Chapter 17


    Still on the desk,” he said. He turned and followed the sound towards the front room. He was near the desk when the ringing stopped.


    Right.”


    Mr. Keaton, this is Alicia Escobar. We talked earlier. Can you call me when you have a minute? Thanks.”


    Alicia? Sounded like Detective Escobar,” Keaton stated. “Wonder what I did?”


    This is Escobar,” the police detective said.


    Hello, Alicia. This is Bill Keaton. This is not your office phone,” Keaton stated.


    No, Mr. Keaton. This is my personal phone. I’m out in the office parking lot smoking a cigarette,” Escobar answered.


    Smoking is bad for your health,” Keaton said.


    So’s being a cop,” Escobar answered.


    That’s true,” Keaton replied. “What can I do for you?”


    I remember my father talking about you a couple of times,” Escobar started. “Off the record, to his kid daughter, he told some stories. He said back in the day you were a man that things happened to. They weren’t good things, but you made them work out right. And Dad recognized the difficulty that creates. And he appreciated it.


    You asked me some questions yesterday that I couldn’t answer,” Escobar said. “I can answer them right now.”


    Okay.”


    We did get a good image of you, Ms. Davies, Martin and her driver, Phillip.”


    And?” Keaton asked.


    You are right about that tat on Martin’s right hand. It’s been tatted over,” Escobar answered. “His file is a single page. Nothing on it so I did my own digging. He grew up in Highland Park. His father, David Martin, was a VP with a bank downtown. His mother, Carol Klein, was a housewife. The two were in Venice for a vacation when the change came. They never made it back.


    There is nothing on Tristan during the Turmoil years. After Equilibrium was established, he lived with his mother’s brother, Joe Klein. He was an import/export businessman then. Now Klein’s a Congressman.


    Tristan graduated from SMU’s Cox School of Business. Top of his class. He interned with Ms. Davies’ father for six months after he graduated. Now he is personal assistant to Raymond Davies and Ms. Davies’ paramour.”


    Paramour,’” Keaton laughed. “Escobar, you are the first person I have ever spoken with to use the word ‘paramour.’”


    I’m glad I made your day, Mr. Keaton,” Escobar answered.


    Call me Bill, Alicia,” Keaton replied. “What else did you get on Tristan?”


    Nothing, nada, nyet,” Escobar stated. “No one is that clean. He doesn’t even have a parking ticket. And you know how those Highland Park police are. I looked at your file.”


    That’s not fair,” Keaton answered. “You have the entire weight of the bureaucracy behind you.”


    That’s right,” Escobar laughed. “And ‘The Man’ says I only get a fifteen-minute break. I have done that and smoked three cigarettes. You’re bad for my health, Bill.”


    I didn’t light ‘em for you,” Keaton stated.


    Fair enough,” Escobar answered. “I assume your plan is to dig around Martin?”


    It’s a place to start,” Keaton said.


    Keep in touch then,” said Escobar. “I never turn this phone off.”


    I appreciate that, Alicia. Later,” Keaton said.


    Later,” Escobar said and ended the call.


    Chapter 18


    No,” the cowboy answered. “It’ll just be easier to bring the packages out the front. Park there in front where the doors come together.”


    You want me to back up to it?” Timmy asked.


    If you’re gonna puke, do it out here,” the cowboy said walking out of the barn. “Not that you’re gonna make it smell worse inside. It’s just easier to clean up out here,” he laughed. “Powerful stuff, ain’t it?”


    What is that smell?” Timmy asked.


    Carcasses, man. Carcasses,” the cowboy answered. “You want to look? It’s worth more than fifty cents,” he laughed. “Nothing like this where you come from.”


    Y’all load up the packages while I show Perry around,” the cowboy ordered the men in white as he led Timmy into the interior of the barn.


    Don’t get close to those cages,” the cowboy instructed. “Hell, those animals ’ll snatch out and drag you over. Seen it happen. One bite and then we toss you in that cage with ‘em,” he laughed.


    What do you do here?” Timmy asked, breathing through his mouth.


    We’re doin’ a breeding program with these things,” the cowboy answered. “On this ranch we been doing it with cattle for two hundred years. We’re just getting this herd started but we have high hopes for it.”


    When the change happens, the DNA changes, right?”


    That DNA change gives the LDs extended life. Knocks their brains down a bit but they live longer. We don’t really know how long they’ll last. Hell, none of the dead has died yet,” the cowboy grinned. “We got a herd on another part of the ranch we’re using as a baseline, monitoring that.


    You know how most these things have poor balance and a stiff walk? We got a herd of free range LDs out on the ranch that we’re monitoring. With that particular herd we’re working to identify flexibility and strength characteristics and IQ retention. Your packages are from that herd.


    Obviously they have to move well to make it out on the range. Coyotes rip these things up a bunch if they can get to ‘em. Don’t kill ‘em. Got to rip the head off to do that but the coyotes tear ‘em up bad. First thing you know they’re out there crawling around on their bellies ‘cause the coyotes got their legs. We let the buzzards take care of those partials. They ain’t hurting anyone.


    So when this free range herd transitions a LA we capture that new LD, draw DNA, check its mobility and cognitives, and if they are good, rotate it back out into the free herd. Of course, we also cull the herd of any LDs with lesser attributes than the new member.


    Most of these in this barn are culls. They’re not much good for anything. Least so far we haven’t found ‘em worth anything. We update our mental and physical test results, pull DNA samples and then transition them. Just building up the herd.”


    What’s this free herd feed on?” Timmy asked.


    Locals,” the cowboy laughed. “We drop some illegals out there sometimes. Sometimes we get a load from the cities. Cops clean out the homeless type thing. Got to do something with them. You get surprised sometimes with what adds good DNA.”


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Neither do the high cog LDs,” the cowboy laughed. “That’s why we are out here in the middle of nowhere. Those worthless city things would go ape over this.”


    The packages are in the van, boss,” Jorge answered.


    Thanks.” The cowboy turned back to Timmy. “You’re all ready, Perry. Do you need to use the bathroom or anything before you head back?”


    No, I’m good,” Timmy responded.


    Okay, don’t get caught with that stuff in the van. All kinds of folks would be unhappy.”


    I’m a very careful driver,” Timmy assured the cowboy. “What am I carrying?”


    Cows?” Timmy asked.


    No. Like I said, you got three LDs from the free range herd. A big one and two little ones,” the cowboy said. “Don’t get all worried,” he added. “They’re sedated and sacked up?”


    Sacked up?”


    Like potatoes,” the cowboys answered. “Come on,” he said and headed out the barn.


    Their arms are down by their sides. If they were to wake up, they can’t even get their arms up to try and get out,” the cowboy said. Closed the van doors.


    And they are sedated. But now that stuff won’t last forever.” The cowboy slammed the van doors closed and looked at the watch on his wrist. “You got five, five and a half hours to get ‘em home. And it’s only a three-hour drive.”


    Great,” Timmy answered. “I better get going.”


    You better not leave your phone and wallet laying out where every Tom, Dick and Jorge can see them,” the cowboy laughed.


    You know what I mean,” Timmy grinned.


    Let me see your hand,” the cowboy ordered.


    Okay,” Timmy said pulling his hand back.


    Don’t smear it,” the cowboy said.


    Right, right,” Timmy answered moving to the driver’s door. “Thanks.”


    You sure you don’t want to use the bathroom? Get a bottle of water? Dr. Pepper? Anything?”


    Okay, Perry. You can just circle around the house to get back on the road,” the cowboy said making a circular motion with his right arm. “Be safe.”


    Thanks,” Timmy answered and closed the van door and started up the engine. He looked back at the packages as he let the engine warm up.


    Chapter 19


    Damn, it,” Davies said. “I hate waiting. Those samples are the first seventh generation. I want to get a close look at them.”


    Timmy is punctual. He would have left Dallas at seven. A little over three hours to the ranch. An hour to load. I don’t expect to hear from him for at least another ten minutes,” Tristan explained. “And then another three and a half hours to get back to the Grove.”


    Sit down and wait here with me,” Davies ordered.


    You are all dressed up,” Davies said. “You going somewhere?”


    Ruth and I are doing that thing I told you about later this afternoon and I have a meeting with Uncle Joe here in a little bit,” Tristan answered.


    What the hell does that fat bastard want?” Davies asked.


    If he wants it in Mesquite, he should be paying me instead of me paying him,” Davies answered.


    I won’t disagree,” Tristan answered. “I’ll bring it up to him when we talk if you want me to.”


    Ah, hell no. He only has money I’ve given him. I might as well take the change out of my right pants pocket and put it in my left,” Davies stated.


    And drop a few coins doing it. Uncle Joe is not a net even proposition,” Tristan laughed.


    Damn right about that,” Davies added.


    Everything is going great, sir,” Timmy answered. “I’ve taken care of the business out here and I’m getting ready to head back.”


    That’s great, Perry,” Tristan said. “So everything has gone well.”


    Yes, sir. Everything is great. I even got a package for you,” Timmy said.


    Super. You all set for when you get back in town?” Tristan asked.


    Yes, sir. I am,” Timmy answered.


    Great, then. I’ll see you late this afternoon,” Tristan said and ended the call.


    Yes, sir,” Tristan answered as he stood up from the chair. “I’ll stay in touch.”


    Chapter 20


    Uncle Joe, how are you?” Tristan asked grinning, taking the offered hand. “It’s been a while.”


    Yes it has young man,” Joe answered. He leaned in and gave Tristan a hug. “Too long.”


    Sure, Joe,” the waitress answered. “It’ll be there before you are.” She laughed.


    Women are the only thing you do let beat you,” Frances laughed.


    Damn,” Francis said softly. Reaching over the wall dividing the kitchen from the seats she set the cups down.


    You lose, Frances. No tip today,” Joe grinned.


    What’s different about today?” Frances asked. She smiled at Tristan. “Here’s some cream for you, Hon. Don’t let Chubby have any.”


    Thank you’ ma’am,” Tristan answered. “Black is fine. You should probably take the cream back with you so ‘Chubby’ doesn’t take it.”


    You still like some sugar with your coffee Uncle Joe?” Tristan asked.


    Yes I do,” Joe laughed. “And you still taking yours black?”


    Yes sir,” Tristan answered. “It’s better for your eyes and your waistline.”


    She’s talking to you,” Joe told Tristan. “Frances has never mistaken me for a gentleman.”


    That sounds pretty good,” Joe stated. “But, it’s lunch time.” He looked at Frances, “Steak and eggs. You know I want the eggs very runny and extra butter on the toast and...”


    Fried onions in the hash browns,” Frances finished Joe’s sentence.


    Elsewhere’s already run you off twice,” Frances stated. “Food’ll be up in a couple of minutes,” she said to Tristan. “We already had Chubby’s steak started.”


    Thank you, Frances,” Joe said as the waitress turned and headed to turn the rest of the order into the cook.


    Nice suit,” Joe said.


    Thanks. I feel a little overdressed,” Tristan answered.


    You’re a lot overdressed there boy,” Joe laughed. “But regular folks like to believe rich folks are just like them. It’s good for you eat in places like this. Plus, the food is good and not fancy prices.


    You should think about running for office,” Joe added. “People like you.”


    Uncle Joe,” Tristan started.


    Coffee, please,” Tristan answered. Joe already had a mouth full of steak. He nodded.


    Okay, Uncle Joe. I’ll be President for you. What do you need right now?”


    Good, I’m not sure we have anymore sugar,” Frances answered.


    Thank you, Frances,” Joe grinned.


    Something about kids,” Joe answered. He took a big bite of steak and around his chewing he added, “LA kids.”


    I don’t know what that would be about, Tristan answered.


    I told you, you need to go into politics,” Joe stated. “Now let me eat. I can’t think and talk and eat at the same time.”


    Uncle Joe, I don’t know anything about whatever it is you are talking about,” Tristan answered.


    I know that boy. But… if there turns out to be something of interest out there in my district; I would be interested in being a part of it,” Joe smiled at Tristan and waved his right hand at Frances.


    Hon, you didn’t eat. Was everything alright?” she asked Tristan.


    Yes, ma’am. It was great. I just wasn’t that hungry,” Tristan answered.


    Always, Frances. Always,” Joe laughed. “Especially when I’m buying.”


    And you’re paying?” Frances laughed. She looked at Tristan, “Hon, you are special.”