Cager

By Georgia Brown Zuniga

A handsome ex attorney turned Highway Patrol officer. A beautiful woman in her prime. A famous architect. An FBI agent
at the top of his game. The lives of these four people come together in love, deceit, espionage and murder.

The story of a boy named Charles. As a child he would put insects and the like in little cages he built. When his
father came home he would ask, "Where is the Cager?" the name stuck.

He followed in his father's footsteps, attended a university, law school, passed the Bar and joined his father's law firm.
He gives up the practice of law to join the California Highway Patrol.

The winds were at gale force and the rain was so hard and constant it was almost impossible to see during one of the
worse storms in northern California. Cager answered a call to investigate a mountain accident. He couldn't believe it.
A boulder had fallen on a car killing the driver instantly.

The passenger, a beautiful woman, is barely alive. The oddity of the accident bothered Cager. When the storm subsides
he returns to the scene, climbs up the cliff and finds evidence of foul play.

The victim, Tobert Tudor, was a world renowed nuclear physicist and biochemist working on top secret synthetic cell-
restructuring as well as a new type of explosive. Homeland Security and the FBI become involved and form a Task
Force to investigate Tudor's death.

Jim Hunt, the FBI agent assigned to the Task Force, uses the vast technical facilities at Quantico to trace backgrounds,
travel and bank account information on Tudor's business associates. During the course of the investigation, things start
to happen. Cager's house, overlooking the ocean, is ransacked and he is being watched by a man in a small boat.

Robert Tudor's wife, Ann, finds her cat crucified on her front door with a note pinned to its body, to give up Tudor's
formulas or she would suffer the consequences.The Task Force which includes Cager determines Tudor's death
was not an accident but murder. All clues point to possibly someone on the inside of law encorcement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467094887

Georgia Brown Zuniga

Georgia Brown Zuniga is currently living in the Hills of Norther California. She attended UCLA. She had to stopped going to college since her father died and she had to take care of the family. She later got married and has be blessed with two wonderful children, and raised them by herself until she met her better half. She's a senior citizen and a cancer survivor.

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Contents

PROLOGUE

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

Dedications

To Edward, my beloved. He gives me all the times of the universe. The bad times, the good times, the happy times, the sad times. The times of trouble, the wonderful times, the pretty times, the ugly times. The loving times, the sexy times, the understanding times. During all these times he is there for me and allows me to be myself.

To Laura

A daughter who has constantly encouraged me to write, write and write.

To Rick

A son who called me everyday to motivate me.

To Three Men

Carl, Gary & Paul. Their contributions in regards to Law Enforcement procedures were were invaluable.

PROLOGUE

It was too dark, she could barely see anything she could barely move. She heard the pounding rain hitting the windshield. She tried hard to speak, to make some kind of sound but nothing came out. She tried to get herself together, calm, calm, she thought. She felt the ice cold air blowing inthrough the driver’s side of the car. She was able to lower her chin down slightly. She began to feel a warm liquid on her left thigh and realized it was her blood oozing with each heart beat. She tried again to move one of her arms but to no avail. She could not feel any pain only a strange numbness.

What happened? Where am I? Where is Robert? she thought. Her head swirled round and round. She seemed to be falling into a chasm. It got darker and darker and then there was nothing.

CHAPTER 1

This was the worst storm in years up and down the coast of northern California. Cager drove his Highway Patrol car faster than usual. He had received an emergency call for immediate help. Is this bloody rain ever going to let up? he thought. The roads were filled with debris, he had to dodge tree branches and rocks. Finally he could see glaring lights, he slowed down as he arrived at the scene and jumped out. Cager, you are not going to believe this one, said Hank, the tow truck driver as he ushered Cager over to the wreck. My God that boulder hit on top of the driver and smashed him.

Cager replied, The passenger is he or she still alive? Hank said, She is still alive. I’ve called for a forklift, a wrecker and the medics who should be here by now. The passenger looks to me like she is hanging on by a string. The paramedics arrived with all their fanfare, they wasted not a second, they had to pry open the passenger door to determine her injuries. They immediately inserted an IV and put a strap on her thigh to help stop the bleeding. Cager picked up Hank’s spot light and brought over to help the paramedics see better.

He was aghast at what he saw. She, who ever she was, had to be the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. He had no idea that this woman would change the way he thinks, the way he moves and the way of his life forever. At that moment the wrecker arrived. What seemed like mass chaos was in truth educated and planned moves to correct the situation at hand. The wrecker hooked up his equipment and tore off the roof of the vehicle. Then they used chains and hooks in order to lift the boulder out of the car. Lifting the boulder freed up the left shoulder of the passenger and the paramedics were able to get the woman out. The boulder left a pile of crushed bone and flesh.

Cager moved his vehicle around the crash, set the flashing lights just incase there might be other cars on the road. What in the hell were these people doing out here on this treacherous road during the worse storm in years and how did that boulder land precisely on the driver? He thought. His questions would take some time to get answered. Hank yelled out to Cager. And you thought this would be a regular storm filled night. Some surprise. He walked over to the paramedic vehicle and asked, Well guys, will she make it? Ted, the lead medic looked at Cager. She is in critical condition and has internal bleeding. At this point I cannot say one way or another. I wouldn’t put book on it. Chuck, the assistant medic yelled at Ted, She is all hooked up. Let’s get going, so long Cager. By the way, we have called for another unit to take care of the other mess. Cager waived them off and return to the crashed vehicle.

Cager, how would you like a nice cup of warm coffee freshly brewed by my in-car automated coffee maker? asked Hank. I would love some, you are certainly prepared for all occasions. Looks like we may spend the night here with most emergency vehicles already taken. I’ll stay as long as I can. I want to examine that car after they remove the body, I don’t know what but something is bugging me about this entire accident, said Cager. Hank went off to take care of his equipment so Cager had a few moments to reflect. His thoughts returned to the face of the fantastically beautiful woman. He wanted to know who she was, he wanted to know all about her, where was she from, who was the driver, her brother, her husband, a friend, maybe it is all mute she may be dead by now.

Cager started to take all the measurements surrounding the crash and drew a diagram as protocol required. He could not figure out how the boulder landed almost as if it was aimed to hit at a precise location. He checked with headquarters and outlined what had taken place. He wanted to climb up the cliff to examine the area but thought with the pounding rain and accumulated mud at this time it was way too dangerous. At the very first break in the weather he would climb up there.

Cager had been on the roads now for at least three days and then some. He was extremely tired. He could not call for help because all four Highway Patrol cars were busy on other accidents, seeing to it that the road debris was cleared up and handling intersection traffic where the stop lights were out because of the lightning flashes throughout the area.

Cabrian was a small town on the coast, population around twelve hundred. This was suppose to be the tourist season. All the local motels were full up with travelers wanting to be at the beach. The unusual happened. The storm took care of the beach goers and many visitors went back to their homes. Cager was somewhat relieved to see a lot of visitors leave on one hand, on the other, it was bad for business.

He had a thought to take a cat nap but it quickly faded when the sirens and lights of the coroners vehicle arrived. Well Cager, you got yourself a unique one this time. I’ve never seen anything like this before. Said Rupert the county coroner. It seemed to Cager the coroner’s people took one hundred pictures, they just kept snapping and snapping from one angle to another.

Hank waited for the Coroner to finish his work and remove the remains of the crushed victim. Rupert brought over all the contents of the victim’s pockets to Cager. He said, I have scanned copies of these, they might help you file your reports, etc, so long Cager."

Hank hooked up the mangled vehicle to his tow truck. Then he tooted his horn and waived goodbye to Cager.

It was still pouring and the sixty mile an hour wind made it worse. Cager stood there, looked around, what a few hours ago was a chaotic messy scene was now strangely, except for the down pour, serene. Cager picked up a few pieces of debris left on the road, marked the location of the vehicle with water proof chalk, got in his car and headed for home. This time he drove slowly and once again the vision of that woman came to him. He desperately needed some sleep. He got to his house and just plunged into bed.

The phone rang, rang, and rang. Cager finally heard it and answered, it was his boss checking on him. Are you okay? Did you get some rest? Listen Cager, we need some answers and details about last night if you can get in here? asked Sergeant Walter Dean. Cager replied, "Sure boss, I’ll just get cleaned up and be there in about an hour.

CHAPTER 2

Cager lived in a small house in Monterey which he had purchased many years before the economic meltdown. He had always loved the area and planned to live there one day and was finally able to get financing. He was raised in Marin County. An only son to Claire and Charles Cain. They thought they could never have children. He was their miracle child. Charles Cain worked very hard to graduate with honors from Berkeley University, went on to law school, passed the California State Bar and set up his own law firm. Claire taught elementary school children and supported the family while Charles completed his education. Cager was born Charles Cain, Jr. Growing up he seemed happy only when he was building something, cars, model airplanes, boats, prehistoric animals, etc. He loved animals almost to a fault. He would build little cages to put bugs, ants and anything crawling in. He was five years old when his parents began calling him The Cager then just Cager and the name stuck.

Charles Cain wanted his son to join his law firm and to that end encouraged him at every chance he had. Cager adored his father and wanted to please him whenever he could. He got straight A’s all through school. Claire aided him too, she tutored him each night. If anyone asked why he got such good grades he always said, I didn’t get them my mother got them for me." The phone at the Cain house was always ringing asking for Cager. He had grown into a handsome young man, dark complexion, deep brown eyes, wavy dark brown hair and a very muscular frame for his six foot two inches. He took after his father with his good looks and appealing nature. He played on the varsity baseball team at high school and also ran track. He worked part time at his father’s law firm and gained knowledge about law and all its complexities. This gave him spending money. He dated often, he was very popular with the girls. He was always fun to be with having a great sense of humor.

If Norman Rockwell was still alive the Cain family would be his prime choice for one of his famous portraits of an all American family. As time seems to do, it went by too fast and Cager was graduating from High School. Claire and Charles escorted Cager to the ceremonies and left him to be with his classmates. It was a beautiful sunny day with an easterly breeze which kept it from being too hot. The graduating class came in to Pomp & Circumstance while Claire and Charles beamed with pride. Who could ever have known what was in store. Without warning gun shots flew in every direction, people screamed and ran, the gun shots kept on from automatic weapons. People on the ground were calling on their cell phones to get some help. What seemed like hours was in truth minutes when sirens, ambulances and the SWAT team arrived and the shots stopped. Several Highway Patrol cars drove up, officers jump out to survey the malay and to help where they could. Over fifty people were wounded including Cager who was hit in the shoulder. Charles rushed over to comfort Cager until the paramedics got to him. They assured Charles the wound was not fatal. Charles looked back to call Claire over, he could not see her. He went over to the section they were in and found her on the ground. The paramedics looked at Charles, we are so sorry, she was killed instantly. Charles was in shock. He could barely walk back to Cager where the medics were stabilizing his bleeding. Charles kissed him, We will see you at the hospital he said. Charles did not want to tell Cager until he was sure he was out of danger.

Charles was distraught beside himself, Claire was his life. He thought, How can I go on without her? How can I tell Cager? He sat down beside her body and sobbed with his head in his hands. One of the Highway Patrol officers observing Charles walked over to him and put his hand on Charles’ shoulder Is there anything I can do to help you sir? he said. He had such a soft kind voice. Charles looked up at him, Thank you so much for caring, I feel like I am in the middle of a three ring circus. He replied. Did all this really happen? What did happen? asked Charles. The officer replied, As far as we can tell two kids went crazy because they were not allowed to graduate, both of them were killed trying to run, replied the officer. What a world we’ve made for ourselves. Two fucking kids took my sweetheart’s life, she was my love, my everything. Charles said. Can I get you some coffee, sir? Asked the officer. No thank you officer, I have to get to the hospital to be with my son. Replied Charles. Sir, why don’t you let me drive you over, I can get my partner to drive your car if that is alright with you. I really don’t think you are in any shape to drive by yourself under the circumstances, suggested the officer. You are very kind, I’ll take you up on that, I can’t seem to stop shaking. Thank you so much. Said Charles. The officer went all out with lights and sirens to get Charles to the Hospital Officer said Charles, I need a favor if possible. In my grief I neglected to retrieve my wife’s belongings, her purse and wedding ring. I just left with you." Consider all that taken care of. I will drop you off and make some calls to the coroner’s office. I’ll get back to you Sir.

Charles found Cager in post opt, leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. He was not yet out of the anesthetic. A doctor came in, tapped Charles on the shoulder, Mr. Cain, your son is going to be just fine. We removed the bullet, and tied up some arteries, he will be very sore for a couple of months, other than that he will recover one hundred percent. I heard about your wife, I am sorry for your loss. Charles replied, Thank you doctor. Can I stay here until he comes out of it? The doctor answered, "No problem.

Do you need anything? Charles looked at him, No I will just try to unwind." It was about a half hour and Cager woke up. Charles held his hand and his breath and broke the sad news to Cager.

In a soft hurtful voice Cager said, My body is hurting and now my heart is hurting. How will we get over this dad? Like everyone who faces tragic circumstances like this, one second, one minute and one day at a time. For many years we lived with an angel and now she is physically gone but she will be with us in our memories forever" said Charles. Cager kissed his father’s hand leaned back on his pillow and fell asleep.

Charles left Cager’s room and stopped at the nurse’s desk. They had a large package for Charles. The package contained Claire’s handbag, her wedding ring and the keys to his car, and a note from the Highway Patrol Officer,

The next week, Charles and Cager were engulfed in the details of death. Funeral arrangements, reports of the incident, etc. Charles went through the motions as did Cager but it was like walking through dark clouds. In time they were able to get through it all.

CHAPTER 3

Cager enrolled in college and buried himself in his studies. From college he went on to law school, with his father’s help he passed the Bar and joined his father’s law firm. Cager gave it all he had but that was not enough. Somehow his heart was not in it, paper here, paper there. He hated what he was doing. He tried so hard to make sense of it all and respect the law but the law was not always on the side of the people who really needed it. He kept his feelings to himself, he did not want to upset his father and fully realized how much Charles wanted him there with him. There were six attorneys in the firm, they took on criminal law, domestic law, corporate law and real estate law.

Cager remembered his father telling him several times how kind and helpful the Highway Patrol officer was to Charles. Cager wanted to be closer to people and thought the Highway Patrol would be the answer. Even though two years had passed Cager kept the card that the officer left Charles. They had dinner and Cager asked him for his help in getting to be a part of the Highway Patrol. His name was Bernard Williams.

Bernard told Cager, I will help you but I must warn you. The powers that be will think you are over qualified. My father was right, you are kind and no matter the out come I appreciate this courtesy.

Cager now had a problem, he had to figure out how to break the news to his father. He decided he would wait until he heard back from Bernard. Cager and Charles made a habit of being together on Friday nights for dinner and to discuss what took place during the week. This Friday was no exception. Cager, said Charles. I know you are not content with your work or yourself. You forget I know you like the back of my hand. I have no complaint with your work, it seems to me your heart is not in it. You go through the motions like a robot. There is no spark in you. All young lawyers go through a sort of boredom during their break-in period. Can I do anything at all to help you? Is this my fault? Cager replied No dad, none of this is your fault. It is all me. For a time anyway, I want to do something else. Please don’t be upset, I have to try. I was going to wait to tell you but the time is right to tell you now. I contacted Bernard and asked him to try and get me a job with the Highway Patrol. He said he would get back to me. I think I would like it, at least I want to try. Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree but I feel in my heart I should see what it is all about. Who knows, maybe I will hate it or, maybe I will find my nitch. Please understand this has nothing whatsoever to do with you. I love you with all my heart.

CHAPTER 4

Weeks passed, Cager thought he had no chance to make a change. He engulfed himself into his work on a corporate case he and two other attorneys in the firm were preparing. He finally got a call from Highway Patrol headquarters to come in for an interview. Three days of discussions and reasons why he wanted to join ended in a positive note. Cager felt sure that Bernard had a lot to do with it. He was accepted, began his training and ultimately became an official Highway Patrol Officer. This was what he wanted he had come full circle.

Cager talked with his chief regarding his thoughts about the accident on the cliff. His chief agreed that it was worth investigating. Cager took his camera, a shovel, put on his hiking boots, and located the area he determined was just above the crash scene. It had stopped pouring and now was sprinkling. It took him some time but he made it to the top. He could not believe it, there it was a long steel rod laying on the ground. The rod was at the beginning of deep clear tracks made by the boulder before it toppled down. He also found heavy working gloves and a digging instrument. He took pictures of everything. He then bagged the gloves and the digging instrument. He felt vindicated. Now he had some evidence of his suspicions. Why would anyone want to harm this couple who ever they were. Many more questions than answers." He said to himself.

He took all of the evidence to his boss to disseminate. He spent several hours making out his report, then turned it in along with the I.D. information Rupert had given him at the crash site. The image of that woman came back to him. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.

He decided to check on her at the Monterey General Hospital. He stopped at the nurse’s station and found out she was still in intensive care. He asked to speak to the doctor in charge and waited. Soon a young resident physician came up to Cager. Hello officer, I’m doctor Martin. What can I help you with? Cager replied, I wanted to check on the young woman brought in from the crash the other night. I was on the scene and I am trying to get all the information I can. The doctor continued, well two of her main arteries were cut, we were able to repair them at the cost of five blood transfusions. She had three broken ribs and her left hip bone was crushed. We inserted the latest titanium rod to hold the hip together, she also has considerable nerve damage on that side. All that said she is still not out of danger. We have to take it one day at a time. Cager said, Here is my card doctor, would you be so kind as to give me a call when she is conscious. Certainly, no problem.

Cager went down the corridor and passed the ICU unit. He could see her lying there and paused to look at her. Even with IV’s and other things hooked up on her body she remained a beautiful creature, one whom he thought he would never be that close to in his life. This is ridiculous, he thought. I’m beginning to think like a school boy who has never seen a beautiful woman before.

If only Cager could have had a glimpse of the future, he would have turned around and never looked back. How was he to know his own life was to be put in peril just from knowing her.

He had no emergency calls so went back to his job of policing the highways and giving speeding tickets, etc. It was Friday, the day he met with his father for dinner. His father was always punctual and this early evening was no exception. The two of them got a table and ordered dinner. I’m starving, said Cager. So am I, replied Charles. Cager related to Charles the entire story of the accident on the cliff including his visit to the hospital. Charles was intrigued and said, Do you remember the name of the victim? Cager replied Yes I have all of his information. Do you want me to have my people check up on him, who he was, what he did for a living, where he lived, etc. Yes dad, we could do it but somehow I think your information will be more complete. Go ahead. Charles went on, I have to admit to you I am very curious about all of this and I agree with your thinking that foul play is at the root of this thing. How very interesting. Detective work in not really part of your job description, the powers that be, I am sure will turn all this over to your investigating unit. Nonetheless we will see that we (and I use the term loosely) can come up with.

They ate heartily, talked about the happier times with Claire then Charles related information about some of the new cases he had received. None of them have the intrigue of what Cager had stumbled into. Dad, I have to tell you something. The woman in that crash is or was the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. There is something about her. I can’t seem to get her out of my mind. Said Cager. Son, I think you are just needing a woman and that feeling manifests itself when you see that woman. I don’t know Dad, maybe you are right but my gut tells me otherwise. They parted and agreed to meet as usual next Friday.

Cager realized something he hadn’t thought about before. His father was aging. He saw lines appearing on his face and his hair was rapidly turning grey. Strange how all of a sudden the aging process comes about in those you love and you are confronted with your own mortality. Cager looked in his rear view mirror and vanity reared up, he saw the forehead lines on his face and just a few gray hairs. Oh well times does go on. He thought. He went back home, the lights were flashing on his telephone answering machine. He rarely received any calls on his land line. Most people contacted him on his cell phone.

He pressed the on button and heard, good evening Mr. Cager. Sorry to interrupt your evening but I would appreciate a call back from you when you have a moment. I am Hal Miller and want to talk to you about the cliff accident you were involved in. The man left his number which Cager took note of. Who in the hell was he. He didn’t say if he was an insurance investigator, a police detective or what, very strange. Thought Cager. He poured himself a diet coke, sat at his desk and dialed the number of the mysterious caller. To his somewhat surprise he reached a recorded message, the number you reached has been disconnected, please check your number. Cager looked at the time and date of the call. It was three days past at 9:30AM. He remembered he had forgotten to check the machine earlier. So much for that, it was probably a wrong number anyway. No it couldn’t have been he knew my name. Well if it is really important, he will call back, thought Cager. He concluded that the call was strange and decided to check out the man’s name when he stopped by the CHP office the next day. He ran a computer check of the name and came up with zero.

CHAPTER 5

Cager received a call from Dr. Martin at the Monterey General Hospital telling him that the woman from the cliff accident was conscious, if he wanted to talk to her it would be okay. I’ll be there in a couple of hours Dr. Martin. Thanks for remembering to call me. Replied Cager.

He still had paperwork to turn in, check his schedule and have a talk with his boss, Sergeant Walter Dean. Cager always called him Walt. "We’ve done a complete check on the victim of the cliff accident. Hold on to your seat Cager. This man was Mr. Big, he was known throughout the world as a leading nuclear physicist and bio chemist. His name, as you know, was Robert Tudor. It seems he was working on projects funded partly by Stanford Research as well as several government agencies. I received a call from the State Department and Homeland Security that this investigation is to take top priority.

They want to be informed every step of the way. MAIT (the CHP Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team) will do an in-depth investigation and analyses. Of course they will want your input at every state." Said Walt. Cager replied, I knew it, just the other night I