Bjjonesmylife. Book 2

I slept most of the flight; there was little turbulence and good sleeping. The gear touched the runway at 0730. There was already a crowd at Morton. I wondered why? I sent the Secret Service and Abra to go find out while I waited in the plane.

My mates and the two little boys came out. They were waiting on the news conference the CIA was going to give.

”Mommy, is this BJ’s new plane?” JJ asked.

”I think it might be one of them,” Jenny answered.

”When can we go fly on it?” RJ asked.

”It might be a little while but you can walk through and look at how nice it is, but don’t touch anything,” I said.

”Washington and the media have been pretty rough on you the last couple days. Are you OK with all this pressure?” Jenny asked.

”I am fine and everything else will be fine as soon as the news conference is over,” I said.

”Have you gotten everything ready to take them shopping tonight?” I asked.

”Yes, everything is ready and they all have rooms at the Morton Hotel,” Lorrie said.

Frank and Art Cummins came up the steps. ”We are ready to go. Let’s pour some cold water on the fires they have tried to build,” Art said.

I walked into the meeting room to boos and jeers mixed with yelling, screaming and various obscenities.

The news conference was held in the large meeting room that was divided with one of those heavy curtains. The five and their families were behind their curtain.

Frank Love started the news conference, ”First I want to set the record straight on the five Iranians you have been screaming about. They are alive and well. Madam Vice President, can you have them come out? You speak the language better than I do,” he said.

I called them out one at a time. They were smiling and happy and each shook my hand as they came out.

”They have asked for and were granted asylum. Vice President Jones pushed and prodded us to see that there was a possible intelligence value and a public way to show how despicable the Iranian regime really was to the world. These weren’t average Iranian citizens; they were close relatives of the leadership of Iran and they condemned them to death.”

”The reports that they were dead and their remains were to be released to their families in Pakistan was a fabrication – an elaborate plan to get their families out of Iran.”

”The plane was a JBG plane to complete the ruse with CIA pilots and crew. That plan was the brainchild of Vice President Jones. She has taken a lot of flack and knew there would be, but stood tall to make the plan work.”

”Iran never contacted Jones in any way after the New York exchange. They simply were going to let them die as they were of no further value to the regime. Vice President Jones used this Iranian mistake to work behind the scenes with the State Department and INS and other agencies to help with the asylum.”

”The result has been a wealth of information into the inner working of Iran, the IRG and their quest for nuclear weapons, their plans to dominate and control all of the Middle East and more – much more,” Frank said.

”The family members arrived from Pakistan early this morning. Open the curtain and let the family members join with their men.”

”That is all I am going to say. Because of the complexity of the operation and the involvement of many intelligence agencies and people, I am not going to take any questions. Vice President Jones, is there anything you want to say?” Frank asked.

”Obviously I’m pleased that the extraction plan of the family members was carried out with great results. It was a tribute to the skill and secrecy of all involved. This operation is far from over; there are lots of pieces needed to finish it out.”

”Frank left out a couple of thank yous. One to Lorrie Jones of JBG Aviation for a plane on short notice capable of doing the job needed. Another to all the people of JBG that knew something big was up but maintained the secrecy needed to complete what many in high places had said was ‘Mission Impossible’.”

”For the media folks and politicians that have beat me up nonstop for the last forty eight hours, somewhere around here there is a case of JBG monogrammed hand towels. You can dry your tears or wipe the egg off your face – whichever applies,” I said. “This news conference is over,” I added.

Hanna and Melinda were with the reporters sending reports to their stations. I walked to them with Secret Service and my security tagging along. The reporter exodus ground to a halt.

”Hey girlfriends, how have you been doing?” I asked.

”We are doing well. Are you getting any time to sleep at all? From all appearances you are one busy person – becoming Vice President and then planning and executing secret missions. You are working too hard. By the way, do you have any more missions we can tag along on? I’m learning to like them,” Hanna asked.

”Vicky and Ching Lee are running that show now – I will remind them to keep you in mind. Should be some things coming up soon,” I said, ”I have to run.”

I told my mates that I needed to go to Washington but would be back early to help with things at hand tonight.

I talked a few minutes with Frank and Art about the mission and asked if they wanted a ride in Air force 2 to Andrews?

”No, we have a car to take back,” Art said.

”I can have a Secret Service agent do that if you like,” I said.

With them on the flight back it gave us time to talk about the five and all the intel they were gleaning from them. They were naming the names of all the Middle East terrorist groups that Iran was funding and the leaders of them. They had also named names of the Iranian operatives at the UN and other places in the US.

They were naming American and European businesses that were selling Iran components to make nuclear weapons while skirting the embargos and how they were doing it.

”The President and I have decided I would stay on as chairperson of the task force over-sight committee until the cases that are working through the judicial system are complete. Get me the list of American businesses and the hammer will fall on them and their board of directors next week. You know how I feel about people aiding terrorists,” I said.

”The corporate leaderships are no longer going to be able to hide behind the line that the blame goes to the shipping or sales department for violating embargos. When they see they are going to jail and stiff corporate fines are applied, they will think twice before doing it again for a few bucks profit and so will others.”

At the White House I met with Troy and the President and we discussed the successfully signed agreement with Argentina. Then we talked about my next trip to India, set for after Thanksgiving.

This trip was to cover ongoing negotiations on domestic trade, military agreements. The conflicts among India, China and Pakistan were the hot topics of discussion. It was also to be a good will friendship visit introducing me as the new Vice President. Two more Asian specialists were going along and I had a stack of documents to review to bring myself up to speed on the topics.

I went home to help the girls tonight with the tasks at hand. The Iranian groups were going to be divided up to go to the mall for clothing and the necessities of life. All of us were taking them because we could speak the language. It was going to be a challenge with all the different age groups.

I did have several men from the security group who were going to help the men shop. The good thing was the CIA was picking up all the final tabs. JBG was paying and then billing the CIA with the normal add-on.

While we were getting ready I found out the CIA was wanting to rent five houses for them to live in for a while from Lorrie’s real estate rental division.

Lorrie’s group had been buying every house they could find as part of long range plans for the island and renting them out. If we didn’t have anything, we would buy it and back charge the State Department plenty in rent.

And then there were at least five automobiles from MAAR. Renting could cover who and the locations they were living at for security purposes.

The night proved interesting to say the least. It was a task to find an acceptable mix between western clothing and the traditional Muslim dress that this group was accustomed to, especially their children. The children were ready to make the change a lot faster than their parents wanted.

I told the parents that if they didn’t want their children to be sticking out and be easy targets for anyone looking for them, they needed to allow them some freedom. Not dressing in traditional garb was one thing to consider, the other was to become fluent in English very quickly and not to use Arabic anywhere at any time and the same held true for them.

The families took up seventeen rooms in the Morton Hotel, man and wife then male kids in one room and female kids in another – repeated five times – plus two extra for a family that had more than two of one gender.

At least it was a short term arrangement. They would be in houses in two weeks and the CIA’s problem. The CIA and the five were going to look at the houses on Monday.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof read by Bob W.

Friday night I managed to lose the Secret Service agents in the gym. I had told them I would be in the gym for several hours with my JBG security. I did an hour workout then went to my office. With the office’s limited access, the agents stayed in the gym looking at the sights. trying to score some eastern shore ladies.

I went down the elevator to help the girls, Dad and Jake stack the last of this month’s gold bars in the gold room. They were nearly finished and it only took an hour to finish it up. It wouldn’t take but a couple more shipments to fill that room.

The weekend was a welcome relief from the DC madness. I was at home with the girls and boys. Saturday morning I went with the boys back to Fort Smith. Training had been happening there all week; some of it had been live fire. There would be plenty casings there for them to pick through.

I called Gordon Decker first thing Saturday to get him back from Mexico. The first thing I asked him was, ”Has your wife turned jealous in the last few months and does your tux still fit?”

”No, not that I know of and yes they still fit,” he said.

”That’s good because I need an official escort for official functions. We leave Monday morning for Argentina; you may want to brush up on your dancing and political etiquette. Meet the jet in Brownsville – it will be on its way in a few minutes,” I said.

First though I wanted to check in with the five. They were still at Morton because the CIA looked at it as the best safe house they could have. A CIA team was there with them still getting information from them. This was the first I had seen them since the Pakistan trip.

The conversation was in Arabic; ”I hear things are looking up for you,” I said.

”Yes, it looks like we may be staying and helping your government. It also looks like you have made an impression on Pakistani militants in your short visit there and lived up to your nickname. You have been mentioned several times in the Pakistan papers you are having delivered,” one of them said.

”Shoot at me and I will shoot back,” I said.

”You have been promoted second highest in your government, your bravery was well rewarded and earned,” the General’s brother said.

”I’m not sure it was worth the increase in pay grade! Besides, self-preservation was the most important thing,” I said.

The boys came in with an agent tagging behind. The boys ID cards would open the front door but not the doors that accessed the cells. I closed the door before the boys or the agent got to the cell area.

The agent was unhappy that the boys had an ID card that would get them places and they didn’t. But that was the way it was going to be for a while.

Sunday was going to be laid back – rest and relaxation – but the girls decided they wanted a family dinner. We all pitched in and all the family came. I had a feeling family dinners were going to be few and far between now. We enjoyed the day – even the agents got their fill.

Monday morning I packed for three days in Argentina; this time was different. I was now the Vice President of the United States, no longer a former Ambassador or the chairperson of the task force, I was somebody important in their eyes. It required pomp and circumstance, fancy state meals and fancy ballroom dancing.

No more comfortable camo or shorts in public, just fancy dresses and expensive pant suits in public.
Gordon and family were waiting at Morton when I got there.

”I promise to bring him back safe and sound this time,” I said to Emily, Gordon’s wife.

Ten minutes later – after goodbyes and hugs – we were taking off for Andrews. That was where we were to meet the State Department men that were going with us on Air Force 2.

Two little boys were upset that they could not go but Lisa insisted that they needed a firm schedule to qualify for their home schooling requirements.

The State Department pair was much more respectful this time around with yes Mam or no Mam. Of course the extra number of Secret Service and my JBG security may have helped.

I read most of the flight, mostly about my scheduled trips. There were six more in the next six weeks. The trips would take me out past January. I had Thanksgiving week and Christmas week off at home and would be gone at least three days a week or more for all the rest. Thanksgiving was in two weeks.

I received an encrypted message from Robert and Andy. They had figured out a way to speed up the third pipeline from Tampico to Veracruz. Andy wanted to add the second suspected dope manufacturing site to the possible hit list.

I sent back a few words, ”It’s your call; if it looks possible then do it,” and then I closed the screen.

I finished reviewing the documents we were to sign in Argentina. The Navy had completed negotiations for its dockage in the deep water visits. The Air Force had a tentative agreement on the runway. The runway was to be started soon with work proceeding as weather permitted and was scheduled to be completed by next fall.

The advanced Doppler radar construction would start in thirty days, to be completed ninety days after ground breaking. It would be operational before the worst of the winter weather. The general radar that would sweep the ocean towards the Antarctic would be finished at the same time.

The accompanying documents were full of hand written notes that were talking points for my meetings. Every document that I had seen so far had included two final versions. One was for the signatures of officials and the other one with notes written in the margins explaining various points. The notes were most likely for my educational benefits in the world of diplomacy.

One of my aides turned on the TV to ZNN. The talking heads were screaming about the deaths of the five. That meant that the CIA cover story was still holding.

Representatives and Senators would go on camera screaming for my head, demanding that I resign immediately and be arrested. If that didn’t happen, they would start other processes available to them.

I hoped that the CIA held a big news conference when this was over to clear all this mess. But for now I wasn’t concerned. As long as the media was focused on me, they wouldn’t suspect the CIA of anything. I did wonder if they would be in Pakistan to stake out the airport where the exchange would take place. Had the time been announced? As far as I knew, it had not.

We landed at Buenos Aries late in the afternoon to the red carpet treatment. First we went to the Hilton Hotel to freshen up, change clothes and put on some expensive ladies jewelry for the state dinner and official greetings afterwards.

I was glad I had brought Gordon along, he turned out to be an excellent conversationalist and was good at keeping all the elegant ladies interested and smiling. They knew he was a bodyguard so many of the single ladies were hitting on him. With tales of his military time in the Orient, the Middle East and Africa, he had a captive audience.
Then there were the questions of what he did for JBG and how he came to be one of my bodyguards.

If the people here tonight knew anything about the Iran connection, they were keeping mum about it.

Tuesday morning was another photo session and meet and greet for selected VIP’s that ended with a luncheon with selected legislators.

During lunch I received a text from the CIA ”Your plane will be on the ground in Afghanistan in a few minutes, wish us luck.”

”Luck only works with good planning and I know we have done that,” I sent back.

After lunch was the final reading and verification of the agreement and then the public signing with a news conference. We finished the afternoon out with negotiations on the international drug problem and solutions.

Uruguay had become a major shipping point for cartel shipments to Europe. Everyone seemed to know about it but were unable to do anything to stop it. Port inspections there were severely lacking, either by design or the lack of funding.

Huge shipments of cocaine were being caught in Europe as the container ships were unloaded. The issue was so bad that several countries were requiring all containers from Uruguay to be opened and emptied in the highest level of international inspections.

For the most part, Uruguay was a modern country with numerous exports and a good standard of living. The middle class was envied by all of South America with a better that average annual income. The government was ranked as being democratic and well liked.

Uruguay had not expressed any interest in taking part in the anti – drug conferences and international efforts. They had legalized cannabis several years ago.

I decided that when I got back to Washington, I was going to make an official call to Uruguay. Protocol required all official visits to be planned days in advance, but I could call and start the ball rolling from Washington.

Another text came, ”Plane is leaving Afghanistan air space with US fighter escort only two people short, did the best we could do. After the explanations everyone seems happy. Plane will land at Morton mid-morning big news conference, leave there tonight so you can be here for it.”

”We will attempt to end all the mud that has been going your way. We assume the Morton Hotel is still available to house all these people for a few days.”

”Vicky said she had contacted several stores at the mall to stay open so everyone can get clothes, since they have nothing but what they are wearing and also would provide security and transportation.”

”As usual send us a bill – the information we have been getting from the five is impressive and well worth whatever the cost,” Frank said.

There was one more fancy dinner and VIP affair. It needed a fancy dress, shoes, jacket and the best jewelry I had.

I notified the crew that after the affair we were leaving for Morton, that big things were happening there tomorrow.

Big things happening was an understatement. Iran finally realized that the family members had been kidnapped. They were broadcasting on Iranian TV that I was going to execute them because Iran refused to negotiate and drop the bounties. They had officially raised the one on me to fifty million.

The Supreme Leader was appealing to the UN to intervene and all countries to condemn the US and me and give them assistance. Iran wanted the plane to be forced to land.

The US media was so wound up they didn’t need a magic carpet to fly. There were a lot of Washington politicians right there with them.

The dinner, dancing and partying ended at 2300. We were in the air by 24:00 for the flight to Morton; we would arrive shortly after 0700 to participate in the circus. A trip of over 3500 miles; a minimum of seven hours.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof read by Bob W.

The trouble started right away, the Secret Service decided they were in control of my security. They went through a whole list of demands and orders like I was a child. They even wanted an agent to accompany me in the bathroom.

When they finished, I started speaking.

”First, this is how it’s going to be. My personal security is going to be my JBG security. We train together and know what to expect from each other and what our limitations are.”

”They trust me and I trust them – they have taken bullets to protect me when I have been attacked and I have protected them. A few have even died doing their job.”

”Anyone that you plan to assign to my security detail will be sent to the JBG advanced personnel protection training program and pass. They will also have to pass the firearms training.”

”I learned one thing about your Secret Service field agents while in Pakistan. Your agents are not leaders, they are followers. They follow the instructions from the earpiece and policy manual very well. But when the earpiece fails in the field, they are lost.”

”They would have waited in the SUV until the terrorists were standing beside the door. Once given orders, they performed exceptionally. They should not have to depend on orders. Instinct has to take over – if nothing else, for self-preservation. Someone has to immediately step up and assume command.”

”They have no concept of instantaneous offensive or defensive planning and applying it to field operations. My teams have that and more. It is part of the training we do,” I said.

”How can you train for that? It can’t be done,” the senior agent said.

”Pick a spot in the training roster and see for yourself. The few that cannot grasp the details aren’t assigned as bodyguards for me or anyone else,” I said.

”I am not a socialite; there will be few elegant Washington parties I will be attending. I do have hunting and fishing trips planned and I have weeks set aside for rest and relaxation at Deep Water Cay – our resort island. You need to assign people that are the outdoors type to me, male and female.”

”That said, there are to be no photographs of me or my family without prior permission. My meetings and phone calls are not to be recorded nor are they to be documented or transcribed. There will be no media assigned to me except for special events or occasions,” I said.

”The laws require some things to be recorded and documented. You have meetings scheduled – starting tomorrow – to explain all that to you. You will also have to pick a staff of about one hundred,” he said.

”I’m going to be staying at home on the shore for an indefinite period of time and traveling back and forth to Washington. I will split up the travel in our helicopters, G5 jet or convoy.”

”The government can furnish all official transportation as you have been doing,” I said.

”I will have accommodations prepared for the few agents you want to stay with me at home. You can send some of them tonight if you like. Get me a list of the agents on my security detail and I will have them scheduled for the training,” I said.

They sent four agents with us to Andrews; the G5 was full with agents and family. More agents were coming by SUV while also bringing equipment.

We had supper at the Morton Field restaurant just to make the agents nervous.

My day shift JBG security went home and the next group started their shift. It was one more thing Andy’s command group had started yesterday. They wanted me to have twenty four by seven JBG security after Pakistan and since Iran decided not to negotiate.

Andy felt for sure more attacks were coming and I felt the same way. VP or not, they would only try harder now. The Secret Service now meant that the JBG numbers could be a lot smaller once Secret Service went through the training and satisfied Andy and Ziva of their abilities.

When all the agents finally arrived, they were given the grand tour including the tunnel to the command center. The command center because that was where the security cameras, sensors and the guard post on the driveway around the house were monitored.

We girls spent the early part of the night shifting more responsibility for the things I did to the girls and assigning the real work to vice presidents. Cindy and her group would have some more people. Jenny and Vicky were interviewing and making job offers tomorrow.

Then it was the hot tub with embarrassed Secret Service agents. We had decided that the changes in what I was doing were not going to change our private life style. Wine coolers and a couple of beers set the mood for the evening. Other than extra eyes, everything was normal.

Tuesday morning I spent a couple hours in my Morton office. It seemed everything needed some kind of guidance to get it in the direction I thought it needed.

It was 1000 before I flew to Reagan National in the G5 with my group. Reagan was closer to where I needed to be than Andrews.

I spent the rest of the day and most of the next three days getting the ethics indoctrination on what I couldn’t legally say or do and more. Then there were the paperwork requirements.

They wanted to know every dime I had touched for the last three years.
Luckily for the last three years I had taken only the federal salary from the task force. Jenny had advised me that taking a JBG salary with JBG having government contracts while working for the White House was trouble. Consequently, the only thing I had to show was income from the government.

With this change I had to put my JBG stock into a trust and remove myself from any decision making. The girls could control the trust. Marcy could help me with the financial reporting of a night and of course the legal group.

I was reluctant to give them any information. I did not run in an election to get the job.

On Friday morning I was called to do my first official duty. There was a bill in the Senate that was expected to be voted on in the afternoon. The outcome was expected to be close, possibly a tie that I as Vice-President could break.

I went there in the morning to listen and learn. I had been in the Senate a dozen or more times to testify and give testimony on various things for the terrorist task force.

Now I needed to know and understand how it worked or didn’t work, depending on your point of view.

I listened to a ton of bullshit, political propaganda and a few facts before lunch. Today I did not need an invitation to eat in the Congressional cafeteria.

I picked a table and ordered a light lunch, then worked my two phones. I still had my JBG phone and my State Department phone.

I had just finished a few texts when Art Cummins NIA, Frank Love CIA, Dick James State Department, and Ben Smith of the NSA came to the table.

”Mind if we sit and chat a minute?” Art said.

”No – not at all. Have you had lunch?” I asked.

“I thought you would never ask!” Ben said.

While we waited for their food, we talked.

”We are interested in implementing your plan with the people you are holding,” Art said.

”OK, I guess I can still talk about the technical details of that. I’m not sure where that falls in with the ethics people. I have an office here so we can talk there or over in Section Twelve, whichever is your pleasure,” I said.

”Section Twelve would be better,” Art said.

I left word with an aide to call me if a vote appeared imminent and went to Section Twelve with the group.

”We have decided to try to get the relatives out using part of your idea. Since you will no longer be able to be involved on the actual mission, the personnel will be CIA,” Frank Love the director of the CIA said.

”We will need to borrow one of your JBG logoed jets to make it work. We will use CIA pilots. The operation will take place in Pakistan,” Frank added.

”You will have to contact Lorrie to arrange for the plane. How many are you expecting to show up to claim remains?” I said.

”Looks like thirty five,” Frank Said.

”We are going to have a news leak that the five were executed as you described. The remains will be returned as you said they would be to Pakistan with the conditions you suggested. We plan on that happening on next Tuesday,” Art said.

“How are you going to guarantee you only have the wanted relatives?” I asked.

”We will have list plus a live camera link the five will be watching, giving a pass or fail on each of them as they come aboard,” Art said.

”I suggest you get five boxes large enough for a human head, fill it with dry ice as I said and place a picture of each on each box. Possibly put a fake head in them,” I said.

”Just make damn sure you have damn good insurance to pay for the plane and lost revenue if they blow up or damage the plane. I don’t think Pakistan is the place for it to take place,” I said.

My phone rang; it was my aide calling from the Senate. I cast the tie breaking vote on a farm aid package. I wondered when the yelling would start when the media finally figured out JBG owned farm land.

Another bill that passed was the Senate approved the agreement that I negotiated with Argentina. I was to fly on Monday and sign the agreement on Tuesday. I was sure the date and PR event was chosen by the CIA as a distraction for what they were going to be doing in Pakistan.

The leak was blasting on the news as I was leaving the White House on the way home. The talking heads were vicious.
Edit by Alfmeister
Proof read by Bob W.

Vicky, Ching Lee and I met Andy and Robert in the command center.

”Is our encryption technology we use in the big black book still secure? Secure enough that the FBI or CIA cannot break it? I’m going to need a way to communicate with you that doesn’t show up on the White House systems. Every phone conversation is recorded and transcribed into official records that can be subpoenaed. The same is done with official computer traffic. I’m still going to need to communicate with you and not be recorded,” I said.

”If you use a hotspot it may set off alarms. I assume the CIA is going to scan your State Department phone often. You may be able to stop them from scanning your JBG phone by digging in your heels and insisting that our IT scans and maintains that phone as well as your JBG computer,” Robert said.

”Yes, the black book is still secure and frequently updated using new larger volumes. I have another set of thumb drives to give you and your computer to update in a day or two. Same setup as before – it takes a minimum of three in the right sequence to make the book work,” Robert said.

”I’m going to insist that part of my security detail will be my personal JBG bodyguards – the Mossad ladies – and that they report strictly to me,” I said letting Andy know they would no longer be available for him to use.

That was the one thing that had happened on the flight home. The girls laid the law down to me. I was to go nowhere without the Mossad girls at my side.

”Now we have to get down to real business,” I said.

For the next hour operational responsibility and plans were changed. Mexpo and Mexico were discussed, more authority would be given to Andy’s top people as needed.

We then went into a discussion about the illegal drug processing operation. Andy and Robert had joined forces to make sure they were interpreting the data correctly. Using satellite photos, the corporate Google tracking and mapping system we had access to and the CIA thermal satellite images, they were sure we had found one of the cartel’s major manufacturing sites.

Andy and I talked in depth about how to destroy the operation. Currently aircraft was the only way given its location. But the Air Tractors didn’t have sufficient range to do the job from our existing staging sites. They would when the last southern pipeline was finished that ended at Veracruz.

”When you reach Veracruz you can launch an attack on the site. It must be a decisive attack to completely destroy the plant and the manufacturing shops for making the submersibles. The last of the additional Air Tractors should be in by then. Use every Air Tractor we have in the raid. Plan the timing so most of the chemists would be there.”

The Blackhawks would be in range too so you will be able to saturate the area with the mini guns. I want the chemists mixing the junk dead and all involved in the manufacturing dead to send a message.”

”I will call our supplier to get some 500 pound napalm incendiaries to make sure it all burns. I want it to be the message of what is to come if they don’t get out of the drug business,” I said.

The conversation was the same for the Pact country agreements and our management leaders there. Vicky was the contact for the political component. The people were under Andy’s group and promotions were at Andy’s discretion.

Charles and Milton would report to Vicky because of the legal limitations and Andy with operations on the port and support facilities. The people to run and control the coastal patrol ships were being hired as we were speaking.

Surprisingly many strong former navy officers and navy seals had put in for the jobs we had posted. The first fast boats were to be delivered to Israel in thirty days. According to Andy’s reports, the first base of operations would be operational by then.

To add more issues, Mexico had asked Andy about adding offshore patrols in the Gulf like we were going to do in the Middle East. The reason being the cartel was now getting into the pirate business.

Oil platforms and support vessels were now being hit by the cartel. I would bet it was because of pressure we were putting on them over the pipelines.

To Andy’s credit he had put Paul Drake in charge of a negotiating group with Charles Black to work on the contract and port faculties and logistics. Marcy and Jenny would need all of those things to work up a profitable contract.

I had an hour to VCATS before we needed to be at the restaurant. I was chatting with all embassy security groups. I did a blanket broadcast by region. Everyone was supportive.

It was too late to call Louis and the other Pack leaders as well as the five OPEC links and other ministers. I would do that in the morning.

It took four Suburbans to get us to the Seafood Inn now with the additional security that the girls decided I needed.

When the doors to the large banquet room were opened I was surprised. On the back wall was a big poster, ‘Congratulations Vice President Jones.’

The room was filled with friends local and from Washington. Frank Love, Eric Roberson, Marty Coeburn, Ben Smith, Andrew, Anne, Troy and Senators Harrison and Whitby were the ones from Washington. Duke Justice, Clarence Hallworthy, Hanna and Melinda, Elmo and many friends from JBG along with all our families were also there.

Everyone wanted a picture with me, secretly I was hoping all this was not premature. The House and Senate could easily reject the President’s choice.

It was a festive atmosphere; there was champagne on all the tables and two glasses filled with apple juice for two little boys that only barely understood what was going on.

It was 2000 when we tucked the little ones into bed. In the living room there was another discussion before we called it a night. It was a restless night; I still wondered if I was doing the right thing. Only time would tell.

At 0600 I was on the phone with Louis then the other heads of state from the Pact countries. Then I called the OPEC five to reassure them that everything was in good hands and that nothing had changed.

At 0930 my convoy stopped at the Capitol steps. I was met by Maryland representative Randy Butler. A few minutes later – surrounded by my security detail – we walked up the steps. Randy was going to be my guide through the maze that was the House of Representatives.

The media had been tipped and there were thongs of them taking pictures, recording video, speaking into microphones and trying to ask questions.

Inside there were limited reporters from the major news outlets. They were restricted where they could go with live cameras but they were there recording every handshake and greeting.

Randy steered me to the friendly ones for long photo sessions and questions in front of the cameras. The cameras made sure the ones that may have been trouble played nice.

Juanita Waco came out of her office as we neared. She made sure she got her picture taken with me and shook my hand.

”Next time you say you have a meeting I will be sure to listen, wait to talk and not be fool hardy,” she said.

”The invitation to come to my office and talk still stands, we may have our differences but I’m sure we have some things we can agree on and expand,” I said.

It was 1100 when Senators Harrison and Whitby walked up.

”Has anyone invited you to join them for lunch?” Senator Harrison asked.

‘‘No, no they haven’t. Is this an invitation?”

”Yes it is. Then we will escort you through the Senate chambers to meet the rest of the Senators, although I’m sure you know most everyone. Would you like to join us for lunch?” the Senator asked the several Representatives standing with me.

I ordered from the menu as did all of group; a small cheese-steak sandwich and small fries with a soda.

While we were waiting for the food to be delivered people were walking to the table to shake hands and make small talk.

After lunch I walked the halls of the Senate with Senator Harrison going through the political process again. Everyone wanted pictures and handshakes and my hand was getting sore.

The House was scheduled to vote at 1500 and the Senate at 1530. I met the girls, Mom, Dad and Jake and Mindy at the White House a few minutes before 1500 to wait for the outcome of the votes. The folks got another tour of the White House while I talked with the President and his staff. They were as nervous as I was – or at least I thought they were.

What I didn’t know was there had been straw votes in both the House and Senate at 1430. If the tally were too close, the voting would have been put off until later when horse trading and other political favors could be exchanged to influence the outcome. More of that part of politics I loved to hate but would quickly have to master.

The margin may be close but everyone thought I would be confirmed.

The House did not vote until 1515 – the final nail biting vote was 290 for and 145 against; half the battle was won. The senate voted at 1530 as scheduled; 70 for, 30 against. Like it or not I would be the new Vice President as soon as the Chief Justice made his appearance.

I was to be sworn in the Capitol rotunda – for security sake – at 1630. I was sure it was to make the evening news cycle!

With the world watching and my family around me, Chief Justice Hamilton Burger the third read me the oath.

”Repeat after me,” he said.

“I, Roberta Josephine Jones, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

Hand shakes again, hugs and kisses from my family. It was Jake who brought it into prospective for my family, ”We knew you were going places but we didn’t think you would take it this far. Congratulations! You always said you wanted to put Queen Anne county on the map. You certainly have done that and more.”

With the congratulations over and the cameras off I was relieved and worried at the same time. Was I ready for this venture?
Edit by Alfmeister
Proof read by Bob W.

The President and Vice President Mason were at the top of the stairs when the door opened. The President motioned for all the Secret Service and the pilots to leave. I did the same to my JBG security. The pilots closed the door behind them.

We had an in depth discussion about the events in Pakistan my insights and after thoughts.

”There is no way I would have survived the attack. I would have depended strictly on the Secret Service detachment assigned to me and we would have died,” Vice President Mason said.

”With my health the way it is and now this, I have had enough. I have told the President than I am going to resign and retire from politics effective immediately,” Vice President Mason said then he added, ” I recommended that he nominate you to replace me.”

”BJ, I know that you have said a thousand times that you are not a politician. But after the years of working with you and watching you, I know that is not so. You have so many good instincts in difficult situations that it is going to be impossible to find someone who can fill your shoes on the task force.”

”But you have one instinct that makes you stand out in the crowd. You have served your country every time you were called on. You never back away from a challenge. As the General would say, you never ran from the gunfire – you charge it and come out victorious.”

”Your country is calling on you again to serve as only you can, this time as the Vice President of the United States,” the President said.

”I need to have a discussion with my mates. I have spent so much time away from them and the business that I want to make sure they are OK with me being away even more,” I said.

The President opened the door and the three of us walked out from the platform onto the stairs. I called for Jenny, Lorrie, Vicky, Marcy and Ching Lee to come up the stairs.

The President and Vice President followed us in and they went back to the lounge section while I talked with the girls, filling them in on the President’s request.

”I haven’t said yes and if any of you are opposed, I will turn the job down. It will mean some changes, the biggest thing will be a little more work and I’m sure we have people we can promote to pick up the extra work. I would not want this to cause any problems among us. I love all of you way too much to allow that to happen.”

”It would be for fourteen months and I could still spend plenty of time home – especially most weekends – and you can all stay with me here any time you like. Washington is so close,” I said.

”What do you think? Should I go there or walk away?” I asked.

”We have cross-trained each other to be able to do everyone else’s job. Yes, we have plenty of good people who can fill any gaps as needed. We have always planned for bigger and better things. You cannot get much bigger than that offer,” Marcy said.

”Together, Andy and I can take over full control of the Mexican, European and Middle East agreements. Ching Lee and I can still control the embassy security. We know what you wanted to do and were trying to do,” Vicky said.

”Even with the upcoming college additions, I can still handle the college security division. Andy said he would send me as many men as I needed to staff the new positions,” Ching Lee said.

”The aviation and rental divisions are still growing. I am adding planes and pilots to handle the demand. My clerks and vice presidents can handle it and I will make sure to leave plenty of openings so we can all have some rest and recreation at Deep Water Cay – and you will need it,” Lorrie said.

”Out mate, our best friend and lover, Vice President of the United States. Vice President Jones does have a ring to it. The President is right; you have always served. Yes, I think you should do it,” Jenny said.

Then they all chimed in with their approvals. Then there was a mass hug and tears.

I told the President that I would accept and offered to let the vice President stay in Number One Observatory Circle until he was finished with his treatments, no matter how long it took. He didn’t need the pressure of finding new doctors.

We talked a few more minutes about the news conference. First was the Pakistan attack. Then Vice President Mason would announce he had resigned. Then the President would announce his choice to replace VP Mason.

The girls sent texts to Mom, Dad, Jason, Lisa, Jake and Andy to watch the news conference to the end.

The girls had brought me a new heavy vest. The bullets that struck me were still stuck in the one I had been wearing. The Air Force had brought out a frame to hold it before the news conference. It was to give the reporters something to fill air time while we were talking in the plane.

I started off the news conference and gave a description of the events from beginning to end from a time line of events we had put together on the flight back.

Then Secretary of State Dick James gave an overview of the rules for visiting dignitaries as established by international law. Those clearly placed the responsibility on Pakistan for the security failure.

Then the President spoke for fifteen minutes and the questions began.

”Who made the decision for you to wear the heavy vest?” one asked.

”The vest is not US government issue. It was the decision of my JBG security team and the vest is the property of JBG. I was wearing two vests, a new light weight body vest that I wear any time I venture outside and the heavy vest when traveling ,” I said.

”Who picked the JBG security team that accompanied you to Pakistan?” another asked.

”I have a number of individuals that make up my personal security teams. They have a variety of specialized skills from hand to hand combat specialists, explosive experts and fire arms experts, including snipers and other specialized skills. I chose the members of the JBG team.”

”What happens to the vest now?” one asked.

”It goes in my JBG office. I have a collection of damaged body armor I was wearing at the time of various attacks on me,” I said.

Vice President Mason then spoke about the attack.

”I don’t wish BJ bad luck, but I am glad she was the one to go and took her own additional security team. I would have taken the normal Secret Service team and none of us would have been prepared for an attack of this magnitude. We would all have perished,” he said.

”On that note – because of my health issues – I have handed the President my resignation and fully support his choice to replace me,” Vice President Mason said.

The President took the podium again.

”This has been a long news conference so I will make this short. First I want to thank Vice President Mason for his tireless work in our administration and the thousands of miles traveled in negotiations at home and abroad. I wish him a speedy recovery.”

”I have asked Ambassador Roberta Jones to be the Vice President. I have called upon the leaders of the House and Senate to call a special session tomorrow to approve the nomination of Ambassador Jones. The world is too complicated and too dangerous for us to be without a vice President.”

”Ambassador Jones is known to us and worldwide from her JBG security, anti-terrorism and anti-drug work plus her time on the terrorist task force and then chairperson of the task force oversight committee.”

“She is a decorated soldier, a war hero who served her country and continues to serve her country when asked. I have asked her to serve again in my administration as Vice President. She will have big shoes to fill – I have no doubt she can fill them.”

”Whoever tries to replace her on the terrorist task force and task force oversight committee will have an even bigger pair to fill,” the President added.

The news conference lasted another twenty minutes. I answered questions the entire time. It was time to go home in the G5 the girls had come to Andrew’s in. If I had known the turn of events, I would liked to have our parents and Jake here.

We had a lot to talk about on the flight home and tonight. My first call was to Andy to ask him if I was crazy and then to set up a meeting when we landed.

I needed to do the necessary appearances at the Senate and House before the vote. Politics as usual – I just as well get used to it.

Then all of us were on the phone; all of our phones had been pinging. I also needed to do a lot of VCATS from the command center. It was going to be one busy night.

But first the girls wanted to do a celebration dinner tonight at the seafood inn. Family and close friends were being called.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof read by Bob W.

Copy and paste got me and the upgrade from W7 to W10. Thanks to those that sent a note, Jack

My G5 with the girls, JJ, RJ, Ziva, Farah, Abra and the three former Mossad agents on board landed at Andrews at three Wednesday afternoon. Driving over and home would all be in rush hour and take hours. With the G5 it was a twenty minute flight each way.

I lucked out packing for the trip; this time the boys did not help me pack, Jenny did. She had an eye picking out the right outfits and matching jewelry.

The flight was a truce with the boys. They wanted to fly with me every time I went somewhere. They could fly to Andrews and back home with the girls. We said our goodbyes in the G5 out of sight of so many people wandering around.

We were parked next to Air Force 2 and that made it very easy to transfer our bags. The extra Secret Service agents I had asked for were waiting in the lounge for me to arrive. There were also two State Department negotiators going along this time.

The long flight gave me more time to review the information and sleep – which I did.

We arrived before daybreak at the Islamabad International Airport and were carried in a motorcade to the Islamabad Hilton hotel. It was in a government protected district, as were the other high end hotels.

Pakistan had had incidents years ago where foreign government aides and influential visitors were killed and kidnapped by various terrorists. They paid heavily to restore international faith in their ability to provide security.

The CIA and Secret Service had scanned the group of rooms for electronic bugs just before we arrived and the rooms would be guarded by the Secret Service the whole time we were there.

Ziva, Farah and Abra were staying in the same room I was. It was a suite with several beds. They were my last ditch security if anything happened. The Secret Service was monitoring the halls, lobby and elevators.

Breakfast was delivered by room service under the watchful eye of the Secret Service and Pakistan security. At 0800 we left in a multi-vehicle convoy with diplomats from the UK and France. The meeting was to start at 0930.

My security insisted that I wear a heavy vest while traveling, even though I was wearing the light body armor under my clothes. We were thirty minutes into the ride when an IED blew up the lead Pakistan police vehicle.

Seconds later the unmistakable swoosh of an RPG blew up the last Pakistan police vehicle, trapping the center vehicles. We were sitting ducks; these vehicles were not well armored. Then the gunfire from AK47s started – there was plenty of it – and it was getting closer. There was no way to tell if they were the Pakistan army or the terrorists.

Radio traffic said there were terrorists in army uniforms walking beside the vehicles, firing into them.

”We have no chance trapped in the vehicles but out there we have a fighting chance,” I said.

The Mossad girls and the two Secret Service agents agreed. I ordered a ten second plan.

”The front seat shoots to the front of the convoy and the rear seat towards the rear of the convoy. On three, one, two three,” I said.

Ziva, Abra, Farah and the Secret Service all had MP5s with thirty round magazines and I had my Glock with four thirteen round magazines. Out the doors we went.

The terrorists were just four vehicles away of what had been a twelve vehicle convoy. There were six on my side – I went out the right rear door behind Abra. We were shooting to the rear. Ziva and Farah out the front were shooting to the front. The rest of my security and the Secret Service agents went out the left doors shooting.

I took six rounds in the heavy vest from a full auto AK47 from the street before I could put three slugs into him – one a head shot. Then I killed two more on the sidewalk shooting at us.

A few seconds later all the shooting had stopped – the street was clear of bystanders. That told me there was a second attack coming or some of the cars parked were loaded as car bombs.

All my security were bleeding from shrapnel with flesh wounds. Without knowing who to trust, we needed to get out of here.

There were only four vehicles with survivors divided up between the French, UK and ours.

The French were the front most with all living inside, ”Try to push the vehicle in front of you ahead so you can get out,” I said.

With smoking tires they gained four feet of room, more than enough. Our four vehicles pulled out running over bodies lying in the way using part of the sidewalk, not stopping.

”Take us on to the peace talks meeting, there is more security there,” I said.

On the way we did first aid on our injured with gauze, tape and bandages from the limited first aid kits; enough to do the job, at least temporarily.

I wanted to go there because Iranian representatives were to be there. If they were, they were going to be dead as soon as I saw them. No one else could be behind the attack on my convoy. It was the first attack on an international delegation in fifteen years.

By the time we arrived the news had broken along with video posted on terrorist web sites. As I expected, an Iranian supported group took credit for killing the American, French and United Kingdom delegations. They were wrong on one account; we were the ones still alive and not among the dead as were the other delegations they had targeted.

What they had killed was the Syrian, Turkish, and Jordanian delegations that were staying in the same hotel as we were. The very countries that may have been sympathetic to their position, they had now alienated.

The real Pakistan military and police had arrived at the scene in numbers, only to be the victims of a car bomb. To complicate matters, one of the ambulances that showed up to pick up the injured was a suicide truck bomb.

We arrived at the majestic hall where the peace talks were to be held. We quickly went inside to a hall that was packing up – the talks had already been canceled. Iran was already gone as soon as the word reached the body of the attack. The Iranian delegation left so quickly that they left all their notes, talking points and records on their assigned tables.

I sent my security to collect them – not the Secret Service agents who would balk because of some international protocol.

I had a serious discussion with the Pakistani security minister in charge of the peace talks. I was not happy and I let him know it. He was not happy and soon the Pakistan army was going to know.

Thirty minutes later we were on our way to Air Force 2. As soon as we were there I split the security into two groups. One was to stay with me and one to go get all of our belongings and the agents who had stayed guarding the rooms.

While they were gone I did a VCATS with the girls and Andy to let them know I was OK.

I did an MTAC to the White House where no one was happy and obviously didn’t want to hear from me other than I was OK.

There was a heated discussion on where the breakdown in security had happened. I found out that foreign VIP visitors were only allowed personal bodyguards. The host country was to provide travel security and site security.

If the visitors’ security teams has any intel of activity, it was to be relayed to the host country to investigate and give it a threat level. Then standard protocol was to eliminate the threat or make necessary changes in security including sites, travel plans or lodging. All this was handled through the Secret Service travel
department that supposedly worked all these things out months in advance, including test runs on the routes.

With everyone back aboard an hour later, we were picking up speed on the departure runway. The Vice President’s travel doctor – who went on all trips – was taking care of the scrapes, bumps and minor wounds.

We had been extremely lucky that no one had been killed or had serious injuries. When the Secret Service agents saw that my JBG personal security were wearing body armor, they decided they would as well. That decision had saved lives.
Four of the Secret Service agents had taken rounds in vital areas. They would be sore, black and blue and on light duty for weeks and months of therapy I was sure; that was just the way government worked.

The Pakistan elite forces had lost the lead two and trailing two vehicles and all in them – some twelve soldiers along with an unknown number of regular police forces.

Syria, Iraq, Turkish and Jordanian delegations were completely wiped out, to the man. Thirty two delegates, aides and body guards were dead. With the eight of us shooting, we had killed sixteen terrorists.

There were twelve walking along the vehicles, shooting into them, and four on the sidewalk providing cover fire. It was one of those four who had put the rounds into my vest.

After downing a mix of over the counter pain killers, we slept most of the flight home. I had ordered that all of my assigned team to put the day in writing, leaving out nothing for their benefit and mine.

Congressional investigators would have a field day trying to get all the air time they could, looking to pin the tail of blame on the donkey where ever he or she was hiding. More fun times ahead.

The President and many of his staff and my mates were waiting -along the news media in numbers too many to count – when the plane landed at Andrews.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof read by Bob W.

Monday morning was a different story. My State Department cell phone was ringing at 0600.

All the powers wanted to come and talk with the five this morning. I guess asylum was not out of the question if the stakes were big enough and the information was valuable enough.

I fed them breakfast pancakes, waffles, steak and fruit with ice tea, orange juice and lemonade, along with today’s issues of the Iran and Pakistan papers.

All the big wigs arrived and after I gave the introductions, I went into the back to allow them to discuss whatever. I worked on the computer for an hour before I needed to leave to go to the office. I sent a text to one of the security men to come and stand guard and put them back in their cells after the VIP’s left.

Back at the office I met with Andy on the security zone; it would be ready to go in thirty days. We went over the final details for closing the border between Tijuana and California for traffic returning to California.

We decided on thirty days because we had seven hundred and fifty men and ladies that had been working 24/7 for a month. They needed a break; many needed to see their wife and kids or girlfriends. I decided to send them home for two weeks R&R with hazard pay to continue. Andy agreed and started putting the plan in motion.

The other five hundred men would maintain the patrols and keep security at the established camp sites, move several of the camps and set up the new camp at Tijuana. Once that was done they would get two weeks off. Then the security zone would go in full swing and the last pipeline would be started.

I had just finished my planning with Andy when the powers called wanting me to come back to the Fort Smith jail. It only took a few minutes to go back there.

”We have had some productive talks and therefore a lot to review. We need your assurance that you will take no action against these men until we look at their request and what they are offering,” Secretary of State Dick James said.

”Are you agreeing to paying all costs related to their stay from today on?” I asked.

”Yes, I can authorize that,” Dick James said.

I closed the doors to the jail, ushering the group to the office for a private conversation.

”So you are going to grant them asylum?” I asked.

”It’s not a sure thing yet, we have to evaluate everything they are offering with what they want. You know the game. The biggest thing is their wives and children; Iran would be brutal to them,” Bob Smith said.

”They want us to try to get them out but we think that is all but impossible,” Art Cummins said.
”Let me think on it a while to see if I can pull any rabbits out of my hat,” I said.
The conversation was over so I locked the jail and went back to the office. Robert had texted me while I was finishing up with Art.

”I have located two areas that look like they are manufacturing plants for a lot of the drugs shipped north to the US. Both are close to the Guatemala border near Tapachula.”

”I used thermals from an intelligence satellite. The temperatures increased three hours after truck loads of coco leaves were delivered, usually before dusk each day. Another indicator was there is a tributary that leads to the ocean. There were reports of cartel boat works and shops there that are building the semi-submersible boats that are being used and that cartel cigarette boats and the semi-submersibles have been seen in the river,” Robert said.

”I don’t think our contracts with Mexico can be stretched to go that far,” I said.

”But then again, who knows. Keep digging,” I said.

Another week went by with no word from the powers as to what the plan was for the Iran five. I did make several trips to the jail myself and asked a few questions about their family members, basically children and wives. We had a long talk – they asked if I had heard anything from Washington.

”We have a saying here, ‘It’s above my pay grade,’ that means I am not included in those conversations,” I said.

”From your prospective the longer it drags out the better the outcome may be for you,” I said.

It was the first week of November, three weeks to Thanksgiving. The geese were flying. The girls and I had picked up our hunting licenses with all the stamps a few days ago. All of us were looking forward to the season this year; it was one more thing we could do together.

It wasn’t the cold freezing blinds of yesteryear. They now had gas heaters and pumps to keep them dry. The VIP friends that had been invited to go goose hunting needed a good experience, not freezing to death.

I remembered as a kid hunting with Dad and standing in knee deep water that was so cold it had ice forming on the top.

That was where I had my first taste of Jack Daniels and other hard liquor. The men said it would help warm you up. Like hell! It made me colder; years later I realized that if you drank enough of it, it numbed you to the cold. One drink was enough for me; I didn’t want any more.

The propane tanks at all the offices and at Morton had been filled. Even the big tanks for the runway heater system were filled and the heaters checked out.

The old farmer’s almanac was predicting a cold and wet winter and that meant snow. It might require a lot of trips to Deep Water Cay this winter.

It was Monday – the second week in November – when Dick James called me.
”We have decided to offer the five amnesty but we have to find a way to get their family – wives and children out. Have you got any ideas?” he said.

”Yes, if you are sure you want to hear it,” I said.

”I’m not sure I like that but go ahead,” he said.

”We tell the world they are dead as I said they would be. Iran was given one more day to negotiate – that they refused to do, so subsequently they were beheaded as I promised and the bodies cremated. The heads are frozen and the ashes will be returned only to the wife and children of each, not to the Iranian government for propaganda purposes.”

”That is to happen at the Iraq International airport, say on Friday. The aircraft delivering the remains will only be on the ground for 30 minutes. If the wife and children do not appear in person to claim the remains during that thirty minutes the remains will be disposed of at my discretion,” I said.

”Make all of them go through a tight security including x-ray. I wouldn’t want any of them to be able to sneak on a hand grenade.”

”We hold the aircraft at the end of the runway so there is only ten minutes for them to board. When they are aboard blow the sirens and announce a massive missile attack and in the emergency, the plane departs with them aboard.

”Once airborne the five go live on the screen to tell their families what has happened. Any that don’t want to go to America can be dropped off at Charles De Gaulle International where the plane would need to refuel anyhow,” I said.

”Do you really think that would work?” Dick asked.

”Do you have a better idea? If and when you do, I am listening,” I said.

I went to the Fort Smith jail to talk to the five.

”The powers are still discussing your situation. The problems come back to getting your families out of Iran. Would Iran allow them to travel to Iraq to claim your remains?” I asked.

”Unlikely but they could travel to Pakistan,” one of them said.

”Pakistan may be too risky and not willing to play along. They have independent streaks, want something for everything and leak information like sieve. It would take some setup and time,” I said.

Back at Andy’s office he and I had a conference call with Denton Crabtree for an update on the tribunal.
All six of the human traffickers, the Bull and the six drug traffickers had been tried and hung. Tomorrow the tribunal was going to start on the French prisoners. Those that were going to wear the suicide vests were to be the first.

I had heard nothing else from Louis since our conversation the other day. No news – in my opinion – was approval of my actions.

Tuesday morning the White House called. The President wanted me to fill in for Vice President Mason again – in of all places Pakistan – on Thursday for a two day forum on regional peace talks. I would have to leave on Wednesday afternoon to be there on time.

Vice President Mason had been working on the regional peace truce for the last three years. Every time there was progress there was a new flare-up that resulted in months of setback.

I would need to meet with Vice President Mason to get his thoughts and notes.

I questioned the President’s request that I fill in for the ailing VP, given my current situation with Iran. He insisted I was right for the job. I insisted on more Secret Service protection plus the addition of some of my own bodyguards, including the former Mossad ladies.

I made the late morning trip to Washington to meet with VP Mason. I wanted plenty of time to read his notes, pick his brain and discuss his suggestions.

It was a six hour review of his notes and conversation. The media was still waiting at the gate as I left. I was suffering from gray-matter overload on the trip home; there was just so much information to work on.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof Read by Bob W.

I spent the night in the RV at Texas Steel and an hour on VCATS with the girls. JJ and RJ even sat for a while and talked to me, filling me in on their school day.

I was at Matador at 0600; I wanted to see how things were being handled with nearly a full house. There were two hundred and thirty from France and thirty more from the Apple 1 and Baker 2 temporary jails.

I watched the kitchen prepare meals and put them on carts where they were delivered to each cell. A plastic fork and spoon was on each food tray, double counted. They would be counted again when the food trays were collected. Missing plastic would cause a cell search and that individual would be moved to the front of the list to see the tribunal.

The operation was not too bad but there were still things to be worked out. The guards and kitchen would get another chance this afternoon – they would only get two meals a day.

The tribunal started the first case at 0900. The two traffickers were brought in cuffs. The prosecutor presented the evidence, the girls’ complete statements were read describing their ordeal from the kidnapping until they were rescued. Then the video statement was played. In the video they identified pictures of the two as the men that kidnapped, raped and sold them to others.

Next came the pictures of the girls’ injuries and then the medical report from the doctor who treated them was entered into evidence.

They were asked if they pleaded guilty or not guilty. The chief judge recessed the court for fifteen minutes while the tribunal came to a verdict.

When the court was called back to order, the chief judge read the findings of the tribunal – guilty on all accounts. The penalty was read – death by hanging tomorrow at 0600. The whole trial had taken two hours.

After the men were led away we had a review of the process, along with a couple suggestions to smooth out a spot or two.

Lunch and a VCATS was in order. After that the trial of the Bull was carried out; guilty and the same penalty – death by hanging. The third trial of the day ended the same way and would eliminate one drug trafficker.

The Doc with all his equipment for the infirmary arrived at Brownsville at 1500. With all the Suburbans and Humvees, it still took three trips to get it all to Matador.

The Doc with four men and I worked until 21:00 to get it all set up in place and checked out. The traffickers from Puerto Vallarta would be here tonight. The Doc was going to try out the equipment on them tomorrow while I asked questions, after we watched the 0600 hangings. The Doc was going to pronounce them dead.

The Doc and I spent the night in the RV at the Texas Steel site. But first, while in the command RV, I did a VCATS with Louis Boucher.

“All the prisoners arrived safe and sound. The tribunal held its first trials today with high priority prisoners from the Mexican expedition. There were some rough spots that were worked out with the second trial. The first executions are tomorrow.”

”Monday the first trials of your terrorists will begin with the leaders. I haven’t reviewed the evidence that you sent on them, in fact I am not going to. That is the tribunal’s responsibility and the appeals judge. I am assuming your police did a first rate job of putting the evidence together in a usable order?” I said.

”Trials today, execution tomorrow is pretty fast – are you sure you want to move at that pace?” Louis asked.

”Absolutely! They are the worst of the worse; they are not getting weeks or months of food, heat and AC just because I want to be nice to killers,” I said.

”If you want that kind of delay with the terrorists that’s fine but remember the Pact agreements; in this case – France pays seven hundred and seventy dollars for each one per week. JBG is going to bill you weekly as per the agreement.”

”The agreement was the real bad guys were to be tried and executed and the rest kept in jail for whatever, but it is not going to be for lifetime unless you are willing to pay that long,” I said.

”I’m sure the politicians will get tired of paying plus lose interest and just tell someone to make things go away anyway they can,” Louis said.

At 0545 the Doc and I watched as the guards struggled to get the four prisoners onto the gallows. At 0600 the trip was pulled and the four were swinging.

We had four men who had volunteered to be executioners. They each wore a black hood in case there were any drones we had missed when the sky was scanned. Drones had not been a problem since we had started shooting them down and no one had come forward to collect the remains.

The executioner was decided among the four by a coin toss to decide who was going to do the deed today. The equipment worked perfectly.

By six thirty the four were in the crematorium getting heated by the flame. Their remains would be kept in urns for a while – I still had not decided how long.

At 0900 the tribunal was at it again while the Doc and I began questioning the first of the six traffickers Andy’s men had taken prisoner near Puerto Vallarta.

They were brave in numbers, refusing to answer any questions my men had asked. We would see how they felt about answering questions after the first couple of doses of the Doc’s special mixture.

I was proud of the men who had made the capture. They had done an excellent job by taking pictures and documenting all the evidence collected and a good narrative of what was said, what happened, when, where and how.

By noon we were done. I had the names of girls’ potential buyers in San Antonio and LA and the men that they were supposed to meet at the border and do the exchange for money. They also gave up the dealer/trafficker that they were working for. He was one of the four that were on Roberts’s list. Now we had numbers and a location to help things along.

I called Eric and gave him the names of those in LA and San Antonio along with the pickup men and their phone numbers.

I also gave him a warning, ”If you want to talk to the source of the information, you better hurry because they are on the tribunal’s short list of upcoming trials. You could always get a transcript of their interrogation,” I said.

By 1600 we were back on the ground at Morton. After spending time with the boys and girls, we went to the Morton restaurant for a quiet family meal in the private room.

At 2100 I went to the jail in Fort Smith to give the five the bad news.

”Iran has made no attempt to negotiate or communicate. I even gave them an extra day. All of you will be executed as I said in the next few days,” I told them.

”We have discussed that possibility but were hoping that family meant something to the Supreme Leader, but apparently not enough for him to overrule the IRG. They are more powerful than even we thought,” Aman Awad the Leader’s brother said.

”What are the chances for asylum?” Fatin Bashir, the brother of the General asked.

”There is little or no chance for asylum.”

”First, this has been a JBG operation with no involvement of the US government. You are asking me to wash my hands and hand off the whole matter to the US government.”

”Second, I get no satisfaction, revenge and extract no retribution for the attempts on my life or my families.”

”Third, the US government may want no part because that makes it look like they were sponsoring international hostage taking which they do not do and will not sanction any part of.”

”Fourth, what about your wives and children? Iran will certainly jail, torture and execute them,” I said.

”You weren’t aggressively interrogated because I thought Iran would save you. I regret that decision now,” I said.

”The interrogation of the others is finished; they will be executed, most likely tomorrow,” I said as walked out the door.

In my Suburban I made one conference call to the President, Secretary of State, Dick James, Frank Love of the CIA and Ben Smith.

”Iran has not contacted me at all, I just told the five they would be executed Monday at noon. They asked about asylum. I told them it is unlikely but I thought I should at least ask. I am sure they have intelligence that may be of value in the long term. You may be able to extract it in exchange for asylum if you wanted. It is not going to change the issue I was trying to solve. It is your call. You have until noon tomorrow to decide,” I said.

I went home – the girls and I were going to spend time in the hot tub with plenty of cold ones. I could use several. I wondered when the next attack on me and my family would come; it was inevitable now.

After the hot tub we put the blankets and pillows on the floor. We snuggled, talked, held and cuddled some more. It was in the wee hours in the morning before we finally went to our beds relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for tomorrow, no matter what it brought with it after sunrise.

Sunday was quiet and no one objected. Not even the equipment in the gym when I tried to destroy it one piece at a time.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof Read by Bob W.

At 0700 I was in the hotel café with my security detail, clerks and coffee. It was 0730 when the State Department people arrived – hung over.

“That must have been some party! I can order you a taper-off drink from the bar if you like,” I said as I poured myself another cup. I could see this was going to be another long day.

I let them eat breakfast before I told them we had a conference call at 0900. Then I gave them the final draft of the agreement we had worked out in the early hours of this morning. They were not happy campers.

”You can voice your displeasure with your boss about the misdirection you were given; they are the ones we will be talking to, so be in my room a few minutes before nine,” I said.

A few minutes before nine we had my State Department secure laptop hooked to a flat screen in the meeting room. The room had been swept for bugs by the Secret Service officers again this morning. At nine I keyed the codes in and requested an open link.

A few seconds later we were looking at the Vice President, the President, Dick James, General Ingram and the Secretary of the Navy. Together we discussed the agreement page by page.

I answered questions and explained the Argentine position as it was explained to me and how we arrived at the various wordings of the proposed agreement.

Then the discussion turned to the Naval part of the agreement and discussion about the deep water port access. They wanted one change and that was on the two week limit. Weather or needed repairs may affect the needed length of any stay.

”I will work on that at the 1000 meeting to see if I can get a longer period or an exemption for repairs,” I said.

The next discussion was on the runway.

”How did you maneuver them to allow us to build a runway that long?” the Vice President asked.

”I explained they needed an airport with that long a runway for emergency flights with heavy equipment and cargo planes to match,” I said.

The discussion lasted a few more minutes and then the President asked all the members if they were satisfied with the document. There were no objections and Dick James added that he thought it was a better agreement than expected.

”BJ, you are authorized to sign the preliminary document as the official representative of the United States of America. The Vice President will sign the finalized document after a vote in the Senate,” the President said.

With the call closed, we went to the 1000 meeting. The State Department people were still upset but were at least respectful.

There were some minor differences – the Argentine politicos wanted changes but they were so minor I didn’t think I needed to call Washington and they easily agreed to exemptions for the Navy visits.

Reporters were brought in and the documents signed to make the agreement semi-official until a Senate vote made it official.

After lunch I met with Argentina’s national anti-drug officials. Together we laid the groundwork for a combined effort to fight drug trafficking as part of the new regional anti-drug task force. That effort included participation in the testing and efforts that I had discussed in Mexico. It seemed everyone was getting fed up with the drug issues and were willing to fight it.

Wednesday night I attended a state dinner and political gathering with the well to do upper crust of Argentina. More politics as usual but I was learning to tolerate it and find the good things that happened from it. The people were interesting, the culture different.

In the end we all wanted the same things; security, three square meals a day, a better place for our children, a warm bed to share with someone that we loved. We all had different ideas on how to make that happen.

It was after midnight when the door closed on Air Force 2 for the flight home. They were to drop me off in Brownsville on Thursday morning before continuing on to Washington.

The wheels touching to runway at Brownsville woke me from a deep sleep in the fancy seat. Parked on the tarmac in the general aviation section, the white and blue distinctive plane was drawing attention.

Outside were two Humvees and three Suburbans. Most of the Humvees had been moved to support the effort on the pipelines and the expanding construction project that was to be the security zone. Marcy had sent several of the older armored Suburbans to fill the slack and to provide increased security for drivers and occupants.

The 747 was not due to land until noon because it had been delayed leaving Paris. Some of the prisoners had put up a fight. The time gave me a chance to go to Texas Steel and the control center that was still operating there.

It took an hour to get the completed updates. The teams would make it to the oil terminal at Puerto Vallarta today. On a VCATS call Andy and I decided to halt the next phase of the operation – starting on the third pipeline to the south – until we established patrol patterns and solidified camps.

The big push now was to complete the security zone. Bobs Construction was moving to the western end of the zone to start the prison and control center that would be needed there.

The plans for setting up the vehicle inspection sites and blocking all access through the zone were being implemented.

Five hundred Jersey barriers were being delivered to the zone near the Mexican border along with portable office units and hurricane tents at Tijuana. Tijuana was one of the busiest crossings along the border and our biggest challenge.

Five hundred more were delivered to San Luis Rio, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Laredo, Reynosa and Matamoros. All those places were where major highways crossed the border and where the US had immigration and DHS check points.

Those checkpoints had picked up in suspicious crossings, more drug arrests and arrests of cartel runners. All traffic crossing would be stopped and all people would be identified.

When I was satisfied with the progress there my security detail carried me to Matador prison.

The blacktop road was completed and the guard gates operating. Once through the gates – as we neared the prison – was the crematorium, just outside them was the quad gallows. Four guilty individuals could be hung at the same time if necessary.

The gallows had modern improvements over the old west designed ones. On those, after the hanging the rope was usually cut to get the victim down. No one wanted to hold the body to untie the nose or rope. The body usually released its fluids as life left it, especially with the body held upright.

On these gallows the noose was tied to a cable from an electric winch which could lower the body to the ground at the touch of a lever. It also allowed the proper slack so the neck was snapped before the victim’s feet hit the ground.

The crematorium could reduce four bodies at the same time to ashes in three hours or less.

On the left side of the road was the temporary housing for the guards; so far, there were twenty five installed. When finished there would be fifty, maybe more; there were two and three bedroom models to use a bunk houses. Several sleeping buses were parked there to take up the slack until they were all installed.

Denton Crabtree met us at the offices as I walked in. I was given a tour of the courtroom, the records storeroom, lunch room and the kitchen. There were still some workmen finishing up final touches. The kitchen was ready to go and there were several big coffee makers on a counter; one had hot coffee that I tried.

Next was the security office where all the cameras were monitored. The halls and all the rooms had cameras as well as a 360 around the building. There were no outside guard towers, just electrified fences and rows of wire.

Denton and I walked through the hall looking at the placement of the cells and fixtures in them. There were separate shower rooms every twenty cells. The prisoners would be taken to the showers every day. A five minute shower with a clean set of underwear, tee shirt and clean prison jump suit. Clean sheets and pillow cases were put on the bed once a week.

Denton’s men were busy, putting the prisoners from the Apple 1 and Baker 2 confinement into the first group of cells. They were nearly finished – it was good that they had done these prisoners first. It allowed them to establish a procedure and routine for when the two hundred and thirty showed up.

After the walk-through, I went to the court room to meet with the judge and the tribunal members to go over the procedures, rules and penalties they had written. Then I told them what I expected of them. The first trial would be tomorrow; I was going to sit in as an observer. The first two human traffickers were the test cases.

They had told the Doc all they knew. They were to hand off the two girls at an abandoned farm house as soon as they crossed the border. The damning evidence would be the girls’ statements of their kidnapping, rapes and the repeated rapes and beatings on the route and torture. Their statements had been videotaped and well as the abuse to their bodies. Then there were the statements of my men who captured the two.

The first busload from France had arrived – I watched as they were processed. A folder accompanied each of them with their photograph. Another one was taken for our files and a numbered Tyvek wrist band was put on their wrist.

Then they were led to a cell and the cuffs and leg irons removed. Once all the prisoners were in a cell they would be allowed to take a shower and change into JBG issued prison clothes.

Somewhere in that process a meal would be served. It was going to be a long night for the guards; that’s why there were extras working for the next couple of days.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof read by Bob W.

Monday I spent the whole day in my office responding to emails and calls about being on TV. In between I met with Andy and discussed progress in the pipeline to Puerto Vallarta; the teams were thirty miles from the west coast terminal.

We had more prisoners and six more human traffickers. This time instead of two girls there were six, along with two boys tied in a van. The girls would just as well have been naked, they had on so little. Same as before; raped, beaten, drugged, abused and sold along the route to Los Angles. The boys were no better off.

The drones had spotted the suspicious van in the pipeline right of way and had witnessed transfer of two girls from another van that quickly left. The van had pulled into and out of the right of way several times after the drone was locked onto the position. Problem is the van that left headed in the direction that four Humvees and two Blackhawks were coming from.

The teams split and two Humvees and one Blackhawk stopped the van on the highway. While the other two headed to the van – now vans (another had arrived) – two of them in the right of way.

They were transferring two more girls to the first van. The Blackhawk arrived to witness the brutal transfer. The two girls must have give them trouble; one of the men was beating them down while the other held them.

A burst of the mini gun into the brush to get their attention was all took to put an end to that. The arrival of the two Humvees seal the deal.

With the two young girls nearly naked and on the ground and bleeding, it was a no brainer what my men were going to do and they did it. All four men were beaten until they were nearly unconscious.

Pictures of the girls’ injuries, names, where they were from and a brief state statement of what happened were taken for the tribunal trial of the six traffickers. With the first aid kits from the Humvees and the big kit from the helicopter, the men started first aid.

The girls were treated as best as my men could, bandages, something to drink – Gator Aid that we bought by the truckload. Wool fire blankets from the Humvees and two from helicopter covered some of the girls, extra shirts and rain gear covered the rest.

It was thirty miles to the big hospital. The team leaders called control for guidance. The six girls and the two boys were put into the two Blackhawks and flown to the VMC Vallarta Medical Center.

Andy called Mexico’s Prosecutor Inez in case he wanted the media spotlight. He did and was on his way to the hospital in a Mexican jet to the Puerto Vallarta airport.

The six men were in the Humvees going to the latest staging site – a wire fence prison where further interrogation would take place. I would have to depend on the men there to do that. The Doc had just returned home from Mexico and I didn’t want to ask him to go back this quickly. But – they would meet the Doc soon.

On Thursday the Doc and I would be in Matador. I would be there to watch the arrival of the two hundred and thirty prisoners from France and the first session of the tribunal. A triple gallows would be constructed before the construction crew left for the west coast on Wednesday.

After I finished the review of today’s operations, I made the meeting with the girls. From there I went home to pack; I needed to be at Andrews for the flight to Buenos Aries at midnight. It was a two day meeting; Air Force 2 was going to drop me off at Brownsville on the return trip.

My G5 was bringing the Doc and a load of new interrogation equipment to be permanently left at the infirmary in Matador. We would fly home together on Saturday.

Two little boys were home with Lisa finishing home schooling for today. RJ and JJ helped me pack. I had to explain twice the difference in why underwear for girls was called panties and underwear for boys were called underwear. After that, there were the questions about the bras and why boys did not wear them. They were growing up way too fast.

I packed shoes, the better expensive pant suits, fancy jackets, a couple evening dresses and jewelry. My go bag contained the clothes that were more me – jeans and camo – was going as well. Yes, it included the five stars – the girls had seen to it that all my camo had five stars on it, much to my dismay.

After goodbyes, hugs and kisses I was in a Secret Service convoy. They carried me to Andrews Air Force Base where I met the group of advisors who were the experts on one of the treaties that was being negotiated. The Vice President had been working on this treaty for two years.

It was for a radar site and a runway for search and rescue in Drake Passage, a heavily transited piece of water between South America and Antarctica. I was sure it was a cover story.

The Chinese were trying to extend their influence around the world. One of those places was Antarctica, suspected of holding vast amounts of oil, natural gas and precious rare earth minerals. This was a place to keep watch on them.

There was also the possibility that they could sail ships through the passage to Africa where they had already invested in multiple governments there in the form of grants, loans and infrastructure projects to gain influence and natural resources.

It was a long flight that allowed me to sleep and then read all of the information the experts had brought with them in several different cycles. I would read until I could not comprehend anymore, then nap to think about it. And then it was back to reading more.

It was 1000 hours when we touched down. There was a welcome luncheon and greeting and of course – a press conference. And then the first round of meetings to carry us until dinner.

The meeting was confusing; none of the information the Vice President had briefed me on was in the discussion. It seemed the State Department people were using a different playbook. For an agreement that was so close, now looked like it would never happen.

In fact, the more I thought about it, I had never seen this group of State Department people before, but that didn’t really mean anything with as large as the State Department was. I was sure they were in a specialized group that did nothing but international agreements.

With growing frustrations, we stopped and went to the state dinner. All the pomp and circumstance helped everyone relax – at least a little.

I left as soon as things wound down, still puzzled by today’s turn of events. Argentina’s lead negotiator Franco Sanchez and Sergio Mendez – who was also a negotiator I was to meet with tomorrow afternoon about the anti-drug task force – followed me into the hall. They were as confused as I was and wanted to talk without the State Department people there. I agreed to meet them at my hotel in an hour.

In that hour I called the Vice President and discussed what had happened and the turn in attitude by the State Department negotiators. We had a good talk; very informing.

My next call was to Dick James, I found out that the State Department group of negotiators with me were given internal talking points developed months ago from a lower level committee and not the last notes from the Vice Presidents meeting a month ago. These were not the State Department negotiators that had accompanied the Vice President to the last session.

The motel room I had was a large business suite that had been ordered for the Vice President. It had a large private bed and bathroom, an adjoining room for business meetings, additional bedrooms for the Secret Service and a small kitchen.

Franco and Sergio along with a clerk typist arrived on time and I was there with a clerk and a big pot of coffee. We started the negotiations from the beginning, page one.

We went over corrections, suggestions, hard points and then movement and changes. The art of negotiation is being able to see the deal from both sides and gently maneuvering the other side to your way of thinking without them digging in to an unyielding position.

At 0100 we were done with the initial document in a final draft I thought we could live with. The only thing left was to negotiate the port of call for US Navy ships that might be involved in any operations in the area. Argentina had resisted the US making any port visits since the Falkland War.

I wasn’t supposed to be involved in that but I took the opportunity – over a glass of champagne – to celebrate the completion of the first agreement to open the door.

That door opened wider than I thought possible and by 0200 there was a draft to send to Washington. My clerk was finalizing the text and sending copies to the Vice President, the President, Dick James and the Secretary of Navy along with the Joint Chiefs. A conference MTAC was set up for 0900.

The agreements allowed the US Air Force to build and operate a new generation Doppler radar at Puerto Espanole and the construction of a single runway 200 by 10000 feet with hangar and service capabilities at the current airport. The airport – in its initial layout – had space reserved for a runway for large commercial traffic that had never materialized.

My argument for the runway was that heavy transport planes bringing large rescue equipment needed a large runway, especially in bad weather.

The radar would be required to assist the radar at the major civilian airport to vector passenger planes during an emergency. Heavy fog and bad winter weather was always an issue in the area and there were always weather emergencies.

A port of call with docking facilities for US Navy ships with limited stays of not more than fourteen days at the deep water port at Puerto Espanole was in writing. It would be up to the Navy to negotiate the terms and fees.

I learned in the general conversations over the champagne that the Argentine government had invested in the deep water port at Puerto Espanole for potential container ship and cruise traffic that did not materialize. Argentina had several deep water ports in the Atlantic that were situated near the large population centers and that was where the shipping went.

The only ships that frequented the port were usually in trouble from the severe storms that hit the Drake Passage.

The time for tomorrow’s meeting was changed from 0800 to 1000. It was 0300 when I stepped from the shower and slid under the covers, totally exhausted. Breakfast was moved from 0600 to 0700 and was still going to be way too early.

Edit by Alfmeister
Proof Read by Bob W.