“Reverend, how do you explain the fact that Donald has been back over a week.” Robyn moved forward, trying to convey importance to his question. “And none of your predictions have happened?” Robyn moved slightly back. It was impossible to see the tears in his eyes caused by the odoriferous Hollsworth.
“A week is nothing for the Devil who has tempted us since the creation,” Hollsworth said leaning way forward out of his seat, looking agitated, his arms swinging wildly. “He is here and he is doing his thing. He has already lulled us, made us think that it was all a ruse.”
“But the ruse, as you call it, was your creation,” O’Connell said quickly, hoping to get Hollsworth to calm down, to move back.
“I had a vision and a talk with the Lord!” Hollsworth sat back, saving poor Robyn from maneuvering farther. “It was He who directed me to warn of the impending doom.” Hollsworth started to move forward again. “Do you take the Lord lightly?”
“No, I don’t, but it seems there are as many versions of His word as there are individuals delivering it.” Either O’Connell had grown used to the smell, or was determined to get to the bottom of the Reverend’s claims because if he provoked Hollsworth, Hollsworth would certainly move closer.
“There are always numerous versions of any claim, but always only one that is true,” Hollsworth agreed.
“That’s what I’m trying to conclude here. Is what your saying true, or just a false prophesy.”
“Why don’t you let your viewing audience decide for themselves?” Hollsworth taunted his host. It was a brilliant counter move to O’Connell’s trap. O’Connell had just premiered his show and the format was still in question. Robyn O’Connell was not know for hearing out his followers, but was a proponent of his word, just like the Reverend Hollsworth had been in his heyday.
“I lead my flock, I don’t allude to their many fears,” Robyn said quickly, slipping out of the pitfall.
***
“These guys are slick,” Carl said, watching the exchange with Amy. They were curled up on the couch, watching the Fight of The Fryers, as Carl had coined it.
“They’ll cancel each other out,” Amy predicted.
“Or cause twice the trouble,” Carl pointed out.
Chapter 20
MAC GOT A PHONE CALL IN HIS OFFICE - “Yeah Carl, how’s it going?” . . . Mac listened.
“Ah nah, hey, I’m not too interested, really . . .”
Mac listened.
“Look Carl, we’re not marriage counselors . . .”
“For the best of the program! Christ, you’re starting to sound like a McDonald’s recruiter . . .”
“Hey, people have troubles with their mates, and I have neither an interest, or any expertise in that field . . .”
“You can’t insist . . . “
“Oh, . . . well you shouldn’t insist . . .”
“Carl, you’re insisting . . .”
“Oh okay, God-dammit, I don’t need this kind of bull . . .”
“I said yes, didn’t I? . . .”
“Three is fine, and tell her to bring her own Kleenex.”
***
Mac, Carl, and Jennifer Ackerman were sitting in Mac’s office. Jennifer was a tall, robust, redhead. Her thick hair was medium length and straight. Her eyes were a light blue green, and she’s not wearing much makeup, just red lip stick. All in all, a very attractive woman, probably late thirties, early forties. She’s dressed in a conservative blue skirt and jacket.
“Now Mrs. Ackerman, what can we do for you?” Mac asked, a folder in his hand.
“I don’t know where to start, and you can call me Jennifer.”
“Okay Jennifer, what’s troubling you?”
“It’s Henry, he’s not himself.”
“Major Ackerman, he’s your husband?”
“Of course he’s my husband, you know that,” Jennifer leaned forward and smiled coyly. “That’s why our last name is the same.”
Carl let out a little laugh, and Mac gave him a quick look. “Yes of course, I know that,” Mac said.
“Look,” Jennifer sat back, “I’m sick and tired of everyone patronizing me. There is something wrong with Henry, and I need to find out what. I do love my husband.”
“Have you talked to anyone else about this?” Mac asked.
“Yes, yes of course, but all I get is considerate stares and apologies. I get the feeling that the doctors think I’m overreacting.”
“Are you?”
“No, no I don’t think so!”
“Okay, I can accept that. Now, I need to hear, in your words, what has got you so troubled?” Mac asked.
“Can you think of another word other than ‘troubled’, it sounds so juvenile, like I’m having a tantrum or something.”
“Of course. You have a problem, and I’m ready to listen,” Mac conceded, ready to get this newest problem out of his hair as quickly as possible.”
“I have been married to Henry for ten years and I knew him for almost five before that. We have been friends that long, and I can guarantee you, that we know each other well. Can you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes,” Mac said
“Henry’s different.”
“How so? Is he depressed, stressed, what?” Mac was taking notes, trying to appear attentive.
“He’s different.”
“Look, Jennifer. I still don’t see what you’re getting at? I mean, in all the time you’ve known him, I’m sure that he’s gone through some changes. I’m almost positive of that.”
Jennifer didn’t say anything, looking at Mac and then Carl. She considered her response carefully.
“It’s not Henry, he’s someone else, I’m sure of that.”
“Mrs. Ackerman,” Mac questioned. “I can’t quite understand what you’re trying to tell us.”
“I’m telling you the same thing I have told more than one person in this program, something has happened to my husband. He is not the same person.”
“I don’t understand why you’re coming to us with this?” Mac asked impatiently.
“Where should I go?”
“This sounds like a medical problem.” Mac leafed through Ackerman’s records.
“Henry had a complete physical right after the mission, they didn’t find anything wrong.”
“Yes, I see here that you have talked to a number of people, and they all concur there is, medically, nothing wrong with Major Ackerman. He ‘is’ cooperating, you know.”
“But there is something wrong. He is not Henry Ackerman, he’s somebody else. The real Henry Ackerman would never be so cooperative.”
“Specifically what is different?”
“The way he treats me, the way he spends his spare time.”
“Have you considered it may be a change in his personality, a change in his life?” Mac suggested, looking for answers for her.
“I don’t know what you’re getting at?”
“He’s fifty-three years old,” Mac said, leaning forward. “At that time in many men’s lives, they undergo some extreme changes. Have you considered this?”
“I did, yes, and I got as much information as possible. None of it fit.”
“None of it?”
“The change in Henry was overnight. One day he’s Henry Ackerman, the next time I see him, he’s someone else.”
“Of course you are aware of multiple personalities?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“There would be switches, back and forth, I would think. This man is constantly not my husband. Besides, what the hell are you guys doing with multiple personality astronauts in your program? Wouldn’t that be some kind of reason to investigate?”
Mac scratched his head, knowing this was not going to go away easy. “I don’t know what to do about this declaration Mrs. Ackerman.”
“I really didn’t expect much more, thank you. I have made a detailed list of the peculiarities.”
Jennifer handed Mac an envelope. “I’ve
been as precise as possible.”
“Thank you Mrs. Ackerman. I’m sure we’ve not been able to do anything to relieve your doubts, I’m sorry.”
“You listened, that’s all I can expect.”
“What are you going to do? Do you feel that you’re in any danger?”
“Oh no, that’s one of the strange things about this new man. Henry really wasn’t that great of a husband, until now. He was a womanizer, drank too much, and never, ever read anything unless absolutely necessary.”
“And now?”
“He stays home and reads everything he can get his hands on about advance physics, magnetic fields, and gravity, while drinking nothing but iced tea.”
“And you’re complaining?”
Jennifer Ackerman said nothing, giving Mac a cold stare. Carl chuckled under his breath as Mac squirmed. “I’m sorry, I uh, I don’t know where to go from here?”
“Could you question other people, see if anything I’ve told you is substantiated?”
“I hesitate to question Henry’s credibility, after all he has proven to be a valuable asset to this program.”
“I don’t think he’d care. He doesn’t seem to mind my concerns. It’s like he doesn’t mind anyone noticing he’s changed. He has a smugness that is unsettling. I’m serious. Just talk to him if you don’t believe me.”
“Yes, yes, I guess that would be the next step. I appreciate your calmness in all this.”
“I’ve been around all this too long to get excited. It gets you nowhere,” Jennifer said, getting up, ready to leave.
Carl jumped up and opened the door for her.
“Thank you for your time gentlemen,” Jennifer said, walking out.
***
“Crazy woman, you think?” Carl asked, shutting the door behind Mrs. Ackerman.
“How would I know? I just hate this kind of crap though. That much I do know,” Mac gripped.
“Why?”
“Because I have to do something, and I’ll be dammed if I know what it might be?”
“Just like the Donald thing, huh?”
“Yeah, same sort of thing, but at least that one went away by itself.”
Carl sat back thinking. “Unless? . . . Naaaahhhh!”
“What’s bouncing around in that empty space above your shoulders?” Mac asked him.
“Something incredibly stupid. Can I use your phone?” Carl asked as he reached for the phone.
***
“Helen, is Mrs. Ackerman out of the office yet?” Carl asked Mac’s secretary.
“Oh, well see if you can get her back for a moment. Yeah I’ll wait.” Carl turned to Mac. “Ackerman was on the rescue flight, the one that got Donald.”
“So?”
“He was also in the bottom, in the crew quarters.”
“Yeah, but I don’t see what you’re getting at.”
“He was one—Yeah, Helen, yeah thanks. Ah, no that isn’t necessary. I just need to ask her one question, just put her on the phone.”
“Yes, Mrs. Ackerman, I need to ask you something. . . .”
“Yes, of course we took you serious. . . .”
“Well, you said the change was swift. Can you remember exactly when you feel that this change occurred? . . .”
“I see, and you’re sure of that? Yes, yes, and thank you again. I will be in touch. You give me a call anytime at all . . . Yes, yes I will,” Carl said, hanging up the phone.
He looked at Mac. “Ohhh boooy Now isn’t that a real coincident.”
“Now what?”
“Oh, just some speculation, putting some silly scenarios together in my head.”
“Such as?”
“Jennifer Ackerman definitely says the man that came back from the Reliance mission was not the same one that left five days earlier!” Carl declared.
“Ah, come on, you’re not trying to tell me that Ackerman and Donald are somehow connected?”
“I’m not saying anything. I’m just trying to make some sense of Mrs. Ackerman’s concerns about her husband.”
“You are taking her serious then?”
“What was your impression with her?”
“I don’t know, but couples can go through some strange times. There could be anything happening there, but she’s no dummy, I’ll give her that,” Mac conceded.
“Look, Mac, she came to us to try to find some answers. How about we get out there and find out if there is anything to what’s got her spooked?”
“I guess we can do that, but don’t do anything to make anyone think this is connect with Donald, in any way. People will think we’re nuts, and I wouldn’t blame them,” Mac suggested.
“Ackerman was downstairs, close to Donald,” Carl started planning his moves.
“Whoa!” Mac snapped. “I thought we agreed to keep Donald out of this?”
“In general, yes, but between us—”
“I said, that as far as this office is concerned,” Mac interrupted, “there is no connection, period,” Mac was adamant.
“How the hell am I supposed to find any answers, if I can’t investigate all the angles?”
“Just work on satisfying Mrs. Ackerman, don’t go overboard.”
“That’s what’s on my mind.”
“What are you planning?” Mac asked suspiciously.
“Check around, find out if anyone else notices any changes in Ackerman.”
“That sounds safe, . . . okay.”
“Just between you and I, I think we should give Smithers a call and see if she’ll do some comparisons between Ackerman and Donald, their alpha readouts.”
“Not a chance!” Mac shouted. “And that is an order!”
“An order?” Carl laughed.
Mac sat back in his chair, tipping it on it’s springs. He looked at Carl with an angry expression. “I’m concerned about the program,” he said sternly. “We can’t appear to be spending time probing silly accusations.” Mac banged forward, his feet slamming on the floor. “It’s my responsibility because the buck stops here.”
“Mac, the worst thing that could happen to this office is that we disregard any possibilities.”
“I agree, but this direction is crazy, there’s no basis for—”
“Jennifer Ackerman was just in here,” Carl cut him off, “and stated that we sent her husband on a mission and he didn’t come back, someone else did.”
“It’s all crap.”
“Winston told me that something was happening.”
“Carl!” Mac shouted. “Winston is just a trouble maker. You know, your job is to solve problems, not creating new ones.”
“I’m going to do this independent.”
“Don’t bother calling Smithers, she knows better than to stick her nose in this. I warned her just last week.”
Chapter 21
MAC ASKED INTO HIS PHONE - “Why can’t we meet here? I don’t like to conduct business out of my office . . .”
Mac listened.
“The air strip? . . .”
“I don’t have time to be taking any trips. . . .”
“All right.” Mac put the phone down, scratching his head. “Christ, one thing after another,” he grumbled to himself.
***
Mac and an unknown man were in the back of a semi dark, private plane. The strange man was dressed in a black suit, dark glasses hiding his eyes. Mac was seated in one of the posh chairs blending out from the side of the cabin. The man remained standing.
“I can’t tell you where this came from. I can’t even tell you if it is possible. But, if it is, it may be what is happening,” the man said.
Mac sat thinking, This guy has to be a government spook, his appearance testifies to that.
“You’re as batty as Winston Adams, if you think I’m going to take this serious,” Mac answered.
“Don’t make the mistake of blowing Mr. Adams off, not entirely, anyway,” the man lectured. “We don’t think he is just a coincidence. We are giving you a chance to aline with us. If
this is real Mr. McMillian, you don’t want to be on the other side, trust me.”
“I’m a scientist for Christ sake, I can’t be running off, chasing lost souls.”
“This may be a new science, or something else entirely Mr. McMillian. You of all people should know we are reaching new plateaus all the time.”
The man stood and returned to the cockpit, sitting back in the copilots seat.
Chapter 22
“THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH ME - Mac,” Henry Ackerman said, extending his hand.
Mac took the hand to just shake, but Henry grasped Mac’s hand firmly and pumped it, not relinquishing the hold. Mac was at first uncomfortable, but seemed to change his mind.
“I know I can count on you,” Henry said, still grasping Mac’s hand, placing his other hand over Mac’s and looking deep into his eyes. “It’s time the program took on some new directions, don’t you think?”
Mac didn’t respond and he seemed to be in some sort of trance.
“I know I can count on you,” Henry repeated, loosening his tight hold and smiling at Mac. He then turned and left Mac standing there, uncertain.
Chapter 23
CARL STUCK HIS HEAD INTO MAC’S OFFICE - “Mac, did you know that Ackerman is scheduled to go on the shuttle mission in less than thirty days?”
“I thought that was against policy,” Mac said not looking up.
“I thought so too, but apparently somebody goofed. I’m meeting with the scheduling director in an hour. I’ll let you know how this one slipped by.”
***
Carl was at the meeting with the scheduling director, a Colonel Wisp.
“Colonel Wisp,” Carl started, “I thought that the astronauts were supposed to have a training and resting interval between their flights?”
“Yes, that has been the policy, until now,” Wisp, a staunch looking soldier type replied. His square face, military hair cut, and perfectly fitting uniform with rows of ribbons gave him the look of the guy you wanted with his hand on the button, if you desired to blow up the world. The only thing missing was the big stogy dancing ominously with his words, only because the building had a nonsmoking rule.
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