by Sue Knott
Please be aware that you and your sister could be at risk until your Glyphs are posted. Dangerous groups seek this information. I do not believe our email has been hacked, but you need to be extremely cautious just in case.
Trust no one…not even if you think it is me. The only way to remove all risk is to post the Glyphs to the website.
You can call me at 716-555-7784 if you have questions.
I hit “send” and spent most of the night pacing.
Chapter 41
The next night, RhymesWithTerry’s mother called me back on the batphone number I included in the e-mail. Apparently RhymesWithTerry and her blind sister were middle schoolers. They hadn’t told their mother anything about the Glyphs until they got my email, which scared the begeezus out of them – and their mother.
Do you have any idea how difficult it is to calm down the mother of a child you’ve told might be in danger? And then to explain that the whole scenario is over a bunch of squiggly drawings that the kid sees in her head?
“Who the hell are you?”
“Please call me Anne. I help coordinate a website devoted to the Glyphs your daughter doodles. One of your daughters visited the website and contacted me.”
“Well, how dare you tell a little girl she might be in danger and scare her half to death!”
“First, I wasn’t positive I was dealing with a child. Second, she could possibly be in danger.”
“What kind of danger?”
“The FBI recently advised me that our website is being targeted by enemy nations and known terrorist groups interested in those squiggly symbols. If you can scan your daughter’s drawings into your computer and post them to our website, you’ll most likely remove any threat of danger.”
“I wanted to burn those drawings, but she’s hidden her notebook and won’t tell me where.”
“Well, she must be a very smart little girl because destroying the drawings could put her in extreme danger.”
“How?”
“If you destroy the drawings, the only place they’ll exist is in your daughter’s head. If these terrorist groups really want the drawings, they’d then be forced to go after your daughter.”
“So, those drawings could be valuable?”
“I suppose there’s a possibility that someone would be willing to pay for them. Right now, our website is publishing them for free.”
“How much do you think they’d be worth?”
From the tone of her voice I could tell that she was actually considering if she could try to squeeze some cash out of someone for her daughter’s drawings.
“I don’t know how much they might be worth, but I personally don’t think they’re worth gambling with your daughter’s safety.”
I didn’t say it, but in my head, I added “You stupid, evil bitch.”
Her voice turned cold and stiff. “Is that a threat?”
“Not from me. But I can’t guarantee the threat isn’t out there from God-knows-who. You need to cautious.”
“What about the FBI? You said you talked to the FBI. Could I give the drawings to them?”
“They could be interested in them. However, if the FBI doesn’t publish the drawings where the world can see them, I would think your daughter would still be at considerable risk if anyone ever identified her as knowing the entire Glyphs code.”
“Why are those drawings so important anyway?”
“No one knows for sure, Ma’am. You should ask your daughter. Her answer is most likely as good, or better, than anyone else’s.”
“She thinks they’re something that will save the world.”
“That would be the general consensus.”
“So, that surely must be worth something.”
I could not believe this woman was a.) trying to find a way to profit from saving the world and b.) willing to put her daughter in danger for financial gain. It was against the website’s stated policy, but I started wracking my brain for ways I could pay her. I’d invested my entire $50,000 signing bonus, plus a good portion of my first few months’ profits into producing the video. The rest was already earmarked for advertising bills that would be due soon. I hadn’t been paying myself much of salary. All I had in the bank was $4,000.
“I…I’ve got $4,000 in my personal savings account…”
“Four thousand! What kind of fool do you think I am? This has got to be worth millions.”
“I’m sorry. I have no idea where you could get that kind of money.”
“I could post an offer on your website, couldn’t I?”
“Sure. And you could hope the people who answer your inquiry aren’t murdering terrorists. And if whoever buys the drawings from you doesn’t post them publicly, your daughter remains at risk.”
“Listen. I have to think about this. I’ll call you back.”
“No.”
“No?” I could hear in her voice that she thought I was some nervy little bitch.
“Yeah. No. Because you have me concerned that you will compromise your daughter’s safety. And I can’t let that happen. You either post your daughter’s drawings to the website now…or you overnight photocopies to me. If I don’t see one or the other by noon tomorrow, I will go to the authorities…I’m not sure they can protect your daughter, but you’d leave me no choice.”
There was a pause.
“Listen. She won’t tell me where her notebook is. I’ve tried everything. She will only hand it over to you.”
I guess, with a mother like that, you had to be a very cautious kid.
Chapter 42
I did have the mother call me back, with both of us using different phones…just in case. Her daughter wouldn’t give her the notebook and she didn’t know how to scan and post anything online anyway. She said she’d be willing to meet me the next day. She lived in New Jersey.
We arranged to meet at a mall and drive to a post office with a photocopier. The post office was in walking distance from her house. Her daughters would walk to the post office with a group of friends. The girl would give me her notebook, I’d photocopy it, and we’d be done.
I had a ridiculous amount of preparations to make and very little time to make them. Worse, this was big. If anyone had somehow listened in or had any inkling what was going on, who knows what kind of danger we be in? I couldn’t afford to skimp on the precautions.
That night I checked into a hotel by the airport using one of the false ID’s I’d gotten from Jim’s brother back at the start of all this. I paid cash. And, for the first time, I turned off the phone that Amir had asked me to keep on…and I left it at home. I was that worried. Stakes were so high, I didn’t know who I could trust.
Early the next morning, in a fat suit and black wig, I pulled a carry on out from inside one of my bags and grabbed the airport shuttle. I knew the plane wasn’t completely booked, so I didn’t buy my ticket until I arrived at the airport. I was going to have to use my real identity for the flight. I couldn’t risk my fake IDs getting caught by the TSA.
At the gate, I had a private conversation with the boarding agent. “Listen, ummm…I have a really big favor to ask you.”
“What can I do for you, Ms. Shannon?”
“I’ve been a victim of domestic violence and I just completed my divorce. There are rumors that my ex hired someone to retaliate against me. I’m extremely worried that I’m being stalked. If anyone purchases a ticket for this flight after me…would it be possible to let me know?”
“Yes. I should be able to do that for you.”
“Thank you so, so much. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.”
As I looked for a seat in the waiting area, I noticed Jim sitting over by the window reading the paper. I supposed it wasn’t that big of a coincidence. The flight into Newark would be one he’d likely take to visit Kiku in NYC. I wanted so much to go over and say “hi.” But, this just wasn’t the right time.
I’d been waiting for about twenty minutes when I heard “Paging passenger Shannon. Will
passenger Shannon please come to the gate?”
A feeling of intense anxiety gripped me. I could feel myself breaking out into a cold sweat. I had to walk slowly to keep myself steady. At the gate, the agent confirmed my worst fear.
“Ms. Shannon. There was another ticket purchased. Which is rather unusual at this late time.”
“Oh, dear.”
“The gentleman who purchased it is standing over at the far end of the gate area. He’s in a light brown suit and hat with dark glasses.”
“Is he looking this way now?”
“No, he’s looking out at the window at the Jetway.”
“I turned ever so slightly to glance over in the direction she indicated.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“He’s seated in first class. If you’d like, I can arrange to have a security escort waiting for you upon arrival.”
“I think knowing who to keep an eye on should be enough – after all, it’s probably nothing. Thank you so much, though.”
The gate agent looked skeptical. She may have been doubly concerned by the man’s name and complexion. Just from a quick glance at his back, those broad, square shoulders, the fine suit. I recognized Faris right away.
Fortunately, Jim wasn’t sitting anywhere near Faris. I plopped down in an empty seat next to Jim, opened a newspaper in front of my face and spoke in a hushed tone.
“Don’t look up. Don’t look at me. Don’t say a word. It’s Rachel.”
Jim handled this very smoothly. The change is his demeanor was nearly imperceptible.
“I’m sorry to involve you, but if you could help me just this once, I’d appreciate it. There is a man standing by the window in a hat, light brown suit and sunglasses. He is following me. He’ll be sitting in first class.”
“When I get off the plane, I’ll have short blondish hair, khaki pants and a black blazer. If you could try to keep an eye on him and see if he follows me, I would appreciate it. If you can do this for me, please turn the page.”
Jim turned the page of his newspaper.
“I have the batphone. Do you remember the number?” I always kept Jim’s batphone with me as a little lifeline…even though I knew there was little chance Jim would ever be at the end of that line. I hoped he turned his phone on occasionally, but I doubted that he did.
Jim turned the page of his newspaper again. Then, we both sat there, reading our papers, ignoring each other until our seats were called.
I was in the very back of the plane and was one of the first rows called after pre-board and first class. I noticed that Faris didn’t board when first class was called. He just stood there, looking out the window. My guess was that his eyes were actually fixed on the reflections in the window, watching for any sign of me leaving the gate area.
I had actually screwed myself by asking the gate agent to page me. There was a chance Faris would not have recognized the disguise. I was durn lucky to have brought a second getup. Sometimes being paranoid with a need for endless backup plans pays off.
Just before our descent, I went to the restroom at the rear of the plane with my carryon. I came out a tall (platform shoes hidden under long pants), mousy blonde. My chest was bound down as tightly as I could get it – so tight that not a hint of cleavage peaked out of my scooped-neck tee. I slouched badly and hung my head down when I walked. I had pulled a smaller carryon out of my regular carryon. The fat suit was in the regular carryon which I was just going to leave on the plane. I stashed it above an empty seat way in the back but I returned to an empty seat just ahead of Jim –several rows further up the aisle from where I was originally sitting.
When I got off the plane, I followed the flow toward baggage until I found a place to slip into an elevator up to the arrivals area. I jumped into the backseat of a cab that people were just getting out of. Probably not cool with airport rules, but the cabbie was so surprised, he just went with it. I was pretty sure it was a clean getaway. After a few miles I had the cabbie drop me off at a hotel. Jim call about ten minutes Jim later.
“I just got my rental. I think that guy is still running around the concourse in a panic. He definitely did not follow you.”
“I feel bad. He might be a good guy, but I couldn’t take the chance.”
Jim groaned. “You don’t know the good guys from the bad guys?”
“Who ever does?” My voice was cracking a bit from the tension I’d built up.
“Can I see you?”
“I would love that. Take US-1 to the Frontage Road exit and go left, I’m at a Holiday Inn about a half mile down on the right.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
“Thanks. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“From what I can see, you would’ve done just fine.”
“Except that I’d still be a sweating ball of nerves always looking over my shoulder.”
“Something tells me, you still are anyway.”
“You know me too well.”
Chapter 43
“My, you’ve lost a lot of weight today. And didn’t you used to have breasts?” Jim slid into the chair across from me.
“I didn’t think you ever noticed my breasts.”
Jim looked like he was about to say something. Stopped. Then just smiled, grabbed my hands and said, “I’ve been worried about you.”
I smiled back. “No need to worry. I’m fine.”
“Liar.”
I guess I showed the stress of living a secret life, immersed in a cloud of paranoia, never able to trust anyone. Even now, could I completely trust Jim with him magically appearing on this day of all days? What was it Bill said about coincidences?
“Are you here to see Kiku?”
Jim’s face transformed into a storm of emotions. “No. I’m attending a seminar. Kiku and I broke up.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Really?” Jim raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t think you liked her.”
“I didn’t like the way she treated you. But, since you loved her, I hoped you could resolve that. I care about you. I want what is best for you.”
“Well, I think you achieved that.” There didn’t seem to be any sarcasm in his tone.
“Oh?”
“You got me to re-examine my relationship with Kiku. It turns out, we both wanted really different things out of life. I want to work with the needy. Kiku was hoping that was a phase I’d grow out of.” Jim stared into the coffee the waitress had brought him.
“You know, I think I may have been more in awe of Kiku than in love with her. I’m still in awe of her. She’s an amazing woman. A brilliant researcher. She’ll save more lives with her research than I’ll ever be able to assist in my practice. But…we’re not exactly a match made in heaven.” Jim seemed to visibly shake off the turmoil that was clouding his eyes. “Besides, Kiku says I’m in love with you.”
“Are you?” I was dumbfounded.
“I might be. Kiku says I’ve been suppressing my emotional side for most of my life.”
“I’d concur with that diagnosis.”
“Kiku also thinks you’re in love with me.”
Wow. That was straightforward. Now I was trapped like a rat. And it just wasn’t the time to be getting into this kind of conversation. “If I live through today, I would not be opposed to exploring that possibility.”
Jim immediately turned serious. “Are you in real danger? Can’t you call the FBI?”
“As usual, I don’t know. I don’t think there will be danger, but who knows? I think if I called the FBI, I might be placing people in danger. But, this may be it, Jim. This may be the end of the search. I may have discovered a source with a complete set of Glyphs.”
“And here you are doing this on your own. You haven’t even asked me for help. You can’t ask for help can you? You’re not wired for it.”
“I just asked you for help in the airport!”
“Oh. Yeah. You asked me to watch a guy for a couple minutes. That’s not asking
for help.”
“OK, how about this: I could use a little backup today. When does your seminar start?”
“Not ‘til tomorrow.”
“What kind of seminar is it?”
“Tropical medicine.”
“Tropical medicine?” That response surprised the heck out of me.
“I’m planning to join the Peace Corp after I earn my medical degree. And you’re just digging around to see if I had a valid reason to be on that flight.”
“You’re awfully intuitive for someone who’s been suppressing their emotional side.”
Jim dug a brochure on the seminar out of his pocket and handed it to me. “You’re just easy to read. And I’m keen to the thought processes of paranoid nutcases.”
I still had over an hour before I was supposed to meet the Evil-Bitch-Mercenary-Mom. Jim took me to a nearby car rental site and arranged to follow me to the mall and then the post office. I didn’t tell him that a little girl would be meeting us at the post office with the notebook. He didn’t need to know that. And I felt a huge responsibility for that little girl’s safety.
I was glad Jim was coming. I didn’t trust that mom as far as I could throw her. It would probably take a good ten minutes to copy the notebook at the post office, which was a lot of time to be vulnerable. Having Jim there to keep an eye on things would make me feel better. I could not wait until everything was safely posted on the web. Maybe then my heart could start beating normally again.
I got to the mall almost ten minutes ahead of schedule, but the Evil-Bitch-Mercenary-Mom was already waiting at the appointed spot, chain smoking like a fiend to judge by the cigarette butts on the sidewalk. I pulled up next to her and rolled down the window, “Brandi?” She snuffed out her cigarette with the pointy toe of her ridiculously high-heeled pumps and jumped in the car without hesitation.
Brandi was thin and extremely nervous. She wore skin-tight jeans and an even tighter, low-cut top. Exactly what you’d expect a “Brandi” to wear. Who the hell names their kid Brandi anyway? Did her parents hope she’d become a stripper? Maybe they got their wish. I sure wasn’t looking forward to driving into Brandi’s neighborhood.