Foreword
Is anyone looking over your shoulder? I hope not because what I have to tell in this story may shock you—the reader.
This story takes place in India and involves the kidnapping of the American Ambassador’s daughter in Delhi. Of course, there’s much more to the plot. It writhes and wriggles like a hyperactive anaconda riding an out-of-control rollercoaster at Disney World. I think that means it twists and turns a lot in the telling, but without constricting or ingesting the reader.
I also must warn you that there are instances of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll strewn throughout the book so it’s not something to be read lightly by the prudishly fainthearted. That’s because sometimes those who protect and serve must strip-off life’s pretentious veneer to discover the whole truth and nothing but the truth. However, finding truth in the federal government is often an iffy thing because there’s always some fibbing going on with the bureaucrats. Truthfully, it’s simply a matter of sorting out their lies from the prevarications. Ironically, they often use the most politically incorrect agents (that’s where I come in) to help them maintain their own political correctness.
This is my second recall from retirement by my former employer, the Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State. I’m starting to detect an uncomfortable pattern here. It seems that no one else will take the assignments I’m offered and for good reason. They are all fraught with consequence and danger and I mean to Foreign Service careers.
I don’t have one of those things anymore so I’m considered an expendable and disposable commodity by the organization. By the way, those are great attributes when you’re playing the scapegoat for the big suits in the department. I’ve even started calling myself Avery the Goat Boy so no one misunderstands my role in these things.
I’m also needy--not emotionally, just financially. I need to make a quick buck off Uncle Sam while I still can. You see, I’m getting a little long-in-the-tooth as some might suggest for this kind of work. However, you should also be aware that I still have some bite left. That’s another reason why the higher-ups keep hiring me back.
They know I’m a stubborn Rottweiler with an attitude when it comes to solving the tough cases. But I also take these risky assignments in order to defend truth, justice, and the American way. I must be a bit masochistic since I simply can’t turn them down for patriotic or pecuniary reasons. Sometimes those who protect and serve are true red, white and blue public servants down to the cores of their overdrawn checkbooks.
So, please join me as I travel the world on behalf of the Diplomatic Security Service and uphold truth, justice and the American way!
Sincerely yours,
Richard M. Avery, III
Special Agent (ret.)
Diplomatic Security Service
U.S. Department of State