Not a fool this time…. Chapter 20
After his shower, Walter laid back in bed. The bruises were already getting colorful. He got to thinking- why now, indeed. All the cases Scorpion worked with Homeland- four years of angry people from the Mexican cartel gang holding Richard's daughter, to the stolen weapons brokers, the CIA hacking criminals, Yemen spies, and African dictators. Common criminals to international political adversaries. Steve Roehr said he was going to do a 'deep search' on Walter so all those Homeland cases were on file along with profiles and information on everyone involved. Were any other Scorpion members at risk, or was he singled out. He wondered if he should find a way to warn the others of possible action against them so they could take precautions.
"What are you thinking about?" Gale asked entering the bedroom.
"As you said, 'why'. Is this old Scorpion cases coming back to haunt." Walter said.
"Are you being singled out or are the others targeted as well… think they need to be warned?" She asked.
"That is the question, isn't it," he mused.
"You are so bruised up," Gale said sitting on the side of the bed. "Shall I sleep on the sofa so you are not jostled?"
"No, come to bed, I sleep better with you close." But Walter laid awake for a long time.
Richard was also deep in thought wondering if Walter's kidnapping and the Mexican cartel gang that held Zoe was connected. Looks like Dave Jessup was going to be earning a lot of overtime researching the dead SUV driver. May be a good idea to have him look into Homeland agent Steve Roehr as well. The veiled threats he made to Walter of looking into Scorpion cases on file at Homeland and this action coming along so quickly may not be a coincidence. He can get his hands on all the files with information on all involved. He grabbed his phone and texted a message to Jessup to step up security on Zoe immediately and to come to the office first thing in the morning- there was a lot to discuss on the kidnapping of Walter. He put his phone back on the bedside table and laid back. If they make a move on Zoe again, he will hire the best mercenaries in the world and have them clean out that nest of bastards if it takes every last dime he has. Richard laid back in bed, but lay awake for a long time.
Ralph was awake in the Airstream thinking over the events of the day. He remembered the cases Scorpion had where he was left with sitters or Drew while the team was off taking care of Homeland business. He wondered if there was a connection with Steve and Walter being grabbed. Could Steve be so vindictive- he was married to mother, Walter was totally out of her life… then he thought back to spending time with mom last Saturday on the beach…. her asking about Walter. Ralph, laid across the bed in the Airstream but did not sleep for a long time.
Walter was stiff and sore so stayed in bed while Gale drove Ralph to school. Kicking back in bed and thinking of things that need to be done- first, set up a scheduled ride to and from school for Ralph. Second- check out the new house for where to set up his servers, safes holding important programmed hard drives. Third, a back-up power supply to ensure power for the electronics. Forth- well, since Gale should be heading back to the garage time to get up and get dressed and start taking care of numbers two and three. Gingerly he got up and got dressed to head downstairs and get a cup of coffee. Sipping his coffee, he heard Gale pull up so went to the door to let her in.
"What are you doing up?" She asked. "You were supposed to be kicking back- at least a day or two until the bruises are fading a bit."
"Things to do- how I got bruised up is WHY we need to get moved and Ralph into one of Richard's condos. Let's go to the house so I can check out where everything is going to go…. by the way, all the furnishing comes with the sale, so that is one less thing to worry about," Walter said. "So let's get cracking, I want to get us moved so we are in by the time I am ready to start baby making practice again."
"My goodness, Walter. Slow down, we will get there." Gale laughed and got back behind the wheel for the drive to the house. "Plus, what I am really looking forward to- we can be FORMALLY introduced to Peaches and Cream. I can fully understand why Richard laughs every time those dogs are mentioned. Such names for big bad Doberman's."
Arriving at the house, Gale pulled the Ferrari up to the garage. They did not get out of the car until Adam came out to greet them. "Richard called and said you two bought the place- nice. I also saw you on the news yesterday- not nice. I see why you want the security. Let's start off with introducing you two to Peaches and Cream." Sue came out with the dogs, one on each side to join Adam. "Walter, put your hand out so Peaches can get a sniff then scratch him behind his ear… now do the same with Cream." Adam instructed. "As you guys move in and take up residence you will just become more members of their pack. That means they will not only protect the property, but their pack members as well. The two of them together are quite formidable, add that with Sue and me as back up, you should feel perfectly safe here, 24/7."
Walter scratched Peaches and patted his head. Adam then had him do the same with Cream, then started the same process with Gale. "They really are a beautiful pair," Gale said.
Adam laughed, "their pedigree is more stellar than 98% of the people in LA. They came from different kennels but their parents are imports from Germany- older breeding and generally more robust than all American."
"I need to check over the house for where to put my electronics and set up for battery backed solar to keep power in the event of power loss for whatever reason." Walter explained to Adam while Gale and Sue went into the house to get some coffee brewing.
"That must have been quite a harrowing experience yesterday. Kidnapped? Should we expect attempts here? Best to be aware going in rather than be surprised. The police were certainly on top of that yesterday." Sue said.
"Years ago Walter was head of his team Scorpion that worked with Homeland Security. I gather they were involved with some US military instances as well. That mess yesterday is still being looked into but it is thought that the case with the Mexican cartel when Richard's daughter was returned was involved. The big question is why now; what prompted them to try and take Walter and why none of the others of the team."
"Yes, Scorpion…. I remember seeing stuff in the news about them. Oh yeah, him rocketing over with an air bottle to a helicopter wedged into a building to get some doctor. Adam thought that was the greatest thing and looked like fun. What can I say- Adam is a Marine." Sue said leaning against the kitchen counter while the coffee was working.
"A lot of what Walter and his team did back then was exceptional to say the least- he had taken risks most wouldn't have. They also did things that got them hurt, put themselves in precarious situations, and ended up with a lot of criminals in prison- even international criminals, so no knowing what may pop up or when. I am overjoyed Walter is just working computer and space stuff now- safer, and geared more toward his interests in the sciences," Gale said. "Plus we would like to have children, so all that craziness had to end."
"Sounds like the sooner you guys move in the better." Sue said. "As I said we have a lot of friends that are former and presently serving, a lot them pop in to visit us from time to time, so that should make you feel even safer. Let's go see what the men are doing and take some coffee to them."
Walter and Adam were in the garage looking over electrical panels. Adam explained there was a solar system on the rear section of the garage roof Walter may not have noticed in the original viewing of the house- Tesla wall set up in the one area of the back wall of the garage. Walter decided the servers could be set up in a small portion of the garage next to the kitchen- a 10'x10' room built to house it all in the corner section. Adam said he could have that built within a couple days. The den Walter and Gale could both work in though a second desk would need to be brought in.
Walter and Adam were still discussing what needed to be done when Sue and Gale came in with coffee for both. "So all the future is figured out by you two already?" Sue asked.
"Yup, a little room built, a desk brought in. Not much really needs to be shuffled around- within days they can be moved in. Just one thing, the door here between your and our garages- don't block it. In case of emergency, easy movement between the houses may be essential." Adam said. "After the crap yesterday, have to think ahead and plan accordingly. I could see how gingerly Walter is moving today- rolling in a vehicle is no fun….. I know from experience."
"A bit sore," Walter said. "But can still get things done. I know I didn't say anything earlier but I want to get Gale in here as soon as possible," Walter said. "Things are too open at the garage. Yesterday was a wake-up call, and there is no telling what may crop up- I will take no chances."
"Walter, the chances of such an event happening again so soon is astronomical- you are the mathematician- surely you see that," Gale said. "Within days all the legal paperwork will be ready and signed. We will move here together, right after all your important electronic equipment, the servers and computers are installed….. that reminds me, where are the safes going? Den closets, hallway closet should cover them…. room for more, even. All those completed programs are much too important to risk."
"Sue, it is amazing isn't it. I can get all my stuff gathered and get moved in an hour, the guys with all their crap take days," Gale snickered.
"You know, now that you mention it, Gale, I moved into this place in one day; took Adam a week…. and you can't blame that on the dogs- pack up their chow and water bowls and they are sitting by the car, ready to go," agreed Sue.
"Alright, ladies… stop gloating. We men need a lot of stuff to keep you ladies happy and safe… so it is all your fault after all …. as usual, huh Walter?" Adam asked.
"You have been married longer than I so I bow to your experience, Adam," Walter said, "and all the programming on those hard drives is why we can afford this place, my love, so be nice about them."
"Wow, really? Looks like I went into the wrong business….. computers… how does that saying go…. 'age of the geek', right?" Adam said. "Anything else you have to check out? I have a truck so can help you get moved- kinda' hard to move with a Ferrari I would think. Could you pull a trailer with that….. now THAT would be funny to see going down the road."
"Walter, time I go pick up Ralph- will take him to the garage and come back here. Please don't get to climbing on the roof or other craziness- remember you are supposed to be taking it easy… like it or not." Gale said before kissing Walter and leaving.
Sue went to give Peaches and Cream their afternoon snack leaving Adam and Walter to continue looking over the house. When she left, Adam looked to Walter and asked, "How much of a problem are you expecting? That escapade yesterday was reasonably thought out- luck was on your side and having Dave Jessup's crew was a bonus. Was one of his guys in the Dodge Ram. Want to give me an idea of what is going on? Sue and I are all into being prepared. Sue said you were head of that Scorpion team- did some pretty hairy stuff but that was some years ago. Have any idea why crap is popping up now after all this time? You going back into working with Homeland- involved with Interpol, too, weren't you?"
Walter said, "I need to get off my feet for a bit, let's go sit on the patio." So they headed out to sit by the pool. "Yes, we are not positive but there is a good chance yesterday was the Mexican cartel that had held Richard's daughter. That is how I met Richard, and yes, we did manage to get her safely back to the US. And yes, Scorpion did a lot of work with Homeland, a case with Interpol, even the Navy and other military cases. I have no idea if this was a one chance or if other issues may arise. I just know the garage is now compromised. We it just me I would gladly stay with all the security I have there, but with Gale and now Ralph, that is another story."
"So you think more problems may be coming down the line?"
"To be truthful, I do not know and do not have enough data to formulate the possibilities- even if I did this is people so totally unable to postulate the odds as people are so unpredictable. A present Homeland agent is now married to a Scorpion team member I was involved with- he made some threats- to do a 'deep dive' into me so all the Homeland and military cases we worked as Scorpion are available to him. It may just be a big coincidence this happened after his visit to the garage- I stepped up the security at the garage- I do not want Gale caught up with any entanglements of the Scorpion team members." Walter explained. "At this point I just do not know, and that makes me uneasy and why I said I wanted Gale moved in here at the soonest. Since she nixed that, I need both of us out of the garage as soon as possible. I won't risk her and if something should happen to her I will exact a price."
OK, we have an electronic gate in front, I'll get the openers for you. You are well aware of the taking different routes to get to any destination. That means the destinations would be where you would be confronted. Richard's businesses have security so that lessens even more the places to be confronted. Dave Jessup is Richard's security chief and he hires former military- especially for certain sites, the space division and banking sites. You will have no worries once here."
"Hang on a minute, want to call Gale and see where she is," Walter said and rose to walk around the pool while calling. "Gale, just wanted to check on you." Walter said. "Do me a favor, keep an eye on vehicles around you- if followed come directly here or go to one or another of Richard's sites whichever is closest." He listened for a bit. "I know, I know. I am a husband now so worry- nature of the beast, my love, and tell Ralph to be SURE to keep the garage locked up and security on….. yes, will see you when you get here." Sitting back down with Adam he continued the conversation. "Any other suggestions you could make will be taken seriously….. was so much easier when I only had to worry about myself."
"How are you feeling? I was sore as hell when a vehicle I was in in Afghanistan rolled- at least I wasn't handcuffed… I take it you didn't have seat belts on, either," Adam said. "But, better sore and bruised than sitting in Mexico with a pack of cartel goofballs. You let me know when you are ready to start hauling stuff… might be able to get a couple buddies to give a hand- military guys are always looking for ways to flex their muscles…. especially if beer is available."