Chapter 21
I just turned onto Preston. I’ll be there in five minutes,” Tristan answered. “Can you wait outside? I don’t want any flak from Hobson or Phillip.”
Just don’t want to waste the time,” Tristan explained. “We’re already behind schedule.”
I know, I know. You know how my Uncle Joe is,” Tristan replied.
Yes, I do know. I’m lucky you got away at all,” Ruth said. “I’ll be outside.”
Almost there,” Tristan answered.
You’re all dressed up,” Ruth said. “I mean, I’ve always liked the suit; but you didn’t tell me I needed to dress.”
Hon? Now I’m Hon?” Ruth asked.
Sorry, talking with Uncle Joe always lowers my vocabulary,” Tristan answered.
How is your Uncle?”
Up to no good, as usual. Trying to glom onto everything I do,” Tristan replied.
Glom?” Ruth asked.
Pleasant Grove,” Tristan answered.
I’ve heard of Pleasant Grove,” Ruth replied. “But I don’t recall ever being there.”
What is this place?” Ruth asked.
It’s kind of a half-way house slash factory. LD’s run it. They live here and work here. I thought it fit what you wanted to see.” Tristan stated. “Let’s get out.”
Doing well, Mr. Martin,” a gravelly voice from near the dock door answered.
Ruth, this is Jeffery. Jeffery, Ms. Ruth Davies,” Tristan introduced the pair.
Nice to meet you, Jeffery,” Ruth said.
I’m sorry,” Ruth answered. “You look fine.”
Ruth wanted to get out and meet some people. I thought this would be the perfect place to start,” Tristan interjected.
Yes,” Ruth joined in. “What do you do here? How many people do you employ?”
Come on, Jeffery. Don’t be mysterious,” Tristan stated.
That’s wonderful,” Ruth replied.
Can you show us the facility?” Tristan asked.
The facility? Sure,” Jeffery answered. “Let me get the lights on.” He walked back towards the dock door. There was a steel door near it and a bank of switches. With the side of his right-hand Jeffery flipped all the switches. The building was filled with light.
Sorry,” Jeffery said watching from the light switches. “I should have warned you. We keep it plenty bright in here. Lot of us have ocular issues. And lot of us have learning disabilities. Let me show you what we have here.” Jeffery moved away from the wall and back out towards the car.
It’s okay,” he whispered to her. “Jeffery is fine. You’ll see.”
Is Doug around?” Tristan asked.
No,” Jeffery answered looking back over his right shoulder. “We have a shipment coming in late this afternoon, so he went home to get some rest.”
Who’s Doug?” Ruth whispered.
Good. It might be a long night,” Tristan responded.
Who’s Doug?” Ruth asked speaking a little louder.
I assumed you were in charge,” Ruth said.
No, ma’am. Numero two,” Jeffery answered and added the laughing noise.
I am sorry. I assumed Mr. Martin had explained us to you. We are a small animal slaughterhouse,” Jeffery answered.
Chapter 22
Sweet Jesus,” Timmy said. “Sweet Jesus Christ. What am I going to do?” Timmy paced back and forth in front of the van a couple of times then ran to the passenger’s door. The LD watched his motions with a smile on her face.
We handle things like sheep and lambs mainly,” Jeffery explained. “We’re not kosher. To be kosher LDs can’t touch LA food. But our prices are good so we usually sale out pretty quickly when we have something.”
You are not paranoid if it’s true,” Jeffery answered and added the laugh sound.
I need to take this,” Tristan told Ruth and stepped away several meters from her and Jeffery. Tristan accepted the call.
Mr. Martin, one of the LDs is loose in the back!” Timmy screamed.
This is Timmy, Mr. Martin!” Timmy shouted.
I’m sorry. I don’t know any Timmy. I believe you have the wrong number.”
This is Perry! This is Perry!” Timmy pleaded.
Oh, hello Perry. Mr. Martin is not at this number. Maybe if you calm down, I could help you?” Tristan stated.
Packages can’t talk, Perry,” Tristan stated with a laugh. “Have you been drinking, again?”
No, sir. Never. One of the packages came unwrapped and touched me. I almost had a wreck,” Timmy said rapidly. “What am I supposed to do?”
The back is partitioned from the cabin, isn’t it?” Tristan asked.
Yes, sir,” Timmy answered.
Then I suggest you get back in the van and finish your route before you have problems with the other packages,” ordered Tristan.
But it touched me!” Timmy exclaimed.
All our vehicles have tracking features on them, Perry. We know where you are. If you walk away from the van, we will pick up the van and we will find you wherever you choose to hide. Do you understand me?” Tristan asked.
Yes, sir,” Timmy answered quietly.
So, get back in the van, Perry. Drive carefully home, okay. Your packages are valuable. And if they don’t arrive in a timely fashion someone will be sent out looking for them. Okay?” Tristan explained.
Yes, sir,” Timmy answered.
Perry, when I hang up, this phone will not be answered again. Do you understand?” Tristan explained.
Yes, sir,” Timmy responded.
Great,” Tristan said, and he ended the call. He slipped the phone back in his pocket and walked back towards Ruth and Jeffery.
Who is Perry?” Ruth asked when Tristan was near.
Delivery driver,” Tristan said and smiled. “Freaking out because he’s running late.”
Should I have someone start out after him, just in case?” Jeffery asked.
But before you do that let’s go have a seat in the office,” Tristan said. He smiled at Ruth and took her hand. They, and Jeffery, headed to the back corner and the office.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
No,” Timmy answered sharply. He sat in the driver’s seat and adjusted it forward as far away as it would move from the wire cage. Timmy’s knees bumped into the searing wheel. The motor was still running. He checked the gas level and put the van in gear, checked his mirrors, turned on the signal and waiting to pull out onto the highway.
Chapter 23
This is like a little condo,” Ruth said looking around. “It needs windows though.”
If you are in here you don’t want to see what goes on outside,” Tristan replied.
It’s a slaughterhouse, Ruth. That’s not something to sit and watch. At least it shouldn’t be,” Tristan said. “Let’s sit down on the couch. I need to talk to you.”
Corporations run this world, Ruth. You know that. And your father heads one of the biggest corporations in the world. He feeds both the LDs and the LAs. Without your father, and his businesses, there would be no world. There would just be the Change.
LDs live in their slums and the LAs live in different slums. But they are still the same. When the government sends in subsidies, it is the same stuff. And it comes from your father’s businesses.”
Ruth asked. “What is your point?”
My point is that your father is a very important person. And he is really interested in helping humanity. Both LA and LD,” Tristan said. “Civilization is all about disparate groups joining together to become a cohesive identity.”
How long have you have been working on this speech?” Ruth asked.
My whole life,” Tristan answered. “It’s something I believe in. It’s something your father believes in. It’s something we have been working towards. We want to merge the best of what the LDs have with the best of what the LAs have.”
And how do you do that?” Ruth asked.
A breeding program,” Tristan answered.
Eugenics,” Ruth stated.
Exactly,” Tristan grinned. “‘The Change’ created this great schism in humans. Locogs are less intelligent than even the least intelligent LA. Hicogs are smart but they’re weak physically. But they don’t die. But that is the one thing all LAs do; they die. We need to bring these things together, for everyone.”
It means we need to do something. Someone has to take the point on this problem. Someone has to make the hard decisions,” Tristan answered.
And that someone is you?” Ruth asked.
Oh no,” Tristan answered. “That someone is your father.”
My father. Really?” Ruth laughed. “My father thinks the government’s job is to protect private property. Especially his. And he will do anything to manipulate people and governments to get what he wants.”
That’s why we’re here,” Tristan answered.
What do you mean?” Ruth asked.
Ruth, you know I love you. Don’t you?” Tristan asked. He moved across the couch and put his left hand on her thigh.
I thought I knew,” Ruth answered. She reached down and moved Tristan’s hand off her leg.
I am a Harlequin,” he said.
Like those things that tried to kidnap us?” Ruth demanded.
Not exactly like them,” Tristan answered. “I’m still LA. But they took me into their group after my parents died.”
And your Uncle Joe? He’s one?” Ruth asked.
Uncle Joe doesn’t know anything about me. Harlequins helped get me through college. Your father was looking for someone and they steered him to me. I would not be alive without them.
And they were only trying to kidnap you,” Tristan laughed. “I set the whole thing up. Phillip and that detective would have been fed to the group if he hadn’t messed everything up. You would have been carried off to someplace safe and I would have reported everything to the police.
It was supposed to be like tossing a wrench into the works. Make pieces fly and see what happens.”
What did you expect to happen?” Ruth asked.
But you are one of them,” Ruth said.
Yes, I am,” Tristan grinned. “But I run the Harlequins. We’ll stay out of everyone’s way while the government gets everything back under control. Synthmeat will be even more valuable. Your father has a long list of friends and businesspeople and government agents waiting in line for the new treatment. And we new LDs will slide into positions of control.”
Oh. Okay,” Tristan said. “I was sure you would say that.” He smiled, “But I’m not disappointed that you didn’t. I spent a lot of time on that speech.”
What happens next?” Ruth asked looking up at Tristan.
I can’t wait,” Ruth answered.
Chapter 24
Are we there?” the two voices in the back of the van asked.
I’m Perry,” Timmy answered stopping a few feet from the six LDs. “I’ve got three packages outside.” The other LDs turned to look at Timmy.
You made good time,” Jeffery smiled. “We weren’t expecting you for a while.”
I got a problem,” Timmy hurried. “Two of them are awake.”
Two of them are awake?” Jeffery asked.
Yes, sir,” Timmy answered. He ran his hands through his hair. “Two of them are awake. It’s the two little ones. One’s been awake for hours now.”
Great. Let me take a look,” Jeffery said. He made his way around the domino table and walked toward Timmy.
I thought they were going to kill me,” Timmy said.
They were supposed to be sedated,” Jeffery answered.
They were for a while. Then they weren’t,” Timmy answered. He followed Jeffery to the dock door.
No. I got ‘em here,” Timmy answered. He held out the keys in his right hand.
I’ll pull the van in,” Jeffery said. He took the van keys from Timmy.
Thank you. I thought I was going to die,” Timmy said.
That’s easy to say when they aren’t pickin’ at your hair,” Timmy replied.
Guys,” he called out to the domino players., “bring three cages over here.”
There are seven of us,” Jeffery stated. “We should be able to corral two little girls. Bring two of the cages up close and we’ll make a shoulder to shoulder semi-circle from door edge to door edge,” he instructed.
Hi girls,” Jeffery said. “My name is Jeffery. My friends call me Jeff. What are you your names?”
Kayla.”
Kaylie.”
Identical twins,” Jeffery said. “That’s pretty cool. Come on out. This is your new home.”
What about Daddy,” one of the LDs asked. “He’s still asleep.”
Well, when your dad wakes up we’ll help get him out of the van,” Jeffery answered. “He looks like he’s sleeping good. We don’t need to wake him up yet.”
Daddy says not to talk to strangers,” one of the LDs answered.
And he’s right. You should not talk to strangers. But we’re not strangers. We’re like you. You’re like us. Except that guy there,” he said pointing at Timmy. “He is different. You can smell the difference can’t you?”
Come on out. We’ll get you something to eat. I bet you’re hungry after such a long ride,” Jeffery said.
No! You can’t. Mr. Martin’s my boss. He sent me here,” Timmy shouted.
Make sure you give the kids some good meat. Not any feet. You hear me?” Jeffery order. “And save some for Pop. He’ll be starving when he wakes up.”
Chapter 25
Good evening, Mr. Hobson. It’s late.”
Yes, sir, Mr. Keaton. I am sorry to bother you at this hour, but Ms. Ruth is missing,” Hobson stated.
She is not answering her phone?”
No, sir.”
I told her not to go anywhere without me,” Keaton said.
Yes, sir. Ms. Ruth told everyone what you said.”
And you still let her out?” Keaton asked.
She did not ask permission, sir.”
Is Tristan there?”
Yes, sir. He has been here since early afternoon, after his lunch with his uncle.”
Joe Klein?”
Yes, sir.”
What does the Navy say?”
They are not answering Mr. Davies’ calls.”
What does Mr. Davies say?”
He wants you to find her, sir,” Hobson answered.
Okay. When was she last seen at the house?”
I may have been the last to see her, sir. She had spoken to both Phillip and Mr. Martin before he left for his lunch meeting. She came into the pantry and talked about you.”
She was angry with me for shooting the LDs.”
Yes, sir. She was.”
Did she tell you she came over here dressed in mourning for the dead and I didn’t notice?”
Yes, sir,” Hobson answered.
Any friends she may be with?”
I have called them. They are not many.”
I knew you had, but I had to ask,” Keaton stated.
Yes, sir.”
Okay, let me see what I can do,” Keaton answered.
Thank you, sir. I will let Mr. Davies know,” Hobson said.
Yes I do, Alicia. Ruth Davies is missing.”
Kidnapped?”
I assume so,” Keaton answered. “She disappeared from the house and no one saw her leave. The government is not interested, at this point, in finding her.”
Shit,” Escobar said quietly.
Yes,” Keaton agreed.
Where do we start?”
Calling the cavalry only gets you me.”
I bet that’ll be enough,” Keaton said, and he ended the call.
Keaton had on a fresh suit. He pushed on the rotating door and entered Alice’s. There was one man waiting with menus in his hands.
Just one, sir?” he asked.
Is Paul still here?” Keaton asked.
Paul will be right with you, sir.”
Thank you.”
Very early morning, Paul. Coffee is all I need.”
Yes, sir.” Paul poured the coffee and picked up the menu.
I need to talk with the cook.”
Sir?”
I need to talk with the cook. Especially if it’s the cook with the nephew we talked about the other day. Don’t worry. It’s nothing to do with this place.”
Of course, sir. That would be Juanita. She is working. She works almost as often as I.”
She is not as wealthy then?”
Smaller family,” Paul laughed. “Please follow me, sir. Jefe up at the bar is busy with the drinkers, friends. He will not notice us peons.”
Juanita, this is my friend Keaton. He needs some advice,” Paul announced as he and Keaton walked up to the cook.
Where do you get your choice cut?” Keaton asked.
We get our beef from lots of places.”
The other choice cut,” Keaton said. “Your nephew is a Harlequin, an LD.”
We don’t serve that kind of meat,” Juanita answered.
This isn’t about him and it’s not about you. It’s not about this place. Someone is missing and I need a starting place.”
Mr. Keaton has eaten here for years, Juanita,” Paul added.
No one will know we talked,” Keaton stated.
Because Paul brought you back here,” Juanita said adding some salt to the eggs. “Places change. They move often. We are using a place in the Grove right now.” She gave Keaton the address. She lifted the pan and slid the eggs out onto a plate.
Thank you, Chef.”
Thank you, Juanita.”
You didn’t hear anything from me.”
Of course,” Keaton answered. He turned to Paul and said, “Can you have Rafie pick me up right now?”
Yes, sir,” Paul answered. “He needs the money.”
Great. Thanks. I’m going to go sit down and drink that coffee and call the cavalry.”
You will need help,” Paul said as they both moved toward the kitchen door. Juanita added some bacon and fried potatoes to the eggs on the plate.
Paul, order up.”
Nothing, Alicia. But nothing good happens after midnight. It is after midnight.”
Damn near dawn,” Escobar answered.
I’ve got an address for a chop shop in the Grove. I am heading there in a couple of minutes. Do you want to meet me there?”
Hell, yes,” Escobar stated. “But like I said, it’ll just be me.”
I think that will be enough, Alicia.” Keaton gave the address to Escobar and drank more of his coffee.