Chapter 37
We spent some time going over the list that his computer printed out for us. He highlighted in yellow those he personally knew. He used red for those he knew of who were in positions of power and authority within the government.
"Well, I can see we have our work cut out for us. Unlike you, Tom, I plan on doing something about this right away. Just having the press informed will not do it, here. I really don't know what you were thinking," John said, while shaking his head.
I just nodded, and waited to see what his answer was. That was one reason I had come to this man. He was a politician, and a statesman. He was someone I had come to respect a great deal in a relatively short time. He was a man I esteemed, more than anyone since my parents had died.
He pursed his lips and thought a moment. He took up a pen and paper, wrote down a name, an address and phone number, and gave them to me.
"This is a friend of mine in one of the governmental security arms. I did not see his name on this list, but I want you to check him out for me. If you can clear him for me, then we know that this list is accurate, at least in part.
"Jeffery is the man to take care of this, and get started with cleaning out the rotten elements. But some of these names are in well placed positions, and it will take someone with great authority to dislodge them. That will be Jeffery," he said with finality.
I looked at the paper with the name, address, and phone number on it. I had been given my marching orders. I grinned.
"I am not familiar with this address. Believe it or not, I'm from out of town," I said with tongue in cheek.
"Of course. I will have my driver drop you off close to his home. That should suffice, should it not? Say, tomorrow morning?" he asked.
Which is why I found myself getting out of the back of John's Bentley, late the next morning. I dismissed the driver. I was in a fashionable suburban area. It could have been any upper-middle class suburb in America. I walked down the block, and found the address I wanted. Sighing, I looked closely at the photo that John had given me. I went into the 'between' and got started.
I 'time dived', followed, listened to, watched, eavesdropped, and did my level best to prove that this man was not to be trusted. I spent about as much time on him, or more, than I had on John when I was checking John out.
The end result, was that with only a couple distasteful learning experiences in his youth, Jeffery turned out to be as honorable as I had found John to be, if a bit more stuffy and reserved.
I returned to the 'now', and teleported back to my room at John's house. I went downstairs to find him. He was sitting and having a cup of tea at the informal table off of the kitchen.
"Mission accomplished," I told him.
His eyes widened. "Already? You have only been gone for a little over two hours. I must say, you're very fast," he said to me.
"Thank you. My findings are, that your friend Jeffery is an honorable and trustworthy man. Bit stuffy for my taste; but then, I am not his friend, you are," I said to John.
"Excellent. I am going to invite him over to discus what you have found out. I must admit I am at a loss as to how to explain my having the information I do," John finished in an unsure voice.
"Simple. You were contacted by a person who wants to do right, but is afraid he would get into trouble for hacking. He knew he was onto something, and did as much of the right thing as he could. He turned over what he'd got to you, someone he heard about in the news," I answered him.
"Yes. I can see that having taken place. The data that we have in the files are very incriminating to certain degrees. At a minimum, a lot of people will be resigning. At worst charges can be brought against several members of the government, and of the private sector, if an investigation upholds what is in the printouts," John said excitedly.
We talked about it, and ironed out the weak spots as best we could. John was very deft at pointing out holes in the ideas. We plugged them, and made a workably reasonable solution.
John then called his friend and spoke briefly, if a bit mysteriously. It got Jeffery interested enough to drop what he was doing, and drive over. It was just a little after three in the afternoon, now. Jeffery said he would arrive at around five. John invited him to stay for dinner.
This left me some 'free time', which I decided I was going to devote to Courtney. I tracked her down, out at the stables, running a currycomb over one of the horses. She was definitely 'into horses'.
I greeted her. She smiled at me and asked me what I had been doing today. I told her I had been out exploring London and its environs. She asked how well I knew London, and I replied with not very.
"I know a few spots that are good for dancing. Do you dance, Tom?" she asked me.
"Well, I can manage to avoid stepping on my partners toes, yes," I replied.
"My visit is just about over. I have to drive back home this evening, as I have to be at work first thing in the morning. At least I now know I have a dance partner, when you're around," she said with a smile.
I nodded at her, returning her smile. I felt great! She was interested in me! I felt really good with what she had just said. We talked a bit more, and she moved from horse to horse, as we talked.
"You know, horses are fine; but if you want a work animal, nothing beats a Mule. Missouri Mules, to be exact," I said during a lull in the conversation.
"Mules? Whatever would you do with mules?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, you might load them up, and go into the mountains with them. Explore areas that can only be gotten to by horse or mule. Mules are very sure footed, more so than horses really. I own two Missouri mules, and have used them for gold hunting," I told her enthusiastically.
"That sounds romantic. Being alone in the mountains, exploring. Exciting, too," she finished with a sparkle in her eyes.
"It is all of that, and it's also a bit lonely. I spent a little time prospecting, and it was exciting. It was also very lonely and scary. You're completely alone, and there is no help if you should need it.
"On the other hand, you see things that most people never get to see. A sunrise or sunset in the mountains is spectacular! You discover little secrets almost everyday. Nature is at its rawest and purest, and it is almost heart achingly beautiful," I said with a sigh.
She had finished with the horse and we walked out of the barn. We were now wandering through the garden and talking. Time slipped by, and before we knew it, it was time for supper. A servant had come out to inform us that the meal was nearly ready to be served, and we had a few minutes to clean up if we wished.
We were eating in the main dining room this evening. John's friend had arrived some time while Courtney and I had been talking, and they had been going over the list. Since John was keeping my part a secret even from his friend, and Courtney had not been told anything either, the dinner conversation revolved around how I had first met Lord Avery-Smythe, and of my first visit.
After the evening meal was finished, John hugged Courtney, wishing her a safe trip back to London, then he and Jeffery withdrew to the study to make plans, I assumed. Evelyn went upstairs with her niece and helped her finish packing.
This left me at loose ends. I went outside and waited by Courtney's. A short time later, she and her aunt came out and they hugged and bussed each other's cheek. While this had been going on, I placed Courtney's small suitcase in the backseat of her car. She turned to me, and took both my hands in hers.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Tom. Next time you come over, I insist you take me out dancing," she said with a sparkle in her eyes.
She then kissed my cheek and got into her car. With a wave she went around the circle, and started off down the long driveway. I waved and went back into the house. I was alone, so I teleported up to the tower at the end of the castle. It rose a good ten feet higher than the roof of the house, giving me a fine view of the surrounding area, including Courtney's car which was closing in on the gate to the drive.
I watched her slow down. I was about to turn away, when I saw a man rush the passenger side of the car, yank the door open, and get in! I stared, unable to believe what I was seeing. Another man came into my view from the driver's side, and yanked the door open, and he pulled Courtney out of the car!
He then opened the back door of the car, and pushed her in, getting in behind her. I was about to teleport to the gate area, when the car turned around, and started coming back up the driveway.
I teleported back downstairs, and made my way quickly to the study. I burst in on John and Jeffery.
"I think we have trouble! I saw two armed men stop Courtney's car at the gate, and get in! They are now coming back up the drive. I think we need some help, now," I said quickly.
Jeffery started asking what I was talking about, but John immediately picked up the phone on the desk. He paused, and clicked the disconnect button a few times. He hung up, looking at us.
"The line is dead," he said quietly.
"Anyone have a cell phone?" I asked.
"Mine's upstairs in the charger," John replied.
"I didn't bring mine with me," Jeffery answered
"Someone should warn the servants to stay clear of these people. I'm not sure what they want, but they are armed," I said.
"I'll handle that, and try to get my cell," John said as he left the room.
"I can't believe something like this is happening," Jeffery was saying in a bewildered tone of voice.
We didn't have a long wait to see what was going on. Courtney's car arrived, and the people in it were soon in the house. Courtney looked pale and frightened. Both the armed men were wearing dark clothing, and ski masks. They carried what appeared to be machine pistols of some sort.
Both had a headphone with microphone attached. The microphones came out from under their masks, and were almost lying against their mouths. As soon as they gained entry, one of them said that entry had been achieved. Evelyn confronted the two holding her niece.
"What is the meaning of this? I demand you release my niece and leave this house at once," Evelyn said in a scolding type of voice.
"Listen closely, as I will say this only once. I want everyone in this house here in the hall in one minute, or I start shooting people, starting with this young lady. IS that clear?" masked man on the left said.
I had heard enough. I reached out, and "pushed" the two men into the NTZ. Everyone gasped as the men disappeared. I ignored that, and told Evelyn to take everyone to the family museum, upstairs. She nodded, and started shepherding everyone towards the stairs.
"But what happened to the two men?" I heard Jeffery and Courtney ask almost as one.
I ignored them, and went to a window. Two vehicles were coming up the drive. As I watched, they pulled up a short way from the door. One vehicle disgorged four more armed men, dressed similarly to the two I had placed into the NTZ.
Out of the other vehicle, a man dressed in a business suit (not masked) stepped out, and lit a cigar. The four men rushed the door, and came into the house. They had their weapons out and ready for use. They moved like a well-oiled machine, as if they practiced this type of entry before.
I had stepped into the 'between', just before they entered the house. I listened as they called out for their two other team members. They tried the radios, but no luck.
"Archer, this is Victor six. Victor one and two seem to be missing. No one is where we agreed to meet. I can't raise them on the radio. Do you have commo with them?" one of the masked men said then paused, as if listening.
I looked out the window, and noticed the neatly dressed man speaking as if to the air. I looked more closely, and only then noticed the headphone on his head. It was very small and I had missed seeing it the first time I had seen him. So, he would be 'Archer'.
"Negative. Will proceed with alternate plan. Stay where you are until I send the all clear," mask man said.
I had heard enough. I gently 'pushed' and the four men went into storage in the NTZ. I quickly looked out the window, and put that man into the NTZ, also. That solved the immediate problem, but gave me a larger one. I had just revealed an ability to the three people who had been with me when I put the first two men into the NTZ. I was sure they would quickly come to the conclusion that I had done something, even if not understanding the what or how.
John had not come back downstairs, and I was hoping he had called for help, and that he was with his wife, niece, and guest. I quickly made my way through the rest of the downstairs portion of the house. I didn't run into anyone, not even servants. I hoped that meant that they were in hiding, somewhere.
I went upstairs and started a search there, also. Nothing. I made my way to the family museum. I used the 'between' to assure myself that everyone inside was all right. Then I called out through the door.
"Evelyn? John? Is everyone ok in there? It's me, Tom. Everything out here is clear," I said, and waited.
I heard a bolt being withdrawn from the inside of the door. It opened a little, and I saw John peering through the opening.
"Tom!" he said excitedly, opening the door. "What the hell happened, downstairs?"
"Explanations, later. Did you manage to get through to the police?" I asked.
"No, blast it. There seems to be some sort of interference with my phone. Nothing but static," John answered sourly.
"Ok, I guess there are questions to be asked, and answers to find. There are two cars outside which might hold answers to some of this," I said, trying to stall what I new was coming.
We all trooped downstairs. John said he would tell the servants it was safe to come out. I went outside with Jeffery, and we got started in searching the vehicles. Ten minutes later we had a few answers, and even more questions. We had also found a device in the one vehicle that was a land rover type. It also had all sorts of electronic equipment in it. We found one labeled, 'jammer' and turned it off.
Finally, the servants were back to work, if a bit nervous, and the rest of us were gathered in the study. Everyone was looking at me.
"I think you owe us a bit of an explanation, Tom. Not that we're not grateful, but something has happened that needs to be explained," John said, looking at me intently.
Hell, everyone was looking at me. I sighed.
Edited by TeNderLoin