Chapter 1
September 20, 2009
Millbury, Massachusetts
More unrest on the Mexican border this morning, as five more Border Patrol agents were killed in what investigators are calling a brutal massacre. Investigators are not sure who the attackers were, but Congressman Hillerman of California is calling for the immediate arrest of all undocumented aliens in the State until a full investigation has been completed.
The newscaster monotonously droned on about continuing violence in southern California. John Mason switched off the radio as he pulled into his driveway. He slowed the Crown Victoria down as he pulled in behind his wife's newer Volvo Cross Country. Shutting the rattling old engine down, he gathered up his briefcase and lunch box and strolled across the driveway. As he walked up the front steps, the door opened and his face lit up.
“Hi sweetheart! I'm glad you're home,” his wife, Sara, said, smiling. She brushed the flour off her hands on to the frilly pink apron she wore. “Just in time, too.”
“Hi babe, something smells good.” John said, taking Sara in to his arms. They kissed on the front steps for longer than a married couple of four years would normally find appropriate. John towered over Sara by almost a foot, wrapping her in his big arms. His frame, big from years as a police officer had recently been padded by her delicious cooking and too many hours sitting in his car at his new job as a private investigator. Sara's auburn hair spilled down over her shoulders, framing her face.
Their embrace was interrupted by a black and brown blur as it raced from the house and jumped up in to the air, somehow managing to land all 65 pounds of herself right between John and Sara's arms, barking excitedly.
“Princess! Down girl! Yes, I missed you too.” John said, laughing and yanking on one of the Australian shepherd's ears. The three of them somehow managed to spill back in to the house, right in to the warm and cozy little kitchen.
“How was work? Catch any bad guys today?” Sara asked as she walked back to the stove.
“Yeah tons. And then I woke up from my nap and remembered I sit in a car and wait for people to mow their lawns so I can catch them on video.” John said ruefully.
“I know, babe. I know you miss police work, but hey, it's a good job.” Sara said as she pulled a roasting pan from the oven.
“Yeah. I guess. God, that smells good. Hey, did you listen to the news today?” John asked, changing the subject.
“About the killings on the border? The agents? The other teachers were talking about it at lunch.”
“No, I mean the town in Mexico. I can't remember the name of it, but they said an entire town of people had been killed. They think it's from the drug wars, but the news crew that went to check it out hasn't been heard from. They're supposed to be sending in some troops to figure out what happened,” John said as he took off his jacket. The brown leather shoulder holster with it's .45 came next, thumping down on to the table.
“Hun, can you put that somewhere else? I need to set the table for dinner. Jose and Tina are coming over.” Sara said.
“Oh yeah? That should be fun.” John said, grinning as he took four plates out of the cabinet. “I can show your brother the newest addition to my gun cabinet. And we can both pick on him about that paint job on his truck. Flames? Really?”
“Oh come on, John! How many times can we pick on him about that before he gets mad?” Sara laughed. “No, I mean really. Tell me how many times, cause I'm not ready to stop just yet.”
An hour later, a low rumbling could be heard coming from the driveway. The sounds of slamming doors could be heard moments after the loud engine shut off.
“Hey Sara, your brother's here.” John yelled from his big overstuffed leather chair in the living room. He got up and walked to the front door, opening it just as a seventeen year old mop-headed young man reached for the door knob. The two men quickly shook hands as John stepped aside, letting Jose in to the room. He was followed closely by a young lady with long brown hair and too much makeup.
“Jesus, Jose, buy her a cheeseburger or something!” John said, slapping his brother-in-law heavily on his back.
Jose staggered a little under the onslaught but tried to pretend it didn't hurt. “Nah, she's way too fat. Her new nickname is cowzilla...OUCH!” Jose yelled, wincing, as Tina punched him as hard as she could in the same spot John had just assaulted.
“Alright, cut it out you guys. Get in here and help me finish setting the table.” Sara came out of the kitchen carrying a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes.
The extended family enjoyed a long and hearty dinner sitting around the Masons' battered old dining room table, talking about Jose's school and John's job, Sara making sure everyone had enough to eat. The rest of the evening passed uneventfully until some time later as they sat in the living room, watching television.
“We interrupt this regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you this important breaking news. Fighting on the Mexico and Texas border is being reported, with units of the Texas National Guard and the U.S. Border Patrol clashing with what is being reported as crowds of Mexican citizens on drugs. Officials speculate this to be some sort of attempt by Mexican drug cartels to overwhelm the United States border as a distraction for a large shipment of illegal narcotics. We now go to Stephanie Ramirez, live, in El Paso, Texas. Stephanie?”
“Thanks, Brock. I'm here in El Paso, Texas, overlooking the Rio Grande, the river separating the United States from Mexico in this part of the state. I have here with me Captain Mark Thompson of the Texas National Guard. Captain Thompson, can you tell us what is happening out there?” The pretty but vapid reporter turned to face a stern looking man in the later half of his life, with close cropped salt and pepper hair and clean shaven face wearing a National Guard uniform.
“Well all we know right now is about one hour ago, a small crowd of hopped up Mexicans started attacking people waiting to get through the checkpoint. Mexican police opened fire on them, and that seemed to deter them for awhile, but more of them came. We arrived after our own Border Patrol had been over run. We don't know how many men we've lost yet. We've managed to close the border now, but we've got a lot of casualties, Ms. Ramirez. A lot dead, and a lot of wounded back in the hospital tents.” The captain's radio began to squawk.
“Ms. Ramirez, that's all I can say at this time. We have to go now, we should get you out of here. Shut that camera off. Now!” The picture went dead for a moment, before returning to the original news anchor.
“Ah, we seem to be having some technical difficulties, but we'll keep on it, folks. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.”
“Why don't you kids head home, Jose?” Sara said, watching her husband closely.
The two teenagers said their goodbyes as they left. Before they'd even made it to the end of the driveway, John was on the phone, dialing his Uncle Walt in El Paso. The circuit kept going dead. Finally, on the third attempt, he heard his uncle's voice on the other end.
“Hello?” Uncle Walt said, sounding tired.
“Uncle Walt, hey, it's John. We just heard the border is getting over run or something? I know you're on the other side of the city, but are you guys safe?”
“Yeah John, we're alright. I've got everything locked up. An old army buddy over at Fort Bliss just told me they're sending M.P.s to the border to help out. So much for Posse Comitatus, eh? Sounds bad though.” Uncle Walt replied.
“Do you have a couple days' worth of supplies? Can you and Aunt Sally button up there and just ride it out?” John asked his uncle.
“Don't worry, boy. I've got that twelve gauge pump you gave me last Christmas, and a couple hundred rounds of double ought. Got my old .45 too, and enough water and food to last us a couple of weeks. But don't you worry, this ain't nothing our boys in green can't handle.”
The two chatted for a little while longer, with John promising to call his uncle back in the morning to check on him.
Sara finally convinced John to shut off the news and come to bed. They kissed each other before shutting off the light, Princess snoring contentedly at the foot of the bed.
