CHAPTER FOUR.

It hadn't been easy finding the blueprints and at times he'd broken out in a cold sweat checking his watch and the door constantly, sure he was going to be rumbled any second, but the lab remained reassuringly silent, even the miniature hidden cameras tracking his progress were silent, not that he'd have noticed them anyway, his attention was firmly riveted on one thing only and after several heart stopping minutes he located what he was looking for, in Brain's safe.

He gave a low whistle when he scanned the plans. She was a beaut'. From the notes he'd read, it appeared the parts weren't going to be ready for another couple of weeks, then Brains was going to assemble them on the base. Gordon groaned at the thought of having to wait two whole weeks before he could slide into the pilot's seat and put her through her paces. But on the bright side it gave him fourteen days in which to dream of her, and by the time he came to test the reality; his dream technique would have been honed to perfection. He knew he'd have to make it appear as if he had no knowledge of the new TB4 when his parent presented him with her, that he'd have to feign surprise.  A spot of first rate acting would be called for.

'No problem, I can do that.' It wouldn't be the first time he'd had to, as he cast his mind back to a certain Christmas when he'd located and opened not only his, but everyone else's present's too. His smile dropped slightly when he thought how close he'd come to being caught out, but he'd wriggled his way out of that one by the skin of his teeth and no-one had been any the wiser. 'It will be the same now', he vowed.

********

The five pairs of eyes were watching the accelerated cardiac rhythms of Gordon Tracy on the Bio sensors, but better than that, all had a ring side seat as they observed him in action on the monitor, rooting through various drawers, cabinets and folders in an ever frantic motion. All saw the haste and various expressions of panic crossing his face, the frequent glances at his watch and the door and all exchanged mutual broad grins as they watched him find then pour over the blueprints before returning them to their original place. All nodded with satisfaction as he exited the underground laboratory and headed back for the main part of the house.

"Right boys, he's on his way back. Part two of 'Payback' starts now. Make it look good."

"Sure thing Dad."

Jeff watched as Virgil, John and Scott headed for John's room then turned to Brains, "Right Brains, it's you and me next."

"Ah; er, y-yes Mr. Tracy."

********

"Virg' you ready? He should be walking past anytime now." John prompted. 

"What if he goes the other way?"

"He won't, trust me; this way leads to the pool."

"But he's already had one swim today."

"Since when has that stopped him? Trust me; he will come past here."

John was right as Scott alerted them, all three striking various indolent poses as their brother strolled past John's open door, whistling a tuneless rendition of 'Survivor.' They waited, counting backwards, and were rewarded as the whistling stopped and seconds later Gordon's figure back peddled into view, coming to a halt and leaning nonchalantly against the door frame.

"What are you guys doing hanging around here?" he asked noting John, with his arms folded, slouched against the open door of his balcony, Virgil, hands in pocket, propped up by the bathroom door and Scott, hands clasped behind his head, lounging on John's bed.

"Just waiting for you bro'."

Gordon's eyes narrowed on Virgil, "Yeah right. So why are you hanging around here?"

"Oh; we're trying to figure out the best way to raid those pies Grandma's just pulled from the oven…….." Virgil supplied.

"………while Dad's in a top secret meeting with Brains….." Scott dropped casually. 

All noted the sudden arrested look on their younger brother's face.

"……..you coming?" John added nonchalantly.

"To the meeting?"

"Uh, huh, weren't you listening; that's top secret." Scott replied.

"To figure out a way of getting those pies." Virgil reminded him.

"That's easy; just send in John, it works every time, and no to the latter."

"You ill Gordy?"

"Er, no. Just not hungry."

"Since when? If you're sickening for something……." Receiving a warning dig in the ribs, Scott turned his attention back to John.

"We have a date with those pies, remember?" Catching the wink, Scott turned to Gordon, "Sure you won't join us?" He knew the answer.

********

Gordon waited only long enough to satisfy himself his brothers wouldn't be returning before tip-toeing to the study, unaware his presence had been reported. Pressing his ear up close to the door he strained to hear the conversation from within.

********

"This is going to cost more than I'd anticipated Brains, are you sure of your figures?"

"Uh, y-yes Mr. Tracy."

"In that case, I want you to hold off for a few days."

"D-do you m-mind me asking you w-why, Mr. Tracy?"

Jeff reflected for a moment, "When it comes to his work, I can't fault him, Gordon is professional, dedicated and completely trustworthy…….." Behind the door Gordon beamed, nodding in agreement. "…….outside of the rescue business he is a menace. I can't relax for wondering what prank he's dreaming up next. That boy of mine has being giving us all a hard time lately and I'm not sure he's ready for this new machine. So I'm going to put him on probation…….give him time to prove himself. If he shapes up I'll reconsider giving the go ahead for those blue-prints. In the meantime……."

Gordon's heart sank.

"B-but Mr. Tracy, a lot of time and m-money has already b-been expended o-on t-the new TB4 designs, y-you can't be thinking of s-scrapping it."

Gordon Tracy almost fell to the floor; his heart skipping a beat as he inhaled sharply. He pressed his ear closer to the door, unaware of his parent's ear, two inches from his own, in an identical position on the other side. Jeff pulled his head away from the door and grinned. "I wasn't thinking of scrapping TB4, more, shelving her until Gordon drops those practical jokes of his." Jeff winked at Brains.

'Give up my practical jokes!'

"A-are you g-going to tell him sir?"

"Heck no! The whole point of this exercise is to see if that son of mine can do it without being informed.  Now if you've nothing else…….I have to conclude this meeting, I have some other business to attend to."

"Y-yes Mr. Tracy." Brains waited on Jeff's signal before opening the study door, neither man surprised to find the corridor empty.

Jeff's face creased into a grin, "Okay Brains, now that he's gone, you've got the go ahead, you can make a start on those new designs now."

Brains nodded, "To the specifications you gave me?"

"Certainly…..oh and Brains?"

"Sir?"

"Those alarms are fool proof?"

"N-naturally, Mr. Tracy. The security devices h-have been calibrated to pick up the s-sensors in Gordon's watch. Should he a-approach within two hundred yards o-of the workshop the a-alarms will be activated and trigger the ah new devices in your watches."

Jeff nodded, reassured, "Make sure you keep the locks and alarms activated when you're not down there, we wouldn't want him getting a glimpse of his new baby before we want him to."

"S-sure, thing Mr. Tracy."

********

Gordon paced back and forth in his room, oblivious of the empty crisp packets and discarded clothes he was ploughing through, the worry etched on his brow, as he absently chewed on his lip, replaying the conversation over in his head. His father couldn't shelve those plans, he had to give the go ahead, he just had to. The ball was in his court as to whether his father gave the go ahead or not……but the price he had to pay? 'No practical jokes.' It was an intolerable penalty, he'd suffer withdrawal symptoms, but it would be worth it…….if he could last out that long…… and once he had his new baby…..well……

********

Chapter five should be up in a couple of days.

Gordon's towing the line, or is he?