Where R You

By Robert C. Waggoner

It's action from the beginning. What begins as a rather mundane assignment, Brad Pratt is summoned to the White House. The president tells him that the world's most valuable pink diamond has been stolen in Australia. The Batt Team must recover the diamond at all costs to save the reputation of Australia and its relationship to the indigenous people the Aborigines.

What starts as a straightforward case, quickly becomes complex with the kidnapping of the diamond polisher and his family. The trail leads the Batt Team on an international hunt that involves a Bulgarian count, a German count, both the German and Hungarian underworld and the Russian mafia. Once again Brad has to recruit the Navy SEALS to storm a heavily armed villa in Bulgaria. If they are successful and recover the pink diamond, the team must assault a fortified residence very near where Hitler had his secret lair in Bavaria. The 'why' is for the reader to find out.
I'm presenting the first three chapters for free. The final novel will be completed this fall of 2013.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert C. Waggoner
• Release date: Jul 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301392148

Robert C. Waggoner

I now reside in the USA in Eastern Oregon. Due to health reasons, I don't write much anymore. I'll continue with a few short stories and all will be free to my readers. I'm privileged to have had thousands of readers download my stories. I thank you all. Happy reading and sure hope you have and will enjoy my writing. Robert [Bob] Waggoner

Book preview

Tickle Me Pink

by Robert C. Waggoner

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Robert C. Waggoner

-One-

In the northern region of West Australia lies both an open pit and underground diamond mine. On or about February, 12th of 20… a mine worker unearthed a rare find: a large pink diamond. Pink diamonds are the world's rarest of diamonds. Few ever reach an individual other than royalty. In this particular case, the Argyle Pink Jubilee, a 12.75 carat diamond will be auctioned off later the same year. It will sell for at least three million dollars a carat.

The Pink Jubilee was whisked off to Perth where an expert polisher would prepare the diamond for sale. The expert polisher, with over twenty years of seniority, was beyond reproach and there was also no doubt about his integrity.

Art Model came from a long line of diamond polishers. He learned the trade from his father in Antwerp, Belgium. Art Modle was recruited by Regal Mining Co of Australia and sent to Perth to head up the pink diamond polishing department.

A few days after the Jubilee was delivered, both the Jubilee and Art Model disappeared without a trace. The company went into a panic as their reputation would be tainted losing the world's most valuable diamond.

The CEO, Rupert McDonald was a good friend of the Australia Prime Mister Rudy McKeen; who in return was a good friend of the incumbent President of the United States Samuel Bates.

After a week of having the best investigators money could hire, they all came up empty handed. If Rupert McDonald had any hair he would have torn it out, he was so frustrated. He was desperate and called the Australian Prime Minster. Over a secure phone he told the story. Rudy McKeen said, I've just returned from America Rupert. Samuel Bates told me an interesting story about his daughter and granddaughter being abducted by some very high level politicians; along with some global giants looking to further their own causes. Anyway, to make a long story short, a guy by the name of Brad Pratt and his team rescued the captives and put to rest the insurrection. Sam says the guy is phenomenal with proven results. Do you want me to give Sam a call?

Lord yes, Rudy. This could ruin us if not rectified. We do over five billion a year in business around the world. Companies like DeBeers would have a field day. Of course a carte blanche is in effect.

Rupert, I make no promise, but will do my level best. I'll get back to soonest I can.

Rudy looked at his watch and calculated the time difference. It was ten am in Australia and they were twelve hours ahead. He decided to wait until later in the afternoon to call Sam.

He leaned back in his chair and thought about the situation. It would be like someone stealing the Mona Lisa, no one could flaunt it and in the pink diamonds case, nobody could show it off or wear it. However, having it in a nice clear glass case next to your drink would be quite pleasing.

The taking of the diamond took both a ton of cash and a team of real professionals to pull it off. The facility to polish the pink diamonds was full of the latest security technology along with the usual physical fences and guards. Only a few individuals were capable of pulling this off. He could think of two that came to mind here in Australia. Both were billionaires with connections.

Well, I've a country to run, he thought. One problem facing him would be the fall out of the indigenous Aborigines that were directly tied to the mining company. There's always something to muddy the waters, he mumbled to himself.

-Two-

With Romania to the north, Serbia to west and Macedonia and Turkey to the south, sits Bulgaria on the Black Sea to the east. Running from east to west across the backbone of Bulgaria are the Balkan Mountains.

The Balkan's are a lovely sight with many visitors each year enjoying the varied landscape. One such nice area is Teteven Valley located some hundred or so miles from the capital Sofia.

Tucked in the valley is the town of Teteven. Just a few miles outside the town, a road goes up into the mountains to the Villa Draganov. Mr. Anton Draganov is the self proclaimed baron of the land. No one dares to refer to Baron Draganov as Mr. Anton Draganov. He and his family have lived there for as long as anyone can remember.

Even during World War Two the family was left alone by the Germans. It was suspected his villa was used to store stolen art from areas around the Black Sea. Be that as it may, the present Baron was sixty seven and a widower. He ruled the villa from his electric wheel chair with an iron fist. He was paranoid about his safety. Armed guards roamed the property and manned the metal gate at the entrance. A twelve foot stone wall surrounded the mansion.

Inside Baron Draganov was sitting at his massive desk. In front of him on purple velvet cloth sat the Pink Jubilee. Across from him sitting in a wooden chair with no arms was the expert diamond polisher Art Modle. Art was still groggy from his plane ride under the influence of drugs. Two guards stood behind him with rifles slung over their shoulders.

Art was not as timid as one would think of a diamond polisher. He said, Excuse me, but why did you kidnap me and nobody steals a one of a kind diamond like the Pink Jubilee.

The gleeful look disappeared off the Baron's face. He looked up through thick glasses enlarging his grey eyes. Both guards knew that most would die instantly for talking like that to Baron. The Baron looked at one guard and nodded. That guard hurried from the room only to quickly return dragging a woman with a young twenty something girl. The woman was babbling in English while Art Modle sucked in a lung full of air seeing his wife and daughter thrown onto the sofa.

In a gravelly voice the Baron said, Even an idiot like you ought to figure out the given situation, Art. Art realized very well what was going to happen and he also knew when he finished with the polish job, they were all dead.

-Three-

Billy Ricker, the Batt Team's computer expert, had set up some new high tech equipment in the Round House. He was very proud of the fact that his boss, Brad Pratt could use video with the White House and his office next to the West Wing in the Executive Office Building. All of the new stuff was secure and tamper proof.

It was late spring on the southern Oregon coast. For the time being all was quiet on the world front. Brad was enjoying his time off with his new born baby and his son Brian. On this particular morning Brad was running on the beach with his son on a back pack. Rocky, one of two specially trained shepherds ran with him. Also with him were two other team members Agent Jones and his wife Wendy. Nowadays they lived next door in an earth home. Before all the team members lived in the specially designed Round House. As the team expanded they simply outgrew the house.

Even though the basement area held secret rooms and tunnels, it really wasn't a good living space. The exception was Mr. Park, a North Korean defector that became part of the team after the North Korean mission. He had a room next to the infirmary.

The reason for the fort like house was the Taliban had a big price on Brad's head. Brad had been falsely blamed for the killing of Ben Laden. He might have been innocent of that charge, but he and his team had done some serious damage to the Taliban over the years. They had survived one attack by terrorists in a submarine a year ago. Brad's team, along with the support of a large force of SEALs stopped the attack cold.

Brad had taken the President of the United States on a tour of his fort like house. Tunnels and special rooms stockpiled with weapons and food stuff to wage a prolonged battle if necessary. In addition, concrete bunkers fan out like spokes on a wheel for defense. It was understood, that Brad Pratt would do anything to protect his family and team. He was also retired military working directly for the supreme commander of the USA military forces.

Sujin his wife was standing on the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean not far from the back of the house. She held her new born daughter tightly from the ever present wind coming off the ocean. She was waiting for Brad and team to come back from running on the beach. It was nothing important as she just wanted some fresh air. Park was hard at work in the garden preparing for a summer time of fresh vegetable supplement to their mainly Asian diet.

Sujin heard a car horn and a woof from Sandy as Mike Henshaw and his significant one Julie drove in. Mike was Brad's best friend and number one team member. Both were retired SEALs. Mike had talked Brad into moving here on the southern coast near Bandon, Oregon. Brad never regretted the move. Mike lived down the road a ways near Port Orford on a farm in the foot hills.

Sujin hurried over to greet the visitors. Julie couldn't wait to hold the baby girl. Their two kids were long past the hold me stage. Julie said, "Sujin, you're so darn lucky. Now you have a boy and a girl. I'm sure, especially in Asia, you're envied. What about your parents?

My Mother is coming soon, but my father is just too lazy. Even though he has two kids, they're both girls and that makes him feel inferior. Korean men, only recently, found out the sex of the baby is determined by the male. I laugh every time I think about it. Come in let's have some fresh green tea my mom sent it over the other day.

Mike wandered over to the garden and was amazed how neat and orderly Park's gardens were. Last year a bounty harvest was had. Of course the cow fertilizer smell paid dividends; guys like Billy wondered if it was really worth it.

Brad came up the hill and around the house slightly out of breath. The helloes out of the way, Brad told Mike to hang on he needed a shower first. Mike went down to see what Billy was doing. He'd waved at Jones and Wendy and would see them later. Billy was fine tuning the new video system with Nancy appearing, in the DC office, tired of being the test subject. Mike waved a hello to Nancy. Nancy smiled and asked about the family. Then she turned serious as the red phone went off meaning the big boss wanted something.

She hung up and said, The president wants to talk to Brad soonest.

He's in the shower Nancy, Mike said. It won't be long though.

/\

Brad dressed casual as usual at home, forgot he was on video. The president got right to the point. Brad do you know anything much about diamonds?

"No sir,