The Remote Traveler (The Remote Series Book 1)

by Finian Blake

  Sean’s car was unlocked in its parking place with the keys in the ignition. Evan did a quick search of the car. He removed the back seat and found a large envelope under the seat with $100,000 in it. Evan removed the seat back and found a complete set of papers in it. He decided to take the car for a ride. Evan did not want to remove anything under the view of the security cameras. Evan backed the car out from the parking space putting his government loaner in its place. He found a quiet place and started the search in earnest. When he was through he found a silenced Glock, two knives, $100,000 in cash and Sean’s run papers. Evan rented a small storage locker at U-Haul and put all of the items under lock and key. After that he drove the car back to the garage turning the car over to the buildings security.

  It was ten PM by the time that he was through. Evan went to the private entrance of his new office using the key card to enter. He was planning on time alone to search the office. Evan opened the door and looked around. There was a light coming from the opposite door in the room. He cautiously opened the door. A young woman was working at the filing cabinets. Evan coughed quietly and the woman let out a shriek.

  Evan was startled by her reaction, “I hope that I don’t look that bad.”

  She looked at him nervously, “I hope your name is Evan Black.”

  “It is. What are you doing here?”

  “My name is Pauline. I was Sean’s secretary. They told me that you would be here tomorrow.” She was standing in a pair of fuzzy slippers with a blouse in her hand.

  “We don’t have that many files. I keep a comfort kit in this drawer. I wanted things to look professional when you walked in.” Evan appraised her looks Pauline was five foot two one hundred and five pounds. Her honey blonde hair was cut just below her ears. Her clothes looked professional wearing a simple tan blouse with a short dark brown skirt.

  “You look very professional. I am sorry to give you a scare like that. I didn’t think that anyone would be here. I don’t have a room so I was hoping that there would be a comfortable couch to sleep on.”

  “Don’t try the couch in his office. It is his secret filing cabinet. He keeps the key on a yellow cord hung around his neck.” Evan’s evening was looking up. Pauline just gave him a huge head start.

  “Could you show me?”

  “For that I will need more than your word as to who you are. Let me see your ID.” Evan pulled out his government ID and his driver’s license. Pauline examined both documents closely and acknowledged that he was who he said he was.

  “You are the new Foreman so I think that it is only right.” Taking the key on the yellow cord from Evan’s hand she went to the armrest, inserted the key and pulled it up. The seat moved forward exposing a shallow compartment as long as the couch. The names of all the agents, the organizational chart and the logistical details were all there. There was a Pharmacy section with drugs, knock out drops and poisons. There was a small weapons section with knives and pistols. “The operating system is strictly mechanical so that an electronics sweep will not give it away.” He had scored big time. Evan had to admit that he never would have found this in a year of searching. He looked at Pauline again. She was standing at the other end of the couch in her fuzzy pink slippers and baggy blouse that almost qualified as a dress. Sean had seen something in her that generated trust. Evan picked up Pauline’s file and read it in front of her. Her four-year military career was both exceptional and scarred. It seemed that she had a problem with violence and regulations while her performance was flawless. Sean found her in the secretarial pool and obtained all of the necessary top security clearances for her. With her security clearances, Pauline escaped the seniority system and was appointed as Evan’s personal assistant. The title of secretary was a blind.

  “How did you catch Sean’s eye.” Pauline walked up to Evan and grabbed him solidly between his legs causing Evan to gasp, and wince in pain.

  “I didn’t catch his eye. I caught his dick. I did what it takes to get this job and I will do what it takes to keep it. I want to be your assistant.” Pauline said as she bit his lip pulling him to the floor.

  Evan’s brains turned to mush, “You’re hired.”

  “I must warn you that I am a very bad girl.”

  “I hope so,” was all Evan could manage to moan.

  The bus pulled up in front of the Pub. Susan and Adam greeted the bus. Anna was the first one off.

  Anna started talking before her foot touched the ground, “Lynn how is your mother?”

  Susan shrugged, “She took it hard of course until Layla gave her a dream. Right now she is nursing a hell of a hangover. Lynn declared a three-day party and yesterday was the first day. She called in all of the reserve staff so the regulars could fully participate. We are rotating the duty to those sober enough to work. Lynn decided to celebrate Susan’s life. After thirty plus years it should take at least three days.”

  “Susan, this is Tom, his wife Helen and their daughter Susan, Tom is going to head Suki’s American concerns. They are here to meet everyone. Alex thought it might be a good idea to introduce them.”

  “The Sheik’s Cottage ought to work it has two bedrooms.” Susan offered her arm to Tom’s daughter as an idea struck her. “Susan my name is Susan too. Do you like horses? I think that we have a special horse just for you.” Their daughter started jumping up and down.

  “Horses mommy, they have horses here.” Helen smiled at Susan.

  “Helen, let’s get you settled in. I have some riding clothes for your daughter. We have some for you too, if you would care to ride.” Susan led the way to the cottage leaving them to unpack. Helen had been unsure at the way that Tom jumped at the job. Helen figured that she could not turn down a trip to England, and with the way that they were treated she was now totally enthusiastic. These were people that Helen genuinely liked.

  Susan had a special plan for Helen and little Susan. She pulled out some of her childhood riding gear. Susan showed up at the cottage with a red riding jacket, a white linen blouse and white jodhpurs. The crowning touch was riding boots, a riding crop and a helmet with the name Susan embroidered on the back of the helmet. The clothes were almost a perfect fit. Helen was amazed at the effect. She held up a camera.

  “Susan, I think that I will turn down the ride. I want pictures of this.” Susan offered her diminutive guest her arm escorting her guest to the stable.

  Lynn was pacing up and down in the stable. How could her daughter have decided to take her guests riding at a time like this? Her daughter stepped in the door first. Her guest stepped in after her. Little Susan was a perfect young lady. Her dark brown hair flowed out from under her riding helmet. She tapped the riding crop against her leg just as Susan had instructed her to do.

  “Lynn, I would like you to meet Susan. She has never ridden before and you need to be gentle teaching her.” Lynn’s heart melted when she saw the miniature Susan. Her daughter pulled a Rhinestone pin with the name Susan on it out of her pocket pinning it on the riding jacket.

  Lynn slapped her daughter lightly on the cheek, “You are a witch.” She helped Susan mount her horse and led it out to the exercise area. Helen was going crazy with her camera. She could not believe the way that her daughter was being treated. “That rhinestone pin is gorgeous they shine like diamonds.”

  Susan shrugged, “That’s because they are diamonds.”

  Helen’s jaw dropped, “She can’t wear that.”

  “It was made to wear and I haven’t worn it in years.”

  Susan stood beside Helen holding back her tears. Lynn worked gently with her student until she was asleep in the saddle. Lynn walked the horse to the Sheik’s cottage with the sleeping girl still in the saddle easing her off of the horse. She laid Susan on her bed leaving quietly. Lynn kissed her daughter softly.

  “Thank you. That was medicine for the soul.”

  Alex called a meeting with Anna, Layla, Edward, Nadia, Ted, and included Tom. He brought Tom up to date with what was really happening, be
fore listening to the update on the current situation. Tom found it difficult to believe, but kept an open mind.

  Tom found it hard to comprehend, “You mean that you were getting real time intelligence on their moves by ESP?”

  Alex continued, “Something like that, although it is remote viewing not ESP. I wanted you to get an idea of what the real story is before Edward and Layla fill us in on the latest developments. Edward, would you give us the latest news?”

  “Dad, I don’t care for what is going on. Evan covered up the mess by telling them a story that they wanted to hear. They put him in charge of the cover up, instructed him to dismantle the organization and he reassigned everybody that is left. He has all of the Foreman’s files. When Evan is finished he will be made a special envoy attached to the State Department. They will make the story match the evidence and drop the blame on people that are already dead. It looks like all of the involved agencies will buy the story. Nobody wants to admit to sweeper teams. The last sweeper team is being called a rogue group that went off the reservation dying while attacking you. The Foreman had a surprise heart attack and his assistant Ray exceeded his authority. They are both conveniently dead and cannot dispute anything.”

  “It sounds like they want this whole mess to go away. We might have seen an end to this mess.”

  Layla exploded at the idea, “What about Doctor Swift, Bonnie and my mother?”

  “The people that killed them are dead. Evan issued the orders, which makes him as guilty as they are but where do we stop? It is a big ass government. The foreman gave Evan his orders and he is dead. They lost better than twenty people and have to dismantle their sweeper program. We are protecting ourselves, by not going after revenge. They lost seven to one, but we need to watch the situation carefully.”

  “Are you saying forgive and forget?”

  “No I am saying that we need to get on with our life. Seeking revenge will poison you. Both you and Edward have a lot going.”

  Layla thought for a while, “Do you want Edward and me to keep tracking them?”

  “Yes, of course I do. It would be foolish not to.”

  “Exactly what is your plan?”

  “I think that we should keep a close eye on things and prepare a defense. If they attack us we will use every means possible to defend ourselves.”

  Tom waited until the others went to take care of their business. Tom seemed relieved.

  “Alex, is that your real intent?”

  “Yes, Tom…”

  “So this is really your organization.”

  Alex corrected Tom, “No, it never was an organization and it was never mine. I prefer to look at it as a confederation. Everyone is free to do as they choose. The resources and responsibility are in each person’s hands. Even my wife Anna has her choices and she is free to do as she chooses.”

  Tom was curious, “How do you keep the confederation together?”

  “We use loyalty to each other. Lynn is our accountant and she does as much to hold us together as anyone. Her daughter Susan will take over her duties in due time while Susan’s daughter Lynn will take over Susan’s duties in the near future. We are invested in each other’s enterprises. Nadia is the principal owner of Four Diamonds. Suki, Lynn, and I own a piece of that. As director of the American operation you will own a small piece of that. My friend Susan was the principal owner of the Inn. Suki, Sarah, and the children own it now.”

  “What about you?”

  “I turned my ten percent over to our children.”

  “You mean Edward and Layla?”

  “No I mean Noah, Adam, Susan and Lynn.” Alex enjoyed the confused look on Tom’s face. “Noah and Lynn are my children with Susan. Susan and Adam are my children with Lynn. The Inn was Lynn and Susan’s dream so it should stay with them. Lynn and Susan were partners in all respects. They wanted the kids to be true siblings so they selected me as a father.”

  “What if they turn on you?”

  “That would depend on my relationship with them. Let me give you a personal example. If I gave you two million dollars today, and came to you in need several years later. Would you help me?”

  “You know I would.”

  “Let’s put it to the test.”

  The two men walked down the hall to Lynn’s office. Susan was sitting behind the desk.

  “Susan I want you to set up an account for Tom. Take two million out of my account to start it with.” Tom started to get out of his chair. Alex pushed him back down. “You will need to give Susan your information.” Alex walked out of the room hurriedly. Tom thought that he was being played, since Susan had not even raised an eyebrow at the request.

  Tom could not believe his ears, “Alex is kidding isn’t he?”

  Susan carried on smoothly, “If he is, it just cost him two million. Now let’s get down to business. I was not here just for you. Your wife and daughter should be here any moment.”

  “Why should they be here?”

  “Tom, my mother Lynn fell in love with your daughter. She looks so much like Susan’s childhood pictures that she is setting up a trust fund for your daughter. She wants a monument to her partner Susan.”

  “And my daughter is supposed to do this.”

  Susan calmly said, “No your daughter is the monument.”

  “Is she crazy?”

  “I hope not. Mom has full control of a few billion dollars in investments including my money. Two hundred million is hers and two hundred million is Susan’s. I was going to give your daughter one percent from each of them. I can’t think of a more fitting monument to mom than Susan.” It took Susan two hours to convince them that this was the real deal and to set up the accounts. After everything was done, Susan looked at Helen’s daughter.

  “Helen, I have several outfits that were mine when I was growing up. They should fit Susan perfectly. They are in storage just down the hall. You are welcome to anything that fits or will fit in the future.” They walked down the hall and Susan indicated the boxes to look in and started to leave. She took Helen’s hand. “Yes, it is real. The party starts again in two hours. Pick something nice.” As Helen started sifting through the boxes she was amazed at the quality of the clothes. She did not want second hand clothes for her daughter but even the little girl play clothes were handmade and showed no wear.

  The pub started filling early. Frank and Francesca were in Spain at the time. They stopped to pick up Liliana in Barcelona. All of the daughters were in attendance as were all of the surviving old men. Tom recognized Sidney as former SAS and Carl as a Royal Marine. They had done NATO training at the Sembach Annex while Tom was instructing there. They stood up to the bar forming the sergeant’s corner. Tom felt funny laughing and joking at a funeral. Mark slapped him on the back.

  “It’s not a funeral. We are celebrating her life. She and Alex have saved most of these people in one way or another. Walk around and listen to the stories.” Tom was amazed at the personal stories that he did hear. He was in awe of the loyalty that was expressed by everyone without exception.”

  Lynn walked in the room, “I have an important announcement to make.” The room went silent. She walked up to the stage waving her arms. “Effective immediately I am transferring Susan’s and my shares to our children Noah, Adam, Lynn and Susan. Lynn will assume operational responsibility for the Inn and Susan will assume responsibility for the investments. All thirty of the regulars will receive one million each and the forty reserves will receive half a million each. There will be a five way split for our children on the balance. I will step back to an advisory role.” Lynn looked at Alex and held up a pair of soiled panties in a plastic bag. “Hermes this is your inheritance.”

  Tom looked at Alex, “Who is Hermes?”

  “That would be me it is an old name out of the past.”

  Tom was confused, “Why are you getting panties when the others are getting millions?”

  Alex laughed, “It is a joke from the first day that we met. Believe it or not they m
ean a lot. In case you haven’t noticed I am not short of money. I don’t own any thing so I don’t spend much money.”

  Tom did not understand the contradiction, “I find it hard to believe that you don’t own any thing.”

  “My wife leases the house, I lease my car and if you check my bank in LA, you will find that I only have a few thousand in the bank. They can come in today, take everything that I own and end up with a few thousand dollars. Someone called Mooney taught me this trick.”

  “What about the plane tickets. That had to run about $50,000.”

  “An investment company paid for those. Even my clothes were gifts from friends. It’s almost the same way with Anna.”

  “How much money do your friends have available to give you?”

  “My friends have somewhere around one hundred eighty million and Anna’s friends like her more than they like me.” Alex wanted to catch Lynn. “Enjoy yourself remember, we feel sorry that she is not with us. We don’t feel sorry for her.”

  Alex took two whiskies form the bar and found Lynn talking to Helen and her daughter Susan. Susan was dressed in a cute purple party dress.

  Alex took Lynn by the hand, “Purple is the color of royalty, so you must be the princess.” Susan blushed without saying a word. “I must claim your hostess for a while, but I won’t take her out of your sight.” Alex led Lynn a few feet away. He took the plastic bag out and held it between them.

  “I see that you remembered. I ought to spank you.” Lynn pushed Alex back a few feet.

  “Not in front of Susan we never played our games in front of the girls.” Lynn started to walk back to her conversation. Alex gave her a firm swat that made Lynn stand on her toes.