Bad Boy Mystery Boxed Set (6 in 1): Dark and Crazy Mystery and Billionaire Stories (BBW Cozy Mystery Bad Boy Billionaire Romantic Suspense Series)

by Oscar Watson

  It is humorous, but yes, there is an answer to your question, and it also may be a duality. We have, it seems, been given the chance. Like Ebenezer Scrooge, or if you prefer, Frank Cross, we have been shown through this odyssey the very nature of our souls, have been challenged to justify, or at least recognize and explain our value.

  It has been important that we acknowledge the sheer lack of advances, achievements, and accomplishments that we surely could have achieved in our brief time, had we been able to see beyond sheer survival. The capacity for diplomacy, the willingness for warfare, and the ease of evil economics have been our bane. And now, there are a lot of changes on the horizon. And a lot of human misery and deaths.

  If your promise holds that this will be our emergence, then perhaps we will start off with a welfare state, dependent on new technology and resource allocation assistance from the outside, from your vaguely promised emergence being an introduction to methods and means we do not currently have at our disposal. These ten days have not only disrupted all human interaction, it has no doubt led to violence across the economic spectra, as the wealthy no long have their own resources, and those that had even less no doubt fought against starvation as best they could.

  Of course, we hold to your account the many riots, fights, and societal disruptions that ten days without internal combustion, gunpowder, and nuclear power caused. There is plenty of blood on your hands to demand some level of justice for the rest of us. I don’t see you withdrawing from this engagement without some form of major compensation. Again, I go to the realms of Science Fiction and suggest that your recompense should at least end our problems with disease, sanitation, and such. Cancer and the Common Cold among them.

  So, the changes we expect are beyond just those we enact on ourselves. Your procedures going forward, if they are to be embraced, should include automatic recompense to those who suffered loss during the test, or should mitigate the losses in some measurable way that could be construed as justice, fairness or at least common decency and mercy. You have gleaned countless riches of us; quid pro quo demands repayment in kind.

  I believe the changes now will have to be drastic, though, for the most part, they will not be easy or pleasant. The status quo will shift to those that adapt the quickest, and the mediums of exchange for our economy will shift forever. If the chemical laws have changed as it seems they must have, then oil and gunpowder will soon be replaced by other reagents. If my fellow human beings heed my words, read these responses, maybe we can enact a different mindset. Certainly, new religions will form either following the words of this test, what they collectively perceive of me, or, much more likely, in worship of you, the benevolent beings that granted us this new opportunity. All of which is folly, but as I stated, you don’t grasp how stridently we human beings can accept and adhere to perceived truth, even in abject opposition to the facts in evidence.

  In all candor, I will hazard a request along this vein, to aid me in accomplishing these changes. As I am but a writer and these but words, I would ask that your departure be a swift and enigmatic one. Don’t reveal your intent; don’t draw attention to this test, and by all means, if you are going to repay us for your devastation, do not do so in any way that can be associated with either the Countdown or my part in this. Accept our ten responses, take your treasures, and depart in silence. I ask this only to offer my people their own opportunities to explain the occurrences in their own context.

  We will abide in this new parameter, and we will adapt. Perhaps many will die, but I would like to think that we are a hardy people, able to rebound reasonably well. What has changed for us is irrevocable, and the people we will is not the people we were headed toward being. We will keep our eyes on the heavens, our minds on our objectives, and our hands in our work.

  Leave us with the capacity to record again our experiences. We will be better stewards than we were before. In times past, we hammered our swords into plows. We turned back to the earth for what we needed, and we made a place for ourselves in it and upon it. Now, with this new paradigm, this new era of rediscovery, we have a new opportunity to inscribe our world with an epitaph worthy of the ancient ways, and a message of Emergence that will let the Universe know that the Human race is here, is willing to learn, and desirous of a place in the Society of Minds.

  The changes in humanity will be great, if incremental. We will have to learn again to crawl before we can walk, to walk before we can race forward into our future. All we can ask of you, is that you allow time for our change to be made evident, and to not judge us too harshly, for we are but children and have to have the opportunity to learn. If we are afforded that, there is no doubt we will amaze and endear the cosmic community to our cause in no time at all.

  I must offer thanks again to you for your wisdom in this trial, and for your forbearance with our impatience and arrogance.

  One – Should Humanity Be Given Another Chance?

  Perhaps it is impertinent, to fundamentally assume we have already earned just such an opportunity. The short answer is yes, and no.

  That ambivalence is not suggesting that the human race is a failure, nor is it a hedging of the previous elation of the last answer I provided. Instead, it is an introspective statement of absolute clarity. We, the human race, have not the justification for ‘another chance’ or an ‘extra bite at the apple’. Indeed, because of our natural tendency to move through time linearly from the past to future, we are never in need of such chances. Because we ARE our next best chance.

  While your initial threat suggested these responses are an epitaph, the truth is that every epitaph is an epigram, a message to the next generation that the past generation knew things. While you may eradicate the species, you have not gotten rid of us. We live in the present but reside in the past. That I have assessed that the process you have in place will not completely eliminate us, means that as long as a few of us live, we will again become relevant in the universe.

  Call it arrogance, call it impertinence, or call it not knowing our place in the universe, but the essence of the human condition is that we are always on our last, best chance. We thrive on the status quo, but to us, that status quo is not static. We are the moving target. So, no, don’t give us another chance. You don’t need to. We will take it when we need it.

  I have answered each of your questions, and in doing so, have derived a fairly good understanding of our place in your world. I see that your need to test us was in more than one way a challenge for us to play a game with you, so you could learn how we function, how we think, and to what lengths we would continue to play. I hope I have not disappointed you, and I do believe I have done the best I could to not only reflect the honesty of a human being, but our humor, our intensity, and our willingness to compete in the game as defined.

  I hope you realize that in this game, as you defined it, we have not only defeated you, but in your ten sentences and questions, I have gleaned more information from you than I have revealed about us. I am not an unsportsmanlike competitor, but here at the end of the game, I want you to be sure to realize that not only should the victor be able to write the histories, but also be able to define the terms of the competition.

  Your request was for ten thousand words to explain all there is to know about us. For that to work, you needed to give us ten statements, or questions about us that presented us with insight into what is important to you, what defined your motivation and your intent. From the second you gave us your list, it was only a matter of time before we could define you in terms that made our position the one of power.

  So now, with the time running out, and my words restricted to a finite number, I can only say you have been a worthy opponent, that you ultimately had no alternative or way to avoid offering us what we need to continue, and the benefits we expect in compensation for the villainous way in which we were handled at the beginning of this interchange will far outweigh the paltry losses you visited upon us.

  Your ten days have cost us dearly
, with nearly ten million casualties against our seven billion population. Truly, we have been decimated across the globe. That number approximates the losses of many other wars we have fought around the world over time, and though you would argue this has been a battle of wills that has earned our place among the stars, I would instead argue that your tactics and strategy suggest that your universe can take lessons in compassion, diplomacy, and yes, in the use of words.

  I am pleased, however, whether you eliminate us out of hand as the foul brigands and cultural thieves you may be or truly embrace us as your brethren in a universe-spanning community of kindred spirits, that my words were acceptable to whatever judging committee or entity you have, and that this process has resulted in a very clear message of hope and peace for the world. We are like the alcoholic who entered the bar. It takes conscientious thought to choose the less violent path, and by bringing us to this train of thought, you offer us a refreshingly ingenious new course… forgetting the old path, we press on toward the goal, wherein innovation and imagination can re-spawn, and no longer be trapped and constricted by the aegis of the old and perceived impossibilities. We can again rediscover the value of improvisation and experimentation.

  I have no delusions about what you are capable of. I have no false belief that you will do less than completely annihilate us if you choose. But I do hold the absolute faith of the convinced that I have provided you what you need to make the right decision, and that when I awake tomorrow, I will truly be in a whole new world. It seems likely that both of your assessments will be true. These ten thousand words will be an epitaph for the human race that existed before your arrival, but that it will also be an Emergence, as much as a Butterfly from a Chrysalis. We consumed, devoured our very world around us in that older self. Now, we can explode into the universe, and take our place among the stars, a recognizable, yet more pliant and recognizable world.

  To the combined peoples of the Universe, I proudly introduce the Human Race.

  Twenty Questions for the Reader.

  Clearly, the Chosen One was correct, that the Test is over, and we have been given a chance to change life. We, the Order of The Chosen One, have created this questionnaire in order to take advantage of the collective thoughts of our Readers, those who have seen the Works of the Chosen One, even as the Emissary did those long months ago.

  Having so read them, we ask you to relate to the Chosen One, and his Acolytes who follow him, your thoughts on the World that IS. Perhaps you can one day be counted among the Acolytes, and reach the world with His message on your own right.

  Answer each with One Hundred words exactly, as He did the One Thousand. Your answers will be your own, but you can send them to Him at the Website.

  1. Was it right for One Man to answer for us all? Explain why or why not.

  2. Was he the Chosen One because he had any skill or talent that is not common to a Reader? Why or why not?

  3. What aspect of Communication is most critical, when interacting with those unfamiliar to you?

  4. In what way are accomplishments different from achievements?

  5. Should one be more apologetic or more explanatory in Inquest, and why?

  6. Did the Emissary already know that the Human Race would prevail? Explain.

  7. What would define a Universal Contribution?

  8. If there are no good reasons for War, why do we still have them today?

  9. What would be your strategy for avoiding armed conflict?

  10. The New Way requires the Non-tax on every purchase, to be paid into one’s retirement account on every purchase, on the buyer’s own recognizance. Assuming a person adheres to the New Way, will his own retirement be better or worse than the old way? Explain.

  11. Describe your best memory of all time, and explain why it should be included in the Annals of History.

  12. What is the one thing you believe we should all forget, in order to make the world a better place? Explain

  13. Change is a necessary part of life. Explain how our reaction to change makes our life better or worse.

  14. You have the opportunity, as the Chosen One did, to recommend one change for all humanity. What is it, and explain its value.

  15. “The concepts of anarchy and religion are in opposition.” Explain the meaning of this quote attributed to the Chosen One.

  16. The Chosen One is just a man, or the Chosen One was destined for greatness. Which do you believe, and explain your belief.

  17. Is luck a manifestation of happenstance, or the applied use of preparedness in the face of opportunity? Explain your choice.

  18. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. How will tomorrow be any different than today because you know this to be true? Explain.

  19. IF you were the Chosen, give a one-line response to the Ten Questions.

  20. Should every person be offered a second chance in every circumstance? Why or why not?

  Conclusion

  I am not prepared to let this end, without a bit of explanation. As a writer, I am often faced with a dilemma, need to say more than the words on the page seem to allow. Count Down is a different kind of book, but I believe it may hold a key for readers that need explanation. Once you get the understanding that the Chosen One is working in a vacuum, wherein no outside influence could impact his answers, the rest will make more sense. Imagine, as the Chosen One, how you would have responded, and consider whether the choices he made were adequate. Think about how you would react in the same circumstances, and the Questions to the Reader make sense. You can send your responses to the publisher, and they will be sent on to me, the writer, and they will be compiled. I anticipate a sequel to cover the Twenty Questions when I have received a compelling number of responses to justify it.

  The concept that we as a people should have to take such an accounting from time to time is an appealing one, and I hope you can see the value in it. The world is a fragile space, and we should truly take into account our own measure of it. Thanks for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon.

  Murder in San Sebastian

  Chapter One

  Annie Walker leaned back in a rather uncomfortable chair on the black railed balcony. Even with a cold glass of sangria close at hand, the hard-backed wooden chair was no more comfortable. The view of Bahia de la Concha, on the other hand, was enough to take her mind off the wooden slats that pressed into her buttocks as she scribbled furiously in her notebook.

  San Sebastian had always been one of Annie’s favorite retreats. The view of the water provided plenty of inspiration and the silence was a nice alternative to the street noise outside her London flat. She’d thought for years of moving to San Sebastian, packing it all up and cutting ties with bustling London life, but had yet to get the courage to follow through with it. There was the hassle of moving overseas and of course, her aging parents to think of, but mostly it was just her own inability to live outside of her comfort zone that was stopping her. London provided a home base, somewhere to go back to when it was all said and done. London was home.

  “Hola señorita!” Annie peered through the railings of the balcony to find Luke Russell standing on the terraza below.

  “Hola señor!” Annie called back as she waved enthusiastically.

  “How fares the spirited navigator this afternoon?” he asked, referring to the protagonist in Annie’s latest novel. Annie shook her head sadly.

  “I’m afraid it’s slow going today.” Luke took his Panama hat off his head and began to fan himself.

  “Perhaps a stroll along the sand might titillate your senses?” He looked hopeful.

  “Why not? It certainly couldn’t hurt!” Annie stood up, rubbing the back of her thighs and her buttocks. “I’ll be right down.”

  When Annie got down to the terraza, Luke had seated himself on the retaining wall and was staring out at the water.

  “It’s the reason I come here year after year.” Annie climbed up beside him and sitting down, she dangled her legs over the br
ush on the exterior side of the wall.

  “It is something else, isn’t it?” Luke squinted against the midday sun.

  “Entirely,” came her simple response. She placed both her hands open and flat atop the retaining wall and leaned back a bit to better enjoy the view. The mild breeze that came from being right along the water was relaxing. She shut her eyes and just let the breeze run through her hair and over her skin. She had no idea Luke was staring her as she was lost in her own little world. He often did this, but she still had no idea.

  “Completely,” he muttered under his breath before turning back to look at the sea. The sun glinted off the surface, making the water look as if it were dancing. It was a playful thing, but he did not find it quite as charming as the woman sitting right beside him.

  She reached out and plucked his Panama hat off his head to place it on hers, something of a regular occurrence by now. “How do I look?” She beamed at him, eyes squinting because of the sunlight.

  “Cute.” He meant it. He found her to be the cutest young lady he’d ever had the pleasure of knowing. And he never gave up on making sure she knew it.

  Although she had walked on the beach with Luke earlier in the day, Annie was filled with a desire for a nighttime stroll on her own. She had managed to flesh out a bit more of her novel, but it still was not going as well as she’d have hoped. So she threw on a jumpsuit and sandals and set out. As soon as she reached the sand, the sandals were swinging in her hands, and she was enjoying the feeling of the now cool sand under her feet. It was a bit chilly by the sea at night, but it was refreshing. It woke up her senses.