From Here To 1137 AD; Episode 32, On The Way To San Jose

This is episode thirty-two of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From  Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.  

On The Way To San Jose

From the pod, Tom arranged with his bank to have funds ready for transfer to Edgar’s bank in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

“It seemed prudent to wait,” Brain said, “but why are we going to San Jose, Costa Rica?”

“Things happen. As good as you are, you cannot read the hearts and minds of others. You can isolate a person and predict a high degree of probable actions, but humans are often irrational.”

“Well said,” Brain said. “It is good that you recognize my limitations. Total dependency on me is not good for your mental or emotional well-being.”

“Let’s get to San Jose,” Tom commanded. 

“All charted and ready to go at your command,” Brain said.

“Let’s go,” Tom heaved a thumbs up. 

Tom felt a gradual lift. The pod rose and soon went beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

“We are at a cruising speed of Mach four-point-seven-five,” Brain said. “Is that sufficient?”

“As long as we don’t get stopped.”

“Can you locate the bank Edgar will be going to?”

“The data collected indicates a bank on the west side of San Jose,” Brain said.

“Make certain I’m protected with MAS and Instaport me to a secluded place near the bank.”

“Are you expecting difficulty?” Brain asked.

“Yes,” Tom said. “Edgar will be picking up five thousand dollars in cash. That is quite a temptation. All it takes is a bank employee named Rosa to call her cousin, Jaunita, who will call her brother, Giuseppe, who, with his buddy, Rico, will mug my brother, Edgar, before he has time to catch a cab to the airport.”

“Do you know these people?” Brain asked.

“It’s a fictional scenario.”

“Thanks for informing me,” Brain said. “I had already begun processing and identifying Rosa, Jaunita, Giuseppe, and Rico.”

“Here’s something you can do: monitor all phone calls leaving the bank where Edgar will be receiving his money.”

“In progress,” Brain said. 

In less than an hour, Tom ordered the pod shrouded and to descend to a thousand feet above the bank. 

“Brain, has the electronic transfer taken place?”

“Yes, it has,” Brain said. “And may I add that you understand human behavior quite admirably.”

“Meaning?”

“A woman named Emma Rojas, not more than a minute ago, placed a call to her boyfriend, at least that’s what it sounded like. His name is Pedro Montez. He is a fence contractor and low-level thief. He specializes in snatch-and-grab crimes. He’s very successful. He also plays soccer and is a fast runner. He played for the national team for three years. Emma Rojas appears to be only one of two other girlfriends of Pedro. Margarita Sanchez and Lucinda Zappa are also his girlfriends, and they work at banks. Apparently, Pedro is much better at love than soccer. Although he has erected several fences, it appears to be no more than a cover enterprise for what he does well—snatch and grab, and run fast.”

“Why is this of interest to me?” Tom said impatiently to speed the conversation up.

“I thought it might add some context and color to the situation,” Brain said. “Anyway, I was able to pick up their conversation. Pedro will be in front of the bank when Edgar arrives by cab. When Edgar goes inside to collect his money, Pedro will pay the cab driver to leave. When your brother comes out of the bank, Pedro will pull a knife on your brother, take the money, and run.”

“Well,” Tom said, walking to the Instaport, “let’s get me down there. And make it somewhere inconspicuous.”

“There is a park close by with no one around,” Brain suggested.

“Perfect,” Tom stepped into the Instaport.

“At your command,” Brain said.

“I’m ready, go.”

From Here To 1137 AD; Episode 31, Checking On Edgar

This is episode thirty-one of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From  Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.  

Checking On Edgar

The sound of the phone rang over the pod’s sound system. It picked up. 

“Hello,” Edgar said.

“Hi, Edgar. How are you doing?”

“Staying out of trouble,” Edgar said.

“I wanted to check in on you.”

“I’m fine,” Edgar said. “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing good,” Tom said. “It’s cold. We’ve had some snow.”

“What have you been doing?” Edgar asked.

“You know, the regular farm stuff. Oh, I went to a farm implement show over in Ft. Wayne.”

“Sounds like a great time,” Edgar responded sarcastically. “I bet you got a wall calendar, some pencils, and one of those rubber coin purses.”

“I wanted to let you know I can send you a little something each month.”

“My allowance?” Edgar said sarcastically.

“Look, I know this isn’t ideal for you. Let me figure some things out.”

“I saw a position open at a local restaurant,” Edgar continued. “They need a dishwasher.”

“Edgar, I don’t like seeing you live like you are. I want the best for you, but I want you alive.”

“I’m doing okay, Tom,” Edgar said. “I think I could enjoy this if not for looking over my shoulder all the time. Paranoia is real. I’m getting so I can’t sleep or eat.”

“You’ve had some time to think about this: where would you feel safe? Just name it.”

“It’s amazing,” Edgar said. “I have thought about that.”

“Well,” Tom said encouragingly, “where?”

“Tristan da Cunha,” Edgar said.

“You have my curiosity.”

“I read something recently where it is one of the remotest places in the world. Few want to go there. I thought about other islands, but that one seemed best.”

“How soon do you think you can be ready to go?”

“As long as it takes to get to the airport,” Edgar said.

“What about packing your bag?”

“I told you paranoia is real and terrible,” Edgar said. “My bags are packed.”

“Find out what it will cost to fly to Tristan da Cunha. Then go to a bank right away. Get all the information needed to wire the money to you.” Can you do that in two hours?”

“I think so,” Edgar said.

“Call me as soon as you have the information. Take care.” 

Brain disconnected the call. 

“Brain,” Tom said, “can we be in San Jose, Costa Rica in two hours?”

“With a good tailwind,” Brain quipped.

From Here To 1137 AD, Episode 30, Sell

This is episode thirty of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From  Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.  

Sell

After the meeting with Gene Francis, Tom drove back to the farm. He walked back to the pod and entered. 

He relaxed in the captain’s chair. “Well, Brain, have you been missing me?”

“Sorry,” Brain replied, “that’s not a concept I can grasp.”

“It’s a conversation starter.”

“Not for a machine it is,” Brain said.

“I want to take something up with you.”

“I’m all ears,” Brain said.

“You’re a machine.”

“Sorry,” Brain said, “given my latest reply, you are not in the mood for colloquial idioms expressing that I’m willing to consider what you intend to say.” 

“Let’s cut the man versus machine banter. I’d like to know when to sell the stock that I’m holding in Braxton Industrial Coating?”

“There are long-term investment strategies requiring…”

Tom interrupted. “Stop! You're sounding like one of those brochures again. You know my goals and intentions. Please deal with them.”

“Sorry,” Brain said, “I attempted to humor you with a ridiculous reply for your given situation. My algorithm indicated humor was needed to ease the recent tension you have been experiencing.”

“I appreciate it, Brain, but when can I sell and get this all behind me?”

“Given the present circumstances and taking into account prospects, you can hold onto the shares for another thirty days to reach full short-term benefits. I would be remiss not to mention them. However, I am aware of your desire to replace the funds removed from various places before being discovered and any ramifications that may ensue. A sell order can be placed at any time. This will allow all parties to be repaid. The condition of your trust will be safe. There is also awareness of your concern for Edgar. I would suggest sending him no more than one thousand dollars a month for a year. It should be done in cash. It would be best if Gene Francis were unaware of those transactions.”

“You meant he’s not to be trusted?” Tom said, shocked.

“No,” Brain said. “That is not what was meant. He has a legal obligation governing trust laws. Forwarding a stipend to Edgar would appear to fall beyond the legal scope of the trust arrangement. He may agree to such an arrangement out of loyalty to you and your family, but he would be putting himself into a legal quagmire if ever examined.”

“Thank you, Brain.”

“Back to your original query,” Brain continued. “You could put in an order to sell at today’s closing price. Keep in mind, such a sell-off may adversely affect the value of shares held by other shareholders; it will be temporary, lasting only a day or two.”

“Will this cause one of those disturbances Gordon spoke about?” Tom asked. “I don’t want to send some sort of signal to some faraway galaxy that something is amiss.”

“There is no need for concern,” Brain said. “These actions will cause hardly a blip in the overall stock exchange. A week from now, nobody will remember. I don’t mean that literally.”    

“I’m aware,” Tom replied and asked. “Can you give me a phone line and make it sound like it’s coming from my home phone?”

“I always do,” Brain affirmed. 

“You’re a real pal,” Tom said.

“I am not sure of your mental health,” Brain said. “Having a machine as a pal is not emotionally healthy.”

Tom held his head down and shook it.

“Don’t hide it,” Brain said. “You thought it was funny.”

“Make that call for me,” Tom grinned.

After the call was placed and answered, Tom said, “This is Tomas Bales. Can I speak with Sam Gilbert?”

Tom waited.

“Sam, this is Thomas Bales. Sell all of my stock an hour after the market opens tomorrow. Forward the funds to my bank.”

Tom listened.

“I’ll be in tomorrow to finalize everything. Thanks and see you tomorrow.”

Brain disconnected the call.

“Do you want to talk to Edgar?” Brain asked.

“Yeah, that would be good.”

From Here To 1137 AD; Episode 29, Good Stock

This is episode twenty-nine of the novel, From Here To 1137. If you would like to purchase From  Here To 1137, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.  

Good Stock

When Tom returned, he met with Gene Francis at his office. He informed Gene of the investment. Gene was furious. And fuel was added to his flaming disgust when Tom refused to tell him where the stock tip came from. He made up a story that he had found the twenty-five thousand dollars behind a freezer in the mud room.

The week ended. Saturday morning and afternoon were occupied by a farm implement show in Ft. Wayne, sponsored by International Harvester. Then it was back home.

Not only did Tom sit and wait, he also forgot. Between the mundane winter chores around the farm, he spent a couple of days reading. Reading was his great distraction. From time to time, Edgar and the mild weather of Costa Rica and warm Pacific breezes fancied his imagination. However, it was only in passing.

‘Maybe I should visit Edgar,” Tom thought. ‘Nah, there would be questions and denials. Edgar and I are like vinegar and oil. We will never mix well. I hate seeing him waste his life. He has dreamed, planned, studied, and worked to get into a good law school. More than me, he must be feeling his life is a waste. Maybe I can do something for him.”

‘I wonder how Debbie is getting along in college. I hope our futures are set—together. I can’t keep secret forever; the pod in my cornfield. Maybe Gordon will come back someday, soon, and take it away.”

Tom laid down his book and walked into the kitchen. He warmed a can of tomato soup and fixed a ham salad sandwich. He sat at the kitchen table. Halfway through the meal, the phone rang. 

He picked up the wall phone extension in the kitchen. “Hello.”

“Tom, this is Gene. I need to see you in my office immediately.”

“Sure, I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

Tom poured the remainder of the soup down the drain. He wrapped the uneaten portion of the sandwich in a napkin. He slung on his coat, and he and the sandwich headed for the truck. He let the truck warm up for a minute while eating, taking a couple of bites from the sandwich. Then he backed from the drive and drove toward Gene’s office.

‘I wonder what’s up?” He thought. “Gene sounded, well, I’m not sure how he sounded. I’ve never heard him sound like that before. I can’t tell whether he’s excited or downright depressed. There’s probably some problem with the trust. I give him the advice Brain gave me: sit and wait.’

‘Gene has a lot of responsibility, and it’s probably getting to him. I guess that’s why you shouldn’t have friends as clients. It gets personal. He probably has a big decision to make and wants to give me a heads up.’

Depressing and terrible thoughts about the farm pestered Tom. He even wondered if Gene had received information about Edgar, and maybe something had happened to him. 

Tom arrived, parked his truck, and walked into the office. 

“Go on in,” Gene’s secretary said, “Mr. Francis is waiting for you.”

Tom walked in and closed the door.

“Have a seat, Tom,” Gene said.

Tom sat in a chair in front of Gene’s desk.

“What’s going on, Mr. Francis?”

“Have you been watching the stock market?” Gene asked.

“No, I was told to sit and wait. Have the stocks taken a dip?”

“What’s the name of that company, again?” Gene said.

“Braxton Industrial Coating.”

“Again, how much did you pay per share?” Gene asked.

“I paid a dollar per share.”

Gene picked up a small slip of paper. He held it up to read. “Right now it’s at five dollars and twenty-five cents per share.”

“I should probably contact a broker and sell,” Tom said calmly.

“How did you know?” Gene said.

“Know what?”

“How did you know about a stock that would jump four times the purchase price?” Gene said.

“One can never be sure.”

“You’re saying out of all the companies on the stock exchange, you picked the biggest winner,” Gene said.

“I suppose beginner’s luck.”

Gene stared at Tom.

“I don’t think you’re buying that, are you?””

“I don’t know what to believe,” Gene said.

“I overheard a couple of guys talking at that farm implement show in Ft. Wayne a couple of days ago.”

“And based on a couple of guys just talking, you invested twenty-five thousand?” Gene said.

“That’s about it.”

“Did you hear anything else?” Gene asked.

“If you mean any other stock tips, no, that was about it.”

Gene picked up the phone and pushed a few numbers. “Yeah, this is Gene Francis. Can you tell me what Braxton Coating is at now?” 

Gene waited a moment. “OK, thanks.”

Gene set the phone down. He looked at Tom and grinned. “It’s up another fifty-five cents.”

“On what information did you buy?” Gene asked.

“The company was about to go under. There were some anxious investors who were willing to lose a lot rather than all. They were certain that Braxton could not hold out until a big contract came along. When I talked to Braxton himself, he was unaware of the contract coming his way.”

“Are you holding on to the stock for a while?” Gene asked.

“Well,” Tom smiled, “the market is volatile. And before it swings in the other direction, I’d like to sell off and pay the farm’s debt.”

“That sounds like a good thing,” Gene said. “I’d sure sleep better.”

“I figured you would,” Tom said. “And me too.”