Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (7 page)

Jack points to the walls and said they are
inside a Faraday cage type shield. The tech clearly had no idea
what that was so Jack explained that the tech would have to leave
the room to make or receive a call and that even then the phone
reception will be weak unless he actually goes outside to make the
call.

Benson says, “You need to give them the codes
or we will have to arrest you.” Jack smiles and replies, “I don’t
think so Benson; and nothing in the warrant says I have to provide
it or help you in any way. Look, I know you can seize the system
but frankly, with all the built in safeties, I doubt your computer
‘experts’ can do so without frying the drives. Real computer
security experts put that system together along with all its’
safeguards.”

The other tech is muttering about high level
encrypted files, “Hah, thinks I can’t break in here does he? This
will do the job,” as he plugs in a device and taps a key. One of
the computer monitors suddenly flashes a fiery skull on the screen
and it starts laughing.

***

Pic here of skull

***

Recognizing the laugh from Independence Day
the tech says, “O my.” The weird laugh coming from the speakers
gets louder when another monitor comes on to display the number 5,
then 4, 3, 2, 1 and then quickly to just fiery eyes.

***

Pic here of flaming eyes

***

Then the tech notices his device is emitting
a stinky wisp of smoke. Quickly; but clearly too late; he unplugs
his device but it continues to emit a smelly blue smoke. “O man,
that cost me 100 bucks,” whines the tech.

Meanwhile Jack has picked up his secure
satellite phone and, getting the Ranger’s attention, motions
fingers to his eyes and points at the deputies and techs, visually
asking for the ranger to stay and watch them. She nods yes so he
then leaves the room to make a call out of anyone’s earshot. He
quickly, but quietly, explains the situation to someone over the
phone, listens for a bit, says ok and hangs up. Jack goes to the
secure room door and waves Ranger Stone to follow saying, “Want a
soda or something?”

About 15 minutes later Deputies Blackwood and
Benson come to where Jack and Ranger Stone are setting, drinking a
soda and chatting about photography. The techs have about given up
trying to break into the system and are discussing how to dismantle
the bolted down system for transport to an FBI lab.

“Give them the codes,” Benson says. Jack
again refuses. Taking a hard attitude, both deputies begin accusing
Jack of having something to hide and again threatening to arrest
him. Jack with a smile, readily agrees with them that he has
something to hide. “But arrest me? For what offense?”

The deputies, knowing Jack has a concealed
weapon permit, then ask if he is currently armed. Jack smiles and
replies, “Always.” In a condescending tone Deputy Benson holds out
his hand and says, “Well hand it over Buster.” Jack, tho looking
relaxed, is closely watching Benson and with a grim look, refuses.
Then, holding up his palm, adds, “However; I will allow Ranger
Stone to hold it if that will make you boys feel safer.” Benson,
turning red in the face, steps forward reaching to grab Jack while
raising his voice saying, “Hand it to me – now!”

Jack catches Benson’s hand giving it a slight
twisting motion. Benson screams and drops to his knees as Jack
releases the hand. Deputy Blackwood has drawn his weapon and,
finger actually on the trigger, trains it on Jack. Ranger Stone
steps between them with a hand up saying, “Put that away! Mr.
Albright was defending himself.” Looking at the deputies she asks
them to go set down in the kitchen and cool off.

As they head to the kitchen Jack calls out,
“Hey boys, there is cold beer in the ‘fridge, help yourselves.”
Anna, with a grin, says, “That was a cruel thing to say Mr.
Albright, you know they are on duty.” Jack, with a slight chuckle,
says, “Yes, but that Benson is a real ass and I definitely do not
trust him.” “Neither do I.” Anna quietly replies.

Once the deputies are out of sight Jack pulls
‘Baby’ hands her his concealed .22 magnum revolver in its pocket
holster saying, “I call her Baby.”

***

Pic here of Baby

***

She looks at it in her hand, smiles saying,
“Apt name and kinda cute but?” Smiling Jack says, “She’s small but
her magnum rounds can really hurt in the right spot.” She puts it
in her jeans pocket and starts to turn to call in the deputies
back.

Jack reaches out and gently touches her arm
handing her his cane saying, “Might want to take this also.” Anna
replies, “I doubt that will be necessary.” Jack grins as he pulls
the cane partly apart revealing a hidden sword. “My, my, Mr.
Albright, but you are full of surprises. How many concealed bobby
traps and weapons are also in your home?” “O, not all that many,”
Jack replies smiling.

“Keep the cane, Mr. Albright, it will be out
little secret,” Anna replies with a smile, chuckle and wink as she
calls out to the deputies to return. Jack says, “Right, but please
call me Jack.” “OK, you may call me Anna.”

Immediately on return to the living room
Deputy Benson asks roughly, “What did he have and where?” Ranger
Stone replies, “That is none of your business and you certainly do
not have the need to know.” She does not like his attitude,
especially his constant mouthing off. She thinks, ‘Jack’s right,
this guy definitely bears watching, especially if he is ever around
her back.’

About a minute later, at the same time, both
deputies phones ring. They move to the kitchen, out of ear shot, to
take the calls. With a grin at Anna and pointing a finger toward
the kitchen, Jacks says, “This should be interesting.” The deputies
voices begin getting loud, especially Benson, trying to argue but,
in no uncertain terms, are told that the warrant is voided and to
get the geeks and leave taking nothing. They come into the living
room red faced and looking very angry. Benson yells at Jack, “What
the hell is going on?” With a smile Jack replies, “You may never
know and it’s not covered in the warrant.”

Anna’s phone starts ringing. She too holds up
a ‘pause’ finger and takes the call. After answering she listens
for a bit, says, “Certainly Lieutenant,” hangs up and says, “I have
been informed that the warrant has been rescinded and you deputies,
along with the techs, are to leave now and take nothing.” “Told you
it was about to get interesting,” Jack said with a grin.

After the techs and deputies leave she turns
to Jack and says, “It is clear you have pull somewhere. Can you
tell me what the devil just happened?” He tells her that, after he
checks and secures the computer system, he will treat her to lunch
downtown and explain what he can – as long as she keeps it to
herself.

Over a burger, fries and iced tea he explains
that he is retired from a government agency but will not say which
when she asks. And that he now does occasional computer, security
and other consulting gigs on high level security jobs for the
Federal government, Pentagon and other security companies.
Occasionally for foreign governments and companies when asked by
our government. That is the purpose of the secure room, so he can
work from a secure location without interception.

‘Hum, interesting things indeed,’ thinks
Anna.

With a cocked head, arched eyebrow and a
leering expression Jack asks, “ Hey, wanna see my weapons
collection? And maybe some of my nice etchings?”

Arriving home tired from a rough shift he
gets a cold beer and sets in his favorite chair to watch all the
‘meat’ on display down below at the Conroe Apartment complex pool.
Picking up his binoculars he says, “Man, sure glad I brow beat the
manager into getting me this third floor apartment overlooking the
pool. All that prime meat on display! Would love to bite a few of
those but that would be just too close to home.”

Suddenly he starts, zooming in and refocusing
his binoculars. “Damn”, he says, “thought I killed her!” “Well,
maybe she wants more of my tender loving attention! Been awhile
since I had such a prime piece of meat and I remember she was
definitely prime and a virgin too! Better check the net and see
what happened.” Checking through several internet articles he finds
out about how she was saved and her memory loss.

“Damn bum bitches, interfering with my
business. Hum, no memory, better keep out of her sight, might
trigger her memory to return. Gotta get her soon! But no drug this
time girlie! No sirree. Meat’s probably better tasting wide awake
and wriggling anyway. Looking into my eyes as I kill you is gotta
be the most Bitch! I think I may actually be glad you survived
girlie; it’s gonna be even more enjoyable with you awake and more
terrified. The look and tears in your eyes when I do you again is
gonna be really great.” Wiping his mouth he says, “Now where best
to cook up my meat? O yes, maybe that old abandoned house just West
of town.” Grinning, he begins to make plans.

A Turkish family’s young niece, an amateur
photographer, is searching the words Turkiye and various photo
blogs on the net when she happened across Jacks photography blog
and the pictures he shot in Turkiye. She really took notice of the
discussion about a picture of what appeared to be two transparent
children he photographed while in Turkiye. The picture was taken
several weeks ago by the photographer in Turkiye on business.

Sure that she recognizes the transparent
children as her kidnapped cousins, now missing for six months, she
calls her parents in to show them the picture on the blog. There
was a million euro reward for the person finding the children which
had not drawn much of anything in the way of good leads.

They immediately call the children’s parents
who rush over. They too recognize the clothing as that worn by
their children when kidnapped but with the resolution on the blog
they cannot be sure it is them. Plus he had said that zooming in
caused the faces to blur and fade more. The authorities are called
and then a call is placed to the American Embassy who in turn call
Homeland Security in Washington.

Someone there then calls the FBI to request
they contact the blog owner to possibly get a better photograph and
an exact location. Jack is surprised when gets a call that FBI
agents will be paying a visit the next afternoon about the Turkish
children’s spirit pictures on his blog.

He immediately calls Ranger Stone and says,
“Anna, I have an intriguing situation coming over tomorrow about
two pm. If you are free how about you come over for moral support?
Say about eleven and I will spring for lunch and explain what is
happening?” ‘O Jack, not again, and why so mysterious?” she asks.
“Sometimes I think you are kinda crazy and other times extremely
interesting.”

Over a salad Jack tells her who and just why
they are coming. They are pulling up to Jack’s gate after leaving
the café when he notices his brakes are beginning to feel
‘squishy’. “Anna, I think I may be losing my brakes and I do
believe I smell brake fluid. Glad we made it back here,” says Jack.
“Yes, now that you mention it I smell it too,” replies Anna. Using
the emergency brake and low gear Jack cautiously continues to the
dome, stops the jeep and they get out to look. Following the brake
fluid trail and strongest odor leads them to the left front tire
where, reaching behind the tire, Jack finds fluid slowly dripping
from a small cut in the brake line.

“Anna, I think someone does not like me and
it might be time for me to ramp up my paranoid level. I do still
have a few live enemies out there.” Anna replies, “I agree. I will
check to see if there might have been cameras at the café area that
caught the culprit; but I rather doubt there will be any. Wonder if
it is you, me or maybe both someone was trying to get? I too have
an enemy or three.”

When the FBI agents arrive Jack shows them
pictures of the area in Turkiye and gives then the general
location. However, as Margareta was the navigator he suggested she
be contacted and paid to lead someone to the location. After all
she, not him, actually found the children and deserved any reward.
Ten days later Jack received an email from Margareta telling him of
her receiving the reward money and thanking him profusely.
Fingerprints found pointed the authorities to a serial killer still
on the loose. One other child was found further back in the cave.
Also that no longer did anyone laugh at her feelings and she hoped
one day to visit him in Texas.

Jack had previously blogged about two other
spirit pictures but they had drawn very little attention. Now
however, after the parents saw the blog about the two spirit kids
in Turkiye and them calling the FBI made the news, his blog began
to have numerous hits. Attention was now focused on the two of the
previous spirit images. Especially when bodies were also found
nearby at both locations by cadaver dogs.

Ghost ‘hunters’, crackpots, and reporters
have began emailing Jack. Many have begun bypassing or simply
forced the gate and driving up to his home. Deciding on more and
better security he again contacts the local contractor that had
previously installed a gate at the turnoff to his place. The wire
fence had went far enough to either side to deter bypassing the
gate with most vehicles but Jack now knows it needs to be a much
stronger gate and a more extensive security system installed. Plus
extending the fence much further and with heavy cement posts every
three feet. Maybe a full 300 yards to either side of the gate.

He again contacted the local contractor to
install a larger heavier gate system and much longer solid,
stronger fence as one trespasser had cut out a large wire portion
to bypass the gate. Jack called up one of the security companies he
had worked with in the past to install an upgraded video security
system at the gate. It will have an intercom to the house and a
more extensive keypad for opening the gate. Plus the system will
have solar and battery backup for the gate and surveillance
systems.