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Traitor Book 1 in the Warlord and the Multiverse Series

Hunter X Johnson

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PRAISE FOR HUNTER X JOHNSON

Reader Quotes:

"Emperor Jason Kargo's story is an inspiring and captivating journey that transcends the boundaries of space and time. It truly touched my heart and reminded me of the resilience of the human spirit." - Rebecca L.

"Hunter X. Johnson's immersive storytelling brought the universe to life in ways I never thought possible. I felt like I was standing beside Jason every step of the way, experiencing his joys and sorrows as my own." - Michael S.

"This biography is a masterful blend of history, adventure, and personal triumph. I was riveted from beginning to end, and couldn't put it down. Emperor Jason Kargo's tale has forever changed the way I see the universe." - Samantha P.

"Johnson's unique access to the AI and the perspectives of Jason’s wives created an intimate and multidimensional portrayal of Emperor Kargo's life. It's rare to find such a deeply moving and personal account of a leader's life." - Alex T.

" Traitor, “ documents Jason’s trip from Earth to Nirvana, is a riveting odyssey and a stunning testament to hope and determination in adversity. I am forever grateful for the lessons from this extraordinary biography." - Lily D.

Reviewer Quotes:

"Hunter X. Johnson has crafted an unparalleled narrative that transcends the conventional biography, providing readers with an intimate and profound understanding of Emperor Jason Kargo's life and legacy." - Galaxy Literary Review.

"Johnson's masterful storytelling and unprecedented access to the innermost thoughts and experiences of Jason Kargo create an enthralling and immersive reading experience unlike any other. A truly groundbreaking work." - The Intergalactic Reader.

"In the Old Man and the Traitor, Hunter X. Johnson elevates the art of the biography to new heights, weaving a captivating and emotionally resonant narrative that will leave readers spellbound." - Celestial Book Review.

"This extraordinary biography is a testament to the power of friendship, loyalty, and the indomitable human spirit. Johnson's vivid storytelling and unparalleled access to his subject make this a must-read for fans of history and adventure alike." - The Cosmopolitan Critic.

"Hunter X. Johnson's captivating account of Emperor Jason Kargo's life is a triumph of storytelling, providing a rich and immersive portrait of a man whose journey has inspired and uplifted countless souls across the cosmos." - The Stellar Tribune

TRAITOR

The Old Man and The Priests Betrayal

SERIES 1 THE WARLORD AND THE MULTIVERSE

BOOK I

HUNTER X JOHNSON

Safion Group

For my Family

"In my quest to comprehend the depths of our Empire, I have come to the staggering realization that our very own organized religion has persistently opposed the strides our society has endeavored to make. Each valiant effort to eradicate crimes against children, halt the trafficking of human lives, and avert war has been met with resistance from our clergy. I assert with unwavering conviction that our religion, as preached by our priests, has professed moral advancement yet consistently proven itself an adversary of true ethical principles, forging alliances with the forces of darkness and betraying the trust we have so willingly placed in it."

Empress Alana KerRexem

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

Preface

Prologue

1. Sarah

2. Detective Clarke

3. Assassins

4. Remand Center 9 pm

5. The Battleship

6. Houston

7. Adapting to the ship

8. Learning about the Empire

9. Confession

10. Pirates

11. After Action Report

12. The Cruiser

13. Dinner

14. Two Cruisers

15. Dangerous Dimensions

16. The Una

17. What Now?

18. The Plans Evolve

19. The Clones

20. The Ground Attack

21. The Planet of the Clones

22. The Battle for the Planet

23. The Other Planet

24. Porquenta

25. The Clones Unite

26. Taking the Fleet

27. Fort Sentinel - The Boneyard

28. The Empress Alana

29. Nirvana

30. Papa Zora

31. Disaster

The End

Afterword

About the Author

Also by Hunter X Johnson

FOREWORD

BY CHIEF LIBRARIAN AELIANA VERITAS

In the hallowed halls of the Grand Library of Aeternitas, where the collective knowledge of the vast and ancient Empire is stored, I have had the honor of safeguarding the stories of countless heroes, visionaries, and leaders. Among the chronicles of our people, the tale of Emperor Jason Kargo stands as a testament to the resilience and indomitable spirit that has defined our civilization for eons.

With great humility and a profound sense of duty, I pen this foreword for a book that describes the adventures of the then Archduke Jason Kargo in his travels from Earth to Nirvana. The story was indeed an Odyssey of Jason Kargo. Hunter Johnson, a distinguished senator and a cherished comrade of our beloved Emperor, was entrusted with the sacred task of narrating this extraordinary journey. I am confident that his words will captivate your imagination and inspire your spirit.

This book, the first of nine, "The Old Man and The Traitor,” unravels secrets the Empire could not discover. The story before you is one of heartache, tragedy, and betrayal, yet also one of hope, courage, and redemption. When the twilight years of his life on Earth seemed destined for anguish and despair, Jason Kargo was torn from the familiar and thrust into a world beyond his wildest dreams. In the face of unfathomable loss and adversity, he rose to the occasion, seeking to restore balance and protect the Empire he would come to cherish.

As the Empire finds itself at a crossroads, beset by the insidious machinations of a traitor and threatened by the relentless march of time, Archduke Kargo's story serves as a beacon of hope for all who seek solace in the promise of a brighter tomorrow. In these pages, you will bear witness to his transformation from an aging Earthling grappling with loss to a resolute defender of a civilization spanning galaxies.

The Empire, advanced and prosperous, is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of those who have come before us. Our artificial intelligence, education, and health systems have evolved over sixty-five thousand years to forge a society where citizens thrive for millennia. But even in the face of such progress, our most significant challenges come from within. The traitor's venomous ambition and the evolving crisis of a declining population threatened to unravel the very fabric of our existence.

As you delve into this epic narrative, may you find solace in knowing that, despite our differences, we are bound together by the threads of our shared humanity. I hope that the story of Emperor Jason Kargo will illuminate your path and in the face of darkness, guide you toward the light.

As the Chief Librarian of the Grand Library of Aeternitas, I have borne witness to the stories of countless heroes, visionaries, and leaders who have shaped the course of the Empire. I am honored to share this tale with you and believe that the life of Emperor Jason Kargo will forever hold a special place in the annals of our history.

May the stars shine upon your path, and may the spirit of Emperor Jason Kargo live on in the hearts of all who read his extraordinary journey.

Aeliana Veritas

Chief Librarian, Grand Library of Aeternitas

INTRODUCTION

Introduction by Hunter X. Johnson, Senator

When my dear friend, Emperor Jason Kargo, approached me with the request to write his biography, I was both honored and daunted by the task. I have known Jason for half a century, and our friendship has grown and evolved as we have navigated the turbulent tides of life together. From our early days in the Earth's army to our roles in the magnificent Empire that has become our home, our bond has been forged in the fires of shared experience and unyielding loyalty.

As a seasoned journalist on Earth, I had grown accustomed to seeking out the hidden truths, unearthing the stories that lay beneath the surface of our world. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the extraordinary tale that would unfold before me as I delved into the life of Jason Kargo. The chronicle of his journey is both remarkable and deeply human, a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative potential of the human spirit.

In writing this biography, I was granted unprecedented access to the very essence of Jason's experiences. The AI that he entrusted me with contained a wealth of information that went beyond the boundaries of ordinary storytelling. I was able to see, hear, taste, and even smell the world as Jason experienced it, painting a vivid and immersive portrait of his life. And, as if that wasn't enough, I was also given the unique opportunity to view his story through the eyes of his wives, offering an intimate and multifaceted perspective on his incredible journey.

As you read this biography—a collection of nine books, you will be transported to the far reaches of the cosmos, from the familiar landscapes of Earth to the sprawling expanse of the Empire that has embraced Jason as one of its own. You will witness the trials and triumphs that have defined his life, and you will come to understand the true depth and complexity of the man who has become an enduring symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

This is not a traditional biography, and Emperor Jason Kargo is not a conventional man. His story is one of boundless courage, unwavering determination, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. It is my hope that, as you immerse yourself in the pages of this book, you will be inspired by his journey and uplifted by the knowledge that, even in the darkest of times, there is always a path toward the light.

I am profoundly grateful for the trust that Jason has placed in me and for the opportunity to share his extraordinary story with the world. It has been a privilege and an honor to walk beside him, both as a friend and as his biographer, and I look forward to witnessing the indelible mark that his legacy will leave on the hearts and minds of those who read this book.

Hunter X. Johnson

Senator and Biographer

PREFACE

On the verge of moving into residential care for the elderly, doctors diagnose Jason’s eighty-year-old wife with dementia. She commits suicide, and the police charge Jason with her murder.

Surprisingly, a battleship arrives with an invitation. His aunt, the Empress of an Empire two galaxies away, asks Jason to return to The Empire to help his grandfather. At eighty and in poor health, Jason struggles with the decision.

Jason faces enemies and constant threats as he struggles to adapt to the values and requirements of an advanced but different society. He must face his nemesis, a tyrant sowing an insurrection and intends to go to war against the Empire.

The Empire is sixty-five thousand years ahead of Earth. Artificial intelligence permeates every part of life. Education and health technology have advanced far further than we can imagine. People will live for tens of centuries unless killed in war or an accident. The Empire is wealthy and successful and spans hundreds of thousands of light-years.

The Empire faces a declining population. A traitor is slowly poisoning the Empire and wants revenge and ultimate power. The traitor will go to any lengths to achieve his aims, even ally himself with the bitter enemies of the Empire.

PROLOGUE

Dark clouds gather fast

Thunder rumbles in the sky

A storm is coming.

Ancient Haiku by Jason Kargo’s AI.

Earth’s business was a fuss about everything and often about nothing. Most nations pursued agendas without a long-term plan. Parts of the world lived in luxury while others battled to survive. Inequality, prejudice, and discrimination were rife.

Yet, that was all to change, but it was to worsen.

Blissfully unaware of unfolding catastrophic threats, Earth carried on as usual. International alignments constantly changed while nations waged wars and sent troops to desolate parts of the world. Terrorists bombed, abducted, and raped with impunity. Democracy, a much-vaunted political system, became increasingly unpopular while leaders eager for power bought votes, and malicious forces undermined the society’s fundamental beliefs. If they voted, voters felt they voted for those they hated the least.

Dictatorships suppressed seething dissidents while many in power enriched themselves or grabbed more power.

Theocracies suppressed women and those who did not believe as they did. Many felt that Earth was a political mess. Earth had a mishmash of competing beliefs, each using propaganda to hide greed for power and influence.

There was no concept of a unified Earth.

Some hypothesized there must be other intelligent life in the Universe. Others believed the Earth was flat and we were the only sentient life in the Universe.

Economic, political, and climate refugees flooded America, Europe, and Australasia. Climate change increasingly wreaked havoc.

Russia futilely hoped to take over the world. It worked relentlessly to turn America and the democracies against themselves and each other, stealing what they could when they could. They took the first bite out of Ukraine while the world looked on. No response.

Slumbering China was moving its plans ahead, growing the military while acquiring intellectual property wherever it could and buying strategic companies in the West while giving aid with a sting in its tail to those with resources or a strategic location.

While blissfully isolated from reality, SETI raised funds to detect signs of intelligent life. SETI had no idea! Not a single, sophisticated self-respecting alien used technology SETI could detect. Looking for smoke signals on the horizon would have been cheaper and equally effective.

No one who had evolved from the apes on Earth knew the Empire of Cassius had discovered Earth thousands of years ago, and many citizens of the Empire had lived among them for centuries.

* * *

Illicit stowaways on the Empire battleship approaching our solar system had a plan for the inhabitants of Earth. They presented a constellation of threats. Few threats appear in isolation.

Existence comprises opposing forces: benevolent and evil, creation and destruction, light and dark, and Yin and Yang. Some say they are not opposites but endlessly turning spheres.

On the other hand, the battleship crew offered the seeds of hope and an excellent opportunity.

One hand takes, another gives. Someone creates, and another destroys. Someone works, and another steals. Someone gorges themselves while a starving family walks through the desert seeking salvation.

Life is like that. It is not fair. We must all painfully learn life is not a game. Yet one can play a carefully crafted game and learn to live life.

* * *

The gigantic battleship nosed its way into our solar system and orbited Jupiter. On behalf of the Empress, the crew wanted to find the young Duke Jason Kargo while the stowaways launched their search to find and assassinate him. Those that wished to kill him did everything they could to hinder the crew and prevent them from locating him first. Those who sought to kill the young Duke had a secondary plan, one that was to prove a threat to the survival of Earth.

* * *

Papa Zora looked down at the teenager’s tousled hair, Zora’s thick brows knitted together, and his cheeks flushed.

“Boy, I have run out of patience, and you have run out of time!” He leaned forward, encircling the boy's neck with his arms, the youth’s slender shoulders clasped between his knees. He twisted the boy’s head rapidly as far round as he could, waiting for the satisfying click, then pushed the lifeless naked body backward.

Zora stood, pulled up his trousers, and kicked the corpse out of his way.

“You are a useless piece of shit!”

Papa Zora strode down the broad passage of his palace on Nirvana, his gaze on the door ahead, not glancing at the expensive art adorning the walls. He was affectionately known as Papa by those unaware of his true character. His associates and staff called him Patriarch, as he was the leader of the official religion of the Empire.

Zora pushed open the conference room’s double doors and sat at the head of the table facing his senior management group. He tapped on the table and looked at each man sitting facing him. They avoided his gaze and sat gazing at their holo-tablets.

“What news do you have for me about the young Kargo? Have we dealt with him?”

The silence was deafening. The Patriarch’s senior team occupied themselves examining the intricacies of the knots in the wood of the ancient table.

Zora shook his head and looked at Cardinal Ezekiel Malkinski, the head of his intelligence service, briefly meeting his eyes. “Gentlemen, my patience is running out; I am weary of repeated excuses and time-wasting, I want results, and I want them now! Would you kindly send me the coordinates of the planet, Ezekiel? We must sell Earth’s location to replenish our coffers and avoid disaster.”

“Your eminence, your battleship entered Earth’s solar system two minutes ago. I expect to hear from Bishop Gottfried Friedrich when he finds Kargo. I will forward his report as soon as he can provide me with the information we seek.”

“Send your people to kill him as soon as possible,” said Zora. “I will not permit him to interfere with my plans.”

“I could not insert my operatives onto your ship. The Empress blocked our attempts. Friedrich’s teams are cyber warfare specialists. They will struggle to accomplish the job we require,” said Cardinal Ezekiel Malkinski unctuously before turning to his colleague from business operations.

“Sabas, did you find out what they do with the people we send them?” Malkinski asked.

“I requested further information, but we learned no more. Ezekiel, they say as little as they can. Neither party enslaves them, but neither will tell us their purpose. One group is fussy about whom they take; the other takes anyone. Both denied eating the people,” said Cardinal Sabas.

“Gentlemen, we can speculate about these issues until the moon orbits around us, but we must deliver what we promised or face unpleasant consequences. We made contracts, and now we must deliver on our obligations. Finances are tight, and we must do what we promised our allies,” said Papa Zora.

* * *

“Stan, those bastards are blocking our attempts to find the young Duke; we have no option; we must launch a communications satellite,” said Jacobo Lengling the Chief Engineer.

“The Empress ordered me to accomplish this task, and I will do so to the best of my ability, but the device costs a fortune. I do not have the authority to spend money on communications. Is there no alternative?” Stan asked, whining.

“Stan, if you fail because you didn’t commission a communications satellite, the Empress will decommission you,” said Jacobo Lengling, Chief Engineer.

Stan said nothing.

“Stan, we have no choice; I will program and launch it in the next few minutes. I refuse to let those fanatics sabotage our attempts.”

* * *

“Bishop Friedrich, the ship launched a communications satellite,” said the friar.

“Yes, I know. Have we found the Duke?”

“I think so. We are confirming his identity. What happens when we find him?”

“Malkinski ordered us to kill him.”

“We are a bunch of nerds and dorks; we know nothing about assassination. Why didn’t Malkinski send some of his killers?”

“The Empress blocked his people from boarding. She didn’t know we hid on the ship after the Patriarch left. We must find a way to kill Duke Jason Kargo before he gets on the ship; it will be much harder once he gets on board. We are on a tight deadline.”

1

SARAH

“Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.”

—Mark Twain.

* * *

The dogs barked frantically and scratched at the upstairs bedroom door. Jason limped forward, his knees creaking, and opened it. The room was dim, the blinds tapping as the wind blew in through the banging door to the verandah.

Why is the door open? Why hasn’t Sarah opened the blinds or put on the light?

Jason strode to the door and looked out. Sarah was swaying in the wind, her neck in a noose. A white plastic garden chair lay on its side near her feet.

* * *

Jason Kargo was an eighty-year-old man fit for his age as he was an avid cyclist, but his body was failing him. After he laboriously went downstairs, found a knife, and cut the rope, Jason cradled Sarah's head on his lap and wept. Sarah, his beloved wife, was dead. He had no idea she intended to take her own life. Memories of the past flooded through his mind, the births of their children, family holidays, and their wonderful carefree honeymoon in Paris.

The dogs rubbed against him and nuzzled Sarah’s face. Jason closed her eyes. He gently rubbed the rope burns on her neck. Rosie nuzzled him and flipped his arm on top of her head. He absently patted her and Lilly. He grasped Lilly as he shakily climbed to his feet, his cheeks moist. The powerful Rottweiler stood, her legs planted apart, looking up at Jason. His knees protested as he descended the stairs, carefully holding the rail. The dogs were walking by his side down the stairs.

Jason called an ambulance, then Lauren.

* * *

Lauren arrived seconds before the paramedics. Jason pointed up the stairs. Lauren led the paramedics upstairs while Jason remained seated at the great room table, his head in his hands. She returned sobbing five minutes later and sat beside Jason. holding his arm.

The doorbell rang, startling them.

Lauren returned with two young police officers. Lauren led them upstairs and returned.

“Dad, they want you to show them where you found Mum.”

Lauren held Jason tightly as he stood swaying, then helped him upstairs. Jason paused on the landing and steadied himself, grateful for Lauren’s arm. The police officers were waiting in the bedroom, the tall skinny one, a notebook in hand, pen poised.

“Sir, did you have any sign she was thinking of suicide or that she had any reason for suicide?”

Lauren shook her head, as did Jason.

“We took her to the doctor last week. She did some tests and then met on Thursday to discuss the results. The doctor told us Mum was developing dementia,” said Lauren, rubbing her eyes.

“My wife accepted the diagnosis and wasn’t as distressed as I thought she would be. When I asked her how she felt, she replied, ‘Whatever will be, will be,’” said Jason.“

“She asked me to take her shopping after the appointment, as we planned to celebrate my father’s eightieth birthday at lunchtime today. She was smiling and chatty. I didn't suspect she was contemplating killing herself,” said Lauren.

The police officers nodded in unison.

“I feel terrible about the rope; she asked me to put it up for her three weeks ago. It was for a basket of ferns,” Lauren added, pointing to the basket with dry ferns sitting on its side on the ground.

Jason clutched his chest and looked at Lauren, his eyes closed and his face contorted.

“Lauren… bad pain in my chest and throat… feel terrible.”

Jason collapsed backward onto the bed, clutching his chest.

* * *

Jason regained consciousness. His whole body ached. He took a deep breath. Agonizing pain shot across his chest. He took short, shallow breaths. His monitor beeped. An alarm blared, then a shaky voice called for a doctor from the bay beside him. The bed sheets were wrinkled.

Curtains separated him from the other bays.

Lauren and his grandchildren, Chloe and Chuck, sat beside his bed. Lauren squeezed his hand when he turned his head towards her.

Jason’s mouth tasted like a garbage tip. His throat felt like a train covered in sandpaper had raced through it while releasing steam. He tried to swallow and then to speak. He croaked.

Lauren stood and walked out through a gap in the curtains.

Jason tried to smile at his grandchildren. They sat looking at him with eyebrows raised. Chloe’s lips were trembling.

A plump, brassy-blond, middle-aged nurse bustled in, handed him a paper cup with a straw, fussed over his pillow, then raised the head of the bed. She smelled faintly of yesterday’s cheap perfume and today’s labor.

Jason croaked a muffled “Thank You.”

“The doctor will be here in half an hour, but you are out of trouble,” she said, smiling. “You are in the cardiac recovery ward but won’t need to be with us for more than a day or two.”

She turned on her heel and left.

“Dad, you are alive, and we are happy. The Cardiologist put in two stents and said, you can come home tomorrow, but you must stay with us for several weeks so we can monitor you,” said Lauren.

"Hi, Chloe and Chuck; how are you guys? Shouldn’t you be at school?" Jason asked in a rasping voice.

“No, Grandpa, today is a teacher's professional development day, so we have the day off,” said Chuck.

“We are sad about granny, and we'll miss her very much,” said Chloe before turning to Lauren and raising her hands, palms upward, and eyes wide.

“What is it, young lady?” Lauren asked.

“Tell Grandpa about the disgusting detective, Mum,” said Chloe, wrinkling her nose.

“Grandpa has had enough excitement for one day,” said Lauren, looking at Chloe. “I want to avoid worrying him.”

“I won’t fall apart,” said Jason. “Tell me about the foul detective and what he wants!”

“Detective Clarke showed up as we were leaving for the hospital. He had a search warrant and wanted to examine your house and office. Dan looked at the search warrant, which said something about you being ‘suspected of being complicit in the death of your wife,’ or some such garbage.”

“What did he do in the house?”

“Clarke rummaged around for ages, then took your computer away. He's smelly, fat, dirty and repeatedly pulls up his baggy pants. The other one is Detective Gourley, who dresses like a businessman. Gourley is skinny and has a smarmy air about him like a character out of Dickens,” said Lauren, wrinkling her nose as Chloe had.

“What does Clarke want?” Jason asked, rubbing his forehead while pushing away his drip with his other hand.

Chuck and Chloe looked at each other.

“Clarke wanted to see you today,” said Lauren, absently tapping on the bedrail. “The doctor said, ‘No way!’”

Jason shrugged his shoulders.

“I want to get him off my back as soon as possible. Can you ask Dan if he will sit in on the interview? I wouldn’t say I like the sound of this Clarke clown. He’s made up his mind before speaking to me.”

Lauren nodded. “I didn’t like the look of him at all. He is up to no good, Dad!”

“I’ll see him as soon as the doctor says ok, and Dan can make it.”

“I also want to be a lawyer! Please, Grandpa, can I sit in on the interview?” Chuck asked.

“No, fat-head, you are too young, and it's not appropriate for a child to sit in on a police interview,” said Chloe, wrinkling up her face.

“Please, Grandpa, can I sit in on the interview? I am older and much more sensible?” Chloe asked, batting her eyelashes and smiling while looking at Jason with raised eyebrows. She turned to Chuck and stuck out her tongue.

Jason sat and thought for a few moments.

“Hmm… I'd like both of you in the interview. I need your help, but I suspect Dan would advise against it. Furthermore, both of you need to go to school tomorrow,” Jason replied.

“Oh, Grandpa, you are never serious! Mum said that the detective was after your blood. I don't want him to get your blood because I'm uncertain whether you've got a lot of blood,” said Chuck. “Mum said when you stand up, you get light-headed, and she said you are not getting enough blood to your head,” Chuck continued, then looked at Chloe. “Also, the detective stinks like a blocked drain.”

Chuck slid off his chair and demonstrated as he talked. “He keeps pulling up his dirty pants—he pulled up his pants as far as he could—and he’s got yucky dry egg on his tie.”

“The Ghoul guy is like the bad guys in Harry Potter,” said Chloe.

“Mum says he wants blood; he must be a vampire,” Chuck continued with a catch in his voice. “I'm worried about you, Grandpa. I saw this show about vampires. They are hellish fast and get blood from your neck before you know what is happening.”

“Yeah, I am also worried about you, Grandpa!” Chloe exclaimed and grabbed Jason’s hand.

Chuck sat stock-still and silent for a moment, propping his head with his hand, his brow furrowed. Then his face lit up.

“Grandpa, Johnny's dad, is a carpenter. I’ll ask him if he will help us make a few wooden stakes,” Chuck suggested. “I want us to be ready to kill smelly!” Chuck looked up at the ceiling. “Maybe I can ask Bird’s dad to get us silver bullets and a gun?”

“Excellent idea Chuck, that would be useful. Perhaps you can ask your dad if we can borrow a hammer to knock in the stakes. I also hope Clarke takes a bath before he comes to see us, as I hate smelly detectives. Maybe if he's stinky, I'll vomit all over him,” said Jason, smiling.

Chloe wagged a finger at her brother.

“Chuck, don't be stupid! There's no such thing as a vampire!”

Chuck put both hands on his hips and leaned toward his sister. “Is so! Mum said he's after Grandpa’s blood! That makes him a vampire! If Mum said it, it's true. Dad says Mum is always right, and I need to remember it!” He pushed out his tongue.

Lauren smiled and patted Chuck on the head. “Chuck, with that attitude, you will go far.”

Chuck smiled coyly.

* * *

“Chuck, you get two stakes, and I'll ask your dad for the large double-headed hammer. If Grandpa feels weak, I’ll put the stakes near the serving table. We must go home; say goodbye to Grandpa.” Lauren turned to Chloe. “Chloe put Grampa’s suitcase in the cupboard, and we'll get going.” Lauren put her hand on Jason’s arm, “Dad, they are discharging you tomorrow mid-morning; I’ll fetch you.”

* * *

Jason’s cardiologist and entourage opened the curtain five minutes later and picked up his chart. The cardiologist and his resident looked through his chart and talked to each other about Jason. Neither glanced at Jason.

The middle-aged specialist strolled Jason’s bedside while looking at the chart.

“Mr. Kargo, you have had a cardiac infarct because of a clot. We dissolved the clots. We put in stents to keep your coronaries open.”

“Has it damaged my heart?” Jason asked.

The Cardiologist looked at Jason for the first time, “I can’t tell yet. Your heart will improve its output, but you must take care not to exert yourself for the next three weeks. Your blood pressure is unstable, as your heart cannot compensate. You will need time to heal and recuperate, but I suspect you will have a residual cardiac impairment or failure. Despite everything we did, there is evidence of significant cardiac muscle damage.”

“What can I do, doctor?” Jason asked.

“No exercise for the time being, apart from a walk for fifteen minutes daily. Take it easy. Come to see me in three weeks in my rooms.”

The group turned and left without another word.

What was his name?

2

DETECTIVE CLARKE

“Let me be clear—no one is above the law. Not a politician, not a priest, not a criminal, not a police officer. We are all accountable for our actions.”

—Antonio Villaraigosa

“Detectives Clarke, Gourley; this is my father, Jason Kargo, and my husband Dan, his lawyer. I’ll sit in on the interview as his support,” said Lauren, pursing her lips into a thin line.

Jason looked at the serving table, and on it was a heavy double-sided hammer and three enormous sharpened wooden stakes. He grinned. Both detectives looked at Jason, frowning. Lauren smiled, observing where Jason was looking. Jason sighed.

Clarke smiled briefly. It didn’t touch his eyes. “Thank you very much for seeing us, Mr. Kargo.”

Clarke paused and looked at Dan and Lauren.

“Are you sure you must have your lawyer and daughter with you? If you’ve nothing to worry about, do you need minders?”

“Yes,” replied Jason.

“Do you have something to hide?” Clarke asked, losing his smile.

“I want my lawyer and my daughter present.”

“Do you’ve something to hide?” Clarke asked.

“Can you be more specific, as I don’t know what you are talking about?” replied Jason.

“Your involvement in your wife’s death,” said Clarke impatiently.

“What involvement are you asking about?”

“You assisted and facilitated the death of your wife?”

Jason looked at Clarke and paused before replying.

“I didn’t help my wife to kill herself.”

“Please tell me what happened on the morning of your wife’s death?” Clarke asked.

“I woke at 5:30, which I do on cycling days. I tried not to disturb Sarah. I went downstairs after I dressed and made myself a smoothie and a coffee. I got my water bottles ready and was out of the house by six. I cycled to our meeting spot next to Raffles on the foreshore.” Jason sipped his water.

“I cycle with a group of five others. We stopped for coffee in Fremantle on the way back. I fell when I lost my balance, moving around a barrier at the entrance to a park on the way home.” Jason pointed to his knee and arm.

“I got back at 10:30. As soon as I opened the garage, I heard the dogs barking. They sounded distressed. I let them in as soon as I got inside. It is unusual for us to lock them outside on the weekend. Sarah hadn’t opened the curtains. I put on the lights.”

Jason sighed. “The dogs dashed upstairs, barking frantically. I followed as fast as I could. I find it hard to climb stairs, particularly after a ride. My knees are arthritic. I stopped several times as I felt faint, and my knees were sore. Sarah had closed the bedroom door. The dogs were whining outside. The room was dim. The only light was from the balcony door, which was open.”

Jason paused and sipped some water.

“I walked to the door and saw Sarah hanging from a cord attached to a rafter on the balcony. A white plastic chair was lying on its side near her feet. I felt for a pulse, but there was nothing. She was ice-cold and blue. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her pupils dilated.

“I collected a knife downstairs. I couldn’t reach the rope, so I climbed on a chair to cut her down. I lowered her to the ground and climbed off the chair. I called an ambulance, and my daughter.”

“Why did you not resuscitate her?” Clarke asked.

“I thought she had been dead for some time. Her body was cold, and her eyes open, her pupils fixed and dilated.”

“You had information on your computer about assisted suicide. You encouraged your wife to commit suicide and helped her do it,” Clarke shouted, then banged the side of his fist on the table.

“Despite my age, I am not deaf, detective,” said Jason, sighing.

“Please answer my questions.”

“That was a statement, not a question.”

Clarke angrily asked Jason about the information on assisted suicide on his computer.

“I volunteer at the residential home around the corner from my house. The residents asked me to lead a discussion on the merits or otherwise of assisted suicide. You saw the email request. I researched the topic. I talked about the models available for medically assisted euthanasia available elsewhere, which overflowed into a second meeting. It was a lively discussion, but I didn’t express an opinion on the merits of the process or otherwise. I told my wife about the talk and the subsequent discussions. It was about six months ago. I did not plan, assist, or facilitate the death of my wife. I didn’t know she was suicidal!”

“I see in your and your wife’s will that you both state that you do not want a doctor to use active measures to resuscitate you if you have catastrophic illness or injury. Did you not view your wife’s condition as a disaster? You knew she would act and didn’t prevent it, and you deliberately went out that morning to provide the opportunity for her,” said Clarke, standing and looking down at Jason before continuing. “I put it to you; did you conspire with her to commit suicide? Did you stay away from home to facilitate her suicide?”

“No,” said Jason.

“Is that all you have to say?” Detective Clarke asked, thumping the table.

“I cycle with friends twice a week. I go to the gym twice. I’m eighty years old and keep myself in good condition. I’ve had a regular exercise routine since my teens. I walk the dogs for hours at a time, alternating with Sarah. There was nothing unusual about my going out yesterday morning. I’ve cycled on Sunday mornings with friends for sixty years. Sarah stays in bed on Sunday until 8:30.”

“Surely, you knew your wife intended to act on her distress?”

“Despite the diagnosis of dementia, my wife was happy yesterday. The family was going out for lunch to celebrate my eightieth birthday. She went shopping with my daughter. In the evening, she talked about the day. There was nothing unusual about her behavior. She never mentioned suicide, nor had she ever had a suicide attempt.”

“Are you suggesting she did not discuss suicide with you?”

Jason shook his head. “No, not since my lectures. You will find her thoughts and plans on her computer. She researched everything she did—that was her nature. She was computer-literate. You will find the websites she used and the searches she attempted. She kept meticulous notes.”

“What had she discussed with you in the last few months?”

“Sarah worried about her memory and discussed it with me. After we talked, she made the appointment to visit the doctor and asked Lauren and me to go with her,” Jason observed.

“So, you knew she was planning suicide?” Clarke stated.

“No, I didn’t,” said Jason. “Did you find a suicide note while searching the house?”

“Yes, we did, and we are holding it as evidence,” said Clarke smugly.

“Then I would like a copy,” said Dan, “what did it say?”

“Among other things, she thanks her husband for all his help over the years, especially in this trying time. Sarah talks about the good marriage, her happy life, and how she will miss Lauren, your son Craig, and the grandchildren. She believed it was better that her grandchildren remembered her as she was rather than what she would become. Mr. Kargo, the help she refers to is your role in assisting and facilitating her suicide. Is that not true?” Asked Clarke.

“No.”

“You are speaking utter rubbish, Clarke,” said Lauren, tapping the tabletop. “Dad helped edit papers my mother wrote and has done so for years. He structures documents well, edits, and proofreads thoroughly. She always appreciated his help. What kind of help could he give her to facilitate her suicide? There was nothing to it. She told me she bought the rope at the hardware store and wanted me to attach the line as my father can’t keep his balance on a ladder. The only person who gave her help was me! I put up the rope. She loved gardening. As my parents’ age, I’ve done many little jobs around the house.”

“I understand you wish to protect your father, yet he climbed on a chair to get her down. Why do I find you difficult to believe?”

My mother bought the rope, and I put it up for her. What did Dad do?” Lauren asked indignantly.

“Mr. Kargo, you’ve scratches on your arms. Can you explain those to me?”

“I got them while cycling. I fell and scratched my arm; I have witnesses,” Jason tiredly noted.

Clarke turned to Lauren. “There’s growing and persuasive circumstantial evidence that your father colluded with your mother and assisted her to suicide. I will prove my case.”

“What evidence do you have?” Lauren asked.

“All in good time!” Clarke turned to look at Jason.

“Did you insure your wife’s life?” Clarke asked.

“Yes, when the children were young, but we canceled those policies when we were financially secure.”

“Is there anything else you can tell me, Mr. Kargo?”

“There’s nothing further for me to say, Detective,” said Jason.

The two detectives made their way to their car, where they stood and talked animatedly for a few minutes before leaving.

Dan turned to Jason. “Jason, I don’t think you’ve anything to worry about, but he won’t let go. I will chat with one of the senior prosecutors I’ve known since school. Clarke has a loose screw. There’s no case here,” said Dan.

“My friend will hand it onto internal affairs and say we must permit the investigation to go on while they gather evidence. I’m afraid we must continue this farce for a while. Clarke’s partner did not look happy when they talked outside! Jason, I’m going to your house to pick up Sarah’s computer, and I’ll look at it,” said Dan. “I’ll take a hard drive with me and copy everything in case they take it away.”

“Dad, that detective was a disgusting piece of work. You seemed to take it all calmly, but I’m worried about Clarke’s attitude,” said Lauren as Dan reversed down the driveway.

“Lauren, I don’t care. I’ve had a good life, and that ass has nothing on me. I’m feeling my age, and dying doesn’t scare me. My body aches every day. I think if I die, it will be a relief. I am falling apart. I exercise, but it’s getting harder and harder. My balance is getting worse. My biggest fear is having a fall and breaking my neck! It’s been a good life. I don’t like Clarke’s treadmill, but I am walking on it! I won’t let him get me down.”

3

ASSASSINS

“Everyone who lives long enough to love deeply will experience great losses. Don't let fear of loss, or the losses themselves, take away your ability to enjoy the wonderful life that is yours.”

― Barbara "Cutie" Cooper, Fall in Love for Life: Inspiration from a 73-Year Marriage.

“Hi, Lauren; thanks for the tea. The first cup always tastes the best.”

“Dad, sorry to disturb you. How are you feeling?” Lauren asked the following day.

“Fine, so many memories.”

“How are you?”

“I'm all right.” Jason sighed. “I’m sad, mourning Sarah, but I feel her presence and warmth. Most of the memories are happy.”

Jason looked at Lauren and canted his head to the right.

“Lauren, you look worried?”

“Clarke wanted to see you today. He turned up here this morning at 7. You were asleep, and I told him the doctor wanted you to rest for a few days after the stent. What’s the rush? Dan put him off until Monday. Clarke said it was urgent. Clarke and Dan landed up shouting at each other. Gourley stood smirking behind Clarke. Clarke was furious you were asleep and not available. He insisted you remain in town. Dan told him to screw himself and go through him next time.” Lauren grinned. “Clarke said you were ‘under suspicion’ and must remain in town. Dan thinks the man is obsessed with you and crazy. Clarke worries Chuck and Chloe. They heard the whole exchange. Chuck firmly believes the detective is a vampire and almost has Chloe believing him. Chuck has been asking how he can make bullets and where he can buy silver. I heard him and his friend Bird, the Nerd, talking about it!”

Jason laughed. “I know Clarke, Lauren. He will lose, but it costs us emotionally and take a lot of effort to handle him. Thanks for putting him off; I feel drained,” said Jason as he sat at the table, patting Rosie and Lilly. “I must take the dogs to the park; I want fresh air. The dogs have been nagging me to walk them.”

“I’ll take you, Dad; I don’t want you to go alone.”

* * *

Jason struggled to walk twenty meters without becoming breathless and stopping.

He threw the ball using a plastic launcher but involuntarily hissed as he hurt his chest throwing the ball. Lauren took over.

“The park is lovely; I enjoy the river, the calm, and the fresh air; I must come here more often,” said Lauren.

Jason glanced at the sapphire river, smiled, and turned to watch the dogs. “Lauren, look at that strange group of men in faded burgundy robes. They are looking for someone. One of them has an iPad, shit the other has a weapon. Get behind the tree. They might be some crazies!

Jason gently pushed Lauren behind the broad trunk of a tree. He bent forward stiffly and sideways, his hand on the rough bark.

“They headed for the carpark, but now they are coming our way,” said Jason. “I think they saw me, don’t expose yourself.”

A branch at head height sizzled, caught alight, then fell to the ground.

The men shouted excitedly.

“They’re shooting at us! I’ll call the dogs; I don’t want those nutters to hurt them. Remain behind the trunk, Lauren.”

“Ouch, they hit me in the arm,” Lauren shouted, peering at her left bicep. “It’s just a graze, Dad, but it’s burning like crazy. You tell me to stay behind the tree, but you keep looking around the trunk, and I’m the one who gets shot.”

Jason turned to look at her. “I am dispensable; you are not!”

Lauren laughed. “I don't understand why I’m laughing.”

Jason peeked around the tree and yelled at the dogs.

First, there was shouting, then screaming.

Using the tree to support him, Jason knelt and peered around the trunk close to the ground.

“The dogs are attacking them. Lilly has the one with the weapon on the ground, and Rosie is chasing the others. Lauren, call the cops,” said Jason peering around the tree.

“I’m already on it, Dad; they will be here in five minutes. They took me deadly seriously after I told them of the robes and the priests shooting at us.”

“It’s weird, they’ve disappeared, but the dogs caught one of them. I’ll have a look,” said Jason, pushing himself upright using the tree.

“Dad, please don’t go. Wait for the police. Those guys may come back; stay with me, please! I don’t want you to have another heart attack.”

The dogs worried the priest’s body.

Jason called them.

They returned to him, tails wagging.

Jason patted his dogs and fussed over them.

* * *

Lauren helped Jason walk back to the car. Two pairs of uniformed police arrived minutes later, followed by an ominous black truck. Twelve heavily armed and armored men poured out the back and entered the park.

“Dad, they are looking at a body and torn clothing on the ground.”

The police streamed towards them from cars and an armored truck. Lauren waved them over to the car, where they sat waiting.

“What happened here?” The senior sergeant asked.

“My father and I were taking the dogs for a walk. We saw a group of six men weirdly dressed in robes with hoods. The robes were a faded red. One of them had a darker burgundy robe. He acted as if he were in charge. Another was carrying a weapon. They behaved as if they were looking for someone, using an iPad to track and then pointing. They headed toward this car park and then turned to walk our way. We were close to the children’s playground, past the toilet. We hid behind that big tree, the first one after the end of the fence,”—Lauren pointed—“The one on the ground had a pistol-sized weapon in his hand.” Lauren coughed. “They shouted to each other in a foreign language. A branch on the left side of the tree crackled, caught alight, and fell. We realized they were shooting at us.”

The police officer wrote furiously. When he looked up, Lauren continued.

“My father called the dogs, as he didn’t want them to get hurt.”

“Did they shoot at the dogs?”

“We heard screaming and shouting, and when we looked around the tree, we saw the dogs attacking them. The dogs caught one of them and had him on the ground. The others ran off and disappeared.”

“Sir, what did you see?”

“It was exactly as my daughter described. My first thought was it was a terrorist group looking for victims. The robes looked different from any terrorists I have seen on TV. They also had reddish faces. I would swear one had blue hair and another had red hair. They cut the hair page style. The hairstyle was like the actors you see in Medieval movies. The men were clean-shaven. I couldn’t hear them clearly as I am a bit deaf. I heard shouting but could not distinguish the words,” Jason informed him. “The one wearing more prosperous burgundy was tall and had white hair. At first, as they dressed unusually, I considered they were actors making a movie, but I got worried as they purposefully headed toward us. The weapon had a smooth shape, unlike a pistol. I kept us behind the tree. I peeked around the tree and saw them moving faster our way. The branch sizzled and came down. There was no gunshot sound. It was bizarre but disturbing.”

“What vehicle did they use?”

“That was no vehicle on the road. When they ran off, they disappeared one after the other.”

“Was anyone injured?”

“Lauren has a burn on her bicep. My dog Rosie has a burn along her flank.”

Jason showed the police officers Lauren’s injury, then called Rosie over and pointed to the burn extending down her flank.

“Both dogs have blood on their muzzles,” Jason added. “You can get DNA from them. They bit two or three of the other men. Then we’ll take Lauren to the doctor and Rosie to the vet.”

* * *

Lauren switched on the news before dinner.

“A group of robed men shot at a father and daughter taking their dogs for a walk in Tompkins Park in Applecross this morning. The dogs, a pair of Rottweilers, saved the pair, an 80-year-old man discharged from hospital yesterday and his daughter from the attackers, but not before the attackers shot the daughter in the arm. The police recovered a body and weapon, described as a futuristic energy weapon. The dogs killed one of the attackers and chased the others. The police recovered a body and DNA evidence of at least two others from blood found on the snouts of both dogs and two robes found at the scene. The police found a sandal some distance from the body but informed me they could not identify the clothing or shoe manufacturer. The assassins shot at and burned the back of one of the dogs. The dog attended a local vet who informed us it will recover from its unusual injuries. Joe Joseph will report what he found at the site of the attack.”

Joe appeared on the screen holding a microphone.

“I am at the tree the elderly man and his daughter hid behind in Tomkins Park. The assassins shot at this branch. It is nine centimeters in diameter. I estimate the assassins shot at it from fifty meters away. They burned through the branch. I also found seven three-centimeter diameter holes burned deeply into the trunk.”

Joe walked to a different position, then pointed to seven holes bored into the tree trunk. “These holes penetrate almost through this enormous tree,”—he pointed his laser into a hole and looked at the readout—“It is 57 cm deep, over half a meter!”

“What did the police tell you?”

“The police believe the dogs saved their owners from being killed.”

“Amanda?”

“Thank you, Joe. The police will not confirm this is a terrorist attack. We communicated with weapons experts in the USA, who told us the army had developed energy weapons, but they required bulky energy supplies. The military denies all knowledge of a small, powerful portable energy weapon.” The anchor looked directly at the camera, “We will report further on these unusual events tomorrow as more information becomes available.”

Dan looked at Jason and shook his head.

Jason grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

“Grandpa, could they be aliens?” Chuck asked.

“Yup, they probably were. I am a great prince from a far-off civilization in hiding here. The assassins have found me and tried to kill me this morning.”

“Grandpa!” Chloe shook her head.

“They took control of Detective Clarke and made him into a vampire!”

“Yeh, Grandpa!” Chuck grinned broadly. Chloe frowned, then turned to Jason.

“Grandpa, is that true?” Chloe asked.

“No, that is your Grandfather’s usual nonsense. No assassins or vampires are chasing after Grandpa, and he is not a prince in hiding.”

Chloe wiped her eyes.

Jason put his arm around Chloe and then turned to Lauren. “I must go to bed after dinner; I feel shattered.”

* * *

“Where's Chloe?” Jason asked the following day at breakfast.

“Diabetes attacked her, Grandpa. She's in Princess Margaret. The doctor said she is breaking, and all of what has gone on bent her out of shape,” said Chuck.

“Her diabetes has been brittle for some time now, Dad, and they are waiting for a new Insulin pump,” said Lauren. “There is one with a new generation of blood glucose sensors.”

“Yes, I know, Sarah told me. I hope it reduces her hospital admissions. How many times has she been in the hospital this year?” Jason asked.

“Six times in the last year, and she remains unstable. The stress triggered a hypo, and she had a seizure just as we got her to the hospital. She was in ICU for most of the night but is now cheerful but slightly confused in a medical ward. She can go to school tomorrow.

“The endocrinologist says that the pump he is waiting for will be out in six weeks, and he thinks she should get it. The hospital will monitor her closely while the Clarke thing is happening.”

“You and Dan look exhausted!”

“Dan stayed with you and Chuck but couldn’t sleep. I will go to sleep after breakfast,” said Lauren. “Chuck, get ready. Your father will drop you off at school on the way to work.”

* * *

“Do you think the Empire is after us, Dad?” Lauren asked.

“I can’t say. I can’t imagine any reason they would try to kill me.”

“Terrorists don’t have futuristic weapons,” Lauren observed.

“It is puzzling, but we don’t have enough information to make intelligent guesses. If someone is after us from the Empire, they oppose our family,” said Jason. “Lauren, I’ll warn the family in Houston, and we’ll be vigilant. Have you told Craig what happened?”

“No, he called after he saw it on the news.”

“This is a great way to get our ten seconds of fame,” said Jason.

* * *

Clarke re-appeared at 9 am on Monday, as messy as previously. He wore the same filthy, stained tie; his gut bursting out of his shirt and hanging over his belt.

Jason looked at the sideboard. Chuck had loaded it as before. Jason smiled.

“How can we help you, detective?” Dan asked.

“Mr. Kargo, you were in the army?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Kargo, the army investigated you. They accused you of war crimes?”

“Yes, and they cleared me.”

“Did it involve murder?”

“I can't say.”

“The army heavily censored and redacted your record. Do you know why? What were you doing in the army?” Detective Clarke asked as prissy, pretty-boy, mister try-hard Detective Sergeant Gourley smirked in the background.

“I was in the SAS. The army sent me on covert operations.”

“You assassinated people?”

“Among other things,” said Jason impatiently.

“What other things?”

“Walking in the jungle, doing jumps, planning operations, surveillance, liaising with our allies, finding targets, setting ambushes, training, and so on. I did all the usual activities that are part of special forces operations. Later, the army promoted me and moved me into Operations Planning and Intelligence.”

“Mr. Kargo, you were in the Army for how long?”

“I was in the army for fifteen years,” said Jason.

“The army trained you to become a lieutenant, correct?” Detective Clarke asked.

“Yes, I entered the Army after University. They selected me to become an officer.”

“You went into intelligence first?”

“The army selected me to join Army Intelligence after basic training.”

“You were an expert marksman?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you join intelligence?”

“The army chose to place me in intelligence. I learn languages easily and spoke Vietnamese fluently.”

“You faced an investigation while in intelligence, did you not?”

“Someone was leaking information to the Soviets. Counterintelligence found the enemy agent and arrested him. They investigated all of us.”

“Why did you apply for the SAS?”

“I wanted to take a more active role in operations. I was young and idealistic… I am proud of my service.”

“What do you mean?”

“Special forces training is hard going. The work was exhausting and dangerous. The Vietnamese constantly attacked our bases, and the jungle war left me with nightmares. The enemy infiltrated us and our allies and compromised our missions. The jungle was dangerous, and the enemy was ruthless. Knowing who was friend or foe was impossible. Fortunately, they promoted me, and I went into operational planning.”

“How did you adjust after the war?”

“I found it difficult. My wife and my family were supportive.”

“Tell me about your marriage?”

“What do you want to know?”

“Was it a good marriage?”

“It was a good marriage and partnership. There were a few downs, but it was mostly level or good, often perfect. We agreed on most things. As do many, we had a few financial pressures early in life, but we were comfortable later. Both our families were helpful and supportive when we were young and struggling. Our children were excellent students and sports-mad. Sarah was a fine wife, mother, and, above all, a good woman.”

“You were happy to help her?”

“We helped each other. She was an exceptional judge of people and unraveled people's problems for me. I liked structuring and editing documents, which I did for her.”

“You loved your wife?”

“I did. I wouldn't describe our marriage as a grand passion. Neither of us had a romantic view of marriage. We both believed in making a marriage and partnership work. It was a loving relationship, and we were close.”

“Mr. Kargo, how far would you go for your wife?”

“ I did not help her kill herself. Sarah was an undemanding woman who was fiercely independent. She would never ask me to help her die. Neither of us wanted heroic medical interventions when there was no quality of life.” Jason sat with his head in his hands.

“You knew your wife well?”

“Yes, I knew her as much as one knows another after fifty years. She was a woman with few secrets and was without guile.” Jason rubbed his eyes.

“She knew I wouldn't help her suicide.”

“Mr. Kargo, I believe you knew but chose not to be present to prevent her from killing herself.

“I have found hardware store receipts that show you bought thick cord in the past.”

“I didn't buy it for my wife.”

“Three months ago, you bought rope?”

“Yes, I did. I built a swing for my grandchildren. It's hanging from a tree in the backyard. Dan tied the rope to the tree.”

“Did you use all the ropes?”

“No, I had some left.”

“Where did you put it?”

“It should be in the garage on a hook on the wall.”

“Mr. Kargo, the rope your wife bought is in your wife’s study. There is no rope in the garage. How do you explain this?”

“I cannot explain it.”

“You conveniently were not at home until too late to be of help.”

 

That was a preview of Traitor Book 1 in the Warlord and the Multiverse Series. To read the rest purchase the book.

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