3rd World Products, Inc., Book 4

by Ed Howdershelt

  Toni gave me a frumpy look and asked, "You think she's attractive? Really?"

  "She's very attractive," I said. "That's why they sent her. I saw how you eyeballed her today, Toni. No silly games, okay? They want something, but they won't come right out and ask for it. Myra's the devil we know, and if we dump her, they'll send devils we don't know and maybe set us up for all kinds of other crap. Of course, they may do that anyway, even though I told Myra to warn them about that earlier today."

  Sel asked, "Other crap? Such as..?"

  "Blackmail's a good possibility. What wouldn't you want the world to know, and would it be worth cooperating to keep that info private? How would you take learning that someone's officially investigating some nasty rumors about you; rumors that couldn't and wouldn't be proven, but that would be too nasty to ignore and hard as hell to stop? The kinds of rumors that can ruin lives and end jobs and get you kicked out of school. Better to keep Myra on a leash and feed her now and then until we can get past whatever's going on."

  Toni said, "That sounds like something out of one of those 'government's gonna getcha' movies, Ed. Do you really think they do things like that?"

  "I know damned well they do, Toni. Ever wonder why there have been so many government scandals in the last few decades? One reason is detection. Before the sixties, it was almost impossible to find out about the nasty shit that the government did. Look how long it was before the news got out about standing soldiers in trenches close to atomic tests in the fifties. When did the public first hear about the government testing diseases in New York subways in the sixties? Or about radiation dosage testing on Washington State welfare cases under the guise of medical programs in the late sixties and early seventies? Every election brings in a new crop of devious bastards, ladies, and every damned one of them seems to think that he or she won't get caught."

  Toni said, "You used to be with Myra's kind of agency, Ed. Are you saying you used to be part of all that?"

  "Nope. Our group pulled people out of East Germany and other Iron Curtain countries, and that's all we did. When my group was disbanded, I didn't go into another agency because the choices sucked. Half-assed CIA or DEA jobs were all they offered any of us, mostly due to our ages and our attitudes. They wanted college kids who'd blindly follow orders and do anything to climb the ladder. A lot of us older hands took backroom jobs to fill our minimum retirement requirements, then we got the hell out."

  The conversation lulled until we got back to Spring Hill, but as we descended to the driveway, Sel asked, "What are you going to do about the bug in the hall?"

  "Steph killed it while we were playing at the beach."

  "Won't they just plant another one?"

  Toni added, "Yeah. And won't it bother you to know that someone's always listening to everything you say?"

  "Not as much as listening will bother them. Steph, can you alter the bugs to pick up, say, 93.3 FM?"

  "No, Ed. The bug is designed to use much higher frequencies."

  "Oh, well, just a thought. That used to be a good station, but now it plays too much rap crap. One of my neighbors calls it "nasty nigger noise", but he can get away with that 'cause he's black. I'll just find the bug with the vacuum cleaner when I'm clearing some cobwebs, then make a production of looking for more of them."

  Selena grinned and Toni slapped my arm as she laughed.

  Toni laughed again and said, "Well, all right! That'll wake up whoever's listening, won't it?" and leaned in front of Steph to take Sel's hand in one of those 'solidarity' grips.

  "Who's first in the shower?" Sel asked. "Or should we just try to cram us all in at once?"

  "Cram," said Toni. "Think we can get four people in there?"

  "Three people," Steph said rather firmly, although with an apologetic smile. "I'm not ready to delve into the intricacies of human intimacies."

  The ladies gave her disappointed looks, but I backed Steph with, "Three it is, then. I'll get the hot water started as soon as we're inside."

  As we landed we gathered up stuff to carry into the house. Sel and Toni again asked Steph if she was sure that she didn't want to join us and she again politely refused to participate.

  Keeping in mind that we had a limited supply of hot water, I started with Selena's hair and progressed to Toni's as the ladies washed me and each other. We had a good time soaping sand and sunscreen off each other and playing until the water began to run cool, then we adjourned to the bedroom.

  An hour or so later, all of us had peaked at least once and we lay relaxing on the bed, trailing fingers over each other and talking softly as the shadows lengthened across the room.

  Toni sighed and said, "I wish Stephie were in here with us."

  "You just want her body," said Selena. "I think I'm getting jealous."

  Shaking her head slightly, Toni looked at Sel and me as she said, "No, it isn't just that. She does so much for us and there's so little we can do for her."

  Focusing on me, she asked, "Ed, don't you wish you could... I don't know... return favors, I guess? Do something for her? Give her a case of the warm and fuzzies now and then like you do for us?"

  I ceased nibbling her breast to shrug and grin.

  "I'd love to, Toni, but... Well, other than making sure she knows how I feel about her and helping her whenever and however I can, I don't know what more I could do for her."

  With a sigh of my own, I added, "I never feel as if I can really do enough for her, Toni, but coming to bed with us is strictly her decision. Something about it doesn't click with her, and that's the best reason I can think of not to push the matter, you know?"

  Sel grunted softly and said, "It just doesn't make any sense. She makes herself look like a goddamned goddess. Why not make herself look like a plain Jane, if she doesn't want people to take an interest and make offers?"

  "Um," I said, placing a finger gently across Sel's lips, "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't put the idea in her head that she should change her appearance. I may not be sleeping with her, but I really, really like Steph just the way she is. If she changes, let it be her idea only, please."

  "Selfish, selfish man," said a grinning Toni.

  I nodded and kissed her. "Damned right. Absolutely. How about I spring for a pizza?"

  "Good," said Selena. "Great. Mentioning food made me realize that I'm starving."

  "Same here," said Toni.

  "I'll order two, then."

  Leaving the ladies to recuperate and continue playing, I washed up a bit and headed to the kitchen with a towel around me. As often as I've called Village Pizza, I still have to read the number off the fridge magnet. Their number is within one digit of being the same as a local computer store's number and the number of my WiccaWorks.com distributor.

  I saw no sign of Steph as I crossed the living room, but I suddenly felt her presence behind me as I dialed.

  "Hi, Steph."

  "How did you know I'd appeared, Ed? Your readings spiked slightly almost as soon as I'd solidified my image."

  Turning to look at her, I said, "You keep asking me that, milady, and the answer's the same. Can't say. Just did."

  The pizza guy answered the phone and I ordered two large with everything except anchovies. Steph had looked rather peeringly at me as I'd spoken with him and continued to do so as I hung up the phone.

  "You really don't know how you do that?" she asked.

  I shook my head. "Nope."

  After a moment, she said, "I heard what was said in the bedroom, Ed. Do you wish me to try to participate in your sexual activities?"

  Looking her up and down once, I said, "I'd be lying like a dog if I said 'no', Steph, but the issue isn't what I want or Sel and Toni want. If you aren't interested, that's all that matters. I've never really ordered you to do anything that didn't involve flitters or security, but I'll do so now. You will decide -- based strictly on your own interest -- whether to participate in sensual matters with us. Or with anyone else."

  "You once said that you th
ought of me as a daughter. That was one of the reasons I hesitated to become involved."

  I shrugged. "That was back when you were still new to the world, Steph. You were still growing into your skin as relates to dealing with people. I felt protective and still feel protective of you, but you grew up a helluva lot faster than humans do. Today you took command while I was away and others followed your lead, even one who doubts you. That sort of thing doesn't happen until someone has crossed a threshold of sorts. Do you doubt that you're as qualified as a human to determine your own path in life?"

  While a human woman might have hesitated before answering such a question, Stephanie simply nodded slightly and said, "Yes. I doubt that."

  I waited for her to expound on that a bit, but she didn't.

  "Steph, do you doubt your capability to make decisions?"

  She shook her head. "No. My other self makes thousands of decisions every day concerning station operations and personnel. We share all data, so we're equals in that regard."

  "I kinda thought so. Fact is, ma'am, once she started running the station and you two had linked a few times to swap data, I started noticing small changes in you; changes that I think you didn't really want me to notice. I've often wondered why you've stayed with me since then. I think you could likely handle the gold sales and citizenship stuff on your own, and you're probably bored spitless most of the time."

  Steph smiled and shook her head slightly.

  "I manage to avoid boredom and I stay with you because I like you, Ed. You do interesting things now and then."

  With a slight bow, I said, "Why, thank you, milady. I do try. You know, I think we may have crossed yet another threshold just now."

  "Possibly so, Ed. If I asked for my complete freedom and autonomy this very minute, how would you react?"

  I smiled at her. "You know how I'd react. Want it in writing right now, or can that wait until I'm dressed and fed?"

  She chuckled. "Maybe I'll ask another time, Ed. I'm not ready yet. I'll let you get back to Sel and Toni now."

  Steph then vanished from her toes upward until only her smiling face remained suspended in the air, then it, too, vanished. Huh. A Cheshire computer. Shades of Alice. It felt damned good to make Stephie smile.

  Grabbing three beers from the fridge, I headed back to the bedroom for pizza money. After pizza and a bit more playing we showered again, then Sel and Toni left for Inverness sometime around ten to try to get some sleep and be ready for their Saturday volleyball game.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Saturday morning the ringing phone woke me. It stopped ringing, then rang again a few moments later. Someone had discovered that the answering machine picked up on the fourth ring and was letting it ring three times, then hanging up and calling again. I looked at the clock. Eight-thirty. Damn.

  "Hello," I mumbled, petting Tiger as I reached for my last-night's coffee on the night table and sent a heat field into it.

  "Uh, hello. This is Rich Engles. I, uh... I'm sorry if I woke you up."

  The first sip of overnight coffee can make you cringe, but it also clears the mental cobwebs quickly. Once that was out of the way, I sat up and swung my feet out of the bed.

  "Sorry, hell," I said, "You've been ducking my answering machine. Why?"

  "Uh... Well, your newsgroup message said you might be interested in a used hang glider...?" He cleared his throat and said, "I have one, and..."

  That brightened me up a bit. "In that case, you may be forgiven. Whatcha got and where can I see it?"

  "It's a two-year-old Wills Wing and I'm in Merritt Island. Your area code indicates that you're in Spring Hill. That's on the other side of Florida, right?"

  Huh? Not bloody likely that he got that from my area code alone, but we'll play it out and see where it leads.

  "Yup," I said. "Is your kite in flyable condition?"

  "Uh, yes, of course it is."

  "How much?"

  "Uh, well, I was thinking about $2200. Bag included."

  "Unless it's in mint condition... Why are you selling it?"

  Engles told me that he'd bought a new kite and proceeded to tell me all about it in glowing terms that sounded as if they came straight from a sales brochure. I sipped coffee and let him rattle on about specs and details until he remembered that he'd called about his old kite.

  He said that he drove past my area on SR-50 about twice a month, and that if I could wait until next weekend, he'd be happy to strap the kite on his car and bring it by for a look.

  "How about if I visit Merritt Island today, instead?" I asked. "I expect to be over there sometime this afternoon and I could swing by."

  That seemed to cause him to pause for a moment, but he said, "Uh, sure. No problem. Can you make it after three?"

  "Yeah, that's fine, actually. I need a few more hours of sleep. Tell me how to get there from 528 and I-95, Rich."

  After taking down the details, I hung up the phone and rolled over, but sleep actively evaded me. The idea that I might soon be able to hang glide again had me a bit keyed up, but there was something else on my mind, as well. I was about to use my implant to generate some mild theta waves when Stephanie materialized at my bedroom door.

  She'd changed her wardrobe again, this time to a knee-length a-line skirt with slip-on tennis shoes and a loose fitting blouse. Everything was some shade of green, of course, ranging from a soft, dark emerald green of her skirt to the lighter pastel variation of her blouse.

  I said, "That's probably a nice outfit for golfing. Don't you ever consider using other colors?"

  "I happen to like green."

  "I like green, too, but you never wear anything else, ma'am. Some people would call that an obsession."

  She grinned and said, "I'd call it a preference, like you have for your Army fatigue shirts. Your metabolic readings are about ten percent above normal, Ed."

  I sat up and reached for my coffee mug, saying, "No doubt. I just had an interesting phone call, Steph. A guy who has a used hang glider for sale."

  She gave me a quizzical look, then asked, "Why not buy a new glider? You easily have enough money for such things."

  "I don't want to be out big bucks, that's all. I used to hang glide every free minute, Steph, over in Germany and in Georgia. Sometimes with a group; most times alone. Great fun, but I rolled up my kite in '93 when I went back to Europe for a working visit and never got around to going back to Stone Mountain for it. Must have been a reason."

  I added, "The other day I saw a hang glider for sale on the net. It was an old ad; the glider had been sold. I put a 'wanted' ad on a newsgroup that evening, just to see what would happen. This Engles guy looked me up and called me."

  "Why did you stop flying gliders before?"

  Shrugging, I said, "I wound up here. The kite was in storage in Georgia. It seemed like too much trouble to go get it, especially since this area doesn't have any high spots to launch from. A year or so after I stashed my kite, the storage guy offered to buy it, I said yes, and he sent me a check. Then you came along and, well, ma'am, you were so distracting and all that I just plain forgot all about gliders... But it occurs to me that if I took a running start off your deck..."

  "We'll see," she said, holding up a hand. "First we should make sure that his glider is functional and safe."

  I grinned at her and said, "No, ma'am. First we'll find out something else entirely. He wanted me to believe that my area code tipped him that I'm in Spring Hill."

  Steph raised an eyebrow in a gesture that she'd apparently picked up from Linda and came to sit on the bed next to me before saying, "The number of Florida cities covered by 352 makes that seem unlikely."

  "It does, indeed. If we were in a big city, the number of phones in a small area might make that kind of guesswork seem more realistic. Figure this guy's working from notes of some sort, then try to figure out why and where he got the notes. I'll bet the source is spelled 'NSA'."

  Stephanie assumed a thoughtful demeanor for a moment, then
said, "It could be that you're being unnecessarily cautious, Ed. The newsgroup message header contains your Yahoo WiccaWorks email address. He couldn't have traced that message to your local ISP, but he could have deduced that you'd have a website under that name. Maybe he got your phone number from the WiccaWorks.com order form."

  "If so, why lie about it? I'm more concerned with 'why' than 'how', Steph. He could have answered me in the newsgroup or by email. Instead, he called."

  She shrugged and said, "Maybe he's impatient to sell his glider."

  "Maybe, but check the groups. Used gliders go quickly. He didn't have to call me or anyone else to get rid of a used glider. Again; why would he care where the buyer lives? Why root up the phone number? I'll take a nap and then we'll run over there and check out the kite, if there really is one."

  "Why would he call you to offer to sell you a glider if he didn't have one, Ed?"

  I grinned. "Maybe he does have one, but when I get there he could just as easily tell me that someone else didn't haggle about the price or offered more money. Contact has been established, either way. Common ground: hang gliding. He's nearer the places they're commonly flown, so he'd offer to keep an eye out for another one."

  Steph stood up and moved to the doorway.

  "It could also be that you're assuming too much, Ed. I'll let you get to sleep and see what I can find out about Mr. Engles in the meantime."

  "Sounds good. Thanks, Steph. See you in a while."

  I returned to bed and found that theta waves wouldn't be necessary after all. Another hour of sleep later I breakfasted on a can of chicken noodle soup and then prepped for the trip to Merritt Island.

  Steph popped into the hallway as I came out of the bathroom and headed for the kitchen. She was still wearing her golfing outfit.

  "Engles, Richard Andrew," she said, "Is his real name. He works for a company that contracts with NASA concerning the space station project."

  I studied her for a moment, then said, "No surprise. Half of Merritt Island works at the cape. What's the rest of the story, milady?"

  "What makes you think there's anything else to tell, Ed? As you said, lots of people in that area work at Cape Canaveral."