[Lady Justice 08] - Lady Justice and the Watchers Read online

  REVIEWS

  In Lady Justice and the Watchers, Robert Thornhill, through his alter ego, Walt Williams, once again exposes the intrusion of 'big government' into the lives of American citizens.

  As a health care professional, I am very concerned about the current state of affairs in our health care system and as in Lady Justice and the Sting, Walt examines the collusion between the FDA, the CDC and the pharmaceutical giants that is having a dramatic and detrimental effect in the lives of every American.

  In this edition, through a group who call themselves 'The Watchers', Walt discovers even more evidence of the erosion of our personal freedoms guaranteed under the Bill of Rights, and confirms the notion that 'Big Brother' is indeed watching us.

  As always, the sobering facts are presented in the context of Thornhill's off-the-wall humor.

  As you read Lady Justice and the Watchers, you will find yourself shocked one minute and laughing the next.

  This novel is a 'must-read' for every concerned American!

  Dr. Britt Batchelor, DC, F.A.S.A.

  Independence, Mo.

  Robert Thornhill continues to crank out incredibly enjoyable and relevant stories with the Lady Justice series.

  In this edition of the mischievous and hilarious endeavors of Walt and the gang, they find themselves tackling the important dichotomous reality we all find ourselves in with the advancement of technology, 'health care' (sick care), and governmental involvement in our lives.

  Building on the now growing awareness of the Orwellian nature of our society, Walt deals with the difficult issues of GPS tracking, global communication monitoring, Patriot Act and other major governmental changes to 'protect' our safety since 9/11, as well as the on going issues of our imploding health and healthcare system and our increasingly pharmaceutical lives.

  These continue to be the books I want to read to not only relax and laugh, but also to continue to think deeply about whether our exponentially increasing scientific and technological advancements are doing more harm than good. Are we truly better off now that we are living such synthetic lives, able to find and communicate with anyone, anywhere, and at anytime? Or are we fast becoming a 'big brother' society and headed towards a world of total control, more toxic and fake foods, dangerous and invasive medications, surgeries, and gene therapy, and ever worsening overall health and happiness??

  We continue to be thrilled to be associated both personally and professionally with the Thornhills and their line of books. We find them to be a powerful and fun way to educate everyone about the reality of the world today, and bring awareness to the dangers of the advancements we take for granted as a necessary part of a modern day, convenient lifestyle.

  As we are always focused on our mission at New Medicine Foundation of returning the world to a very scientific but much more natural way of health and living, and a more sustainable future, the message of the Lady Justice series delivered by the amusing situations and antics of Walt and the gang fit right in line with our purpose.

  I highly recommend the Lady Justice series, and especially 'the Watchers', to anyone looking for a good laugh, an enjoyable, relaxing, and exciting story, and a way to think about some very current issues at work in our modern society and these transformative and somewhat difficult times.

  Keep up the great work, Bob, as we all need the laughter, suspense, and underlying truthful and even provocative information that you are delivering with the Lady Justice series.

  Dr. Edward W. Pearson, MD, ABIHM

  New Medicine Foundation

  Robert Thornhill knows how to pen a thought-provoking tale!

  Once again, he comes up with a hit in Lady Justice and the Watchers.

  Walt Williams is back and this time is faced with a pair of men who are set on bringing truth to this country; the truth about pharmaceutical companies, the food that we eat, what we purchase, and modern technology.

  A suspected terrorist cell in Kansas City gets the attention of Homeland Security and Walt is recruited to infiltrate the group.

  Robert gets into the minds of these people with such emotion and vivid detail, and what he brings out in this book is so real, it is frightening!

  Now, because of this new novel, I will think twice every time that I swallow my medications, turn on my computer, or just go to a ball game.

  If you can only read one book this year, this would be it!

  Sheri Wilkinson, Goodreads

  CONUNDRUM: A logical postulation that evades resolution: an intricate and delicate problem.

  That is the essence of Robert Thornhill’s latest mystery/comedy novel, Lady Justice and the Watchers, featuring retired real estate agent turned cop, Walter Williams.

  How can the American populace enjoy all of the freedom and safety brought to us by advanced technology (OnStar in the cars, the convenience of credit/debit cards, on line banking, and hands-free communication devices) and still maintain our privacy from those who would do us harm or seek to manipulate us: the crooks, terrorists our own government?

  Does the average person realize the cost in personal freedom?

  Do they care? Should they care?

  These are questions posed in this thought-provoking and thoroughly disquieting story.

  This should be a ‘Must Read’ for every person, young and old.

  Told with the usual humor and fast pace, Thornhill’s book challenges the reader to think deeply about where we’ve been and where we are going.

  His best work yet!

  Christina Fullerton-Jones, Independence, Mo.

  In Lady Justice and the Watchers, Robert presents us with many issues of which we should be aware.

  In this latest installment, Walt comes to the realization that technology is being used for more than the public realizes.

  The dilemma that we all face is whether the technology that we have become so dependent on is worth the loss of our privacy and personal freedoms.

  Along with the rising discomfort that Walt has towards the way technology is being used, he must also solve two kidnappings as well as stop a terrorist attack.

  I enjoy reading all of Mr. Thornhill’s novels, not only because they are full of characters that I have come to care about, but also because Mr. Thornhill poses serious questions that we should all be aware of.

  Not only are his books an enjoyable way to spend a day, they also leave you thinking about some of the same issues that are troubling Walt.

  I believe that even if this is the first novel in the series that you read, you will find yourself looking for the previous installments.

  I eagerly await the next adventure.

  I can’t get enough of Walt, Maggie, Ox all of the other characters in the Lady Justice series.

  Michelle Castillo, Article Write Up

  LADY JUSTICE

  AND

  THE WATCHERS

  A WALT WILLIAMS

  MYSTERY/COMEDY NOVEL

  ROBERT THORNHILL

  Lady Justice and the Watchers

  Copyright April, 2012 by Robert Thornhill

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, incidents and entities included in the story are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events and entities is entirely coincidental.

  The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique
as a form of treatment for physical, emotional or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

  Published in the United States of America

  Cover design by Peg Thornhill

  1. Fiction, Humorous

  2. Fiction, Mystery & Detective, General

  LADY JUSTICE AND THE WATCHERS

  Prologue

  In 1949, George Orwell penned the novel 1984 about a dystopian society of the future in which everyone is under surveillance by the government.

  The people are constantly reminded of this by the phrase, 'Big Brother is watching you'.

  Life in this society is a world of perpetual war, pervasive government surveillance and incessant public mind control.

  Since the publication of this graphic novel, the term, 'Big Brother' has become a synonym for abuse of government power, particularly in respect to civil liberties, and 'Orwellian' has become the popular adjective to describe official deception, secret surveillance and manipulation of thought to further a totalitarian political agenda.

  Thankfully, in the sixty-three years since the publication of this futuristic novel, 1984 has come and gone and Orwell's dysfunctional society is nowhere to be seen.

  Or is it?

  For most of us in America, life goes on every day and we are confident in our assumption that all is well in the land of the free and the home of the brave, and that our basic freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are safe and secure, protected by our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

  Yet, there are those among us who do not share this confidence and believe that it is their duty to watch those who are watching over us, to insure that Orwell's world does not become a reality in our time.

  For the most part, these 'watchers' are ignored and often ridiculed, for who in their right mind would even suggest that our government's motives and agenda are anything but altruistic.

  Still, they keep watching and their voices of warning fall on deaf ears bringing to mind the scriptural admonition, "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house."

  The most powerful weapon in the arsenal of a totalitarian regime is the apathy of the people it is determined to subjugate.

  In the final analysis, it is the exercise of our free will both as individuals and collectively as a nation, to insure that our life of freedom and liberty is preserved.

  To that end, should we not all become 'watchers'?

  CHAPTER 1

  The village of Spalga in the North Waziristan region of Pakistan.

  Zareef Khan heard the warning cries of the villagers and ran to the door of the house where he and a dozen other members of Al-Qaida had been meeting with Budar Mansoor.

  He watched as the CIA drones crested the mountaintops and swept down into the valley toward the village.

  He shouted back to his comrades, “Run! Quickly! The drones are upon us!”

  He sprinted toward a bunker behind the house and had just ducked behind its protective barrier when the drones released their Scorpion missiles.

  With deadly accuracy the missiles slammed into the house and exploded. Debris from the blast rained down on Zareef and he watched in horror as flames consumed the house and his friends inside.

  It was over as quickly as it had begun. The drones passed over the village and disappeared over the mountains to the east.

  Zareef was about to turn away when he saw a figure staggering from the rear of the burning building.

  It was Raza, his friend and Mansoor’s second in command.

  Quickly he rushed to Raza’s side and helped him into the bunker.

  “Allah has spared me,” Raza wheezed.

  “And the others?” Zareef asked, knowing all to well what the answer would be.

  “Gone --- all gone --- Budar too!”

  Such news was nothing new to Zareef.

  His mother, father and older brother who were followers of Ayman al-Zawahiri, were killed the year before in an attack targeting al-Zawahiri.

  “We must find a way to strike back!” Zareef said through clenched teeth.

  “There is a way,” Raza replied, “if you are ready and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Our brothers in America have been planning an act of retribution for months, but it requires giving one’s life in return for the rewards that Allah has prepared for those who are committed to the jihad.”

  Zareef hesitated only a moment. “My family is gone --- my friends lay dead in a burning house --- there is nothing left for me here in this world. I am ready to begin my journey into the promised world and if I can take thousands of the infidels with me, so much the better.”

  “Then it is done. I will contact our brothers in America and we will finalize our plan that will make the New York Towers seem like child’s play.”

  Washington D.C, the Department of Homeland Security

  Lyman Rawlings surveyed the men seated around the big conference table.

  In addition to his own Homeland Security staff, the morning’s meeting also included representatives from the U.S. Customs Service, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice.

  “Gentlemen, thank you for coming this morning.

  “Our global surveillance has picked up an alarming increase in ‘chatter’ in recent days. It appears that Al-Qaida may be planning another major offensive on American soil.”

  The DOJ representative interrupted, “So where’s the target this time? Washington? New York? The West Coast?”

  “Surprisingly, no,” Rawlings replied. “It appears that the focus this time may be in the Midwest.”

  “For chrissakes, with a ninety-eight billion dollar budget, all your fancy hardware and your ‘eyes in the sky’, I would think you could pin it a little closer than just the ‘Midwest’.”

  Rawlings gave him an indignant look. “Well, actually I think we have. We have intercepted several satellite communications originating in Pakistan and their destination was in Kansas City, Missouri.

  “In addition, there has been a constant flow of email and fax transmissions originating in Kansas City containing an inordinate amount of our ‘keywords’.”

  The rep from Health and Human Services broke in, “What could possibly be in Kansas City that would interest Al-Qaida? I would think that there would be numerous other targets that would be of more interest to them.”

  “Normally that would be true,” Rawlings replied, “but this year Kansas City is hosting Major League Baseball’s All Star Game.

  “On July 10th, forty thousand people will be jammed into Kauffman Stadium --- the perfect venue for a terrorist attack --- lots of people enjoying America’s favorite pastime. What better place to further undermine our sense of security and send the message that Al-Qaida is still intent on bringing their holy war to American soil?”

  “So what’s the plan?”

  “U.S. Customs needs to beef up security between now and the All Star game. Pay particular attention to Pakistani nationals entering the country.

  “DOJ and Health and Human Services need to coordinate with the FBI to make sure that security at the stadium is tighter than ever. I don’t care if you have to pat down all forty thousand fans.”

  “So are you sending a team to check out the source of the troubling transmissions?” the DOJ rep asked.

  “Yes, we’re sending a new man to head up the team. His name is Mark Davenport. He has ties to the Midwest that could be very helpful.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Ahhhhhh, springtime!

  There is nothing like the first warm rays of sunshine, the buds popping open on the trees and jonquils pushing
their golden heads from beneath the soil to lift one's spirits.

  My name is Walt Williams and I’m a cop --- a sixty-eight year old cop, and at my age I figure that each new springtime is a gift.

  After a cold winter made even colder by the death of one of my recruits in the City Retiree Action Patrol and the upheaval caused by a vigilante stalking the streets of Kansas City, Ox, my partner, and I were eager to embrace the warmth and promise of the new season.

  And, as Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote, "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love."

  Ox was completely smitten with his new lady friend, the lovely Officer Judy DeMarco, and to his delight, she seemed to be smitten right back.

  The first anniversary of my marriage to Maggie McBride was rapidly approaching and it seemed that we were going to weather the first year of the first marriage for both of us without any serious turmoil.

  Not bad for two old fogies in their late sixties.

  We were cruising south Kansas City, planning a double date for the weekend, when the radio barked, "All units in the vicinity of Brookside respond to the QuickTrip. A 911 call has reported a carjacking."

  I keyed the mike, "Car 54 responding. ETA, five minutes."

  We pulled into the lot of the QuickTrip and saw a young woman weeping uncontrollably, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.

  When she saw us approach, she ran to us pleading, "My baby! My baby! He took my baby! Please! Do something!"

  Ox did his best to calm her, "Just slow down and tell us what happened. Let's start with your name."