Dream Oracle Series: The Scorpion

Chapter 1

Person I Know

****

The past, Roswell, New Mexico. In the modified missile silo, Kyle leaning back on his steel chair with one leg outstretched toward Sapphire as he is trying to present a relaxed presence to a meeting he knew was going to be anything but relaxed. Sapphire sitting in her steel chair then leaning in slightly towards Kyle while setting her elbows on her knees. Her hands clasp tightly around her M9 Beretta pistol. Her non-emotionally expressive state scarier than her rage-filled controlled energy. With narrowed eyes Sapphire voices, How’s the scorpion Kyle?

Picking up on the underlying meaning of the question Kyle expresses, Kept tame with the powerful prescription medications and hard liquor. By the way, thank you for allowing me to get both. I have been kept busy with this mission strategizing, training, and implementation options that has me focused. Working alongside you gives me purpose. No uncontrollable urges to check myself out with a weapon or terminate anyone else’s life around me. I know you do not need my permission to do so, if you see otherwise it is your choice to put a bullet through my head. Kyle stares at Sapphire for any hint she is going to pull the trigger. She does not. He continues, At some level, the thought of you having the ability to kill me when needed has allowed me quite a bit of relief from the scorpion.

Sapphire not moving a muscle for several moments, only engaging Kyle with her steely stare, interrupts the silence unexpectedly, Let’s get this mission going. Meaning to Kyle that she was not going to kill him at this time. He breathes a sigh of relief knowing he had been cleared for the mission. Both rise from their metal chairs at the same time. Kyle following Sapphire out of the missile silo room by her side while her hand is still clasping her pistol. Sapphire guides them through security checks in the silo to end up topside walking in the dry hot desert day. She holsters her pistol as both enter the recruited teams’ ranch home. Sapphire orders loudly. Commence packing for the mission. Kyle ensuring all packing went according to plan. Sapphire, Kyle and the team board the Mi-24 Helicopter Gunship in Roswell and are flown toward San Antonio, Texas. At San Antonio, the team and the Mi-24 are loaded into the C-5 Galaxy. The C-5 Galaxy flies across the ocean and lands in the designated Saudi Arabia, Oman desert airstrip.

Tina had been notified by Sapphire the Bagdad mission was a go. She drove her Range Rover into town with what seemed to look like a note pad on her journey. This exquisite looking note pad she nicknamed Mini-PAL a super artificial life that had been assigned to her. She boards a private jet in the Roswell, New Mexico airfield. She flies for several hours till landing in her final destination of Dubai. A limo is present at the private jet hangar. The limo transports Tina to her hotel. Tina checks into the Atlantis, The Palm in Jumeirah Park. Once settled into her luxurious room, she waits for Sapphire, Kyle, and their teams to do their thing in Bagdad.

The past, Secret air strip, Oman, Saudi Empire. The Mi-24 Helicopter Gunship and the specialized team secured by Tina are unloaded. Camp is set up on the secret Oman airfield waiting for the command from Sapphire and Kyle to begin the mission. The mission to Bagdad had little wiggle room as far as timing. Tina had been able to negotiate with the Sultan’s liaison for the necessary airspace. The Sultan and his family of Oman had been able to provide for Sapphire and Kyles’ team just enough time of airspace to land in Bagdad, conduct their mission, and return to Oman. There was no room for delay. Under the cover of darkness Sapphire commands the team It’s time, let’s go.

Kyle, Come on. Move it, get going. Sapphire and Kyle ensuring each team member was awake, equipment checked, and weapons checked. When all had passed inspection satisfactorily, they board the helicopter gunship.

They descend upon Bagdad to the designated area of the presidential palace. Hell-Fire missiles are unleashed as the helicopter gunship releases destruction to eradicate the designated wall. They land. Within seconds, security personnel from the palace are firing upon them. The team headed by Kyle eliminates security personnel as Sapphire leads her team to charge into the palace. PAL’s diagram of the palace and the practice drills in Roswell paying off as they progress to their target. Sapphire enraged as they run into more security than expected. This was slowing them down to reaching their objective. As Sapphire and Kyle’s teams engage, eliminate, and progress to their target, they are losing valuable time. Several of the team cursing loudly or making involuntary loud primal sounds when wounded but still pushing forward for further engagements. Sapphire taking some hits in different areas of her body while Kyle also took some hits all over his body. The team makes it to their target.

Sapphire pulling out a folded piece of paper, scans the room quickly. She heads to a specific computer tower. She turns the tower to read the numbers on its back. This is the computer tower. Sapphire breaks the tower apart, tears out the hard-drive, stuffs the hard drive into a pouch. She signals everyone to return to the helicopter gunship. Going back was quicker with less engagements. It was not until their exiting through the hole in the presidential palace wall that Sapphire, Kyle, and their teams have a run in with much more heavy weapons fire. While sprinting, limping to the helicopter gunship, the teams hit the sand when the helicopter gunship blades beat the air faster, hovering a little above the ground. Like a beast from Hell, the Mi-24 rains death upon those firing upon them as bullet holes continue to riddle its thin skin. Some more of the team flinching with uncontrollable primal sounds as they take more wounding hits from enemy fire.

Sapphire, Kyle, and their teams would have been dead if not for the protective light weight gear obtained by Tina. Each team member scrambles or carries on board each other when there is a pause in the heavy enemy weapons fire due to the helicopter gunship’s protective fire. Kyle pitching some of the team inside, while Sapphire provides protective weapon fire for the last of the team to jump inside. Sapphire fires some more rounds and painfully sprints toward the helicopter. She is the last one to be pulled inside. The Mi-24 Gunship’s fire power spewing death all around one more time before heading up into the desert night air rapidly. The delay in leaving the presidential palace on time, the helicopter gunship and teams massive destruction of life and property had drawn the activation of the Iraq local Frogfoot Russian fighter jets. As the helicopter gunship made its escape into the desert night sky, the Iraq’s Frogfoot Russian fighter jets were closing in on the team quickly.

****

The present, Potomac River, United States. Tina had the focus on her from Jacqueline and Charles. They were congregating at the couple’s home. Tina says. If we are thinking of getting Sapphire and Kyle’s help against Jacqueline’s dangerous step uncles, then I think I should start with what happened on the first mission to Bagdad. This mission happened during the time I was gone almost a year. Wait! Before telling about that mission, I am going to begin my story when my family and I first disappeared for almost a year during my sophomore year in my undergraduate studies.

Jacqueline interrupts. How come you are starting at that point in time? Why not with the mission at Bagdad.

Tina, I met Sapphire before the Bagdad mission. In fact, I met her sentinel Kyle before the Bagdad mission also. Tina tells her tale. It all started where all of us were being summoned suddenly from our various outings by my Father Karl. I had been visiting with you Jacqueline when I received notice to return to my home immediately. I was surprised that a security detail was present when I exited your home."

Jacqueline recalls, I was just as taken aback regarding the immediate action between when you were notified and to the abrupt appearance of a security detail at my home waiting to escort you in protective custody when I walked out with you.

Tina concurs with Jacqueline. "Yes, it was an action by my Father I had not ever experienced in my life. I had experienced security measures he had set up with us in times past with some family functions in Germany. But nothing like what I experienced when we were rounded up. My Mother Adala, and sister Irmalinda were located and secured at a fund raiser event and transported back home. My youngest brother Valentin was like me visiting at a friend’s home when he was contacted, secured, then transported to our home. As we were all transported to our home about the same time, I could tell the others in my family were sharing my concern when we were brought into our pretty good size salon. Now this salon could hold a small convention. It was packed with people and all sorts of powerful looking weapons when we arrived. It is unnerving to be living a carefree regular day and then without any warning by early evening be transported to a home that has been transformed into a protected facility with all sorts of military type security around the place. Father could tell all of us were worried with the serious nature of how our family meeting had been executed with locating us, assigned security for transporting us, and then convening in the salon. He introduced as a topic of conversation a general hope we were all well and that he was sure we were all wondering the reason for such measures. Father proceeded to deliver information about what he was undertaking with a Sultan who had reached out to him for help. As Father educated us on how he was involved with helping a Sultan from Oman, I could not help but notice two impressive individuals behind him. When finished, he then introduced one of the individuals behind him, a woman.

Jacqueline excited, I bet that person was Sapphire!

Tina supports. Yes Jacqueline, the woman was definitely Sapphire. Father introduced her to explain what would happen next. Later I would find out from him that he was hoping Sapphire would be able to settle the family’s fears.

Tina pauses and recollects. Whoa! Was I taken aback by the confidence and strength Sapphire emitted that very first time she addressed us. Kyle! He was an experience all of his own.

Jacqueline and Charles are curiously looking at Tina. Feeling a little embarrassed, she says, Sorry guys. I took a little trip down memory lane. Now, Sapphire’s confidence was evident as she briefed us about what she put in place. She explained how there was a company of security surrounding our estate. She explained how we would be leaving with tight security that night to Germany. The final destination was an undisclosed location. Mother, sister, brother, and me in unison raised our voices questioning only to be stopped by Sapphire’s silent-stern look and raised hand. We immediately quieted. She explained how there were some details she could not share with us. But, she could provide enough information to ease our concerns… somewhat. I learned that Sapphire and Kyle were going to leave a security detail at our home for monitoring and ensuring safety of the mansion staff as well as securing that no information about our departure leaked out. She was very clear what she expected from the family. She said and I’ll highlight the main points. ‘We plan for the best and expect the worse. When Kyle speaks to you shortly, he will inform what is needed for departure. Keep your fear in check. This emotion will not help our situation.’ Yes, that’s what I remember her saying. Sapphire came across as someone who had done this type of work very effectively and quite often. Her 5 foot 11 inches incredibly physically fit body emitted kick ass protection. Her figure the envy of most women. Her stylish black hair with large brown eyes completed the package. If her presence was not enough, the sentinel who had been standing just behind next to her was equally impressive. Sapphire had introduced him as Kyle her associate. She said to us, again I will paraphrase, ‘Kyle oversees a major portion of the planning and execution of this assignment.’ At maybe 6 foot 4 easily, his powerful muscles evident through his clothing, Kyle just enunciated Sapphire’s kick-ass confidence and protection. He was the kind of guy I know many of my gal friends would drool over. Tina faces Jacqueline, Maybe even you Jacqueline. I think you could tell he was also the kind of guy a woman would have all sorts of romantic fantasies about. Jacqueline smiles but is interrupted from saying anything in return to Tina.

Charles interrupts, Gal friends. Fantasies. I get it. Let’s go on.

Tina with teasing look at Charles. Little jealous Charles? Never mind. Back to where I was with my story. Kyle is a man’s man in physique and Marine military expertise. Men like to be his friend. Like Sapphire, Kyle appeared to have done this type of work very effectively and quite often. It was his turn to address us. He expressed how time was of the essence and we had little of it. He told us we would be leaving our home for several months. Kyle explained how Sapphire and he had planned for our household to be kept safe. Kyle was very adamant that the only way they could keep our household safe was for everyone to fulfill the directives provided to us. It was strongly emphasized by him there was little time to spend at our home with long discussions or getting prepared for departure. Kyle said our time would be better utilized getting us moving out as quickly as possible. He explained we were to disperse from our meeting in the salon, complete our assignment quickly, and stay with our assigned security person. I remember this security person was our protector and made sure we would follow the directives given to us. Kyle informed that after carrying out the directives, we were to return with the necessary items to take on the journey. ‘Only three carry-on size bags are allowed for each of you,’ he stated. We were given 40 minutes to pack and return to the salon.

Jacqueline incredulous, Tina, I have never seen you travel with any less than five massive luggage after days of preparation to anywhere. How were you adjusting to three carry-on bags in such a short time?

Tina clarifies, We were driven by emergency mode. We were assigned security personnel ensuring to carry out the directive of three carry-on bags and packing quickly. That is how. My family and I just knew that Sapphire and Kyle were serious about their directives. There was no going against any of their commands. We had been informed that time was of the essence. I think underneath, all of us appreciated the fact that the main reason in following Sapphire and Kyle’s directives was for keeping everyone safe.

Charles with his head tilted slightly to the right, Was there any resistance from the family or did anything go wrong while carrying out the directives?

Tina details what happened afterward. There was no resistance from anyone in the family, including my brother Valentin. I half expected him to complain or resist. No, not even him. All family members returned at the requested time to the salon with bags in tow. Sapphire, Kyle, and their team had personnel and security arriving for taking us to our waiting transportation as we returned to the salon. We were ushered outside to our designated transportation vehicles. We were separated from our luggage. All bags and persons were quickly directed into respective large-black heavily-armored Cadillac Escalades. From our home, we were quickly transported by the Escalades to a private airfield belonging to our family. Several large private jets were present for our arrivals. We were ushered out of our Escalades under heavily armed security, I glanced briefly around the darkness as we exited our vehicles and were guided to our assigned jet. What some of the limited lighting revealed to me was how well the air strip had also been secured. We boarded our assinged18 passenger private jets.

Jacqueline sort of off topic, All this security because your Father agreed to help a Sultan. What was the Sultan’s and your Father’s story in all this?

Tina That is sort of off topic but related. Alright I will talk more about the Sultan’s story. Tina pauses awhile going through her memories in being able to describe in more detail the Sultan’s impact on their family emergency. She recalls the reasons behind the situation being dangerous.

Tina faces Jacqueline and then Charles, Father had developed a trustworthy relationship with the Sultan. I remember how being involved with helping the Sultan had evolved into a dangerous undertaking. Part of the danger with my Father Karl’s role was on his mediating medical and security resources in Germany as well as to get the Sultan out of Oman safely and into the secure location in Germany. Because of the political situation, the Sultan was experiencing danger in his home country. His death would be an opportunity for another to rise into power. The Sultan was from Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula.

Tina evokes her Middle East geography, I believe that Oman is just to the right of Saudi Arabia. Anyway, this Sultan ruled an area where nearly a fifth of the world’s crude oil was transported though his area of rule. There was great unrest in this Sultan’s regions as protestors demanded a constitutional monarchy to replace his absolute monarchy. The political situation was getting heated for the Sultan. It was further complicated by his deteriorating health impacting the strength he needed to demonstrate during this time of unrest. Like jackals circling for a kill, there were those in the Sultan’s regime who conspired to remove him from his reign while in his fragile state with illness. There had been rumors that his illness leading to death could be used as a way of removing him from power.

Jacqueline inquires, How did your Father know this Sultan from Oman?

Tina with confidence, The Sultan and my Father knew each other from a summit gathering in Germany from a previous time. I know that since that summit meeting they had stayed in touch. I guess a little before our family emergency departure from the Hamptons, the Sultan had been conversing with him as in previous times. Except that at this conversation he reached out to Father for help with his dangerous situation. It was also during this time where Father could make himself available to help. The Sultan requested help in mediating the medical treatments for his complications from his deteriorating health. He requested help from Father to address the political danger involved in his removal from power through death disguised as complications from his illness. From the little I had observed from the security force in the protection and monitoring of our home, I concluded it was a massive undertaking to provide medical assistance and protection to the Sultan. Assistance, to top it off, included arrangements to be set up recruiting and transporting in secret the best medical treatment of doctors and equipment. Now that was a major challenge.

Charles tests Tina, How were Sapphire and Kyle ever going to select the doctors? Get these doctors to agree to those secret-dangerous conditions for the Sultan?

Tina responds, Wait a moment Charles, I will answer question at a later time. You will know why. Going back to where I left off. There was more to consider setting up security in the recruitment and transporting of the doctors and medical equipment. This was going to be a foremost enterprise. Now Charles, remind me to address your question about the recruitment of the doctors if I forget. I promise there is a reason for me waiting.

Charles nods his head in agreement. Tina continues, Where was I? Oh, yes, ensuring the Sultan and those he was going to bring with him could be trusted involved some major gathering of intel. Safeguarding that the selected persons the Sultan was bringing with him as well as the persons selected by Sapphire and Kyle were not a danger to the Sultan. They set up processes for screening everyone which was a major undertaking. Secret-safe passage from Middle Eastern Oman to Germany for the Sultan and his group would have to require very difficult coordination. Once in Germany, secret-safe passage for the Sultan and his party to a secure location was going to be very difficult. A location that could be defended if attacked, if such a location could be found was going to be very challenging. I tell you, strategizing for the ideal secure location would have been a major headache. If all this was not enough, because of my Father Karl’s involvement in helping the Sultan, he knew he and his family would be in danger. The potential for us as Karl’s family being captured and held hostage to brokerage a deal against the Sultan was great. My Father knew the Sultan and his representatives would never negotiate a deal for us if kidnapped. Thus, Father making sure all of us were kept safe in a secure location. Many factors would need to be taken into account to ensure protection against those who would desire the Sultan to die of his medical condition and to use us as leverage to brokerage a deal. The Sultan had confirmed with Father there were plots to replace him with someone else who would reign over Oman upon his death. So, Jaqueline that was the Sultan’s story regarding the Germany adventure for myself and the family.

Tina turning her attention to Charles, Now Charles, I did not forget your question about how doctors were going to be selected and convinced to join the dangerous undertaking of treating an ailing political leader. I saved this part for now because of the sensitive nature to all of us. Father collaborated with Jacqueline’s stepfather Richard in getting this area successfully addressed. Tina half turns her face and flinches a little because she knew there was going to be some type of emotional explosions.

It came first from Jacqueline. Of all people! Richard! Really! What was the reason for even considering him for such an undertaking? The man who destroyed my life! Of all people!

Tina waited for the next explosion and on time from Charles. Your Father making a deal with the devil! What on God’s Earth could have inspired such a collaboration?!!! When both had quieted somewhat, Tina faces them.

Tina took the opportunity to interject with a seriousness in her face. Father had no knowledge of what Richard had been doing to Jacqueline all those years. I made sure Richard’s filthy secret did not go public because of information leaked from me. As for the reason Father considered Richard as a prime person for coordinating the medical treatment task, Richard was already well connected with the medical community, medical equipment access. He had the ability to charm and negotiate like nobody else Father knew. Father selected Richard to help him because of necessity. Richard was the most effective person to get this medical part of the endeavor completed successfully. Plus, Father had Sapphire and Kyle to keep the devil in check. Richard accepted to help because of the tremendous financial benefit to himself. Pure and simple business for Richard. He really did not care about the helping an ill political leader that may influence the world, no regard for the political ramifications of the Sultan’s death. Nor did Richard have any regard for the danger involved. Yes! Pure simple business opportunity as usual for Richard.

Tina pensive for a few moments. Where was I going next with my story before all these emotional explosions? Oh, yes! Once in the air to Germany, I broke the long silence among us and questioned my Father how he and the Sultan began their relationship? Now this part is important regarding Sapphire and Father’s paths of destiny crossing while Father was with the Sultan.

Jacqueline, How could the Sultan and Sapphire be linked to your Father at similar time?

Tina, I will tell you based upon my conversations with Father. Well, Father and the Sultan first met at a world summit in Bavaria Germany. The President of the United States and major leadership figures from around the world had agreed to attend the summit. The summit was to address the issues and constructing strategies regarding the dangerous environmental changes occurring at a global level. There was concern from the world’s top scientist how these environmental changes were reaching a point-of-no-return endangering the welfare of present and future generations of humans, plants, and animal life. My Father Karl explained to me how some leadership figures presented issues of how the environmental changes had been endangering their respective countries and impacted the health and well-being of their people. A counter point from the other major leadership figures reliant on oil like the Sultan voicing objections to curbing the use of oil to help in the recovery of the environment. This Sultan vehemently opposed any presented ideas in trying to curb the destructive environmental impact by limiting oil production and export. He voiced that his people’s lives would be impacted for the worse regarding necessary funding for their education, healthcare, running of electric grids, his nation’s running water needs, and sewage needs. Because of my Father’s past experiences at these types of summits, he explained to me how the leadership figures went through what had become regular stalemates when it came to reaching agreements about the issues or options for intervening about the major global issues. There were disagreements about the meaning of global energy. There were disagreements about the impact the oil industry was having on earth’s environment. There were concerns raised about what type of human health was more important. Questions were raised about whether the human health and global environmental issues created by the oil industry were more important than the human health concerns impacted by poverty levels if the oil industry was curbed. I learned there were so many disagreements in presenting options to all these issues. Father clarified for me how he had been involved with presenting the options of more effective global energy and had been strongly countered by the Sultan of Oman. During the course of the leaders of the world taking a break from the summit discussions, my Father just happened to show up at the same area being paced by the Sultan of Oman. They started with small talk introductions. Father requested permission in joining the Sultan on his walk. The Sultan agreed as he had a security detail joining them along their stroll. They each shared their insights about how the summit was progressing. In their conversation, they went back and forth until reaching an agreement that each could live with and be supportive among each other regarding the global environment. This agreement of support was presented to the other leaders at the summit when they reconvened. The idea gained some ground but not enough. Afterward Sultan and Father met again. They discussed what had occurred at the summit meetings that had not gotten enough support from a plan that both thought would be agreeable to both sides of the issue. I understood from my Father’s stories how each of them slowly progressed to personal topics. They enjoyed each other’s company having conversations about each other’s family’s dynasty. The Sultan connected with my family’s history regarding the German royal family dynasty from Bavaria Germany. My Father connected with the Sultan’s family dynasty and found similarities in each caring for their respective people. It was evident that the Sultan cared about his country enough to oppose the rigidly fundamentalist rule of a time when he was growing up. He opposed this rule enough to formulate a coup when old enough for gaining control of his nation through an overthrow and bringing to exile his Father a Sultan at the time.

Charles surprised interrupts, A coup against his own Father?!!! Well, I hope at least he did not have him executed. What was going on that the Sultan believed he had to take such drastic measures to overthrow his Father like this?

Tina offers justification. The Sultan did not have his Father executed after a successful coup. What was going on at the time of the uprising was the rigidly fundamentalist rule of the Sultan’s Father. The current Sultan observed firsthand how his Father’s rigid fundamentalist rule was hurting the nation in his view. There were needs that his people needed that would not be allowed by his Father. After the overthrow and exile of his Father, the now new reign of this Sultan, brought about much needed improvements to his country such as electricity, running water, modern education, and healthcare. Here was a son who had great convictions for his nation to the point of overthrowing his own Father and risk retaliation from the rest of the family. The more things change the more they come back. At the time the Sultan reached out to my Father for medical and political help, he was in the same predicament as his Father before him. His nation was voicing their unrest about his rule and desiring change from his monarchy. The probability of a coup forming or an assassination attempt to end his life was high. Going back to the Sultan and Father’s conversations while at the summit. In the midst of his conversations with my Father, the topic of families arose because the Sultan had no male heir to pass on the rule over the nation. The Sultan jesting to Father how it might have been a good thing not to have an heir since his own son may have been the one to try to overthrow him at the time just like he had dethroned his Father and exiled his Father. The Sultan was described by Father as seeming sad in sharing his tale of a brief marriage that produced no children. The Sultan seemed to find content from his sadness to proudly present tales of his other family members and inquire about our family, of my mother, and Father’s three children of two girls and one boy. Father was pleased to apprise him about us. Somehow, since that time at the summit in Germany, they had stayed in regular contact. It had been regular contact about little things. That is, until Father received notification through private means that the Sultan had a matter to discuss with him of a serious nature. That notification dictated the circumstances and time when the Sultan would be available to communicate with Father. The confidential contact was set and the Sultan revealed his predicament. After the predicament was revealed, Father offered to help without hesitation once he learned of the specifics for helping with the Sultan’s needs.

With eyes slightly closed and arms crossed beneath her breast, Jacqueline irritated with Tina. Explain to us your Father’s particulars knowing how to set up coordinating and securing person’s such as Sapphire and Kyle for this undertaking with the Sultan. What were your Father and the Sultan’s conversations about throughout when your Father agreed to help? In those conversations, how did your Father come to secure Sapphire and Kyle’s services? Tina had been quietly listening to Jacqueline’s rapid fire questions. She could tell Jacqueline was upset for some reason. Tina decides carefully and selectively explain what areas to enlighten Jacqueline about.

Tina, Interestingly you would ask those questions as your timing is great Jacqueline. The time at the summit with the Sultan first starting his friendship with Father is the first time Father meets with Sapphire. What are the odds that the very same summit in Germany where Father had met the Sultan would also have Sapphire involved.

Tina anticipating Charles query. Yes, Charles. The very same summit that Father and the Sultan were attending had a security force being overseen by Sapphire.

Charles’ serious tone in his voice indicated he was not satisfied with the response. What capacity could Sapphire have in overseeing security at this particular summit?

Tina states, Sapphire was one of those in charge of overseeing security at this summit as someone with the Marines. My Father would later inform me in one of our private conversations how he was impressed that one of the persons who stood out in heading the very important security details at the Germany summit was a dynamic young woman from the Marine Corps Embassy Security.

Jaqueline questions. Was Sapphire an officer? Was she… from a Marine embassy security detail from the United States? Was she traveling with the President of the United States at the time?

Tina sensing the little perturbed nature of Jacqueline’s rapid fire questioning. Yes. No. No. Jacqueline, something seems to be bothering you. I want to clear any ill feelings at this point. May I know what is upsetting you?

Jacqueline with arms still crossed under her breasts, but with lessened force in her delivery. It bothers me that all this time I have known you, we have never discussed this part of your life. You never told me what had happened to you and your family when you were gone for almost a year during your undergraduate studies. I was so worried sick about you for so many months that you were gone during our sophomore year of college. I feel very perturbed that I’m just hearing about what happened during that time when you first disappeared on me.

Tina counters, It’s a part of my family history that I considered to be very private because it is dangerous knowing about it. It is dangerous in my sharing with the both of you, this story because it puts persons I know in danger. We are facing danger from Richard’s brothers Lance and Talon at this point. So, telling of what happened to my family and I when we disappeared from the United States for almost a year at that time is a moot point. That is my reasoning. If this has offended you, I apologize.

Jacqueline uncrosses her arms and with understanding in her face, I get it how there are parts in one’s own life to be kept private because it places others in danger. I know I kept secret what Richard was doing to me because it would put those who knew the story in danger. I now understand why you are now sharing this part of your life. It is I who needs to apologize. Forgive me.

Tina Thank you for understanding Jacqueline. Tina pauses trying to remember where she believes she left off.

Tina remembers and continues. Father asked around and found out details about this young Marine named Sapphire who was overseeing security at the summit. He was informed how she belonged to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group Company ‘A.’ This Company ‘A’ was headquartered in Frankfurt Germany. Going on with where I was heading with this story, Father’s interest peaked about this young woman had him desiring to know more about Sapphire. Through his connections at the summit, Father inquired more about Sapphire as the person and as the Marine. The more Father learned, the more he was impressed with Sapphire. He learned she had an uncanny ability to engage persons. He found out she would excel in strategies that most considered brilliant. He discovered she gained to utmost respect from those who experienced her as a leader. Father inquired and found out she was able to collaborate effectively in conjunction with her counterparts from around the world to ensure other leaders represented at the summit were protected from harm. Father expressed to me how he just had to have some one-on-one time with Sapphire. He was extremely interested to experience what she was like in person. Through Father’s networking and offering of special accommodations in the summit meetings, he was able to have his meeting with Sapphire. In their brief meeting, she impressed my Father greatly. By the way, Father is not easy to impress. What I gathered from their meeting that impressed him was how she carried herself. How her keen intellectual abilities were evident. How she recalled each of the leaders of the world whereabouts and their safety needs at the summit. She knew exactly who was doing what task at any particular time. He ended his meeting with her with a promise. That promise was that she was a person of interest for him and he would be following her life and career closely.

Charles with his head tilted slightly towards Tina, Would that kind of promise from you Father be taken as threatening or creepy-stalking like flattery?

Tina with a smiling response Neither. From my personal interactions with her, from how Father describes her, and from what her file indicates, Sapphire in a non-threatened, non-influenced manner remarked to my Father that he could do whatever his desire was regarding her. She then politely in accordance to behavior due to leadership at a summit, she bid if there was anything else she may assist Father with. If not, would he mind if she may be excused. Father concurred that she may be excused. In accordance to her role at the summit, Sapphire exited the meeting with Father. Since that initial encounter with Sapphire, Father set up contacts to notify him of every life path Sapphire took. He followed her military career and leadership developments. It is an understatement that she is quite impressive.

Charles interjects. Thank you, Tina, for starting at that point. I have been wanting to know for the longest of times how you even knew about Sapphire and Kyle. I know Jacqueline is still not comfortable addressing this with me. She says it’s about at time in your life when I would like to know what happened leading up to that point when you disappeared the second time. I’m guessing the second time involved Sapphire and Kyle also in some unique way.

Jacqueline apologetically facing Charles. I had not taken into account your feelings or thoughts about the matter from that difficult time in my life. I apologize. Charles accepting a kiss from Jacqueline as her sealing of her apology.

When they had finished their cutesy exchange, Tina resumes. You two done? Well, that situation in Germany is important because it explains my drive for finding Sapphire the second time in my life. Jacqueline and I had been going through different life scenarios about what may be triggering her recurring nightmares at the time. We conversed about the major life changes as she was coming to the end of her studies in becoming a medical doctor. This is how I recall that time driving my need to locate Sapphire.

****

The past, Virginia. Tina What major changes are in your life, Jacqueline? Those life changes that at this time, at this moment trigger the recurring disturbing nightmares.

Jacqueline offers, I think that coming to the end of my studies and becoming an autonomous professional has a part to play in my nightmares. I will not have to depend on Richard’s financial support. At the same time the other part going on in my life is with Charles. I have experienced being loved by Charles, who keeps me interested in engaging me in a fulfilling relationship.

Tina interjects, Does this mean Charles and you have a love that offsets Richard’s control? Is your next step to have sex with Charles to diminish Richard’s sexually pleasing control over you?

Jacqueline No! Oh, heck no!!! Charles’ Christian faith and my issues with sex have lead us to move away from having sex. We have come to a mutual understanding but for very different reasons. Don’t get me wrong, it is very difficult at times to not have sex with Charles until our relationship is more stable. Now as far as Charles countering Richard’s powerful aura of control over me, he does it with his love of me, his brilliance, and in his professional development. So not only is Charles brilliant in his studies and in his professional development as a medical student, he is also brilliant in keeping me interested in conversations with him.

Jacqueline summarizing her thoughts out loud, My thoughts to be an autonomous professional means that I would not be reliant on Richard’s fortune and not be controlled by him to be his sex toy. I want to have someone lovingly special and brilliant in my life like Charles. With Charles in my life, I do not have to yearn for Richard’s closeness. I don’t desire to run back to Richard’s gratifying twisted sexual pleasuring of my body.

Tina offers a counter point, If Richard has not let you go all these years, he is not about to give you up now. Certainly not for you to be going away as an autonomous professional. Certainly not for you to be with a young man that you would have the pleasure to live with, love, and enjoy the rest of your life.

Jacqueline nods her head in agreement with Tina, Which is why I am confiding with you Tina about my hopeless realization. I cannot do this separation from Richard alone. I will need to have yours and others who I do not know at this time to help me. This will allow me to have my life freed to live as I choose and to love the man I desire. I need to be able to free myself from Richard’s monetary and sexual emotional clutches or risk being successful in killing myself one of these days if I can’t be rid of Richard’s control.

Tina had a shaken look that immediately turns into an enthusiastic wild look. Jaqueline ponders about what was going on inside her friend Did it shock my friend to know I have plans about killing myself because of my hell because of Richard? Why did Tina have that wild look like when she has had some kind of an epiphany?

Without warning Tina burst out while getting right up close to Jacqueline’s face. I have a plan! There are two parts to this plan. One is going to be very tough for you Jacqueline, but necessary. You are going to have to find a way to confide in your Mother and win her over against Richard.

Jacqueline horrified, I hate this part of the plan!!!

Tina continues, Now wait, wait, listen, listen to me Jacqueline. There is a part two of this plan.

Jacqueline quiets herself and listens. Tina backs her face a little from Jacqueline’s face. The next part of the plan is to make contact with a person I know. A person who my family has used in the past. I can trust this person.

Jacqueline opens her mouth to question, Tina as if reading her friend’s mind interrupts her, The less you know about this person, the better. I do not want to share anything else that may put you in danger knowing something about this person. Jacqueline nods in agreement. I am going to make contact with this person about getting whatsoever to use as leverage against Richard your stepfather. This leverage can be used to have Richard back off from continuing to do you harm.

Jacqueline was quiet for serval moments at first, Alright you got my interest.

Tina notices how Jacqueline reluctantly agrees to