“He would like you to start as soon as you can. You won’t have any kind of schedule. You come in when you can work it into your life.”
Harriet cleared her throat… “I will give my boss a week’s notice. Will I see you first when I return?”
“Yes, there is some paperwork we’ll need you to fill out. Call me the day before to remind me, so I can make myself available for your arrival. I’m looking forward to having you as part of our team.”
Harriet said goodbye and disconnected. She sat down hard on the couch and thought, Oh my God, how am I going to juggle a new job in the middle of this mess? She felt as though she had just betrayed her own convictions.
She needed tonight’s dinner to take her mind off everything for a few hours.
Joe and company arrived just after six as promised. Martin timed his arrival to coincide with his host’s.
Harriet knew that they had arrived by the tingling and was standing at the door waiting. “Welcome, guys.” She greeted Martin and Maggie, who handed her two bags of groceries.
“How’d you know we were here?” Maggie asked, not knowing about Harriet’s early warning system.
“Martin can explain that while I get this stuff on the table.”
That was fine with Maggie—she always felt more like she was in the way when trying to help. Meanwhile, Joe came down the back stairs and hollered into the kitchen, “Hi, honey, I’m home.”
“Give it a rest, I know you’re home.” Harriet still wasn’t feeling all that good about her husband’s attitude toward her way of thinking. Joe rolled his eyes, something Harriet couldn’t see in the other room.
Maggie picked up on it. “So what’s going on between you two? Do I detect a note of hostility?” She had no qualms about getting into the middle of their disagreement.
Harriet came out of the kitchen to explain her position on going back to the future, which made Maggie’s eyes light up. “Oh my God, that would be so great.”
“I disagree. I don’t feel we need to go back.” Joe still couldn’t come to terms with the idea. He could sense his wife was getting more entrenched in her own crusade.
“You come up with a better idea, buddy boy, and I’ll back off. I think this is the fastest way to help. Who can we tell about the kidnappings that won’t lock us up in a nuthouse?” Harriet wasn’t letting up, and Joe’s attitude ticked her off.
The other two decided maybe they shouldn’t get into the middle of this battle and kept quiet, at least for now.
“There is one complication though.” She looked at Joe and hated that she had to give him an inch in their disagreement.
“I got the job today at Bio-Tech Research. The head of human resources called me this afternoon to say I impressed the boss and he wants me to start right away.” She shrugged and looked sideways at Joe with a half-smile, knowing that this could put an end to her own argument.
“That’s great news!” Joe knew this had always been her goal, to establish herself with Bio-Tech, even on a part-time basis.
“You don’t look thrilled, Harri,” Maggie observed. Martin said nothing.
“I am… but, I’d feel better if we had our other damn problem solved.”
Joe, put his arm around his wife’s shoulder. “We’ll work this out. Somehow we’ll save those people. In the meantime, I’d hate to jeopardize our future here.” He sensed how tough this was on her. They always worked out their disagreements with give and take. This issue seemed to have resolved itself as far as he was concerned.
Harriet hated to concede, but she’d already made their decision when she said yes to Ann Shaw today. She hated to have to backtrack after the fuss she had made about going.
She said quietly and without any enthusiasm, “You’re right. We’ll deal with this as it comes.”
Martin felt this was a good time to break in, “On a cheerier note, I found a basic cooking class at the college. It’s only three weeks and by the time I’m finished, I’ll know how to put together a basic meal from scratch, and I’ll learn to follow a recipe. Oh, and it starts next week.”
“What’s this all about?” Maggie wasn’t aware of his desire to cook.
“Oh, it’s something we talked about last night. Home-cooked meals are addictive. I’d like to learn to make them—how about keeping me company for the next three weeks?”
“Cooking never interested me, but if it means spending more time with you, I’ll sign up.” Maggie laughed at the look on Harriet’s face.
“What, you didn’t think I’d agree to this? Oh ye of little faith. Shows how much you know about me.”
“I’ll admit, I’m surprised, but I’m also happy, I think the two of you in the kitchen might just learn to fry an egg and boil water at least.”
“We’ll do better than that—we’ll cook dinner for you at my house at the end of the course, since Martin only has a microwave in his hotel room.” She grinned at Martin, who looked unsure. This wasn’t the first time Maggie had acted on impulse.
“It’ll be fine, trust me Mom’s got everything we could want or need in her kitchen. I even know the meal we can prepare for them.” Maggie was sticking her neck way out.
“Are you sure about this?” Martin wasn’t ready to commit to cooking for others in only three weeks. Right now he knew nothing other than the bit he’d learned about outdoor barbecuing from Joe the two nights they had hamburgers and ribs.
Joe laughed, “Okay, you have a deal. Harriet and I will be more than happy to join you for dinner at your place at the end of your course.”
“Can we at least bring dessert?” Harriet offered.
“Nope, I’ve got that planned too. I only have to learn to cook it.” Maggie was on a roll. She was in, all the way. “But you can bring wine.”
Martin just groaned. “What have you done, Mugs?” This was the first time he’d used her nickname. Maggie loved it and hugged him close and kissed him hard.
“We’ll be okay, I promise.” Martin gave her a lopsided grin.
“Okay, whatever you say.” His hands went up, palms out, a sign of surrender.
After dinner and cleanup they sat in the small living room, with Harriet kicking off the conversation. “So, Mugs, what’s this about you going back with Martin to the SPA?”
“Martin filled me in on what’s been going on at the SPA, and now I understand why he feels he has to go back. I would be selfish to stand in his way. I want to be with him, so I spent the night agonizing over it and decided, my place is by his side. You guys survived passing through time. I think I’m strong enough to do the same.”
“You realize that this could get dangerous for you? The commander has a thing about fertile women from the past.” Joe pointed out.
“He doesn’t have to know that I’m from the past.” Maggie turned to Martin with a look that said help me.
“I’ll spend the next couple of months coaching her on what to expect and how to behave. I’ll contact your friends, Eric and Millie and tell them who we are. A letter of introduction from you two would be helpful.”
“We can do that.” Joe looked over at Harriet, who nodded.
“If you tell Eric we need his help to get Maggie the right papers, I’m sure that will be enough to keep her safe. In the meantime, we’ll keep her out of sight as much as possible.”
“I have something that might be useful to you.” Joe went into their bedroom and came out holding Eric’s communicator and the clothes that Harriet had been wearing when they left.
“We should’ve dumped this before we went through the portal. But we decided that wouldn’t be a good idea. We didn’t want them to trace the communicator or the clothes. Better to leave no evidence we were there at all. We have this, and we have the two uniforms and a few more clothes we got while there. We hid them away when we first got back. I don’t know why I didn’t think of them to show our folks at the barbecue, along with your stuff Martin.”
“I’m not sure they would have made any difference. They’d th
ink we all went to the same costume party,” Harriet said laughing.
Maggie held up the shirt and pants Joe handed her. “I think your clothes would drown me. I’m five-foot-two, you’re five-eleven.”
“Maybe you could take them to a dressmaker and get them cut down.” Harriet suggested.
“Better still why don’t I show them to a dressmaker and see if she can copy them, so you can keep them for when you travel to the future again,” Maggie said with a mischievous grin. She wanted Harriet and Joe to follow them.
Joe grunted, and Harriet laughed. “If you think that would work for you, Mugs. We don’t have the same kinds of fabrics, but I’m sure the dressmaker can find a good facsimile.”
Martin spoke up. “As far as the communicator goes, keep that too in case you come back at some point. I have my own. And I’m sure Eric has a new one by now. You’ve had that one for four years.”
“You’re right… Eric would have a new one. I’m not so sure about us using it again though… Harriet and I are still negotiating,” Joe said, hoping not to set off his wife once more.
Harriet gave him a steady look that spoke volumes. “We will continue to negotiate until you can convince me you have a better idea.”
“I‘ll try to keep an open mind.” Joe gave her a hug and turned to Martin.
“In the meantime, Arthur 5 used a drone of some sort to get a message to Brian Morgan, your predecessor. I’m wondering if you could do the same thing. We could figure out a place to intercept it and be there on the same day every month. Is that doable?” Joe figured if they could stay on top of what was happening, that would deter Harriet’s determination to go back.
“If you recall, I mentioned I had an idea I needed to work on,” Martin reminded them. It’s along the same lines as you are proposing. But, to expand on your idea and to save you a lot of traveling back and forth, we could rig a landing pad in your own back porch and send messages when needed. Once a month might be too long, things can happen fast at the SPA. I can only hope this wasn’t a one-shot deal. But knowing Arthur 5 this was something he developed that’s new.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Harriet chimed in.
“Yes, that will save us a lot of time.” Joe liked Martin’s suggestion a whole lot.
“My other idea is to do with electronics as well,” Martin said. “As soon as I get back, I will propose to Arthur 5 that we devise a monitoring device at the portal door from the tunnel under the SPA. If we can keep track of activities there, then we are one step ahead of them. And with your idea of using the drones, we can warn you of their approach.” He grinned, pleased with himself and Joe for coming up with a great solution. But then another thought hit, making him frown.
“If the commander does send kidnappers to your century again, the sooner we warn you the quicker you can get them under surveillance. We need to find a way to let you know there is a message waiting.” Martin had his work cut out for him.
“That’s easy,” Maggie piped in. “Give the drone something that will set off your early warning system. Would that work, Martin?” This was her first foray into solving twenty-second century problems.
“I like that.” Harriet’s eyes brightened with an idea. “Martin, get Arthur 5 to install a vial in the drone with DNA from your century, like maybe blood or some bone or tissue that will set off our warning systems. That way we’ll get a unique tingle whenever a drone has landed. Or if we’re not home, as soon as we drive into our parking space, we’ll know.”
“Great thinking, that should work. And once you have the drone, you can send it back with any new information from your end. At least I will have Arthur 5 program it that way. Wow, I think we may have solved a huge problem here tonight.” Martin grabbed Maggie and danced her around the floor. He was so proud of her brilliant idea.
They had never seen Martin let loose like this.
“Don’t think this means our debate is over.” Harriet didn’t want to call their disagreement about them going back an argument. But she couldn’t help returning his smile.
Joe turned to Martin, “If we can pull this off, we can alert the police that there is suspicious activity at the ski resort. If we contact Red first, then he can watch for anyone coming off the lift that looks suspicious. Whoever they are, they will have to call for a car rental. I’ll bet they’ll have the cell phones from previous kidnappers, and the number of the car rental on speed dial. Do you think we should pull Red into our circle? He seems to thrive on intrigue.”
“We can’t tell him these guys are from the future. We’ll have to think of something to justify why they’re coming off the mountain, when no one remembers them going up the mountain. Maybe we can sleep on the problem. We don’t have to do anything yet. As long as we solve it before Maggie and I go through the portal.”
“I think you’re right. We have it almost figured out, all but that one snag. I am not so sure about getting Red involved. We need to warn the Mounties as soon as possible though. Martin, can the surveillance camera get a picture of these guys and send it via the drone?” Joe’s brain was on overdrive.
“I’ll get Arthur 5 to work on that. I hope we’ll have the time to do some testing before they send anyone back. He has three couples now. It may take the commander a while to decide if this is the right route to go. If they turn out to be unsuitable, he may scrap the plan.”
This alarmed Harriet. “My God, what would happen to the people he’s already kidnapped. The guys who kidnapped us made it clear they’d kill us on the commander’s orders if we didn’t cooperate. They’d be nothing but trouble for him if he couldn’t use them. I doubt if he’d want to send them back. That’s six more witnesses to his insane scheme.”
“We must get them out somehow. If we can get them back through the portal, that would be great. But, I think that might be impossible in the short term. We need to get them away from the SPA and put them into hiding. Do you think Eric and Millie will want to get involved?” Martin was trying to figure out a plan.
“Good question. The answer—I don’t know. Somehow I think they would. But I can’t answer for them. The sooner you can get these people back to us the better for all concerned,” Joe said.
Harriet looked at her watch. “We’d better wrap this up for tonight. Joe and Maggie both have to work in the morning.”
“Tomorrow afternoon, my kids write their last exam. Then I have to go in for another week, to get things sorted out. After that, I’m off until the end of August. But I suspect I’ll be resigning before then.” She looked at Martin for confirmation.
“Maybe a lot sooner—if I can get back and get this plan in motion that would solve a lot of problems for all of us. You two can handle yourselves, and when we figure out how to coordinate law enforcement with the commander’s men arriving, I won’t worry about you anymore.”
“Okay then, Harriet and I will say goodnight.” Joe hugged Maggie and shook hands with Martin.
Harriet hugged both of them before Joe went to the door and saw them out.
They were all feeling damned good tonight.
“I’m beat, what about you?” He grabbed his wife around the waist and pulled her toward the bedroom.
“I’m tired, but I was thinking I could use a little back rub,” Harriet said grinning.
“One massage coming up, with your special oil, I presume?” He was already ripping off his shirt, with Harriet only a step behind.
Chapter 33
Cooking Class
Martin and Maggie started their night school course the following Monday. Maggie sent Harriet short texts whenever they had a break during the class. Each night her texts got funnier and funnier as she poked fun at him and herself. By the end of the three weeks, Harriet couldn’t wait for their next get together to hear the story firsthand.
The two women made plans for a meal that Saturday, at their favorite pub on the waterfront. Harriet had to get to work by five, so they made it brunch.
“Are you sorry you go
t into this?” Joe asked, kicking off the conversation.
“I was after the first night, when I screwed up a simple omelet,” Martin said laughing at himself for misreading the instructions. Maggie had taken a picture and texted it to Harriet with the caption, ‘omelet milk shake.’
“We’re looking forward to serving you the dinner we promised this Sunday.” Maggie needed to prove herself. She couldn’t imagine eating food made by a machine when she got to the future.
The waiter arrived with their food, stopping the conversation. The girls dumped half their beer into the guys’ mugs. “I have to drive and Harriet has to go to work,” Maggie said.
The guys chugged down the extra beer while they polished off their brunch. All the talk of food had made them hungry.
Life, for all, settled into a nice routine. Martin no longer believed there was an imminent threat from the future.
Joe and Harriet hadn’t felt any recent warnings that they were being watched. And they noted there were no more kidnappings close to home.
On Sunday Joe and Harriet arrived early at Maggie’s house, handing Martin a bottle of wine. They announced that rather than watch over the two novices they would visit her parents two doors down.
“So don’t forget to call, we’ll be at Mom and Dad’s, since it’s closer to you.” Harriet said.
“Right, go, have a nice visit. We’ll call.” Maggie shooed them out of the kitchen.
This was the first time Harriet had seen her parents since the barbecue, three weeks before.
Harriet’s mom grabbed her in a hug at the door. “Oh my, we don’t see enough of you two. I missed you, sweetheart,” she said, as she studied her daughter looking for any changes.
Her dad was out on the deck. “Hi, Daddy.” She knew he loved it when she called him that.
“Don’t mind me if I don’t get up, I twisted my knee on the golf course yesterday.” She leaned down and kissed him.
“Maybe lessons would help.” She giggled and ducked as he tossed a cushion at her.
“I hope you’re putting ice on it?”
Return From the Future Page 21