The ETHICAL HACKER ~ Acidemia is a psychological suspense thriller novel involving the politics of power, medicine, and whispers at a teaching hospital campus with patients in the crosshairs.

The ETHICAL HACKER ~ Verdict is the accomplice criminal psychological thriller novel. Wish we could say more!

These books are a work of entertainment fiction inspired by events in which we all feel the impact of fear. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. All other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

I made up every word.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

~ The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

Excerpt

Afroz Ahmed watches surveillance footage in his office, reflecting on how far this has come. This is not his first experience of surgical political assassination. The techniques he uses are textbook. The tenets recoiling around themselves: ride out the thing, stonewall, deny, suggest that the opponent created it all, dig into their past, and destroy their credibility.

If that fails, make it up and leak it to the media; then sit back and watch as the press has their fun and then get bored with it. If done correctly the whirlpool of piranhas, each clawing for a piece of meat, will effectively add their own spins, ultimately leaving the opponent’s broken carcass adrift.

He has too much invested in this strategy to abandon it now or ever. Can spin anything and set anyone up for failure. He is not just engaged in the process; he is happy to be difficult. It fills him and provides a sense of joy to influence conflicts.

Looking at himself on the video monitor, he sees himself the way he wanted to see himself. Charismatic diplomacy practiced at the highest levels of fraud and deceit. Magnetic appeal, expansive personality, imposing yet mercurial, appearing to read others thoughts. He is the expert in codes, counterintelligence tactics, and psychological operations.

“Amateurish,” he scoffed, as his eyes drifted to the card on top of the file left under his door that now sits ominously at the center of his desk.

“Experience shows that there have been very many conspiracies, but few have turned out well.”

~ Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

*******

I was long past the point of fear, yet walking down the corridor away from Dr. Afroz Ahmed’s office my hand was trembling. My desperate need of aid and protection ended with my demotion. A three-decade career abruptly halted. The trajectory of my life transformed.

It was a difficult decision to bring Dr. Afroz Ahmed into the circle. The well-respected President has extensive executive experience. He knows the inner workings of the politics, policies, and cancerous sub-culture. His network of influential, wealthy, and well-known patrons can elevate or destroy.

His power is legendary. He forgets nothing. One tweet or lunch with him can have ever-reaching ripples of consequences.

Leaving the card and file was a risk I had to take. Playing the game at their level, I had to stand in silence and wait.

“Now, would he set the wheels in motion that will trigger the restoration of my career or its utter implosion?” I whispered to no one in particular.

Barbara Morrow

Barbara Morrow began work as the Joint Commission Manager under Ethical Compliance. Her task was to prepare the organization for the Joint Commission Accreditation visit.

Promoted to Compliance Project Manager after one year of planning and achieving a 99% survey outcome, Barbara researched and implemented the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) while gaining hands-on experience in corporate compliance and cyber security with Hawk Enterprises.

During this time she earned her American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) credentials and was promoted to Compliance Director.

After two years she became Chief Compliance Officer and Administrator of Information Management with the retirement of her supervisor, mentor, and friend Katrina Demetri.

The current promotion to Assistant Vice President earned her admiration from peers as well as a large corner penthouse office with panoramic views of the campus.

This morning she arrives at her office visibly exhausted. Her whole body is tense, eyes full, chest and shoulders bearing the weight of her rapid pulse. Stomach churns and she cannot ignore the hyper-vigilant reaction.

Her elevator dream happened again.

She enters an elevator and pushes a button. The elevator rises and the door opens to a large lush green pasture filled with black and white cows.

The doors close. She presses another button. The elevator moves sideways. When the doors open behind her she sees well-dressed people staring silently.

The doors close again. Another stop. Two cats quietly lap cream.

The final doors open and she sees herself standing and smiling surrounded by transparent shining light.

Barbara pursed her lips. Her breathing finally normal.

“What am I trying to tell myself?” she asked aloud.

*******

From the moment I informed Barbara Morrow, I became an instrument — a mask of sanity amid lies, rage, and spin.

The inciting incident and cover-up began five years ago. Unethical conduct by a senior medical administrator — sex for admission, fraudulent faculty tenure evaluations, drug diversion — the Hollywood Boulevard of hidden truths that require self-reporting.

They don’t report. No one holds them accountable.

I am the invisible witness. The observer.

I saw and heard things that forced a merger into madness.

These behaviors are cancer. Harassment, obstruction, discrimination, hostility, retaliation — patterns learned and accepted.

“Why?” my mind churned.

Reflection is my constant companion.

Logic compels me.

Cancer must be cut out, removed, and dismissed.

“An ethical hacker,” I whispered. “That is the situation fate has placed upon me.”

*******

I step out of the elevator and Ms. Morrow’s office is in plain sight.

“Hello, do you have a moment?”

“Of course,” she replies.

“When facing difficult choices, do you pay attention to your conscience — our inner GPS compass?”

“The problem is perception,” Barbara replies. “Many people are comfortable following the status quo rather than thinking for themselves.”

“It saves reputations, careers, and relationships.”

As I turn to leave she says, “You are invited to the hospital’s Board of Trustees meeting today.”

“Any advice?”

“Officially we continue discussions. Informally — do not say another word.”

*******

In a clear composed voice I delivered my four-word statement.

“I respectfully request reinstatement.”

The dark oak door to the conference room closes behind me.

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VERDICT Excerpt

I am on a plane descending into Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. The woman seated next to me in first class is a CIA agent sent to track me after I was disavowed.

Although the lady is young and gorgeous, she overplays the cloak-and-dagger act. The strategic placement of her old iPad reflecting my activities is a dead giveaway.

As the KLM aircraft stops and passengers begin exiting, I grab a miniature bottle of Ketel One vodka and prepare my lighter.

I pour the vodka onto her hair and ignite it with my cigarette lighter.

Chaos erupts as the crew rush to help her. Fire alarms trigger across the aircraft.

Amid the confusion I slip through the open jet doors and leave the plane.

Within twenty minutes I am outside the terminal.

I notice French DGSE operatives and airport security rushing toward the aircraft.

I will be on the run for a while.

Outside in VIP parking I enter a waiting Mercedes S500. When the chauffeur sits down I knock him unconscious and drive away.

A few hours later I arrive at Nicolette’s chateau in Reims.

She is former DGSE and now works private security consulting.

But the CIA cleanup crew is already moving.

Their enforcer is known as The Janitor.

At a convenience store an hour north of Reims I notice a black BMW with UK plates.

A massive man steps out of the car.

The moment he opens the door I know who it is.

The Janitor.