The Traveler's Quest (The Traveler Series 2)

by L. Eira

  Kirk Kigler squinted his eyes. “What?”

  “I have to find the older broad who I gave the evidence bag with the gun to,” said Sparks. “Somehow she erased Baten’s print and changed it to somebody else’s. I don’t know why or how, but she knew of our plan to incriminate one of the kids in the murder. And she changed the fingerprint.”

  “But whose prints are on the gun? Her own?”

  “Of course not! She only looks stupid. I’m sure she’s much smarter than that. But that’s a good place for me to start the investigation. I have to find that woman and the person whose print those are.”

  “Is she going to be trouble for us?” said Kigler.

  “What do you think, Sherlock?” said Sparks. “You go back and redo the fingerprints on the gun and redo the official report. This broad is going to be a lot of trouble for you and me. Unless I can get rid of her!”

  His captives again pushed Zack from behind, temporarily hastening his stride.

  “We want no trace of him,” said the sergeant. “You heard the colonel.”

  “If you kill me, it’ll be cold-blooded murder,” said Zack. “I hope you can live with that.”

  “This is war, boy. This isn’t murder. You’ll just be a casualty of war.”

  “What war? There’s no war,” said Zack.

  “It’s people like you who caused this country to be like it is today,” said the sergeant. “Apathetic slackers who remain indifferent to what this great country has become. Well, General Homer isn’t indifferent. We’re not indifferent. General Homer will lead us in a fight to regain control of our country and make the United States of America what it once was.” He grabbed Zack’s arm and spun him around. “You will have the fame of being the first casualty of our war.”

  “But I believe in your cause,” said Zack. “I want to be part of the fight to fix our country. I want to join—”

  “Too late for that,” said the sergeant. “We have our orders.”

  “You’ll be assassinating one of your own. Don’t do it,” implored Zack. “Let your colonel know I want to join in the fight. Don’t kill me.”

  “I have my orders.” The sergeant nodded to the other three men. They grabbed Zack’s hands and undid the handcuffs, freeing his right hand. They cuffed his right wrist with a different set of handcuffs. One of the soldiers pushed Zack against a large sycamore right behind him, his hand on the boy’s chest, pushing him backward against the large tree trunk. The other two soldiers each grabbed one of the handcuffs and pulled Zack’s arms around the sycamore. They used two other handcuffs in tandem to tie Zack around the tree. Then the three soldiers took several steps back and faced Zack.

  “Don’t do this,” Zack repeatedly cried out. “I haven’t done anything wrong. And I believe in your cause. I want to join your army. Don’t do this! This is first-degree—”

  “Take aim with your pulverizing weapons,” ordered the sergeant. The three soldiers complied, and three tiny barrels pointed at Zack’s torso.

  “Don’t do this!” begged Zack.

  “On three,” said the sergeant. The men held their breaths, their fingers on the blinking red buttons on the small handheld gadgets.

  “One.” A pause. “Two.” A small gust of wind caused Zack’s hair to wave.

  Zack closed his eyes tight and prepared to die. His last thought was, Is this a dream? Where is the albino girl? He opened up his eyes and frantically looked all around, as far right and left as he could muster. No Alexandra.

  And then the sergeant said, “Three!”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  The teenagers and Future Ellie got into the Mercedes parked in the diner’s parking lot. The vehicle belonged to Brent’s mother. It had been parked in her garage while she vacationed in Europe. The key, the teens knew well, was hanging on the kitchen hook, where she always put it. They entered through a back door of the home after nightfall. The backyard was surrounded by thick trees, and they had remained undiscovered.

  Older Ellie spoke first. “Computer, give me all you’ve discovered on William Baten’s whereabouts.”

  “William Baten is under arrest for the first-degree murder of Douglas Payner. The most damning evidence against him is that his fingerprints were discovered on the weapon known to have killed Douglas Payner.” The teens listened in awe, their breaths almost on hold. The computer continued. “Forensic fingerprint science, or dactyloscopy, is a historical method of determining causality used in the early part of the twenty-first century and before. This practice was in vogue in police work until it became possible to easily modify fingerprints left on objects in 2033. The friction ridges of human epidermis—”

  “Computer, hold,” said Older Ellie. “This is impossible. I modified the fingerprints on the gun with fingerprints belonging to nobody. All of the fingerprints on that gun. How can they have found William’s fingerprints?”

  “Could your method have failed?” asked Brent.

  “No. I checked the end result before I gave the gun to the CSI department. No way William’s fingerprints were on that gun.”

  “That means someone is trying to pin the murder on him,” said Younger Ellie. “I wonder who that could be.”

  “Detective Daniel Sparks,” said Older Ellie. “I’m sure he’s involved somehow.”

  “How do you know that?” said Brent.

  “I remember from the trial that Sparks was very interested in the case. He testified against William. But why did he do that in my past and now? He’s got some sort of agenda.”

  “If we’re going to get William out of jail,” said Younger Ellie, “we have to figure out what that agenda is.”

  Brent nodded. “We need to figure out who the real killer is and turn the blame on him.”

  “I have an idea,” said Older Ellie. A smirk came over her face. “Let’s fight fire with fire.”

  More and more people loomed, folks curious about the car accident. Mackenzie looked around at the many people staring at her. She felt uncomfortable with the situation, and not just because she didn’t belong in this time or because she had stolen a car and would, no doubt, end up in jail. It was also because her mother lay unconscious in her arms, and the quickest way to save her life depended on a small device in her hand, a gizmo that would not be invented for another thirty-five years. But she had to do it and do it fast. And she had to save her mother before the police arrived. Already, distant sirens approached. She had a couple of minutes at most.

  “Computer,” she whispered into the hand that grasped the device, her eyes scanning the audience. “Seal the bleeding vessel in the patient’s head and stop the bleeding.”

  “Activating hematomagnet app,” said the impersonal computerized voice. A low-pitched hum. “The posterior meningeal artery is sealed and all blood components from the subdural hematoma have been deposited into the main circulation. Probability of full recovery and prognosis are excellent, estimated at ninety-four percent.”

  The sirens were loud now. More people gathered to see the unconscious girl and the young lady helping her.

  “She’s going to be OK,” said McKenzie. “Please stand back.”

  Mackenzie gently removed Valerie’s head from her leg and placed it on the hard concrete. She backed away slowly, not to raise suspicions.

  “What happened over here?” A man’s commanding voice probed. “Police, step away people. Let the EMS crew in here. Who can tell me what happened here?”

  As the crowd parted, Mackenzie took the chance to step into the retreating mass of passersby.

  “There was an accident. Some guy pushed this woman to the ground,” said a man pointing at Valerie.

  “He just pushed her for no reason,” said a woman. “She was trying to help and calm him down. He has anger issues.”

  EMS arrived with a stretcher, a green oxygen tank, and a large duffel bag. All attention turned to the paramedics attending to Valerie, who was moving and coming to. Mackenzie took the chance to escape. And just like that, she w
as gone.

  “Miss, are you all right?” asked one of the medics. “What’s your name?”

  “Valerie Rovine. I have a headache, but I’m all right.”

  The medic performed a series of neurological tests, which Valerie passed with flying colors.

  “You seem fine to me,” said the medic finally.

  “That’s the boy who pushed her down,” said a woman. Doug approached Valerie.

  “I’m sorry, Val,” he said to her. “I didn’t mean to—”

  “That’s the problem, Doug. You never mean to. You come off half-cocked and get unglued at everything you encounter. I can’t take it anymore.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Doug. “I don’t mean to—”

  “Your football accident was awful. No question. But you’re taking it out on the world. On me. This has to stop! I’m done with you!”

  Zack heard the high-pitched sound of the pulverizer, but nothing happened. He dared to open one eye. Then the other. The soldiers in the firing squad looked at their weapons and again took aim. The piercing swish again. Still alive. Zack smiled, relieved.

  “I’m blocking your pulverizers, boys,” said a voice Zack recognized immediately. “You can stop that nonsense now.”

  “Dad,” said Zack, a smile growing on his face.

  The soldiers turned back to see two older men strolling toward them. Immediately, they stood at attention.

  “So this is your son?” said General Homer, a man Zack recognized from e-news coverage of the devastating global war. He was wearing a uniform with many medals.

  “DNA doesn’t lie, General,” said William. “Now, why are your men trying to kill my son?”

  “We had orders from Colonel Ulice Askew,” said the sergeant.

  “Do you go around killing civilians, General?” said William. “What kind of army are you building over here?”

  “I’ll get to the bottom of this, Dr. Ravine,” said the General. “I didn’t give orders for any of this. Rest assured that I will get to the bottom of this.” He looked at the soldiers. “Release him right now and have the colonel in my office in five minutes.”

  “Sir, yes, sir,” yelled the soldiers in unison before hurrying to follow the command.

  As soon as Zack was released from his handcuffs, he ran to William and hugged him. “Thank you, Dad. Your timing was impeccable.” The doctor remained stiff, his hands at his side.

  Wordlessly, the soldiers marched back to the house, the general in front. Several steps behind, and out of earshot, William and Zack walked slowly.

  “I’m curious to know why you have my DNA,” said William. “I checked your chromosomal signature, and it definitely comes from mine. Yet, I know beyond the shadow of any doubt that I have no sons. So, how do you explain that?”

  “You do have a son. Me. And you have a daughter.”

  “Yes, I know, your twin sister, Mackenzie. Why couldn’t I find your mother’s DNA signature? Hers is not on file. So, I’m curious to know exactly what happened. Tell me all you know.”

  “I’m not really sure. Something to do with the end of the world and time travel and—”

  “Whoa, you’re going too fast for me, Zack. Let’s start from the beginning. Who is your mother? And what do you know about her?”

  “Valerie Rovine. Don’t you remember?”

  “Valerie Rovine,” whispered William, obviously affected by the news. His jaw clenched. “She died from a peanut allergy the day I met her. A long, long time ago. How can she be your mother?”

  “The two of you met during a camping trip to celebrate Uncle Brent’s sixteenth birthday. The two of you fell in love, studied together, got your doctorates together, and had a wonderful life together.”

  “Stop,” yelled William, his tone full of conviction. “None of that really happened. Brent and Ellie left me in jail for a crime they knew I didn’t commit and went on with their pathetic lives.” He shook his head slowly and gritted his teeth. “I studied and got my doctorate in prison. In prison for a crime I didn’t commit. The only friend I had in jail was Harvey Homer. And do you know what my doctoral thesis was? The main focus of my studies?”

  Zack shook his head. “No.”

  “Destruction! World domination. World annihilation. And the general and I will conquer the world. The world that destroyed my life and caged me like a monster for something I didn’t do.”

  Zack was flabbergasted. Speechless. He could now plainly grasp the rage in his father’s eyes and the rancor of his words. He tried to say something, but no words seemed suitable, no sentiment appeared fitting, and Zack knew well that unsuitable utterances would likely fuel the fire in his father’s heart, making matters worse.

  “I invented the pulverizer,” William continued, his voice even harsher now. “Together with General Homer, we will conquer the world, starting with this joke of a country we live in. I expect we will be rulers of the entire planet in less than five years.” William stopped suddenly and turned around to face Zack, his double-barrel gaze probing Zack’s face. “So, don’t screw with me and waste my time, boy. How do you have my DNA in your cells?”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Mackenzie was back in the cave, her new home. In the clearing right outside, she had created a small fire to ease the bite of the evening chill. On the way to the cave, she managed to steal some blankets. She was hungry and cold.

  She looked into the heavens. Mom, help me through this ordeal. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. I need your help. A shiver shook her body hard.

  She heard footsteps behind her and turned around. Zack walked briskly out of the woods, and the two embraced. More footsteps, from behind her again. She turned to see the two teenagers and Ellie from the future approach. The older woman carried a large plastic bag, which she dropped gently on the ground. Wordlessly, the five came together in one group hug, each feeling part of a team whose noble purpose depended on the success of each of the members. Mackenzie felt warm and safe once more.

  Older Ellie opened up the plastic bag and produced all kinds of food. There was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn bread. Her favorites. Mackenzie sat on the ground and ate and ate, her ravenous appetite unstoppable. The others ate too, all sitting around the campfire.

  “Aunt Ellie,” started Mackenzie, “you would be proud of me. I saved Mom’s life today.”

  “What happened?” said Older Ellie.

  “Doug pushed her hard. She fell backward. Her head struck the concrete road. I scanned her head. The computer diagnosed a subdural. Then I fixed it. My medical training with you paid off.”

  Older Ellie’s smile was radiant. “I am proud of you, Mackenzie.”

  “Working side by side with you for the last two years helped me save her life!”

  The wind blew in through the forest, agitating the cinders.

  “Unfortunately, I don’t remember any of that,” said Older Ellie. “In my timeline, you didn’t exist.” She paused to smile. “But I’m glad to have been of help.”

  “Me, on the other hand,” said Zack, “I’m in dire need of saving.” All eyes shifted to him. “Dad, I found out, met General Harvey Homer in prison. The two of them decided to conquer the world. Dad invented the pulverizer, but in this timeline, he uses it for its destructive powers and without restrictions. With military applications, the pulverizer is capable of mass destruction of people and things. They are training a large army just beyond these trees. There’s a huge farm where they are conducting training exercises.”

  “The pulverizer is the weapon that helps General Homer win the war in the United States,” said Older Ellie. “Then the war becomes global and threatens Armageddon. Total planetary destruction.”

  “And Dad invents it?” said Mackenzie. Zack nodded.

  The five stare into the embers of the dying fire.

  “So how do we proceed?” said Brent.

  Younger Ellie bit her lower lip. “We have to prevent William and Harvey from meeting in prison.�
�

  “Why is Harvey in prison?” asked Brent.

  “Killing us,” said Zack, pointing at his twin. “Unidentified couple in their early twenties. That was us.”

  “But in this time passage, you two aren’t killed,” said Younger Ellie. “Maybe we can get Harvey out of prison. Same with William. We’re working out the fingerprint evidence now.” Brent and Older Ellie nodded.

  “Hopefully we can get them both out of jail,” said Older Ellie. “We can’t fail them. We must succeed!”

  An owl hooted in the distance. In turn, a group of coyotes howled. The moon was full right over their heads.

  “What about you two?” Older Ellie gazed at the twins.

  “Dad just rescued me from being pulverized with his own invention,” said Zack. “He wants to know why I have his DNA. He doesn’t believe the time-travel story and the war leading to destruction of the planet. What should I tell him?”

  Older Ellie regarded the question in silence for a long moment. Then she said, “Tell William we never believed he killed Doug. We’re sorry we eventually gave up trying to get him out of prison. We gave up on him.” She bowed her head. “But we won’t give up this time. No matter what.” She took a deep breath and then bit her lower lip. “Tell him the real killer was Detective Sparks.”

  Brent and Younger Ellie looked astonished.

  “And we will prove it. And free him this time around.” She looked up at Zack. “Tell him I’m sorry for letting him down.”

  The wind wailed over the clearing, again agitating the fire. The embers crackled louder, waking Mackenzie. She sat up and looked around the dark cave where she had been sleeping. Alone.

  Right outside the cavern’s mouth, the little albino girl walked into the forest, her white hair swaying with the passing breeze.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Older Ellie and the teens woke up inside the cave. The air was damp and cold. The morning’s light peeked in through the entrance.

  “In the dream…” Brent began. “You all had the dream, right?” Future and Present-day Ellies nodded. “You said Detective Sparks killed Doug. How do you know that?”