Shattered Dreams

By Alpha Dominion

An epic story of love, rejection, and betrayal. Carlos Olivera, a gifted clairvoyant endowed with naturally combative soldier skills, was engaged by the government of South Atlantic Democratic Republic (SADR) to fight organized crimes but was later betrayed by President Sabbii Machallah and incarcerated, but unexpectedly, he and his men regained their freedom.

Held in solitary confinement and enslaved by General Zebrosky Mutabar the military ruler, Carlos Olivera and his fellow combatants, in a twist of fate, battles and dethrones General Zebrosky Mutabar in a bloody civilian coup.

Carlos Olivera was persecuted by the SADRs National Assembly and later sentenced by the court to life imprisonment for plotting and executing a coup. The citizens revolt swept away the National Assembly and the apex of the judiciary.

He gained a presidential pardon and fled to Juba Country but was forced out of Juba Country. He returned to SADR and became a famous mercenary soldier. He got contracted to help topple rebel leader Mustapha AliBaba in Juba Country. Exploits in several countries shored up his soldierly profile. In Sudan, a daring mission impossible culminated in his waterloo. He lost all his men at the battleground. In a follow-up, he also lost Malika, the love of his life. Follow the story behind the sagacious, must-read novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Mar 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514465561

Alpha Dominion

Prince Alpha Dominion holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. At various times, he studied English at the former University of Ife, Ile-Ife in 1975 and later, Local Government Administration at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria in 1981. He is well traveled. An avid reader and a prolific writer. Mister Dominion is the creator’s literary gift to this generation. He retired meritoriously in 2013 as a top bureaucrat in the Unified Local Government Service of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. He is happily married to Deaconess Margaret Prince Dominion and they are blessed with three children. Mister Dominion hails from Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.

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Copyright © 2016 by Alpha Dominion.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5144-6557-8

                eBook          978-1-5144-6556-1

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/07/2016

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Dedication

Author's Note

Introduction

Chapter One Atlantic City

Chapter Two The Bloody Trail

Chapter Three Unmasking The Masquerades

Chapter Four The Annoying Adjuncts

Chapter Five Return Of The Black Sheep

Chapter Six Crack On The Wall

Chapter Seven Tar And Feather Juxtapositions

Chapter Eight Killing The President

Chapter Nine Torn Apart By Love

Chapter Ten The Old Wounds

Chapter Eleven Fatal Aggravation

Chapter Twelve Love Knots

Chapter Thirteen Love Knots

Chapter Fourteen A Difficult Gambit

Chapter Fifteen The New Beginning

Chapter Sixteen Another Life

Chapter Seventeen Showdown In Port Of Aruzzo

Chapter Eighteen The End Game

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This book project would not have been possible except by God's unmerited favor upon my life. The Almighty preserved me against all odds, surviving near complete paralysis, getting my physical bodily functions back and rising above the misfortune that almost truncated my existence.

With the support of my wife and children I received encouragement and comfort to return to winning ways and continue doing what I do best. Doing my seventh book project in less than two years is evidently an enviable feat that shows great dexterity and outstanding talent.

To my creator and motivator, I give all the honor and glory.

DEDICATION

For the love that God has showered on me by endowing me with this talent and unending inspiration, I dedicate this book to Him.

Also to my wife Margaret, my daughters Margaret and Victory; and lastly to my son Samuel. Indeed I have been most grateful that they believed in me. It is like shouting from the roof top... Thank you God for everything you have done.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

This novel is a crime_based romantic fiction. It bears no references to real life situations nor persons dead or alive; therefore any similarities in names of characters and place names are mere coincidences and it is highly regretted.

INTRODUCTION

The story is set in South Atlantic Democratic Republic (SADR) in the African continent. Carlos Olivera a gifted clairvoyant met and fell in love with Malika Reeves, it was out of the youthful passion that they shared together their hopes and dreams. Their different mothers encouraged them and that was how Malika Reeves got pregnant for Carlos Olivera. The expectation of a love child between them was to ensure that their hopes of a blissful future was guaranteed.

But when Carlos Olivera enlisted in the Military Academy, it put paid to his marriage proposal to Malika as she turned away from him and would not have him as a soldier husband for even one day. Malika Reeves despised Carlos Olivera and although in her heart of hearts she still felt that he loved her very much, she could not help from taking the remarkable decision, so they drifted apart and his love life became bitter as his dream was equally shattered before he could make it to adulthood.

Several years later when Carlos Olivera became a Major serving in the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) he took intense pleasure and stasfaction in his role as the effante terrible of investigative and intelligence servive. He founded the Cobra Special Unit and in spite of his uncommon and outstanding exploits became feared and despised in Military circles.

Carlos Olivera was forced to resign his commission and set up Baywater Cleaners, a private investigation concern specializing in finding missing persons, monies and properties. He had his first real break when King Gustava Katana's triplets were abducted by kidnappers and the Police and other security agents recorded abysmal failure in their attempt to recover the girls. So Carlos Olivera is called in to do the onerous assignment. Following the bloody trail of the kidnappers he landed in the sea port town of Petroville. Overnight he met and fell in love with Surah Sarozan and this was to signal a new romantic affair between the two. Using his rare gift of clairvoyance and clairaudience, the man they loved to hate accomplished the task like a real pro and smashed the vice ring while equally gaining Surah Sarozan's love. In the follow up, Carlos Olivera and Surah Sarozan became married in the aftermath.

Subsequently Carlos Olivera lands a job with the Federal Government as the Commander of the newly established Joint Task Force against organized crimes, an assignment he and his men did so well. In a bad turn around armed bandits raided Petroville township and in their visit to Mr. Ernesto Sarozan's household, they totured and raped Surah Sarozan to death leaving her day old daughter. Carlos Olivera was devastated and all too soon his hopes and dreams of a lifetime with Surah Sarozan were truncated. He cried just like when he lost his mother and would not be comforted. Since then he had not known any real love nor the care of a wife. He rued the day Malika Reeves turned him down because it created a void in his life that was not easy to be filled.

When Don Scalinato the mafia boss died unexpectedly Carlos Olivera and his men were fingered and betrayed by the President Sabbii Machalla who hounded them like common criminals and ordered their incarceration in a government detention center, after being accused of crimes the JTF did not commit. Villified and disparaged, Carlos Olivera and men of the Joint Task Force became branded as notorious villains in the eyes of the citizens of SADR.

Meanwhile organized crimes in SADR started to rise again at an alarming rate and the citizens were sleeping with one eye open. Prostitution racketeering, currency counterfeiting, kidnappings, armed robberies, illicit drug pedaling, gun running, car jacking, gang banging became the order of the day and the list of pervading crimes were endless. SADR was in a state of social scream when high profile killings occurred on a daily basis. Apprehension, trepidation, sheer angst and hysteria enveloped the country and citizens clamored for drastic measure to salvage the desperate situation.

By a twist of fate Carlos Olivera and his men were brought out of detention after many months in solitary confinement and a new job offer was made. A cleaning job contract to rid SADR of organized crime rings. Operating under a new outfit SCCUTO -- Special Crimes and Counter Terrorism Unit, Carlos Olivera and his team sanitized SADR and set the criminals in disarray. In the course of his duties Carlos Olivera accidentally met Effeyor Donovan whom he rescued from the kidnapper's den and again he sought for an intimate romantic affair perhaps to give his life a new meaning. But tried as he could and in spite of the fact that the marriage produced children, it was short lived. That opportuniy was again lost and wasted. Again his dreams crumbled like a pack of cards. Effeyor was out of his life sooner than he expected and their romance fell apart.

While smarting from his damaged relationship with Effeyor Donovan another opportunity presented itself and Shiela Mackey was into the bandwagon. It attracted interest and support and before any second thought Carlos Olivera and Shiela Mackey were into a new romance but one silly move by another female member of SCCUTO truncated the growing affair and there was a demeaning fallout. Fanta Zeta conducted herself in an improper manner and because Carlos Olivera was seduced unwittingly and he got himself involved with her, it brought damning misgiving between husband and wife and it spelt disaster for their fledging marriage. Shiela Mackey abandoned Carlos Olivera.

SCCUTO under the command of Carlos Olivera successfully foiled a mercenary invasion of SADR twice but on the third attempt a fugitive Army officer General Zebrosky Mutabar with the help of Military Chiefs sacked the civilian government of President Sabbii Machallah in a bloody coup and took over power.

In the aftermath, Carlos Olivera was clamped into solitary confinement for two years. Thereafter General Zebrosky brought Carlos Olivera out of detention and enslaved him for four years, making him his personal domestic slave. One thing led to the other and Carlos Olivera seized a slim opportunity which presented itself unexpectedly, so he and his men regouped for a fight back. It was a bloody showdown in an act of revenge. General Zebrosky Mutabar was slaughtered and toppled by Carlos Olivera and his former SCCUTO members.

Persecuted, disparaged, and vilified, the National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the coup that toppled General Zebrosky Mutabar. Carlos Olivera was singled out, tried and sentenced to life imprisonment. The citizens made a bloody revolt and in the civilian upheaval the National Assembly and the top echelon of the Judiciary were killed in an orgy of blood letting.

After a Presidential pardon by Mrs. Malika Mazari the mother of Carlos Olivera's daughter, he fled SADR to Juba country where he reunited with Hadassah the widow of General Zebrosky Mutabar whom he had become intimately related. Forced out of Juba country he returned to SADR where he horned his skills as a mercenary soldier.

When rebel leader Mustapha AliBaba toppled the elected civilian government of President Sadarto Arkanto in Juba country. Hadassah now mother of twin children for Carlos Olivera met a gruesome death at the hands of the rebels. It was payback as duty called and he played God. Paid by the consortium of Saudis and some Middle East cooperating states, Carlos Olivera and his mercenary crew returned to Juba country to sack Mustapha AliBaba and his rebel soldiers.

Back in SADR Carlos Olivera continued his exploits as a mercenary soldier abroad until he met his waterloo in Northern Sudan which he and his men accomplished so much and equally lost so much. Forty mercenary soldiers who accompanied Carlos Olivera to the Sudan and their weapons of war perished.

Returning home to break the news to his wife Malika whom he had finally married, she received the news of the fatality with shock and it was the shock that killed her. Carlos Olivera by losing the love of his life had invariably lost everything. He lived the rest of his life a lonely man and died as a recluse, with reminiscences of his shattered dreams.

CHAPTER ONE

ATLANTIC CITY

Every city has a story and there is no one city like Atlantic City, the federal capital of South Atlantic Democratic republic (SADR). There was no other city in the country that could handle the monumental challenge of the events that started this story. Going back memory lane, big things had taken place in this city and those things always made screaming headlines on the front pages of newspapers and also breaking news on the network television. Again Atlantic City was in the news and this time around for another wrong reason.

After the romance between Carlos Olivera and Malika had fallen apart, because to Malika's chagrin her beloved Carlos Olivera had enlisted in the Military Academy and she would not have a soldier husband even for one day, in spite of the fact that she loved him dearly. The birth of their love child Princess was meant to cement their relationship but it did not. The two drifted apart, going different ways and sought new romances. But for Carlos Olivera his immediate concern was to pass out of the Academy with flying colors. He did exactly that and for the years thereafter he concentrated in providing for the upkeep of his daughter which meant everything to him.

Gradually he made his mark in his chosen career, becoming outstanding and remarkable in his performance. He made upward mobility within the ranks swiftly. When he became a Major in the Army, new and challenging opportunities were opened to him but there were many adversaries. Carlos Olivera was an outstanding talent as he served in the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI). His investigative competence gained the notice and instant favor from his superior officers culminating in the formation of the Cobra Special Unit. It was not long before the CSU became the handy tool for successive military regimes in repressing the civilian populace.

Somehow the Army authorities panicked because Cobra Special Unit was becoming too powerful, so they tried to force them to disband and be redeployed but Carlos Olivera in a counter move resigned honorably, while Cobra Special Unit fizzled out.

Carlos Olivera incorporated Baywater Cleaners a private investigating company. He not only became a successful private investigator but was outstanding. It was his gift of clairvoyance that empowered him to do exploits and succeeded where others failed. He was also endowed with clairaudience, the ability to hear beyond reality even when not present to witness any act or conversion. Carlos Olivera was an enigma of some sort. So he made waves and soon became the next big thing to happen in SADR.

It's sleepy Maraba suburb where El -- Goran castle is located and residence of King Gustava Katana the Paramount Chief and President of SADR's National Council of Chiefs was the latest recipient of bad new owing to the untoward happening. Immediately the King Gustava hurried home upon receiving the bad news, the driver of the utility vehicle was summoned to his presence on his behest.

'Omar what happened to my girls... All three of them?'

'Your Majesty... Something out of the ordinary happened. We were just coming out of the car with the girls when a car from nowhere drove across and blocked us as we were about to enter the beauty salon. Three men came out shooting from automatic weapons causing commotion. And before we knew what was really happening I was clubbered down and held down at gun point by one of the men, while the other two forcefully bundled the girls and forced them into their car and sped away, disappearing into the afternoon traffic before anybody could do anything about it,' Omar explained a bit tensely.

'So Omar... What could have gotten wrong?' Her Majesty inquired.

'I don't know Your Majesty. I am lost in words. So when fingers seem to point my way... It bothers me because I had nothing to do with it, believe me.

'I believe you Omar... You wouldn't have had any reason to have otherwise been involved.'

'Your Royal Majesty... I heard her talk to somebody on phone and it seemed like somebody very familiar. It was Eunicia who actually told the man to meet them at the beauty salon,' Omar stated further.

'I see... So it could be someone that she is acquainted with. I am extremely worried about this, so let's send for the Area Commander of Police, maybe they can help us unravel this mystery,' the King opined.

'Your Majesty... I agree with you a hundred percent. As disturbing as the matter is, I am open to any inquisition my Lord, so that we can resolve this mystery,' Omar agreed with the king.

'Alright I will send for the police,' king Gustava Katana contended.

So Omar retired to his quarters while the king's household awaited the presence of the police.

'My love... What do you make out of this?' the king asked his queen.

'Honey it beats my imagination. It is so unexpected as it is unimaginable. What can I say?... It is incredible and embarrassing. I am definitely sure that Omar does not know anything about what happened... Rather our daughters must have unwittingly given themselves into the hands of their abductors thinking they were harmless friends,' Molate Katana was suggestive.

'I am tempted to believe same but why should anybody do a thing like that?'

'Honey the way I see it... It is the handiwork of our detractors. I am awfully hurt when I remember that they were such sociable, peace loving kids that wouldn't hurt a fly,' Molate Katana said tearfully.

The King comforted his wife seeing that she was sore distressed.

'My love let's await the police.'

'Honey believe me... It will be of no use. Who knows... They could be several miles away from here as we speak,' Molate opined.

'That is possible especially if it was a well thought out plan and their abductors meant to have their tracks covered,' the king agreed.

'I blame myself.'

'Why do you say that Molate?'

'Yes honey... As their mother, I should have been interested to know who my girls were socializing with and the friends of the opposite sex they were keeping as friends.'

'You are right my love. Even me that has been an oversight. The preoccupation with the affairs of state and the kingdom have robbed me of having enough quality time to spend with my girls, quite unlike I use to do with the boys when they were growing up. I take part of the blame also... I must admit,' King Gustava Katana expressed with a heavy heart.

'What baffles me is that we never knew anybody those girls were going out with.'

'Wait a minute Molate... Do you remember a year ago when Eunicia said they had found suitors for themselves...'

'Yes honey... She actually mentioned that they come from Bassa kingdom in the west of the country, and you had retorted that as a matter of tradition, we don't marry from outside the kingdom,' Molate filled in the blanks.

'I remember what she said in her retort... She Eunicia had said... Screw the negativity of your archaic tradition... I will never forget that,' His Royal Majesty recollected.

'Could those boys have taken offence by our rejection of their proposal that they turned and acted so foolishly like they have done?' Her Majesty was even choking on her words.

'They meant to spite us and rub our faces with scornful shit... For doing the things they have done to us,' king Gustava expressed. It was not long before the police arrived.

'Your Majesty, I have orders from the Area Commander to get a first information report from your driver and then bring him to the precinct for questioning, thereafter he will be returned to you... Except we find him culpable,' the police officer said.

'You are welcome officer. What's your name?'

'Superintendent Farradin... I am of the criminal intelligence bureau.'

'Alright take a seat while I give you my own side of the story,' so the king went on to tell the officer and his companions the disaster that had befallen his household.

The policemen listened attentively and took some notes. Afterwards, the utility driver made his own statement. They ferried him later to the precincts for further interrogation.

And after a grueling, harsh and unfair investigation, the police could not uncover any anything, so the driver was returned and he was not held culpable for the missing of the triplets.

The anxiety of the king's household turned to hopelessness when the police told His Majesty point blank that it was a clueless case and it was going to be a problematic and tiresome time unraveling the mystery of the missing girls.

Something was missing and that was the link which the police could not find nor establish. Apprehension and palpable fear and trepidation held sway in the King's household. The matter was of utmost concern to every meaningful resident of the kingdom.

It not only attracted the concern of the President Sabbii Machallah but it prompted him to draft the military intelligence, secret service, civil defence to extend their intelligence dragnet across the length and breadth of the whole federation and fish out the girls and their abductors.

After months of anxious anticipation, nothing happened. It was an incredible and incomprehensibly quiet moment in the SADR. Simply it was awesome disbelief that three beautiful, lively young women could vanish into thin air just like that and the police and the plethora of security agencies could not find them nor their abductors.

Ammy Casper, cousin to the king and senior special agent with the secret service came with her boss the Director of Secret Service, Mrs. Anna Benjy to have audience with His Royal Majesty Gustava Katana.

After they were brought into the King's presence, and the anxious father in a solemn manner narrated his grief and pain to the visitors while they listened patiently.

'Uncle this is my boss Anna Benjy the Director of Secret Service where I work. She asked me to bring him to you... She has something to tell you,' Ammy Casper said with an emotion laden voice.

'Your Royal Majesty I share with you in your moment of grief. Please accept my sympathy. But my visit goes beyond sympathy... And I want to help you and your family outside the norms of the secret service.'

'I am all ears,' the king responded in a tender voice and with avid interest and renewed excitement.

'Your Majesty... I want to recommend Carlos Olivera to you, so that you can personally contract him to find your girls. He is a private investigator of note,' Anna Benjy expressed without ambiguity.

'Are you telling me Director of Secret Service that this enigma called Carlos Olivera can better do a job that your service personnel cannot do?'

'That's correct Your Royal Majesty. Have you ever heard anything about bureaucratic red tappism. The structural shortcomings of the establishment places bottlenecks in the official procedure and impede sensible investigation.'

'I wish I could understand your big grammar... Could you say what you want to say in simple plain English language, Director,' the king appealed.

Just then Her Majesty the queen returned and met the guest.

'Ammy you are here,' Her Royal Majesty said immediately she entered the large living room and observed her.

'Yes aunty... I brought my boss the Director of Secret Service to discuss with the king.'

'Her Majesty it is my honor to make your acquaintance... The name is Anna Benjy,' the Director introduced herself.

'You are welcome,' the Queen responded.

'My love come and join us, we have a interesting subject at hand,' the king offered.

'I will be with you in a minute, let me get our guest some refreshment,' she excused and it was not long she returned in a jiffy.

And the guest were served before the chit chat resumed.

'Yes Your Majesty... I meant to say that the secret service is handicapped to successfully carry out any meaningful investigation concerning your missing girls,' Anna Benjy said.

'Why is that so if I may ask madam Director?'

'Bottlenecks... Everything we are required to do is to be done by the books but if you can contract Carlos Olivera, he can make some meaningful progress,' Anna asserted.

'What are you talking about and who is this Carlos Olivera of a guy?' the queen asked.

'Aunty... He is the best private investigator money can buy,' Ammy interjected.

'That's what I am talking about. No matter what sort of job it is, you can rest assured that he will certainly deliver,' the Director stated.

'I don't understand,' the queen was doubtful.

'Me too... I am sorry to say that I am a bit cynical my dear. The military intelligence cannot do anything, the police have no clue and the secret service is full of excuses... So why don't we rather turn the investigation to the civil defence corps?' the king questioned skeptically.

'Your Royal Majesty... All of this governmental agencies are outmatched by the capabilities of Carlos Olivera. When these agencies of government come into a cul-de-sac in their investigations such as it is, they have often contracted this man... And by my assessment judging by what he has been able to achieve, Carlos Olivera has a ninety five percent success rating.'

'Is that so?' His Royal Majesty asked rather excitedly.

'Carlos Olivera is the real deal... You wouldn't be wrong if you call him the real Macoy,' Anna joked.

There was some quiet for a while.

'The problem is that his professional fees is somewhat exorbitant... But he delivers. He has successfully handled an avalanche of highly celebrated cases and the list is quite impressive. He is even on the internet and you can peep into his web page,' the Director asserted.

'Well I don't know what to say... So my love what do you think?' the king turned to his queen.

'I am confused... Utterly confused to say the least,' the queen answered.

'Bring me this Carlos Olivera of a guy and let me size him up from close quarters... I like to hear what he has to say,' king Gustava requested.

'Glad to oblige Your Majesty. Tomorrow then about noon... Hoping that he is within the country because he works often times with the Interpol.'

'Director... Do you have his number? If so make the appointment,' the king requested.

'That is better... Let me do that.'

So the quartet waited for Anna to put a call to Carlos Olivera. Luckily the call went through.

'Carlos this is Anna Benjy... Remember me?'

'Oh yeah... The woman from the secret service... What's up?'

'Are you in the country?'

'Yes... Who want to know?'

'King Gustava Katana.'

'I hope it does not have anything to do with the missing girls?'

'Oh, you are aware?'

'It's all over the news. So what's wrong?'

'The king wants to meet with you... Can you make an appointment for noon tomorrow?'

'Sure why not. Come fetch me in my hotel,' Carlos Olivera confirmed his availability.

'Carlos thank you,' Anna Benjy appreciated.

'That settles it I suppose,' king Gustava admitted.

'Yes Your Royal Majesty... Tomorrow then. We beg to take our leave.'

'Thank you for your concern.'

'Uncle, aunty... It's my pleasure to be of any form of assistance,' Ammy posited.

'Ammy thank you for coming with your boss to see us... The Almighty bless you real good,' the king appreciated his niece.

Shortly after the duo left the king turned to his wife.

'What do we hope for my love?'

'Well it's like I see a little shinning ray of hope coming in through the midst the darkness. I hope the Carlos Olivera will deal truthfully with us.'

'Me too am concerned and hope he is not all hype. I'd hate to find out that his capacity and capabilities have been grossly overexaggerated.' The king said worriedly.

'Honey do we even have the money to pay him if he accepts to help us?' the queen inquired.

'Let him say first that he will help us... The money angle will come later on. I will approach the President.'

When the king had audience with the President on a later date Sabii Machallah promised to foot the bill.

'Your Royal Majesty... I haven't come in close contact with this man Carlos Olivera but I learn that he is very good... So maybe this is an opportunity to prove his worthy. Talk to him and agree on something then let me know,' President Sabii Machalla stated purposefully.

'Thank you Mr. President. We have already talked and he suggested that he should be paid five million US dollars... And since we don't have that kind of money, we did not agree on any amount,' the King intimated.

CHAPTER TWO

THE BLOODY TRAIL

It was not just about getting the girls back from whosoever was keeping them, rather the real situation Carlos Olivera had to deal with was to extract the girls and degrade the evil that had held them captive or sever the relationship from whatever they had gotten themselves into. He was getting ready to be on the trail of the abductors so to say and like the Queen opined, there was a shinning ray of hope in the midst of darkness.

Meanwhile Carlos Olivera had cause to visit the Sage at the Ashram as had always been his habit before he embarked on any important assignment especially having to do with something as mysterious as the problem at hand.

'Sage I am here again.'

'You should already know the answers you come to seek from me Mr. Carlos.'

'It's just that some times I have to double check my intuitions... If I am being led in the right path,' Carlos argued.

'Alright test yourself in a scale of five and let's see how you are right this time,' the Sage teased.

'Five over five, they are still alive. Four over five, they are being held by persons known to them. Three over five, they have been taken to a small town in the south west. Two over five, a mysterious cult group is holding them. One over five, they are poised to ask for an outrageous ransom money.'

'How much Carlos?'

'I hear them talking about fifty million US dollars.'

'That's correct... And what is the name of the cult group if I may ask?'

'They are called the middle path. It used to be in the past a group of legends adept in dark magic and wizardry but until their modern followers got involved in organized crimes I cannot tell.'

'Times have changed and a lot of people have deserted their calling for the lure of filthy lucre. You are correct on all counts... And if you must go after them put yourself through self hypnotic séances. Do you understand?'

'Properly understood Sage. I came with a little gift,' Carlos said and handed the Sage a brown envelope.

'Thank you Carlos... I am appreciative.'

When Carlos Olivera left the Ashram he went to see the King and Queen.

Carlos Oliveria later explained to the King and Queen,

'Your Royal Majesty... This is not the normal kind of crime bursting or the recovery of persons kidnapped for ransom. No, this is a different kettle of fish entirely... Something strange, mysterious and definitely connected with dark magic,' he explained.

'Are you saying that our daughters have been bewitched?'

'If that is the case, I have the ability to induce them to snap out of ant spell cast upon them.'

'Is that a fact Mr. Carlos?'

'Yes Your Majesty... And that is not a boast. Your daughters have been ferried across state lines and are being held in a small town called Petroville.'

'What! Are you sure Mr. Carlos?'

'Yes, I am sure without any contradiction.'

'So far away... How would we ever see our daughters again.'

'Ma'am don't worry... I will certainly bring them back in one piece.'

'It's the price that is worrisome...'

'I thought we had settled the monetary matter. Alright let's do it this way... If I don't bring back your daughters, then you will have a full refund and no amount will be charged for the effort made,' Carlos reassured.

'Mr. Carlos Olivera money is not the paramount consideration here...'

'My King what is the main consideration?'

'What if the girls have been killed?'

'If they are dead, I would be the first to know... I will find them alive.'

'We are persuaded. Here have this... A check for three million dollars... You will have the rest when the job is fully completed,' the King said and presented the check to Carlos Olivera.

'I will not wait for it to clear... Me and my associate will move by the morning after I have deposited the check in my account.'

'Please help us as you have promised and God will bless you,' Her Majesty pleaded.

'Alright... I will be on my way.'

Carlos Olivera excused himself and was on his way. He right away called Bellamoore Rossaid his companion of five years.

'Bella something has come up... Let's meet pronto in my hotel.'

'I will be with you in an hour,' Bellamoore replied.

As Carlos Olivera waited, he took out time to examine his arsenal which he intended to use as he and Bellamoore would follow the trail as soon as the first installment of the agreed amount was paid into his account. By his estimation he needed assortment of high caliber collection of weaponry because he envisaged that he was going after some sinister characters. It was a worrisome development which was not too good by any standard.

As Bellamoore Rossaid met with Carlos Oliveria, it was time to brain storm on the daunting task ahead.

'What do you say has come up?' she asked.

'Remember that story we read about in the internet... The case of King Gustava's missing triplets? That is the contract on hand. I have had contact with the royal family,' Carlos tried to explain.

'How much are they willing to pay?'

'I have asked for five million dollars.'

'That amount of money should be tripled, after all it has to do with three grown up girls,' Bellamoore protested.

'I hope you are not a money monger Bella?'

'I take exception to that disparaging remark Carlos. Don't you know that it is a risky job?... It is a professional thing you know? And people can be killed in the process. And what would I be dying for... A mere one or two million dollars as if that is good money.'

'It is US dollars we are talking about and not just any dollars, Bella.'

'And so what? How much was the ransom money?'

'Fifty million US.'

'The family should pay ten million dollars that is if they want us to rescue their daughters for them... Don't you think so?'

'I agree with you Bella but money was not the sole consideration here per se...'

'And what else did you bargain for... One of the girls?'

'How funny.'

'No Carlos don't bullshit me... Tell me what I want to know,' Bellamore insisted.

Carlos Olivera was confused whether to confide in her or not, knowing women for what they are.

'Alright I will tell you. The President Sabbii Machallah is in on this... He said he would give us a contract if the girls are extracted and brought home alive,' Carlos explained.

'Now you are talking,' Bellamoore's face lit up with a smile.

'That's not all Bella.'

'What else?'

'The President as a long term project wants to get the approval of the Parliament to establish a Joint Task Force to deal specifically with this sort of organized crimes and he wants me at the head.'

'No Carlos... You are too good for that. A salaried job... Haba! It's too demeaning for a high profile guy like you.'

'Bella you know what is your problem?'

'And what is that?'

'Mostly you don't look beyond your nose. Don't you know that if I can do that sort of job so damn well, it could add to my rising profile and garner me national reckoning. Guess what... It could fetch me a ministerial appointment or something better than that in future,' Carlos impressed.

'Well said, so you have an eye on politics... I didn't know that.'

'Bella... Haven't I told you several times that I hate politics like shit. Being a technocrat does not translate directly to being a politician.'

'Okay I get it... You have your good reasons for considering the President's proposal but count me out,' Bellamoore objected expressively.

'Wait until the deal comes on stream, maybe... Just maybe you will change your mind.'

'Don't bet on that my friend... Or isn't it said that it is different strokes for different folks? Now let's get down to business,' Bellamoore maintained her stance.

'Yeah, yeah. Bella... You will have need to go home and get some clothes and other essentials immediately because we should be set to roll.'

'Have you even received any part of the money yet?'

'They money will drop later but I have the check. Don't worry, we are in good hands. I was at the Ashram and met with the Sage...'

'And what did he say?'

'Magus Akansania told me that we are up against a bunch of deadly cultist called the middle path and very adept in dark magic.'

'What did you say that they are again?... A set of religious fanatics or what?'

'They are cultist. A religious-cum-criminal secret organization worse than the mafia clan because of their involvement with dark magic. Their practical use of dark magic gives them an edge over these other clandestine organizations. The greatest bonding force within the organization is the death code. Their total loyalty is absolute deference to the authority of the Majii-Galii,' Carlos tried to give a simple explanation.

'I suppose they are a rival group to the extensively known mafia organization?'

'That is so but for the middle path they thrive on abduction, arm robbery, prostitution racketeering, kidnapping, extortion, carjacking, gun running and drug pedaling... The list is endless and there is a crazy way they live a trail of blood wherever they do their dangerous deals...'

'But why was the case of King Gustava so different. It leaves a lot of explaining to be fathomed out or are we really sure the so-called middle path were involved at all,' Bella was skeptical.

'I for one know that it was the middle path that are holding the Katana triplets and the Magus only confirmed it. You are not doubting me... Are you Bella?'

'No not like that. So where is their headquarters... And are we going there right away?'

'The middle path are a shadowy group and they might be hard to find but with me... It will be a lot easier. Their base is in Shara-Mara community in Petroville municipality, south of Yelwa.'

'So what is the next move?'

'Bella go home and pack and when you return we will set out on their trail,' Carlos instructed.

'Alright then... I'll be back in a jiffy.'

Just then the phone bleeped and Carlos Olivera sighted his mobile.

'Bella the cash has dropped.'

'Carlos are you giving me half of it... I am in need of some good money?'

'Whatever Bella, get cracking.'

'Find me something... I have to leave my siblings with something before I can go with you, since I am not sure of how long the trail would turn out to last. It seems that we might be away for long.'

'I see... You got a point there Bella... Alright I will give you a check to cash across the counter.'

He proceeded to get to write the check as she idled about the hotel room.

'Here have this... Five hundred thousand grand. Keep half and bring me half. Are we good?'

'I am gratefull man... Thank you Carlos.'

When Bellamoore Rossaid was gone Carlos Olivera readied adequately as he passed himself through a short ritual of self hypnotism. Vivid imageries came flooding into his mind and he had a clear leading. From what his mind captured, he stored in his brain for use at a later time. And before Bellamoore returned he was itching to get going.

After Bellamoore returned they wasted no time. Carlos Olivera had his own share of money Bellamoore brought back and once they arrived Petroville and booked a hotel accommodation, he had the money safely kept in a safe deposit book with the hotel accountant and collected a receipt. Thereafter they zoomed away in a 4 X 4 utility truck.

'Where are we heading to?'

'There is a suburb called Galestone... That's where the girls are being kept by their captors. It is a fenced compound carefully built and tucked behind a hill,' Carlos explained.

'How can you be so sure?'

'Bella you have always asked me the same sort of question for five years now. Has my hunch ever failed you?'

'It hasn't failed me but the question is... How do you do it. Who communicates this information to you. I keep asking... Not because I don't know that you are clairvoyant but because I don't really comprehend how the gift works. And you have refused to teach me the ropes.'

'Alright Bella... If you promise to join me in the task force... Then I will teach you how I do it.'

'Teach me? You must be kidding me Carlos.'

'No Bella, I mean everything I have said. Part of what I will teach you is called self hypnotism... And with the eyes of your mind, you can search out everything you need to know.'

'It is doubtful if I can easily grasp the intricacies of studying and becoming adept in the weird practices.'

'Bella who said it has anything to do with being weird... My father thought me you know?'

'Your father?'

'Yes my father. He was a member of the shinning path for many years until his death,'

'Carlos... What is the shinning path?'

'They called it the Ancient Vidiac Illuminati Sect,' Carlos stated.

'Oh, I said it... Illuminati, that weird organization. My father started on it's tutorials once upon a time and I think he could not

cope with it so he dumped it,' Bellamoore remarked.

'My father tried painstakingly to make me a proselyte but I could not really bring myself up to becoming one of them. Some aspects of what he thought me became useful later in life because those aspects of what I learnt from him is what makes the difference between me and a lot of people including you, Bella.'

'Carlos, don't tell me you learnt that self hypnosis stuff from their tutorials?'

'Naturally I am gifted, so I used a lot of what I learnt to better my capabilities. Father also thought me the out of body experience commonly referred to as astral travel.'

'Carlos don't tell me that the mumbo jumbo superstitious stuff is actually for real?'

'Sorry to disappoint you... It is true my dear Bella. Out there in the living atmosphere, there is boundless, limitless access into a super highway that lays bare and unfettered. Which means that you have virtual vision and all information are accessible and not encrypted. You can hear and see everything as crystal clear as daylight and distance would be no barriers.'

'Carlos, as beautiful as it sounds, I don't think it would be an easy experiment to grasp.'

'No Bella... It needs deligent adaptation and assimilation. You need the experience if you want to go far as a private investigator. What other application that I have is the sister gift of clairaudience... That one I cannot teach you because you either are endowed with it at birth or simply you don't have the capability,' Carlos explained.

'Carlos are you not confusing me? What is the difference between clairvoyance and clairaudience?'

'In its simplest terms... clairvoyance is the ability to predict future events, know about those things that you did not actually see when it happened... While clairaudience is the ability to hear something not present to the ear but regarded as being objectively real.'

'Is that any different from extra sensory perception?' Bellamoore questioned intensely.

'I am afraid... It is something added to the original thing... But the greatest of them all is the gift of prophetic utterance,' Carlos stated.

'What is that?... I am not conversant with that.'

'If for instance you are operating in the prophetic realm, it means you utilize the sight and sound of God. You hear from God directly and you see into the multi-dimensional spectra of what is collectively referred to as vision... Being both of things that exist to the naked eyes and things the ordinary human eyes cannot see.'

'Carlos that is almost similar to the clairvoyance thing.'

'Nonetheless the prophetic gift opens one to hear from the throne of heaven,' Carlos Olivera tried to explain.

'Is it true that clairvoyants have the ability to communicate with the dead?'

'Bella, I have not tried that before but some adepts do and some fakes equally abound who ply the trade.'

'I have heard a lot of that and all I am sure of is that it is more of fraudulent, dubious assertions than genuine experimentations,' Bellamoore posited.

'Well, I as a person I am not impressed by much of their claims. In as much as I hate agree with you Bella... As a matter of fact, we have a lot of undesirably dubious characters and cheats plying such trades and they are living off the very gullible.'

'Carlos... Having worked with you this five years past, and actually seen your ability to perceive matters beyond the range of the fifth senses, which have helped us to locate several missing or dead persons... I have no iota of doubt that you are genuine and thoroughly gifted. And I want you to teach me everything that you know, which will be useful to me as I seek credibility in my chosen field as a private investigator.'

'Bella, now that you have asked... It shall be given you in good measure... Pressed down, shaken together and running over. I will do what I can to give you invaluable and unadulterated mentorship, such that will perfect you in this business,' Carlos assured.

'Thank you Carlos... I would be forever grateful. So how are we going to have access into the compound without being noticed or harassed?'

'We have to find a way and gain access through the back from the hills, in that way we would be unnoticed. Once within the compound... We will smoke them out with everything we've got,' Carlos laid out the plan.

'Don't you think it will prove too hazardous?' Bella seemed lilly livered.

'You already know that a lot of risk is involved in the job... And you have to buckle and brace up for the worst. We have to extract those girls by all available means possible.'

'Even at the risk of our lives?'

'Bella when I accepted the job nobody said it was going to be easy. Now that we have not gone any distance, you can opt out and it would not make any difference to our relationship... And you can keep the money I had advanced to you,' Carlos asserted frankly.

'Is that what you can say to me Carlos Olivera?'

'What else do you want me to say to make you happy? Do you want me to get on my knees and beg you? I know that you were not well disposed right at the first time when I told you about the case.'

'And I am not still well disposed.'

'Bella do you want to opt out of the bargain?'

'I guess so... And don't you be grumpy about it Carlos, it is because of how I feel. Everything is not okay... And I hate to be cynical, it is going to be something like what we have never been up against before.'

'You talk like a frightened little girl who has just missed her way in the maddening crowd,' Carlos said and stopped the car abruptly by the roadside.

He did not say anything more but hoped Bellamoore Rossaid would understand the unspoken action. She stared into his face which was blank without any expression. Bellamoore instinctively got out, went to the trunk of the car, removed her light luggage and returned.

'From here I will find my way back to Atlantic City so you don't need to bother about me, Carlos.'

'How funny Bella... You picked the right time to leave me stranded. I am not going to let you distract me from a job that I have accepted to do... You won't be the black leg in this assignment.'

'Get straight to the point Carlos. Are you splitting with me?'

'Ishould rather ask you that question?'

'God damn it Carlos... I am entitled to my opinion and to my own free will. So if you want to split with me, you should come out plain and do it more decently,' Bellamoore tried to bully Carlos Olivera.

'Not yet Bella... That will wait until I return. And when I return... I am definitely going to separate business from pleasure. I enjoy working for my money.'

'You don't know how much expendable you are Carlos.'

'Bella... I am not an idiot. I don't like the way you have tried to react negatively. And don't you try to sell me that bull crap about not feeling uncomfortable about the job... Whereas you know that I am cashing in on an open opportunity that can upgrade my profile. Deep down in the bottom of your heart you know that I cannot probably make an about face now at this stage. Where do you leave me... Any options?'

'Yes Carlos, you do have an option. You actually choose to live or you choose to die. Why do you think they chose you and agreed to pay you pittance. It's because they see the benefit in all of what they are scheming to do to you... Send you to your death.'

'Bella don't tell me I should let some crooked guys fleece the family and perhaps end up killing those innocent girls because some courageous persons like you suddenly choose to develop cold feet and become cowards overnight. And you are prepared to chicken out of an agreed deal like an ignoramus... Shame on you,' Carlos scolded.

'Stop, stop, stop talking Carlos. You know me and I know you too well... So don't call me names because I hold great exception to that. Iam not stupid... It's just how I feel... So don't expect an apology from me.'

'Bella you have got some explaining to do when I am back. Take care of the office,' he said and zoomed off, driving like mad.

He never looked back until he had gone a very long distance before he stopped and got a lick, then the thought of Bellamoore Rossaid returned and he started hating her for being such a drag. Why had he carried her on his shoulders for the past five years only to be treated so badly. Agreed, she was at risk but so was he. Come to think of it, he was the one making use of his capabilities to resolve past cases only for her to enjoy the money earned there from, and now that it mattered most she was a let down.

Most annoying was the fact that she had already started to enjoy part of the money he was risking his life to make for the company. It was his blood and sweat that he was going to put into the job to get the desired results. It increased the pressure on Carlos Olivera to perform creditably and shame his detractors including Bellamoore Rossi.

It was a long and tiresome journey. At the onset the road was smooth and he simple applied the auxiliary gear as he turned away from the trunk B road. From then onwards it became

a rough, unattractive and rugged terrain. The rains came down in heavy torrents accompanied by ferocious wind storm and the roads were flooded by a deluge of waters thus forcing him to reduce speed. All the same he navigated his way forward and would not turn back.

Against all odds he arrived his destination and was able to locate Grakenshire Castle where the girls were being held. He surveyed the whole area and mapped out his rescue strategy, thereafter he returned to the hotel since the rains had not abated. Visibility was poor and everywhere was wet so he would not dare to attempt to do anything meaningful that particular day.

That night he called one Nadia Fushan a long time associate with intention to seek her assistance.

'Carlos... What a pleasant surprise. I thought that you have forgotten about me completely,' Nadia responded.

'If I had forgotten about you then I would not have called,' Carlos argued,

'So what's up... Any action?'

'Yea sure. I am in Petroville... On the trail of some kidnapper who abducted King Gustava Katana's triplets and they are being held in Grakenshire Castle. You want a piece of the action?,' Carlos demanded.

'Sure why not?... It's a long time we played together... This could be real fun.'

'No Nadia, those keeping the girls are a ruthless and diabolical cutthroats steeped in dark magic...'

'Carlos, I don't care... after all it's one life to live. Remember the familiar saying that cowards die many times before their death... I want to taste some action, it would be my pleasure to fight side by side again with you,' Nadia effused.

'Alright then... You will meet me here in Petroville. Come dressed for a fight, the terrain is rough so dress appropriately as we would have to do some mountain climbing.'

'Do worry, I'll be there well kitted for action. And what about the guns?'

'Forget the guns... I have everything we need to burn down Grakenshire Castle.'

'Carlos, I will see you tomorrow at sunset,' Nadia assured.

'I expect you sweetheart... Don't fail me.'

'I won't, not on your life Carlos.'

'See you then.'

Carlos Olivera was happy that he could have some form of assistance. Talking about Nadia Fushan, she was a brutal, ravishing, no nonsense bad ass. In any battle format, she could do a lot of damage and be the game changer. She was dexterous and cunny in hand to hand combat and very swift in the use of guns of any description. With Nadia at his side it was going to be demolition derby in the very extreme so to say, and Carlos was sincerely glad to have her services.

The next morning, Carlos Olivera moved out and acquainted himself with the environment. He acquainted himself with the quays, simply to note a possible exit strategy that could be used by the abductors. He surveyed the hilly range and selected a favorable point of descent into the castle surroundings. Then he returned to his hotel having adequately rehearsed his assault strategy.

Then he went to the bush bar of the hotel and had some drinks and mingled. He had no problem socializing and making acquaintance with new friends. The bar attendant was taking his order when a light skinned young woman in her middle twenties approached him.

'Mister you care for some company?'

'Sure why not... Especially coming from a pretty woman like you. Take an order of what you would like to drink and what else you have that is chewable for both of us,' Carlos reciprocated the good gesture.

After the bar man had served them and was gone the young woman took the initiative being quite in an exciting mood.

'You are new in town... Ain't you?'

'No not exactly, this is my town and my home so to say. I grew up here as a kid,' Carlos revealed.

'But you don't look like an aborigine to me,' she joked.

'Quite right... You are definitely correct... Nonetheless I was born here in Petroville. I happen to be a fourth generation immigrant originally from Costa Rica. My folks have been around for almost hundred years and they are fishermen,' he exposed.

'Oh, that is interesting... Welcome back home. And what is your name?'

'Carlos Olivera,'

'I am known and called Surah Sarozan and Petroville is my home... And I am an aborigine.'

'So how has Petroville been this few years back. What's gwan?' he asked in a local slang.

'We haven't had it so rough in recent times... Kidnappers have turned the township to a den of thieves... And the police and thieves are on the prowl in the most deadly manner. It hasn't been this bad in a very long time,' Surah alleged.

'What is the latest news in town?' Carlos asked.

'I don't know but we have observed the cursory presence of more strangers that drive into Grakenshire Castle. Each day we see more cars and more people go in and come out, especially young women of easy virtue move in and out as if searching for something in a noisy and secret way. It's like a party has been going on there for the last one week.'

'So what are you Surah... I thought you were a pro too,' he was suggestive.

'No Mr. Carlos, you are mistaken you know? My father owns this hotel and I am a sub manager... And my job is to oversee the day to day operations.'

'I am awfully sorry Surah... A thousand apologies.'

'I was coming to inspect the bush bar when I noticed you. You caught my fancy and I decided to make your acquaintance.'

'Surah... Are you looking for friendship or for simply just a good company?'

'Both of it, if I must be truthful. It is not everyday you run into a man that your heart skips a bit. Frankly, I desire to make your acquaintance and I can do with some friendship... Or don't you like my company?'

'Honestly, I enjoy your company and I would like to get to know you more if you don't mind,' he teased her and they laughed into each other's face.

Just then the phone in the bar rang and after picking the call, the bar man came and informed Surah that the manager needed her attention.

'Tell him that I am with a friend and that I will meet with him in a jiffy.'

'Alright Miss Sarozan.'

When the bar man left Surah asked a pertinent question.

'So Carlos... Are you with a woman?'

'Why do you ask?'

'I was just asking in case you want to see me again... I don't want to run into another woman. I hate trouble especially woman palaver.'

'I see what you mean Surah... Well if I must share some truths with you seeing that you are interested in me... I am here on a business trip.'

'What sort of business if I may ask? I can be useful if it has to do with some investment.'

'Are you an investment expert?'

'Sure... I just finished the national compulsory military service. Graduated in Economics from the Federal University in Atlantic City,' Surah intimated.

'Well Surah... I am a private investigator from Baywater Cleaners and I am here to investigate the kidnap of King Gustava Katana's triplet girls, abducted over a month and a halt ago. I have followed the trail and traced them to this place.'

'Just don't go there Mr. Carlos... Except you want to die and I don't want you to come to any harm or danger now that I have come to know you. If you give me some of your time, I could share some interesting thoughts with you.'

'Whose side are you on Surah?'

'What sort of question is that Carlos?... Of course I certainly hate the idead of forcefully depriving somebody of his liberty but what you are talking about is one dangerous expedition... And they is nothing exciting about it. Agreed they have polluted our town and if care is not taken, they might take over the place.'

'Isn't there anything you can do to assist, I would welcome some form of assistance,' Carlos requested.

'It's not very comfortable letting you risk your life.'

'Surah if I don't do it, who else will?'

'Let the police or the other security personnel do it.'

'They tried but could not make a headway... That is how I was contracted to do the job.'

'Carlos Olivera... How good are you, sincerely?'

'Without boasting, I am simply the best that good money can afford.'

'Are you sure that you can go in and come out alive from the lion's den?'

'Surah, I know that you are sincere about your feelings for me. It is too late to turn back now. So if you want to help me let us meet tonight later in my hotel room...