Fatal Impact

By Diane Cobalt

Jennifer Baldwin has been checking off the items on her perfect-life list:
•marrying a man whom she adores- check
•climbing the corporate ladder at a Fortune 500 company- check
• starting a family-working on the check

Beau Baldwin is on track to be the top sales rep for the year with his company, Coro- Med. They have just introduced a new product that Beau knows will make him a lot of money...money he will need to buy a bigger house for the family he and Jennifer plan to start soon.

But Jennifer Baldwin’s check list is derailed when Beau is sent to Mexico by his company in order to retrieve a missing piece of medical equipment. Beau doesn’t return. And despite the fact that all evidence points to his untimely demise, Jennifer believes her husband is alive.
While devising a plan to find her husband, she meets U.S. Border Patrol agent, Manuel Garcia who soon discovers that someone has put out a contract on Beau’s life. Just when Jennifer is sure her life can’t get any worse, she stumbles onto the reason Agent Garcia so eagerly agreed to help her: Jennifer’s unknowing connection to a local terrorist cell and its potential fatal impact on her community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diane Cobalt
• Release date: Oct 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370682652

Diane Cobalt

I grew up in the Midwest and began writing fiction in second grade. But winters were cold, so I moved to Dallas to attend Southern Methodist University. While studying business at SMU, one of my short stories was published in "Criteria", a journal of exemplary Freshman writing. Years later, I returned to my Alma Mater to take several creative writing courses. Since then, I have raised two sons and worked as the Chief Financial Officer for a production company. Currently, during the summer months, I teach water aerobics in the Dallas area. My love for wine, water and writing led me to start my own website: winewaterandwords.com. There I post reviews of wines, wineries and wine bars along with reviews of islands throughout the world that I have been fortunate enough to visit. I still live in the Dallas area with my husband whom I met while at SMU!

Book preview

Prologue

Two men sat in an idling, silver Ford sedan. Despite the shade provided by the maple trees lining the quiet street, they kept the tinted windows rolled up. Their eyes were following the children frolicking on the elementary school playground across the street. The street itself ended just past the front of the red brick school and became a one-way drive that circled back behind the school and its playground and emptied onto another dead-end street.

Wow, you’d never guess there was a grade school tucked away back here, commented the passenger. It’s so quiet and protected.

The driver’s eyes shifted focus from the little girl who had just jumped off a swing to the school sign located on the building just to the right of the front door. It advertised the Annual Back-To-School Picnic the next day. Protected or isolated? he asked. A wooded area on two sides of the property, a twenty foot tall concrete wall lining the back and dead-end streets in front and on both sides is what I call isolated…and a potential target.

The passenger shook his head in disbelief. After driving through the surrounding neighborhood, I’m having a hard time believing our intelligence that there is a terrorist threat in this community. It looks just like a typical bedroom suburb…a variety of nice homes, country club, and the elementary school nestled at the end of a street. Are you sure we’re at the right place? Could it have been a different Richardson or maybe a different part of Texas? the passenger questioned.

The driver moved the gear stick from park to drive and slowly swung the sedan into the front circular driveway of the school and turned left onto the side street. At the first stop sign, he turned right and was now heading away from the school. He made another right and then a left onto a busier street on which loomed the community’s water tower. I keep forgetting how long you’ve been assigned to the border, the driver retorted. It was just a few years ago that several members of the Holy Land Foundation were indicted on money laundering charges. They were accused of funneling money to Hamas. The group was operating as a charitable foundation and was closely linked to a legitimate high-tech business in East Richardson, less than five miles from here. The driver turned onto another side street then made a left into the empty parking lot of a two-story commercial building.

It was a typical August day in Richardson Texas, the least populated of Dallas’ adjacent suburbs. The air was heavy with moisture and the trees lining the south end of the parking lot were as still as statues. At 9:00 a.m., the temperature was already a stifling eighty-nine degrees.

The two men simultaneously got out of the vehicle and simply stood staring at the concrete block structure. Let’s walk the outside first, suggested the driver. The passenger merely nodded in agreement as he stuck his finger in the collar of his starched button-down shirt, pulling on it to give his neck some breathing room.

Both men walked along the side of the building that faced the frontage road. When they reached the northernmost point of the structure, a concrete wall that ran the entire length of the north side of the building blocked their progress. This wall affords us good privacy, commented the driver.

Again, the passenger nodded as he turned to make his way back to the southern part of the building. He noted that the second floor had a few long, narrow windows evenly spaced along the wall that was about five hundred feet in length. The first floor had no windows or doors facing the access road. It looked like a typical low-rise office building, nothing out of the ordinary except perhaps for the white, almost undetectable, security cameras on top of the building’s corners. So far, from what the passenger could see, it fit what they were looking for.

The entrance to the building was on the south side and faced another parking lot that exited onto a side street. On the opposite side of the street was a large vacant lot. The next office building was at least two blocks away. Just past the entrance was another parking area, but this one was barricaded by a fifteen foot chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. A small guard hut sat just inside the fence. What was this property used for? asked the passenger.

A defense contractor housed part of their small weapons division here, answered the driver.

Ah, that explains the security fence and guard shack. I’m surprised that unit would have been located so close to a subdivision, he remarked, when they have that huge, highly secured property in a nearby commercial area.

Notice there’s no signage here. Millions of cars pass by daily. How many drivers do you think even give a thought as to what’s in this building?

The passenger headed back to the front door. Good point. Guess that’s why we’re taking a look at it. Those gray tanks look like a water supply to me.

According to the plans forwarded to us, they are. The building also has its own generator.

So it’s all self-contained, the passenger concluded. Excellent. It looks like the real estate guy is ready to show us around the inside, he said nodding to a figure standing at the front of the building.

A man wearing a khaki suit with a white shirt and navy tie stood at the front door. He slipped his cell phone into his pocket. Gentlemen, Dave Scott, he said shaking hands with the driver, then with the passenger. If you don’t mind, I’ll let you in the building and I’ll come back to lock up later. I just got a call from my wife and she’s had a flat tire just down the street.

No, we don’t mind at all. We have your card if we have any questions about the building, answered the driver.

Great. I appreciate your understanding, the real estate agent smiled as he unlocked the door and held it open. I should be back in about half an hour or so.

The two men entered the stark reception area. Doesn’t look like any government secrets were developed in here, does it? the passenger commented.

Nope. They were good at camouflaging their defense work. That’s why I wanted to look at this property first. The driver continued walking through the first floor of the building. So what do you think?

The passenger had opened a door marked Storage to reveal what must have been used as a hidden conference room. He nodded in approval. The facility provides us with a good starting point for a state-of-the-art compound. He closed the Storage door and walked back towards the front lobby. And you can’t beat the location. Does the Holy Land Foundation have any connection to this terrorist cell?

Not that we’ve been able to prove. This operation is similar only in that it is not much bigger. However, its desired result could have a fatal impact not only on this suburb, but also on the entire Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. And if they are successful here, it is just a matter of time before they launch their assault on other U.S. cities.

So we either stop them now or not at all? the passenger confirmed.

The driver turned and looked at the border patrol agent. That would be correct. This is a Level One threat.

Then we better get set-up here as soon as possible. It looks like we could take occupancy immediately.

The driver pulled the real estate agent’s card out of his pocket and punched in the number on his cell phone. We’re ready to sign the lease documents.

Chapter One

Jennifer Baldwin sat in her cubicle at a small round table going over the latest budget scenario with one of her favorite data center managers when her boss appeared in the doorway. Hey, when you get a few, I need to talk to you, he said to her.

Oh, I think we’re done here, the data manager said. If you would just make the changes we discussed, Jennifer, I think we’re good to go.

Will do Tim. Let me know if you think of anything else, Jennifer replied as she gathered up her notes and calculator and headed into the hall where her manager was waiting. What’s up, George?

The two made their way down the hall. They’re making a few changes today that I wanted you to hear about from me first, he said quietly out of the side of his mouth.

Jennifer looked at George, alarm spreading across her face. She had worked for George for about a year and had really grown fond of the Canadian born man. He was honest, but gentle and Jennifer loved the Canadian in him which often surfaced when he mixed up American metaphors or simply said,Ay.

George touched her arm and spoke softly. No worries. It’s all good, especially for you. Nickels to doughnuts, it’s good for everyone in our group.

Jennifer couldn’t help herself from laughing. George, it’s dollars to doughnuts, not nickels to doughnuts.

Dollars, nickels, it’s all about cents, ay?

Jennifer shook her head and smiled revealing her dimples as they passed her cubicle and reached the doorway to George’s office. You need to go over to the Command Center to Roger’s office. Michael Henley wants to talk to you, George remarked after they stepped inside his office.

Who’s Michael Henley?

Just go. You’ll find out.

What’s going on, George? I don’t want to be unprepared.

I’m not at liberty to say, Jennifer. We’ll discuss this when you get back. George smiled warmly.

Jennifer felt a knot growing inside her. Change was not something she embraced. In fact, it always stirred up her digestive tract. Roger, not Michael Henley, was George’s manager. Why was she going to Roger’s office to meet with someone else? This Michael Henley couldn’t be anyone too important in their organization or she would have seen his name on an organizational chart.

Jennifer checked her watch as she walked outside to go to the Command Center which was its own separate compound next to the building she worked in. This was where the brains of the company resided.

It was hot out and the heat seemed even more stifling after coming from an air-conditioned building. Jennifer brushed her dark wavy bangs from her forehead as she felt sweat race down the back of her neck. She wished the company would waive the strict dress code which required wearing a jacket even in the summer time. The Command Center was only another 100 feet or so farther and Jennifer wanted to get there quickly before all her makeup melted.

When she reached the outer entry to the Command Center, she swiped her card across the security plate outside the double doors. Few employees had clearance to access this building. Jennifer‘s group had access because they supported managers who worked there.

Jennifer looked at her watch. It was almost noon. Her husband, Beau, was probably still in meetings and since this Michael Henley was waiting for her she didn’t take the time to call him. Although, talking to Beau would definitely calm her nerves.

Jennifer smiled at the receptionist as she walked past her. She wiped her right hand on the skirt of her navy blue suit and climbed the main stairway to the second floor. Turning right at the top of the stairs, Jennifer paused briefly to gaze at the international flags which flanked either side of the two-story atrium. No wonder they brought potential customers to this building. It was quite impressive.

Jennifer turned left down the second hallway and approached Roger’s secretary’s desk, remembering her initial interview with Roger. It had been just over a year ago and she had been desperate to get out of the corporate budget group. Jennifer had been nervous, never having met Roger or knowing anything about him. His only question of Jennifer in the interview was whether she knew of any good restaurants in Dallas. Roger and his family had just moved to town from Chicago. They spent almost an hour talking about places to eat and things to do in Dallas. He had ended the interview by asking when she could start with his group.

Jennifer rounded the corner and reached Roger’s secretary’s desk. No one was there. Maybe they had gone to lunch.

Jennifer Baldwin? a man’s voice called from behind her.

Jennifer turned to face a man with dark hair, dark eyes and who was just her height. Michael Henley? she asked as she stuck out her right hand.

That’s correct, he answered shaking her hand firmly. Why don’t you come into my office so we can chat?

His office? He was motioning to Roger’s office. Where’s Roger? Was that why Roger’s secretary’s desk was empty because they were both gone? Jennifer felt the knot in her stomach grow. She followed Michael Henley into Roger’s office and sat down in the chair closest to the door.

You’re probably wondering why I’m in Roger’s office, Michael began as he sat down behind the massive cherry wood desk.

Jennifer nodded. Well that thought had crossed my mind. She put her note pad in her lap and folded her hands on top of it.

Michael smiled. Roger has been reassigned to the Insurance Group. He’s taking George with him.

Why isn’t he taking me? If they were taking me, I wouldn’t be sitting here, would I? I thought George liked working with me as much as I did with him! Oh, this can’t be good. I don’t know this guy and he surely doesn’t know me. Now I will have to prove myself all over again.

Roger highly recommends you to take George’s place and after reviewing your performance appraisals, I couldn’t agree more, Michael continued interrupting Jennifer’s thoughts.

Wait…did I hear that right? Am I being promoted to a manager? You want me to take George’s place as a manager?

Michael nodded. I really hope you’ll consider accepting the position. As you know, we don’t give salary increases immediately upon promotion, but I noticed your next salary review is next month and I can pretty much promise you an increase commiserate with your new responsibilities.

The knot in Jennifer’s stomach dissolved. I would be happy to accept this new position, Mr. Henley.

Michael extended his hand across the desk and shook Jennifer’s. Great! And please, call me Michael. I am so glad you’ll stay.

Stay?

Well, I know Roger and George’s employees are pretty loyal to them and I really need someone who knows what’s going on in this division. I just moved here from Atlanta where I was working on the Coca Cola account so my head’s spinning.

An attractive, dishwater blonde appeared in the doorway. Did you need that paperwork, Michael?

Yes, I will, Julie. Mrs. Baldwin has decided to accept the offer. Jennifer, I’d like you to meet my admin, Julie.

Jennifer stood and shook Julie’s hand. Nice to meet you.

Julie smiled. Just a word of advice, don’t take this guy too seriously. He tends to get a little full of himself.

Ah, but that’s why I have you, Julie, to keep me in line. Michael laughed.

Julie kept a straight face. Lucky you. If you need anything, Jennifer, don’t hesitate to call me. I keep pretty close tabs on him.

Thanks, Julie. I look forward to working with you. Maybe working with these two won’t be so bad.

Julie and I have worked together a long time. She moved here from Atlanta too. Michael looked at his watch. I’d love to take you to lunch today, Jennifer, but I already have a command performance with my boss. Would you be able to go to lunch tomorrow?

Jennifer stood. That sounds great. And thank you for the promotion Michael. I look forward to working with you.

A half hour later, Jennifer was having lunch at Chili’s with Mary Ann Webber, her good friend and co-worker. Thanks for waiting to go to lunch, Jennifer said after the waitress took their orders. Did George talk to you this morning? Jennifer had no clue who knew what or who was staying and who was going.

Yes he did. And I understand congratulations are in order Miss New Manager! Mary Ann beamed. I can’t think of anyone who deserved this promotion more than you!

Thanks, Mary Ann. But I feel like it should have been you. Jennifer and Mary Ann had started working in the corporate financial reporting group about the same time almost five years ago. Mary Ann left that group after a year to work in this group. Jennifer spent a year working in the corporate budget group before ending up back working with Mary Ann. The two had been promoted to supervisors in the group and their cubicles were next to each other.

Well, maybe if I hadn’t just had the sweetest little boy on the planet and opted to work part time, it could have. But I’m happy with my decision, Jennifer. Mary Ann smiled but her eyes filled with tears.

What’s the matter? You look like you are about to cry.

Tears spilled onto Mary Ann’s cheeks just as Jennifer asked her what was wrong. I’m going with George and Roger.

The damned knot was back and Jennifer no longer felt hungry. No, not you!

I’ll miss working with you, Jennifer. But I would have had to work full time to stay in this division and Roger and George have been so good to me. I really wanted to stay with them. She wiped the tears off her cheek. I wanted to let George tell you, but I couldn’t go through lunch and pretend I would be working for you. Besides, it’s not the end of the world. We can still have lunch together.

Jennifer nodded fighting back the tears. Isn’t the Insurance group in building one?

Yep. We’re moving this afternoon.

So soon. "Do you know why Roger is moving?"

Well, it’s my understanding that when Michael became available, Mr. Moore wanted him as his controller. I think he and Roger weren’t a great fit and Mr. Moore had worked with Michael for years in Atlanta.

So Roger got booted out? Does he have a comparable position? For a moment, Jennifer decided maybe she didn’t like Michael Henley so much.

They waited to move Michael down here until they had found another job for Roger in the company. He’s highly regarded so don’t worry. He’s at the same level he was at and George will be too.

The food arrived at the table. Jennifer just stared at it.

What’s the matter? You should be happy, Jennifer.

Oh, I am, Jennifer replied as she stabbed a piece of her salad. It’s just that I feel…left behind, I guess. I loved working with you and George and Roger. If it weren’t for Roger, I’d still be at corporate working 80 hours a week.

Well, the good thing about working for this company is that you never know where you may end up. We may all be working together again sometime. And in the meantime, I know you will be a shining star in Michael’s group.

Feeling better about things, on the way back to the office, Jennifer thought about calling Beau to tell him the good news. She looked at the clock in her car. It was 1:30 p.m. Beau would be back from San Antonio by the time she got off work. Jennifer decided it would be more fun to tell him in person before they went to the party at the Murphy’s tonight.

Chapter Two

Beau Baldwin checked his watch and saw that it was 9:45 a.m., two minutes later than the last time he had looked. He gazed out the conference room window and watched one of the tour boats glide down the river that cut through downtown San Antonio, as the motivational speaker droned on. This presentation seemed to go on forever. Usually the motivational speakers were the best part of these meetings. Either this guy was off his game today or the company must be watching their budget closely, Beau thought. He ran his hand through his thick black hair and refocused his hazel eyes on the speaker who was standing at head of the oval conference table.

…and we’ll meet back here in say 15 minutes, the speaker concluded.

Finally, the break he had been waiting for. Beau stood, stretched his 6 foot one inch frame and headed to the men’s room. Howard Sanders, the person who had originally hired Beau into Coro-Med had already beaten him there. Well, what did ya think of that? Howard asked with his East Texas drawl.

Not one of the better ones I’ve heard, Howard. What was your take?

Howard looked around to make sure no one else was within earshot. Prescott must have been desperate to hire that guy as a motivational speaker. It was all I could do not to take a little morning nap. Personally, I don’t understand why we have a regional meeting so close to the annual meeting. It’s just another two days out of our territories and now we’ll just get all of this again in Florida next month. Sometimes I think the only reason Prescott is regional manager is because he’s got the goods on someone up the chain.

The door to the men’s room opened and another sales rep from their region walked in and headed into a stall. Beau finished washing his hands while Howard waited for him at the door. I hear ya, Howard. It would be interesting to know who that someone is.

Howard opened the men’s room door and the two exited into the foyer. I don’t know, Beau. Maybe I’m just getting too old for this, Howard remarked quietly. Beau smiled in agreement. Howard had been with the company for almost 20 years. Neil had been promoted to regional manager just after Beau joined Coro-Med. Howard had been passed over for the position and had considered leaving the company, but had decided to wait out the five years until his retirement.

Maybe Sam Hillwood will have some new, exciting product feature to share with us in the next session, Beau commented with false enthusiasm.

Howard sighed. Yeah, and maybe we will have lunch on time and make an earlier flight back home.

This was Beau’s third year with Coro-Med, one of the leading manufacturers of hi-tech cardiology equipment used by doctors and hospitals, which meant this was the third regional meeting he had attended. The regional meetings were designed to provide training and motivation to the sales force. Beau felt he would be more motivated if they could shorten these meetings.

As everyone settled into his chair around the conference room table, Neil introduced Sam Hillwood who was in charge of product development for Coro-Med. Beau genuinely liked Sam who was a top-notch engineer for the company. However, he was not an exciting speaker.

Good Morning, everyone, Sam said as he stood stiffly by the CM1000 monitor. Beau was sure he could present this product in his sleep and if he didn’t get some caffeine, he would be asleep in a matter of minutes. Just give us the low down on this. All I need is the features so I can develop my 30-second elevator pitch.

As we know, a nuclear stress test allows a physician to diagnose coronary artery disease. The images produced by such a study can show the physician if the patient’s heart is enlarged and can give the heart’s ejection fraction. It can also indicate if a treatment plan is working or not. And when coupled with the radio-active isotope, can show clear pictures of heart tissue damage sustained during cardiac arrest. The CM1000 in its current form has provided doctors with a reasonable tool for such diagnoses and treatment plans. It trumped the former nuclear stress tests which involved hooking up the patient to electrodes, having the patient use the treadmill until appropriately stressed, then move the patient onto the imaging table and begin to take pictures of the heart. Our circular format tube allowed the patient to remain exercising while the pictures were being taken. This gave the cardiologist a look at how the heart was functioning at all stages.

Beau stifled a yawn as he scanned the room for the new product. It had to be visible somewhere. Maybe they were going to roll it in on some type of new cart used to hold a new type of monitor.

Sam’s serious expression broke into a smile. Let me show you the way of the future.

Sam paused to straighten his wire-rimmed glasses then ripped open his shirt. Let me present to you the HV 2500!

Beau blinked. He blinked again. What the hell? Sam was wearing some kind of weird vest. It had a hole for his head then only covered the left side of Sam’s body including his left arm.

A buzz filled the room as the sales reps began to talk amongst themselves. Sam walked down the center of the room as he removed his shirt revealing more of his curly red hair.

Ladies and Gentlemen…I know this looks strange, but let me explain how the HV 2500 works. The mesh vest contains over 100 miniature specialty sensors and cameras that work in concert to produce a three dimensional view of the heart. When the radioactive isotope is given, a colored image is produced in 3D. In order to give a complete cardiac analysis of the patient, the vest also contains electrodes which the tech must activate from her computer. The whole system is wireless. Because of the 3D nature of the final image, the system comes with a special laptop that can transmit 3D images. Howard, please open the laptop sitting on the table to your left.

Howard Sanders pushed open the top of the laptop. A beating heart in color spun around in 3D. Immediately the sales force got up and moved to Howard’s side of the room in order to see the image. Wows filled the room. This is your heart, Sam?

"That would be correct, Howard. I was injected with the isotope on your break so that you could see this in color. You will notice by the green color that there is no damage to my heart. Press the F1 key and my patient statistics will come up. Press the F2 key and it will give you my vitals. The F3 key gives the analysis of the size of my heart and the F4 key gives the