Chapter 32 Loose Ends
Karen waited with Derek inside the custom’s office. Three agents waited with them. The other custom’s officials gave them a wide berth. The plane had landed only a short time ago. After the first couple of returning mission member escorts had been put through more than they should have, Derek now accompanied Karen, along with at least three NSA agents. Customs now alerted the flight crew of returning missions, and anyone involved in them were escorted directly from the debarkation area to the custom’s office.
Karen spotted the team coming towards the office, escorted by two airport security guards. They were all laughing, including the girl Karen recognized as Gina Lundgren. She could see Nate walking alongside of her. Johnny Loo and Connor were nowhere to be seen. The group was still enjoying whatever joke they shared when they entered the custom’s office. She and Derek walked up in some confusion, as Nate had to take a moment before he could compose himself enough to acknowledge the two NSA chiefs.
“Where’s Thomas,” Karen asked.
“He and Johnny are still back at the plane being mobbed,” Nate answered.
“What,” Karen exclaimed, as she signaled the NSA agents to go out.
Nate held up his hands. “Whoa Karen. They are not in any danger. Gina here made Connor promise to sit next to her as Tom Cruise… and.,” Nate burst into another bout of braying laughter, which Gina and the other team members could not help but join.
“. and as soon as they got off the plane amongst all the other people waiting, Johnny yells ‘hey everybody, Tom Cruise’. We got Gina away, and over to where our escort was waiting. Johnny stayed where he was, ducking out of the mutant’s reach, and egging the crowd on. Oh God Karen, you should have seen the evil mutant’s face. If he could have gotten a hand on Johnny, our buddy Loo would now be without a head. As we were walking away, we could still hear Johnny on the outside of the crowd asking for Tom Cruise’s autograph.”
By this time Derek as well as Karen had joined in the laughter at Nate’s retelling of events. The other custom’s officials merely looked at each other with consternation.
“Everything went well in Russia then at the airport?” Karen asked.
“We had a little trouble,” Nate admitted. “The team boarded at different intervals, and then Connor showed up with Gina at the last moment as we had planned. They were almost through, when this pompous idiot comes out, and asks for Gina’s papers again. Thomas handed them to him, and at the same time he touched his hand, sending him to the special place. No one, of course, could help this guy.
Thomas steps forward, and tells them he is a doctor, and has seen these convulsions before. These officials let him work on this guy. Thomas works on his chest and neck like he knew what the hell he was doing. He brings the guy out of it, but the guy still cannot speak coherently. Connor seems the hero, and he and Gina get passed through. Johnny and I were the last to board, and I can tell you this: we were relieved. For a moment there, it looked like a lot of people were going to get hurt.”
“It sounds like you all did a fabulous job,” Derek added. “Getting in and out of Russia without an international incident shows we must be on the side of the angels. Well, if you are ready Gina, I will take you to the hotel where we have arranged a reunion with your parents.”
Gina looked back towards the arrival gates, and then at Derek, “can’t I wait to say goodbye to Mr. Connor?”
“Sure Gina,” Derek agreed. “I just hope he can shake loose of his fans long enough to make good on his escape.”
Just then they heard Johnny Loo’s infectious laugh coming towards them. Connor had reverted to his form, and now trudged along with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. Gina headed back out towards him, with Nick falling in protectively behind her. She ran up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He hugged her for a moment, and then held her at arms length.
“Hey, remember Gina, all you have to do is call. This won’t be like a goodbye forever. Now you take care. Nick here will be seeing you the rest of the way.”
“I love you Mr. Connor,” Gina blurted out as she turned and ran back inside. She waved again as Derek guided her out, with Nick and the three NSA agents falling in around them.
“You can stop waving now mutant,” Johnny remarked as he stepped closer.
Connor put down the hand he realized he was still waving. He sighed, “I can’t believe we are done, and we brought them all back alive. Now you will see how much we can prevent before it ever happens, if you still want in.”
“Are you kidding,” Johnny said, clapping Connor on the back. “I would not miss this enterprise for anything. You didn’t forget our bonuses though, did you?
Connor laughed. “Already taken care of my friend. Each and every one of you who went on these missions now has an off shore account in your name. Nate will be getting the confirmation packets to you shortly. I am hoping if we need some help later on in our enterprise, we will be able to get a hold of some of the team.”
Karen walked up smiling, “hello there Terror, long time no see.”
Connor put his arms around her, as Johnny went in the office with Nate and the rest of the team. He immediately regaled them on the rest of the fun he had at Connor’s expense. The laughter began almost immediately. Connor looked towards the office, shaking his head.
“He enjoys this just a little too much.”
“How are you feeling?” Karen asked.
“I need to take it easy for a while, but other than that, I feel great. How have you been? It seems like years since I held you. Hey.I.I sense two heartbeats. You…You’re going to have a baby.”
Karen looked up into his eyes finally. “I am going to have your baby.”
It was the first time since she met Thomas Connor that she saw his mouth drop in complete shock. She saw tears start at the corners of his eyes, and then he hugged her to him again. She felt the euphoria ring through her as if she were a tuning fork. If there had been any trepidation about telling him before, it disappeared completely.
“I want you to move in with me until we get married.”
“What happened to my trip back to Paris?”
“Give me a little time to heal up, and then I will take you on a honeymoon there. How about we go shopping for rings here in New York at the swankest place we can find?”
“I think that would be very nice. Can I tell everyone?”
“Sure,” Connor said sheepishly. “Besides, I promised Johnny, along with not killing him, that I would buy him dinner tonight at the place of his choice if he would stop hawking me as Tom Cruise. It was the only way I could get the little cretin to let up. Those people looked like they were getting ready to collect Tom Cruise samples.”
“Let’s get Nate, Johnny and the whole team. We can all go celebrate.”
“Did you look in on the boys while you were in with Attila? I worried about them when I saw Nate had come over.”
“They’re running the business like pros. You should see their growing customer database,” Karen said. “They have an active advertising program going on in the Senate, House, and all of the federal buildings, not to mention referrals. You and Nate have a solid group of capitalists there.”
“Sounds like I will have to have them recruit some more help.”
“Nate already okayed two more friends of the group. Sammy trained them on the road, and they have been working with everyone on their time in the shop and office. Barf has been looking for you though. He loves the boys, but he misses you. He goes on his walks reluctantly.”
“I missed him too,” Connor sighed. “I’ll make him a steak dinner when I get back. Let’s go get my two partners, and get over to the hotel, so we can all get cleaned up. I think we ought to take the whole team out with us. We can share it with everyone.”
“Do you mean it? I would love it, but then you will have an inordinate number of witnesses. How will you back out later?”
Connor picked her up off the floor and held her tightl
y to him. He kissed her with abandon, and then looked straight into her eyes. “I will never leave you lady. You will have to be the one to back out.”
They heard catcalls and whistles. “Get a room,” Nate called out.
Connor and Karen walked over to join the group just outside the custom’s office.
“I can see in your mutant face Karen told you you’re about to become a Father Mutant,” Johnny said grinning hugely as he stuck out his hand. “Congratulations Thomas.”
Connor took his hand, beaming. All of them were on him then, clapping him on the back and shaking his hand. Nate hugged him, much to everyone’s amusement. Karen told them about the plans for dinner, and that Johnny would get to pick the restaurant, and then why he got to pick, which brought more laughter.
Connor rented the Triplex Suite on two different floors of the New York Palace Hotel. They had a small party with all the men before dinner. Connor told them to charge anything their hearts desired, but to act with honor. Karen watched their young faces change at his friendly admonition. Nick and Derek had rejoined them, and brought along Luis Ruiz with them from where he had been staying. Nick stepped forward.
“You will never have to worry about us letting you down Mr. Connor.”
“Relax Nick. I wasn’t trying to assault anyone’s sensibilities. I just don’t want anything to happen to any of you after what you all have been through in the last month.”
“We all know that Mr. Connor,” Luis said, “and we all know what you have been through. I wonder if any of us will ever again know the success and satisfaction we have known in the last month serving under you.”
Other voices spoke up in agreement immediately, but Connor waved them down. “You guys have not seen anything yet. Whenever I find a mission, where I need people I can trust, you guys will be the first called. You all work for Greg at CIA now. He knows he can count on Nate, Johnny, and I to help him and Derek. We know we can count on you guys. You all know where we are. Anytime any of you guys get into Washington, I will put you up at the hotel of your choice, and chauffeur you around in your own private limousine. I never forget. Salute.” Connor held up his Champaign glass, as the others joined him solemnly in a toast.
The wind howled outside through the streets of Washington D.C. The ballroom rented for the Washington DC Limousine Company Christmas party sparkled with Christmas lights and wreaths. A gigantic fully decorated Christmas tree stood in the center of the ballroom floor. An orchestra played old time Christmas carols, interspersed with dance tunes.
The business had thrived since Connor’s return with the team from Europe. Another super computer had been added to enhance Attila’s operations. The original boys Connor had recruited, and trained off of the street, now ran and worked in all phases of the business. They had added a comic and used book storefront to their building, including a small classroom where they tutored reading classes during store hours. Connor’s idea of doing auto repair along with the limousine service maintenance in their shop had flourished. Under Connor’s tutoring and supervision, they were repairing ten cars a day as a sideline to augment their expenditures for equipment and tooling. The information gathering part of the business, channeled through Attila, had led directly to interventions in numerous crimes, and even espionage.
Nate had been Connor’s best man at his wedding, and Derek had given Karen away. Claire and Johnny Loo’s wife Grace were Karen’s matrons of honor. Johnny, Luke, Joseph, Sammy, Jeffrey, Jeremiah, and Henry acted as ushers. Their honeymoon in Paris left many happy merchants in the city. December 10th had marked their second month of marriage. Karen’s pregnancy was more pronounced now in the beginning of her fourth month. The Christmas party, Connor decided, would be a celebration of what he called a high point in the Force.
Connor had entered the ballroom with Karen at the beginning of the festivities, stopping to say hello to everyone at the tables all around the Christmas tree. When he reached the table he and Karen were to share with his partners’ families, they found the table covered with little comic book mutant place settings. This led to much amusement, followed by running commentary on what kind of powers the next mutant generation would have.
“How did you ever get Barf to let you come out and play tonight whip boy?” Johnny asked finally.
“Yea Thomas,” Nate added, “you can’t even go to the bathroom without the dog pawing at the door.”
“I ordered him to stay silent, and to behave,” Connor answered without hesitation. His answer was met with much derision.
“He walked him over to the park, and stayed there for two hours with him before we left,” Karen stated as Connor glared at her.
“I thought we would have to put the damn dog to sleep when you two left for Paris,” Nate said laughing. “God, the only thing more pathetic than Connor jumping through hoops every time Karen breathes hard is watching that goofy dog lay by the front door waiting for Connor.”
“I do not jump through hoops,” Connor stated comically. “I am an alpha male.”
The whole table burst into laughter at that remark.
Nate stood up and lifted his wine glass up, “I would like to propose a toast to the mutant wonder, his long suffering wife, and the new little mutant on the way. Merry Christmas.”
They all tapped their glasses together and sipped. Connor lifted his again.
“Well, God bless us everyone. Evil doers beware, we have only just begun.”
“Amen to that,” Johnny murmured.
The End
About the Author
Born in Warren, Ohio on April 30, 1950, I entered the Navy in August of 1968 after graduation from high school. I served aboard the USS Ranger from October 1969 until my discharge in November of 1972. After traveling for a while, I settled in Northern California and obtained an AA degree in Auto Repair in 1977 from Chabot College in Hayward, California. I received my BA degree in English from California State University in Hayward, CA in 1980.
I own an Automotive Repair Shop in Oakland, California where I have worked since 1976 and owned since 1983. My wife and I have two children, a daughter twenty, and a son eighteen. We live with our dog and three cats in San Leandro, California.
Table of Contents
American Mutant
© 2002 by Bernard DeLeo. All rights reserved.
Contents
Chapter 1 Rack
Chapter 2 Quenton
Chapter 3 Karen
Chapter 4 Connor
Chapter 5 Direction
Chapter 6 Attraction
Chapter 7 Employees and Business
Chapter 8 Relationships and Danger
Chapter 9 Nate
Chapter 10 New and Old Acquaintances
Chapter 11 Business Meeting
Chapter 12 The Russians and Nate’s Lincoln
Chapter 13 Russian Donations
Chapter 14
They Close The Deal and Sammy Gets Taken
Chapter 15 Cultural Diversity
Chapter 16 Cementing Relationships
Chapter 17 Details
Chapter 18 Justice
Chapter 19 Back To Business
Chapter 20 Diversity And Barf
Chapter 21 Fabric Of Existence
Chapter 22 Greg
Chapter 23 Super Station
Chapter 24 DC Limousine and Danger
Chapter 25 Planning Stages
Chapter 26 Business As Usual
Chapter 27 The Missions
Chapter 28 The First Step
Chapter 29 The Rescue Begins
Chapter 30 The Long Road
Chapter 31 Moscow
Chapter 32 Loose Ends
About the Author
Table of Contents
American Mutant
© 2002 by Bernard DeLeo. All rights reserved.
Contents
Chapter 1 Rack
Chapter 2 Quenton
Chapter 3 Karen
Chapter 4 Connor
Chapter 5 Direction
/>
Chapter 6 Attraction
Chapter 7 Employees and Business
Chapter 8 Relationships and Danger
Chapter 9 Nate
Chapter 10 New and Old Acquaintances
Chapter 11 Business Meeting
Chapter 12 The Russians and Nate’s Lincoln
Chapter 13 Russian Donations
Chapter 14
They Close The Deal and Sammy Gets Taken
Chapter 15 Cultural Diversity
Chapter 16 Cementing Relationships
Chapter 17 Details
Chapter 18 Justice
Chapter 19 Back To Business
Chapter 20 Diversity And Barf
Chapter 21 Fabric Of Existence
Chapter 22 Greg
Chapter 23 Super Station
Chapter 24 DC Limousine and Danger
Chapter 25 Planning Stages
Chapter 26 Business As Usual
Chapter 27 The Missions
Chapter 28 The First Step
Chapter 29 The Rescue Begins
Chapter 30 The Long Road
Chapter 31 Moscow
Chapter 32 Loose Ends
About the Author
American Mutant Page 35