Not a fool this time…. Chapter 21
Gale dropped Ralph off at the garage then drove back to the house to join Walter.
"Did you figure out a place for everything while I was gone?" She asked coming to Walter and gave him a kiss, "Hi Adam, been having long, manly discussions while the women are away?"
"Yup, between Walter and I we have gotten this place all organized and the problems of the world solved…. until you ladies cause more problems, anyway."
"So what is first on the agenda, Walter?" Gale asked.
"A small room in the back corner of the garage sharing the wall with our kitchen for the servers with independent air conditioning, safes in the den and hall closets. Other than that, good to go. Sure you wouldn't like to stay here tonight?" Walter said. "You can be all settled in while I shuffle things as soon as the paperwork is ready, then I can join you- should be two, four days at most… sound like a plan?"
"Not really." Gale replied. "You trying to get rid of me already? After the fun and games of yesterday, I would be happier keeping you in sight." She turned to Adam as Sue come onto the patio to sit with everyone, Peaches and Cream cruising through with her. "How did you guys meet Richard? I am sure he didn't put an ad in the paper."
"No, he had a close college buddy that went into the Marines after 9/11. Dave was in my unit. Remember I said I had experience in a rolled vehicle? An IED got us- big fire fight after the Humvee was hit. Dave lost an arm, but we all got out. Richard wanted Dave to be here, but he wanted to get back to Georgia where his wife's family live and suggested me as I was discharged due to injuries. So here I am. Sue and I got married before shipping out and fortunately we both made it back…. some buddies didn't." Adam said. "I train dogs for security, too. Mostly Dobies or Boxers- they don't have as much trouble in the heat of SoCal as the Shepherds do with their heavy coats."
"How ever did you come up with Peaches and Cream as names for fierce Dobermans? Certainly expected toy Poodles when I heard their names and was quite surprised when these two came out of the house."
"People expect exactly that- Poodles, Pugs, or pop-eyed Frenchies- whatever keeps people guessing when it comes to security is a good thing. Imagine expecting a Poodle and meeting Peaches."
"Well, since I can't entice you to stay, Gale, we had better get going. Want to check up on Ralph. Will be back tomorrow to work on getting the walls up for the server room in the garage. Want to get them moved first thing." Walter said rising with a hitch. "Guess you be doing the driving for a while, Gale. Let's get going so I can stretch out flat for a while. Good night both of you."
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When they got back to the garage, Ralph opened the door for them. "Been keeping an eye on the feed, no strange movements or people lurking in the area being monitored." Ralph reported. "Figured it would be best to stay alert though doubt anything would happen so close to the kidnap incident."
"I'm going up to take a shower. Ralph, help Walter up the stairs when he is ready to come up if I'm not back down here." Gale said going up the steps to the loft.
Walter went to sit at his desk watching Gale. "Ralph, I want you to send messages to everyone, including Cabe and Allie that they should be on the alert. Have no idea if all are being targeted or if it was just me, but they should be aware. Word it so they take it seriously, especially your mother." Walter then rose to go up to the loft. "I can make it up the stairs OK, I am not as fragile as Gale seems to think I am. And I want to set up a schedule for your commute to school and back, so look into reputable drivers and what is necessary to get it together… good night."
Ralph watched Walter go slowly up the stairs before turning out lights, checking the locked doors and security system then went to the Airstream to compose and send messages to all the former Scorpion team members:
In case you missed the TV coverage, Walter had been kidnapped from the garage. It is believed to have been done by the Mexican cartel that had held Richard Elias' daughter Zoe. That continues to be researched. However, Walter wanted all of you to be made aware and on the alert. It is unknown if he was singled out or if all the team members are at risk. Take precautions and be safe.
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Within days the walls were up and paneled for the servers, ac unit on a separate circuit. Heavy duty dolly for moving the safes into the house. Adam had a full sized pick up and volunteered to help move stuff; he still got a laugh out of trying to move with a Ferrari. Adam said he really liked the garage setup, but the house was all around better and more easily defended. Wednesday afternoon Richard messaged that necessary inspections were set, paperwork ready for being signed off anytime Gale and Walter wanted to stop in his office.
Richard rose when Walter and Gale entered his office. "Glad to see you are moving better, Walter. Pull up a chair and have a seat. All the papers you need to sign are in this folder ready to go."
"And here is your check for the agreed upon amount- and don't worry, it won't bounce." Walter said. "Gale, go ahead and sign on the dotted lines- this is a joint effort."
"So you getting all moved? Everything set up for your electronics? Adam and Sue are wonderful neighbors…. and getting along with Peaches and Cream?"
"Yes, all is well. The cube in the garage has the servers, computers and monitors in the den, book shelves filled from my library in the loft," Walter said. "Has anything been found out about whether it really was the Mexican cartel that pulled that stunt?"
"Jessup and his crew have been looking into it. When they come up with their report on their findings I will pass it along. But so far, just the one guy, the driver that was shot was of the cartel, the other two SUV's have disappeared, the other guys were never ID'd even from the security footage from the garage that were the best pictures. They and the vehicles are in Mexico, or long gone. Jessup and I think probably Mexico- the border is wide open if they got far enough east to just drive across on a dirt road." Richard said watching Gale sign papers. "Jessup also thinks this was a one and done since the driver was killed and it was over and done so quickly- they barely made it out of LA county- less than half the way to the border so it was an 'expensive' gamble they probably won't try again."
"Let's hope so. I had Ralph send messages to everyone to be on the alert- just in case. Your daughter is taking extra precautions as well?" Walter asked.
"Have no fear, she is protected." Richard said.
"Walter- your turn to sign everything." Gale said handing him the pen. "I have not put my John Hancock on so many papers in my life."
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Walter and Gale, carrying their last cases of clothes were finally in their new house together. Ralph had helped move boxes of books and assorted possessions and said he was looking forward to visiting to use the pool. He also promised to keep the garage locked and security on at all times. He had moved into the loft- book shelves very empty and he was looking forward to amassing assorted science tomes as Walter had.
"Well, Mrs. O'Brien, how does it feel to be home?" Walter said putting the cases down in the master bedroom. "Don't know about you, but feel more at ease here, though it will take some getting used to having so much space."
"Been a hectic couple of weeks- how you feeling?" Gale asked giving him a hug then pulling Walters t-shirt over his head and gliding her hand gently over his ribs and chest to inspect the much faded bruises. "Love the feel of you."
"I feel perfectly fine," Walter murmured unbuttoning Gale's shirt. "Will Feel even better after a good hot shower… care to join me? Save on the water bill."
After their shower, combing out her hair Gale said, "ah, I must admit I am glad we are moved and finally settled. Wonder how Ralph feels being in the loft- he really is an adult on his own, now, and bet he feels like a king living where you resided so long."
Walter took the comb to continue combing her hair, "I feel like a king," he said kissing her shoulder while combing her long hair.
She turned to put her arms around his waist to pull him close and kissing his chest, "ahhh, you look like a tired king- did a lot of work today."
"Yes, my wife, very tired so time to get some sleep, I am about out on my feet," Walter said. "Shall we try out the new bed? See how comfy it is….. for getting a good night's restful sleep?"
"Something tells me that look in your eye is not conducive to my getting a 'restful night of sleep', my husband," Gale said removing her robe and turning down the covers to lay down invitingly on the gleaming white sheets. "Leave the light on…. I do so love to look at you."
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Richard's security head, Dave Jessup compiled the report from his people investigating the kidnapping of Walter. No mention of Homeland agent Steve Roehr was made in it. However, Jessup did stop into Richard's office for discussion. "Richard, some time ago you had mentioned the Scorpion team and Homeland agent Steve Roehr. Two of my crew are former Homeland employees of the LA office and know personnel presently in the Homeland LA office. They made some discrete inquiries to those in the archives section on what research was being done and if Scorpion cases were being looked into recently. There has been more 'activity' than normal in those old files. Exactly who is checking those files is not information my people can get." He said. "Could be nothing more than basic research on such a collaborative situation like Homeland and the Scorpion team, could be background information for people being looked into, similar cases being worked now, the research into people be they team members or the criminals and organizations involved in those cases.
"So, really can't tell if Walter was targeted or if the whole team is in jeopardy. Walter said he did have the rest of the Scorpion team from back in the day alerted to be aware. Under the circumstances, not much to tie things together," Richard mused. "Disappointing. And the dead driver- what was found out about him?"
"He was a cartel member- not of the bunch that held your daughter, though. At this point in time- it is harder to find those in Mexico NOT part of one cartel or another. From the check in Mexico, the guy appears to be someone who was just hired for this event."
"So, looks like a big bust all around," Richard said. "Send one of your people to check with the former Scorpion team, and let them know of the situation." Richard said. "Walter had messaged them, but having one of your guys also inform them covers all bases. If this is a set up with Roehr, he will also become aware the whole incident is being fully investigated and may cause him to back off or risk everything."
"Good cover of all angles at this point." Jessup said. "I will have Tom who worked at the LA Homeland office do the informing of the Scorpion team as he may be known to agent Roehr. Could diffuse a bad situation….. that is if Roehr is involved in setting up the kidnapping. To be truthful, I am going to keep all this information in the on-going investigation file- just in case something pops up with any of the people involved in future."
"Alright, Dave, excellent work as always." Richard said rising to shake hands with Jessup. "If you would send security details to O'Brien- the basics people should know when there is a possibility of criminal behavior against them. They bought the house I had set up for Zoe, you know Adam and Sue so I feel fairly confident they are safe there- O'Brien is of great benefit to the space and financial divisions so his and his family's welfare is of interest to me."
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Walter, fully recovered from his bruises and soreness drove to the space division to drop Gale off at her office then to attend some consultations with the different engineering groups.
Seeing Walter, John Abbott, head of the space division waved, "Walter, so nice to see you, been a while- saw your exciting footage a couple weeks ago- glad to see you are OK."
Walter chuckled, "exciting is one way to frame it. Was not fun at the time. Just thought I would stop in after talking with Brooke about the re-routing of the fuel lines to accommodate the booster modifications. Looks like design is moving right along."
"Yes, moving right along with a lot of your design modifications." John said. "The rerouting sure cut some weight off which is all the better. Thanks to the so-called eggheads more weight was cut with the metallurgy change as well. Nothing but good. Do take care of yourself, and keep an eye out for the crazies."
"Will do, have a good afternoon." Walter said heading for Gales office.
Walter knocked on Gale's office door and entered. "Good afternoon Mrs. O'Brien, how has your day been?" He said sitting on the chair in front of her desk.
"Extra busy- there is a small off site data center- yup, being attacked. It is amazing how the space division think tank bunch stash data, lab experiment results, initial designs and so much more all over the place. We already took care of two sites, now there is a third."
"In all actuality stashing important information in different places keeps the overall project safer." Walter said. "A hacker will have to get into numerous sites and then have the scientific wherewithal to put it all together….. plus, different sites gives you more business. You have a program together and ready to go?"
"My dear, I think the time has come for me to get a car so you don't have to shuffle me all over as well as take care of your projects." Gale said gathering her boxed up hard drive and laptop case. "Sooner or later we will have to be in different places at the same time- unless you have the time warp machinery to handle that."
"Nope, no such science as yet, but will work on it," Walter said rising. "In the meantime where is this site and I will gladly drive you there….. I may even be inclined to take you out to dinner when the job is completed."
"Oh ho, buddy. I am well aware guys think they buy dinner for a woman they expect some 'payment' later in the evening." Gale said seriously.
"Come along, then. The sooner the job is done, the sooner we have dinner, therefore the sooner payment begins." Walter said opening the office door to go to the car.
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