CLOSE PROXIMITY

by Marshall Huffman

  “You will have to come back later. I’m not ready yet.”

  “Si, I be back,” she heard then the door closing.

  She glanced at her watch; it was 8:23 a.m. She was tired but decided to go ahead and face the day. She dressed and went down to the lobby. A small coffee shop was attached and she went in and ordered breakfast. She had a flash of guilt as she thought how she had just threw some money at James and rushed out.

  After breakfast she went back to her room and made some phone calls. After spending a frustrating hour she finally managed to get hold of Dr. Basilone.

  “Doctor Basilone. I’m Doctor Abigail Montgomery from the United States. Arizona actually. I am calling about the arrangements for Dr. Mendoza's funeral.”

  “Ah. Yes, Dr. Fassbinder said that you intended to attend the services. I’m afraid the details haven’t been worked out yet. An investigation is being conducted by the police and they haven’t released the body yet.”

  “I don’t understand. I thought it was a car accident,” Abigail said.

  “Yes. That is our understanding as well but the police are insisting on doing a full investigation into the incident.”

  “That’s crazy. No one would hurt Louis.”

  “I quite agree but unfortunately that doesn’t matter as far as they are concerned.”

  “Any idea when they will conclude their investigation?” she asked.

  “Not a clue.”

  “I’m staying at the Plaza De Armas. Could someone please call and let me know as soon as they find out. I am in the middle of a funded project and do have to go back soon.”

  “I understand. Listen, I will run it by the General Director and see if it would be possible for you to visit our ESO facilities.”

  “That would be terrific. I would love to see your system. I understand it is one of the most advanced in the world. It would be quite an honor.”

  “Let me see what I can arrange. You do realize that it is not just one telescope or even one group. The sites are in several different areas. It means travel by airplane and unfortunately car on some very rugged mountain roads,” he warned her.

  “I am more than willing to make myself available. I just can’t see passing up a once in a life time chance like this,” she told him.

  “I will call you when I have further information,” he replied.

  **

  “I have the list you asked for,” Basilone said handing over a sheet of paper with a list of names.

  The General Director looked at the list a moment and then rubbed his eyes.

  “This is going to be very difficult,” he said at last.

  “Yes it is,” Basilone agreed.

  “So do we just put the names in a hat and draw one out or what?” the Director asked.

  “I took the liberty of making a list of the pros and cons of each candidate if you would like to see it,” he said, with a small smile.

  “You Italians. So smug. When this is over, no matter who we chose, I intend to put out a memo saying you were responsible for the selection.”

  “Unless he or she is unanimously popular. Then it will have been your idea,” Basilone said.

  “Why of course.”

  “Oh, one more thing. Dr. Montgomery from the United States is here for the funeral. I mentioned it may be possible for her to see our facility but said I would have to check with you first.”

  “Actually I think that is a very good idea. Maybe we could even find the time to see if there is an opportunity to do some business with them.”

  “Then if you approve, I will tell her to be ready to leave this afternoon. She can fly to La Serena and visit Cerro La Silla. The next day she can fly up to Antofagasta. I’m sure she would enjoy seeing where Louis worked. She seemed very fond of him.”

  “Yes, from what I understand he was a mentor to her. Maybe a bit more but it isn’t polite to speak of such things when the person is deceased,” the General Director replied.

  “Of course not,” Basilone agreed.

  “I understand she is quite an eye full. I saw her in the paper’s the other morning. Her credentials seem to be impeccable,” the General Director said.

  “I assume you mean her intellectual credentials,” Basilone said smiling.

  “But of course. What other kind are there?”

  “Exactly. Anyway, I will notify her immediately. I think you’re decision is a good one.”

  “Thank you Basilone.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  James was doing the best he could under the circumstances. He had been doing the entire shift alone. It was slower with him looking and logging at the same time but it was certainly giving him some good experience.

  “Hey,” a voice shouted out startling James.

  “Damn. I about jumped out of my skin. What are you doing here Kelly?”

  “I was just on my way home and saw your car out front. I thought I would drop in and see how you were doing with Abby being gone and all.”

  “You call her Abby?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “I don’t know. It just seems pretty familiar,” James said.

  “You hungry?” Kelly asked.

  “I’ve been munching on some venting machine junk.”

  “I have some real food if you’re up for it.”

  “Like what?”

  “Pizza. It’s in my car. I was going to take it home and eat it but we could share it.”

  “I have to admit that does sound tempting.”

  “Good. I’ll get it and you get us a couple of drinks. Anything will do for me.”

  What the heck. He needed a break anyway and pizza was a lot better than peanut butter crackers. He went to the vending machine and got two Diet Cokes.

  Kelly was waiting for him with the pizza box sitting on the desk when he returned.

  “Help yourself,” she said.

  James dug in and started gulping it down.

  “Man you must have been hungry,” Kelly joked after this third piece.

  She was still on her first.

  “Sorry. Yeah, I guess I was. When I’m working I kind of forget about eating but when I’m done, I’m starved.”

  “Can I ask you a question,” Kelly said.

  “Sure. Shoot.”

  “Why is it you don't like me very much?” she asked.

  “What? What are you talking about? I think you’re really cool. You obviously are pretty sharp to be a part of the team. You’re pretty enough to be a model. You have a great personality. Geez Kelly, what’s not to like?” James said.

  He knew he was walking a thin line. There was more and he knew it. This wasn’t something just out of the blue.

  “Well when we were working together you never made a pass at me. Even when I flirted with you. You just kind of blew me off. When I asked you if you were gay you got all uptight. So if that isn’t it, what don’t you like about me?”

  This was the dangerous part. He knew he had to answer very carefully. Her dad was in the equation, right or wrong. No doubt she could put pressure on Abigail to have him off the project.

  “Kelly, the truth is, a guy like me could never offer you anything of any real value. I’ll never be rich. I’m never going to be a movie star. I’m probably at my best right now. It’s pretty much downhill from here. It would be disrespectful to you to even consider making a run at you. You are so not in my class and I am well aware of that,” he told her.

  “We could still have a good time,” she said.

  “We could but then what? Look Kelly, there are a lot of good looking guys that would die for a chance at someone like you. That’s where you belong, not with someone like me.”

  She looked at him for a long time before speaking again.

  “Alright James. I think that is actually a crock but what the hell. You’re right about one thing. I can pretty much get any guy I want. Well, with the exception of you. Maybe that’s the attraction. But we are still friends, right?”

  “Absolutely
,” James replied.

  “Okay. Let’s just leave it like that. We can be friends for now but if you ever change your mind I would still be interested,” she said and stood up.

  “I had better run,” she said.

  “Take the rest of the pizza with you.”

  “You eat it. You still have five more hours to go,” she said and waved as she left.

  He relived the conversation over in his head once more and finally decided it had gone about as well as it could have. She didn’t buy it but she didn’t make a fuss. It was probably the best he could hope for under the circumstances.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The flight to La Serena was in a puddle jumper that rose and fell with the currents. It was all Abby could do to keep from throwing up her meager breakfast. She was more than a little relieved when the captain announced they were getting ready to land.

  The turbo prop twin engine de Havilland swung out over the bay and Abby could see the rugged looking mountains in the background. Landing had never been her favorite part of flying. To her it seemed nothing more than a controlled crash. Sometimes not so controlled.

  The plane touched down smoothly and rolled to the end of the run way before turning onto a taxiway. The airport was certainly showing its age. The luggage was just sitting on the tarmac so she grabbed her bag and went inside the terminal.

  She was happy to see a neatly dressed young man with a sign that had her name on it.

  “Hi, I’m Doctor Montgomery. It is very nice of you to pick me up.”

  “No problem,” he said without a trace of accent, “The vehicle is right out front.”

  He reached over, relieved her of her suitcase, and walked her out to the car. It was an older Land Rover with large tires, a brush guard and a roof full of driving lights.

  He saw her looking at them and said, “It is very dark where we are going.”

  “To Cerro La Silla?”

  “Yes. We will be coming back very late. You are booked into the Hotel Playa Campanario. We will stop there before we head up into the mountains so you can change.”

  “Change?”

  “It is very cold. You are going to need much more than what you have on now,” he told her.

  “I didn’t bring anything very warm,” Abby told him.

  “Then we must stop and pick up some additional gear or you will be most uncomfortable,” he explained.

  He drove them to a hiking and bicycle shop that did a great deal of business with the ESO. She bought heavy hiking boots, thermal underwear, socks, and a heavy jacket with a zip out lining. He suggested warm gloves and a hat or earmuffs. She settled for the hat. At the last minute she threw in a wool scarf.

  When they were finished shopping he took her to the hotel and she checked in. She quickly changed into her new clothes and in minutes they were headed toward the mountains. Within the hour she could start to feel the elevation change in her ears.

  She learned the guide was Marco Listina, and he was from Nevada.

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “Nope. My parents left Chili and moved to the US. I was born in a little burg outside of Reno,” he told her.

  “So how did you end up here?”

  “Actually I came to Chili to visit my relatives. I happened to be at the right place at the right time I guess. The ESO was developing one of the sites we are going to right now. They were hiring. I applied and the rest is history as they say.”

  “Wow. It is amazing how it all works out sometimes.”

  “It is. I need to warn you. In about ten more kilometers the road is going to get steep and much rougher.”

  “Oh heavens, I thought it was already bad.”

  “We are on the good part now. Believe me it will get a lot more exciting. I won’t be talking much. It is very easy to make a mistake and if you do, it is a serious one,” he warned her.

  He was right. The road became much steeper and the pavement, as poor as it was, gave way to gravel and dirt. The Land Rover strained to maintain the pace but Marco was obviously used to the route and a very good driver. Abby decided the best thing she could do was keep her mouth shut and eyes closed.

  **

  “Are you okay?” Marco said, touching her shoulder.

  “What?” she said, jerking awake.

  “I think you fell asleep.”

  “I don’t believe it. I guess I was more tired than I realized.”

  “Well I will say, you are the first visitor to ever go to sleep on the trip up,” he said.

  When she got out she stopped and looked around in amazement. It was breathtaking. The sky was so clear it seemed more like a painting. She gazed out over the valley below and was staggered by the beauty. Now she wished she had stayed awake during the trip.

  “Breathtaking isn’t it,” Marco said coming up beside her.

  “Unbelievable.”

  “It’s what makes the drive up here worth it. Doctor Achim will be here to give you a tour. Make sure you get to spend some extra time with the NNT telescope.”

  “Absolutely. I’ve been dying to see it and how it operates. "

  The next five hours was a mind numbing whirlwind tour of one of the most amazing telescopes she had ever seen. The acronyms associated with the telescope's capabilities were enough to fill a book. The time seemed to fly by and Abby would happily have forgone lunch to keep exploring the incredible piece of equipment.

  "I know you would like to spend more time here but we must start down the mountain before the sun goes down. Once it sets the fog rolls in very quickly. We do not want to be in that situation in the dark," Marco told her.

  "If I worked here I don't know if I would ever go down the mountain. I'd just pitch a tent," Abby joked.

  "l was much the same way the first six months I worked here."

  "I can certainly see why."

  They drove back down the mountain in silence until they got to the faster pavement again. This time Abby didn't even try to sleep.

  "Marco, I can't thank you enough. This was such an incredible experience."

  "It was my pleasure. You will enjoy Cerro Pananal even more. You will have more time there as well. I will pick you up at 7:00 a.m. I know it is very early but there are only two flights a day and often the second flight is cancelled because of weather," he explained.

  "No problem. That will just get me there faster. I'll be ready," she said.

  He wished her a good evening and drove off.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  James wasn't sure that pushing on was such a great idea. More than once he thought he had seen a void area where he had seen stars before. He was starting to doubt his own abilities. Rather than make a note in the star chart log, he just scribbled out some notes in his note book.

  Because his output was lower due to working alone, the math verification group had extra time on their hands and would often drop in on James before quitting for the day.

  "Have you heard from Abby?" Lewis asked.

  "Not a word. I hope she is all right," James replied.

  "I doubt it is very easy to call from Chili," Brian said.

  "”Maybe she met some gorgeous guy and they ran off together'" Andy offered.

  "Oh gag me," Lewis replied.

  "l would venture to say it is the telescope that has captured her attention," James said.

  "You just say that because you two have become an item," Andy said.

  "Yeah. I noticed that too," Brian razzed.

  "Alright you dweebs. Don't you have some math to get done or something?" James asked.

  "This is much more fun," Andy replied.

  "You could spell me on the scope if you really want to be useful," James said.

  "I didn't say anything about being useful. Did you say that Andy?"

  “I didn't say anything like that," Andy answered.

  “Don’t look at me. I don’t even help myself,” Brian offered.

  "You guys are a real hoot."

  “It’s just a small s
ervice we perform. We try to make the world a better place," Lewis said.

  "Yeah. We like to cheer people up," Brian replied.

  "I don't think I can take much more of your mirth," James replied.

  "Then our work here is done," Lewis said.

  "Indeed it is. On to help other less fortunate,” Andy added.

  "If you really want to help, bring a pizza next time," James yelled at their retreating backs.

  **

  It was hard for Abigail to imagine a flight worse than the last one but the one from La Serena to Antofgasta was more frightening. She literally felt like kissing the ground when she stepped off the plane.

  The terminal was little more than a quonset hut. A cute, very tan, young woman approached her as soon as she stepped inside.

  "Doctor Montgomery, I'm Lia Brisco. I have a car out front."

  "Lia, it's nice to meet you, but please, call me Abagail or Abby."

  "Okay then. Let's throw your bag in the back and get going. I'm glad to see that you were smart enough to dress warm. You won't believe the number of people who come to visit dressed like they were expecting it to be warm," she said.

  "Really? How silly," Abby said, trying not to smile.

  On the way up the mountain they talked about how Lia had come to work there and about her background. She was an interesting young lady and Abby liked her immediately. Once again she was glad she wasn't driving. Some of the drop-offs were even more severe. Like at Cerro La Silla, the temperature dropped rapidly the higher they went.

  As spectacular as the view at Cerro La Silla had been this was even more astonishing. Located on a rise at 2600 meters, the air was crystal clear. Cold and isolated for sure but staggering nonetheless.

  "Jaw dropping isn't it," Lia asked.

  "Absolutely unbelievable," Abby replied.

  "Doctor Montgomery?" a guttural voice said behind her.

  Abby turned to find a very large gentleman standing there. Her first guess was that he was from one of the former Soviet Union States. He had a rather large nose, a weather worn face and some of the wildest eyebrows she had ever seen.

  "Yes I am."

  “Welcome to Paranal Observatory, I'm Doctor Yorga. As you know Doctor Mendosa is no longer with us. I am not sure I understand your presence here."