by Gary Starta
“Somebody better tell me what the hell is going on here!” Timothy scowled. “It’s not too late to call the police.”
“Timothy,” Chao-Zing said, “this woman works for a company. She’s working to discredit me because I seem to pose some kind of threat.”
Timothy raced around the table and pointed a shaking finger at Sarah. “Do you know someone who was posing as Lou Ann? Come on, out with it.!”
Sarah shrunk away from Timothy as much as she could in her chair and her eyes darted back and forth in their sockets.
“What do you know about her?” Timothy demanded.
“I don’t know her. I swear.” Sarah shielded her head with her hands.
“Timothy!” Chao-Zing shouted. “I believe her. But I don’t know what you’re talking about. For God’s sake, take a deep breath.”
Timothy filled the professor in about Kate’s covert mission.
“I see. I believe this Kate and Sarah work for the same man.” Chao-Zing shook her head from side to side. “It’s too crazy to believe but I believe it…somehow.”
Timothy scrubbed a hand over his chin. “What the hell do they want with us? I was just trying to bring some light into people’s lives.”
“That’s what they’re afraid of.” Lori smiled feebly at Timothy.
“But you’re just as bad, Lori. You’re a criminal as well. You betrayed me every bit as much as Kate did.” Timothy paced away from the table afraid of what he might say or do next.
Chao-Zing spoke in a calm tone. “Timothy, I know you’re upset. Maybe we can think of a way to defend ourselves. Possibly we can stop these unconstitutional attacks.”
“Yeah, I’d like to know how. I was just outsourced. I am a pawn in a game. And Professor Zheng, I’m afraid you’re just a grain of sand on the beach like me.”
“Timothy,” Lori said, “you have more power than you know.”
Sarah scoffed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say someone was in love. Didn’t you learn anything I ever taught you? Don’t fall for someone unless it’s for your gain.”
“Screw you, Sarah. Slink back to the scumbag who employs you. You deserve each other.” Lori buried her face into her hands.
“Okay, I will. But I don’t know how I will be able to relay any information to you guys.” Sarah rose to her feet. “They’re probably even monitoring us now. I could be thrown to the lions. Doesn’t anybody fucking care about that?”
“Did you care about me?” Chao-Zing asked sternly.
“Probably not but you’re older and wiser and all that crap; I’m innocent until proven guilty.”
“Maybe you should leave while you can.” Timothy pointed a finger at a doorway.”
Sarah scurried to the exit like the rat Timothy suspected she was. But this girl, Lori, she was filled with remorse. Still, it didn’t make him feel any less angry. He was betrayed again. An arrest of these women wouldn’t erase what they had done to him. Was his path toward happiness all a delusion? And if so, how could it be such a threat to the establishment?
*
Ron Hayes snickered at the image on his screen before speaking to the caller on his cell. “This will do nicely.”
The caption below Timothy Ray’s photo summed up Hayes’s disdain for the man: Timothy Ray – Sun God or Rising Fraud?
Tomorrow the cover story would grace the front of a respected news magazine and tarnish the reputation of a man thousands had begun to revere. At least that’s what Hayes hoped it would do before more drastic measures had to be taken.
Hayes was so enveloped in his smear campaign he didn’t notice Jim Parsons spying on him through a glass window.
The smile on Hayes’s face ebbed as he disconnected with the publisher. There was still the professor to deal with and how could he forget about Kate? The bitch better show up tomorrow bright eyed and bushy tailed. Hayes reflected about the loose end Kate Sizemore might have turned into. Yes, you better fly right and quick. Because if you don’t you’ll be signing your own death warrant, Ms. Sizemore. Of course, it will be ruled an accident.
Chapter Twenty
Kate raced toward the door in response to a knock, but then thought better of exposing herself, and tiptoed catlike. What if it was Hayes? What would she say? She peered through the curtain but no one could be seen. That was probably indicative of how Hayes performed his dirty work either behind the scenes or undercover, preferably covering his own butt.
This would be the second day she would call out of work. She reached for the doorknob with her heart in overdrive. Okay, maybe it’s better to get this over with. I’ll just say I have the flu or maybe a backache, that’s better. I don’t think it’s provable.
Peering to the left and the right revealed no visitor. Kate prided herself on choosing a quiet neighbourhood. She had done her homework and investigated the area beforehand. It was her primal instinct, investigate before taking action. But had she really investigated how her emotional state would be affected by Timothy?
Finally, she looked downward and found a magazine in shrink wrapped plastic. Filled with anger, she picked it up swearing up and down she would barbecue the telemarketer who had tricked her into a subscription. The plastic covering contained no recipient name or address. What the fuck?
Carrying the publication into her home, eyes glued on the cover, she fumbled for her coffee but her hand missed the C-handle causing her to push the mug against a plate. Clank! The rattle of the dish was nowhere near as jolting as to who graced the cover of News Now, a national current events magazine.
“Timothy!” Kate’s surprise had transformed into disgust and hatred in seconds. Hayes was undoubtedly behind the article titled: ‘Timothy Ray – Sun God or Rising Fraud?’ “That bastard, he’s already upping the game.” She resisted the urge to flip to the article, her mind battling with Hayes in an imaginary war. This is his way of telling me I’m terminated. She threw the magazine onto the counter. “I guess I failed you. But let me tell you, I’m GLAD I did!” She stood hand on hip, staring at a wall. “Come on, I know you’re listening.”
Her rational mind soon engaged and it willed her to sit down and read the article. It wasn’t in her interest to admit to her deceit. She laughed softly to herself thumbing to the article. Well now I know what it feels like to be a double agent. She had scoffed at movies where a spy’s loyalty faltered because of a romantic interest and turned them into a traitor.
The first few sentences didn’t seem that harsh or offensive, almost commending Timothy for inspiring thousands to worship the sun. ‘It all seemed so harmless, one sun lover admitted, ‘until I found out he was playing us and using this publicity to make a career for himself.’
Kate was flabbergasted. The speaker either suffered from confabulations, or more likely, was imaginary. There was no way Timothy was engineering a plan to financially benefit from his sun obsession. Furthermore, when did he ever coerce or encourage any of the other imitator groups to form or follow him? She scanned the article further until she found a quote from Lifestream founder George Abington attributing the success of sunrise satellite groups to Ray’s ingenious but wicked marketing strategy. “He made it appear he wasn’t selling them anything at all. I can’t confirm he is or will be. But I’ve never seen a campaign on my site that didn’t have an end game. I suspect he’ll soon lay claim to ownership of all these groups, then he’ll charge dues and finally he’ll create an organization that can accept donations, tax-free of course. It only stands to reason he implanted the idea in victim’s minds from the beginning when he announced he was buying the sun for a dollar.”
Kate spit at the inset photo of Abington. That lying bastard! Where is there a shred of evidence proving any of these accusations? At that juncture, Kate realized the surveillance effort cast a wide web. Her employer, or whoever owned them, probably controlled mainstream media. How else could such lies and slander be printed? She hoped Timothy could find a lawyer honourable enough to take a stand against them. But she grew despondent by the second
realizing these people lived in shadows without faces and names.
*
George rapped at Chao-Zing’s door with fury.
Arriving at the door with unkempt hair, the professor hastily fastened a tie on her robe. “What’s the matter? Am I late for class?” She turned to glance at a clock.
“No. It’s early and I’m sorry to disturb you…” He paused as Kevin emerged behind her. “…but you’ve got to see this. They’re crucifying Timothy.”
Chao-Zing gasped at the cover photo and flipped through the magazine while Kevin stared over her shoulder.
“I can’t believe this. What lies! This man is not some religious zealot seeking a fast buck. I know he isn’t. Why aren’t we quoted?”
George answered softly. “Because it is filled with lies and false quotes, I think the only real person in the article is George Abington. But whether they wrote the quote for him is anybody’s guess.”
Chao-Zing’s hand crumpled the edge of a page in rage. “Who the hell is George Abington, some asshole politician?”
“Worse,” Kevin answered, “he’s the head of Lifestream where all posts are gospel.” He shook his head. “You must be the only person who’s never heard of the little rat.”
“Let him say those words to my face. I’d cut off one of his vital parts with a dull spoon.”
Kevin chuckled. “Woo! Remind me to never piss you off.”
George sighed. “It doesn’t matter if he said the words or not. We could never afford a legal offensive against a multi-billion corporation, especially one who’s apparently in league with some of our nation’s finest spies.”
Kevin placed a hand on Chao-Zing’s shoulder. “So, you’re implying big brother is behind the curtain?” He didn’t pause for George to answer. “It makes sense. The government can’t have people believing in self-empowerment. Corporations love this line of thinking because it makes them big bucks. It’s much easier for them to appeal to the misinformed and ignorant. I discussed this with Timothy. I knew there could be repercussions. I should have tried to dissuade him but he was so darn happy after everything that happened to him.”
Chao-Zing reached up to clasp his hand. “I know. You are a good friend and good friends support each other’s dreams, not shatter them.” George smiled at the couple. He hoped one day he would find an ally.
Kevin reached for the magazine. “If you don’t mind I’d like to take this rag to Timothy. He should hear about it from a friend. I just hope to God he hasn’t already found it. Who knows what he might do?”
Chao-Zing shook her head from side to side while George watched Kevin race to his car. Was he already too late to save his friend?
*
“You’ve got to be kidding!” Timothy held magazine with his cover photo over his head. “Is this some kind of practical joke, man?”
“I wish it was but how could I afford to print it?” Kevin wiped a hand across his sweaty brow.
Timothy realized the same corporation behind Kate was probably behind this. “Can they get away with this? I never intended this to be a money-maker. But I did imply that I wanted to start a non-profit organization.” Timothy scratched at his chin. “Either way, there’s no quote in this article from me whatsoever. In fact, it says I refused to be interviewed!”
“Did you tell Kate about your plans?”
“I did. So she’s an informant not only to whomever the hell Harris & Rosenberg is, she’s also printing phony articles?”
“Maybe not, Tim; I mean, if you told her maybe you told everyone else as well.” Kevin made air quotes about the room.
“Well fuck the buggers. I hope you all heard that loud and clear.”
“I’m sure we’re all being monitored. Right now, I suppose we’re giving them what they want: anger and exasperation. They can see through our computers and TV screens.”
“You’re right,” Timothy whispered. “They want us to give in. That’s why Kate spied on me. I’m some kind of a threat. Lori tried to tell me yesterday but when I found she was behind my home invasion I blocked her out.”
“Damn it, Tim. I need to get mobile updates on your life by the minute. She admitted to being behind the robbery and you discussed this with her?” He placed both hands about his head. “Tell me the little bitch is in a jail cell.”
“No, she isn’t. I couldn’t do it. Besides there was little of value taken and I don’t think I want to be responsible for ruining the rest of her life. I know how that goes. Karma is a bitch. She’ll get hers, but it when it happens, it won’t be on my head.”
“I suppose.” Kevin shook his head from side to side.
“Why are you suddenly shaking your head all the time? Could it be from spending too much time with Chao-Zing?”
“I guess, and if so, I’m glad. I just wish you had a female shoulder to hold onto during times like these, buddy. I really can’t imagine how I plodded through life before my feisty professor.”
“I’m still crushed by what Lou Ann – I mean – Kate did to me. It’s hard to separate the emotional ties from the destructive lies. Maybe she didn’t mean to screw me over. She did say something about trying to make it right.”
“Don’t listen to her, Tim. She went so far as to create an imaginary persona. And whatever she could make right for you sounds implausible. One lone person doesn’t stand much of a chance.”
“I know you’re right. Especially now…” Timothy’s voice trailed off and his head drooped.
“Come on, man. We’ll think of a game plan. Don’t let them win.”
“I don’t see how I can win. This is like a bad dream. It’s inconceivable how they can be targeting someone like me. But now I have the evidence in my heart and in my hands.”
“You should stay away from Kate no matter what she promises. You have a partner out there but it isn’t her. Like you said, she left her mark on your heart. As far as the evidence in your hands, maybe we can sue.”
“It would make it seem that I’m all about the money if I did. I’ll give them kudos. They thought this out well.”
“We need to investigate this firm. How and why they’re turning civilians against each other. Someone, somewhere still has to have a moral compass.”
“I don’t know. I know you’re trying to be supportive Kevin and I’m appreciative. But I think I better let go of my sun before it gets someone hurt and maybe it was all just an illusion anyway. I mean, Lou Ann was an illusion.”
Helena mewled and Timothy scooped her into his arms. “Don’t worry. Daddy knows you aren’t an illusion.”
*
Lori bit her lower lip until it bled. She slammed a fist on her computer table and the image on the screen flittered and fuzzed on the screen for a moment.
“Some fraud, he’s a saviour.” Her voice softened to a whisper. “A real life saviour and I need him.”
She rolled around the conundrum in her head. How could she get him to talk to her? She was lucky he hadn’t called the police. Any further encroachment upon his privacy was asking for punishment. But what did she have to lose ultimately? The clock was still ticking and her situation wasn’t getting any better.
Lori flicked off the screen and rummaged for an outfit.
*
Jim Parsons nearly flew off his chair when Ron Hayes sneaked up from behind.
“So, Jim, you got a minute?”
“Sure, what’s up boss?” Parsons’s heart fluttered. “Was the bastard onto Kate’s request? He had been careful and left his cell phone at home but still Ron Hayes had many means to eavesdrop. His firm literally manufactured walls with ears.
“I have a little problem and it’s got to stay between you me.” Hayes slapped Jim on the back. “Can you promise me?”
Jim flipped a few switches assuming Hayes would interpret the action as an affirmative.
“Good. We’re in radio silence I suppose.” Hayes chuckled and Parsons equated it with the sound an evil Santa might produce.
“We are. What can I d
o for you?”
“I need to feign an accident. Maybe someone who had a lot of stress on them might suffer a heart problem or maybe someone who hasn’t maintained their car very well might end up in a nasty fatality. Either option is good for me. I’ll let you decide. But time isn’t on our side, Jim.”
“I…” Jim stuttered. “I can requisition the equipment.”
“Good, Jim. Expedite it if you can, huh?”
*
Soft raps on the door startled Timothy who had dozed off after Kevin left for work. It was funny how he was the one so tired. He wasn’t working but he supposed the bad news was depression setting in and bad moods could make you tired as a prisoner on a chain gang.
“Who is it?” Timothy’s voice was raspy. Helena bounced from his lap to the floor.
There was no answer. Timothy scanned the room for a weapon. He chose a baseball bat tucked behind the couch. He recalled he had kept it there after the robbery but soon forgot all about it once he fell under Lou Ann’s charms.
When the door opened, Timothy felt his blood boil. His first instinct was to close it. As he tried, Lori stuck her foot in the door. “Please hear me out. You owe me nothing. But I still owe you.”
“That’s cryptic and a little creepy.” Timothy tossed the bat onto the couch. Lori cringed. “Don’t worry; the bat doesn’t have anything against you.”
Lori received a better welcome from Helena.
Timothy raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you knock louder? I barely heard you.”
“It’s a habit. It comes from my favourite poem, The Raven.”
“By Edgar Allan Poe?”
“The one and the only.”
“Isn’t that poem a little bit dark?”
“Totally, it’s about an entity that reminds a lover of a loss.”
“Well, sounds right up my alley. But what are you doing here? Isn’t it enough I let you go?”
Lori’s eyes widened. “No. It isn’t. I found a light within you. Maybe it doesn’t emanate from the sun like it does for you. But I feel something. And like I said, you owe me nothing, but I pray you’ll hear me out.”