The weather stayed good. Peter and Bernadette wandered all over his 1,000 acres and much of the adjoining land. Bernadette was intrigued with the way the cabin nestled into the hillside. Peter took her hand and said, “Look at this.” He moved some brush aside and exposed the opening to an old family coal mine. Bernadette said, “How deep does it go?”

“I don’t know its extent but it goes in at least a couple of hundred feet. I plan to build a hidden room in the shaft that will open into the master bedroom. Enough of this. I want to explore some more of the mountain while the weather is good.”

They moved the campsite a few times, but always close to the small stream. Bernadette practiced with the .22 Hornet until they were both satisfied. Both worked on their conditioning. Peter taught her a few deadly Hapkido moves, and she learned quickly.

Bernadette showed Peter her knife-throwing skill. She could hit a five-inch circle from 20 feet nearly every time. As much as he tried, Peter couldn’t get the wrist release right and threw a foot right of the target.

Bernadette said, “I hope you are better with gun.”

“Why? I’m counting on you to take care of me.”

When the contractor packed up for the weekend, he told Peter that the bathrooms and kitchen would be functional by the end of the next week.

Sitting in a picnic area alongside the Juniata River, Peter felt a peace he had never experienced before. The world would be perfect, if I could take this woman and Jack somewhere no enemies could ever find us. Next Monday, the problems will start. No ranking officer of perhaps the most effective intelligence agency in the world would want to see me just to talk. I don’t think I personally am in any danger in this meeting. I am just too insignificant for this man to be involved with killing or seizing me. I’m using Bernadette mostly to impress them that I don’t trust them and coming after me would have its downside.

After their excellent picnic lunch from the hotel kitchen, Peter asked Bernadette to drive. He wanted her to be able to find the cabin later and to get a feel for driving narrow mountain roads. But first they had to stop in Bedford to pick up groceries for a week.

By the time she drove through Jennerstown, Bernadette had picked up the skill of mountain driving with some coaching from Peter to anticipate the curves and brake, if necessary, before the curve and accelerate through it. Moving slowly through Ligonier she said, “This town is even more pleasant than Leesburg. I could live here.”

“Good, but you need to see this place in the winter. Cold, windy, and heavy snowfalls. The snow sometimes shuts the town down for a few days. I’ve never been here in the winter but the realtor I’ve been working with told me winters were hard on newcomers until they learned to stop fighting it.

“At the bottom of the next steep downgrade there is a small dam across the Loyalhana Creek.” Peter pointed out the right turn right across the dam and told Bernadette to follow the road. “But not too fast, you will soon be turning back to the west and up a steep ridge.

“Okay, there is your turn next on the right. When you reach the top of the ridge, slow way down. The turn off is hard to see – there is no mailbox and the opening is partially grown over with spruce trees. See the slight break about 75 yards in front on the right? Turn in there. Don’t worry, the branches will brush both sides of the car. There should have been some trucks in here, but I don’t see any signs of them. There is a gate across the driveway. Stop and I’ll open it.”

“Where is the place? I can barely find it with you telling me every turn. How did you ever get here?”

“A woman brought me here in her car.”

“I might’ve known.”

“She was more than twice your age and a sales person.”

“Is that your story?”

“The truth is the truth. Okay, the gate is relocked. Drive ahead and park in the small graveled circle.”

When Bernadette stopped, she was out of the car before Peter. “My God, Peter this place is like a hidden paradise. How much do you own?”

“As far as you can see from here. Around 1,000 acres. I was hoping work had started but no signs of it outside. Let’s go inside. We might not have to use the tent.”

Inside on the dining table there was a note from the contractor saying he would be there with a backhoe tomorrow morning to put in the 1,000 gallon diesel tank and generator. Another crew would be there to tear out the bathrooms and install new appliances. They may also be able to get a start on the kitchen. Peter put the note down and said, “I spoke too soon. Looks like the tent will be our home until Sunday. If it rains hard we can hurry back here and share the cabin with the workmen.”

“Not my idea of a honeymoon,” said Bernadette, flashing her rings.

“Are all Irish ladies so fussy?”

“We’re never fussy as long as our man feeds and beds us often enough. Can we stay here tonight and move out before the workmen get here in the morning?”

“Sure, but in that case come outside with me.”

As soon as she stepped out on the small porch, Peter swept her up and carried her across the threshold. “Every woman should get carried across at least one threshold.”

“That’s a good custom. I can now take that off my ‘to do before I die’ list,” Bernadette said.

Saturday August 14, 1977

 

Bernadette was an even earlier riser than Peter. She had room service bring breakfast before Peter finished shaving. He appeared just as Bernadette was going to go get him. She said, “I’ve been slaving over this breakfast for an hour. Now come and enjoy it before it gets cold.”

Peter loved to have a good cup of coffee before he started on the food. The coffee at the hotel was excellent. Peter helped himself to a plate of crispy home fries, eggs over easy, and dry raisin toast. “Today is going to be a super fun day for me, especially as I want to show you what I bought. No. It’s not anything in this room. No use in looking around. We have a four-hour drive before we get there. We have to pack up and check out. Please call down and ask them to pack us a picnic lunch for pick up in 30 minutes.”

 

Peter drove west on Route 7 to Leesburg where he turned north on Route 15. “I could live here,” Bernadette said as they passed through Leesburg. “America is such a vast place. A poor Irish girl is lost in this mix of terrain, vegetation, architecture, highways, and ethnic groups. It is much simpler in Ireland, Catholic or Protestant, English, Scottish, or Irish with an occasional Welshman. While Ireland is simpler, its historical angers persist as strong as ever. There weren’t enough ingredients for the mixing bowl of differences to produce common goals, hopes, and tolerances for others. I doubt it will ever change.”

“Bernadette, I want you to break all ties with the IRA. You are a very intelligent woman. Pick out an area of study you do or could enjoy, and we’ll find a university that offers what you want. Paying the bill is part of our unwritten contract. When this current phase of danger in my life lessens, please think about what I said. The IRA is not what it used to be. There is no value in killing innocent civilians, including women and children. How can you justify an organization that uses indiscriminate bombing to further their cause? Where is the honor in that? Where is the justification for killing your own because they chose another path?”

Bernadette thought for a moment. “Yes, I’ve lost my belief in the IRA. You know, they don’t allow members to just walk away. Especially those who know as much as I do. I’m okay for a bit longer. They recognize everyone needs a break and travel to America to further the cause, even with casual contacts, is a good thing. While Terry has nothing to do with the IRA, they respect him and do not want him as an enemy, which he would be if they did anything to me.”

“After the killing of my wife and daughter by men who were and are after me, my number one goal is to protect Jack. To give him a chance at life. Even though I love you, if the IRA makes you a target, your presence will endanger my son. Without that problem, I would ask you to marry me right now. The best we can have in the near future is for you to escape the IRA and get an education.

“Depending on what happens, I hope we can see each other. If we’re careful, I don’t see why not. Even if the time I have to wait to see you seems long, I will wait for you. No other woman will take your place. You are young and can make whatever decisions you choose about life. Compared to you, I’m an old man. Probably 15 years older and many miles behind me.

“What if I get pregnant?”

“I would be proud to have a child with you. If you get pregnant, we will manage to maintain some kind of a family, and the child will have a father and not want for anything. The future is very unpredictable. Maybe none of our enemies will be a problem. Sometime I’ll tell you my life story and family history.” Peter turned to look out his window.

“Notice we left the rolling hills of Maryland and Virginia and have been climbing into the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. The wide spot in the road just ahead is Breezewood, a major Pennsylvania Turnpike exit. We’ll be taking Route 30 north and west. You will be travelling over one of the oldest and most important roads in the early history of America. I hope you like the outdoors because we will probably be sleeping in a small tent. I have most of the gear we’ll need in the trunk, but we’ll need to stop in Bedford and get some food and drink for camping. While there we might as well get some lunch. Are you hungry?”

“Thought you forgot about eating. We young Irish girls need to be fed otherwise we get cranky. Hunger kills our sex drive. Nothing I can do about it.”

“In that case, I’d better hurry. We’ll be at a roadside rest and picnic area in ten minutes. Hope the picnic lunch is good. May be your last good meal for a while.”

Back at the hotel they showered and dressed casually to go shopping. First was Bloomingdales. They walked into the women’s section. The sales staff paid scant attention to them until one of them saw Bernadette’s diamond ring and jade pendant and hurried over.“May I help you?”

Peter said, “We don’t have much time but this beautiful woman needs some casual and formal wear, head to foot.”

Turning to Bernadette, he said, “Darling, why don’t you get comfortable in one of the dressing rooms, and I’m sure the ladies will bring you a number of items. Just tell them which ones you like. I think you need several outfits of dress and casual. Let’s see what we can accomplish in one hour.”

The sales clerk hurried away and came back with two more sales attendants. To speed things along, Peter moved about the racks pulling off items that he thought would be good on Bernadette and handing them to a confused sales staff. Soon, a steady stream of sales ladies was carrying bundles of outfits back to the largest dressing room.

At the end of an hour Peter called in to Bernadette to see if she had made any selections.

Bernadette giggled and said, “This is really fun. I think I picked about twenty outfits and am now trying to decide the couple to take.”

Peter said, “Not to worry. Bring them all.” He caught the attention of the nearest sales clerk and said, “Please bring the outfits she likes over to the desk and get the total for me. Don’t forget the shoes.”

Peter had the packages sent over to the hotel so they could browse the mall without carrying armloads of packages. The entire bill came to $13,291.83. Bernadette had a hard time keeping a straight face. She hadn’t spent that much on clothes in her entire life. Peter tipped each of the four sales ladies with a $50 dollar bill.

Back in their suite, Bernadette made Peter sit while she modeled all the outfits. She said, “I know modeling all these outfits for you might seem a bit much, but people like us shouldn’t pass up enjoying-the-moment opportunities. Our pure pleasure fun times are limited. So lean back. Enjoy and tell me which outfit turns you on the most.”

Peter said, “All of them. You are a beautiful young woman and in these clothes, and without them, you are the kind of woman men dream about. I intend to manage things so that both of us together or separate will have many more opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of life, especially the small ones that just happen. Now leave those four-inch black pumps on, nothing else, and come to bed.”

“Good! You do have an erotic side.”

Fifteen minutes after getting up from the breakfast table, they were in the car. Bernadette knew not to ask where they were going. He would tell her or not before they got wherever they were going. The road they were on led directly to a park along the Potomac River. The sign at the entrance said Great Falls Park. Peter parked and they got out.

Peter said, “Next Monday about 12:30 PM, a car will pull up over there by that big rock. Our car will be out of sight. One man will get out and walk to the center of this parking lot. Another man, the driver, will remain in the car. There may not be a driver, but one is allowed.

“I will talk with this man for no longer than 30 minutes, probably much less. If I raise my right hand over my head, kill the man with me and shoot at the man in the car. Kill him if you can but do not expose yourself. You will be up on that hillside at least two hours before the meeting time. We will have short-range open radio communications. Keep all messages short, with no names. I know you know all this but I like to cover everything.

“If anything happens to me – killed, hit hard, overpowered by men we missed – hide the rifle and make your escape on foot back to the hotel. There will be a package for you at the desk that will have enough money for you to fly back to Jacksonville and rent a car to go to Amelia Island. Use the car in the garage at my house to take Jack, Rip, and the Nguyens back up here. Use a different hotel.

“The package will have the address of my attorney, a friend of Terry’s, give him the note in the package. He will provide what money you need and give you some instructions about moving into the cabin in the Pennsylvania Allegheny Mountains.

“You will see the place tomorrow. You can all wait there, out of sight. Never admit you were in the park. You were shopping when all this happened. You don’t know where I went. When we get back we will wander through the mall to help your story. That’s it.”

“My God, Peter! I’ve been around men planning operations for the last three years and I’ve never heard any briefing like that. You have had some serious training somewhere. Let’s leave it at that. I’m glad to be on your side. Now show me where I’ll be hiding.”

Thursday, August 12, 1977

The drive up to McLean on Route 95 was much easier with company and two drivers. Peter saw that Bernadette was a natural driver. Her anticipation skills were exceptional. With weapons in the car, they were careful not to get stopped for speeding. Peter said, “It will be good to have a place to keep some weapons and other gear. If we didn’t have loaded weapons, we could fly up. I hope to soon have a place to stay. This drive is boring and tiresome. If I never see 95 again, I won’t complain.”

Walking from the valet parking at the Washington Hotel, Bernadette had to remind herself this was make believe as she entered the hotel on Peter’s arm wearing a wedding ring and a two-carat diamond engagement ring. He gave them to her during the drive from Amelia Island. She thought, It was a good thing I wasn’t driving when he gave these to me. A girl doesn’t expect to be engaged and married at 70 mph on Route 95. Peter told her the rings would make the next few days easier. She asked if she had to give them back. He said he wouldn’t ask for them.

Bernadette noticed that the staff knew Peter and greeted him. When she entered the suite he usually stayed in, she understood why. Terry told her Peter was well to do but this was ridiculous. She could retire on what he’d spent since she met him.

As soon as the bellhop left and the door closed, Peter said, “Tonight we have a good meal, try out this giant bed, and get ready to work first thing after breakfast. Tomorrow’s dress is Levis, walking shoes, and a dark tee. Also wear this ball cap and your dark shades.”

An hour later, Peter was on his way back to Amelia Island. He made it as far as South Carolina before pulling into a motel for some sleep. He got a very early start the next morning and was home in time for lunch. Jack and Rip jumped all over him. Bernadette told him later she wanted to do the same thing but uncharacteristically restrained herself. The Nguyens hurried to put on a great lunch in record time. Peter thought, Life is good. I wish I could keep it this pure and simple.

That night Bernadette, wearing only her new jade pendant, stretched tightly against him while their breathing returned to normal. She said, “Peter, I have never had a family or even knew what it would be like. This is wonderful. I’m at peace, happy spending time in this place. It is like stepping off the spinning world. I know this can’t last but I’m going to bank every day.”

“I know the feeling. I’m sorry, but the day after tomorrow I need you to come with me. I must go back up to Washington. I’ll need more than your companionship. I need your skills to cover my back while I talk to some dangerous people. There will be time to have fun and I have a surprise for you. Will you help me?”

“Yes, of course, I’d be unhappy if you went into a dangerous situation without me. What will I need?”

“You’ll need the .22 Hornet with the 10x scope and the .45 Colt I gave you last week. How comfortable are you in the backup sniper role?”

“Not a lot of experience. But I know how to wait and anything under 150 yards is good. But I’ll need to practice with the Hornet.”

“Good answer. We’ll have time for practice. Do you have any clothes for lying in the woods?”

“No.”

“Okay. Tomorrow we’ll get you a duck hunting set of camouflage clothes.”

“What other outfits will I need?”

“Take your best dress, heels, and bag. Also comfortable shoes, Levis, T-shirts, and rain gear. What you don’t have, we’ll get. Our hotel is near an upscale mall. Not to worry. The right clothing is part of your job. Look at it as an allowance.”

“Why are you being so good to me?”

“I would like to be better to you. I need you and I want to be with you. I feel good with you around and am proud to be seen with you. Besides, Jack and Rip told me you’re good.”

Bernadette took a mock swing at him and said, “What do they know? They’re both too young.”

“Go to sleep, you Irish witch, before I want you again.”

“Is that a promise?”

Peter went back to the hotel and spent two hours in the workout facility and then took a nap with his .22 High Standard under his pillow and a chair against the door. Being safe was inconvenient, but so was being dead.

Peter felt refreshed after his nap and drove over to the huge shopping center at Tysons Corner. He bought some clothes at Bloomingdale’s, three conservative dark suits, several shirts and ties, dress shoes, and some presents for the Nguyens, Jack, and Bernadette. His clothes needed alterations and would be sent to the hotel in a few days. It was good to live like regular people. After his phone call to Batcher tonight, he suspected the time out would be over.

He filled up his car at an all-night gas station and used the pay phone after checking for any outside cameras. Frank answered on the first ring and said, “Batcher.”

“Just a call this time. Nothing in your box. Are you acting on the information I gave you?”

“Yes and no. We have the information and have located the people and have them under loose surveillance. As you said, taking them down could have consequences we are not ready to deal with. Your information is very good. So good it is limited to one other person besides me. That person is my Chief’s chief. He wants a dialogue of some kind with you. You set the place, time, and rules.

“He is an operational genius and wants you to help us with some problems. He doesn’t care who you are or where you came from, he just wants a chance to communicate. He will come alone and you can leave at any time. The man who wants to talk to you doesn’t believe we could either pursue you or trap you. He thanks you for saving the lives of his officers by taking down the terrorist/sniper in Georgetown. Are you willing to meet him?”

“Maybe. But I must have total control. I will call you two weeks from today at your office number. When I call he must be ready to go to my meeting site. You may drive him. I will give you less than 30 minutes. It will be nearby. Give me your office number. I will call at noon. Goodbye.”

Peter thought, This might be good or very bad. I have to see. We will need some official help at some point. So far they have played it straight with me. Actually, they told me more than I expected.

Keeping his suite, Peter drove to Somerset, Pennsylvania, early the next morning. His route out of Tysons Corner was against the morning traffic, and he was in Somerset by noon. He stopped for a cup of coffee in Somerset and picked up the local paper and some free real estate flyers. There were dozens of houses for sale and scores of mountain properties. He saw an ad he liked and noted the real estate office was practically in the center of town.

Peter walked in the office and asked the woman on duty about the ad they had running in the brochure. He showed her the ad. The agent, who wore a pin that said Betty, told him to look on the table next to the door for a Platt map and some pictures, including an aerial photo. Peter liked what he saw. A single building, a large log cabin, sat in the northern corner of a thousand acres of forested mountain land with a small stream running down the valley.

Peter asked if anyone could show him the property. Betty said, “Nancy Squire will be back from lunch in about 45 minutes. If you would like to go out and have coffee or lunch, Nancy will be back when you return. She is free to show the property this afternoon. What is your name?”

“Peter Brandon. Can you tell me how long the property has been for sale?”

Betty replied, “A little more than a year. The coffee shop a few doors to your right is not a bad place for a quick lunch.”

After his quick lunch, Peter met Nancy and they started the drive to the cabin. According to the site map, the cabin sat nearly in the center of 1,000 acres on the south slope of the mountain. A chain link fence enclosed ten acres. The driveway was approximately a quarter of a mile from the narrow, hard surfaced road. A locked gate blocked the driveway. As Nancy drove through the opened gate, Peter could see the roof of the cabin nestled against the sharp slope. She pulled into the gravel turn-around space and shut off the engine

Peter could now hear the subdued murmur of an unseen mountain stream down the steep slope. The sun was high in the sky and the slight breeze swirled in the heavy leafed branches of towering oak and red maple trees surrounding the small clearing. The back of the cabin was set flush against the steep, heavily wooded slope. Nancy asked Peter if he wanted to see inside. Being a shrewd realtor, she saw that her client was making his own inspection. Peter murmured he would, and she opened the only door into the cabin. The door swung open on well-oiled hinges. The cabin smelled slightly musty. It was empty of all furniture, no wall hangings or drapes. It was larger inside than he thought it would be from his outside view. There was a Pullman kitchen with very old appliances, a sitting room with a slow-burning wood stove, two bedrooms, one larger than the other. Two baths that needed upgrading.

Off the back of the kitchen was a heavy metal door that led to a spacious storage area containing a hot water heater, a pump, and pressure tank for the well. Nancy said, “You probably will want to put in a large generator, in case the long power line in from the State road goes down and it will.”

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done to make this place comfortable. I like the setting and the cabin itself is in good condition. I suspect it was built 40 or 50 years ago and has been kept up. I’ll offer $250,000 for immediate sale and occupancy.”

“Okay. I’ll take the offer to the owner this afternoon or tonight, and I’ll need to talk to your lawyer about the payment process.”

“Good, he will take care of the payment and represent me at settlement.”

Two days later, Peter owned a log cabin in the Allegheny Mountains. He asked Nancy, his realtor, to recommend a local contractor who he could trust. When she gave him a name, he said, “I’m not interested in the lowest price. I want good and dependable workmanship. A company that can meet deadlines. Now can your office manage the work and payment schedule?”

Nancy said, “I mostly own this agency. Sales are slow so, yes, I’ll manage the work for a 15% fee.”

“Agreed. Stay in touch with my attorney. He will be sending the checks out. If you need me, go through him. I travel a lot. Give me a yellow pad and I’ll write what I want done.”