The Premise

by Andy Crossfield

  Colleen nodded and looked on as Kyle ordered up the Private Cab for the fishing expedition.

  "Bait’s in the water in ten minutes!" Kyle said when the confirmation of the door code appeared on his phone. A few more keystrokes and the image from the dashcam appeared on his phone. "This is just too cool!" Kyle exclaimed at his newfound ability to surveil in the 21st century.

  Colleen leaned in for a closer look. "Are you telling me that’s from the cab on its way to the meeting?"

  Kyle sat back with an air of satisfaction. "Yep. Ain’t technology grand?"

  As the cab rounded the last corner, the camera showed two people waiting near the curb. "I know that guy!" Colleen shouted. "That’s Mako, Mako uh, Williams! He’s in our AIDS study!"

  "You recognize the other guy with him?" Kyle asked, glancing quickly at Colleen to get an answer.

  "Yeah, that’s Winston! The guy Sam said was killing everybody!" Colleen turned to Kyle with a worried look. "What happens when you hook a fish too big for your tackle?"

  "That’s easy" Kyle said confidently. We run 'em till they get tired!"

  The cab eased to the curb and stopped. A few seconds later Mako and Winston were inside the limo checking things out.

  Suddenly the main video screen flickered on. "Good afternoon, gentlemen." Kyle said in a low steady voice.

  Though surprised by the image and voice, Winston recovered quickly, then sneered directly into the screen.

  "It seems we both have something the other wants," Kyle continued, letting his words trail off cryptically.

  "Whasat?" Winston said, still investigating the amenities of his surroundings.

  "Well, I assume you have our friend Sam, since the text for the cab was sent to his phone."

  "So?"

  "So, …Winston, let’s make a deal."

  Winston seemed startled and looked again at the screen at the mention of his name. "What you got in trade?" he said, regaining his tough exterior quickly.

  "Something worth a lot more that Sam, I assure you!"

  Colleen turned to Kyle, grabbed his arm and mouthed, "What are you doing?" But Colleen could see a look of inspiration on Kyle’s face and decided to trust his lead.

  "Cain’t put a price on a person…" Winston said sarcastically, still rifling every compartment in the cab. "Abe Lincoln stopped all that shit… or don’t you read history?"

  "You wouldn’t be here if you felt you had nothing of value." Kyle shot back. "I’m thinking you are interested in what we have to offer, and since you are a businessman, you’ll be interested in what we have to trade."

  "Man, what you got… I’m busy!" Winston asked, getting irritated.

  "Not so fast," Kyle said with a car salesman smile. Colleen watched him as he made a gesture off camera like reeling in a fish. "We’ve already shown what we bring in good faith… you’re sitting in it remember? Now we need to see Sam, unhurt, and sitting right there beside you before we discuss any more details."

  Winston leered into the camera. "You crazy! I call the shots around here, and my boy Sam’ll show when I say he shows!"

  Kyle had an answer ready. "How’s that playing with the rest of the City Boyz, huh Winston? Kinda hard holding your turf against the South Side Knights when you’re fighting with your own tribe, huh? Your homies still with you after you popped them like that?"

  "That ain’t none of your problem, ain’t nobody’s problem, and it sure as hell ain’t mine! My Boyz do what I say!" Winston shouted back at Kyle’s image on the screen, letting his voice show anger for the first time.

  "Well, that may be, but do you know what I think?" Kyle said calmly. "I think you’re no different from any other businessman… and you already know the most important key to getting things to turn out in your favor."

  "And just what key you talking 'bout, Mr.-Got-All-the-Answers Man!"

  "Just one little word, …information." While Winston pondered the point, Kyle could see an opening and went for it. "You see, every business operates on it. If it’s bad, you get run over. If it’s good, you’re there before anyone else. Simple. Survival of the smartest, you might say."

  Winston couldn’t resist. "And just what kinda information you got for me today, little, too-chicken-to-show-up man?

  "You must have brain damage Winston! You need to get checked. Didn’t we just decide I’ve already thrown in my ante? It’s time for you to show some good faith!"

  Winston exploded. "And I told you I don’t take orders from you or nobody!" He threw up his hands and made a move toward the door.

  Kyle was losing him. If he walked, they might never see Sam alive.

  "Damn you’re thick Winston." Kyle blurted out. "I’m not giving you orders, mi amigo, I’m giving you opportunity!"

  "Well, sell it somewhere else… we don’t need it 'round here!"

  "Then how about a free sample? You interested in that Winston?"

  Winston stopped and turned toward the screen.

  Kyle kept his calm tone and began again, slowly. "Don’t you wonder how I know your name? Don’t you wonder how I know Mako’s name over there?"

  Winston turned to Mako who looked confused at being dragged into the conversation.

  "I deal in information, Winston." Kyle continued. "Information from what you might say are trusted sources. And let me tell you something you already know, if you can’t trust your sources, well you don’t live long in your business. What I have to trade will guarantee the information you get in the future will be 100% reliable too."

  "Man, you not makin sense. What you think all this talking in riddles adds up to? A whole lotta nuttin, thas what!" Winston made another move toward the door.

  Kyle realized he had to play his trump card. He had worked him as long as he could and was out of options.

  "Okay Winston, let me talk straight. I work for Dr. Colleen Baker." Colleen dug her nails into Kyle’s thigh at the mention of her name. "She has developed a cure for AIDS, but you already know about that. Many of your boys have gotten the cure… even your best boy Mako there got it. But what we didn’t know until recently, was that it is also a truth serum."

  Colleen looked at Kyle with a confused expression.

  Kyle waved off her concern with an off camera raised index finger asking for a moment to play this out, and continued. "That’s why I can guarantee the information you get. People who’ve had the serum, well, they tell the truth, they don’t have a choice."

  "Bullshit!" Winston shouted.

  "I told you I’d give you a free sample, well here it is." Kyle said in a steady voice. "Mako? Can you hear me?"

  Mako looked at Winston before answering with a nod.

  "Mako?" Kyle asked in a commanding tone, "Are you a coward?"

  Colleen let out a long sigh as she cradled her head in her hands. She finally realized what Kyle was attempting.

  "Mako? Answer the question!"

  Winston looked at Mako sitting beside him in the large limo. He looked trapped and desperate and suddenly very small.

  Mako looked down at his lap, and in a tiny, barely audible voice, said, "Yes."

  Before Winston could react, Kyle started in on him.

  "Now Winston, you know he’s telling the truth. There’s no way anyone would lie and admit to that! I’m telling you this stuff works! Imagine what this would mean to you! Don’t you see? You make everyone close to you get treated and you’ll never have to wonder about their loyalty again! Now go get Sam and let’s do our deal!"

  "Hold up…" Winston said. "My boy here just said he’s afraid! Un cobarde! Maybe it's your shit that made him that way, you ever think about that?"

  "Damn, dude, you are thick aren’t you? Kyle said, unable to stop himself as he tried desperately to keep his pitch going. It was all he had at this point. "Do you really think a coward would tell you something like that? You know cowards, they lie all the time! He’s telling the truth that’s all. We all have self-doubts… doesn’t make them real. He’s just owning up to how he feels in
side."

  "Mako? Kyle said with authority in his voice. "You got Winston’s back?"

  Mako nodded eagerly.

  "Would you ever do anything to harm him?"

  "No, never!" Mako insisted, jumping at the chance to put a few positives in his column.

  "Now Winston, you’re smart enough to stay alive all these years livin’ on the streets. Don’t get a case of stupid now. Take the deal, you’ll never get another one like it. In one hour, bring Sam and as many Boyz as you want to the lab and you have my word we’ll inoculate them for you. In a week’s time you can sleep easy again."

  Kyle knew enough to quit when he was ahead, so he sat back in his seat with determination. "That’s our deal. Take it or leave it!" Kyle said as forcefully as he could… then he hit a key and cut the video signal.

  As he let out a long-held breath, his hands started to shake from pent up stress as he signed on and cancelled the cab. No sense letting them ride around on Jack’s dime.

  Colleen could only sit and stare at Kyle with a look of amazement on her face.

  "That’s the ballsiest thing I ever saw!" said Colleen with a look of awe. "When did you come up with that? For God sakes, Kyle …truth serum?"

  They both burst out laughing.

  "Hey, I couldn’t exactly sell him on a cure for crime, now could I? And besides, it worked didn’t it?" Kyle said, looking for reassurance.

  "I hope so…" Colleen said shaking her head in disbelief. "We’ll know in an hour!"

  _________________________

  Jack walked resolutely up the steps to Tom’s reception, but his thoughts were still in the Chicago barrio. Still no update from Colleen or Kyle, and it was getting late there. He tried to think when no news was ever good news, and whether he should try to call, but he decided against it. He knew Colleen would call when she had something.

  Tom’s widow Delores was waiting for him inside. She broke off her conversation as soon as she saw him walk in and gave him a hug that seemed to go on uncomfortably long. He didn’t deserve this show of affection, or the sudden attention for that matter, but then again he did have Tom’s ashes under his arm. He felt awkward and conspicuous and looked around for some spot of honor to place the urn; some reason to break the embrace of the woman who now had no one to cleave to. No one offered to help. Everyone in the room full of friends had become a hushed spectator.

  Jack had become the main event and the other mourners were soaking it all in. He surveyed the room full of faces looking back at him with expressions of pity or judgment, he couldn’t tell which. He just wanted to blend in and not be asked to explain how his hubris was responsible for the gathering tonight. But he couldn’t imagine not being called on to say a few words about the life and death of his friend. How could he not be? The famous wordsmith, Jack Colder, mute at his best friend’s service? Not likely.

  After another long moment, Delores broke the embrace and graciously took Tom’s ashes and led Jack to a private parlor off the main hall.

  "I want to thank you for coming tonight Jack" she said as her eyes welled up at the sight of Tom’s cremains. I know it can’t be easy for you."

  "Delores," Jack began, "I’m so very sorry for…" Jack’s voice broke and tears streaked his face as he tried again. "I let you down, Delores. My stupid parlor trick got him killed. I want you to know I’ll take care of you and the kids. Whatever you need, you know… I’m just so sorry."

  Delores hugged him again and this time he took comfort, even forgiveness in her arms.

  After a moment, she parted the embrace and looked him in the eyes, "What we really need now Jack, are answers. The police have not been very cooperative and I’ve had so many questions, and I couldn’t reach your cell..."

  "I had to change my number after I was kidna…" Jack stopped. He swore he would not go there. This was all about Tom and he was determined to keep it that way.

  "I’m working hard on getting those answers for us," Jack said starting again. "I have my suspicions, but until I have proof, I need to keep them to myself. But it looks like there are powerful people behind Tom’s death. I suspect they have powerful friends as well, and I can tell you I have already taken steps to bring them to justice."

  "How did you and Tom get mixed up in something that could be so dangerous Jack? I mean my God, a car bomb?" Delores’ body began to shudder. A wave of grief again took hold of her as she imagined the gory manner of Tom’s death.

  "We didn’t go looking for trouble Delores, we kind of stumbled onto it. Neither of us knew our lives were on the line until it happened. Neither of us was thinking the stakes were that high, I swear to you Delores. But if my hunch is right, and when the truth comes out, you will have every reason to be very proud of Tom. I know I am."

  "So what were you working on?" Delores asked. "All I know is you were holding some seminars around the country… that surely wouldn’t get you killed would it?

  "Well, Tom was helping me do research into how crowds behave. The concept was to announce some fictional news story and gauge the crowd’s reaction as we walked them through the good and bad outcomes. Amazingly, one of the fictional stories turned out to have merit. If it proves correct, Tom and I have already done important work that will be helpful in…"

  "Speak English Jack," Delores demanded as she grabbed Jack’s arms and shook him. "This is me, the widow, remember?" Tears welled in her eyes again.

  "I’m sorry Delores. You’re right. I’m being vague because I don’t want to involve you in something that could be dangerous. I can’t tell you everything because I don’t have all the pieces put together yet. But, and when I say this I’m trying to be realistic, even modest, although it doesn’t sound like it, okay? I believe a scientific discovery has been made that will change everyone’s very existence; even upend the economy. If I’m right, this discovery will cause people to rethink what they are doing with their lives, how they relate to their neighbors, and the future course of humanity itself."

  Delores seemed struck dumb by Jack’s words.

  After a moment she asked "And Tom was working on this with you?"

  "Yes. He was a big part of the project."

  "When will you know more about your suspicions?" she asked, searching Jack’s face for answers.

  "Perhaps as soon as a week." Jack said…. "But if I’m right, you won’t have to hear about it from me."

  The rest of the evening went nothing like Jack had imagined. He didn’t expect to be questioned so harshly by the guests about the circumstances of Tom’s death, and was unprepared to offer any reason for the explosion. He and two others almost died too, but that unused deflection seemed feeble in light of Delores’ loss. Jack had never relished giving away intricate plot points to inquiring fans, and he felt the same reluctance in answering questions about his recent reality.

  Opting instead to go with a story in the papers that theorized about an explosive that was left in the rental by a previous and yet-to-be-identified driver or rental car employee, he reassured the gathering that the police had leads they were following and would soon bring the perpetrators to justice. Thankfully not mentioned in the papers was the fact that Ramy’s car was rigged to explode too; a fact that would be extremely distressing to Tom’s widow.

  Jack said a few words in tribute to his longtime friend… but then had to refute rumors that he had been acting out a plot for a new book that had gotten out of hand. He silently swore to get even with a certain Chicago Police detective that he suspected of spreading that lie. By the time he got to his home in La Jolla, he was exhausted. The machine in the kitchen was flashing.

  99 messages.

  Jack sighed and turned off the light, stumbling down the hall and up the stairs to the bedroom.

  Chapter 29 Matched Wits

  Kyle and Colleen drove to the lab in silence. Sam’s plight weighed heavy on them. They left Karen behind just to divide their forces in case anything went wrong. They agreed to call regularly to check in. Colleen insisted on coming
despite Kyle’s objections. She pointed out as convincingly as she could that only she could administer the serum dosages. Closer to the truth was that she felt responsible for Sam and would do anything to get him back, even risk her own life. Her gut churned with fear at the prospect of becoming a hostage, but she was sure the same fear was working on Kyle too. Even though she hadn’t brought it up, he was acting jumpy.

  Three years ago, Colleen had decided to locate the lab on the border between the City Boyz' and the South Side Knights' turf. Doing so made it easier to draw patients from both gangs, but that also meant she was at ground zero when disputes over territory broke out. She had learned the hard way to avoid scheduling rivals on the same day.