I had blood work scheduled down at RWJUH New Brunswick for 8 AM on Wednesday May 29th. I drove down early, as usual, and got a good spot in the garage next door. I signed in and was reading while I waited when the lab tech came out and told me that he didn't have any instructions for what to do and I'd have to wait for someone from the Cardio staff to come in. I didn't like that but I had no choice. After about 1/2 an hour someone showed up but she didn't know why I was there either - even though she was the one who set up the appointment. I was so pissed off that I stormed out and headed home.
I had the radio on and had calmed down by the time I'd turned on to Amboy Avenue. I was almost up to the turn off for Route 1 when this other driver cut me off. I reacted quickly and, thank God, correctly and avoided getting hit but now there was a rattling noise coming from the back. I was angry again. If there'd been an opportunity I just might have done what Jones and Doyle wanted - start staging Events again. Fortunately, there was no one and I calmed down again as I continued my homeward trip.
It was some time that afternoon that the Nurse Practitioner from the Cardiologist's called. She apologized and set me up to go back in the next morning.
I drove back down on Thursday the 30th and the blood work went smoothly. I was actually on my way back by 8:15. Just passed the spot where I'd almost had that accident I saw this guy.
The conditions were ideal. If I'd seen him yesterday I probably would've used the Flasher. As it was, I just continued on.
We've had more rain then sun in June - some of it very heavy - but there were still places to go and things to do so I had to be out and about. Most of my days would start with a stop at my local Dunkin's for a decaf coffee. Lately that's been an iced, decaf coffee. Tuesday, June 4th, it was raining again. I'd picked up my drink and was sitting quietly in my car when I noticed this woman.
I watched her as she ran across the lot probably going to catch a bus or train to work. I gave a quick toast that I was retired and had a car.
Wednesday the 12th, the weather still hadn't cleared but I decided to make a library run anyway. Since the Metuchen one doesn't open until 10, I headed down to the main one in Edison which is just off Route 27. I browsed around for a while and found something that looked interesting. It's a non-fiction book about how the history of the world was affected by what we drink. It was only $.50 so I bought it. On the way out, I noticed this.
I don't remember ever having seen a Bookmobile before and it made me smile. I got to Metuchen around 10:15 and picked up 4 more books at $.50 apiece.
Saturday the 15th, I had a 9:30 appointment with my primary. She was dealing with an emergency involving a hospitalized patient so my exam was a bit perfunctory but everything looked good to her and I agreed to follow-up in a month.
My car was due for inspection so, even though the rattling noise was still there, I drove up to the Inspection Station on Tuesday the 18th. They open at 8 AM and I got there about 20 to. There were a few cars ahead of me.
They opened on time and I was called very quickly. They even let me stay in the car. I could hear the rattling but the inspector didn't seem to notice and I passed. I'm good for 2 years. If the noise is still there in July, I'll go to my mechanic.
Yesterday - Friday the 21st - was the first day of Summer but you wouldn't know it by the weather that morning. It was the heaviest rain I'd seen in a while. I stopped at Shoprite, picked up a few things during a lull in the storm, and was just waiting in the car for another lull when I noticed this.
The car across from me started blinking it's lights. On/off/on/off for several minutes. If he was trying to get my attention, it worked. I wasn't sure what to do when their passenger side door opened and a medium-sized black man in a black raincoat got out and walked towards me. He had no umbrella and wasn't wearing a hat so the rain ran down his face from the top of his shaven head. When he got to me, he held a folder against my window. I was his badge and ID from DHS. I lowered the window.
"Mr. O'Neill, I am SA Dwayne Wells from the DHS and I have a message for you from Mr. Jones."
"Where's Doyle? I usually deal with Doyle?"
"SAC Doyle is on special assignment and Mr. Jones chose not to wait."
I was frustrated but what could I do. "Alright, what does Jones want?"
"He would like to speak with you personally. He was hoping to take care of this today but the weather has caused a change of plans. He will stop here in this lot tomorrow morning at 9 and would like to speak with you then."
"That's sorta odd don't you think? Meeting in a parking lot?"
"Mr. Jones has a tight schedule tomorrow so he'll be stopping here on his way from one meeting to another. I will meet you and escort you to Mr. Jones' vehicle. Can I assure him of your cooperation?" If the rain was bothering him, he didn't show it.
"OK. I'll be here." I went to shake his hand but he'd already turned away.
This morning I dressed a bit more formal then usual and was drinking my iced coffee in the parking lot when I saw Wells get out of this vehicle and head in my direction.
I was surprised that it was a white instead of a black SUV but I got out and walked back with him. The rear window was lowered just enough so that we could have a conversation but not far enough for me to get a good look at whoever was back there.
"Thank you, Mr. O'Neill, for agreeing to see me on such short notice." I recognized the voice as belonging to the man Doyle had introduced as Jones back in April.
"What's this about? Where's Doyle?"
"SAC Doyle has been temporarily reassigned to DC due to a situation involving POTUS. He will be back when things are resolved. In the meantime, I will be taking a more hand's on approach to the Gordon matter."
"What? …. You? …. How?" I was sputtering.
"I'm aware, Mr. O'Neill, that you know of my 'involvement' with Gordon so it should not surprise you that I need to get it resolved as quickly and quietly as possible. That's where you come in."
"You want me back using the Flasher, right?"
"To put it simply, yes. Gordon's tracker has been popping up a lot. In many cases where POTUS is appearing or there is a rally to support him. We've tried predicting his appearances but, even when we get it right, we can't pick him out from the crowd. It's time for a more direct approach."
"Me?"
"You. We believe that if you get back out there Gordon will be attracted to your activity. We know he has some way to know what you are doing and we believe it will attract him like a moth to a flame."
"What if I don't want to do it?"
"There is an old saying that 'you get what you pay for'. As applied to me and the medical expenses we absorbed for your transplant and subsequent treatment I'm afraid I didn't get my money's worth. When you turn the phrase around and apply it to you then it would be 'you pay for what you get'. Your decision not to continue with our agreement has changed that. I have to insist that you resume your activities."
I was confused and was beginning to get a bad feeling about things. I had to ask.
"The transplant was 10 years ago. What can you do about it now?"
He leaned back in his seat and I could see his face clearly. His green eyes were bright and his mouth was twisted into a sneer.
"You do remember that your donor was an agent of ours and, as such, had a tracker implanted? That's how we've been able to follow you all these years. But do you realize that the tracker is a mechanical device and can be tampered with? You are aware that Gordon is able to turn his signal on and off at will? Can you guess at what else can be done remotely?"
The impact of what he said was sudden and physical. I couldn't speak and staggered a bit. Wells grabbed my arm and steadied me.
"I see that I have your attention, Mr. O'Neill. I have to leave now but SA Wells will be monitoring your progress going forward and will report directly to me. Have a good day."
The window rolled up, Wells got in the front, and they drove away.
I was left standing out alone in the parking lot under the Summer sun. I was sweating and I was feeling the heat.
