The Third Cloud: A Novel

By Eva Fischer-Dixon

Army Intelligence Captain Michael McCloskey arrives home to San Francisco, California after resigning from his Army commission. His father is about to retire from the position of the city's Police Commissioner. On that occasion, Michael and his mother wanting to surprise him, invite his former Army Air Force buddies with whom he served during World War Two.

After sending out the invitations, a chain reaction is about to begin. Several of the invited former soldiers are mysteriously being murdered by ruthless assassins.

A horrible tragedy awaits those who participate at the party and Michael is among the few survivors. After an attempt on his life, he is more than anxious to begin his own investigation. Unexpectedly he is summoned to the National Security Agency, and along the way he finds out personal facts about himself he wouldn't even dare to dream about.

His investigation of a mysterious airplane began with his kidnapping to Russia, then his journeys to Italy with his Russian cooperators, to Japan and finally to the Mariana Islands in the Pacific.

Unknown assassins following him throughout Italy and Japan. Meanwhile a formerly unknown terrorist organization explode bombs in different cities around the United States. Their goal is to blackmail Michael and the US Government to release those documents in Michael's possession and later on, to get Michael himself.

He learns about the possibilities of another holocaust, which he must alone try to prevent. First there was the Enola Gay and then there was the Bock's Car. What if there was another airplane, a third one. Everyone knows about the mushroom clouds over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but what if only a selected few knows about a third plane or a possible third bomb?

Throughout his investigation and journeys, he encounters friendships and betrayals, assassins and heroes, and finds true love.

But most of all, Michael must race against time to find out the truth about a third plane and it's whereabouts before the terrorist do, and to find the woman he is willing to die for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 30, 2000
• ISBN: 9781469119755

Eva Fischer-Dixon

I came into this troubled world during the early morning hours of June 17, 1950, in the city of Budapest, Hungary. I was the first and last child of my 41-year-old mother and my father who was 45 years old at the time of my birth. As I did not know any better, I could not possibly understand that we were living in poverty, as I was growing up with loving parents and there was always a bite to eat. My childhood was poor and saddened with tragedies. As a six-year-old child I witnessed the bloody 1956 revolution and received the first taste of true prejudice by those of whom I thought liked us, yet turned against my family. That tragedy did not match the untimely death of my beloved father when I was not yet seven years old, on February 14, 1957. My mother remarried in 1959 and our financial situation was upgraded from poverty to poor. After finishing elementary school I made a decision to earn money as soon as possible to ease our financial situation and I enrolled in a two-year business college (high school diploma was not required). I received my Associate Degree in 1966 and I began to work as a 16-year-old certified secretary/bookkeeper. During the same period I began my high-school education, which I completed while working full-time and attending night school. I discovered my love for writing when I was 11 years old after a movie that my childhood friend and I saw in the movie theater. We were not pleased with the ending and Steven suggested that I should write a different ending that we both liked. Voila, a writer was born. With my family’s encouragement, I entered a writing contest given by a youth oriented magazine and to my genuine surprise, I won second price. My desire to live in a free country and to improve my life was so great, that in 1972, leaving everything, including my aging parents behind, I managed to escape from Hungary during a tour to Austria, (then) Yugoslavia and Italy. I spent almost nine long months in a rat infested refugee camp, located Capua, Italy, while I waited for official permission to immigrate to the country of my dreams, to the USA. In 1975 I met and married a wonderful man, my husband Guy. Thanks to his everlasting patience, he assisted me in my task of learning the English language. He is truly my partner for life and I remain forever grateful to him for standing by me in some tough times. It is difficult for me to describe my love for writing. I cannot think of a bigger emotional joy for an author than to see a published novel in somebody’s hand and to see a story come alive on the screen. I yearn to experience that joy.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

JUNE 1996

It was a slow night, hot and humid. No major events were in the offing. James Lafayette could never make up his mind which of the seasons he liked best.

He was not an overly ambitious man, but determined enough to provide a reasonably pleasant life for his family. Naturally he wanted to make more money, who wouldn’t, but he also liked the quiet times. He was polite to his passengers, but did not volunteer any information if he was not inquired.

He liked to cruise the suburbs of New Orleans; he knew all the side streets, bright and dark. He grew up there, like his father before him, who was born there to French immigrants. He spent most of his adult life in New Orleans, except for the time he spent with the Army Air Force during World War Two. He never stopped having strong patriotic feelings.

He wanted to retire when he reached the necessary retirement age and leave the cab driving behind as soon as he could. James drove thousands of passengers for thirty long years, fifteen years with the same company. He was grateful to the cab company owners, many major companies didn’t like to keep older or hire very young people. Perhaps because of the high cost of the automobile liability insurance for those drivers, he reasoned to himself when he thought about it.

James had never had an accident in thirty years of driving, at least not one for which he was responsible for, someone ran into his parked car once. The company’s insurance rates were not increased and besides, it wasn’t his fault.

He changed his work schedule from day shift to the evening, hoping he could make a little bit more money, but most of all, so that he could take care of his ailing wife of thirty-five years. They married right after he was discharged from the service. Both of them became ill at the same time frame. He always thanked God for helping to raise a good child who took care of both of them.

James returned to work shortly after recovering from his illness. Since his daughter was working during the day, he took the first available evening and early nightshift posted on the bulletin board in the company’s garage.

His wife, Adele never fully recovered from the mysterious illness she contacted, she remained bedridden year after year for twelve years.

The test results were negative and the doctors were unable to diagnose what caused the weakness of her body. She had it in her legs and had been unable to walk since the illness first struck her.

The doctors did agree on one thing: the problem was caused by a very unusual nerve disorder. James didn’t believe that for a moment. The two of them had contacted the same illness, yet, he recovered and his wife’s condition grew worse.

They were told many times that it was only a coincidence. The two of them had different medical problems; only the symptoms were similar. He trusted no one, especially since World War Two. James never thought about the war, but he would faithfully attend his squadron’s reunion, held every other year.

He remembered bitterly of the time when he was told that his wife would never walk again, and that her condition was incurable. That was the time when he began drinking. At first, he only drank a little bit, and then a little bit more as time wore on.

James seriously worried what would happen if the company found out about his drinking problem before his retirement. He had tried to quit drinking many times and he even joined Alcoholic Anonymous.

He would drive all night and sleep a couple of hours and then he would get up and take care of his wife’s needs. However, the first thing he would do upon rising, he would head toward the pantry where he hid his bottles.

His daughter got home in the late afternoon. She did the rest of the housework and prepared the next day’s meal.

James and Adele never had children of their own. After five years of childless marriage, they decided to adopt a child, who later became their pride and joy as she grew up to be a loving and responsible person.

As he was reminiscing about his daughter’s childhood, a call came over the radio about a fare at the railroad station. It took him less then ten minutes to get there and after picking up the young couple, he drove them to Bourbon Street, into the famous French Quarter.

James felt unusually tired and after dropping off his fare, he drove back to the garage and checked out. It was almost at the end of his shift anyway.

James didn’t live too far from the garage, he could practically walk home from there, but it was two o’clock in the morning and he was dragging himself. James drove his cab home on a regular basis with the company’s permission.

When he got home a short time later, James found his small house in darkness. He thought that it was rather strange; the front porch light was not on either as usual. His daughter, who was single and still lived with them at home, usually left the light on for him so he could find the keyhole easier in the darkness of the night.

James had a difficult time finding his house keys, but he finally managed to open the heavy oak front door. His hand automatically reached for the light switch on the left hand side on the wall.

The house was very quiet; he tried to avoid making any unnecessary noise. James took off his shoes and went to the pantry to have what he called his early morning midnight cap.

He poured the wine into a tall glass and he pushed the cork back into the opening of the bottle. He decided to have just a little bit more, and filled his glass up to the rim once again.

He noticed some bills and an unopened envelope on the kitchen counter. Nicole, his daughter already opened up the envelopes containing bills, but she left the letter addressed to him unopened. He carelessly ripped off the side of the envelope, removed the letter and read it. The words were familiar to him; James received one of those letters every two years.

It was an invitation to the squadron’s reunion. The 1996 reunion was scheduled to be in San Francisco, California, and this time the reunion was combined with his former squadron buddy, Douglas McCloskey’s retirement party. James thought it was a good idea too, as he put the invitation down on the kitchen counter. James decided to wait on his decision whether he was going to attend the reunion or not. He wanted to talk it over with his wife and daughter.

Ever since his wife’s tragic illness began, they kept separate bedrooms, but it was custom of his to check on his wife before he went to bed.

He turned the door handle noiselessly and left the door ajar so he could see without turning on the light in his wife’s bedroom.

His wife, Adele seemed very peaceful as she slept. He couldn’t even hear her breathing. The thought scared him and he turned the light on the nightstand beside the bed. He bent down to listen to her heartbeat, but there was not sign of life. He lifted her hand up and let it go. Her arm fell lifelessly down by her side. He noticed that there was a pillow from his room on the floor and when he picked it up, teeth marks were visible on it and the blanket was noticeably crammed on one side of her bed.

James panicked and yelled Nicole’s name out loud. His daughter’s room was just across the hall from his wife’s. When Nicole didn’t reply to his second call, terror filled his already aching heart. He dropped the pillow and rushed to his daughter’s room.

James burst through the door without even knocking at first. His stomach jumped into his throat when he saw Nicole laying across her bed in her nightgown. He gently called out her name again, but she didn’t answer or make any move.

James turned the lights on in her room too and started shouting and gagging in horror. There was blood all over the bed and obvious signs that his daughter put up a struggle before her attacker broke her resistance. Nicole’s throat had been slashed with a sharp instrument. James eyes filled with tears. He was unable to understand who could have done such a horrible thing, murder two innocent people in such a violent way, and for what reason?

He looked around but everything important or valuables were in their usual places and nothing seemed to be missing. He realized that the best thing to do at that moment was to call the police. There was no need for an ambulance anymore.

He could hardly talk on the telephone when he dialed 911. The dispatcher had to repeat every question at least twice. He had a difficult time recalling his own name and address after seeing the horrifying scene in his own house.

James thought maybe all this did not really happen. Maybe he was just watching television or just having a nightmare. The dispatcher tried to calm him down and she told him not to move, touch anything or leave the house. She assured him that a patrol car would be there in a few minutes.

As he put down the receiver, he felt that he just had to have another drink. He couldn’t handle any bad situations anyway, especially what just had happened to him. After the third tall glass of wine, he decided not to have anymore. He became afraid he would be unable to explain to the arriving policemen what kind of condition and situation he found his wife and daughter after returning home from work.

Suddenly, he got very dizzy and began to perspire, which he rarely ever did. Excruciating pain made him bend over with agony. He couldn’t figure out what was happening to him? He felt exhausted and he was in terrible pain. He laid down on the living room couch, where he was found dead by two policemen arriving to investigate his desperate and frantic 911 phone I would like to dedicate this book to all Holocaust survivors and for those who seek solutions for peace by other means than weapons.

And for my parents, Arthur and Ilona Fischer, my step-father,

Gyula Diamant and to my husband Guy,

who took care of me when I needed it the most and always.call.

James couldn’t possibly know that he had just consumed almost a whole bottle of wine laced with deadly cyanide.

CHAPTER TWO

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

MAY 1996

Ladies and gentlemen, please notice that the No Smoking sign has been turned on, and all smoking material should be extinguished at this time. Please fasten your seatbelts and bring all seats to their upright position. Captain Fraser has received clearance for our final approach to the San Francisco International Airport. We will be landing shortly and on time!

Michael looked out the window and reflected upon the familiar scenery of his hometown, San Francisco. As they flew over 19th Avenue and the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, he recalled all the familiar landmark buildings. Home again, he thought. How long he has been away? Michael was not certain of the answer himself. He could still clearly remember the day of his last departure; he could still recall his father’s straight and sad face as he encouragingly tried to smile and couldn’t stop shaking his hand. His mother, that sweet person who would sacrifice her life for him, couldn’t even talk. She stood there by the gate while he and his wife Linda boarded the plane. Tears were running down on her usually smiling face, but she didn’t say anything, she silently watched them as they disappeared down the long concourse toward the plane.

They have seen each other since, but the day they left still seemed so long ago, he thought as he turned toward the middle age woman seated next to him. It was obvious that she was on her first trip to San Francisco and Michael could understand her excitement. He loved his hometown with its non-stop changes.

The plane’s Captain recited the usual landing speech. The flight was arriving on schedule, the weather in San Francisco was overcast at 65 degrees and he thanked them for flying with their airline and hoped that they would fly with them once again in the near future. Michael asked himself just how many times he had heard the same little speech through out his travels, he couldn’t recount them anymore.

Nobody met him at the airport; he planned his arrival as a surprise present for his parents, especially for his father.

He found his luggage quickly enough and he casually walked out from the airport terminal. There was no need to rush, he was not a tourist, and he was home. He walked to one of the waiting taxicabs and got into the front seat after placing his luggage in the back.

It’s good to be home, he thought as they passed by the airport buildings and headed toward the downtown area. Familiar sites brought back more pleasant than sad memories. Michael loved this city for it’s fascinating history and it’s varied cultured population. The different cultures and people made the city zestier and more enjoyable. His thoughts returned to his wife and he felt sad. Michael always tried to think the positive events of his life, but the past year and half has been downhill all the way.

He was not certain how to tell his parents about what was happening between he and Linda, Michael knew he must tell them the truth, just as he always did. They had always liked Linda and they tried to be good in-laws by not criticizing or by getting involved what they were doing. That’s just the way they were and Michael was grateful for that. He loved his parents very much and thought about them a lot while he lived overseas. Listening to other people’s conversation about their parents made him even more grateful and thankful that he was blessed with a good father and mother. He was certain that he could always count on their trust; understanding and most importantly, he could always rely on their love and support. Michael was home once again and he hoped that this time he wouldn’t have to leave again.

CHAPTER THREE

OCONTO FALLS, WISCONSIN

JUNE 1996

The wind was blowing much stronger by the time he reached the bottom of the hill. It was the most disliked part of his daily route in his twenty-five years as a mail carrier.

He loved his job; he always felt a certain sense of freedom about it. His route had been changed only three times since he started out as a mail carrier in the small town of Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. This most recent route was his favorite, except for that one high hilly street which always caused him loose his breath.

He knew just about everybody on his route. They were mostly retired and middle class working people. The people liked him along his route, occasionally he would discover all sorts of small presents in the mailboxes, wrapped and addressed to him, Frank Semple.

Older, retired ladies spoiled Frank with freshly baked cookies and pastries. Sometimes they would invite him inside their homes for a cup of hot tea, coffee and cookies, especially during the cold winter months.

Frank was never quite certain if he was breaking any rules by accepting those little presents, he believed he was pleasing the people by accepting their small tokens of appreciation.

The hill ahead slowed him down as usual. His knees were giving him a lot of trouble in the past few years. After his old friend and family doctor did some tests on him, Frank was told that he had arthritis in both knees. The doctor suggested an early retirement for medical reasons, an idea that he strongly refused. He never mentioned the doctor’s suggestion to his superior as he was close to retirement anyway. He wanted to work a few extra years so that his son could finish his medical school without any financial hardship.

Frank always thought about the same things when he reached certain places along his route. Half way up the hill, he usually thought about his wife and son, their only child, who was a bright, intelligent and a talented young man. It never really bothered him that his son was not really his own. Frank never openly acknowledged that he knew the truth.

He and his friend were in love with the same girl, who later became his wife. Frank hardly ever thought of those sad days when his friend managed to seduce his girlfriend and left her pregnant. His friend left town one evening and he never returned. Frank loved his girlfriend and begged her to marry him eventhough she told him that she was carrying his friend’s child. His persistence paid off, a couple months before the child was born; they were married in a small private ceremony.

Frank loved the child and he wanted to give him the best of everything. His son never knew the circumstances of his birth, which was Frank’s only wish of his wife. His son asked him many times to retire sooner than Frank planned, he wanted go get a part time job, but Frank stubbornly refused his son’s offer. Frank wanted to pay for his son’s expenses while he attended medical school.

When Frank finally reached the top of the hill, he had to stop and rest for a couple of minutes before he was able to continue his work. He was out of breath and his knees were aching. I will never, ever get used to this damn hill. Frank mumbled the same thing every day. When the next day came, he got up, put on his mail carrier’s uniform and went to work thinking about his family, and especially about his son’s bright future as a surgeon.

His wife was a quiet, middle age woman, a few years younger than him. She was a good wife to him, never complained and she loved him and their son, and took her job as a housewife seriously. Earlier in their marriage she worked for a while, but after their son was born, she became ill due to the difficult childbirth. Frank talked her into quitting her job and to stay home. Their son would remain their only child; she never got pregnant again after her son was born. They never found out why and her husband never questioned the matter. He loved her son and treated him just as he was his own child.

Frank always wanted a large family, a dream that he never mentioned to his wife. He thanked God for saving his wife and the child’s life. Frank was happy that he had a good family after all. He noticed that his wife changed after their son’s birth. It was not a drastic change, but she became rather quiet, more home bound, not wanting to go out anymore, except for shopping. She just wanted to stay home and take care of the family.

Frank didn’t complain about all these things, he liked to live that way. He never smoked or drank in his life. He enjoyed gardening and those quiet times with his family. Their life became even slower when their son left and went off to college in another state. His son had good grades in high school and he earned a scholarship at a prestigious university, but he still needed money for books, shelter, food and number of other expenses.

After their son left to attend college, his wife became ever more withdrawn, she hardly said anything to him. He was even afraid to ask her about the reunion with his outfit from World War Two. He always like to attend those reunions, he felt like a young man again when they talked about their big victories with hardly any defeats to recall. There were many sad memories to remember though, and each time they met on those reunions, there were less and less people attending.

He remembered that two years earlier, there were about twenty-five or thirty people present. They all knew each other from the last glorious but bloodstained days of World War Two.

His former comrades went on their separate ways after the war. Some of them made a career out of the Army, but most of them found civilian jobs and settled down, starting a family like he did. Sometimes even his wife joined him on those reunions, but the past few years she stayed away from parties and public places.

He finally finished his route and walked back to the Post Office, a few blocks away. Frank deposited the mail he collected from mailboxes and finished some of his daily routine duties. Frank said goodbye to his colleagues and got into his car, he drove directly home.

As he opened the glove box in his car, he pulled out the envelope that he received just a few days earlier. He was a little hesitant to show it to his wife, it was the invitation to the squadron’s reunion, but this time it was promised to be a very special event. It was to coincide with his good friend Douglas McCloskey’s retirement party.

Frank thought about calling his son to ask him if he could talk his mother into joining him on his trip to San Francisco, but he changed his mind a short time later. Frank did not want to bother his son with that kind of small family problem, which he should be able to resolve himself, he would go with or without her.

He put the invitation in the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled into his carport fifteen minutes later. He noticed that his mailbox flag was up. Frank found that rather peculiar, he always took their personal mail with him when he went to work.

Before he entered his house, Frank walked to the mailbox. His eyes wandered to the windows of his house and Frank realized another strange thing; the whole place was dark, usually some lights were on by the time he returned from work. It was already getting dark outside.

Frank was thinking that perhaps his wife failed to mention to him about leaving mail at the house as he pushed down the flag of the mailbox and opened the mailbox door. One second later, the entire neighborhood was shaken by the explosion of the bomb which went off as soon as Frank opened the mailbox.

Frank felt no pain as he lay helplessly on the sidewalk, almost twenty feet from the spot where his mailbox used to stand. He felt incredibly weak. He tried to lift up his head, when he noticed a strange, yet, still familiar looking object not far from him. Frank realized with sudden horror that the object he tried to recognize was his own right arm, ripped from his shoulder by the explosion.

There were people around him and he noticed two-ambulance vehicles parked near by. Why two? he wondered. He turned his head toward his house and he saw two medics pulling a rolling stretcher out through the front door with somebody on it, the body was tied and covered down. The gentle evening breeze from the head of the body blew off the light cover. With a new wave of shock, Frank recognized his wife.

Frank passed out again and when he regained consciousness once more, he saw unfamiliar faces bending over him. He knew that he was in some kind of vehicle, possibly an ambulance, Frank felt the movement underneath him and there were two other people in the vehicle with him. Frank noticed that tubes were hanging from overhead; he knew that those people were taking care of him. He felt to weak to speak and no matter how hard he tried, he was unable to talk and ask them what had happened to his wife, but not even a sound of whisper would leave his burned lips.

Somehow Frank knew that he would never be able to get an answer to his questions; who could have done such a thing, and most of all, why?

After he closed his eyes, Frank slowly slipped into a coma. By the time the ambulance reached the nearest hospital, he was dead on arrival.

CHAPTER FOUR

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

MAY 1996

Police Commissioner Douglas McCloskey quietly set behind his large mahogany desk with his eyes glued to the calendar in front of him.

Fourteen more working days and he will turn into a man of leisure just as his wife Martha has been encouraging him for the past several months. He had never fully realized how much his wife wanted him to stay home and spend more time with her. Douglas thought about many times how lucky he was finding a woman like her, over thirty-five years ago. She seldom complained about his absence from home, due to those stressful and anxiety filled long working hours.

As the Police Commissioner of San Francisco for almost ten years and with the Police Force for over thirty-five, he had to ask himself the question: was he really ready for retirement? Was he willing to give up the job that he loved so much and which became the biggest part of his life?

He had worked himself up from patrolman to Commissioner. Although he was not an extremely ambitious man, his record in the Police Department has always been excellent, including the years shortly before his promotion to Commissioner. Douglas had been the Chief of Detectives for six years before his new post was awarded to him. Douglas solved many difficult cases, and yet, when he was informed that he was selected for the position of the Commissioner in his native San Francisco, he was surprised. His wife, Martha accepted the news of his promotion with tears in her eyes. He thought about that moment many times and he knew he would never forget it as long as he lived.

When he looked at his wife, he realized that his promotion really did happen, and now, after almost ten long years as a Commissioner, he was about to turn in his badge and retire. He had promised Martha years ago that when he reached retirement age, he would indeed retire, he would not work one day past that date.

She made plans years earlier to move out of San Francisco to her favorite city, Sausalito, just across the Golden Gate Bridge. They never realized how difficult it would be to make that final decision about moving, they had lived in the same house for the past thirty-five years, from the beginning of their marriage until the present day. And now, the house was up for sale.

While house hunting in Marin County, especially around Sausalito and Tiburon, they had crossed the Golden Gate Bridge so many times and paid so many tolls, that they felt like shareholders of the bridge. It was an old phrase and became a common joke between them also. After many unsuccessful trips, they finally found their dream house in Sausalito, overlooking the bay.

The timing couldn’t have been more ideal. The same week that they made the down payment on their new home, their house in San Francisco was sold and the only obstacle that stood in their way was Douglas’s upcoming retirement.

He usually did not attend parties but when he did, Martha always accompanied him. But now, two-retirement parties were planned, for Douglas and Douglas only. He couldn’t possibly decline attending them; they were his retirement parties. The first party was scheduled right after his retirement date and the second was scheduled at the Mosconi Center. He knew the Mayor and many other state representatives and congressmen would attend, all of them he got to know during his tenure as the city’s Police Commissioner and his time on the beat. The party was supposed to be a state affair and he was forced to attend, if for no other reason than protocol.

He pushed the calendar back to it’s usual place and looked toward the direction of the heavy door when it opened. He got up from his desk and happily hugged the young man entering his office.

Hello dad! said the young man shaking the Commissioner’s hand and hugging him back. It’s sure good to see you again.

The older McCloskey held his son at arms length. Let me look at you, I have not seen you for at least six or seven months! How are you and how is Linda? How come you’re not in uniform? Talk to me son. Tell me what is happening? he asked his son excitedly. The Commissioner pushed the big comfortable chair in front of his desk toward his son and sat down in another one himself.

I thought I would stop by here on my way to your house. I arrived less than an hour ago from Washington, D.C.; I left Germany four days ago. But how is mom? How is she doing?

Oh, she’s fine. You know her, even if she is sick, she wouldn’t complain. Tell me about yourself, Michael, don’t keep me in suspense.

I don’t really want to hold you up dad. If you are busy we can talk tonight. I’ll be staying with you and mom for awhile.

Don’t worry Michael. They’re really taking it easy on me during my last two weeks. I had a few appointments earlier this morning, and I have a staff meeting later on, but I can spare some time for you right now, so talk to me son.

Michael laughed at his father’s eagerness, but his happy smile quickly turned into a sad one. The change of his expression caught the Commissioner’s eyes, but he patiently waited.

Things are not going very well dad, I resigned from the Army. Linda got tired of all the moving from base to base every few years; she decided that she wanted to come home to San Francisco. She complained that she was tired of being alone so much. I was always going on assignments, which required a lot of traveling. I guess she just had enough.

The Commissioner had a difficult time believing what his son was telling him. It was his son’s childhood dream to be an officer. He had joined the Army immediately after finishing college and he has been a first class Intelligence Officer.

I can appreciate Linda’s point of view, but she knew when you two got married that your job would require a lot of separation and moving to different places. said the older McCloskey with a sad tone in his voice.

It’s alright dad, being a civilian isn’t so bad. Besides, I already have a job. Michael replied almost cheerfully.

Now that is a good news son. It has been difficult to find good prospects lately.

You will be surprised to hear this though! Are you ready for this dad? Michael asked teasingly, looking at his father who naturally had become curious. I’ll be working with your former colleagues in the Special Investigation Department. Announced Michael, his eyes searched his father’s face for a reaction.

His father rose from his chair and began pacing the floor nervously. I’m happy for you son, you’ll be working with some very fine people. I’m certain that they will be pleased with your appointment, but what about Linda? Where is she now and what does she think about your new job?

Michael took a noticeable deep breath before answering his father’s question. She is still in Germany, waiting for the movers to pack up our household goods. She doesn’t know about my new job yet. I only told her that there is a good possibility that I’ll get a job I applied for in San Francisco. I don’t know what her response will be.

The Commissioner stepped in front of his son and looked at him questioningly. Do you realize the Special Investigation Department will take more of your personal time than the Army did?

Michael nodded. Yes, I know that dad, but at least she will be in her own country and in her own city. She can make some friends over here. She never wants to go anywhere; she stays indoors most of the time. If we live here, she can get a part time job or go back to school. She can occupy her time with doing something useful instead of feeling sorry for herself all the time.

She is still upset over the baby?

Yes, very much I’m afraid. It was not easy for me dad, I have always been so busy and I couldn’t just sit around and try to cheer her up. I don’t think she ever got over those terrible days. She is still blaming herself and most of all me, and the Army for what happened to our son.

If she wants to, you could try and adopt a child after you are settled here. suggested the older McCloskey.

Michael shook his head. I don’t think so dad. She said if she couldn’t have her own, she didn’t want anyone else’s baby either. This is where we stand right now. It would be nice once we settled down if she could spend some time with you and mom while I’m working.

The Commissioner smiled at him and tapped his son on the shoulder. Sure thing Michael. Maybe we can take her fishing. Your mother ordered brand new fishing rods with all the fancy accessories so the whole family could go deep-sea fishing. Of course only if you and Linda would like to join us.

Michael smiled back at him and thanked his father. He told him about the house he was going to rent with the help of a Realtor friend he kept in touch with by E-mail. The house will not be far from his parent’s new home. Michael asked his father about the people he was going to work with. Most of them have spent many years on the police force.

The Commissioner’s secretary interrupted their conversation, she reminded her boss about the staff meeting he had to attend in twenty minutes. Father and son said goodbye to each other, agreeing that Michael would naturally stay with them for a few weeks until his wife and their household goods arrived.

After the visit at his father’s office, Michael went to in-process at the Human Resources Office to finalize some of the processing that was required for his new job.

It was not the first time that he had met some of his father’s former colleagues, but there were many new faces in the department he didn’t recognize. His father told him about the veteran detectives whom he used to work with, many were still on the force.

He had two more weeks of free time on his hands. He had to take a physical examination and several other tests and he also had to settle into his parent’s home for the time being.

Michael was glad that his father was retiring for more than one reason. First of all, the Commissioner deserved the rest, he had worked hard all his life and almost non-stop ever since he was sixteen years old. Secondly, and it was the most important to Michael, it wouldn’t appear that he had been hired on the Police Force merely because his father was the city’s Police Commissioner. He had been hired because of his excellent credentials, his knowledge and vast understanding of espionage, international relations, and nevertheless, his capability of fluently speaking several foreign languages.

Unlike his father, once he was established in a certain position, he always challenged himself to reach as far and as fast as possible to the top.

He was excited about his new job. He also loved his former job in the Army, but civilian life was so much different. He thought about how Linda hated uniforms that was only a part of her hatred for the military. She blamed the Army for coming between her and Michael. That was not the case eventhough Michael did spend a great deal of time away from home, and especially away from her. He considered himself a good husband and provider; most of his absences from home were work related. He hardly ever had a drink, perhaps an occasional glass of wine at home now and then. He was faithful to Linda because he loved her and because he believed in the institution of marriage, in an old fashioned way, just as his parents did.

Michael knew he was going to miss the Army after he received his honorable discharge. He did not fully realize just how much he really missed wearing his uniform until he noticed soldiers at the airport.

Still he clearly remembered the very first time he wore his uniform, Michael felt so proud. He stood in front of the mirror and stared at himself. He was tall, lean and definitely looked good in the uniform. Even Linda admired him when he wore his Class A uniform. Those days seemed so long ago to him.

Michael was very good at his job in the Military Intelligence community, or as his wife, Linda called them, the Spy Department. He smiled as he thought of that. He never discussed his work with his wife, never mentioning how he spent his days. She tried to question him in the beginning for a little while, until one day Michael explained to her, that the subjects and the nature of his work was all off limits. Every aspect of his work required secrecy and better for her not knowing them. He could not discuss his work with anybody, including his wife.

His job was a complicated one, he was in charge of many different kinds of investigations, of possible sabotage and espionage around missile sites and Army bases. His last assignment in Germany was related with the security and safety around missile sites.

His new colleagues at the San Francisco Police Department welcomed him warmly, as the Lieutenant showed him his desk. Only the Lieutenant had his own office, the rest of them worked in three large offices. He found the place kind of cold and old fashioned, maybe because it was old, as it was rebuilt after the big earthquake in 1906.

Not having his own office, as in his Army days, did not bother him; he had hardly ever used it even when he had one. He knew he was not going to spend a lot of time by his desk; most of the investigations took place outside the office. Since he was new, he was aware that it would be sometime before he would be in charge of any major investigation.

His department at the Police Department was called the Special Investigation Department and they did not necessarily become involved in solving minor crimes, except when the homicide investigators became overloaded. His department also cooperated very closely with the FBI and the Central Intelligence Agency in cases that threatened national security, especially as San Francisco was one of the busiest entry and exit ports in the United States.

Michael loved San Francisco. Like his father, he was born and raised there. He went to college at the University of California, at Berkeley. He considered himself a one hundred percent native San Franciscan. He loved the Marina area the most; it was close to the house where he lived with his parents and where he grew up.

His father bought their house right after the war, when he got out of the service. During World War Two and shortly after, those homes around the Marina were being sold at very low prices. People were afraid that the Japanese Army might invade the city from the direction of the sea. His father borrowed some money and bought one of those houses that are now worth many times more than in those earlier days.

Whenever friends or relatives visited them, Michael would volunteer to show them around the city. He would take them to Chinatown, which always sparkled with her oriental magic and to the Fisherman’s Wharf where hundreds of little shops offered a variety of souvenirs to the bargain and gift hunting tourists. Most of them were already in love with the city, with it’s picturesque panorama, and with it’s hills, where the cable cars climbed while ringing their bells.

There was always so much to see in the city. He remembered when he was a child how his father always took him sightseeing in the city or in Marin County. He used to love to go and walk among the tall and cool redwood trees of Muir Woods, or go deep-sea fishing on the boat his parents rented for the occasion.

The city had changed a lot since he was a child. A lot of new buildings had been built, including the Hyatt Hotel and one of his favorites, the Transamerica Building. He was never able to make up his mind which architectural style he liked the best. He favored both modern and old buildings but leaned toward classical.

He liked living in Germany, but his wife never cared for it. The state of Bavaria in Germany was a thrill for him with it’s rolling hills and many castles, yet, complete with modern technology, daring new fashion and old tradition.

Michael drove around in San Francisco in his father’s car that he had let him use. He went to his parent’s house, where his mother was overjoyed to see him. She sensed for some time that there was something wrong between her son and daughter-in-law. As usual, she didn’t ask him any questions. She decided to wait until her son was ready to tell her what she wanted to know.

He waited while his mother prepared some food for him. She kept asking him why didn’t he let her know that he was coming home. Michael hardly ever called or wrote to them lately. He smiled as he listened to his mother’s gentle complaints. He loved her and trusted her deeply. He suspected that she already sensed the truth; that his marriage was in trouble. He remembered so well when his parents found out about his child’s tragic death. Both of them rushed immediately to Wuerzburg, Germany where he was stationed. They wanted to be there to help and comfort them through their sorrow. His mother was a wonderful person with a heart of gold.

Martha brought some sandwiches into the dining room and placed them on the table in front of Michael. She went back to the kitchen and poured a large glass of milk for him and turned on the coffee maker.

Mom, you make the best tuna fish in the world. he said after biting into his favorite sandwich.

"Wait until your father catches some fresh salmon, right from the ocean. Oh,

Michael, she sighted as she looked at her son with happiness in her eyes. It is so good to have you home again. Your dad told me just the other day that he wished that you could be home for his retirement party. It’s like a dream come true for him."

Mom, I didn’t come home for a visit, I came home to stay! I rented a house in Mill Valley. I did not see it yet but I talked to a Realtor friend of mine and he got it for us. Linda should be here in a couple of weeks if not sooner. If you don’t mind, I would like to stay here with you and dad until Linda and the furniture arrives.

What do you mean if I don’t mind? You will always have a place in our home, what’s ours is yours. I used to tell you that all the time when you were a little boy. Why do I have to repeat myself now after so many years?

I have never forgotten that mom, but it is reassuring to hear it again, Michael replied between bites. He had finished eating; he took the empty dishes into the kitchen. He poured coffee into two cups and carried them into the living room. As he gave one to his mother, she began laughing and said to him. Are you trying to spoil me?

Mom, you deserve the best. Michael said and kissed his mother’s cheek gently. He sat down next to her on the couch and put his cup down on the coaster placed on the coffee table. Mom, I must tell you something that I have never mentioned. Things are not going well between Linda and me. She can’t get over losing the baby. I can’t get her to do anything or to go anywhere with me. All she does is watch television or read books. She wanted me to quit the Army and to come back here. She said she was sick of uniforms; she was sick of Army bases and living in Army quarters. We just live together like strangers, not like man and wife. When I want to touch her, she always turns away and complains that she is tired or has other problems. I got out of the Army and got a job as a detective at dad’s old department in Special Investigations. I didn’t want to tell you and dad any sooner because I wanted to be sure that I got the job. I had hoped that she would change her mind in the meantime. It didn’t happen, everything is still the same, so I’m here to stay.

I am sorry to hear about the problems you are having son; nevertheless, I’m glad that you are returning home. I missed you both of you. Answered Martha. An hour didn’t pass by without me thinking of you and Linda. I’m truly sorry to hear those things about her. Let’s hope that you can spend more time with her. She needs a lot of attention you know. I remember when your father worked at Special Investigations; he never came home for dinner on time. We would hardly see each other, sometimes for days. Are you certain that Linda will have the patience for that kind of life again? I don’t think so. It is something you and Linda will have to work out. I want you to remember one thing though. I believe that she feels very much alone and abandoned since your son died.

I don’t know mom. She should try to get a job of some kind or perhaps she could try to enroll in college. She needs to have a fresh outlook from the past so that we may start a new life here. Perhaps then, we still can have a future together in the place where we began originally.

Martha smiled at her son and hoped that things would work out between he and his wife; she hated the thought of them being unhappy. She suspected that her son no longer loved his wife like he used to, and that his attempt to save his marriage was merely out of fulfilling his marital vows and obligations.

CHAPTER FIVE

ISLAND OF GUAM, APRIL 1994 and SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER 1990

She felt very tired and wanted to sleep, so she asked Michael if he wouldn’t mind to leave for the rest of the evening. He answered that he wouldn’t mind at all, since he only had a temporary pass to leave the base for a few hours, he had to return to duty anyway.

Before he left the hospital, he walked to the infant’s intensive care unit. The nurse carefully pushed the incubator to the window; where Michael would be able see his newborn son. The baby looked so peaceful as he slept.

Michael thought about what a rough start his son had in the first hours of his life, and he hoped and prayed that his future would be easier than the beginning. It was heartbreaking for Michael to see all those tubes twirling about in and out of his son’s tiny body.

After Michael left the hospital room, Linda closed her eyes and attempted to sleep, but she was unable to do so. She began thinking about the time when she and Michael met for the first time in the college library.

It happened so simply. He sat down at the same table where she was studying. After their eyes met, somehow Linda knew that life would never be the same again. She fell in love with him immediately.

He smiled at her across the table and then continued his reading, looking up only occasionally. She couldn’t concentrate on her studies any longer. She wanted to get to know him, there was just one thing; she was uncertain that he felt the same way about her.

He seemed to be everything she had ever wanted in a man. He was tall with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. She never considered herself attractive or beautiful and she was slightly overweight. She felt that if people got to know her better, they would find out something really special about her. She had a great sense of humor; she was very bright and well liked by her roommates and classmates alike. However, she was terribly insecure around those people she didn’t like. Linda had many boyfriends before she went to college; none of them were serious enough to begin an intimate relationship.

It was closing time at the library. Linda returned some of the books to the cart, and she went back to the table to collect her notebooks and the books she wanted to check out. By the time Linda reached her table, the young man was gone. She felt disappointed, but not entirely surprised.

Outside the library Linda felt cold. It was an unusually cold winter night in Berkeley. Linda pulled her heavy coat tighter around herself and she slowly began to walk toward the campus dormitories when somebody touched her arm. Linda was startled by the unexpected touch, then she heard a pleasant voice say, Excuse me, may I have a word with you?

She turned around and hoped with a pounding heart that the voice belonged to that young man from the library. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and then turned around and opened them.

It was him. Yes? was all she could say.

I hope I didn’t scare you. My name is Michael McCloskey. I’m a student here too. Do you have a few minutes so we could talk? Linda could hardly breathe. She just looked at him, not saying anything.

He spoke again. May I buy you a cup of coffee? he asked her.

Yes, that would be nice. she managed to mumble.

There was a small coffee shop not far from the campus library. They went inside and sat down by one of the empty tables. Michael asked her if she wanted to order anything else besides the coffee, she politely said no.

The waitress brought the coffee with some cream on a small plate. They sat and nervously stared at each other, not really knowing what to say next.

Michael broke the silence. I’m not sure how to say this without sounding very corny; when I saw you in the library, I knew that I just had to get to know you.

She didn’t reply, just smiled and thought, What can I say? It was as if he read her mind in the library.

I like it when you smile. There is something about that smile I would like to know better. Michael said, smiling himself.

You are not trying to make fun of me, I hope. Linda inquired.

Believe me, you are safe. My father is a cop and he would really fix me up if I tried anything with you. Besides, I believe we should be married immediately.

Linda broke out in laughter. She thought that the man whom she just met was either funny or insane.

You think I’m kidding don’t you? he shook his head seriously with a little playful smile at the corner of his lips. There is only one thing standing in the way of our marriage, and I’m not sure how to say this, he paused again, reaching for Linda’s hand over the table, and that is, I don’t know your name yet.

That night was so wonderfully magical. It felt so good to her to remember. What had happened to them? What happened to all of those cozy, love filled evenings? She wondered what their chances were for the future.

They dated steadily for the next two years following their first meeting in the library. During the first year, they studied incessantly. It gave them a good reason to be together. The second year they become more intimate.

After leaving a party held by one their friends, they ended up in Michael’s parents’ house. Michael was unaware of his parent’s trip to Sonoma’s wine country where they were planned to spend the weekend. He was overjoyed by the great prospects that the evening would present.

His parents always liked Linda. They never criticized any of the girls he brought to their home, but somehow they knew that Linda was different from the