The Gravity of Anti-Gravity (25 page)

On our way up the mountain the overcast burned off and the sky turned to bright sunshine. I looked at Stella and told her something I’d never said before. “I can’t ever remember having this feeling of utter freedom before. Ever since my parents died I’ve felt like a weight has hung around my neck. I needed to please everyone around me, be a good student, help around the house and excel at everything even when it wasn’t necessary. Stella, I don’t know if it’s you, the car or the fact that we are playing hooky but I wish it didn’t have to end.”

“Bill I’m feeling a nice release too. Let’s just enjoy this time together today.” Stella added.

I pulled into a small picnic area that I was familiar with. Brenda and I had been there many times in the past. It had picnic tables, some trees for shade, small patches of grass and a spectacular view of the sprawling valley below. We carried our provisions over to the table at the far end of the area. It was the most secluded spot available and the farthest from the small parking lot. We were sitting on the table top with our feet on the seats when I turned toward Stella and kissed her on the corner of her mouth. She turned toward me and we made out passionately for half an hour. We’d start, stop, take in the view, start again, stop and take in the view some more.

Stella pushed me away gently and said, “If we don’t stop now lover boy, they will be arresting us for lewd behavior. And the FBI guys would certainly get an eyeful.”

“Isn’t there some kind of attorney client bond of silence between the FBI and the people they are protecting?” I asked joyfully.

“What are you now, a stand up comedian?” Stella asked.

“But seriously folks, I mean Stella, I do have a crazy question for you. Is it possible for a man to be in love with two fantastic women at the same time?” I asked.

“Bill, we’ve broached this subject before and I want you to know that I care for you deeply and I absolutely love our time together. But before I enter any kind of committed relationship, I’ve got to finish my adopted mission; to get your device to market. If that means I have to give up some things then, so be it. And Bill I want you to understand that if you want to continue to see Brenda while we continue to enjoy our arrangement, I’m fine with it for now.”

OK, I thought. I got my answer. Stella had offered me the best option possible for now. I decided I liked the status quo.

A little after two o’clock, we packed up and went to the car. I waved at the security guys and told them we were returning to JPL. We arrived about three, went to our office and began recapping the possible scenarios for the next day.

“Stella, I just thought of something. We’ve spent so much time on the potential problems getting to D.C. we haven’t discussed our meeting with the President.”

“Bill, I don’t think that meeting will help much,” explained Stella. “Never forget this guy is the Politician-In-Chief and if we get more than ten minutes with him I’d be surprised. Since our little project is supposed to remain secret, for now, it can’t help him politically. Let’s make sure we ask Vaughn how much the President knows about the criminals coming after us as well as the technical aspects and potential benefits of your device.”

“I understand. Now let’s go to the conference room it’s almost four.”

When we got to the conference room, Vaughn and Jerry and one other man were already there going over some paperwork.

“Greetings sports fans.” I said.

“Mr. Burton and Dr. Morton I want to introduce Felix Alvarez.” Vaughn said. “Felix is our liaison with the CIA. Since we suspect some of the people pulling the strings on the attacks are based overseas, it’s the CIA’s job to investigate there.

“Before we start,” Stella interjected, “we were curious. How much does the President know about Bill’s invention and what will he know about all the attempts to steal it?”

“I really can’t answer that for sure but he probably knows a lot. If he doesn’t, one of his staffers will brief him before you meet with him so assume he will be well informed,” answered Vaughn.

“What’s the plan to keep Dr. Morton and me alive past tomorrow?” I questioned.

“Lieutenant Smith will elaborate on those details,” Vaughn answered.

Jerry took over the recap of the plan. “First I will meet Bill at his home at 4:00 AM. The driver of the limousine is scheduled to pick us both up at 4:15 AM. Dr. Morton, you will be picked up at 5:10 AM. I will come to your door and escort you to the limo.”

“On the itinerary that Cushing gave you,” Jerry continued, “he identifies the plane as a Gulfstream G350 with the identification numbers LS45399. I contacted the contractor who rents these planes and crew to the government. He’s been doing it for over twelve years and looks legit. He confirmed that it is his plane and that it is supposed to be at Burbank Airport tomorrow by 5:30 AM., to pick up three passengers and fly them to Reagan National in Washington D.C. He gave me all our names. He also sent over pictures of the pilot, co-pilot and flight attendant who will be your crew.”

“We will have two security teams following the limo and three more traveling parallel routes so that they can respond in less than two minutes if required. We will have eleven men in civilian attire positioned in the terminal near where the plane will be parked. We will have six other men dressed as baggage handlers and technicians near the plane”

“When you get to the plane, the flight crew has instructions to meet you at the bottom of the stairway. We will compare the flight crew with their pictures. If the crew matches the pictures, we will board the aircraft. The flight is scheduled to depart at 5:45 AM and arrive at 1:38 PM, D.C. time, giving us ample time to make the 3 PM meeting with the President.”

“The security protocols between Reagan National and the White House are similar to the protocols we are using on this end. We will spend the night in the Senator Hotel in
Washington D.C. and will fly home Thursday morning so pack accordingly. I will brief you on the security details of our return trip during our flight to D.C. Do you have any questions?”

With that I stood up and clapped. Then Stella joined in and soon both Vaughn and Alvarez were clapping too. Bring it on Cushing, I thought, just bring it on!

-32-

The next morning my alarm went off at 3 AM. I had my suitcase packed and my clothes laid out. At 4 AM there was a gentle knock on the front door. I looked out and it was Jerry. He came in and promptly at 4:15 the limo pulled up. We got in, picked up Stella and proceeded toward the airport. The trip was uneventful. We walked to the plane, checked the crew, went up the steps and took our seats. Within twenty minute we were airborne.

“Maybe my suspicions were wrong,” Stella said sounding disappointed.

“Maybe Cushing was tipped off,” Jerry said. “Or maybe his people will try to take you on the D.C. side of the flight, after we meet with the President. Cushing didn’t get to where he is because he’s stupid.”

After the flight attendant gave us a light breakfast the three of us decided to take a nap. About three hours into the flight, Stella’s phone rang. It was Rolf.

Stella listened intently, said several uh huh’s and OK’s and hung up.

Quietly Stella related the gist of her conversation. “Remember the bug we attached to the foot of Cushing’s brief case. Well today it started transmitting again. Rolf figured the bug went silent because it had either fallen off or Cushing had changed brief cases. Apparently it was the latter and he decided to switch back to the same brief case he used when he was with us.”

“Did Rolf hear anything juicy?” I asked.

“Jerry, you were right,” Stella said. “Cushing was tipped off about the elaborate preparations to get us to D.C so he backed off. Whoever he was talking to said they expected counter measures and they would take care of everything according to some alternate plan. Neither man said what that plan was. It sounded like Cushing gave the man some money because there was an argument about the amount. Cushing reassured the man that he would be paid in full when the operation was completed.”

“To play devil’s advocate,” I interjected. “We were never mentioned in the conversation you just related. It sounded like it could refer to any general operation that he may be working on. Is the bug still continuing to work? Maybe Cushing discovered the bug and is feeding us some crap. I wonder where he learned that trick.” I added.

“Good points Bill,” Jerry said. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions until we know for sure. Rolf did say they discussed elaborate preparations in D.C. so it’s got to be us. If Rolf gets more definitive intel, he needs to let us know.”

“He will,” Stella said, “he will.”

It was precisely 1:38 PM, D.C time, when our wheels touched down. The plane taxied to what looked like a special government area. There was a limo waiting along with several men in suits. After we deplaned, Agent Willis Thompson, a trim black man about 45 years old, introduced himself and the other men. They all showed us their badges and Thompson’s picture matched the photo Jerry had of him.

The three of us along with Thompson entered the limo for our trip to the White House.

“I’m going to ride along,” Thompson said. “I am heading up your security detail in D.C. so on our way to the White House I’d like you elaborate on the attacks from your perspective.”

Stella proceeded to go over the attacks one by one. By the time she had recapped everything we were entering central D.C.

“We are about fifteen minutes early,” I said, “May we drive by some of the monuments? I’ve never been here before.”

“Sure,” Thompson answered, and with that he gave instructions to the driver to take the scenic route. After driving by the Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington monuments and the
Capital Building we arrived at the White House. Thompson got out, talked to the guard and the gate swung open. The car drove up to a side entrance where we went through another check point, were searched and led into the building. Jerry was required to leave his sidearm at this station and was told he could retrieve it when we left.

We took an elevator up to the main floor to a reception area. It was ten minutes before three when we arrived. Promptly at three, an assistant to the President came out and announced, “The President will see you now.”

We were escorted and seated in a small conference room in the interior of the White House. It had no windows.

“I’m a little nervous” I commented.

Jerry agreed but Stella’s response was different. “He’s just a man and I think soon we will find out just what kind of man.”

Fifteen minutes later, the President walked in alone. He was tall and trim and all smiles.

“No introductions necessary” he boasted. “You are William Burton, the inventor of the device; and you are Lieutenant Jerry Smith who is heading up the security on the project; and you must be Dr. Stella Morton, Bill’s guru and advisor. I must tell you Dr. Morton, you are even lovelier than I was told.”

This guy is as charming as they say, I thought, and with his comments I’ll bet he has Stella eating out of his hand before long.

“First I’d like to congratulate Bill on his astonishing discovery. Tell me what possessed you to tackle something like that?” he asked.

“Curiosity, mostly,” I answered. “I had the theory and my grandfather had the tools.”

“Now, as I understand it, you built a mechanical version and not an electronic one; why?” The President asked.

“Expense mostly; the fact that the circuitry and other parts do not exist for an electronic version yet made my decision obvious.” I answered.

“How long do you think it will take to design and build an electronic prototype if we put all the resources needed behind the project?” was the President’s next question.

“I would estimate that to be about nine months to design and another nine months to build; so about a year and a half.” I answered. “What do you think Dr. Morton?”

“I would agree with that estimate, Bill, but if I may, I’d like to change the subject for just a moment.” Stella said.

“Feel free,” the President responded.

“As I expect you are aware,” Stella continued. “We have been the target of several attacks and kidnapping attempts since the knowledge of Bill’s device was leaked to the world. Our manager is still in the hospital as a result of one of these attacks. In addition, we have information that points to someone high up in our government as the origin of the leak.”

“Leaks, what leaks? And you are saying that my people are involved in leaking information?”

“Absolutely Mr. President” I said with new found courage, “and not to make light of our tenuous situation sir, but your government has more leaks than Yankee Stadium on free beer day!”

My comment was designed to lighten the moment which had gotten a little tense and it did. We all laughed and then the President again got serious.

“If my people have leaked any information I will get to the bottom of it. When we find the person responsible, he or she will be immediately removed and appropriate punishment will be administered.” the President responded with a tepid resolve that made me feel as if he was acting.

The President looked at his watch as if to say his time was short and proceeded to looked directly into our eyes one by one. “I have a proposal for you Mr. Burton and you Dr. Morton,” the President said slowly and distinctly. “What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room! Do you understand?”