Richter glanced at the soiled patch of carpet, considering the information. One of his men approached and whispered something. A brief nod and all the “men in black” left the house, except for one standing by the front door.
“We’ve ascertained that Constable Habbib has been dumped in a trash bin in the alley behind the house. Ballistics will confirm Andropov’s guards killed him, but for now, we only have your word. Until all the pieces are sorted, I would appreciate both of you staying in this country.” Richter stood and moved toward the front door.
“How long is that going to take?” Michael demanded.
The Captain stopped and turned slowly to face Michael. “We work until we have all the evidence and the truth about who the murderer is. At this point, any one of you could have killed a police officer, and that’s a serious offense in this country. Please gentlemen, relax, and I’ll work as quickly as I can.” He turned and strode out the door.
Michael glanced at Walker, who shrugged in response. Now, what do we do? Can I trust him or is he going to carry out the original plan for his own gain? Who else were the Russians working for? I’ll give him the money and some to Habbib’s family before we go home.
“Want another one?” Sam asked from the kitchen doorway.
“No, I’m good still,” Michael said, and Walker agreed.
“I meant what I said,” Walker faintly spoke. “We were just doing this for the money and meant you no harm. If you don’t want to give me the money, I’ll understand.”
Michael turned slightly and stared in shock. When he finally managed to wrap his mind around the man’s nerve, he began to speak.
“I said I’d pay you to walk away without the program, but now I don’t need to do that. What the hell makes you think I should still give you anything?”
“You’re quite right. I am overstepping, but I had hoped you would still consider some compensation for my help.”
“Huh, you didn’t pull the trigger, but you are just as guilty of killing Habbib as the Russians.” He let his anger run for a minute in silence. “I’ll give his family five million just like he wanted, but you get half that for helping me send the message to my office. You should be grateful I didn’t tell Richter about your involvement in this whole situation.”
“I am, and thank you. As soon as we receive permission to leave the country, I’ll gladly disappear.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Sam said as he came back into the living room. The expression on his face told Michael he’d been listening at the doorway. “Can you take us back to the hotel?” he stared at Walker.
“Get your things and I’ll drive you. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.” He was a defeated and broken man.
Ten minutes later, the three of them left the house. The car seemed cramped on the drive back to the hotel. Sam spoke to the receptionist when they arrived about extending the length of their stay, and Michael pulled the bags to the elevator. His level of exhaustion increased the longer they took to get up to the room.
“They’ve booked us in for another week, but we can leave anytime we want...if Richter gives us the all clear,” he grinned. “The clerk said they were a bit concerned when the staff found our room emptied out this morning. They thought we skipped out on the bill.”
“I’m not surprised. I just want to sleep for a couple of days and then I’ll worry about going home,” Michael groaned, sagging against the wall of the elevator. Both men practically fell into the room as the door swung open. Sam pushed his boss out of the way in a dash for the bathroom. Michael smiled and dragged his bag into the bedroom. He was about to flop on the bed when he remembered the cell phone.
Energy swept through his body, cutting away any remaining fatigue. His hands clawed at the zipper and then searched for the phone. The flashing light pulled his fingers like a magnet. He grasped the circuit board and stared.
A signal. Not Morse Code, but the message had to be coming from the computer in his office at home. He watched the light, struggling to figure out what the flashes meant. Rapid bursts followed by darkness. Numbers, now he understood. Once he figured out the first word, the rest was easy.
Message sent. Help will arrive shortly. Please respond when safe.
The words repeated. His computer had been sending the same message for twelve hours or more.
He punched the numbers to send the word safe and turned off the phone. The system worked. All he had to do now was try the real thing. Once they were back in California, he would do a few more tests and then take the jump himself. How and why Joe disappeared wouldn’t be a secret much longer.
The telephone on the stand by the bed rang. His jangled nerves wouldn’t let him pick up the receiver until the third ring.
“Hello,” he said hesitantly.
“Michael, I’m so glad to hear your voice. Are you okay?” The female voice seemed familiar, but he needed a couple of seconds to remember who she was.
“Heather, yes, we’re doing well, but how did you know I was at this hotel?” his heart fluttered.
“I got a strange fax message just now. There wasn’t a return phone number, but the note said to call you and gave me a number. I thought you might be in trouble, and I was worried. So, where did it come from?” her voice seemed to relax as she spoke.
“Sam, my pilot, must have sent the fax, but we’re okay. I’ll tell you all about our adventures here when I get back.” He knew Sam wasn’t responsible.
“When are you coming back?” she sounded worried, and he felt guilty.
“I’m not sure, but for now, let’s say a couple more days. We’ve been out hiking all day, and I need a shower...badly. Can I call you later?” He knew if he started a full conversation, he’d have to give her all the details.
“I suppose so, but you better not forget. I’ll be home at eight tonight.” There was silence on the line for a second. “That’s tomorrow morning your time, so I’ll give you a grace period in case you sleep late. If you haven’t called me by ten, though, I’m not going to speak to you even when you get back.”
“I’ll set my alarm.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “I’m really glad to hear your voice, and I missed you. We’ll be back soon, I promise.” He heard the concern in his own voice, but he felt too tired to pretend to sound happy. They said their goodbyes and hung up.
“A shower really perks you up,” Sam said at the doorway. He was dressed, but still drying his hair. “Who was on the phone?” The memory of him standing in the living room wearing soiled pants surfaced and made Michael regret having come on this trip.
“Heather. She got an anonymous fax message telling her to call me here. You didn’t send her anything, did you?”
“How could I?”
Michael shrugged, knowing the message had been sent by his computer. The realization made him happy and afraid. His creation was autonomous, which seemed on the surface to be a good thing, but autonomy also meant the computer could just as easily turn on the person who created the machine. Suppose he did something to anger it, what then. How could he trust a thinking machine when he went back in time? Maybe it isn’t that smart, he thought. This was just one situation, a fluke that didn’t prove anything. The computer seemed to have artificial intelligence, but that could be the same as giving the pet dog human traits. His computer acted logically, and that was all there was to consider.
He grabbed some clean clothes out of the suitcase and headed for the shower. The warm spray felt wonderful, and he closed down his mind and let the water take away the stress of the last couple of days. Now he had to be patient and relax until they could return to California.
“I’ve made a reservation downstairs in the hotel restaurant for an hour from now.” Michael was just coming into the main room. “We can eat, drink, and relax without going anywhere. After that, we will get a good night’s sleep. Who knows, maybe that captain will let us go tomorrow.” Sam leaned against the bar and seemed chipper, so Michael let him babble. He’d be happy staying in
the room where he knew they’d be safe, but arguing the point would take energy he didn’t have.
“Ok, but if I fall over after the first drink, just kick me under the table until you’re ready to go and then drag my sorry ass back here. I can’t believe you’ve got any energy left after what we’ve been through,” Michael watched Sam fidget with the glass of whiskey in his hand. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry about me, I’ve been through worse. I thought I was dead back there.” His face blanched. “I was scared when they shot Habbib, but I’m fine now. My ass is dragging too, but I learned a long time ago to keep moving until you get a second wind. I’m not saying we but sitting around here isn’t going to make us feel any better. Going to the restaurant might not be the solution, but we’ll be moving, and that helps a lot.” He tossed back the liquor, set the glass on the bar, and grabbed Michael by the shoulders. “You saved us both, and I’ll never forget that.”
“I didn’t do anything. You would’ve done the same for me. I’m just sorry Detective Habbib had to die. I hope the money will make some sort of difference in his family’s life. I don’t know if I’m as happy about being able to time travel as I was a few days ago. I should just destroy the program when we get back so nobody else dies. Finding out what happened to Joe isn’t worth paying with human lives.” He turned away and flopped onto the sofa.
“That’s true, Mike, but you aren’t the only one with an investment in your program. Everyone in your business has spent time and hard work developing the software package and the technology. Maybe not for the same reasons as you, but they’ve got an equal stake in your future. They believe in you and your vision. The real point for the program isn’t important to them, but if they knew, they might be as excited as you were a few days ago. Hell, I was, and I don’t understand any of that stuff, so why wouldn’t they? Trying to travel through time to find out what happened to your friend isn’t the noblest cause, but at least that reason makes sense.”
“My vision, my quest, got a man killed, Sam. How am I supposed to live with that? What happens if I go back in time and find out Joe just ran away? Everything that’s come since in my life would have been for nothing.”
“Only a rich man would see it that way,” Sam snorted. “I was almost killed for your discovery, and you still can’t see the benefits. You might not flaunt your money, but you sure measure your life by the wealth.” He walked over to the window.
“I do not,” Michael shot forward, filled with rage and energy once again. “I’ve always hated being rich, so I used the money to benefit as many individuals as I could.”
“Sure you do, but you still can’t see the successes and the thousands of people in your life that were changed because you had this dream. Look at whose lives you’ve touched and the changes you’ve made to the world by wanting to find your friend. Even if you go back and find nothing, the world will be a better place because you tried and that has to be worth one man’s death.” Sam slowly walked to the empty sofa in front of his boss and sat down.
Michael considered the words. After a moment, he smiled, feeling less tired.
“I wish I’d never put your life in danger. I’m sorry. You’re either a very smart man or the world’s best liar. This reminds me of that old movie where the guy finds out at Christmas that he has plenty of friends who care about him. What’s it called?” Michael snapped his fingers trying to remember.
“The one with Jimmie Stuart?” Sam grinned.
“Yeah, that one. Except his problem was money, and I don’t have that problem.”
“Nope, but you both see only the forest and not the trees.”
Michael smiled sadly. Silence in the room stretched without them looking at each other.
“All right, if I admit you’re right, can we go for supper?” Michael stood.
Sam looked up at him. “Well,” he asked.
“Well, what?” Michael demanded while thinking, this is getting old fast, and I’m becoming hungry.
“Aren’t you going to admit it?”
“Shut up, and let’s go.” Michael chuckled and headed for the door. “Remind me to fire you when we get back to the states.”
“It’s a wonderful life,” Sam said as they entered the elevator.
Chapter 15
They endured three more days of hiding in the hotel or cautiously wandering the streets before someone came to their room. Michael opened the door to see Captain Richter standing in the hallway dressed in gray casual pants and a black golf shirt. His badge was pinned to his belt like the movie cops. A large handgun hung from his right hip, but he was smiling.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Eldridge and Mr. Worthy,” Richter said as Michael closed the door. “I hope you’ve spent a pleasant few days in my country. We’ve determined that you were telling the truth. You’re free to go home now.” The smile never faltered or diminished.
“Thank you, Captain.” Michael extended a hand. “We’ll leave first thing in the morning. I have something I’d like you to give to Detective Habbib’s family.” Michael trotted into the bedroom and returned with two white envelopes. “This is my way of saying I’m sorry for their loss, but I hope they put the money to good use. This one is for Walker.” Michael handed them to Richter.
“I’ll make sure Habbib’s family gets this, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to deliver this one to Mr. Walker…he’s dead.”
Michael staggered back, his mind reeling. “How did that happen?”
Richter shrugged. “We don’t know. His body was fished out of the harbor this morning. There were two bullet holes in his forehead. If I had to guess, I’d say the Russians were making an example of him. They didn’t get what they wanted.” He made a helpless gesture with his hands. Michael nodded his understanding and went to the bar.
“I’m having a drink. Are you allowed alcohol on duty or is this a social call?”
“I drink Scotch, and I’m not on duty.” He waited to take the glass from Michael and then sat on the sofa. “You two caused quite a sensation in this country.”
“We didn’t hear anything on the news,” Sam coughed.
Michael nodded. He wanted to add that they hadn’t started the nightmare.
“Quite right, Mr. Worthy. Unlike the American media, when the police in this country want something off the record, that’s what happens. There will never be any mention of your escapades here, or the deaths of those men.” The smile was gone, replaced by a stone mask. Richter’s face turned pale, and the blue color of his eyes turned to slate as he took a sip of his whiskey. Michael sensed the anger coming off the police officer in waves.
“Thank you again, Captain.” Michael held his glass toward Richter in a toasting gesture. Three glasses touched and each man took a sip before Michael continued. “This is a little off topic, but please don’t take offense to what I’m about to ask you. I need a security chief now, especially in the light of what’s happened. Would you be interested in the position?”
A broad smile appeared on Richter’s face as he set the glass on the table. He glanced up at Michael and then the grin faltered. “Are you serious?” he asked.
“I’m trying not to be one of those pushy American businessmen. I like you, and I think you have the skills and connections to fill the position. Our pension plan will make whatever you’re earning now look like pocket change if that makes a difference to your decision.”
“That’s a very flattering offer, but why would you think I’d be willing to leave the Royal Police Force? My work is about more than the money.” The man had self-assurance enough for six people.
“Fair enough and I won’t push, but if you ever change your mind...”
“How much are you talking about?” The desperation in his voice was subtle but loud enough to hear.
Michael looked over at Sam, and the pilot winked. “Are you married?”
“No, so there aren’t any strings to keep me here. My parents are dead, and my brother is already living in Texas, so there
are more reasons for me to go than to stay.”
“You’ll receive a house, a car, and six figures a year. Ten percent goes directly into a retirement fund, which is matched by the company. You have to work for me for five years before you can collect, but in the unfortunate event that you’re killed before then, I’ll send the money to your brother. Do we have a deal?” Michael’s face turned blank. He was good at making deals. He also believed that having the best people was worth being generous.
Richter held out his hand, and they shook. “Your offer is overwhelming; so how could I resist. I’ll need a few days to tidy up my affairs. Will that be a problem?”
“Take all the time you need. There’ll be a ticket waiting for you at the airport. When you get to California,” Michael pulled a business card out of his wallet and handed it to Richter, “come and see me as soon as you get into town. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Eldridge, it’ll be my pleasure.” Richter stood to leave.
“One thing I think is relatively important to your position, and this might be a deal breaker,” Michael frowned, and Richter lost his smile. “Since we’re going to be working closely together, you can call me Michael.” He grinned and so did Richter.
“In that case, you can call me Jon.”
Sam called the airport and filed their flight plan for the next morning. “That’s if nobody else tries to kidnap us,” he commented
“I don’t think they’d attempt to now. Besides, we have police protection until we board the plane,” Michel responded.
Sam went to his bedroom saying he wanted a nap. Michael waited until he thought Heather would be at work and called her there. He ached to hear her voice. They chatted for an hour about his arrival time and plans once they landed. She kept her voice controlled, but Michael could tell she was excited to see him home.
An Altered Course Page 17