Solomon's Private File #159
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 21 in this story, in the Summer of 2047.
Solomon's Private File #159 "Casino Ransom"
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I said to the Director of the FBI, after asking for a meeting,
"You've got a big gambling investigation going on in Florida. A Native
American casino." He said, cautiously, "Is that a problem?" I said,
"Being Native American, no. That my paternal grandfather is involved in
it, adds some personal interest. He's in the witness protection system,
and is about to violate its requirements, partially against his will,
what little of that there is." He said with curiosity, "Low opinion of
him?" I said, "Could be the black sheep of the family, but I like sheep
of all colors. He found his son, my father, after abandoning him, while
Dad was a teen and working in the museum, and was very nasty. Turned
out all he wanted was money to cover his gambling debts with the mob.
My father set him up with a trust fund, a new physical and paper
identity, and a prohibition against anything connected with my father.
Want to see how he settled the account with the mob?" He said,
"Absolutely!" I showed him, and he had some wows for it. And, "The free
lesson! Hah!" I said, "You aren't the only one who's saying that.
Right. They didn't know. Those who were involved, are gone. Yes, he
left records, but that wasn't in his mission archive, but was in some
of the others who knew about it."
He said, "So you want to get involved with the case." I said, "Maybe.
Problem is if I contact him, or anybody does, well, he gives unreliable
a bad name. Whatever he's involved in, goes bad. If I don't do
something, he's going to blow the investigation, and possibly cost
lives." He said, "So it's not a family support thing, but a real job."
I said, "Right, but like everything else I do, it has multiple
objectives. And there's a psionic connection. Casino has one. Not a
perp, but has suspicions. Doesn't want to lose his job. Manager wears
an insulated hat." He said, "Interesting complications." We shared
grins. He said, "I'll inform the lead agent on this."
I ported home, to deal with an upset family. Mom said, "You knew!" I
growled. I said, "Mom. You know I love you with everything I have. But
Dad, well, he's God!" She calmed down and we hugged and kissed with
love. Galya was still embarrassed to have witnessed it, so we did the
same to her. She said, "There are more questions, but I'll leave them
unvoiced. No family contact? Bad?" I said, "He's not even good at being
bad." Chuckles. I didn't tell them that Mom and Hawk had known when Dad
first encountered his dad, and what happened then, but he had
deliberately removed their memories of all that. He wanted them to not
interfere. I know because he left a note about it for us in his private
archive.
I briefed the Miami Agent in Charge about the problems with the
investigation. He said, "Witness Protection, and there's a psionic. You
couldn't have brought us nice things?" I ported a birthday cake to his
I said, "Red velvet, with chocolate and hazelnut ganache, modern low
cal recipe." He said, "Oh! And I was going to share it." We shared
grins.
I ported, unseen, to where granddad would be walking past, just as he
would enter his apartment building. He unlocked the lobby door, and I
walked in behind him. In the elevator, I let him notice me, and he
jumped, startled. He said, "I didn't notice you! How did you do that?"
I said, "I was behind you when you entered the building. Ninjutsu
technique." He was afraid, and said, "You're going to kill me?" I said,
"No. Why should I do that?" He said, "Oh. But you're a ninja. They're
assassins." I said, "Used to be. Now they're just part time martial
artists in dark clothes. Great for showing dandruff, if you like that
sort of thing." That mixed him up a little. Then he said, "Then why did
you do the sneaky bit?" I said, "Mostly because I could. And it was a
good way to help us to have a private conversation." He was afraid
again. I said, "My, but you're jumpy. Guilty conscience?" He was still
afraid. I said, "I'm not going to hurt you, even if you ask me to. I
want to speak to you as a friend. That's all." He said, "A friend?" I
said, "By how you're acting, I think you could sure use some! Do you
actually have any?" He looked sad, and said, "I don't think so." I
said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "We can talk about that when we
get inside." My Ki was going strong. He nodded. We went inside his
apartment. He excused himself and went into the bedroom. He came out
with a gun pointed at me, and demanded, "What do you REALLY want!"
I said with a smile, "Well, a gun wasn't one of those things. Is that
thing legal? Wouldn't be violating your witness protection
requirements, would you? Felony would ruin it." He lowered the gun. I
said, "I told you the truth. I'm here as a friend. Going to put that
down now?" He said, "First, prove it. What's my real name?" I said,
"Ransom Holmes. I know that, but I sure don't know why." He had to
laugh.
We sat, and I said, "You know about curiosity, so how?" He said, "Was
supposed to be Brandon. Story is that a little partying could have
caused the mixup." I said, "Sounds possible. Heard stranger. Now to why
I'm here. If I tell you something important, will you keep it a
secret?" He said, "I'm not sure. Depends on what it is." I said, "If
you don't, you'll be involved with a criminal conspiracy." He said,
"Oh! A guess, something at the casino I've been going to?" I said,
"Secret?" He said, "Alright, yes." I said, "They have a psionic on the
staff. He's not a suspect, but if you get near him, with your er, mind
implants, he might sense something unusual about you. Reporting that to
his boss could set off a lot of bad things the FBI isn't ready for at
this time." He said, "Wow!" I nodded. Then he tried to say something,
and it didn't work. I said, "I'm working on the investigation. Because
you're in it, I have this for the problem I think you're having right
now. Put it to your forehead for a second, and you will be able to
bypass that problem with me while we're alone together." He grabbed the
crystal from my hand and jammed it against his forehead.
I said, "Easy there. Bashed in brains isn't part of the plan." He
said, "I'm Stephen's father!" I said, "I know. Bureau knows. Manages
the program you're in. The identity switch." He said, "Do you know
why?" I said, "Yes, all of it. I could tell you more, but does the
reason still stand? You couldn't be trusted then. Honestly, can you
now?" He had some tears, and said, "You might be right. I don't think
so." I said, "Regrets?" He said, "I didn't for a long time. But after
he died, with all he became, that I could have known such a person for
real, then I really did regret all that happened." I said, "Actually,
all that you made happen." He said, "Yes. I was bad, really bad." I
said, "Changed any?" He said, "I don't know. I didn't have any reason
to after that." I said, "Becoming a better person isn't a reason?" He
looked at me strangely. I said, "I'm not a Special Agent. I'm a
psychologist. I have to help." He nodded acceptance. He said, "I didn't
think I was worth being better." I said, "But you are. Everybody is.
Still, my question?" He said, "I still don't see any reason, now." I
said, "Well, try to create one. It doesn't have to be possible, because
in this day and age, almost anything can be. So, why not give it some
thought?"
He said, "Now?" I said with a little smile, "Got anything else more
important to do?" He had to smile a little in return, and said, "No. If
I could get to know my grandchildren? But no. Rose would, well, if she
about things?" He grinned and said, "You're being so careful; you think
she might be watching?" I said, "Who knows? She busts into what her
more powerful son does. One gutsy lady!" I looked around nervously, and
he burst out laughing.
I said, "They've got ethics. Not supposed to watch privileged
meetings." He said, "Oh. Right." I said, "Back to work. If you become
better, you will know and have more reasons to become even better.
Strange, but it often works that way. There is a way you could try it
out." He said, "Even for me?" I said, "For anybody." He said, "Cost
money?" I said, "That could be taken care of. A special fund, like a
scholarship. Interested?" He wavered. I said, "Remember your goal. What
could be more important than that? Got anything better to do?" He said,
"Alright. How?" I said, "There is a Scientology Center here in town.
They're doing good work, since Stephen beefed them up. Just what you
need for self improvement, more than you need telling stories on my
couch." He had to smile.
I said, "They have a dorm there for people who are doing the total
emersion experience. I recommend you do it that way, at least for the
first month. Willing?" He said, "I don't know. I'll have to look,
first." I said, "With me, now?" He said, "You would do this for me?" I
said, "Yes. I care." He said through his tears, "I don't know how you
can be so kind. And I don't even know your name." I said, "If I told
you that in the beginning, you would have been a little distracted. You
aren't the only one with an er, odd name. My card." I gave it to him,
and he laughed, and said, "Jack B. Nimbol! Oh, you poor man!" I said,
"Now you might know why I'm a shrink, and why I took up martial arts."
He nodded, and said, "And you work for the FBI?" I said, "I help out
part time. A shrink who can fight, they kind of like. I work with
unusual victims and witnesses. So, my offer?"
He nodded and said, "Yes. Anything I should bring with me?" I said,
"Anything you want, but they will have all they think you need there.
It's not a prison, but for some, it's a little like a rehab center." He
said, glancing at my card, which had a phone number, he said, "Can I
contact you sometimes?" I said, "If it's not a habit, yes. I shouldn't
be your crutch. That's a Bureau number. One more thing. A few there
will have to be told about your inhibitions. Well, they will discover
them, so no surprises is the best policy. They don't have to know the
reason why, which you couldn't tell them, anyway." He actually laughed.
I said, "Do you know why you have those inhibitions?" He said, "I
suspect it's not something I would think of." I said, "Most don't,
until they have to. It's to protect your life. There are fanatics out
there, who, if they knew of your relationship to Solomon and his group,
would try to kill you, or worse. I have to say this, hold you for
Ransom?" He had a strange mix of expressions crawling all over his
face. I grabbed his shoulders and said in his face, "No, it wasn't a
punishment." He really cried in my arms.
When he was finished, I said, "Ready to go?" He said, "Yes! I want
to!" I said, "Becoming better already. Feel good?" He said in surprise,
"Yes. You're good!" I said, "Only as good as the people I work with,
which here, is you. Oh, and a little extra. I told the head of the
center that I might be bringing them somebody who had an implanted
security inhibition about Stephen and company, which isn't as rare as
you might think." He looked at me in new appraisal, and said, "They say
the FBI has the best." I said, "And modest, too. Let's go." He
chuckled. He grabbed his phone charger cable, and we went.
I said to the Agent in charge, "Protected man is out of the picture.
Options for the psionic?" He said, "We send agents in, he'll know." I
said, "I've been watching. He knows something's up, but not sure what."
He said, "Quality?" I said, "Approved." He said, "Would you bring him
in on this?" I said, "You know I was going to." We shared grins. I said
in the security shift supervisor's ear, "Only you can hear this where
you are. Er, and me. I'm Solomon. A private conference as soon as you
can get free, would be of some benefit to you. If you talk under your
breath, I'll hear you. 'Ware lip-readers." He said, "Right. Being
watched more than I should be, reason unknown. Small break scheduled in
40. Good?" I said, "Good. Thanks. Out."
I had let the agent hear the conversation. He said, "Sounds
competent." I said, "Yes. We have a little problem. You don't have
enough for a wiretap warrant. Any time research I give you won't be
"I'll word it to make the time issue in our favor. Outline?" I said,
"Cooked, fried, actually, books. Manager's offshore account. Mob money
laundering. Here's a list of perps and their er, business." He looked
at the paper, and said, "Wow! Even the police!" I said, "Isn't that why
you're involved?" He said, "Yes, but this is more than we expected. Go
away while I work on this." We grinned at each other.
I said to the security man in the senior break room, after porting
there, "We're secure. They'll see and hear only what I want them to."
He nodded. I said, "I'm Native. You're Native. Your loyalty,
priorities?" He said, "Right. Descending; family, Native, country, job.
Nothing criminal. Emergencies could change things a little." I nodded,
and said, "Background?" He said, "SEAL. Honorable." I said,
"Impressive. Underused. Bureau available." He nodded his thanks to me.
I said, "Want current operation short briefing?" He said, "Please." I
said, "Manager is severely cooking the books. Mob involved. Some table
activities active in laundering." He said, "Explains some things. Full
support." I said, "Not enough evidence for a wiretap, so can't use time
widely, and said, "Absolutely!" I said, "Agent in Charge, supports."
More grins from the both of us. I said, "He knows you're psionic.
Others shouldn't." He said, "Manager knows." I said, "Stupid hat."
Chuckles. I told him which tables and times, and showed him the perps.
I said, "Pen cam. Willing?" He said, "Yes. I don't see the lens." I
just grinned. He tried not to laugh. I gave him a small com. I said,
"Push button to get me anytime. I can port you to meetings when set up.
Time's up in ten." He said, "All the way." We shook hands, and I hugged
him with my love. I ported back to the agent.
The Agent said, "Wow!" I said, "When two people can feel each other's
emotions and body reactions, a few words can communicate a lot. After
the meeting between him and your team, I'll just monitor, but open for
important requests. I'll give you files as needed." He said, "Right.
Thanks." I offered to hug him, and he didn't hesitate. I ported home.
Mom said, "I see why your father wanted him out of his life." I said,
"Worse, actually. Here's the whole thing." I pushed it. She said, "Oh!
Even more. But you've changed him. Amazing!" Galya said, "I agree.
I might tell him that after a few months, when he figures out the
crystal I used means that our group, including you, knows all about
him." Mom said, "Going to be an interesting meeting!" We all grinned.
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Grant
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