The first novel in a three-part story by R.M. Dolin
What Is To Be Done – SYNOPSIS
Jake doesn’t consider himself a rebel any more than a recluse but after Emelia dies from a human engineered virus, the only time he’s at peace is when riding his bike, working in his distillery, and going to the Al Azar to play poker with former Mind’s Eye project colleagues who worked on the super-secret Los Alamos effort to develop technologies in the aftermath of 9/11 to track suspected terrorists. Unfortunately, politicians and the Oligarchs who control them nefariously perverted Mind’s Eye technology to spy on citizens and political opponents. Burdened by guilt these intellectuals, calling themselves ‘Americans for a New America,’ (ANA), are planning virtual coup. To outside observers they seem like the same complaining old men you’ll find in any bar or coffee shop, but two things set them apart; the lengths they’ll go to make amends and their ability to achieve desired outcomes. Their quixotic plan’s proceeding on schedule until suddenly and unexpectedly diverted.
The Governor’s mandated no one is to violate quarantine unless to attend her sanctioned events but everyone’s celebrating Cinco de Mayo anyway, including the ANA who’ve gathered at the Al Azar. When the doors fly open and in flops a disheveled young woman it’s clear to everyone who she is and what she’s fleeing, just as they know whomever she’s fleeing will be here soon. Miguel and his entourage arrive in minutes intent on taking the woman, but when Jake threatens to unleash cyber hell one thing leads to another and Jake winds up wagering twenty-grand on a card game for the woman’s freedom. When he wins, Miguel warns him things aren’t over.
The woman doesn’t respond to English and the ANA aren’t equipped to provide what she needs so Jake takes her to Padre but rather than help, he insists God’s given Jake this burden for a reason. Reluctantly, he takes her home and names her Sympatico. Jake returns from a trip to Española, to find Sympatico’s not home just as Miguel shows up unannounced welcoming the opportunity to find and reclaim his property. Jake’s salesclerk, Theresa, who’s in the US illegally, mobilizes the shadow immigrant community. Eventually Jake finds Sympatico’s hiding in his tool shed, too afraid to trust anyone. Happy she’s safe, he hosts a barbecue celebration and Dario lingers to share a quiet drink. The events of the day combined with over-drinking lead Dario to his latest PTSD episode that worsens as he retells the story of a Marine who died taking a bullet for him in Iraq.
The ANA hold a special meeting to debate what to do about Sympatico; the challenge is returning her to Bolivia without drawing attention to themselves or their ambitions. They’ve intercepted a federal memo describing a seditious cell operating in New Mexico and are sending a Watcher, named Alvarez, to investigate. Unsettled by this news, Jake has a quiet bourbon in his courtyard that leads to several others. When Sympatico ventures into the courtyard things quickly devolve with explosive consequences.
A reasonable man would apologize but Jake spends the next day making Mula, an illegal southwest prohibition era whiskey. Theresa reminds him today is interview day for his assistant distiller position. After summarily dismissing the first applicant, a Harley rider stops to sample whiskey. The last thing Chance needs is a job, but Jake’s so impressed with his knowledge of spirits he offers him the position. Chance declines until spotting Sympatico and imagines romantic possibilities.
When Padre leaves note telling Jake to bring Angelica to church Sympatico assumes that’s Jake’s girlfriend and worries, she’ll make Jake kick her out. She’s relieved to learn Angelica is an alter wine Jake makes for communion. Padre delivers a powerful sermon on perseverance while assuring Sympatico God’s placed her on her path for a reason. He shares his history of growing up in Venezuela, of protesting with Bolivians for worker’s rights, and being sent to seminary in Poland.
Because it’s poker night, Jake leaves and Chance experiences the wrath of Sympatico’s mistrust in men. Jake arrives at the Al Azar where Miguel’s waiting with an offer to buy Sympatico for considerably more than he initially wagered. He warns Jake that the people he works for prefer quiet resolution but have other means at their disposal.
Jake notifies Marcos to activate the Albuquerque ANA and stays at the Al Azar to plan how best to deal with Miguel’s threat. While protecting Sympatico, Dario and Chance engage in a competition for who’s better suited for her, but she lets them know there’s no possibility for romance. She reveals her Bolivian past, hinting at reasons why the cartel wants her back. Marcos arrives with an App his team’s developed to not only watch the Watchers, but Miguel as well. Everyone assembles at Jake’s, splitting into night sentry shifts. Jake’s awakened with the dire news a man’s been stabbed, a woman’s dead, and according to Marcos’ App, police are descending on Miguel’s compound. Jake rushes to Sympatico’s room to find her missing.
#
In part two of the trilogy, “Trophic Cascade – The Rise and Fall of Quiet Acquiescence,” the story picks up with a murdered woman at Miguel’s ranch and Sympatico missing.
Background short stories
Cowboy Coffee – Importance of doing what needs to be done
Jake and Emelia – Tale told from loss to life
Dominic and Denali – A story of love and loss but not lost love
Comments are closed