"Since when is thinking for oneself an asset in a woman?"
Laurie giggled at Oscar's imitation of the mad scientist, then quickly sobered as she realized what heartache his kidnapping of her "boss" had caused.
"I'm glad you can look back on him with humor, Oscar, but I'm just relieved he's gone." Steve said quietly. "Are we sure his "son" was the only one left with knowledge of his technology?"
"Dr. Franklin had an assistant, John Rawlins, but he testified he had no understanding of his work. He's in prison for another five years, pal, for helping steal the weather machine. That's why I think this report of a "robot" is just someone's having had too much to drink." Oscar gave them both a wry grin, then sighed.
"Still, the Anchor Bay base is where our newest research facility is opening, so I want to have someone go in and check it out. Laurie, you're scheduled to go on that Jazz Caravan for Blue Note, right?"
"Yes, this weekend. Jessie B's son is serving at Anchor Bay, so his combo is going to do a special stop there. I can ask a few questions." She replied.
This was great; she could relieve Steve's obvious worry and finish her article at the same time.
Catching the big man's frown out of the corner of her eye, Laurie added, "If I join the group in Seattle, I won't be gone more then two days. That way I'll be back for Rudy's birthday."
At that Steve's expression relaxed. "I can fly you home from Seattle if you like, that way if you find out anything, we can get there fast."
"Thank God Steve was there, it ended up not being too much beer, but a fembot, masquerading as a cook in the base's mess hall. I saw it break into the research lab, and by accident I found out how to stop it by hitting it on the back of the head." Laurie explained, lost in memory.
Rick shook his head, dazed by the fact his wife had taken on some kind of android. "Sweetheart, how did you do that?"
"It was attacking the lab's director, and I wasn't strong enough to pull it off, so I grabbed a Bunsen burner and whacked it on the head. It just seemed to fold in half, then collapsed on the floor. I managed to call Steve and Oscar, and Steve came and helped me transport the fembot back to Washington D.C.. Unfortunately that wasn't the end of it."
Steve supervised the unloading of the crate with the disarmed "Fembot", then held out a hand to a shaky Laurie. "Whether you like it or not, I want Rudy to check you out."
Laurie let him help her down from the plane, then wearily collapsed on the baggage cart next to him. As they rode to the front gate, Laurie gathered her coat around her.
"And here we thought we wouldn't have to face those…those things. I hope they find where this Rawlins escaped to." She shivered then smiled when Steve put his arm around her.
"You did a good job, honey. I'm sorry you got airsick. Here, look who's come to meet us?"
Laurie felt better at the sight of Dr. Rudy Wells, standing by a limo at the airfield gate.
"Need a ride?" he grinned. Steve and Laurie hopped off the cart, then climbed into the car while their cargo was loaded into a secured Army truck.
"Am I glad to see you! After the turbulence we hit…" she sighed, and let Steve fill their friend in on the unwelcome discovery. As they arrived at OSI headquarters, Laurie heard Steve bark "hey!"
Turning around, she gasped as the truck suddenly zoomed past them. "Steve, there goes the fembot!"
"So someone stole it?" Rick filled his wife's glass of ice tea and handled it to her. Taking a sip, she nodded. "It was too much of a coincidence for Oscar when the police found the truck, missing its driver and the robot over by the airport. He immediately put the OSI and FBI on alert for any sightings of John Rawlins. Plus he confined Rudy, Steve and I to headquarters to head off any kidnappings or substitutions of personnel like what happened before to Linda and Callahan. We didn't know it had already happened, though, until I saw something strange about Russ, Oscar's assistant at the time."
"Oscar? Have you seen …?" Laurie came into Callahan's office, then stopped dead in her tracks. In front of her was Russ, adjusting something on Peggy's phone. That wasn't what caught her attention, however. On the back of his neck, it looked almost like, what, a wire sticking out?"
"Laurie? What are you doing here?"
Realizing she was staring, she forced herself to meet his eyes. "Uh, Russ, I was looking for Oscar, do you know where he is?"
"No, so go back to Rudy's lab; you're not supposed to be here." This wasn't the soft-spoken man she'd gotten to know and trust. His voice was almost mechanical…strange….like…
"All right, Russ, but let Oscar know I think I found a clue." Laurie replied carefully, then turned and walked out of the office. Heading out of the executive floor, she immediately "called" to Steve.
"Have you seen Rudy? He was supposed to meet us in the lab and have lunch with us?"
She felt her friend's confusion. "No, he's not here…something's wrong."
"You're telling me, I just saw Russ in Callahan's office, and he has a wire or something sticking out of his neck, like a transmitter or something…" she "told" him. Just then she heard her name called. "Laurie?"
"Never mind, Steve, I just found Rudy." Laurie went toward the lobby and saw him at the rear entrance. "Honey, I think I discovered something." He called, then opened the door and beckoned to her. At once she crossed the room then went through the exit to the garden just outside the parking structure. A dark sedan was at the curb, door open and she followed the doctor as he climbed inside then held out a hand to help her in.
"What is it, Rudy? Did you learn who has the Fembot?"
"Yes, we're going to meet Oscar and Steve over in Silver Spring, I think Rawlins is holed up there." In the dimness of the car Laurie barely could see Rudy's face, and as the sedan took off and exited the parking lot, something didn't feel right.
"This is what you dreamed of this morning, darlin', isn't it?" Rick watched her face as she paused. Instantly she put her head against his shoulder, and his arms went around her.
"Yes, love. It was just like I remember, only I knew I had just "talked" to Steve…why didn't he say anything about leaving the building..except…. That's when I knew something was wrong, and I tried to call to Steve. Only the fake Rudy pulled out a syringe and drugged me. When I woke up, I was strapped to a table, and I saw our Rudy struggling to get free. He'd been beaten and tied to a chair, but he was so worried-looking when I came to."
"Laurie, honey…thank God, are you alright?"
Laurie looked at him, then quavering, asked, "You are Rudy, aren't you?" He looked upset, then nodded. "I'm sorry, Missy, did he hurt you?"
"He was rough with me, Rudy, but I'm okay, just woozy. Where are we?" I tried to see if there was anything I could use to free him or myself.
"About five miles from headquarters, honey. Russ tricked me, but I should have fought back more…." Rudy's frustration caused him to pull at his ropes.
"It's not your fault, Rudy." Laurie was adamant, her anger dissipating her fear. "They must have figured I suspected him. Let me try to reach Steve."
Scarcely had she "called" to him when an older man stepped into the room. "No wonder Colonel Austin came looking for you so soon after you disappeared." Laurie fought against shrinking from him….