Unlimited

Praise for Unlimited

A fast-paced, gripping thriller. Rich not only with adventure, but also with visual details and dramatic snapshot insights into the Middle East.

—Phyllis Tickle, Contributing Editor,
Publishers Weekly

This book delves into a series of crucial issues with a sensitivity that left me literally stunned. Bunn tells a story that grips the reader and refuses to let go.

—Keith Hazard, Deputy Director (ret), CIA

Written with remarkable sensitivity, Bunn masterly accomplishes a feat that would leave the State Department in awe. The nonstop action and suspense demand to be met by fast-paced reading. I highly recommend this powerful masterpiece.

—Christianbooks.com

Bunn does for readers what keeps them coming back. Descriptions so vivid you can smell the food and choke on the desert sand. Bunn breaks the mold. Fans will leap for this precise and intricate tale.

—
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

Bunn's exciting, action-packed writing features a strong sense of place. It is sure to please his fans and win him new ones.

—
Library Journal
(starred review)

An entertaining, suspenseful, hopeful adventure. Bunn's writing is taut, his message clear.

—
Christian Retailing
(top pick of the month, July 2012)

A must-have for every inspirational reader.

—
Booklist
(top ten book of the year, 2011)

Unlimited, Digital Edition

Based on Print Edition

© 2013 by Davis Bunn

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

978-1-4336-7940-7

Published by B&H Publishing Group,

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: F

Subject Heading: MYSTERY FICTION \ ORPHANAGES—FICTION \ RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES—FICTION

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

Publisher's Note: The persons and events in this book are fictitious with the exception of Harold Finch and certain references to his accomplishments and career. Any other similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and unintentional.

This novel is dedicated to

Dr. Harold Finch

“What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

My involvement with a project called
Unlimited
began a few years ago, when a film producer called with a quick question about a story line in a screenplay. This led to longer conversations, which led to personal meetings, which led to my being invited to join the project as one of the writers and executive producers. Crafting a novel tied to the film's release—the book you are holding in your hands—soon became part of the vision.

Vision is truly the right word. Through this project I have come to know some of the most inspired—and inspirational—individuals I have ever encountered. They exemplify the big idea behind this work: how to unleash the God-given forces of success that live in every one of us. Like most film projects, this one had its share of explosive possibilities and unforeseen disappointments. But the integrity and perseverance of the team carried us through—toward the silver screen and unto the page. So I want to begin these pages by expressing my thanks.

First of all, to film producer Chad Gundersen, whose latest project at that time was
Like Dandelion Dust
, based on the best-selling novel by Karen Kingsbury. He had another project in development, one based upon the life and teachings of Dr. Harold Finch—an inventor and educator who achieved exceptional results in business. For decades, Harold had devoted his resources to fund missionary projects and orphanages. He had lectured around the world on the dynamics of success from a biblical perspective, and wanted to capture that legacy in a film. I had enjoyed an international business career prior to becoming a novelist, so the concept—and the man—seized my attention.

I soon met Harold Finch, a day I will never forget. He is difficult to thank on this acknowledgments page, because he has made such an unexpectedly deep impact on various aspects of my life. His teachings on setting and achieving goals have enhanced my spiritual and professional growth. His friendship, and the example he sets in matters large and small, will stay with me forever. So thank you, Harold.

I was then drawn into the
Unlimited
team, with Chad making introductions to Nathan Frankowski, a writer and director, and Jon Stone, a cowriter. The main setting for the story is an orphanage in the Mexican borderlands. After months of behind-the-scenes work, the film went into production in Texas. I spent time on the set getting to know the crew and actors. Interacting with these highly talented and dedicated artists was a great privilege. I learned much about the beauty and sorrows which mark today's Mexico.

From the professionals behind the camera, I would especially like to thank Michael Charske (Location Manager), Elise Graham (Line Producer), and Jacob Cena (Assistant Cinematographer). Notably, Jacob shared his ordeals as a survivor of the gang warfare that has overwhelmed the city of Juarez.

From the actors I gained insights into the back-story of the roles they played. I then applied these character lessons in the development of this novel. My profound thanks go to Robert Amaya, Fred Thompson, Emilio Roso, Oscar Avila, Crystal Martinez, and Daniel Ross Owens. Unusually, rather than the film being based on a novel, this novel is essentially based on a film. I was encouraged when someone pointed out a winning precedent—the 1970s movie
Love Story
was only later adapted into a best-selling book.

Vital assistance—both creative and practical—was provided by many others. Vinnie and Jodie Carafano direct the orphanage where the filming took place. Mary Beth Maifield is Director of the Youth-with-a-Mission orphanage in Juarez; she brought the plight of these children into vivid clarity. Brenda Luna-Bravo, who was raised in the YWAM orphanage and is now studying at the university in El Paso, shared many hardships and the value of hope. David Mullens is a pastor who runs a missionary church. For three generations, his family has farmed two thousand acres in Mexico. This has all been jeopardized by the violence that has swept the country. David introduced me to life in the border regions, and the meaning of not only surviving but thriving through a steadfast faith. Julio Marin is youth pastor at the Calvary Chapel of Melbourne, Florida, familiar with leading mission trips to Mexico. Even before I left for the filming, this dear friend helped me build the platform that supported this story. And speaking of stories—another word of thanks to Julie Gwinn for her early enthusiasm for this novel.

I need to return to Chad Gundersen, and the multifaceted talents he deploys in making an idea into a reality. He brought me into this world of film production, and these experiences have made
Unlimited
one of the most singular projects of my career. Chad, for your partnership and friendship I will always be grateful.

Finally, my final heartfelt thanks go to Isabella, my wife and dearest friend. Thank you, darling, for the gifts of wisdom and strength and love.

Simon crawled away from his burning car, amazed that he was still alive. He stayed low in the shallow trench running alongside the Mexican highway. His brain was still scrambled from the wreck. He was not entirely sure why he needed to remain out of sight. Only that it was important. Vital.

He clambered over the loose rubble, dragging his canvas duffel along with him. He halted for a moment, willing strength back into his limbs and clarity into his brain. As he gasped for breath, Simon glanced back. His beloved car, his last remaining connection to the life he had once assumed was his to claim, lay on the passenger side in a ditch. The Mustang's tires were all blown out and shredded. The sun descended behind the rim of the western hills and cast the scene in deep shadows, as though ashamed over what had been done to him.

He gripped the duffel and lifted his head a fraction of an inch above the trench's lip. On the other side of the road, a man stood waiting for a break in the traffic. The man whistled a cheery tune as he watched the road.

Simon realized he had seen the man before, smirking as Simon had driven away from the border post. Which meant that, unless Simon was very fast and very lucky, he was going to die.

His best hope was to make it to the
maquiladora
, the industrial zone. The first buildings were less than a mile away. Even as bruised and shaken as he was, he could do that easily. But not with the pack.

The pack contained far more than eleven months of research. The apparatus and the diagrams were his last hope of returning to the university as a physicist. It was his lone chance at the star he had always assumed would one day be his. Saving him from a lifetime of bars and empty chatter and the easy downward slide to oblivion.

He had to find somewhere to hide it.

The duffel bag was too heavy for him to carry very fast. The apparatus it contained had to weigh forty pounds, and there were another ten pounds of graphs and diagrams and spreadsheets and pages from his proposal. But he could at least balance himself better.

Simon fit one arm and then the other through the duffel's two canvas straps, then slung the bag across his back. He took a hard breath, willing himself forward. When a pair of lumbering trucks hid him from sight, Simon slithered over the trench's opposite ledge. Then he launched himself up and away.

The bag struck his back with every step. A sharp edge poked his neck. He assumed it was the control panel. Simon would be badly bruised when this was over. If he survived.

The ground was so rough and the light so dim, Simon found the second ditch by falling into it. He was desperate not to roll and damage the apparatus further. He crouched and skidded his way down the side. And at its bottom, he found the hiding place.

A cracked and pitted concrete pipe ran along the culvert's base. A jagged hole gaped five feet down from where he landed, just large enough to take the duffel. Simon lay on the filthy pipe and shoved the bag up as far as he could manage, getting it well out of sight. Unless they came looking with a flashlight. Unless they guessed he had hidden it here.

He scrambled up the other side and headed into the desert. He was tempted to try for the highway. But the hunter still had his SUV, and there was too much risk of Simon being caught in the open. So he aimed for the fence surrounding the industrial zone.

Simon glanced back and saw the bearded stranger loping toward him. Then the man barked. Like a lone coyote on the scent of prey. A sharp sound, hard and merciless as the terrain.

Simon ran faster still.