by Bob Blanton
“Don’t worry, Marc will be handing action items off to you soon enough,” Blake said. “Count your blessings while you can.”
“With that, let’s close this meeting. The next meeting will be the week after Thanksgiving,” Marc said. “So, with the extra week, I expect lots of progress.”
“Hey, that’s a holiday week,” Blake said. “Catie and I are taking it off.”
“I remember giving Catie the week off, but when did you get it off?” Marc asked.
“I’m a junior partner, I gave myself the week off,” Blake said.
“Damn, I knew making you a partner would come back to bite me,” Marc said. “Fred, we’re ready to go home.” Marc loved the banter with Blake. It kept the meetings light and engaging.
Chapter 5
First Steps
“Dr. Zelbar, how are you feeling?” Marc asked.
“Great, I’ve haven’t felt this good in years,” Dr. Zelbar replied.
“Have you considered my offer?” Marc asked.
“Yes. Nikola explained it to me again. We’re ready to sign up. Where is that document you want us to sign? We need to get to work before we kill each other. And it’s not as if you don’t already have Nikola working for you.”
Marc and Nikola exchanged glances.
“Ha, I knew it, she’s been purring like a kitten, and she only does that when she’s working on something interesting.”
Marc laughed, “I guess I’ve been found out. But there is no hurry, there is plenty of time.”
“No, there isn’t,” Nikola said. “I’m going to kill him tonight if he doesn’t stop complaining about nothing to do.”
“Alright,” Marc said. “Here are the documents; please review them with your lawyer before you sign them.”
“Forget that. Where do I sign?” Dr. Zelbar said. “If you’re happy with them, I’m happy. All I want to do is work.”
“Me too.”
Marc called a couple of nurses in to witness the signing. They looked thrilled to be seeing Dr. Zelbar getting ready to leave.
“We don’t have a lab set up for you,” Marc said. “But I’m sure you’d prefer to do that yourself. We have a temporary space here in Rarotonga. Hopefully, we’ll be able to move to a more permanent location in a few months.”
“I don’t care about that,” Dr. Zelbar said. “Now, what do you want us to work on?”
“We had a small accident a few years ago,” Marc said. “A welder working for me had some mixture of something like graphite fall on the sheet metal he was spot welding. The result was a blend of steel and carbon that looks very promising.”
“That’s just carbon steel,” Dr. Zelbar scoffed. “It’s been around for centuries.”
“Yes, I know,” Marc said. “But, analysis of the steel shows an unusual bonding of the carbon and iron atoms. Much more carbon than iron, and it appears to be stronger and much more durable.”
“Well, that’s at least interesting,” Dr. Zelbar said in a huff.
“Leo, be nice,” Mrs. Zelbar said. “How were you able to analyze the material?” she asked Marc.
“We got about a square centimeter of material. It was obvious that something was different when the welder tried to grind it off. The grinder had no effect on the area. So, we cut it out, and I had a friend do spectroscopic analysis on it. I have the results. I can send them to you.”
“Please,” Mrs. Zelbar said.
“Wait. Just because you’re the one with the degree in molecular material, doesn’t mean you get to take over,” Dr. Zelbar said.
“Of course not, we’ll work together,” Mrs. Zelbar said. “It just so happens I already have my computer and email set up. We’ll get you set up today and we’ll start analyzing this material right away.” She smiled at Marc.
“Alright, now get me out of this place.”
“I’m not sure the treatment is complete,” Mrs. Zelbar said.
“The doctor says that the last treatment can be done on an outpatient basis,” Marc said. “He just needs to come back one day next week for a few hours. Why don’t I go ask the doctor to come in and expedite your release?”
“That would be wonderful, wouldn’t it, Leo?”
“What? Whatever. Now, if the carbon atoms bonded to the iron to form….”
Mrs. Zelbar smiled at Marc again and mouthed ‘thank you.’ Marc gave her a head nod to indicate he’d like a moment with her in the hallway.
“What can I do for you, Dr. McCormack?” she asked once he had closed the door.
“You say he’s much better?” Marc asked.
Mrs. Zelbar laughed. “Pretty much, he’s more fun when he’s involved with a project.”
“How’s your battery project going?”
“It’s keeping me busy,” Nikola said. “It gives me a chance to get away from him for a while. I didn’t realize I was so happy until he mentioned in there that I’ve been purring.”
“Well, I have another project if you’d like it.”
“Of course. I could use a second project. What is it?”
“You won’t be too busy on the steel project with him?”
“Not so much. I’ll help, but Leo will insist on doing most of the work. I’ll handle the overflow and be a sounding board when he gets stuck. It always works better when I have a project or two of my own going at the same time.”
“I have the preliminary designs for a new fuel cell,” Marc said. “I need to have feasibility proven and a proposal for manufacturing it. Similar to the battery project, but I think it’s more complex.”
“That sounds perfect. Just send the data along with the carbon-steel data,” Mrs. Zelbar said. “This sounds like I’ll be having as much fun as Leo.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Hey, Blake, you have a minute?” Marc said as he walked into Blake’s office.
“Hey, the next board meeting isn’t until after Thanksgiving. I still have time to get my stuff done,” Blake quipped.
Marc laughed at his brother. “Hey, I’m here to talk, not to check your homework.”
“Take a seat,” Blake said. “What’s up?”
“I wondered how you were doing. How is this working for you?”
“Oh, you mean, how do I like working for hard taskmaster?”
“Is that how you feel?”
“No, you drive yourself harder than anyone else,” Blake said. “I’m doing fine. Work is interesting, working conditions are pretty nice,” he said. “The people I work with are all smart, hard workers, and I get to see my niece every day.”
“Anything you’d like to change?”
“I’d like to get back to flying,” Blake said. “But that can wait for a while. I know you don’t want anyone to know about the Lynx, much less those Foxes.”
“We do want to wait on that,” Marc said. “I’m going back to Boston for Thanksgiving. Do you want to come?”
“No, I’ll go with you for Christmas, but I’m just getting to know the people around here,” Blake said. “The ladies are receptive to my charms, and I have a few more bars to check out.”
“Okay,” Marc said. “Let me know if things need to change. I can’t lose my wingman.”
“Hey, I thought you were my wingman!”
“Only when we’re at a bar,” Marc said.
“Hey, how about Sam?” Blake asked. “Is there something going on there?”
“No,” Marc said. “She’s just the best lawyer I know. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, she seems to look a little more upbeat when you’re around. Thought you guys might have some history.”
“Nope, just my lawyer.”
“Well, maybe you should think about that. She’s a pretty nice lady besides being a ruthless lawyer.”
Marc chuckled. “That ruthless lawyer part scares me a bit.”
“Chicken.”
“Speaking of chicken, you want to go out for lunch today?”
“Sure.”
Chapter 6
Bi
rthday Girl
“Here’s the birthday girl!” Marc said as he started clapping.
Catie’s ears turned red, and she blushed at all the attention as everybody stood up and clapped along with Marc. They were having the party at the Flambé, one of the best restaurants on Rarotonga. Her great grandparents were there. They’d had their second treatment with Dr. Metra and were doing much better.
“Hi, Mommy,” Catie said as Linda walked up and gave her a hug.
“How does it feel to be a teenager?” Linda asked.
“Not really any different,” Catie said. “It not like there’s some sudden change that happens overnight.”
“We should talk about that,” Linda said, giving Catie a knowing smile. “But for now, we should celebrate.”
“People,” Marc shouted to get everyone’s attention. “We’re going to run this birthday party starting at the end; presents first, then dinner, then cake. That will give us all something to chat about besides work.”
Catie’s great grandparents, Agnes and Duncan, came over. “Young lady, we’ve missed too much of your life with our health problems, but we want to catch up,” Duncan said. “Now I hear you’re coming with us to stay at your mother’s for Thanksgiving. Your father says you should be able to stay a whole week.”
“I will Grandpa Pa,” Catie said.
“Sweetie, these were my mother’s,” Agnes said as she handed Catie a black velvet box. “I want you to have them.”
Catie opened it to reveal an exquisite pearl necklace with matching earrings. “Oh, Grandma Ma, they’re beautiful.”
“Just like you. Now you’ll need to actually start wearing dresses once in a while so you can show them off.” Agnes wrinkled her nose as she looked at Catie in her Capri pants and Polynesian top.
Catie laughed. “Hey, this party is supposed to be casual dress.”
“You have casual dresses,” Agnes said.
“I promise to start wearing dresses more often,” Catie said.
“Good!”
Linda came over and gave Catie a small velvet box.
The diamond earrings sparkled when Catie opened the box. “Mommy, they’re beautiful.”
“What your gran said,” Linda said with a laugh. “We’ll buy you some dresses while you’re staying in San Diego with us.”
“Thanks, Mommy.”
“I’m feeling a little shabby trying to follow those presents,” Marc said. “What do you give a girl that has everything?”
“Oh, Daddy.”
“Well, Fred and I went together on this one,” Marc said. “He’s going to give you flying lessons, or at least flying hours, until you’re qualified on the G650.”
Catie clasped her face with both hands, “Wow!”
“It will take about four or five months to go through all the training,” Marc continued. “We can’t let you solo until you’re sixteen, but we’re hoping we have a way around that. But he’ll get you the hours and everything else certified.”
Samantha walked up and gave Catie a hug. “I’m working with the government to get an exception for you. I think I can get a family and or a cargo-only exception for flights between the islands out here.”
“Oh, that would be so cool,” Catie squealed.
Liz walked over and handed Catie a small package.
Catie opened it to find a stainless-steel cylinder about three inches long, “What is it?”
“It’s a pocket Bo Staff,” Liz said as she pulled one out of her pocket. She pressed the end of it, and it expanded into a five-foot-long staff. “I’ll teach you how to use it.”
“That’s going to be fun,” Catie said as she gave Liz a hug. “Thanks.”
Kal walked over with a small padded case. It was only about one-and-one-half feet square and two inches thick. “Here you go, Cat,” he said as he handed it to her. “You’re going to be needing this in a couple of weeks.”
Catie opened it up; she only saw a small gray cylinder and zippers for pouches. She gave Kal a questioning look.
“It’s probably easier to just pull out the manual,” Kal said as he pointed to a slot in the case.
Catie pulled the manual out, “A paintball rifle. But...”
“My present is putting the paintball arena on the top of the construction list,” Blake said. “It will be ready when you get back from Thanksgiving.”
“Wow, for me?”
“Well, it’s early for you,” Blake said. “Kal and Liz will be using it to train their security guys as we hire more of them.”
“Wow, thanks, everybody,” Catie said. “This is the best birthday ever.” Catie looked at her great grandparents and beamed.
“Alright,” Marc said. “Let’s clean up this mess, and then we can sit down and order dinner.”
Chapter 7
Taking A Break
That Sunday, Fred flew Marc, Catie, Linda, and the grans to San Diego on the G650. “I’ll be back to get you on Saturday,” Marc told Catie. “Have fun.” He said goodbye to the grans and to Linda as they deplaned.
Then Fred flew him on to Princeton to do some more recruiting. After that, they’d go to Boston, where Marc would spend Thanksgiving with his parents. He chafed a bit that he had to have Kal with him as a bodyguard. There had been a big argument about whether to send Liz with Catie, but in the end, they agreed that she was unlikely to be a target in the states. Marc paid for some discreet security from a private company just to be sure.
◆ ◆ ◆
Marc waved to Linda as Catie climbed the ramp to the G650. “How was Thanksgiving?”
“Great,” Catie said. “We had lots of fun.” Catie gave her father a hug and a kiss as she boarded.
“Welcome back,” Jennie said. “Now, if you’ll be seated, we’ll be taking off in a few minutes.”
“We’re here in the front row,” Marc said. Catie gave Kal a quick hug as he walked by her to the second row to take his seat.
“Hi Kal, you miss me?” Catie asked.
“I always miss you,” Kal said. “Liz has been antsy without you and me to work out with. We need to get back there and calm her down.”
“I miss her too,” Catie said. “Daddy, I see your recruiting trip was successful,” Catie said as she looked at the small group at the back of the plane. She waved at them before she sat down.
“Yes, I came up with three new scientists,” Marc said. “One of them has a spouse who’s also a scientist, and one has a spouse who’s a doctor. Should be nice additions.” Marc sat in the seat next to Catie.
“Cool. How were Nanna and Poppa?”
“They were fine. They’re looking forward to seeing you at Christmas. Dad is still teaching at Boston College, and Mom is still teaching high school. She wanted to know how you were doing with your studies.”
“What did you tell her?” Catie asked.
“I said you were doing fine, but if she really wanted to know how you were doing, she should grill you on her next call.”
“You didn’t say grill, did you?”
“Oh, yes, I did. So be ready for at least one quiz,” Marc laughed.
Catie punched her father on the shoulder, “You’re so mean.”
“Have to have a little fun when I can. Tell me what you did in San Diego?”
“Well, the grans took me to the Old Globe Theatre, and we saw How The Grinch Stole Christmas. They produce that every year.”
“And?”
“I didn’t think I would like it, it’s for little kids after all, but it was really good. The costumes were amazing, and it is a good story. I think the grans liked it even better than I did.”
“What else?”
“We all went to the zoo, that was a long day. We had to get a cart for the grans at the end; they were getting tired. But we all had fun.”
“Did you do Sea World?”
“No, not enough time,” Catie said. “Mommy and Grandma Ma made a huge turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. They really had a good time in the kitchen. I watched football w
ith Grandpa Pa.”
“Did you really?” Marc asked.
“Well, I sat with him. I worked on my math, mostly. But he didn’t notice.”
“Who won?”
“I don’t know. Grandpa Pa was happy, that’s all I know.”
“Did you visit any old friends?”
“Nobody was around,” Catie said. “And I didn’t have that many anyway. I just hung out with Mommy and the grans.”
“Anything else?”
“Shopping, I’ve got enough dresses to last the rest of my life.”
Marc laughed, “We’ll need to go to more fancy places so you can wear them.”
“You don’t need to,” Catie said. “It’s okay if they just hang in my closet.”
“But the grans will want reports,” Marc said, giving Catie a knowing look.
“Darn. Oh,” Catie’s eyes got big, and she gave her father a big smile, “Mommy has a new boyfriend.”
“She does? Did you get to meet him?”
“No, but I heard her talking on the phone. She was all gushy and stuff. I think she’s a little happier now.”
“That’s good.”
“By the way, those security guys were good,” Catie said.
“You noticed them, did you?”
“Not at first, but the same guy in two different places kind of tipped me to it.”
“Did your mother see them?”
“No, just me.”
“That’s good,” Marc said. “Now, I think we should talk.”
“We’ve been talking.”
“I know, Smart Alec. I mean, talk about you and how you’re doing.”
“I’m doing great,” Catie said.
“Are you really? It has been a whirlwind six months,” Marc said. “You were kidnapped, and we’ve been continuously moving around. And now you’re a bit isolated at the hotel where you’re living with your father, who’s busy and hardly spends any time with you. How can that be doing great for a thirteen-year-old girl?”
Catie thought for a few minutes, then took a deep breath, “Well, I spend as much time with you as I want to. I only have to walk into your office, which is next door to my room at the hotel where I do most of my work and my homework. You never tell me to get lost, well, almost never.”