The Abel Conspiracy

By Gary D. Henry

Franklin Abel was simply the most intelligent human ever born. He invented machines that were not supposed to be invented for another five-hundred years. The trillion dollar ideas garnered attention from a greedy secret organization that was hell-bent on getting the journal that Franklin had hidden away. The organization set out to destroy Franklins world by systematically breaking down his will. His entire lifetime would be made up of deception and death would come to anyone who tries to interfere with the organizations greedy pursuits.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467070058

Book preview

The Abel

Conspiracy

Gary D. Henry

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© 2011 Gary D. Henry. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/3/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4670-7007-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-7006-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-7005-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011919174

Printed in the United States of America

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Gary D. Henry

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Cover Design: Gary D. Henry,Colleen Lockard

Layout Design: Colleen Lockard

Edited by: Belinda R. Bell

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgment

Introduction

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

Links

As always, dedicated to my family and friends.

Live your life to the fullest. Create a wealth of memories in your lifetime, and relive them as often as you can because these are your riches when your allotted time on this earth is expended.

Reflection will be your last greatest moment.

Acknowledgment

I would like to thank my editor, Belinda R. Bell for her professional editing expertise, and I look forward to working with her in the future. She edited The Books of James C. Patch: The Barrier, The Books of James C. Patch: Returning, The Books of James C. Patch: Utopia, Legacy of the Unsung, Abraham Markem and the Amazing White Dog, and Falling Waters and did a fine job.

Introduction

The year was 2020, and Dan and Maria were just about to put a permanent stamp on their relationship. They had been together since elementary school and, because of Maria’s college aspirations, they knew that they had to get married because neither could bear to be apart from the other. In the town where young Dan and Maria were raised, everyone knew many years prior that the two were fated for each other. Absent was any notion as to what the union of the couple they had watched grow up together would mean to the United States or to the world for that matter. Dan and Maria didn’t set out to garner the world stage and had no idea what the future held for them. They couldn’t wait to marry, have a family, and settle into the normal day-to-day routine of middle class America, not knowing or caring what fate had in store for them. Soon after they married, however, Maria received devastating news that the likelihood that she could bear children was just about zero. Comfort came by way of their beliefs in the power of positive thoughts and, indeed, miracles. Years later, they received their miracle on a Christmas day. But this miracle was not just theirs to ponder because their miracle was unlike any other.

Franklin Abel was their miracle—a boy with an extraordinary mind, a gift to the world as it was. He would be the salvation for a struggling world, and many thought that he was the Second Coming of Jesus Christ himself. Dan and Maria saw him simply as their little boy while, at a very young age, nefarious individuals and secret organizations had a plan for both young Franklin and his parents.

Franklin grew up knowing despair and heartache as the shadowy evil doers constructed his life plan to fit their own greedy needs. You see Franklin was a visionary. He developed devices that were not supposed to be developed for the next one to two hundred years. Franklin was taken on a lifetime journey to find the truth that would take him through the history of the Founding Fathers and the answers that only they could convey. Afoot was a lifelong conspiracy designed to garner information from the great mind of one destined to become the most important human that had ever been born. The conspiracy would cause Franklin misery on every possible level.

He came to be the world’s first trillionaire because of the devices that he had developed, but money was never his focus. He wanted to change the world even though there were unseen forces fighting him all the way. He had everything except the answers as to why his friends and family were dying around him in strange ways. He resolved to expose the secrets and deceptions and was determined to seek out his enemies and use his gifted mind against them. Franklin believed in miracles and used his belief to make sense of the world’s problems. He also used his belief in miracles for his own salvation and that would be the most important thing that no one could take away from him. He was born a miracle and made them happen for the world of man.

Chapter 1

From Where Genius Comes

The year was 2020, and the world had finally settled down. It was free of war, and the countries were finally at peace with each other. The Koreas were united as one, and terrorism, for the most part, had subsided. The peoples of the Middle East decided that thirty years at war with the world was enough and that living life was much more important than living in caves in constant fear about when the next bomb would drop. Radical Islam was dead, and a more moderate and humane version of Sharia law was adopted. No more was Jihad taught in the Madrasas, and the people were ready for the healing to begin. The fight for women’s rights was won. Justice was served in humane and realistic ways much like in the western world. The United States had left the Muslim’s homeland and allowed them to live in peace. The women rejoiced as the American soldiers left their country, and the leaders, both religious and governmental, rejected Radical Islam and spoke openly against it. Soon, Radical Islam was being fought against by its own members and relinquished its tight grip on the Middle East and beyond. They adopted a moderate change that allowed women to hold positions of power and be on an equal plane as men. Stoning and other medieval punishments of their ancestors were viewed with disdain, and the embarrassment of world opinion was replaced with respect. Finally the people showed the true meaning of their religion, and a bright light shone across their lands. It was truly a great time to be alive. America was paying its debts and would soon be debt-free after the depression of 2010.

A peaceful world existed but, for one couple, the world outside of their own—peaceful or not—did not matter. They had found each other and that would prove to be the most important union that could ever happen for the world, although no one would realize it for many more years to come.

Maria Bennett and Dan Abel met in elementary school and were inseparable throughout their childhoods. They were so inseparable that some even thought that they had been brought back after many lifetimes to relive their lives. Dan and Maria liked to think so as well. Each flourished during their pre-college education. Going to college, however, would present a problem for Dan because, unlike Maria’s parents, Dan’s were not affluent. Maria was assured a college education. Luckily, Dan was a good student and hoped to garner an academic scholarship to the same school as Maria was to attend, but it wasn’t to be.

He tried every avenue to convince the college to accept him to no avail. He agonized for weeks over the thoughts that he might have to do the noble thing and relinquish Maria to go to Chicago alone.

He feared that a separation would bring an end to their relationship. After much thought, he had made the heart-wrenching decision to release Maria to go because he knew it was the only thing he could do in fairness to her. He decided to tell Maria later that evening. He made reservations at their favorite restaurant and invited her to join him. He was about to give Maria her freedom because he didn’t want to hold her back from her future pursuits. His only solace was his hope that they could re-kindle their love for each other once she returned from college.

They sat down for dinner, and Maria said with a concerned tone, Sweetheart, you seem quiet, and I know how you get when you’re stressed about something.

Dan appeared to struggle to summon the words that he never thought he’d have to say to his beautiful and perfect Maria.

He grabbed her hand and said, I don’t know how to say this, but it has to be said. I love you with all my heart. You know this.

Maria nodded quickly.

Dan continued, Honey, I can’t go with you to Chicago.

Maria, sensing that she was about to hear the words that she never thought she would hear, stopped him. They had been together so long that she knew what he was going to say, and she didn’t want to hear him actually say the words.

She said, Then I’m not going. I’m not going to argue about it. I’m not leaving California, and I’m not leaving you. I’m also not going to allow you to say the words you were about to say.

Dan said, I can’t allow you to pass up this opportunity. I’ve talked with your parents about this, and they said that your attendance at the college where they met would fulfill their dream. I can’t take that away from them after all they’ve done for me and my family.

Maria said, Daniel Abel! Look at me! I’m not going anywhere without you. There is absolutely nothing you can say to me that’ll change my mind. So let’s forget about me leaving you and enjoy our dinner.

Dan looked down and saw that his dinner had arrived, but he was in such a strained state that he had not noticed the waiter bringing it to the table.

Maria lowered her fork, gently grabbed his hand, and quietly whispered, I love you, and nothing on earth or in heaven will change that.

Dan gazed at her wondering how he became so lucky to be loved by the most wonderful woman in the world.

She was a true angel in every sense of the word and, at that moment, he gestured to the waiter and asked for the check. Maria was puzzled by Dan’s abrupt ending of their dinner date and shivered with fright at what Dan’s next words might be. She wondered if she had been too forceful in her commitment to ending the talk of separation.

Dan paid the bill without a word. She looked at his uneaten dinner in front of him and started crying. She sensed that Dan was going to do the noble thing and insist that she go to college without him. Her tears flowed as they got up from the table; he gently took her hand and led her to the car.

She hesitated leaving the restaurant thinking that it would all end if she stepped out of the door. She stepped into the car and begged him not to send her away. Nothing more was said all the way to Maria’s home. She tried to talk, but the hurt that she was feeling overwhelmed her ability to be coherent until she just settled on gazing at the man that she loved beyond reason.

Dan got out of the car, went to Maria’s side, and opened the door. He knew that she was still crying and obviously hurting. Dan wanted to console her but had other things on his mind, important things. He followed her to the door and thought that he would give her that last kiss and then leave her forever. She started to unlock her front door just waiting for him to stop her, but he uttered no words that would make her stop turning the key. She opened the door and, to her surprise, he followed her in. Her parents were in the front room. Her mom was on the computer, and her father was staring intently at the television.

Her father said, Oh hi honey. Hello Dan. You guys are home early.

Dan said, Yes we are.

He then asked, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, could I have a few words with you?

Maria’s mom closed her computer, and her father got up from the couch and said, Sure Dan.

Can we go to the dining room? Asked Dan.

Of course, Mrs. Bennett replied.

Maria was sure that Dan was about to tell them that he was about to break up with her and that Maria would be attending their Alma Mater in Chicago.

Dan turned to Mr. Bennett and said, Sir, I took Maria out tonight to get her to see that going to Chicago was the best thing for her. I had all the words planned out, but curiously I couldn’t remember any of them when the time came for me to deliver them. I love your daughter more than life itself, and I’d sacrifice everything I have to ensure her happiness. I wanted to say the words because I have a profound respect for you and Mrs. Bennett and wanted both of you to see your daughter graduate with honors the way both of you have. But something got in the way, and my plans were altered, which is why I’m here. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, I’d like to ask you for the profound privilege of marrying your daughter.

Broad smiles abounded. Maria grabbed Dan and would not let him go even though he had not gotten and answer from her parents. She could not wait to hear her father’s response to the news.

Maria just said, Yes, yes, yes.

Dan asked her to stop because he had not asked her yet, and he was very concerned about what her parents thought about his impromptu pronouncement.

Her father was beaming and shook Dan’s hand so hard that he thought he heard the cracking of bones.

Her mother pried Maria away from Dan’s arm and hugged her and said to Dan, Thank you Dan. Of course, you have our permission. The mere mention of your name brought our daughter great joy over the years, and she couldn’t have found a better guy. Welcome to our family.

Her father was excited and looked to his wife and said, Honey we need champagne. You know the bottle that I was saving for just this event.

Her mother quickly let loose of her daughter’s hand and went to get the bottle. Upon her return, Maria and Dan looked at each other. Dan gathered himself again, got down on one knee, and pleaded that she make him the happiest man on earth and be his bride.

He asked, I don’t have much of anything. I’m not a rich man, and I don’t know what the future holds. Please walk down that path with me so that we can see the sights of our lives together and continue our story. I cannot imagine seeing beauty in anything without you by my side. Please Maria, marry me.

Dan saw her parents holding hands and the tears welling up in her mother’s eyes. Maria attacked him saying yes between every kiss, knocking him to the ground, and continuing her onslaught of kisses as her happy parents watched. The moment was something that the Bennett’s would cherish forever.

Dan was finally allowed to get up. He went with Maria’s father into his private office to have the traditional chat that a father has with his soon-to-be son-in-law.

Maria and her mother were having a cry-fest in the kitchen, and her mother started planning the wedding as soon as both of them stopped crying. Maria’s father and Dan entered his den, and Dan noticed that he paused by his diploma that was proudly displayed over his desk. He touched it as he walked by it, and Dan saw that he was deeply hurt that he would not see his daughter graduate from his favorite college.

Her father sat at his desk still smiling from all the excitement and looked at Dan and said, You know, Dan, I think this day has been the happiest day that I’ve had in many years, and I thank you for making our daughter so happy. As you know, her mother and I have always wanted her to go to college, and now it seems like it’s not going to happen. It’s okay though because I enjoy seeing my daughter happy; the look in her eyes when you asked her to marry you said all that there was to say. What are your plans, Dan?

Dan said, I know what you and Mrs. Bennett want. I want the same, to see her graduate. I intend to move to Chicago and work hard to see to that she has no worries. I promise you that.

Mr. Bennett then started welling up but gathered himself, and there were no tears shed. Dan could tell that he’d made his future father-in-law very happy.

He came around his desk and hugged Dan and said, Thank you, son.

Dan said, I’d never take that away from you, Mr. Bennett. I haven’t told Maria, but I’m sure she’ll be okay with the plan. We’ll return to California after her graduation.

The two joined the women in the kitchen, and Maria instinctively grabbed Dan’s hand as they all retired to the living room and planned out their next four years. Maria had no problem going to Chicago as long as Dan came too. Dan asked Maria to come with him to his parents’ house because he forgot that he had yet to relay the news to them.

Dan said, Honey, we have to leave because my parents are going to want to know what we’re planning.

Maria said, Okay, I hope they’ll accept me.

Dan said, Are you kidding? My mom has already hinted that I should ask you. She’ll be just as happy as your folks.

Maria said, I hope so.

They said goodbye to her parents and readied themselves for another celebration when they arrived at Dan’s parents’ home. Just as he had thought, his parents were thrilled with the plans although they didn’t want them to move to Chicago. Once Dan explained why they were moving, they understood. Besides, in four short years, they would move back to California and really start their lives together at home.

Of course Dan knew that his mom would soon want grandkids, and that that would be her next crusade. However, a crusade would be unnecessary because Dan and Maria also wanted kids. An hour later Dan’s mother got a phone call from Maria’s mother, and they talked for the next hour planning their children’s wedding. Dan, Maria, and world would soon see how important their union would be.

Maria’s mom hired a wedding planner that took care of all the wedding necessities. That way the parents had the time to spend with their kids. The wedding took place seven months later at one of the largest and oldest churches in California. It was a beautiful ceremony, filled with flowers, tears, and the joyous celebration of two fated souls who’d been destined to be together. They said their vows and happily walked away from the altar and went to the reception where they were met with more tears and toasts from the hundred or so guests.

The tinkling of glasses abounded, and the newlyweds happily obliged each guest with a kiss or a handshake. Dan’s new father-in-law gifted them with an apartment in Chicago that had been prepaid for four years.

That took a lot of pressure off Dan because he wanted to get a job in Chicago to support Maria while she attended school, and having no worries about rent was an extraordinary relief.

They left for a two-week honeymoon in Hawaii. They were the perfect couple in the perfect place. Dan was still a little worried about Chicago and money, but all that worry was for another time. They had a great time on the islands, which seemed to enhance their love for each other if that was possible.

Dan and Maria were truly living a great life. People they had never met knew that they were newlyweds and commented on what a perfect couple they were. They were lying in the sun on Waikiki Beach when Maria first mentioned having children.

Dan said, Sweetheart, we should wait until you graduate before we start having kids.

Maria said, Yes I know, but to me having children is much more important than any college degree.

Dan said, I have to agree with you. I’ve always wanted to be the fat dad on the couch watching the kids open their presents on Christmas Day. Those are the things that make life worth living.

Maria said, Hey for now I’m the thing that makes life worth living.

Laughing, Dan reached over and gave Maria a little kiss and said, Once again you’re right. You constantly amaze me. I love you, sweetie.

Maria said, I love you too, and I also want to see our children open their presents. Wow, our children? It just sunk in that we’re adults now.

Dan said, I’ve viewed you as my wife for the last ten years. Not once have I wanted anything different. Yes, we’re adults, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Maybe we should go back to our room and explore one of the benefits of being adults.

He had barely finished his statement when Maria began gathering up all her things in a flash. She got up from her chair, held out her hand, and they hurried back to their room and made love all night long.

The next morning Maria was greeted with breakfast in bed, and they both went, half-dressed, to the balcony and enjoyed the early morning warm breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean. They said nothing and clung to each other as if they were preventing the gentle breeze from taking them away. Their magnificent two weeks ended way too soon, but they were anxious to get their lives started in Chicago. The newlyweds returned to California and stayed at Maria’s parents’ home until they were able to move east. Her father was about to gift the happy couple again.

Maria’s father said, Dan, Maria’s mother and I would like to help a little more. We want to send you to school as well. Maria told me how intelligent you are, and I want to see you graduate as well.

Surprised, Dan said, "Mr. Bennett you and Mrs. Bennett have done enough. I have to provide for Maria, and I want to provide for her. I don’t think I can do that if I’m going to school as well. We’ll be together forever. I want to work and give her the kind of life that we’ve both dreamed of.

I’ve already accepted a full-time job, and we have it all planned out. We very much appreciate your generosity, but we can get by. I do thank you for the opportunity to go to school, but I’m more thankful that you had the most beautiful angel of a daughter and allowed me to be a part of your family."

Maria’s father had no comeback to Dan’s heartfelt response but did muster, Son, my beautiful angel of a daughter made an excellent choice. The offer is still on the table should you change your mind a little later down the road.

Dan said, Thank you Mr. Bennett.

Mr. Bennett said, Don’t you think it’s about time that you called me dad?

Dan said, Yes, thanks Dad. That sounds good Mr. Bennett, I mean Dad.

Mr. Bennett said, Yes it sounds great.

The day came and all the parents and the newlyweds made their way to Chicago. They all wanted to drive to see the sights along the way, and they stopped at the Grand Canyon and other places that brought back memories of their own youth. Four days later, they arrived at the college, and Maria’s parents told of their experiences when they went to school and marveled how little the school had changed in the thirty or so years since they had attended.

They all toured the school, but Dan and Maria wanted to see their new apartment. Maria’s parents took care of everything with regard to their apartment. It was already furnished, and all it needed was a few things that Maria wanted to hang on the walls to show all the others that would enter that this was the home of the happiest couple to ever take a vow. Maria’s folks spent the next few days in Chicago, but Dan’s parents left early. Her parents wanted to relive the time they met in Chicago and went to all their favorite spots. Dan was truly amazed that they could still be that much in love after thirty years and hoped that he and Maria felt the same way after that many years had passed.

After the parents left, it was finally Dan and Maria’s time, and they settled on their schedules. Dan started working at an electronics store that specialized in computers, and Maria went to school and received her class schedule. She wanted to get her degree in business as her mother and father had done. She was a natural at business, although her passion was American History. She easily sailed through all of her classes.

Dan, however, didn’t have it as easy. He had an employer that was making his mark with upper management by stealing his employees’ ideas. His employer should have compensated Dan for his brilliant work because many of the ideas were his. He never complained, though, because his home life supplied him with all the pride he needed. His boss tried to put more and more pressure on Dan to come up with new ideas to improve the production processes, and Dan delivered without fail and always with a smile on his face. His coworkers all wondered how he put up with their boss’ insistence that Dan do all of the work while the boss got all of the credit.

Money was tight one month because Maria was having health issues, and Dan required more money to pay the hospital costs, so he went to his boss and asked for a raise. His boss angrily denied the request, telling Dan that he was already overpaid for what he was doing. Dan knew that he was not overpaid, but it was more important to keep his job than to push the issue. He resolved to accept his employer’s response and return to work. Dan had to go into debt because Maria’s health problems had worsened. She had a lump in her breast that scared Dan. A biopsy had to be taken and other tests had to be performed.

The nation provided health care, so the majority of the bill was taken care of, but Dan and Maria had to pay the rest. Maria saw that Dan was getting increasingly agitated about the struggle to keep food on the table, but she was wrong about what was really bothering him. He was worried about that biopsy and his beautiful wife.

Maria asked, Honey, can we call my parents and ask them for help?

Dan said, No that’s not going to happen. Honey, it’s not their responsibility to help us. It’s mine. I’ll come up with something. How are you feeling today, sweetie?

Maria said, I’m fine except for being worried about you. You don’t eat much, and you’re not sleeping. Is there something you’re not telling me?

Dan said, I’m fine also, hon. I’ve had some problems at work, but I’m working on making it better. Dan changed the subject because he didn’t want to worry his wife further. He also didn’t want her to know how scared he was about her health issues. Three weeks had passed since her biopsy, and Maria had good news for Dan.

Maria said, Honey, it’s not cancer. It’s just a cyst. I was given a prescription for a medicine to dissolve it.

Dan grabbed Maria and hugged her and said, Thank God, sweetheart. I love you. You wouldn’t believe how much I was worried.

Maria said, I know you very well, and I knew you were just as scared as I was.

Maria noticed a stark improvement in Dan that day. He was happy most of the time even though his work life was getting increasingly more difficult to bear. He never told Maria what was happening to him at work because he did not want her to worry about him, but he would have to get another job to ease their financial burdens although he did not know how he would explain his increased absence to Maria. He knew that she would contact her parents if she were to find out that he was working two jobs.

Times were hard, but Dan tried his best not to let Maria know how bad it was. He didn’t want her to worry. Maria was starting to give hints to Dan that she was ready to start a family, but it appeared to her that he never got the hint. Dan did get the hint. It was their second year in Chicago during the whitest Christmas ever. He and Maria sat by their beautiful Christmas tree and saw non-existent children opening gifts and laughing and crying at what Santa had brought them.

They looked at each other and Dan said, Maria, it’s time.

He didn’t have to explain to her what he meant by his statement, and she nestled close to him and said, I hope they have your eyes, sweetheart.

Dan said, As long as they have your spirit and your looks, I’ll be happy.

Maria said, Thanks, hon. I just hope they’ll be healthy and happy.

Dan said, I hope they have good health as well, but it’s up to us to make sure they’ll be happy.

Maria said, If that’s the case, then they’ll be the happiest children ever born.

Dan said, You want to start now?

Maria exuberantly said, Yes.

Dan and Maria set out to start their family but, after six months of trying, nothing happened. They tried and tried, but Maria did not get pregnant, and Dan was afraid that something was wrong with him. He had led a stressful life thus far in Chicago and thought that having two jobs may be the cause for their issue. He quit his part-time job. He and Maria tried again, but the results were the same.

They decided to see their doctors to find out why Maria could not conceive. Dan was scared, but this was too important to ignore. They went to the doctor, and Dan was relieved to learn that he was in perfect health. Maria was checked next, and sadly the doctors found out why she couldn’t get pregnant. Her ovaries were covered with cysts, which had to be removed. Maria was heartbroken, and for once she had no words to express to her husband how shattered she felt.

She walked out of the doctor’s office in tears then ran to Dan and grabbed him.

Dan asked, What’s wrong, sweetheart?

Maria was sobbing, and Dan couldn’t understand what she was saying and begged her to stop crying and tell him what’s wrong.

She tried her best to be coherent but just couldn’t, so Dan looked to the doctor for an explanation.

The doctor said, Mr. Abel, your wife has cysts on her ovaries. We must operate soon to remove them.

Dan looked at Maria then back to her doctor, Please, tell me my wife will be okay.

The doctor could see Dan shaking and said, Mr. Abel, once we remove the cysts, she should be fine.

Dan asked, How many cysts are you going to remove?

Maria started crying more, and Dan was sick to see his beautiful wife in such pain.

The doctor said, Mr. Abel, we won’t be able to remove only the cysts. We’ll have to remove her ovaries.

Dan then knew why Maria was so frantic. She would not be able to have children. Dan was stunned, but he wasn’t as concerned with the fact that she would not be able to conceive as he was relieved that his wife was going to be okay. Maria and Dan left the doctor’s office, and she cried all the way home. Dan tried to console her, but nothing could be said or done to make Maria whole again.

Dan wanted his happy wife back and did everything he could to make her feel better about the situation. The day of the surgery came, and he accompanied her to the hospital and went with her to the point where the doctor told him he could go no further. He kissed Maria and told her he loved her as they wheeled her into the operating room. He heard her say