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    State of Deceit: A Land Grant, Greed, a Dead Body, and Who's Playing Who?
    State of Deceit: A Land Grant, Greed, a Dead Body, and Who's Playing Who?
    State of Deceit: A Land Grant, Greed, a Dead Body, and Who's Playing Who?
    Ebook355 pages5 hours

    State of Deceit: A Land Grant, Greed, a Dead Body, and Who's Playing Who?

    By Doug Ball

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    About this ebook

    In the latter half of the 1800’s, James Reavis found a document granting an area 75 north to south, and 250 miles east to west, including Phoenix Arizona, and Silver City, New Mexico, to a soldier named Peralta. It established a plot of land called the Barony of Arizona. Most of the productive mines and land in these states were involved in the claim. With other documents and some convincing, Reavis established himself and a young orphan girl as the Baron and Baroness of Arizona, laying claim to the entire territory within the boundaries of the grant. He took his case to court with documents, most of them real, but some of them forged or touched up. The Barony was rich beyond his every dream and Baron Reavis-Peralta lived the life of an international Baron until the case was ruled a scam and he went to prison for 2 years and was fined $5,000.
    That’s the truth
    In 2021, someone has revived the grant, claiming all the original grant outlined. This time with courts, anonymity, bullets, and deceit. Who will win the case: the Federal Government, COVID 19, the anonymous claimant, or the Arizona Governor’s Special Investigators led by Les Brown, the man called Tan.
    That’s the story.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDoug Ball
    Release dateJul 21, 2021
    ISBN9781005864873
    State of Deceit: A Land Grant, Greed, a Dead Body, and Who's Playing Who?
    Author

    Doug Ball

    Born in California and raised in Arizona. Grew to love the west at a young age while growing up in a blue collar home. Never knew we were kinda poor until I was 21 and making more money than my dad. Dad and mom were still raising three of my siblings. It was a shocker. I joined the navy after high school to get out of school and promptly went to over 2 years of technical schools. Rode submarines for 20 years and retired. Went back to school and earned a D. Min. while I pastored a couple of small town churches full of great people. My big dream in life was to be a cowboy and own a ranch. Santa never brought me a horse. At 37 I bought a horse and a ranch and lived my dream. I started writing at 39 and sold a few pieces to Mother Earth News, Countryside, and Arizona Magazine, along with many others. Wrote my first book and quit mailing out that western after 47 rejections. Nobody ever read it. That western is BLOOD ON THE ZUNI which has all five star reviews to date. Got the itch and kept writing. I recommend GENTLE REBELLION. It is the story of the life I wished I could live for years. I wrote it in my head on many a mid-watch at sea. PS. Sea horses are no fun to ride.

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      Book preview

      State of Deceit - Doug Ball

      STATE OF

      DECEIT

      BY

      DOUG BALL

      BOOKS BY

      DOUG

      Copyright 2021 – Douglas H. Ball

      Cover designs by the Author

      This is a work of fiction.

      Any resemblance between the characters of this book

      and persons living or dead is purely coincidental, of course, with the exception of historical figures. Even then the persona is that of the author’s imagination.

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

      Dedicated to

      all the LAW ENFORCEMENT

      AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

      And of course

      my beloved

      Patti

      STATE

      OF

      DECEIT

      By

      Doug Ball

      Monday, January 6, 2020

      Phoenix

      Capitol Plaza

      The Governor finished her HAPPY NEW YEAR/STATE OF THE STATE message to the people of Arizona and stepped back blasted by the applause and cheers she heard. She had never wanted the job but took it after the shooting of her predecessor and his inability to continue in the position. The flashbacks of these last years were rolling through her mind.

      The Chief Justice stepped forward to her side, I remember when you said you’d never go for a second term. Now you are a year into the term you asked for. What happened? Not that I disagree with your choice, just asking.

      Governor Patricia Hunt looked around, seeing the mike, she stepped back, reaching out and tapping the mike. Dump, dump came out of the speakers. Turn off the sound and I’ll tell you why I ran again.

      The Chief Justice turned to a woman sitting in front of the sound mixer, Shut it off. If I ever find out you have left the mikes on again when the speaker backs off, I will have you fired hot insufficient mental capacity for the job. Is that clear?

      The woman nodded, reached up to flip a couple of switches, the last one being the on/off switch for the entire panel.

      Now, Governor, why?

      I was just beginning to have fun with the office and seeing some of my ideas put to work by the legislature, along with needs of the state becoming financially stable. I felt I could bring that to a head and lead the state forward in that area. We accomplished much this past year, but there is more to be done and proven. I don’t want to be like the former president having all my ideas wiped out because they didn’t work. I wanted to finish the job and show it works for a couple of years. This next year will begin the proof. By this time next year, we will have a stable financial footing without a lot, if any, federal dollars. My specialty is finance, why not me in the job?

      Sounds as good today as it did a year ago and after you took over from Governor Reeves. Shall we go? There is a reception going on.

      The Judge took the arm of the Governor as they left the plat form they passed a newspaper left on a seat with the headlines reading, CHINESE VIRUS THREAT TO WORLD, but they didn’t see it.

      Thank you for that insight, Governor. I agree with your strategy.

      The reception was a grand one with all the New Year’s fluff politicians can put into a simple reception. Their lackies needed something to do, so they decorated and built menus that were flamboyant beyond their budgets. At the ending of the fifteen minutes of jabbering and telling each other how wonderful they were, the Senate Majority Leader, Hawk, stood up front at the mike, If the Governor wouldn’t mind, we would love to hear what she has in store for this next year.

      The Governor painted on a smile and walked to the front and took the mike from Hawk’s hand. Thank you, Hawk. I would be more than happy to. My greatest goal for this next year is to have a reception without all the speeches and fattening snacks. She waited for the laughter to die and then added, The second is a balanced budget, followed by a review of our education system, and from there on just simply streamlining what we have in place. Again she waited for the applause to die. Last but not least, I want you all to go on diets. Laughter rang. Money diets. We are not here to spend the people’s money, we are here to make Arizona just a plain great, safe, beautiful place to live. Thank you for this time. I will meet with you all next Monday at nine in the morning to begin with the details. Let’s go to work.

      She turned, handed Hawk the mike, and left the room. As she passed through the final door, she heard Hawk, You heard the Governor, let’s get to work.

      Tuesday, 7 January 2020

      A rumble began on the Capitol Plaza as folks began gathering before sunrise. The homeless were shoved out and ordinary citizens gathered. The conversations were strange and harsh. Threats were made. Questions were being asked. Capitol security was getting edgy. Phoenix Police department put all their men on standby along with their reserves.

      The Governor was due at Eight AM.

      The Capitol Police Chief called the Governor and asked her to stay home.

      She declined the invitation to rest for a day and called for her driver.

      Josie, the Governor’s Secretary, was stopped by the crowd. The streets were filled and there was no way to get through. She knew downtown Phoenix, but this was not normal. She cut off from her usual route and parked in the first spot she found. With her backpack stuffed with everything she needed for the day, she walked, pushing her way through the crowd to a door at the back side of a building half a block away from her office. Only she, the Governor, and Security knew of this tunnel. It went to a stairwell up to her office which protected the Governor’s. It was originally designed as a fire escape route but had since been a back door for the Governor to leave by and not be seen. Today it would allow the Governor access to her office both ways if necessary. There was another connection to the tunnel behind the podium.

      Josie settled into her usual routine. The coffee was made, the lights on, the thermostat set for the season, and the outer door of Josie’s office unlocked. Her usual bodyguards were not in their room across the hall. She called security.

      Security.

      This is Josie. What’s going on?

      Folks are angry. Something about they have to leave their property by February 29th. Some think it’s a joke and others are ready to defend their lands to the death. Is the Governor with you?

      No. No bodyguards over here, either.

      Possibly they couldn’t get through.

      Is the Gov coming in?

      Do you think she’d stay at home? She’ll be here in ten minutes according to her driver. One of the bodyguards is with her. I’ll get on the radio, Josie, and see what’s up.

      I’ll turn mine on. Tell them to use the back entry, the fire escape.

      Oh, yeah. I plumb forgot about it. Will do. Keep in touch.

      Yeah.

      She drew a cup of coffee and sat behind her desk. One letter stuck out because it was an off color, odd shaped, and the stamp was homemade from instantstamps.com. She pulled out the contents. It was a business style brief note stating:

      Recipient,

      You are required to evacuate your property no later than February 29th, 2020. You are squatting on land that belongs to the Peralta family and has since 1758. If you leave peacefully you may receive recompence for your improvements. If you do not leave by that date, you will be run off forcefully.

      Signed,

      The Peralta, Baron of Arizona

      She fell back in her chair. No wonder folks are uneasy, to say the least. She stood and looked out the window. A sign caught her eye. I WILL STAND. She knew what that meant. Another sign, NO BARONS IN AMERICA, spoke the truth. Then she remembered a story her grandfather had told her many years ago when she was 8. It was about a man named Reavis, or something like that, who swindled a 50 mile by 150 mile supposed land grant that went from just west of Phoenix east into New Mexico. But that grant had been proven in the 1890’s to be false and Reavis went to prison, if she remembered right. Out loud she said, No one would be stupid enough to try it again, would they?

      The door to the stairwell opened and the head of the Gov’s driver popped into sight. Is it safe for me to bring her in?

      Yes. The downstairs door is locked. I came up the stairs.

      Get out of the way, Burt. It’s my office and I will sit in it until I find out what the ruckus is about.

      Yes, Governor. Burt stepped into the office, followed by a flustered Governor.

      Josie had never seen her this way. Sit and I’ll make it clear to you about what’s going on, Governor. It’s a hoax that has been sent out and folks are scared, flustered, and angry.

      The Governor headed for her office and sat down. Dang. Fill me a cup, please, Josie. I know you aren’t a servant, but I don’t want to get up again.

      No problem.

      Josie filled a cup, added the candy, and sat the cup in front of the boss.

      Thank you. Now, tell me what’s what. That crowd looks like the French Revolution crowd from pictures in the history books.

      Josie read the letter and told of her grandfather’s story.

      I’ve heard that before. In an Arizona History class at the U. Yeah, that would make me angry enough to chew nails if I got that letter. I can go outside and tell them it’s a hoax from the roof. Get the bullhorn from the closet, please.

      Yes, Ma’am.

      NO. Governor.

      Then quit saying please. I am yours to command, as long as it is legal.

      Okay.

      Thank you, is nice.

      Get the bullhorn.

      Yes, Governor.

      This is Governor Hunt speaking. The letters that you received or will receive are a hoax. The Peralta land grant was deemed a hoax over a hundred years ago. There is no need to panic, move out of your homes and property, or any response other than tossing it in the trash. Once again, this is the Governor. The vacate letter is false, phony, and not a very funny joke. Thank you and enjoy Arizona and its history.

      That was well said, Governor.

      Thank you, Josie. Let’s go play on the roof. Now all I have to do is convince the crowd out there.

      Up two flights of stairs and out a door, got them to the roof. The walk to the edge was safe, the edge had a fence of rails that would not allow anyone to fall off accidently. Josie had only been up here once before.

      This is my first time up here. It would be a nice view if there weren’t all those buildings blocking it. Hand me the bullhorn.

      No. I will get their attention and then you can do your thing.

      Sounds good to me.

      Josie moved to the edge, looking over the rails. She lifted the bullhorn and pushed the button to make it squall. Most of the eyes down below swung to see where that noise had come from. Most of the voices stopped prattling.

      The Governor would like to speak to you. Please be quiet. Josie repeated in Spanish and then in English again.

      The crowd was quiet except for a low undertone of discontent.

      Citizens of Arizona, your Governor. Josie handed off the bullhorn.

      The Governor began, The letter from THE PERALTA is a hoax, false, and phony. That land grant was settled over a hundred years ago. The first man behind it spent time in prison. These letters are just trash. Someone is trying to gain what doesn’t belong to any Peralta. I know many Peralta’s and they are fine, wonderful, people from one of the oldest families in Arizona and New Mexico. Please go to you homes with the understanding that this is all false. You have nothing to worry about.

      The crowd cheered a bit on the sheepish side and dispersed. As the first were leaving a shot rang out. The Governor screamed. Josie took the bullhorn as she watched the boss fall to the roof top. Someone call 911. The Governor has been shot, she yelled through the horn.

      Dropping to the roof alongside the Governor, she took a quick look for where the blood was coming from and found a wound in her side. She ripped open the blouse. A bullet had plowed a furrow on her left side, nicking the flesh of the inside of her upper arm. Superficial, said Josie out loud.

      Superficial to you, but the damned thing smarts, came from the Governor.

      I’ll help you up.

      Nope. Don’t want the shooter to have another shot. It came from the street corner across the street over to the left. She pointed with her right arm. I saw the flash.

      Two medics burst through the door to the roof followed by at least a dozen law enforcement personnel. Josie got out of the way. A quick look showed that the crowd was on its way to gone. She looked at the corner across the street. A man, obviously Hispanic, waved at her and turned. Within two steps he was out of her sight.

      She ran down the stairs, out the downstairs door, and over to the corner. When she got there she found an empty cartridge case. She stood next to it trying to get some attention from Security. When she did, the man said, I’ll get the law.

      Get Les Brown.

      Yes, Ma’am.

      Don’t call me . . .

      He was gone.

      Monday

      January 12

      Phoenix

      The Governor stepped to the platform amid a solid standing room only crowd in the biggest room at the Capital. The crowd broke into applause and cheers were heard.

      She raised her hands, No cheering please. This is not where I wanted to be for Arizona. It is not what Arizona needs. We are not where we should be, and we are all in the same boat.

      The crowded room got quiet. It had been a long time since they had heard such a strong voice at their lead.

      "Thank you. First and foremost, I wish to thank you all for the kind words, prayers, and flowers. As you can see, I am not impaired. I am angry. Les Brown and his office are covering the incident and following up on the threats to our people about the land grant’s disposition. Please pray for those folks that were panicked.

      "As usual, I will need the help of all of you. You were elected for your job and I was elected to complete mine. We will work on a policy of purpose. Our purpose is Arizona. Our land is Arizona. Our people are Arizona. What serves the best purpose for Arizona? My take on it is renewal. A renewed drive to make this a better place to live, a safer place to live, a more beautiful place to live. Not more laws. Not more policies. Less government, more freedom.

      "I want every law this state has implemented in the past ten years reviewed. We are at a place financially where we can go ahead or fall back quickly. I want to see us go ahead. Look at each law and ask yourself is this law serving its purpose? Is it working? Is it worth the money? Do the people of Arizona really need it? Last but not least, can we afford it?

      "I am instituting a new policy. My door will be open to any person, elected or not, at 2 PM every time I have no super serious reason for it not to be. Any of you and the public, in order of arrival, will be allowed 5 minutes of my time. The door will close on the dot of 6 PM. Bring a written brief and be prepared to be questioned.

      "No, I am not going to play favorites. I don’t like the stand of either party very much. Yes, I was voted in by the party I claim, but that does not lock me into obligation. I was elected to be Governor. I am the Governor. I will govern. I will continue to be the Governor until God changes that or my terms run out.

      "Please leave your party politics at the door before you enter. We are here to serve Arizona and not some party platform. Both of them are jokes as you all well know.

      Thank you and good day.

      Checking her watch, she saw that her speech took four minutes. ‘A good start,’ she thought.

      She turned and walked out the door behind the podium. Some previous Governors have called the back door, the escape hatch. It is tied into the tunnel system below the Capitol. One of the unwritten rules of the Capitol is that no one uses that door except the Governor. NO ONE!

      The room filled with the rumble of many voices which slowly lifted into a mass applause and cheering. There was just enough booing and hissing to be heard, but it was there.

      The headline on the paper when she got back to her office was, CHINA REPORTS FIRST DEATH.

      Tuesday

      January 14

      Jim Duvie walked out of the bank just in time for the alarm on the bank to go off. He turned around and what he saw made him duck behind an advertisement for free checking accounts with no minimum balance. Two men held pistols in their hands and were ordering everyone to move to the center of the lobby.

      Y’all just stand still. We’ll take the money and run. No one’s gonna get hurt if you follow our directions.

      Jim eased his .22 semi-auto target handgun from the hidden holster under his windbreaker. He didn’t need to jack a round, it was loaded, the gun was locked by the safety. He thumbed the safety off and sighted around the sign.

      The two robbers were so intent on the customers and the two clerks, they never looked at the door. A woman tried to come in. Jim held the door and showed her the gun. She ran down the street.

      Come on, lady. Get that money out here fast or someone is going to die.

      It isn’t easy clearing these drawers you know, yelled the teller back.

      The other robber said, One more sass out of anybody and I will kill somebody.

      Jim saw one of the customers reaching behind his back to get his firearm out as he moved slowly toward the edge of the crowd of customers. As the customer started to line up his shot, Jim realized one of the robbers was out of the customer’s line of sight. Jim laid the sights of his .22 on the left ear of the robber and squeezed the trigger. His second shot hit the second man about the same time the customer’s shot was fired.

      Jim said above the screaming, Everyone stay against the wall and relax. It’s all over but the cops. He ran to his first target and pronounced him dead after he saw the bullet hole through the top of the man’s ear. The other target was dead also. Two rounds had hit the man. Jim’s went in center mass, and the other customer, who was standing with the group calming them down, had hit the man right over his nose. He was dead.

      Jim put his weapon on the floor at his feet, as did the customer.

      Now we wait for the men in blue.

      Twelve minutes after the alarm sounded. two cars pulled up out front of the bank and the two police officers entered the bank after checking things out through the glass door. Jim stood in the middle of the floor with his hands raised, his weapon on the floor in front of him where he had placed it. The crowd was sitting or standing close against the wall. The second shooter had followed Jim’s lead and was standing in front of the customers with his model 27 Glock .40 laid on the floor.

      The officers walked in, saw the two dead robbers, and smiled. One went to Jim and asked him to turn around and put his hands behind his back. He was cuffed and escorted to a car out front. After being placed in the back seat with the air conditioning on, he relaxed. The second officer did the same thing to the customer with the Glock, using the second car’s backseat for him. The first officer bagged the guns and labeled the bags. The bags went in the trunk of his car.

      The customers were yelling about them saving their lives and all, but that didn’t slow down the officers at all. One officer said, Folks, it’s all okay. We have to follow our protocols. We will talk with each of you and let you go home. The two we just took out will be with us a little longer than you. Please cooperate. Is anyone hurt?

      One wise guy in the back said, Only the two on the floor and they aren’t feeling a thing.

      A few nervous chuckles followed.

      One officer took pictures as the customers relaxed. The second officer put on blue gloves and removed the robbers’ firearms into zip lock bags which he wrote on. With the firearms out of the scene, he went outside to wait for the ambulance. Two hours later every customer had been talked with, all names and addresses were verified from state approved picture ID, EMTs had talked with a couple customers that were woozy or just plain shook up, and the two men that had waited patiently in the cars were downtown talking to other officers, their firearms were laid, in baggies, on the desk of the officer doing the interview.

      Three more hours went by before the two unarmed citizens went home with a receipt for their firearms. They were given a date three days away to pick up their personal firearms after forensics got through with them.

      That night on the TV news came the headlines, ARMED MEN KILL TWO IN BANK WITHOUT WARNING.

      The Phoenix Republic used ARMED MEN KILL TWO IN BANK for their headline on the next mornings paper, above the fold – two lines – bold print. The reader was not told of the bank robbery or what the men’s involvement was until the third paragraph.

      January 15

      Phoenix

      The news headline for this day was,

      NANCY PELOSI PASSES OUT GOLD PENS

      AT SIGNING OF THE IMPEACHMENT CHARGES.

      Les Brown, commonly called Tan, entered his house through the garage door to the kitchen. I’m home.

      No response.

      He walked to the kitchen window overlooking the back yard. The kids were playing with Terror, the dog, in the pool while Mama lounged while feeding the baby, Claire. The six month old young lady was a surprise, a surprise that both the Marine and the Sailor was enjoying in spite of the surprise.

      The Sailor and the Marine had met at Disneyland while serving their country and continued to serve their country as a housewife and a cop. The Sailor took the role of a housewife and the Marine chose to use his training and entered law enforcement. Both were successful. They with the five kids, her with a well kept household, and he with his position as the Special Investigator for the Governor of Arizona, a position he gained by merit two governors back.

      He had just turned in a report to the Governor, Patricia Hunt. Governor Hunt was plugged into the position due to the previous Governor being shot and then ran on her own merit. Les liked working for the State. He couldn’t say that about the previous boss. The Lady Governor was a lot like the one that had put him in his office. He could work with that, easily.

      The kids were in the pool teaching the dog, Terror, to swim. The four year old Terror knew how to swim and was trying, not too successfully, to escape the lessons.

      He opened the back door as Joan yelled, Play time over. It’s back to school time. Change your clothes, hang your swimsuits on the line, and get in your places while I put the baby down for a nap. NOW!

      Four wet kids jumped out of the pool, grabbed towels, wiped off as they went into the cabana Les had built, emerging moments later to toss their wet stuff over the line, and turn toward the door where Les was standing.

      Daddy, rang out from the kids.

      Chip, Les Jr., was the first to the hugs, followed by Kent, the adopted Robert, and then the 3 year old, Governor. Les was involved in a four way hug as Joan gave him a kiss over the backs of the four before carrying number five, Claire, into the house.

      Okay, Daddy’s home, but you still have work to do. Hit it.

      Les pushed the kids a bit which broke loose the group hug and sent the kids to be the obedient children their mother wanted. Because of the hours Les worked, Joan had learned to take the lead on rules and regulations for the Brown household. Les was just the enforcer at times. He was always the play toy when he came home while the kids were awake.

      Rough day? Les asked.

      No. These kids of ours are drilled to a well oiled machine, well oiled with cookies and a daddy that spoils them rotten.

      Les faked being hurt. I? as he brought both hands to his heart and batted his eye lashes.

      Yes, you.

      Well, maybe a little. He held out the bag he’d carried from the car, through the hug, and into the house. Treats for when they finish their work, or lunch, whichever you wish, my love, my favorite swab jockey.

      I’ll swab jockey you, jarhead.

      They kissed and laughed as the kids began begging for the treats, like a litter of spoiled puppies.

      Not until your work is done and done well. No slackers in this house. 90% or bust, you know.

      Tan walked to the easy chair in the den and sat.

      Rough day? Joan asked.

      Yeah. After the land grant suit and the foiled bank robbery yesterday, the Governor wants a bill pushed thru with emergency status, to end the open carry and add a bunch of other restrictions on gun owners. I tried to talk with her but could only point at today’s headlines. I begged her to read the whole story. She said she didn’t have time. She wouldn’t listen to me or Josie. Josie told her she had plenty of time to read the first three paragraphs, but the Governor said, Going down to the Senate and see what can be

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