Chapter 12
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Brad delivered breakfast from a restaurant nearby. The feeling of being trapped in a very nice prison cell gradually came over us. Basically, we watched TV all day. The Giants were playing, and Emily cuddled with me as we watched from the bedroom. They won 6-5 in ten innings in Pittsburgh. Brian Wilson was the winning pitcher.
Brad joined us for delivered pizza and beer that afternoon. We learned more about him and his career. He had served eight years in the Marine Corps and saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan. He didn't share any of his family or personal details with us. He seemed to be a very private person, which probably was for the best. I was interested in his Kevlar vest, and he described two incidents of it saving his life.
As we prepared for bed that evening, Emily asked, "What happens if we open the box and still don't know who killed Mom?"
"Sweetheart, whoever killed your mom will be trying to keep that box from being opened. They're afraid of the evidence she was saving for Agent Hennessey. Once it's opened, they'll no longer be a threat to you unless your mother left more clues that only you would know how to follow."
"Matt, Mom and I had many other code words that would only mean something to me. If any of her messages for me in the deposit box contain those words, then we still may have a problem."
"If you see those code words, you should only tell Agent Hennessey about them in private. At the worst, we may need to send you somewhere safer than here. What would you think about flying to Dublin and spending time with your grandparents?"
"Oh, I'd love that. I'm sure they'd let me."
"I'll bet they'd love to have you based on your experience last summer. The other option would be to go to Iowa and stay with my parents. I know Mom and Dad would love to have you."
"That'd also be great. Or maybe I can spend time with Bob and Judy and help them for a while. I want to learn how their charities work anyway."
"That may be the best idea of all. No one out here knows anything about Bob and Judy. That would be a perfect place to hang out; and you'll learn about their foundations' operations."
"I like that. I'll call them first thing in the morning and see what's possible."
"Good."
She asked, "What's your plan for tomorrow?"
"My team meets again for two hours, and then we meet with a nuclear energy specialist for a couple of hours. I'll be in the lab until 7:00 pm or so."
"Is the nuclear energy specialist Linda Sue Massey, by any chance?"
I stared at her for a moment before I mumbled, "Why do you think that?"
"I smelled Poeme on your shirt collar when you came home the other night."
I'm sure I had the "deer in the headlights" look.
"Emily, nothing happened. She was called in to help out on our project. She didn't know I was there and when she saw me, she came and hugged me. That probably left her perfume on my shirt. But nothing happened." I didn't bother to mention her kissing and groping me.
"You're being defensive. Matt, I trust you. Don't get so excited."
I shook my head. "If you aren't concerned about it, why did you ask? Is this another one of those tests?"
"No sweetheart. You're mine and I'm yours. Nothing will come between us. Believe it or not, I'd like to meet her."
"Oh no, Emily! That's not a good idea."
"Why? I'd love to meet a woman as intelligent and accomplished as she."
"I don't think that's the reason."
"Awww, okay. I guess it would cause too much anxiety for you."
"You're exactly right."
We snuggled in bed that night, as normal, but continued to talk about what could possibly be in the box. Our consensus was that there was money, a will and several other documents. Just what those documents would reveal was the big mystery.
Monday, June 7, 2010
At the team meeting, we were encouraged by progress made by two of our team members who had worked on Sunday. The avionics design was well underway. My first draft of electrical schematics for the solar cells was done and testing started. The super lightweight optics that were currently available on the market were being tested, and the materials engineer had identified a carbon fiber product that he thought would work for the drone frame and skin.
Linda Sue arrived shortly after our meeting and spent the afternoon working with Jeri and me on a fuel cell idea that would generate half of the energy needed during darkness and on cloudy days.
We concluded, early on, that there was no known way to generate enough solar energy to operate the drone during the entire night. When all was said and done, that fuel cell design effort paid off handsomely.
During one of the short breaks we took, Linda Sue pulled a small box out of her purse and handed it to me. It was beautifully gift-wrapped.
"What's this?"
"Just a little gift for your fiancΓ©e."
"You're not going to tell me what it is?"
"I told you that it's something I invented. Just tell her to be careful with it. It may negate the need for a man."
"Oh no. What's in this little box?"
"I want it to be a surprise. Just give it to her after you warm her up a bit. Get her hot and wet and then let her open it and follow the instructions."
"Okay, I suppose."
"But if she doesn't want it or doesn't like it, give it back to me. There are only three in the world at this point, and one is in the Patent Office being evaluated."
"Where's the third one," I asked.
"I use it about every night." She grinned and winked at me.
****
Emily called late afternoon and said Jerry Nix had received the signed agreement from the FBI and that tomorrow would be the big day. She also received a call from Agent Hennessey confirming his attendance. She asked whether I wanted to be there.
"I must be at work, sweetheart. You can handle it. Many interested people will be there with you."
"Brad will go with me at noon. I'll call Agent Hennessey from there to tell him the location."
"That's good. Brad will take great care of you."
"I also talked to Bob, and they are still in Nashville. I outlined our dream of a foundation, and he was thrilled. He definitely wants me to come and spend a few weeks with them."
"That's wonderful, Emily. I'm excited to hear that."
"Please hurry home, Matt. I miss being with you all day."
"I will sweetheart."
****
After dinner and shift change for the bodyguards, Emily and I went to the bedroom and watched TV while cuddling. I warmed her up with deep kisses and sensual caresses for several minutes. Once her motor was running, I pulled out the gift.
"Linda Sue sent you a goodwill gift."
"She knows about me?"
"Of course. I told her I was engaged when I saw her last Friday."
"What is it?"
"I don't know. It's something she invented, and there are only three of them in existence. One is in the U.S. Patent Office now."