by J. B. Tilton
"I prefer to look at it as artistic creativity. But that's pretty much how it works. Like I said, it's not even really stealing. I just ask for the money and they give it to me. That's all there is to it."
"It's still stealing," said Janet. "You're taking money that doesn't belong to you."
"And technically it's called bank robbery," said Scarborough. "That's a felony under federal law. Not to mention forgery and identity theft."
"But it's got nothing to do with terrorists," said Barnes. "After 9-11 I tried to join the military but I couldn't pass the physical. There wasn't anything else I could do. I got fired from my job one day and was out of money. Then I got the idea of 'borrowing' some money from my former boss's account. I was going to pay it back. Once I got another job and got back on my feet. But I couldn't find another job. That's when I decided on doing it this way. And until today I was doing pretty good."
"You can look like anybody you want?" Jeremy asked Barnes.
"Yeah, pretty much. I could even look like her if I wanted. Only I'd still be a male, physically. If I got dressed up like a girl I could probably even pass for her. But that would mean I'd need some special clothes and padding and stuff. So I usually stick to rich guys who won't miss the money."
"I have no idea how many laws you've broken," said Scarborough.
"Hey, you said if it wasn't connected to terrorists you'd let me go."
"First you have to prove to me what you're saying is the truth. Let's see you change. Let's see you look like Landow again."
Barnes looked at his watch. "I can't."
"What do you mean you can't?" Jeremy asked.
"Well, I've been a little busy today. Kind of need to recharge, you know what I mean? If I change too much or too often it gets harder to do and it doesn't last as long. If I'm right, I still have a couple of hours before I can do it again."
"How long does the change last?"
"Up to an hour. Usually that's plenty of time for me to complete my business and be away before anyone is the wiser. But after an hour I'll change back automatically. And like I said, I have to wait a while to change again. I guess that's a sort of recharge time or something."
"How long do you have to wait?" Jeremy asked.
"That depends. On how many changes I've made, how long I stay changed, how many times I've done it, a variety of things."
"Well then," said Scarborough, "I guess we wait. What time will you be able to 'change' again?"
"About 7:15 I figure," replied Barnes. "I don't know exactly. I don't usually time myself. But it's been a while since I changed last. So it shouldn't be long."
"Okay I'll give you until 7:30. That should be enough time. But if you don't change by then I'm taking you in. And I'm confiscating the money, your house, everything you own as proceeds from terrorist activities. You still want to maintain your story?"
"It's the truth, I swear it. So, if I change and prove to you I'm telling the truth, you'll go away and leave me alone? And you won't report me to the local police?"
"I never said that," said Scarborough. "I said I wasn't interested in you if it wasn't terrorist related. I'm still a member of the law enforcement community. I can just walk away from so many felonies like they never happened."
"You bastard," said Barnes anger in his voice. "You said you'd leave me alone."
"Maybe we can strike a bargain," said Jeremy, realizing exactly what Scarborough was up to. "You said after 9-11 you tried to join the military but were rejected."
"That's right. They said I had a heart murmur. That it made me unfit for military service."
"A heart murmur could be any number of things," said Jeremy. "A heart murmur is simply an irregular heartbeat and isn't necessarily indicative of any serious problem."
"That's right, you're a doctor, aren't you? A plastic surgeon?"
"Psychiatrist, actually. That's why I became suspicious of you. The real Dr. Landow knows I'm a psychiatrist."
"Well, you can't know everything about another person. And I wasn't expecting to meet you. Usually I just get the money and go home and there's no problems. Guess I kind of messed up today."
"Nothing that can't be fixed. It was no accident that Janet and I were downtown today. We were actually checking out some other people who reportedly had special abilities like you have."
"You mean there are others who can change their appearance like I can?"
"Not exactly. But there are others who can do special things. We call them special talents. And we're actually looking for some of these people. People who might be able to help us on occasion."
"Help you how?"
"I'm afraid I can't much more than that right now," said Jeremy. "First we need to make sure you can do what you claim. And we won't know that for sure until 7:15."
"Well you just wait. When it's time I'll show you. I'll prove to you I can do what I claim. But what about this bargain you mentioned? What exactly did you have in mind?"
"Well," said Jeremy, glancing at Scarborough. Scarborough only nodded once, slightly, indicating he knew what Jeremy was up to and that he approved. "Assuming you can do what you claim, you agree to join us. Help us when we need it. Someone with an ability like yours can be very useful to us."
"And what do I get in exchange for helping you?"
Jeremy just looked at Scarborough. He could make any deals he wanted but unless Scarborough went along with it the deal could end up being useless. He felt it was best if Scarborough set the limits of the deal.
"Okay," said Scarborough finally. "You agree to help up; assuming you can actually do what you claim; and I'll forget about your little trips to the banks. And I won't worry about where you got the rest of your stuff or how you paid for it. But impersonating other people to rip them off stops right now. No more withdrawals from other people's bank accounts."
"What do I do for a living? This is how I've been supporting myself. And with the economy the way it is there's no guarantee I'll be able to get a job anytime soon."
"I don't think you'll have a problem in that respect," said Jeremy.
"And he has to agree to help me with my research," said Janet. "It won't be anything involved. Just answering some questions, providing samples like blood, tissue, that sort of thing. And maybe some routine-type tests."
"Well, what do you say?" asked Jeremy. "You referred to the terrorists as bastards. And you tried to join the military after 9-11. Both indications that you want to do something about them. Are you willing to join us and help us when we need it?"
"Do I have a choice?" Barnes asked, looking at Scarborough. "Seems to me you've thought this little blackmail scheme through pretty well."
"Even in blackmail the person always has a choice," said Jeremy. "You just have to decide which is the best option for you. You're free to refuse if you wish. It's up to you."
"Yeah, sure. I refuse and I disappear into a hole for the rest of my life. Some choice. So tell me. How long do I have to help you? Am I tied to you for the rest of my life or is there some kind of minimum requirement that will allow me to walk away if I want after a certain amount of time?"
"That's a good question," said Jeremy looking at Scarborough. "His involvement does have to be voluntary. You know that. And we certainly can't expect him to work for us forever."
"Well," said Scarborough thoughtfully, "how about one mission? You help us with one mission – and give it your best – and then you can walk away no strings attached."
"I help you with one mission and after that I can walk away, no questions asked? I get to keep everything and you don't say anything to any law enforcement agencies about my little talent or what I do with it?"
"That's the deal. But while you're working for us you stay straight. No little side trips to the bank or anywhere else. And I have the right to decide if you're giving your best or not. If I decide you aren't holding up your end of the deal I get to extend your time with us. Take it or leave it."
"Okay," said Barnes, suddenly
relaxing. "You have yourself a deal." He looked at his watch. "It's nearly 7:00. Mind if I put on some coffee while we're waiting?"
"Just don't try to sneak out the back door or anything," said Scarborough.
"Now why would I do that? All of my stuff is here."
Barnes got up and went into the kitchen.
"Do you believe him?" Scarborough asked.
"Well, he was telling the truth," said Jeremy. "Of course, the truth can be a bit subjective. A person can tell a lie and I won't detect it if they honestly believe it's the truth. I can only detect when a person is deliberately being misleading and knows they're being misleading. But as far as he's concerned, everything he told us was the truth as he knows it."
"What about this claim he can look like anyone? I know some people have these unusual talents. But that seems just a bit out there to me."
"As out there as being able to control a mechanical device simply by touching it?" Janet asked. "Or being able to be as strong as I need to be no matter how strong that is simply by thinking about it?"
"Point taken," said Scarborough. "If he can do what he claims imagine the possibilities. He can actually infiltrate terrorist cells and no one would be the wiser. He could learn things the intelligence community could take months or years to learn. Or things we might not ever be able to learn. The possibilities could be endless."
"Well, just remember, he only has to stay with us for the first mission," said Jeremy. "We gave him our word. I expect you to abide by it."
"Don't worry about that. I'll stick to the agreement. As long as he does. If he keeps his end the bargain I'll let him walk away after the first mission if he wants to."
"Cream or sugar in your coffee?" Barnes called from the kitchen.
"Sugar no cream for me," said Jeremy.
"Thanks, but I don't drink coffee," said Janet.
"Black," said Scarborough. "Very light cream for me."
"Okay," said Barnes coming back into the dining room. He walked into the room holding a tray with a coffee pot, three cups, and a container of sugar and non-dairy creamer. "I figured I'd let you put in what you want. No one knows better how you like your coffee than you do."
The three at the table just stared at Barnes. He was dressed in the same clothes he had been wearing when he was sitting at the table. But the three didn't recognize him. At least they didn't recognize him as Barnes. Standing at the table, holding the tray of coffee and cups, was President Barak Obama; the President of the United States.
"That's incredible," remarked Jeremy just staring at Barnes.
"Well," said Barnes, putting the tray on the table and taking a seat in his chair, "you said you wanted proof. I figure if I'm going to prove it I should do it in a big way." He turned to Scarborough. "I believe, Agent Scarborough, that your oath requires you to obey the orders of all your superiors. Including those of the President of the United States."
"It's Assistant Director Scarborough. And you're right. I am required to obey their orders. But you are not the President of the United States."
"If you just met me on the street you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Oh, there are some differences. I've only seen pictures of the President or seen him on television. So I don't know how tall he is, for instance. Not that it would make much of a difference. I can't alter my height. Or how much I weigh. All I can do is look like him. Or anyone else I choose."
"This is kind of spooky," said Janet. "To think he can imitate anyone he wants. It would be almost impossible to tell if it was him or the real person."
Barnes closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment. Suddenly his skin showed a kind of rippling effect. Almost instantly he changed from Obama back into his normal self.
"Well, you said if I could prove I'm telling the truth we'd have a deal. So? Is that enough proof for you?"
"Okay, you have a deal," said Scarborough. "As long as you hold up your end of it. No more impersonating people and ripping off their bank accounts."
"You have my word," said Barnes. "Besides, I have enough money to live on for a while. So tell me. What's this 'mission' I'm supposed to do for you? It sounds all mysterious and cloak and dagger."
"To be honest, I'm not sure yet," said Scarborough. "We're still putting the team together. But once we do, I'll let you know. You'll come in for a full briefing and I'll tell you everything you need to know."
"Okay. That seems fair. I'm sure you all ready have all my information."
"Williard," began Jeremy.
"Wil," he corrected. "Ever since I saw that movie with the rats I never cared for Williard. Just seems too creepy?"
"Movie about rats?" Janet questioned. "That just sounds sick."
"To each his own," said Wil, smiling at her.
"Fine, Wil," said Jeremy. "Until we contact you, you can't tell anyone about this. It has to remain our secret."
"Hey, who would I tell? If I tell anyone about it they'll want to know why you chose me. Then I'd have to tell them about my, what did you call it? Special talent? That's something I'd rather keep to myself."
"Good," said Scarborough. "I should be in touch in a few days. So just take it easy, stay out of banks, and wait for my call."
"Sure thing, chief," said Barnes, giving Scarborough a mock salute.
"You sure this is a good idea?" Scarborough asked as they left Barnes' house. "He doesn't strike me as all that reliable."
"Well, I said just enough to pique his interest," said Jeremy. "Right now he's wondering what this has to do with terrorist and you heard him. He wanted to join the military and fight them. I think you can count on him. Whether he decides to stay with us or not is another matter."
"Well, let's just keep an eye on him," said Janet. "Knowing he can become anyone he wants has some scary connotations to it."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Secretary Napolitano was headed out of the headquarters building when a man in a suit wearing an ID card identifying him as working for Homeland Security approached her. He was carrying several sheets of paper.
"Madam Secretary," said the man. "I have something you should see."
"Hank, I'm on my way to a meeting with the President. Can this wait?"
"No ma'am. I think you'll want to know this before you meet with the President."
He handed her the papers and she looked them over. Her brow furrowed as she read what was on them.
"Is this right? It says they were at a Russian Gulag? The Gulag's were shut down in the early sixties."
"Yes, ma'am. Some of their facilities were abandoned when the system was shut down. Apparently this was one of those facilities. It's been abandoned since 1962 and the Russian army found it quite by accident while on maneuvers. We've checked with the Russian Ambassador and he's confirmed the report. Unofficially, of course."
"Thanks, Hank. You're right. I'll want to show this to the President right away."
"We have something else, ma'am. We don't have confirmation yet but apparently someone matching the description of Richard Moser crossed the American-Canadian border sometime last night or early this morning. We aren't sure of his destination but he apparently crossed the border while it was dark."
"Damn," swore the Secretary. "Keep on it, Hank. I don't think this is a coincidence. Put whatever resources you need on it. And keep me informed of the progress."
"Yes, ma'am, I will."
Hank turned and headed back into the building as Napolitano headed out to the car waiting for her. The President was not going to be happy about either of these pieces of information.
"So, how's our patient doing?" Jeremy asked when they had returned to the house.
"He seems to be doing okay," said Kamalene. "He's been in his room all day. I took some food to him but he said he wasn't hungry. He came out once but that was just to go to the bathroom. Then he went back in the room and has been in there ever since."
"You think he's okay?" Janet asked.
"Probably," said Jeremy. "My guess is he's been wo
rking on the techniques I taught him. He seemed quite excited about how successful he had been with them. But I imagine it will take some time before he gets really got at them. Then we can see about teaching him some more advanced techniques."
"Shouldn't you go check on him?" Scarborough asked.
"No, I think the best thing to do right now is to let him alone. Remember, he didn't even know he had an ability until we told him. He may not even believe it now. He only knows that the techniques I taught him help to lessen the pain. I imagine he'll want to be practicing them as much as he can considering he's used to being in pain most of the time. It probably won't take him long to get the hang of them and hopefully that will make the pain even less permanently."