“Mr. and Mrs. Schluter, you will only be allowed to tell the community that the past is in the past. You are just overwhelmed with happiness that your son has returned home. You welcome him back and are looking forward to the future, spending time together and making up for lost time. After a few months things will return to normal and people will lose interest.” Everyone agreed.
Dimitrios asked, “Any ideas how to explain how he will return? We need some ideas.” They all started talking at once.
Anthony held up his hand. “One idea at a time please.”
After much discussion they decided Carson would drive Todd to the outskirts of town and drop him off. Todd would then walk into town to the cafe. He would ask an older person there if the Schluter’s still lived on the same street. At the mention of the name someone in the cafe would recognize him. Once recognized, he would then walk home to his front door for a teary eyed reunion with his mom, who then will call his dad at his work. Then Mr. Schluter would be able to tell everyone at work he’s headed for home, his boy’s returned!
Todd agreed. “That’s the best idea. Let’s do it.”
Mrs. Schluter said, “The phones at that time will ring off the hook. The newspaper will be given the agreed upon information and everyone will be happy! This plan works for us. I’m sure our friends will plan a welcome home party.”
The Prime Minister approved. “Now the next order of business is a job for Todd.” Carson spoke up, “Todd, if you would like to work on the farm, we would love to have you. We always need a hand around here.”
Todd nodded his head and said, “Thank you for the opportunity. It will be my pleasure to work for you.”
After the details were worked out Anthony and Dimitrios left. Todd was excited to know he’d be back in his old bed very soon. Bev left for the store to buy hair coloring for Todd. She decided to play it safe and go to a town she rarely visited to buy it. Todd and his parents sat down to talk about his time in the other dimension.
When Bev returned they got to work. The hair color aged him nicely. Once his beard and mustache were allowed to grow out, he would be ready to enter the community once more.
Mr. and Mrs. Schluter were ready to leave for the evening. Seeing Todd’s new hair color, Mrs. Schluter thought of all the time they missed as a family.
She said looking at Todd, “I’m afraid to go to sleep. I’m afraid when I wake up you will be gone again.” She kissed him.
“It’s not a dream, Mom. I will be here when you wake up.”
“I would have gladly given up sleep for a million nights just to have you back. Nothing can take my happiness away.” She hugged him, they said their goodbyes and left.
CHAPTER 90
Several days went by…
Todd was ready. They went over the plan again at lunch.
Carson backed the truck out of the garage. Todd rode in the back to his destination. When they arrived at the edge of town Carson pulled the truck over to the side of the road. Todd jumped out of the back with a suitcase and walked to Carson’s window. “Thank you Mr. Jones. I’ll be in for work tomorrow morning.”
Carson smiled and said, “Come early for breakfast. I wish you good luck. Will you be okay?”
“Never better.” They shook hands and Todd walked down the street into town.
Bev’s phone was ringing continuously with news of Todd’s appearance by the time Carson entered the house. They smiled and waved at each other as Carson headed for the office. Not long after he sat down at his desk, Charles knocked on the door, came in and stood by him. Carson looked at Charles and said, “Well we did it! Todd is home safe and sound. Mystery solved after all these years. I’m glad the events of Todd’s return ended this way. I am happy to be alive to see it happen.”
“I’m just glad to be home myself. To tell the truth I was frightened. Being transported to a strange place somewhere in time is really awful. I’m certain I got a small taste of what Todd must have lived through, and believe me it was scary. I had no idea what to do or where to start once I got there. It turned out that the children took me to him and I was able to extract him without too much difficulty, other than the three men who were chasing us.”
“Whenever you are ready, I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. I’m very curious what the whole experience was like.”
“Things were going well until those men began chasing us. I am so grateful they didn’t catch us.”
“What a relief for both of you that you were able to escape. I’m so glad for a happy ending,” Carson said.
“That makes two of us.”
Charles started to recall what happened. “I don’t know.... it happened so fast. One minute I was standing there with you and Nana. We decided I shouldn’t go. The next minute there was a flash of light. I raised my hand to shield my eyes so I could see the clock. Then the children on the clock came running toward me. The boy at the end of the line called out to me to grab his hand. I just stood there. I don’t remember reaching out, but the next thing I knew I was holding the boy’s hand. We were running toward a house just like the cuckoo clock. The children were laughing and singing a song. When I looked up I saw an open door. The leader ran through the door into the darkness. I had to follow. On the other side it was pitch black all around me… I remember tripping and falling for a very long time. I was screaming the whole way as images flashed around me. They began breaking into pieces like kaleidoscope images as I fell into them. Finally I hit bottom. It was bizarre.
“I landed in an old, unkempt cellar. When I could stand I walked out the door and up the steps to the street. I saw a young man walking toward me. I didn’t know it was Todd. I chased him through the park to a fountain. He threw a coin in the fountain. As he walked around the fountain muttering words, images began forming in the fountain’s spray. I asked if he knew of Todd.
“That’s when three men spotted him and chased us. We eventually had to split up to have a better chance at getting away. He met me at the address with the Passageway, just in time. I’m so grateful Airabelle was able to direct me on how to use Dimitrios’ gifts. It all worked out.
“It was fortunate I didn’t have to search for Todd. I don’t know what I would have done if I had to do that. Honestly, I think I would have left him.”
Charles walked over to Airabelle. “I was never so thankful in my life as when I was able to communicate with you. That was amazing! I knew at that point I would make it back home.”
Carson told Charles, “Airabelle was able to tell us about the events as they were happening to you, but she couldn’t communicate with you until you needed her. The worst part was at the end when we didn’t know why you and Todd didn’t appear. Airabelle pointed out that the clock had stopped.”
Charles thought about it for a moment. “The clock stopped?”
“Yes, it just stopped ticking. When she discovered what had happened I ran to the desk to get the key to wind it.”
“Oh, so that’s what happened…. I wondered what that was all about. We stopped abruptly in our free fall. All of these strange distorted images from our memories kept flashing all around us while we were suspended there unable to move. It was like a horrible nightmare.”
“We were relieved and grateful to see you suddenly appear from out of nowhere.” “What a relief for us too!”
Carson picked up Charles’ planner and handed it to him. “Summer is almost half over. Hard to believe, huh?”
Charles agreed. “I can’t believe all the things that have happened.”
Charles flipped through the pages. Cassia had left a note for him: “Congratulations, Hero!” Charles laughed.
He showed Carson the note and said, “I certainly do not feel like a hero. I am still sore all over.”
Then he looked farther down, to where he was scheduled for a meeting with Nathaniel. He groaned, “I see I didn’t get out of my meeting with Nathaniel. That’s just as painful.” Carson took a quick look.
Charles hit his
forehead with the palm of his hand, “More self-defense training with Natalie… Ugh.” Sparring with Natalie was not something Charles wanted to do right now as sore as he was. He felt like it was all insult to injury.
Carson commented, “Better rest up now. Don’t forget the Sojourners’ Council meeting for Caroline is coming up as well. The next couple of days are going to be busy.
“I worked out the details of Todd’s employment with Walter today. He went over and talked to him about working at the grocery store as well. They can use some help and between the two jobs he will be plenty busy. Maybe we can keep him out of trouble. Looks like it’s all going to work out just fine.”
They talked more about Charles’ scheduled meetings. Then Charles decided to catch up on his journal writing. Once he got started his creativity flowed.
Carson was impressed as he watched Charles work on his journal. “That certainly was quite the adventure.” He was amused that Charles was able to put his own spin of humor into it. When Charles finished Carson applauded and said, “Well done. Now on to other pressing things. Shall we take another look at your report for Nathaniel?”
Charles groaned, “That was the last thing on my list. It ranks right up there with pulling an alligator’s abscessed tooth, wrestling a shark and sparring with Natalie-- all at the same time.”
Carson had already set the report out in front of him. “Let the fun begin.”
Charles was floundering with the assignment. Concentrating was so difficult when so much was happening.
Carson sighed. “Charles, you can learn a lot about what is going on in the world today by studying finances. Nathaniel is an excellent resource. He is very knowledgeable and shrewd when it comes to economics. Once you take over for Anthony, your decisions will affect markets around the world. You will be expected to be able to make sound financial decisions. It’s part of the job.”
Charles understood what Carson was telling him. He picked up the financial papers from all over the world and began analyzing them. Nathaniel had sent a bundle of financial reports and charts for him to assess. When he was finished with the task they reviewed his work together.
Carson said, “The fun part about this is that Dimitrios sent you the funny pages from the papers. Look here.”
CHAPTER 91
Anjoleah was back. She walked into Dimitrios’ office and placed paperwork on his desk that had to do with the Stygian Market, or what was also commonly referred to as the Netherworld. Dimitrios had been expecting this meeting to take place. He pressed Cassia’s extension on their communication system while observing Anjoleah’s expression. Cassia picked up. “Please do not let us be interrupted. This could take several hours.”
Dimitrios had received reports recently, which communicated that ominous activity had picked up in the Netherworld sector. Rings of thieves were using creatively unorthodox methods to plunder citizens. The reports were excruciatingly disturbing to say the least.
Anjoleah sat down on the edge of the chair and crossed her ankles. She began discussing the intelligence reports with Dimitrios. The information in the reports was accurate. Somehow the operatives at the head of the Stygian Market always seemed to be illusive. The criminals had an assortment of secret devices, which cloaked their activities, keeping them out of reach of law enforcement. They discussed one device Anjoleah witnessed being used. The technique the “Unknown” used was death defying and so extremely complicated that only someone wickedly demented would attempt something like it. This technique allowed the operative to burglarize victims leaving no trace of evidence behind. Even the victim was unaware the robbery was taking place at the time. The activities occurred so quickly authorities could find no witnesses. Only the most skilled in all the areas of science and mathematics could effectively utilize such a complicated theory. In fact experts in the field claimed the theory was impossible to employ. Anjoleah called the specific method, “Time Interruption.” Dimitrios called it a, “Devilish Death Wish.”
Dimitrios put on his glasses and picked up the folder. Several times in the past he had felt he was within seizing distance of something or someone really big within this malicious organization; only to find when his forces reached out to strike he had nothing. He scanned the paperwork and put the reports up on Intelligence boards. He began sorting through the information. Dimitrios knew that any seasoned investigator, taking a look at what he was seeing, would have come to the same conclusion he had years ago… this organization was not the job of one man. However he was the most qualified expert on the planet to go toe to toe with this devious mind or minds. Dimitrios continued to study the report. He put his pointer finger to his mouth. “Brilliantly twisted.”
Dimitrios had taken on much more than the ordinary human could possibly fathom. Several times he had considered recruiting a select group of talented individuals to assist him. However, when he got right down to it, he knew that this information was dangerous. Knowing human nature as well as he did, no one was to be trusted with these secrets. Most of the techniques and devices in the report, he found to be repulsive. A few of the devices, if put in the right hands, were worthy of the best in law enforcement. Being that they were currently in the wrong hands his perception was quite different. Dimitrios knew all too well about secrets. He had a few of his own.
He turned to Anjoleah and said, “I’d like to take a closer look at the evidence at the scene. I think we should go together and examine the location. Something is missing here, this file isn’t complete.”
Anjoleah stood up, walked over and studied what he was looking at. “All right, I agree. I think we should.”
Dimitrios grabbed his coat as they walked out. He stopped at the end of the hall.
He looked at her and said, “This could get messy.”
She looked down at what she was wearing. Without a word she walked away and went into the employees’ locker room. She returned a few moments later in black form-fitting attire.
Dimitrios grinned. “I hope we aren’t mistaken as the burglars.”
Anjoleah didn’t find his comment humorous. Without a word she led the way to the crime scene. Dimitrios smiled to himself along the way. He had a hunch that if his instincts were correct and they found the missing pieces it could possibly reveal something of great magnitude in their investigation.
CHAPTER 92
Joseph looked closely at Nxy, “The last time I saw you, your eyes were blue and your hair was short and dark green. Every time I see you your hair and eyes look different. Today you have long black hair with blue highlights and dark brown eyes. Someday I want to see the real you.”
Nxy shrugged. “You wouldn’t recognize her if you did.”
She took a step backward and he drew her back to his body. “I might.”
She gave him a look as if she had challenged him. “We’ll see.”
He looked in the direction of the entrance and then into her eyes and said, “Back to business. I rarely have time to play around, and this is no exception. I have to finish some business and get back across the border.”
“That’s not what I heard.”
He growled, “What did you say?”
“I heard you play hard.”
He threw his head back and laughed at that. Then he said, “Okay you got me on that one. I guess it would be okay if you came with me just this one time. Just don’t get any crazy ideas and whatever you do, don’t tell anyone.”
She whispered, “I wouldn’t dare.”
He whispered back, “I know.” He grabbed her hand and took off back into the flow of people.
As they walked he asked, “Did Adam make the exchange the other day?”
“Yes. Your father always keeps his word. Non took care of it.”
Joseph looked down at her. “Tell me what you know about her.”
Nxy shook her head. “She was a whole lot of trouble. That’s what I know about her.”
Joseph paused and looked around before he changed directions. “I think we sh
ould have kept her.”
Nxy looked at him suspiciously. “Are you serious? No. That’s what your father thought at first. He changed his mind.”
He shrugged. “I think he could have made a better deal.”
She stopped and raised an eyebrow at him. Then she thought she’d better not give away her knowledge.
He pointed at her and grabbed her wrist. As they walked he said quietly, “You and I are going to have a little chat later on just the two of us. You know more than you are letting on.”
She didn’t fight him. They just kept walking.
CHAPTER 93
Charles finally finished his financial plan for the meeting with Nathaniel. It was the best work he had ever produced, and he was proud of it. He had gone above and beyond in several of the areas. Carson was reviewing his work. Charles waited patiently for his response.
When he was finished Carson closed the portfolio and looked at Charles. “This is something to be proud of. I think your report will exceed his expectations.”
Charles was relieved. Now that he was prepared, he could finally relax. He wanted to talk to Carson more about Todd’s entrance back into the community. “You began to talk to me earlier about Todd working with Walter. Did Walter tell you more about how Todd is fitting in with the work on the farm?”
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 66
