"Make that two regulars," Jack said to the hotel clerk.
"Here are your keys, Sir. Your bags will be brought up to your rooms," the clerk said. "You have adjoining suites."
"Do you need to freshen up before we eat?" asked Jack.
"I'm fine. Once I get to the room, I'm not coming back out unless the hotel catches on fire," said Rita.
After their meal, Jack and Rita arrived at their rooms. "I'm going to slip into something a little more comfortable and we can play rummy," said Rita. "Come on over when you're ready and bring your money."
"What does she mean by a little more comfortable?" Jack wondered. "Should I put on my jogging outfit or just my boxers."
Jack gave her a few minutes and entered the room. Rita came out of the bathroom wearing some faded jeans and blouse.
"Did they deliver your bags? I couldn't find mine," said Jack as he stood there in his boxers. "Maybe I should call the desk."
"Give them a little more time. They looked sort of busy when we came in. They'll get it straightened out," said Rita. "Ready to play?"
"Let me just put on my t-shirt," said Jack. Back in his room, he put on the t-shirt and slacks.
When he reentered the room, Rita was wearing her panties and bra. "They weren't as comfortable as I remembered," she said as she pointed to her clothes lying on the bed.
"I forgot my wallet," Jack said. "Be right back." Jack slipped off the slacks and picked up his wallet.
"Ten cents a point, just like last time?" asked Jack.
"If you can afford it?" said Rita.
The next morning, after breakfast, they arrived at the hospital. The agents informed Jack that they had talked with the Senator. The senator had caught the suspect sending sensitive information over the internet. When he confronted him, he was shot.
"We have our internet specialists checking out the computers in the Senator's office to see if they can determine who he was sending it to," said the agent.
"Jack, that doctor doesn't have an aura. He just went into the Senator's room," said Rita.
"I wouldn't do that," Jack said to the clone as he approached the Senator's bed with a hypodermic in his hand. The agents had their guns pointed at the suspect. "Lie down on the floor and put your hands behind your back."
"Take him into custody and question him around the clock until you get some answers," said Jack. "Let me know as soon as you do."
"The general sent me the info I requested. There were seven MIAs with missing memories. I have photos and other information in my phone. I've emailed you a copy. See that other agents get that info if they're working this case," Jack said to the agent. "One of the suspects is dead and this one is in custody so that leaves five others."
"We need to get to the White House by noon to meet Rick," Jack said to Rita. "I think we're through here."
As they drove up Pennsylvania Avenue they soon spotted Rick with four other ghosts. The ghosts piled into the back of the vehicle. "It's a good thing they gave us a van," said Jack. "Imagine trying to fit them all into a sub-compact."
"It's good to see you again, Rick," said Rita. "Great job rounding up the others. Are we certain this is all of them?"
Rick shrugged. "Okay, we'll discuss it when we get back to the hotel," said Rita. "Jack can cross check against his information to see who's missing. It's possible one or two have already passed on."
"Rick, do any of these guys know the identity of the people behind this or the whereabouts of their clones?" Jack asked. Again Rick shrugged.
"Jack, turn up the heat. The windows are starting to fog up and I'm freezing," said Rita.
Back at the hotel, Rita and Rick talked as Jack checked each ghost's appearance against the photos in his phone. The clones of the two that weren't accounted for had jobs in Washington, so they wouldn't be that hard to locate. If they were clones, Rita would be able to determine by just looking at them.
"Jack, the other ghosts don't have any memory of clones or of being held captive," said Rita.
"Does Rick have any idea why they can't remember?" asked Jack.
"He thinks it's because they didn't have amnesia when they were hooked up to their clones. They were too busy thinking about their pasts to pick up any memories from their clone. The drugs used during the memory transfer worked very well on them to prevent them remembering the transfer, since they had very little to remember in the first place," said Rita. "They didn't even know what drew them to come to DC."
"Then why did they come with Rick to help us," asked Jack.
"They didn't. They came to meet us because we see ghosts and can help them," said Rita.
"Well, they'll have to take a number. If solving this case doesn't do it, then we'll do our best to help them later," said Jack. "There still may be a way for them to help us."
"Rick, ask the ghosts if they will each find their clones and watch them closely for the next day or two. We can tell them where the clones work and live. I suspect they could find them on their own if they just went with their feelings. They seem to be drawn to them," said Jack. "We need to know who the clones are secretly communicating with. They can meet us here if they get any useful information."
"Rita, you and I need to find the other two and verify if they are clones too," Jack said to Rita. "If they are clones, then Rick can watch one of them and the ghost of the clone in custody can watch the other."
"Let me look at those photos," said Rita. "Auras will show up on the photo."
Jack handed her the phone. "They're clones," she said after glancing at the photos.
"Okay, you've all got a clone to watch. Check back as soon as you have any information," said Jack. The ghosts all left the room and Jack and Rita were alone.
"So, are you ready to settle up on your gin rummy debt?" asked Rita.
"I demand another chance to get even. You distracted me during our last game," said Jack.
"You want to get comfortable before we start?" asked Rita.
"Be right back," said Jack.
As Jack reentered the room, Rita was still dressed and Rick was sitting in Jack's chair. "I'm just going to put on some fresh clothes, and I'll be right back," said Jack.
"What's he doing back all ready. Did he discover something that quickly?" Jack wondered as he put all his clothes back on.
"Rick found the clone, but his ghost was already there. He convinced the ghost to work with us," said Rita. "Rick came back here so we could reminisce about old times."
"I'll just check in with the NSA to see how they are doing. See you tomorrow," said Jack as he dialed his phone.
"You don't get off that easy. It's your turn to buy dinner. I'll let you know when I'm ready to eat," said Rita.
"I was just about to call you," said the agent in charge. "We traced the data sent from the Senator's office and arrested the people behind the whole thing. We'll be picking up the clones any time now. We can't thank you enough for your help, and the senator is your friend for life."
"Just glad we could help," said Jack.
"Jack, all the ghosts are back. What's going on?" Rita said as she opened the door. "Whoa, cute butt, Jack. I'll get rid of these guys, and we can play some serious rummy."
HONEYMOON ON THE MOON
"Will you marry me?" Jack asked as he knelt by the sofa.
"You know I will," said Rita. "Just what have you got planned?"
"I know a beautiful little island in the South Pacific. We can get married tomorrow and be there by the weekend. We'll have it all to ourselves except for the servants," Jack said.
"What if I had said no?" asked Rita.
"We could still go. It just wouldn't be a honeymoon," said Jack.
"Your phone is ringing," Rita said as she picked up Jack's phone. "It's the President. You'd better take it."
"Now what. Doesn't he have the FBI, CIA, NSA and the entire armed forces to call on?" Jack said as he took the phone.
"Hello. Jack here. What can I do for you ... Sir?" said Jack.
; "I need you and Rita to meet me at the airport. We'll pick you up with Air Force One, and we can discuss this in private. We arrive in two hours. Have your bags packed for at least a two week trip," said the President.
"Yes, Sir. Should we pack for a cold or a warm climate?" Jack asked.
"That's classified, at the moment," the President said. "I can't discuss that over the phone."
"Okay. We'll see you in two hours. Good bye, Sir," said Jack as he hung up the phone.
"See him in two hours? What's going on, Jack?" asked Rita.
"I don't know. He's picking us up in two hours at the airport. We've got to pack for a two week trip, and I have no idea what the weather will be," said Jack.
"Great. What about our honeymoon?" said Rita.
"I guess we'll postpone it a couple of weeks," said Jack. "We've got about fifteen minutes to pack."
As they boarded Air Force One they were greeted by several Secret Service agents. "Let them pass. You don't need to search my friends," said the President. "Good to see you again, Jack ... Rita."
"Nice to see you, Mr. President," Jack and Rita replied.
"Find a seat. As soon as we're on our way we can discuss why I called you here," said the President. "I can't tell you how glad I am that you agreed to help."
"I don't remember agreeing to anything," Jack said to Rita as they were buckling their seat belts. "What have I gotten us into?"
"Whatever it is, you can bet it probably involves ghosts," said Rita. "After all, that is our specialty."
In no time they were airborne, and the President motioned for them to follow him into his private office. "Make yourself comfortable," he said.
Jack and Rita took a seat on the sofa. "You're aware of Lunacyte, the ore we receive from Luna I, and of course you heard my speech at the UN so you know that we use it to produce electrical energy using nuclear fission."
"Yes, Sir," said Jack.
"Well, it's so radioactive that we have to use titanium to produce the rods used in the reactors. Compacting the Lunacyte into solid rod was not possible because of the critical mass," the President said.
"Why are you telling us?" asked Jack. "We're not engineers."
"Recently, the shipments we've been receiving have somehow been diluted to the point that the Lunacyte is perfect for making solid rods and saves us millions by not having to use titanium," said the President.
"That's great. But where do we come in?" asked Jack.
"No one is willing to take the credit. They claim that they haven't changed their processing procedures," said the President.
"Have they raised their prices?" asked Jack.
"No. But we need to obtain some quantity of Lunacyte in its original form. They say they can't supply it," said the President. "I want you to find out why?"
"I still don't see why you chose us?" said Jack.
"Oh, did I forget to mention that the miners claim that the mines are haunted," said the President.
"I see," said Jack, "then you've come to the right people."
"We're going to drop you off at the Johnson Space Center. The lunar shuttle is waiting for you," said the President.
Four hours later, Jack and Rita were aboard Space Station 1 with a four hour layover before their flight to SS2. "Let's find somewhere to eat," said Jack.
"Okay. But let's find a nice place, even if it is your turn to buy," said Rita. "I don't think I can take McDonalds again."
"Fine, you can pick, but you get the tip," said Jack.
"Deal," said Rita.
"Look," said Jack. "One hour blood tests. We could get that out of the way and get married any time we're ready."
"You're so romantic, Jack," said Rita with a bit of sarcasm in her voice.
"Just thinking ahead," said Jack. "You can never find one when you're looking for them."
"And you know this because ... ?" asked Rita.
"That's generally true of everything. I'm just applying it to this situation," said Jack.
"Okay, let's do it. We can get the results after we eat," said Rita.
Two hours later they were back for the results. "You both check out fine. There's no reason you can't marry," said the clerk. "That will be two hundred plus tax, or did you want separate checks?"
"I'll get it. How's that for romantic?" Jack asked Rita.
"You swept me off my feet, or was it zero gravity that did that?" said Rita.
"We've still got two more hours before we depart. What do you want to do?" asked Jack.
"Get married?" replied Rita.
"Sure, I'm ready. Let's find a chapel," said Jack.
"I'm joking," said Rita. "I want a real wedding with our friends and relatives. You could get me an engagement ring if you're wanting to speed things along."
"Who said I was in a hurry?" asked Jack.
"Jack!" said Rita.
"Okay! Do you want to pick it out or do I have to do it?" asked Jack.
"You don't have to do anything except be a jerk and I wish you didn't have to do that," said Rita. "You've just wasted two hundred dollars."
"You know how I feel about you, even if I don't show it every minute of the day," said Jack. "When I said 'do I have to do it', it didn't come out the way I meant."
"I'll help you pick it out. You pick it and I'll tell you if I like it," said Rita.
"Okay. Let's do it," said Jack. "There's a dollar store right over there."
"Very funny, Jack," said Rita. "Follow me."
Rita and Jack walked across the concourse and into a Tiffany's. "How can I help you today?" said the sales lady.
"We'd like to see some engagement rings," said Rita. "Your best."
"Nothing's too good for my angel," said Jack. "Show us your very best."
"Better make those wedding rings," said Rita. "We've waited long enough. We can get remarried later with all of our family around."
"Do you mean it? You've made me the happiest man on ... SS1," said Jack. "We don't have time to find a chapel. The captain on the lunar shuttle can marry us. Is that okay with you?"
"That's fine, Jack. Relax," said Rita. "Let's find the boarding gate."
After a short flight Jack and Rita arrived at SS2 and immediately boarded the lunar shuttle. Once the fasten seat belt light went off, Jack and Rita began looking for the Captain. "I believe he's in the chapel. There are several couples that wanted to get married," said one of the officers. "The chapel is that way. Take a left at the end of the corridor."
Jack and Rita walked into the chapel to find four couples standing before the captain. "May we join you?" asked Jack.
"Are you wanting to get married?" asked the captain.
"Yes sir," said Jack.
"Well step right up and sign your names in the book," said the captain. "You have blood test results, I assume."
THE GHOSTLY CHRONICLES Page 11
