Chapter 7
Late Sunday night Walter got to the house- Peaches and Cream sedately stood by while rex bounced around him as he opened the door. A shower and falling into bed was the only thing on his mind. He dropped his laptop case on the kitchen counter on his way through to the bedroom.
Surprisingly, he slept deeply and woke up late morning. The entire weekend ordeal must have taken a bigger toll than he realized while in the middle of all the goings on. He rose well rested and for the first time since he woke up in the cellar he felt good and at ease… at long last. He always he was resilient to anything that happened to or around him, but at times like this it becomes obvious this isn't the case. Sometimes you do not realize the weight you are carrying until it is removed.
He dressed in jeans and t-shirt, went to the kitchen to start the coffee going, sat at the counter and opened his laptop to check mail. He scanned the inbox and opened a message from Ralph.
Walter- researched the Reinler theorem- got a LOT of question marks swirling around my head so you will have a lot of explaining to do this weekend. You will be at the garage Saturday, right? Ralph
Walter hit the reply: Ralph, after this past weekend being surrounded by those who did not understand the math, I am looking forward to discussing it with you. You continue researching Hawking black hole mechanics you may get some insight. Be prepared as there will be a lot of math board work. Walter
The rest of the mail was info from Steve Beck on the booster design modifications and Brooke Langdon on her fuel delivery system. Richard sent a note about meeting for dinner again- a car would pick him up at six if he was available. Walter sent an acceptance then looked up from the screen. The coffee was ready so he poured a mug and walked out onto the patio. When he finished his coffee, he opened the garage to clean up the Ferrari from his drive in the hills a few nights earlier. Peaches and Cream came out from Adam's kitchen to join Rex laying in the shade and watching Walter work.
While occupied with cleaning up the car, Adam came out to join him. "Hey, Walt, how was DC?"
"Cold and crappy"
"Yup, that's DC. Cold and crappy, sweltering and hot, snowy and freezing," Adam opined. "But, some really beautiful days, too. Just to let you know, some buddies are in town and will be coming over for a cookout Wednesday and some of them will be bringing buddies…. In other words there may be a pack of military types as well as some civilians making some noise over here. May be a bit hectic when assorted dogs will be in tow, as well. We try and wrap things up by 10:00, midnight at latest. I know some people are rather leery around a pack of military….."
"I said I was not IN the military but I have worked WITH military, so not a problem" Walter said. "Don't worry about it."
"OK. You do know you are welcome to join us- Sue's grilled burgers are what really get people to visit us. One other thing- a bit of a difficult subject to broach. Some of the guys are FORMER military due to injuries including amputations. Some people are put off….."
"Again, not a problem. I have been in physical rehab with numerous military personnel. For part of my life I was I was considered 'challenged' and somewhat 'handicapped', so been on the receiving end of people's misconceptions," Walter said. "I got a lot of guff because of my Irish accent and young age when I first came to the US. I do not have a problem with any condition a person may find themselves in- look at Stephen Hawking and what he was capable in his physical state. I will look forward to trying Sue's burgers."
Walter went into the house to check mail again and get ready for dinner with Richard as the car should arrive soon.
Walter joined Richard who introduced him to Nicholas Gilman of Richard's legal department. "I thought you might like a bit of legal advice on getting your prize funds transferred to accounts. Did not know if you have an attorney on hand, if not, Nick is excellent on all things financial. Have you thought about it at all?"
"Not really. Maybe pay off the garage, been working on that for a couple years, but guess I won't have to continue making payments anymore. That would be one good thing from all this." Walter said.
After orders were taken, Richard said "Well, you need to think and plan on what to do. Nick can be a big help- he has been with me since I started my first business."
Nick spoke up, "Mr. O'Brien, I know I will come off like a typical financial advisor, but all that you hear is correct. You need to have clear cut, thoughtful planning so that these funds can keep you financially secure far into your future. Available liquidity for living expenses, sound investments for future."
"Nick can handle all the necessary fund transfer, set up accounts and whatever else is needed." Richard said. Over the rest of the dinner, finances were discussed and an appointment for Walter to go over the legal paperwork Nick would have drawn up was set for the following Monday at Richards legal department offices. Richard said to stop by his office afterwards to discuss further contract work.
Wednesday rolled around and by midafternoon Walter decided to take a break- he was working on some bank coding in the converted spare bedroom where it was quiet. When he poured some coffee and cruised out the front door, he saw a number of motorcycles, cars and a van lining the driveway. As he was standing there sipping his coffee, two more motorcycles pulled up to the garage doors to park. The riders heeled out the kickstands, shut the bikes off, leaned them over and dismounted. Taking off their helmets and putting them on the bike seats, they turned and recognition lit them up. "Walter! Been a long time! You know Adam? He never mentioned you. What have you been up to?" They both walked over to shake hands.
"Jim and Simon- what a surprise. How have you both been?"
"So you know Adam and Sue, huh?"
"Well, I do now, but I know them through my doing contract work for their employer who gave me use of this house."
"You doing anymore working with Homeland? Rubbing shoulders with the military anymore?"
"No, just geek computer work, nice and quiet, no bullets flying. Matter of fact, I need to get back to it. Have a good party, I may be over later for a burger."
Walter returned to the house and the coding job at hand.
When Jim Corbit went into Adam's house he asked Adam how long he has known Walter. "Just since he has been in the house which is not long. How do you know him?" Adam asked. "We have been wondering as we never got much information on him beyond he was a computer geek of the highest order." They headed to the patio to join Sue at the grill. "Sue, guess what- Jim knows Walter. How is that for a hoot of a coincidence?"
"He said he wasn't in the service- how did he get to know a SEAL?" Sue asked. "Or is this a 'top secret, hush, hush super SEAL' mission never to be discussed? You get him somewhere to use his geek computer powers to hack Putin's computer e-mail account…. should be quite a story…. If it can be told."
"Nope, can't give details, but know he is quite a man, way beyond you average 'computer geek'."
Thursday evening Walter decided to go to the garage. He was tired of roaming around the huge house. The garage needed to be cleaned up, restocked, and prepared for Ralph's weekend visit. He pulled the Ferrari out in case Ralph wanted to tinker with it and headed to the garage. On the way he pulled in to the beach parking and watched the waves. Thinking about the conversation with Richard's attorney/financial adviser he contemplated on what to plan for. Again setting up a fund for Ralph's continuing education was foremost. That brought his mother to mind….. and the others. In all the time since he has been back in LA after the breakup, he has kept the thoughts of them at bay. Now they flooded in. All the years they had worked together had to have meaning. He had no feelings- any he may have had were firmly tamped down into a very small compartment in a deep, dark recess of his mind. But he should show appreciation for their involvement as the only true friendships he had ever had. That it ended in disaster was nothing more than what should have been foreseen- as per usual, as all his relationships and friendships have ended in disappointment and disaster. He had a hard time bringing her name to mind- Paige, he thought and there was a jolt to his breathing. She was a single mother of a remarkable son- he had the capability to ensure she would never have to worry about keeping a roof over their head. Toby and Happy possibly still needed help producing a child- for all their help, especially Happy, he could also set them up for at least financial security. His brother Sylvester, who married his sister and made her last days comforted. He was correct when he told Richard money was but a means of keeping his few needs fulfilled. He could keep working by contract with Richard. What he is paid for his contract work he would never even have to touch the prize funds beyond to pay off the garage- he has more than enough room for himself there. Set up his parents so they are not living so tight, and Gabe so he can retire without worry.
He continued to sit and think. When he has his appointment with Nick, he will see about putting funds to good use for the people who were once important to him. Then he can move on to another stage and leave all this behind.