Carrie screamed. “You’re Alex Gaye.”
Cosmo was finally out of his seat. “Hey, the FBI’s looking for you.”
“Alex, you killed somebody?” Mika was shocked.
“Yes, he killed Rudy.” Carrie began bawling. Mika walked her over to the sofa and comforted her.
“Let’s all just calm down and talk about this, please.” Alex walked over to the sofa with his hands raised in the air. “I have something to show you. It’s about your uncle.”
Turbo put the phone down. “Okay, I’ll listen for a minute. Then I’ll call the police. Cosmo, lock the front door.”
Alex introduced Mika as Sava’s granddaughter. He thought the truth would only complicate an already complicated situation.
“Pleased to meet you all. Oh, I love that picture you have there. Where did you get it?”
“It was my grandmother’s.” Turbo said.
“Do you know where she got it?”
“Of course, her brother gave it to her.”
“Her brother? Who---
Alex changed the subject. “Mika is helping me find out about my father’s death.”
Carrie couldn’t restrain herself any longer. “Why did you kill Rudy?” She screamed and lunged at Alex with both fists clenched. Mika pushed her back.
“Rudy stole ten-thousand-dollars from me, but I didn’t---
Carrie began bawling, again.
“Maybe I should kill you right, now.” Turbo bowed up, he’d kill him with his bare hands.
Mika interrupted. “Why all this talk of killing. Can’t we all just get along?”
Cosmo was all for it. He sat down next to Mika on the other side of the couch than where Carrie sat.
“Alex, what do you want?” Turbo wasn’t buying the whole Rodney King thing. “What happened, your shortwave break again? Can’t get in touch with your Martian buddies?”
“No, Turbo. But I need your help.”
“I’m listening.”
Cosmo was taking turns staring back and forth between Mika’s boobs and his new Lexus through the display window of the shop.
All of a sudden, they heard a loud thud followed by a car alarm. Cosmo looked up from Mika’s cleavage in time to see a white paneled van peeling out in front of the store. He panicked. It was a hit and run. He slammed hard into the locked door, unlocked it and ran outside to check on his car. The others followed.
They found Phillip, beaten and bloody, sprawled across the hood of Cosmo’s Lexus.
CHAPTER 30
Agent Lawson went straight to the micro-fridge and grabbed a Mountain Dew. Arnold flipped open his laptop and got right to it.
“What are you doing?” Lawson downed the soda in one breath.
“I’m checking Washington’s relatives.”
“Good idea, but do me a favor first. See if you can find something with Doctor Armaly’s handwriting. I don’t care what, as long as he wrote it.”
“What do you want it for?”
Lawson didn’t answer.
Arnold looked up from his laptop; Lawson was no longer in the room.
Arnold asked again, only louder. “What do you want it for?”
Lawson came out of the rest room. “I just need it, okay.”
“Okay, okay, did you wash your hands?”
“Yes, I washed my hands, who are you, my mother?”
Arnold didn’t answer. He went back to his laptop and a few minutes later printed a copy of Doctor Armaly’s hand written letter of resignation from NASA. “Here, look at this.”
“That’s perfect.” Lawson grabbed a magnifying glass from his desk and moved closer to the light.
“What are you looking for?” Arnold joined him.
“I want to compare the doctor’s handwriting to the note I lifted from his workshop.”
“You took something from the workshop?”
“Just a piece of scrap paper.” Lawson retrieved the folded note from his pocket. “Yep, I’d say it’s a match.” He showed the note to Arnold.
“It’s an equation of some kind, and a bunch of scribble. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Yeah, but it’s definitely in his handwriting.” Lawson grinned.
“Okay, so what? I’m sure there are hundreds of notes like that in his workshop.”
“Arnold, look at the date, four days ago, the same day his son buried him.”
Arnold’s jaw dropped. “Why that little son-of-a-bitch. What do we do now?”
“You’re gonna find Phillip Washington, and I’m going back to the Bahamas.”
Agent Arnold balked at the plan. “Langley will have our heads for the first trip and you want to go back.”
“Yep, I’m gonna find out what the fuck is going on and I’m gonna find out now.”
“That moron son isn’t going to tell you anything.”
“Don’t be fooled by the moron act, his father is one of the smartest men on earth, I’m sure he taught him how to be dumb.”
“Maybe so, but I still don’t think he’ll tell you anything.”
“That’s okay, his wife will.”
“His wife? Are you losing it, his wife doesn’t speak.”
“No, but when I’m done with her, she’ll sing like a canary.”
CHAPTER 31
Turbo checked to see if Phillip was breathing. He was. Cosmo helped bring him inside; they laid him on the couch. Carrie was punching buttons on her cell phone, three of them.
“Who are you calling?”
She didn’t have to answer. Turbo heard the voice on the other end of the call. “Kings County 911. Do you have an emergency?” He grabbed the cell phone right out of her hand and fumbled for the end call button, but he didn’t press it. Instead, he answered the operator. “No, I’m sorry, no emergency. My six-year-old called you by accident.” Then he pressed the button.
Carrie grabbed the phone back. “Why did you do that?”
“We don’t need the police involved, right Alex.” Turbo looked around.
Alex and Mika were gone.
Cosmo brought a clean towel and the first aid kit from the back room.
Carrie wiped the blood from Phillips face, which only made all the cuts and bruises easier to see. She had to turn away. Turbo took a packet of smelling salts from the kit, broke it, and waved it under Phillip’s nose. He jumped up, nearly knocking Turbo off the edge of the couch.
“Turbo, thank God it’s you.” Phillip cried.
Carrie rushed over to him. “Thank God you’re alive. I’ve been worried sick. Phillip you won’t believe what happened---
Turbo put his hand up to her mouth. “Hold on now. Let him rest a bit first.”
Phillip laid there holding his head.
Turbo propped the seat cushion from his chair under Phillip’s head. “I need to know one thing. Where’s the trunk?”
Phillip looked perplexed, disoriented. He didn’t answer.
“Phillip, where’s the trunk?” Turbo took a deep breath. “Phillip, you remember your grandma’s trunk, don’t you?”
Phillip’s eyes welled up with tears.
Again, Carrie turned away.
Turbo let it go. “Can I get you anything? Are you hungry or thirsty?”
Phillip sat upright on the couch. “I could really go for some White Castle.”
Turbo smiled. “Hey, Cosmo, would you run out and get White Castle?”
For the first time in a while, Cosmo was happy to do as Turbo asked. And he did so without argument or sarcastic remarks.
Carrie wiped her eyes and sat down next to Phillip. “Phillip, who did this to you?”
Phillip stared out the window.
“Phillip, it’s okay, you can tell me.”
“My grandma’s dead?”
Carrie hugged his neck, “Yes, sweetie, your grandma is dead. Remember, you spoke at her funeral.”
“Yes, I remember. She was a good woman.”
“Yes, she was.”
Turbo stood off to the side and listened. Tears
came to his eyes as well.
“Carrie, did you see those men at the funeral?”
“Men? What men?”
“They were wearing black suits with white sneakers.”
“Yes, I saw them.”
“They’re the ones who beat me up.”
Before long, Cosmo returned with the food.
Still unsure if he could be trusted, Turbo suggested they wait before talking about what happened.
Carrie suggested they eat and then take Phillip over to her apartment. They didn’t tell him about his house.
Cosmo offered no resistance when Turbo asked to borrow his car again. He handed him the fob. “I’ll lock up here and take the subway home. Just bring the car back tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Cosmo.” Turbo gave him a big hug.
Cosmo smiled. “You can get that big dent in the hood fixed while you have it.”
Turbo gave him a stern look.
“Just kidding.”
***
Carrie came out of her bedroom with a pillow, blanket, and a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. “These were you-know-who’s, why don’t you take a hot shower and I’ll make up the couch for you to sleep on.”
“A shower would be nice.” Phillip looked at Turbo.
“Go on, we can talk when you get out.”
Phillip took the clothes and went into the bathroom. He closed the door and then opened it. “The trunk is safe. I put a lock on it and gave it to Aunt Edna. She took it with her back to Philly.”
“Good thinking,” Turbo said. “Make sure you wash all that blood off.”
While Phillip was in the shower, Turbo and Carrie argued about what they should tell him.
“He’s been through a lot. I don’t think we should tell him about the Tesla Water.”
Carrie was flabbergasted. We have to. That formula started this whole mess to begin with. He’s been racking his brain trying to figure it out.”
Turbo agreed with her. “I know that, but we don’t know what just happened to him. Maybe he was brainwashed. Maybe he’s working for them---whoever they are---maybe they really have the trunk?”
“You don’t really believe that?”
“I don’t know what to believe. I just think we shouldn’t tell him about the Tesla Water until we have the formula in our hands.”
Carrie agreed, reluctantly. “I guess you’re right, but I don’t feel good about this.”
“I don’t either, but it’s the right thing to do.”
“Okay, but we have to tell him about Alex.” Carrie insisted.
“Okay, but let me tell him---
“Tell me what?” The sweatpants fit just fine, but the shirt was tight.
Turbo was ready. “Oh, we have a bunch to tell you. Come sit down.”
Turbo and Carrie both stared at him.
“You guys are looking at me as if you’ve never seen me before. It’s me, Phillip, the guy who drudged through a mile of garbage with you.”
“We’re staring because we’re happy to see you.” Carrie smiled then looked away. “We were worried.”
“Tell us what happened,” Turbo insisted. What did those men want?”
He didn’t sugarcoat it. “They want you, Turbo. They want you.”
CHAPTER 32
Agent Lawson rushed out of the terminal and jumped into the backseat of the first Taxi he came upon. “Take me to Adelaide, and step on it.”
“Adelaide? That’s on other side of the island, cost fifty dollars, Amer---
“I know, American Dollars, now hurry.”
“Sure thing, Meester.” The driver peeled out.
Lawson flew back in his seat and then leaned forward to see the driver’s name on the license. It was Tevin.
“You want to go to same place, Meester?”
“Yes, Tevin, the same place.” Lawson couldn’t believe his bad luck. “Tell me, Tevin, how many Taxis work the airport?”
“About three or four hundred. Why you ask that?”
“Oh, no reason. I was just wondering what the odds were, that’s all.”
“Tevin no understand.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just drive.”
Lawson pulled out his cell phone and checked in with Agent Arnold. “You’ll never believe who’s driving me to Armaly’s house . . . yes, good ole Tevin, imagine that.” Lawson moved the phone away from his face. “Tevin, Arnold says hello.”
“Tell Meester Arnold hello, too.”
“He says hello.” Lawson cupped his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. “How’d you make out with Washington’s relatives?”
“. . . What do you mean he only has one . . . then call Philly . . . well keep trying. I’ll call you when I’m done here.”
“Meester, I been to Philly.”
“Tevin shut up and drive.”
Lawson had dozed off in the back of the Taxi. Tevin was eager to wake him. “Meester, we are here. Meester, we are in Adelaide.”
“Oh, thanks Tevin, I must have dozed off.”
“Meester, I no wait for you this time.”
“No Tevin, I’ll take my chances with another driver.”
“You no like how Tevin drive?”
“No, not really.”
“Fine, pay me---Fifty Dollars.”
Lawson paid the driver.
“Oh, by the way, Meester snore.”
***
Lawson climbed the rocky hill to Doctor Armaly’s house. He hugged the trees along the path and walked around the far side of the workshop toward the back of the house. He was in luck. The boat was gone. Hopefully, husband and wife were out fishing. When he reached the back patio, he knew that wasn’t the case.
Aluna was there on the patio, sunbathing topless.
Lawson peeked, and then stepped back. He peeked again, and then stepped out into the open.
Aluna jumped up.
Lawson grabbed her and held her until she calmed down. “It’s okay, I’m not gonna hurt you.” He took the towel off the chair and covered her. “Where is your husband?”
Aluna pointed out to the ocean.
“Fishing. Good. When will he be back?”
Aluna held up 4 or 5 fingers, Lawson couldn’t be certain.”
“Is that 4 or 5?”
She just nodded.
“Well, which one is it? 4 or 5?”
She held up her fingers again. Still, Lawson couldn’t tell. She had definitely raised four fingers, but he was uncertain about the fifth one, the pinky. Was it raised or not? He took a wild guess. “Okay, he’ll be back at 4.”
She shook her head “no.”
“Then it must be 5.”
She still shook her head, “no.”
“Well if it’s not 4 or 5, maybe it’s 6?” He could tell she was getting frustrated.
She raised her fingers again, and then quickly put her hand down. “Ah, fuck it---4:30 you idiot---he’ll be back at 4:30.”
Lawson made himself at home on the couch while Aluna went to put on some clothes. What she changed into was inviting. Sure, it covered her from shoulder to ankle, but it was as shear as the curtains that offered a panoramic view of the Atlantic. He preferred her view.
“So, what are you doing here, Mr. Secret Agent?”
“I came to see you.”
“The hell you did, you came to see the doctor. How did you know he was still alive?”
“You just told me.”
“That’s not possible, you see, I don’t speak, haven’t in years.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Don’t be.”
Lawson couldn’t help but stare at her, but he needed to stay on task. “So where is he?”
“The doctor, who knows. He left with the blonde bitch.”
“Does your husband know where he went?”
“I doubt it. He came inside, packed a bag, and told us to tell anyone who came asking for him that she killed him.”
“That’s it---that’s all he said.”
“Yep, that was it.
He knew that day would come. He talked about it all the time. I think he was looking forward to it.”
“This doesn’t make any sense.” Lawson scratched his head.
“That’s the Armaly’s for you.” Aluna brushed her body up against him. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
Lawson hesitated. “Uh, no, sorry, I better get going.”
“It’s only 2:15, we have plenty of time.”
“No, I have to go, please don’t tell your husband I was here.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t tell him anything.”
Lawson kissed her cheek and rushed out of the house.
He tried calling his partner the whole way down the hill, but there wasn’t a signal. Out of breath at the bottom of the hill, he finally reached Agent Arnold. “Arnold, pa---A---B---Armaly.”
Arnold didn’t understand. “What did you say? Lawson, are you okay?” There was heavy breathing on the other end of the line.
“Yes, okay, wait a minute.”
Arnold hung on the line.
“Okay, I can breathe, Arnold, are you there?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Put out an APB on Doctor Mike Armaly. He’s alive and probably traveling with a tall blonde woman.
“Wow, you are one hell of an agent. I can’t believe you got her to talk. Was it hard?”
Lawson didn’t answer him.
CHAPTER 33
“Who wants me?” Turbo’s voice cracked. For the first time since this all started, he was scared. “Who are these men, and if they want me so bad, why did they take you?”
“I’m not sure, I think they’re with the NSA---National Security Agency---either that or Homeland Security. They didn’t show me their badges.”
“But why did they beat you?” Carrie held her hand up to her mouth as if she already knew Phillip’s answer would shock her.
“Because that’s what they do, Carrie.” Phillip raised his voice. “They ask you questions that you can’t possibly answer and then they beat the shit out of you.”
Carrie moved her hand away from her mouth. She didn’t ask another question.
Turbo did. “What kind of questions? What couldn’t you answer?”
“Stupid shit like which division are you with?”
“Division?”
“That’s what I said. They thought I was C.I.A. at first. Of course, I denied it. That made them mad as hell.”
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