The Cosmic Ray Heresy

by Frank Smith

  "How long before it comes to rest?" Georgina asked.

  "It oscillated back and forth for almost an hour in the trial we did earlier," Sal said.

  "Well, it's almost noon and Frank promised me a free lunch. We're not going to speed anything up by sitting here and watching that beam. It's like watching a pot boil."

  "I move we eat," Sal said.

  I seconded the motion, put out the lights, and locked up.

  The faculty cafeteria was almost deserted and we had no trouble getting a quiet booth. Georgina and I had the tuna salad platters; an ice cream scoop of tuna on a lettuce leaf surrounded by slices of hard boiled egg, olives, and pickled beets. Sal had a cheese steak. We all had ice tea. I treated.

  "Now I know you're trying to bribe me," Georgina said digging a fork into her tuna.

  "Frank tells me he's trying to get you to upset the Vatican," Sal said.

  "Oh, I wouldn't want to do that. Have you seen the cloud chambers, Sal?"

  "This morning. Very interesting."

  "Do you think it's a miracle?"

  "Not yet," Sal said. "What do you think about what we are doing with the Cavendish Balance?"

  "To tell the truth I'm not sure what you are doing with it. What's the connection with the cosmic ray business?"

  "How much physics have you studied? Frank said you were both physics majors at Kenyon."

  "I was for the first year," she said. "That's how we met. Then I switched to psychology."

  Sal nodded and I knew what he was thinking. I straightened him out.

  "Not because she had trouble with physics, Sal. She aced both semesters of the introductory course."

  "Why switch if you were doing so well?" he asked.

  "I had no trouble with the problems but I also wanted to reflect on what it all meant- the big questions. No time for that. Move on or we won't get to the end of the book. You know the routine."

  "Did psychology satisfy your need for meaning?"

  "No, that's why I switched to philosophy in graduate school and spent four years quibbling about the meaning of words and 'proving' that nothing had any meaning. I finally found my home in religion; an act of the will. I chose to believe."

  "Well, if you are interested in big ideas then Karl Kurtz's theory might interest you. It may sound crazy but it's not all that complicated. He claims that the strength of all fundamental forces, not just the gravitational force, would be different in a nearby universe-if such a universe exists."

  "A very big if," Georgina said "and what does that have to do with Frank's cosmic ray problem?"

  Sal wiped some cheese off his chin with a paper napkin. "Kurtz speculates that in such a universe the strong nuclear force that holds the particles in the nucleus together may be weaker than it is in our universe. He sees the communion host causing a rip in our universe allowing a portion of the adjacent universe, a bulge if you will, to protrude into ours-sort of a cosmic aneurysm. This could upset the tug of war between the nuclear force pulling the charged protons in the nucleus together and the electrical repulsive force tending to push them apart. In our universe the nuclear force wins that battle but if the nuclear force was weakened then the stronger electrical force could blow out protons and alpha particles from molecules in the cloud chamber producing the extra tacks. "

  "Assuming that the electrical force isn't weaker also." she said."

  "Right," Sal said.

  "Okay, but if you are interested in nuclear forces, why the Cavendish Balance?"

  I said "The idea is that if we can find differences in the gravitational force, which is easy to measure, maybe the nuclear strong force, which is not so easy to measure, is also affected."

  "And what do you think the chance is that the gravitational force is affected?" she asked.

  "We will soon know," I said.

  "Taking any bets on the outcome?" she said spearing an egg slice.

  "What's your guess?" Sal asked.

  Georgina used her knife to push tuna onto her fork.

  "My guess is that Kurtz's idea is just as loony as it sounds."

  CHAPTER 43-WHAT IS SQUARE ONE?

  I preferred "failed hypothesis" to "loony" but either way her guess was right. When we got back to the lab the red dot on the wall had stopped at its final position-exactly the same position it had stopped at earlier when the communion wafer was absent. We ran the numbers but it was obvious that there was no effect on the gravitational force.

  "Okay, Kurtz's idea was pretty far out but we had to test it," I said.

  "What now?" Georgina asked.

  "Back to square one," I said.

  "And what would that be?" Georgina asked.

  "We go back to the basic observations in the cloud chambers."

  "You know I get it that two are intrigued by the physics of this strange phenomenon," she said. "but you are running out of ideas for a natural explanation. What about your "reluctant" divine hypothesis, Frank? Don't miss the forest for the trees here. This is the way I see it. No consecrated host-normal. Consecrated host-lots more tracks. Ergo, the consecrated host causes the increase. I am less interested in what those tracks are than why they are there in the first place. Could it really be a direct intervention by the deity into the physical world and if so for what reason?"

  "Perhaps to remind us that miracles can still happen," Sal said.

  "Which would fall into the category of' 'miracles on demand' wouldn't it?" Georgina said. "Set up your cloud chamber, bring a consecrated host near it and, voila, instant miracle. Even a casual reading of the Bible will reveal that Jesus consistently rejected such theatrics. He rebuked the Pharisees who demanded a sign from heaven saying, I quote, '?no sign shall be given'. He rejected the devil's invitation to turn stone into bread or jump from the pinnacle of the temple and have angels rescue him. He rejected cheap tricks".

  "She has a point, Frank," Sal said.

  "Which brings me to another point," Georgina said. "You have considered multiple hypotheses to explain the physics of this anomaly: stray radioactivity, bulging universes, etcetera. How about another hypothesis to explain the quote 'supernatural' aspect of the phenomenon?"

  "What do you suggest?" I asked.

  "An explanation suggested by he who is interested in cheap tricks. If we are to consider a divine explanation we should also include a diabolical one."

  "You can't be serious," Sal said. "The Devil? What, he throws some sort of a demonic tantrum in the presence of a consecrated host and starts hurling subatomic particles around?"

  "Maybe. I'm serious. I'm suggesting a hypothesis which is just as logical as the divine hypothesis. As long as we are willing to consider 'bulging universes' or 'cosmic aneurysms' I think I'm entitled to throw the devil into the mix."

  "All right. I'll grant you that," I said. "Any suggestions for testing out that hypothesis?"

  "Yes, but I haven't worked it all out yet. Right now, though, I better get going. I have an appointment this afternoon."

  "You're going to leave us hanging?"

  "Not for long. Are you doing the cosmic ray experiments again in your Monday lab, Frank?"

  "Two to four."

  "Then I'll see you Monday. Sal, nice meeting you," she said shaking hands with him.

  Georgina headed for the door and turned smiling. "I'm getting out of here before the lightning strikes."

  She pointed to the Van der Graff generator in a corner of the lab which could generate 50,000-volt electrical discharges at the flick of a switch.

  "Of course physicists are capable of generating their own lightning. Make sure you don't get burned."

  CHAPTER 44-A FLASH OF LIGHT

  When Georgina left Sal said, "Interesting lady but I don't know about her devil-did-it idea."

  "Weird as it sounds," I said "she's right. The God hypothesis and the devil hypothesis are logically equivalent."

  "Well, you better hope she doesn't show up Monday ready to drive out evil spirits."

  I l
aughed. "Yeah but you know, Sal, she's right that we may be ignoring the forest for the trees."

  "Such as?"

  My cell phone sounded off..

  "I better check this."

  It was a text message from Vicki.

  I'll bring appetizers tomorrow. Make sure you have enough charcoal-Love V.

  P.S. Are you coming to the game? Both J and O are playing.

  "Why don't we wrap it up here, Sal, and digest what we have found. I have to get to a soccer match."

  Sal was pulling down the blackout shades Georgina had raised.

  "What are you doing tomorrow?" I asked.

  "I'll take my mother shopping and then watch the game later."

  "Why don't you come over to my place? It's my turn to host our neighborhood 'Fan Fest'. We get together to watch the Eagles' away games. I'll throw some burgers on the grill if the weather holds out. Bring your mother if she's up to it."

  "That would be great-with conditions. My brother is going to Japan on business for a few months and I'll have his Eagles' season tickets. You have to promise to go to at least one of the games with me. Is that a light lock?" he said looking at the door.

  "Yeah. Total darkness when we need it."

  "Also promise not to introduce me as 'Father' Lucassi. I don't want to spend the game listening to people apologize to me every time someone says 'hell' or 'damn' when the Eagle's fumble."

  "And no talk about cosmic rays, either," I said. "We need a break."

  "Agreed. I know you need to get going but do you mind if I hang around a while? I want to look for a few more trees-in here."

  It took just a few minutes to move one of the cloud chambers from the Modern lab to the Optics lab.

  "I still don't know whether to believe this," Sal said.

  "Well, have fun," I said "but make it quick. I'd say you have about an hour left with that dry ice. About one-thirty tomorrow. Kick off is at two and the only mystery will be the outcome of the game."

  "Oh that's not a mystery, Frank. The Redskins will win."

  CHAPTER 45-PEEWEE SOCCER

  In one half hour I made the transition from sub atomic particles to large black and white balls. The PeeWee Soccer game was half over by the time I got to the field in Fairmount Park. I found Vicki standing on the sidelines. I peeled the blue cloth carry bags from two camp chairs and opened them.

  "Madam."

  "My hero to the rescue," she said as she sat down. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it."

  "We ran a little late. How are the kids doing?"

  "Joey scored. He's having fun. Olivia missed a shot on goal and then sat down on the grass and pouted while the ball made a couple trips up and down the field. When she came out of her funk she made a couple of nice steals and was praised by the coach so she's feeling good now. How was your meeting with Sal and Georgina?"

  "The experiment didn't work out but we made some progress." I resisted the impulse to say we had a devil of a time. "Sal is still playing with one of the cloud chambers."

  Vicki was on her feet and shouting. "Way to go, Tommy. Nice play!"

  "Who's Tommy?"

  "Number 10-on the left-blue shirt."

  "Why are you rooting for the other team?"

  "Just Tommy. His father has been on his back the whole game. 'Go after the ball, don't let him do that to you, focus, Tommy, focus.' Constant criticism. No praise. You know the type. The two moms screaming over on that bench aren't much better. I was talking to them before the game. They asked me where my husband was. Natural assumption since the both of us are usually at these games and we both still wear our wedding rings."

  "You set them straight?"

  "I hope so. I said, 'Oh, Frank? He's my fianc?. He's also a Catholic priest, a college professor, and is helping a woman detective catch whoever is trying to kill us.' They gave me a weak smile. I don't know whether they pitied me or wanted to stone me."

  "No one is trying to kill us."

  "We hope."

  "Your friends look like they want to stone the ref. Why is Joey swinging from the top bar of the goal?"

  'That's his latest time-out diversion."

  Olivia trotted over to our chairs.

  "Hi Daddy."

  "Hi princess. Aunt Vicki said you're doing so good."

  "I missed a shot and that big boy kicked me. I hate him!"

  Vicki cleared her throat and uncapped a water bottle. "Drink some water, hon. It will make you feel better. Now get out there and have fun and, Olivia, kick him back, sweetheart."

  Vicki handed me the water bottle. "Here, have some, and wipe that big smile off your face."

  I took a swig but the smile stayed. "Did I just witness the hint of a latent 'pit bull with lipstick' there?"

  Now Vicki was smiling . "Frank, there is nothing wrong with encouraging a little spirited play. I don't stand on my chair and shout, 'Kill the bums'. Planting a suggestion quietly can be more effective."

  A moment later Vicki was on her feet shouting again.

  "Oh, so now you blow your whistle?"

  She sat back down, took the water bottle from me, finished it, and put the empty into her tote. "I said kick, she tripped. Don't you just love girls with minds of their own?"

  I put my arm around Vicki. "You know I do."

  She snuggled closer and said, "Don't forget to get the ground beef and hot dogs for tomorrow."

  "I'll stop in Wegmans on the way home. I so cherish these romantic conversations."

  "Charcoal, too."

  CHAPTER 46-FAN FEST

  Sunday afternoon Sal brought a bottle of Pinot Grigio and a bucket of hot wings to Fan Fest but no mother.

  At half time Vicki carried a pack of individually wrapped Kraft cheese slices out to me at the grill.

  "Have you noticed?" She said

  "Pretty hard not to. I don't think they've seen much of the game. How many want cheese?"

  "I'll put a slice on half of them when you flip. They'd make a handsome couple, don't you think? Maybe we could go out with them some night. Get a pizza, see a movie, or ?"

  "Whoa, young lady. Back up. He is probably boring the heck out of Angela with the fine points of astrophysics and are you forgetting that Sal is a priest?"

  Vicki tapped my nose with her finger.

  "And exactly what, Father Donnelly, are you?"

  I flipped the burgers and Vicki dealt out a half dozen cheddar slices.

  "It's different. I was married. I have a dispensation."

  "You had a dispensation, my dear and you may be able to get another, but right now we are just as illegal as Angela and Sal. Isn't forbidden love soo delicious?" she said rising on her toes to give me a kiss.

  The burgers sizzled. The cheese melted.

  "I think we better get these inside before they burn and while I'm still functional. Don't offer Sal or Angela any more wine."

  The Eagles won. Sal took it well. I'm not sure he watched much of the game. He spent most of the time talking to Angela. I guess I should have expected it. They were the only two unattached adults at the party. When most of my neighbors had left I got a chance to talk to them.

  "Has he been boring you with astrophysics, Angela?"

  "Not at all, I find it fascinating. Scientific investigations aren't that much different from police investigations you know. Also, we discovered that we both love mystery stories-particularly locked room murder mysteries."

  "Fictional mysteries, Frank," Sal said. "Like there's a dead guy in a room with a bullet hole in his head, no murder weapon, and the doors and windows all locked from the inside."

  "No way for the murderer to get in or out," Angela said.

  "Something like alpha particles in a fish tank," Sal said. "But enough of that. We have an agreement."

  "You found something yesterday, didn't you? Are you going to keep me hanging?"

  "Temporarily. Sleep on it."

  Before I could probe further Vicki came in from the kitchen wiping h
er hands on her apron, a bit tipsy from her two glasses of merlot. She stood beside me and steadied herself by putting her arm in mine.

  "You guys like movies? There's one of those new theaters where you can eat dinner out in Esh?Exton and we could?"

  I nudged her and said, "They've been plotting against me, Vicki, to keep me awake tonight."

  "Oh, I've got that covered," Vicki said squeezing my arm harder.

  "She's just kidding," I said.

  "Isn't he cute when he brushes?blushes?"

  "Any clues to your closed fish tank mystery?" I asked to change the subject.

  "Hmm, let me think. A clue. "Okay, what is the color of a glowing helium discharge tube?"

  Vicki shifted weight from one foot to the other and tried again. "We could all play Clue shumtime. Colonel Mustard and ropes and ?"

  I nudged her again.

  "Your question is too easy, Sal."

  "The color is not as important as why I would ask the question. Like I said, sleep on it."

  When they all left I drove Vicki home with Olivia and Joey strapped into their car seats. When I walked Vicki and Joey to the door Vicki said, "I think I embarrassed you."

  "You never embarrass me. Give me a kiss goodnight."

  That produced a 'yuck!" from Joey and a giggle from the back seat of the Outback.

  Vicki opened the door and Joey slipped in. She turned and said, "I meant it, you know. About keeping you awake."

  "I know."

  She smiled. "So what do we do?"

  "Continue with Plan A.

  "When?"

  'Soon."

  "Maybe we could try Plan B in the intrum?in-ter-um?in-ter-im"

  "Give me another kiss and get to bed."

  More giggles.

  "One last question, Frank. When did you say we are going to the movies with them?"

  She laughed and darted through the door before I could answer.

  I did have trouble sleeping that night. The answer to Sal's question was easy. The color of the light from a glowing helium tube is pink. I take other peoples' word for that because it appears pure white to me; my shade blindness. Why ask me?? Then I remembered. I told Sal that a white streak on one of the slides was probably due to a reflection from a nearby helium tube. It couldn't have been a helium tube. It was from something else and that's what Sal was looking for after I left him. But what? After tossing and turning for an hour I thought I knew.