Nandita To Nandini
- 4 years ago
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Brenda rushed into Hawk’s office with Maria close behind. Their husband was sitting at his desk looking at the screen of Ron Gonzales’ laptop. The look on his face was a combination of shock, amazement, and disbelief. “What did you find?” asked Maria.
“There was a hidden and encrypted area within the email storage. What the daughter observed was the counter of unread emails kept increasing, but there were no unread emails visible in the files.”
Maria then asked, “Have you cracked the encryption?”
“Ron must have either been lazy or, like so many others, had problems remembering a lot of codes. Whichever it was, laziness or forgetfulness, the password Denise sent for the computer also opened the files. The tricky part was to get to them, as whoever set this up didn’t use the normal Windows procedure for hiding a file. Fortunately, one of my utility programs was able to bring the folders into the active file list.”
“What did you find?” asked an inquisitive Brenda.
“The folders contain copies of Ron’s e-mails to and from Brandon Stokes, the Indian Agent. The interesting thing is though the outgoing mail stopped the day Ron was caught the incoming emails are still arriving.”
“Still coming?”
“They must have set up an automatic forwarding script which copies anything to or from Stokes, and relating to the tribe, to Ron.”
As Hawk scanned through a sampling of some of the emails around the time of Ron’s death Brenda asked, “They couldn’t have been stupid enough leave the script active after Ron was gone.”
“Damn!” exclaimed Hawk, “not only did they do that, the people in the Interior Department kept forwarding notes with the existing information still attached. Here’s one that’s a notated forward of an email from Laddy Armstrong, the Vice President’s Chief of Staff. What’s more, it contains an order to prevent the starting of the wind generator manufacturing operation on tribal land.”
Hawk reviewed several more before exclaiming, “Maria, get me your grandfather, immediately - preferably on one of our encrypted phones. Brenda, call Deke and see if he or one of the other lawyers can get here stat! Also, check with Bill and see if the Citation I flew to Seattle is available for a flight to DC.”
As his wives rushed to follow his orders, Hawk called White Mountain Security. When Ron’s widow answered, Hawk said, “Denise, what your daughter found is definitely important. I need the two of you, along with someone from security, on a plane to DC as quickly as you can get one. Communicate with Bill Bryce, our chief pilot, about scheduling a plane when you get closer to town. There may be some others flying with you.”
“Hawk, is it really that important? This is not the best time for me to be out of the office, or for Jan to miss school. Besides, I don’t know if I can get someone to watch my other daughter.”
“Bring her with you - and yes, it’s that important. In addition, see if you can get one of the encrypted cell phones to use for your trip. If you do, please call and give Maria or Brenda the number, and they’ll give you all three of ours.”
“Hawk, if you feel it’s that important, I’ll get started immediately.”
Hawk hung up the phone, only to be handed a cell phone by Maria. “It’s Jason. Also, the plane will be ready in about ten minutes, and Deke is almost here,” she advised.
“Thanks. Now, I want you both to go with me, but we don’t have time to run home for things.”
“That’s not a problem, we keep a few things here for an emergency. Anything else we’ll pick up there.”
Hawk gave her the OK signal with his fingers and turned his attention to the cell phone in his hand. “Good afternoon, Jason. I hope I’m not pulling you off anything too important.”
“No, actually we’re taking a break. The session is running a bit long tonight.”
“I looked at Ron’s laptop and it’s a powder keg. We’re about to leave here to come to DC, but I need two things. The first is the name of the DEA guy who worked with you in California, and second, you may want to round up some sympathetic colleagues to look at something. I think this is going to bring down the Vice President.”
“Hawk, Elijah Abrams is the agent, and he’s now based in DC. I’ll give him a call.”
“Do that, but also see if he knows a ‘good guy’ in the Phoenix FBI office.”
“Don’t need to ask. Call the local office and talk to Hap Donaldson. He and I go way back.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Good, and when you know your ETA, call me and I’ll have Joel or Bennie pick you up.”
“Joel and Bennie, as in San Diego?”
“Yeah, they’re working for me here in DC.”
“Cool. They seemed to be good guys. I’ll give you a call in about three hours. We’re taking a fast private jet.”
“At that speed, unless you’re flying military, you’re flying a Citation Ten.”
“Yes, and I’ve about decided to add one to our fleet. I can’t believe how little time it took to go to Seattle this morning.”
“It’s a good plane, but I suspect you will also need a Gulfstream at some point in the future.”
“I’ll trust your judgment on that. Anyway, Deke just walked into the office, and I need to talk to him before we leave.”
“Are you bringing Maria and Brenda?”
“Yes, with Denise and others following on a later flight.”
“Good. I’ll see you later on this evening. Have a safe trip, Son, and protect those women well for me.”
Hawk hung up, looked past Deke, and asked, “Do we need someone from security to go with us?”
Brenda replied, “We’ve got it covered.”
Hawk turned to the waiting attorney and said, “I bet you’re wondering what this is all about.”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” laughed Deke.
“First, look at this email with me.”
Deke walked behind Hawk’s desk and looked over his shoulder. When he reached the end of the page, he reached up and pressed the ‘page down’ key. Moments later, Deke exclaimed, “Holy Shit! Where did you get this? Is this legit?”
“Before I give you more details, is this something that we can trust Hap Donaldson with? He’s the FBI person Jason recommended.”
“Hell yes! He’s a throwback to the old G-men days, more interested in law and justice than getting his name on the news or protecting the image of the bureau.”
“Do you want me to call him?” asked Maria.
“Yes. Tell him I need to see him as quickly as possible, and he may need to fly with us to DC to protect the chain of evidence.”
“Hawk,” Deke interjected, “at this point I don’t know if it will help, but it can’t hurt.”
“Good. Now, can you fly with us to DC?”
“How soon.”
“I’ve got a Citation Ten downstairs warming up.”
“Let me call my wife and my office. I don’t have any clothes or toiletries with me, but I guess I can pick them up in the DC area.”
“Deke, I’m in the same boat, so make your calls. I really want you involved on this one.”
Brenda stuck her head into Hawk’s office, and said, “Hap Donaldson is on line three.”
“Thanks. Also, could you see if Sean Sullivan is still here?”
“I think he lives here. Do you want to see him, or talk to him on the phone?”
“Just the phone, for the moment.”
Hawk picked up the phone and pressed for line three. “Agent Donaldson, I’m Robert Gray Hawk. Do you have a moment?”
“Hawk, Jason has talked about you numerous times. That old man thinks a lot of you, and I think a lot of him. As for a moment to spare, I’m assuming this is Bureau related. I’m already at home, but how can I help you?”
“I can give you more information when you get here, but I’ve found evidence that may bring down the Vice President, if not the entire administration. I need to place it in the hands of an honest lawman and transport it to Jason as soon as possible.”
“Son, I’m in Gilbert. Where are you at the moment?”
“The offices of N.I.D.E., at William’s Gateway. I’ve a Citation Ten downstairs waiting for us.”
“I’ll be there in less than fifteen minutes. I’ll use my ID to drive straight to the aircraft. You can tell me about everything after we’re in the air.”
“Fine, we’ll be waiting for you.”
Hawk looked up as he hung up the phone and saw Maria holding up two fingers. Realizing she was telling him Sean was on line two he punched line 2, and asked, “Sean. How are you doing this afternoon?”
“I’ve had a great day. We’ve made some great progress on the new computer, and I just finished testing your ‘pen.’ It works perfectly.”
“Good, I need you to bring it to my office as soon as possible and then forget you ever saw it. I also have a little gift for you when you get up here.”
“I’ll be right up.”
Hawk hung up and shouted, “Brenda!”
“Yes, Hawk.”
“I want you to make a foundation check out to Sean Sullivan for twenty-five thousand. Call it a research grant.”
“Not a problem. Marc is on his way here with some clothes and stuff. He’s going directly to the aircraft, and we’re ready to go.”
“Good. I need to pack up this laptop, get mine, and head to the airplane. Deke, are you going to be able to go?”
“No problem. Let’s get that missile launched.”
“Missile? I thought we were flying in an airplane,” laughed Brenda. Deke first thought she was serious and had his mouth open to explain when her laughter finally registered. He turned slightly red as he joined in the laughter.
Suddenly remembering his luncheon in Seattle Hawk handed Maria Sarah’s business card, and asked, “Hun, will you call Sarah and introduce yourself. Tell her we’re still interested, but we’ve got to make an urgent trip to DC.”
“I’ll take care of it. Geeze! Now he’s got me calling his ex-girlfriend. The gall of some men!” This added to the laughter from Brenda’s tease and helped ease the tension even further.
Hawk had just finished putting Ron’s computer back in the case when an excited young Sean Sullivan came running into Hawk’s office. Before he acknowledged Sean, Hawk asked, “Deke, can you take this laptop and my wives with you to the airplane?”
“Sure. We’ll see you in a minute.”
Brenda handed Hawk an envelope and followed Deke and Maria out the door. As soon as they left the office Hawk turned to Sean and said, “Now, let’s see what you have.”
Sean handed his boss a black leather portfolio designed to hold a letter-sized legal pad. Inside it there was a slot containing a fancy, over-sized Gold Cross Pen and several separators to file various notes. Also, in a separate box there was an identical pen. “Hawk, the one in the box, is the special, and it has a tiny red jewel in the top. The one in the portfolio writes and has a nice gel roller ball for easy writing. The top comes off like a fountain pen.”
“OK.”
“When it’s placed in the portfolio’s pen holder, it does nothing. On the other hand, if the special pen is placed there if it’s discharged it’ll recharge. If the pen is already fully charged, then, like the real pen, it doesn’t do anything. To fire the special remove the cap, place it on the end like a normal pen, aim it in the general direction, and press both the jewel and the pocket clip at the same time. It’ll not make a sound when it fires, but it’ll make a slight whining sound when it does charge.”
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Raven half fell, half jumped from Ghost landing upon her knee’s. Bowing as to have her breasts rest on the floor of the mountain. She raised her voice in praise. She released the adrenaline coursing through her body. She sang in a native tongue inhaling and exhaling so her lungs felt like they would burst. Ghost stood still witnessing his mistress in the glorious light. Shining down only on her, the brightness caused Ghost to look away. Getting up on her bent knee’s she raised her arms towards...
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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...
Maria led the people from the helicopter into the Hogan. The head doctor came over to Jason and saluted. Jason responded, “Colonel, I’m no longer in uniform. You’re not supposed to salute me.” “Sir, a few years ago, you pulled my ‘chestnuts’ out of the fire. As far as I’m concerned some people are always worth saluting. Now, fill me in.” “The girl who led you in here is my granddaughter, Little Ground Squirrel, but she’ll answer to Maria. This is her husband, Robert Gray Hawk. She was...