Arnold pulled Lawson away and introduced himself.
“What do you mean she don’t speak none?” Lawson asked.
“She just don’t talk---doctor said she knows how---she just don’t want to. Honey would you fix these boys some of that Mutton Snapper we got in the fridge, and whatever else ain’t got mold on it.”
Lawson looked away from Aluna and straight at Arnold. He pointed to his watch. “You know that sounds great, but we really better be going. We have a taxi waiting at the bottom of the hill.”
“You have a taxi waiting? Hold on a minute---Aluna, what time is it?”
She held up four fingers.
“That’s what I thought---there ain’t no taxi at the bottom of that hill anymore.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It’s four o’clock, that’s when all the cruise ships get in---it’s impossible to get a taxi this time of day.”
“I told you to take the keys and handcuff him to the steering wheel.” Lawson was perturbed. “Hey, Armaly, you got anything to drink around here?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, where are my manners. Aluna, please bring us some moonshine and some beers.”
“Moonshine?”
“Yes, Pop made it. Get ready though, it’ll knock you on your ass.”
Aluna brought over a small clay jug and four beers. She took the first swig from the jug and then passed it to Arnold.
“No thanks, you don’t happen to have any Red Bull by chance.”
“No, we don’t keep any animals. We had a pot belly pig once, but it kept getting into Pop’s experiments.”
Aluna again offered the jug to Arnold.
“No, I’ll just have a beer.”
“Well, I’ll take a swig.” Lawson reached over and grabbed the jug and a beer. He spit out the first swig. “Wow, it takes some getting used to.”
“The first one is always the toughest, Spanky. Try it again.”
Lawson took another swig.
“What kind of experiments did your father do?” Arnold asked.
“All sorts of stuff. Once he came up with a light that could shine for miles. I mean it---we lit up the sky at night. We had to stop when some airplanes complained about it.”
“Really?” Arnold was interested in what the young man had to say. Lawson was more interested in the moonshine and Aluna.
“What else? Arnold asked.
“Oh there’s a bunch of stuff. I’ll show you some of them after dinner.” He gave Aluna a glaring look and she jumped up and went into the kitchen. “Pop spent most of his time working on some special water. He always said we could run the boat with it when he got the right formula---that’d be something, huh. Run them twin outboards with water instead of gas. He never did get the right formula.”
“How did he die?” With Aluna in the kitchen, Lawson decided to join the conversation.
“It was the darnedest thing, Spanky. He was standing outside the workshop when this good-looking tall blonde woman come driving up---and I mean she was good-looking. Anyway, she gets out of the car and walks up to my Pop. She says something---I couldn’t hear it because I was in the house. Then she pulls out a big pistol from her purse and points it at him. I was watching through that window right there and saw the whole thing. Then my Pop just fell to the ground, dead. I didn’t even hear the gunshot---must have used a silencer. She just got back in her rent-a-car and drove off.”
“Did you ever see that woman before?” Lawson asked.
“No, never.”
“What about your father?” Arnold asked. “Had he been acting funny lately?”
“No, not really, except after that guy from New York called the other day. Pop’s hand was shaking when he hung up the phone”
“What guy from New York?”
“Pop called him Rudy. I remember cause that’s one of my favorite movies, RUDY, RUDY, RUDY, did you know it’s a true story.”
Aluna motioned them to the dinner table.
During dinner, Lawson flirted with Aluna while Arnold and Armaly talked about his father. According to his son, Doctor Armaly resigned from NASA and went into seclusion after a car bomb meant for him killed his wife instead. “He was working on that Star Wars movie at the time---no not the movie, although it’s one of my favorites, too---LUKE, I AM YOUR FATHER---I love that part, anyway Pops didn’t work on the movie he worked on the real thing.”
“The real thing?” Lawson was back in the conversation.
“Yeah, the real Star Wars---the one Reagan came up with so we could zap them Russian missiles from outer space.”
“He means the Strategic Defense Initiative.” Arnold said.
“Yeah that too, Pop worked on that, too, till they killed my mom.”
“Well, that’s very interesting, but we really better be going if were gonna make it to the airport on time.” Suddenly Lawson was ready to go.
“Don’t worry about that damn Taxi, I’ll take you to the airport, but first you gotta see Pop’s workshop.”
***
The workshop was a cluttered mess. Although, Agent Arnold noticed right away that the huge metal building housed four distinct laboratories. The first quadrant was a chemistry lab. There was a long worktable with a variety of beakers, test tubes, Bunsen Burners and other equipment. Arnold walked over to the table.
“This is where Pops worked on the water.”
“Has anyone tampered with those beakers?” Lawson asked.
“Nope. It’s all just as he left it. All I did was turn off the gas line so the place didn’t explode.”
“That was smart.” Arnold picked up one of the beakers of water and smelled it. “Doesn’t have any odor.”
“Nope, it’s water---you can drink it if you want.”
Arnold thought better of it. He placed the beaker on the worktable. “What about the police, did they touch anything?”
“Didn’t call them, Pops always said if he was killed the last thing he wanted us to do was call the police. We had a nice service and we buried him, that’s all.”
Lawson had wandered past the Engineering Lab with its erector-set models on display, and past what he figured was a Geology Lab based on the large porous rocks all around. What caught his eye, however, was the large telescope in what was undoubtedly the Astronomy Lab. He looked into the telescope and saw a jetliner soaring across the night sky. “Shit. We’re going to miss our plane. We gotta go.”
Arnold, still enamored by the beakers of water in the chemistry part of the building, agreed. “Yes, we better go.”
Armaly drove them to the bottom of the hill where Tevin was sleeping in his taxi. “I don’t believe it.” Armaly was impressed. “You must have scared the shit out of him.”
Lawson and Arnold said their goodbyes. “Thanks again for everything and please thank your wife for us.” Then Arnold went over to the taxi to wake up Tevin.
Lawson stayed back for a moment. “Hey Armaly, did that blonde who killed your Pop ever go inside the workshop?”
“Nope, she just shot him and left quick.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure I’m sure; I told you I saw the whole thing from the window.”
“Well do me a favor would you, lock that building and don’t let anybody else inside---and I mean anybody. Not unless you hear from me first, okay.”
“Well, okay, but why?”
“It’s standard procedure; there might be evidence inside.” Lawson reached into his pocket and handed him a card. “You call me if anyone comes poking around, okay.”
“You bet I will.” Armaly stuffed the card in his pocket.
“When I come back you’ll have to take me out on that boat.”
“Definitely, we’ll go fishing, maybe catch us a Mutton Snapper.”
Lawson joined Arnold in the taxi. Tevin was awake. “Hey Tevin buddy, tell the truth. Did you stay right here the entire time?”
Tevin just nodded his head, not making eye contact with Lawson.
Lawson chuck
led. “Tevin, you’re so full of shit.”
CHAPTER 24
Turbo waved as the rented truck pulled out of the driveway. He and Maria hadn’t talked much since the night he left her bed for the garbage dump. Still, he was thankful she let him spend time with the kids before they left.
As the moving truck faded from sight, Cosmo pulled up to the house in a brand new Lexus. “You want a ride?”
Turbo’s first thought was that he had stolen the car. But Cosmo would never do such a thing. Nonetheless, he asked, “Whose car did you steal?”
“It’s my car. Do you like it?”
“Where the hell did you get the money to buy a car like that?”
“No money down, it’s the American way.”
“You took out a loan? Are you crazy? How much are the payments?”
“Only $725 a month.”
Turbo got in the car. “You need to take this car back. How are you going to pay $725 a month? We haven’t had a customer in days.”
“It’s okay, I got some money saved.”
Cosmo’s last statement took Turbo by surprise. In all the years they had been friends, Cosmo hadn’t saved enough to buy a bicycle, let alone a Lexus. Nonetheless, Turbo didn’t want to talk about it. He couldn’t worry about Cosmo’s car payment, not with everything else he had on his mind. “So, where are we going?”
“Tony O’s, I’m gonna buy you dinner.”
Turbo’s mouth hung open. “You’re gonna buy me dinner?”
Cosmo smiled. “Yep.”
“At Tony O’s?”
“Yep.”
“Did you hit the Lotto?”
“Nope.”
“Rob a bank?”
“Nope.”
“You get lucky with the ponies over at Aquaduct?”
“No, can’t I just buy you dinner without all the third degree?”
Turbo let it go. They were near the restaurant and his last remark about Aquaduct made him think. He hadn’t spoken to Phillip or Carrie since that day, and the image of Rudy in a pool of blood made him quiver. Did they see Rudy, too? They must have, so why haven’t they contacted him? Why haven’t they called to see if he was okay? Maybe he shouldn’t have trusted them. Maybe he shouldn’t trust Cosmo, either. The truth was he didn’t know whom to trust.
***
Two orders of Veal Scaloppini and a bottle of Chianti later, Cosmo paid for dinner with a hundred-dollar-bill he retrieved from the wad of money in his pocket.
That did it, Cosmo was selling drugs, Turbo was sure of it. Outside the restaurant, waiting for the valet to bring the car around, Turbo confronted him. “Cosmo, you dealing drugs?”
Cosmo took offense. “What the fuck, you know me better than that.”
“I used too---the Cosmo I knew didn’t have a fancy car and didn’t walk around with a wad of hundred-dollar-bills either.”
“Turbo, I’m the same Cosmo, I been saving my money and I made a few good investments.” The valet arrived with the car and Cosmo handed him a Twenty.
“And now you’re a big tipper, too.”
“Turbo, its only money, get in the car.”
Turbo refused. “No you go ahead, I want to walk awhile, you know, to clear my head. Thanks for dinner.”
“Okay, if you say so, see you in the morning.” Cosmo sped away.
Turbo immediately flagged a taxi.
“Where to Buddy?”
“Barnes and Noble over on Seventh.”
***
Turbo entered the bookstore, but couldn’t find Carrie. He walked down the main aisle of the store glancing up and down the other aisles. Then, not wanting to waste anymore time, he did something he wouldn’t usually do. He asked for help.
At the customer service desk, he asked the woman if Carrie Lockwood was working.
“Oh, you just missed her. She got off at 6.”
Turbo looked at his watch; it was 6:30. “What about Phillip Washington?”
“No, sorry, he doesn’t work here anymore. Is there something I can help you with?”
“No, that’s okay.” Turbo left the bookstore.
CHAPTER 25
Alex jumped out of bed and dressed in a hurry. Almost frantic, he grabbed his coat, made sure his gun and Tesla’s paper were still in the pockets, and headed for the door.
Mika ran ahead of him, her still naked body blocked the door. “Alex, what’s wrong? Where are you going?”
“Anywhere but here.” He buckled his belt and asked her to step aside.
“But why?”
“I need to get away from you.”
Mika remained in front of the door. “Why do you need to get away from me?”
“Because, I’ve only known you a few days and you’ve already killed two people. Two people that could have helped me.”
Mika began laughing.
“I don’t think it’s funny.”
“Yes, Alex, it’s very funny. All of a sudden, you’re afraid of me. Now, after we’ve had sex twice. I could’ve killed you many times by now. So, tell me the real reason you want to leave in such a hurry.”
“It’s just time for me to go. I’ve spent too much time here already.”
“But where will you go?”
“Back to America. There is only one-person left who can help me now.
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, you better not.”
“Why not, it’ll be fun.”
“Mika, just because we’ve had sex twice and you haven’t killed me yet, doesn’t mean I trust you.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Alex.” She moved away from the door and went into the bedroom slamming the door behind her.
Alex’s better judgment told him to leave right then, but something made him stay. He walked over to the bedroom door, but didn’t go in. “Mika, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“It’s okay, Alex. Just go.”
“What if you were me, how would you feel if I disappeared for a day-and-a-half and then came back and told you that I had just killed the only person in the entire world who could tell you who killed your father.”
“Alex, I had to kill him. It was an order.”
Alex leaned against the doorframe. “And that’s another thing, who ordered you to kill Doctor Armaly, and why couldn’t you disobey the order like you did with Sava.”
“Alex, it’s a long story, I’m sorry we don’t have time to talk about it now because you’re leaving. Soon, you’ll be in America and I’ll be here. So, just forget about it.”
Alex had an uneasy feeling in the pit of stomach because of what he was about to say. “So, if you come to America with me you’ll tell me everything?”
“I guess so.”
“Don’t guess. Promise.”
“Well, okay, I promise.”
“Fine, hurry up and get ready.”
Mika screamed with excitement and rushed out of the bedroom fully dressed with suitcase in hand. “I’m ready.”
Alex laughed, and then carried her suitcase.
***
Hailing a taxi proved much harder in Belgrade than in New York. Alex had a hard time getting one to stop. Mika stepped off the curb and one stopped at once.
“Where to?” The driver asked.
Mika replied, “Airport please,” while Alex replied, “Tesla Museum,” simultaneously.
“Which one is it?” The driver asked.
“Tesla Museum first, then the Airport.” Alex told the driver. “I have to make a quick stop at the museum.”
“What for?” Mika asked.
“It won’t take long; you can stay in the car. I need to thank someone who helped me yesterday.”
Alex entered the museum and noticed Bojana at once. He called out to her. “Bojana.”
“Alex, I have been worried about you. You were not here when I arrived this morning. How did you get out?”
“Some friends of yours let me out?”
Bojana looked puzzled.
“The
cleaning crew.”
“Oh, Octavio and Bruno, I forgot about them.”
“Well everything worked out fine. I just wanted to thank you before I leave.”
“Where are you going?”
“Back to America.”
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
“I’m not sure, I hope so. Goodbye Bojana.
***
The next flight to New York was already boarding. There were seven coach and four first class seats still available. Alex asked for two coach tickets.
“Give us two first class tickets, please.” Mika handed the agent her Platinum American Express card.
Alex glared at her.
“It’s okay, Alex, company expense account.”
Mika took the tickets and they walked to the gate. Alex deposited his gun in a trashcan in the terminal.
The first class seats were plush and inviting. It wasn’t long after takeoff before Alex was fast asleep. He awoke somewhere over the Atlantic, Mika was also asleep. The overhead reading lamp aimed at her face gave her skin an angelic glow. Unfortunately, Alex thought her far from angelic. How could this beautiful woman be such a ruthless killer? He tried not to think about it.
CHAPTER 26
Turbo arrived at the shop late the next morning. Cosmo had parked his new car out front. Turbo went over to the window and pulled the chain on the open sign. Cosmo was already on the couch. Turbo walked in front of him, but didn’t say a word. He went behind the counter and pretended to work on something. The phone rang, but he didn’t answer it.
“Turbo, get the phone.” Cosmo yelled.
Turbo kept working. The phone kept ringing.
“Turbo, the phone---ah shit.” Cosmo answered it. “Hello.”
“Hey Turbo,” said the voice at the other end of the line.
“No, this is Cosmo.”
“Oh, hey Cosmo, it’s Carrie. Is Turbo there?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know if he’s gonna come to the phone.”
“Tell him it’s important.”
“Okay.” Cosmo stretched the receiver’s cord to the other end of the counter and handed it to Turbo. “It’s that girl, Carrie.”
Turbo grabbed the receiver. “Carrie, how are you?”
“I’m good, how are you?”
“I’m okay; did you see what happened to Rudy?”
Alternating Current: A Tesla Novel Page 12