ROMULUS (The Innerworld Affairs Series, Book 1) (34 page)

Rom helped Aster to her feet and kissed her forehead. "I can hardly wait to see this
mall
of yours," he remarked, and rolled his eyes.

Chapter 19

"Mr. Underwood, this is Walter Adams from Palomar Observatory. You may not remember me..."

"Nonsense, Walter," a booming voice returned. "We spoke at last year's Christmas party. It's almost that time again, eh? How's your mother doing? Alzheimer's wasn't it?"

"Uh, yes, sir, uh, she's doing as well as can be expected. Thank you for asking." Walter was thrilled that the corporate magnate would remember someone as insignificant as him. His pleasure faded when he recalled reading how the man kept extensive notes on everyone he met. "Uh, two years ago you asked me to keep my ears open, and, well, I know I've never had anything extraordinary to report—"

"You are getting your pay supplements, aren't you? I wouldn't want one of my key people having problems."

Walter was astonished to hear that he was considered a key anything and Mr. Underwood sounded genuinely concerned. "Oh yes, sir, every month, just like clockwork, and believe me, I've always appreciated the extra money, especially with the way the medical bills keep piling up for my mother's care."

"What is the problem, Walter?" Underwood cut in.

"I'm calling because I have something I think would be of great interest to you. You see, uh, Doctor Houston had a very unusual visitor today."

"Not over the phone, Walter. Are you at home?"

"No, sir. My instructions were to call this number from a public telephone."

"Good. Give me the address where you are."

Walter complied.

"Stay there. I'll pick you up in my limousine in precisely one hour. Fortunately, I'm in my L.A. office at the moment. We'll talk in the car."

"Yes, sir. I'll be waiting and I promise it will be worth your—" Walter stopped talking when he realized the line had disconnected. His heart pounded erratically in his chest and his sweat dripped from the telephone receiver when he hung it up.

He stood very still until the pain in his left shoulder subsided somewhat. It seemed to be getting worse all the time. He had to keep going though. There was no one else to take care of Mama. Oh, God, he thought for the thousandth time, why doesn't she just die? Immediately, guilt pangs overtook him. He spent most of his time these days feeling guilty about one thing or another.

When his father died of a heart attack twenty years ago, Walter had felt guilty that he had never been the man he was expected to be. Now he felt guilty because he was sick and tired of caring for an old woman who rarely remembered who he was.

Recently, he had also been feeling the burden of accepting the extra monthly payments from The Underwood Institute without giving anything in return. He was certain they were getting ready to take him off their special payroll and his debts were too great to allow that to happen.

Walter might have been relieved to finally have something to offer to secure his position with them, except for the magnitude of what he was about to disclose. This was no tidbit of information he had heard. What would a powerful man like Gordon Underwood do with it? And what about Kate?

When Mama's health started declining, he had transferred much of his affection to his elderly boss. During the ten years he worked for Doctor Houston, he had never given her cause to distrust him. He prayed she would never find out about his betrayal and tried to think of some way to shield her from Underwood.

He went over all he heard one more time since he had not dared take notes. Perhaps if he only revealed part of what he heard, he could repay his obligation to Underwood and still protect Kate.

With that idea in mind, he mentally outlined what he would report. One, a huge asteroid was heading toward Earth which could destroy the planet. Two, an extraterrestrial named Romulus Locke came to help Earth's scientists redirect the asteroid. Three, Doctor Houston and her two visitors would be meeting with a rocket scientist tomorrow. Romulus would give them all the details at that time, including a formula for increasing the speed of Earth's ships. If he lied about that part, that should cover Kate temporarily. Four, the alien brought an Earth woman with him, who had previously disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Perhaps if he didn't reveal her name, he could protect her as well. Five, they were now both living in an advanced civilization located in the inner core of the Earth. And sixth, they would be returning to that world, but tonight they were staying at the Village Resort.

As he waited, Walter considered the man he'd met only twice before. The man's wealth was overwhelming on its own but Underwood was physically impressive as well. Tall and built like a defensive linebacker, his features were sharp and intelligent. What Walter remembered most was his massive shaven head. He'd found it strangely erotic. After he agreed to accept the Institute's secret assignment, Walter read any article written about the billionaire.

One of the few remaining self-made men in his tax bracket, one writer described him as brilliant, intuitive, generous and a fair employer. Another wrote that he was scheming, ruthless, power hungry and heartless. Walter had heard that Underwood was asexual, desiring money and power more than a relationship with another human—woman or man. Then there was the private hospital he had built for himself in the Nevada desert. It was rumored to have the most advanced medical technology in the world. And Underwood was its only patient.

The long black car came to a stop in front of him interrupting his thoughts. Walter tried to rub the pain out of his left arm as he approached the car. It was too late to change his mind and go home.

* * *

The mall was beautifully decorated for the upcoming holidays, including an elaborate North Pole display with a jovial Santa posing for photos with the children.

"Do you celebrate Christmas, Rom?"

"No, but it sounds like fun. I certainly like exchanging gifts with you." He gave her a hug as they continued past the colorful shops.

Aster hustled him from store to store, picking out clothes for each of them, plus a supply of Cherry's expensive scent.

"Okay! We did it with minutes to spare!"

"Minutes to spare for what? Aster, I see these other people rushing around but why are we in such a terrible hurry?"

"Closing time. Let's beat the rush to our car."

Rom shook his head. "I can see Cherry enjoying herself in a place like this but in the future I will be extremely grateful every time I sit in front of my vidcom at home and order my supplies, calmly and at any hour I choose."

* * *

Gordon Underwood smiled smugly as the weak little man walked away from the limo. Once again his personal network had panned out and he thought back to the days when he had set it up.

At the age of twenty, he had acquired his first patent in Silicon Valley, and possessed a cunning and genius to excel in many other areas as easily. Once his bank account boasted six figures, he had diversified into real estate and stocks. A taste of wealth only served to increase his hunger for money and the power attached to it. He had a voracious appetite for knowledge and read in depth about any topic that triggered his interest. The general consensus was that Gordon Underwood was an expert in a great many fields.

His investments had prospered. When he foresaw the beginnings of the energy crisis in the late nineteen-sixties, he had bought vast amounts of oil stock before the prices soared. In his search for the ultimate tax shelter, he had created The Underwood Institute, with the altruistic purpose of endowing nonprofit organizations and college grants with special emphasis on scientific achievements and more particularly on astrophysical research. Underwood knew the future was not earthbound and was prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep ahead of the pack.

After being recognized as a benefactor to an institution, such as Palomar Observatory, he was able to meet, and subsequently investigate, its employees. He would usually find one with a weakness or need and lure that person onto his special payroll, like he had with Walter Adams. The result of this plan was an international network of eyes and ears in every corner of the scientific and astrophysical communities.

Sometimes he was given valuable data, more often the information was worthless, but occasionally, years of unrewarded patience paid off with one enormous score, like tonight.

He made it a practice to listen personally to an agent's initial report and, depending on its worth, future reports might be delegated to one of Underwood's assistants. He was greatly relieved he had been the first to hear Adams' news. Goose flesh rose on his large bald head as he considered the possibilities presented by the appearance of an extraterrestrial, right here in California, exposing himself for the good of the planet. It was a dream come true for the billionaire.

He refused to consider the asteroid as a serious threat. A magnificent future awaited. The power he knew that would one day be his had not yet come to him. It was not his destiny to build an empire only to have it wantonly destroyed by a freak act of nature.

Adams had not even finished his report before Underwood's mind clicked off the conclusion. The person who could tap the alien's mind would have access to the information he had come to offer, before it could be presented to the scientists. The bargaining power achieved by such a move staggered the imagination. There would be those who would accuse him of extortion at the risk of global destruction, but Underwood considered it taking advantage of an opportunity.

The woman with Romulus sounded like insignificant decoration and was an earthling besides. She was probably just glad to be back in her own world. As a man who covered every angle, however, Underwood decided to have her followed to see where she went when she discovered her companion missing.

By the time he was back in his office, Underwood had written a detailed list of people to call, arrangements to be made and questions to be answered by the alien... for the good of The Underwood Institute. He had not felt so exhilarated in years.

* * *

Two men in waiter uniforms pushed a long, tablecloth-covered cart along the third floor hallway.

"Where the hell you been, Wink?" the shorter man complained in a hushed voice. "I was wondering if you were ever going to show up."

"One of the kids was throwin' up and the old lady was bitchin' about my goin' out tonight. She just don't understand business. Is it ready?" Wink asked, blinking several times.

"Yeah, and I almost didn't make it. Geez, I hate these last-minute rush jobs. I barely finished drilling the hole when the two of them walked up to the door."

"The hell you say! Did they see you?"

"Naw. They were too busy making goo-goo eyes at each other. Hold it. This is the room." Cooper glanced up and down the corridor in his usual cautious manner, despite the fact that it was the middle of the night and the floor was barely occupied. Reassured, he placed his listening device against the door.

"Well? Are they asleep or what?" Wink blinked more rapidly as the time for action drew closer.

"It's quiet. Go ahead insert the hose."

Wink lifted the cloth and unwound a thin hose, carefully feeding one end through the tiny hole in the bottom of the door. He attached the other end to a small tank on the bottom shelf of the cart. When Cooper nodded at him, Wink opened the valve. The gauge indicator dropped as the colorless, odorless gas escaped from its container through the connecting tube. As soon as it read empty, Wink retrieved the hose and plugged the hole.

Five minutes later, Cooper efficiently picked the lock. His lanky partner pulled out the bolt cutters and the chain was split in two. They both donned gas masks and sped the cart into the room, closing the door behind them.

These men were professionals, accustomed to performing their assignments unemotionally and competently. The sensuous scene on the bed momentarily delayed them both. On their sides, the man was cradled in the woman's arms. Cooper and Wink pulled the naked man out of the woman's embrace.

While Wink securely tied the man into a fetal position, Cooper pulled out a huge laundry bag. Spying the clothes on a chair, he stuffed a man's outfit into the bottom of the bag.