"We've neutralized North Korea and Iran from any future nuclear or conventional war ambitions," Rivera interjected. "What do we know about Nikolas's organization, Mr. President?"
"I'll let newly appointed FBI Assistant Director Ahmadi answer that," the president said.
"We've arrested hundreds of Nikolas's terrorist combatants," Ahmadi explained. "While people working at Little Italy sandwich shops did not know they were harming people, many of the students Nikolas had seeded into hotel and banquet facilities knew they were infecting people. Some CoolSolar employees also knew. That Roya woman—the one I fought in Hotel Esatto’s basement—has been a phenomenal source of information."
Rivera asked a question. "Did we ever find out why Nikolas's son was killed during the family extraction?"
"He knew too much," the President said. "He had grave suspicions of his father, and he'd overheard information about a boat, the Tropical Solace cruise ship. When the son started snooping around, Nikolas's bodyguards caught onto his curiosities. Having him in the United States, where the son could've continued to figure things out, would've been dangerous for the leaders of Iran."
"Sir, what about the EMP attacks?" Z asked the president.
"With just a few missiles and modest ten-kiloton nuclear warheads, this band of well-funded, organized, and fanatic Iranians almost exploded the warhead 100 miles above the center of the Continental United States. In league with North Korea, they sent three missiles up from the Korean Peninsula. Then they almost snuck the other one in on us from the cruise ship. They hoped at least one or two of the missiles would achieve their aim. With only two EMPs, Iran and North Korea would've destroyed the American power grid and fried most of our electronic devices. Televisions and radios would've been silenced. Phone calls would've ceased to exist. In hospitals, life-sustaining equipment would've failed. Within seconds, America would've been in chaos."
Rivera spoke up. "There could've been a lot of pandemonium. Within thirty days, ten percent of Americans would've died. Within ninety days, about half of the population would've perished. It would've been prime time for troops from Iran, North Korea, and a few other countries hostile to the United States to attempt a land invasion. They would've divided up geographic sections of the country amongst themselves like a butchered cow."
"Mr. Bojangles is the real hero," Stoker said. "He stopped the missile."
"You know," Rivera said, "the last moments of his life were adrenaline-fueled exuberance. If you're gonna go out, that's how you do it. I'm sure it was thrilling in the mind of that patriot, Bojangles. It wasn't even a decision for him. He just did what he had to do."
"Absolutely," the President said. "Congress and I will award him the Medal of Honor, posthumously. Yet, I think this medal does not even come close to what he did to save the United States."
"How do things look in the Northwest?" Jessica asked. "Z grew up in that area, and we have friends there."
"After their EMP, it's not pretty. But, we've been able to get food, basic medicine, and some limited electricity in place. There have been too many casualties, but it could've been even worse. We're able to feed almost everyone. But, there's not enough water for bathing and sewage. Hospitals and healthcare services are severely limited. We lost a lot of our Guillain-Barre syndrome patients on ventilators because the ventilators got knocked out by the EMP. We're also concerned they won't have heat during the winter. But, we're getting some natural gas and other energy services restored. We hope to have heat restored to most of the area by Christmas."
"Are you willing to share the small Russian episode with us, Mr. President?" Rivera asked. "My conspiracy theory friends think the Russians were involved."
"Your friends are only partly right," the president responded. "The Russians had only heard chatter about what North Korea and Iran were up to. They were waiting on the sidelines. But, when Colonel Bojangles blew up the missile, they closed the bomb bay doors on a plane that was on its way here to crash the party. Then they turned tail and ran home."
The president looked at his watch. "I need to get back to the White House. But, I have a little business to conduct before I leave. Dr. and Mrs. Stoker, I'm awarding you the Presidential Medal of Freedom." Rivera, Ahmadi, and Z gasped in unison. "Troy for your incredible courage, and Allie for the courage and sacrifice to kick your husband out into the chaos when we needed him the most." The president paused for a moment. "Also, when I find out everything you accomplished, Dr. Stoker, you also should be a shoo-in for the Nobel Peace Prize."
"Mr. President, sir," Stoker said. "I'm sorry. But there's no way Allie and I can come to the White House, participate in the public ceremony, and have our names shared with the nation. If you publicize Espada Rápida and me, you retire us and make us ineffectual. We'll be worth more to this country if nobody knows we are your weapons."
"I'll tell you what," the President said. "I'll tuck your awards and your story away. When the time is right to tell the world your story, the sitting president will already have my instructions. I only hope I'm alive to be at the ceremony."
"That makes a few of us," Allie said. "I've been hoping for Troy's safety ever since my husband started to run around with Rivera."
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We express appreciation to Naomi Bandettini for her edits and insights. Thank you, Alicia Colon, for your review, valuable critique, and keen insight. Adam Nilsen provided some early pushback that helped us to sharpen characters and the storyline. Jennifer Schovaers exposed a few myopias and connected numerous dots. Dr. Dave Auch for his military and historical insight. Kris Small taught us about HALO jumping. Richard Iverson, MD, introduced us to the Balamuthia mandrillaris amoeba. There are also numerous other friends in the military and civilian life, along with new acquaintances, who have provided keen insight but must remain anonymous. We owe you our sincere gratitude.
Dr. Bandettini wishes to thank his patients for providing him always with a continuing learning experience. As he wishes to express, “It is my deepest hope that in my continued working with all of you who may read this book that we all come to realize that we are really helping each other in this journey through life.”
THE AUTHORS
Dr. Francis Bandettini is a private practice psychiatrist and co-author of the Troy Stoker, M.D. psychiatry thriller novels. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in the molecular biology honors program and earned his medical degree at Des Moines University. Dr. Bandettini completed his psychiatry residency at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine where he subsequently joined the faculty as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry. He is a retired Captain from the United States Army and South Dakota National Guard. He lives with his wife in the greater Sioux Falls area.
Matt Nilsen is a co-author of the Troy Stoker, M.D. psychiatry thriller series. He completed his undergraduate business degree at the University of Utah. Matt also earned a Master of Health Administration degree from the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. His career has allowed him to work with amazing people in clinics and hospitals all over the United States. He and his family currently live in Yuma, Arizona where he practices speaking the Spanish language and works in hospital community relations.
Copyright © 2019 by Francis Bandettini and Matt Nilsen
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information address: Naoband, LLC, PO Box 432, Baltic, SD 57003, United States of America
Fourth Naoband, LLC Kindle edition July 2019
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the authors’ imaginations, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons
living or dead is entirely coincidental.
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