“Well, I’m gonna ask her a few questions. Go from there. We’re moving into the house today, so perhaps after that is finished with, her and I will talk.”
“Dad, how do you feel about this?” Robbie asked.
“How am I supposed to feel?”
“Pissed,” Henry said. “Or at the very least, really, really mad.”
Joe looked oddly at Henry. “If Andrea is working for George, then I’ll get pissed. But aside from that, if it was just an affair, it happened before me and her and it’s none of my business, is it? That’s what makes it so delicate.”
Dean peered up from his notes. “So how are you going to approach her with this?”
“That I don’t know,” Joe answered. “But I do know this. The letter is a piece of evidence and it’s evidence that tells me that Andrea, my wife, the church going woman, an original, is now, without any uncertainty, a viable suspect.”
There was an air of sadness that hit that table after Joe’s words. It was a thought no one wanted to have but unless something else appeared evidence-wise, Andrea, one of the most trusted people in Beginnings, jumped to the top of the list.
^^^^
Quantico Marine Headquarters
Stewart always considered himself a lucky man. Jeremy, though he held a high position with George, was not lucky. Jeremy always had the awful luck of delivering bad news to the President. Perhaps that was why Jeremy got shipped out to Beginnings. A prestigious spy? Yes. But also a sitting expendable duck if he was found out.
Bearing good news, Stewart walked into George’s office for their daily morning briefing. “The engine repairs on the ship are working again. It’s looking good. She’ll be sea worthy for the voyage yet.” Stewart saw George smile as he took his seat across from him. “And I just took that call.”
“And?” George asked.
“Went well. No difficulties.”
George let out a long breath. “A small problem off our hands now. Thank God. Any news on the second batch? Will we have to do the same thing?”
Stewart shrugged. “You may want to take a ride to DC and see. I’m getting sketchy answers.”
“I’ll do that. Now . . . preparations.”
“Train is being loaded now.” Steward looked at his notes. “Lab equipment and such, especially the genetic material. Dr. Stevens said we must not run into any problems or we can lose what little we have.”
“I understand that,” George said. “Did he say how the train stops will affect the specimens?”
“As long as the train moves on schedule, we’re good.”
“Then talk to that damn conductor because he tends to play around.”
“I will. May I tell you something, sir?”
“Sure.”
“I think it’s a good thing that you’re staying back here during the beginning of this all.”
“Why is that?” George asked.
“Gut feeling. It has a lot to do with Marcus or our lack of speaking to him in two days.”
“Well we only told Marcus to call in if there was a problem,” George said. “Must not be a problem there.”
“Do you suppose everything is all right in Binghamton?” Stewart questioned.
“I know it is. It’s not in our full control now, yes. I know this. But once our scientists arrive out there and set up along with the other two ambassadors, it’ll be less a military control thing than it is now and more of the full service base that it’s intended to be. We need that. It’s close to the other side of the country.”
“Sgt. Haynes and his men are ready for the move there, sir.”
“That’s next. Let’s let Frank work on that training before we fill his camp up with more men,” George explained. “Then once the scientists arrive and the second half of the force out there, I’ll go. The safety factor is there. I don’t trust Dr. Hayes yet. Who knows what he’ll try with me.”
“I completely agree,” Stewart added. “Completely. Has Dr. Morris said anymore about Frank’s amnesia?”
“As a matter of fact, I spoke to him yesterday. He said that too much time has passed. It doesn’t look good. I wouldn’t believe this amnesia thing if I didn’t trust Dr. Morris so much.”
“That trust worthy?” Stewart asked.
“That and qualified. I’m eventually going to move him from general medicine into teaching once the genetically enhanced are able to learn more. I mean, that’s why Dr. Morris was chosen, to teach. After all, that’s what he did at Harvard Medical most of his life.”
“Impressive.”
“Very.” George leaned back and stared at the Society agenda for the next two weeks. “This is impressive. The ship, the elimination of our error, Binghamton. Yep, barring any screw ups, things just may be finally going our way.”
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
Robbie was in need of a haircut. That was the first thought that hit Joe as he walked to meet Robbie near the back gate. He hoped to get a short talk in with his son as they both headed back into town. He watched Robbie with a group of four security men by the back gate. A clipboard was in Robbie’s hands as he was possibly giving out new perimeter checks while Robbie prepared for his brother’s departure.
Robbie’s blonde hair blew in the fall wind. He must have sensed Joe because before Joe could signal that he was waiting that twenty or so feet away, Robbie looked up, squinted from the sun, and smiled that smile that only Robbie had.
Joe lifted his hand in return and waited for his son, watching him proudly as he filled in better than anticipated for his older brother Frank. Better than Joe would have thought. Robbie following Frank’s footsteps was nothing new to Joe. Robbie always tried to follow Frank’s footsteps, thinking his big brother always did things the best. To Joe, that was great, the connection between his sons as they grew up. They fought like mad but all of them loved each other unconditionally. There was a certain amount of curiosity in Joe to see how the three grown up boys were going to be. There also was a certain amount of fear with that curiosity, because a part of Joe knew it probably would be worse between them.
But Joe really was proud of all of them. And he was with Robbie as he watched his son’s hands move while he explained things to his men, a knowledgeable look upon his young face. He was making decisions that were of extreme importance and Robbie always hated decisions. But he came to his decisions well. Unlike Frank, who never thought and Hal, who tended to think too much, Robbie gave half thought and half gut instincts into everything he decided to do.
“I’m just so confused Dad.”
Joe heard Robbie’s fifteen year old voice in his head. Decision making was what made Joe snap to that memory. And to Joe, that day on the baseball field in the ‘World Series’ of pony league ball, Robbie made his first ever real decision . . .
“I don’t know what to tell you, Robert.” Joe sat next to him on the bench.
“What would Frank do? I should ask Frank, huh?” Robbie sat, looking so down, his white baseball pants clean from his not playing.
Joe turned back and looked into the bleachers to his other three sons. Hal, just out of boot camp, talked to some homely girl, Jimmy read a book, and Frank looked perturbed. Both were on leave and had come home for this game. He faced Robbie again. “Don’t ask Frank. You do this on your own.”
“Is it a hard decision, Dad? Or am I over reacting?”
Joe had to think about it. He looked to the score board. The last inning,. Nothing, nothing. Then he looked out to the field at the teenage boys out there. Robbie’s big decision. The team he played against was filled with boys Robbie had played side by side with all his life and since a division of streets, Robbie was moved to another league. Having to prove himself all over again as a ball player, Robbie spent most of his time on the bench in the new league, but not this game. Luck was with Robbie. Four players were out with illness and the right fielder was beamed with a ball and he too was out. Robbie was in. But luck was against Robbie as well. The pitcher, R
obbie’s best friend, was about to set a record and receive an award. Larry was about to pitch his eighth consecutive no hitter. “It’s a tough one, kid.”
“We have two outs. Maybe our guys will strike out, we’ll go into extra innings, and Larry will be done pitching. And I won’t have to hit until next inning.”
“Maybe . . . maybe not.” Joe watched the second batter get hit in the leg with a ball. “You’re gonna have to bat now, Robbie. Get in the batter’s box.” Joe stood up.
Robbie stood too. “Maybe this guy will hit a home run and the game will be over.” Robbie dropped his head.
“Robert, just do what you have to do. OK?” Joe rubbed his son’s head and left the dugout. He walked up to the bleachers, plopping down between Frank and Hal. Joe nudged Hal. “Pay attention. Your brother is gonna be up.”
Hal tuned away from the homely girl. “It’s about time they let him play. What’s he gonna do?”
Joe shrugged.
Frank huffed. “I’m not understanding the problem he has. What? Is he stupid?’
“Christ, Frank.” Joe cringed. “He doesn’t know these guys he’s playing for. He knows the ones he’s playing against. Larry and him are best friends. Robbie can hit Larry every single time. It’s a matter of team loyalty to a team that never let him play, or friendship loyalty to a kid who’s about to get a hell of an achievement award.”
Hal shook his head. “Robbie certainly is sure of himself.”
“He can hit Larry,” Joe told him, “every single time.” He watched Robbie step to the plate.
Jimmy looked up from his novel. “There’s no decision there. Robbie strikes out. He’s the third out. Larry gets his award and it’s extra innings.”
“What, are you fuckin nuts?” Frank scoffed. “Is it any wonder why you picked the Navy? Go back to reading your book. It’s competition, friendship goes out the window. He fuckin knows he can hit the ball,. Step up to the box, nail it, screw Larry, be the hero, and get the trophy.”
Joe rolled his eyes slightly. “It’s a principal, Frank. Your brother is taking this seriously.” He watched Robbie takes his batter’s stance and swing a few times. “I think he’ll make the right choice.”
CRACK!
“Oh yeah!” Frank shouted out.
All four Slagels in the bleachers stood with the rest of the crowd at Robbie’s sailing ball. They watched it fly. Going, going . . . gone.
“Dad? Dad?”
Joe snapped out of his memory.
“Where was your mind at?” Robbie snickered as he stood next to Joe.
“Lindbergh field eighteen years ago,” Joe told him.
“What happened at Lindbergh field eighteen years ago?”
“The championship. You versus Larry.”
“Oh.” Robbie remembered. “Yeah, that’s right. I won the game for our team. I was cool. What made you think of that?”
“Watching you out there. Knowing how you have to make decisions.” Joe started walking with Robbie. “I was just remembering how that was probably the first hard decision you made in your life.”
“Pretty stupid now.” Robbie laughed. “I can’t believe I was in such debate over that.”
“Hey it was trophy or your friendship. You lost a friendship over that.”
“No big deal now. He’s most likely dead.”
“Robert.” Joe shook his head. “Anyhow, I was also thinking. You’re doing this very well, heading security. How are you going to feel when Frank returns?”
“To be honest, Dad, relieved. I can’t wait to get back into mechanics. I miss it.”
“Really?” Joe was shocked. “I had no idea you liked it so much.”
“No, I hate it especially working for the prick. But . . . I could hide and sleep all the time. Dad, when Frank walks back through the gate, the moment that he does, he’s getting his clipboard, his heavy fuckin keys, and I’m telling him take his damn job back and get his lazy ass to work.”
Joe chuckled at Robbie’s comment, laying his hand on Robbie’s back for a moment while they walked. And though Frank probably would nail his little brother if Robbie actually said what he told Joe he would, Joe would enjoy it. No matter what transpired the moment Frank walked in through the gate, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Frank would be walking through the gate.
^^^^
Hal was amazed as he watched the amount of preserved food that was being loaded into the truck that sat in the distance from where he and Henry were. He watched it in so much awe that he stopped paying attention to Henry.
“They have to fill out the forms, Hal. Hal?”
“I’m sorry. What?”
“The men you’re sending. They have to fill out processing forms. Ellen has them.”
“O.K.” Hal folded his arms and watched the truck. “You people have all this food?”
“Yeah and we have more growing. Did Sgt. Ryder tell his men they will be utilized as field workers?”
“They’re aware and have no problem.”
“We’re getting housing ready for them and the other fifty men that are coming to get your town ready but we’re gonna have to put them four in a house.”
“O.K.”
Henry smiled, swaying his head. “This small building here is tracking. This is where we’ll eventually link you up.”
“Been here.”
“Have you? Oh.” Henry reached for the door. “I’m thinking this is where Joe is. It’s on his agenda for today. We’ll grab him and get Ellen.” As Henry opened the door, he heard the high pitch beeping.
“Is that your alarm?” Hal asked.
“Yeah.” Henry bolted in. “Mark, what’s going on?”
“Tracking is screwed up.” Mark tossed his hands up.
“How do you know?” Henry asked.
“Look and listen.” Mark pointed to the radar. “No noise. No signals. Watch the area behind the under developed.”
Henry shook his head. “O.K., nothing.”
“Wait. It’s repetitive. Happens in time. And . . .”
A long alarm beep occurred and a single light blinked on the screen shot across and back, then disappeared.
Henry blinked in amazement. “What the hell was that?”
Mark was sure of himself. “A malfunction.”
Hal leaned closer. “I don’t know about this tracking thing but maybe it’s not a malfunction. Maybe it’s an animal.”
Henry looked in debate. “I don’t know. Could be.”
Another beep, another shooting light.
Mark shook his head. “Malfunction. The signal is weak, too weak. If it is an animal, it’s no bigger than two feet long.”
“Then it could be an animal,” Hal said.
Mark picked up the clipboard with the computer sheet on it. “I’ll say it again. Malfunction. It’s been happening steady for over an hour.” Mark held his ear, cringed, and two seconds later it happened again. He handed Henry the sheet. “I ran it though the computer program.”
Henry read the results. “All right, let’s watch for another hour or so. If it keeps up, we’ll go out and check the tracking back there. Danny’s leaving so I’ll have to do it and I’m busy right now.” He set the clipboard down.
“Henry?” Hal gained his attention. “How can you be so sure it’s a malfunction and not an animal? I’m curious, it just looks like a light to me.”
The blink, flash, and beep happened again.
“Did you see that flash and shooting light?” Henry asked. “Well that’s supposed to be the life signal. Smaller, weaker signal signify a small or weaker intrusion. Animal. And that can’t be an animal darting across that area that fast.”
“That fast?” Hal was confused.
“That fast,” Henry said then lifted the clipboard to show Hal. “That area the light shot across is close to two miles. And going by the speed computer estimates, I know of no such animal, that small, that can move at sixty-four miles per hour.” Henry took the clipboard back. “Malfunction. We�
��ll check it out later, Mark. Keep me posted.”
Questioning in his mind about Henry’s quick dismissal of the situation, Hal took one more look at the tracking screen and hesitantly followed Henry out.
^^^^
“Mr. Hoi.” Joe called for Danny as he walked up to what would be his new home. Danny added the final touches.
Danny turned around with a grin. “All done Joe. I swear. Just making it look nice for your woman.”
“That’s not why I’m here.”
“Oh?” Danny looked to Joe and Herb, an older gentleman who worked the fields. He stood with Joe. Danny snickered. “Did you guys come to beat me up.”
“Danny.” Joe said his name sternly.
“I’m ready for ya.” Danny raised his fist and laughed. “Kidding. What’s up?”
“Danny,” Joe huffed. “You were supposed to meet me an hour ago then we were all heading to the clinic together.”
“Now see, Joe.” Danny walked from the house to him. “You didn’t tell me why I have to go to a meeting, so I got scared.”
“You?”
“Yeah. Clinic. Dean and Ellen.” Danny shuddered. “They may want to work on my brain. It is highly intelligent.”
“I’m sure. No, no experiments but . . . now you have to rush.” Joe told him.
“Rush?”
“Rush. Go pack.”
“Am I uh . . . leaving?” Danny asked.
“You can say that. You would have known an hour ago, but you blew me off.”
“I was busy, Joe, getting your house ready. Where am I going?”
“To Bowman. I need you to get the power up enough so we can have some telephone communications with them.”
“No shit. I’m going out of town on business.” Danny grinned. “Thanks. That’s cool. You know, they do call me . . .”
“Mr. Telephone Connection Guy?”
Danny laughed. “I wasn’t going to say that, but that’s good. No, Mr. Traveler. O.K., I’ll pack. See you at the clinic.” He quickly grabbed his tool box. “This is great. Not only will I be the man here, but there as well.” Danny began to dart off. He stopped. “Your house is done.” He ran again and came back. “But uh . . . watch that front door. It’s not really connected yet. See ya!” Fast Danny took off.
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 406
