Rex Chase: A Novel

by Tim Wheat

  Weariness set in as he lifted his body from the driver’s seat of the luxury car, and decided to leave his bags in the trunk. Everything he needed would be inside anyway. The long walk up the landscaped granite path brought another loud yawn from Hoff. He couldn’t wait to relax with a glass of bourbon on his plush Italian sofa.

  Moving through the foyer, Hoff admired the vaulted ceilings of his home, and stopped in front of a small bar. Inside, he kept several bottles of Wild Turkey 101, and another luxury. Not many men could afford to own an ice machine, let alone have a miniature one installed underneath a countertop. He pushed a small red button under the counter, and punched a code into a nearby mechanical keypad, disabling the first stage of his home defense mechanism. Hoff stood, continued making his drink, and smiled a sinister smile as he relished the sound of the cubes dropping into his glass, followed by the amber colored liquor.

  Bringing the oak flavored spirit to his lips, he took a small sip, relishing the taste. At the rear of his home resided the massive Amazon River tank he had installed. He very much appreciated the African version of his endeavor, and moved toward it. Standing over the rushing water he watched the hungry fish swimming against the lazy current.

  On the floor next to him was a button, and he pushed it. The large glass windows plodded from their positions, and the unsullied Moroccan air flowed into the house. Countless stars dotted the moonless night sky, and Hoff enjoyed another sip of the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Speaking to no one, he proclaimed,

  “If the Americans have done one good thing for our world, it was to create bourbon.”

  “I tend to agree, except for the whole, it being the singular good thing we’ve done.”

  Someone answered Hoff’s rhetorical statement and struck a savage blow to the back of his head. The glass of alcohol tumbled to the floor, ice cubes spilling into the Amazon River tank. Dietrich Hoff’s massive frame buckled, and as the darkness enveloped his mind, he wondered if he had just spoken his last words.

  *******************

  68.

  Dietrich Hoff’s rear deck on his Moroccan mansion was expansive. As he awoke, the bright desert stars twinkled, and he smiled to himself. Wild Turkey 101 always had a way of sneaking up on him. Couple the liquor with his exhaustion, and he must have passed out.

  His nose itched and Hoff attempted to move his arm to scratch it. A perplexed look crossed his face as he tried with more vigilance to move his arm. He could feel their existence and that they remained attached, but for some reason, he no longer commanded them.

  “You know something? I may just be a young man, but something about good bourbon helps bring the night to an end.”

  Rex Chase exited the rear of the main living area, crossed a small bridge which spanned the river, and walked out onto the rear porch. He carried in his hand a glass of the Kentucky spirit, and his gait was easy and light.

  “What have you done to me? I can’t move my arms and legs,” Hoff said.

  “Yes, I know. I took the liberty of making a slight incision in your spinal column in the area of the T2 vertebrae. What that means to you, is that you’ll never walk again. Someday, perhaps, you will have use of your arms, but that’s not going to be up to me.”

  Hoff’s face was a twisted vision of hatred. His eyes burned with evil, and he fought with all of his will to move his extremities. Try as he might, however, the best he could do was to wiggle a finger. The anger was evident in his voice as he spoke.

  “I should have killed you when I had the chance.”

  “What can I say? I’m resilient.” Chase’s voice was nonchalant.

  “What you do to me doesn’t matter anyway. My empire will last long after my death. The wheels are in motion. You won’t…”

  “I won’t what, Rick?” Chase emphasized the man’s name as he laughed and smacked him on the foot. “You and I both know it ends here.” Chase checked his watch before continuing. “It’s almost show time. Here, I’m going to put these on you.”

  Rex placed a pair of dark sunglasses on the unmoving Hoff, and donned a pair himself.

  “Why are we wearing these?” Hoff asked.

  “Let’s just say, I don’t want you to lose your eyesight just yet.” Chase paused. “Right now, my friends are on the other side of the world. My father has devised a trigger system for the Arizona weapon, and in two minutes your estate in the Rhineland and your weapon here in Morocco will no longer function.”

  “You have forgotten a few weapons, I think?” Hoff lied.

  “I don’t think so, Rick. I have another confession to make, too. Your weapon in the Rhineland; it would have worked, but your men under-engineered it a bit. I had my boys destroy your large dish, while we blew holes in the iron ring around the area. It did just enough to render the weapon ineffective. Of course, I couldn’t be sure until you attempted to fire it. Have a drink.”

  Hoff’s frown was quite the opposite of Chase’s smile as he choked on some of the liquor being forced down his throat.

  “I thought you liked bourbon? Oh well. Time for the show Rick, in 5,4,3,2,1…”

  The night sky turned to day as the focused beam of energy did its damage. Hoff watched, helpless as his life’s ambitions shattered. Thirty seconds passed and everything he had ever worked for was demolished. When the night returned Hoff existed as a broken man.

  “Well, Rick, there you have it.” Chase removed the glasses from his nemesis’ face, and revealed eyes which no longer emanated hate. “Without Bobby’s formula, no one will be able to use the energy in this place or the Rhineland ever again.”

  “I surrender. You have defeated me. I have plenty of money. You can have all of it. Just let me live.”

  “Rick. I expected more. Do you think you could order the death of Mary Elizabeth, order my death, throw Angela into a piranha tank to die, and attempt to wipe out mankind without repercussions?” Chase laughed. “That piranha bit was creative, though. I’ll give you that. When I told my new friends about it they were quite interested.”

  From the darkness a never ending sea of locals seemed to appear as if they were apparitions. The man who had offered to help with Hoff’s bags before took the lead, and with the help of two others, grabbed the massive German leader under his arms. As they drug him across the expansive deck Hoff’s countenance shifted once again.

  “Rex. Rex. I’ll give you anything you want. Power. Glory. Fame. You want it, it’s yours.” Hoff’s tone was no longer defiant and he wept. “I’m sorry for all of the awful things I’ve done. I’m so sorry. I lost sight of what was important, but I see that now. I see it all. Just let me live and I’ll…”

  “That’s enough, Rick. I don’t have any pull in this jurisdiction,” Chase motioned for the men to stop, and they obeyed. Leaning in close he whispered into Hoff’s ear. “You can’t mistreat people and then think you can buy their loyalty.”

  With a flick of the wrist Chase motioned for the locals to do as they wished. An eerie chant grew within the crowd of mistreated workers and it reached a fever pitch as the three men in charge undressed Hoff. Chase’s Arabic was lacking, but he had picked up just enough in his short time in Morocco to understand.

  “The Devil Rules No More. The Devil Rules No More. The Devil Rules No More. The Devil Rules No More.”

  Hoff now lay naked on the deck, a life preserver snug around his neck. His muscles shivered, though he no longer controlled their movements. The leader of the local men raised his hand and the chanting stopped. Rex Chase took a sip of his Wild Turkey as he walked into the main house, away from the river. He was not a cold blooded killer, yet he held no remorse over turning Hoff into the local authorities.

  “I can’t say it’s been a pleasure, Rick.”

  The unnatural, yet momentary, serenity of the night was interrupted by a loud splash in the river tank. The large German sunk to the bottom, then bobbed to the surface. Hoff’s agonizing screams filled the night air, and the water in the tank boiled with activity. His face
twisted in agony, and the South American ecosystem now a dark shade of crimson, Dietrich Hoff’s final moments were excruciating. Then, as the piranhas attacked his still beating heart, the darkness came to him in waves. The pain subsided, and he relaxed, taking in the scene with his eyes. His arms and legs had were stripped to the bone and just before the darkness enveloped him forever, his trademark maniacal smile returned.

  “It’s not over until I say it’s over. I’ll see you in hell soon Rex Chase.”

  As silently as they had approached, the locals melted back into the still evening. No words were uttered. No commands were given. They simply returned to the way of life Dietrich Hoff had taken from them.

  Chase had moved into the mansion and sat relaxing on the plush Italian leather sofa. He rested his feet on a solid piece of marble and finished the drink he had poured. Contemplating another cocktail, something caught his eye. On the wall opposite him, a small red light blinked intermittently. He had noticed it before as a solid red, but now it flashed at an accelerated pace.

  A series of large explosions rocked the compound. Chase’s instincts took over and he covered the ten yards leading off the back deck in less than a second. He leapt the blood stained river and threw his body into the sand below, landing with an audible thud, which pushed all of the air from his lungs.

  Rex lay on the ground, struggling to breathe, while the mansion behind him exploded and burned to the ground. Chase had been unaware of the home defense mechanism which Hoff had installed in the mansion. Thirty minutes had come and gone without the devious billionaire disabling the second safeguard. Slowly the young genius, feeling not so smart, regained his breath, stood, and moved away from the burning palace.

  “Almost, Rick. Almost.”

  *******************

  69.

  “So you just went and got married?”

  Rex Chase addressed his friend George and the new bride Angela. Alexei Chase, Luce, General Reagan, Leonard, Bobby Poppen’s mother, and a reverend rounded out the group.

  “Yes, I heard the same. Congratulations you two. It’s so wonderful to see a happy couple.” Lucille Chase’s smile could light up a room and she flashed it readily.

  The small group had convened in the Arizona desert to bury their friends and loved ones. General Reagan had seen to it that Ms. Poppen was flown to Arizona after she had agreed to have her son buried there. It seemed fitting for his body to be laid to rest in the same place as Nicholas Sarff, where the last remnants of their disjointed work would be laid to rest. The grieving mother approached the others.

  “Bobby spoke of you often, Rex. He thought the world of you. I can’t believe he…” She began weeping again and couldn’t continue.

  “I’ve never met anyone as full of life as your son, ma’am.” Chase hugged her as he continued. “He was a brilliant mathematician and his work will live forever. I know its little consolation, but I believe we’ve named it the Poppen Formula.”

  “Speaking of the Poppen formula, do we have a copy of it somewhere?” Alexei Chase said.

  “I’m almost embarrassed to say it, but It is my belief we just have one, and it is still written on the chalkboard in my office,” the General said. “In all of our frenzied endeavors of the last few days it seems we destroyed the rest.”

  “Everyone thought that everyone else had a copy.” Luce said.

  “You’ve got it” the General nodded his head in confirmation.

  “Wait, couldn’t someone use my son’s work for evil again? I mean, shouldn’t we lock it up, or restrict it, or something?”

  “Don’t worry Ms. Poppen, my office is quite secure. Rex and his father are two of the only men left in the world with the knowledge to use it right anyway. I’d imagine Rex has a copy of it in his brain as well?” The General looked in Chase’s direction as he finished the sentence.

  “I never saw it, and we didn’t have a chance to speak of it. I’m anxious to get back to Washington and begin work. Do you realize the implications here? We could…”

  Laughter from the others interrupted Chase as Ahiga teased.

  “We know, we know. You’ll be able to travel through time, put up force fields, focus incredible beams of energy, and blah, blah, blah. We’ve all heard that piece before.”

  “I am truly sorry for your loss, Ms. Poppen. Bobby was one of the best men I’ve ever known.” Chase turned toward the newlywed Angela Ahiga. “My condolences for your father’s death as well. I’m told he was a brilliant man.”

  “Thanks” Angela’s eyes produced tears as she accepted the sympathies.

  “So, General, what is to become of this place?” Ahiga asked.

  “Well, it just so happens that I know the world’s foremost expert on forensic accounting. It seems that in the early 1800’s Congress set this land aside as an ancient holy land for the Navajo. It also seems that someone then included it as a part of the formation of the Grand Canyon National Park in 1919.”

  “But we’re nowhere near the Grand Canyon.” Ms. Poppen said.

  “That doesn’t matter too much.” The General smiled as he spoke. “It is a part of the park now, and no one will be able to build here ever again without upsetting a nature lover somewhere.”

  “Will the land lose its scalar properties like the others?” Angela said.

  “No, it will not.” Leonard said. “We can’t very well shoot the weapon at ourselves as we stand here, and that is the only way we know how to change the magnetism with any permanence.”

  “You could mine all of the iron.” Ms. Poppen said.

  “Let’s just say that it’s not in everyone’s best interests to ruin the countryside here. The Navajo once believed this place to be magic, and I don’t think they were too far from the truth.” Everyone was silent as Leonard’s words sank in.

  A cool breeze swept down the side of the mountain and the group enjoyed the sweet smell of the pelotazo flowers. Rex Chase studied the landscape and tried to imagine what it had looked like three hundred years prior. The General had brought in bulldozers, and in less than a day the shanty town, mine, and adjacent building were demolished.

  The freshly worked earth almost overpowered the smell of the flowers, and he separated himself from the group as they went on speaking of the days past. Chase approached his friend Bobby’s grave marker, and leaned over to run his hand along it. Slightly warm to the touch, the top of the ancient pillar still held its scalar properties.

  “I’ll miss you, my friend. I’ll miss you.”

  “You know, the best way to honor him is by finishing his work.” Leonard had followed behind Chase.

  “I plan on it, sir, but we need to be sure a maniac like Hoff never gets his hands on this type of power ever again.”

  “I’ve spent my entire life assuring that men like Hoff don’t succeed, and we’re all still here.” Leonard put his hand on Rex’s back. “I’d be glad if you stayed on the team, you and your friend George.”

  “You’d have to talk to him about that, sir. I mean, he just got married.” Chase looked toward Ahiga, who met his gaze and smiled.

  “I already have. He’s in if you’re in. Together we can make this world a safer place. The Fuhrer is still bent on world domination you know. I’ve spoken with the General too. Are you ready to become a permanent fixture in The Organization?”

  “So far, the pay has been lousy, and I’ve almost died more times than I can count.” Chase’s countenance went from solemn, to sporting a wide grin. “I’ll sign up under one condition.”

  “That being?”

  “You let me keep that seaplane I flew down to Africa. What a piece of equipment.”

  “I think I can arrange that. The Sunderland was on loan from the Brits, but considering you just saved the world, I may be able to smooth over its loss.”

  “You’ve recruited me then. I’m surprised I had never heard of you until that night in Germany. Are there any more secrets I should be made aware of?”

  “Millions, kid. Mill
ions.”

  The two men laughed and rejoined the group, who had started a small campfire. They all listened as Ms. Poppen regaled them with stories of young Bobby. He had been a mischievous youth, and they all enjoyed her enthusiasm in relating his childhood experiences. As the day turned to night, a comforting calm settled over the ancient valley. Chase studied the smiling faces of his friends. Bathed in firelight, he couldn’t think of another place in the world he would rather be.

  *******************

  Post Logue

  “Which one of you lazy stupid sons of…”

  Daric Wheet cursed a blue streak as he entered the office of the General. A cigarette hung from his lower lip, and you could see singe marks in his red beard.

  “Jerry. Jerry.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Come here, you moron.”

  Daric had worked as the head custodian in this building for twenty years. He took pride in his job, and at Christmas time The General had always been more than gracious.

  “Tell me, Jerry. What is wrong with this office?” Daric’s tone was condescending.

  “Nothing, sir. I cleaned it myself. The garbage is empty and the floors are waxed. We even dusted everything like you told us.”

  “What, then, is that?” Wheet pointed a long gnarled finger, which had broken in several bar brawls, toward the chalkboard. “I check up on you once or twice a week and even I know that General Reagan doesn’t keep a chalkboard.”

  “But sir, he requested it one day, and hasn’t asked us to take it away. I thought he meant to keep it.”

  “You thought. You thought. That’s the problem with you stupid mother…” Daric swore at the younger man for a minute. “Tell me this. Does General Reagan keep a big giant chalkboard in his office?”

  “No, sir, he does not.”