The Gravity of Anti-Gravity

by Tim Blagge

  Just as Rolf got into his car, Cushing and Waterman entered the parking lot in a chauffer driven limousine. Stella and I waited while they exited the back seat and we all went in together. Dr. Brooks met the four of us and we all went into the conference room.

  Cushing remained standing and announced, “I’ve got some exciting news for you! The President himself wants to meet personally with the three of you. I was told he wants to congratulate you on your achievement and make sure that you are being well taken care of. He’s cleared his calendar for Wednesday afternoon from three to four PM and will provide a Government plane for your transport to Washington. He wants me to accompany you on the flight.”

  “And what if we don’t want to go?” said Stella.

  “I’m not quite sure Dr. Morton,” stammered Cushing. “Why wouldn’t you want to meet the President?”

  I stood up, winked at Stella when no one was looking and said, “Come on Dr. Morton, this is the President of the United States. How could you turn down an invitation like that?”

  “Mr. Burton,” Stella said firmly. “We are not even sure we are going to work with the Government. The spy tactics they have used has made it difficult for me to trust them. In all honesty, how do we know they will follow through on their promises?”

  An excited Cushing stood up and raised his voice considerably. “We have apologized for our tactics over and over. What else do you want from us?”

  Stella, realizing that she had pushed Cushing to his limit said, “OK let’s look at your proposal.”

  Cushing pulled some documents out of his brief case and laid them on the table and slid them toward Stella and me.

  “Mr. Cushing, Mr. Waterman sirs, could we have a moment in private to look these over?” I asked.

  “Sure,” Waterman and I will go out to the parking lot and have a cigarette. Call me when you are ready,” Said Cushing

  After Cushing and Waterman exited the room, Stella pulled the bug finder out of her purse and discovered a device attached behind the buckle of Cushing’s brief case. Then she pressed Rolf’s device into the screw hole that holds the brief case’s foot in place. Stella’s phone rang and it was Rolf.

  “OK, I understand, OK, are you sure?” And then she sneezed loudly. “OK I’ve got it. I’ll talk to you later.”

  I said, “So let’s look at these papers.” Stella was busy writing on a pad. She agreed that we should study the documents out loud while she showed us the pad.”

  “Fed bug on case. Our bug there too & working. Feds listening to us now!”

  Last night we had practiced what we would say in this exact instance.

  “As I read through this it looks like the Feds are offering everything we asked for.” I said out loud. “The autonomy, the power over the personnel, the security, the commission structure; it all looks correct. It’s even got our salaries listed based on some Government study. We will all receive $123,320.00 annually and it will start Monday. They have even minimized the fine print. Nice job I think.”

  “OK let’s bring them in and discuss the changes we’d like to make.”

  “Changes, what changes?” Dr. Brooks asked.

  As I called Cushing’s phone to have them come back in, Stella scribbled another note and showed it to Dr. Brooks. It read, “Just follow along; we know where we are going!”

  When Cushing and Waterman came back in, they had a renewed air of confidence in their gait. They thought they had closed the deal. Three signatures and they would be flying back to D.C. for a celebratory weekend.

  “OK folks; are we ready to talk turkey?” Cushing said with a grin.

  As planned, Stella took over. “Everything looks fine. The only change we need to make is in security. I don’t know if you heard but I was accosted last night. I wasn’t hurt but the perpetrator was murdered in his hospital bed. There are obviously some pretty nasty people around trying to cut themselves in on the action. We want two trained security personnel placed outside my apartment, two outside Bill’s residence and two outside his girlfriends house at all times starting now. We want an Army Lieutenant we know and trust reassigned to head up our security detail. Here’s his name and serial number. He will hand select others in his company to carry out our protection.”

  “The Army doesn’t do security work like this. It’s against the Constitution. We need FBI people on this job,” Said Cushing.

  “Alright, you assign the highest ranking FBI man in the area to head up our security team,” said Stella. “Put the Army personnel on some kind of temporary leave of absence from the military. They will report to your man and he, in turn, will train them as required. We will meet with the FBI person on Monday. If we don’t feel comfortable with him, you will get us another. If everything is satisfactory and after we meet with the President, we will sign your agreement.”

  Again Stella had Cushing stammering. “But, but I thought we had a deal. Why the sudden change?”

  “Cushing” Stella dropped the mister on purpose, “you can’t be trusted! Would you like me to elaborate on that comment?”

  “Absolutely, Yes, I can’t imagine why you are saying that.”

  “Well, we can’t imagine why your techs removed the surveillance equipment from Bill’s barn and then planted a different more complex one. This one was so poorly concealed that Bill’s Grandfather accidentally found it during a routine cleaning. It looks like imagination is missing all around,” Stella said with some hostility in her voice. “Trusting you is not an option for us anymore.”

  ”Mr. Waterman, did you authorize this? I had no knowledge of it!” roared Cushing.”

  “Cut the crap Cushing.” Stella declared sounding disgusted “If you are innocent and Waterman is responsible for everything, why is he still sitting here?”

  “I promise I will correct these injustices,” said Cushing.

  “Sure you will,” an incredulous Stella commented. “To recap our agenda; we will get FBI security starting tonight. They will remain on the job until the Army personnel, in conjunction with the FBI takes over. Monday we will meet with your FBI guy. Wednesday we will fly to meet with the President - without you. If everything we hear to that point is satisfactory, we will sign the agreement.”

  Stella handed Cushing a zip drive and said.” In a good faith effort to show that we are still interested in a deal, this drive contains an outline of our device and how it will work. This is just the beginning of our full cooperation.”

  “What will you tell the President?” Cushing asked.

  “Nothing unless our proposals are not met to the letter,” Stella said with the firm resolve I’d gotten used to seeing in her recently.

  “Gentlemen, it’s time for you to leave. Mr. Burton and I have a police report to give in an hour.” Stella added.

  Cushing and Waterman hurriedly packed up and scurried out. Stella again pulled out her bug finder and scanned the room. It was clean. She asked Dr. Brooks if she and I could meet alone to go over our statement to the Police.

  As he was leaving Dr. Brooks told Stella, “Nice performance young lady. Cushing is either going to put out a hit on you right away or he’ll come back and do it himself. If you two weren’t in danger before, you are now.”

  “You were a little heavy handed on Cushing,” I commented.

  “Remember Bill it was all for show. Our goal was to get them pissed off enough at us to reveal who their people are. Rolf is monitoring and recording their conversation now. He’ll call if there is any news.”

  “If that was a show, you’re in the running for an academy award,” I said.

  “Do you think I could make it as an actress?” Stella mused.

  “No question, you would be one of the best,” I answered.

  -24-

  At 3 PM sharp, three Officers from the Pasadena Police Department came into our office. The highest ranking person was a Detective Oliver. He told us that the brown van was found burning on the side of a desolate road in Chino.

  “So f
ar, no useful information has been recovered,” said Oliver. “The man who accosted Dr. Morton was a Mexican National named Juan Sanchez. He died from a yet to be determined poison administered through his IV tube.”

  They asked the usual questions about what and when, we knew anything. “Dr. Morton, I don’t think this was a rape attempt.” Oliver said. “Based on what has happened, it looks like an attempted kidnapping. Do you know why anyone would want to kidnap you?”

  This was a question we had anticipated so I jumped in.

  “Detective Oliver, we have recently begun research on a highly classified project. If successful, it is a monumental discovery. Unfortunately, some people in our government, for reasons of their own, have deliberately leaked our research. This has aroused significant interest from organizations big and small, honest and dishonest. We would like to give you their names but first you must promise not to divulge this information to anyone at this time. We want you to have it in the event that something happens to one or both of us. I hope we can trust you Detective.”

  “Of course you can,” Oliver replied. “Do you have proof of these allegations?”

  “We do, but for now we would prefer to keep that information in our possession. If you need it, rest assured it will come to you.” I answered.

  We then gave the names of Cushing and Waterman and their positions in the Government to Oliver. He listened intently and bellowed “My god, this could be a conspiracy at the highest levels of our Government! What are you people working on?”

  “Sir that’s classified, but if you find out anything more about the dead Mr. Sanchez and who he was connected to, please let us know. One more thing; the FBI will be providing security around my house, Dr. Morton’s house and my girl friend’s house. Here are the addresses. If you hear of any incidents at any one of these addresses, please get there quickly.”

  The officers left and I turned to Stella and asked, “Do you think we can trust those cops?”

  “Bill, we’re getting in pretty deep right now so planting a few lifelines here and there could be our salvation down the line,” she answered. “Let’s go to my place and see if Rolf has overheard anything useful from our esteemed public servants.”

  When we got to the apartment and went in, Rolf was sitting there with a broad grin. “If your plan was to make two men furious, you two definitely succeeded. I’ve never heard so much foul language in my life.”

  “Any useable information?” Stella asked Rolf.

  “Only one thing, but I’m not sure what it means. Cushing got a phone call and unless I miss my guess, he spoke to someone in Russian so I don’t know what was said. We’ll have to round up someone who can translate for us,” said Rolf.

  “There’s a guy who works at JPL. His parents were born in Russia and he speaks the language. He should be able to help,” I added.

  “Good; now Cushing and Waterman are getting into it. I’ll turn up the volume. This should be fun,” Rolf said.

  “When this whole debacle is over; it will be my pleasure to see Morton and Burton lying face down in some shallow grave somewhere. They have taken a carefully crafted plan and turned it to crap. They are way too clever for their age. I’m starting to think they have some outside help,” commented Cushing.

  “Let’s hope this zip drive they gave us is legit. We’ll copy it and give it to our Government techs to check out. If they say it’s good, at least it will give us something to give to Montenegro to keep him off our backs for a while,” said Waterman.

  “Cushing,” Waterman continued, “I’m tired of being blamed by you every time we get caught by those punk scientists. They go to the President, he questions you, you blame me and I’m out on the street.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Cushing, “even if it comes to that, you’ll be extremely well compensated. If you want to buy yourself a tropical island somewhere complete with hot and cold running bimbos, you’ll be able to afford it. Sometimes we all need to take one for the team.”

  “You are so full of shit, Cushing! Knowing our benefactors like I do, the only tropical island I’ll see is the one they’ll show me before they feed me to the sharks.”

  “I can protect you Waterman but if you keep talking like that, I’ll push you out of this plane myself.”

  “Screw you Cushing!”

  Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

  For the first time I saw Rolf reach for a gun. It had been neatly concealed in a holster in his waistband. He walked to the door stood beside it and asked “Who’s there.”

  “FBI,” was the answer.

  Rolf slowly opened the door with the chain still connected.

  “Show me your badges,” he ordered. He inspected them and said “Just a minute.” Then he holstered and concealed his gun and opened the door.

  “I am Agent Flynn and this is Agent Rivera. We are here to take the first shift in your security detail. We always like to meet the people we are protecting so we can get to know them and they can recognize us. It reduces problems if things ever do heat up.”

  We did introductions all around. “OK thanks guys we’ll all sleep better tonight knowing that some of America’s finest are on the job,” Stella said.

  As the men left, Agent Rivera gave Stella a long approving look.

  “Hey Agent Rivera,” I said, “don’t forget you two are the protectors and we three are the protectees.” My comment only got a grunt from Rivera as he left.

  “Feeling a little jealous Bill,” Rolf said.

  “You know, I don’t know where that came from,” I confessed.

  “You don’t Mr. Burton?” Stella said, as she gave me one of her impish smiles.

  It was about ten when Stella said, “It’s been a long day Bill, why don’t we go to bed.”

  “Does that include me?” I asked with a hopeful grin.

  “Only if you want it to, lover boy,” Stella said softly.

  “Rolf, is it OK if I stay?” I asked. “I don’t want to be in the way.”

  “No problem, I am going to stay up a little longer and monitor your two friends. I want to be a witness if they decide to kill each other. Also I want to research this Montenegro that they referred to. See you in the morning.”

  Just then, the phone rang. It was Mrs. Brooks the wife of Dr. Brooks. Stella answered.

  “Is this Dr. Morton?”

  “Yes it is.” Stella responded.

  “I am Shirley Brooks, Dr. Arnold Brooks’ wife. Have you seen my husband tonight or might he be there in a meeting or something? He hasn’t come home yet and he hasn’t called. He’s never done this before. I’m sorry to call Dr. Morton, but I’m scared.”

  “No Mrs. Brooks, we haven’t seen him since late this afternoon. He was on his way to his office about 3 PM just before Mr. Burton and I met with the Police.”

  “Arnie told me about that. Are you alright Dr. Morton?”

  “Yes I’m fine, but call me Stella. Shirley, have you called the Police?”

  “No, not yet, they always say on TV that you have to wait 24 hours before they consider someone a missing person.”

  “Well in this case I think they will make an exception.” Stella explained. “Call the Pasadena Police. Ask for a Detective Oliver. If he’s not there, ask for whoever took over for him. If Oliver brought his replacement up to speed, he should help you. We will contact the FBI. You may get a call from them. If Dr. Brooks comes home, or if you just want to talk, don’t hesitate to call. We will help in every way we can. Good bye, Mrs. Brooks.”

  “Rolf,” Stella began. “You go outside, find the FBI guys and tell them to notify their people about Dr. Brooks. I’d send Bill but if they are any good, he won’t find them. You will. When you get back, we’ll use your locator to find Dr. Brooks. Let’s hope that he had it with him.”

  “Stella, do you really think Dr. Brooks was abducted?” I asked.

  “At this point I don’t know. Since he is so closely associated with the project, the criminals may think he knows
as much as we do.”

  In about fifteen minutes Rolf returned. “I found one guy sleeping and the other one reading the paper. I think I scared the hell out of them when I knocked on the car window. I told them about Dr. Brooks and I waited until they called it in. I got the department chief’s number in case we come up with anything. With a crack pair like these guys protecting us, we’d better keep our guard up.”

  “OK, let’s see if we can find Dr. Brooks,” said Stella.

  With that Rolf plugged a strange device into his laptop. “Let me isolate Brooks’ signal. OK it looks like the signal is coming from Riverside. Now let me get the address. It’s 44703 Reilly Parkway, Suite C. It looks like a warehouse. Bill, I want you to call it in. The FBI doesn’t really know who I am and I want to keep it that way. Tell them the locater device is yours and if they ask, you bought it at Radio Shack.”

  I called the FBI number Rivera gave us and a Special Agent Rodney King came on the line. I tried not to laugh as I explained who I was and why I was calling. He was aware of the situation. I gave him the address of the warehouse and explained how I knew that Dr. Brooks was probably there. He said he would send an FBI team from the Riverside area to the warehouse and they should be there within the hour.

  A little after midnight, we got a call from Special Agent King. “My agents broke into the warehouse in Riverside. It was empty. Unfortunately they found the remnants of a grey business suit coat in the corner. I am sorry to say it had quite a bit of fresh blood on it!”

  “Thank you Special Agent King. If you’ll hang on we’ll see if Dr. Brooks is still in possession of the locator we gave him.”

  Rolf fired up the laptop and got a signal. As Rolf peered into the screen he said, “It appears the locator is traveling down Highway 15 toward Las Vegas. They are just approaching Victorville and are just passing the intersection of Highway 18. If I were to guess I’d say they are driving some kind of van or small enclosed truck”

  I relayed the information to King.