Demarcation

By David Scott

Darcy Garcia, Peter Dale and their team apply their investigative skills to help an archeologist locate the greatest archeological find of the ages. Darcy and Peter overcome danger and intrigue in an exciting and action-packed story that continues to keep you riveted in high suspense until the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546252153

David Scott

Professor David Scott, PhD, MA, Adv DipEd, BA, PGCE, is Professor of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, Institute of Education, University of London. Previously, he served as Acting Dean of Teaching and Learning, Acting Head of the Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Director of the International Institute for Education Leadership and Professor of Educational Leadership and Learning, University of Lincoln.

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© 2018 David Scott. All rights reserved.

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

Published by AuthorHouse 07/20/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-5216-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-5214-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-5215-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018908506

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

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

Contents

Chapter 1 – Fame and Fortune

Chapter 2 – New Sheriff in Town

Chapter 3 – A Special Client

Chapter 4 – The Jet Set

Chapter 5 – Qumran

Chapter 6 – Spelunking

Chapter 7 – Eureka

Chapter 8 – Two Humps are Better than One

Chapter 9 – Jerusalem

Chapter 10 – On a Wing and a Prayer

Chapter 11 – United Nations

Chapter 12 – Baby Makes Three

Chapter 1 – Fame and Fortune

The moving van was driving away from the new home of Darcy Garcia and Peter Dale as Sam Sergio their close friend was driving up. Sam got out of his car and walked the long path up to their front door and rang the doorbell.

Darcy opened the door and screamed Sam! and hugged him wildly while jumping up and down. Peter was behind her embracing Sam lifting him off his feet swinging Sam around once full circle. Sam turned red. Glad to see you guys too, Sam said as he spotted a chair and sat down.

Sam noticed the interior of their home. The wood paneling is impressive, he said letting out a low whistle. Look at the marble flooring, he marveled. Sam also saw the detritus of a recent move-in including wrapping paper and empty boxes scattered all about. Darcy and Peter pulled chairs close to Sam. As you can see we just moved in, Darcy said with a sweep of her hands.

Seeing Sam always caused Darcy and Peter to subconsciously relive their exploits where all of them, along with Fred Barclay, had stopped a nuclear terrorist attack against the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles by the Princips terrorist group.

They had returned to California from honors they received in Washington D.C. to a ticker-tape parade down Hollywood Blvd. Their exploits in stopping the terror attack had made them national heroes and celebrities.

Peter remembered the hospitality Sam had shown to him and Darcy during their mutual confrontation with the Princips terrorist group. Want something to drink or eat? Sam shifted in his chair. No thanks. I just wanted to stop by and see your new place. It’s beautiful. You know I dabble in real estate. I was wondering why you decided to move to Beverly Hills? You could have bought a home just as nice somewhere else for much less. You could have bought a house from me and I would have given you a great price.

Darcy nodded her head in agreement. True Sam. But you know me, I’m pretty good at accessing real estate value. Believe it or not we found this house after we found the building we’re going to buy for our new business.

This grabbed Sam’s attention. The building you’re going to buy for your new business? Peter grinned at Sam. You know what a good eye Darcy has for value Sam. Sam grinned back at Peter. Yeah, I remember that month-to-month deal she got when you guys had that office in Los Feliz. Sam looked over at Darcy. If I remember correctly you were paying 20% under market rate.

Darcy accepted Sam’s compliment. "That’s right we were. Let me tell you the story on the latest deal I got. The family we bought this house from relocated to Seattle. They also wanted to sell the building they own on Rodeo Drive where they had a consulting business. That’s what started the ball rolling.

They had just leased a building in Seattle for their new start-up and when they found out Peter and I were also interested in buying a new home everything fell into place like clockwork. It worked out and was a win-win for everyone. We’re renting out our home in Whittier for the time being."

Sam shook his head back and forth in disbelief. Pete, you’d better hold on to her. What’s this new business? You should open a real estate office. Darcy looked at Sam. Sam, can’t you guess what type of new business we’re opening? Sudden insight hit Sam. Let me guess. You’re opening a real detective agency now that you both are licensed private investigators?

Darcy shouted for joy as Peter got up from his chair and taking hold of Sam’s shoulders shook him back and forth. Ok Pete you can stop the shaking. It’s making me dizzy. What about the business you already have the Dale and Garcia Researchers or whatever you call it?

Peter answered. Darcy and I are folding it into the new business. We came up with a name for the new business. We’ll share it with you later.

Darcy pulled her chair over right next to Sam. Peter and I have a serious request to make. Darcy looked over at Peter. You want to tell him? Peter looked back at Darcy and smiled. You’re doing fine. You do the honors.

Darcy cupped her hand on Sam’s wrist. Peter and I want you to be our Operations Director. The person who heads the agency day-to-day. Peter and I will be joint CEOs.

Sam’s eyes opened wide. You guys are always full of surprises. Sam glanced at Darcy and Peter. I don’t come cheap. Sam focused his gaze on Darcy whose face was inches away from his. Don’t try to negotiate my salary down young lady.

Darcy squeezed Sam’s hand telling him, We pay a living wage. Sam nodded his head in acknowledgement. But you don’t even know how much I want. Are you sure you can afford me?

Peter joined the conversation. Believe me Sam with the book and movie deals Darcy and I have we can afford a lot. Besides you know Darcy’s family and their Napa Valley winery are like an ATM. We got you covered Sammy.

Darcy decided she needed to amend what Peter said. What he means Sam is that we believe you will be reasonably happy with the salary we’ll pay you.

Sam sat back in his chair looking out into space letting out a long sigh. There go my dreams of a care free retirement. There go my dreams of putting a ‘Gone Fishing’ sign on my door.

Darcy gave Sam a fake hit on the arm. You know you’ll never retire. You were working at the precinct while retired quote on quote. You helped us take down the terrorists and take down Lasky.

Sam sighed again. I’ll trust you two will be good employers. I’ll trust you’ll pay a living wage. I accept.

Peter slapped Sam on the back. Let’s all go see our new office.

__________________

Four weeks earlier in Jerusalem.

Kassem, an antiquities dealer in Jerusalem, was looking at a parchment scroll being held by a mercurial man who was nervously fidgeting.

The man handed Kassem the parchment scroll that had been stored in a large clay jar that the man also had with him.

Kassem studied the nervous man for a moment and asked him, Did anyone follow you? The man said unsurely, No.

Kassem looked at the man suspiciously. Are you positive? The man became agitated and began shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Yes, I’m positive. Where’s my money?

Kassem gave the man a substantial amount of money. As the man began to leave Kassem’s house Kassem told him, I never want to see you again.

Avi, a renowned Israeli archeologist, was standing across the street surreptitiously watching the man leaving Kassem’s house.

Two men camouflaged in local attire were standing along a wall covertly watching Avi and the man who was leaving Kassem’s house.

__________________

Two weeks earlier in Jerusalem.

As Kassem answered a knock at his door two men forced their way in and killed him.

__________________

Chapter 2 – New Sheriff in Town

Darcy and Peter drove Sam over to the building where their new detective business would be located. Peter was checking his shirt and pants pockets. Where’d I put those keys? Sam was peering into the front window trying to see inside. Darcy came to the rescue. We’ll use my keys.

Darcy opened the door and Sam stormed ahead passed her. Nice place. Almost as swanky as your new house. It’s furnished! Nice furniture. Is this your furniture, or did it come with the deal?

Sam quickly walked over to a large room in the front lobby that greeted visitors upon entering. This will be my office. Prospective customers, make that clients, need to see my strength and authority. First impressions are important. Look at that mahogany desk. This is definitely my office.

Peter laughed as Darcy took Sam by the hand. Don’t forget you’re working for Dale and Garcia and not you. You’ll be assigned your office when the building is ready. To answer your question the furniture came with the place. Luckily being that a consulting business was in here before it’s tailored made for our needs.

Sam walked down the hall. Wonderful. You don’t need to do anything then. The carpet is thick and the walls don’t need painting. I’d want to do business with anyone who had this place as an office. When do we start?

Peter was checking out the office that had first attracted Sam’s interest. Soon as we get the computers. When are they scheduled to arrive Darcy? Sam jumped in. Don’t order computers yet. They have to be secured. I know a guy who knows a guy. You’ve got to scrub them. We’re going to be private detectives, remember?

Darcy gave Sam a look. You know, that’s not a bad idea. She turned to Peter. We are private detectives. What do you think? Peter shrugged his shoulders. Sounds logical, as you might say. Weren’t they going to be all new computers?

Sam was shaking his head. Listen people, my guy will make sure these so called new computers are unhackable, if that’s a word. You know, impenetrable. We can let our clients know our systems are completely safe and secure. That’s important in this kind of business.

I’ll call and cancel the order, Darcy said. Sam smiled broadly. Let me take of it. My guy will have us set up in 48 hours. Darcy retrieved a list from her purse. Here’s the itemized list of computers and keyboards and printers I was ordering. This might help. Sam took the list from Darcy. Good. Now I figure we’ll need 20 investigators on staff. How many offices does this place have?

Twenty? Darcy and Peter said together. Sam saw they were really surprised. Yes, 20. We need 20 good detectives. I know a guy who knows a guy. Peter knew he and Darcy had to stop the bleeding. You always know a guy who knows a guy. Do you know how much hiring 20 good detectives is going to cost?

Darcy joined Peter in his concern. That’s a lot of payroll Sam. In addition to the large salary we’re going to be paying you we’ll have to cover 20 private investigators, PIs I mean? Peter motioned for Sam to sit down in a chair in the front lobby.

Darcy didn’t want to curb Sam’s enthusiasm, but she knew they couldn’t afford to have 20 PIs on staff. Sam, we haven’t even officially opened yet. Twenty PIs means we already have 20 cases on the books.

Sam looked bewildered. Are you serious? Do I need to remind you we received Presidential Medals of Freedom from the President of the United States at a joint session of Congress? Need I remind you we were all on every morning news and talk show on every network? The minute we open our doors we’ll be flooded with business and we’d better damn well be prepared for the onslaught.

Peter looked at Darcy. You know Sam may be right. Darcy moved her head back and forth in acknowledgement. We do have those medals. Sam, how much would it cost for us to pay one of your guys?

Sam was glad they were beginning to see things his way. I’ve got some ideas. Let me handle that. I’m your Operations Director, remember? Darcy looked Sam straight in the eye. You’re not the Chief Financial Officer, the CFO. I’m the CFO. Peter and I are responsible for payroll. I don’t think any of your guys would want to find out their payroll checks bounced because we couldn’t cover them. The first rule of business as I see it is to pay your employees.

Peter had an idea. What if we compromise? I think Sam is right. We already have a built-in advantage based on our reputations. I think we will be flooded with cases once we open. Peter turned to Sam. What if we hire five PIs to start with, then increase the amount until we reach 20?

Darcy was furrowing her brow as if in thought. Yes, that’s the solution. We hire five PIs, then increase the number of PIs on an incremental basis until the number of cases more or less matches the number of PIs we have on staff be it 15, 20 or 25. Eventually we’ll get a feel for how many cases we handle routinely and then we can manage our resources. How about that?

Sam was pondering over this. I agree. I’ll hire five PIs right away. What’s the name of the agency? Darcy’s face lit up and replied, I was just getting to that Sam. How about this. Are you ready? Sam looked at Peter. Pete, are we ready? Peter simulated being serious. I’m ready and braced.

Darcy slowly enunciated the words. Discreet Detectives International, Inc. Sam let it sink in. Say it again? Darcy shifted in her chair. Discreet Detectives International, Inc. I have an attorney getting us incorporated. You like it?

Sam reflected on the name. I like the international part. And the discreet part that means a lot to clients. The acronym DDI rolls off the tongue. I can hear myself answering the phone. ‘DDI may I help you?’ Yes, I like it. Let’s go with DDI.

Darcy was happy. Great! I was hoping you’d like it. I’ve already been to city hall and paid for the business license using DDI. I’ve already had DDI business cards printed and our website is being set up.

Sam stood up. No. The website is my domain no pun intended. My IT guy will take of it. Security. My IT guy will make sure it’s secure. Cancel whoever’s developing the website. The same guy who’ll secure our computers will set up our website and email addresses and anything else we need. Trust me on this one.

Darcy started to murmur to herself. I already have email addresses on the business cards. Will they need to change? Sam answered. Probably not. Give me a card and I’ll ask my guy if it can be used. I know enough to know the domain name should be part of the DDI email address. Darcy handed Sam a newly printed business card from her purse with his name on it.

Peter put his CEO hat on and said, Sam, the computer equipment and the website and email addresses are your responsibility. Darcy added, "Sam, please be sure you keep the expenses down