33- Starting over… chapter thirty-three
Over the next three weeks, Scorpion Security Systems installed security programming for Mr. Estrada's data center in Pacoima, as well as three other data centers and three businesses including two privately owned jewelry stores that were referred to him by the old couple who had the jewelry store Walter spent last Thanksgiving installing security for. He enjoyed their conversation about the precious and semi-precious stones they were so involved with- what to him were just rocks. And truth be told, he looked forward to his monthly stopping in to monitor their system for them because the Mrs made delicious cookies to go with the coffee.
Was almost a year, the holidays were on hand again. Being an El Nino year, the rains kept falling, gullies were washed, the Cecile Brunner roses on the roof were very well watered, possibly to the point of being drowned, and the Ferrari remained covered up in the garage. Scorpion Security Systems was doing well and gaining a reputation for exemplary security programming. Walter had three components for the Elias Enterprises Arizona sector rocket systems redesigned and patented, three systems for the personnel capsule in the LA division labs, two patents and one, the controls equally distributed to all positions merely redesigned and instituted in the build.
Cabe and Allie visited periodically, always bringing food like they were afraid he would waste away. Cabe was retiring the first of the year. They had finished Jimmy's house and were ready to move. Two weeks before Halloween they stopped in since there was a break in the weather, the day was nice and the garage bay door was open when they got there.
"HEY WALTER!" Cabe yelled walking in with Allie. "Got some goodies for you. You are going to LOVE this- Allie really outdid herself this time. That time of year so sit back to enjoy the best pumpkin pie you ever had. Even have topping for it."
"Sounds good," Walter asked coming down the stairs from the den. "Want some coffee or water?" he asked heading into the office kitchen followed by Allie carrying the pie and bag of plastic storage bowls. Holding up a plastic storage container, "I also brought some meatloaf and side of veggies for you. I will put it in the fridge- you can have your dessert first with us."
Putting the pie and bowl of topping on the counter while Walter pulled dessert plates from the cabinet, Allie asked, "Have you heard anything, Walter?"
"Heard anything about what?" Walter asked opening the drawer to get forks and napkins.
Allie opened the bowl of topping "about Sarah, how she is doing."
"Why should I be informed? We were just acquaintances for a short time. She had my contact information, Seth is still in LA and knows where this place is, so do me a favor and drop it- again, it is past and I have moved on. Let's just enjoy the day."
Taking a couple cups down from the cabinet, he filled them taking them out to the seating area, handing one to Cabe. "Here you go. How does it feel to be getting within weeks of retirement? Have plans on getting out of the apartment and into the house? Let me know and I will give you a hand. Can always move a few of your things in the Ferrari."
Cabe laughed, "special trips to carry a few towels and sheets? Would take forty days and forty nights and a fortune in gas to get moved with a Ferrari. Figured a genius would figure out a faster way to get the job done. No, we are here to recruit you. Next Saturday we are renting a truck and need help packing, loading and unloading. Don't really need a lot moved- just had used crap in the apartment that will be picked up by the thrift store Friday afternoon, the nice stuff is already out at the house, just a few household things left need to be boxed up- not even enough to fill the cube van I am renting, but will be one trip and done."
"What time next Saturday? Will be there ready to pack and load," Walter said sitting on the easy chair. "I can drive the Malibu to load breakable stuff to move safely- I am assuming there will be dishes and the like?"
"Wow, you are a genius after all," Cabe laughed.
Allie came out of the kitchen with pumpkin pie with topping for each and sat down to join in the conversation. "Plan to stay for dinner after everything is unloaded…. good old cheeseburgers and salad. And more pumpkin pie. I just hope the clear skies will last through the weekend. Forecast is no rain this week, but weather forecasts are notoriously wrong here unless it is for sunny days which is correct three hundred fifty days of the year."
"I have gotten the Ferrari out only twice the past couple weeks …. not enough road time for either of us," Walter glanced at Cabe. "I need to know, will anyone else be involved in this move next Saturday?" Walter asked between bites of pumpkin pie. "By chance you possibly expecting others to visit at that time?"
"No others scheduled at that time, Walter. But, since you mention it, my retirement party at the Homeland office- the company party is set for the first floor conference room where public can attend without a lot of ID checks and hassles. There will be others there," Cabe said. "Allie and I would like you to be there as well, but, it is your decision."
"Message me the day, time, and place, of course I will show up," Walter said sitting back. "This is excellent pumpkin pie, Allie- just the right amount of spices. Cabe, I do not have any problem being around anyone, just appreciate being prepared beforehand."
"After we are settled in, I would like you to come out and assess the place for wind and solar. Had mentioned it before. Allie likes being in the 'outback' but sure likes those modern conveniences like electricity, TV, computers and running water. The place does have city water, but also has a well, it's just nonfunctional, not even sure the water is OK to drink. but Allie is all geared up on making a rose paradise of the place, so will need the water for the flora, may put in some fruit and nut trees-it is California after all. Needless to say, there will be a lot of work involved, so probably working up more of a sweat after retirement than before. May even get myself a tractor or Bobcat to push dirt around and set up a weapons range. Certainly out far enough. Allie wants to have chickens, believe it or not, and the squirrels and other pests would be a plague coming in from the open rangeland for free food." Cabe laughed, "feeding the whole range of varmints moving in for chicken chow would make for very expensive eggs."
"As you can see, Walter," Allie said chuckling, "this is going to be a lot of fun for a couple city people getting out to frontier living. I was thinking of seeing about a calf to raise….. but I probably would turn it into a pet rather than hamburger. At least one does not get attached to eggs so we can always have breakfasts."
"It is going to be fun to visit you guys out there. Good drive for getting out of the city. I will have to look into a set-up for an oil-bath air cleaner driving that long dirt road. The Ferrari is like me, set up for civilized driving- paved roads, not wagon paths. Plus you will have to keep the road smooth- suspension on the Ferrari- not quite up to off-road ruts, bumps and dirt road washboard effect. Will have to think about a bit of designing so may stick with the Malibu for the first few runs to get a feel for the road." He sat back looking to get comfortable for long contemplation on the issues he brought up.
Cabe, catching the usual settling of Walter going into a thinking binge, sat up, "Nope, nope, Walter, think about designs and engineering later after we leave. You can wait 'til we leave before going off on a design kick."
"OK. Cabe. I will behave myself," Walter chuckled sitting up. "Sorry Allie, habits get ingrained with single living- have you managed to get Cabe out of such bad habits after so many years?"
"Not been a problem, he settled into married life easily…. or I thump him with the big stick I keep by the door," Allie laughed. "Glad you liked the pumpkin- will leave the rest for you- just remember to eat it."
"So how is the business going? Making every business in LA safe and secure?" Cabe asked. "Have you worked your way out of LA, yet?"
"Working on doing the scans from the garage, work the code and possibly having the fee put in a holding account and sending the loaded hard drive by currier to have the customers in house tech crew load and again rescan remote from here." Walter said. "Hypothetical at this point. Will address the issue more fully when the time comes."
"Can't you hire some people?" Allie asked. "You can train a helper to go to the distant places and do the loading."
"I do not work with others, Allie, you know that. Never ends well, and no one gets access to my programming and servers."
"You work with Gina- she has been handling everything OK, right?"
"Gina is the office manager- handles customers, does paperwork, keeps the books- she does not have access to my servers, would not have any idea of the coding even if she did- as I said, no one will have access to my servers. Possibly Ralph years from now or if anything happens to me- he will get everything- he could figure the system out and gain access in time. I have clues for him in my will but even he would have to work at it, take it slow or all the coding in the system will be rendered useless."
"Well, we will be expecting you next Saturday around eleven," Cabe said getting up. "By the way, the computer bunch at Homeland are working on another routing mess. If they don't have it by Tuesday, I may bring it over to you to look at. Not dire threats like the last one, but location needs to be found."
"Bring it by whenever, Cabe. Always glad to help."
"Remember to eat, Walter. Let me know what Gina thinks of the pie- if you share some with her that is."
"When she comes in Monday I will have coffee ready and cut her a piece of pie for breakfast." Walter said smiling. "Start her week off with sweets, and I will let you know what she thinks of it. You drive safe."
Seeing them out the door and watching them drive off, Walter turned to reenter, closed up, set the stops and security. He went into the seating area, gathered the dishes to go into the office kitchen. Putting everything into the dishwasher, he poured the last of the coffee into his cup and turned the maker off. Putting the rinsed out pot into the dishwasher, he started it, turned off the lights and headed up to the den. Sitting at the desk he thought of modifications he may have to make to the Ferrari for trips down long, dusty, dirt roads.
In time, just like every night the past couple weeks Walter got up went into the bathroom to strip take a shower, and go to bed.
Sunday, there was a break in the rain, but it was chilly, damp and windy but Walter was getting cabin fever and just wanted to get out for a bit so later in the afternoon he pulled the Malibu out check with the old couple and monitor their system. He called them and they said to come as there were fresh cookies to go with the coffee, they would meet him at the shop.
Getting to the shop, they unlocked to let him in and they settled for an hour of talking about jewelry while Walter scanned their system and let them know all was well, no hacks, no incursions, their customer's information safe. Some cookies were put in a bag for him to take and he said good-bye and left.
Pulling in at the garage, he opened the man-door to open the bay door and pull the Malibu in. Closing up, setting the stops he went into the seating area after sliding closed the doors to the garage. Going into the office kitchen, he unloaded the dishwasher, set up the coffee for in the morning, wiped down the counter and headed up to the den. He glanced at Megan's picture then continued on into the bedroom. Getting undressed for bed, he heard the rain starting again.