Reincarnation
Copyright© 2026 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 7
Wyatt was in the basement gym practicing his martial arts on the boxing bags early Friday morning. When he finished, he was soaked in sweat and showered. While drying off, the tattoos appeared as normal, and the marks began to fade. The sore on the back of his head also didn’t hurt. Wyatt dressed and went to the kitchen, where Maria and Mom were cooking breakfast. While they ate, Governor Jim White called and asked Jenni if she knew where William was.
She lied and said no, then asked why, and Jim lied, saying he wanted to check up on his rehab progress. Mom said that last she knew, he was being transferred by Orchard Extended Care to another facility. But she hasn’t talked with William since he was in the hospital. Jim thanked her for the update and said goodbye. They finished breakfast, then Wyatt followed Mom into her home office and closed the door. She asked Wyatt what he thought, and he told her the FBI must have started their investigation.
The FBI showed up at the hospital, Orchard Extended Care, and the Wesco Psychiatric Care Facility simultaneously on Friday morning. The difference was that a team of agents showed up at Wesco with a search warrant and demanded to see Senator William Armstrong. The general manager, Mark Connor, refused and was arrested. The FBI seized files and called an ambulance when they saw the condition of Senator Armstrong.
Agents interviewed the staff and called State Attorney General Thomas Young to report their findings. Thomas promised to send a medical team immediately to investigate the Wesco Psychiatric Care Facility. Then Thomas called Governor Jim White to report the FBI’s phone call and his response. Jim told Thomas to follow through as promised and to keep him updated. Jim immediately called Gerald Black to report that the FBI was at Wesco Psychiatric Care Facility.
He told Gerald a medical team was being dispatched, and William was taken to the hospital. Gerald said, “Holy shit, the FBI will come for me next,” and Jim told Gerald not to panic yet. If your records are in order, you should be in the clear. Gerald said they are, but William’s isn’t, as the doctor only visits once a month. Jim told Gerald he was stupid not to have William evaluated immediately upon arrival.
He recommends Gerald take a vacation to his hunting cabin and disappear for a while. Jim said he would make some discreet inquiries and for Gerald to call him in a few days. Jim’s next call was to Jenni James, and he found out she didn’t know anything about the actions taken this morning. He sighed in relief, knowing their plan could proceed if Gerald Black kept his mouth shut, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. So, Jim called an emergency meeting of the group to discuss what to do with Gerald.
Wyatt went to his room after he met with Mom and read four more law textbooks. Then he finished the bot programming and installed it into the firewall program. He had an idea for an email program, but Mom called that lunch was ready. He saved his work, shut off the computer, and went to the kitchen. While they ate an early lunch, Mom told Wyatt to wear a suit to the meeting to project a professional image. He asked if that would do any good when he told them to kiss his ass, and everyone laughed.
After lunch, Wyatt changed into a suit, and they drove to the law offices of Crawford and Brown. David met them, and they went to the conference room. He introduced Andrew McCarty, Vice President of new product development, Kenneth Weber, Intel’s in-house counsel, and Amy Owen, an executive assistant. Andrew told Wyatt they were interested in purchasing his patent. Wyatt asked if they wanted it for the processors, servers, or everything.
Andrew paused, shocked that he knew of their plans and lied, saying our processors for now. Wyatt said Great, then prepare your bid for processors only, and we’ll take bids for servers from other companies. Andrew told Wyatt to wait a minute, and Wyatt stopped him, saying,” You’re lying to me. That’s not a great way to start a relationship or gain my trust. I know what I have invented, and don’t try to cheat me, or AMD will love to have it. By the way, we have a meeting scheduled with them next week.
Kenneth Weber said Let’s not get upset over misspoken words. We’re interested in purchasing your invention for Intel and IBM. Wyatt said that Andrew should have stated that in the first place. Now we’re telling the truth, my invention will double the speed of your processors, and when you start stacking processors, it will blow the competition out of the water. It will also speed up the IBM servers. They looked shocked, and Wyatt asked them to submit their offer, which we’ll consider.
Andrew said they want to complete the transaction today. Wyatt said Great, make an offer that blows the others out of the water, and it can be done. Kenneth asked for 15 minutes to discuss it, and they agreed and left the conference room. David asked Wyatt how they can blow the offers out of the water when they are none. Wyatt told David not to sweat the small details, and everyone laughed.
They returned, and Andrew presented Wyatt with their offer. He smiled and said You’ve purchased my patent. But there are a few conditions that shouldn’t be an issue. He told them, and they readily agreed to his consulting with them and getting free products. David drew up the agreement, and signatures were notarized. David gave them the firm’s impound account number, and the funds were transferred. Everyone shook hands, and they left.
David was shocked that they paid fifteen million for his patent. Wyatt said they knew it was worth much more and kept them in the lead in computer processors and servers. Their competitors will spend more to catch up, while IBM and Intel will corner the market. Wyatt told David not to screw him badly on the commission, and they left him laughing.
On the way home, Mom asked Wyatt what he thought would happen to Gerald Black. He said Gerald was a liability if the FBI found out what he did to Dad. The others, including Jim White, can’t afford for him to implicate them, so I’d expect Gerald would commit suicide with their help. The only question is how bad Dad is after the treatment he received and whether he can resume his senate duties.
Mom asked what that would do for her gubernatorial campaign, and Wyatt said nothing. Jim started the processes, so he can’t stop it without bringing attention to himself. I’ll bet Jim will hold a news conference announcing an investigation into Wesco Psychiatric Care Facility, and everything will continue as normal. Mom said she doesn’t want to appoint Jim to the Senate after what they did to William. Wyatt told her not to worry about it until we find out about Dad’s condition.
Upon arriving home, Mom heated dinner, and while they ate, the hospital called. They reported that William went into a coma while they were letting the drugs given to him clear his system. Mom asked if she should come right away or first thing in the morning. The doctor advised her to visit tonight as William’s vitals are dropping. Mom said she was on the way, and they took off for the hospital.
They couldn’t believe how bad Dad looked. He’d lost so much weight that his skin was loose around his arms, and his face looked sunken in. The doctor entered and said that if William makes it through the night, he has a good chance of surviving. But the effects of the drugs will be unknown until he wakes up. They said their goodbyes in case something happened and headed home. Mom swore that if William dies, she’ll see that every one of those bastards pays. Upon arriving home, they said goodnight and went to bed.
After breakfast on Saturday morning, Mom and Wyatt went to the hospital to visit Dad. He was alive, and the doctor said his vitals improved. But William was still in a coma, and there’s no telling when he will regain consciousness. We’ve got him on an intravenous feeding because he was malnourished, as you can see. Mom asked the doctor to keep them informed on William’s condition, and they headed home.
Upon arriving home, Mom said she would call David Crawford on Monday morning to obtain a referral to the best attorney to handle Williams’ case. Wyatt agreed, saying it’s best to get it started soon. There’s bound to be many lawsuits after the investigation is complete. It will be interesting to see how Governor Jim White tap-dances around the state’s responsibility for oversight of the state-funded facility. Mom said shit, she hadn’t thought about that, and would bet Jim hasn’t realized it yet, too.
When they arrived home, Wyatt told Mom it was best to keep Jim in the dark about the lawsuit until she spoke with an attorney. Also, give him vague answers if he asks about Dad’s condition, but admit we have visited him. It would be a good idea for William Armstrong and his estate to sue, so your name is kept out of it. Mom laughed and said That’s a good idea.
After lunch, they went to the stables, and Smokey and Sandy were happy to see them. While Mom was saddling Sandy, she nipped her in the butt, and Wyatt laughed, saying he had warned her. Mom was laughing too and accused Wyatt of setting it up. They took off on their ride and took a long trail for the horses’ exercise. Returning to the stables, they cared for the horses and went to the house to clean up.
Then Mom got a phone call from the Senate Majority Leader, Roy Wilkens. He’d heard from the FBI about William and asked Jenni about his condition. She told Roy that William was in a coma and in serious condition due to the drugs and malnutrition. Roy said he was sorry to hear about it, and if there was anything we needed to call. Then he told Jenni, unfortunately, we were nearing the end of William’s medical leave time allowance.
He can extend it for a short while if William improves, so please keep him informed. Otherwise, you’ll need to submit his resignation from the Senate. Jenni said she would keep him updated and do what’s necessary, and they said goodbye. Wyatt said it’s looking like Jim White’s master plan is circling the toilet bowl, and they laughed. Mom fixed dinner, and while they ate, she said I’ll bet those fools never thought about William’s medical leave being limited. They finished dinner, said goodnight, and went to bed.
When Wyatt fell asleep, he had a dream or vision. He was following Jim White, Karl Eden, Will DeWald, Tom Howell, and David St. John to a cabin in the woods. They were carrying bags, and Jim knocked on the door. Gerald Black answered and welcomed them inside. Jim told Gerald they brought him supplies and, of course, bourbon. They got Gerald drunk, and he passed out. Karl got Gerald’s revolver, wiped it down, and put it into Gerald’s hand.
All five assisted in putting the revolver in Gerald’s mouth and pulled the trigger. They cleaned up the cabin, removing any trace of their visit, and left. Wyatt followed and spotted a trail camera in the trees pointing at the cabin. There was another one on the trail to the road. He watched the five get into an SUV and drive away, then fell into a deep sleep.
During breakfast on Sunday morning, Mom got a call from the hospital. They said Dad suffered a stroke during the night, and he passed away. Mom thanked them for the information and would take care of the arrangements on Monday. Mom called Governor Jim White first and told him about Williams’ death. Jim gave his condolences and told Jenni that the state would handle the funeral services for their senator. Mom’s next call was to the Senate Majority Leader, Roy Wilkens, to notify him of William’s passing.
Roy offered his condolences and asked to be notified when the services were so he could attend with fellow senators. Mom said the governor was making arrangements, but she would keep him informed, and they said goodbye. Wyatt said he’d bet Jim is shitting bricks now, and they laughed. Mom said Jim will have to appoint someone to fill William’s seat now. Wyatt said Oh shit, I’ll bet he’ll ask you to fill it until the end of term, knowing you won’t want it permanently.
Mom said you’re right, that would fall into his plan perfectly. Then all he has to do is avoid getting caught up in the investigation and run for the Senate at the end of my term. Wyatt said if this happens, I promise to visit you a couple of times a month and take care of Sandy. Mom said if it happens, you’re coming with me, bucko, and they laughed. Then Mom said, “We’re going to need to go shopping.” You need a black suit, and I need an appropriate black dress.
Wyatt groaned while Mom called the tailor, chuckling. Anthony gave his condolences to Jenni for her loss and agreed to rush making Wyatt a black suit if they came in right away. On the way to town, Wyatt said he was sure Dad was paying him back for kicking him in the balls by having to visit Anthony again. Mom laughed and said You could be right causing them both to laugh.
Anthony welcomed them, and he and Mom picked out the fabric and color. Yes, there are dozens of black colors, and then the fun began. Anthoney felt up Wyatt from head to feet and called it measuring. Anthony said it would be ready for a final fitting on Thursday afternoon, and they left. Wyatt asked Mom if it was good for her because he felt violated, and they laughed. Then, of course, Mom had to shop for a dress, shoes, and a purse. They could find a hat with a veil, so they settled for sunglasses for both of them. It was late, so they ate lunch at the Burger King in the mall.