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    The Firebird
    The Firebird
    The Firebird
    Ebook57 pages49 minutes

    The Firebird

    By Wilson Zaring

    ()

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    About this ebook

    I need to go underground until I can sort this all out. Can you put me up some place? And, I will need a gun.” Ben no longer felt a need for a gun, but he knew that Carlos loved theatrics and responded best when adrenaline was flowing.

    “I have just the place for you. The house where you interrogated Tomas. It is a safe location where I have people who can keep an eye out for you.”

    “That sounds good. I also need to set up a diversion to take attention away from me in this area.” Ben handed Carlos his driver’s license, his social security card, his passport and his plane ticket for his return trip to Champaign. “Have someone use this ticket under my name. You will need to replace some pictures. They don’t have to go all the way to Champaign. They can go to Atlanta and fly back from there. Get someone about my size and have him wear these.” Ben handed Carlos his straw hat and sunglasses.

    “Isn’t that a bit paranoid, George?”

    “Look! I’m alive. I plan to stay that way and complete my mission.”

    Ben, a career spy, comes out of retirement to help his country. He’s a bit eccentric—even his cover identities have cover identities—but all his caution has kept him alive. Can Ben uncover a plot in Columbia before the death toll rises? A fast paced novella full of intrigue and espionage.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWilson Zaring
    Release dateSep 15, 2012
    ISBN9781301213573
    The Firebird
    Author

    Wilson Zaring

    Wilson M Zaring is a retired Associate Professor of Mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He coauthored four mathematics textbooks during his teaching career. After retirement, Wilson began delving into his passion with earnest—genealogy. He has published three genealogical works, as well as coauthoring a history of the First United Methodist Church of Champaign, Illinois. Born and raised in Kentucky, Wilson moved to Champaign, Illinois to start his career in mathematics. He, and his wife, raised two children in Champaign, where he currently is enjoying his retirement by researching genealogy and writing fiction.

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      Book preview

      The Firebird - Wilson Zaring

      The Firebird

      By

      Wilson Zaring

      David and Nora Zaring, Editors

      ###

      Published by Glorious Expressions at Smashwords

      Copyright 2012 Wilson Zaring

      ###

      This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchase for your use only, please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank your for respecting the hard work of the author.

      ###

      Table of Content

      Ben Receives His Assignment

      The Insertion

      The Investigation in Cartagena

      A Quick Visit in La Hormingo

      On to Medellin

      In to the Jungle

      Take Me Out to the Ball Game

      Presidential Orders to El Paso

      About the Author

      ###

      Benjamin Bradshaw did not look like a man with a secret life, but he had one. To his few acquaintances, he had no friends, he was a business man who was frequently out of town, an entrepreneur who managed his affairs from a distance. He had no office, not even in his more than adequate home. He lived comfortably, but not lavishly. Once or twice a year he visited his daughter who lived across the country and he doted on a young grandson. There was nothing out of the ordinary about Ben. Indeed he was extraordinarily ordinary, divorced with one child and a grandchild; retired but still active. He was ordinary in all things except in one area, his mysterious specialty.

      Mystery returned to his life one Monday. As he dressed, an electronic gadget that lay on his bedside table sprang to life with a beep and a steady, pulsing, red light. He left his house, drove fifty miles to a town just across the state line, and placed a call. When the conversation ended, he tossed the dismantled cell phone and all its parts into a nearby lake, returned home, packed a few things, rented a car, drove across state, and boarded a plane to Washington. From Dulles he took a cab to the White House, told the guard at the gate that he had an appointment with the President, and showed a photo id. The guard checked his list. Yes, Mr. Calendar, here you are. There is a guide just inside the door who will direct you to the President’s secretary. After a brief wait, he was ushered into the Oval Office.

      Good morning, Mr. President.

      Good morning, George. It has been a long time.

      Not long enough, Mr. President.

      How is the family?

      Fine. Our youngest daughter married last month so we are enjoying an empty nest.

      That’s great. Still doing a lot of fishing?

      Every chance I get. Ben never fished in his life. He was usually an honest, straightforward man, except on duty where he always had a cover. He even maintained a cover in the Oval Office. Why? No one knows. That is a strange thing to do, but it was typically Ben’s way. In his mind, he was guarding against unexpected occurrences.

      George, you have been at this job a long time.

      Yes, Mr. President, I served three Presidents before you.

      George, the President needs your help again.

      It is difficult to say no to the President, but I have been off line for a long time, and I would like to stay off. Ben knew that for the President to refer to himself in the third person did not bode well.

      George, I know you are retired, and you earned retirement. I wouldn't ask you to do this if I didn't think it was of national import.

      I'm listening, Mr. President.

      George, something is brewing in Colombia.

      Probably coffee. Ben quipped. He knew you didn’t kid the President, and he couldn’t believe he said it. The words just popped out.

      The President continued as though he hadn’t heard, "I want you to go down there and assess

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