Consigning Fate (36 page)

Robbie’s head hung low.

Dean continued. “But the mystery continues.”

Robbie looked up.

“We have your father in a tomb buried six miles from here,” Dean said. “And we have your father a few days ago eating a jam sandwich at the trailer.”

Suddenly, Robbie’s whole demeanor switched.

“Your father is the one who had lunch with the clone.”

“Oh, my God.” Robbie’s eyes closed. “Oh my God.”

“The password thing Danny told you about … that’s him.”

“So Andrea knows. That’s why …”

Dean shook his head. “We can’t be certain of that.”

“But she claims to see him …” Robbie shook his head. “No, she doesn’t claim to see him. She claims to sense him. Hear him.”

“His ghost.”

Robbie smiled. “Invisible suit.”

Dean nodded.

“Joe’s not in the future. Joe’s not dead. Dead men don’t eat jam sandwiches a month after their death. Your father is alive and well and is hiding out pretty damn well.”

Robbie finished the sentence with a tone of relief. “In Beginnings.”

Dean lifted a finger. “End of mystery one. Now onward to another. If Joe isn’t dead and is hiding in Beginnings, then …”

Robbie nodded. “Why.”

“Exactly.”

April 1
st

When Johnny Slagel started bartending at the Dan at the Creed Saloon, he became, in a short period of time, much like the Creedvillians. A person who rarely saw the light of day. Closing shop about four in the morning, Johnny would stay up all night and sleep all day.

Tigger, though out late himself, needed little sleep. And aside from that, he had to go to Beginnings to pick tomatoes at eight in the morning.

He didn’t know when he’d see Johnny again and had to talk to him.

Johnny felt it in his sleep. At first it was vivid, snapping him to a lucid state while he dreamt, then he realized, the warm breath he felt was actually someone close to him. He opened his eyes.

“Morning sunshine,” Tigger said. “Can you get up?”

“What time is it?” Johnny asked.

“Seven.”

“Is it some sort of joke?”

“Could be. It’s April first.”

Johnny groaned and rolled over.

“Johnny seriously, I have to talk to you.”

“Tig, I’ve only been in bed an hour and a half. Play your April Fool’s joke on me later, I promise you can ‘get me’ then.”

“It’s not an April Fool’s joke; I really need to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“One me, the other ... your father.”

It didn’t take long for Johnny to open his eyes fully. He gave a just a second finger to Tigger and removed the covers.

Even though he had only been in bed a short period of time, his bladder felt full and he went to empty it.

“By chance you didn’t make coffee, did you?” Johnny asked, flushing the toilet.

“Yes, I did. I don’t have much time. I have Hector the horrible on my back about being on time.”

Johnny laughed as he came from the bathroom. “What’s up?”

“Last night I went to Beginnings.”

“Oh, yeah, I wondered where my town drunk went. You missed it. Sebastian did a strip tease for a bachelorette party last night.”

“Why would I …” Tigger’s eyes widened. “Did you see? Did you see?”

“Tig.”

“No, Johnny, you had to see.”

“I know you’ve been wondering.”

“I have. No one would show me.”

“Well, that’s because you can’t walk up to these people and ask them to expose themselves.”

“Ok, that’s true.” Tigger handed Johnny a cup of coffee. “Did you.”

Johnny sipped. “From where I stood, he had no hair, but it looked as if it were normal.”

“Aw.” Tigger shook his head. “I thought it would be neat to see it translucent like everything else.”

Johnny shrugged. “It looked normal.”

“Oh, well. I still wonder about the women. Maybe they’ll make that Creedville Porn like I wanted.”

“You’re twisted. So what did you want?”

“I was in Beginnings last night. I heard … this is what I heard from very reliable sources, I hear your father is coming to town to see you today.”

The coffee nearly dropped from Johnny’s hand. “You’re April Fooling me.”

Tigger shook his head. “No, that’s what I heard.”

“From where?”

“George.”

“How does George know?”

“Seems George talked to your dad about mending fences. I mean, if Beginnings and the Society can do it, so can your dad and you.”

“Ah, Tig, that would be so cool. I hope he does.”

“I do, too. Johnny. I do, too. Speaking of Dad’s …” Tigger cleared his throat. “My dad is in prison in Quantico for trying to kill George, shooting your Uncle Robbie, and disabling the love of my life.”

“I know.”

“So, George called me to talk to me. With this impending war, they need all the men they can get. All the good men. He wants me to go talk to my father, to get him to wise up and work for us all. He wants to have him run a leadership school.”

“Wow. So what does this mean?” Johnny asked.

“I’m leaving Johnny. I hate to leave you, but I am. Even if for a short time. I’m heading out with George.”

“You’re joining the Society?”

“No. There is really no Society anymore, it’s all part of the US, and I’m just living on the east to do my job. This would be, get my dad to make a turn around, see Bertha, and work as a clerk.”

“Tig … Tig I don’t know what to say.”

“Tell me I’m making the right decision.”

“Well, yeah, you are. Especially now since the Society isn’t the enemy. I think that’s cool. You going, you working over there, will help everyone over here understand things better.”

“Why don’t you go John?” Tigger asked.

Johnny looked up. “What?”

“Go.”

“With you?”

“Yes.”

“Did George ask?’

“No. he didn’t this is my idea. George loves you. You love George. He’s always been there for you. I think he needs you, Johnny. Come with us.”

“I can’t. I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I have to atone here. I really do. I have to make up for all I did, or at least try.”

Tigger nodded. “I understand. Hey ... there’s gonna be constant trips back and forth. Maybe you can visit. Maybe if things don’t work out here, you can come there.”

Johnny nodded. “I’ll miss you.”

“We can talk on the phone. Hoi mail. We can stay in touch.”

“True.”

“It’s a big country, Johnny,” Tigger said. “But doesn’t it feel good that it isn’t no longer a divided country.”

Johnny smiled peacefully. “Yeah, it does. And you know what will make my life even better. When my family is no longer a divided family. I have my work cut out, but if it’s the last thing I do, Tigger, I’ll get my family back together. I’ll be part again.”

“I believe that. I believe that.”

With a warm smile, Johnny leaned into Tigger and embraced his friend. He would miss him, but he would stay in contact.

For the first time in the post plague world, a cross country friendship wasn’t just possible it was plausible.

<><><><>

Sleep didn’t come easy for Robbie. Not at all. In fact, when he left Dean’s at four in the morning, his mind buzzed with all they talked about and all they discussed. Not to mention the fact that they never touched the HG Wells, or at least that was what they assumed it was called.

They planned to get together later and work on it. But the truth was, neither Robbie or Dean knew much about it.

Both of their minds were flowing with the revelation that Joe ate a jam sandwich in Beginnings a few days earlier.

It was a lot to digest.

Especially since they both believed his father was still alive and living in Beginnings.

Deliberately Robbie stopped at Andrea’s and had breakfast.

He waited, watched, and hoped she’s say something about his father.

She did.

“I don’t know why he doesn’t touch his breakfast,” Andrea said.

“Who?”

“Your father.”

“Do you make him a plate every day, Andrea?” Robbie asked.

“Oh, yes, that would be rude not to, don’t you think.”

Robbie smiled.

Then Andrea did something she hadn’t done. She sighed and sat down. “Not that I think he’ll be able to eat it. You don’t believe me, do you?’

“Why do you ask?”

“No one does. They pacify me.”

“Maybe if you told me why you believe you speak to my father.”

“Because I can,” She said.

“But why?” Robbie asked.

“I feel him.”

“Do you …” Robbie hesitated. “Do you see him?”

“Not really.”

“Then how do you know he’s there.”

“I sense him. I smell him,” Andrea said. “I know. I know. I was one of those people who said that ghosts didn’t exist, but Robbie.” She grabbed his hand. “I was getting dressed, right after your dad died, and I heard him cough. I heard his cough, it came from outside. I ran out. Nothing. But I sure as anything could smell him. That’s when I knew the good Lord was giving me my husband. I felt him and didn’t feel alone. I know it sounds nuts …”

“No, Andrea, it doesn’t.” Robbie paused. “Does he ever talk back? I know you talk to him.”

“No. No.” She shook her head. “Well, once I swore I heard him say, Christ Andrea.”

Robbie laughed. “That’s so great.”

“So you believe me? You believe his ghost is around.”

“More than you realize,” Robbie said. “I do.”

He felt better when he left Andrea’s, almost as if without realizing it she concurred information.

But for as much as Robbie wanted to think about his father all day, even look for him, hang around Andrea, he couldn’t. He had things to do.

As tired as he was he had a full day. Actually, part of it he looked forward to. He and George would be gone most of the day, together, flying west to examine the coast line. What damage if any was done by the Fredrickson.

They never received confirmation that it hit. Even though the astronomers in Jordan say it did.

They would fly out, survey, and hopefully be back by early afternoon.

He saw George at the bakery having coffee and getting a roll before the trip. He dangled his lunch bag like a carrot in front of George breeding a chuckle. Andrea packed them a lunch for the flight.

“You look tired,” George had told him.

Robbie nodded. “I haven’t really had a day off in forever.”

“It looks like lack of sleep.”

“That, too.” Robbie smiled. He had been living off of mid-day short sleeps and night time naps. But even when he was tired, he tossed and turned, mind racing with thoughts of the investigation.

He supposed he wouldn’t sleep well until he had some answers.

While everyone assumed Robbie was running around, beating himself up, trying to find out who killed Joe, Robbie knew who did it, he just didn’t know why. He could only guess.

A brief meeting over coffee determined that George and Robbie would only radio their arrival at the coast and detail a full report using video and pictures.

Robbie had full intentions of being the one to fly the plane, but when he saw the shine in George’s eye about flying close to the coastline and seeing, Robbie didn’t go there. He merely stated, he was glad George was flying because he would get to take the pictures.

Plus, he was tired.

They would take the truck to the airstrip in Bowman, but Robbie had to run to the trailer lab first.

He had his camera there along with video equipment.

It didn’t take long and pulled around to the back of the lab out of habit. Walking to the front, he stopped when he saw it.

The flash of light in the windows at the quantum lab.

After checking out his watch, and seeing he had a few minutes, Robbie walked over to Jason’s lab.

He had to know and he knocked.

“Who is it?” Jason called out.

“Robbie Slagel.”

“Come in.”

Robbie opened the door. “Hey, Morning Jason.”

Jason lowered his glasses. “Happy National Holiday to you, Robbie.”

Robbie chuckled, shifting his eyes around. “That’s Frank’s baby, I just aid and abet.”

Jason laughed. “What brings you up here?”

“Actually, I was heading into the lab and I saw… I saw the flash of light. It’s the second time I saw it.”

Jason nodded.

“No one sees you much, Jason. Actually, Andrea says you do what you need to do at the clinic and that’s it.”

“There are no cases in Bowman at this time.”

“Maybe we should encourage some crimes,” Robbie joked.

Sadly, Jason lowered his head. “As much as I hate to say it I wish there were. My mind needs something other than this obsession with the machine.”

“You OK?”

“Not really, Robbie. I always handled death and loss pretty good. Unless it hit home. I lost everyone before the plague and only allowed myself to get close to two people. Real close. Grace and your father. Grace … killed. Your father … killed. He was my best friend. We spent so much time together … I just am having a hard time dealing with people now that he’s gone.”

“I understand.”

“So …” Jason exhaled. “I’m throwing myself into my work. My machine.”

“And?” Robbie asked.

“It powers up. But, it won’t work. It started getting weird before the last trip, and it acted up after the future message. But since then. Nothing. I get the subject in the doorway, the doorway lights up.”

“They don’t go anywhere?”

“Oh, the rabbits disappear. They just aren’t going where I send them. Which is two minutes in the future.”

“You think it’s something Danny did. I mean, you guys were working together.”