by Bill O. A
Chapter 28
All Areas, California
5 July 2015, 5:12 a.m.
The Joneses’ house was a ‘theatre’ of gatherings; the party was over but another one had started with a different theme and mood. Mr and Mrs Gates and their daughter Sandra, were present, also there were Jack, Brad and Alfred with a fifteen-man team from the FBI, six police patrol vehicles from the San Francisco police department with their chief of police.
George, Mark, the Jones family and their family lawyer were sudden recipients of a team of heterogeneous individuals all trying to comfort them on the one hand, while also trying to figure out how the numbers killer got so close to his target.
Jessica had secretly invited Josh Sullivan. He had been their family lawyer since they moved to California about ten years ago. She had no other alternative than to pursue legal action in court to permit her underage child to have sex. She was definitely going to bring it up and was just biding for time. She wanted the air to be clear and reality to set in.
“We are going to get him.” Jack was talking to George. “We have locked down all roads and streets leading in and out of here. All security forces in the San Francisco area have been brought in. I am talking about eighty men combing every nook and cranny of this neighbourhood. Instructions have been laid down, and there is no letting go of this edge.”
“We just have to get him.”
“I understand you,” said Jack to the targeted professor. “But what is really important now is that the boy doesn’t leave the country, as you know…”
“The FBI is no mafia,” interjected Jack. “We can’t hold people against their will, and to make matters worse they are tourists visiting the country. What do you expect me to do? Bring him in on my investigation? There is no link whatsoever, and he is a child for goodness sake.”
“I was actually talking of the boy’s father,” said George.
Jack froze. He couldn’t understand the link.
“What does he have to do with all this?” inquired the top FBI man.
“I will reveal all when we see him,” replied George.
“I suggest we leave immediately and start the inevitable talk.”
“Wait a minute George,” said Jack. “You mean there is a plan that doesn’t involve underage sex?”
“It has always been the ‘handshake’ hypothesis,” said George as he looked straight into Jack eyes.
“Well, there is only one matter. Washington has heard of my involvement with this magic stuff. They see it as a derail of protocol and an abuse of office. My hands are suddenly tied, George. Your personal security is all I can guarantee. The FBI can’t spend any more money on this thing. Code priceless has its budget and we might have to restrict you to the safe house.”
George smiled. “Well you just said the FBI isn’t the mafia, so I believe I am free to go and come as I will. Excuse me Jack, I need to see the Jones couple.”
As the professor walked away, Jack instructed Alfred and his team to watch over him. He went to his SUV, got in and started working on his laptop.
The historian cum archaeologist saw Donald talking to some officers. He approached them and politely drew Amy’s father aside.
“Hello George,” said Donald.
“Hi. Well, you don’t need to be lost in thought. All hope isn’t lost yet, there is always an explanation,” George inferred.
“You mean she will have to have sex, not just with a stranger and someone she doesn’t know but at her tender age? You see Josh over there, he is our family lawyer. I am sure my wife invited him over to discuss the matter and how to proceed. That is on the one hand. We need to still tell the Nigerians what is going on and hope the boy’s father will oblige to this rather insane idea. You should have told us from the beginning what we were really up against. I am sure we would have bought the trust and confidence of the ghost man and his father. Now look at the ridicule we are in, just because you want to experiment on your close to twenty-five-year-old research.”
Donald was furious, and could no longer hold in his anger.
“I am sure you will get calmer with age,” said George. “This is not the time to trade blames or lose hope. We need to work as a team and get to the bottom of this. I have travelled to nine countries tracking the families of the various temple priests of Aphrodite, and I have an exclusive list of never before seen collections of manuscripts and scribes from the ancient temple, gifted to me by the descendants of this priests. I tell you categorically, body contact is body contact. Disregard the soothsayer and his rather erotic approach, it went with the times. I am in charge now. I am your soothsayer, and I say the ‘handshake’ is sufficient and satisfactory to lift the curse. I have waited to see this day for half my life. I feel I was born for this. I have always asked myself why the fourth curse happened during my time. It is so perfect! Here I am, an integral part of the moment. You can be rest assured I will not rest until the curse is lifted.”
Donald was dumbfounded. Despite all the disappointment, this ex-Marine was as resolved as the first day they met him.
“What do we do now?” asked Donald.
“We visit the boy’s father and I lead from there,” replied George.
Donald looked at him and felt he had an ace up his sleeve.
“What of your protection? How do we move around without putting you in danger’s way?”
“I guess the FBI would have to tag along. They just can’t afford to have me dead at this time.”
Mr Jones couldn’t agree more. “Give me some time. Let me speak with my wife so she can comfort Amy while we are gone.”
“I will also inform the FBI of our drive to Silicon Valley on your behalf.”
“That would be nice,” replied George. “It is best we wake them up before they head to church and whatever amusement tourists do here in California.”
Donald nodded and left to make arrangements with the respective parties.
“I am surprised you would leave Amy behind just to see Kenny at this special time for your best friend,” said Ralph to his daughter as the second SUV in the motorcade en route to Silicon Valley sped away.
“I am not going to see him for my personal reasons. I need to be there if it comes to apologising to them and asking for a favour for Amy.”
“I am happy you are beginning to see things the way it should,” replied Ralph. “Kenny has always been her man; you are a third person in this whole saga.”
“Dad, I love my best friend and I would do anything for her, even if it means letting Kenny to be with her. Once this thing is truly over, Kenny would understand, and I would be waiting.”
“There is no point talking sense into you,” shouted Ralph. “Get mixed up with all this stuff, at your own peril, my girl.”
Sandra sat quietly. She knew it would be right to alert Kenny they were coming, but she couldn’t type the words on her cell phone; she was leaving everything to chance.
George and Donald were in the first SUV as Alfred and an FBI agent rode in front.
“You know there are ways we can keep the father and son in the country for some time. It might not be polite but it will achieve its objective,” said Alfred.
His colleague who was driving threw a cursory look at him and immediately acted as if deaf.
“What are you proposing?” Donald was all ears now.
“Well, we can start with the young girl who found him. She could claim that he sexually harassed her.”
“We will do nothing of the sort,” interjected George. “These people are of the finest behaviour. They deserve true American respect. Dialogue is the way forward.”
“Okay, anything you say,” replied Alfred. “I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they discover they have been fooled all along.”
“I am confident they will yield to reason,” said George.
A text message came into Alfred’s phone.
“Our man on the field says the boy has woken up and is walking the grounds of
the Four Seasons Hotel. His father is still asleep.”
Chapter 29
All Areas, California
5th July 2015, 7:18 a.m.
Brian was getting worried his ‘chauffeur’ had not arrived. He was careful not to make any noise while hiding in the truck. He moved closer to the end of the loading area close to the front of the inanimate object, there was a little window he could peep from.
Aha, the driver of the truck was coming. He spoke some Mexican and swore in American, something was obviously pissing him off.
“Señor you are quite late today.” The owner of the barber’s shop where the truck was parked in front spoke to the driver.
“Don’t mind these cops, they are searching everybody coming into the neighbourhood. Any idea what is really going on?” inquired the driver.
“I think it is the Joneses. Cops have been in their house since early morning. It has to do with their daughter, you know the one with the…” he made a gesture to indicate something unfriendly.
“I see,” replied the driver, “but that shouldn’t disturb business. Now I am late. I don’t know what to tell my boss.”
The driver grudgingly opened the door of the truck and got into his seat. He adjusted himself a bit to get comfortable and then put the key into the ignition. He was about to start the engine when he heard a sound at the back of the truck. He thought he had had enough drama for the morning; it must be some rodents. He started the truck and began to drive off. Now he was going to be really late as he knew the cops would stop him at the exit of the street, where they had a barricade. The entire neighbourhood had been cordoned off.
“Sir, the team in Ridgeland didn’t find anyone at house,” said Brad. “They made enquiries at the houses next door and most occupants claimed they hadn’t seen the Asian that lived there for close to five months. They were particular about his quiet and unfriendly manner. They also say he was always by himself and hardly goes to the bar or club. A total nerd, they called him.”
“But things get interesting sir, there was no DNA sample in the house, the place was like a lab or something.”
“What else did the team find?” asked Jack.
“This is live info, sir, they are still working on the house. The five-month absence is a trigger in this investigation sir. I say we smoke him out just like his accomplice the killer.”
“You can’t jump to conclusions yet, Nathan might be ignorant of these killings. It is best we adopt a safe approach till we have questioned him. Find out about his last day in town. Did he fly out or drive? Was it a train? Just get me something that we can use to trace him, you get the drift?”
“Certainly sir, I will update the Mississippi team about this line of pursuit.”
“My dear, try and have some breakfast, it will brighten you up,” said Jessica. She knew this would be a trying time for her daughter.
Amy looked dejected; she couldn’t believe what was happening. There was no other choice; she would have to follow her mother’s cue.
Jessica had concluded with Josh Sullivan and he was going to file papers in court against the California State government to set aside the laws on underage sex in their instance. It was going to be tricky, and Donald had not consented to it before he left for Silicon Valley.
“The whole country is going to be interested in this matter, as it has never been heard before, not to talk of resting the bulk of the case on magic or mysticism.”
“Mum, are you sure we have a chance? Our lawyer seemed unsure with the whole idea,” said Amy.
“You don’t worry girl, just make sure Sandra completes her part and convinces Kenny to play ball. Once she achieves her part, we will have a solid case in court as both underage parties are willing to indulge and there is a medical reason for it. Josh believes Mark Schiller has been a trusted friend in this matter. We are sure he would provide medical evidence in court why the case should go in our favour. You must not lose hope Amy, keep fighting and you will succeed.”
“Okay Mum, just let me know when he is done filing. I just need to be at par with this new angle we are taking,”
“Hush girl, your father isn’t aware yet,” said Jessica. “This wild goose chase he and George are pursuing is a waste of time. The answer has been right in front of us the whole time. I still think the odds are in our favour. Remember this is the first time after the original curse was made that the ghost man has been found, and that should be enough succour for you.”
Amy heard all, but stared into nothing; she was lost deep in thoughts.
The life of a businessman had taught Bode to have only six hours of sleep at night and an hour nap at noon. He was enjoying his sleep and moved slightly under the sheets. He felt the lights were on while he dosed off; he must have put them on in his sleep mode.
The businessman moved slightly in his sleep, not to wake up, but to feel for the light switch close to the edge of the bed. His hand moved around and he couldn’t find it. He finally adjusted himself and began to raise his head. The shoes he saw on the floor near the bed weren’t his, and they were legs in them.
His mind went into a frenzy. His competitors have finally gotten to him! They have sent assassins to terminate him; the pursuit of this contract that brought him to the USA was going to be the end of him. Well, he was still alive for a reason; at least his will was all set, perhaps he could talk his way out of this one. He summoned courage and sat up in bed.
“Good morning Mr Williams.” Agent Alfred’s voice filled the air.
Bode was still trying to decipher what was going on; his hotel room was filled with total strangers except Ralph Gates. He suddenly relaxed; this was some kind of negotiation, he thought. Most businessmen always try to put the carrot before the stick. He was about to speak when a familiar face interjected.
“We are sorry to budge into your privacy like this, but the matter on hand is of topmost importance.”
George waited for Kenny’s father to gather himself, as he looked shaken from the rather Gestapo style of setting up a meeting.
Brian could see all the vehicular movement from the loading area of the truck. It was exactly twelve minutes after the truck’s driver had begun his trip. Each vehicle was being searched and he knew he would be found out. The truck was fifteenth in line; he opened the back door and let himself out. He acted as a passenger of the truck and brought out a measuring tape.
He pretended to be busy for about three minutes then suddenly stopped what he was doing. He began to walk against traffic to the other end of the road; he would have to wait till much later when the search was scaled down. Trying to blast his way through would be suicidal, but more urgent was the fact that he couldn’t return to his hideout. He would need to think fast.
Ahead was a grocery store; he could lay low for an hour before deciding his next move. The risks were getting higher with each action; he would need a grand plan that would involve a solution to all the variables pointing at him.
He stepped in and went to the pharmacy section, where he started an enlightened and impressive conversation with the medical personnel. Laughter followed and his interim cover was built effortlessly.
Max had just come out of surgery. He was going to be fine; a shot to the shin and one to the right side of his chest. Nothing medically serious, but there was enough loss of blood. Betty had donated some blood when asked and she was still in the hospital. She told the two other agents to return to Long Beach.
She was going to have a serious talk with Special Agent Jack Dillion. Babysitting he had called it, but now practically all the security forces in San Francisco were looking for this killer. No criminal that important should have been allowed to come in close contact with a target without the usual set-up. She needed to understand his motive. Although the odds were in their favour four against one, yet they had a man in hospital.
Chapter 30
All Areas, California
5th July 2015. 7:29 a.m.
“I can assure you we can partner
in this contract if I win it,” said Bode. He wanted to steal the show way before it started. “You can tell your boss I will give him 800 slots, that is about a 45% of the entire potential workforce. You can see there is no need for…”
“You must be mistaken Mr Williams,” interrupted George. “We are here to discuss about you.”
All the other visitors were shocked; they didn’t understand where George was leading with this.
“From our dossier on you…” The professor opened the folder Jack had given him which the Special Agent got from the CIA office in Nigeria. The ex-Marine brought out a thin sheet of paper and continued talking. “We cannot establish your leisure and extra-curricular activities during your MBA studies in the UK. Two years away from your country; we suspect you had an illegitimate son, an elder brother to Kenny.”
Bode was pleased on the one hand and surprised on the other; this was a very different matter from what he had been thinking. He immediately went into action.
“Who the hell are you to barge into my hotel room and start asking questions? And who gave you a file on me? My lawyers are going to get busy.”
“Don’t misunderstand us sir, but we come with good intentions and are friendly about it,” replied George.
Everyone else kept quiet and watched the two men.
“And who told you I had a son in the UK?” asked Bode. “I was there for studies and that was all. I was married for Christ’s sake. My wife, Kenny’s mother was in Nigeria waiting for me. There was no reason whatsoever why I would have a child without her. I think you need to tell me where all this is coming from.”
He turned to look at Ralph who was looking at the floor.
“Dad! Dad!”
Kenny was running in the hallway that led to his father’s room. Everyone in the meeting knew what was about to happen. Kenny opened the room’s door.
“Dad, I saw Ewan Mcgregor at breakfast!”
By the time Kenny saw the people in his father’s room, he knew his dad had been right all along; something was amiss from the Open House and the birthday party. He stood still and kept staring in silence.