by Elaine Meece
He talked about the figures involved. His presentation had been shown to the financial and business offices earlier. Different people asked questions.
Brice continued. “Also, production for new products will have to be pushed back as well. If you look at the pie graph, you’ll see the ratio cost and the calculated losses incurred. It all calculates into a multi-million-dollar loss.”
One of the engineers raised his hand. “Will Zurtel be able to recover any of the assets?”
“Possibly if we can find who was behind it.”
Other hands shot up, and Brice tried to answer all their questions.
Ed Sawyer stood off to the side listening. His face paled and concern flickered in his eyes. There still wasn’t enough proof to connect him with Novik.
Later Ed Sawyer accompanied them to the robotics lab.
Tristen joined them. “Am I late?”
Cynthia smiled. “No, we just arrived.”
They followed Ed and Lonny to a room with a giant plasma screen on the wall.
“Take a seat,” Lonny said. “The training video is only twenty minutes. It covers how to connect and disconnect Vega I to the aircraft. Activate her to the Internet. And some trouble shooting solutions if you have any problems with her.”
After watching the film, Tristen raised his hand. “Could she go rogue?”
Lonny laughed. “That’s only in the movies. She’s programed for a job. That’s it.”
“I didn’t mean could she take over the aircraft and hold us hostage or fly off to help some cause. Could she refuse to follow the pilot’s orders and engage her own agenda?”
Lonny shrugged. “Didn’t I just say she’s not capable of that?”
Brice made a slight hand motion to speak. “I think what Tristen is asking is can she be hacked and given different instructions?”
Ed Sawyer stepped forward. “Impossible.”
“Smart cars and homes have had major issues with hackers,” Tristen said.
“My own smart home was hacked last year,” Cynthia added.
“Vega I has a firewall designed to keep hackers out. She is no more likely to be hacked than the aircraft itself,” Lonny explained. “You’ll have a chance to practice using her.”
Lonny went first demonstrating how simple Vega I was to operate.
In the simulator that was an exact copy of the cockpit in a Boeing 777, the new replacement for the Boeing 747, Lonny set the robot in the copilot’s seat. He connected her to the aircraft’s power source, then flipped a switch. “I just put her in automatic mode.”
In seconds, Vega I opened its eyes and looked around.
Lonny said, “I need an updated weather report for Jacksonville.”
“Weather conditions for Jacksonville report clear skies with a twenty percent chance of afternoon showers. Ninety degrees Fahrenheit. Winds at 5 knots, and humidity at 85 percent.”
Lonny started up the engines and took off. “She’s trained for some key words. You’ll have a list of terms to memorize.”
“What if you say a word, and she thinks it’s a command?” Tristen asked.
“You just say, abort order.”
Tristen didn’t look convinced. “What if that doesn’t work?”
“You have an emergency stop control you can activate from her key pad that connects to her backplane.”
“Layman’s terms,” Brice said.
“That’s her circuit board. I want you to see what she does in a landing situation. We’re going to land.” After a few moments, Lonny relayed the message to Vega I. “Incapacitated. Take over.”
The robot made some soft humming sounds. “Engaging. Preparing to land.”
Brice stood amazed as he watched the robot communicate with the tower and land the plane. Over the next three hours, they took turns piloting the plane and turning the flight over to Vega I. They laughed when it set the jet on autopilot.
Lonny looked at them. “So, let’s take her up in a real plane.”
They rode in a golf cart to the testing airstrip on the Zurtel property and made their way to one of the aircraft in the hangar.
“I’m going to watch from the tower,” Cynthia said. “You boys have fun.”
A tech carried Vega I and placed it in the copilot’s seat, then connected and activated it. It immediately came on and turned its head slightly, waiting for an order. Its eyes reminded Brice of the damn doll.
After a couple of hours in the sky with Vega I, Brice felt better about using it on the trip to Phoenix. The training session had made him more comfortable operating it.
Rather than feeling fearful, he had dollar signs dancing before his eyes. Zurtel would make a fortune off of these autonomous copilots.
Once back in his room, he called Annie. “Hey, you, sexy diva, we have a date tonight.” He wouldn’t mention Cynthia’s suspicions concerning them.
“Cynthia is counting on us going. She’s already made reservations. I don’t see how we can skip out on her.”
“What time are we going?” Brice asked.
“Six.”
“We should be back by eight.”
“At the earliest,” Annie pointed out.
“I’ve got a plan. Once we get back, we’ll go to our rooms, wait ten minutes and then meet out front by the door.”
“And what? Annie asked.
“Do you bowl?”
“I have, but it’s been a while.”
“Do you like it?”
“I enjoy it for the first couple of games. After that, my wrist and arm give out, and I roll gutter balls.”
“We wouldn’t have to worry about running into Cynthia or Tristen.”
“I’m refuse to bowl in a dress. When we get back, I’m changing into jeans and tennis shoes.”
“I only bought suits, jogging pants, and tennis shoes. No jeans.”
“Wear the jogging pants. It’d look better than an Armani suit.”
After they disconnected, Brice showered. If he’d had more time, he’d run out and purchase jeans. Hell, he’d look goofy in sweat pants and a T-shirt.
Dressed in a clean shirt and pants, Brice met the others in the lobby. A limo waited out front. He allowed the women and Tristen to slide into the backseat first, then he slid in beside Annie. “Wow! This is the way to travel.”
“Care for a drink?” Tristen offered.
“I’d better pass,” he said, thinking of the night ahead of him.
The limo headed down U.S. 95 and turned on Gale Parkway, and again on Southside Beach Boulevard.
“Oh, my goodness,” Annie said. “I can already smell the steaks.”
Brice’s stomach growled with hunger pangs from breathing in the hearty aromas.
The limo driver dropped them off in front of Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse. Brice held the door for everyone and entered last. After eating here, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to bowl.
♦♦♦
Annie had a difficult time concentrating on the conversation at dinner. While the other’s chatted about their day, her mind drifted. Would Shea be the kind to snoop through her house? It could be her imagination, but something sounded off when she and Brice had spoken earlier. His enthusiasm almost seemed forced.
It’s my imagination. Nothing has changed.
She recalled Cameron the last few weeks before he returned to his ex-wife. At first, he had seemed overly cheerful as if he were convincing himself he was happy. By the last week, he sulked and moped as though he had no energy, then he lowered the boom on her. Their wedding was called off because he had decided to move home. She was stuck with a six hundred-dollar wedding dress.
Her heart ached a little.
“Annie, you’re not eating,” Cynthia said.
“I had a big lunch.” She smiled and started cutting her steak and nibbling small bites. “It’s delicious.”
Then another thought had her food wanting to come back up. What if he backed out of the trip to Phoenix? How would she save Megan and Libby?
/> She sprinkled salt on her baked potato and vegetables.
“Shea called,” he said.
“Are they finding everything they need?” she asked.
“Yes, but she did peek into your art studio. She said you’re an amazing artist.”
“You’re an artist?” Cynthia asked.
“I have an art degree not that it’s a top money-making field to be in.”
“There’s always teaching,” Cynthia added.
“Yes, there’s that. But I like what I do.”
Tristen interrupted, “Why is your family at her house?”
Brice explained, then offered Annie a smile. “She has a heart of gold. She offered to let them stay there until we get back.”
“Then what?” Cynthia asked.
Expressionless, Brice said, “I’m not sure. My PI believes Hayden is up to no good. I’m hoping the police arrest him or he leaves town, so she can go home.”
“So, are you returning to the house with her?” Cynthia asked.
Annie almost swallowed her tongue. She kept her gaze on her plate, instead of looking at him. Answer. Damn it.
“I honestly don’t know. I have a lot to think about.”
Finally, she glanced up. His eyes revealed how torn he was over the decision.
Had he said it for Cynthia’s benefit?
Relax. It’s all for show.
Tristen stared with an empathetic expression. Obviously, he didn’t think it was just to throw Cynthia off.
This food cost a small fortune, and she couldn’t bring herself to eat another bite. Maybe she should make an excuse and not go.
“I was extremely impressed over Vega I’s performance,” Brice commented.
Cynthia laughed. “And he’s the one who thought we were insane for unleashing these robots on the world.”
Tristen chuckled. “I thought the same thing. Now, I think every airplane in the country should be equipped with one.”
“Is it going with us to Phoenix? Annie asked, wanting to bring up the trip to see if Brice still intended to go.
“Yes. Vega I will be shipped to us. Dwayne will install it,” Tristen said. “Instead of the Gulf Stream 280, the Citation will be modified slightly to accommodate Vega I. A special outlet box has to be installed below the instrument panel that will connect it to the jet’s power source. It will operate with the alternator same as the lights.”
“What happens when the jet’s power is off?” Annie asked.
“It has a power pack that works like an emergency generator,” Tristen said.
“A wheel tiller has to be added to the copilot’s side, so it can taxi. Some jets already have this feature. And you must have satellite Wi-Fi so you don’t lose Internet over water,” Brice added.
“All our jets had ground Wi-Fi,” Tristen said. “We just upgraded to satellite through Gogo.”
Annie didn’t like the idea of robots taking over. Maybe she’d seen too many Sci-Fi movies. “Will people be willing to invest in the modifications to their aircraft to accommodate these artificial intelligent copilots?”
Brice laughed. “Definitely.”
On the ride back to the Crown Plaza hotel, Brice seemed so distant.
Okay. I’m letting my imagination get the best of me.
When they entered the hotel, Tristen let the ladies go first. “Annie, we’ll leave around 11:00 a.m. See you at the airport.”
“I’ll be there. Thanks for dinner.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Brice echoed. “I’m stuffed.”
They entered the elevator.
Brice stepped out on the fifth floor. “Night, everyone.”
On the tenth floor, Annie glanced back. “Goodnight.”
The Conners continued up to the penthouse.
Ten minutes later, Annie had switched into jeans and tennis shoes and waited on the bench just outside the hotel. After five more minutes, she wondered if she should call Brice. Had he changed his mind?
She pulled her phone out.
“Calling me,” Brice said, coming out the door.
“Yes. You’re late.” Annie wanted to laugh at Brice wearing the navy jogging pants, long white T-shirt and tennis shoes.
A taxi drove them to Bowl America on Beach Boulevard. Annie thought the place was a little far out from the hotel. The brick structure sat back from the road with a massive parking lot. Brice kept the driver’s card to call for a pickup later.
Inside, Annie smiled at the glowing red, white, and blue stars on the background behind the lanes. They purchased two games, but she had an idea one game would be enough.
Once she had the bowling shoes on, she searched for a lighter ball. Brice picked up a huge black ball that probably weighed a ton. Finally, Annie found a little pink one that suited her.
Being a gentleman, he allowed her to go first. She held the ball up, walked briskly forward, pulled the ball back, and released it. For a moment she was hopeful, but then it slipped into the gutter.
Brice hit a strike. “Hot damn. Nailed it.”
“This should be a really fast game at this rate,” she said, standing and retrieving her ball.
“Hold up,” Brice said.
He joined her and placed his hand over her wrist, lifting it. “Your letting it drop. Hold it firmly.”
The slight touch had her wishing they’d forgotten the date and gone straight to one of their rooms.”
She tried to do as he said, and she actually knocked down four pins, but then on the spare rolled another gutter ball. “Better.”
Brice confidently walked up and rolled the ball, taking them all out but one, then picked up the spare.
Again, he placed his hands on her back and wrist to improve her form. But all it did was make her think of what they could be doing instead. She’d never be able to keep the ball on the lane with these erotic thoughts rolling around in her head.
Rather than sit down, he remained on the platform, watching and critiquing her form. This time the pink ball rolled down and smashed the pins. The last one remained but then toppled over.
Excitedly, she jumped up and down and hugged Brice. “I did it!”
He hugged her back and kissed the crown of her head.
Being in public, they stepped back, putting space between them.
After the one game, Annie tried to think of a way to get out of the second one. He’d already paid for it. All she could think of was how his body felt against hers in the celebration embrace.
“My arm is on fire. I’m not used to bowling,” she admitted.
“Well, if you don’t’ mind I’d like to call it quits,” he said.
“No, that’s more than fine with me.”
In the back of the taxi, they sat close together, she’d never been one to display affection in public, but she considered making out right there. Surely, the driver had seen worse.
But what if Brice wasn’t feeling the sparks that she felt?
Brice paid the driver and escorted her through the lobby doors. “Your room or mine?”
“Mine.” Annie couldn’t stop smiling.
Inside her room, Brice pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. She stood on her tiptoes to fit against him snuggly. A charge of sexual urges shot through her like electric currents.
“I didn’t think that damn game would ever end,” Annie confessed.
“Me either.” He backed her to the bed, then unsnapped her jeans, and tugged them off of her, leaving her in skimpy lace panties. “Wow, I like those.”
“They’re not staying on long,” she said, her voice husky with desire.
“They’re too pretty to tear.” He rolled them down, carefully taking them off.
As his hands touched her hips, thighs, and calves, a sensual fire warmed her skin. She flinched when he kissed her feet, then calves, and thighs, working his way up.
They hadn’t indulged in very much foreplay simply because the times they’d been together had been limited, and they’d been too turned on to play around.
She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his hands and mouth as he brought her to a sexual peak. Not wanting it to end, she fought exploding beneath his touch.
Annie pushed him back and leaned over him, kissing his neck, jaw, then mouth while her hand wrapped around his firm erection and squeezed. He moaned.
He laid back, allowing her to explore his body. She liked the feel of his muscles as she rubbed her hands over his smooth hot skin.
Annie couldn’t resist torturing him a little, teasing him with her tongue and hands until he was almost ready.
“I can’t take any more,” he whispered. He rolled her over and kissed her breasts, then moved to her mouth, and while doing so he pulled himself on top of her.
The touch of him between her thighs caused a deep urgent need to consume her. She parted her legs and encouraged him to thrust driving into her. “Hard and fast.”
Ecstasy built with each stroke. He didn’t stop until they both cried out.
He collapsed on top of her. “Did I hurt you?”
“No. You were awesome.” She kissed his jawline. “I wanted to do this all evening. I couldn’t bowl for thinking about it.”
“We should’ve skipped the bowling and come straight here, but I wanted us to do something together.”
She lay in his arms with her head on his chest. “We’ll have time to talk on the flight to Phoenix.”
“I’ll be flying the plane.”
“I’ll sit in the jump seat and keep you company.”
“Can I talk you out of entering the commune?”
“Only if you can think of some way I can get a message to her.”
“How will you get to the commune?”
“After we land in Phoenix. I’ll arrange a ride there.”
“So far, so good. What then?” Brice asked, gently massaging her shoulders. “What am I supposed to do during that time?”
“You’ll get a room near the airport. If you have your laptop and phone, can’t you conduct business from there?”
“Yeah, I can. Owen Reynolds is flying up to see over things. I thought this would be a shorter trip. Fly up, grab your sister and niece, and leave town. Why can’t you snatch her from the store?”
“They’ll be watching every single move she makes in town. Besides, there’s no guarantee Libby will be with her.”
