by Paul Byers
“Sorry, Senator,” Pike said as he helped him sit up, “but you were on fire.”
“I am pretty hot,” he said, winking into the camera. “I’ve heard of a celebrity roast, but this is ridiculous.” Williams smiled as laughter flooded the room. Being the consummate opportunist, the Senator played the wounded warrior to the cameras for all it was worth as he had several of the reporters help him to his feet. As Williams was getting up, Pike saw the Senator cast a concealed scowl toward Cain. At first he thought the Senator’s eyes were full of anger but decided it must have been pain from having just been knocked to the floor.
As the entourage made its way back to the elevator with Williams recounting the harrowing events, Pike helped Cain to his feet. “What was that?” Cain asked as he brushed himself off.
“I was hoping you could tell me.”
Cain gave Pike a puzzled look.
“Just before you arrived, I came through the passageway that just blew up. I discovered several ruptures in the piping and coolant was leaking all over that walls. Is that stuff flammable?”
“Not that I know of, but Elizabeth would be the final authority on that. Why didn’t you tell me about the leaks?”
“I just now discovered them and besides, I didn’t think it would be a good time to say we might have problems in front of all the reporters.”
Cain smiled and nodded his head, “Yeah, good call.”
“I’ll let Miles know all about this and we’ll see what we can come up with.” Pike said.
“No, let Miles know what happened here but I don’t want you bogged down on this. You need to carry on with the rest of your inspection. We can’t afford any delays. Besides, Miles is a good man, he can handle it.”
“You’re the boss.”
“And as the boss I’d like to tell you to take the rest of the day off, but I can’t. However, I can tell you to take a long lunch and clean up a bit before you get back at it. There’ll be plenty of time to rest once we’re in port.”
Pike nodded his head. “Understood,” he said as Cain started to walk away. “You think that maybe after dinner tonight the Senator would want to have Peaches Flambeau for dessert?”
Cain looked at Pike, smiled, and just shook his head, then his face went serious. “And by the way, thank you.”
Pike nodded as Cain turned and left.
Chapter Thirty Five
“Are you all right?” Mallory almost shouted as she barged into Cain’s office. Cain was sitting at his desk wearing a large bathrobe with a towel around his neck and a cognac in his hand.
“I’m fine Elizabeth, thank you. Our boy saved the day again.”
“What happened?”
“Pug was smoking when he knew he shouldn’t be, and tossed a lit cigarette down one of the passageways and there was an explosion. Gabriel found leaking juice and thinks that’s what caused it.”
“Impossible.”
Cain shrugged his shoulders. “That’s what he thinks.”
“Was anyone hurt? Any damage?”
“Thankfully no to both questions. Miles sent me a preliminary report and the damage is only superficial. However, I think we may have another problem.”
Mallory cocked her head to one side. “How’s that?”
“First, tell me about your meeting with Thornton.”
“It was very interesting. The kid’s got ambition and he could go places if he can survive working for Pug. If I ever complain about working for you again, slap me silly. Pug abuses that boy so badly. I think Robert is sincere, but I don’t fully trust him either, but I think we’ll be able to work with him.”
Mallory moved a chair to the side of Cain’s desk and sat down. “Pug is uneasy about something and Thornton says that the Senator doesn’t trust you but Thornton doesn’t know why, and I believe him. But then he didn’t know you and Pug had talked about any politics either so Pug’s playing things pretty close to the vest.”
“I agree; something has got Pug really spooked. Physically he’s fine and he played well into the cameras this morning but I know the senator and something is sure eating at him.”
“Do you think that whatever his problem is has him worried enough to withdraw his backing for this project?” Mallory asked, concern filling her brown eyes.
Cain shook his head. “I honestly don’t know. Pug is a very ambitious man and you know he wants the presidency but he also knows that if he tries to leave us high and dry he can expect the same from us.”
“Does he think he’s strong enough without your help to make it on his own?”
“He’s egotistical but not stupid. If he does pull out you know he thinks he’s got a better plan. Do you think that Thornton can be of any help?”
Mallory shook her head. “He’s got smarts but I think that Williams either hasn’t told him yet or doesn’t trust him enough to keep such a huge secret.”
Cain sighed, “You’re probably right. I’d better have a talk with him myself to see if I can figure out what’s got him so jittery.”
Mallory shook her head again. “He’s not going to tell you anything, he thinks you’re part of the problem, he thinks you are the problem. You’d better let me handle him.”
“I don’t like it. We both know that when it comes to you, he has a one track mind.”
“Thank you Nigel, but we both also know I can take care of myself.”
Cain chuckled. “That I do. But I still don’t like it.”
“Good, then it’s settled.”
Cain just frowned at his headstrong assistant. “If you’ll excuse me,” Cain said, pointing to his robe, “I have to get dressed.”
Mallory nodded and headed for the door, then stopped halfway. “I know this is off the subject, but I have to know if it’s true or not.”
“What’s that?”
“Did Gabe really tear the toupee off Wright’s head and use it to put out the fire on the Senator?”
Cain smiled, “I didn’t actually see him tear it off but I would have given half my Fortune Five Hundred Companies to have seen the look on his face. By the time I came around, it looked like a singed Brillo pad hanging limp in Gabriel’s hand.”
“Poor Wright, he’ll never live this one down.” Cain heard Mallory laughing all the way down the hall.
“Okay, thank you.” Pike hung up the phone and got up off his bed and walked over to the table. He pushed his computer and work papers off to one side to make room for his dinner. After what happened last night in the Crystal Palace, and his fiery rescue today, he was tired and wanted to avoid all the well-wishers and questions about what happened so he thought it wise to lay low and eat in his room. He didn’t really mind though, as it would give him a chance to rest up and to do a little more research on the Titanic while he ate.
He had just finished clearing the table when he heard a knock on the door. Wow, that was fast service, he thought. He opened the door but instead of dinner, he was surprised to see K.D. standing there. She was wearing a Seattle Mariners hooded sweatshirt, jeans and tennis shoes.
“K.D.?”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. I’m not interrupting anything am I?”
“No, no, of course not. I’m sorry, please come in.” He stepped aside to let her in, feeling a little excited and awkward at the same time.
“Nice place,” she said, looking around.
“It’s not the Plaza, but it’ll do.”
K.D. smiled politely, but he could see that she was a bit uncomfortable too.
“Have you eaten yet?” she asked.
“No, I just ordered something from room service. You know, dining in, catching up on a little paper work.”
“Work?” She frowned, “probably lone gunman stuff.”
Pike smiled, “You know me and my conspiracy theories all too well.”
“Well, since you haven’t eaten yet, I brought you some dessert then,” she said as she handed him a small package.
“What’s this?” He said
as he took it and unwrapped it.
“Oh it’s nothing. I just made a batch of brownies before I left and brought a few with me.”
Pike’s eyes lit up. “Nothing? Are these the same ones you brought to the office party last Christmas?”
“Yes.”
“The ones with the chocolate chips and the frosting?”
“Yes, “she said again, becoming a little embarrassed.
“These aren’t nothing! These are only the best brownies I’ve ever had in my life.” He held them in his hands as if they were a holy relic. After gazing at them for a moment, he carefully placed them on the table. “Would you like to stay? I can call and get whatever you’d like.”
“No, that’s okay, I really should be going.”
“Are you sure? You know you’re more than welcome to stay.” Pike felt the awkwardness leaving the more he talked to her.
“No, I’d better go.” He could hear the hesitation in her voice and wanted to ask her to stay but decided not to push it after all that had happened.
“Okay, I understand.” For a split second he saw disappointment flash across her eyes with the speed of a lightning bolt because he didn’t push it. If it were physically possible he would have kicked himself in the butt for being so stupid.
As she started to leave, she glanced over and saw the package that she had delivered earlier from their co-worker, Nathaniel Grant.
“What did Nate send you?”
“Oh, that; I forgot all about it. Come on, I’ll open it now. Please, sit down, I insist.” Good save, he thought to himself as she sat down at the table. He quickly cut away the wrapper with his knife and opened up the shoebox and found a note inside.
Hey Gabe
I know that crime fighting can be a tough job, so here are a few things to make your life as a super-hero easier.
Nate, your faithful sidekick.
“Funny Nate, very funny.” Pike said, shaking his head.
“Let’s see what’s in here.” K.D. said, smiling. It was good to see her smiling again, Pike thought. The first thing he took out of the box was a mask and a pair of glasses with another note attached.
Every super-hero needs to protect his identity, so you have a mask like Zorro’s or a pair of glasses like Clark Kent’s to keep people from seeing who you really are.
Pike and K.D. both grinned as they took out the next item. A gold rope that looked like it was a pull cord from some fancy draperies and a pair of two-inch wide gaudy bracelets that somehow managed to survive the disco age.
Wonder Woman is on vacation so she loaned these to me. The bracelets will deflect bullets and laser beams and once you capture the bad guy you can tie him up in the cord. It’s unbreakable and it makes whoever is tied up in it tell the truth.
Pike held up the cord. “Boy I sure could have used this thing on the guy I bought that used Jet Ski from.” They looked in the box and there were two items left, a key and a pair of handcuffs.
The key is to Wonder Woman’s invisible air plane that they tell me is parked on the roof. I think it’s faster than the Clipper so be careful. And last but not least, if all else fails, you can use these good old-fashioned handcuffs.
PS, I would have sent your tights but they weren’t back from the cleaners yet.
“Nate has way too much time on his hands,” Pike said, smiling as he shook his head.
“Hey, he’s your sidekick,” K.D. shot back.
Just then they heard a knock. “That must be my dinner,” Pike said as he went to the door. When he opened it, instead of finding the waiter with his grilled club sandwich and onion rings, he was surprised to see Tabatha Amies standing in the doorway. She was wearing a low-cut cashmere sweater and black leather pants that were so tight they looked like they had been painted on.
“Hi Gabe, I just came by to…” Tabatha stopped in mid-sentence when she saw K.D. sitting at the table. “Oh, I didn’t see you had company,” she completed her sentence then casually pushed her way in. “I hope I’m interrupting something,” she said snidely, looking directly at K.D..
“Hi, Tabatha,” Pike said tentatively, not sure where the evening was going. “I just ordered some dinner,” he told her, hoping Tabatha would take the hint and leave.
“It looks like you started with dessert first,” she said, seeing the brownies.
“K.D. made those for me, would you like one?” Trying to defuse the situation.
“How nice, she can bake.” Before anyone could say anything, she continued, “Oh look, and party favors too.” Tabatha said, pulling the handcuffs and gold cord out of the box. “My, my, Gabe, is there another side of you I don’t know about?” She looked at Pike then turned to K.D. and winked.
Pike could see that things were spiraling out of control. K.D. was getting upset and embarrassed and he didn’t know what to do. Suddenly there was another knock on the door and he felt like a punch-drunk fighter saved by the bell. He opened the door just enough to see the corner of the serving cart then he turned back to Tabatha and K.D. “Food’s here.” He said, continuing to open the door. He was puzzled by the looks on their faces as the door swung open. K.D.’s expression was one of dread while Tabatha’s lips almost curled into a snarl. He couldn’t understand their reaction to a simple food cart until he turned around and saw that Marilyn was the one pushing the cart.
“I saw the server outside and told him I’d take it from here,” Marilyn said. “I see that you started with the appetizers,” she continued, looking at Tabatha and K.D. “You can send them home because the main course is here.”
Pike could see the events of last night repeating themselves all over again like a bad dream. He felt helpless as the women jockeyed for position.
“Yeah, for the main course if he wants tough leftovers.” K.D. said.
K.D. statement shut everything down for a moment, stunning them all; no one expected her to say something like that, especially Marilyn.
Pike didn’t know if was a full moon or what because he didn’t know why everyone was acting so crazy, but what he did know was that he knew a lynching when he saw one and for some reason, they were stringing up the rope for K.D., and he’d had enough. But before he could circle the wagons around her, there was another knock on the door. Pike rolled his eyes; could this night get any worse? He was grateful for the short reprieve but swore that if it was Mallory at the door, he was going to jump overboard. Pike opened the door and was relieved to see that it was Tony Roberts.
“Hi Gabe, I was wondering…” Tony started to say then slowed down as he saw the room full of women. “…if you wanted to go out for a drink and see what was happening, but it looks like you’ve got all the action you can handle right here,” he said, seeing K.D. holding the rope and Tabatha twirling the handcuffs and Marilyn standing to one side.
Pike just frowned at him. “K.D., would you like to go for a walk?” He said it more as a statement than a questions and she stood right away. “Whoever is the last one out, please turn off the lights.” And Pike and K.D. left, slamming the door.
“Come on,” he said as he half pulled her down the hallway, “I’m hungry; let’s get something to eat.” When they reached the end of the hall, she touched him on the shoulder.
“Thanks Gabe, but I’m not really in the mood to eat right now.”
“I’m sorry, K.D.”
“Don’t worry about it; I know it’s not your fault.”
“But it is my fault. Everybody thinks I’m this big super hero.”
“Not a super hero, just an ordinary one.” She reached up and gently gave him a small kiss on the cheek. “I’m going back to my room. See you in the morning.” She walked down the corridor to her room then turned and looked at him as she rounded the corner. “Thanks again, Hot Shot,” and then she disappeared.
Pike rubbed the bridge of his nose out of frustration then headed toward the casino. The bright lights and cheery noise did little to lift his mood, which was bordering between anger, frustration, and self-pity
. Surprisingly he was still hungry but he decided to skip the Crystal Palace and all its crowds and instead went into the diner. He wasn’t sure if it was anger that fueled his appetite but he devoured his French Dip sandwich like a castaway rescued from a deserted island.
His stomach was settled but his mind was still restless so he decided to go up to the observation lounge. When he arrived, he was happy to find that he had the entire room to himself. He stepped over to the bay windows and examined their little moving island. He saw the Yankee Clipper perched on the stern, lit up with spotlights like a trophy on display. Next, he followed the stern to the left, passed the drained pool that looked like a giant sand trap next to the driving range and passed the brightly lit pavilion; that too was deserted.
His vision followed up through the colorful casino lights, sweeping to the bow of the berg to Cain’s monolithic tower to the bobbing lights marking the locations of the attending tugs. This man-made monstrosity was huge by man’s standard, but as he stared out past the tugs to the open ocean, he was overwhelmed by its vastness. Suddenly he felt incredibly small and his petty problems were terribly insignificant in the grand scheme of things. He was just getting a perspective on things when he felt two hands gently caress his shoulders and he heard his name whispered low and sexy.
At first he jumped because it startled him then, he shook his head and slowly turned around. “Listen I don’t know what…” He stopped in mid-sentence as his eyes flew open wide seeing who was there.
“Beth!”
Silently she briefly looked into his eyes, then burst out laughing.
“Large, man-made ice berg, $81.3 million dollars. Three tugs and crew to tow it, $1.9 million dollars. The look on your face just then, priceless.”