The Power of Twelve Read Online Free PDF Page A

gives.” She laid a hand on his wrist. “Trust me, I know the type. This Arnold Wheeler is not someone who is ever going to truly help. He is part of the old energy, and at best we can hope he will not oppose us.”
    ARNOLD WAS JUST FINISHING BREAKFAST when Jim and Inéz entered with their daughter Nely.
    Arnold smiled and greeted the girl, “And what is your name, young lady?”
    â€œMy name is Nely Cusumano. What is your name?”
    â€œMy name is Arnold Wheeler. My friends call me Arnie and so can you.”
    â€œNice to meet you, Arnie,” Nely said in her most polite and grownup voice.
    â€œNely,” her mother told her, “right after breakfast we are going into town to finish our Christmas shopping. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we will be exchanging gifts. Go to your room and get your list of what you think we should purchase for your cousins.”
    â€œOh, this is going to be so much fun. I love shopping with you, Mommy,” Nely squealed as she ran off to her room.
    Eugene Green was coming down the stairs as Nely raced by him. He could not help but smile at the little girl’s excitement as she bounded up the stairs two at a time. Nely reminded him of his own daughter when she was younger. He loved his daughter, but his work as a Secret Service agent at the White House and later his even more demanding responsibilities as personal bodyguard to Arnold Wheeler had prevented him from spending as much time with her as he would have liked. Too many Christmases he was on duty, away from his family. It looked like this Christmas would be no different. Arnold had told Eugene to be ready to accompany him to California to check on wind farms and agricultural holdings outside Paso Robles. It seemed unlikely he would be back home in Connecticut until after the holidays.
    Arnold looked up from the table as Eugene entered the dining room. “Ah, just on time. The plane is waiting. Is the limo ready?”
    â€œYes, sir. The bags are already stowed and we can leave whenever you like,” Eugene confirmed.
    â€œExcellent.” Arnold stood up and marched toward the main entrance to the mansion. Outside, a BMW was waiting with the door already opened for him.
    Once seated, Arnold turned to Eugene and asked, “Did you listen last night to those speeches from those California goofballs?”
    â€œNot really, sir. I was in the kitchen for most of the evening, catching up with Prince Charles’s bodyguard. We have been friends for years, and I did not think it important that I attend the talk,” Eugene apologized.
    â€œNo need to be sorry, Eugene,” Arnold reassured him. “What they were saying was not important in the slightest. But they are going to become a problem if they continue to pour such crap in the ears of other members of the Illuminati. That message of the woman of Full Feminine Power Now could injure our efforts going forward. I may need you to monitor her activities in the future,” Arnold explained.
    â€œWe have dealt with more formidable foes, sir. I am sure she will not be a problem.”
    â€œOf course not.” Arnold chuckled as he relaxed back into the leather of the BMW. “No doubt one woman with some crazy ideasis not really much of a threat, but we can never be too cautious,” he concluded.
    Arnold Wheeler had learned as a child that success depended upon paying attention to details, no matter how trivial they might seem at the time. He would see how other women responded to these notions. If it looked like Gayle caused even the slightest of groundswells, he would be calling every head of every media outlet in the world to broadcast his own message.

CHAPTER FOUR
    NARANJADA
    N ARANJADA
    J ANUARY 9, 2013
    A DEEP, INTENSE ORANGE, not just a color but a feeling also. A feeling of constant euphoria, combined with a calm knowingness that kept the joy permanent but at the same time stimulating. That was the color and the