There Must Be a Mistake Ch. 09

"Stephano call Joyce Nall, and get me an appointment for tomorrow. Harold, would you mind taking Anna and Robert with you?"

"Not at all Patti, they are like my own children."

Laura walked over to her mother, and without touching her said, "You are not allowed to get sick to keep me at home." She turned and walked away.

Patti said, "That certainly was heartfelt."

Stephano responded, "That was like the young woman I was courting."

"Don't even joke about that."

"Who was joking? Do you want me to name the discussion, day or time?"

"You are supposed to be on my side."

"There are no sides when it comes to family. We all win or we all lose."

"Mr. Valentino your car is waiting outside."

"Thank you father; is there a prayer to make women understand each other better?"

"I'll pray to the Holy Mother, and ask for her guidance. I hope she helps you and your family. Money can't do anything at a time like this."

"You are so right, father, you are so right."

As the Valentino's headed east on Interstate 70, a phalanx of police cars blocked off Interstate 70 for the armored cars to lead the parade westbound. There were two additional vehicles in the group. Delicious and I were each riding in our Q 7's in the front of the convoy headed towards our new destination. I did not bother to ask where it was. It didn't concern me because I knew my transmitters would work. I just wanted to make sure the drivers of the armored vehicles survived what I feared was coming.

"Even, this is Shelby over."

"Loud and clear Shelby, go ahead."

"We are 1 mile behind and 5000 feet above your position. The road is clear in front of you. No unknown vehicles stopped along the side. No suspicious activity along either side of the roadway over."

"That's great news Shelby. I hope this is just a bad dream of mine. I'd rather be safe than sorry though."

"It's not like you can't afford it."

"Jealous?"

"Do you really want me to answer that question?"

"Just think of all the diamonds you could have given to your mother."

"She would have scratched my eyes out with them."

"That's what we get for being honest."

********

As Interstate 70 made the sweeping turn to the south Shelby shouted, "Two missiles inbound; emergency stop, emergency stop."

It was too late for the armored car drivers to do anything but brace themselves. Behind them, in the box of the armored car were two extra layers of ceramic protection covered by Kevlar.

I had anticipated multiple rocket propelled grenade attacks from ground level on these trucks as they passed by an exposed point on the road, but never did I expect an adversary to have access to missiles. At this moment I didn't give a damn. I just wanted the drivers to survive.

The back of the trucks blew open like wooden sticks. 6-inch cold rolled steel doors disintegrated, and what was in the back of those trucks was gone. The police tried to keep me in my vehicle, but there was no way I was not going to verify these drivers were safe. I had to make sure I had protected them as well as I could.

The police did not have any trouble opening the drivers' doors. There were no doors to open. The driver of the closest armored car was slumped over the wheel of the remains of his vehicle. He was wearing his bomb suit, protective helmet, and ear protectors, but he was unconscious.

A police officer gave me thumbs up. This man would survive, and live to spend the money I paid him to carry cement blocks.

I rushed up to find the driver of the first truck standing outside his vehicle getting out of his bomb suit. I hugged him.

He said to me, "Mister, they were paying me a lousy $700 a week to get this stuff thrown at me in Iraq. If they want to play this game with you again, I'm your man."

I wrote down my name, and phone number. I asked him to call me two weeks. I said I might have a more lucrative and less hazardous position available for him and his less fortunate friend behind him. I joked with him and asked how we felt about wearing suits instead of uniforms?

He just smiled at me.

We shook hands and parted company.

I went back to check on the driver of the second armored car. He was awake.

Police were all around the accident area; accident area my ass.

I returned to my vehicle.

"Shelby this is Even, over."

"Go ahead Even."

"Were you able to see where the rockets came from?"

"Of course, they came from behind me. Other than that we are working with air traffic control to try to find something from the area the rockets came from. The problem is it doesn't have to be a drone. It could be a twin-engine, or a single engine aircraft like the one I'm flying now. We will never be able to trace who fired them or from what type of aircraft. We have four other sources who may give us that information. I'm sorry about your radio."

"Why, what do you think I'm talking to you on? I have another one in Delicious' car. You didn't think I would be stupid enough to put them in the armored cars did you?"

"Even you are a man of many talents; stupidity is not one of them. You let these people go with one thing we can't charge them with unfortunately: Murder. Attempted murder we have in spades. Let's hope we have enough evidence down there to lead us back to the source."

"Let me speak to my guests, and make sure they've calmed down and want to continue on to their new site or if they would prefer to go to my old site."

"Good luck Even, I'll keep watch from up here."

Traffic was stopped in both directions on the interstate, so my guests were free to walk about as they wished. When I asked for their attention one of them said, "I just received an email that Atomic Systems Limited, out of San Diego. They just filed a patent for the same type product you claim to have Dr. Luck. I guess this test will no longer be necessary."

"Rod, if you would be so kind. My attorney, Rod Laver, will now pass among you, and show you a photocopy of my patent dated last Friday, at 9:18 AM Eastern Standard Time in Washington DC. Anyone filing a patent after that date is too late and has yet to demonstrate his product. This will be my third demonstration; and my first public demonstration. If you do not wish to continue. the police will take you to your hotel, but you will still be bound by your nondisclosure agreement."

Celeste asked, "Where did you hide your radio in my car?"

"I would never hide something so sensitive and so small in your car. The midget, I mean Antonia might've found it."

Antonia growled. "Even, you just ran out of Luck."

I called out, "Delicious."

"Yes dad."

"Why don't you take the aging Mrs. Gennaro to see if she can help Father McAuley with the two drivers?"

"Mrs. Gennaro, if you wait right here I'll get you a wheelchair."

"You and I are going to talk and not with our mouths very soon little girl."

Gray yelled, "Delicious be good."

"Gray not now, I'm just beginning to have fun."

"If you have the type of fun I'm thinking of, you are not going to like the kind of fun I'm going to have with you later."

Delicious stamped her foot on the ground, and pulled Antonia towards the wreckage.

"Who is he?"

"He's my cross to bear."

"Yours is taller, but mine is beefier. What's your real name?"

"Delicious is my real name. Please no jokes, I've heard them all."

"The Doc named you Delicious?"

"We didn't know we were father and daughter until a little more than a month ago. My mother didn't even break cherry when she tested my dad out for sex. He was very sick when she did it. She put him in just far enough when he came inside her and there I was. She never told him. The only reason we found out was my mom died in a car accident with my grandparents. The people clearing out the house found her diary. It kind of shakes up your life when you find out your uncle is actually your father."

"Listen Dell, they need us over there like they need another missile. Why don't we sit down and talk. I'll let you in on my introduction to life on the outside."

*************

90 minutes later, the wreckers had nearly cleared the Interstate of the wreckage, and soon reopened the highway. The police were getting everyone back into their vehicles, and ready to move on.

Celeste pulled my arm and asked me what his daughter had done with her midget.

"I've been looking for Delicious. I sent both of them to help Father McAuley. He's back but neither of them is here. We better check the sides of the road for body parts."

"You're not being funny Even."

"It wasn't meant to be funny. Gray had to warn Delicious to be good as she walked away with her. I sent him to look for them, because she does not always listen to him. Okay, they are both alive. Here comes Gray with the two of them in tow."

"Dad, if you wanted me all you have to do was call. You didn't have to send the goon squad to get me. It makes me look like an errant teenager."

"You were an errant teenager, no one could find you."

"I was with an adult; I was not by myself."

"Are you calling my dwarf an adult? Not even her husband or Cardinal Delphini has the nerve to call her an adult. Give her another 30 years, and then maybe it will happen."

Antonia was pissed. "Celeste would you tell my boss I have just given myself a 2 million euro per year raise, because of your insult. If he doesn't like it, tell him I quit."

"You wouldn't leave me if your life depended on it. We live next door to one another, and your mother lives on your other side. Our kids play with each other every day. Where would you go?"

"How many of your competitors would love to have me on their payroll? Let me think about that for one second. Switzerland has a much better tax environment, and eight or nine multinational corporations that envy everything that you control. I think I could do quite well."

"Are you threatening me?"

"You bet your tits I am."

Celeste cried out as she hugged Antonia, "My little girl is growing up."

"You see Dell, it works every time."

"Do you really think it would work with my dad?"

"My dad hasn't killed me yet, and I've given him grounds to do it."

**********

When they reached the Loveland Ski Area, and pulled into the parking lot I could not believe it. When everyone was assembled by the restaurant I asked, "Are you sure you want to do this here? The mountains are much lower here then Republican Mountain, and not as wide."

Dycke said, "Are you afraid your device will not work here?"

"Mr. Schneider all I'm trying to do is make this test as hard as possible to show you and the rest of my guests how easily my invention works in the hardest possible conditions. If you don't believe it, you may leave with no hard feelings."

Celeste said, "Shove it up his ass Even. He is getting much too big for his britches."

Payne shouted, "Celeste leave his ass alone, it is mine."

I said to them, "Are you guys sure your friends?"

"We are the very best of friends Even."

"It sounds like me and my daughter."

"Not now dad or your machine could blow up for real this time."

"That's fine with me; I have another one in your car."

"Are you out of your mind? That missile could have been aimed at me."

"Only through the grace of God my dear."

"You're not being very funny today dad."

Gray asked, "Isn't it me that normally argues with her?"

"Yes but sometimes she needs a little harsher tone then you give her."

"Ladies and gentlemen where would you like me to set up my radios?"

Philip downloaded a Google map and pointed to an area with grid coordinates on the east side of Monarch Mountain. He put a sensor necklace around my neck so he could track my movements and verify my position.

I asked if anyone wished to accompany me to verify that I did not do anything along my way to the site to help the test achieve its goal. The Army and Marine Corps members from the Pentagon asked to come along as well as a member of the teams from Boeing and IBM. Twelve police officers were going to accompany us. Then I asked them to select a frequency for me to transmit my message to them.

They selected an Extremely-Low Frequency (ELF), which is used by submarines to receive messages, while submerged deep under water. They set their receivers to the frequency, while I went to my car and selected it on my transmitter. My voice came through loud and clear.

It took us 18 minutes to circumnavigate the mountain roads to reach the GPS coordinates given to me by Philip Castronova.

As a joke I transmitted, "Are we there yet?"

The Marine Corps Col. doubled over laughing, while the Army Col. Used his satellite phone to verify receipt of my message.

The Air Force Lieut. Col. at the restaurant said everyone there was laughing at my transmission. They wanted me to transmit a longer sentence, and something a little more befitting such a momentous occasion.

I repeated my wedding vows to Jennifer. If that wasn't fitting enough for this occasion nothing would be.

The Air Force Lt. Col. said, "Tell Even to stop that; there isn't a dry eye in the house. He made his point you can come back here now."

When I arrived back at the restaurant I received a round of applause. After that the questions started. I was prepared for this also.

Rod went around with the pretzel jar, which was not filled with money, but filled with numbers from 1 to 16. I would take those questions in order of the number drawn. One question and one follow-up, just as the President of the United States does have a press conference.

The Pentagon drew number 1. Philip drew number 16. Celeste hit him for being so incompetent.

He kissed her and told her she was on sexual suspension for week.

Antonia whispered, "I am always available."

Philip reminded her that Celeste was off limits.

The first question was handled by the Army Colonel. "What is the range of this new invention of yours?"

"I have not been able to test that yet. If my mathematical calculations are correct, depending on the amount of power put through, and the size you make the unit, between 350 and 500 nautical miles in all types of terrain."

"Holy shit."

"Was that your follow-up?"

"No, it was just an outburst. How does it work?"

"The Holy Grail of Science; everyone wants to know 'the how of years of work' can be answered in one simple sentence. It doesn't work that way. I'll give you a synopsis, or we will be here through New Year's Day.

I stumbled on the answer by putting the wrong heat coefficient into a program I was running through on the way air molecules affected radio transmissions in tunnels and over long distances. My computer went crazy with this new data. Every time I increased the heat by a very small percentage the radio waves bent a little further, until, finally, they met in the middle. I made a small model and transmitted it around lead shielding at a distance of 20 feet. It worked perfectly. I did field tests and it worked the same way. I was stunned."

"You can't keep this from the military, it is much too important to us."

"That is your third question, and I will not answer."

The questions came fast and furious and it only took 90 minutes to go through all of them. Each Corporation wanted control of my patent, and I laughed at all of them.

"I am keeping 30% of this patent for my family. No one Corporation is allowed to control more than 20% control of this patent. That goes for you Philip and by proxy, my dearest friend Celeste. The remainder of you can fight over it amongst yourselves. The bidding price starts at $500 million per unit. If all the units are not sold in this group, I will put it out to other corporations in three months. This meeting is adjourned."

The buzz in the room was deafening. I was asking for $35 billion for 70% of my invention. I knew it was worth twice that much in military sales alone.

Within moments each CEO was on his cell phone arranging board meetings to get approval to spend billions of dollars to purchase as many options as they could. Three people did not have to wait to get approval. Harold Chase was first in line. He handed me a check for $10 Billion.

Ten Billion for 20% of my invention, Philip Castronova was next, and Payne Schneider was standing with him.

I asked her why she was buying these options, and not her husband.

"If Dycke purchases them, he can never sell them. If I purchase them, I can do whatever I want with them."

I made an announcement to my remaining guests. "Gentlemen, I am sorry to inform you that there are only 10% of my shares remaining. 60% of them have already been sold."

The chairman of the Boeing Corporation asked me if I would reconsider keeping 30% of my patent. If I would reduce it to 21%, he would purchase the 19% now."

There was a series of counter offers, even raising the bidding price for the remaining shares. However, each of the bidders needed corporate approval.

I said to Mr. Stansfield, "Since I am making this accommodation for you I want a check for $10 Billion, for 19 percent of my shares within 24 hours, or our deal is off."

He agreed without pause.

I was no longer, barely a billionaire. I was now a multi-billionaire. I called Delicious to my side. "Our next project is looking better all the time."

"You keep making inventions like this over the next 10 years, and I would say it's a sure thing."

"Why are you thinking only about my inventions baby; how about Gordon, Gray, and you?"

"You are in a league of your own dad. I've never heard of anyone like you before."

"Not even Nicholas Tesla?"

"Well at least you're better than Edison."

"What do you think Gordon would do with $6 billion stuffed in his pocket?"

"I don't know about Gordon, but I would go to a really big bank in an awful hurry. Dad can I have a sports car?"

Gray tapped her on the shoulder, and said, "NO!"

"Dammit, who invited you to my party?"

"If I remember correctly, you did."

"I am absolutely sure I don't like you."

"I am positive you will like me even less when we come back from running this evening."

"We are not going out running again tonight, are we? I had missiles thrown at me today."

"It's all the more reason to go out tonight. You have to learn how to outrun them."

"I think I'm beginning to hate you."

"Trust me, Delicious, as time goes by, you will."

"Daddy, help me please."

"Baby you chose him, not me. Either fish or cut bait. Your wedding is next July. Make up your mind before then, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime deal."

"The divorce rate in this country is 52%. Some of those are Catholics who never remarry."

"What are you going to do if we are in Space?"

"I'm going to do to him the same thing Jennifer told me to do to you. Put you both outside the spacecraft, freeze dry you, and him, and watch you float away."

"Two premeditated murders; what do you think God will do to you? What do you think your mother would think of you?"

"You don't fight fair dad."

"I don't have to fight fair. I just have to help you grow up."

"I'm working on it. It's hard to change from what I was to who I want to be."

"You'll get their baby, I know you will."

***********

Harold called Stephano. He told him he had reserved a conference room. He wanted a meeting with the two of them now. No excuses will be tolerated.

Stephano knew Harold, and when he demanded something, he wasn't in any mood to be fooled around with.

Patti did not want to go, and she was obstinate about it.

Stephano said, "Dear if I have to throw you over my shoulder, you are coming with me."

"I am not going Stephano."

"Remember, you asked for this."