Tracking the Ghost: The Final Installment in the Soul Seekers Trilogy

By Amy K. Bond

It's possible to slay your demons, but first you must hunt them down

Capt. Elliott Townsend is kidnapped. His wife Nevada, struggles to cope as grief reopens wounds in her heart, sinking her beneath the level of despair.

Joost Facade, Elliott's partner in past smuggling operations (The Soul Seekers), where Elliott received his legendary title of "Ghost", vows to find him. Together, they're Tracking the Ghost into Central Africa.

Prison Chaplain, Will McCormick and fiance Brin Alexander (Acts of Mercy), are close behind but trouble beseeches them. Soon, they are running for their lives through Africa's merciless outback.

At home, Governor Ben and First Lady Bethany McCormick (Acts of Mercy), mysteriously disappear. Clues point to murder but somewhere hidden among the Okanogan Mountain range, the Governor and his wife are in hiding, preparing an attack.

In her signature design of interrelated, multiple plots, Amy K. Bond has created another action packed adventure, for the fiction reader. Returning the same loveable characters first introduced in The Soul Seekers and Acts Of Mercy plus a host of new personalities to complete the saga, you'll be reaching for Tracking the Ghost at every opportunity to find out what happens next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 26, 2005
• ISBN: 9780595807895

Amy K. Bond

Amy K. Bond lives in Baker City, Oregon, with her husband and two young sons. She is also the author of The Soul Seekers.

Book preview

Copyright © 2005 by Amy K. Bond

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN-13: 978-0-595-36352-0 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-80789-5

(ebk) ISBN-10: 0-595-36352-0

(pbk) ISBN-10: 0-595-80789-5 (ebk)

Contents

Preface

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

About the Author

To My family and friends who have believed in me and supported me on this project throughout the past six years.

My response is to get down on my knees before the father, this magnificent father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly in love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:17-20 The Message Bible

Dear George, Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings! Love, Clarence

Notation taken from Clarence the angel, written to George Bailey in the movie, It’s A wonderful Life.

A note of great appreciation:

My heavenly father: Thank you for helping me see this project through to the end, you are the source that moves me. Jillice Beko: Thanks for all of your diligent work on the keyboard. I couldn’t get very far without your help. You have been a great and patient partner. Barbra S. Ramirez ([e-mail])Thank you for you efficient line editing. Megan Kemp: Thank you for saying the magic words when I needed to hear them: Make it (the book) your priority. I did, and thus, this work is finally finished. Lorena Hawkins and www.retreat-planning.com: For editing and her experienced leadership on finalizing and production preparation. Cliff and Carl Bond: My father and grand father-in-law, thank you both for your inspiration in regard to Stearman Bi-planes, their operation, and the inspiration that your personal experience with stunt piloting added to the story. Aunt Julie fox: An RN in Eugene, Or. Thank you for your loving support, encouragement and information about first-aid out in the wilderness. Aunt Shari and Uncle Mike Workman: Their belief in my dream, and hosting my family as we investigated Seattle’s wharf, King 5 news, and other Seattle forms of media for insight to the story Reed and Reagan Bond: For as long as you two have been alive, Mommy has had scads of paper and books scattered about our home, thanks for your patience and loving encouragement. Thank you for being proud of me. Now that my adventure is done, let’s talk about some stories that feature you guys and BMX bikes. Clayton Bond: My beloved husband: Thanks for supporting the dream. I love you. Here’s to the story of us! Megan Paul and Lori Gillan: Thank you for watching over my kids so I could find time to write. Thank you for listening without judging to my crazy ideas.

Stephanie Hale, Carolyn Sneider, Valerie and Rikki Arms, Becki Blair, Micah Mc Elveen, Jamie Beam, Diana English and Anne Morris: thank you, dear friends, for always being there to lift me up when the whole world crashes around me. Christian Young: Thank you for the use of your collection of African folk tales and story books. They gave great insight to the Hyena and Lyon legend that Professor Elom speaks of. My faithful readers: Jillice Beko, Christy Young, Lorena Hawkins and Chad Lusk (Daddy), thank you for your hard work. Leila Bruner: Thank you, Leila, for your encouragement and for constantly keeping the fire lit beneath me. Your vision of how the trilogy could impact others for God’s glory was a precious gift of light for me this year. I appreciate your positive energy and all of the Soul Seekers books that you have sent all over the world. Pat Lux: Another who believes in The Soul Seekers and its purpose. Thank you for the story of your life as a missionary. I read all of your adventures and applied them within the pages of this novel. I hope that you enjoy the story!

Special thanks continued: Steven and Tammy Bailey, and their children, Chris, Becky and Reagan: Thank you for always being so kind to my family. Thank you for your vote of confidence in my abilities to complete this novel. All my friends at Walla Walla BMX and their kids: You may not know it but you all have been inspiration too. Grandma Carolyn Workman and the memory of Grandpa William Billy Workman: I was old enough to remember the charming, renegade spirit of Grandpa Bill but my thanks is to you for illustrating who Grandpa Bill was to you. Thank you for all the stories you gave me in regard to your personal experience in Africa; especially the experience you endured with the elephants. Thank you for having faith in my work. Mom and Dad: Thanks for always having a plot suggestion when I’m in need. The years that we grew as a family provided the foundation I needed to build this trilogy. Thank you for giving me such a fantastic life. To the following bookstores for their support: Parable Christian Bookstore, Tri-cities, Wa. The Sycamore Tree, Baker City, Or. Book and Game Co., Walla Walla, Wa. Christian Supply, Walla Walla Wa. and Pendleton, Or.

Sunflower Books Etc., La Grande, Or. The Book Mine, Cottage Grove, Or. Porterville Christian Supply, Porterville, Ca. Quaker Meadows Christian Camp, Ponderosa, Ca. And the many others who have helped send the message of The Soul Seekers to a world who is seeking. The Soul Seekers Trilogy is not an attempt to rewrite the teachings of The Holy Bible or be used as a biblical teaching tool. The story is fiction, a product of the author’s personal experience, imagination and inspiration.

Summary of characters and their most recent activity:

Captain Elliott Townsend

Self-doubt has again gripped Elliott. With his career failing and the recent news of his wife’s pregnancy, Elliott’s anxiety is near its breaking point. The Phantom stalker of the past year has been quiet in recent months, but the inability to contact Jacques-one at the Justice alliance has left Elliott feeling vulnerable and alone.

Dr. Nevada Rain-Townsend, MD

Having recently discovered her pregnancy, Nevada struggles to adjust to working the demanding position of the Emergency Room under great fatigue and newly remembered anxieties regarding motherhood.

Brin LeAnne Alexander

Suddenly, everything is clear to Brin. She loves Will McCormick despite her nagging conscience. She concedes, willfully, to his marriage proposal as visions of romance replace her goals of school and independence.

Reverend William (Will) McCormick

Desperately in love with Brin, Will dazzles her with a glorious pink diamond engagement ring . Still riding the wave of his recent success of survival within the Washington State penitentiary, Will turns his attention to his soon-to-be bride and looks for another adventure on which to embark.

Governor Benjamin McCormick

Recently re-elected Governor Benjamin McCormick, older brother of Rev. Will McCormick, tackles a new challenge when he suspects his wife to be having an affair.

Bethany McCormick

First Lady of the State of Washington maintains her inaugural aire at the Governor’s Christmas Ball, only to suspiciously disappear frequently from the party. She is unaware of her husband’s suspicions.

Jack and LeAnne Alexander

Working to recover from Jackson’s extramarital affair, Jack and LeAnne have settled back into their suburban home searching for strength in their marriage and a deeper meaning to their lives.

The unidentified cloaked Phantom

Months have passed since the Phantom has been sighted.

Jacquis one (Joost Facade)

Joost Facade a.k.a. Jacques-one, is present at the Governor’s Christmas Ball. Playing the part of Chef leBlanc, Joost keeps close watch over his friend Elliot Townsend, his wife and family. Also posing as both the Barron von Himmelberg and Chef LeBlanc, Jacques one spies on Bethany McCormick on behalf of her husband, Benjamin.

Jacquis-Two (Nigel thatcher)

Charmingly elusive to the last, Nigel has his eye on Joost. Suspicious that his

J.A.C.Q.U.I.S partner may have a secret identity and is plotting treason, Nigel sets out on his own quest for power, thus becoming an enemy.

Preface 

Excerpt taken from Chapter 33 of Acts of Mercy; the second installment in the Soul Seekers Trilogy" Chapter Thirty-Two

Elliott, darling! Nevada coaxed seductively in the bedroom doorway. She slid her arm up the door’s casing and posed for her husband in her newly purchased black, sequined ball gown. What do you think?

Elliott immediately forgot about the battle he was losing with his bow tie and whistled, Ooo la, la! He exclaimed. You’re going to be the most beautiful girl at the ball. Elliott then approached his wife and kissed her softly on her sweet neck. That is to say, he added with a sudden, protective tone, the most beautiful, married and pregnant girl at the ball.

That’s right, Nevada agreed and pulled up her long curled hair so that Elliott could clasp her necklace for her, "but, tonight isn’t about me, you know," she said joyfully.

It’s not? Elliott replied acting confused and naive.

Oh Elliott, I’m so excited! She said and turned around to kiss him quickly on the lips, I can’t wait to see the look on her face! How do you think he’s going to do it?

I have no idea, Elliott replied with a smirk and slid his hands around her waist to the small of her back, pulling her close. Nevada responded by wrapping her own arms around his neck and embracing him tightly.

We are so blessed! She exclaimed happily. Shelby is our star pupil in the program, our baby is growing like a precious little weed, that crazy stalker hasn’t been seen in months, and we’ll get to be with Brin on one of the most thrilling days of her life! See, I told you that everything would work out; Things just couldn’t get any better.

Elliott sighed deeply, not sharing in her blissful state of mind. Don’t say that, he warned and offered his bow tie for her to fix around his neck for him, It’s like daring trouble to break your stride.

Oh you! Nevada scolded. When did you take my place in this family as the pessimist?

Elliott slid his index finger in between his neck and the tightened collar. About the same time your brain was flooded with ‘happy hormones’ and you turned into the optimist, he replied with a chuckle.

Very funny Mr. Comedian, she said lightly and twisted his nose for good measure.

Nevada then turned away from Elliott and admired herself in their full-length mirror. Elliott readjusted his nose and looked at her fawning with contempt.

Why black? he asked bluntly.

Nevada stopped in her attempt to apprehend her self-consciousness and gave Elliott a curious look. Why not? she asked defensively, everybody wears black to formal events.

And funerals, Elliott added, immediately wishing he hadn’t.

Elliott’s comment had made Nevada feel, ‘less special,’ but she tried to overlook it thinking that perhaps his orneriness was coming from her comment regarding the stalker.

It makes me look slimmer, she explained uncomfortably.

Elliott sighed again and thought hard on how he might soften the damage he’d started with his last regrettable statement. You don’t even show yet, honey, he said with an innocent lift of one corner of his mouth to squint his eye.

Nevada wasn’t fooled, however, and folding her arms across her sparkling chest she let Elliott know, Nice save there on the comments, she said shifting her weight to one hip.

Thanks, Elliott replied and looked at his wife sheepishly.

Warm up the car? she asked.

Uh-huh, he agreed and immediately exited the bedroom and toward the garage.

Good, Nevada called after him, we don’t want to be late in picking up the Alexanders at their hotel.

Brin reviewed her reflection one last time before she opened the door of her assigned quarters in the VIP area of the Governor’s mansion and exited out into the richly carpeted hallway. From the tips of her dainty fingers to the soft bend in her elbow, she had gloved herself in a color of velvet that mimicked red wine. Her gown alone defined the elegance that the following hours would reflect. The sparkle it created around her waist and trailing behind her in a cascade of semi precious gems atop a draping of white taffeta shamed even the most priceless of royal attire. She gracefully laid one hand upon the polished brass handrail and raised the hem of her gown with the other; just enough to reveal the tips of her jeweled slippers and began her descent down the marble staircase.

Brin lifted her chin to admire the brilliant crystal chandelier that hung above her and couldn’t help but smile at herself for likening the way she felt with the beauty of the sparkling fixture. The amethyst and ruby necklace and earrings that she wore had been Will’s mothers and a special gift he had given her earlier that morning. Brin had asked the Governor’s wife’s personal beautician to style her hair in a soft upsweep so that the jewels could be seen about her delicate neck.

When Will appeared at the base of the stairway, Brin couldn’t conceal her excitement. He held up his hand for her to lay her fingertips into and, in doing so, she began to giggle.

My, you’re looking radiant this evening, darling, Will said theatrically as Brin curtsied.

Thank you, she replied and allowed Will to tuck her arm beneath his. He escorted her to the ballroom where guests were arriving, dressed in the finest of fabrics for the Governor’s Christmas Ball.

Music from the live orchestra, along with the sweet fragrances of expensive perfumes, hors d’ oeuvres, and beverages drifted through the enormous, Victorian, double door. Brin felt that at this moment, nearly every dream that she had ever conceived had come true.

Governor Ben Mc McCormick and his wife Bethany, beneath the copper archway that housed the magnificent doors greeted, Will and Brin.

I hope you found your room satisfactory, Bethany stated cordially to Brin and grasped her hands warmly within her own heavily jeweled, but gloveless, fingers. Before Brin could answer, Bethany gasped and commented further, You look simply stunning in Marilyn’s gems!

Thank you, Brin replied feeling beautiful, and everything about my room is lovely. Truly, I’ve never been treated so well.

As the women continued to compliment each other, Ben grasped Wills jacket by the sleeve and pulled him up closely so he could whisper in his ear. Everything’s ready, he said slyly. Let me know if you need any help.

Thanks, Will said and reached up to tweak his older brothers nose, I think I can handle it.

Brin’s eyes traveled from the polished marble dance floor to the magnificent dome skylight made entirely of stained glass. Within the pattern of the dome, a bald eagle battled an angry viper on a rocky bluff that protruded out of a thickly forested mountainside.

Will directed Brin to a long banquet style table that stretched lengthwise along the outside edge of the dance floor.

Thank you, Brin said sweetly as Will pulled a chair out for her. As Will took a seat to her right, Brin flirtatiously placed her powdered chin on the back of her gloved hand, turned to him and asked, So, what did you and Dad talk about this morning?

Oh, just golf, Will replied nervously and took a moment to fidget with his bow tie. You know, guys just talk about golf when they’re golfing.

I see, Brin said suspiciously and placed a butter mint into her mouth, taking care to wrap her highly glossed lips around it in an alluring smile. Will whimpered as he suffered in response to her seductive gesture, making it impossible for her to keep up the act. They laughed in spite of themselves equally.

It was true that Brin had her suspicions. Will had never acted so nervous and insecure as he had over the past week. Nevertheless, even if her hopes were too high and he wasn’t going to propose to her as a Christmas surprise, she didn’t mind. There was absolutely nothing that could spoil this evening; everything was perfect.

There they are! LeAnne exclaimed and slipped her arm through Nevada’s to pull her excitedly toward their daughter and Will. Stopping at the edge of the table, both women instinctively placed their free hands across their chests and gasped at the sight of Brin and her beau.

Elliott and Jackson made their way to the table as well, finding Will more than relieved to be pulled away from the women. Governor McCormick shortly, thereafter, addressed his guests with a welcome and a blessing over the food. A fantastic meal consisting of five courses and each course outshining the last one served. The Baron Von Himmelberg from Cologne, Germany departed from his table to return to the kitchen as Chef LeBlanc stepped out to wave and receive his applause for the fine meal. Chef LeBlanc returned to the kitchen only once more to place an intricately decorated white chocolate on a tiny demitasse saucer and carry it as requested to the lovely lady in the Red and white taffeta gown beside the Governor’s brother.

Oh, no thank you, Brin said holding up her hand, but I couldn’t eat another bite tonight.

Mercy, Mademoiselle, the Chef pleaded, this is not just an ordinary chocolate.

Jackson, LeAnne, Nevada, Elliott and Will held their breath as Brin politely accepted the sweet from the chef and then slowly lifted it to her lips, sinking her pearled teeth in only an eighth of an inch before she found it to be hollow.

Oh! Brin exclaimed in surprise. She lifted her fingers to remove pieces of crumbled white chocolate off her lips but a fantastic burst of prism-like light flashed in her eyes from within the hollow of the chocolate, making her pause. Brin gasped as she lifted a brilliant princess cut pink diamond, set in platinum, out of the confection. The Townsends and the Alexanders both began to cry as Will took the brilliant piece of gemmed artwork and slipped it onto Brin’s left ring finger.

Dropping to his knees and trembling as he held her hands, Will pleaded, Brin, I need you, I love you and I want you to be my wife; Please say you will.

Brin blinked, causing the tears that had filled her eyes, to drop to her cheeks. Even though she had expected his proposal, she could hardly believe it was all really happening. She leaned forward, cradled Will’s face in her hands and kissed him to give him comfort.

Yes, Will, she said simply, smiling down into his face.

Applause erupted around their table and the several tables about them who had been watching. Ben stood and, thus encouraged a standing ovation, while his wife Bethany excused herself to the ladies room.

Shall we dance my lady? Will asked, and grinned handsomely at his fiancé.

That would be lovely darling, thank you, Brin replied, mimicking her future sister-in-law’s airs and fully embracing the roll she was now entering into. Elliott kissed the back of Nevada’s wine colored velvet glove and led her out to dance with the Alexanders not far behind.

Elliott reached beneath the table and over to his wife’s hand to pull her onto the dance floor as well. I’m sorry about what I said earlier, Elliott apologized sincerely into Nevada’s ear, about your dress. You’re right, there are a lot of black dresses here tonight.

Nevada tucked her forehead in the curve of Elliott’s neck. It’s alright, honey, she said as she squeezed his hand, I know you didn’t mean it in the way I took it. I’m just really emotional and sensitive right now.

Elliott said nothing, but cradled his beloved soul mate as they spun and stepped lightly as one to the music.

And it was very nice of you to say that I don’t show yet, Nevada added with a giggle that Elliott found endearing.

You will always be the most beautiful woman I have ever known, Elliott replied and kissed her forehead, breathing deep the fragrance of her hair, I could never love anyone more.

The beauty of the music that led their dancing spoke volumes to the hearts of lovers, both seasoned and new. The Alexanders, Townsends and the McCormicks to-be each felt the romance of the dance differently, but all were completely in love.

CHAPTER 1 

Chief Takoota pulled the corners of his tattered and deeply soiled ankle length coat over his bent knees and trembled. Frost clung to the vapor that was his breath. Excruciating pain in his sinuses forced him to clamp his eyes shut and endure. The summer months had been kind, allowing him time to adjust to climate and temperature changes. However, the deep chilling pain hardened his fingers and toes. He likened the sensation to torturous digit dismembering. Alone in his mission, he never could have survived. Naive in the ways of the developed world he wouldn’t have had a chance against suspicious eyes. Detention would have been inevitable. Never had he felt the loneliness of being an alien. He was master over only a few simple English words making the simplest of needs nearly impossible to communicate. He longed for the warmth and richness of his Congo home. As far as he could see, not even a single blade of grass grew in this land of rock. Not understanding the modern miracle of glass, he’d thrown himself through a window while trying to escape The Ghost, thinking it was merely water. Takoota moved his fingers from the cover of his cloak and ran them along the one fourth inch raised scar marking his right jawbone. The solid water also cuts you through, he thought, curling his fingers under his chin. Not much will be left of me to give to my suffering people, I believe.

It was true. The tracking of this Ghost deliverer over the past months had damaged him. In heart, body and spirit he pained. If this retrieval is a failure, he thought, I will not return home. I will leave my body bloodless and feed the crows here.

Emotion swelled in him to realize that he may never again smell the damp, clean forest surrounding his home. The last sounds to fill his ears would not be the animals of the jungle talking and singing, but intrusive squelching of the wheeled wagons that chased after him; shouting insults at his back. Fresh mist that once tickled his nostrils, would not be the fragrance he’d last relish, rather the stink of the city boats hanging in thickly dense clouds that through these winter months kept the city in constant darkness. Misery; it would become him. Takoota trembled as a violent chill racked his spine.

No, he said aloud, pulling the cloak as close to his ears as possible, I will not give up. For the sake of my people. I will only die in the battle.

Familiar thumping sounds pried open a hole in the fog and alerted Takoota’s ears. He opened his eyelids widely. From above his tightly drawn knees his eyes glowed like a pair of white light bulbs peering out of darkness. He lifted his body upward and drew a deep breath of December night air. An expression of concentrated determination defined his face and his defensive stance. From atop the Nordstrom building in downtown Seattle, Takoota met his appointed rendezvous. As he waited for the helicopter to land, icy currents of wind whipped from beneath the helicopters throbbing blades and wildly twisted Takoota’s long cloak behind his stout, solid body. Placing his hands on his hips and leveling his chin perpendicular to the rooftop beneath him, he forced himself to bear the relentless torture of winter wind in a proclamation of self endurance that gave him the courage to face what was yet to come.

From the cockpit of the helicopter, pilot Miles Bannon called to his friend, What the hell are you standing there for?

Takoota ignored him and flared his bold, round nostrils feeling the moisture crystals within crackle and sting bitterly. Tiny particles of frost battered at his cheeks and numbed his ears, but he stood firmly and lifted his arms heavenward as to cry out to his ancestors for strength.

Miles anxiously pulled at his patch of scraggly hair just below his lower lip and leaned across the passenger seat to again address Takoota, I will never, you hear? Never buy comic books for you again Takoota! We aren’t going to make it to Olympia on time if you don’t get yourself in the chopper now!

Takoota lowered his arms, but not because of Miles threat to cut off his comic book supply. The time had come for him to be a superhero and he was ready.

The Governor’s second-in-command, Jacob Kimball, squinted as he looked out the tinted windows of the Governor’s limousine. From there, he could see guests dancing merrily inside the ballroom of the Governor’s mansion. Retrieving a cellphone from his hip pocket, he contacted another, who monitored the progress of the party from afar.

Have you got everything in place, Nigel? Kimball asked, scanning the property around him.

All is calm, all is bright, Nigel answered.

Excellent, Kimball replied. My lady should be by shortly to receive her instructions. Then I’ll be on my way to claim the governorship of the State of Washington. See anyone you recognize?

You mean besides the usual suspects? An old crony of mine is working the inside on personal business. He knows I’m here. It’s all typical secret service business to him. He has no reason to suspect me of anything else. I have no worries. I’ve left no trails. I can’t say the same for you, however.

If I didn’t know you so well, Nigel, I’d think you just insulted me, Kimball teased.

Nigel’s response was anything but playful.

The hit on the Governor through your pitiful, little band of gangsters failed. Face it Jake, dragging Bethany further along has only made it necessary for her to be eliminated too. You never should have involved her.

The night is still young, Nigel, Kimball replied more somberly. She still will be of use to us.

For your sake, Jacob, I truly hope so, Nigel replied.

From across the lawn an elegant woman approached the limousine. Right on time, Kimball crowed. Ms. Bethany approaches; which means this operation is now in motion.

Without further discussion, Kimball turned off his phone and assumed an expression of confidence. To make himself appear even more powerful, he lit a large cigar, exhaling the smoke to the roof of the limousine.

From the rooftop of the Capitol building, overlooking the gubernatorial mansion, Nigel shook his head in disgust. Kimball was living out the fantasy known well by men of his kind and it would make him a fool. A dead fool. How easily he was seduced by the power. The front-runner for the Confederation of European Nations, Jacob Kimball had once been only a researcher, a computer geek; a basement working loser who had been selected by the CEN because of his weaknesses rather than his strengths. Under their direction, he’d been sculpted into an imposter; immersed in the flattery of himself and completely unaware of his expendability.

Nigel found a rest for his rifle and lowered his eye to the scope. He drew a cleansing breath to settle his nerves. As soon as the Governor and his wife are in sight, they would be dead, he assured himself. For now, that is all I need to worry about.

Just beyond the ballroom, in the kitchen preparing hors d’oeuvres and placing them on silver serving platters, Joost Facade, a.k.a. Jacques one, slipped a creamed salmon pate on toast into his mouth and tested it for freshness. Manifique! he exclaimed jubilantly and directed his servers to traverse the floor and offer the mini masterpieces to the guests. Once alone in the kitchen, Joost slipped his tall chefs’ hat into an empty stockpot and placed it in the back of the refrigerator room. He turned his white chefs’ coat inside out and presented a black, hip length, formal jacket. He then pulled a bow tie out of his black trouser pocket and tied it snugly around his neck, while watching his reflection from the door of the stainless steel oven. Joost peeled an artificial facial mole from a small square of waxed paper that he’d been keeping in his breast pocket and placed it on the lower left corner at his chin. From the same piece of paper, he also peeled a small micro-pore patch and placed it upon the tip of his tongue. The patch, a bugging device with tracking abilities, Joost would later transfer from his tongue to the wedding ring of high-profile guest, Bethany McCormick, sometime during that evening. By her husband, Governer Benjamin McCormick, agent Facade had been hired to carry out a personal investigative assignment to prove or disprove his suspicion of her infidelity. Joost was delighted to oblige.

To finish his disguise, Joost adorned a monocle over his right eye and with the help of some nonstick cooking spray, he slicked his hair to the side and backward in a distinguished style. Exiting the kitchen through the service entry door, Joost made his way to the ballroom.

Guten tag, Baron von Himmelberg! Governer Benjamin McCormick exclaimed enthusiastically and shook Joost’s hand firmly.

Danka, the Barron replied, Wie gates?

We are doing very well, thank you, the Governor replied in German. And we are so glad you could make to our get-together tonight.

To his wife, the governer said This is Baron von Himmelberg from Cologne, Germany. He was in town on business. Governer McCormick turned to Joost and said This is my wife Bethany.

The Baron extended his left hand, forcing Bethany to do the same. He lifted her hand up to his lips placing a lengthy kiss squarely upon her seven carat diamond solitaire wedding ring, transferring the invisible micro-pore bugging device from his tongue to the inside edge of the doorknob sized diamond.

Pleased to meet you, she said with a nod.

The Baron lifted his dark eyes up slowly to Bethany and then over to her husband whose eyebrows had narrowed in concern over the lingering kiss on his wife’s hand.

Er frau ist sehr schoen, he exclaimed. Villisched, Sie unt mir eine tanzen gehaben?

Realizing his wife couldn’t speak German and that her nervous look was a request for interpretation, Ben once again answered in both English and German. Yes, she is beautiful, I’m sure she’ll dance with you.

The Baron released Bethany’s hand and saluted a goodbye to them both. Turning away, he ran his tongue back and forth across the roof of his mouth to wash away the sticky residue left upon it from the thin plastic. To his left, the younger McCormick brother courted the stepdaughter of Captain Elliot Townsend. To his right, the entire catering staff was under his watchful eye and control as Chef LeBlanc. The Governor’s wife would now have her private life monitored as well as supply the agency with a multitude of information. Captain Elliott Townsend was just now appearing in the doorway with his lovely wife and the adoptive parents of her once forsaken offspring.

Indeed, how perfect could one night be? Joost wondered. Indeed, it would seem that keeping an eye on the Governor’s Christmas ball from the inside would be completely under his control. Everything from the parking of cars and patrolling the grounds outside the mansion was in the hands of his most trusted partner Jacques two a.k.a. Nigel Thatcher. As they had discussed earlier, Nigel would patrol the outside of the mansion, posing as Patty Kirkpatrick, the mansions valet manager. Nigel would have a close eye on the coming and going of all guests. Joost snickered as he took another morsel of salmon pate off one of his servers silver platters and popped it into his mouth. Poor Nigel, he thought while he chewed, he’ll be trying to pull off that pathetic Irish accent of his through chattering teeth. All the while thinking he has the better end of the deal because he enjoys extravagant cars.

Joost sighed as he lifted his monocle to his eye. Ahhh yes, he said confidently. Again, passing him by, and on a plate made of silver, one of his own culinary delights got the better of him and he slipped it into his mouth. Sometimes the work I do is just so easy, he marveled.

Jacob Kimball opened in door of the limousine so Bethany McCormick could enter. Immediately, he began to intimidate her with his sweetly spoken, but wretched comments.

Aren’t you looking lovely is evening? he cooed, and reached out to softly touch her cheek.

Bethany set her jaw defiantly and drew her face beyond his reach. What do you want this time, she said coldly. Aside from the usual. She had come to expect, through their abusive relationship, that there would be two