“Millard, are you okay?” Missy went over to help pick up the books.
Millard walked over to Doctor Armaly. “You’re Doctor Armaly? The Astrophysicist?”
“You’ve heard of me?”
“Of course, Star Wars wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for you.”
Missy got up from the floor. “You were in Star Wars? I knew you looked familiar, you’re Obi Wan Ketobi, right?”
“That’s Obi Wan Kenobi, Missy,” Millard played along.
“My father loves that movie. I have to get your autograph.” She fumbled for a pen and paper.
“Missy, I’m gonna take Obi Wan to see Professor Trump, he’ll give you an autograph on his way out, okay?”
They were out of the lobby before she knew it.
“Thanks Milton”
“It’s Millard”
“Sorry, thanks Millard.”
“Don’t mention it Doc. It was my pleasure. I can’t believe it’s you. You do know a lot of people think you’re dead, right?”
“Yes, I prefer it that way.”
“Cool. Doctor Trump’s office is at the end of the hall. So, you two are old friends?”
“Not exactly.” The doctor felt bad about lying to a young man who obviously looked up to him. “Actually, I’ve never met him.”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll be happy to meet you.”
“What makes you think so?”
“Because, you’re a legend, like I said earlier, Star Wars wouldn’t exist without you.”
“Millard, I don’t know how to tell you this, but Star Wars doesn’t exist. The government scrapped the program after Reagan died.”
“Oh, yeah, I know all that. I know the government’s official stance regarding the Strategic Defense Initiative. I also know it wouldn’t exist without you.” Millard winked. “This is Doctor Trump’s office.”
He knocked on the door.
CHAPTER 36
“Come in.”
Millard opened the door.
The professor was deep into the pile of papers on his desk. He only looked up for a second. “What is it Millard? I’m very busy.”
“Pardon the intrusion, Professor, but I thought you might want to meet Doctor Armaly.”
Professor Trump stood up. “Doctor Armaly? Mike Armaly?”
Doctor Armaly extended his hand. “Good to meet you, Professor.”
They shook hands. “I hope I’ll be able to say the same. Once I learn the reason for your sudden emergence back into society after all these years. Please, sit down. That will be all Millard.”
Millard left the office.
“Excuse me for being rude, but what are you doing here?” Trump leaned back in his chair.
“I don’t mind rudeness, I need answers.”
“Answers? Oh, let me guess, you’re one of those crazies who thinks my father stole all Tesla’s ideas.”
“It doesn’t matter what I think, besides, those people aren’t that crazy.”
Professor Trump leaned forward and slammed his hand on the desk. “Don’t you think I know that?”
Doctor Armaly had obviously touched a nerve. “Calm down, Professor.”
“I am calm. I’ve spent my entire life calmly defending my father.”
“Defending him?”
“Yes, from people like you who think he’d be a failure if not for Tesla.”
“I don’t think that.”
“Listen, I’m not a fool. I know my father couldn’t have come up with many of those concepts without Tesla’s help. Hell, nobody could. Tesla was a freak. Nonetheless, somebody had to carry on his work.”
“Then why Chemical Engineering?”
The question caught Trump off guard. “Huh?”
“Why not an electrical engineer, like your father?” Who carries on his work?”
“Not me, I won’t have my every discovery second guessed as Tesla’s. So, there you have it, is that all you needed?”
“No, that’s not at all what I need.”
“What is it then?”
“I need the microfilm.”
“The microfilm? You are one of those conspiracy nuts.”
“Cut the shit, Professor. You and I both know there’s microfilm. They provided NASA with plenty while I was working on Teleforce.”
“That may be so, Doc. But why would I have it.”
“Because I’m sure your father was smart enough to make a copy for his family’s future prosperity.”
“Well, if he did, I don’t have it.”
“How ‘bout your sisters? Maybe they have all the family heirlooms.”
“Doctor, I have a lot of work to do, maybe we should continue this another time.” Trump handed him a card. “Call me this evening.”
Doctor Armaly stepped toward the door. However, the diploma hanging on the wall distracted him. Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. It didn’t make sense, a prominent electrical engineer’s son a chemical engineer. Why? Then it hit him, he turned back toward the professor. “How long have you been working on it?”
Trump looked up. “Excuse me?”
Doctor Armaly walked back over to the desk. “The Water, how long have you been working on it?”
“My entire adult life.”
CHAPTER 37
Turbo left the shop in handcuffs. “You know, Rudy was right about you two being morons.” They shoved him headfirst into the back of the Escalade. “This is crazy. Could you at least lock up the shop for me?”
Lawson was already behind the steering wheel. He looked back at Turbo. “Now you know us morons don’t know how to lock a door.” He smiled at Agent Arnold and drove away.
Turbo apologized for the moron remark. “C’mon guys, you know I didn’t kill anybody.”
Lawson was about to say something, but Arnold stopped him. “Turbo, this is serious, I suggest you keep quiet until you hire an attorney.”
“I don’t need an attorney, I’m innocent. We all know Alex Gaye killed Rudy.”
“No, we don’t know that Turbo, and we have substantial evidence against you.”
“Evidence? What kind of---
Turbo decided to take Agent Arnold’s advice and remain silent. He wasn’t worried about the evidence. After all, he was innocent. Still, there were plenty of innocent men in prison.
They drove for a while until Lawson pulled into the rear entrance of the CIA office on Reade Street. Rudy was right again, they were CIA.
Agent Arnold walked Turbo down a long corridor to a conference room.
Turbo was relieved that it wasn’t a jail cell. There was a large conference table with ten or twelve leather high-back chairs.
Arnold sat Turbo down at the head of the table. “Hey, let me get those cuffs off, okay.”
Turbo remained silent.
Agent Lawson came into the room carrying two Mountain Dews, a Red Bull and a Diet Coke. I hope you don’t mind diet, because you ain’t getting one of these Dews.”
Turbo didn’t respond.
Lawson walked over and put the Diet Coke in front of him. “You’re taking this right to remain silent thing seriously, aren’t you?”
He was still silent.
“We just said that in the car because we didn’t want you rambling on the entire time. It’s okay now, we want you to ramble.”
Nothing.
Agent Arnold tried to ease the tension. “Turbo, we’re trying to help you, we could have just thrown you into a holding cell, but we didn’t. You need to cooperate. It’s the best thing for you right now.”
When Turbo didn’t respond to Agent Arnold, Lawson decided it was time to quit being nice. “Okay Turbo, you don’t want to talk; then just listen. We can prove that you were the last person to see Marco Fagan alive, we have the Aquaduct surveillance video.”
“Great, then I’m sure it shows I didn’t kill him.”
“No, not exactly. It shows Carrie Lockwood and Phillip Washington leaving in a hurry. But it doesn’t show that you ever left the building.”
&
nbsp; “That doesn’t prove anything. Carrie and Phillip were in a hurry because we heard gunshots. There was a stampede, we were separated, and that’s all. You can ask Carrie and Phillip?”
“We’ve already talked to Ms. Lockwood, and I’m sure we’ll find Mr. Washington soon enough.”
“You can call---
Turbo stopped in midsentence. Something wasn’t right. How could they have already talked to Carrie? And if they had, they would’ve certainly talked to Phillip as well. Turbo thought it would be a good time to remain silent again, but soon realized that wasn’t such a good idea. If he clammed up, they’d just throw him into a holding cell for who knows how long. He decided to play along, to “cooperate,” as Agent Arnold suggested.
“We can call who?” Lawson asked.
Turbo played dumb. “What?”
“You started to say we can call someone, but then stopped.”
“Oh, that. What I meant is could you call Cosmo for me, so he can lock up the shop.”
Lawson asked Arnold to handle that. “I’m gonna order a pizza. It’s going to be a long night. Turbo, you like anchovies?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Only on half.” Arnold screamed. Once Lawson had left the room, Arnold handed Turbo his cell phone. “Call Cosmo to lock up the shop, but don’t tell him where you are.”
Cosmo didn’t answer. Still, Turbo wasn’t that concerned with the shop. There really wasn’t anything that valuable inside, other than the portrait of Tesla on the wall. Besides, if they cleaned out the place they’d be doing him a favor. Since Lawson was still gone, Turbo decided to do some interrogating of his own. “Agent Arnold, when did you talk to Carrie?”
“Don’t worry about that, let us handle the investigation.”
“Oh, sure, but I’m worried about Phillip, do you have any idea where he is?”
“Were working some good leads. It won’t be long.”
“Cut the bullshit! What kind of games are you playing?” Turbo threw Arnold’s cell phone on the table just as Lawson returned with the pizza.
“Arnold, are you playing games with the prisoner?” Lawson set the pizza on top of the cell phone. “Can we eat first? I’m starving.”
Agent Arnold moved the box and retrieved his cell phone. “Turbo, thinks were playing some sort of game here.”
“We are. The game of “Life”---in prison. Have a slice of pizza.”
Turbo wasn’t hungry anymore.
“Turbo, if you cooperate I’m sure you’ll get out in twenty-five.” Lawson pushed the pizza his way. “This is a good pie.” He was the only one eating.
Arnold chugged the rest of his Red Bull and left the room.
“Are you gonna eat any of this. I got all anchovies, probably why Arnold left.”
Turbo picked up a slice. “Can we just cut to the chase?”
“You ready to cooperate?” Lawson was talking with his mouth full.
“I’ll cooperate when you tell me the truth.”
“Truth about what?”
“About Rudy or Marco, whatever his name is.”
“His name is Marco, and you killed him. That’s the truth!”
“Well, I know you’re lying about talking to Carrie Lockwood.”
“Yeah, why’s that?”
“Because I was at her apartment last night until midnight.”
“Is that so?”
Turbo finally took a bite of pizza. “You’re right. That is a good pie.”
“So, you and little Miss Carrie getting it on?”
“What?” Turbo almost choked on his pizza. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Why else were you there so late?”
Turbo didn’t answer.
Agent Arnold came back in the room with another Red Bull and a ham sandwich. Either ham or maybe old turkey that had discolored to look like ham. Then again, maybe the thick plastic packaging was deceiving.
“You didn’t bring me a Dew?” Lawson still had a mouthful of pizza.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I must not give a shit!”
“What’s wrong with you?”
Arnold looked at Lawson and then at Turbo. “You tell him.”
Turbo finished chewing before he spoke. “I believe Agent Arnold wanted some pizza without anchovies.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” Lawson grabbed a slice and picked off the anchovies.
“Put it down, asshole.” Arnold was visibly upset. “You know you can still taste it.”
Lawson changed the subject. “Did you know Turbo was banging Lockwood?”
“What?” Arnold looked at Turbo.
“Yeah, he stayed at her house past midnight.”
Turbo had had enough. “I was at her house past midnight talking to her and Phillip who you morons still think is missing.”
The agents were obviously shocked.
“Wait, it gets better. Phillip was kidnapped by some crazy NSA types who believe that Tesla gave his Edison Medal to Phillip’s grandfather for safekeeping.”
“What’s an Edison Medal?” Lawson asked.
“It’s a solid gold medal my uncle received in 1916. It’s been missing for years. Anyway, those whackos beat the shit out of Phillip for two days until he finally told them that I have the medal.”
“Do you have the medal?” Arnold asked.
“No, I don’t have the fucking medal. What I have is a bunch of crazies thinking that I do. And if that isn’t enough, you two come in and arrest me for murder. You know, come to think of it, I want you to throw me in jail. At least I’ll be safe.”
“Wow, that’s some story.” Lawson said.
“It’s the truth. You’re the ones fabricating the facts. You both know I didn’t kill Marco. Why aren’t you out looking for Alex Gaye?”
“We are. We have agents combing all over Europe.” Arnold said.
“Europe? You’re fucking morons. He was just in my shop yesterday.”
Lawson jumped from his seat and grabbed Turbo by the throat. “Stop lying to me.”
Turbo gasped for air, but managed to pull away. “Why would I lie about that?” I want you to catch that son-of-a-bitch, too. He was in my shop yesterday with a tall blonde woman who claimed to be my cousin.”
Agent Arnold nearly fell off his chair. “He had a tall blonde with him, are you sure?”
“Believe me; if you saw her you’d be sure too.”
“Was there anyone else with them? Maybe, an older man?” Lawson asked.
“Nope, just them.”
Lawson called in a new APB on Alex Gaye and directed the apprehension of any accomplices found with him. “Let’s go Arnold.” Lawson and Arnold headed for the door.
“Hey, what about me.” Turbo asked.
“We’ll have an agent drive you home.”
“But I don’t want to go home.”
“Fine, then stay here.”
Turbo was perplexed. “Does this mean I’m not under arrest anymore?”
“What?” Lawson turned away from the door. “Oh, yeah, I guess it does. Sorry.”
“You mother-fuckers, you did this just to make me talk?”
Lawson smiled. “A little trick Marco taught us.”
CHAPTER 38
Arnold and Lawson pounded on the front door of Carrie’s apartment.
She rushed to the door wrapped in a sheet.
“Where’s Phillip?” Lawson pushed her aside and entered the apartment. He saw Phillip pulling on his pants through the bedroom doorway. He rushed into the room. “Wow, you look like hell?”
Phillip put on his shirt.
“Sorry, to interrupt your little love nest, but I need to talk to you.” They walked into the other room.
Agent Arnold was still in the hall. “May we come in?” He was polite, unlike his partner.
“Please, come in.” Carrie said. “Is it okay if I put on some clothes?”
“I like the sheet.” Lawson smiled.
“Don’t mind my partner, please get dressed.”
Arnold tried to keep everyone calm.
Lawson, however, was having too much fun. “Does Turbo know you’re banging Phillip?”
Carrie went into the bedroom and slammed the door.
“Is he always a jerk?” Phillip asked Arnold.
“Not always, but a lot.”
Lawson glared at his partner. “Listen here, Phillip. I need to know everything about the people who abducted you.”
“What’s to know, they beat the shit out of me over some goddamn gold medal.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure, look at my fucking face.”
“Did they ask about anything other than the medal, any notes or formulas?”
“No, they just want the medal, supposedly it’s worth millions.”
“Was there a woman with them?”
“No, just men wearing black suits with white sneakers, I think they were Nike.”
“You never saw a woman, a tall blonde woman?”
Carrie came out of the bedroom in time to hear the last question. “What about a tall blonde woman?”
“We need to know if she was involved in Phillip’s abduction.”
“No, that’s not possible; she was at Turbo’s shop with Alex Gaye.”
“Yes, we already know that, but we think they could be working together.”
“How did you know they were there?” Carrie was impressed.
“We had Turbo in the lock-up overnight, he told us everything.”
Carrie was shocked. “Everything? Even about the trunk full of papers?
Phillip hushed her up.
“What trunk full of papers?” Lawson asked.
Agent Arnold ushered Carrie into the kitchen.
Lawson asked again. “What trunk full of papers?”
Agent Arnold took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and handed it to Carrie.
She sipped it slowly, as if concerned about its contents, and all the time breathing heavy. They could hear Agent Lawson badgering Phillip in the other room.
“Take a deep breath and try to relax.” Agent Arnold grabbed another bottle of water. “Carrie, I know this is frightening, and I know Marco told you not to trust me and my psycho partner, but this thing is getting way out of hand.” He took a sip of water. “It’s way over your head, just look at what happened to Phillip.”
Alternating Current: A Tesla Novel Page 16