The Arcturus Man

  “I don’t think it does. I am convinced that Reisinger and Anderson are rogues,” said Jared.

  “You don’t think Obama is in on it?” asked John. “That guy is capable of anything dumb, just think about the secret CIA gulags.”

  “Obama is corrupt, but he’s not stupid,” said Jared.

  “I also don’t see the White House knowingly getting involved in this. After all, as good as your invention might be, this is small potatoes,” said John.

  “John, I don’t think you are grasping how revolutionary Jared’s technology is. It isn’t small potatoes by a long shot. Obama is working on his legacy. He wants to win the war against global terrorism, it is not inconceivable that he would do anything to get his hands on Jared’s gizmo. It could even detect roadside bombs and people wearing bomb belts. Isn’t that right Jared?” asked Brett.

  “Yes, and it can work at a distance of about 100 meters. I haven’t tested it, but the math suggests that it could do that,” said Jared. “Actually, the range could be vastly greater than that but sorting out the right…ahh…signal, so to speak, gets extremely complicated with distance…the inverse of the cube of the distance apart…so the difficulty becomes exponential. I think I can solve that problem, but I need more time.”

  “Wow! I knew something about your invention but I had no idea it was that effective. How does it work?” asked John.

  “You don’t want to know. It is very technical. The basic concept is based on that all things are connected at the Quantum level,” said Jared.

  “That’s another way of saying I wouldn’t understand it if you explained how it worked,” said John.

  “Well, yes.”

  John feigned looking wounded.

  “Maybe I can simplify it. You’re not a physicist John so no one should expect you to understand physics. All scanning technology to date relies on either sensing at the molecular level…sniffing…or scanning in the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from ultraviolet, through visible light, infrared, radio waves and x-rays. My technology is able to detect at the subatomic level—the weak forces—and it is highly tunable. It isn’t a refinement of any other technology. It is entirely unique and has never been done before. In fact, I don’t believe that any scientist has even theorized it.”

  “So it’s radioactive?” asked John.

  “Not at all. You have to throw whatever you learned in college about energy and matter out the window. Imagine that every substance in the universe has a thin string tied to it and that they’re all tied together. I can find the right string in the knot for every substance and—so to speak—pull on it until it moves. Then I know it is the right string. This force is a close relative of gravity, but at this point it’s becoming not so simple to explain.”

  “Neat,” said Brett. “So this is why they can’t figure out your patent without getting the know how from you. As you said, they don’t have the science to figure it out.”

  “They do not have the science,” said Jared.

  “So this is the String Theory I’ve read about,” said Brett.

  “String Theory is different. I regretted using the term string as soon as I said it,” said Jared.

  It was fascinating, but John never went to an Ivy League college like Jared and Brett did and was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. He only had one physics course at George Mason and only passed with a D. He wanted to change the subject.

  “Let’s get back to the problem we are trying to solve. Is there anything we can do to put Reisinger and Anderson on ice?” asked John.

  “These are powerful politicos. I don’t see how we can touch them unless we had hard evidence that they can’t make disappear,” said Brett.

  “That isn’t as impossible as you may think. I have information on both of them that could take them out,” said Jared.

  “What information?” asked John.

  “For the time being, you and Brett are better off not knowing any more than I said. Trust me,” said Jared.

  “Why don’t you let us decide what’s good for us,” said John.

  “Ditto,” said Brett.

  “You’ll have to trust me guys,” said Jared. “Trust me that you don’t want to know what I know.”

  Brett and John looked at each other. They nodded.

  “So why aren’t you using this information?” asked Brett.

  “It’s not the right time. Soon. Soon,” said Jared.

  “There is something that just isn’t logical. It’s obvious that this new technology has tremendous commercial value, not to mention putting most terrorists out of business. You said that the U.S. Government doesn’t have the science to figure out this technology you discovered without your help. If that is true, killing you makes no sense. You would be taking this secret with you to the grave,” said Brett.

  “That has occurred to me,” said Jared. “It just means that there are enemies who want me dead so no one ever has access to this technology and there are enemies who would do anything to make certain that I stay alive. The first group are probably terrorists and the second group want the technology to either make money or benefit the nation…perhaps altruistically,” said Jared.

  “Yea, that makes sense,” said John.

  “I would guess that Reisinger and Anderson are in group two,” said Brett.

  “Reisinger certainly knows about my patent. Anderson, however, thinks I’m the anti-Christ...or some crap like that. Reisinger probably keeps him in the dark to keep him as an ally. The Justice Department is useful, even for the CIA. Reisinger is definitely in group two. I doubt Anderson knows very much about the patent, or if he does, he probably doesn’t grasp the implications. He’s doing the work of God in getting rid of me, not Mammon. He’s group one,” said Jared.

  “My boss is a nut case. And the Russians?” asked John.

  “The Russians are more difficult to focus on. I can’t get them clear in my head. Penkovskiy could be group one and Zhidov, two, but I’m guessing. Zhidov is clearly in it for the money.”

  “Let me get this straight. Group one guys want you dead and group two wants to keep you alive. That means Reisinger and Zhidov aren’t behind attempts on your life and in as much as Anderson is clueless, it’s Penkovskiy who’s pulling the strings to assassinate you,” said John.

  “That’s possible,” said Jared, “but it would mean that Penkovskiy is tied to some terrorist organization. I can’t visualize him working with the Chechen terrorists. It doesn’t add up,” said Jared. “My assumptions could be wrong.”

  John was now in his element. He was comfortable again.

  “It does add up. There are Chechen terrorists with ties to Al Queada. The death of their leader, Shamil Basayev, in July 2006 was a blow to their movement. They’re desperate. What’s Penkovskiy’s background? Any chance he came from Chechnya?” asked John.

  “He’s a Great Russian…that is, he’s from European Russia. He isn’t a Chechen,” said Jared.

  “Still, there’s something there,” said John.

  “Maybe,” said Jared.

  “Let’s follow the money. It’s always about the money. Can you get Dieter to help? See who has money in some Swiss bank,” said John.

  “That’s a great idea,” said Brett.

  “OK, I’ll ask Dieter. I’m sure he’ll give it a shot,” said Jared.

  Jared’s cell phone started ringing. He glanced at the caller ID.

  “It’s Jenny. You don’t have to leave. This will just take a minute,” said Jared. He flipped his cell phone open.

  “What?” said Jared.

  “Greetings Mr. Siemels,” said Sami. He spoke in Russian.

  Jared covered the mouth piece with his palm.

  “It’s Zhidov. He has Jenny’s cell phone,” he whispered. Jared turned on the speaker phone feature and set the phone on the counter. John pulled out his note pad and held his pen at the ready. This was just too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence. They were just talking about him and now he’s on the ph
one.

  “How did you get Miss Nilsson’s phone Sami?” asked Jared in Russian. “You know my name? I am flattered Mr. Siemels. May I call you Jared or perhaps Jorens?” asked Sami.

  “Answer my question,”

  “Is it not obvious? I took it from your lady friend.”

  “Get to the point then.”

  “I like doing business that is to the point. You will kill yourself in twenty-four hours or Miss Nilsson will experience a long and painful death with great indignity. You will do this for sweetheart. Give me an answer now,” said Sami.

  “I want proof of life Sami. She may be dead already.”

  “Then hang up phone.”

  “Has she been harmed in any way? You can tell me that.”

  “No, no, not harmed. She is a beautiful woman. I must admit I peek, but that all. I will call with instructions tomorrow. I inform you of the time and location where you commit suicide. It be public place. You have 30 minutes to die after I call. You drive to Boston in morning, arrive at 12:00 and wait at Dolphin Seafood Restaurant in Cambridge. Have drinks. Eat excellent last meal. I listen to news on televizor and read newspapers. I have friends at public place to observe your death. If you not dead in twentyfour hours, she is mine. Here. I have photo of sweetheart for you. Take a good look.”

  Jared glanced at the LCD screen on his phone. A photo of Jenny appeared. Her mouth was taped shut. Her face was bruised. A leering Sami was holding her by her hair, forcing her to look into the camera.

  “Yes, I will do as you ask. How do you wish me to die?”

  “You shoot bullet into brain. Simple. Quick.”

  Jared didn’t bother asking how he could guarantee that Jenny would be unharmed and freed if he did as he asked. There was no point to the question. She would die regardless.

  Sami hung up. Jared erased the photo of Jenny from is cell phone. He had memorized every detail in the scene but he was not going to let anyone else see it.

  “CHRIST, JARED,” said Brett. Brett and John were in shock.

  “I guess we now know he is group one. There are no accomplices. If he’s waiting to hear of my death on TV news, there are no accomplices. He’s on his own. Moreover, he tells me to leave for Boston in the morning. It’s a three-hour drive. That means he needs the time to travel somewhere. He is leaving the Boston area now,” said Jared.

  “Any chances you record your phone calls? It’s cellular so maybe not,” asked John.

  “Yes, all calls are recorded.”

  “He wouldn’t dare fly into the United States. He must have come in from Canada. There are a lot of abandoned logging roads that cross the Canadian and Maine border. He is probably either going deep into Northern Maine or possibly back into Canada,” said John.

  “I’ve never heard of a scheme like this before. This is one for the books. A guy calls and tells you to off yourself. That is beyond brazen. This guy’s got balls of steel.” said Brett.

  John spoke up. “You know how thin the Border Patrol is on the Canadian border. Maine is in the Houlton Sector. I sit in for the Bureau from time to time at the JTF-N meetings with the Canadians, that’s the Joint Task Force North. I’m also on the Integrated Border Enforcement Team, IBET, so I know something about this. There are sensors concealed at many crossover locations. Granted, moose and deer constantly trip some of the sensors…albeit not the ferrous metal sensors…and the 20-foot cleared zone is usually overgrown with weeds and brush. They don’t respond to every sensor activation, but there is a record of where and when each alarm occurred, but there could be hundreds of alarms in a 24-hour period,” said John.

  “What about aerial reconnaissance? Might that have picked him up?” asked Brett.

  “Hell, this is a 600 mile, or so, border running through woods and along the rivers. The odds are slim, Brett,” said John. “They recently completed a joint US-Canadian exercise called Ardent Sentry. Unless you’re looking for something like a tank, the aerial and satellite stuff is useless.”

  “Can you get the alarm records for the past few days?” asked Jared.

  “I’m certain I can,” said John.

  “At least it might narrow down the area. Sami is likely to use the same route to get back into Canada,” said Jared.

  “Can’t we get the Canadians to pick him up as he tries to leave?” asked Brett. “We’re assuming he crossed into Maine on some old logging trail. Couldn’t he have entered through a legal border station using false credentials?” asked Brett.

  “That’s possible, but it would be risky for him,” said Jared.

  “Well, do I report this Jared?” asked John. “He didn’t say anything about not alerting law enforcement. Anderson probably has you flagged so he will see it right away.”

  “By all means. I want Anderson to see the report. He wants me dead. I know there’s a risk that he will stall the effort to find Jenny before I’ve killed myself, but it’s worth taking the risk. After I’m out of the way, he knows that he will be under a lot of pressure to find the perpetrator. This is an odd enough story that it should get national coverage, especially if they film me killing myself,” said Jared. “I take it for granted that the Bureau and the Mass Staties are going to have the area staked out and under heavy surveillance.”

  “You’re freaking me out Jared. You’re not actually thinking of going along with Zhidov’s demand?” asked Brett. “You know that they can’t possibly allow you to commit suicide under their watch. They would have complicity.”

  “They’ll assume that I won’t really go through with it and that I’m just stalling for time. Standing by and allowing a suicide to occur isn’t legally aiding or abetting. You know as well as I that doctors do this all of the time,” said Jared.

  “I didn’t say anything about a criminal act. You’re right, however. Suicide was decriminalized in the 90s, but law enforcement would still have a liability exposure as a civil matter in that they would be failing to perform their duty to preserve and protect life. Your estate could sue,” said Brett.

  John began pacing around the kitchen.

  “You know he’s going to kill her. He can’t risk allowing her to live and still have any reasonable chance of getting out of Canada,” said John.

  He has to keep her alive and healthy until my death is confirmed, completely confirmed. On the other hand, if he has the slightest suspicion that my death has been hoaxed, he will kill her and run,” said Jared. “I have to depend on you John. I can’t search for Jenny and keep Sami’s tight schedule. Brett, I need you to help coordinate this…thing…in Boston, especially with the news media so it gets a lot of coverage. And, I need you both to keep law enforcement off my back. They can’t be meddling in what I have to do,” said Jared.

  John and Brett looked at each. Neither wanted to say what he was thinking, but their concern about what Jared might be planning was growing. Both knew Jared long enough to have learned that he was to one degree or another, suicidal at times. The kidnapping might just push him over the edge. Worse, Jenny might just be an excuse.

  “Jared, I want to hear you tell me that you’re not actually going to kill yourself,” said John.

  Jared was staring out of the window. He ignored the question.

  “You’re the smartest guy I know, Jared. Can’t you profile Zhidov, you know, at least give me some kind of framework I can develop?” asked John.

  “Ginger, I need you,” said Jared.

  Ginger materialized on his laptop.

  “Yes, Jared, I have been monitoring the situation. Would you like to hear Sami’s phone call again?” asked Ginger.

  “No. Summarize what we have surmised on the basis of highest probability. I have a lot of preparations before I have to leave for Boston in the morning. I need your help. Get on the Internet and research the key information to locate Sami. Give me printouts.”

  “Yes Jared. “

  Jared went to the hall closet and pulled a cardboard box from the top shelve. He brought the box to the kitchen counter, op
ened it, and took out a Colt .22 Woodsman.

  “This was not good,” thought John.

  A 22 caliber handgun was not going to blow your brains out but it was good enough to be an excellent assassination weapon in the hands of an expert. They are routinely used for execution killings. In fact, the CIA had special .22 handguns manufactured for them, such as the High Standard HD. Jared opened a kitchen drawer and found several boxes of ammo, both shorts and long rifle cartridges.

  Ginger reappeared a few minutes later. She was very fast.

  “What do you have Ginger?” asked Jared.

  John and Brett gathered around the laptop.

  “I am not at all comfortable with the probabilities Jared. I also must report that I was unable to get through the fire walls for most of the air carriers or TSA,” said Ginger. “It can be done but I will need more time.”

  “Understood! What do you have so far?”

  The printer started as soon as Ginger began to speak.

  “Point 1, that he phoned soon after you were talking about him is a coincidence.”

  “Point 2, he would have attempted to obfuscate as much as possible, realizing that we would try to track his movements. He did not come directly from Russia. He likely changed flights at one or two intermediate airports. I conclude that the best probability is that he flew into Montreal, possibly from Heathrow. I am uncertain about that time frame.”

  “Point 3, although the Maine-Canadian border is porous, heightened U.S. and Canadian concerns about infiltration make it unlikely that he would initially cross the border on trails or back roads. There would be less risk if he used false credentials to enter at an official border crossing. If he is discovered, the worst that can happen is deportation. There are no outstanding warrants. On the other hand, I expect that his escape route will be on old logging roads and not at official crossings. He knows he will be hunted.”

  “Point 4, radio is no longer a good source of secondary news and he will not wish to wait for newspaper accounts. He will wish to have access to television news for an account of Jared’s death. He could not rely on access to commercial television reception in many northern parts of Maine, even in larger towns. Local motels have very limited television and few, if any, can get Boston television channels. Moreover, motel managers would remember him. He will not be at a motel. Additionally, that he would take the risk of moving Jenny into a motel room is unlikely. Consequently, he is using a satellite dish for reception. He will be tuned to stations WBZ, WHDH, or WCVB. Maine is very northern. The satellite dish will have to be at a very high altitude with a good view of the southern sky in order to see a feeding satellite. He will be on or near high elevation, such as a mountain.”