This is the end… part 21
Dave Jessup of security walked into Toni's reception area to find Richard sitting on a chair in front of Toni's desk. "Who exactly is the boss around here, Richard?"
"I wonder that at times, myself, "Richard said. "You have something for me already?"
"Yes. Want to discuss it here or in your office?"
"Here is fine- Toni is all in on this, too."
"OK." Jessup said sitting in another chair. "First of all, I want to thank you for the request and the restriction on computer use. Had to do things the old fashioned way and actually get out of the office and, can you believe it- talk to people! That made for a reconnection with old acquaintances in assorted law enforcement, reporters, medical personnel, EMT's and the like. Has been very enlightening to say the least."
"You mean you can find information without computers? Who would have possibly thought of such a thing," Toni chuckled.
"Found out a lot of things on O'Brien. First, you remember a few years back that 'Christmas Miracle' where the child was buried by a landslide at the beach- under water for seven minutes and fully recovered? O'Brien was the one who brought him out- his team made some needed equipment, but it was O'Brien who went down the unstable tunnel numerous times to finally drag the kid out to get him to the hospital."
"I remember that story- was quite the Christmas write up in the papers, especially that the boy fully recovered- was amazing," Toni said.
Jessup continued, "Second, remember that government research facility outside LA that was taken over a few years back? Taken over by a terrorist that threatened to release some toxic gas? Held twenty or so facility workers until some demands were met. No one could figure out a way to get into the place to get people out- seems O'Brien and one of his team went down an incinerator chute to get into the place, fixed some systems and got everyone out- terrorist released the toxin and snuffed himself. Big TV coverage of that incident. Third- you may have not known this one, but the Olympic subway line was sabotaged and took off at high speed with passengers. O'Brien somehow got on, got all the people out of the lead car and disconnected the cars so everyone was safe."
"Wow, he is starting to sound like Superman," Toni said.
"Oh, that's not all. The tainted blood supply- the pharma company owner that deliberately messed up the labeling program so he could sell his vaccine- O'Brien is the one to figure out the blood labeling system had been hacked. His team figured out the algorithm so the labeling could be fixed. That pharma company owner got twenty, no parole."
"I hope he serves every minute of it, too," Toni said fervently.
"That is what I got from reporters and cops that were involved. One incident I got from cops and EMT's was pretty bad. Seems O'Brien was alone in the garage they worked out of when a local nutcase broke in- guy was a 'skitzo-nut' and off his meds. He broke in, knocked O'Brien out, tied him up and tortured him- stabbed a number of times, burned with a torch and water boarded." Jessup referred from a note pad: "The EMT said he was an unholy mess- stabbed shoulder, gut, leg, face damaged, and chest and stomach burns. He said he still remembers the smell of burned flesh- was terrible. When they got to him to get him into the ambulance, a Homeland agent had shot and killed the nut, so don't think any of that got widely into the news cycle. He said it was one of the bad ones of his career."
(Reference Fanfiction- Discovering Terror by Yesm777)
"Oh my God," Toni whispered.
"Want me to continue or is that enough." Jessup asked. "I can continue to dig into him, but it may become apparent he is being checked into, if that is a problem. You said he had been kidnapped and dumped in a cellar- sure don't know who O'Brien pissed off or if the gods just don't like him, but he has gone through a lot for a young guy not in the military."
"No," Richard said. "That is quite enough. It is already known he was contracted to Homeland, so should he be involved with my space program any governmental agencies also involved should have no problem with O'Brien being on the payroll." He rose from his seat and shook Jessup's hand. "Thanks for getting on this so quickly, Dave."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Walter was reviewing the test data Steve Beck had sent. The new design modifications were working out as expected. Brooke had also requested he look over the fuel delivery system at his convenience. Any input he suggested would be appreciated as the modeling has shown a 2.7% efficiency improvement. All the data was reviewed, so he checked mail- message from Laura:
Walter- Got to thinking of you. Have not seen any postings for seminars- think that everyone understands your work but me. Sleep well. Laura
He smiled while reading but he did not care that she did not have the proficiency to understand his work- even many who did didn't understand it. He was not interested in her because of her math proficiency- that was of little value to him. He replied:
Laura- Do not give yourself a headache over the math. You sleep well, too. Walter
In the mail there was also a request for him to give a talk at USC. He sent a reply that his schedule was free, send him the place, date and time he would confirm if schedule was good. Richard did say that his contract work would be adjusted around his university work, so everything was good.
After sending that, he got to thinking about Richard wondering if the London and Berlin affiliates were interested in his security system. Would be nice to spend some time in Europe again….. then it flashed in his mind Laura talking of the less than three hundred years of US history compared to the old world. He wondered if she had ever been to Europe, and he smiled thinking of him telling her of the kings, queens, wars and conquests. Giving her 'information overload' on a nonmathematical or scientific subject. Then it hit him that he should quit over thinking and just do it…
Laura- When would you have a couple weeks free? A history lesson in Europe would clear your mind of troubling equations- Walter
He hit send before doubts set in. He rose and walked out onto the patio. Never did such a thing before- just jump into an idea without long computation, calculation, and thinking it into the ground. Like Toni had said on the plane 'my goodness, Walter- is socializing that bad?' Thinking on it, socializing with Laura he found to be quite relaxing, pleasant, and easy, and to be looked forward to it in future.
"HEY, WALTER! COME JOIN US FOR DINNER! DOOR'S OPEN"
"BE OVER SHORTLY"
Walter walked into the kitchen where Sue was cutting vegetables for a salad, while Adam was getting catsup, mustard, and mayo out. "You know, you could just send an e-mail rather than shouting. My computer gives me a signal of incoming and I check it immediately."
"Come on Walter, where is the fun in that?" Sue said. "Adam has to exercise those lungs, he is a Marine, after all. Why peck away on a computer when you can bellow like a buffalo."
"Take this stuff out to the table, Walter. Pleasant evening for out on the patio dining."
"You guys have been feeding me so often lately I should be contributing to the grocery bill. Partly your fault, though, burgers are just too good to pass up."
"That is what everybody says, Walter- for years I thought everyone who visited came because of my war stories and charming personality then I found out it was Sue's burgers. That reality hit me pretty hard."
"Yeah, his feelings were hurt for a week, poor dear," Sue chuckled gliding her hand along Adam's shoulders while putting the salad bowl on the table. "Was terribly hard on his ego."
"If you don't mind my asking, how long you been married?"
Adam and Sue looked across the table at each other with a grin. Adam held up one finger… then a second finger… then a third finger when both said "seventeen years," in unison and laughed. "Any time we are asked that it is always a routine to answer together." Sue explained. "No one thought we would last a year, so every year after is a surprise to so many."
"Well more than 50% of marriages don't make it, so the odds were good it would not have lasted. You bucked the odds and all the reasons why people thought it would fail." Walter opined. "You both seem totally compatible, so what were the reasons people didn't think it would last?"
"Oh my, so many reasons, huh, Sue."
"One, we were both Marines- both trained to lead. Two, we were very different people- Adam never went to college, I have a degree. Three, he is very down to earth realistic; I have my head in the clouds quite often with 'what if's and 'maybe's' just to name a few." Sue said while taking the burgers off the grill and onto a plate to set on the table.
"One would think after seventeen years any personality differences would smooth over to compatibility. Like breaking in a tight set of gears….. if you don't mind the analogy," Walter said with a smile. "With such differences, how did you know… you should marry?"
"Hard to explain," Adam said. "But to be totally honest, her burgers have a lot to do with it… I do love Sue's burgers."
"Alright, Marine, leave my burgers out of it." Sue admonished. "Marine- mind in the gutter."
"Yup, I like Sue's burgers and she sure likes my hot dogs." Adam said with a laugh. "When the burgers and hot dogs get along all else just falls into place, Walter." Adam laughed harder then he pointed at Sue "look at that- her age and I can still make her blush! Yup, she's a keeper, for sure."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Friday night Walter took the Ferrari to the garage and got everything ready for Ralphs visit. As he was putting problems on the board, there was an alert of new mail. When he checked it was from Laura.
Walter- That was quite a suggestion. Things are up in the air here- family issues so I am dropping out to return to Pa. I have a business degree from Penn., and the family wants me to put it to use- of more value than cosmic science as they put it. I know, dropping out will be a big disappointment to you so understand if I do not hear from you again- too big a difference- you super science mathematician, me lucky to keep my checkbook balanced. Another week and I will be back in the gentle rolling hills of south east Pa… and thinking of you always. Laura
Walter was stunned….. he didn't think, he just hit reply:
Laura- YOU are important to me, not your degrees. If you are out of classes, you have the time for Europe. The Berlin symphony is most excellent, the gentle rolling hills of Ireland more beautiful- if you are there. Come with me. Walter
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX