He didn’t try to hide his excitement when he heard the news and said that he would send Angie out for a dozen chicken heads. I heard her voice in the background, demanding to know if I was still a brown man. Before I could hang up, he called me a dirty rat.
I took my coffee with me as I finished my masculine toilet. I caught myself preening just a little too much and asked Joe if he detected any undue anxiety.
How should I know? he thought back, I’m learning as fast as I can, but you humans are a complex mystery to me. That business on the porch last night is a prime example. At the time, I detected an increase in your heart rate, even though you were not moving around. I concluded that you wanted to mate with her, but you did not act.
Since we were alone, I talked back to him aloud. “I didn’t know you were that perceptive.” I hesitated. “Was her heart rate elevated?
I am not a mind reader, James, but come to think of it, I did detect a slight elevation. I judge though that she has even more self-control than you.
Stick with me, pal,” I said. “We’ll work it out together.”
It was eleven o’clock and I had finished my chores. There was nothing to do other than sit at the kitchen table with a semi-warm cup of coffee.
As I sat there, I realized I’d been avoiding thinking about Jean’s arrival and my feelings about it. I couldn’t turn to anyone else for help. I had to face this head on so I took a swig of my beverage and let my eyes lose focus.
CHAPTER 50
The single ding of the side doorbell snapped me to awareness. I got up and glanced at the kitchen clock. It was ten minutes past noon. I went quickly to the door and pulled it open to see Jean standing there in her familiar blue work shirt and slacks. Her silver hair still went well with her skin, deeply tanned from her time in the desert.
At first, her jaw dropped while her eyebrows rose. “James—Carl showed me your picture, but he gave me few details. This is unbelievable. It will take some getting used to. Incidentally, is it James or still Biti?”
“James or Jim,” I said. “Biti just doesn’t fit when I’m not in Egypt.”
She came on through the door carrying a small suitcase. We hugged, but it was only a formality. Like the repeat of a day months ago, she sat down at the table while I put the percolator on the stove for coffee.
“I’ve just had an incredible and unbelievable experience at the Hollow Mountain,” she said. “I imagine you’ve had your own incredible journey as well.”
“I have, I have indeed and both our journeys are far from over,” I said, while trying to formulate my thoughts.
I sat down and spent the next hour giving her a capsule version of the last few months.
When I finished she said, “Beyond incredible. As interesting as things have been for me, I can see that in this instance I may have made the wrong choice.”
“I really don’t think so, Jean, or is it Amisi?”
She smiled. “Jean here and Amisi over there.”
“Could you honestly say you would trade adventures with me?” I asked.
“You’re right. These past few months have been fabulous—much more than I expected—much more.”
During the next half hour I learned, not only a lot about Egyptology, but just how much she really loved what she was doing. She was a different person when she spoke of her new life and I knew as I watched and listened that she was here because of her sense of obligation. Her heart and soul was in Egypt and it was up to me to give her back her life and return her to her new existence.
“So that’s been my life for these past few months,” she said, wrapping up her story and taking another sip of coffee. “Now you must tell me something, James. I’ve been sitting here looking at a much younger man. Are you at liberty to discuss the transformation?”
“As it happens,” I said, “I can tell you the whole story and make you an offer of a lifetime, or rather the offer of a second lifetime.”
As I took a small glass vial from my shirt pocket, I told her about Moses and his magic pill.
I handed her the vial. “To recap, swallow this pill and it will rid you of and protect you from Earthly and alien germs and best of all, it will extend your life span by thirty years. That’s just about long enough for your second full career.”
“How long before it takes effect?” she asked.
“Same day for the germs and fix up,” I said, “and in a month or two you’ll be and look like thirty-something again. You’ll have to stop at the Hollow Mountain on your way back. A quick trip to Ganymede will activate the pill. I’m not sure it’s really necessary. It may be a ruse to keep earthbound people from demanding a share.”
“What’s to think about?” she exclaimed, as she dumped the pill into her hand then popped it into her mouth. One swig from her cup and the deed was done. “You know,” she said, “I have no adequate words. I really don’t deserve this.”
“But wait, there’s more,” I said, in my best infomercial voice.
“How can you top the pill?” she asked.
“This will astound you,” I said, as I pulled a stack of DVDs from a side pocket.
“Is this a record of your recent exploits? She asked.
“No,” I replied, “and I ask you to think carefully before you accept this gift from Moses.” Her eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped as the possibilities dawned on her. “You mean… Is it… He,” she squeaked.
“Yes, my dear,” I said. “Did it never cross your mind, that when Moses first visited Earth, he brought along a camera?”
“Oh, God,” she whispered, while clutching her chest. “This is far beyond my dreams and no, I didn’t think of it, but it makes perfect sense. But tell me, why would I refuse such a gift?”
“Am I, in effect, telling you that you needn’t have bothered? That you can now just put the artifacts on display in some museum and close up shop? That’s my concern for you.”
Her eyes grew round and she began to tear up. “Bless you, James,” she said, while reaching for the package. “You have given me a treasure of knowledge beyond—beyond anything I could have imagined. Now, thanks to you and Moses, I can see them, hear their voices and learn the truth. I hope you fully realize the magnitude of the gift you’ve given me.”
After a few moments of silence I said to her, “I have one more gift for you, Jean. I don’t mean to be overly dramatic, but the gift I have for you is your freedom to follow your dreams.”
She got up, came around the table and threw herself on my lap. We didn’t talk much. Besides, she was too busy crying. A while later I flipped open my FBI cell phone and made a call to the helicopter on standby at the GPR plant.
“Let’s go,” I said, while picking up her suitcase. “Your ride has left, but the Toyota still runs great and you have a plane to catch.”
We drove for a while in the silence of one another’s company.
“You’ll say what I would say to the Dance Band?” she asked. “You know what’s in my heart better than anyone. Remember to give my love to Harriet. You are keeping the house, aren’t you? She loves it there and she does need a place to stay and I guess we’re rich now.”
I assured her that I would do as she asked and our parting hug, before she climbed aboard the helicopter, was more than a formality.
CHAPTER 51
I don’t remember the drive home, but that was not unusual and I now have my electronic assistant if I need a recall. The gang had not called so I grabbed a regular cigar so as not to be extravagant and went back to my porch rocker to bide my time. Over the top of the side forsythia, I saw Molly, sitting on her porch. She pantomimed biting her fingernails and I responded with two thumbs up. I had an urge to go over for a chat, but instead I sat down. Any more socializing now would be unfair to her because I was on my way out of town for an extended period. Then there was the exotic Bebe. To avoid a mental meltdown I busied myself with checking my Ralex between puffs.
It was going on the cocktail hour before they showed up. I
received no advance phone call from the Band and later on admonished them for the oversight. The first I knew of their arrival was when Mr. Johnson’s Cadillac, driven by Harry, pulled all the way into my driveway and bumped my garage door. He was a better pilot than he was a driver, I guess.
I had missed my gang even more than I realized and it must have shown because the ladies kept clinging to me and I clung back. The guys kept punching me the way males do when it’s too awkward for them to say, “I love you, man.”
Bob joined as best he could, considering that he had spent most of his life alone. “Lamont stayed at Camp David,” he said, “because his knowledge of the city of Duula is vital to the operation.”
I was a bit startled when I focused on Shan. She was dazzling. Obviously, one or both of the girls had done a complete makeup—almost a makeover. She now had swept back and shingled hair with bright blonde highlights. They had darkened her eyebrows and expertly applied black and purple eye shadow. Her lips were close to Silver Diner red.
“I do not need to ask how you like my new look,” she said. “Your face says it all. Alice and Amy did this and I promised to stop the use of slang language. I know this will not last, but it is great fun.”
I asked about Blue and she told me her only worry was that Blue would become too fat before we left.
“Is Jean coming?” Alice asked, after things had calmed down a bit.
“She arrived this morning,” I said. “We had a long talk and right now she’s on her way back to Egypt. She sends her love to you all.”
Alice gave me her most penetrating look. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine with everything,” I said. “She’s going where she belongs and so am I.”
“Makes me wonder,” Harry said, “why you’d choose this motley crew over Jean.”
“Call me fickle,” I said. “Another sixty years and I’ll probably dump you guys.”
“Speaking of dump,” said Amy, “can I use your bathroom?”
I bopped her on her head and we all trooped into the house amid the laughter.
“This is real swell,” said Alice, who by then had Jesus in her arms. “As soon as we cycle through your facility, can we head for Batts? I haven’t eaten yet today and I’m three degrees beyond famished. While I’m waiting for my turn in the can, I’d like to snoop around as see how James lives when he’s not with us.”
“Today is open house,” I said. “I got rid of my dirty magazines so have at it.”
Everyone took me at my word and dispersed around the house. I followed the boys up to my bedroom where they subjected me to a blizzard of crude comments. When I came back down the stairs, I wandered into my little office and found Alice there, sitting on my special chair with Jesus on her lap.
“What think you?” I asked.
“Nice,” she replied. “It’s you—a great place to be alone. I sincerely love it.”
“Yeah,” I said, “it’s a great place to come home to.”
“You sure Jean will be okay?”
“Look, Alice,” I said, “Things ended between Jean and me about six years ago. Jean was wise enough to recognize that fact, but not old Jimmy boy. I was reluctant to let go because I had nothing else to hang on to. Thanks to the Dance Band, I do now. Anyway, I kept thinking there was some way to fix our problems, but the fire has burned out. There’s nothing left but ashes.”
“Yours is a happy/sad story,” she said, “but I think it ended well. Right now, my stomach rules my life. How about putting on the drink bag and the feed bag.”
“Let us depart then,” I said. “I’ve alerted Batts and he’s cooking extra.”
Fortunately, the Cadillac had a bench seat in the front as well as the back. Amy drove this time with Shan and Bob next to her soaking up the wonders of Detroit iron and listening to the music on the radio. The remaining four guys, including me, wedged ourselves in the back seat. Alice crawled in to sit with her legs stretched out over the eight man legs. M2 cleared his throat as though preparing to make a comment, but Alice, having heard it, gave out with a low growl. There was absolute silence as our car rolled down the street.
“Well guys,” I finally said, “think the rain will hurt the rhubarb?”
Before anyone could come up with a suitable response the Caddy pulled to a smooth stop in front of BVs Bar and Grill. I held the door for my friends and as Alice passed me, I heard her gasp. “Lord-A-Mighty. Smell that sauce. I’m gonna faint. Help me to the bar.”
They were waiting for us. The usual crowd was present and they all joined Batts in an almighty fanfare. “YOU DIRTY RAT, YOU!”
Customers and staff alike abandoned the bar to express their welcome and their curiosity. Angie, Batts and several of the regulars instantly noticed my young face and dark hair. I just shouted, “Plastic surgery and hair dye.”
Moments later, I spotted Alice behind the bar where I had never seen another living soul other than Angie and Batts. She was filling a glass from the spigot of the Chianti cask. When it was full, she took a healthy swig then picked up one of Batts’ stirring spoons and began to lick it.
I felt Batts’ large paw on my shoulder and braced for the onslaught. “Do you see what I see behind the bar?” he asked, while pointing at the offender.
All I could do was nod yes with a mighty shrug, hoping to divorce myself from this affront.
“I love that woman, she’s mine,” he said, and made straight for his station in front of the stove.
“You have to be Alice,” Batts said, while stirring a large, steaming cauldron. “James told me all… Never mind about that, but he never said about how gorgeous you are. He’s a selfish man. If we were in Bovalino by the Sea, you helping yourself from my cask means we are betrothed.”
Alice stopped licking for a moment. “Okay.” She returned her now clean spoon, gave both Angie and Batts a big hug and then came around to her stool. The one departure from the usual routine was the addition of romantic Italian background music drifting out from an unknown source behind the bar.
The regulars were very curious about the girls, especially Shan. When they asked me where the hell I found the gold-skinned beauty, I said that she came from the Shenandoah Valley. When asked where the hell I had been for the past few months, I told them that I went to Omaha for a vacation. I also told them that Bob was a ranger in one of the big Sequoia parks.
Harry, I noticed, had parked himself as close as possible to Angie and intensely engaged her in conversation. I looked on with deep satisfaction and in my mind, took credit for the wonderful event.
When the food was ready, all else stopped. Somewhat later, Alice leaned back, holding her stomach with both hands. “James, we owe you big time for this. Can we get coffee?”
I looked around, saw Angie with her large carafe and waved to her with four fingers extended. Batts appeared at our booth displaying an open box of jet black, crooked cigars He placed a glass ashtray and a lit candle on our tabletop. “This is a special night, so fire up and enjoy. I left the stove exhaust fan on so we should be able to get out of here alive.”
Suddenly Joe began to think talk to me. “James, now that you have enjoyed your meal and your wine, you might be more receptive to an idea I have.”
“Sure. Proceed.”
“You have many of my memories and I have many of yours as well. While thinking about your trips to Panama and your interaction with Bebe, something significant surfaced.”
“Something significant? What?”
“Her eyes, James. They could be very important to our future tasks. I recommend that you invite her to join our group. I know you are very fond of her.”
“I think she’d fit quite well, but how about some facts. Alice will want to know why.”
“James, there are things I know and things I am learning. My library of information is vast, but relatively recent. I do have some fragmented, but significant information—something very ancient. However, I judge that revealing the portions I know would tend to confuse,
rather than enlighten. I am asking you to trust my judgement in this matter.”
“Okay, Let me talk it over with the Band.”
I glanced at Alice, but she spoke first. “James, you were talking to Joe. What’s going on?”
I waived Amy and Harry over to our booth. When Shan detached herself from a group of admirers and joined us, I repeated my silent conversation.
“I’m for it,” Alice said. “Any reservations?”
There were none.
“Call me skeptical,” M2 said, “but is that the only reason for this request?”
“Of course not,” I said, “but it is the main reason.”
“How do you want to handle it?” M1 asked.
“Same as last time,” I said. “Just tell her when I’ll arrive and arrange my transportation. I’ll deliver the invitation in person.”
“How long will you be there?”
“Twenty-four hours, tops,” I said. “I hope, much less.”
“Sounds good to me,” she said, while examining the remnants of her cigar. “The boys and I had a conference call from the Director. He wants us to first make a quick stop at Shenandoah. The military have a small group there to prepare the folks on the farm for what is heading their way. The visit is just to reassure the locals that all will be well. Now tell us where we’re going and why.”
“Enigma,” I said. “Enigma is an—an Enigma. I could feel it everywhere.” I drew on my cigar stub and blew a smoke ring that disintegrated around a saltshaker. “Think back over where we’ve been. Think of the destruction we saw on Nexus then think of the little or no damage at the other places. Of course, we’ve seen only very small portions on our way and may have missed areas of major devastation, but I doubt it. I also hope it’s where we can pick up the Nazi trail again.
LOST AND FORGOTTEN: Book 2 The Secret Path Page 32
