The Flaming Grenade, page 18
"Let's go," Robert said as they all stood to walk to the car.
Chapter 57
HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA
When they arrived at the lab, the employee, who they discovered was named Ryan, gasped. The parking lot was full of police vehicles, squad cars parked haphazardly with engines running and lights flashing. Officers milled about. As Ashley parked at the far end of the parking lot, they saw four officers escorting two Chinese men out of the building. Robert paled as he recognized them from the night before. Ashley took a deep breath as her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned.
"Serves those bastards right," she growled.
Emily threw open the door and ran towards the officers. One noticed her coming and held out his hands, ordering her to stop. Emily tried to run past him as she screamed for Zaira and Archie. The officer grabbed her around the waist and struggled with her, lifting her kicking feet off of the ground. Robert, Ashley, and Ryan slowly approached, careful to keep their hands in view. Emily was sobbing and struggling. Two other officers noticed the disturbance and came over to help. Ashley started to speak calmly to Emily, exhorting her to calm down and to stop struggling.
The officers eyed the four with suspicion, especially Robert with his injuries.
Robert spoke to one of the newly arrived policemen, "Officer, sorry about Emily there, but our friend works here and he and his new wife were stopping by here on the way to the airport. We would just like to know if they are OK and if those two," he pointed towards the Chinese men being pushed into a patrol car, "hurt them."
"And who are you?" the officer, whose name tag read McAdams, replied, not willing to give out any information to a stranger.
Ryan jumped in, "This is my office! Did they steal or break anything?"
Officer McAdams' attention turned to Ryan, "You work here?"
Ryan nodded.
"Do you have an ID?"
Ryan reached into his pocket and came out with an electronic ID card. He handed it to Officer McAdams, who studied it carefully.
"Come with me. I'm going to need you to walk through and tell us if anything is missing." Ryan followed McAdams toward the building as the remaining two men turned their attention back to the others.
One named Quincy spoke, "So you are?"
"My name is Robert Jawoski, sir, and those two men attacked me and my girlfriend last night." He decided the best way to get information was to admit he was also a victim.
Officer Quincy replied, "those two guys did that to you? Did you report it to the police?"
Robert grimaced, "No, we should have but they threatened to come back if we did and we were scared."
"Was it here?”
“No, it was in Palo Alto. I'm, well we, are professors at Stanford and we were doing some research for our friend Archie who works here."
"What did the guys want?"
"That's just it, I don't know. The stuff we were researching was about World War II, nothing new or fancy, and they wouldn't tell us anything. It was really weird, the whole thing, like they were completely nuts."
"Is that right, Miss?" he looked at Ashley.
"Yes, they were totally insane." She looked like she was starting to lose control of her carefully constructed facade. Emily still sobbed, now crying into the officer's shirt. He just stood there, uncomfortable and not knowing what to do.
"We'd like you to provide a statement," he said to both of us. "We can forward it to Palo Alto PD."
"Sure, but we need to know if Archie is all right."
"Look, I don't know who this Archie is, but there was no one else in the building. We found the two guys in some lab after the alarm went off, and they were around all sorts of computers and equipment and stuff, but no one else was there."
Robert looked confused, but relieved. Archie and Zaira must have made it out somehow. His truck was still parked in front of the side entrance, so they must have ditched his car and found another way to the airport.
"What do they do in there, anyway?" Officer Quincy asked.
"All I know is that it is secret research, DoD stuff or something." Robert was elaborating a bit. "The owner is going to be very upset that people are walking around in there. Maybe that's what it was, a rival company trying to steal technology or something. They must have thought I was involved because I was working with Archie."
"Was your war research part of what they are doing here?"
"I don't think so. Archie made it sound like it was a hobby or something, a personal thing. He just got married today and his wife is from Italy, so maybe it's family research or something. He just had me looking up stuff about the Allies in Italy, that's all."
"Hmmmm. Well, if we find your friends, I'll have them call you, but otherwise, they seem to have gotten away."
Robert thanked the officer and Ashley pulled Emily away.
"They got away sweetie. They aren't here," she said soothingly to Emily.
Emily sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I know, I'm sorry, I just, well, I just..."
"I know, it's OK."
They decided to leave Ryan at the office. He was going to be going through stuff for awhile anyway. Robert figured he could give the police a statement later, and he really needed to sit down and rest, so they drove over to Zaira's house and all went into the living room. Emily was feeling better and offered to make them all drinks. Robert asked for a Perrier. He was still taking pain meds and didn't want to mix them with alcohol. Ashley and Emily each had a glass of wine. They sat, unsure what to do next but knowing there had to be something.
Chapter 58
GUANGZHOU, CHINA
This was getting intolerable, Cheung thought. He couldn't seem to get any competent help, even from his most trusted men. Lee had been out of communication all day, and Cheung finally learned that he was in jail for breaking into a secret laboratory facility. What did that have to do with anything? On top of that, they had a lead on the badges but hadn't shared the information with anyone yet. During their last contact, Lee reported they were following a lead but didn't know if it was credible yet. He promised to call as soon as he had any good information. He was arrested before he was able to make any calls. So far, California had been a dead end.
Sung called from Sicily after spending the day searching the Chiesa Madre in Trecastagni. The old priest was smart. Cheung knew he was breaking their deal, as he had always intended to, but because of the nature of the agreement, Antonelli held all of the cards. He knew where the items were hidden, and he had nothing to lose through his silence.
Cheung, on the other hand, had everything to lose, and Antonelli knew it. Cheung hated being in this position. He was used to being in the position of power and authority. He always thought things would work out his way because things always had. He was brutal and uncompromising, and he always won. Always.
The badges had to be in the church, they just had to be. He ordered Sung to resume the search in the morning. He didn't want Antonelli to die, but wanted him to be extremely uncomfortable. He had a feeling Antonelli wouldn't budge, but that didn't mean Cheung couldn't make his life miserable in the process. It would serve him right.
Cheung had a feeling he was going to have to travel to Sicily. He despised traveling, leaving the comforts of his palatial home. At home, everything was in order, exactly as he wished it. In Sicily, he would have to deal with the Sicilians. What a disaster this had become.
Chapter 59
TRECASTAGNI, SICILY, ITALY
I woke up lying on my back. The sheet was down around our waists and Zaira's arm rested across my chest. I turned to gaze at her; a strand of her hair tickled my nose. I was a very happy man. It was still dark outside. I wasn't used to the time change yet and knew I wasn't going to fall back to sleep anytime soon. I was also starving.
I carefully lifted Zaira's arm and slipped out of bed. The tile floor was cold on my bare feet. I went to the bathroom and quietly shut the door before turning on the light. I used the toilet and then looked at myself in the mirror as I washed my hands. I was looking a bit tired. A lot had happened in the last few days. For a moment, when I looked at my new wife, I had forgotten just how much of a mess we were really in.
My cell phone was in the front pocket of my backpack. Luckily, being the tech geek that I am, I had purchased an unlocked phone so that it would work overseas. I knew my call was going to cost a fortune on my U.S. cell phone plan, and I made a mental note to buy a local sim card the next day. I would just have to use the internet to communicate back to the states, but first I was going to have to suck up the price and call Robert and then Emily.
I was sure they were worried sick about us, especially considering my truck was still parked at work and those Chinese hooligans had crashed through the door. I hoped the police responded to the alarm in time. It took me a minute to remember how to dial an international number, and I only remembered the right country code for the states because it was always listed on the calling cards they sell at the gas station. You always dial 001 first.
The call to Robert's cell was picked up on the second ring and a frantic Robert answered the phone.
"Dude, where are you?"
"Hey, man we are cool. We caught an earlier flight and we are just about to take off for the transatlantic." I made up the story on the go to avoid divulging the whole teleportation thing. It was bad enough the two goons saw me disappear in the lab. Hopefully, everyone would just think they were crazy and discount their story. I'm sure the owner would be able to come up with something to tell the media.
Speaking of which, I was a little worried about my job. I mean, I wasn't really authorized to use the teleporter as a personal travel device. But on the other hand, I proved that it worked, and that was worth something, right?
"Why didn't you call? We've been worried sick bro!"
"Sorry man, we didn't have time. In order to catch the earlier flight, we had to board immediately. Hey, what happened to the two dudes by the way?"
"Apparently the silent alarm alerted the police and they showed up and found the guys in some lab. I told the cops about last night, so they aren't going anywhere. With the charges from last night and the stuff from today, they should be lookin' through bars for a while."
"Let's hope so." I thought of how much the call was costing me and realized that at that moment I didn't really care. "Have you seen Emily?"
"She's right here, let me put her on."
Emily came on the line. "Robert, are you all right? How 'bout Z? How is she doing?"
I chuckled. "We're fine. Thanks for your help by the way. You gave us just the amount of extra time we needed."
"I was so freaked out, especially when we saw the door to your office! I totally went nuts on some cop's uniform crying hysterically! And he was cute too!" At that, I knew Emily was just fine.
"Listen, we gotta board our plane, and Z's in the restroom. We'll call you from Italy OK? Can I talk to Robert again?"
Robert took the phone from Emily. "What's up?"
"How's Ash?"
"Actually she’s doing great, considering."
"Good. Listen. I think we should meet with your computer guy. Will he let me into his virtual room or whatever?"
"He should. Let me ask him and I'll tell you when you get there."
"Okay. I'm gonna try and get a local phone there, but I'll probably just email you, so if you set a time with him, just shoot me an email. And don't forget directions. I don't know where to go once I'm in."
"No problem."
"Hey, we gotta board. Thanks man.”
"Sure. Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up the phone and sat there on the toilet. I shivered. I really wanted to jump back into the warm bed next to Zaira. I turned out the lights and, after waiting for a moment for my eyes to adjust, walked over and crawled into bed. Zaira rolled onto her side and muttered something in her sleep. I lay awake thinking about what we were going to do next, until I finally drifted back into sleep.
Chapter 60
TRECASTAGNI, SICILY, ITALY
Sung woke Archbishop Antonelli up before the sun the next morning. Antonelli ached from sleeping on an unfamiliar bed, and he stretched and groaned, trying to get the blood flowing through his old muscles. He called his assistant in Catania the night before, making up a story about staying in Trecastagni for a day or two at the request of the local priest. Antonelli could tell the assistant didn't quite believe his story, but who was he to question the Archbishop? Sung kicked the bed and Antonelli sat up. They slept in a spartan room of bunk beds. The room was seldom used, but originally designed to house visiting priests and monks as they came through town, especially on holy days and during festivals. Nowadays, most stayed in local hotels, but every once in a while a priest with few wants or needs would still utilize the bunk room.
Luckily, the room had been empty the night before, like it had been for weeks. Antonelli made the arrangements and got the key from the local priest. He insisted the archbishop stay in his quarters, but Antonelli refused, stating he was just a humble visitor, and as such, he would use the visitor's quarters. However, Antonelli couldn't refuse the man's invitation to dinner; it would have been suspicious.
Sung, after hiding Luigi's body, knocked on the side door. Antonelli let him in and then explained that he must attend dinner at the parochial house. Sung didn't like it, but agreed it would create more questions if he did not attend.
Sung made it very clear, however, that should Antonelli not return immediately after dinner, the local priest would be brutally tortured and killed. After what he had seen that afternoon, Antonelli didn't dare take the threat lightly. He excused himself after the final course was served and retired back to the bunk room. Antonelli knelt at the small altar in the corner to say evening prayers, and then fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.
After allowing only seconds for Antonelli to wake, Sung grunted for Antonelli to get moving. When Antonelli didn’t immediately respond, Sung viciously pushed him out of bed. The rough-hewn wooden floor scraped his knees, and he cried out involuntarily. Supporting his weight with his right elbow, then a hand on the bed, Antonelli slowly rose to one knee and then to his feet. He padded to the toilet and put on yesterday's clothes, which were hanging on a peg. His mouth was dry, and he desperately wanted to brush his teeth, but Sung was too impatient for a morning routine.
"We should get some breakfast first," Antonelli said. Sung had to eat, right?
"We'll go to the cafe near the church. No funny stuff." Sung clearly learned English from watching American movies.
They walked around the corner and down the block to the cafe. Antonelli felt much better after drinking a caffè and getting some food into his stomach. Recognizing the Archbishop, the owner of the store refused to let him pay. Antonelli, as was customary, promised to bless the owner and his store.
Sung was getting impatient, so Antonelli left the store and they returned to the church. When they got there, Antonelli went to unlock the door and noticed it was unlocked. He knew he had locked it the night before and wondered who could have been in the church. He turned the key anyway, pretending to unlock the door. It may not help him, but he figured it was one more thing he knew and Sung didn't. If nothing else, it made Antonelli feel better.
Sung began searching the church after asking Antonelli, once again, where the badges were hidden. Antonelli again refused to answer and busied himself by praying and reading from the Bible, trying to ignore the desecration of a sacred chapel.
Chapter 61
HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA
Robert sent a text to Cecil requesting another meeting. In a room off the downstairs hallway in Zaira's house, now Zaira and Robert's house, he found a small study. The room was barely ten foot square. It consisted of a small hardwood writing desk, a small bookshelf and a stack of plastic crates in one corner. There was no window in the room and no overhead lighting. Robert switched on a desk lamp. He noticed on the back wall barely visible seams in the outline of a door. The door would have led into the kitchen. He thought about the floor plan of the house and figured the door was right where the refrigerator stood now. The room must have served as some sort of storage or cold pantry before the kitchen was remodeled.
The room was kind of quaint. Most people would have just turned it into storage space, but it worked well as a small computer room and study. On the table sat a flat screen computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse, with cords to connect a laptop. Robert sat at the desk and powered on his computer. As he waited for it to boot, he glanced at some of the books on the bookshelf. Most of them appeared to be textbooks from Zaira's college days.
The computer booted up and Robert logged in. He immediately opened a web browser and logged into the virtual world. When he arrived in Cecil's dominion, Cecil was sitting on a couch making out with a female avatar, complete with a pin-up girl tattoo on her forearm. When Cecil noticed Robert, he pushed the girl onto the floor and then rudely sent her away. Robert never got into any online virtual relationships. Not only did it do nothing for him, but he was terrified the girl he chose would in real life be a fat slob of an old man living in his mother's basement.
"Are we alone now?" Robert's avatar asked.
"Yes, sorry about that. I was waiting for you and she asked to come in, so I took advantage. What's up?"
Robert sat on the couch and crossed his legs. He began to explain to Cecil what had happened since they last spoke. Cecil listened intently, and Robert could tell he was getting excited at the challenge. Somehow Cecil's foray into the classified Italian system had been recognized and traced back to the states. Then, someone with great skill had narrowed the search for anyone searching for similar subjects. The person had been able to quickly backtrack through proxy servers to locate and identify Robert, all in a relatively short span of time. It required someone with great skill and resources to accomplish all of that so quickly.
