Fatal Serum
Page 17
“Hi, David! I know you probably had something to do with the rescue operation.”
“I’m so glad you’re safe and now heading to Germany. I’m so sorry about Jennifer, your brother, and all your employees. We need you back here, Sam.”
“Thank you, David. They gave me a tranquilizer so when I come out of it, I might be different.”
“Have a safe flight, Sam.”
“Thanks, again, David.”
Where’s Cheryl? I looked around and saw nothing but sleeping soldiers. I tried to get up, but couldn’t move. The tranquilizer was still working. Seconds later, Sergeant Arnold, the medic, knelt beside me. I didn’t recognize him until he told me his name. Though, I did recall the southern accent as soon as he spoke. “How are you doing, Mr. Abbott? I’m Sergeant Arnold.”
“I’m okay, I guess. Where is Cheryl? How is she doing? How much longer until I can function on my own? I can’t even walk.”
“You will be fine. We need to keep you sedated until after you are checked out at Ramstein Air Base by medical doctors. Once they give the okay, you will be flown by military plane back to Washington DC. As for Cheryl, she is resting, and is still heavily sedated for safety reasons. You both have been through a traumatic experience and will be guarded for several days until you both adjust to freedom. Cheryl will also be thoroughly examined at the medical facilities at Ramstein.”
“Thanks, sergeant. How much longer before we land?”
“Two hours and 28 minutes,” Arnold said after looking at his watch. He checked my heart and left. I closed my eyes, but kept opening them to make sure I was still on the plane and not in a black tomb. I finally went to sleep, I think.
Chapter 55
RAMSTEIN AIR FORCE BASE
After two days of an intensive physical by several military doctors, they allowed me to visit Cheryl. I had lost twenty-five pounds since the day Jennifer and I were to depart for New Zealand, rice and water not being the kind of diet my body could handle. My feet were healing, thanks to Sergeant Arnold. They sent me to a military barber to have my hair washed and cut. They may have been checking for lice, bugs, or some other sand-living creatures.
Cheryl received the same type of physical. She had lost ten pounds, but still looked great, as we met in a small room in the military hospital. The room was painted in a light tan color, with a light beige carpet. A small sofa sat against the far wall, with a small table and four chairs in the center and some nature pictures hanging on all four walls. I had arrived first, but never sat down. I tried to piece everything together. The door opened and Cheryl walked in. Her partial smile told me she was holding tons of stress.
We walked hurriedly towards one another until we embraced. We held each other until the tears flowed from our eyes and sounds of crying filled the room. We squeezed each other tightly, trying to rid the anguish, fear, and emotion from our bodies and minds. Cheryl shook, sniffling, with tears forming streams down both cheeks. I finally spit out, “Did they hurt you? They didn’t molest you, did they?” Knowing the Taliban treated their women like animals do in the wild.
Her eyes slowly shut and she nodded once. Her sniffling turned from light crying to a hysterical outburst. She tightened her grip on my shoulders, perhaps looking for warmth, protection, love, or, possibly, respect from the horrible days she had spent in captivity.
We sat down on the leather sofa; both of us stared at the wall facing us. “We are safe, now. Once we get back to the States, I will do everything I can to help you, either financially or emotionally.” I kissed her on the cheek and tasted her salty tears. She hugged me and kissed me softly several times.
“Thank you, Sam. I haven’t enough money to pay for a good lawyer. I only have enough scraped together to put down on a new car. Since those people kidnapped us, I just wanted to die and make everything go away. When our military rescued me, the thoughts of going back to the States and being tried for murder and sentenced to prison terrified me. I’m not sure I can handle it.”
“I won’t let you go to prison. I will get the best attorneys in America. You’re innocent.” I spoke, without having any money. My dry mouth hung open with those thoughts hanging on the edge of my lips, but said nothing. I didn’t know where my money was. Her magic fingers worked on my frozen neck.
They gave us an hour. The time passed quickly. More thoughts of our future than words evaporated our time. I want to sell my company to somebody, probably a large drug company. I haven’t the energy or the desire to run it anymore. I couldn’t; and, no, I don’t want to.
We hugged each other, again, before two female military personnel escorted Cheryl out and away from my reaching arms. “Stay strong,” I managed to say before the door closed, leaving me alone. Less than a minute later, two military men escorted me back to my quarters.
Epilogue
Sam Abbott spent several weeks in Washington DC going through debriefings and locating a legitimate drug company to purchase SAWWS Inc. The money in Abbott’s checking and saving accounts, along with Jennifer’s money from her checking and saving accounts, was recovered. The media was never informed of Abbott’s whereabouts.
After an FBI investigation, Cheryl was acquitted of all charges. She spent several weeks at Georgetown University with various psychologists to help her cope with the trauma she had gone through. Again, her location was never shared with the media.
Cheryl and Sam eventually married and had three children. They live in protective custody and will do so for the remainder of their lives; their whereabouts, unknown.
Sterling Shear, the former US Senator from Mississippi, was sentenced to 699 years in a federal prison in solitary confinement. DEATH WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO EASY. His son and the other CIA agents involved in the death and destruction of SAWWS Inc. were sentenced to 499 years each, to be served in a different federal prison.
The former congressmen and senators were all sentenced to prison, with a maximum of 199 years and a minimum of 2 years. Early parole was not an option for anyone. They all lost their public office benefits. None of them can ever hold public office again.
The former cabinet members were all given heavy sentences and can never seek public office, as well, even if they live long enough after serving time. They also lost all benefits.
The United States became a military-controlled country for two years after David Holloway took command. The borders became secure. Immigration was put on permanent hold. The illegal immigrants were escorted out of the country. The remaining legal immigrants were given one year to pass an English test and were informed they needed to comply with all constitutional laws; if not, they would be deported immediately. All US citizens were fingerprinted. US companies were offered a healthy tax credit if they brought jobs back to America. All foreign aid had been put on hold indefinitely. The national debt had been cut 75% since Holloway had set foot on Capitol Hill. Nobody received any federal aid, unless drug screened and interviewed first. The country became self-dependent for all energy needs, thus drastically lowering consumer costs.
GREED DESTROYED WHAT OUR FOREFATHERS HAD BUILT
About the Author
Upon graduating from high school, I spent three years in Germany with the United States Air Force. After college, I spent my entire career selling and managing salespeople.
I spent a year, part time, under the direction of a Doctor of English from the University of Denver, learning the skills of writing. I attended a six month working seminar in Boulder, Colorado headed up by an experienced author and teacher.
I have traveled to four continents covering over thirty countries and have spent time exploring all 50 states. Articles on my travels have been published in a US newspaper and a European paper, as well. I currently reside in Florida.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank everyone who has encouraged me to write. A special thanks to Terry Whalen who submitted my work to Morgan James Publishers. Also, I give thanks to Margo and Bethany and everyone else at Morgan James f
or their hard work. I am very grateful for the dedication, hard work and suggestions Paula Indriso has put into “Fatal Serum.” Without her, “Fatal Serum” would not be on the shelf.