by Phoenix Hays
Victor stepped in front of where the kids were standing. “I mean you no harm.” He let his rifle hang from its sling and raised his hands out to his sides to show a non-combative stance.
Joe leaned to one side to get a better view of the men coming toward them. They both reached for their handguns.
A voice shouted from behind the men. “Richard! Stop! Do not draw your weapons!”
CHAPTER 24
Patrick moved toward the front door of the Space Vision building. One of the security team members called out to him.
“Patrick, where are you going?”
Without turning back, Patrick reached to open Space Vision’s front door.
“I know that man,” Patrick said. “I have to see what happened.”
Patrick ran outside.
“Richard!” he yelled. “Stop! Do not draw your guns!”
He slowed to a jog when he reached the sidewalk near the alley.
“Please,” he said. “Do not draw your weapons.”
The security chief spoke over his shoulder. “Patrick, get out of here. This man killed Harry Stalk!”
“What?” Patrick turned and saw the two bodies on the sidewalk. Indeed, one was Harry’s. He turned back to face his volunteer.
“I took down the masked protester,” Victor said. “He was going to attack the press conference.” He kept his open hands out, continuing his non-threatening stance.
“But you shot and killed our security manager!” One of the security men said as he pointed back to the body.
“I didn’t know who he was,” Victor said. “But he was working with the masked man and was going to shoot us.”
“That’s a lie!” Richard barked. “You mean to disgrace the man in charge of keeping our operations safe!”
“He was working with the protester,” Victor said. “He handed the masked man a handgun in exchange for an envelope that he placed inside his jacket pocket.”
Patrick turned to one of the security men. “Please check his story.” The security man walked past Patrick as three more security staff jogged up to them. He moved to the dead Security Manager, knelt down beside the body and reached into the front jacket pockets. Nothing. He stood and turned back to the group. His face was red with anger.
“It’s in the pocket inside his jacket,” Victor said.
The man cocked his head in doubt, turned, and knelt again. After a second, he stood and turned around. There was a white envelope in his hand.
Patrick realized he had been holding his breath and slowly exhaled.
“We need to take this inside,” Patrick said to the security staff. He turned to Victor. “I’m assuming you will allow us to hold onto your weapons if we grant you asylum inside?”
Victor nodded. “As long as we will be safe.”
“No harm will come to you,” Patrick said. “Please hand over your guns and we can move this conversation somewhere a little more protected.”
Two of the security staff crept toward Victor, and he handed them his rifle and pistol. He then pulled his backpack off and handed it to them. Joe and Ayrin followed him as he walked past them and joined Patrick on his way back into the Space Vision headquarters.
Upon entering the building, the security staff escorted the group to the elevators. The familiar ding of one car’s arrival sounded.
“After you,” Patrick said. He followed Victor and the kids inside. The group felt the pull on their bodies as the elevator rose. After a few seconds, the ding sounded again, and the doors opened. The group got off of the elevator and Patrick led them to a glass walled conference room to the right. He opened the door but didn’t enter.
“Please have a seat. I’m sure our security will want to debrief you.”
Victor walked in followed by Joe and Ayrin. One by one, they chose a chair around the table.
***
Patrick walked into Duke Evensen’s office and looked around the room. The appearance had not changed much since the day Duke asked him to join Space Vision. His eyes stopped when he saw the Bonsai sitting on the credenza.
They look like they’ve been trimmed up. I wonder if he does that himself.
He noticed that the tray they had been potted in had been changed to a more decorative curved ceramic piece that made the trees look like they floated in the air.
Like the last time Patrick was in this office, Duke walked in after him.
“There’s nothing like a little excitement to end a press conference, right?”
The somber tone of Duke’s voice killed the attempt to lighten the mood.
“Duke, I’m sorry about Harry,” Patrick said.
“Losing him is a tragedy. Even more so now that it looks like he was working with the Fatalists.”
“So it’s true?”
The CEO nodded. “It appears that Harry was dealing with them to get drugs.”
“Drugs? But why?” Patrick asked.
“It’s early in the investigation,” Duke said, “but it looks like the stress of our situation may have caused him to find other ways to cope. Had he ever shown signs of having trouble?”
“No, never.” Patrick shook his head as he looked at the floor.
“He traded access to a weapon and a blind angle to the press conference in exchange for another hit.”
“That’s unbelievable.”
“It’s true,” Duke said. “And it would have worked had that man not been across the street when they made their move. I’m told you know him?”
“We met just once before today. He arrived in Memphis the day after we filled the positions you announced on TV. He drove his family down here from Ohio and wanted to apply for a security role. When I told him that we had filled all the jobs, he said he would come down here every day on a volunteer basis to watch over the protests. He’s been across the street every day since.”
“It seems like this guy deserves some thanks,” Duke said. “What is his name?”
“Victor, if I remember right,” Patrick answered.
“Victor,” Duke said, stroking his goatee. “And where is he now?”
“He’s in the Jupiter conference room.”
“Then I think it’s time we paid him a visit. Do you mind joining me in thanking him?”
“I’d be happy to, Duke.”
Patrick followed Duke out of the office on the way to the elevators.
CHAPTER 25
Joe looked around the conference room; a large image of Jupiter covered the long wall. The table in front of them was a shiny red wood color. There was a large flat-screen monitor at the far end of the room. Below the screen was a polished bookcase that matched the table. Bottles of water and upside-down glasses sat on a tray on the bookcase. A large whiteboard partially blocked the mural of Jupiter.
“Dad?” Joe asked.
“Yes,” Victor said.
“Can I get some water?”
Victor opened his mouth to answer and stopped. He looked beyond the room at the approaching group of people.
“I think these might be the people we need to ask.”
Victor stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. Joe and Ayrin followed his lead and turned to face the opening conference room door.
Two men in black suits, clearly security staff, walked in first and took positions to either side of the doorway. Patrick entered next, nodded to Victor and smiled. Victor’s jaw dropped when he saw the man behind Patrick.
Duke Evensen blew through the doorway and crossed the room in just a few strides. He stopped at the head of the table and drew his shoulders up, resting his hands on the top of the chair in front of him. He took a deep breath as his commanding presence changed the air in the room; making it feel much smaller than before. Everyone stood there waiting for him to say or do something. Duke’s eyes pierced the people around the room. He paused for just a moment, then sat and gestured for everyone else to do the same. Duke’s voice echoed through the conference room.
“My people are telling me that you,
” his eyes locked onto Victor, “are the reason we did not have a much larger incident today.”
Joe looked at his dad. Victor didn’t move.
“They tell me,” Duke said, “that there was an attempt on my life and you were the one who stopped it.” He paused long enough for someone else to speak but nobody did. “They also tell me that you killed my security manager.”
Behind him, the balding man who was the first into the alley after the shooting stiffened at the statement.
Victor gritted his teeth and looked down at the table in front of him. “About that, sir, I was only reacting to the situation as it was happening. I had no idea—“
Duke raised his hand to interrupt Victor. “It was the right course of action,” he said. “What is your name?”
Patrick looked at Duke and tried to stop his jaw from dropping. Duke, you saw Victor’s background check. You know just about everything there is to know about this man, let alone his name. What are you up to?
“Victor, sir.” He looked up at Duke, sat straight up in his chair and folded his hands together on the table.
“Victor,” Duke said. “My adviser here, Patrick, says that you have been volunteering as a security sentry for us. Is that true?”
“Yes, sir, it is.”
“And you’re not from the Memphis area?”
“No, sir.”
“How long have you and your family been in Memphis?”
“About a week. Not real long, to be honest.”
“I can’t imagine the pay for volunteer work could be all that impressive.” Duke cracked a slight smile in the corner of his mouth and then removed it. “Where are you staying?”
“Before we left Ohio, I did some research,” Victor said. “I saw that there were several wooded areas near here. We found a decent spot a few miles out and set up camp.”
“So how do you pay for the gas to drive back and forth?”
Victor hung his head at the mention of the family’s vehicle. “Our van ran out of gas a few miles outside of Memphis. We left it and walked the rest of the way.”
Duke’s eyebrows shot up. “So you mean to tell me that you walk here every day to stand outside of a building owned by a company that wouldn’t hire you? Why?”
“Because, sir,” Victor said, still looking down at the table, “When I heard you on TV, I could tell that something was happening. You were working toward something. You thought there was a solution to the Oppenheimer situation. I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to help.”
“That’s admirable, to say the least.” Duke leaned back in his chair. “I’ve heard about what happened today, but I’d like to hear it from the man who saw it all. Do you mind?”
“No, sir.”
After listening to Victor’s retelling, Duke rubbed his chin, deep in thought. He turned to Patrick.
“You see, my friend? I told you that our efforts are meant to succeed.” He locked eyes with Victor. “You, sir, deserve my thanks. Thank you for being exactly where we needed you to be when we needed you. I’m assuming you would accept a position at Space Vision if one was extended to you?”
Victor stared wide-eyed at Duke. Had he heard him correctly? Victor blinked owlishly.
“Of course, sir,” he said.
“Your volunteering days are over,” Duke said. “As of today, I would like you to join my personal security detail. Do you accept?”
Victor’s jaw dropped. “A-absolutely,” he stammered and leaned forward. He clasped his hands together to keep them from shaking. “When do you want me to start?”
“First thing, first,” Duke said. “Who is still at your campsite?”
“My wife. M-Mary, sir.”
“OK. We will have an escort take you to get her from the camp. Bring the things you can’t live without because that will be the last time you see that camp. Your family will be relocated here.”
Victor looked across the table where the kids were sitting and his eyes welled up. We made it. I’m actually going to be helping Space Vision. He looked back to Duke. “Thank you, sir. I, er, we won’t let you down.”
“I’m sure of it,” Duke said as he stood up and turned to his security staff. “Eric. Lee. Please make the preparations to take Victor to his camp.” He looked over to where the kids were sitting. “I’m assuming it’s been a while since you’ve had a home cooked meal?”
The kids nodded.
“Assuming your father agrees, you can stay here and visit our cafe.” Duke looked at Victor and received a nod. “I’m sure you’ll find something to your liking. Patrick, do you mind handling that part of this?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Patrick said.
Joe looked to his dad. Victor smiled and nodded his approval.
“Come on,” Patrick gestured with his hand. “Our chef makes a mean bowl of mac and cheese.”
The kids got up and followed Patrick to the elevators.
CHAPTER 26
Joe scooped the last of the macaroni from his plate onto his spoon. He shoveled the bite into his mouth. Ayrin sat across the table, next to Patrick, and a half smile crossed her face as she saw the comfort food bring some color to Joe’s cheeks.
Patrick smiled at the boy. “Good. Isn’t it?”
“Mm-hmph.” Nodding, Joe lifted the glass in front of him and drank the last of his milk.
Ayrin leaned back in her seat and cocked her head to the side. It seems like it has been forever since I’ve seen Joe look that comfortable.
The three sat at one of the round brown tables that were spread throughout the cafe. To their right was a wall of windows that looked out over downtown Memphis. A column of black smoke rose in the distance. On the left was the kitchen counter and a long table where empty catering pans sat. Sounds of running water, dishes clinking, and muffled conversations floated out to the dining area through the pass through on the other side of the counter.
Joe wiped his mouth with his napkin and folded it, placing it on his plate. He picked up his spoon to do the same.
Crash!
The sound of a large glass object breaking in the kitchen split the silence in the cafe.
Joe’s spoon clanked against the plate as he dropped it and ducked down almost below the table. Ayrin spun in her seat, wide-eyed.
“It’s OK,” Patrick said, raising his hands and smiling reassuringly. He stood up and stretched his arm out across the table to pick up Joe’s plate. “Let’s head downstairs and see if your parents have arrived yet.”
Almost as if in response, a red light on the COM mounted to the wall flashed. Patrick walked over and pressed the response button.
“Hello?”
“Is this Patrick Weaver?” A voice asked through the COM.
“Yes, it is,” he answered.
“We’ve received word that Victor Bayham and his wife are returning to the building. Mr. Evensen has asked that the you join them back in the Jupiter room.”
“We’ll head there right away,” Patrick said. He looked over to where the kids were standing. “Come on, let’s go see your parents.”
They took the elevator to the Jupiter room floor and exited after the doors opened. Patrick stepped out of the car first, but Joe ran past him toward the conference room where Victor and Mary were waiting. Ayrin was right behind Joe.
“I was so worried about you!” Mary said as she stooped down to wrap Joe in a hug. She held the boy there for a second and then patted him on the back. She stood up, wiped a tear from her eye and turned to her husband. “Victor, is this for real?”
Duke walked into the conference room and answered her question.
“It is. I’d like to show you and your family to your new living quarters.”
He guided the group out of the conference room and headed to the elevators. A short ride later, he led them to the door of their new accommodations. He opened the door, handed Victor the key card and stepped out of the way.
Victor raised his arm to let Mary enter first. She stepped through the
doorway and looked around.
“It’s like the nicest hotel room we’ve ever seen,” she said.
Joe walked inside behind his dad with Ayrin right behind him. At the front of the room was a small kitchen area. On the left was a stainless steel fridge and electric range separated by a short counter. A matching microwave hung above the range. To the right was a small sink with tan cabinets above and below it. Mary ran her hand across the silver surfaces of the appliances as if to prove to herself they were real. The family strode further into the room and saw two king-sized beds positioned against the walls to the left and right. Between them sat a dresser with a TV on it.
Mary turned back to Duke, who was now standing in the doorway. “Thank you so much,” she said.
“Of course, Mary. This is the least I can do for my newest employee!” Duke’s smile faded as he watched the reaction on her face change from joy to confusion to anger.
Victor locked eyes with his wife who glared daggers aimed at him. He turned back to Duke.
“When do you need me for my next shift, sir?”
“Let’s have you end the day with your family,” Duke said as he watched the situation starting to unfold. He ducked his head slightly as he backed to the door as if to avoid getting hit in a crossfire. “You can report to my office at 8 A.M. tomorrow. Have a great evening, everyone!” Duke smiled and headed back into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
Joe looked at his mom. Her crossed arms and low eyebrows clearly meant she was upset with his dad, but he wasn’t sure why. She stormed over to one of the beds and sat down, her arms bracing her slumped shoulders. A chill in the air hung in the room.
Victor looked over to where Joe and Ayrin were standing. “I bet there is something cool on TV.” He moved to the dresser and slid it away from the wall to angle it toward the bed on the right. Lifting the remote and hitting the power button, he quickly pulled up the guide and found the retro cartoon station.
Joe and Ayrin jumped up onto the empty bed facing the TV. Through the first couple of episodes, intense whispering behind them made it hard to focus on the cartoon animals on the screen. Leaning over on the bed, Joe could see his parents sitting across the other bed from each other. They were arguing.
