Chapter 2 - Cancelled

"We could have done a better job dispersing the chemicals. I told you that stuff needs to be applied with precision so that it doesn't affect the trees or other native vegetation. That spray contraption you came up with had all the finesse of a fire extinguisher!"

Florence was sitting at what she still thought of as Paige's desk. It would make more sense for her to take over Happy's work area, with its extra space, large worktable and nearby ventilation. She would be able to bring over some of her equipment and install it in place of Happy's mechanical paraphernalia. But since she hoped that Happy would one day be back at her old place, it seemed prudent not to. Even though Happy's stuff was gone, the volatile mechanic still might not appreciate the intrusion into her space.

Walter pushed his chair back from his desk, then turned to face her, planting his hands on his hips. Florence shrank a bit, wishing she had waited until Cabe arrived before giving her critique of the last case. "I may not be able to handle the mechanical end of things as well as… my former employee." He glanced at the vacated space near the front door. "But overall the case was a success. A few dead pine trees and rhododendrons doesn't negate the fact that we eradicated an invasive species that was on the verge of destroying virtually all the forests in the Western Carolinas."

"Scorpion used to save the world," Florence muttered under her breath, realizing even as she said it that she was baiting the beast in his den. "Now we're reduced to glorified landscapers!"

"Ms. Tipton," Walter was now looming over her desk. "May I remind you that we still are under contract to Homeland Security, and by extension to any government agency that requests our assistance." He dropped his arms to his sides, shoving his hands in his pockets and turning to pace in the small area between her desk and his. "I realize that… lately… our cases have not been quite as… consequential…"

"… or as lucrative," Florence interjected.

Walter stopped, his chin falling to his chest, acknowledging a truth he couldn't deny. "… or as lucrative as cases we've dealt with in the past. But we are still working cases and we are still getting paid. I have a few good candidates to interview this week. They're… not geniuses but they profess to have the mechanical skills we need. And I'm also looking at a good possibility for Office Manager. He's a young man who's working his way through school, looking to get a degree in Psychology. Once he graduates, he can help with some of our… behavioral science needs. It will be… two birds with one employee."

Cabe walked slowly up to Walter and laid a hand gently on the younger man's shoulder. Florence saw the Homeland agent walk in a moment ago, but Walter hadn't and he jumped at the unexpected contact.

Cabe withdrew his hand, and reached up to remove his sunglasses. "You might want to hold off on offering any permanent positions to anyone, son. I'm more sorry than I can say to have to tell you this, but I've just come from a meeting with Director Carson. Homeland is pulling Scorpion's contract. We won't be getting any more cases from them."

Cabe reached a hand up again, to comfort Walter, but Walter jerked away. He looked up, his eyes blazing with hurt and anger. "They can't do that! Scorpion has an ironclad contract with Homeland. We've completed every case they've given us. Sure, we're a little shorthanded right now, but that's about to change and we'll be back up…"

"Homeland isn't happy with how things have been going, son. Carson says they can terminate the contract based solely on inadequate performance. But he also consulted the US Attorney's office. He claims they told him that the staff changes at Scorpion 2.0 have changed the fundamental makeup of the company, rendering their previous contract with you null and void. They're going to assign an agent to Centipede Partners, to see if their group is a viable option to replace Scorpion."

Walter spun on his heel, pounding a fist in the air. "That's… that's a… a load of crap!"

Florence flinched. Walter had a temper but he almost never swore. He could blister the air with logical arguments to support his side of things, but he rarely resorted to obscenities.

"That may very well be, Walter," Cabe continued in a soothing but practical voice. "Bottom line is, even if they don't terminate the contract officially, Homeland is under no obligation to offer you cases. No cases… no money. Unless you can win over some of those corporate jobs the other side has been landing, you're going to have to downsize just to pay the rent and keep this roof over your head. You might find yourself back to fixing routers."

Walter looked up at that. Even from where she sat to one side of him, Florence could see the deep hurt in his eyes. He was about to lose the company he'd worked so hard to build. Florence wondered if he even understood why. She no longer had romantic feelings for Walter, but she still considered him a friend. A friend who was hard to work with right now, but still a friend. She thought about what she would say to Sly about this development – or if she should even tell him. Would that be equivalent to giving aid and comfort to the enemy? After all, if Homeland pulled their contract, refused to give them cases, the demise of Scorpion 2.0 was all but assured, and with it, the inevitable rise of Centipede Partners.

"I suppose… you'll be… going over to…" Walter gulped. Florence knew he'd never mentioned the other company by name since he'd first learned it at the Gettleman pitch. That was also the last time he'd called Paige by name.

"No! Absolutely not!" Cabe said. He sighed heavily. "I put in my papers, Walter. I'm retiring from Homeland. I told Carson he could take that job and shove it. I miss working with Happy and Toby and the others, but you and me, we go back a whole lot further. Evaluating Centipede Partners would be like betraying my own son. My flesh and blood. I couldn't do that to you."

Walter's eyes brightened for a minute. "Maybe you should," he said. "If you gave them a poor evaluation…"

"You know I couldn't do that, either, Walt. Come on…"

Walter's face fell again. He braced his arms against Florence's desk, and leaned forward. Then he pushed off again, turning away to face the back of the garage. "No," he said in a very small voice. "No, I suppose you couldn't. I… I shouldn't have even suggested it."

Cabe walked up behind Walter and placed an arm around his shoulder. Florence got up from her desk and stood behind the two of them. She knew she wasn't close to these two men; and she might even be intruding; but she wanted them both to know she would stick by them.

"Walter," Cabe said. "We'll figure out something. We always do. And Scorpion 2.0 will get back on its feet, Homeland or no Homeland. You've got Florence here, who's brilliant with the chemistry; and I'll be sticking around as long as you'll have me."

"I appreciate that, Cabe," Walter said, his voice cracking with a sour chuckle. "But I can barely manage to pay Florence. I don't know where I'll come up with money to pay you, too."

Cabe laughed. "I've got a good pension, Walt. As long as you've got a pot of coffee ready when I come in in the morning, that's all the pay I need."

May 13, 2018 words