25
Intentional End
Chapter 4
August 24, 25, 26
Friday Evening through Sunday Evening
Bobby and Gleason spent the weekend together at the apartment in Evanston. Although, 'together' is a relative term. Gleason worked full days preparing for her classes as the syllabus for each class contained minor changes and she needed to adjust each course calendar and alter the project requirements. In addition, she wanted to finish the new resource packet for the Meiserian Forms class.
Bobby spent the days reading and cooking. "I'm sorry we're not doing so much, Love," Gleason said Saturday evening."
"Gleason, I want to be with you, near you, that's all. We don't need to do something every minute. You have work to do. I just want to be with you. This is what being married is like." God he loved her.
She smiled and loved him with all her heart.
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August 30
Thursday Midmorning
"Eames, there's a memo here you should read," Bobby said to his partner as she returned with her cup, dunking a teabag by its string.
She sat and scooted her chair forward, logged on, clicked a few times and sat forward to read, sipping her tea. Bobby glanced at her several times as she read and then watched her sit back in the chair and stare at the screen.
"Did you know?" he asked.
Eames didn't respond; then she turned to look at Sledge, who sat watching her, their eyes locked and he nodded toward the crash room. Bobby watched them both and then asked, "You ok?"
She looked back at her partner without expression, set down her cup and stood. Bobby saw Sledge rise and take a step but Sullivan intercepted him with a clap on the shoulder and a hearty handshake. Sledge and Bobby both watched Eames head for the elevators.
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The student assistant popped into the doorway of Gleason's office and said, "Dr. Wintermantle, Dr. Manlowe called and would like to speak with you in his office after your two o'clock class today."
Gleason looked up from gathering her things, "Thank you." What is this about, she wondered.
After class, she trudged to the Dean's office in Townsend Hall, lugging a tote filled with ninety-two initial assessments.
"Here, let me carry that for you, Gleason." Malcolm strode up behind her and took the heavy bag.
"Oh, thank you, Malcolm, it is so heavy. Where are you off to, I thought you had office hours at this time."
"I do, but Manlowe called and wants to see me."
Gleason stopped, "He wants to see me as well. I wonder what's up."
Malcolm thought, I hope this isn't about Gleason and me, then he said it out loud, "I hope this isn't about you and me."
"Malcolm, there is no 'you and me.' Please," she said scornfully. Malcolm had backed way off since she and Bobby were married; and, apparently, he and his wife had reconciled.
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"Eames! Wait up," Bobby called as he trotted behind her. The elevator doors began to close and Bobby stopped them with a hand, stepped into the car and stood beside her. They rode silently to the lobby and then down to the parking deck, exiting on P2. Eames strode away and Bobby followed her. "Eames," he said softly.
"Leave me alone," she said over her shoulder.
Bobby hustled to her and took an arm, slowing her. She stopped and looked at the floor. Bobby bent at the waist and looked up into her face, "You didn't know?"
Her hands flew to her face her and she issued a sad, soft mewling. Bobby straightened and didn't know what to do, and he didn't know what to say. "Eames –," he struggled, pulling his handkerchief from his back pocket and offering it. She took it and wiped her face and then her nose.
"Let's sit," he told her, starting for his car. He took a few steps, noticed that she wasn't following and held out his arm. "Come on. Let's sit and talk."
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Malcolm pulled open the door and they stepped to the receptionist's desk. Gerald, the administrative assistant lit up and said, "Dr. Conway, Dr. Wintermantle! Dr. Manlowe is expecting you. Everyone is in the conference room."
"Everyone?" Malcolm asked.
"Please, go right in."
Gleason entered the conference room with Malcolm right behind her. Dr. Manlowe rose, as did the other two men. "Here are our resident experts! Come in, come in." Manlowe stepped around the table and ushered Gleason to a seat. "Dr. Gleason Wintermantle and Dr. Malcolm Conway, I would like to introduce you both to, uh, oh," the old man stammered and stuttered, looking at the two men in suits and continued with, "I am sorry, I am not good with names as I am old now you see." He nodded and smiled.
The taller man extended his hand to Gleason and said, "Special Agent Davis and this is Special Agent Rodriquez." Everyone shook hands and then everyone sat.
"Are we in trouble?" Malcolm asked with a straight face.
"No, no. We need your expertise in ancient languages and cultures," Davis said with a slight smile.
Gleason looked from Manlowe to the two men, then to Malcolm. She wished Bobby were here, she was mildly frightened.
"What's this about?" Malcolm seemed to take the lead and Gleason was just fine with that.
"First I must explain and emphasize the sensitive nature of what I am about to tell you. You are to tell no one, not family, colleagues – no one – that we have had this conversation. You can say nothing to anyone about the content of this conversation." Davis looked at each of them, his sincerity was clear. "Do you both understand?"
Gleason nodded mutely but Malcolm went skeptical. "Are you serious? This is all very Mission Impossible sounding; but, really, what is this about?"
Manlowe spoke up first, "Malcolm, shut up and listen, will you?"
Malcolm was shocked and Gleason was amazed at the old man's strict tone and terse words.
"Let me ask again, do you both swear to silence regarding this conversation?"
They both answered with 'yes.'
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The partners sat silently in the front seat of Bobby's SUV. Bobby waited for Eames to begin, watching her fingers twist his handkerchief.
"He moved out – just left – the morning after your wedding, actually."
Bobby listened.
"He didn't say why, he just left." She was quiet a moment, then said sadly, "He said he couldn't do it anymore. And he left."
Bobby listened.
"He'd kept his place and would stay there a week or so a month, but mostly he'd stay at my place."
Bobby listened.
"I'd suggested we move in together for real; but –," Eames just shook her head.
Bobby listened.
"We'd had ups and downs, like any couple. Like you and Gleason," she glanced up at him at this.
Bobby listened.
Eames sighed deeply and wiped her eyes. "I was stupid to think it would work." She shook her head.
Bobby listened and then said quietly, "Maybe you should talk to him. He was coming over to speak with you when Sullivan stopped him."
It was Eames's turn to listen.
"Tomorrow is his last day, he's moving to DC. Eames . . . you, you should really talk with him."
"What is there to say? It was his choice. The whole time we were together, we played by his rules. I was an idiot to think anything would come of it." She shook her head sadly and then continued, "I gave up so much of myself for him." Eames thought a minute and said, "Not really. It was mostly good. Mostly fun. But, he, he's still in love with his ex-wife." She looked up at Bobby, "They get together in Toronto a couple times each year. Probably have a fuck-fest up there."
Bobby looked away and pursed his lips, mildly disappointed in her choice of words, but realizing the depth of her hurt.
They sat quietly for several minutes then Bobby said, "We should go back up." Neither made a move. "What are you going to do?"
Eames said nothing, shook her head and opened her door. They returned to the eleventh floor in silence.
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"All right then," Rodriguez began, "Each of you has the required skill set to assist the American government in reading and understanding the writing found on an artifact. You, in particular, Dr. Wintermantle, are a recognized expert in deciphering ancient and obscure languages. Your skills are needed to read and interpret the writing. Dr. Conway, your expertise as a cultural anthropologist is needed to infer the cultural mores indicated by the writing."
"All right, I can do that. Do you have the writing with you?" Gleason spoke for the first time.
"We don't have it here," Davis replied.
"When can I see it?" she asked.
The hesitation was obvious. "Before we go any further, are you willing to cooperate in deciphering the writing?"
Gleason looked at Malcolm and he looked back at her. "I am," she said.
"Gleason, wait," Malcolm cautioned, putting a hand on her arm, "Do you have a photo, a scan or rubbing? When do you want this done?"
The agents shared a glance, and then Agent Davis said, "Thank you, Dr. Conway; it seems we'll be working with Dr. Wintermantle." The two agents rose and Manlowe just shook his head.
Malcolm looked at them both with his mouth open and then Gleason asked, "Wait. Please, may I speak with my colleague privately for a moment?"
The men looked at each other and then Manlowe rose and they left. Gleason placed her hand on Malcolm's upper arm and said, "Malcolm, don't be stupid. This is a wonderful opportunity. It's the American government, for goodness sake! This is really big. They fly us to Washington or someplace, we look at some piece of mud or some scans and then we fly home. I've done consultancy work; this is a good thing. It's the government, Malcolm! Say you'll do it. Please?"
Malcolm could not believe that Gleason was serious; but she was excited, and adorable. "All right, but I do not have a good feeling about this, Gleason." He stepped to the conference room door and opened it. "Gentlemen?" Everyone trooped back in and took their seats.
Malcolm began, "Dr. Wintermantle has convinced me that it is our responsibility to assist the American government. I would like to be a part of your investigation."
Rodriquez and Davis passed a second look and then they looked at Manlowe who nodded imperceptibly. "Well, that is good to know. Now, if you two would each sign this," Rodriguez pulled two sheets of paper from the briefcase setting on the chair beside him, "then we will begin."
Gleason took the sheet offered to her, as did Malcolm. "What is this?" she asked.
"Please read it in its entirety," Rodriguez said, sliding two pens across the table.
They did and then Malcolm looked up and said, "This is a confidentiality agreement."
"Please sign it." Malcolm and Gleason both hesitated, but signed. "As you read, you are not permitted to say anything to anyone about the proceedings here today. Furthermore, you are not permitted to say anything to anyone about the work you are about to undertake. All arrangements have been made and your families will be notified of your absence. You have nothing to worry about."
"Hold on here," Malcolm began.
Gleason sat forward and asked, "What do you mean you will inform our families of our absence? Where are we going?"
Davis looked at the tabletop and then responded, "You will be joining four other scientists stationed at a temporary military base fitted with all of the scientific equipment you may need. You will be gone for approximately six weeks. You will leave from this meeting."
Gleason's hand went to her mouth, "Oh, I, I am sorry, but. . ."
"You have agreed to this by signing that document. Please go with these agents, they will see after your safe transport." Malcolm and Gleason turned to see a woman and man enter the conference room.
Gleason looked at Malcolm with terror, "Malcolm –?"
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Sledge watched his former lover's partner return alone. Bobby went to his desk, stood reading a new pink phone message note, and then looked over at Sledge. Perkins and Caruso were talking and laughing with him. Nevertheless, Sledge and Bobby made eye contact. Detective Perkins and Officer Caruso each shook Sledge's hand, walked away, and Sledge headed toward Bobby.
"Is she ok?" he asked.
"Uh, you'll have to ask her about that," Bobby responded.
The men stood quietly and then Bobby added, "I guess congratulations are in order," and stuck out his hand.
"Yeah, thanks. Where is she?" he replied and shook the offered hand.
"She stopped in the restroom." Sledge nodded and Bobby continued, "When did all of this happen?"
"It's been a long time coming. They approached me about a year ago. I'd been thinking of making a move before Alex and I got together. Then, there was Alex and so I put them off. Then it started being less than good between us and I figured now the time was right."
Bobby wanted to ask Sledge why he hadn't told Alex about his decision to accept an offer from the FBI, but he didn't. Although, he thought it was wrong of Sledge to not have told her; he owed her that much. Sledge had hurt Eames terribly.
"Well, uh, good luck."
"Yeah, thanks." Sledge looked toward the door, watching for Alex.
Bobby hesitated and then said, "Uh, it's, it's none of my business, but, but you should maybe talk with her. It would be the right thing to do."
Sledge shoved his hands into his pockets and looked at the floor, "I know, I know. Tonight." They stood quietly for a minute and then returned to their work.
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Without thinking, Malcolm put his arm around Gleason then turned and said to Manlowe, "Gene, what is going on here?"
"Please, just do what they say. You will be safe. We will see you back here in a few weeks. Thank you, both of you. Thank you." He couldn't look at them any longer and slouched heavily into his chair.
"Come with us, please," the male agent said as he took Malcolm by the arm.
Inside the dark van, Gleason's purse was confiscated and Malcolm's pockets were emptied. Gleason asked the female agent, "Please, may I call my husband? He will be worried."
"Your husband and your wife, Dr. Conway, will be notified of your participation in this mission. You have nothing to be concerned about."
"Where are we going? Can you tell us that?"
"Right now, you are going to O'Hare for a flight to Helsinki."
"What? What about Gleason's heart medication? Passports?" Malcolm asked.
"We have secured your travel papers, your clothing and toiletries will be provided and your medical needs are taken care of. You have nothing to be concerned about."
Gleason sat close to Malcolm and he wrapped his arm around her again. "Malcolm, I am so sorry I talked you into this. Forgive me," and she began to cry softly.
"Shush, Love, shush. It's all right. We'll be home in six weeks. That sounds like a long time right now, but it will pass quickly, once we are into the research. You'll see. You'll see. Now shush."
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