Convergence

by Brian W Claspell

“She goes to church with me.” Jim explained.

  Ricardo looked at Jenny and said, “So you see, that is the dilemma, Mary says what a great guy Jacob is and I was starting to like Jim Conrad. Only they appear to be the same person. And if Mary didn’t know you for so long I would say you were a fed. And if Mary didn’t speak so nicely of you, you would be dead.”

  “Thank goodness for Mary. I always liked her.” Jim started. Jim tried to think how he could explain it and decided that the truth, at least most of it might be the best course of action. “It is not a dilemma. Until a short time ago I was Jacob Caldwell. Then I found out that my father was really just my step-father.” Jim then said. “My biological father was Jim Conrad senior.”

  “And the warrants for your arrest and the running?” Ricardo challenged.

  Jenny jumped in to help cover. “Someone pretended to be Jim Conrad for years and used his money. Jim is wealthy and when I finally found Jim senior’s real son there were some very unhappy people. The intruder has some powerful friends and they are after us.” She then told him they were no longer considered fugitives.

  “Who confirmed his identity?” Ricardo asked.

  “Well I did of course.” Jenny explained. “His real father asked me to hunt him down and make sure he got his inheritance. “But a small Swiss bank that holds the majority of his holdings had to confirm his DNA before they would release those funds. We did that while we were in Europe this week.”

  “That is why you were in Switzerland.” Ricardo concluded.

  Jim added. “Precisely. And if I am going to jump into the high world of the rich and famous I will need to look like I have money–a good collection of fine manuscripts would help. I also need connections. Hence, I needed to meet someone like you who had connections.”

  Ricardo seemed to accept the explanation as plausible. He had checked Jim’s background (as Jacob) and concluded that however he got involved in this scheme; he was always just an accountant making an average living before. “These powerful people, do you know who they are?”

  Jenny looked at Ricardo. “We are trying to figure that out, but until we do we are trying to keep a low profile. We have friends helping.”

  Ricardo said. “I was beginning to look at you as a good friend. Now that I know that you know my daughter, I consider you a very trusted friend. You are welcome at my house and to my protection whenever you like. What can I do to help?”

  Jenny looked at Jim as if to say that she would answer on their behalf. Jim kept quiet. “We appreciate the offer and will probably need your help soon, but we need to work some of the angles we have first.”

  “Very well. But I must warn you that if I found you I am sure the others trying to find you are not far behind. I would suggest leaving tonight. Roy seems to be a good fellow and he is an Illinois fan so I would hate to see anything happen to him.” Ricardo concluded. Then Ricardo and his two sons left.

  Jim and Jenny were packed and half way through writing a thank you note when Roy walked back into the house. “You two don’t have to leave so fast. I got room for you.”

  Jim expressed his gratitude and told him not to lie if anyone asked, just tell them “Jacob and his girlfriend came by to see you and then moved on.”

  Jim and Jenny began their drive to Des Moines. They would find a hotel along the way.

  Saturday Morning

  US Central Standard Time

  Chapter 83 – The Bank Encounter

  Jim and Jenny were at the bank first thing in the morning, about an hour after they opened. It was Saturday and they wanted to be sure that they were able to get to the safe deposit box before the bank closed. It was early and there was already a small crowd within the bank.

  Jim was led back to the vault where he could look at the contents of the safe deposit box. He had to wait a few minutes for one of the banking managers to free up. It was a two key system that required his key and one from the bank. Once unlocked, Jim would be given his privacy.

  Jenny had gone to the restroom while they waited. As she walked out of the door, she saw Frank standing in the lobby. Frank saw her and immediately made his way over to her. Jenny smiled, “Hey Frank. Why did you come this way?”

  Frank looked at her sternly. “I should ask you the same question. You said you were heading for Chicago.”

  “Jim is on his way to Chicago. I will meet him later today at a hotel.” Jenny responded, knowing that Jim could come out at any moment and spoil her misdirection.

  “You are supposed to be keeping him safe.” Frank responded.

  “Whoever is tracking us is looking for two people and not one. He is probably safer this way.” Jenny paused for moment but not long enough to give Frank a chance to ask anything else. “So what are you doing here?”

  Frank simply responded. “We tracked Yuri here. We are sure she has moved on to Chicago but just had to serve a warrant to get the information from her safe deposit box.”

  In the vault, Jim opened the safety deposit box with the banker. The banker took him to an adjacent room where he could examine the contents in private.

  “Did you find anything of interest?” Jenny asked wondering if somehow it was the same safe deposit box.

  “Just an old ring, a little money and a couple of insignificant letters.” Frank indicated. Then he asked, “Why are you here?”

  Jim pulled a sealed letter out of the box and carefully opened it.

  Jenny responded to Frank. “Ricardo told us that he had heard that Yuri was coming this way. I just thought it would be good to do a quick reconnaissance before heading to Chicago.”

  Jim read the letter.

  Jacob,

  Your mother and I had a short fling while I was a senior at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. We thought we loved each other. However, if we stayed together it would have ruined my career and embarrassed her father so we mutually agreed to move on.

  By getting this letter it means that Stephanie started you on a path to a Swiss bank account that eventually led you back to this small bank. I can’t tell you what to do with the money; it is all in your name. I do not even know where it all came from. I know some was swindled from criminals and some from the US government.

  Please help Stephanie if she needs it. There were corrupt CIA agents that were conspiring to get the money from Jim Conrad’s account. If they find out you exist then your life will be in danger. You will have to choose whether to expose them or just let them be.

  The conspiracy was led by Agent James Corso and included an agent named Heidi ???, Samuel Thomas, Leland ???, and Frank Warner. They were known as the Fabulous Five for some of their intelligence work at the agency. There may be more, but this is what I know.

  With love and caring,

  Tim Baker

  There was nothing else in the box. Jim put the letter in his pocket and headed out to meet Jenny. He didn’t make it around the corner and he saw Jenny talking to Frank. He could not hear what they were saying.

  “Well, you and I can ride to Chicago together.” Frank said.

  Jenny did not have a real reason not to head back with him. She saw Jim over Frank’s shoulder and was glad that he had paused. Jim raised his cell phone for Jenny to see and then started to dial. Jenny started to answer, but her phone rang before she got a word out.

  “Jenny.” Jim began.

  Jenny held one figure up to Frank and jumped into her cell phone conversation. “How is your drive to Chicago?”

  Jim had slipped into an open office and closed the door and blinds. He was looking through the blinds as he spoke. “Jenny, I know who the mole in the CIA is or rather who they are. The letter was quite clear.”

  “Okay, traffic should not be bad on a Saturday.” Jenny was just trying to make sure the conversation looked normal.

  “Frank’s name is on the list.” Jim said excitedly.

  “That is disappointing. It was smart of you to call ahead. Just find another hotel when you get there and call me with the informa
tion later.” Jenny continued.

  They said bye and Jenny resumed her conversation with Frank. “I can get to Chicago on my own. I do not want to blow our cover.”

  Frank looked at her and said. “No, this is an order. We can work out the details later of how you connect with Jim later. Where is your car? We can get your stuff and head up to Chicago now.”

  Jenny simply said. “Jim dropped me off in town and then headed to Chicago. He has all of my stuff. I was just going to rent a car later.”

  As they walked out the door, Jim observed Jenny discretely drop something in a planter at the doorway. After they left, Jim went to the planter and found the car keys. The game had now changed.

  Chapter 84 – The Bitter Russian Air

  Sven Choski could not believe it. He immediately went to the artifact cleaning room to find Professor Thomas. He was not there. He sent a guard to go fetch him and Commander Blootov out of bed if they had to.

  He took the bronze plate from the containment area and set it down on the table. Then he took the field casing supplies and started to clean and then enclose the second plate that had been found overnight. Months and months of frustration had finally turned up a second plate. Having both, more words and characters might make the translation go smoother. It also proved the first plate was more than just an anomaly.

  Commander Blootov arrived first. He was excited but did not care about these things too much. His biggest excitement was the accolades he might receive if this were successful. Professor Thomas walked up just as the second casing was being completed. It was done in a rudimentary way and eventually would be professionally sealed and cared for. But this was a working sight.

  “My friend, my friend.” Sven exclaimed. “I have exciting news. We have found a second plate.” Sven excitedly handed the plate to Professor Thomas.

  Professor Thomas took it in his hand and started to study it. Again, the spy in him was gone. “Marvelous.” He said first in English and then repeated in Russian. Professor Thomas studied it for nearly five minutes. Sven looked over his shoulder intently.

  Commander Blootov sat in a chair nearly nodding to sleep. He knew that the honor of reporting it would be his and after the two scientists were done drooling on it; he would take a picture and dispatch a courier. He would also call the Minister of Knowledge’s office when it opened in a few hours.

  Samuel Thomas set it on the table. Sven set the other plate right next to it. It was too late by the time Samuel realized that the scientist in him had momentarily forgotten what he had done to the first plate. He knew that Sven would know momentarily.

  He underestimated the time it took Sven to notice. “What is this? What is this? What have you done Sam?” As Commander Brotoov sat up to see what the commotion was, Sven realized that he had just sentenced his friend to death. Sven just did not understand why.

  After a moments insisting, Sven pointed out some of the differences in what the plate had originally looked like and what it looked like now. Commander Brotoov understood that this American had defaced Russian artifacts, probably in an attempt to make the USSR look bad to the world. He knew that he now had his personal victory – exposing such a conspiracy would be triumphant. He immediately had Samuel Thomas watched around the clock.

  After talking to his superiors his instructions were clear. At about 2:00 AM the next morning Professor Samuel Thomas was taken to an area of the dig sight that was the deepest, only about 20 feet. Most people would survive a fall of that distance, but it is plausible that someone could snap their neck and die in a fall of that distance. Even on the way to the location Samuel knew that his neck would likely be snapped before the fall even occurred.

  He reflected on his life and how he had spent his entire life trying to build a better world. He wondered if the messages to his team back in the states had been understood. He never expected the extreme commitment of the Bakers. He never expected them to have themselves killed just to protect their daughter. This is what prompted him to take his Midwestern vacation to Des Moines Iowa. His Midwestern vacation had allowed him to access the safe deposit box that was for his daughter. As suspected, he was able to identify how Tim Baker had removed access to the account from him and his colleagues. It also prescribed how they would get it back. He had communicated the name of the individual, Jacob Caldwell, to his associates. Sending the account number would have given all of the keys needed if someone had intercepted and interpreted the messages he was sharing – so he had to hide the remaining pieces, the account number and bank, on the bronze plate. He had asked his colleagues one additional favor as he communicated - to make sure his daughter got his note. How to find the note was also included in his message on the plate. Perhaps his biggest regret was not getting to know her and not being involved.

  Did he regret his choices? Maybe he only regretted the one about his daughter. But even that one had enabled him to do great things to change the world. He knew he would die with dignity and pride. But he would die.

  Sven stood watching with two guards and Commander Brotoov. Samuel Thomas held the key that was around his neck, the duplicate key to the safe deposit box in Des Moines as Commander Brotoov snapped his neck and dropped him into the pit.

  Sven looked in disgust. He loved his country but at the same time, not some of their means. He said, “That is done.”

  Commander Brotoov said. “Not yet.”

  He secured Sven. Sven asked. “But why?”

  “This whole thing could be an embarrassment to the Kremlin. They will not have that.” He then snapped the neck of Sven and dropped him next to Professor Thomas. Washington DC was informed the next day of the “tragic accident” involving Professor Samuel Thomas. The newspaper in Moscow reported how an American professor had tragically died while trying to save his dear friend Sven Choski, an archeologist from the USSR. As almost a footnote, the story indicated how the dig site would be closed temporarily while safety conditions were explored.

  The Kremlin ordered Commander Blotoov to catalog and file all of the information and artifacts from the dig site into the archives at the Ministry of Knowledge so that it would not be found for a very long time.

  Years later Professor Blovaski, a Moscow University professor of antiquities, came across the set of records on this unique dig site. Of particular interest to him were the plates he found. There were also a few notes associated with attempting translate one of them. He quickly posted a note on an internet bulletin board asking if anyone was familiar with bronze plates in Russia. He also sent a picture of the plates to a colleague in the UK.

  Chapter 85 – Museum of Science and Industry

  As instructed, the Captain sat at a table just outside the ice cream parlor in the Museum of Science and Industry. He had a red bandana tied around his arm. The museum was very busy. It was a Saturday. A man came by and handed the Captain a phone.

  The Captain thanked the man and looked around. It was only a moment later that the phone rang. “Are you the Captain?”

  “Stephanie, I am the Captain and I am here. Let’s meet.” The Captain responded.

  He had said enough that she was fairly certain that it really was the Captain this time. Yuri spoke out, “I now have a picture of you and our meeting is inevitable.”

  The Captain motioned cleverly to some of his colleagues that were watching. “Do you think you will leave the museum alive or even at all?” The Captain was intrigued by this key for a safe deposit box. But other than that he only needed her for a bargaining chip to get at Jim. However, he received word earlier that they had a much more valuable asset to help with that. In his mind, she was now expendable. They kept their obligation to Professor Thomas to ensure she got to the safe deposit box. And good thing or they might not get the additional information at the additional safe deposit box.

  “You assume that I am even in the museum. Do you see the family with the phone looking at you? They believe they are recording a film of my elderly father’s birthday surprise and yet
they are only transmitting a signal to me just outside of the museum. It is amazing what a family will do for $100 bucks.” Yuri pointed out to the Captain.

  “Aren’t you the clever one? So where are we going to meet?” The Captain asked, intrigued by the sequence of events. He saw a lot of the cleverness in Yuri that he had known in her biological father.

  “Make your way to the airplane on the second floor. Under the second seat is a GPS device. It is programmed with your first four destinations. Before you go after these, make a stop at locker 24 in the lobby. The key will be taped to the GPS device. There are several pairs of sweats and t-shirts. Find the size that fits you and change in the men’s bathroom. Bring only the GPS device and your car keys with you. Leave the phone. Come to the first location for your next set of instructions.”

  After the Captain got up, Yuri stood from a table about three tables away and made her way to the lobby where she would have to wait a little while. She had snapped a picture of the woman that he had motioned to when he thought Yuri was in the building. Once the Captain arrived in the lobby she noticed him talking to a man that she did not recognize. He handed him the GPS device and went into the bathroom to change. It was not long until he came out, got the GPS device back and made his way to his car.

  Yuri now had pictures of three of them, whoever they were. When you are pursuing someone, you will often switch who is doing the pursuing so as not to draw attention to yourself. If you are being pursued and you do not know your pursuer, this can be used to your advantage. Yuri started the day with only a voice and now had three pictures of three different individuals, including the man behind the voice.

  The Captain drove up Lake Shore Drive to downtown Chicago. He parked underneath an L-train and made his way into a cell phone store. “Can I help you?” A young woman asked from behind the counter.