Hidden Connections

By Edward Charles and Anne Charles

Who and what is really being smuggled into the US from Mexico? Are jihadists and suicide bombers among the gardeners, dish washers, and day laborers Americans hire to do their menial jobs? Our heroes, Mike and Andy on a trip to Arizona discover wide open, unsecure areas of the border that are allowing half a million aliens to sneak into the US each year. They are appalled. Upon returning home they creatively invent a foolproof device that deters aliens from sneaking across. They return to Arizona and develop a volunteer group called the Guardians. The Guardians rely on help from the Wounded Warrior Project to watch over these desolate rural areas. Once this new ‘weapon’ designed by Mike and Andy is employed, the Guardians are able to report every smuggler to the border patrol. Soon, the entire Arizona border is made secure.
But no one thought about the question – What would happen when the drug lords, smugglers and who knows who else are prevented from sneaking into the US? Once the border is secured, ugly politics emerge between the US and Arizona concerning states rights. The president is trapped between national and international politics, while Mike and Andy’s lives are thrust into peril. Will their courageous efforts save the US from an attack worse than 9-11?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Edward Charles
• Release date: Jun 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301745487

Edward Charles

Edward Charles was born in South Wales in 1941 and brought up in North London. He studied economics and law at the University College of Wales and then earned a PhD in corporate finance at Manchester Business School. After a short period as an academic, he began a career in finance and management consulting, working in Europe, the United States, and Asia. He retired from international business in 2006 and has published several novels. Edward lives in Devon, England, with his wife.

Book preview

Hidden Connections

by

Edward and Anne Charles

Copyright 2014

Second Edition

10/17/2014

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

ISBN 9781301745487

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictiously. Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the US Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the author.

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Author’s Note:

The Connection Trilogy begins with The Imperial Connection followed by Well Bred Connections and concluding with Hidden Connections. Each novel stands alone and is complete in itself, but similar characters run through each of the three novels.

All three novels are mystery/suspense thrillers, but they are more than that. There’s s a love story that begins in The Imperial Connection and develops in the following two novels. The love between the two main characters, Mike and Andy deepens and matures as the novels progress. Don’t get us wrong, love is only the sub-plot. Action, mystery and adventure rule.

This second edition however has been altered. The first edition contained explicit romance scenes between Mike and Andy that some readers thought took away from the story line. As authors, we felt differently. We wanted to make the love scenes as intense as the action scenes. After all, two new-found lovers brushing so close to death would naturally approach love aggressively. In war stories, for example doesn’t the reader expect lovers to be desperate and carnal? Who knows, they could be dead tomorrow.

Regardless, we’ve removed the explicit love scenes. The love and romance is still alive and well in this edition but it’s up to your imagination to fill in the blanks.

For any of our readers desiring the original edition we’ll send you a free copy by emailing us at: [e-mail]. We will send you a PDF version.

Either way, thank you for reading Hidden Connections.

- Edward and Anne Charles

Chapter 1

They felt a little like fish out of water, standing in the crowd outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Neither Mike nor Andy had been to a movie première before. The display was impressive, with spotlights dotting the sky, a red carpet rolled out to the street, and a crowd of several hundred people waiting for the arrival of the stars.

Andy had a big smile on her face. She looked up and squeezed Mike’s hand.

What is it? he asked.

Honey, look at the marquee. Can you believe it?

The marquee read, The Diary of Jessica Ann Leads.

Mike was about to answer her when suddenly the crowd started making noise. People were shouting and clapping as one of three limousines pulled up. Camera lights came on and reporters turned their attention to the first limo, now stopped in front of the red carpet. The door opened and cast members got out. Reporters and autograph seekers started to flood the walkway in hopes of getting close to the stars. The last two people to emerge from the limo were teenage girls. One was very animated and vivacious. She was smiling and waving to the crowd, sometimes stopping to sign an autograph or answer a reporter’s question. The other girl was about the same age. She was slender, about five foot seven. Her blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes, along with a well proportioned and fit shape, made her even more attractive than the first girl in many ways. The difference between the two, however was striking. The first girl was wearing an elaborate evening gown. Her hair was expertly coiffed and her makeup professionally applied. The other girl had a quiet strength about her. Not overly confident, like the first, but it was obvious she could hold her own. Her dress was more simply styled, with spaghetti straps, and a slightly fitted bodice that flared down over her hips to the ground. The sheer gossamer fabric was the overlay that made her seem like she was floating. Her top was lightly jeweled with crystals and pearls. They faded like dew drops down to the hem of her dress. Her blonde hair was pulled back off her face to a flow of soft curls dangling down the side of her neck. She had soft wisps of curls outlining the sides of her face. Her makeup was more delicately applied, giving her the fresh, clean look of youth.

Andy watched until the last girl exited the car. Oh, look, Mike. There’s Jessica. She started jumping up and down, waving her arms in the air. She shouted, Jessica! Jessica!

Jessica responded by smiling back at Mike and Andy, and waved to them. When the crowd realized that the quiet, unassuming teenager at the end of the line was the real Jessica Ann Leads, they went crazy. Attention was immediately diverted from the teen actress, who played Jessica’s role in the film, to Jessica herself.

Mic’s were shoved in her face. Ms. Leeds. Ms. Leeds. What’s it feel like to have your bestselling book made into a movie?

Ms. Leeds. Do you plan on college in Colorado, or are you moving to Hollywood?

Jessica simply moved through the crowd, answering yes here and no there. It was apparent that Jessica was her own person. She didn’t seem to be, by any means shy. She appeared confident and strong, someone who understood the reason for the reporters and the attention, but someone who would never let it go to her head. The teen star stopped on the red carpet and waited for Jessica to catch up with her. When she came next to her she took her left arm and hooked it around Jessica’s right, and started walking into the theatre.

She whispered in Jessica’s ear. You doing okay?

Yes. she whispered back. I’m just not used to all these people.

Remember something, the star said in her ear, they’re here because they love you. You are their hero, and I’m proud to play your part.

Thank you. Let’s go in.

When the stars and cast entered the theatre, the camera lights turned off, the carpet was rolled up, and all the excitement of the past thirty minutes was gone. Mike and Andy stood quietly in line waiting to enter the theatre.

Want some popcorn, honey? Mike asked as they stood in line at the concession booth.

Large. Lotsa butter. How about a Coke, too.

You got it. Go get our seats and I’ll meet you there.

Mike was patiently standing in line when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

He turned and looked at a white haired gentleman in his early sixties. Hi, Bill.

He shook his hand. Didn’t Jessica look great?

We just love that little girl, Mike. It’s amazing what a recovery she’s made over the past year or so.

We’re glad you took her in as your own, confessed Mike.

Mike, she’s smart as a whip. She jumped two grades on her aptitude scores. Mind you, she did this while having her book published and going on countless book signing events. Got her enrolled in college this fall.

Mike made it to the concession counter. Bill, I’ll see you in the theatre. We’ll talk after.

He turned his attention to the concessioner and ordered. He returned with his arms full of snacks, found Andy and wormed his way to the vacant seat next to her, trying not to spill popcorn on the patrons around him.

Andy looked over at Jessica sitting with the cast, then back to Mike. She looks so beautiful. I can’t believe how well the doctors were able to eliminate most of her burn scars. You can’t even see them. She’s grown into such a lovely young lady.

It’s amazing. I remember when we found her, homeless on the streets. Who would’ve thought this, said Mike. I talked to Vince, by the way.

What’d he say?

They’ve got three extra FBI agents here, just in case.

Do you think they’d still be after her? she quizzed.

No. I don’t. It’s just that this is her first real big public appearance. It’s one thing to write a book about it, it’s another for the world to see it on the big screen. I don’t think the Mafia would dare to do anything, after she exposed them like she did.

The curtain rose.

Okay. Let’s talk after the movie, said Andy, grabbing a handful of popcorn.

Three hours later they pulled into their hotel, the Beverly Hilton. It was there the opening party was being held for the cast, press and friends. They showed their passes and were let into the ballroom. A live band was playing, food and drink being served and people were milling around talking about the movie they had just seen.

They were approaching the bar when Jessica ran up and hugged them both. Did you like the movie?

What was there not to like? answered Andy. The audience went wild and gave a standing ovation at the end. It was wonderful.

And what did you think, Mike? asked Jessica.

They kept the script very close to your original diary. That guarantees you a success. Yes. I loved the movie. I don’t know about the guy who played me, though. Too macho.

Mike, you’re so funny, said Jessica placing a kiss on his cheek. I gotta go. I see the director waving at me.

You still coming back to Imperial with us tomorrow? questioned Andy.

Gosh, yes. I’ve been planning it for weeks. I’m so excited. Bags are all packed. See you later.

Mike secured their drinks, came back to Andy and handed her one. Look. Over there. It’s Uncle Bill with Aunt Jenny, he said.

And Mom and Dad’s with them, too.

I saw Bill at the concession stand, he said. Let’s go over and say hi.

They spent the next half hour talking back and forth about the movie and Jessica. Bill and Jenny Cole took Jessica in as their own after her ordeal two years earlier. He owned a cattle ranch in Colorado, as did Andy’s mom and dad. Bill was a retired Air Force general, and now, the Assistant Director of the FBI.

I’ve got some good news for her, Bill said. Something she doesn’t know.

What is it? asked Angie, Andy’s mom.

Can’t tell you. You’ll find out tomorrow at breakfast.

Mike and Andy spent the next two hours milling around and talking with the cast and crew. Since they were involved with the scriptwriter during the filming of the movie, they knew quite a few of them. The man who played Mike’s role and the woman who played Andy’s wanted them to join them at a party later.

We want to stay up and wait for the newspaper reviews, said the actress. Please, come join us.

Thank you, said Andy. But it’s getting late and we have a long drive back tomorrow.

Please, be sure to stay in touch, okay?

Promise, said Andy. They pecked each other on the cheek.

Mike and Andy walked around the sound stage looking for Jessica. They found her signing autographs.

Jessica, said Mike, It’s late. We’ll see you back at the room, okay?

I want to stay up and read the reviews, she said.

Okay. Well, you know our room number. We’ll talk in the morning.

It was about three in the morning when Mike’s phone rang.

He jumped off his pillow. Hello?

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. I have to come over to your room right now.

Who’s that at this hour? questioned Andy, half asleep.

Jessica. And she’s on her way over, yawned Mike.

He stumbled out of bed, put on his pajamas and went to the bathroom. When he got out of the bathroom Jessica was there, jumping up and down on the spare king size bed like a little kid.

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. You won’t believe it! They loved the movie, she exclaimed, waiving the newspaper in the air.

That’s nice, said Mike, heading for the pillow. Can we go back to bed now?

Andy stole his pillow and clobbered him over his head with it. Very funny, Major.

Mike sat back up. You know I’m kidding. I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Jessica leaped from the bed onto the floor, and then squeezed in between Mike and Andy on their bed.

She brought the newspaper to her face, and began reading. "Teenager turns Hollywood upside down. Can you believe that? That’s the title. See, here!" She pointed to the heading.

"Let me read some more. This reporter, skeptic as I am, thought the movie would put me to sleep in five minutes. After all, who wants to see a movie about a teenager’s diary? Here’s one critic who’s not afraid to say how wrong he was. To see how this young fourteen year old was abducted while on vacation from her parents’ motor home, taken to a compound full of kids like her and repeatedly raped – and for what purpose – to breed children for the Mafia to sell off for a profit – moved this critic to tears. The thought of baby laundering angers me. To see the strength and bravery of this young lass, enduring over two years of captivity, then escaping only to be caught again, and then evading near death by fire, gives me back my faith in the youth. It was amazing to see how, after her escape from death, she survived on the streets as a homeless person. How she was found, and how, after two years of captivity came back to ultimately expose this evil, sinister operation. Jessica should be a role model for all kids. She is what we want in our American youth – guts, strength, bravery, and the determination to do what is right. Mom’s and dad’s, take your teenage child to this movie. I give it a * * * * rating."

I can’t believe it, said Andy. He gave you four stars!

I can, said Mike. It’ll be fun to see what happens when it’s released to the public this Friday.

Jessica yawned. Uncle Bill wants us all to meet for breakfast, and I’m really tired. I just had to tell you, first. I’ll see you at breakfast.

I hope you can calm down enough to get some sleep, said Andy. We’ll see you at nine. Good night, sweetie. We’re so proud of you.

The next morning, Mike and Andy were seated around the breakfast table with Jessica, Uncle Bill and Aunt Jenny along with Andy’s parents, Alex and Angie.

After breakfast was ordered, Uncle Bill tapped his knife on his water glass to get the attention of everyone.

When it got quiet, he started. Well, that was really something last night. Our Jessica is on her way to be a star. But I’ve got another thought in my mind about a star. It’s a different kind of one. I look around the table and I see my good friend, Alex, or should I say Captain Holmes, as he was when we were together in Viet Nam. You were some fighter pilot, Alex.

Thanks, Bill, said Alex. But I got out after the war. You stayed in and became the best damn general this Air Force has ever had.

You’re just being kind, my friend, he said. But let me continue. I’m also sitting at this table with another Air Force hero, Major Mike Foley, who spent twenty years in covert operations in and out of dangerous missions throughout the world. He raised his glass. But today I want to make a toast to our youngest Air Force leader. One who will proudly wear the Air Force Star on her shoulders. He was smiling at Jessica.

Uncle Bill. What’s this all about? she asked in confusion.

Bill reached under the table and brought out a gift wrapped box with a red, white and blue ribbon on it. Here, honey. It’s for you. Open it up.

Jessica took the box, untied the ribbon and looked inside. She took out the paper and read it. Tears began to stream from her eyes. I never thought in a million years-

Tell everyone, said Jenny.

I’ve been accepted into the Air Force Academy!

There was a large round of applause and lots of congratulations.

Bill clinked his glass again for the room to get quiet. Little darling. You got anything to say to the folks here?

Jessica stood up. This is more important to me than any movie. Since I lost my mom and dad and brother Jimmy, you have become my family, and I love you. I would be dead if it wasn’t for your help and love. I look at my new family and see you are all proud Air Force officers, and I want more than anything in the world to be a part of that. I want to carry on the family tradition and do what’s right for my country. This is a wish come true.

* * * *

Mike and Andy had been married a little over two years. When he first met her he was living in Chicago and recently retired from the Air Force. Mike met Andy in Imperial, California, where he traveled to find out if a homeless guy, Homeless Rick, was a past service buddy. They fell in love and married four months later. Part of their honeymoon was spent traveling across the country in a motor home. One evening, at a campground near San Antonio, Andy discovered a worn and frayed missing girl poster in the laundromat. It was two years old, and had a picture of a fourteen year old girl on it. She took the poster off the wall and brought it home with her. After several weeks she started having nightmares about the poster girl. Through the course of odd events, they discovered a homeless girl, who their dog befriended, was none other than Jessica. Mike and Andy nursed her back to health, and over time, discovered the awful truth of her abduction.

Since Jessica’s family had been killed and she had no next of kin, they took her to Dad’s cattle ranch in Colorado, Holmes on the Range, to help her heal and continue on with her life. Bill and Jenny Cole owned the next ranch over. Since they never had children, Andy became like a daughter to Bill. When Andy and Mike showed up with Jessica, Bill and Jenny fell in love with her. Jessica took to them immediately, and after a time, they offered to have Jessica live with them.

Mike was in his late thirties and retired from the Air Force as a Major in Intelligence. He spent most of his career in covert operations coordinating overseas activities with the CIA. He still had close ties with the organization, especially with his best friend, Vince. Always working as a team they had had many overseas missions together. Mike was about six foot one inch tall, 180 pounds, with dark hair, mostly black with a little gray starting to show around the edges. He kept his hair trim and probably from all the years in the military was always clean shaven. He had handsome features and a muscular build with tight abs.

Andy lived in the small desert town of Imperial, California. She owned two stores, a small curio shop in El Centro and a very successful antique store named Lyons and Holmes Antiques in upscale Orange County. Andy was in her late twenties, tall and slender, about five foot nine, with red shoulder length hair and bright blue eyes. A former model, she was a head turner, but extremely intelligent at the same time. Andy grew up on her father’s cattle ranch in Colorado. She was an only child so a little spoiled and headstrong, but for anyone who knew her, there was no doubt Andy was an independent and self-made woman.

Mike, Andy and Jessica left the hotel around noon for the trip back to Imperial. The coastal towns from Los Angeles to San Diego were lush, hilly and green. That’s because the mile high mountain range to the east prevented moisture from escaping. The combination of moisture and cool ocean currents kept temperatures along the coastline moderate twelve months a year. The climate was so ideal it attracted tens of millions of people to the area. As a result, it was very heavily populated, had a high cost of living and was filled with the typical urban problems, such as high crime, pollution and traffic.

Out of Los Angeles they headed south, towards San Diego. It was bumper to bumper traffic, six or eight lanes in both directions. The traffic reminded Mike of many large cities, like Chicago, where he was from. The difference, here, was traffic refused to obey the speed limit and they were traveling along at close to eighty miles per hour in a sixty-five zone. As they neared San Diego, they turned east onto interstate eight. It amused Mike, how people spoke differently in this part of the country. For example, people called interstate eight, the eight. You were never on route six, you were on the six. Soon the Pacific Ocean was to their backs and they were climbing uphill. Traffic started to thin and the lanes shrunk from eight in each direction to six, then to four. Twenty miles east of San Diego, at about two thousand feet, the four lanes became two in both directions. Mike felt warm. He looked down and realized the temperature had risen from seventy-seven degrees to eighty-eight. He rolled up the window and put on the air conditioning. Soon, the green terrain started giving way to sand and rocks. They were on the upward climb heading towards the Valley.

The Imperial Valley, as it was called, was the complete opposite of its neighbors on the west side of the hill. Some of the lowest points on earth were in the Valley. Calipatria, for example, was fifteen miles north of where Mike and Andy lived, and at one hundred eighty-four feet below sea level was the lowest city in the western hemisphere. Temperatures often peaked around one hundred twenty degrees in the summer. While west of the mountains was urban, Imperial County’s entire population was less than 151,000 people.

We’ll soon be to the summit, Mike said as he looked at his favorite milepost marker.

His comment woke Jessica. I really like the twisty part, she said, yawning. You know, the part with all the huge granite boulders strewn on the hills. Want me to drive?

Very funny, said Mike.

Jessica had been sleeping until they got near the summit. When she woke up, though, it was nonstop talk. She talked about life in Colorado. How much she enjoyed the land, and how good everyone was to her.

Have you made many friends? asked Andy.

I sure have. Everyone in school is so nice. We do all kinds of things together.

Like what? asked Mike.

Well, in the spring, it’s girls softball. I hit pretty well. Last summer I helped Alex brand the cattle and run them up to public lands. I was on the swimming team and met a lot of nice people.

I like archery, too. I was on the girl’s varsity team this last year and placed third in our division.

Been hunting yet? inquired Andy.

Once. Uncle Bill and your dad took me deer hunting. They got a buck, but I didn’t. They told me when you were my age you were out hunting with them and a black bear charged you. That must have been something.

When we get home I’ll show you pictures, said Andy.

Mike reached the summit, 4,383 feet. He knew twenty miles ahead was what Jessica called the ‘twisty part.’ There were tight turns that at sixty-five were a challenge. As they passed the Golden Acres Indian Casino he took advantage of the last straight stretch of road and opened his Lexus to eighty-five miles an hour. The ladies were chatting away. Mike had a cigarette lit and rolled down the window. It was sixty-five degrees at this altitude. He glanced in the rear view mirror and saw another car about a half mile away, tracking at about the same speed. Since it was a black sedan, he couldn’t tell if it was a Highway Patrol car or not, so slowed down to five miles an hour above the speed limit. The car behind did the same. He didn’t like what he saw, but said nothing to Andy and Jessica. The last exit before the ‘twisty part’ was Jacumba. He decided to exit.

Anyone want something to drink? he asked.

No, said Andy. But I sure could use the restroom. How about you, Jessica?

I’m so glad you asked, she said. I’m about ready to burst.

Mike pulled into the gas station and they got out.

Anyone want to split a Subway? he asked.

Not me, said Andy. Anyway, we’ve got food at home. We’ll be there in less than an hour.

While the ladies were in the restroom, Mike walked across the road to a local vendor who was selling organic honey. As he looked over the varieties of natural honey, he glanced up a hundred feet to the interstate. All looked normal. He didn’t see the car that was following them moments before, so dismissed the thought. He purchased a two dollar jar of wheat honey and made it back to the car. The cool temperature and clean air caused him to breathe it in. He knew in an hour he would be back in the valley, 115 degrees, five percent humidity and twenty mile an hour winds kicking dust into his nose, conditions very much like those he experienced in Iraq.

After filling the Lexus with gas, they got in and left. Mike turned onto the eight and resumed his speed. He kept looking in the rear view mirror, but saw nothing. ‘Hey, Major,’ he thought, ‘enough is enough. You’re not in some god-forsaken country lookin’ out for the enemy. You’re home.’

They drove another ten miles and started their descent. The road hugged the mountain for the next ten miles. It was almost continual ess curves with a downhill grade of six percent, or better, in parts. Soon, the mountains, with their huge boulders would part and open up to the grand Imperial Valley. After the rest stop, Andy moved in the back seat to be next to Jessica. The two of them were chattering away, having the best time. Just ahead was a truck runaway lane. Mike passed it and followed the curve that turned almost ninety degrees to the left. Ahead was a straightaway for about a quarter mile before the road turned another eighty degrees to the right. He looked behind and saw a cloud of dust just before making the right curve. When he pulled out of that curve he glanced behind him and saw the same black car as before, following him.

Ladies, he said. I think we’ve got problems.

What is it? asked Andy.

I made that stop in Jacumba because I thought someone was following us. When we got back on the highway all was clear, but now that same car is behind us.

The speed sign warned forty-five miles an hour for the next curve. Mike took it at seventy. When he pulled out of the curve the black car was even closer on his tail. Mike was watching the road and glancing in the rear view mirror at