Greed

by D Thomas Jewett

  * * *

  Bill and Brandy drove off the road and into the driveway toward Dwayne and Trish’s homestead. With trees crowding the sides of the narrow road, Bill guided the SUV up to an open-space area. Here, the driveway split both left and right. To go right would take you on the circular drive with a path directly into the garage. To go left would also take you on the circular drive, with a path to a small guest cottage. Either direction would take you part way around the circle to the front of the Jeffrey’s home. Bill turned to the right just as Trish came out the front door and waved.

  Situated on 20 forested acres, Trish enjoyed tending her garden and raising her chickens. She especially enjoyed the fresh eggs her chickens gave her – these were so much different than the supermarket eggs she had in her Nebraska suburban home. With rich yellow yokes and firm shells, they tasted great!

  She was smiling as they drove up, coming to a stop in the parking area outside the house. “Hey,” she shouted. “C’mon in!”

  Brandy was especially excited since she did not get to see Trish very often. “Hey – I’m sure glad to see Y’all! Thanks for inviting us.” They hugged.

  They all walked into the living room just as Dwayne emerged from his study.

  “Hi, guys.” He said as he gave Brandy a hug.

  They’d not been together in a while, so they found much to joke and laugh about.

  “... so, Brandy, do you still carry that cannon?” Dwayne joked.

  “Sure,” she fired back, “all the better to protect me from people like you!”

  The laughter went on ...

  * * *

  Bill was feeling ‘stuffed’ as he pushed away from the table.

  “Thank you, Trish, for an incredible dinner. I think it might take me a few hours to get back on my feet,” Bill joked.

  “Yes,” chimed in Brandy. “Thanks very much. This was wonderful.”

  Trish smiled as she turned and looked at both of them. “You’re so welcome. I have a great time doing this.”

  “So Dwayne,” Bill announced, “I need to talk business with you. Do you have a quiet place to talk?”

  “Sure,” Dwayne replied, “grab your wine and we’ll go back to my office.”

  Once in Dwayne’s office, Bill related his encounter with Agent Kehoe. Dwayne listened soberly, his jaw setting ever more firm.

  “I’m sure that the bankers see gold and silver as a threat to their empire,” Bill continued. “That’s why they contacted me, and THAT is why they’ve been hitting on NORFED and their Liberty Dollar. In fact, I remember Fed Chairman Volcker stating that ‘gold is his enemy’ – now that sounds really serious!”

  The room became silent as they absorbed the full import of Bill's story.

  Dwayne finally asked, “So, what are you going to do?”

  “Well, I have a plan,” Bill replied, “and Murray – you know Murray Hofstadler, don’t you? The engraver at the Golden Mint? Well, he’s signed on to help us. But Dwayne, we need your help too.”

  “I’m all ears.” Dwayne smiled.

  * * * * *

  Outside of the Golden Mint staff, few people knew that Murray worked as a consultant, rather than a Golden Mint employee. This gave Murray a lot of freedom in both his personal life and professional career. And after talking with Bill and Brandy, Murray agreed to help them with their plan.

  He began to implement the plan in earnest. First, by researching properties in far north Boundary County, Idaho; he found a home that was secluded with large acreage. He signed a lease-purchase agreement that retained the current owner as the owner of record. And it allowed him to renovate the property.

  The land was situated off a county road – set way back from the road. It was relatively flat, but surrounded by mountains a few miles distant. Because of the nature of the terrain, the land could be used for growing crops or raising animals – a perfect retreat. The home and shop – separated by 100 or so feet – were situated on a cleared section near the middle of the property.

  Murray moved into the home and went quickly to work. He engaged a contractor to revamp the shop into a year-round facility, primarily with upgraded wiring, weatherproofing, insulation, and a propane heating system. And he engaged a couple of local men to help install a perimeter detection system – they did all of the heavy labor while Murray planned the system. With the detection system, Murray was following Bill’s explicit instructions; knowing that Bill and Brandy’s homestead sported a similar setup, and that Dwayne’s homestead would soon be secured in a similar manner.

  Everything was taking shape; especially the shop where its now stable internal environment could accommodate electronic equipment and heavy, precisionist machinery.

  As the project moved on, Murray began buying and transporting equipment to the site. He brought in several strange pieces of machinery. The men moving the machinery did not ask questions, and Murray did not offer an explanation. Interestingly, he did all this without any apparent contact with Bill or Brandy.

  * * * * *

  In Liberty Dollars, Federal Government Doesn’t Trust

  By Maira Keystone

  Spokane News

  Saturday, November 17, 2007

  This past Wednesday, federal agents raided the headquarters of the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Codes (NORFED) in Evansville, Indiana. NORFED is an organization that advocates ‘sound money’ and has been selling a private currency – so-called ‘Liberty Dollars’ – that it says are backed by silver and gold. The silver and gold are alleged to be stored in Idaho – with a total of more than $20 million in circulation.

  The raid occurred just as NORFED officials were preparing to mail out 60,000 ‘Ron Paul Dollars’, the first batch of copper coins, decorated with an image of Ron Paul, and selling for $1 each. NORFED officials stated they had previously shipped about 10,000 silver Ron Paul dollars, selling for $20 each. Ron Paul is running as a candidate for President and advocates the abolition of the Federal Reserve and the IRS.

  In an interview, Bernard von NotHaus, NORFED's founder and executive director, said that the raid netted the Federal Government most of the Ron Paul copper dollars; as well as smaller amounts of silver Ron Paul dollars, gold Ron Paul dollars that sell for about $1,000, and platinum Ron Paul dollars that sell for $2,000 each. NotHaus also stated there was a separate raid of The Sunshine Mint in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where agents seized the huge pallets of silver and gold worth more than $1 million and that stand behind the paper certificates issued to its customers.

  “They took everything, all of the computers, everything but the desks and chairs,” said von NotHaus. “The federal government really is afraid.”

  The Indianapolis branch of the FBI declined to comment on the raid and referred calls to the U.S. Attorney's office for Western North Carolina in Charlotte. That office's spokeswoman, Suellen Pierce, also declined to comment.

  But the affidavit for a search warrant filed last week with the Western District in Asheville was leaked on to the internet.

  In the affidavit, the FBI states it is investigating NORFED for federal violations, including “uttering coins of gold, silver, or other metal,” “making or possessing likeness of coins,” mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. “The goal of NORFED is to undermine the United States government's financial systems by the issuance of a non-governmental competing currency for the purpose of repealing the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Code,” he states.

  The FBI says that the investigation began two years ago. A year ago, the U.S. Mint published a warning against using the Liberty Dollar, prompting a lawsuit by NORFED.

  * * * * *

  Bill and Brandy heard about the NORFED raid the next morning. Bill immediately did a comprehensive bug sweep of the premises. And then he checked for bugs on their cell phones. He came up empty.

  They decided to take a ‘walk’ on their property.

  “So what do you think?” Brandy
asked.

  “Well,” Bill replied, “I think they won’t attempt a raid here until they’ve bugged us.”

  “But how will we know for sure?” She asked.

  Bill was thoughtful. “I think we need to check for bugs frequently – very frequently! And then I think we need to watch for any penetration of our computers. But that’s easier said than done.

  “What do you mean?” She asked.

  “Well,” Bill replied, “I can see several ways that they could penetrate our computers without detection. But maybe we can use a low-tech method that will tell us if they’ve been here.”

  “Yes? What do you have in mind?”

  Bill frowned. “What if we placed two pens on the computer in a particular orientation?”

  “In which way?” Brandy asked.

  “Well,” Bill replied, “we can put the red pen across the keyboard, like so ... And we can put the blue pen on top of the case, like this.”

  “Okay,” Brandy replied, “I think I can remember that.”

  For just a moment, neither said a word.

  “Well,” Bill mused, “I guess this will be a paradigm shift of our security.”

  Brandy was perplexed. “Huh?”

  Bill smiled at Brandy. And then he said, “Shift happens.”

  N

  “W-w-why? Why did you stop?” Tim sputtered. “The story's really getting good now!”

  “Because I'm hurtin', that's why,” the old man replied.

  “Your ankle? Where you sprained it?”

  “Yeah. It's pretty bad. It's swelling up really bad.”

  Tim stood up off the floor and walked over to where the old man was sitting. “Here old man. Lemme see it.”

  The old man rolled up his pant leg and pulled down his stocking, revealing a swollen black 'n blue ankle.

  “Damn,” Tim said. That's pretty bad.” Tim inspected the ankle and then looked up at the old man. “Is there any chance of getting some ice on it?”

  “Ice?” The old man cackled. “Hell, sonny. Refrigeration takes power. More power than I can conjure.”

  “Do you have any medicine? Any anti inflammatory drugs?”

  “Nope. I didn't have time to stock any,” the old man replied. “And I'm sure you've noticed that all the drugs were wiped out by the gangs.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Tim said. “We've got some – back at the apartment.”

  Tim scratched his chin and then continued. “Hmmm. Tell you what. Maybe I can get some cold water into an ice bottle so we can cool down that ankle?”

  “Well, sonny. I got some water. I keep it in tanks on the other side of that there door.”

  “Do you have a water bottle?”

  “Yep. In the bathroom there yonder.”

  Tim walked into the bathroom and opened the vanity cupboard. “I got it,” he shouted as he reached into the cabinet and pulled out an ice-pack bag. He returned with bag in hand.

  “We can put water in it. Then we’ll put it outside to cool down,” Squirt said.

  “Hells bells,” the old man interjected. “It'll be all swollen up if I gotta wait that long. That’s truth!”

  Tim put his hand to his chin. “Maybe we need to go back to the apartment and get some meds. We've got some stuff back there for inflammation.”

  “Yeah,” Squirt chimed in, “but we'll have to travel through these God-forsaken neighborhoods to get it!”

  “That's all right,” Tim said, feeling his pistol in his pocket. “We can make it. Besides, look at what Jim's done for us. I say we ought to go and get that medicine.”

  “Wait. Wait,” Jim interrupted their conversation. “I don't need nothin' for this. It will heal!”

  “Oh really?” Tim replied. “I'd say all that swelling can create a lot of problems. I think you need treatment before it gets any worse.”

  Tim grabbed his coat and put it on. “If you're going,” Squirt chimed in as she too grabbed her coat, “then I'm goin' with you.”

  Tim sighed. “Okay, Squirt. Let's get going.” Tim paused and then addressed Jim. “We’ll be back soon.”

  “Well, you better.” The old man broke out in a grin, and said, “Or else you'll miss the rest of the story.”

  Squirt put her coat on and followed Tim as he opened the door. The two stepped out into the cold pale light of an overcast sky. “Brrrrr,” Squirt shivered.

  Tim closed the door. “Let's go,” he said.

  To be continued: Go to End of the World

  Author’s note: If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review on Amazon.com. This will help other people to find this story, and it will help me to better promote it. My sincere thanks!

  Also, you can receive updates and free stuff via my email list. Please sign up here:

  http://davidjewettauthor.com/wordpress/?page_id=346

  Or the main page here: DavidJewettAuthor.com

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I do not know how anyone trying a first novel can do it without sympathy, help, and faith of friends. No one who has tried has had better friends than I.

  I especially want to thank Linda and Kate. For without their encouragement, I might not have finished this story, or brought the story to this point in its evolution.

  Cast of Characters

  Episode 1

  Henri Aleman

  Proprietor of Olde Skippers Pub.

  William Martin

  Dry goods proprietor.

  Colin Martin (child)

  Son of William Martin.

  Joseph Crispin

  Respected landowner.

  Ian Williams

  Goldsmith.

  Episode 2

  Aaron Silverstein

  Goldsmith.

  Jason Silverstein

  Aaron's son.

  Arthur Griffin

  Dry goods proprietor.

  Meredith Griffin

  Arthur's wife.

  Mary Griffin

  Arthur's daughter.

  Jonathan Merchant

  Peasant.

  Nathan Goldman

  Goldsmith.

  Colin Martin (adult)

  Bookkeeper and historian.

  Episode 3

  Lord Basil

  Ultra wealthy banker.

  Lord George

  Basil's father.

  Lady Jessica

  Basil's mother.

  Lady Diana

  Basil's cousin.

  Swenson

  Basil's butler.

  Daniel Elsbach

  Lord Basil's strategist.

  Dwayne Jeffrey

  Rare coin and precious metals dealer.

  Patricia Jeffrey

  Dwayne's wife.

  James Jeffrey

  Dwayne's son.

  Joshua Lindt

  Commodities Trader for AB Jorday.

  Stephanie Walker

  Joshua's administrative assistant.

  Dave Palmer

  Commodities Trader.

  Kirk Kincaid

  Expediter and hatchet man.

  Buck Fuller

  Kirk's right-hand man.

  George Hammond

  Owner and operator of Metalworks, Inc.

  Brandon Payne

  Owner and operator of Rheingold Fabrication.

  Bailey Keating

  Administrator for Jacob-Mortenson.

  Bill Ford

  Former engineer and Freedom Dollar Partner.

  Brandy West

  Former banker and Freedom Dollar Partner.

  Murray Hofstadler

  Chief Engraver of the Golden Mint.

  Alan Greenspan

  Chairman of the Federal Reserve (by himself).

  Robert Rubin

  Secretary of the Treasury (by himself).

  Lawrence Summers

  Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (by himself).

  Arthur Levitt

  Chairman of the SEC (by himself).

  Brooksley Born

  Chairman of the CFTC (by herself).

>   Jim Martin

  Chief Economist at the Federal Reserve.

  Joe Miller

  Just an average 'Joe'.

  Jane Miller

  Just an average 'Jane'.

  Mark Shannon

  Aide to congressman.

  Sheryl Barclay

  Aide to senator.

  Tim

  Survivor.

  Squirt

  Survivor.

  Jim

  Survivor.

  . . . And a cast of thousands . . .

  * * *

  [1] Rising prices are frequently an indication of monetary inflation – an increase in the amount of money in circulation.

  [2] A Bullion Bank is an investment bank that functions as a wholesale supplier dealing in large quantities of gold. All bullion banks are members of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).

  [3] Selling an asset ‘short’ occurs when the seller borrows the asset and then sells it into the market, expecting that he can reacquire the asset later at a lower price. A ‘naked short’ occurs when the asset is sold into the market without the seller first possessing, holding, or borrowing the asset. Note that a naked short sale gives the appearance of an increase in the supply of the asset. An increase in supply usually results in a decrease in the price of the asset.

  [4] A standard for gold bars that assures a specific level of quality, fineness, and weight.

  [5] LBMA is short for London Bullion Market Association. The London bullion market is a wholesale over the counter market for the trading of gold and silver. Trading is conducted amongst members of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), loosely overseen by the Bank of England. Most of the members are major international banks or bullion dealers and refiners.