S.I.L.O. Internment Obscure Nemesis

By C.L. Piacquadio

Emotional tragedy whisked Heather away from North Carolina Beach to the mountains. Heather hoped her flight was only temporary.

Her antagonist was not appeased. Potential revelation of a secret was at risk. After years of happiness, Heather briefly encounters her old nemesis. In a breath, all is lost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490834375

C.L. Piacquadio

C.L. Piacquadio has always been fascinated with fiction, science, survival and preservation of Earth’s environment. In caring for Earth’s trees and wildlife she stresses: Psalm 96: 11-13 “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” KJV Preserving the seeds of life enriches faith in God.

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Copyright © 2014 C. L. Piacquadio.

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.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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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.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-3438-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-3439-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-3437-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014906983

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/08/2014

CONTENTS

Chapter 1     Even well-planned trips need prayers

Chapter 2     Struggle forgotten in a secure embrace

Chapter 3     Christmas angels are real

Chapter 4     Jesus, a friend and family member

Chapter 5     An awesome sense of presence

Chapter 6     Christmas pageant

Chapter 7     Christmas Day in the Mountains

Chapter 8     Love passed from parent to child

Chapter 9     Visiting Vikins

Chapter 10   New Year, New Challenges

Chapter 11   Family comes in all shapes and sizes

Chapter 12   Seeds of life

Chapter 13   Distant places/ strange encounters

Chapter 14   Ina and Mae, not Carol and Heather

Chapter 15   Kelly Time

Chapter 16   Dr. Edmond Somes

Chapter 17   Necessity of family

Chapter 18   Mysterious competition

Chapter 19   Need for divine insight

Chapter 20   The Blessing at Aaron’s Baptism

Chapter 21   Say a prayer and leave it up to God and friends

Chapter 22   Future Home; New Lifestyle

Chapter 23   Sudden Career Change

Chapter 24   Mysterious Visitor

Chapter 25   Wedding Day

Chapter 26   A Teacher’s special memory

Chapter 27   Disturbing, pregnancy dreams.

Chapter 28   Blind sighted by the Past

Chapter 29

Chapter 30   Precious time; Precious memories.

DEDICATION

"Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise

thy name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise thy works to another,

and shall declare thy mighty acts."

Psalm 145: 2-4 KJV

I dedicate this book to my God; my Love for as long as I can remember.

His inspiration flows through Biblical words; through my loving parents; through my husband Michael; through my siblings: Liz, Marie, Joe, and Carl; through my heroines, Linda, Helen Marie and Diane; through my encouraging Aunt Angie; and through memories of departed, loving aunts, Charlotte and Agnes.

I am greatly inspired and thankful for wonderful preachers like Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Charles Stanley; and through many people of the South, who freely love to express their intimate relationship with God.

I look at these inspirations and say, How beautiful, My God. How very, very beautiful!

PROLOGUE

D AVID WALKED INTO the room carrying a cardboard tube of architect sketches. He looked to be twelve but was much younger. David politely shook Heather’s hand.

How do you do, Mrs. Bjorn? He asked in his slight, German accent, as he was taught. I am happy to meet you.

When their hands touched, a feeling of warmth and recognition passed between them.

David looked deeply into Heather’s warm, crystal blue eyes. A million freckles covered her face, reminding him of someone he had forgotten long ago.

Heather wanted to touch his cheek and speak to his heart. He looked so warmly familiar. She held that thought and thanked him for the papers.

It is so wonderful to finally meet you, David, she said softly. I have heard so much about you.

David, darling, his mother, Alisha, said breaking the special moment. She bent to whisper something in David’s ear; then continued in her soft, cultured voice, Please escort Mrs. Bjorn to her car.

Mrs. Bjorn, thank you for coming. I will tell Dr. Somes you were here. Please give our regards to your husband and come by again for a longer visit.

Heather did not speak. She smiled, nodded and graciously waved as she exited the Pool Room. She was never so happy to leave a place.

David had no friends his age and few acquaintances. He wished to talk longer to Heather; however, his mother waited for his quick return.

Outside, David took his pen-knife and rapidly cut a beautiful bouquet of flowers as his mother asked.

At the SUV, David handed Heather the fragrant flowers. Heather’s eyes lit up and she bent to kiss David’s cheek. Then she gently touched David’s cheek and looked deep into his eyes.

David smiled and touched her hand. He did not know how to respond to such tenderness.

Thank you, David, for the beautiful bouquet of flowers and for escorting me, Heather said.

Please take care of your mother. She is a good woman and she loves you very much.

David nodded and quickly ran off towards the house. He did not turn back and watch as Heather drove away.

Heather was happily on her way back to Kateri’s house. She felt a wonderful, prideful sense of productivity after weeks of protective family and friends.

***

David’s tutor, Millicent, met him before he returned to the Pool Room.

The warmth Heather stirred in his heart was suddenly replaced by a feeling of frigid, artic air.

Millicent noticed the Architect’s cardboard tube was missing from Somes’ desk. She was highly agitated by this.

A rare flush covered her porcelain face and ignited her colorless eyes.

David, Millicent said raising her voice slightly, who picked up Dr. Bjorn’s papers?

She knew there were many spies who wanted to steal the S.I.L.O. plans. She was vigilant about every speck of the project.

Millicent’s idea of security was crucial, to the point of fanaticism.

David studied Millicent coolly and answered in fluent German,

Mrs. Bjorn just left. Mother told me to give her the diagrams and escort her to her car.

He said no more and quickly left for the Pool Room.

Millicent thought, "Mrs. Bjorn? Anyone could have said they were Mrs. Bjorn. This woman is rarely seen in public due to her pregnancy."

Millicent was enraged. She immediately sprinted out the main door. She did not recognize the driver of the SUV as it slowly eased out the Estate gates.

She impulsively ran for the Gardener’s small car, which was temporarily parked in the driveway. The keys were still in the ignition.

Millicent jumped into the car and recklessly drove off to follow the SUV. She was anxious; and in a blinding, passionate rage to see this mysterious visitor for herself.

Chapter 1

Even well-planned trips need prayers

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H EATHER PLANNED TO have a very lonely Christmas this year. Her parents and her loving Uncle Bruce were gone. Her cleric-brother Robert’s rare, free time was consumed with searching for their lost parents. Recent information caused him to take on the guise of a deep-cover, secret agent.

Heather knew not to question Robert about his trips; especially over the phone. It was clear to her; Robert would not be home for Christmas.

Invitations from well-meaning, loving friends were abundant; however, this only emphasized Heather’s loneliness.

Her friend, James, and his brother, Charles’ family invited Heather to join them for their Family Christmas. Heather had many phone conversations with Charles and his wife Amanda.

Heather hesitated about replying. She felt as though she was imposing upon their personal family life.

Robert encouraged Heather to accept James’ invitation. He wanted her to be in a loving, family atmosphere during this blessed season.

Heather knew Robert was right. Her interned memory of an old nemesis’ actions had caused Heather’s spirit to sour on Christmas and it was getting harder to share the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Years had passed but Heather still felt the emotional dagger in her heart from her one-time friend, Carol.

Heather compromised with herself to stay with Charles’ family only until Christmas Day.

One or two days at the most, she said to her cat, and it will all be over. I’m happy they also invited you, Muffin.

This was a blessing, because Heather did not want to burden her friends with caring for her pet. Muffin seemed to enjoy travelling. During long trips, he confidently paced the interior of the Jeep as if it were his own little home and slept when he got tired.

Heather planned to drive to the beach from Charles’ place after Christmas. That was another long trip.

One day, she said to Muffin, God will help us find you a stable home where you will not have to travel so much.

Heather screened new phone messages as she finished packing for her trip. One, strange message on her answering machine gave her a sudden chill. It was not sent in code like Robert’s calls.

The message appeared on the machine as Caller Id Unknown.

A male voice with a curt, thick German accent said,

I am calling to get information about Ms. Carol Anderson. It is important that I get in touch with her.

There was a pause and then he continued, I will call back later.

I don’t know who you are, fella, Heather said after the caller hung up, or how you got my number. I will be gone so you can call later and talk to my machine.

Carol was an old friend, who deeply hurt Heather, with a serious threat to destroy her. Heather no longer associated with Carol and did not know how the man got this phone number.

Heather did not want to tell Robert or James about this strange call.

They don’t need to worry about me more than they already do, she said, reassuring herself. Robert will deal with this person if he continues phoning.

***

Heather packed Christmas gifts, her flute and her laptop computer into a large plastic container. She placed this on her Jeep’s back seat.

Seeing exposed, holiday-decorated packages, as she drove, would dredge up hidden, painful memories of a past Christmas sadness and insecurities involving Carol.

The strain to put Carol out of Heather’s mind was a real struggle. Heather focused on the clear roads ahead while listening to soft, Christmas music.

Rapid-moving, overcast, grey clouds caused a sudden temperature drop. A brief shudder crept up Heather’s back. Her athletic bones always felt the first signs of weather change.

Muffin distracted Heather when he woke from his nap, stretched his long legs and wandered the perimeter of the jeep.

His spontaneous, questioning eyes drew Heather away from hidden, sad, reminiscing thoughts. She laughed and petted Muffin’s furry head. He was a delightful gift from God at a time when Heather experienced tremendous sadness and loss.

Heather noticed the skies began to darken. Thick clouds took on every shade of grey from bright grey to deep dark, muddy grey.

Heather did not know what kind of weather to expect. Rain at this point would really cause her to turn around and cancel her visit.

She remembered her brother’s last words of concern, Why didn’t you go with James? Your Jeep is too lightweight for this kind of weather.

Heather repeated her answer to him softly, as if Robert were sitting in the passenger seat,

Rob, you know I am spending New Year’s Day at the Beach. James is spending time with his family. I don’t want to take him away from this. I will be safe. Please don’t worry. Just keep me in your prayers. I will phone you as soon as I arrive there.

She did not want to give Robert so many worries while he was so far away. She and Robert were all the family each other had.

Robert sacrificed his life and became a celibate priest for the love of God. Heather could never picture herself so committed.

She happily treasured God in her independent singleness and loved the freedom of traveling. Intimate relationships were confining and restricting. Heather was not ready for that type of commitment.

Her deep insecurities about close relationships stemmed from past dealings with Carol.

Robert never liked Carol. However, he was the first to encourage Heather to forgive her.

Heather thought about forgiveness as she drove the lonely mountain road.

Dear God, she said taking in a breath of cool air;

I pray in Jesus’ beloved name, that I will be able to forgive Carol in my heart better than I ever have before.

After she said this short prayer, the snow began to drift like thick clumps of matted pollen. It clung to the Jeep’s windows and wiper blades. Her window wipers gradually looked like two icy swords as they slowly moved snow off her window.

Heather looked around her. She suddenly realized; she had been a lone driver for the past ten miles. Small whirlwinds caused tall, snow-covered pine trees to dump more snow from their branches onto the road. This covered any memory of previous-driver tracks.

Her view ahead grew worse as the wiper blades froze onto the window.

What a place to be interned! she said softly as she shifted her Jeep into a lower gear.

All around her was beautiful, white, pristine scenery. Her path ahead was blinded by the snow. Heather did not know if she was still on the main road or heading toward a mountain cliff.

She slowly prayed,

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou

art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Psalm 23: 4

KJV

While Heather prayed and clutched the steering wheel, Muffin sensed a need to hide in his pet carrier for safety.

The Jeep’s tires began to pick up packed snow. This seemed to give the Jeep better traction; however, the movement was a struggle. Heather was afraid if she ever stopped, she would never move again. The sky grew darker as the mountains hid any sunlight.

Heather whispered Psalm 91: 10-12 while she continued to drive,

"There shall no evil befall thee, neither any plague

come nigh thy dwelling,

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to

Keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou

dash thy foot against a stone."

KJV

Heather knew, when she prayed, things often seemed to get worse before they got better. She thought eye stress was causing her to see shards of light through the thick, falling snow.

As soon as she thought this, bright lights could be seen at least ten feet ahead.

She did not dare stop now. This might just be an illusion. She rolled down her window and sure enough the lights were real.

There was a recently cleared driveway ahead and she slowly drifted to the front of a log building with bright lights and a sign, Andy’s Storage hanging overhead.

She stopped, lowered her head, and thanked God for her safe arrival.

My Lord, she said fighting back tears of relief, thank You. Thank You.

Heather hugged herself trying to shed the sudden wave of chills. Muffin looked up at her and mouthed a soft, questioning meow.

Heather petted his soft head and lightheartedly said, If I am not back in five minutes, Muffin, you go for the cops.

Chapter 2

Struggle forgotten in a secure embrace

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H EATHER SLOWLY EXITED the Jeep. Her legs felt like rubber as she carefully walked up recently- cleared steps. For a brief moment, Heather stood in front of a large French door; wondering if she was at the right place.

She slowly turned the door knob and some winter-wind sprite pushed her inside the room.

Immediately, the warmth and scent of a heated wood stove in the lounge area embraced Heather as she stood in the doorway.

A tall, thin, middle-aged man sitting behind a large wooden desk covered with magazines and papers looked up as the cool breeze from the opened door brushed through his thin, white hair and ruffled the desk papers.

He looked up instantly, as if being interrupted from a deep thought. Welcome, welcome, the man said standing up quickly and walking toward Heather.

Are you lost Darling? Few folks come this way and I know most of them by sight.

Heather closed the door behind her and put out her gloved hand to the man.

I-I think Dr. Charles Bjorn told you; he is expecting me.

The bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked man smiled with recognition and held out his hand.

O, yes! He said quickly. "You must be Heather. I am Andy."

The owner knew the Bjorn family from long ago and had many good things to say about James and Charles.

"Most people who live in these small mountain villages are reclusive folk. Scientific sorts, artists, writers and such. Charles paid to have a heliport built and two helicopters are available for emergency use. He is one of the few medical doctors in this area.

James helped me build a special, year-round greenhouse for my family. And he is always supplying me with new plants. I could not ask for better friends."

For a brief moment Andy paused in his brief history of Charles and James and seemed to be remembering something.

Where is Muffin? Andy asked. Charles also told me to expect a cat.

He-he is in my Jeep, Heather said. May I bring him in to warm up?

You bring in Muffin and I will carry in your bags, Andy said grabbing his jacket, hat and scarf. I’ll park your jeep in the storage area when I am done. You make yourself comfortable and have some hot chocolate. Then give James a call because the family is anxious to hear from you.

After Heather carried Muffin into the office, she removed her gloves, hat and coat and let Muffin out of his carrier. Muffin sulked, meowed and sniffed every corner of the lounge and office.

Heather made herself hot chocolate in the small kitchen area. She slowly sipped her hot chocolate and then noticed Muffin arch his back. His hair stood on end. Slowly, Muffin stepped aside, hissing and staring in the direction of Andy‘s desk.

Heather looked close towards the desk area. Spread out on an old braided rug, lay an old hound dog. The dog was awake, looking passively at Muffin as if a butterfly had passed by.

Muffin had very little contact with dogs other than Vet visits. He slowly eased up to Heather and mewed sorrowfully. He did not like this place. It was not home and he did not like the dog.

Heather picked up Muffin and whispered to her pet, Darling, that dear dog will not hurt you.

Heather walked over to the lounge area carrying Muffin wrapped in her left arm and hot chocolate in her right hand.

She sat on the comfortable Lodge-print sofa and absorbed her surroundings. Muffin cautiously left Heather’s arms and he leapt on to the window ledge. He curiously watched as Andy carried Heather’s suitcase and plastic container onto the porch. Then Andy cautiously drove the Jeep to the storage area.

Heather took this time to phone James.

Hi James, she said softly resigning herself to the situation. Well, we are at Andy’s safe and sound.

Hi Heather! James said. He was excited that she did not change her mind. How was the trip? he asked as he and Charles quickly got into Charles’s SUV and began to head down the mountain. He did not realize, he was sounding like a teenage boy.

The roads were not bad and the weatherman called for only a few, light flurries, Heather repeated the weather report she had heard an hour ago.

Was that Florida’s weather report, Heather? James teased. "We expect four to six inches by this evening. If you are planning to