Footfalls seemed to be coming in her direction and fast. She went into a sprinters stance and took off like a bullet, sprinting carelessly in the direction of the car. Bushes and plants slapped her body and she raised her hands to cover her face.
Sarafina stumbled, struggling to keep her stride, determined to not fall. She had no way of knowing how close or far the car was, but she did not think she had walked this far.
Sarafina’s foot caught on a raised stone, causing her to stumble midstride. She kept her hands over her face and head as her left thigh rammed into the front of Leo’s car sending a shooting pain through her leg.
She had glanced off the hood and reached out to steady herself grabbing at the car’s side mirror, which immediately crumpled and folded. Sarafina went straight down, her ribs hitting the folded mirror on the way down to the stone drive. She bounced and rolled to a stop, coughing, the wind knocked out of her.
Disoriented and dizzy, but aware, she pushed up off the ground and reach for the car’s door handle. She continued to cough and gasp as she popped open the car door. The keys caught her eye, as they dangled from the ignition swaying back and forth. Stunned, she pivoted around to see who had placed them there. The fog swallowed up the landscape. She plopped down onto the driver’s seat, slammed the door, locked herself in and frantically began to honk the horn.
* * *
Mrs. Sullivan caressed the book as she said, “This text is an invaluable resource, and many would love to get their hands on it. As you already said, there is something special about this volume. When we re-acquired it, we feared its information was harvested. To our relief, nothing had been accessed, but we were devastated. Everything had been encrypted to prevent our use of it. Everybody’s an enemy when your number One.”
“So, all this is over a book that you lost? What use could this book possibly have? And why me? Wouldn’t someone in your company be better suited to fix such a valuable company item?”
“Well one might think, but we need someone like you. And, honestly, you are the one with the skills to solve this dilemma and guarantee its confidentiality. As for the book it was taken from us many years ago, we have been searching for it, and now, we’ve found it.”
“That’s why you have my e-Frond, huh? To guarantee confidentiality?”
Evelyn tilted her head, her face scrunched in confusion, “e-Frond?”
“My software. Don’t play coy! You know what I’m talking about”
“I’ve never heard of e-Frond. As I’ve said, I would make you an offer for anything you wish to show me. I don’t believe extortion works well, but I think I know who may have accidently copied your files. Mr. Sullivan and I don’t always see things the same way and we often disagree when it comes to the pursuit of business endeavors. Leo, have you spoken with Mr. Sullivan?”
“Of course not. How would I have spoken with him?”
“Hmm, interesting.” She waved a hand of dismissal. “We are way off topic again; let’s get back to the book. You asked me why this book is so valuable given its simple content, so let me explain. In this book, every element is represented and documented, every metal, gem, stone, etc. Some of these samples are rare and scarce which makes this book valuable for this aspect alone.”
She stood with the book and Leo followed suit. The text was now onscreen in front of them and open to the table of contents. She swiped through the entire table, running her hand against the screen. “Let me ask you a question Leo. What is the most precious resource we have?”
“Umm…that’s a tough one. I would have to say…love.”
Cackling laughter filled the expansive library. “To some perhaps. I should have known you’d pick something philosophical and profound. I didn’t peg you for a romantic though. You have a more logical mind. I’m speaking of natural resources; those are truly precious and finite.”
Irritated Leo responded, “Love, kindness, and compassion are instilled in the benevolent, oblivious to the pacifist, and a weakness to the hunter.” Which are you then Mrs. Sullivan? A pacifist or a hunter?”
“I can’t be benevolent, Leo? Wow, you hurt my feelings. I would have to consider myself all three. At any given time, I can be any one of those.”
“I’ll have to keep that in mind. Back to the book, I noticed the table of contents ends on page 300, yet there are 350 pages listed in the book. Why are the last fifty pages blank?”
“I told you, you are logical. We’ll talk about those later. You may have wondered why test one didn’t work for you, and why I withheld it from you remotely. Hopefully what I’ve explained helps you understand why I couldn’t allow you to take any of it in public.”
Leo smirked. “Honestly, no. You haven’t explained a whole lot, but I’m all ears.”
Mrs. Sullivan appeared restless and unconvinced of Leo’s sincerity or confidentiality as she stepped closer to him. She had to know this information wouldn’t leave the room.
“Sit down, Leo.”
Leo sat down in the chair next to her facing the screen. Before Mrs. Sullivan spoke, she reached out and put her hand on his shoulder, sending chills down his back and what felt like a current.
“Each item in this book is encrypted thanks to the thieves who stole it. Each test will unlock the encryption on that item and allow us access to our data. That’s where we need your skill.”
“The book already has information and interactive maps that tell where these items have been mined. What other information would you need? Your company is in industrial raw materials, right?”
“Honestly the reasons are our own, but if you must know the map is more current than today’s models. We aren’t involved in the harvesting of materials. We are more of procuring the necessary commodities, for shall we say, market domination.”
“That was just jargon. What commodities? These are natural elements—”
“Leo, Leo, Leo, that’s all I can tell you now. Please, will you help?” Mrs. Sullivan rounded the chair and stood before Leo, blocking his view of the screen. “Helping retrieve our stolen data will be much appreciated and you will be rewarded for your expertise. And not to worry, we don’t want anything to leave this room any more than you do.”
Leo sat thinking about New Wave, e-Frond, and whether helping Mrs. Sullivan would be a breach of his contract. This opportunity was unique, maybe even borderline crazy, but compelling none-the-less.
He paused in thought, listening to the hiss of the gas lamps and the voice of his conscience. It implored him to say no, but he trusted his instincts. He needed leverage, and in the end, this offer may benefit him more than financially.
“I’ll help on two conditions. Eradication of all e-Frond information from your systems, and something else. I am in the need of an experienced and talented machinist. When I’m sure the files are completely deleted, and if you point me in the right direction of a machinist, I’ll see what I can do about the book.”
Mrs. Sullivan clapped her hands lightly in delight; she smiled gleefully and approached the screen.
“Done and done. I know just the person to wipe your files. As for your metal man, he is in your home state, in a small rural town. I’ll make sure his contact information is sent to you. What you do from that point is up to you. Let me remind you our endeavors are to remain undiscussed and absolutely confidential.”
Mrs. Sullivan moved out of his way and he looked once again at the table of contents. “I’d like you to take a look at one particular mineral.”
She covered the screen once more and pulled up an item, then summoned Leo to join her. He viewed the complicated grid lines and random codes. The lines converged at points on the page and a code was sitting in the center of each. There were five such codes and he began to work them in his mind.
“What material are we looking at here, Mrs. Sullivan? All the text and graphics are removed.”
“My you are a curious one. That’s not important. It’s not gold; I can assure you of that.”
Concentr
ation lines formed across Mrs. Sullivan’s face. She seemed preoccupied with something other than Leo’s decryption.
“Excuse me a moment, Leo. I must attend to some business.” Her hologram faded to silhouette.
Mrs. Sullivan turned her attention to the incoming transmission and a huge smile crossed her face. She did not return immediately to Leo, but instead looked through security updates and finally watched Leo while in silhouette, seeing how his decryption was coming along. She waited with anticipation, smiling. If Leo could break the code for her, things would change. She would have what she needed. And Leo would never be allowed to leave.
* * *
Leo pieced together solutions for the codes and then traced their sequence on the grid structure. He decided he would not give away his discoveries yet and kept that information in his head. He looked to the black silhouette behind him, and once comfortable she was distracted, he studied the page working out the sequence.
He mumbled their layout and significance to himself and as he completed his solution he looked back to her blank figure, which flashed and changed to color, then her full image reappeared.
She was now dressed in work attire, her face looked worried and her voice sounded panicked as she said, “I do apologize, unfortunately I am going to have to ask you to leave now.” She pointed to the door and indicated for him to hurry along. “Get in your car and leave. I will contact you later.”
Then Mrs. Sullivan’s figure faded as it moved to the corner from which it originated.
“Mrs. Sullivan, I need more time, and we didn’t sort out e-Frond.”
Mrs. Sullivan’s voice boomed despite her absence, “Leave, please I gave you my word.”
Leo was confused but thought it best to listen. He hurried out of the library and heard a faint noise coming from outside. As he walked down the hall a loud rattle came from the front door, then it slammed open. What he heard was distinct now. A car horn. His car horn. A large framed figure filled the door way…Oh crap, not again.
“Mrs. Sullivan! We need to have a talk.” Fox One’s voice boomed, his attention focused on Leo’s movement in the hall.
“Well, Mr. Krueger where do you think you’re going? You’re not leaving until everything is sorted out. Mrs. Sullivan owes me an apology I believe.”
Leo froze, not sure whether to duck back into the library or search for another exit point. The dim lighting in the hall and entry, plunged into darkness before Leo could make a choice. Someone had cut the power. It was pitch black. Leo decided, despite Fox One standing in the entry, he would make a sprint for the door.
He figured Fox One would most likely have night vision in his bag of tricks. And once Fox One donned the night vision specks he would have the advantage and have no problem locating him.
He knew his only chance to escape was to use the darkness to his advantage, while Fox One fumbled for his glasses. Sprinting as fast as he could toward the dimly lit doorway opening, he hoped there was nothing in his path. He could not do anything to quiet the tapping of his shoes on the creaky wood floor, but he was close to getting outside.
The horn was now loud and more frantic, its echoes filling the large opening. As he neared the door, he was worried, he did not see Fox One anymore. His escape seemed too easy. Sensing a presence, he paused just before the door way and side stepped to the right. As he did, Fox One lunged and missed him.
Leo did not waste time; he rushed down the front steps and clawed through the fog, unable to see his car yet. Leo’s frantic state heightened his senses, but not enough to overcome the fog.
Leo continued his run, for his invisible car, with outstretched arms waving like antennas. His midsection slammed into something solid and his body folded around it. His chin smacked the top of his Vette. His teeth snapped together and as he recoiled almost falling backwards his hand found the passenger’s door handle.
Swinging the car door open, he hoped the honker was Sarafina and not another security man.
He let out a relieved breath when he saw the scrapped-up face of Sarafina. Her terrified eyes looked past him, and he knew Fox One was on his heels.
Leo dove in the car as Sarafina slammed down the gas pedal, Leo’s legs dragging and Fox One grabbing for anything he could. Leo cringed at the sound of Fox One’s body colliding on the rear panel of the speeding car and the screech of his open palms squeaking down the car.
Leo whirled to look out the back window as Fox One rolled off the rear of the car and tumbled onto the pavers. In one fluid motion, the Phantom immediately popped up, drew his holstered 9mm and fired rapidly until the clip emptied. Watching the roaring Corvette enter the tree line, Fox One grabbed his comms, speaking precisely and un-phased, his voice boomed through the forest.
“Fox Two this is Fox One, Krueger is heading your way in his vehicle. We have a breach, you must contain. Close position 12 immediately. Don’t use deadly force! I repeat do not use deadly force! Aim for their tires only.”
“Don’t stop, Sara!” Leo shouted, pounding on the dash with one hand as he kept watch out the back window. The Vette skidded as Sarafina fought to keep control on the curvy road. Leo turned forward, his eyes on the approaching gates, worried they would be shut when they arrived there. He spotted the posts glowing through the fog, and it looked like the gates were open.
Sarafina whipped the wheel this way and that the car sloshing all over the road, the mud caked tires preventing good traction. Just as they approached the gates, Leo turned to his right.
Fox Two sprinted through the forest pistol drawn and ready to fire. Fox Two made it onto the road just before they reached the gate, which began to close.
Leo anticipated Sara slowing and stopping, but he thought wrong, she barreled on. Sarafina swerved, narrowly missing the guard. He rolled out of the way, drawing his gun and firing. One of his shots found its mark and blew a hole in the passenger rear tire. Sarafina decelerated as the bumpy road had them bouncing. The back corner of the car sunk down, but the tire remained intact.
“Go, go, go!” Leo said. “Don’t slow down!”
“Holy shit, they were shooting at us!”
“Yeah, they were. Just focus on getting us out of here. We’re not clear yet.”
Leo tried to portray fearlessness and strength, but he was rattled underneath. They just shot at us over a freaking book! What if they hadn’t missed?
Chapter 29
Leo slunk down in his seat with his heart racing and wiped sweat off his brow as Sarafina drove the Vette down the road. They knew they had to clear the forest and hit the paved state route before they could relax. Leo felt around his person, checking his body for injury. His legs and hip felt bruised from the leap to the car.
He touched his chin and stared at his bloody fingertips. He quickly yanked at the visor to view the damage. Blood covered his goatee, and he worried his teeth may be chipped. He nervously cracked an exaggerated smile, to his relief none of his teeth were damaged just a cut, swelling lip.
“Leo that was a book exchange? What in the hell just happened?” She glanced at him, her eyes spiked with shock and fear. “That felt like a criminal duo. That whole getaway car thing was a joke you know.”
“I was hoping you could tell me. What happened outside?”
“You were taking forever, so I got out of the car to look around the grounds. What did you stir up in there?”
“Nothing, things were going fine. I was about to figure out what Mrs. Sullivan wanted, and get my files deleted off their server. The next thing I know she’s telling me to leave immediately. Nothing happened outside, besides your stroll?”
“That crazy Fox One dude found me while I was walking around. He warned me that others there wouldn’t like my perusal of the grounds. I know you’re not going to believe this, but I think he was trying to help me. I think he is a good guy.”
“I find that a tough pill to swallow. What makes you think that?”
“Shortly after he found me, a British voice came from the
fog asking to speak with Fox One alone. The voice also said he’d deal with me later. Before Fox One left, he told me to get back to the car. He seemed worried. It was almost as if he was trying to rescue me. When I walked away from him, I noticed several sets of cellar doors in the forest, covered with leaves and dirt. I couldn’t understand the Brits need to, ‘deal with me,’ but I assume it has something to do with the doors I found.”
“The Brit you heard is the house Butler and I don’t think he’s there to serve lunch for Mrs. Sullivan. If that is all that transpired why the scraped-up face and a pissed off Fox One?”
“You didn’t hear the gun shots! Someone fired a gun and it sounded as if someone was hurt. I panicked, fell and then honked the horn for you to come ASAP.”
“Gunshots? What the hell…I didn’t hear them. And the only reason I knew something was wrong, was Mrs. Sullivan telling me to leave.”
They finally reached the forests edge and made their way to the state route, stopping just short of the pavement. Leo got out to inspect his vehicle and check the status of his tire. He walked tenderly due to his bruised upper thigh and bent down to check out his rear tires.
He motioned for Sarafina to put down her window and said, “Yep, the tire has been shot, but the run flat should hold out until the next town.”
Sara stared up at him wide-eyed. “Dang, Leo, your lip is huge. You okay?”
“Yeah. its fine; feels weird to talk, though. Never mind me; your face is all scratched up. Are you all right?”
She gingerly touched her checks to check, “I didn’t even notice. It must have been the adrenaline.”
“Let’s get clear of here okay, I’ll drive,” Leo said as he opened the driver’s door.
He looked over and saw a limping Sarafina, hair and clothes covered with dirt. He went back and helped her into the passenger seat. She tensed and let out a painful hiss as her body contacted the seat.
After he started up the car Sarafina said, “You know I forgot to tell you something. When I was making my way back to the car I lost your keys out of my pocket. I know you don’t believe me, but I think Fox One is good. When I got to the car the keys were swaying back and forth in the ignition. Someone put the keys in there for me to escape. I think it had to be Fox One.”
Dawn of Tomorrow Page 13