Novel Update

Restructured Novel Plot – The Hero’s Journey!

So, something I’d thought about when writing and reading (and re-reading) my still untitled novel was that the premise offered more than the story delivered. When I really got into thinking about it, I realized the reason. The story didn’t follow a structure in any sense. It was a chronological telling of events. But that doesn’t necessarily do it in literature. There has to be something leading the reader… something that will make them want to follow the story to it’s conclusion, or at least the next plot point!

Given the nature of the story, I chose to rebuild it directly modeling The Hero’s Journey. I’ll be writing up on this classical storytelling technique some time next week (and eventually, I’ll even have a regular schedule for posting content!), but in the meantime, I thought I’d give the 12 major arcs of the story as they stand post-plot-revision. The fun part about this is it’s also a practice for me in expressing a full story without spoilers, in such a way that reading the plot doesn’t tell you the story and leaves you intrigued for the details and the world the story inhabits. For example, it’s actually a supernatural tale.

The Ordinary World
1. James Del is an agent of a Federal Entity, working on cases related to corporate espionage.
  1. His focus is “paper trails”
2. His close friends are introduced during this time and demonstrated to be characters who will recur throughout the story.
The Call to Adventure
1. Ryan (James’ boss and best friend) offers him a seat at the table of Jean Bernier: Founder, President, and CEO of Alltech
2. James suspects this will lead to field work and the reason he moved to trailing paperwork is revealed.
Refusal of the Call
1. James has no interest in returning to the field after his prior trauma and instead opts to avoid the possibility altogether by not attending the dinner
2. Ryan persuades him to come and promises he won’t be seated at Bernier’s table
Meeting With The Mentor
1. At the event, James learns he was tricked by Ryan. He is, in fact, seated at the host’s table.
2. After the Soiree is well in motion, Bernier talks to James for a while and convinces him to meet at Alltech’s headquarters. James lets his intrigue get the better of him and accepts the offer.
Crossing the Threshold (to the “Special World” as it is called in The Hero’s Journey)
1. There is some unexpected commotion at the banquet and things get cray
  1. James follows up during his first trip to Alltech’s Facility/Campus/HQ/Whatever
2. Bernier begins to drop some of his subtleties, revealing the darker character hidden within
Tests, Allies, and Enemies
1. James learns that Bernier is beyond his understand. The CEO is shown to be a monster.
2. Bernier, The DSI, and his friends all test James in various ways
  1. As the story goes on, this serves to both sow seeds of doubt and simultaneously root him in the world as it is
3. Neutral parties/sub-focus characters are introduced during this segment
  1. Plugs/teases for characters to appear in the second and third novels
4. First, the betrayal.
Approach
1. Once the espionage element is sorted out and the true villain is revealed, James and his willing compatriots charge forward into the Special World
2. The major ordeal of the world is not what the group expected
  1. poor planning in espionage tends to lead to violence
3. Next, the sacrifice
  1. Depending on the relationship, this could be a reveal or it could be set up or it could be a twist.
The Ordeal
1. The conflict escalates as the remaining contenders on all sides struggle for control of their situation
2. Once a sort of balance is reached, the sides conflict directly in their second major bout
  1. The heroes will always win this conflict during The Hero’s Journey.
3. Third, the fall
The Reward
1. Things seem to be sorted out as the dust settles. James makes a hasty retreat with hard evidence of the knowledge he possesses.
2. There is no celebration as powerful entities close in on all sides, seeking control of the evidence now with James.
The Road Back
1. James must decide who to trust with his information. In the meantime, he can only run and hide, as there is nothing to be gained from any more conflict.
2. Once he chooses a side, the remaining sides chase and the chosen side aides his escape.
The Resurrection
1. At the threshold of returning to normal, one final conflict is faced. James learns from the experience and must choose to either shed his former self and embrace the self that developed throughout the story, or return to the self that was.
  1. The resurrection is where there Hero undergoes a Paradigm Shift from (generally) the naive self to the enlightened self.
2. In the end, he makes the right choice and the conflict resolves at last
Return with the Elixer
1. With the irrevocable knowledge he possesses, the world is forever changed for the hero.
2. Epilogue

So, that’s the spoiler-free-ish version of James Del’s Heroic Journey in a nutshell! Let me know your thoughts! Some time this week I’ll be giving you updates on the YouTube channel and related projects!

Don’t forget to check us out on twitter! @ParadigmShiftPC

More subscribers and more followers means we can justify working harder on our creative content for YOU, THE VIEWERS!

Thanks as always for your continued support as I move forward on my Journey of Creationing!

Poetry

To Forge A Man

You know me, I just write to keep writing. Have some stream of consciousness. I didn’t necessarily want a specific cultural vibe for this one. I mostly focused on keeping the comparison accurate while being vague enough to encourage . Hopefully you can see the connection in the development of the two. Let me know how you like it!

To forge a man is to forge a sword.
Both require the patience and skill of a warrior-saint.

Heat and pressure lead malleability.
In this state, one can be folded –
One can be molded into the proper form.

Each strike of the hammer precisely
shapes body, mind and spirit

A quick dip into a pool of cold water hardens steel and soul
The proper temperment has been achieved
Finally, honing the blade to a razor’s edge, a man is complete.
He is sharp, he is tempered, he is flexible, and he can only be broken if he lacks skill.

To be a man is to be a sword.

Make sure the wounds you inflict
Are the wounds you intend.

Novel Update

An Excerpt

From the novel. The tough part is writing conversations with multiple characters. Three are briefly in this scene but, later in the novel, as many as five characters are part of a single conversation, when I get there, I’ll talk aaaalll about writing multiperson conversations. I’m currently tracking the knowledge the information the reader has about the antagonist, as the story is protagonist first-person. The knowledge I have, and the reality of the character, have to be mixed. Anyway, here’s one interaction that incorporates both of these concepts.

Sorry for the formatting. This thing isn’t cooperating with me. Bleh. Vista.

We stepped through the metal detectors without issue then passed through the turnstiles, which counted up with long beeps as we entered. The guard told us to wait by the third elevator in a series of seven (on this wall, that is). After a few minutes, the elevator chimed a little melody and the doors parted, revealing a very stylish, if not eccentric version of Monsieur Bernier.

In great contrast to the previous night, Bernier was dressed in a plain white suit with a black silk shirt and no tie. He still carried a black cane but this one had a simple handle and was inlayed with a simple silver design. His hair, more golden than I remembered, was geometrically combed straight back. To complete the look, he wore a pair of small rectangular frames, reading glasses. The previous night had been about show. He clearly meant business in today’s power outfit.

“Agent Del, how good of you to join me! I trust you are feeling better after last night’s events,” he commented. He cleared his throat and I had a feeling I said something to him after I blacked out.

“Monsieur Bernier. Shall we get right to it then?”
“What about your friend, Agent?”
“I trust her. You can too.”

He looked her over her like a show animal, checking her posture, her poise, her general appearance. “You are welcome for lunch. After that, we will see.”

Heather nodded and he invited us into the elevator, a plain metal car in the shape of a perfect cube. The walls, polished mirrors, and ceiling were of the same metal as the rest of the building. Interestingly, there was no panel in the elevator.

“Vingt-neuf.”

The elevator whirred to life and shot us up to the 29th floor so fast, I felt the inertia of the car, thinking I weighed more from the sheer momentum of the thing, like I’d just entered a rocket ship. The doors opened into his office, the whole floor one room. He had three windows with the only wall being on the elevator side of the floor. The simple slate ceiling and floor made the room feel somehow antique. Still, the décor was fabulous. The corporate office had the façade of a modernist museum but on the scale of a giant. I wondered if Bernier could use all of this furniture but, I thought it better not to wonder.
He walked us over to his desk, a chestnut affair with a lot of neatly-organized color. It had a leather pad laid out across, a newer computer than had been released, and a black and gold pen was sitting on a stack of unfinished paperwork. The center space of the deck was already cleared with three plates waiting. It’s odd. He didn’t know Heather was coming but, he had prepared a meal for her. Perhaps he expected a third. I asked him directly.
“No, this is for her, Agent. Please, Miss Hough, enjoy the meal.” We both looked cautiously at Bernier but, decided to sit down and eat. We had a few brief words over the most savory steak sandwiches I’d eaten. The discussion mostly focused on Alltech’s interactions with the government and DSI in particular.
Bernier poured a drink out of a dated bottle. It looked identical to the one Hendricks had poured from the day before. When he extended his hand in offering, I saw that the label read Chateau Lazare. I swallowed heavily and he set the bottle down in front of me. “Please, have some.”
I meant to say no but I found myself pouring a drink. Apprehension set in. Reason told me that knowing what to expect this time around would make it better. Besides, this would not be the same endless stream of alcohol I’d experienced the night before. Bernier offered some to Heather with a gesture. She smelled the drink then looked at me. I shook my head no. “I need a designated driver.”
I sat staring at the crimson brew, swirling it around in the glass. Drinking this again intimidated me but, Bernier pounded his full drink down in two or three swigs. Not wanting him to make the power play, I began to drink mine, nursing it throughout the conversation.
“So, Monsieur, why did you call this lunch?” Heather asked dryly, directly.
“Agent Del.”
I cued at Heather and she got up, wandering around the floor office. She checked out some of the artwork and the architectural displays, but otherwise keeping her distance. I waited until she was out a good distance then I leaned into the table and Bernier followed suit.
“What the hell is this wine? I went completely mad last night.”
“It is a drink that opens your eyes, is it not, Agent? That is not why we are here.”
“Why are we here?”
“Here.” He handed me a list with some Alltech ID numbers and the names associated with them. “These were the men and women working on Hyperlite. One of them is the thief. All of them still work on the project, which means the thief is still here.”
I quickly scanned the list and saw an ID number that immediately stood out.
G003084759. . . . . Pierre Dumont
“Monsieur, Pierre Dumont received unrestricted clearance just a year ago, correct.”
“Ouay. I am surprised you would recognize his Identification Number.”
“It comes with the territory. Tell me about his particular role.
“Pierre was one of the first to work on the Hyperlite project. He had the idea to model the material’s design after a croissant. While this concept failed, it led to another engineer’s molecular designs. Those designs further developed into the proto-Hyperlite. Pourquoi?”
“His EIN ended up on our suspect lists. I would like to start my investigation with him. May I meet Pierre?”
Bernier shook his head. He looked up at Heather. “Miss Hough, how would you like a tour of the facility?”
“I would love one, Monsieur.” She smiled and walked back towards us. Bernier hit a call button on his desk and we waited in silence. He pointed at the elevator with his eyes and we both turned to face it.
After a brief moment, the doors opened and one of the guards from the front desk came through the door. He placed his right fist over his left chest and bowed. It was all highly ritualized. Bernier really did seem more than just a CEO.
“Please show Miss Hough around the facility. Give her full access to any station she requests. Miss Hough, I trust you to use your best discretion. This is a rare opportunity. Do not make me regret this decision.” She nodded and left with the guard.
“What about Dumont?” I inquired, a bit puzzled by everything that just happened. I shot Heather a sharp glance on his name, she acknowledged with a subtle head nod.
“Come with me, Agent. Allonz-y”
We waited a few minutes, then Bernier called the elevator. He took me to the top floor. This one was substantially different from his office. It was a similar color scheme but, the floor was a memorial. On the far wall hung a number of plaques, which I explored. I quickly surmised that these were employees who had passed, presumably at this facility.
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Your work is quite advanced; people are bound to die.” I turned my head to Bernier, expecting to see some kind of mournful sorrow. Instead, I found a perverse smile on his face.
“They are immortal as long as this wall stands, Agent.” I smiled until I came across a name: Eddie De Santo.
“Monsieur, when did Eddie De Santo die?”
His smile didn’t waiver though, I still felt like his expression changed. Our eyes met and we stared intently at each other. I could feel the gravity of his stare and I that wine-rush kicked in immediately after that.
“Eddie died last night, Agent. He was shot outside of the banquet hall during our cleanup.”
“Shot? Monsieur, did you ask him to come speak with me yesterday?”
His eyes narrowed and for some reason, it made my knees buckle. He took a few steps closer, coming within a handshake’s range of me and he extended his arm freely towards me.
“You don’t look so well, Agent Del. Are you alright?”
“I can deal with it,” I tried to bluff.
He smiled down at me and it made my stomach churn. I fell to one knee and grabbed my gut, breathing heavily, hoping not to hurl again. Bernier walked past me as though he’d seen this a hundred times.
“Monsieur De Santo’s body had nothing removed from it. This was an assassination, not a robbery. I think your Department is killing off people who may have known about the operation.”
“Why do you say that? What would Eddie have known?”
“Eddie is not the one that makes me believe that, Agent.” He tapped a plaque. I tried to stand but found myself locked down on my knees in agonizing pain. It felt like I had swallowed unrefined acid. I let out a scream against my will but I managed to look up. His callus nonchalance about it really pissed me off. The plaque read Pierre Dumont.
“He died too?”
“Not yet, Agent. But I suspect he will be dead soon.” Bernier grinned. I managed to pull myself to my feet and reached for my gun, forgetting it had been confiscated. But, I had a feeling Bernier was taking justice into his own hand.
“I don’t… know… what you are planning to do, Monsieur. But I cannot risk any more death. Point me to him and I can solve this without bloodshed. If something happen to Dumont, I will –“
“You will not even know, Agent.” Hi voice cut the air, harsh and coarse. It pierced the deepest recesses of my mind. His words crippled me like a sonar attack. “If a man betrays my company, he will suffer the consequences he has brought upon himself. Is it not justice that a man who may have damned me be damned himself?”
“Not this way. If you have evidence it was Dumont, turn it over to the… DSI, I will personally build the case against…” I couldn’t finish my sentence; I’d keeled over in pain, face to the floor. It would have been hard to believe that Bernier would do something to Dumont if he weren’t so clearly a sadist to some degree. My head spun and my stomach ground itself into molten hot dust. I thought the feeling might be equivalent to being shot.
Bernier watched me writhing for a minute, impassively. As it slowly began to cease, when the vocally cries of pain stopped, he spoke in a cold neutral monotone. “Up.”
I struggled, but rose to my feet. My neck barely had the strength to life my head. “Agent Del, you will not be consulting anyone within my company for information, except for me. I am telling you the DSI is responsible for Monsieur De Santo’s death and if Dumont is on your list, he will be interrogated by the people I trust, not the people you trust.”
I couldn’t speak out in defiance, the crippling flare of stomach pain all but defeated me. By the time it subsided, the only thing I could bring myself to say was, “Fine.”
He smiled and it was somehow comforting, I felt able to stand up straight again, despite the pain still in my gullet. It was passing and I was starting to feel a little better. This face was much friendlier than the last and I felt safe with the purehearted Bernier again.
“Relax, Agent Del. I am not going to harm Monsieur Dumont, agent. I am simply going to talk to him. I would love you to be present. However, I want your focus to be on finding the DSI agent responsible for the theft. The man who ran the operation.”
“You still haven’t given me any evidence that it was the DSI and not another agency.” Daggers traveled straight from his eyes to mine; I feel queasy. I know my face paled quickly. Somehow Bernier was a very intimidating presence.
“Talk to your superior, Agent. Hendricks is his name. I think you will realize there is no other possibility.”
I gripped my stomach and swallowed my pain. “When do we talk to Dumont?”
“As soon as you talk to Hendricks, we will talk to Dumont. If you still have questions after this, I will fill you in myself. But I am sure you will know it was the DSI who perpetrated this crime.”

I nodded as the pain subsided. Bernier invited me to sit on a nice black leather sofa nearby. I obliged and he sat across me in a smaller leather chair.
“Agent, why the sudden doubt? You believed me fully last night.”
“You haven’t exactly made yourself trustworthy today.”
“I do not have to prove myself day after day to a mere government agent. Besides, I am sure you will hear information on Dumont from your fellow agent. Did you not ask her to look into him?”
“I did no such thing.” Stomach contractions twitched in my core, but I felt like the worst was over. Maybe it does just take some getting used to this wine. I may have to try it again sometime.
“I see through your eyes, Agent. Please do not deceive me.” That stung. I really couldn’t get anything past this guy. Whoever stole from this guy had monstrous brass balls.
“You suspect he is the one who took the documents, Monsieur?” I figured that had to be going through Bernier’s head. Why else would he be so concerned about Dumont?
“It is my suspicion that he will end up dead before we have a chance to know. I will be keeping him under protection of my security team. There is a detail on him twenty-four-seven.”
“No offense but, with De Santo’s death, I would say your security has some holes in it.”
“He is safer in my custody than in yours, Agent. This is not a discussion. Now, Agent Hendricks. Then we will discuss things with Dumont. I’m sure he will confirm this with Miss Hough if he is indeed involved.”

With that, he walked me back to the elevator, supporting me as I struggled to stay on my feet. The ride down threw my stomach around but also knocked it back into position and the pain ceased.
I didn’t experience as much dizziness as the night before, if I felt it at all. We returned to the lobby and by the time the elevator stopped, I was feeling very much myself. I had a list of Hyperlite team members and Bernier’s interest in Hendricks. Hopefully, Heather had taken my cue to get in contact with Dumont.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Monsieur Bernier. If these leads pan out, we will have a very solid angle from which to approach this case. As long as there are no more unexpected interferences,” I referenced Eddie’s death, “we will recover your missing documents and return control of Hyperlite to Alltech Incorporated.”
“I apologize for my brash nature, Agent. Surely, you understand my motives. Thank you for your assistance.”
I nodded. He had a point. Despite his devilishly frightening alter-ego, he was trying to get to the bottom of a mystery which terrified him. Besides, now that I think about it, I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m sure I’ve read a study talking about the psychopathic tendencies that Serial Killers (and other sociopaths) share with CEOs and other corporate big-wigs.
“Monsieur, let me ask you something.” He looked at me in a way that made it difficult to speak. With the sandpaper forming in my mouth, I decided it might not be a good idea to start a new conversation with him until after I spoke with Hendricks. “When will we be speaking again?”
“Leave your private contact information with my guards, Agent. I will contact you when it is time for our next rendezvous. Now, I bid you Adieu.”
I did as instructed and by the time I was done, Heather had arrived out of another elevator, and she looked excited. She walked through the exit turnstile, flashing a brilliantly white smile at me. I followed her out and felt an immediate sense of relief. If she got something good from Dumont, it could really save me a lot of stress.
Once we made it back to the parking structure, I put my hand on Heather’s shoulder. But, when she turned to acknowledge me, I hesitated; she seemed a little too gleeful. “Got something good for me?”
“Let’s get back to your place; I’ll fill you in. How about you and the Honorable Monsieur? Any good intel on that front?”
I drove my fingers through my hair. Heather knows the meaning of the move and her glee faded into concern. “Jim, what is it?”
“I have a lead, Heather. And honestly… I really hope doesn’t pan out.”

Uncategorized

The Test of 69

I read “How to Read A Novel” by John Sutherland recently, hoping for some insight into literary studies. While I learned a little, this book is obviously geared toward young adults and people who aren’t already inclined in the field. It’s entry-level stuff for the most part… still a good read though.

What stood out to me specifically was what [I believe] Sutherland penned as “The 69 Test.” The way it works is: you pick up the novel you are considering and flip through the pages. When you get to page 69, read it. Read the whole page without stopping. Then, if you liked what you read, the odds that you will like the book are extremely high. It has to do with psychology, storytelling, blahblahblah, there are quite a few factors (which Sutherland discusses a little as well), but the bottom line is, page 69 is purported to be the page of revelry. I’ve gone into a bit of research with this and though I haven’t done this test personally, I’ve read excerpts from page 69 of a lot of books. There are tons of great snippits there. It inspired me to check what my page 69 looked like and if it seemed to follow the same apparent trend. I haven’t edited this page yet but… I’m not waiting to try this test out.

Without further ado, here is the coveted page. If you like this page, you should buy this book. If you don’t… buy it anyway 😛

I could see his face sharper and clearer than I expected for a man hiding behind a shroud. It was as if I had a flashlight on him. He was rather young, a pale-skinned blonde with bright green eyes and his slim, smooth figure suggested he could never grown any facial hair.

“Forced by whom?”

“Alltech, Agent Del. Tomorrow.”

He turned to leave but Doug stopped him quite aggressively. “Not another fucking step! You know something, you’re coming with us.” He pulled his cuffs out of their pouch and handed them to me. I felt a tugging in the back of my brain, something telling me to get away from the scene, not to arrest Dumont. But, it’s hard to override your training. My body and subconscious knew the right thing to do, the only thing to do. In this kind of situation, you arrest the guy.

Dumont stopped and kept his hands in the air. We both kept our weapons trained on Dumont as I crept towards him. I crouched a little and approached him with a quiet and cautious walk, just in case he tried anything. When I got to him, I slowly holstered my gun and reached for his right hand. Just before I applied the cuffs, there was a loud hard boom and Doug screamed out then hit the ground hard, as did his cigarette. People around screamed and ran. Some hid behind dumpsters; others just ran until they were well out of sight.

“Doug!”

Another shot rang out. I heard the projectile fly past my head and through a nearby window. I leapt through air, diving behind the closest building and drew my gun out. I pointed it out around the corner and peeked my head around as subtly as possible. I popped off five or seven rounds to keep the shooter from firing at Doug again. Dumont already began making his retreat and I couldn’t stop him. I didn’t particularly want to at this point. The area was pretty empty anyway. Scanning nearby windows and other vantage points for the type of rifle which could generate that sound proved fruitless. There was no sign of the shooter. I suspected whomever it was only opened fired to keep Dumont out of our custody. The shooting was over, so I ran to Doug and checked him.

“Shit Doug! You’d better be alive!”

“I’m… I’m fine. Goddamnit.” He coughed out, clutching his throat. “That fuckin’ hurt. Check… ugh… It landed over there.” He pointed just a few feet away and I saw a .45 caliber slug – a rubber composite bullet. This kind of bullet is not meant to kill, though that was of little solace. Whoever it was either guarded Dumont to keep him safe or to keep him quiet. It seemed lucky that bullet wasn’t real. It might have just been for us. There may well have been a bullet meant for Dumont. I collected Doug, slinging his right arm over my shoulder and picked him up. Rubber bullets don’t really cripple you. Sometimes they break a rib from close enough but, in general they are used to make you think twice about whatever you’re about to do. A well placed rubber bullet can prevent a firefight from breaking out.

So? What does page 69 tell you?

Uncategorized

Chapter 4. But I lost the pre-edit version

There’s a long way to go with this chapter. This is the chapter in which exposition ends and story really begins. From this point on, the first act is a shroud of mystery (or, it will be when I’m done editing). The second act becomes a vulgar display of conflict and the third act is a surprise for all of you!

I don’t know what happened to the file for the pre-edit. I wanted to offer a before-and-after comparison, but I did something weird and now every file contains this version of Chapter 4. Whatever. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

The work started winding down the day around 3:00. By that time, Hendricks had received each team’s plan of attack and was in the process of reviewing them. The room was abuzz with chatter. Some were discussing the case, their thoughts on sneaking around other agencies, the general tension and risk. Most of the time, we are straightforward agents of the federal government. It’s a rare thing when DSI agents have to act as covert operatives; we are much more traditional in our methodology.

Most were talking about the banquet. The Year-End Banquet is a pretty big deal. Every agency has something similar but the DSI doesn’t pull any punches. Our Year-End Banquets are multi-million dollar affairs (thanks in part to Alltech generously sponsoring the events). This year, it was in the banquet hall of the Royal Hotel. As I let my mind drift to the best food I would eat this year, the ambience of the giant room, I envisioned the grandiose hall where the most influential men and women in America would be socializing with all of us. It seemed so real for a moment, until I felt that dizzying rush from the rum again. I’ve never had any other alcohol do something like that to me from one drink. My hands went straight for my head, a nervous gesture I’ve developed. I took my time running them through my hair, leaning my head back and embracing the moment. I took deep diaphragm breaths in an attempt to fight the spins.

Doug came up and gave me a rough slap on the back. I was less than appreciative but, it did balance me out. “What’s going on? Thinking about the delicious meal ahead?” I flashed him a small grin and thumbs up, then went to go get my tux from the car. There was so much going through my head that I was actually looking forward to the long elevator ride down, the chance to sort through things.

The elevator’s droning whir and the buzz of the fluorescent light above me offered me the comfort of solitude. I took the moment as an opportunity to explore my knowledge about the case. So far, our investigation into a bunch of redacted documents had proved futile but, with Eddie De Santo’s information we could start to make real progress. One of the frustrating things about working for the DSI is that most cases have a million unanswered questions. It’s like solving a single puzzle but you have random pieces from ten other puzzles mixed in. It’s hard to figure out which questions need to be answered and which ones are just distractions. And this Hyperlite issue was a matter in which I didn’t even know which pieces belonged to the puzzle yet.

What’s more, with Eddie’s impeccable timing, I had a new slew of questions tangential to my primary case. Who was he going to see on the 44^th floor? Why would the government be stealing from Alltech? Why would Bernier be asking us to look into the Alltech side of the investigation? There were a ton more. I could barely begin sorting it all out in my head. More pressing was the serendipitous nature of De Santo’s appearance. One thing I’ve learned in the field is that when something feels too easy, it’s usually a set up. But then there was the question of why they would do that and for that matter, who ‘they’ were. It could be Bernier but, if this was indeed a government op as I suspected, it could be any number of federal agents. Eddie could be a plant giving us a false lead. Really, the whole situation could be a distraction from a grander scheme. I had no idea what to make of it but, I had a direction and a plan. I just needed to take it one step at a time. Solve the puzzle piece by piece.

Around 4:00, the pit started clearing out. Most people were going home to grab a shower before the banquet, some were already dressed and preparing to head over. I was in the latter group, as was Heather. We were standing near my desk, talking with some members of our and Doug’s teams, coordinating amongst them. Everyone knows about double agents, at least the Cold War kind. There’s the American spy who sells himself as a traitor to the cause, and then the Russian operative who gets a job at the embassy and bugs a diplomat.

However, there is another kind of double agent. This double agent works for one department of the government and infiltrates another. This can occur through various nefarious means: bribery, off-the-books payroll, a shell company. The bottom line is, there are agents who spy on other agencies within the government, monitoring them for various reasons. The CIA, for example, cannot operate on Domestic soil. But, that only matters if they get caught doing so. They may have a plant in the FBI who gains access to a case about a drug cartel the company actually tracks in Morocco. In our case, every member of every team was going to report on their assigned tasks to the three of us. Effectively, we would be creating a database of active operations within the government. This information set would be worth more lives than a non-official cover list.

“I think it goes without saying,” Heather noted, “but, I’m going to say it anyway. We are going to be compiling a lot of sensitive information on a lot of departments built upon secrets.”

I stepped in, “If you think the fact that we are part of the same government offers you protection from the operatives we are snooping on, you’re wrong. Everyone acts with the utmost discretion. Tomorrow, we’ll start tackling our direct lines of communication. Until Hendricks green lights our strategies, I don’t want anyone looking into anything they aren’t willingly handed. Be subtle about Alltech but be open about the fact that you’re investigating government operations.”

“The things our contacts keep hidden are being hidden for a reason. What we don’t know will tell us more than anything we learn.”

We wrapped up with a few notes on the banquet, and left everyone to their own devices. Heather looked at me, concern in her eyes. “Do you really think it’s that dangerous, Jim?”

“I don’t want to find out. If this is a government op and we get in the way, all bets will be off. Or, we will come out looking like a department of complete morons.”

“Well-”

Hendricks cut her off by summoning us into his office. His eyes were glossed over and his breath still smelled of the rum. I wondered if I was exhibiting any similar signs. There was no good way to bring it up, so I just let it slide..

“What’s up, boss?” Heather asked.

“I want you to cover Jimmy tonight. This may very well be our only chance to get to Monsieur Bernier. If anyone starts to separate them, you run interference. Jimmy, you know what you’re job is.”

We both affirmed and started walking out the door. I let Heather lead and turned back to Hendricks, “Ryan, you feeling okay? That rum…”

He smiled at me and nodded. “Let’s get going.”

The banquet hall was absolutely immaculate. The ceiling stood about 30 feet high at its lowest point. White silken drapes ran up and into the center of the expansive rectangular venue. They each connected to one of ten large chandeliers – each gold with large chains of true crystals connecting each arm to the column and a few more hanging off of each. The floors were covered with red velvet carpeting, trimmed near the edges to reveal a heavily marbled floor. The walls were stark white like a museum’s and they were lined with the kind of artwork you would see in one. In the center of the room was a large granite fountain with four levels and large red candles placed in a square pattern on each level. Around the room were some Ancient Greek statues made of bronze, some of marble, all clearly out of my budget. The one nearest our table was Lysippos’ Farnese Heracles.

The tables were rather noble. Thick trunks of mahogany supported intricate stained glass. The stains were various shades of red, lined with gold, all depicting sigils of ancient fire-breathers, dragons of old. They were all hand-carved, hand-paint and very majestic. To complement the regal elegance of the tables, the chairs were all elaborate ebony thrones topped with highly detailed lion heads, mistakable for real lions on first glance. They bore soft velvet cushions matching the carpet. The place settings were a likewise shade of soft red and the “silverware” matched the gold etchings found across the tables. I suspected that it may well be 22 karat dinnerware. Above the stairway to the balcony level (whose banisters were of that same white marble, wrapped in ivory) hung a large tapestry with an intricate fractal pattern sewn into it. This place was far too extravagant and costly for government affair but, I wasn’t about to complain. Who would?

The hall was full of tuxedos and tail coats, beautiful gals in beautiful gowns. The air of elegance became enhanced when the string ensembles played, three of them coordinating and playing in unison. I suppose this hall wouldn’t be sullied with speakers. So they had conductors coordinating with each other. It made for a moment of silence between pieces but, I’m sure no one else noticed. This felt way more like a debutante ball than a banquet celebrating a successful year of protecting and serving our country. Nonetheless, the blended aroma of wines, perfumes, elaborate meals, and high-class cigars flooded the room, permeating my nostrils more and more heavily with every breath; it dizzied me. Or was it that damn rum again?

An usher led me to my table. There was a portly man with a top hat and monocle already seated before a name card identifying him as Thomas Mack, an entrepreneur who owns several broadcasting corporations and at least one retail electronics chain. My name card was a few seats away from his, and Jean Bernier’s sat completely opposite mine. I casually picked up one of the cards next to his and walked it over to my seat, swapping it for mine and walking back around the table. Thomas Mack flashed me a smile; I winked in reply.

“No one will know.”

His grin was jovial, genial. His reply: “Taking the initiative and networking are the two most important ways to move up in the world. I approve of your methods, Mister…” He spoke with a brilliant southern twang, a classic gentleman.

“Special Agent James Del,” I extended my hand and he shook it with a firm grasp that matched his personality quite well.

“Well, Special Agent James Del, it’s about time I had some company. I’ve been here thirty minutes awaiting the other members of our party.”

“I’ve only got my eye on one member tonight.”

“Monsieur Bernier. Of course. Tell me, are you looking to get out of the Department? Move into the private sector?”

“Something like that, yeah.” He was direct, an admirable quality to me. His hand somehow found its way on top of mine. He gave me that firm handshake grasp, albeit around the top side of my hand. “Alltech ain’t the only company that pays well for the work you do. I hope you have the good sense to keep your eyes open for other opportunities.” This time, he winked at me, an odd-looking gesture with the monocle.

“Mr. Mack, I must ask you, what’s with the piece?” I pointed a finger at my eye, mirroring his.

He laughed at the question before replying. “Agent Del, I’m what they refer to as a ‘big-wig.’ In truth, I’m just a man who had a dream and put every ounce of strength I had into accomplishing it. My life has been spent workin’ harder than a one-legged man wantin’ to win a butt-kickin’ contest. Nonetheless, the media like to attack those of us with power. By giving them something silly to focus on, I can prevent them from pokin’ too deep into my private life – keep ‘em from seein’ the way my cat jumps.”

“I follow.” I answered, “Still, it seems odd you would have that concern, considering how much of the media you control.”

“I don’t control people, I own them. In this field, that means I enable my employees to chirp out the songs they feel need singin’. How wrong of me it would be to give a bluebird a melody, only to tape its beak. That cruel as all git out.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” We had a couple of drinks brought to us and continued some fun and friendly chatter as more members of our party arrived. He was dressed to kill. A double breasted burgundy swallow-tail held a slightly cinched back, giving it a small flare. This may be the most elegant coat I’ve ever seen. The collar was a soft shade of grey, as was the pattern around the alabaster buttons. His pants, classic grey trousers, fit him so precisely, I thought it must have been an engineer who fitted them and not a tailor. Beyond that, he wore a matching grey vest and a crisp white shirt, pristine in press and sharp in style. He completed the outfit with a black cravat, tied with an intricate knot. His accessory: a black cane with a 24-carat gold bauble held in by a matching frame that appeared to resemble the talons of a predatory bird.

Though he stood firm at six feet tall, his posture and poise made him seem taller than Hendricks, whom I noticed across the aisle surveying Bernier and myself. Bernier’s pale complexion and blonde hair led me to the illusion that his eyes, a royal shade of blue, may be purple. His hair, longer in front than in back (I think they call it a “half-shave” held a delicate, creamy thickness with the slightest waving pattern. He wore it combed over with a little draping down the side of his head. Aside from being a little cartoon-y, this guy was classic, a modern-day Rockefeller.

Dear God. I look like a joke compared to him. Thomas Mack glanced over. “You thought the monocle was silly.” I had to snicker. I took a glance around the banquet hall and noticed all eyes on the Alltech CEO and modern revolutionary. I’ll say this; the man definitely knew how to get attention.

Bernier sat at his place beside me and everyone at the table made their hellos. Apparently, I was the only stranger in the group.

“Bravo, Jean, Bravo! You’re outfit is spectacular!” A fashion mogul at the table said. A lady several seats down commented on the “fluff” in his hair. The gushing went on for a little while until Thomas Mack broke it with, “Now, I must ask you, Mister Bernier – Where is your charming companion, Evelyn? I thought she would be attending.”

This was the first time Bernier had spoken and his voice captivated me. A tone richer than red velvet cake (something about this room had me thinking of that) inspired the dizziness of the rum – or possible the slew of other drinks – again. His accent was heavy but his English was clear and I had no trouble understanding him. “She is a bit under the weather, I am afraid. She could not make the flight from Paris.”

“What a shame,” another technologies CEO mentioned, “it is always a blessing to be graced by her beauty.”

“Indeed.” Bernier replied. He turned to me. I don’t know if I looked dizzy or slack-jawed, or generally uncomfortable and out of place. I meant to introduce myself but I found it difficult to speak, he read my name card and extended his right hand.

“Special Agent Del! Ca va, ca va! I am glad to see my request was granted. Please, no need to be nervous. Relax, mon frère, you are here with honors. Do not feel as an impediment to the table. You are among friends.”

After he spoke, the dizziness subsided. I felt a little less tongue tied and spoke, “I’m honored that you asked me to your table, Monsieur Bernier. I have been looking forward to meeting you since your interactions with my office began.”

He gave me a smile but, his eyes locked sharply into mine, I worried I may have said too much, considering the nature of the DSI’s work. I shied my eyes away but continued speaking. “Besides, as the largest contributor to this event, you couldn’t possibly be denied. And I must say, it has certainly exceeded anything I would have expected.”

His eyes lightened as he responded, “I spare no expense, Agent Del, it is the least I can do for such a hard-working agency as yours. I am glad to know your very analytical mind hasn’t spotted any problems with the ambience.”

“Not a prop out of place, Monsieur Bernier.” The answer very clearly delighted him. It already went without saying that Bernier was the kind of man who took pride in presentation but seeing it was completely different.

The meal was a fantastic steak dinner served with an assortment of vegetables, rolls, and baked potatoes. I have no need to explain the flavors in detail, suffice it to say I have never eaten steak this tender and juicy. The vegetables must have been grown is the Gardens of Babylon. I later found out that none of the food was cooked but, it was all created using Alltech equipment. The entire meal was created without any natural ingredients, except for the chemical elements that go into them. Apparently, there is always a place for marketing. Bernier went into some detail about the synthesizing process, how the engineers simulated cooking by creating the meal on grills and in ovens. Each portion of the plate took around three hours to make. That meant at least 12 hours went into every single plate here. I shuddered at the thought. He concluded by saying, “An inefficient failure of an experiment to say the least but, a fun way to legally avoid taxes. I am happy to cater any of your events, as well, messieurs et mesdames.”

Thomas Mack laughed and raised his wine glass, “To write-offs!” To which the table replied with a resounding, cheerful, “To write-offs!” This time, I didn’t feel as out of place as out of reality. I shuddered to think that some of the most important human creations may have just been tax dodges. Imagine, Flu shots are only around so that the medical companies can keep their money in their pockets, instead of handing their fair share to the government. It made me want to do a forensic analysis of these companies’ books, just out of a morbid curiosity. Bernier stood up, cued the conductors at the end of a song and walked up the stairway, to the balcony, he tapped his glass and the whole room fell silent. Now that’s power. Close to two thousand people silenced by his sheer presence – and possibly his suit. Heather questioned me with a gaze.

“Mesdames et Messieurs: Thank you all very much for attending this banquet. It is an honor to have such good standing with the most powerful corporations in one of the greatest countries. And of course I must thank the Department of Special Investigations for your continued dedication to protecting your country from the most devious of enemies, so that your people may continue to live the greatest lives they choose, and so that we of course, may profit from them.” That part was painfully sincere. “Sil-vous-plâit, I would like to invite you all to enjoy the second half of the evening where we will be serving a fantastic variety of desserts and crème drinks, and further invite you to dance on the floor of this banquet hall.” As he made that announcement, a loud mechanical grinding rattled the floor beneath us. The fountain in the center lowered into the ground, leaving the entire central square of the room clear for dancing.

Presentation? The man had it down. I mean, God damn. A fountain like this doesn’t come standard with anything. I caught Hendricks—who seemed oddly unimpressed by the spectacle—out of the corner of my eye, walking towards me. I met him halfway.

“I told you not to leave his side, Jimmy.” His breath smelled of Chateau Beaumont and a slew of other liquors.

“What do you want? I wasn’t going to follow him up there like a lonely puppy.”

“Well, the speech is over, get up there.”

“Relax, I’m on it.”

We both looked up to see Bernier staring right at us. I could see the blue in his eyes from here and it sent a little chill down my spine. There aren’t many bluer blues in the world. I climbed the elaborate staircase and joined Bernier, who had taken his seat at a table near the ledge from which his toast was delivered. Once drinks had been brought around to us, I spoke.

“You certainly have a flair for the dramatic, Monsieur Bernier.”

He looked at me and I thought for a second that I could actually see his charisma. “Drama, Agent Del, is what defines the human race. It is a product of emotion.”

“Absolutely. It’s a shame we can’t see past it and be a more productive species. It’s to the point that friends can be destroyed by the most innocent, naïve comments, just because of that need for drama and attention.”

“Mais non. It gives us the opportunity to create truly grandiose realities such as the one before you. This event is memorable because your daily life is not.”

“That’s not exactly the point I’m making.”

“But it is. You posit that insignificant equates to unnecessary, do you not?”

“I suppose I do.” I was actually a bit startled by the elegance of his conversation. Interrogating this guy was not going to be as routine as I counted on.

“Without the mundane, people would have no appreciation for the truly great moments in their lives. Imagine a terrorist attack on your country. Think about how that would feel, what it would mean.”

“Not too hard.”

“If people did not even care about the little things, why then would they care about those which truly matter?”

“Because they truly matter, Monsieur.” I felt valid but, he dismissed me.

“Because they have scale, Agent. Let me ask another way. Would an immortal care for the dramatic moments among family or friends? Would he even care for an attack on his country? When a man lives for thousands of years, would not a conflict of ten years seem to him as such a small amount of time?”

“I’m not an immortal, Monsieur. I have no clue how one would feel.”

“The answer is obvious to me. But as you said, there is no way for a mortal to know. So, let us drop the existential façade. Ask your questions, Agent.”

I jumped back a bit. His tone changed so drastically, supported by palpable pressure. I guess you don’t become the most powerful man in the country without knowing things.

“Who says I have questions?”

“It’s written all over your face.” A different smile than I’d seen on him overtook his face. This one was determined, focused, and made it clear that he was too smart to try and lead through a series of questions.

So, I decided to be direct.

“One of your employees visited me. He filled me in on the MO of the theft of your documents. Monsieur, you led us to believe that the theft had been one of pure information, something you didn’t actually lose. If you want to continue with the Hyperlite project, you will be starting from scratch.”

“Ouay. Continue.”

“What I want to know is why. It seems like this is a much more significant problem than you want us to believe.”

“Subtlety is everything, Agent Del. Had I revealed the true nature of my problem, the unknown thief would know the power he has over me. And would you like to know something else?”

“I would like to know a lot else. Please.”

“I don’t want your department to solve this case, nor my whole company. I want a very few people to know. The people I trust and the people you trust. Those are the people who should be working on it.”

“Surely, you know the scale of the task before us, since scale is everything.”

“The criminals are but a trinity. The scale is small. Nothing you say will sway that opinion, please move on to the next question.”

Already shutting down my arguments about the scale of the database we needed to search. Bernier showed that he most valued power and control. Instead of wasting time, I decided to go against my better judgment and play his way.

“Then, if you want me to solve this, I need to get more information on Alltech, Hyperlite, and the thieves. You need to let me in, Monsieur Bernier. You need to show me the things you’re hiding.”

Bernier raised his hand for a moment until a host came around with two glasses. Bernier took one and gestured for me to take the other. A quick sniff told me it was a more refined version of the rum. Bernier took a drink and I followed suit. We sat in silence for just a moment. Bernier spoke first.

“These things are hidden because they are dangerous, Agent. Would you really risk jeopardizing yourself for my company?”

“If Hyperlite can be turned into a weapon against the civilian population, yes.”

“Hyperlite’s primary purpose outside of my hands would be as a weapon of chaos and destruction.” I heard the gravity in his voice. “The compound would cut the weight of any gun or bullet by no less than forty per cent while keeping the density nearly identical. With refinement in the process, the cost would become marginally higher than the cost of standard weapons. A small price for a large upgrade.”

It made sense enough. There are militaries, terrorist groups, private security forces; all of whom would love to have weapons that didn’t burden their men. I imagined the feeling of an m16 that weighed less than three pounds. All else being equal, that is a humongous advantage. Damn it. My head hurts.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the thieves were your agents and the researcher who took the original documents was turned by them.” He accused with such resolution that I couldn’t help but agree.

I began to feel a little dizzy and hoped it wasn’t showing. Before opening my mouth to speak again, I swallowed, lest I throw up on the host of a multi-million dollar event. “We are investigating every agency thoroughly.”

He gave me a long, penetrating stare. After about ten seconds, I began to feel uncomfortable. I had nothing to say but I felt compelled to break the silence. Nonetheless, I held my tongue and waited for Bernier to speak.

“Are you investigating your agency, mon frère?” He finally asked.

“The DSI? Of course not. We don’t train for covert operations like that.” The rum hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to clench my stomach to keep from reeling.

“Absurdité. There is a reason I have been hiding so much from the eyes of your department. That reason is not paranoia. Believe me.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I know my enemies, Agent Del. I have been dealing with politics and scandals long before you began your career as an agent.”

“You think a political enemy is behind this?”

“I think a dangerous enemy is behind this. Hyperlite is classé secréte. Whoever organized this theft had plans for the material. They are powerful and dangerous. I fear they may be targeting me personally.”

Goddamn it! Fuck! Shit! The more I talked to this guy, the more lost I was. I believed him thoroughly but damn it all if this wasn’t turning into the most disconnected series of problems I’d ever needed to connect. The pain in my head became impossible to masque. Things were starting to get a little fuzzy too.

Bernier gave me a grave look, the blue in his eyes seemed to grow silver streaks in them but, that was probably another symptom of what might be alcohol poisoning. I lurched forward, then leaned over the edge of the table and hurled like a wildebeest. Everything faded into black.

I have no idea how long had passed by the time I came to. I heard a crackling noise, something like bubble wrap being popped but with more of a crack. I opened my eyes to a completely blurred view of the world. I saw some kind of movement and heard a muffled voice over a dull static roar. I picked myself up and shook my head to try and clear my thoughts.

As things became clearer, the bubble wrap sound became more like fireworks. I was still on the velvet carpet. My heart leaped to my throat. The fuzz cleared and the movements became feet running around my head. The dull roaring static erupted into sharp shrieks of terror and confusion. I instantly realized that things had gone particularly wrong; I wasn’t ready for this.

Bernier was ducked down behind our table; there were a couple of bodies on the dance floor and a small squadron of men with automatic weapons. I reached for my shoulder holster and couldn’t find it. I was still in a bit of a drunken haze, everything was still fuzzy. I wasn’t sure if I’d even worn my gun to the event.

“Shit!” I peered over the balcony and saw their weapons were a slightly lighter shade of gunmetal. Their vests seemed different from normal Kevlar as well. All the gear was definitely made of a material I had never experienced before. As several DSI agents and security guards returned fire, I realized that they were indeed much different. My first instinct watching the bullets ricochet off the squadron was that the material was a completed prototype of Hyperlite.

“Nom de Dieu! Do you see now, Agent? My enemy has already turned Hyperlite into a weapon and an armor. This is a massacre and I’m sure to be the prime target!”

I felt way in over my head. There was no way this could happen and yet, here it was. Ten men were blasting away everyone at the banquet. I guess having all of Bernier’s allies in one place is a great opportunity to shoot fish in a barrel. The men were trained and dressed for combat, probably ex-military. I turned to Bernier. It made sense that he would be specifically targeted in a mass shooting like this. I wanted to get him out alive. I shouted amidst the chaos. “Come on, I’ll get you out of here!”

“No, Agent! I can take care of myself; your friends are down there!”

He pointed to the elegant stairway. Heather was running down the flight of stairs with Hendricks. I peered across the aisle and learned that they were running towards a fallen Doug. An exit wound the size of my fist replaced his right temple. I tried to scream but I threw up over the balcony’s ledge; I didn’t see where it landed. By the time I looked up again, Heather was freefalling down the stairs. I feared the worst and I simply couldn’t watch anymore. I turned to face Bernier. Before I could find him, gasping and choking consumed me. It felt like all the fluids in my body were rushing into my lungs. My eyes watered. Tear gas. The burning pain crippled me and my hands couldn’t decide whether to cover my eyes or clutch my throat. Fuck, these guys were serious! I crawled around on the floor, seeking a place to breathe, only to realize that this balcony had been commandeered by a score of soldiers. Only higher-ups in the DSI would have known the exact floor plan of the hall. It made me sick to think that Bernier may well have been right about that. But it still didn’t explain why this was happening.

“Jimmy! Fuck, Jimmy, come on!” I heard Hendricks yell behind me. I turned to face him. By the time I could focus enough to deal with the gas in my eyes, I could see Hendricks. His eyes had widened; his head fell forward and he fell to his knees. A stream of crimson ran down the corner mouth. He made a terrified gurgling sound and shock paralyzed me. I had seen the source of the sound. One of the soldiers had run a combat knife through the throat and was pushing his unconscious body forward as a shield—the sick bastard. I was going to kill him in my escape. I tried to scream out for Hendricks but I couldn’t catch my breath.

A surge of hard electrical pain exploded throughout my body. Things changed and I became disoriented. Silence pervaded. Only my heart beat registered and it quivered in my chest. I crawled towards the nearest exit. Colors faded. My breathing didn’t improve though I was sure the gas had dissipated. Instead, it became laboring, heavy on my chest. A foot came down on my leg; it shattered my knee. If I screamed, I couldn’t hear it. I tried my hardest to make any sound at all. Turning around only horrified me. A bayonet in my back had torn through my heart. I was dead. It would only be seconds before my brain realized it. The soldier slammed his boot into my spine. Several vertebrae snapped under the pressure. The next time I felt the foot, it was on my neck, pressing my face into the ground. He began to line up his shot and I felt an overwhelming sense of defeat.

Then things went black again.

Chapter 1… Where it is, where it was.

Here is Chapter 1 after the second pass of editing.

I work at the Brooklyn branch of the Government agency designated DSI – Department of Special Investigations. The branch is for those of us who love puzzles. There’s no specific focus like the ATF or DEA, or even other SI units, though we do work with them. Our job is simply to make connections. Most of us work with the FBI to keep cases from going cold. There are some who look for connections between cases which are separated by jurisdiction or politics. I’m mostly in charge of connecting financial records and criminal conspiracies, like the way we busted Al Capone.

I applied to work with the DSI for two reasons. First of all, you’re judged here on your own merits. Whether or not you have a college degree, military experience, or computer savvy is irrelevant. What is relevant is how well you can accurately make the type of connections that will save lives, jobs, or resources. Some of the highest closing rates in the Department come from analysts who have little more than a high school diploma on their resumes. The second reason I wanted to work here is because I love the work we do. We find truths that most people don’t even know are hidden. There really isn’t a job that could be more fun for a guy like me, Special Agent James Del.

My computer beeped at me and an alert window came up in the lower right corner of my screen. The subject of the email from the Department Head read “ALLTECH CEO AND CO-FOUNDER ATTENDING YEAR-END BANQUET.” I didn’t bother to read the email itself. The banquet emails are pretty standard: black-tie, get there early, don’t embarrass the Department. I can say though, I was more than excited for the opportunity to meet Jean Bernier, the man behind the company.

Alltech is a research firm specializing in chemical engineering and metal compounds. Indeed, the All in Alltech is short for “Alloy,” not “All-encompassing.” Thanks to Alltech, the government has more non-lethal weaponry than ever before, not to mention all kinds of lightweight technological goodness. Of course, most of their work is classified (one of the perks of having a government contract) but believe you me, Alltech is one of the few companies changing lives for the better.

After I reviewed a few more department emails, I got back to work on tracking a possible leak within Alltech. Now, the government doesn’t work for private organizations but, we do protect our interests. This holds especially true when the information leaked was a project intended to revitalize US space exploration – something about fuel efficiency and a new metal compound called Hyperlite. The information leaked was procedural, meaning anyone who had the money could create their own Hyperlite and that could be a very dangerous thing.

Reading through piles of redacted documents and scientific data may sound boring. I suppose if you were to simply read through them without purpose, it would feel like you were in one of those weird hells from Chinese Mythology. But I wasn’t just reading documents; I was searching through an intricately woven tapestry. My job was to find the thread that seemed loose, out of place, or possibly even unifying. The person who leaked the information I was currently reading had the complete, unredacted documents, nothing was hidden, which meant they had security clearance within the government as well as the company. In both places, they would have held higher clearance than anyone in my office.

As I read through the confusing, edited numbers and half-clear documents, I came across a photocopied page full of sticky notes. One of the notes read “Anagram.” The rest of the notes had some data points, to-dos, and a few chemical names: Nitric Oxide, Iron, Sulfur, Uranium, Radium, and Titanium. I’m no scientist but, I know a thing or two and titanium is one of the lightest metals out there. I had been assuming that it was the base for the Hyperlite compound. The documents, of course, had been redacted to exclude all chemicals, elements, and otherwise compositional data of the material but, this seemed right.

Just as I started getting some ideas written down, Special Agent Ryan Hendricks called me into his office. Hendricks is a rather astounding example of form over function. He stands an impressive six-foot-nine, well over three hundred pounds, and he is stacked with muscle. Not the kind of muscle laborers have, the kind of muscle body-building machine addicts have. His body was an instance of form over function.

Hendricks spent a lot of time grooming himself. His slicked back hair dyed carefully to make his grey look more like a peppering, though those of us who have been here a while knew he was just a silver-hair in denial. His skin was a nearly stark white, as were his teeth. The first time we’d met, I had to ponder whether or not they were the same shade. His eyes, a crystalline shade not unlike an iceberg, were narrower than you would expect for a man his size but, most people didn’t notice. He wore a jet-black Versace suit with a crisp red shirt and a black silk tie. If this were a movie, he’d probably be the bad guy. Luckily, he had one of the purest hearts I’ve known. We met in college and applied to the DSI at the same time and he’s saved my ass on more than one occasion. I couldn’t ask for a better friend than Special Agent Ryan Hendricks.

I walked up to his office and stood next to him. The sharp contrast between us was exemplified by more than just our difference in stature. My suit, a low-end department store brand, was nothing short of standard. One look at me and you would know I’m a federal agent sporting a glock 9mm in a shoulder holster and a badge on my belt.

“My office,” he said, ushering me in. he closed the door behind us. “Have a seat, Jimmy. There’s something I want you to look at.”

He paced around his desk, taking very deliberate steps, pondering what to say. It seemed like a nervous walk but, it’s hard to read what’s going on in Hendricks’ mind. He was more transparent when we were in the field together. I asked him about it once. He told me that as the head of the office, he had to keep a consistent demeanor – that neutral was best. I would have chosen a different expression to lock my face in if I had to keep it eight hours a day, seven days a week. To each his own I suppose.

Hendricks walked to his filing cabinet, opened up one of the drawers (column 3, row 2). The label on the drawer read Alltech Incorporated. He proceeded to take every single file out and set them on the desk in front of me. I eyed the impressive stack of documents stuffed inside vanilla colored folders. The papers inside were ruffled about, their edges uneven, clearly worn down by time. I suspected this might be all of the documentation we had on Alltech.

` As if on cue, Hendricks gave a crookedly joyful smile and said, “Once you finish reviewing this drawer, the next two will be waiting for you.”

My heart sank. I thought I had found the thread to pull on but, it was about to be buried under chaos. “I don’t think this is necessary. I’ve found an angle to investigate. If you could just-”

“I can’t. I’m sorry.”

“What? I just need to get a look at the Alltech division handling Hyperlite. It would only be a one-hour tour, fully supervised.”

“No. Monsieur Bernier has requested the utmost secrecy in this matter. If you can’t find the answer in these three cabinets, I can get a warrant for Alltech’s employee database. But that’s all he will allow.”

“All he will allow? Jesus, what’s going on? Since when do federal investigations bow to the will of CEOs?”

“You know better. It’s not like that. But this matter won’t be resolved by sticking our noses in his company. Try to see it from his perspective: someone with high-level clearance infiltrated his company enough to steal information on their newest and most important active project. He doesn’t want to risk someone with lower clearance getting in and doing anything. No one knows whether the leak is on our side or their side, or even a competing company. He’s keeping everything sealed from anyone not currently involved.”

“I’m currently involved! Damn it, Ryan! How do you expect me to solve this without access to the ground floor?”

“You realize you have the whole team at your disposal”

I slammed my hands on his desk, jumping out of my chair, pulled up by the force of my fists driving down into the desk. Sometimes I can’t stand the new Hendricks.

“That’s not the point, God Damnit! Come on, man. How can we do it without access to employee interviews, face-to-face interactions, or at least some fucking documents with a little less black on them?”

“Don’t take this out on me. I only run the damned office. I’m not the one issuing orders.”

I didn’t mean to snap at him but, that lack of emotion gets to me sometimes. You would think after five years I would have adjusted. Unfortunately, these kinds of changes stand out forever in the people you know best. Hendricks stood across from me. He lifted his coffee cup to his lips, sipped it lightly, and set it back down. “I don’t question my orders. You would be wise not to either.”

“These orders come from your superiors, not Bernier?”

“They do.”

I dropped back into my chair, rubbing the strain out of my eyes. “Shit. This is more serious than I thought.”

“So it would seem.”

I stared at Hendricks intensely, then back at the stack of documents then the empty cabinet they came from. I clutched the photocopied document in my hand. I knew this was the lead to follow, the one that could actually offer some insight into Hyperlite. I calmed down a bit and shot Hendricks a smile. “First round’s on you.”

As the team pored over the worthless and outdated documents of Alltech’s history, I continued my search through those which had relevance. The first step was rereading the documents I had already covered, plugging in any information I could from the photocopy I’d found. Mostly, it proved to be a futile search, except that I was able to confirm—thanks to the strict regulations of typeface, size, and general formatting of reports within the government’s infrastructure—that titanium was the base metal for Hyperlite and, indeed, other elements seemed to plug in to certain single-word redactions. It wasn’t much, but it was more than we had.

Heather Hough, an FBI transfer, was walking right towards me. She had silky soft skin, a mouse-like button nose. A blonde with blue eyes, a straight white smile, and curves that would make any man—or woman—drool. To top it off, she had the top score on several FBI fitness tests and a physique to back it up. Without being too big, she’d managed to pack a hundred eighty-five pounds onto a frame just over five feet tall. There wasn’t a gram of fat to be found on her body. She carried herself with a presence that would (and probably did) terrify prison lifers. She approached me with her hand out, offering me a stapled document. “Look at this. I think it could give us some direction.”

December 2012 Security Desk Memo. Clearance Update and Policy Changes.

The following Alltech Inc. employees now have Clearance Level Red: A000145829. . . . . ********** A000678242. . . . . **********

M04099754. . . . . **********R061854216. . . . . **********

The following Alltech Inc. employees now have Clearance Level Green:

A022143341. . . . . **********C041603521. . . . . **********

The following Alltech Inc. employees now have Unrestricted Access:

G003084759. . . . . **********

“Well, that just seems silly,” I retorted. “Without names, how do the security guards know they aren’t letting in thieves?” I separated the pages and handed them out for the team to review. I already had what I was looking for.

“They don’t. And they did let in a thief.” Heather’s reply made me happy. I looked up to flash Hendricks that I-Told-You-So look through the glass wall of his office, only to find that he was on his way down to us.

“Find something in my useless stack of outdated records?” Somehow, his neutral façade still managed to demonstrate a smugness that superseded my own.

“It’s a memo for the front desk. Security updates.” Heather said, snatching the page from me and handing it to Hendricks. “If anyone knows Alltech’s security structure, we can determine which employees had access to the research.”

I thought for a moment then asked, “Are these names blacked out for us, or did the security desk receive them this way as well?”

“I’m not sure. You can ask Monsieur Bernier yourself at the banquet.”

“Aren’t we supposed to refrain from business talk at the banquet?”

Hendricks shot her a look. It’s hard to tell what his looks mean but, this one seemed to tell Heather that she needed to relax. Despite her skill, Heather was oddly adherent to rules and policy. Most agents end up dead quicker than you might expect if they stick to the books. She was the exception, having started in the field. Heather quickly proved she was better suited for analysis. It isn’t that she couldn’t hack it – quite the opposite in fact. She was put to work analyzing recovered technologies after she figured out how to disable the automated security system of a high-end weapons manufacturer. It was a state-of-the-art system beyond anything sanctioned by the United States Government. The ATF led a coordinated operation to commandeer the system.

When it became apparently that the strike teams were unable to get through, Heather took it upon herself, in a most heroic fashion, to pop open one of the security cameras and somehow figured out how the camera system was guiding the defense mechanisms. She disabled the cameras and the entire system shut down. The purpose of the DSI is to connect the dots, after all. You can’t solve a puzzle without taking the pieces out of the box. Heather Hough did exactly that at a critical moment. Who knows how many lives she saved that day?

Heather must have gotten that look from Hendricks already. She averted her gaze then proceeded to walk back to the team and dig through more documents. I watched her for a minute. Good diligence in the woman, but I’ll be damned if her conscience didn’t get on my nerves at times.

“So,” I looked up at Hendricks and saw the wheels turning in his brain. “How do you want me to handle it?”

“Talk to Monsieur Bernier at the banquet. Don’t make me regret this decision.”

“Have I ever?”

“No comment. In the meantime, I’ll have your team looking for similar documents. Any luck with that sheet of paper?” He nodded to my desk, to the photocopy.

“At the very least, I can say that it fills in a few of the smaller blanks. We can reasonably assume that the elements named are the constituents of Hyperlite. The numbers probably correlate to data points. They may represent the volume of certain components. But there are more data notes than elements. I’m not sure what they correlate to but, I’m sure they are in the report on my desk. This would be so much easier if I were a scientist.”

Hendricks let out a soft chuckle then walked back toward his office. He climbed the set of five stairs that separated him from those of us who can’t afford nice suits, and then turned to face the area of the room those of us without offices occupy, ‘the pit’. He stuck two fingers under his tongue and let out a shrill whistle, silencing the room. Everyone turned to face him. Jesus that man is tall; he really doesn’t need an elevated office.

“If you find security documents, pull them out,” He continued. “Start a separate file for anything that mentions security clearance. These documents went missing in July of this year. Anything between July 2012 and December 2012 is most likely to have our thief somewhere within it. I want all of the paperwork sorted and filed before anyone leaves. If you had any plans for the evening, cancel them. The longer we take to do this, the more likely Hyperlite ends up in the hands of weapons manufacturers, criminal organizations, or general baddies. Get it done right and get it done now. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”

We all vocalized our understanding and got back to research. That’s what most of this work is. A lot of people think Federal Agents sit in offices waiting for crimes that need solving. The truth is, there is always crime happening and we are always researching it, analyzing every shred of video, audio, computer, and paper information that we have, looking for the connections that will save lives. Especially here in DSI, we are working on the cases that other Federal Organizations wouldn’t have a prayer at solving. This is where the big (read: smart) boys come to play. We are the link between private and public, the reason people think the government is bought out by big tobacco and oil. The truth is much simpler. Our countries best chances at survival lie in our biggest bread makers. The truth is the government stands behind them out of necessity, not greed—politicians aside. And the truth is, without the DSI, a lot more people would be living lives much shittier.

Here is the original draft

The email from the department head read “Alltech CEO and co-founder attending year-end banquet.” I didn’t bother to read the email itself. The banquet emails are pretty standard: black-tie, get there early, the usual information. I can say though, I was more than excited for the opportunity to meet the man, Jean Bernier, the man behind the company.

Alltech is a research firm, specializing in chemical engineering and metal compounds. Indeed, the All- in Alltech is short for “Alloy,” not “All-encompassing.” Thanks to Alltech, the government has more non-lethal weaponry than ever, not to mention all kinds of lightweight technological goodness. Of course, most of their work is classified (one of the perks of having a government contract) but believe you me, Alltech is one of the few companies changing lives for the better.

I work for a branch of the Government designated DSI – Department of Special Investigations. The branch is for those of us who love puzzles. There’s no specific focus like the ATF or DEA, or even other SI units, though we do work with them. Our job is simply to make connections. Most of us work with the FBI to keep cases from going cold. There are some who look for connections between cases which are separated by jurisdiction or politics. I most get put in charge of connecting financial records and criminal conspiracies, like the way they busted Al Capone.

I applied to work with the DSI for two reasons. First of all, you’re judged here on your own merits. Whether or not you have a college degree, military experience, or computer savvy is irrelevant. What is relevant is how well you can accurately make the type of connections that will save lives, jobs, or resources. Some of the highest closing rates in the Department come from analysts who have little more than a high school diploma to their credit. The second reason I wanted to work here is because I love the work we do. We find truths that most people don’t even know are hidden. There really isn’t a job that could be more fun for a guy like me, Special Agent James Del.

After I reviewed a few more department emails, I got back to work on tracking a possible leak within Alltech. Now, the government doesn’t work for private organizations but, we do protect our interests. This holds especially true when the information leaked was a project intended to revitalize US space exploration – something about fuel efficiency and a new metal compound called “Hyperlite.” The information leaked was procedural, meaning anyone who had the money could create their own Hyperlite and that could be a very dangerous thing.

Reading through piles of redacted documents and scientific data may sound boring. I suppose if you were to simply read through them without purpose, it would feel like you were in one of the weird Chinese hells. But I wasn’t just reading documents; I was searching through an intricately woven tapestry. I was looking for the thread that seemed loose, out of place, or possibly even unifying. The person who leaked the information I was currently reading had the complete documents, nothing was hidden. That means they had security clearance within the government as well as the company and in both places, higher clearance than anyone in my office had.

As I read through the confusing, edited numbers and half-clear documents, I came across a photocopied page full of sticky notes. One of the notes read “Anagram.” The rest of the notes had some data points, to-dos, and a few chemical names: Nitric Oxide, Iron, Sulfur, Uranium, Radium, and Titanium. I’m no scientist but, I know a thing or two and titanium is one of the lightest metals out there so, I had been assuming that it was the base for the Hyperlite compound. The documents, of course, had been redacted to exclude all chemicals, elements, and otherwise compositional data of the material but, this seemed right.

Just as I started getting some ideas written down, Special Agent Ryan Hendricks called me into his office. Hendricks is rather astounding example of form over function. He stands an impressive six-foot-nine, well over three hundred pounds, and he is stacked with muscle. Not the kind of muscle laborers have, the kind of muscle body-building machine addicts have. The kind of muscle that looks great until you actually need to use it. He spent a lot of time grooming himself, his greased back hair dyed carefully to make his graying look more like a peppering, though those of us who have been here a while knew he was just a silver-hair in denial. His skin was a nearly stark white, as were his teeth. The first time we’d met, I had to ponder whether or not they were the same shade. His eyes, a crystalline shade of blue-grey, were narrower than you would expect for a man his size but, most people couldn’t notice. He wore a jet-black Versace suit with a crisp red shirt and a silken black tie. If this were a movie, he’d probably be the bad guy. Luckily, he had one of the purest hearts I’ve known. We met in college and applied to the DSI at the same time. He’s saved my ass on more than one occasion. I couldn’t ask for a better friend than Special Agent Ryan Hendricks.

I walked up to his office and stood in sharp contrast to him. I’m average height at five-foot-ten, a medium build with the kind of muscle that comes from field work. My skin is pretty average, perhaps a little more tan than some but, not the orange-colored tan people seem to trend towards. I keep a neatly trimmed beard and haircut, with just enough length to run my fingers through when I’m stressed. My hair is a shade of light brown or dark blonde, I’m not really sure which. Anyway, the point is, I am a pretty plain looking federal agent, where Ryan Hendricks is a comic book version of perfection.

“My office,” he said, and he ushered me in, closing the door behind us. “Have a seat Jimmy. There’s something I want you to look at.”

“Sure.” I sat and waited, he paced around his desk, around me. It seemed like a nervous walk but, Ryan never lets his emotions show. He used to when we were in the field together but, when I asked him about it once, he told me that as the head of the office, he had to keep a consistent demeanor, that neutral was best. I would have chosen a different expression to lock my face in if I had to keep it eight hours a day, seven days a week. I suppose to each, his own.

Hendricks walked to his filing cabinet, opened up one of the drawers (column 3, row 2). The label on the drawer read Alltech Incorporated. He proceeded to take every single file out and set them on the desk in front of me. I eyed the impressive stack of documents stuffed inside cream colored folders, papers ruffled around and edges uneven, clearly worn down. I suspected this might be all of the documentation we had on Alltech.

` As if on cue, Hendricks smiled a crookedly joyful smile and said “Once you finish reviewing this drawer, the next two will be wait for you.” My heart sank. I thought I had found the thread to pull on but, it was about to be buried under chaos.

“Ryan, I don’t think this is necessary. I’ve found an angle to investigate. If you could just –“

“I can’t; I’m sorry.”

“What? I just need to get a look at the Alltech division handling Hyperlite. It would only be a one-hour tour, fully supervised.”

“No, Jimmy. Monsieur Bernier has requested the utmost privacy in this matter. If you can’t find the answer in these three cabinets, I can get a warrant for Alltech’s employee database. But that’s all he will allow.”

“All he will allow? Jesus Ryan, what’s going on? Since when do federal investigations bow to the will of CEOs?”

“It’s not like that, Jimmy. But, this matter won’t be resolved by sticking our noses in his company. Try to see it from his perspective. Someone with high-level clearance infiltrated his company enough to steal information on their newest and most important active project. He doesn’t want to risk someone with lower clearance getting in and doing anything. No one knows whether the leak is on our side or their side, or even a competing company. He’s keeping everything sealed from anyone not currently involved.”

“I’m currently involved! How do you expect me to solve this without access to the ground floor?”

“You do have a team, Jimmy. You’re not a lone wolf, you know.”

I slammed my hands on his desk, jumping out of my chair, practically pulled up by the force of my fists driving down into the desk. “That’s not the point. Come on, man. How can we do it without access to employee interviews, face-to-face interactions, or at least some fucking documents with a little less black on them?”

“Don’t take this out on me. I only run the bloody office. I’m not the one issuing orders.” I didn’t mean to snap at him but, that lack of emotion gets to me sometimes. I’m still not used to this new personality, even after five years. Hendricks stood across from me. He lifted his coffee cup to his lips, sipped it lightly, and set it back down. “I don’t question my orders and you would be wise not to either.”

“These orders come from your superiors, not Bernier?”

“They do.”

I dropped back into my chair, rubbing the strain out of my eyes. “Shit. This is more serious than I thought, huh?”

“So it would seem.”

I started at Hendricks intensely, then back at the stack of documents, the empty cabinet. I clutched the photocopied document in my hand. I knew this was the lead to follow, the one that actually gave some insight into Hyperlite. I shot Hendricks a smile. “First round’s on you.”

As the team pored over the outdated and truly worthless documents of Alltech’s history, I continued my search through the relevant documents. The first step was rereading the documents I had already covered, plugging in any information I could from the photocopy I’d found. Mostly, it proved to be a futile search, except that I was able to confirm, thanks to the strict regulations of typeface, size, and general formatting of reports within the government’s infrastructure, that titanium was the base metal for Hyperlite and indeed other elements seemed to plug in to certain single-word redactions. It wasn’t much, but it was more than we had.

“Jim, I might have a lead here,” I heard from a woman on the other side of the office. It was the voice of Heather Hough, a transfer from the FBI. She had started in the field but, quickly proved she was better suited for analysis. It isn’t that she couldn’t hack it – quite the opposite in fact. She was put to work analyzing recovered technologies after she figured out how to disable the automated security system of a high-end weapons manufacturer. It was a state-of-the-art system beyond anything sanctioned by the United States Government. The ATF led a coordinated operation to commandeer the system. When it became apparently that the strike teams were unable to get through, Heather took it upon herself to pop open one of the security cameras and somehow figured out how the camera system was guiding the defense mechanisms. She disabled the cameras and the entire system shut down.

On top of that, Heather Hough was a classic babe. She had silky soft skin, a cute little button nose. A blonde with blue eyes, a straight white smile, and curves that would make any man drool. To top it off, she had the top score on several FBI fitness tests and the muscles to back it up. Without being too big, she’d managed to pack a hundred eighty-five pounds onto a frame just over five feet tall. There wasn’t a gram of fat to be found on her body. She carried herself with a presence that would (and probably did) terrify prison lifers. She approached me with her hand out, a stapled document in her hand. “Look at this. I think it could give us some direction.”

December 2012 Security Desk Memo. Clearance Update and Policy Changes.

The following Alltech Inc. employees now have Clearance Level Red: A000145829. . . . . Jana Smart A000678242. . . . . Thomas Ripley

M04099754. . . . . ********** R061854216. . . . . **********

The following Alltech Inc. employees now have Clearance Level Green:

A022143341. . . . . ********** C041603521. . . . . **********

The following Alltech Inc. employees now have Unrestricted Access:

G003084759. . . . . **********

“Find something in my useless stack of outdated records?” somehow, his neutral façade still managed to demonstrate a smugness that superseded my own.

I thought for a moment then asked, “Are these names blacked out for us, or did the security desk receive them this way as well?”

“I’m not sure. You can ask Monsieur Bernier yourself at the banquet.”

“Aren’t we supposed to refrain from business talk at the banquet?” Despite her skill, Heather was oddly adherent to rules and policy. It surprises me that she manages to pull off such heroic feats. Most agents end up dead quicker than you might expect if they stick to the books.

Hendricks shot her a look. It’s hard to tell what his looks mean but, this one seemed to tell Heather that she needed to relax on the rules. The purpose of the DSI is to connect the dots, after all. You can’t do that from within the box. Heather must have gotten that look already, she looked down and away then proceeded to walk back to the team and dig through more documents.

“So,” I looked up at Hendricks and saw the wheels turning in his brain. “How do you want me to handle it?”

“Talk to Monsieur Bernier at the banquet. Don’t make me regret this decision.”

“Have I ever?”

“In the meantime, I’ll have your team looking for similar documents. Any luck with that sheet of paper?” He nodded to my desk, to the photocopy.

Ryan let out a quiet chuckle then walked back toward his office. He climbed the set of five stairs that separated him from those of us who go can’t afford nice suits and then turn to face the area of the room those of us without offices occupy, ‘the pit’. He clapped his hands twice, silencing the room. Everyone turned to face him. Jesus that man is tall; he really doesn’t need an elevated office.

“Alright team, here’s the plan.” He looked out over the pit, making sure he had full attention. “Alltech is playing things very close to the vest. We’re going to try to get some clearer information on what exactly was going on with Hyperlite. In the meantime, I want you all to go through everything they’ve given us, flag any documents that give employee names or ID numbers. If you find security documents, pull them out. Start a separate file for anything that mentions security clearance. These documents went missing in July of this year. Anything between July 2012 and December 2012 is most likely to have our thief somewhere within it. I want all of the paperwork sorted and filed before anyone leaves. If you had any plans for the evening, cancel them. The longer we take to do this, the more likely Hyperlite ends up in the hands of weapons manufacturers, criminal organizations, or general baddies. Get it done right and get it done now. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”

We all vocalized our understanding and got back to research. That’s what most of this work is. A lot of people think Federal Agents sit in offices waiting for crimes that need solving. The truth is, there is always crime happening and we are always researching it, analyzing every shred of video, audio, computer, and paper data that we have, looking for the connections that will save lives. Especially here in DSI, we are working on the cases that other Federal Organizations wouldn’t have a prayer at solving. This is where the big boys come to play. We are the link between private and public, the reason people think the government is bought out by big tobacco and oil. The truth is much simpler. Our countries best chances at survival lie in our biggest bread makers. The truth is the government stands behind them out of necessity, not greed (politicians aside). And the truth is, without the DSI, a lot more people would be living lives much shittier.

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The World of J Patrick Avery

Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair

Tag Archives: contemporary literature

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An Excerpt

The Test of 69

Chapter 4. But I lost the pre-edit version

Chapter 1… Where it is, where it was.

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