Sabotage: Chapters 30 thru Epilogue

8/6/2016

Well, here she be. I've gotta say, I really love this one. I hope you do too. Now, it's time for me to go to sleep. Enjoy :)

(CAUTION: The following contains unedited material that may be unsuitable for the grammatically inclined. Keep in mind that I don’t review what I write until after the first draft of the whole novel is done, so please keep your spelling and grammar fixes until the Beta Reader rounds.)

CHAPTER 30

REMOVED FOR PUBLISHING

37 Comments

Teresa Anderson

8/7/2016 12:25:45 am

Oh my gosh Carlos what a beautiful ending. This has been a wonderful book. The only thing is maybe you have had some details of how Zimmerman survived the attack..
Awesome job my friend.

Kathryn Andresen

8/7/2016 02:26:15 am

I cried!

Enjoyed all the surprises. Nice send off for Karl!!!

Grateful that the pres did not die. OK with McKnight still being around. Loved Peabody and wife showing up. Happy with Cal and the guys and would love to have them interact more in the next book or two. Another successful novel Carlos. Congratulations!!!

Justin

8/7/2016 02:39:54 am

Great. I completely agree with Teresa. It's a lovely ending. Although it's pretty clear that the plane that got blown up was a decoy, it might be a good idea to confirm that somehow - Zimmer arriving to save Vince and Karl is a bit sudden. That's minor, though - I have really enjoyed this one, and feel very privileged to have been able to see it take shape.

One question. Does this mean that the odious McKnight rides again, and if so, can we have a competition to think of the most spectacular way to kill him off...?

Wanda

8/7/2016 03:01:24 am

I can't believe you let McKnight live to see another day. However, we do need a "Dasterdly Dan" to dislike in our lives. The ending was very touching and I used half a box of Kleenex before the finale'. This is going to be another 5 star review. Great job Ole Maestro.

Craig Wilcox

8/7/2016 06:45:55 am

Carlos, you have struggled mightily, and well, to bring us a story that wraps so many of our problems into our thoughts. I really appreciate it, and I am sure many of your readers do as well. You have a real grasp of the "real world", which is certainly no Utopia.

I am totally envious of your ability to put thoughts into words, and words onto paper.

No one who has served will fail to appreciate the desire for friends to be close when our time has come. Although Karl is a fictional character, he epitomizes the true patriot that beats in our heart. Lord, when my time comes, as surely it must, my hope and desire is to pass on amongst loving, caring friends.

Thank you for again writing a book that speaks to the soul inside us. Yes, this is a political novel, and clearly shows the complexity of the world around us. Plots and counter-plots abound in the "real world", just as they do in your novels.

And now we still have McKnight - who's evil will appear in yet another of your totally enjoyable writings. A ready-made "bad guy", who, I am certain, will appear again, and finally get his comeuppance!

Thanks again! Craig

Vin

8/7/2016 07:23:41 am

McKnight didn't get what was coming to him but now we have something to look forward to... in eager anticipation.

Carlos this ending was so touching and felt so real I was blown away.
BZ!!

Alice Kinch

8/7/2016 07:57:10 am

Another masterpiece. Nothing more needs to be said.

Bob

8/7/2016 07:58:04 am

Great ending, although I'm sorry to see the story end. But I see follow-on books, describing Zimmer's escape details and, of course, the ongoing McKnight saga.
In the meantime, looking forward to re-reading Sabotage!

Jerry Lovett

8/7/2016 08:44:44 am

Another great finish to a great book. Keep em coming!

CGC

8/7/2016 09:19:04 am

Wow. Thank you all for the comments. Love having friends like you.

Connor Burke

8/7/2016 09:27:28 am

Great ending.

At first I was a little disappointed that we didn't get any detail on Pres Zims escape, but the more I think about it I love the mystery and intrigue behind not knowing.

Great send off for Karl. Not gonna lie, I may have teared up a little.

Peabody is the nurses embassy husband. Nice! Hope they appear in future books, either as pop in bit players or more regulars.

Hope we get more Christian in books to come too.

I'm glad we get McK for more books. Still holding out hope that he can become VP somehow. I like how he was introduced to some of Zims friends. Man this leaves so many possibilities for future books. And we still have the Chinese in play too. Excited for things to come.

Thank you very much for letting me be a part of this book. I have enjoyed this tremendously and can't wait to buy it when it comes out. You are an incredible spinner of tales and I look forward to reading everything you put out.

Thanks again
Connor

Vin

8/7/2016 10:58:43 am

Having McKnight know, or know about, TJG leave a big, huge, nasty hole in the anonymity as a force used by the president. It also puts a great big hole in their security as a working group that does the type of things they do so well. As I see it there are at least three things that can come out of that meeting. 1) McKnight is going to have to come away from the dark side, or 2) he is going to cause major problems for the president and TJG very soon, or 3) he starts something, gets found out and gets his just rewards before he can have a permanent negative impact on the president and TJG. Bottom line here is that as a bad guy he now knows too much about TJG to continue the status quo.

Connor Burke

8/7/2016 11:37:18 am

I think option 2 is the best route. It will be very interesting and limitless options for turmoil in future books. I'm real excited to see what our Captain can come up with. But one thing is for sure, McK may be running out of time. Not many ways for him to stay alive now that he knows about TJG. Can't wait.

Anne

8/7/2016 09:28:07 am

Your best book to date. A great balance of politics and action. I do agree that some sort of explanation is waranted eXplaining Zimmer's escape from death and how it was revealed to the world. The epilogue was magnificent!

Marsha

8/7/2016 10:25:21 am

That's not fair!! You should include a "kleenex alert" before you do something like that. I have to say, though, having been there when my mother passed surrounded by her family singing hymns, death CAN be a beautiful thing.

Tory Shade

8/7/2016 10:36:31 am

Yup, reaching for the Kleenex...great ending. Agree with all of the above. Only comment is that in the ending scene I got confused with the similarity of names with both Willy and Wiley there. Found myself double-checking to be sure I knew which one was which. Agree with wanting a bit of info on how/why Zimmer escaped and who helped him. Even though we all suspected it, it somehow comes out as a "magic answer" the way it's presented. I'm searching my mind for the exact phrase...(hold on while I hit Wikipedia...) Oh yea: "Deux ex machina - The term has evolved to mean a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by the inspired and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability or object." While we all hoped Zimmer escaped, without at least a line or two of explanation it seems unsatisfying somehow. Also, it seems as if you didn't make full use of Grandfather and Christian. I almost expected you to have Grandfather either come up with a way to cure Karl or a way to see into McKnight's soul and expose him. (grin) Still, I love the way the story ended. More Kleenex, please. Can't wait to reread in finished form - all at one sitting! I suspect it'll be one of those books I can't put down. Thanks for your great storytelling skills!

Tory Shade

8/7/2016 10:39:45 am

Oops. Sorry, that's "deuS ex machina", not "deuX ex machina."

Caroline

8/7/2016 01:02:22 pm

I agree beautiful ending...though I thought we might have had more interaction with Cal and friends, plus what happened with the president and how did they plan it all. Also, a bit mad that McKnight did not get what was coming to him....

Susan

8/7/2016 01:25:17 pm

Wow!!! Great and fitting ending to what has been another wild ride brought to us by you Carlos! Due to RL "interfering" with my ongoing reading of this one, I read all the installments this weekend. I love seeing how it all came together in the end. At times I didn't think there was any way you were going to tie it all together as well as answer all the questions I still had. But you did. Love the imagery of the whole team and President Zimmer working on building everything. Wish McKnight wasn't still around, but know that eventually his day will come and we can all cheer then.

G.Younger

8/7/2016 03:18:58 pm

A masterpiece, Carlos. This one has the action l crave, the characters l have grown to love, and probably most importantly, a lot of your heart and soul. Excellent.

Mary Sheerin link

8/7/2016 04:42:35 pm

Now that my eyes are dry. This is your best so far! But Zimmerman welcoming McKnight into his special group. I can't believe that Cal and his group haven't found out. Hopefully he's setting him up to catch him red-handed. Can't wait to find out. Again, your best yet Carlos.

Mark

8/7/2016 05:42:03 pm

Great story Carlos, I think one of your best and the ending was very touching, a way to go we would all be proud of. You put everything in this novel, twists, turns, new characters, politics, just a great read, can't wait to have it in my collection.
Keep up the wonderful work, (no pressure though).

Sandy K

8/7/2016 06:17:32 pm

I, also, feel that this is your best book so far! A truly moving epilogue, so well written and painting a picture of the warrior's final farewell. So full of emotion...
McKnight lives to be the evil in yet another book, the man we all want to get his due.
Great book, Mr. Cooper!

Karen Lee

8/7/2016 06:28:56 pm

Great ending...but I have questions,

1. What information did Dr. Higgins extract from Wiley?
2. Isn't Wiley in cahoots with McKnight?
3. What did the guys do with Wiley when Higgins was done?
4. What was said to Zimmer on the call he took that let him know he was being set up for an assassination attempt? and Who made that call?
5. What are the Chinese going to do with the information they have, are you going to write about them releasing info to try to effect the election?
6. What are you going to do with McKnight?
7. Did they bring him in on TJG just to take him down in the next round?

Looking forward to the Beta round.

Also, a book on Higgins..."White Coat" the term the CIA uses for their Docs. :-)

Connor Burke

8/7/2016 08:58:25 pm

I like the Higgins book idea. Earlier in this book CGC eluded to some prior field experience for Higgins. Would make a good short story or whatnot. Maybe a how he became who he is type story.

Could also do a Peabody and Sheila back story short. Great possibilities.

Paul

8/8/2016 06:28:30 pm

I agree with both short story ideas. Sometimes the shorts are the key to grabbing new readers.

Andrea

8/8/2016 02:32:46 am

A true masterpiece - every flavor was in this "box of chocolates" - intrigue, suspense, political malfeasance, heart tugging emotional content, laughter, tears, fear, ...you have something for everybody - absolutely masterful!

charles j o'malley link

8/8/2016 11:22:17 am

I agree this is the most gripping book you've written -- and that is saying something!

I can accept the "Deux ex Machina" concept in Greek and Roman mythology, but I think you're leaving a very major question unanswered, i.e. President Zimmer's miraculous escape -- even though that question may be answered in a sequel.

Also, McKight's "future" may need to be addressed.

Now that President Zimmer is alive, can we magically get his name on the November ballot? Great story!

Ed Liden

8/8/2016 02:24:02 pm

Like all the other comments one hopes to discover how the President
escaped and some of the other details. However to good guys won in the end and that is all that really matters.

Cheryl

8/8/2016 05:23:13 pm

I am in awe -- and tears. What a powerful ending. Of course, that was after a powerful book. Thank you so much for letting us watch the progress. I couldn't have asked for a more moving or lovely conclusion. May we each eventually pass peacefully, surrounded by friends (just not planning to rush it, ok?) Now on to the really selfish part: I agree with Charles O'Malley - can we get Zimmer on the ballot?

Sonya

8/8/2016 08:19:02 pm

Agree with everyone else! What a wonderful ending! Would also have loved to know some of those Zimmerman secret disappearance details!
I absolutely loved chapter 32. Yes, I can be vengeful!
Glad Peabody isnt dead after all! Amazing book! You truly have a God given talent!

Peg

8/8/2016 11:09:57 pm

Bravo Carlos. My favorite. Wondering how you will ever surpass this one... Can't wait to read your next project.

Kathy

8/10/2016 08:48:17 am

Oh no! I missed it, was out of touch for a while. I'm sure it was fabulous, as was the rest of the book. Guess I'll just have to wait for the published version.

G.Younger

8/10/2016 12:18:09 pm

Kathy, You missed a grand slam! You will absolutely love this one.

Glenda

Misty

8/11/2016 07:10:20 am

I missed it, too!! Just the ending, but I am so upset! Such a good book, absolutely one of your best!!

BETTYBLUE

8/12/2016 08:14:59 am

i have been out of town for a week and i didnt get to read the last episodes that Carlos posted on his web :-(

now, i dont have any idea of what happened..

CGC

8/12/2016 04:56:38 pm

Sorry to those who missed but I can't leave it up for more than a couple of days. The good news is that the finished novel will be out soon.

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