“Did you have a pleasant trip, Mr. Galloway?” she asked as she turned to her computer and deftly typed in his name.
“Yes, thank you,” said Nate.
The woman’s fingers flew across the keyboard. She swiped his card and tendered it back with a smile. Handing him a pen, she said, “If you will just sign right here, we’ll have you in your room right away.”
Nate scribbled something on the dotted line, picked up the envelope containing the key-card to his room, glanced at the room number and put the key into his pocket.
“Do you need help with your bags?”
Nate shook his head, “No thank you, I’m good.”
“Take the A elevators, sir,” she said, pointing left, “down this way. If there is anything else you need, feel free to call. Enjoy your stay at the Marriott,” she smiled again.
Nate pocketed his credit card, picked up his cloth briefcase and turned toward the elevators, pulling his bag.
He would wait for an empty elevator before entering it.
Nate would repeat this procedure four more times, in four different ways, using four different names, in four cities across the United States, before he made it back home. It was just another job to him for which he was well trained. Looking forward to retirement in maybe ten years, he doubted he would ever want to fly again, certainly not in a coach seat, and never, ever in the center coach seat. Well, he had only gotten stuck in the center seat once and that was a mistake. In his job, he had to be on the aisle so he could get out at a moment’s notice.
Had he ever taken down any bad guys? Yes, more than once. But, so far, he had managed to keep it entirely quiet, or to get away before anyone from the media took his picture or discovered his identity. Even if they did, he would probably be able to discard that identity and vanish, so long as they didn’t discover his real name. Most arrests happened so smoothly, the passengers were not aware of what had happened and that was exactly the way Nate liked it.
~~~~~~
A Fun Afternoon
Rob and Joy said goodbye to Mom and left in his car to pick up his pals for their afternoon of fun at the recreation center. Rob pulled up to the curb, put the transmission into “park” and prepared to go up to their friend’s house and ring the bell.
Before he could go far, the two young men came around the side, all ready to go. Apparently, they had been watching and left the house by the back door.
“Hi Guys,” said Rob. “Come on and join the party. Tom and Elvin, I’d like you to meet my sister Joy. Say hi to Joy.”
Joy rolled down the window to greet the men. “Hi,” she said with little enthusiasm.
“Hello, darlin’,” said Elvin as he opened her door and started to get in beside her.
“Whoa, wait just one minute there,” said Tom. “I think Joy might rather sit next to me.”
“Me first,” said Elvin in mock horror.
“You expect me to sit back here all alone?” Tom whined, playing it to the hilt.
Rob was enjoying this immensely. He had tipped off the guys to make a play for Joy, saying her ego needed a boost.
Tom took Elvin’s arm and tried to gently pull him back. “No, me first,” said Tom.
“Let’s let the lady choose,” said Elvin.
They both grinned at her and assumed their best poses.
“All right,” said Tom. “You would rather sit next to me, wouldn’t you, Joy?” He gave her a devastating smile and ran a hand over his hair.
“Uh,” said Joy, looking at Rob for help. He just laughed. “You both seem like such nice young men,” she said, turning back toward the two, with a brighter smile. “Why don’t we three all sit in the back. I’ll sit in the middle.”
“But, that’s too uncomfortable for a nice lady like you,” said Elvin. “You sit by the window, and I’ll sit in the middle.”
“Oh no you don’t,” said Tom.
“Boys, boys, let’s get going. Joy, you stay right here beside me, and both you men, get in the back seat,” said Rob with the voice of authority. “I don’t trust either one of you.”
The disgruntled men got in back, but both leaned forward and tried to engage Joy in conversation.
“Seat belts,” commanded Rob. “It’s only a ten-minute drive. Control yourselves!” He laughed.
The rest of the day, the two men vied for her attention. At the pool table they insisted on helping her with her technique. At the air hockey game they argued over who would be her partner. At table tennis, they eagerly chased after the ball when it flew away and then deliberately let her win. And now, they fought over who would pull out her chair, finally agreeing to share the task, one on each side.
Seated around a small table with snacks and drinks, Rob reached for the check. Joy had left for a few minutes to visit the rest room. “I’ll get this,” he said. “It’s the least I can do to pay you back. You did a great job of picking up her spirits. Thanks.”
“No problem,” said Elvin. “She’s a lovely person.”
“It was fun watching her perk up,” said Tom. “I hope we didn’t lay it on too thick.”
“Well, anyway, I think we got that Jeff Totten off her mind and out of her life,” said Rob.
“Jeff Totten, you say?” asked Tom.
“Yeah, Jeff Totten. Why do you ask?”
Tom motioned with his head, “Over there.”
“That’s him?” asked Rob.
“You didn’t know?”
“I guess not.” Rob gazed at Totten. “So that’s the s.o.b.”
“Do either of you know his full initials?” asked Elvin.
“All I know is J.T.,” answered Rob.
“It’s J.E.T. for Jeff Earnest Totten,” said Tom. “I knew him in high school. What a jerk! Why do you ask?”
“I don’t think you will like the words written on the wall in the men’s john,” warned Elvin.
“What words?” asked Rob.
“Um … something about a girl named Joy and signed J.E.T.”
Rob blanched. “I’ve got to see this,” he launched out of his seat, almost knocking over the chair.
“Stall number six,” called Elvin.
“What’s he going to do?” Tom wondered. The two of them watched as Rob disappeared into the men’s room.
Elvin looked at Tom and shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to be J.E.T. right now.”
A minute later Rob emerged, stalked directly to Jeff Totten’s table and towered over him, menacingly. “Stand up, you coward.”
“Who the hell are you, ass-hole?” asked Jeff.
“Mr. Goodrich to you,” said Rob through clenched teeth as he took a firm hold of Jeff’s shirt and lifted him from his chair.
“Take your hands off me,” Jeff tried to push him away, as the other men at the table watched in surprise.
“You’re coming with me,” said Rob as he all-but-dragged Totten to the men’s room and stall number six. Pointing to the offending words and the signature J.E.T., he demanded, “Is this your rotten-ass work?”
Totten paled and said nothing.
“Is this your work?” Rob shoved him against the wall, doubling up his fist in Totten’s face.
Totten giggled nervously. “So what if it is?”
“I don’t take kindly to lies about my sister, jackass!”
“Your sister had a really sweet ass,” Totten simpered.
Rob’s fist connected with the man’s face as his knee took him in the groin. “Take it back,” he growled.
Totten groaned and doubled over in pain.
“What did you say?”
“Your sister is very nice,” Jeff hissed, “I was just kidding.”
“What?”
“Joy Goodrich is still a virgin.”
“That’s better,” said Rob. “Try harder.”
“I never touched her,” he gasped.
“Louder!”
“I’m a jackass!”
“That’s exactly right. Now, I want those lies removed from this wall, and a
ny other place you may have put them. And I want you to take back any more shit you have spread around. If I hear so much as a hint of it, you will be extremely sorry, do you hear? You’ve been warned, asshole.” Rob let go with his hands.
Totten slid to the floor, holding his crotch.
Back at the table, Rob released his fists, took a deep breath and sighed. “I think it’s time to leave this place,” he said.
“What did you do?”
Rob eyed the group of five tough guys seated around the Totten table. “We may be a bit outnumbered,” he spoke wryly.
Joy walked up, just as everyone stood. They smiled at her as if nothing had happened. Rob glanced at his watch. “Are you ready to go home, babe?”
“Okay, if you want to. Whatever you say,” said Joy. “I had a wonderful time. Thank you all, very much.” She smiled at each one, in turn.
“Let me help you with your jacket,” offered Tom.
“Let me take your arm,” said Elvin.
The four of them walked past Totten’s table without a backward glance.
~~~~~~
Room Service
Nate ordered dinner from room service and settled down in his hotel room for the evening. He would call home later. But, first he would check his email and do a bit of research online. Idly, he typed in the name Sally Miller just to see if anyone new would pop up. He had done this so many times before, he didn’t expect anything. There were the usual people. Sally Miller was such a common name. How easy it was to get lost reading some of the cockamamie stories!
There was the former slave who claimed she immigrated from Germany and should have been free. Nate wasn’t sure what that was about.
Sally Miller, the artist, invited people to check out her online studio, as did Sally Miller, the designer of dresses.
An intriguing Sally Miller was interviewed online about her tell-all book boasting that she was mistress to a former president. Could this be the same one as Sally Miller the porn star? Nate chuckled.
He had to be careful that he didn’t wander too far down that path and get his computer infected.
Of course, his first baby’s name could have been changed by now, and she could be anywhere, or nowhere. Nate shuddered to think of the possibility she could even be dead. One thing was for sure, Sally Miller’s mother had successfully vanished without a trace and had taken the baby with her. For an intensive time after it happened, Nate had exhausted his resources looking for them, until, eventually he had met Nan and fallen in love. It was only then that he was able to let go of the past and begin to move on with his life today.
It all happened a long time ago. Nevertheless, knowing that Sally’s 21st birthday was this month, had brought it to mind. But there was no use dwelling on it. Perhaps, someday fate would bring them together again. Life sure had its twists and turns.
Nate sighed and closed his computer. He would call Nan and then settle down to watch TV until he fell asleep.
No sooner had Nate relaxed on the bed and picked up his phone than it vibrated in his hand. He looked at the caller ID and smiled. “Hello, sweetheart. I was just about to call you.”
“Hi darling. Isn’t it uncanny? I always know when you are calling.” She chuckled. “How was your flight?” Nan asked.
“Nice flight, honey. No weather delays and we arrived ten minutes early.”
“Good work, darling. You weren’t speeding on the tarmac, were you?” she joked.
“Tailwinds, dearest. So, what’s new with you? Anything?”
“The kids cooked supper for us. Wasn’t that sweet?”
“Well, finally! It’s about time our investment started to pay off,” Nate answered. “What did you have?”
“Would you believe pizza?”
“That hardly counts as cooking, does it?”
She laughed, “Agreed. But, Rob insisted that counted because he had to put it in the oven and watch it.”
“Oh, one of those ready-to-bake pizzas, huh?”
“Yes, I think so. They certainly didn’t make it from scratch.”
Nate laughed, “Like father, like son.”
“No comment,” said Nan. “Oh, by the way, your former sister-law called. They are moving.”
“Oh really? Did Major Eastman get transferred or something?”
“Yes, guess what—they are moving to Dayton.”
“Dayton, Ohio?”
“Yes. You know there is a large Airforce base there.”
“Well, that’s good. I’m happy he didn’t get deployed overseas.”
“Yeah, me too. They want us to come for Thanksgiving.”
“So soon?” asked Nate starting to worry already. Thanksgiving was one of the busiest travel periods of the year. It would be all-hands-on deck for the Air Marshall service.
“I guess Cynthia and Sky plan to buy a house right away.”
“Must be the Major thinks this will be a permanent post for him.”
“She didn’t say, and I didn’t ask, of course.”
“Well, do you want to go? For Thanksgiving, I mean.”
“Don’t you?” she asked.
“Not really. I’d rather stay home with you and our own kids.”
“Me too. I’ll go ahead and send our regrets.”
“Thanks, Nan. That will be nice of you. I know you have a way with words.”
“You’re welcome, I think.” She chuckled. It was easy to let herself get bamboozled by Nate. She loved him more than life.
“Well, I’ve got an early wakeup call,” said Nate.
“Yes, dear, you need your beauty sleep. Thanks for the call, darling,” she laughed.
“No, you called me, remember?”
“Oh yeah. Well, thanks for your time.” She laughed again.
“You’re welcome, my sweet. For you--anytime.”
“Bye-by. Love you.”
“Bye-bye you sweet thing. Miss you already. Love you back.”
Nate and Nan never ended a call without saying love you. Life was too fragile. Nate clicked off, leaned back and picked up the remote. He smiled, thinking how lucky he was. He’d probably have to work a run or two the day before Thanksgiving and maybe after as well, but there was a good likelihood he would have the actual Thanksgiving Day off, if he could get back home on time, that is.
Nate took some papers out of his briefcase and settled back on the pillows to do a bit of studying. He would study the names, faces and dossier on the latest persons of interest that the FBI was following. Nate would familiarize himself with the facts and memorize the faces and descriptions of as many as possible before turning himself in for the night. This helped to allow those faces to sink into his memory bank while he slept. He was always scanning the crowds for faces, sharpening his ability to recall hundreds of bad guys.
Nate -THE SEARCH –
Dorothy May Mercer
Chapter 4 Sally’s Mother
S ally Millecan had a one-day layover in Seattle, from her flight attendant’s job with Alaska Airlines—enough time to slip over the border to see her mom. It was not a pleasant duty but one she accepted. As the only child, it fell to her to look after her mom as much as possible. This was another reason that she hung onto this Sea-Tac assignment. Otherwise she might have to take vacation days to go to Vancouver. Not a good idea.
The elder-care nursing home was in a small rural community twenty miles outside of Vancouver. Getting there involved somewhat of a hassle, but Sally had flown there enough times to make it routine. It was one o’clock before she pulled into the parking lot in her rental car. It had been a nice day to drive along the coast. Taking the coastal highway was out of her way, but she had the time today, and so she permitted herself the indulgence of driving one of the world’s most spectacular scenic highways.
Sally stopped at the desk to check in. “I’m here to see my mother, Ferrell Millecan.”
The woman checked the name on her computer. “Yes, she’s in 301B. Lunch time is over and so she should be in her room. Shall
I get someone to take you up?”
“No thank you, I can find it,” Sally braced herself for the walk down the hall. This was the nicest elder-care home she could find for mom, but still the sounds, odors and the old people made her uncomfortably aware of how short and fragile life is. Because of her mother’s condition, she had to be in a nursing home that took care of the least capable ones, those with mental deterioration, like her mom, and those with end-of-life illnesses needing total nursing care. The doors were open allowing those patients to be heard who were babbling incoherently, moaning or crying out. Some folks were in the hallways shuffling along with their walkers while others were slumped in wheelchairs seemingly asleep or just unaware of their surroundings.
Sally found her mom strapped into a wheelchair parked with her back to the window, staring blankly at a baseball game blaring on the TV. Sally reached for the remote and put it on mute. Her mother’s suite-mate could now be heard snoring loudly in the other bed.
Sally touched her mother’s arm to get her attention. Ferrell looked up and made a noise low in her throat.
“Hello Mother,” said Sally. “I’m here to see you today.”
The woman looked at her, seemingly unable to understand. “What?” she almost shouted.
Sally realized that Ferrell’s hearing aids were not in place. She walked over to the bedside table and pulled open a drawer. The case was right there where it always was. Sally opened the case and took out two hearing aids. Testing one, she realized the battery was dead. She sorted through the drawer for replacement batteries. Finding two, she inserted them into the proper compartments and tossed out the old batteries. “Here, Mom, put these on,” she said, handing them to her mother, one at a time.
Ferrell remembered what they were, and so she put one in her ear. “I hate these things,” she grumbled. “Makes my ears hurt. Damn batteries keep going dead. Cost too much.”
“It’s okay, Mom. You can take them out later. Put the other one in so we can have a little chat.”
“Chat?” asked Ferrell as she fumbled with the aid and dropped it on the floor. This was the third set of aids Sally had bought this year. Something always happened to them. Either Ferrell wore them in the shower, or she lost them, or she dropped one on the floor and ran over it with her wheelchair.
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