“Ash, why don't you let me buy you a drink, and you can tell me about your play.”
“Love to Nat, but Jane, well, she has a gun. You understand.” Fritz turned away covering his snickers with his hand.
* * *
FRITZ WENT home early the next day. As he prepared for classes, he realized that on Friday, his U.S. history class would discuss Appomattox. He told Linda.
“You miss him, don't you?”
“Lin, it's strange to think about it like that, but I do. Everything seemed to build up to bringing him here, and then, poof, he's gone.”
“That's kind of what history is, isn't it. Moments of such importance they leave a lasting impression. And you want to go see if you can find him, don't you?”
“I've only tried once, with the president. I would like to see him again, or at least try. Wanna come?”
“Fritz, I'll never be happy with this, but I know I can't stop you. Why don't you ask the president and Ash to go with you?” “Seriously?”
“At least you won't be alone.”
“What's going on in here?” asked Ashley, poking his head around the corner.
“Wanna go in search of Robert E. Lee?”
“When did you become Leonard Nimoy?”
* * *
By Friday, the only surprise was students in third period asking Fritz if they would meet Robert E. Lee. Sad eyes, as if they had been denied a treat, followed him for the entire class. His next class argued that they had been gypped.
When classes ended, Tony Almeida was waiting in the parking lot. He clawed through the exodus to let Fritz know he was ready. Fritz retrieved the president, and then set the portal for Lee's office. Fritz told them that if Lee wasn't in his office, they should go toward his grave. He showed them the map.
Ashley, the president, and Fritz entered an office as empty as the last time Fritz had tried. They walked from the chapel on to the college grounds. All around were reminders that they were in the late-1800s. Dirt and stone paths, wooden buildings rather than brick, horses and wagons, no one walking while looking at a cell phone. As they approached what appeared to be a gravesite, a voice spoke from behind.
“Mr. Russell?” Behind them, an old woman approached.
“Mrs. Lee?” Fritz asked.
“Robert said you might appear one day. We talked for years about your visits. He did so enjoy them. And you, sir, are you the president?”
“I am, Mrs. Lee. It is an honor to meet you.” His smile radiated warmth.
“Before his illness, right after he went with you, Mr. Russell, he spoke fondly of his visit, and of how very glad he was to have seen how the country will grow. But he prattled on about his automobile ride and seeing aeroplanes. And are you Mr. Gilbert?”
“Yes, Mrs. Lee. I was honored to have met the general.”
“Is there a reason that you've come? May I be of service?”
“Mrs. Lee, to be honest with you, I was hoping to find the general. The material I am teaching today is the same I was teaching last year when I first met him. I miss our conversations.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I miss him too. It's been almost two years that he's been gone.” Fritz shook his head. “Is something amiss, Mr. Russell?”
“Mrs. Lee, in our time, it's been only five months since he visited us. I'm just surprised and confused by how time moves.”
“Robert told me about your experiments. He was so excited to have been a participant. Over dinner one evening when our son was with us, Robert told him about your flying machines. Rooney laughed at him.”
“It must be difficult to know and not be believed,” said the president. “Is there anything we might do for you?”
“Thank you, sir. That is most kind. But seeing you gentlemen and knowing how happy you made my husband is enough for me.”
“Mrs. Lee, if I may, I'd like you to know that General Lee's office will remain an historic site into our time. And people from everywhere will come to pay their respects.”
Her tears flowed freely. Ashley characteristically, yet a surprise to her, embraced her. “Mrs. Lee, I met your husband a few times. He was a great man.” Ashley stepped back.
“Robert liked you all. And so do I. I'm so glad he believed in you and confided in me. And I am so grateful that you have come. Robert died a happy man, and I shall tell him in my prayers that I have met you.” They said their farewells and returned to Lee's office, where a rectangle glowed, waiting for them to return to their own time.
“Fritz, every time we go somewhere, I want to keep doing it,” said the president. “Think of all the places we could see.”
“Believe me, Mr. President, I have.” Remembering a trip, he said, “Did I tell you I was at the Gettysburg Address, only the end, but I was there. And you know we met William Shakespeare.”
“Are you planning to go anywhere else?” the president asked.
“Well, I can't just go. If Tony's not here, I need a helpful storm. But I've thought about a couple of places that I might take my kids. And there are tons of places I'd like to go, just to see.”
“Like what?”
“First, Ben Franklin. I'd love to tell him about his experiment. Watching the Berlin Wall come down, the early space launches. I don't know how far back I dare to go. We still don't know how much going back can impact us today. And it would be hard to watch Booth approach Lincoln and not do anything.”
“Or maybe one of us could take a shot at Hitler,” Ashley said.
“See, Mr. President, even with the best intentions, we could make the world a very different place, and we don't know if it would be better. Or, and I realize this is selfish, if we would ever have been born.”
“Well, if you plan to go somewhere, and I can come, will you take me along?”
“Honestly, I'd be afraid something might happen to you. Then I'd really be in trouble. But I'll let you know, and you can decide.”
Tony added, “Mr. President, we have some control when I'm here, but if you leave Mother Nature in charge, who knows.”
Fritz said, “That's a good point.”
“For you too, Fritz,” said Ashley.
Chapter 30
THEIR ANXIETY GREW over the weekend. Despite Jane's persistence, no name could be linked to another. The phone numbers were empty leads. Ashley wondered if they were approaching the spider web in the wrong way. The only tie to every incident was Koppler, and they knew he had help. But maybe more than one person was at the top. Or had been since Koppler's death. “Did anyone check the Navy guy's stuff?” he asked. “Not like what I'm doing,” said Jane. “They may have collected his stuff, but maybe we need to sort through that, too.” She left the kitchen and called General Beech, whom she asked to check with Admiral Davis.
“BLESSED MONDAY,” Fritz said on the way to school. He took time to admire the flirting colors of earliest spring. The week's games would end Round Two, and the next week was spring vacation. On his way inside, he glanced at the clouds. Storm coming. He was the pitcher for Tuesday's second game. His ninth graders said they needed to calculate the run totals on Thursday but would have the final round announcement ready before spring break.
* * *
AS FRITZ WALKED TO the auditorium, seven people in a mansion overlooking the Pacific discussed the attacks on the White House and Camp David.
“This room seems larger,” said one, the owner of an import-export conglomerate, also known to the group for his weapons dealing.
“The furniture is rearranged,” smirked the oil man.
In a harsh tone, the man said, “There are fewer of us than at Christmas.” He opened the jacket button on his suit and sat. “Though we have done well, more yet remains to do. But we are enough.”
“Are you gonna replace those guys?” asked the South Dakota banker.
“We will, but not yet. We must consider our new members carefully.”
“We have two openings. Why not our friends in Texas?” asked the Dakotan.
“No, not ever,” said the man. “They are too visible and draw attention faster than maggots to Badenhof.” None had seen him so emphatic. “We will replace them after.”
“After what, Thomas? After we kill the president? That's what you're trying to do, isn't it?” asked the California congresswoman. The silence froze the air.
The man stood and shrugged as he arranged his suit coat. “When you joined us, we expressed the need for anonymity and avoiding names. Your increased public persona is a disadvantage to us. The media pays attention to you. You will take a less aggressive attitude. For our safety.”
“Your safety, you mean,” LW, the arms dealer, said. “Why should we worry? No one's gonna talk. Our congressional friend gets us things we want. I'm not concerned.”
“We have agreed to abide by the rules set down long ago. Now is not the time to forget them,” the man said.
“Now, then, whatever. What is it that we've accomplished? I didn't agree to an assassination,” said the congresswoman.
“Chaos.” The man's voice boomed. “We have achieved disruption. The more disturbances, the greater the gain. Peace in the Middle East is counter to our interests.”
“Do you have something more in mind?” asked the man from the Emirates. “Your government has a new technology, but even in private conversation, my president would not say a word. He was afraid.”
His eyes slits, the man looked at each face. “None of you know about this?” His eyes grew wide, his jaw clenched. “You all have contacts. Use them.” He looked at the congresswoman. “You are placed to find out about these things. Why don't you know?”
“Don't raise your voice at me. Your vast network hasn't told you either.” Her sarcasm slapped his face. “We don't even know if there really is some new technology. Just what he says.”
“I have kept you in Washington for two decades,” said the man. “If this exists, we need to know. FIND OUT.”
“If I may,” said the oil man. “What is our next action? We seem to be losing our operatives with each one.”
“An election is coming.”
* * *
AFTER THE FIRST game, Fritz climbed the steps. Looking into the auditorium, a full house waited for the next game.
“What's wrong, Ash?”
“Nothing. My team is up tomorrow.”
“Are they ready?”
“I hope so. I'm not. Fritz, they've worked hard. I want them to win.”
“So have the other teams, Ash. It's a game. We have other things to worry about. Tonight's a primary night, and you still have the play. And you have a wedding to plan.”
“Yeah. Jane and I are going to her parents' house for a few days.”
“No wonder you look so happy.” Ashley grunted.
A day later, a newspaper in hand, Fritz told his ninth graders to grab their books. He started to speak, but his class sat immobile. “What's up?” Restrained grins gave way to giggles.
“Mr. R, we have news.” Fritz glanced around the room. They were about to explode.
“Tell me.”
“I've heard from a bank president in New York. James Sapphire. He said he had heard about the tournament and wanted to know more. He's coming today after his meeting in Philadelphia.”
“Did you look him up?” Fritz asked. “More important, did you tell Mr. McAllister?”
“We didn't tell Mr. McAllister yet,” Susan said.
“Maybe business news isn't your focus, yet, but he's not just a bank president. He's one of the most influential people in domestic and international finance. Did he say when he was getting here?”
“He said he would try to get here when school ends. We're gonna meet him at the front door.”
“One of you better go tell Mr. McAllister. Now. Jay, you and Ted go. Tell him you just found out and then come right back. GO. Hurry. I'm sure Mr. McAllister will be visiting us in less than four minutes.” He looked at his watch.
“Are we in trouble, Mr. R?” asked Susan.
“You would be if we didn't tell him. Does anyone know how Sapphire found out?”
“Jay said he heard about it from a customer. But that's all we know,” said Samantha.
Jay and Ted weren't smiling when they walked in. They said the principal shouted.
“How far behind you is he?” The door opened. George had already hit scarlet on the irritometer.
“Mr. Russell, would you come out here, please?” Fritz smiled at the class as he stepped out. “You can't keep doing this, Fritz.”
Fritz started to laugh, which made George angrier. “George, he's coming to see the tournament. If the kids hadn't told you, you wouldn't even know. He's just another spectator. I'm curious about why he's even interested. Do you want to meet him?”
“I'll meet him after the games. I wish this was over.” As he turned to go back to his office, Jay stuck his head out the classroom door. “I think he's here. A limousine just pulled into the driveway.”
“He's here, George. We should go meet him. Let's find out what the kids have arranged.” He opened the door to a class of window gazers. “Kids?”
Jay said, “I said we would meet him in the lobby when classes were dismissed.”
“Then, class is dismissed. Let's not leave him in the driveway. Come on, George.”
Beating the bell by a couple of minutes, Jay and Susan went to the limo. Four people climbed out. The last was Natalie Johnston.
After they introduced themselves, the students brought Sapphire to the door, where Fritz waited. “Mr. Russell, nice to meet you. I've heard quite a bit about your tournament. Thought I'd take a peek.”
“Happy you could make the time, Mr. Sapphire. Please, all of you, come in. Our principal is waiting to say hello.” Fritz held the door, but before she could get by, he snagged Natalie's arm. Before he could ask, she said, “I interviewed him a few years ago. When I called him, he already knew about it, but said he'd like to see for himself.”
“He read your stories about the tournament?”
“No, at least that's not why he's here. Someone else called him, I don't know who. Yet.”
“Let's go kids. Jay, you stay with Mr. Sapphire.”
“Mr. Russell, I'd like to talk to you when you're free afterwards.”
“My pleasure. And we'll get you a seat now.”
The first game went back and forth, but Jim Wayne's Pistols overwhelmed Copley's Characters in the last inning, 14-10. Fritz watched Ashley pace. His team was facing Lee's Virginians. Liz Chambers had told Fritz she planned to bump up the difficulty.
The Virginians, coached by a social studies teacher, scored three runs in the first inning, but Ashley's Aristocrats caught up when Rachel and a tenth grader got singles and Johnny Clayton clubbed a home run. The Virginians scored four more in the second to Ashley's team's one. In the third, Lee's Virginians got three more, giving them a six run lead. Ashley placed his hands over his ears, rubbed them through his hair, and stood with his face cupped in his palms. Fritz recognized the questions. Liz was asking hard questions. Ashley's team had huddled before their ups. One after another, each batter asked for a double. Before the first out, seven doubles had tied the score. Matt told the next three batters to ask for singles, and two were outs. He was the next batter and asked for a triple. Liz asked, “What movie depicted the Nazi War Crime trials?” Matt had done his homework. “Judgment at Nuremburg,” he answered, and without waiting for Ms. Chambers to tell him, he trotted to third, driving in the go-ahead run.
With the score 11-10, the Virginians scored three more runs in the top of the fourth. With two singles to lead off, the audience waited as Johnny Clayton asked for a home run. Ms. Chambers took her time finding a question. “Which constitutional amendment established Christianity as the official religion of the United States?” Johnny stared at her and rubbed his chin. “That's a trick question. There isn't one. The first amendment guarantees freedom of religion. 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting t
he free exercise thereof.' ” The Aristocrats had won, and the room cheered as Johnny circled the bases. Ashley ran on stage and jumped up and down with his team.
Natalie grabbed Fritz's arm and told him to follow her. James Sapphire waited by the front door. He told Fritz that he had enjoyed the games and that more schools should have these tournaments. “Nat's told me you're building a scholarship fund from the proceeds. I have to go now, but let me see if I can help.” Fritz shook his hand and thanked him. The limousine merged into street traffic.
Fritz said, “Thanks for bringing him. Do you need a ride?”
“I think I have one,” she said, as a beaming Ashley walked up.
“How about those kids,” he said.
“Congratulations, Ashley. How about giving me a lift to the office? I have a story to finish.”
His excitement turned cautious. He took a small step backward. “Sorry, Nat. I have a previous appointment, otherwise I would.”
She shrugged. “I guess you really are getting married. Fritz, how about that ride?”
The next day's round went well, and on the way home, Fritz got a call from Natalie Johnson telling him that the next day's Wall Street Journal would have a short op-ed about the tournament.
“Thanks for letting me know. I guess we'll see you for the final rounds?”
“At this point, my editor wouldn't let me miss it. I may even convince him to stop by.”
PEOPLE WAITING AT his door was no longer a surprise, but students waiting was brand-new. The next morning, half his ninth grade class was in the hall, and half of them had newspapers.
“Good morning all. What's brought you here so early?”
“It's only ten minutes early, Mr. R,” said Ted.
Storm Unleashed (Quantum Touch Book 4) Page 18
