The Edison Project 2

By David McCune

Major Tim Andrews is stationed at a top-secret facility on the outskirts of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Thomas Edison and his attending physician, Dr. Hubert S. Howe, co-invent the time accelerator. Almost one hundred years after President Woodrow Wilson legalizes time travel, the Department of Inquiry assigns the Edison Project (specific topics of interest) to research both past and future events, which are detailed in a highly classified government report. With it, the USG (United States Government) now holds over its citizens the key to ultimate power and controltheir destiny!

The story continues.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524651961

David McCune

David McCune is often referred to as a Renaissance Man. As a young child, David was always inventing or building some kind of new gadget. In his teenage years, he launched high altitude rockets with mice in the flight capsules. Later he built pollution control devices for the internal combustion engine. At nineteen, he started McCune Technology with an idea for a rear window louver for his Datsun 240-Z and a $35 dollar investment. Now in his fifties, he is a nationally renowned artist, entrepreneur and authority on Workforce Development. His latest endeavors are acting and modeling – David finds both jobs to be challenging and a lot of fun. He is currently finishing a book titled “Death Divorce Alzheimer’s”, an insightful true story and facts. David’s latest invention is the RUFUS - Rapid Universal Find Us System.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jack Hinson

Dr. Howe, I discovered a most unusual story about a sharpshooter from the American Civil War. We can suit up whenever you are ready and head to Stewart County, Tennessee, during the Civil War, I advise him.

Good work, Major Andrews. Let’s suit up and meet at the accelerator at 1100 hours, Dr. Howe says while raising his head and, I believe, smiling.

Jack Hinson is the pinnacle of why a man would take another man’s life, Dr. Howe, I say as we step into the accelerator and then strap ourselves into the formed seats.

Let’s see…

Hinson Plantation, Stewart, Tennessee… December 18, 1862

...Set

Whooooosh

Dr. Howe, over to your left are the two Hinson teenage boys. The Union soldiers from the 5th Iowa Cavalry assume the two Hinson boys are rebel guerillas, despite their pleas of innocence.

What you boys think we are, a bunch of fools? a Union corporal demands as he slaps the youngest boy across the face.

Sir, my Daddy owns this land and this is neutral territory. Pa has not chosen a side. We are hunting, don’t pay us no mind, the older son pleads.

The two are disarmed, tied to a tree and then shot. As a further outrage, a lieutenant with the company uses his sword to decapitate the two boys. We follow in the accelerator back to the Hinson Plantation and watch in horror as the corporal pulls the heads out of a potato sack and sets them on the two posts at the corners of the Iron Gate. The soldiers laugh as they ride off.

Papa, Papa! a young girl cries out as she runs toward the closed gate. She sees her brother’s heads and retreats back to the stately home.

Honey, what is it? Her father, Jack Hinson, calls out.

Jack and George are dead, she sobs as she throws herself into her father’s arms.

You wait here, he releases her and races toward the gate.

My God, my God, what have they done? My boys, what have they done?

He picks up the bloody potato bag and gently drops their heads in it and firmly places it on the moist ground. His mind races… why?

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Hinson owned a flourishing plantation in Stewart County, Tennessee. The wealthy father of ten children, Hinson opposed secession, had actually freed his slaves prior to the Emancipation Proclamation and, even once, had General Ulysses S. Grant over for supper.

Jack Hinson swore revenge.

After the death of his sons Hinson did not retaliate immediately; but, instead, quietly ordered a very special rifle: a 50 caliber Kentucky Rifle that had a 41″ barrel and weighed a whopping 18 pounds. This rifle, in the hands of Hinson, could hit targets at about half a mile away, making it far more powerful than most firearms to see service during the Civil War. It would also prove to be many a bluecoat’s undoing.

Andrews, let’s see what kind of havoc is played as Hinson takes revenge on those Yankee bastards, Dr. Howe says as he slams his fist on the control panel housing.

Dr. Howe, your anger toward the Union surprises me, I state rather shocked.

The whole war was nothing more than politics and greed. Nobody won the Civil War, Andrews. The North was jealous of the prosperity of the South and the South did not want the North dictating their beliefs on them. The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865 and led to over 618,000 casualties. Its causes can be traced back to tensions that formed early in the nation’s history, he tells me.

You mean slavery, Dr. Howe? I ask.

Why do people equate slavery as the cause of the Civil War? Dr. Howe says in more of a statement.

Andrews, let’s just stick to the subject of Hinson, unless you think we should go in another direction? he asks.

I agree, Dr. Howe, I tell him as I nod my head.

Let’s move up a few months and see what Hinson is up to, I suggest.

Whooooosh

Hinson moves into a cave above the Tennessee River where he watches the passing Union transports. He targets the officers because it was a lieutenant’s sword that cut his boys’ heads off and he holds the top brass responsible for the orders to raid his other family farms. Hinson also targets the river pilots and gunboats to disrupt the traffic and supply lines on the river below. During the Civil War, the rivers were the lifelines of the armies… and any disruption could mean winning, or losing, a battle. Hinson did all of this, despite being hunted by four Union regiments and living the entirety of the war largely at the mercy of the elements.

Andrews, check the computer history program and see how many he killed, Dr. Howe orders.

Historians place the number of Union officers and pilots that fell to Jack Hinson’s Kentucky rifle at around one hundred, Dr. Howe, I tell him after some searching.

One can safely say he made an impact, Dr. Howe comments.

Anger and revenge were the forces that drove Hinson, Dr. Howe.

Andrews, I want to watch him as he drops a Union officer, Dr. Howe instructs.

There’s a gunboat, Dr. Howe, I call out.

Hinson steadies the long barreled Kentucky rifle’s weight on a folded pad atop a boulder. The boat becomes closer in Hinson’s steady sight. An officer rests his arm on a handrail on the port side of the boat.

This is for you, Jack, he says while gently pulling the trigger. The officer’s head explodes and drops to the wooden deck. The Union soldiers look in the direction of the crack as Hinson slowly and confidently returns to his hidden cave.

Had Grant for dinner… invited him into my home… freed my slaves, that I took care of at the beginning of the war, and now look at my life, Hinson says as he lights his pipe.

Dr. Howe, do you believe Jack Hinson is experiencing any guilt for his recent actions? I ask.

No, Andrews, he feels justified, Dr. Howe says shaking his head.

Andrews, slavery, ownership and killing one’s property within the law may be another angle we need to research. Never liked this subject and it is a disgusting part of American history, however, this element of why a man would kill another man needs to be researched, Dr. Howe says.

Home, Andrews, Dr. Howe instructs.

Chapter 2

Missy Worsens

Ring…..Ring…..Ring.….

Andrews residence………Hello, Daddy……oh, no……I’m so sorry, Daddy………I understand….I love you, too.

"Tim, that was Daddy. Mother and he returned from her doctor’s appointment and the doctor told Daddy that Mother is showing signs of Alzheimer’s, stage two. What does that mean, Tim?’ I ask with a sad look.

Let’s see, I remember when I was researching… let’s see, there are five stages.

Stage one is a loss of words.

Stage two is a blank stare.

Stage three is the loss of where one is in their present environment.

Stage four is the loss of motor control.

Stage five is the return to the fetal position; followed by death.

I’m sorry, Lisa, Tim says as he hugs me.

I feel so bad for Daddy and Ronald, I say attempting to hold back my tears.

I know this will be such an intense burden on our family.

"All the pain she shoved on us growing up, and, now, I’m just not sure what to think. What can I do? At some point we will need to make the decision to place her in an assisted living facility. With this outcome Daddy may finally get some peace in his golden years.

Ring……Ring..….

Hello, Daddy, Lisa….back at you…………Yes……. How long will it be before you put her in an assisted living facility?…….Five thousand dollars a month?……….Are you serious?……Coming to live with us is not a good idea, Daddy……Yes, we have an elevator….No, we need to find another solution……. Ok, I will talk with you later, Daddy… I love you.

Oh Tim, this is terrible. What are we going to do? I say returning to his comforting embrace.

What’s wrong, Mommy? Amelia asks entering the room.

Grandma is sick, very sick, I tell her.

Is Grandma going to die? Amelia cries out and begins sobbing.

Amelia, your Grandmother has a disease called Alzheimer’s. Eventually it will take over her mind and she will no longer be with us in her mind, Tim tells her in a comforting tone.

Where will she be, Daddy? Amelia asks with a confused look.

Knowing there is no answer to Amelia’s question I leave the comfort of Tim’s arms and pick Amelia up.

Daddy had the bright idea that they all should come live with us, Tim. I know this is a bad idea with dire consequences for the three of us; not to mention the baby, I already know his argument.

Yeah, not a good idea, Lisa… we will come up with something, Tim tells me.

I feel like I am abandoning my Mother. She never was there for me. Why should I have the least concern about her well being? Oh, yeah, Daddy, I need to figure out some kind of solution for Daddy. Why is this happening, and, with the baby on the way? I just can’t handle this; I feel like everything is closing in on me… I need to get away. TIM! I cry out.

What is it, Lisa? Tim asks like he has not a care in the world.

My mother is losing her mind and I am at a loss of what to do! What can we do to help her and Daddy, Tim? I ask with grave concern and sorrow.

We need to accept the fact that your mother has Alzheimer’s and we need to be a support system for Charles. The next few years will be very hard on him, Tim says in a reassuring tone.

The next few years? You think she has only a few years? She is only in her sixties, Tim, what are you saying? I begin to cry.

Lisa, let me call your Dad, Tim says as he kisses me on the cheek and walks to the phone.

Ring……..Ring…..….

"Charles…Tim…. Lisa said you called………That’s what I hear………………………………………..….

Wow, I am sorry to hear this!………….Have you ever visited an assisted living facility, Charles?………..I don’t think Ronald has the slightest idea of what he would be getting into, Charles…………Look, why not come down to Fayetteville for the weekend?………Yes, Ronald can come, too…………We can visit the assisted living facility in Fayetteville and you can better understand what’s going on. I know some people all of us can talk with………Sure, old buddy, no problem……Anything we can do to help……. Sure……Talk with you later……..No, I haven’t heard from Colonel Thompson………..Right…Talk with you later………Thanks."

Tim, thanks so much. You are truly wonderful. I don’t know how I could deal with this without your wisdom and guidance, I say walking over to give him a big hug.

Lisa, you know I love you and I will always be here to support you… man, we need to help Charles. I feel so sorry for him, Tim says as he holds me tight then rubs my butt at this inappropriate moment.

Maybe we can have sex this evening; my hormones are raging. Silly me!

Lisa, I’m going to call Colonel Thompson and see how he is getting along. I sort of wish to keep in contact with him; I hope to head back to Jekyll Island in a few months, what do you think? Tim asks.

Sure, Tim. And be sure to tell him that Amelia and I said hello, I say walking into the kitchen to see what’s in the refrigerator to satisfy my hunger.

Chapter 3

Call to Jekyll Island

Ring……Ring…….

Thompson residence, a female voice answers.

Yes, is Colonel Thompson there? I ask.

He is out right now, can I take a message? the woman asks.

I am a friend of Colonel Thompson. My name is Tim Andrews, I reply thinking the voice sounds familiar.

Tim, this is Carmen! How are you doing, sweetheart? I listen closely, glad that I walked out on the second floor porch and closed the door.

Hey, Carmen, how have you been? I ask looking through the window to see where Lisa is at the moment.

I have been staying with Dad since the last time I saw you… I am sort of attempting to get my life together, and, well, you know, sort of looking for some kind of direction. I haven’t heard from Brian. So, I guess he and I are pretty much over. I am thinking, maybe, I will take a few classes at the community college… I don’t know… when do you think you might make it back down again, Tim? Carmen asks.

Well, I am glad you are working on your life, Carmen. I hope you can figure something out. I am not sure when we will be coming back down… did I tell you that Lisa is pregnant again? I share with her.

Oh! Congratulations, Tim! I am sure you are so happy… yeah, I am happy for you. I hear Dad coming in the door, Tim, let me get him for you. It was so great talking to you. Please stay in touch, ok? she says with some disappointment in her voice.

Tim, how are you and the family, son? Colonel Thompson asks.

Oh, doing pretty good, Colonel. Actually, I just talked to Lisa’s dad, Charles. It seems his wife, Missy, is getting worse. Charles sends his best, he had a great time with you, Colonel, I tell him.

Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, Tim. I know this will be a hard road to travel for your family, he says as I hear true concern in his voice.

Thanks, Colonel, I tell him.

So, how is it going down on Jekyll Island? I ask.

Little brisk in the air and folks from up north are down for the winter months. The people from New York will be moving into Villa 138 soon and staying for three months, he informs me.

I was thinking, Colonel, how would you like to come up and visit Lisa, Amelia and me? We have plenty of room and we would enjoy taking you around to see the sights of Fayetteville, North Carolina, I tell him.

Wow, Tim, that sounds great! I haven’t been to Bragg in years, and, man, that is so nice of you and your family to think of me, Colonel Thompson sounds agreeable to the idea.

Sure, Colonel, no problem, I think we can have a great time, I tell him.

Tim, Carmen would like to talk to you, Colonel Thompson tells me.

Ok, sure, Colonel, I reply.

Tim, I heard the conversation. Thanks so much for inviting Dad up to Fayetteville. I have not heard him this excited in years. You’re the best, Tim… but, I believe I have told you this before, she says with so much happiness in her voice.

No problem, Carmen. I think we will have a great time. I like your Dad, I tell her.

He has been preoccupied since mother died, and, I truly worry about him. He was so full of life… hold on a minute, Tim, let me walk out on the deck. Anyway, I have been worried about him lately. He just sits out here on the deck and stares out into the ocean for hours at a time. If we can get together and set something up this will be a Godsend for Dad, Carmen says as I sense her trying not to cry.

Really, Carmen, it’s no problem. I look forward to having the Colonel come up, I say hoping to calm her spirit.

Thanks again, Tim, here’s Dad, she says as I hear her open and close the sliding glass door to the deck.

Colonel, we will get together in the next few days and finalize the plans, I tell him.

Thanks, Tim, I look forward to hearing from you, he says with a smile in his voice.

Later, Colonel, I reply as I open and then close the door behind me.

Lisa… Lisa, I call out. I’m up here, Tim, I hear Lisa call down from the third floor.

I talked to Colonel Thompson and invited him to come up and see us when he has time, I tell her.

That would be so great, Tim. Did he say when he will be able to come up this way? Lisa asks.

I told him we can talk in a few days and set something up, I tell her.

Amelia, Colonel Thompson is going to come up and see us, I say picking her up and squeezing her so tight.

I like the Colonel, Daddy, she says with a big smile on her face.

Chapter 4

Injustice Manifested

Good morning Lisa, I say rising from our bed. It’s shower time, honey.

The shower feels really great!

Hey, honey, what brings you here bright and early this morning? I inquire quickly opening the shower door.

Well, hello, honey, mind if I come in and join you for a little while? Lisa asks pulling me up to her and, well, you know…

Tim, you just wore me out. Not sure what I’m going to do with you, honey, Lisa tells me.

I better get on the stick, my ride will be here in the next few minutes, I say gulping down the last of my coffee.

Yep, there’s Simmons, as expected.

I’ll call you later, Lisa, I say running down the stairs.

Morning, Simmons, hope everything is going well in your world this morning, I say hoping to get a reaction out of him.

Sir, fine, sir, he replies without even hesitating.

Major, Dr. Howe has instructed you to report to his office, sir, Corporal Simmons states as we walk into our office complex.

Thanks, corporal, I reply as I head straight to Dr. Howe’s office.

Yes, sir, Dr. Howe, I say knocking on his door entering his office.

Have a seat, Andrews, he instructs.

Got to thinking about this slavery, killing idea you have… and I want to make sure this is where you want to go with the Inquiry. Seems to be pushing it outside the envelope to me. Maybe you should spend a few hours on it and get back to me. That will be all, Major Andrews, he instructs me with his usual, gruff tone.

Yes, sir, Dr. Howe, I stand and leave his office.

I think it’s a good idea to understand why a man would snuff out his own property and then have nothing to show for it. Plus, the slavery issue fascinates me. I remember watching the movie Roots and being tormented by what our ancestors did to the blacks. Guess I need to find out who the first slaves, and masters, were and to see how the seed grew.

What’s all this… white slavery in America? I am familiar with indentured servants, but this information is a little much. And, wait, the first Negro slaves were owned by Negroes in the Americas. This is good; three-thousand Negro families in New Orleans were slave owners. Funny how this vital information was not taught during Black History Week when I was growing up; probably would have changed more than a few attitudes. Need to come up with three examples and bring the killing into the equation. Look at this… even the American Indians were captured and forced into slavery. This is a real shocker and an eye opener. Look at this… Black slaves were sold for more than white slaves. I wonder if Dr. Howe is aware of this information.

Ring……Ring..….

Major Andrews, I say answering my phone.

Yes, Dr. Howe…….Mary Bell, child killer…….ok, I will check her out…….I will meet you at the accelerator in an hour…Yes, sir, Dr. Howe, I reply.

Ok, let’s see… Mary Flora Bell (born 26 May 1957) is a British girl who was convicted in December 1968 of the manslaughter of two boys, Martin Brown (aged four) and Brian Howe (aged three). Bell was 10 years old when she killed Brown and 11 when she killed Howe, making her one of Britain’s most notorious child killers.

I think of Amelia, who is the same age as Brian Howe. Imagine an eleven year old going berserk and killing a three year old for pretty much sport! Makes my chest hurt as I read about this gruesome murder. And, she killed them for entertainment.

I remember hearing about a kid in the neighborhood when I was, maybe, ten. He buried a couple of cats and left their heads exposed. He then took his gas-powered lawn mower and ran over the cats decapitating them…he thought this was funny. I knew the kid from the playground at school. I thought…what a strange thing to do. He must have anger within him. I did not know how sick he was or the demons that tormented him. I just saw him as a crazy kid who ran over cats with a lawn mower. Looking back, I now know he was a sociopath.

A sociopath is a person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal; and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility of social conscience. The decapitator does not see his action as wrong.

I’m sitting at my desk. Slavery… white, black, yellow, purple or orange, for that matter… some saw nothing wrong with it. What’s the word… chattel… yes, one’s chattel is no different than a cat being buried in the ground. Man was created to help and to benefit, not to hurt and to destroy.

I think of God, and I ask, why?

Oh, well, Mary Bell. I need to get some information together and we need to pay a little visit to her. One would think early life is pre-puberty. In the case of Mary Bell her life of incarceration began at eleven. She was born 26 May 1957 and convicted 17 December 1968.

Betty Bell, Mary’s mother, was a prostitute. She would lure in her clientele then assist in sexual engagement of her daughter. I have seen firsthand how Lisa’s mother, Missy, mentally crippled my wife and mother to Amelia. Sadly, I can see how Betty Bell’s sick and deviant behavior manifested to her daughter, Mary. Again, I think of God and wonder what has happened to the gifts have been given to us. Missy, Lisa and Amelia…I need to help them and support them. I need to be there.

This is troubling reading about Mary Bell. Pain was inflicted on her and she returned the pain. Over and over, I read how she attempted to hurt or kill; yet she lacked the strength. She was hated and feared by her young peers. Her mother would abandon Mary, leaving her for days with relatives and then return. To Mary, this was a norm.

I remember a story, not sure where, or when, it happened, but it sticks in my mind. The Social Services department was called to an elementary school. The child’s teacher had noticed strange marks on her young pupil. The young girl, of perhaps eight, was taken to the emergency room. The ER doctor examined the timid girl.

These marks, all over your arms and legs…. how did you get them? he carefully asked.

Proudly, she answers My mother gave them to me.

What? How did she do that? he asked in a low tone.

She puts her cigarettes out on me, she said pointing to a half-inch round, inflamed, recessed burn.

Oh…and why do you let her do this? the passionate doctor asks.

The little girl looks into the eyes of the doctor and proclaims, This is the way I get her full attention!

Sadly, we need to observe Mary Bell kill one of the little boys and then note how she defaced her victim. I think back on Jack Hinson. The lieutenant that decapitated the teenage boys after they were dead falls into this sick category of evil. Cruel is a word that fits them both well.

Dr. Howe, I’m ready to explore the past and try to make some rhyme or reason out of this Inquiry, I say as I knock on his door and walk in.

Have a seat, Andrews, Dr. Howe instructs.

Andrew’s, there is a very dark side to this job. We probe into experiences and thoughts where man seldom enters. Our mission is to better understand the why in a question. To accomplish this we enter a world that is blocked or filtered by most. I remember the story of Mary Bell. This happened outside our country, outside our safe, secure world, he tells me.

Let’s head to the accelerator, Major. I know, as usual, you have a plan, Dr. Howe says smiling.

July 31st 1968 Scotswood, England

DNA Mary Bell

Check….set….

Whooooosh….

Before us we see Mary Bell and her best friend, Norma Joyce Bell, walking hand in hand. They spot a little boy playing by himself…verify…Brian Howe.

Brian, come play with us, Mary Bell calls out to Brian in a jolly voice.

Yes, Brian, please play with us, Norma Joyce repeats the invitation.

Ok, Brian says in a happy, accepting voice.

Brian follows Norma Joyce and Mary behind an old abandoned house. As soon as the three comrades are out of sight Mary Bell grabs Brian’s skinny frail neck. She squeezes with all her might as Norma eggs her on. It takes close to three minutes and little Brian collapses to the hard ground. Norma and Mary laugh and clap with excitement as Brian lies lifeless. They both rush to Mary’s house located a block away.

They return to the death scene with Mary holding a strap razor and a pair of scissors. Mary cuts an M into the skin over his stomach with the razor and stabs and scratches his arms and legs with the scissors. She cuts off some of his hair as a souvenir then pulls Brian’s shorts down and mutilates his penis. Both girls laugh then throw dirt on his open wounds.

Andrews, I believe we have seen enough of this gruesome, sick act, Dr. Howe states.

Whoooosh…..….

Andrews, I will meet with Inquiry and give them the briefing. Let’s call it a day, go ahead and have Simmons take you home, Dr. Howe instructs.

On the way home I thought back on my research and my subsequent observation of Mary Bell. She killed for entertainment. Killing was a joy for Mary Bell.

Chapter 5

Walking in Downtown

Lisa, I’m home! I call out as I enter our front door on Ray Avenue.

Lisa…Amelia…are you here?

Oh, well, it looks like nobody is here. Might as well venture out and get a drink. Not that I need a drink, but it just gives me something to do. Think I will venture over to Pierro’s. It will give me a chance to get in a little Tim time.

I do like living in downtown Fayetteville. In less than five minutes from our home, I am in the center of it all. Well, not quite, but I am in the center of our downtown.

Ok, Pierro’s. Can’t sit in the same place as last time, but I can sit where Willy normally sits.

May I help you? a striking young lady asks.

So, you’re not from around here? I ask curiously with my sophisticated charm.

I’m from Jamaica, she proudly states.

Oh, so were you born here, brought here, or left here? I ask realizing she just told me she was from Jamaica.

Well, I was conceived in Germany, born at West Point, then brought here, she says with a smile, very sure of yourself.

Oh, I respond noting she has the upper hand now in my trifle conversation.

What can I get you to drink? she asks. I am new, so be a little patient with me, please.

And your name is? I ask.

I’m Ashley… Ashley from Jamaica, she replies with a great island accent.

I’m Tim. I live downtown, I say with just a little wit.

Let’s see, how about if I teach you to make a Mint Julep? I suggest.

That would be good, I am always open to new experiences and knowledge, she fires back.

We need a dozen mint leaves, I tell her. She leaves for the freezer in the kitchen and quickly returns.

Ok, Ashley, break the leaves up and mix them with a little sugar water, I instruct her.

Then muddle them? she offers.

That’s right. What happens is the cell walls break open and cytoplasm is released. Note the nice smell. Now, take a napkin and place a large handful of ice cubes in it. Clenching the end of the napkin beat it like you were taking your frustrations out on your old boyfriend, I say laughing.

I can do that, she says beating the napkin hard against the marble countertop.

Now, take the ice and pour it in a regular sized cocktail glass. In the muddle container, pour two shots of Maker’s Mark whiskey and stir well. Strain the liquid over the ice and garnish with a few mint leaves. And, there you go, a perfect Mint Julep, just like going to the Kentucky Derby, I tell her as she follows my instructions.

Thanks for the education. And what is your name? she asks.

Tim… Tim Andrews, I answer.

Thanks, Tim, Ashley replies.

I am doing some research on slavery. I would be interested to know if you know anything about slavery in Jamaica, I inquire.

Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean island. It was inhabited by Arawak natives around 1400 years ago. In the 1600’s, Britain and other countries brought slave traffic to Jamaica. When the British captured Jamaica in 1655 the Spanish colonists fled, leaving a large number of African slaves. Rather than be re-enslaved by the British, they escaped into the hilly, mountainous regions of the island, joining those who had previously escaped from the Spanish. Two social groups now dominate Jamaica, the Arawaks and the Maroons, she tells me shaking her head.

As far as the black population in this country during that time period, it was pretty much the same, I tell her while nodding my head.

Excuse me, I need to check another one of my tables, Ashley says smiling and walking away.

She is interesting to talk with. I think back on both of our comments about freedom and slavery and I see a parallel. However, the original inhabitants of Jamaica, the Arawaks, must have wondered… I don’t know… what was going on with these new outsiders. She should be coming back in a minute… hopefully.

I’m back, Ashley says smiling.

I notice her tightly weaved hair on top of her head. So, Ashley, what happened when the two cultures came together? I ask.

The Maroons fought amongst themselves and, also, fought the whites. With their newfound freedom they desired control. Sadly, many were killed, captured, and, I believe 600 were even taken to Canada, she tells me.

Ashley, looks like it’s getting busy and I need to run, it was great talking with you, I say handing her my credit card.

Good talking with you and I hope to see you again, Tim, she replies totaling the bill and handing my credit card back.

I sign the bill and leave delighted. I had an interesting conversation. I will need to read more about this. Maybe Jamaica would be a nice little getaway vacation before the baby comes.

I head on back to the house and note the new movies playing at the Cameo Theater. I am so glad we decided to move into the downtown area of Fayetteville. With all the shops and restaurants within walking distance, it makes for a good time. I am sure Lisa and Amelia will be back, so I better head on home.

Hey, Tim! I see you were out for a walk, I hear Lisa call out as I come into view of our home.

I came by earlier and you were not here. So I decided to walk around downtown. I really like it here, Lisa, I reply smiling.

Daddy! Amelia squeals out as she sees me and quickly runs in my direction.

And how is my little girl? I say picking her up and giving her a big kiss on the forehead.

I’m just great! Mommy and I went to the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens and walked all over, she replies.

Botanical is a mighty big word, Amelia, I say with just a slight chuckle.

I have been practicing, she says laughing.

I don’t know what we’re going to do with you, Amelia, Lisa says shaking her head.

Honey, let’s go upstairs and I will start dinner, Lisa tells me.

How about Amelia and I go for a walk? I say lifting Amelia and gently swinging her around.

Can we, Mommy? Amelia asks looking at me. Lisa feels there is a form of some kind of competition, like I am attempting to kidnap Amelia!

Lisa looks up and responds, Sure, Tim, you and Amelia have a good time.

I wonder what she meant by that? And, maybe, I am imagining this. This is a bizarre thought. Where did this thought come from?

Ok, Lisa, we will be back in thirty minutes, I say in a reassuring tone.

Lisa walks over and kisses me on the lips then bends down and kisses Amelia on the cheek and Amelia smiles.

Amelia, let’s go to the old train station, I say taking hold of her hand.

Did you have a big day, Amelia?

It’s been a good day, Daddy, she says squeezing my hand.

Daddy, look, it’s Rufus! Amelia screeches as she points toward the gravel walkway that leads to the train station.

Rufus spots Amelia and rises up on his back legs. David waves and we wave back.

Hey, Tim, how’s it going? David asks.

Amelia and I are just going for a walk, I reply walking in his direction.

We meet and Amelia hugs Rufus and Tim and I shake hands. It’s nice watching Amelia play with Rufus. A year from now Amelia will be playing with the baby.

So, David, how is your Dad? I ask.

It’s a strange story, Tim. Dad wants to stay down on Jekyll Island for two weeks by himself, he says smiling.

I thought he was in an assisted living facility? How can he be gone for two weeks and stay by himself? I ask.

During his stay someone will be in one of the other Villas most of the days, David replies.

Oh, I begin to understand.

I remember meeting him in past times and in the present. He seems like he knows what’s going on. He has moved away from the security of the assisted living for two weeks… that seems like a long time for David’s father.

Will he be safe… being by himself? I ask in a somewhat perplexed voice.

Yeah, he will be fine, he says with complete confidence.

You sound so sure he will be ok? I ask thinking I may be getting in somebody’s business.

God’s going to look after him. And we have a relative who will be there some of the time. Of course, we also know a lot people there who would enjoy looking in on him. In fact, I would say there are even more in Jekyll Island who would check on him than here in Fayetteville, he tells me.

That’s interesting, I reply.

God, family, and friends, all looking after Mr. McCune, I guess this is why he is so sure of himself.

That’s good, I say bending over and petting Rufus.

Look, Daddy, Amelia says as she rubs the top of his head.

Dad says he wants to move to Jekyll Island. I told him we need to start with two weeks then take it from there, David says laughing.

What will you do if he doesn’t want to return to the assisted living facility? I ask with a puzzled look.

He will come back in two weeks, and, then, we will discuss it. Then we will decide. Tim, everything, and everyone, has a negative, neutral, or positive outcome. His experience on Jekyll Island will answer many questions. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, is, perhaps, he knows it is time for him to die, and he would prefer Jekyll Island to be the place to rest his head as to the assisted living home, you know what I mean? he questions shaking his head.

You know, you’re right, David, I say actually understanding.

I have read about American Indians leaving the tribe and going out to the desert to have their spirit taken away. Wait, I’m not saying your Dad is going down there to die, David, I’m not saying that at all, I say realizing I’m talking way too much.

No, I understand, Tim. This is how I feel. Dad has had a great life. Whatever happens with him is fine with me. I would rather let him go than have to witness him in a wheelchair with a blank stare, drool coming from his mouth, and crapping in his pants. With my Mother, the end was not very pleasant. I would just as soon not go through that with Dad. He and I are very close, he tells me looking down at Rufus.

Well, we need to get on back, I explain.

We need to get on back, too, David says. We walk back to our townhouses and say our goodbyes.

Lisa, we’re back! I call out as I unlock and open the door.

I’m up here, Tim! I hear Lisa call downstairs. Dinner is almost ready!

Chapter 6

Bath Salts

Major Andrews, we just received a packet from Inquiry. They want us to research bath salts! Dr. Howe exclaims.

I remember my grandmothers getting bath salts for Christmas. Neither my mother nor Lisa use them… at least not aware that I am aware of, I tell Dr. Howe.

I’m glad they are not using bath salts, Andrews, he replies. I have a strange feeling that you are not aware of what in the hell I am talking about, Andrews, he blasts at me. Now go back to your office and earn your pay!

He is just way too touchy. I thought I was telling him a good story then… bam… he knocks me down. Oh, well.

Bath salts… search… these are not the bath salts Grammy and Grandma had in their bathrooms.

Two popular synthetic drugs, most prevalent of the two, K2, have been outlawed in North Carolina. The new law states that bath salts, which mimic the effects of cocaine, have a great risk of being abused, and have no current medical use in the United States. The law also states that K2, or Spice, mimics the effects of marijuana when smoked. This is interesting information. I wonder if this is why some states have legalized marijuana… at least you sort of know what one may be getting?

A spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administration told the local newspaper that North Carolina joined seventeen states that ban the sale and use of synthetic marijuana, and, let’s see, bath salts are creating more of a problem… still… doesn’t tell me what is the big news with the bath salts.

Bath salts are MDPV, or methylenedioxypyrovalerone. I guess this just answered my question! Let’s see, it is a psychostive drug with stimulant properties which act as a norepinephrinedopamine reuptake inhibitor. Well, damn, I knew this already. I’m sure Dr. Howe will desire just a little more information.

Ok, here’s something that will cut to the chase. The primary psychological effects have durations of roughly 3 to 4 hours, with after effects such as tachycardia, hypertension and mild stimulation from 6 to 8 hours. High doses have been observed to cause intense, prolonged panic attacks in stimulant-intolerant users, and there are anecdotal reports of psychosis from sleep withdrawal and addiction at higher doses or more frequent dosing intervals. MDPV has been distinguished by some for its powers as an aphrodisiac. It has also been repeatedly noted for inducing strong cravings to re-administer. Users have reported a compulsive desire to continuously re-dose, even following onset of the unpleasant side effects induced by prolonged use and higher doses. Use of this synthetic substance does not show up on standard drug testing, nor does the synthetic marijuana show up on standard drug screening. This new high is a growing problem! This explains more, I can see now why Inquiry is taking an interest in this.

Bath salts… a zombie flesh eating experience. I need to look into this. Sounds like this may be out there on the other end of the spectrum. I bet there is something on U-tube where I can find more information.

My God look at that crazed soul jumping from car to car! Now he is taking off his clothes and rolling in the streets… in traffic. At least people are stopping. Now he is chasing those around him screaming some form of gibberish. Great, finally, here come the police. They secure and handcuff him and forcefully place him in the back of the squad car. He screams out and begins biting his shoulder then biting the seat. He continues screaming and is taken away. This reminds me of a bad LSD trip I either heard of or read about. What was that guy’s name? Timothy Leary he shed light on the LSD epidemic. I wonder why I remembered his name? Seems like there might be a connection with LSD and bath salts, at least with the users anyway, something I might want to look into. I’ll check with Dr. Howe and see what he thinks.

Let me see what I can find out about LSD. Lysergic acid diethylamide, known as LSD, is a synthetic drug known for its psychological effects. And, look, it has similar effects to the bath salts. I believe I may be on to something here.

Search for Timothy Leary, and… he was by no means a saint, bearing and sharing the good news. Richard Nixon stated he was the most dangerous man in the world. Strong words from President Nixon.

Dr. Howe, I’m emailing you my report, I say talking to him on the land line office phone.

Ok, Andrews. I did a little research myself, too. Remember a guy by the name of Timothy Leary? He promoted LSD in the sixties? In the early days it was not illegal. Drug enforcement then had the same problems they have today. Bureaucrats and lawyers create this disorder… have I mentioned this to you before? LSD resulted in hell and havoc in the sixties and seventies just like bath salts today, he informs me.

Oh, I see you noticed the same, I say assuming he is now reading my email.

Andrews, let’s check out the sixties and view some LSD experiences and compare this to the effects of bath salts in the early ’teens. You know, this is the first time I referred to this time period as the ’teens. When I think of the ’teens I think of the eighteen hundreds or the nineteen hundreds, strange, isn’t it? he asks.

Right, Dr. Howe, I will get right on it and get back to you in an hour, I tell him.

Think I will walk down to the cafeteria and get something to eat. Simmons, want to walk down to the canteen and get something to eat? I ask exiting my office and walking by his desk. Simmons stands, salutes, and follows. Yep, he is a military man all the way through. I bet he has a story. At least now I am a little smarter and know not to ask.

Yes, sir, right, sir, he states while walking