There it was in black and white…” this man is a colonel in the US army and likely to become a General officer. This is a valuable man, like a plane, a weapon on whose design a fortune has been invested. He is an asset to the military and has within his memory bank all the secrets of the world’s greatest power.
The United States government will not be permit a member of its elite forces to be tried by any country whether he is guilty or not. The government of the United States will pay any price to clear his name and to free him. We hold the key to his freedom, and I believe we are entitled to a concession for the effort we will make on behalf of the world’s richest country.
“Kiah, please get me the Sheriff’s office.”
The call went through and was answered, “Sheriff’s office.”
“May I speak with Deputy Bill Cover?”
“One moment.”
“Bill Cover here.”
“Deputy Cover, this is Brandon Simpson.”
“Yes Colonel, a good piece of work, saving the county several thousand.”
“Well maybe you could find a big ham bone for Heinz, he is the hero you know deputy. I am convinced the dog sat at the site for two days…such loyalty is simply unthinkable in the world we live in…is there news?”
“Sorry we have nothing for you, the coroner has to do his thing but I am certain by Tuesday we should have his results.”
“Great, in the meantime, I have some things I must get in the mail and I wanted your permission to post them.”
“Be my guest Colonel, see you Tuesday.”
Wow, I thought, nearly back to normal.
The town of Powell River was a little over five miles from the camp and there were three modes of travel, take a golf cart, take a bike or take the ole’ Tom McCann’s. I chose the golf cart and soon had Heinz relaxed proudly in the shotgun seat were he enjoyed the sunny afternoon with the wind in his face. I too felt a certain joy and remembered as well the sight of my latest sweetheart, Princepe’ whom I had cause to leave in Venice, Italy were I was living before taking this side-bar.
The cause for leaving my beautiful Princepe’ took the form of a mother and father seeking to protect this lovely child of nineteen years of age from an elderly man of fifty…a scandal of scandals. For my part it had nothing to do with the need to salvage a vanishing sexual ego, I truly believe it was more about this unique human being who thrilled me, dazzled me, questioned me and made each and every moment I was with her a joy.
She was so unlike Bonnie, who was a brilliant woman, at all times deeply rooted in her medical profession…and in saving lives. Bonnie had the perfect temperament for a wife at that time in my life. We were both military, used a certain discipline, a code of ethics, hard work and little time or need, to have fun.
Then I lost Bonnie, and after four years of mourning, along comes the spider, a child really but somehow wise from the distillation of several generations of Venetians running through her precious veins.
At least five generations and more than five hundred years connected to the ruling class Medici family in Italy. The most influential family in the history of Italy. Its patriarch, Giovanni di Bic-ci de’ Medici who lived from 1360-1429. He was a Florentine merchant who amassed a fortune by skill in trading; a major supporter of the arts and was the virtual leader/ruler of Florence from 1421-1429. From his two sons, Cosimo (1389-1464) and Lorenzo (1395-1440) derived the two great branches of the Medici’s whose family tree included Pope Clement VII who was Giovanni’s great-grandson in addition to producing a Cardinal.
The Medici legend beginning in the mid-fourteenth century included the development of thirteen spectacular villas built throughout the Tuscany Valley. One of those built in the mid thirteen hundreds and was utilized as a hunting lodge for the Medici and his party. The property contained 220 hectors with bountiful vineyards for making wine, olive groves, a major garden for vegetables, a villa with more than 8,000 square feet with twenty rooms and two ancillary buildings to house the staff and guest. It had a classically designed chapel which included burial crept for the Medici family.
Unknown to Princepe’ I had managed to purchase an option on this property located in a small village near Pistoria at Quaratta. The villa itself was known as LaMagia which I found to be as magic as was Princepe’ and it was my hope and plan to take her there as my bride.
Heinz and I soon found our way to the Post Office and I sent a copy of the memorandum to Max Watkins via special delivery. I decided to walk about the village in the hope of finding a store to purchase a few things to tide me over. After all, I had not expected to stay more than three days originally, and I was now into a week. I found a store and a shady spot for Heinz to rest with the golf cart while I shopped.
The little shop was perfect and the prices were quite reasonable. I purchased slack, shirts, socks, underwear, a couple of sweaters and sport coat and tie for the dining room or for court. On the way back to the camp, there was a small grocery. Once again, I lucked into a shady spot for Heinz and promised I would take no more than fifteen minutes. I picked up some dog food, some vitamins for Heinz, and a dog bone, a bowl for water and one for food and a rubber ball. I got some cheese, crackers, mustard, pretzels, peanuts and a twelve pack of beer.
Heinz was happy to see me and I knew he smelled the goodies. Since I had promised Max ... I would call before the end of the day, I went to the only pay phone at the camp and called Max collect. I was glad to hear Max pick up and I informed him the body of Seg Maze had been found and Deputy Colvin had promised to let me hear the results of the coroner’s report by Tuesday. I also told him Colvin had permitted me to go into the village to mail the memorandum and did some personal shopping since I had never done laundry.
“Marvelous work Brandon, I’m planning to come to Powell River sometime late next week. In the meantime, I want you to promise you’ll sit tight, stay out of the saloons and away from the whores until I get you freed of this mess.
The General Officer's Club
Before coming to British Columbia, I had been required to see my physician for a routine check of my vitals. More or less an instant medical analysis from a friendly source as consideration in the process to pick up the star as a general.
I was no longer a young man…but there aren’t many Custer’s in this man’s army. Now past fifty with the army looking at my colonel bars, Obviously thinking it was either time for a promotion based on longevity; experience in the field while taking fire, accommodations for bravery and leadership from various countries, as well as medals for being shot-up. Maybe they were thinking it was time for this grey beard to move along. As much as I despised doing the physical, I relented taking the Mannitol Hexanitrate to help pass the test for whatever the army had planned.
I went home to Kentucky to see my personal physician for more than twenty years. He had been less than positive, and pointed out the readings after taking them twice. He looked over his reading glasses, “you know Brandon, it isn’t indicated, in fact it is definitely contra-indicating an increased intra-cranial pressure.”
“Doc, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about?"
“I have known you a long time, you old war horse. That is to say Colonel, sir…or maybe it just seems a long time.” The doctor said.
“It’s been a long time and
