The Formula

by Don Viecelli

  Jack ignored the request. “Captain Black is involved in the murders. So is Ivan Hellstrom—and probably others. Captain Black planted the drugs in my apartment to get me out of the way. I have proof, a voice recording, but I can’t use it in court.”

  “Jesus, Jack! What do you want me to do?”

  “I need you to escort Ingrid back to Ares. I’m working with the space marshals now and I want you to turn her over to them for safekeeping. Will you do it?”

  Tom thought for a moment. “Sure, Jack. Where and when?”

  Jack gave him the place and time and his phone number to call when he got there.

  “I’m glad you’re back, Jack. See you soon.” Tom hung up the smartcom.

  Jack felt relieved. He needed to protect Ingrid if things went bad. It was better this way. He could count on Tom to get Ingrid back to Ares before someone found them.

  Jack prepared for the next step in his plan. He went upstairs and found Ingrid’s handbag with the memcard and agreement. He removed the label and placed it on a blank card he had brought with him. He taped the original card underneath a dresser drawer. He didn’t want either of them carrying the real card in case they were caught, and he needed a bargaining chip. He put the blank card and the agreement in his backpack with the ten stolen drug vials and other memcards. The vials were kept inside a small plastic container that was padded for protection. Hidden inside the container’s foam padding was a GPS location device for tracking purposes. If the container were separated from him, the space marshals would be able to find it. That was part of the deal he cut with Inspector Madison.

  Then Jack checked his weapons. He would keep his semi-automatic handgun and give the laser gun to Ingrid. It was small and easy to use. He would show her how it works when she got up. Jack went back downstairs. He tested the implanted microphone in his ear. He gave a verbal command to turn on the device. Since it was a wireless link, Jack could record everything on his smartcom as a backup device. He left it on record. He counted backwards out loud from ten and played it back on his smartcom. Everything sounded normal. He spoke again and turned off the device. He had another number Inspector Madison had given him to call in case of an emergency. The space marshals who were monitoring him would come as quickly as they could. The rest was up to him.

  It was time to call Ivan. He dialed Ivan’s number. Ivan’s assistant answered. “Good afternoon, Mister Hellstrom’s office. May I help you?”

  “I’m looking for Mister Hellstrom. Is he in?”

  “I’m sorry, Mister Hellstrom is away from the office. May I take a message or would you like to leave a message on his voice-mail?”

  “Voicemail would be fine, thank you.” At the prompt, Jack left his message. “Mister Hellstrom, this is Detective Helms. I have what you’re looking for. I want to make a deal. Call me back.” Jack left his number and hung up. He wondered how long it would take for Ivan to call him back.

  The doorbell buzzed. Jack looked at the front door monitor. It was the delivery person bringing the groceries. He opened the door and paid the kid for the delivery. Then he went about preparing dinner. The smell of food cooking woke up Ingrid and she came downstairs to see if Jack needed any help.

  “What are you cooking?” Ingrid asked as she entered the kitchen.

  “I thought some pasta and fish would be good for dinner. I know it’s early, but I’m starving. Are you hungry?”

  “Very. Can I help with something?” Ingrid asked with a smile.

  “You can pour the drinks. Dinner will be ready in five minutes.”

  While they ate dinner, Jack kept the conversation light. He didn’t want to upset her. He was almost finished eating when his smartcom buzzed. It was Tom. Jack asked, “Are you there?”

  “Almost. What do you want me to do next?”

  “Wait in the café across the square. I’ll be there shortly. I really appreciate this, Tom. I owe you one.”

  “No problem. I’ll wait for you.”

  Ingrid was listening to the conversation. It was time to tell her his decision. “I asked Tom to escort you back to Ares. I need you to be safe. What I have to do, I have to do alone. I hope you understand.” He reached across the table and held her hand.

  Ingrid looked hurt. “I don’t want to leave, Jack. I can help you.”

  “You’ve already done your part, Ingrid. I have the memcard and the drugs. But Ivan can’t be trusted. It’s too dangerous here.”

  Jack looked deep into Ingrid’s eyes. He could see she knew what he said was true. “I trust Tom. He’s a good detective. He will get you safely to the marshals.”

  “Alright, Jack. If that’s what you want, I’ll leave. But you have to promise me you won’t do anything foolish.”

  “I promise. I’ll stick to the plan. If things don’t look good, I pull out and let the space marshals handle it, just like we agreed.”

  Ingrid finally accepted Jack’s decision to leave.

  Jack had one more thing to discuss. He pulled out the laser gun and handed it to her. It was light and easy to shoot. He showed her how it worked. “Keep this on you in case you need it. I should be back in an hour. Don’t answer the door if anyone comes. Pack your things and get ready to leave. Tom will escort you to a police shuttle and fly you to Ares tonight.”

  “Okay. Be careful, Jack.” Jack said he would and got up from the table. He leaned over and kissed Ingrid on the cheek and said goodbye. He checked his gun one more time and put it back inside his shoulder holster. Then he left the condo.

  The train terminal was half a mile from the building. He hopped on the moving walkway. He found the café on the corner and looked for Tom. He saw him sitting in the corner drinking a cup of coffee. Jack didn’t see anybody watching him. He turned on his recording device just in case and walked inside. Tom recognized him and smiled. “It’s good to see you, Jack.” He shook Jack’s hand warmly.

  “Thanks for coming, Tom.” Jack sat down at the table.

  “You’re looking fit. How are things on Earth?”

  “They’re fine.” Jack filled him in on a few things of his stay, but didn’t go into any details. “I had some unfinished business to take care of. That’s why I’m here. Let’s go and I’ll tell you more on the way.” They left the café.

  “I’m going to try and make a deal with Ivan Hellstrom,” he began as they walked back to the condo. He went on to explain his plan, but he couldn’t tell Tom everything. He swore an oath to Captain Stiles and Inspector Madison that he would trust no one. It was safer that way they said.

  He led Tom to the condo building steps. They were so engrossed in talking with each other, neither of them heard a man quietly walk up behind them and stick a gun in Jack’s back.

  “Hello, Jack, Tom. Nice of you to come back for a visit, Jack. I’ve been expecting you.” It was Captain Black.

  Jack slowly turned around and faced the captain. He was alone. Somehow Jack had missed him. He couldn’t believe it. He looked at Tom wondering if he double-crossed him. Tom saw his expression and shook his head. “I didn’t tell anyone, Jack. He must have followed me.”

  “Tom’s right. He didn’t know I was following him. I figured you’d call him sooner or later. You’re too predictable, Jack,” Captain Black smirked. “Give me your weapons.”

  Jack and Tom turned over their weapons to Captain Black. He padded both of them down, but didn’t take their smartcoms.

  “What are you going to do, Captain?”

  “I’m guessing this is where you and Ingrid are staying. Am I right? I want the drugs you took from Ivan, and the items Ingrid got out of the locker at the space depot. Give them to me and I’ll let all of you go.”

  Jack wasn’t expecting this. He tried to keep him talking. “I already called Hellstrom and left a message, Captain. I told him I was willing to make a deal.”

  Captain Black was skeptical. “What kind of deal?”

  “Ingrid and I are willing to make a trade if he’ll let us go.”

 
; Captain Black laughed. “You and the lady are close, are you? Ivan will be glad to hear that.” He was being cynical.

  “We just want the charges dropped, Captain, so we can get on with our lives.” Jack wasn’t sure he would buy this.

  “It won’t work, Jack. Ivan wants you dead, and the woman—he has other plans for her.”

  “What’s in it for you?”

  “I only want the drugs Ivan owes me. Then I’m out of here. I suggest you two and Ingrid do the same.”

  “You’ll let us go?” Jack was surprised. “Why?”

  “If I turn you over to Ivan, he’ll have you killed. I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a murderer, Jack. Ivan never said he would kill anyone. He told me he just wanted the drugs and the new formula. That’s all. I think he went too far. Just give me what I want and I’ll go. I can’t stay on Mars any longer.” Captain Black realized he said too much and changed the subject. “Tell me, Jack. When did you figure I was involved?”

  “I found a picture of you and Hellstrom at a medical conference with Doctor Johanson and Ingrid. You never admitted you knew them. When Tom was hurt, I figured you helped Ivan kidnap Ingrid. Then I bugged Hellstrom’s place just before he called you to frame me.”

  Captain Black laughed. “You bugged Ivan’s place? That’s not like you, Jack. You won’t be able to use any of it in court.”

  “We came back to make a deal with Hellstrom. I give back the drugs and Ingrid gives Ivan the new formula he wants so badly. He lets Ingrid keep the discovery and they split the drug profits. A lot of money is at stake, enough for everyone. I plan to retire and forget all about this case.” Jack waited to see his reaction.

  Captain Black thought it over. “I’m sorry, Jack. I need the drugs, the formula and the agreement. When I see Ivan, I’ll tell him what you said. I don’t care what he does. You won’t see me again after this. Open the door.”

  I hope they’re getting every word of this, Jack thought. The marshals told him they could pick up the signal anywhere on Mars. They should be getting an earful now.

  They walked up the steps. Jack opened the door and they all went inside. Ingrid was sitting in the living room. She got up as soon as she heard the door open. “Is that you, Jack?” she yelled out.

  “It’s okay, Ingrid. I brought some company,” Jack said to alert her.

  Ingrid saw Captain Black holding a gun. She grabbed Jack’s arm. “Are you alright?”

  “Nice to see you again, Doctor Johanson.” Captain Black waved his gun in front of him. “I believe you have something I want.”

  “Don’t worry. He just wants the drugs and the other things from the locker. Then he’ll leave us alone. Get my backpack for him. It’s in the bedroom.”

  Ingrid went upstairs and found the gun Jack had given her. She carefully put it in the back of her waistband. Then she brought the backpack downstairs. She handed the bag to Captain Black. As he looked inside to check the items, Ingrid put Jack’s hand around her waist. Jack felt the gun. He waited to see what happens next.

  Captain Black opened the container with the drug vials inside and checked the items. He found Ingrid’s memcard and the agreement. He seemed satisfied. “I appreciate this, Jack. I’m going to leave now. Don’t try following me. I think you should all leave Mars. You don’t want to be here when I tell Ivan where you are. He won’t be as nice to you as I’ve been. I’ll toss your weapons outside. You might need them.” Captain Black emptied the gun cartridges on the floor. Then he backed out the door and left.

  “What do we do now, Jack?” Tom asked as he picked up the cartridges.

  Jack looked at Tom and Ingrid. “He’s going to see Hellstrom. We follow him. Find the weapons, Tom. I have to get something upstairs.” Jack went to retrieve the memcard he hid under the dresser drawer. He checked his smartcom to make sure the GPS locator was tracking the drugs. It would pinpoint Captain Black’s location if his hunch were wrong. Then he checked the recording on his smartcom. It captured every word perfectly. Now it was time for a personal visit, and Jack knew it would not be so friendly.

  Chapter 24

  Captain Black left the condo and raced back to the train terminal. He decided to go straight to Ivan’s office. Ivan should be back by now. He looked over his shoulder every now and then to make sure they were not following him. He knew they would try. He knew Jack. So what? It was their necks. He had warned them.

  Ivan would be mad at him for not bringing Ingrid in. But he was in no mood to worry about that. This meeting was between him and Ivan. Besides, he didn’t want Ivan to get his hands on them. He didn’t want to be part of any more bloodshed.

  He had the stolen drugs, the memcard with the new formula and the agreement Ivan wanted so desperately. That should be enough, he thought. He would demand his share of the drugs. Then he planned to leave Mars. He would go back to Earth and start a new life with the money he could get from selling some of the drug. He would even take the drug himself. Why not? It would make him young again. He would get a second chance. After all, you still have your experiences and your memories. He knew how things worked now. Life would be so much easier this time around.

  Captain Black knew he could not go back to his current job. It was too dangerous. Jack probably had some other proof that he was involved with the murders. He knew all too well what the penalty would be if they found out he helped Ivan steal the drugs. It would be life imprisonment on some penal colony. It would be too much for him to bear. No, the best course of action was to negotiate with Ivan and get as far away from Mars as he could.

  Captain Black got off the train at the terminal that led to SpaceMed. When he was sure he was alone, he called Ivan’s number.

  Ivan answered, “Hello, Captain. Did you find them?”

  “Yes, I know where they are. I have the things you want. I’m bringing them to your place right now.”

  “Do you have Ingrid?” Ivan demanded.

  “No, I left her behind. Detective Wilkerson was with them. Jack and Ingrid want to make a deal. Jack said he called you. I told him you’ll decide what to do, but he had to give me the items. Do you want them or not?”

  “Of course I want them. Bring them to me now. Where are you?”

  “I’m in front of your building. I’ll be right up.” He terminated the call and headed for Ivan’s office. He had Jack’s backpack in his hand.

  Ivan was very angry. “The fool!” he said out loud. He wanted Ingrid. He didn’t care about Jack. Maybe he could still make a trade—for Ingrid. Either way, the detective is dead. He knows too much.

  Captain Black entered the SpaceMed building and went straight to the elevators. He ignored the security guard at the front desk. It was almost 6:00 p.m. and people were leaving the building. He punched the button he needed and rode the elevator up to the tenth floor. The door opened and he walked to Ivan’s office. Everyone was gone for the day. The door was unlocked. Captain Black went inside and shouted, “Hello, anyone here?”

  Ivan was expecting him and called from his office. “Come in, Captain Black. The door is open.”

  Captain Black stepped through the second door into Ivan’s office. Ivan had his back to the door. He was sitting in his chair facing the window. Captain Black looked around nervously. Wolfgang was not in the room. It was just him and Ivan.

  “I brought the items,” Captain Black said loudly.

  Ivan turned around slowly in the chair. He stood up and smiled as the look on the captain’s face turned from smug to shock. Ivan wasn’t sure if Captain Black would recognize him or not. He wanted to see the reaction on his face. “It’s nice to see you, Captain.”

  “Who the hell are you?” Captain Black yelled out. He took a step backwards and nearly fell over. The voice was familiar, but the face was not. He did not recognize the man standing before him. Then it dawned on him. “You took the drug, didn’t you? You look different.”

  “Yes, Captain. It’s me. I decided to make a change. It’s time to move on.”

 
“I can’t believe it. How does it feel?” Captain Black was full of questions. He walked up to the desk to get a closer look at Ivan.

  “The drug works quickly, Captain. It’s very simple really. No pain at all. You just sleep a lot and get very hungry. I feel like I did when I was a young man. It feels great, actually.”

  “That’s good to hear. I brought the items you wanted.” Captain Black handed the backpack to Ivan.

  Ivan took the backpack and opened it on his desk. He took out the container with the drug vials and opened it. He picked up one of the vials and looked at it closely. It still had the label marked ‘RDF 19’ from the lab. There were ten of them. He put the vial back in the container. He looked at the memcards. He recognized the cards from the doctor’s lab and home. One of them had a different label. He assumed it was from Ingrid. He set it down next to his computer. He would check it in a moment. He picked up the document and examined it closely. It was the legal agreement he and the two doctors had signed. It had the SpaceMed red legal stamp on it. It was the only copy left. After he destroyed it, there would be no record that Doctors Leif and Ingrid Johanson had ever owned the rights to the anti-aging discovery. He could claim that the doctors were contract researchers who worked for him. The discovery would, evermore, belong to SpaceMed and, therefore, to him.

  “It appears you found what I was looking for, Captain Black.” Ivan congratulated him. “I thank you.”

  Captain Black immediately seized upon the moment. “I just want what you owe me, Ivan. I did everything you asked. I want my share.”

  “Of course. What do you plan to do with it, Captain?”

  Captain Black did not like the tone in Ivan’s voice. It sounded menacing. He decided to tread carefully. “Nothing, Ivan. Not till this all blows over. You know I used my share to frame Jack. I just want the extra vials you promised me, that’s all.” He was beginning to feel uncomfortable.