Wars End Solomon Stryker Series

Prologue

Wars End. It is an odd name for a bar and restaurant. Well, it just so happens, it is more than that! It is the most magnificent bar and restaurant combination. Though the nature it represents is brutal, there is nothing brutal about it. Decorated in an all mahogany wood trim as well as boasting a curved 50 seat cherry wood bar, it is magnificent. The restaurant continually earns a five star restaurant rating in the food industry. I named it, Wars End. Its name represents Peace.

She sat there all alone in one of the booths; surrounded polished brass rails, and the softest Italian full grain leather. By her looks if she wasn’t a model, she should have been one. She was a real beauty that was easily appreciated! She appeared to be deep in thought.

This woman was no pushover. Any who thought she was, would likely find out quickly, and sometimes painfully, just how strong she is.

Her hair was strawberry blonde. Her skin held a perfect tan; just enough to give her that smooth, beach look. She was definitely beautiful.

She had been sitting there for quite a while, just nursing her Sam Adams Light. Something was obviously on her mind. She was not looking at her watch, as if waiting for someone. No, waiting for someone did not fit her. No man would dare keep this woman waiting! She was either deep in thought, or casing the joint.

I was sitting at a vantage point where I could monitor her behavior. Even while I was finalizing a contract with my new client my mind and eyes kept wandering to the woman.

This, in itself was unusual for me. I had trained hard all my life to be extremely meticulous and focused. The nature of my business requires that I make no mistakes. My mistakes usually meant the wrong people would die, which is not acceptable

After my client and I had hands, I promised him that, we would be in touch later. I put all of my paperwork together; placed it in my briefcase, locked it and then walked over to the bar and asked Andy, the bartender, to place my briefcase behind the bar for safekeeping.

Making my way over to the woman, I said to her, Pardon me, but I have been observing you for the last few minutes. You seem to be in deep thought. Is there anything I can do for you, or is there something I can help you with?

Much to my surprise, instead of a smile, anger exploded from her as she sneered, You have got to be kidding me! That’s the best line you can come up with?

I felt the anger well up in me! Though I was considering a harsh retort to her words I remained calm.

I had faced worse things in my 26 years and I had never let them get the best of me. She certainly would not see the bad side of me, no matter how much of an ass she made of herself!

I abruptly turned away from her, walked over to the bar, and had Andy return my briefcase to me and walked out of Wars End.

Beauty never impressed me as much as the character did. This woman easily passed in beauty, she failed miserably in character. I never looked back, but instead I put her out of my mind. I had quite a bit of work to do before I could call it a night. Insignificant pieces of information, usually were set aside for a later date, to see if they were part of a puzzle. I filed away for a later date.

Andy called me on my cell phone and said whatever transpired between the woman and me, must have made an impression on her! He said the woman had a complete shocked look on her face!

I smiled and chuckled quietly to myself. Ah well. I was just trying to be nice and she would probably have ended up being a complication that I did not need. Once again, a man had underestimated the relentless pursuit of a woman!

Chapter 1

Never in my life had I ever had a man just up and walk away from me! Men tended to fawn over me, seeking out my attention, which I always found to be more than just sickening.

It usually shows desperation on their part. Did they think a woman had a mind of her own? We are more than capable of deciding, on our own, whom we would like to talk to or get to know. We damn sure did not need desperate or drunken men hanging on us!

Still, thinking back on the man, she could not understand why she had been so rude and abrupt with him. That was not like her!

Taking a moment to remember what he said to her, it really didn’t feel like a pick up line. He had really seemed genuine in what he had said.

She really had only been trying to take a vacation before she wrote, what would be the biggest story of her career and was not looking for companionship.

The man, who had spoken to her, was tremendously handsome! He was probably the most beautiful man she had ever seen.

His suit was not an ‘off the rack’ type. It had to have cost him two or three thousand dollars,

He had long flowing black hair, parted in the middle and hung down slightly below his shoulders. His hair was so black; it had almost a blue hint to it. He had high cheekbones and a narrow, strong nose, with dark skin. There had to be a lot of Native American Indian in him. Yet, the most striking thing about him was his beautiful blue eyes! What do blue eyes and Native Americans possibly have in common?

She could also tell by his figure that he was a powerful man and he must work out regularly. The man had to be at least 6’5" tall. He also walked with an air of conceit, no… strike that, he had an air of extreme confidence about him. He knew who he was and did not need others to tell him that.

The journalist in her knew that there was a story about him that she needed to look into and she would tell it! Her first step in her investigation of him was to find out who he was! A bar was usually a great place for information!

She walked over to the bar, found her a seat, and motioned for the bartender. Andy walked over to her and asked what she would like. She ordered another Sam Adams Light.

When Andy brought her the bottle, she smiled and introduced herself to him, Hi, my name is Candace Austin. I’m new around here and I was wondering if you could answer a question for me?

Andy knew what that question was going to be. He could barely suppress a chuckle. And what would that question be? Andy asked, while he started wiping the bar surface.

There was a gentleman who just left. We spoke, but unfortunately, he walked out before I could catch his name. You seemed friendly enough to him. Would you by any chance know his name?

Andy sighed, Miss Austin, what do you do for a living?

Candace did not know what to make of his question and what it had to do with anything. What does what I do for a living have to do with my question?

Well. explained Andy Around here, we are very protective of our regulars, especially when it comes to giving out information to strangers. Who knows, you could be the IRS, a private investigator or God knows what! Who knows what type of person or organization belong may be associated with? In addition, are trying to become a problem for them? That’s why we are very careful about the information we give out.

Well, I’m none of the above! If you remember, he approached me, not the other way around! Candace said, slightly peeved.

Andy thought about it for a minute and wondered if his boss would want him to give out his name to this woman. He then decided he would give her his name, and as usual, nothing else. Andy was fully aware the regulars would not give her any information at all.

His name is Solomon Stryker. Solomon Stryker? Somewhere in the back of her mind, that name was familiar, but she could not nail it down.

She now had to try for more information. Do you know what he does for a living? asked Candace.

Lady you said you had a question. That allows you only one question. Maybe that was too much. If you would like something to eat or drink, then I will be glad to help you. If you are finished, then I suggest you pay your tab and be on your way! Andy said, canceling out any chance for further conversation.

Damn, thought Candace. She wondered if all the customers at Wars End received this rude treatment! This kind of response made a journalist instincts kick in gear! That she was a journalist was not something she had shared with him!

Candace, just let his last comment pass, paid her tab and left. As she headed out to her car, she knew she had homework to do on her laptop, when she returned to her hotel room. Who this mysterious Solomon Stryker is; she was determined to find his story!

When Candace Austin left Wars End, Andy went into the back, inserted a special key into a slot, and rode an elevator up to the second floor.

Andy walked over to a wall, and pressed a preset spot on the wall. An iris and palm scanner came out. Once given access, a door slid open. Andy stepped in and the door slid quietly closed behind him. Andy logged in on his computer and brought up a screen that said ‘Stryker Security and Investigative Services’.

Andy chose an Icon that was for ‘Potential Watch List’ and entered Candace Austin’s information and the questions she had asked. Candace Austin was immediately under the watchful eyes and ears of Stryker Security monitoring division and agents would be on their way to wherever they found she was staying.

Candace Austin was now a person of interest, and was not even aware that she had inadvertently become the interest of the world’s more watchful eyes!

Chapter 2

Stryker drove his custom jet black Chevrolet Camaro SS into his private underground parking garage. Stryker had quite a bit of aftermarket work performed on his Camaro, including a full car hidden roll cage, a ramped up suspension and rack and pinion steering, 6 speed manual transmission, twin Nitrous Oxide boosts tanks, armor side, front, rear and bottom panels, bullet proof glass as well as a 500 horsepower powerhouse under the hood. It had dark tinted windows and a license plate that reads ‘STRYKER 1’.

Stryker felt quite secure in knowing this car could get him where he needed to be quick, or get him out of a jam in a hurry. Inside the trunk, under the panel where the spare would go, was an armament of various assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, and ammo. The Camaro was his favorite car, above the other cars or motorcycles in his garage, well, maybe the 2012 Shelby Mustang comes in a close second.

Stryker got out of his car and closed the door. There was no need to lock it. His private garage was like Fort Knox. Even if you could break in there, you would set off security alarms that would show up at all of his businesses. The garage would completely seal itself with three-inch steel doors at every entry and exit.

If that was not enough, then you had to be prepared to deal with the Halon gas, which robs the air of oxygen, knocking you on your ass. The automatic alarm would have one of his Commando teams in place in minutes. One way or the other, you were totally screwed.

Stryker walked over to his private elevator door, inserted his keycard and the elevator doors opened up, allowing him to get in and ride three stories up to his main home.

To look at it from the outside, his building would appear to be just a large, stylish brick, multi-level high rent office building.

The difference from the normal building would be the ten-foot fence encased in razor wire, which surrounded the complex. If that didn’t catch your eye, security guards with body armor and M-16 assault rifles, holding the leash of a Rottweiler, added to the aura of high security!

That should be enough to catch anyone’s interest! Actually, the first floor was his main office, employee cafeteria, and a childcare center. The second floor was a complete gym, designed by Stryker, as well as his security-monitoring center. His home took up the complete third floor.

Underground, covering the entire complex was a secure area called the bunker. In case something should occur that would require his staff and families to enter to keep them safe. It also contained his main vault to secure highly needed or sought after items.

The sign out front was a simple, but informative sign: Stryker Security and Investigative Services. Stryker had worked hard to build his company from the ground up.

Stryker name and reputation was renowned worldwide. Stryker supplied security services beginning with personal services, all the way through military or mercenary services. Whatever a company or individual needed, Stryker Security and Investigative Services would accommodate you.

Each team was handpicked and trained to Stryker’s stringent and strict regimen. Not just in training, but their diets were monitored to produce the highest physical endurances. Their training included learning to survive, and to live on what they could scrounge in different surroundings and situations.

The investigation side of Stryker’s business ranged from domestic, marital problems (an unfaithful spouse usually) all the way to governmental investigations, foreign and domestic.

Whatever was going on, inside America or in other countries, Stryker’s Investigative Services and his Security Monitoring services, were gathering intelligence 24 hours a day.

Stryker was strict but fair with everyone who worked for him. They knew he expected perfection and they gave it to him. Of course they knew they were amply rewarded for their work and felt pride that they passed a strict, hard and strenuous testing; meaning that they were selected with a standard that would put the CIA to shame.

Stryker’s employees knew that every minute of their lives was under his harsh scrutiny.

Rumors of one employee, who had been leaking information for money, though true, remained unsubstantiated because that employee disappeared!

Stryker did not expect anything from his employees that he himself did not meet and exceed. This started at an early age. He was a child prodigy.

His mother had expected her son to leave his toys lying about and have to come behind him, pick them up and put them away, as all parents do for their little ones.

At four years of age is when his parents started to see that they had a special son. His mother came by his room, where he had been playing with all of his toys earlier, and did a double take. His room was immaculate! She could not believe her eyes! She called her husband in to show him. He shrugged it off as a fluke.

Stryker’s mother decided to try something. She made a mess of his room. She messed up his bed and threw his toys everywhere. She snuck out of the room, went into the kitchen, and quietly whispered to her husband what she had done.

An hour later, they both looked in their son’s room and almost fainted. It was perfect again. His mother looked into the toy box and all of his toys were as he had placed them before.

At five years of age, his I.Q. was tested. For his age, his I.Q. was off the charts. Stryker maintained his high I.Q. as the years passed. He received his High School Diploma at twelve years old. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Science Program at sixteen. He graduated from Julliard, with honors, as a concert pianist.

It was at this point, he disappointed his parents. They aspired for him to go onto greater things, but Stryker had found his new calling… the military.

His goal was to excel at this as well. Over the years, he had physically developed his body to become rock hard iron muscle and the bull strength to back it up! Stryker found that his body and mind responded quickly to the military training, combined with the physical and dietary regimen that he had developed.

He not only developed his body and mind quickly, but advanced through the ranks as well.

He was accepted to and excelled in the Special Forces division of the Army, and as a Colonel, led his team through successful mission after another.

Stryker always made sure all of his team members were on the transport, before he would board. His perfectionism, bled over onto his team. That training led them to be great leaders of their own teams.

Stryker’s mind was developing the next stage in his life by starting his own security service. When his hitch was up, no matter how much pleading his superiors did, Stryker was ready to move on.

Sadly, while he was serving in the military, his parents died in a car crash. The crash still haunted him to this day. The official report stated the crash resulted because his father blood level was three times the legal limit!. That is where the problem with the story began. The official report clashed with what Stryker knew! Neither of his parents would touch alcohol!

Stryker’s belief was that his parent’s death was staged resulting in murder! He was devastated by their death! He was an only child who was now alone. Even though his parents had left him very wealthy through wise investments, he never overcame the loss when he thought of them.

The disturbing part of their deaths was the secrecy of who he was and his ancestry There was no doubt he was part Native American, but of what tribe? His mother was of fair complexion, but who her family was also a mystery! The knowledge he needed went with them to their graves.

They would never talk about their past or allow it to be brought up in a discussion. He swore that one day he would unlock that secret!

It was if his parents had never existed before he was born. Stryker knew someone was thwarting his attempts to uncover the truth. The question was by who and why? Why did the investigation into the car accident and deaths end so quickly?

Stryker learned quickly to make his wealth grow by making newer and wiser investments. His pride and joy was Wars End. He gave it its name, because Stryker wanted diners to come in to either eat, or just sit at the bar, leaving behind the battles they fought each day in life.

He had had it designed to try to insulate people from the outside world. Soothing instrumental music played throughout Wars End, allowing patrons to relax. It gave him a great income, but seeing the enjoyment of his customers was worth more than money.

Few people were aware that his bartender, Andy, was a former Seal Team member. Andy had come to Stryker’s attention by one of Stryker’s Special Forces friends. After Andy’s discharge from the Navy, he had lost his way. He had become homeless and found his day starting and ending from the bottle in a brown paper bag.

Stryker and his friend found Andy passed out in an alley. It broke Stryker’s heart to see one of America’s finest sink to this. Where was Andy’s country, when Andy needed them? Stryker would be damned if he would let this man become a statistic!

Andy woke up the next day, and instead of being in an alley, he was in a nice, warm bed and somehow had taken a bath and had clean pajamas on! Andy first thought he was experiencing a hallucination!

A few minutes later, Andy heard the sound of a door opening, and saw a man come through it. Instinctively he started backing away, but the man spoke to him in a very quiet voice.

He said, "My name is Solomon Stryker. I am here to bring you back from the hell you have lived in. You deserve better than a country that has forgotten you! I want to be your friend, and if you agree, I believe we can set you back on your feet and I offer you a lifetime friendship!

Something in the man’s voice caused, all of Andy’s is past to come rushing in on him, and he broke down into sobs.

Stryker came over, sat next to Andy, put his arm around his shoulders, and held him until he gained control of his emotions.

Six months later, with Stryker’s help, the assistance of doctors, intense therapy, Andy dried out and found the once proud, and Seal Team ready Andy again!

Stryker smiled when he thought of his friend’s