.” “You will, but, at least for a while, it’ll be ‘hiding in plain sight.’ As soon as we can find a better spokesman then you can move more into the shadows.” “Why not have you in this position?” “Because, Hawk, ‘your’ people, as well as the world, need to see a Native American as the head of the company, or at least as the CFO of...
“What do you mean?” asked Brenda. “That another woman would come and steal his heart.” “And what if she wants to share, like we do?” “Bren, I could probably live with that if she was as good a person as you. Unfortunately, they don’t look like two people who’ve just met.” “You might be right, sister, but let’s not hang either of them without a trial.” With that Brenda grabbed Maria by the arm and approached Hawk and the beautiful blonde, who were still softly talking to each other. While...
Maria responded from the rear of the airplane, “I like those ideas, but I can see one problem right off the bat.” “What’s that, Chipmunk?” “We, as a people, are too small and too fragmented a group to be able to accomplish something like that. Our company might give them jobs, and even some hope, but getting a group of Apaches to work together is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube, or herding rabbits.” Dan responded, “Jason seems to do well with it.” “Dan, Grandfather...
The ships turning out to sea took Ishmael completely by surprise. He watched and wondered for a moment or two about what was happening out there. The plan had been for the small armada to sail into the cove and to overwhelm any vessel at anchor there. Something must have happened. Unfortunately Ishmael was too far from the ships to see what it might be. Even if he had possessed a spy-glass like that of his young master he wouldn't have been able to make out the signals being passed between...
"What is wrong?" Bartholomew asked the moment Pedro stepped onto the main deck of the Hawk. It was later in the morning and the Hawk was now riding at anchor below the walls of Ceuta. Bartholomew had stood at the railing of the ship as his captain had returned. He had seen the stern look upon Pedro's face long before the young man had scrambled up the rope ladder hanging at the side of the craft and he had known instantly that not everything had gone as planned. "Prepare for sea," Pedro...
“Great,” Hawk responded to Sean Sullivan’s enthusiastic desire to take on the government, “because your demonstration and Marsha’s new computer have given me several important ideas. To develop them further I need some input from you.” “Ask away. I guess I just moved my status from employee to fellow conspirator.” “Yes, you did. But before you get the wrong idea, I don’t plan on destroying the US Government, or attacking this country or its people. I just want to shake things up and restore...
As the roof of the back part of the prison room began to fall Jason ran toward the main tunnel. He grabbed Hawk by the back of his shirt, dragging him along the floor until they were completely out of the room. The air was filled with dust, and without their surgical masks it would’ve been hard to breathe. A stunned Hawk said, “Whew! That was close.” Helping Hawk stand, Jason asked, “Are you OK?” “Other than a sore and bruised butt, I think I’m fine. Thanks for dragging my ass out of there....
That evening, no one in the family rested very well. Brenda and Maria were exhausted, and after a thirty-minute conversation with Hawk they lounged in the Jacuzzi for a few minutes before heading to bed. Unfortunately, they hadn’t sufficient time to unwind, and, while their bodies were ready for sleep, their minds weren’t. Jason and Andy sat on the cabin’s front porch and just held each other until the wee hours of the morning. Regrettably, while their bodies were in close contact their...
"So there she is," Bartholomew muttered in a tired voice. "We're finally here." The older man was standing in the bow of the Hawk gazing out at the vista that lay before him. Pedro stood beside him doing basically the same. It was the first time in weeks that either man had stood together side-by-side to share a word or even a thought. Bartholomew had in fact just rowed over from the Virago and this was the first time in over two weeks that he had stood upon the deck of the Hawk. "We...
"Where is he?" Ishmael was standing in the open doorway of Dom Pedro's study. The man looked both tired and anxious. Sweat glistened on his swarthy skin and his breath was heavy from exertion. It was obvious that he had been hurrying about. "As far as I know, Dom Pedro is somewhere about the factory," Ibrahim stated in a startled voice taken by surprise by the abruptness in Ishmael's question. As the old teacher replied, he looked up from the book he had been reading. His eyes...
As Hawk would say later, “The rest of the afternoon went surprisingly easy. Well, I guess when you’re moving almost eight tons of gold, easy is a relative term.” Zed returned with the lumber and stuff, and the frame was quickly built as Dan had envisioned it. While Dan and the women helped with the frame Jason found the easiest way to get to the canyon and the slope of the wall was ideal for what they planned to do. The other men took the hand truck into the mine and started moving the items...
The Hawk sailed at dawn four days later. Aboard it was a full complement of the crew plus the raiding party. That number included Rashid, As-wad, and Ishmael. With them were a dozen handpicked soldiers from the factory all of whom were trained in the use of the bow. Behind them they left Ibrahim. He and Omar would run the factory and see to the day-to-day affairs of the Portuguese trading post while the captain of the Bella Rosa would command the trading fleet and the garrison. He would...
Hawk terminated the call and joined Bill and Gunnery Sergeant Kellogg. After a questioning look by Hawk, Bill said, “I called Brenda. They’re sending out two vehicles; one for us and one to carry Sergeant Kellogg back to Coronado Island.” “Excellent!” proclaimed Hawk. Then, turning to the sergeant Hawk said, “Gunny, I want to thank you for coming with me as security. I know we’re both grateful nothing happened that required your services, but it helped knowing you were there.” “Sir, I was...
Once Jason was settled into his regular room there began a steady stream of visitors. Hawk, Maria, and Brenda were the first to arrive, followed quickly by Beth, Zed, Deke, and Elizabeth. In fact, this entire group was still there when Senator McCray arrived. When he was introduced to everyone he was surprised at Deke’s presence. “Deke Templeton! What are you doing here?” Deke answered, “Senator, Beth, Zed, and Elizabeth have been my closest friends since before college, and Brenda is Beth’s...
A moment later Brian said, “I just talked to one of the drivers at the airport. Everything was handed over to the pilot, who said, and I quote, ‘get your ass back there as soon as possible.’“ Mike turned to Larry Reid, and said, “How about driving me back to the airport, as well as bringing my truck back to the Reservation?” “Sure, I can do that, but what about papers on your truck at the border?” “I’ll write out something that should suffice, but I’ll also notify Jason’s contact to pass...
Marsha led Dan Cashman to her research lab and demonstrated her new computer’s capability. He didn’t have any idea what Hawk was contemplating, but he knew once this system hit the market it should sell like hotcakes - especially in the corporate and government markets. Still standing in front of the prototype Dan pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. The direct line he had programmed into his phone rang at the desk of the secretary of his counterpart with their computer company...
"Another of my noblemen is dead," King Manuel murmured almost to himself, "and we are no closer to finding that mad man than we were two days ago. What are we to do?" It was early morning and the King of Portugal had been woken by his chamberlain well before the rest of the palace had begun to stir. The king looked tired and exhausted. He stood in his nightshirt and looked out the window of his chamber onto the grounds below it while his chamberlain reported the latest news in the search...
After Hawk’s agreement to become the ‘renegade leader’ of the Apache Rebellion Jason sighed in relief. “Hawk, I’m delighted you agreed to go along with me on this. I think you can make it work, and it goes hand-in-hand with your need to stay in the shadows.” “I’m glad you’re confident in my abilities Jason, but I’m not a leader. That’s why Dan and I have always worked so well together. I’d come up with an idea, and we’d go back and forth until it became something useful. At that point he...
"Whose ship is that?" Pedro was standing by the gangway of the Hawk, watching as the men working on the jetty at Eko hurried to tie off his ship. It was a week later and Pedro's force had finally returned home. It had been a long, hard trip for everyone involved. They had been forced to nursemaid the galley barge up the coast the whole time, restricting their progress to the speed of the oarsmen working it. Their trip had taken even longer since Pedro had been forced to put a prize crew...
In the middle of the party, a loud cry went up and we were under attack. All the chieftains ran back toward their tribes. Wolfgard and I raced back toward our tribe. The only weapons we had on us were our knives. We came upon a couple of raiders attacking some women folk of another tribe. We made quick work of them as we slit their throats. We got back to our tribe and I was so proud. War Hawk had the bows out and the hunters in formation with their helpers behind them handing out arrows. I...
The next day it was first announced the Vice President would survive his heart attack. A short time later the President added his running mate was going to retire. It seemed even the man’s most staunch supporters were fleeing like rats from a sinking ship. During all this it was revealed the electronics in the VP’s pacemaker were totally fried. One commentator had a scientist from MIT explain that there was too much physical damage for it to have been the result of EMP (electromagnetic...
“Yeah, Eduardo Vasquez is offering a hundred thousand for the man’s head, though, from what I’ve heard about the operation, Eddie boy may have bitten off a lot more than he can chew. Now, why were you asking?” “Just curious. Now, how about meeting me for a beer at Bennie’s Bar. I think I’ve got some security work for you, but I don’t want to discuss it over the phone.” “Then, meet me at Bennie’s in thirty minutes.” “Thirty minutes,” Ken replied, “and bring a bug detector.” Ken dropped off...
Chapter 4 “Good evening, Mr. Hawk,” a tall, handsome man said as they entered. “I see that you’ve brought a beautiful woman to dress up my shabby restaurant.”Reaching his hand out, Tommy said, “That’s exactly what I’m doing, Dominic. This place needs a little help, and I think when the word gets out that Elizabeth eats here, your business will improve.”“No doubt,” the man replied as he unashamedly checked her out. “Let me assume that with someone so lovely, you’ll not be sitting at the bar....
AnalIt’d been after 10:00 p.m. the previous evening when Prince Rashid finally returned to his embassy, but it was after midnight before Jason, Genna, Thad, and Joel had gone to bed. Those discussions had been very productive, though, for it looked like things would run smoothly, even for such a thrown together group of mismatched people. One of the first things that had come out was both of the Battens were thoroughly familiar with guns, both long and short. Though they hadn’t had the kind of...
The knock on the door to the conference room brought an end to the euphoric excitement that bonded the three lawyers together. Dennis went to the door and ushered in the young Indian woman. The three of them were rather surprised at the bruises and swelling on her face, feeling that beneath her injuries was a beautiful face to go with the attractive, slender body, the long dark hair and the soft brown eyes. Dennis introduced her to the other two, and then waited for her to talk. “Gentleman,”...
Hawk’s morning began with an early flight to the proposed area where the power and desalinization plants were to be built. As they flew along the coast Hawk could see one of the reasons for this location was it was the closest spot to deep water. However, Hawk was concerned about its isolated location and its proximity to other countries. He was also alarmed about its vulnerability to an attack by Iran. Back at the palace the two men discussed some of these concerns, as well as the...
It was a night like any other winter night in the City of Brockton. The snow was falling gently, the wind was light almost non-existent as two vigilantes keep a silent watch together over their fair city. Brockton used to be a nice city, it was once the ‘Shoe Capitol of the World’. The City of Champions, as its downtrodden citizens called it. Brockton was the birthplace of boxing champions Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler. It seemed to everyone living in the towns adjacent to Brockton that...