Chasing Roxanne

In 1968, as is ritual when a returning pilot completes his 100th mission of Vietnam, and during the height of the Vietnam War, an F-105 Thunderchief pilot makes a low pass starting a climb over the runway at the combined US Army, US Air Force, and Thai Military base Camp Friendship located in Korat, Thailand.

For reasons unknown during his start of the barrel roll he crashes, thus bringing together two unlikely heroes. A US Air Force Captain Richard Washington, call sign Hannibal, and a US Army Specialist, Jerome Travis, or as his friends called him JT. Their friendship would endure well beyond the end of the war.

Forty-years later, JT is a successfully married computer businessman in Oliver, British Columbia Canada and General Richard "Hannibal" Washington is hanging up his uniform for the final time, but the events started 40-years ago when Hannibal was just a Captain tests their friendship, love of aviation and their personal lives.

In 1968, Captain Washington stumbled on a drug smuggling ring using US fighter aircraft returning to the US as mules for their product. He assumes by capturing Airman Melvin Anderson and Sam Foster in the act, the ring is shut down.

He is wrong.

In 2008, a Vietnam Era OV-10 Bronco Observation aircraft losing communications over Seattle, Washington and is forced to land at the McChord Air Force Base. While detaining the pilot, a fine power spills from the electronics bay. The resulting investigation shows that the once forgotten gang is back in action, importing cocaine, street named Roxanne from Korat, Thailand that has a higher than 80% purity rating and is underselling the competition on the streets of Canada and the US.

FBI Agent Cynthia "Cindy" Ng, a Chinese Native American is tasked to investigate this gang. By chance she discovers the origins are from Korat, Thailand and a joint task force is convened. She meets with her counter organizations in Vancouver, British Columbia. There FBI Agent Cynthia Ng represents the US and Canada and meets an agent from the Thai Security Police, Pattanapongtak "Abby" Apsara.

She and Abby become close friends and by chance meet Richard Washington and Jerome Travis. A love affair develops between Hannibal and Cindy.

Cindy has a special interest in all of this as her only brother dies of an overdose of Roxanne. Two weeks later and within 48-hours, they will face an ordeal none of them had imagined or signed on for.

JT's wife is shot in a Indianapolis hotel where they have traveled after Hannibal has crashed a T38 Talon on the Westside of Indianapolis, killing a grandmother with one only surviving family member; a gangster wannabe.

Hannibal is arrested when it is discovered the T38 was also carrying Roxanne. Everything comes to a head in Ft. Worth, Texas where JT and Hannibal have traveled as they suspect Hannibal's new employers are behind the shooting in Indianapolis and the importation of Roxanne.

My story is based on my personal life and the events I saw around me. I am a Vietnam Veteran, having served in Thailand. I am also a holder of a US and Canadian pilots license and have built two aircraft and an Ultralight. I have designed a third that I hope to build someday. I have flown Cessna's, Pipers, Grob sailplanes and a US Navy T-28 Trojan. I own a 1984 Jaguar that I am restoring. I have 44+ years in computers and electronics. This is my first book. I have received good reviews and have started a sequel.