Consigning Fate: Beginnings Series Book 23

  “Why?”

  “Because I have to atone here. I really do. I have to make up for all I did, or at least try.”

  Tigger nodded. “I understand. Hey ... there’s gonna be constant trips back and forth. Maybe you can visit. Maybe if things don’t work out here, you can come there.”

  Johnny nodded. “I’ll miss you.”

  “We can talk on the phone. Hoi mail. We can stay in touch.”

  “True.”

  “It’s a big country, Johnny,” Tigger said. “But doesn’t it feel good that it isn’t no longer a divided country.”

  Johnny smiled peacefully. “Yeah, it does. And you know what will make my life even better. When my family is no longer a divided family. I have my work cut out, but if it’s the last thing I do, Tigger, I’ll get my family back together. I’ll be part again.”

  “I believe that. I believe that.”

  With a warm smile, Johnny leaned into Tigger and embraced his friend. He would miss him, but he would stay in contact.

  For the first time in the post plague world, a cross country friendship wasn’t just possible it was plausible.

  <><><><>

  Sleep didn’t come easy for Robbie. Not at all. In fact, when he left Dean’s at four in the morning, his mind buzzed with all they talked about and all they discussed. Not to mention the fact that they never touched the HG Wells, or at least that was what they assumed it was called.

  They planned to get together later and work on it. But the truth was, neither Robbie or Dean knew much about it.

  Both of their minds were flowing with the revelation that Joe ate a jam sandwich in Beginnings a few days earlier.

  It was a lot to digest.

  Especially since they both believed his father was still alive and living in Beginnings.

  Deliberately Robbie stopped at Andrea’s and had breakfast.

  He waited, watched, and hoped she’s say something about his father.

  She did.

  “I don’t know why he doesn’t touch his breakfast,” Andrea said.

  “Who?”

  “Your father.”

  “Do you make him a plate every day, Andrea?” Robbie asked.

  “Oh, yes, that would be rude not to, don’t you think.”

  Robbie smiled.

  Then Andrea did something she hadn’t done. She sighed and sat down. “Not that I think he’ll be able to eat it. You don’t believe me, do you?’

  “Why do you ask?”

  “No one does. They pacify me.”

  “Maybe if you told me why you believe you speak to my father.”

  “Because I can,” She said.

  “But why?” Robbie asked.

  “I feel him.”

  “Do you …” Robbie hesitated. “Do you see him?”

  “Not really.”

  “Then how do you know he’s there.”

  “I sense him. I smell him,” Andrea said. “I know. I know. I was one of those people who said that ghosts didn’t exist, but Robbie.” She grabbed his hand. “I was getting dressed, right after your dad died, and I heard him cough. I heard his cough, it came from outside. I ran out. Nothing. But I sure as anything could smell him. That’s when I knew the good Lord was giving me my husband. I felt him and didn’t feel alone. I know it sounds nuts …”

  “No, Andrea, it doesn’t.” Robbie paused. “Does he ever talk back? I know you talk to him.”

  “No. No.” She shook her head. “Well, once I swore I heard him say, Christ Andrea.”

  Robbie laughed. “That’s so great.”

  “So you believe me? You believe his ghost is around.”

  “More than you realize,” Robbie said. “I do.”

  He felt better when he left Andrea’s, almost as if without realizing it she concurred information.

  But for as much as Robbie wanted to think about his father all day, even look for him, hang around Andrea, he couldn’t. He had things to do.

  As tired as he was he had a full day. Actually, part of it he looked forward to. He and George would be gone most of the day, together, flying west to examine the coast line. What damage if any was done by the Fredrickson.

  They never received confirmation that it hit. Even though the astronomers in Jordan say it did.

  They would fly out, survey, and hopefully be back by early afternoon.

  He saw George at the bakery having coffee and getting a roll before the trip. He dangled his lunch bag like a carrot in front of George breeding a chuckle. Andrea packed them a lunch for the flight.

  “You look tired,” George had told him.

  Robbie nodded. “I haven’t really had a day off in forever.”

  “It looks like lack of sleep.”

  “That, too.” Robbie smiled. He had been living off of mid-day short sleeps and night time naps. But even when he was tired, he tossed and turned, mind racing with thoughts of the investigation.

  He supposed he wouldn’t sleep well until he had some answers.

  While everyone assumed Robbie was running around, beating himself up, trying to find out who killed Joe, Robbie knew who did it, he just didn’t know why. He could only guess.

  A brief meeting over coffee determined that George and Robbie would only radio their arrival at the coast and detail a full report using video and pictures.

  Robbie had full intentions of being the one to fly the plane, but when he saw the shine in George’s eye about flying close to the coastline and seeing, Robbie didn’t go there. He merely stated, he was glad George was flying because he would get to take the pictures.

  Plus, he was tired.

  They would take the truck to the airstrip in Bowman, but Robbie had to run to the trailer lab first.

  He had his camera there along with video equipment.

  It didn’t take long and pulled around to the back of the lab out of habit. Walking to the front, he stopped when he saw it.

  The flash of light in the windows at the quantum lab.

  After checking out his watch, and seeing he had a few minutes, Robbie walked over to Jason’s lab.

  He had to know and he knocked.

  “Who is it?” Jason called out.

  “Robbie Slagel.”

  “Come in.”

  Robbie opened the door. “Hey, Morning Jason.”

  Jason lowered his glasses. “Happy National Holiday to you, Robbie.”

  Robbie chuckled, shifting his eyes around. “That’s Frank’s baby, I just aid and abet.”

  Jason laughed. “What brings you up here?”

  “Actually, I was heading into the lab and I saw… I saw the flash of light. It’s the second time I saw it.”

  Jason nodded.

  “No one sees you much, Jason. Actually, Andrea says you do what you need to do at the clinic and that’s it.”

  “There are no cases in Bowman at this time.”

  “Maybe we should encourage some crimes,” Robbie joked.

  Sadly, Jason lowered his head. “As much as I hate to say it I wish there were. My mind needs something other than this obsession with the machine.”

  “You OK?”

  “Not really, Robbie. I always handled death and loss pretty good. Unless it hit home. I lost everyone before the plague and only allowed myself to get close to two people. Real close. Grace and your father. Grace … killed. Your father … killed. He was my best friend. We spent so much time together … I just am having a hard time dealing with people now that he’s gone.”

  “I understand.”

  “So …” Jason exhaled. “I’m throwing myself into my work. My machine.”

  “And?” Robbie asked.

  “It powers up. But, it won’t work. It started getting weird before the last trip, and it acted up after the future message. But since then. Nothing. I get the subject in the doorway, the doorway lights up.”

  “They don’t go anywhere?”

  “Oh, the rabbits disappear. They just aren’t going where I send them. Which is two minutes in the future
.”

  “You think it’s something Danny did. I mean, you guys were working together.”

  Jason shook his head. “No. Actually, as crazy as this sounds, I think this is deliberate and out of my control. I’ve looked at everything, from every wire to sequence. Nothing is out of the norm.”

  “I’m lost.”

  “So am I. It’s almost as if someone said, enough, and locked it down without my knowledge, or changed my formula on time travel. Perhaps maybe, my machine has just seen it’s time. No pun intended.” Jason grunted. “It’s like a puzzle I have to solve.”

  “I know that feeling.”

  “So I pound away. It’s my focus. It has to be,” Jason said. “It’s my entire life’s work. My entire work is right here, for the moment I could time travel. So I have to do this.”

  “It’s your baby,” Robbie said.

  “It is. And it burns me that there’s time travel in the future. Or was”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “What? The ‘was’ part?”

  “Both.”

  “Well, Fort came from the future, and he can’t get back. Ironically, not long after his trip to us he got stuck here, no return door and my machine stopped working. It’s a strong coincidence I cannot ignore.”

  “It’s a weird coincidence. You think they shut his door down in the future and it affected yours.”

  “Crossed my mind. And the other thing is they have this great time travel or ability to do so in the future. All based on my machine. But it’s in the future. I take comfort in the fact that I have been a godfather for it all.”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Robbie said and glanced at his watch. “Well, I have to get going. George and I are checking out the coast and seeing damage done by the Fredrickson.”

  “Sounds exciting.”

  “Kind of is.” Robbie reached for the door. Before he left, he took one more look at Jason who immediately returned to his computer. Jason looked down, beaten. Not that Jason was the most pleasant of people but he never was such a loner and recluse.

  Robbie wished he could help. At least for his father’s sake. Reaching for the door knob, Robbie paused.

  Jason’s words rang in his mind, “Maybe my machine has just seen its time. No pun intended.”

  “Maybe.” Robbie murmured aloud.

  “Did you say something?” Jason asked.

  “Yes, yes I did.” Robbie turned around with a bright look. “Wanna snap out of it Jason.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Wanna snap out of this funk? I mean like instantly.” Robbie snapped his finger. “Snap. Gone. You’re back to being you, maybe even a bit more excited.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “This investigation about my father has taken a weird turn. I haven’t shared with anyone in Beginnings, at all. My father trusted you because he could confide in you. You have a theoretical mind that I can use and I can use some help with this puzzle I’ve found myself with. I think Jason … I think you’ll find it fascinating, and I think you’ll thank me.”

  Jason chuckled. “I would love to help. I can use the diversion. Let me know what I can do. I’m sure I’ll thank you if it does take my mind off of things.” Jason returned to his computer, stating in a joking manner, “I’d thank you more if you got my machine to work.”

  Robbie grinned. “I can do you one better. Actually, Jason, I can do you ten better.”

  Jason quickly turned back to Robbie.

  Robbie opened the door. “I’ll pick you up tonight about ten at the hall. I have to go. See ya then.” Robbie walked out, paused, and stuck his head in the door. “And don’t say anything to anyone.”

  The door closed.

  “Ok,” Jason spoke to himself. “You told me nothing.” Shrugging, he simply returned to his work.

  <><><><>

  To Ellen, Billy was always an odd child. Too intelligent and mature for his own age. Like William had told of Dean’s youth, Billy was the exact same. Lacking any normal child’s social skills. In Ellen’s opinion, Billy felt he was an adult waiting for his body to catch up.

  That was evident when she woke up and smelled coffee.

  Usually the first to rise, if she didn’t sleep in, Ellen liked to have her coffee before dealing with the kids.

  To her surprise, Billy was already awake and sipping coffee at the table.

  “What are you doing?” Ellen asked.

  “Preparing for my day.”

  Passing him, Ellen stopped. Billy was literally wearing his Sunday best. Brown pants, white shirt, blue tie, complete with pocket protector. “Is there something I’m missing?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Why are you dressed like that?”

  “It’s a big day. My … that man who sat with us last night suggested this look.”

  “The man who … you mean your father,” Ellen stated.

  “Hmm. Sure. He said this would work best for impact.”

  “He would,” Ellen mumbled.

  “In fact …” He at his watch. “I’d better be going.”

  “School doesn’t start for forty minutes,” Ellen said.

  “Yes, I know, but I have to prepare.” Billy hopped from his seat, grabbed a jacket, and walked to the door. “Have a good day.”

  “You, too.” Ellen crinkled her brow watching Billy lift a briefcase almost the same size as him and walk out the door. She wasn’t going to give it much thought; after all, Billy excited about school was a good thing and about time.

  When Jenny received the upbeat phone call from Ellen, she had to admit she was thrilled to hear that Billy was excited about school. She knew eventually she would hit a subject that enticed him and made him want to learn.

  And of course, he was a boy, why wouldn’t he want to hear the story of Cowboys and Indians, especially with Elliott Ryder coming into the class to give a speech on the differences and similarities between Indians and Savages.

  Ellen told Jenny to not be taken aback when she saw how Billy was dressed.

  Jenny had a visual in her mind. Billy showing up in a little cowboy hat, wearing jeans made by Ben.

  It was time to open the doors, and Jenny wrapped up her breakfast sandwich, straightened herself, and walked to the door.

  As she expected Billy was the only one there, first in line. But not dressed as she expected.

  “You locked me out,” Billy said.

  “I never open the doors until eight,” Jenny replied.

  “But today is special.”

  “Yes, it is.” Jenny smiled.

  “I’m very excited about this.”

  “You don’t know how glad I am Billy that you have this attitude today.”

  “Good. Good.” He nodded. “You’re gonna have a great day, Jenny, filled with excitement and learning.”

  Jenny, giddy, clapped.

  Billy paused. “I’m not a two year old who just used the potty.”

  “Sorry.” She held back her smirk.

  Billy walked to her desk.

  “What … what are you doing?”

  Setting his briefcase on the desk, Billy popped open the lid. “Will you be sitting in my seat? You’ll have a better view.”

  “Why would I sit in your seat?” Jenny asked.

  “To learn.”

  “To learn what?”

  “What I’m teaching.”

  “What you’re teaching?”

  “Why are you repeating me?” Billy asked.

  Jenny huffed. “Billy get away from my desk.”

  “My desk.”

  “My desk!” Jenny blasted. “I am the teacher, you are the student.”

  “Not today.”

  Jenny marched to the desk. “Every day. Why would you think you would teach the class?”

  “My father told me.”

  “Oh, really?” Jenny placed her hand on her hip. “I am the teacher. You are not teaching the class.”

  “I am. My father said. An
d ...” Billy straightened his tie. “He also said if you don’t like it, go see him.”

  “I think that might be an option,” Jenny said sternly, then after making sure his little fingers were free and clear, she slammed his briefcase closed.

  <><><><>

  Roy stumbled as he entered the clinic lab, bumping into things on his way to his computer.

  “You’re late,” Frank said.

  Roy shrieked. Frank startled him.

  “You OK?” Frank asked.

  “Yes. Yes. I’m just rushing. I want to get everything done up here and get back to the cryo lab to finish the project before Ellen arrives.”

  “Just do what you did before.” Frank shrugged. “Blow off the clinic.”

  Roy gasped. “It is my duty and obligation. I can’t do that. I don’t know what I was thinking. I probably was late all the time before, too.”

  “Pretty much.”

  “I hate being late. Look at the time.”

  Frank did. “You’re not late. I was joking.”

  “I’m to be here at eight. It is one minute after.”

  “That’s not late. Technically, yeah, it’s late, but in the scheme of things, it’s not late. Why are you late?”

  “I thought you said I wasn’t late.”

  “Ok. Why are you rushing from and back to the cryo lab?”

  Roy answered. “I have nearly completed something special. Something that will surely aid Beginnings.”

  “What is it?” Frank asked.

  “I can’t tell you. I have to tell Ellen first. But it has to do with DNA.”

  “Yes!” Frank clenched his fist. “Perfect. That is exactly why I’m here.”

  “About DNA.”

  “Problem solving.”

  “With DNA?”

  “Dean. I can’t problem solve DNA, only you can,” Frank said. “Which is why I’m here. You can solve a problem.”

  Roy smiled. “Yes, I can. I can solve many.”

  “Check this out. Remember when you went to the future with Ellen through the Aragon Window. You said everything was rosy except one thing. The killer babies had grown up and they had been out of control.”

  “LEPS.”

  “Yeah, that’s right. That’s what you said they were called. They were out of control.”

  Roy whistled. “And deadly. Killer. They were massive and couldn’t be stopped.”