Chapter 14: Have you started your project?
And those two guys that met her at the airport. They didn't seem in the least bit concerned that I was there. When I looked carefully, however, I was pretty sure they were F.B.I. I didn't see any weapons bulge, but the haircuts and the suits and the physical size of them virtually screamed federal agent. I was fairly sure they weren't I.R.S.
What now? She might be in Havenport. Then again, I could be way off. It might be somewhere else altogether. Then another thought struck me. I wondered if her phone calls were being monitored. Maybe even her room. If these people were playing secret agent, then anything was possible. I wondered how I might warn her. There was a way. It wasn't subtle. I'd ask her.
I knew Nicole would call home before she called me. Jimmy's bedtime was eight-thirty, so I expected to hear from her sometime after that. I was right. The Skype video call alert came up at eight-fifty that evening. I answered immediately.
"Hey, sweetheart, how are you?" I said without thinking.
"Sweetheart? You're awfully forward this evening Mr. Travers." I could see by the look on her face that she was kidding.
"How was your flight?"
"Fine. It was the first time I'd ever flown in one of those planes. It was amazing how comfortable and fast they are."
"Yes, I'm sure. Are you in your hotel room now?"
"Yeah, sort of."
"Sort of? I don't understand."
"Actually, I'm staying at a compound that the people I'm with are renting. I guess it was cheaper than a bunch of expensive hotel rooms."
"So, you have a private room?"
"Yes. It's quite nice, but very Spartan. It could use a decorator's touch," she said, looking around her.
"Do I need to worry about someone listening to our conversation?"
"No ... we can talk," she said with a smile. "They aren't quite that paranoid."
"Those two SUV's that were parked beside us at the airport. They were government units."
She nodded. "They are the protection I talked about."
"I know where you are ... approximately."
"You do? How?"
"I'm a reporter, remember. I have friends in low places," I chuckled, trying to keep it light.
"Okay, Mister Smartypants, just where do you think I am?"
"I hope you like New England Clam Chowder," I kidded.
"You're just guessing."
"How about Havenport, then?"
"Holy ... jeez Will. How did you figure it out?"
"Research, contacts, and my massive brain."
"You can't say a word to anyone, Will. You just can't."
"I got that part, Nicole. I won't do anything to jeopardize your mission. But I think whoever is running that show is trying to frighten you to make sure you don't talk to someone dangerous like me."
"Well if that's what their plan is, it's working perfectly."
"Have you started your project?"
"Yeah. They don't mess around. I was on it all day until five-thirty. Up at six in the morning, at the workroom by seven-thirty. There's no lollygagging on this job."
"Well, if nothing else, it will help the time go quickly."
"I miss you already, Will. I wish I didn't have to do this. I'd much rather be with you."
"I'm glad to hear it. I feel the same way. What are you going to do for entertainment or relaxation?"
"They've got an exercise center here, a big media room, and I can walk into town and look around. I'll keep busy. What about you?"
"Oh, I've decided to catch up on some reading. I've had three books going and haven't finished any of them."
"What are they?"
"Uhhm, Jared Diamond's Collapse, Bruce Feiler's Walking the Bible, and something I'll give your father when I'm finished with it. It's called How the Scots Invented the Modern World."
"Daddy will love that last one. Sounds like pretty heavy reading though."
"I'm hoping they will numb me enough to sleep so I can dream about a certain lovely lady that I would love to have in my arms."
"And I'll dream about a certain handsome man I'd love to have in my arms."
"Before I forget, I'm taking Jimmy to another play this weekend. It's another juvenile mystery and he's already talking about it. Should be fun."
"Oh, Will. You are so good to him. You'd make great father material."
"I'm practicing."
"Keep it up, you're doing wonderfully well."
"Thanks."
We talked a bit longer and then I could see she was getting tired. I was keeping her up. As we signed off I saw her fingers come up and wipe her eyes. I could have done the same thing.
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