CHAPTER 12
Temporary HQ
Bradley Talmadge and Isaac Mentnor were busy synthesizing the data on the congressional party. In particular they were looking for anyone with an obscure past and/or with experience with explosives.
"Senator Mercer-Fuld is well liked in her home state but not on the A list in DC," noted Bradley. "She has made several decisions in the past few months that were unpopular on the Hill."
"Enough for murder?" Isaac questioned.
"I doubt it. I know Helene. She's not afraid to speak her mind and that makes people nervous."
Isaac digested this information. "Look here." He drew Bradley's attention to his computer screen. "Her senior aide is ex-army."
"He's also her godson," Bradley commented. "I don't see any motive. They get along well."
He returned his attention to his computer. "Congressmen Martinelli and Ho both have ex-military personnel on their staffs. Martinelli has Carter, an ex-marine and Hobkirk, ex-army, with him on this trip. Ho has Inowe on his staff. She's naval reserve."
"She's also Daniel Inowe's daughter," Isaac commented.
"Senator Inowe?" Bradley asked. Isaac nodded. "What about Fisher?" Bradley asked.
"Fisher has no military on his staff. He himself is a veteran of the Six Day War." Isaac supplied. "He has announced his retirement from public office next year."
A telephone ringing interrupted the men. Bradley answered, "Hello?" He listened for a moment then held out the phone to Isaac. "For you," he said.
*************
Socorro
Craig Donovan waited patiently in the hotel lobby. He thumbed through a magazine and checked his watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. The click of high-heeled shoes made him look towards the front desk. He watched Donna Elesee have Isaac Mentnor called and be given the phone. She appeared satisfied with the answer she got and hung up quickly.
The long drive from Alamagordo had cooled Donna Elesee's anger and left her with worry in its place. As Donna hung up the phone and turned to wait for Isaac she heard someone call her name. Looking up she saw Verbena Beeks walking towards her.
"I thought that was you," Verbena said. "How did the meeting is Alamogordo go?"
Donna half smiled, half grimaced. "You know how these things are, Verbena. S.O.S. What brings you to Socorro?"
"I'm meeting someone for dinner," Verbena answered.
Curiosity peeked, Donna asked, "Anyone I know?"
"No," Verbena answered.
"Actually, yes," Craig said as he approached the women. "Nice to see you again, Dr. Elesee." He greeted Donna with a smile.
"Mr. Donovan, I wish I could say the same," was Donna's terse reply.
Verbena decided to get between these two before tensions ran any higher. "I'm just famished. Craig, can we get going?" she asked him. Without waiting for a reply she turned to Donna and said, "The report you were looking for this morning is in your office. See you in the morning." She turned and began to walk towards the door. Craig had no choice but to follow her.
Donna was still standing by the desk staring after the long gone couple wondering what report Dr. Beeks was referring to when Isaac Mentnor appeared.
"Donna, what a lovely surprise," Isaac gushed at her.
"I was on my way back from a full day of governmental meetings and thought we could have dinner," she explained. "What do you say?"
"I'd love to." Isaac replied as he offered her his arm to take. They strolled out the door together.
On the road
About 20 miles from Stallion's Gate, Admiral Al Calavicci parked his car on the side of the road and opened the onboard link with Ziggy. His passenger Frank Parker had taken a short walk to stretch is legs and relieve his bladder. Al received a full update on the situation at Project Quantum Leap. Ziggy informed him that most of the senior staff was in or leaving shortly for Socorro for assorted reasons, Dr. Fuller had returned and that Security Chief Reed wanted to speak with him on his arrival.
Standing by the cactus in the darkness Frank Parker weighed his options. He could make a run for it but he wasn't too keen on his chances in the desert at night alone with no supplies. Car jacking the convertible was out. It was too unique to hide from cops and had that onboard link to the QL computer. He could stay with Calavicci and see how this played out. Calavicci was all right, seemed to understand where he was coming from and besides, he was stuck in Dr. Beckett's body. Frank idly wondered if Olga liked older men as, decision made, he walked back to the convertible.
Al watched the silhouette of Sam Beckett's body as it walked towards the car. The admiral had taken a calculated risk letting Parker wonder off into the desert alone. He was pleased to see that he had not misjudged the man. Parker may be a hot-tempered loose cannon but he wasn't dumb.
Frank opened the passenger door and let himself back in the car as Al asked who was manning the control center. A rich alto voice answered him "I am" in a very petulant tone. Parker grinned.
"Secretary?" he asked Al as the admiral closed the communication line.
"Don't let her hear you say that" Al warned. "She thinks she runs the project."
Frank laughed, then asked, "So where to now?"
"Now we go home. I'll give you the grand tour of the place," Al offered.
**********************
Karaoke Bar
Having devoured the pile of wings and on their second round of beverages the Backstep group at the Karaoke Bar decided to order dinner. This was a steak house after all. As their meal arrived the lights on the stage came up and a Native American Elvis Impersonator took the stage. He introduced himself as Elvis Redwing, the emcee for this evening, and began to sing "Play House", an early Presley hit.
Sam looked down at the steak he was cutting on his plate and suddenly flashed on a luncheonette circa 1950's. He had a guitar in his hands and was standing on the counter singing this very same song and doing a better job of it. Then just as suddenly, the thought? memory? vanished.
After completing the song Elvis the emcee explained the rules of performing, how to pick your song and how to let him know that you wanted to sing. The crowd contained half a dozen regulars, whom Elvis called upon to entertain while the "newbies" read through the music menu and filled out the performance requests provided by the wait staff.
Sam spent the meal trying to reason out Parker's musical taste. He was from Philadelphia so probably preferred rock to country. He didn't appear to be very religious so gospel was out and Sam also ruled out show tunes as too 'fluffy' for Frank's taste. Frank was also about a decade younger than himself so Sam ruled out anything from the fifties era.
"Jesus Christ, Parker, it's a song, not a lifetime commitment." Nate Ramsey interrupted Sam's thoughts.
"Picking just the right one is an art, Ramsey," Sam countered. "But then, I can't expect a connoisseur of elevator music to understand that."
Ballard, who was keeping score of the ongoing verbal tennis match said, "Point to Frank."
"I'll show you art," Nate glared at Sam as he pulled the music menu out of Sam's hand. He quickly wrote a song on the request form and shoved it into the hand of a passing waitress.
"Nate, you don't have to do that," Olga softly said.
"I'm not about to let the city boy show me up," Nate responded hotly. Sam had to repress a smile of amusement at the term 'city boy'. Frank may be from Philly but Sam Beckett was raised on a dairy farm in Indiana.
Sam realized that Olga was watching him in anticipation of a response. Rather than disappoint her he said, "No skin off my nose if he wants to sing."
The first of the 'newbies' to sing that evening was a trio from the nurses' table doing a Dixie Chicks hit. They were followed by a businessman who sang a very off-key version of "Elvira." Sam excused himself from the table and headed off to the men's room.
Temporary HQ
Bradley Talmadge and Isaac Mentnor were busy synthesizing the data on the congressional party. In particular they were looking for anyone with an obscure past and/or with experience with explosives.
"Senator Mercer-Fuld is well liked in her home state but not on the A list in DC," noted Bradley. "She has made several decisions in the past few months that were unpopular on the Hill."
"Enough for murder?" Isaac questioned.
"I doubt it. I know Helene. She's not afraid to speak her mind and that makes people nervous."
Isaac digested this information. "Look here." He drew Bradley's attention to his computer screen. "Her senior aide is ex-army."
"He's also her godson," Bradley commented. "I don't see any motive. They get along well."
He returned his attention to his computer. "Congressmen Martinelli and Ho both have ex-military personnel on their staffs. Martinelli has Carter, an ex-marine and Hobkirk, ex-army, with him on this trip. Ho has Inowe on his staff. She's naval reserve."
"She's also Daniel Inowe's daughter," Isaac commented.
"Senator Inowe?" Bradley asked. Isaac nodded. "What about Fisher?" Bradley asked.
"Fisher has no military on his staff. He himself is a veteran of the Six Day War." Isaac supplied. "He has announced his retirement from public office next year."
A telephone ringing interrupted the men. Bradley answered, "Hello?" He listened for a moment then held out the phone to Isaac. "For you," he said.
*************
Socorro
Craig Donovan waited patiently in the hotel lobby. He thumbed through a magazine and checked his watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. The click of high-heeled shoes made him look towards the front desk. He watched Donna Elesee have Isaac Mentnor called and be given the phone. She appeared satisfied with the answer she got and hung up quickly.
The long drive from Alamagordo had cooled Donna Elesee's anger and left her with worry in its place. As Donna hung up the phone and turned to wait for Isaac she heard someone call her name. Looking up she saw Verbena Beeks walking towards her.
"I thought that was you," Verbena said. "How did the meeting is Alamogordo go?"
Donna half smiled, half grimaced. "You know how these things are, Verbena. S.O.S. What brings you to Socorro?"
"I'm meeting someone for dinner," Verbena answered.
Curiosity peeked, Donna asked, "Anyone I know?"
"No," Verbena answered.
"Actually, yes," Craig said as he approached the women. "Nice to see you again, Dr. Elesee." He greeted Donna with a smile.
"Mr. Donovan, I wish I could say the same," was Donna's terse reply.
Verbena decided to get between these two before tensions ran any higher. "I'm just famished. Craig, can we get going?" she asked him. Without waiting for a reply she turned to Donna and said, "The report you were looking for this morning is in your office. See you in the morning." She turned and began to walk towards the door. Craig had no choice but to follow her.
Donna was still standing by the desk staring after the long gone couple wondering what report Dr. Beeks was referring to when Isaac Mentnor appeared.
"Donna, what a lovely surprise," Isaac gushed at her.
"I was on my way back from a full day of governmental meetings and thought we could have dinner," she explained. "What do you say?"
"I'd love to." Isaac replied as he offered her his arm to take. They strolled out the door together.
On the road
About 20 miles from Stallion's Gate, Admiral Al Calavicci parked his car on the side of the road and opened the onboard link with Ziggy. His passenger Frank Parker had taken a short walk to stretch is legs and relieve his bladder. Al received a full update on the situation at Project Quantum Leap. Ziggy informed him that most of the senior staff was in or leaving shortly for Socorro for assorted reasons, Dr. Fuller had returned and that Security Chief Reed wanted to speak with him on his arrival.
Standing by the cactus in the darkness Frank Parker weighed his options. He could make a run for it but he wasn't too keen on his chances in the desert at night alone with no supplies. Car jacking the convertible was out. It was too unique to hide from cops and had that onboard link to the QL computer. He could stay with Calavicci and see how this played out. Calavicci was all right, seemed to understand where he was coming from and besides, he was stuck in Dr. Beckett's body. Frank idly wondered if Olga liked older men as, decision made, he walked back to the convertible.
Al watched the silhouette of Sam Beckett's body as it walked towards the car. The admiral had taken a calculated risk letting Parker wonder off into the desert alone. He was pleased to see that he had not misjudged the man. Parker may be a hot-tempered loose cannon but he wasn't dumb.
Frank opened the passenger door and let himself back in the car as Al asked who was manning the control center. A rich alto voice answered him "I am" in a very petulant tone. Parker grinned.
"Secretary?" he asked Al as the admiral closed the communication line.
"Don't let her hear you say that" Al warned. "She thinks she runs the project."
Frank laughed, then asked, "So where to now?"
"Now we go home. I'll give you the grand tour of the place," Al offered.
**********************
Karaoke Bar
Having devoured the pile of wings and on their second round of beverages the Backstep group at the Karaoke Bar decided to order dinner. This was a steak house after all. As their meal arrived the lights on the stage came up and a Native American Elvis Impersonator took the stage. He introduced himself as Elvis Redwing, the emcee for this evening, and began to sing "Play House", an early Presley hit.
Sam looked down at the steak he was cutting on his plate and suddenly flashed on a luncheonette circa 1950's. He had a guitar in his hands and was standing on the counter singing this very same song and doing a better job of it. Then just as suddenly, the thought? memory? vanished.
After completing the song Elvis the emcee explained the rules of performing, how to pick your song and how to let him know that you wanted to sing. The crowd contained half a dozen regulars, whom Elvis called upon to entertain while the "newbies" read through the music menu and filled out the performance requests provided by the wait staff.
Sam spent the meal trying to reason out Parker's musical taste. He was from Philadelphia so probably preferred rock to country. He didn't appear to be very religious so gospel was out and Sam also ruled out show tunes as too 'fluffy' for Frank's taste. Frank was also about a decade younger than himself so Sam ruled out anything from the fifties era.
"Jesus Christ, Parker, it's a song, not a lifetime commitment." Nate Ramsey interrupted Sam's thoughts.
"Picking just the right one is an art, Ramsey," Sam countered. "But then, I can't expect a connoisseur of elevator music to understand that."
Ballard, who was keeping score of the ongoing verbal tennis match said, "Point to Frank."
"I'll show you art," Nate glared at Sam as he pulled the music menu out of Sam's hand. He quickly wrote a song on the request form and shoved it into the hand of a passing waitress.
"Nate, you don't have to do that," Olga softly said.
"I'm not about to let the city boy show me up," Nate responded hotly. Sam had to repress a smile of amusement at the term 'city boy'. Frank may be from Philly but Sam Beckett was raised on a dairy farm in Indiana.
Sam realized that Olga was watching him in anticipation of a response. Rather than disappoint her he said, "No skin off my nose if he wants to sing."
The first of the 'newbies' to sing that evening was a trio from the nurses' table doing a Dixie Chicks hit. They were followed by a businessman who sang a very off-key version of "Elvira." Sam excused himself from the table and headed off to the men's room.