Liberty's Hammer Read online

  Liberty’s

  Hammer

  An Anvil of Freedom Novel

  Reed

  Hill

  Table of Contents

  Real World U.S. News Excerpts

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination, are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2013 by Douglas E. Malcom

  First Printing, 2013

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address Speartip Media.

  Cover by L.M. Boelz – to see more of the artist’s work visit www.weaverofshadows.com.

  Speartip Media

  Kansas City

  ISBN-13: 978-1-940176-00-0

  To the brave soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army past and present. Only you know of your sacrifice. Your courage knows no bounds.

  To anyone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The strength to persevere in the face of traumatic events and circumstances requires an everyday heroism that few can understand.

  Real World U.S. News Excerpts

  Denton Elected, Inspires Women Worldwide – Washington Post – WASHINGTON, D.C., November 8, 2016 – Former U.S. Senator and Secretary of Defense Mallory Denton was elected the 45th President of the U.S. Hailed as an historical event and huge victory in equality for women, Denton vows to be an example for women in the U.S. and around the world. The rise of the Liberty Party - comprised of a coalition of the Tea Party Republicans and Libertarians under former Georgia Governor Grant Morris – formalized the split of the Republican Party. Denton was elected over the Republican candidate Pedro “Pete” Gonzales and Morris. In a landslide victory, Denton doubled the electoral vote total of her closest competitor. Denton won 39% of the popular vote nationwide compared to 31% for U.S. Senator Pete Gonzales. Morris gained 29% as the Liberty Party candidate despite refusing federal campaign matching funds and spending one-third of Gonzales and one-quarter of Denton on his campaign. Denton has a clear mandate to pursue her progressive reform agenda.

  Denton Promises Continuation of Progress and Healing – Washington Post – WASHINGTON, D.C., January 22, 2107 – Mallory Rogers Denton was sworn in yesterday as America’s first woman president vowed to continue the great progress made in the previous eight years and begin the effort of healing the nation and the world. Addressing a crowd estimated to be nearly two million in the capital Mall, Denton sadly noted the growing divide among Americans at home, and between the U.S. and foreign nations. She sought to rally Americans with a renewed sense of responsibility for their fellow people and to boost the self-reliance that has made the country so prosperous. She concluded that tremendous sacrifice and deep commitments would be required by everyone in such an era of need. A full text and commentary is available on page 8.

  Denton Outlines Broad Reforms in State of the Union - Washington Examiner – WASHINGTON, D.C., February 14, 2017 – President Denton’s state of the union address earlier today outlined broad plans for addressing various domestic and foreign crises with large government intervention. Specific proposals Denton focused on include tax reform on the wealthy and corporations, regulatory reform to reduce pollution, eliminating government waste in “reforming the military-industrial super-structure,” broader investment in education and addressing the crisis of educational student loan debt. Critics decried the speech as more unabashed liberalism on display, indicating that the tax and spend politics of the past remain the norm inside the Beltway.

  Texas Wants Tougher Border – Ft. Worth Star-Telegram– AUSTIN, March 15, 2017 – The Texas legislature produced a bill today, The Texas Border Reinforcement Act, designed for the enhancement border security and the prevention illegal entry of foreign individuals in order to secure the people and property of the state of Texas. Provisions of the bill approve $650 million to be directed toward the reinforcement of a physical and electronic barrier on the border. The bill further creates a new division of the Texas Marshal Service tasked with the specific mission of border security with goal of having 10,000 marshals on the border by 2018 and 25,000 by 2019. The bill required no Federal funds and is paid under Texas budget which has run three consecutive years with a surplus in excess of $12 billion. Recent polling shows that the bill is supported by 79% of Texas citizens.

  Texas Moves Forward with Border Strengthening– Dallas Morning News – AUSTIN, March 22, 2017 – In an historic move, The Texas Border Reinforcement Act was signed into law by Governor of Texas Frank Chase. The Governor called the law, “an important act which provides for the safety and security of the citizens of this great republic.”

  Texas Seeks More Marshals – Ft. Worth Star-Telegram – AUSTIN, March 26, 2017 – A recruitment website for the Texas Marshal Service was launched yesterday in support of The Texas Border Reinforcement Act. The Marshal Service indicated that over 4,000 applications were uploaded in the first twenty-four hours of operation, despite the site experiencing several crashes due to server traffic.

  Executive Orders Set To Free Thousands of Felons – Washington Examiner – WASHINGTON, D.C., March 27, 2017 – President Denton issued a series of Executive Orders including 11458 which directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release all undocumented residents held in Federal prisons for misdemeanor offenses and non-violent felonies. More than one-third of the 255,000 federal prisoners will be released by April 30 under this order..

  Texas Prank Hailed as Good Fun – Dallas Morning News – AUSTIN, April 2, 2017 – An April Fool’s Day prank was the political spoof to end all spoofs. Governor Frank Chase, presented as a “signed bill” to the U.S. Congress yesterday, a law which cites a clause in the 1845 Texas-U.S. annexation agreement which legally subdivides Texas into five distinct states. The law states that a special election to form new government for each of the five new states will be held no more than ninety days from the date of passage. The prank was widely lauded by pundits who called the joke a wonderful point of humor in an often all-to-serious political atmosphere. Chase is speculated to be a Presidential hopeful in 2020.

  U.S. Seeks to End Texas Division On Legal Grounds – Washington Post – WASHINGTON, D.C., April 8, 2017 – Attorney General Rosa Ross-Brown dispatched U.S. attorneys to Austin, Texas yesterday with briefs of instruction rejecting the Texas sub-division law as unconstitutional. A stunned government responded harshly to the presumed April Fool’s Day prank when it was discovered that documents were genuine. U.S. AG Ross-Brown and Department of Homeland Security Director Shalitino issued a joint statement condemning the Texas law. A select task force under AG Ross-Brown has been formed to refute the legality of the 1845 annexation provision.

  Texas Looks To Hold Off Feds – Dallas Morning News – DALLAS, April 10, 2017 – The state of Texas filed suit against the U.S. Justice Department in U.S. District Court yesterday, as well as the 7thth District Texas Court in Lubbock, seeking to refute U.S. instructions to prevent sub-division. The S
tate’s main contention is that the U.S. has willfully and with great disregard for Texas citizens failed to protect the sovereign border and undermined the state’s ability to safeguard its citizens from material and economic harm.

  Court Order Prevents Illegals Release – Dallas Morning News – LUBBOCK, April twenty-four, 2017 – The Texas Attorney General obtained an order in the 7th District state court in Lubbock yesterday for the prevention of the release of illegal immigrants held in any law enforcement facility in the state. This move temporarily prevents 35,600 illegal immigrants who have committed felonies or violent crimes from being released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Denton’s Executive Order 11458. No comment was available from U.S. officials.

  Wardens Won’t Release Illegal Felons – Ft. Worth Star – DALLAS, April 26, 2017 – Wardens of twelve of the sixteen federal correctional facilities in Texas, including the largest in Beaumont and Big Spring, issued a statement that they will abide by the temporary restraining order obtained in state court “in the interest of public safety” until the legality of the situation is resolved.

  Six States Refuse to Release Illegals– USA Today – DENVER, April 27, 2017 – Wardens of federal correctional facilities in six states -Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee – announced yesterday that their facilities will not comply with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement order to release illegal aliens in their custody. Three of the remaining four facilities in Texas issues statements that they will abide by the court order and not release illegal aliens. The lone holdout in Texas is the minimum-security facility for females in Bryan, which is assumed to have no aliens who would qualify.

  More States Defy U.S. – New York Times – NEW YORK, April 28, 2017 – In a blatant display of defiance, federal correctional facilities in eight states - Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina – announced yesterday that they follow Texas and will not comply with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement directive to release illegal alien felons. Notably absent are Colorado which runs the Florence, Colorado “Supermax” facility as well as the Max facilities in Lompoc, California and Marion, Illinois.

  Texas Congressmen Recalled - Washington Times – WASHINGTON, D.C., June 28, 2017 - U.S. Senators and Representatives from the state of Texas were recalled from Washington, D.C. vacating their offices in Congress yesterday. The Director of Building and Grounds for the Dirksen Senate Office building received a certified letter from the Governor of Texas requesting office and facilities space for eight additional staffs following the July break. The White House had no comment.

  Denton, AG Pursue Texas Governor and Staff - Washington Post – WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2017 – In a joint press conference, President Denton and Attorney General Ross-Brown appeared before the Washington Press corps and all major networks, urging Texas citizens to voice their concerns over the actions of the state government and the Texas governor. While stopping short of calling the legislation sedition, Denton did invoke the language of the Sedition Act of 1918 as well as 1798 Alien and Sedition Act, indicating that certain actions committed by member of the Texas legislature and the Governor may be construed as illegal. Twice asking the Texas officials to cooperate, the President said that “Texas is a valued member of our wonderful nation – we look forward to liberating her of any individuals who may seek to do her harm or attempt to loosen our blessed Union.” She took no questions from the press.

  AG Rosa Ross-Brown detailed a large number of individuals they are looking to speak with in regard to the border security lawsuit as well as legislation to subdivide Texas under the 1845 Annexation agreement. “The government’s position is that certain high ranking individuals within the Texas government may have committed acts that constitute high crimes under provisions of Sedition Act of 1918 and 1798 Alien and Sedition Act. We look forward to the full cooperation of these individuals and will be working diligently in the coming weeks to obtain testimony which will clarify the nature of the legal claims at hand and put the matter behind us.” Ross-Brown indicated they wish to interview members of the executive branch of Texas, as well as its Attorney General, Solicitor General, majority leaders of both houses and their staffs. When asked if the Governor of Texas will be interviewed, the Attorney General replied a simple, “Yes.” There was no comment from Texas officials.

  Prologue

  “Hell and Heaven grapple on our backs, and all our old pretenses ripped away. God's icy wind will blow.” – John Proctor, the Crucible

  Pontresina, Switzerland – Gran Hotel Kronenhof

  September 2nd, 2016

  She was being courted, it appeared.

  She strode into the conference room, smoothing her pant suit thoughtlessly before stopping at the end of the long, dark table. A champagne bottle sat askew in an ornate, silver bucket along with a single glass. A similar one sat at the far end, with four flutes standing at attention in a neat line.

  The outlines of the Alps hung as a backdrop, framing the four men in suits, sitting before the huge picture window. They were almost completely silhouetted against the majestic view, and she squinted at the high contrast between the bright landscape and darkness of the room.

  A drop of condensation ran down the side of the ice bucket and sat, obstinately round, on the top of the dark wood tabletop. Mallory Denton felt a bead of perspiration gather at her neckline and roll down to the small of her back.

  One of the men tapped his knuckle on the table in an odd cadence. “Have a seat Senator Denton. Please, make yourself comfortable.” His accent was American, perhaps with just a touch of southern tone.

  The man ran his hand over his bald head and lightly rapped the table three times in deliberate fashion. “We’re pleased you were able to take time away from your short vacation to meet with us.”

  “We realize that your time is precious,” the man to his right blew cigarette smoke toward Mallory Denton and tamped out the butt in a gold-rimmed ashtray. “In the middle of a campaign, there is so much to be done.”

  “Not at all,” Denton replied in a slow, weak voice. “I always have time for very important friends and trusted advisors.”

  A couple of quick taps on the table came in quick succession from the bald man as he leaned forward. “Mallory,” the tone was quiet, gentle, like a lover, “we know you are poised to do great things. If you just believe in yourself, anything is possible.”

  “You’ve made it through the primary largely unscathed,” the man on the far left spoke directly, in a slight Bostonian accent. She could see that his hair was full and curly. “We can assure you that the general election will go even more smoothly.”

  With a firm knock on the table, the bald man stared at Denton. “Be strong and stay on script,” his voice was still soft, charming. “Confident. Powerful. Regal.”

  Silence.

  The man on the end gave a hard, confident clap on the table with his palm as he roared, “Now, Senator Denton. Have a toast with us.” He poured the four tall, thin glasses full and gestured for her to do the same.

  “To the next President of the United States.”

  *****

  San José, Costa Rica - downtown

  February 19th, 2017

  The man in the cream-colored suit rose from his chair at the outdoor table of the small café and buttoned the blazer. He adjusted the black aviator sunglasses and extended a hand to the squatty, mustached man in a striped silk shirt and fedora, “Mucho gusto, Don Vasquez. Comó esta?” He motioned to the chair, offering Vasquez a seat. A bead of sweat appeared at his temple and wandered down the side of cheek. Xavier Morales was used to the heat, but the San José humidity was the true oppression.

  The two shook hands cordially, if formally and the shorter man waved off the two hulking goons in navy sport coats who trailed him, “Muy bien, Don Morales. Muy bien. Thank you for asking. And you?” He removed his hat and fanned himself with it as he sat down u
nder the shade of the umbrella.

  Morales dismissed his own guards with a slight head movement and a glance toward the coffee bar a few yards away before settling in to study the man across from him. As he took out a cigar and lit it, “Care for a Cohiba?” He extended his gold case which held six-inch dark-leaf cigars. Vazquez hesitated for a moment before accepting with a slight pursing of his lips, “Why not? That smells good.” Morales set the cigar case on the small wooden table and plucked the matching gold lighter from his shirt pocket sliding it rather slowly across the table top. Vasquez studied the fine gold lighter for a moment, admiring the craftsmanship before flaring up and handing it back. “Where did you get this?”

  “An old man in Torreón makes them for me. Old bastard charges me an arm and leg.”

  “It’s quite exquisite.”

  “I’ll have him make you one, and a case and cutter to go with it.”

  “I hope you have not been waiting for me long, gentlemen,” a voice said behind them. His Spanish was fluid, slow with a faint hint of peasant underneath the low, scratchy tone. Luis Carrera was in his early seventies and moved slowly toward the two, supporting himself by an ebony walking stick. “My driver could only get me so close.”

  Morales and Vasquez both stood and greeted the old gentleman, who turned and waved off a tall, young man in a navy sport coat standing next to a silver Lexus before letting his weight fall into one of the tall wrought-iron chairs. He laid the walking stick, the head of which appeared to be a wolf’s head done in silver, across the empty fourth chair and patted his brow with a handkerchief he pulled from his gray sport coat.