Impossible (Fuzed Trilogy Book 3) Read online

  Laughing, Elizabeth says, “You really should take it. We need more female brains in the White House.”

  “It might be fun and I’d get to work with you and Joe Meadows on the space-based laser. Did you hear? They gave him his forth star.”

  They wrap up with a promise to get together socially. Josh is happy about everyone’s success, but can’t help but feel a little like a loser. The original team went on to do amazing things. Whereas, he’s been sitting at home watching the surf and sipping wine.

  Elizabeth, looking at his face, says, “I’m so sorry, Josh. I’ve totally dominated the conversation and talked about nothing but me and my work.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I want to hear all about what happened in D.C. with Davidson.”

  Frustrated that he can’t share what he learned, he simply says, “He just wants me to check on a few loose ends.”

  She smiles. “Well, at least it will get you off the beach and doing some useful stuff.”

  Tight-lipped, he changes the subject. “Yeah, so what exactly are you going to be working on?”

  Elizabeth takes a deep breath. “They’re trying to make it so that in an emergency, they can tele-robotically treat patients on the new space station and...”

  He vaguely listens but his mind is elsewhere.

  “…and you’d think with all the power and responsibility Dr. Turan would be totally task-oriented and preoccupied, but he’s like the most thoughtful and considerate person you can imagine. I think he’s going to be the best boss ever!”

  Josh frowns. “So, will you be able to stay here and work from home for a while?”

  She shakes her head. “No, I’ve got to go back tomorrow and stay there for a couple weeks this time.”

  He doesn’t say anything.

  She put her hand on his arm again. “I’m sorry, but things are moving fast and he needs me to get up to speed on the station’s telemetry challenges I told you about.” She pauses. “Hey, why don’t you come to New York with me?”

  Feeling a little passive aggressive, he says, “Can’t, need to do the work for Davidson first.”

  “Sure, but when you finish with your project, come join me. You have got to see the amazing apartment they gave me. It’s practically a penthouse! We can go see some Broadway plays.”

  With little enthusiasm, he replies, “Yeah … sounds great.”

  The next day, Josh sees Elizabeth off and then goes to the gate to wait for his flight to D.C. It would be another covert meeting with Davidson to map out their strategy. Looking at the airport TV, he notices the breaking news banner at the bottom of the screen has “DNI” in it. He walks closer to the TV.

  The reporter says, “The Director of National Intelligence suffered a massive heart attack and was pronounced dead this morning at Walter Reed Medical Center...”

  He shakes his head. This can’t be happening. Davidson was a runner and in excellent condition. Pulling up details on his phone, he reads that Davidson suffered the heart attack at his home early this morning and was pronounced dead on arrival. They list his many accomplishments, including an Intelligence Star, and a short statement of praise from the President.

  There’s no point in going to D.C. Davidson was his only contact. He calls Tim Smith and Sheri Lopez but gets their voicemail. He leaves no message but uses his encryption app to text. “Tim, really need to talk to you.”

  Before he leaves the airport, he gets a text from Elizabeth. “Josh, just heard the news. I’m so sorry. Davidson seemed like a really good guy. What are you going to do?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing? I thought you were working with them?”

  “Not anymore.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Can’t talk about it on the phone. I’ll explain when you come home.”

  “Remember, I can’t come back for a couple weeks. Come to New York. Please?”

  He needs to be alone and think. He sighs. Or maybe he just wants to sulk. He finally texts back, “I’ll catch the next flight.”

  A few hours later, he lands at LaGuardia and takes a cab to 845 United Nations Plaza. As he gets out of the cab, he looks up at the building. Frowning, he checks the address again and softly says to himself, “Wow.”

  He takes the elevator to the 57th floor. Elizabeth is at work and as soon as he opens the door, a barking brown ball of fur charges him. It quickly converts to an enthusiastic greeting as he kneels down, rolls the little Cocker Spaniel over, and rubs her stomach.

  As he looks around, he whistles softly. The fully furnished apartment has marble floors and plush white carpet. Standing up, he notices the expensive furniture and art on the wall. Drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows, he passes a gourmet kitchen on his way to a breathtaking view of the United Nations twin towers. Looking down at Toto, he says, “We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.”

  Behind him, he hears the front door open. Elizabeth bursts in and after a quick kiss, twirls around with her hands out. “I love this place!” Smiling, she adds, “Not bad for a Texas girl, huh?”

  He says with a drawl, “You done good, girl.” Shaking his head, he adds, “Even if I’d made admiral, I couldn’t have afforded this.”

  “I know right? It’s just amazing.”

  They order pizza and wash it down with champagne.

  Gazing out over the cityscape, Elizabeth says, “From Kansas City to Manhattan, I feel like I’m in a fairy tale.” She looks at him apologetically. “I’m sorry. I’m being insensitive. Brian was a good man and I know he left a lot of unanswered questions for you.” She puts her hand on the back of his neck and rubs it gently. “This has to be frustrating. What are you thinking?”

  He stares out the window. Afraid to share Davidson’s fears, he simply says, “I can’t explain right now, but I … I just have a feeling.” Then he shrugs and looks at her with a smile. “I don’t want to put a downer on all this. It is awesome and I’m incredibly proud of you.”

  She grins. “It’s Saturday. I don’t have to work tomorrow and I’m taking you out to a show.”

  “Sounds good. What’s the show?”

  “The opera La Traviata.”

  He nods with a forced smile. “Ok.”

  Laughing, she slaps him on the back. “I’m kidding. I got tickets to Monty Python’s Spamalot!”

  As he hugs her, she looks up and says softly, “Oh, I found a neat little church not far from here. Maybe we can go tomorrow?”

  “We’ll talk about it.”

  Pulling back, she looks up at him. “You always say that.” She gently shakes her head. “I don’t understand you sometimes. You’re one of the most spiritual people I know; yet getting you to attend any kind of church is like pulling teeth.”

  “I just find it interesting that people clean up and dress up to go to church and smile at each other, then cut each other off leaving the parking lot.”

  “That’s not true.” She smiles. “We usually get a couple hundred yards away before we flip each other off.” Still smiling, she pauses. “I think you’re missing the point. Church isn’t where everyone gets together and compares how righteous they were last week. It’s just the opposite. It’s where you fess up what you screwed up and try to figure out how to do better next week, and maybe even apply some new ideas.” She grabs her purse and adds, “Show starts in 30 minutes.”

  “I know. I guess I just get a little tired of the hypocrisy.”

  “You’re right. Churches are full of hypocrites.” She gives him a challenging smile. “And there’s always room for one more.” Shrugging, she adds, “I think it’s better to at least try to do the right thing: be kind and help people, and fall dismally short, than be one of the critics who don’t even try and wear that like a badge of courage.”

  As they head out the door, he yields. “Ok, ok. I’ll go.”

  She kisses him.

  A blizzard rages in western Colorado. Just north of Silverton Mountain Ski Resort, a white Audi A7 is headed north on the wind
ing mountain highway to Denver. The car slices straight through the blowing snow at over 80 mph. Unfortunately, the road curves. The Audi departs the road next to a ravine. It flies for several seconds before plunging 200 feet nose-first into the rocky slope below. The impact completely crushes the car and ruptures the gas tank, engulfing it in flames as the wreckage spins down the slope. Finally coming to rest in a dry creek bed, the remaining fuel vaporizes and the car explodes, continuing the cremation of its already dead occupant. The storm obscures the fire and smoke.

  5

  SUSPICION

  It’s Monday morning and Elizabeth is already at work. Josh is sipping a cup of coffee and looking out the window at Roosevelt Island when his phone rings.

  It’s Elizabeth. “Josh, check the news. Tim Smith was killed in a car crash over the weekend!”

  “I’ll call you back.” He googles the news report. “Dr. Sheri Lopez, celebrity psychologist and one of the architects of the original comet deflection program, lost her husband in a tragic accident yesterday. After a week of heli-skiing at Silverton Mountain in Colorado, Dr. Lopez flew to LA for a studio meeting. Her husband, Tim Smith, was driving their car back to Denver as a blizzard was approaching. This morning, his car was found at the bottom of a 200 foot ravine off the mountain highway north of Silverton.” The picture shows a crushed, burned-out ball of metal, unrecognizable as an automobile. “Colorado Highway 550 to Denver is well known as one of the most dangerous U.S. roads with deadly drop-offs, and due to the need for snow plowing, no guardrails. This particular curve has claimed more than one life over the years. His car wasn’t discovered until this morning due to the storm. Tim Smith was a decorated Special Forces veteran, and although unconfirmed, may have previously worked for the CIA.”

  Josh put his hand on his forehead, “This can’t be!” He shakes his head. His best friend. His only friend.

  He calls Sheri. It goes to voicemail. He just says, “I’m so so sorry. I can be on the next flight. Love you, Josh.”

  A few minutes later, Elizabeth comes in. She runs to Josh with tears in her eyes and hugs him.

  He holds her tightly.

  Finally, Elizabeth looks up at him. “We need to go see Sheri.”

  Josh nods. “I know. I tried to call her but she didn’t answer. I left a voicemail and said we could catch the next flight.”

  She shakes her head sadly. “I just can’t believe this could happen to Tim.”

  Josh looks at her and says softly, “I don’t believe this was an accident.”

  “What?” She looks at him questioningly.

  “Tim was an incredibly skilled driver. He taught me how to drive defensively and offensively.” He shakes his head. “Unlike me, he was extremely careful.”

  “Josh, I’m as sad and crushed as you are, but he got caught in a blizzard on one of the most dangerous highways in the country.”

  “By itself, I could believe it was just a terrible accident, but there have been too many unusual events.”

  “You mean Davidson?”

  Josh nods. “Davidson was a marathon runner. It’s hard to believe he’d suddenly die of a heart attack right after we met.”

  She sighs. “As a nurse, I can tell you that heart attacks happen, even to those who appear outwardly fit. He could have had a fatal arrhythmia or any one of a multitude of cardiac conditions, and he was probably under a lot of stress.” She hesitates. “I understand Davidson’s death was quite a blow to you, particularly with the job—”

  Irritated, Josh interrupts, “You think I’m just upset because my employment fell through?”

  “No, no, of course not.” She pats his hand. “I’m sorry. Look Josh, I’ve got to get back to work. Let’s talk about this later.”

  After she leaves, he looks up everything he can find about the car accident and Davidson’s death. After several hours, he finds no new information. He sits alone in the apartment staring unseeing at the U.N. towers and running the events through his head. There has to be something that ties this together, but he sees no connection or pattern. His prescient abilities have deserted him. He isn’t just frustrated, he’s angry.

  A text comes in from Sheri. “I know it’s hard for you too. Thank you for your offer, but I just can’t see anyone or talk right now. I promise I’ll connect later. Love you, Sheri.”

  He pours himself a glass of rum and coke from the well-stocked bar. Looking at Toto, he toasts Davidson and Tim, “The world lost not just good people, but people important to the world. Rest in peace.” He downs it in one shot.

  Toto tilts her head at him sympathetically. Then she jumps up and chases an invisible fly. As he pours another glass, Toto gives up and sits down next to him. Rubbing her head, he says, “You’re right, life goes on.” He sips his drink as he stares out the window, watching night descend on the city.

  A few hours later, he hears Elizabeth. She drops her purse and gives him a huge hug. Looking at the drink in his hand and the depleted bottle of rum, she asks, “You ok?”

  “Yeah.”

  She just looks at him with raised eyebrows.

  “Been running this through my mind over and over. I just can’t believe these are random events.”

  She frowns and then bites the side of her lip. “Josh, you helped save the world twice! You never got the credit you deserved.” She sighs heavily. “But I think you’re just feeling purposeless now. You’re looking for a new mission and maybe,” she pauses, “maybe you’re seeing threats that, well, that just aren’t there.”

  Frowning, he exhales sharply. “Yeah, I admit I feel useless right now, but that doesn’t explain Davidson and Tim’s sudden death in a few days. It doesn’t explain my feeling that I’m being watched, your rapid promotions, or—”

  “Wait, what?” Elizabeth interrupts. “What about my promotions?”

  Without thinking, he says, “Doesn’t it seem a little odd that with no experience or seniority, you were promoted five levels to U.N. Special Envoy?” He waves his hand vaguely at the apartment.

  She shakes her head emphatically. “No, no it doesn’t. It makes perfect sense considering my work in the telemedicine program, and my experience and access to Jen.”

  With an eye roll, he says, “Elizabeth, you’re at the same diplomatic level and pay grade as an ambassador.”

  Her eyes flash. “I earned my promotions and I’m doing important work. Don’t be resentful of my success!”

  “I’m not resentful but there are too many strange occurrences that don’t—”

  “Listen to yourself! You’re starting to sound paranoid.”

  His expression hardens. “My instincts have served me well in the past and these events might be tied to me!”

  “Not everything that happens to everyone is tied to you. Meadows earned his fourth star and there’s no one more qualified to be the President’s Science Advisor than Jessica Lee. That had nothing to do with you and,” her voice rises, “I didn’t get promoted because of you either. Doruk and I are doing incredibly important work together. Work that will protect humanity. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met—” She stops abruptly.

  “Yeah, you’ve mentioned that … several times.” Intellectually, he knows the alcohol isn’t helping but he’s angry.

  With an exasperated sigh, she continues, “I didn’t mean it that way.” She pauses. “At least on his team there are no secrets. Do you realize we’ve been married for almost two years and you’ve never shared with me what really happened to you? Do you know how that makes me feel?”

  He remains silent.

  The fire returns to her eyes. “Ok, what you did was great, but it’s history. You have to join us in the present. Help us build a new world and stop inventing these … these crazy, spy versus spy fantasies!”

  He sets his empty glass down too hard. “You’re a nurse, not a Special Envoy!”

  “And you’re drunk and being a jerk.”

  He grabs his coat. “I need some air.”

  Central Park
is only a mile and a half from Elizabeth’s apartment. It’s late and he doesn’t see many people as he walks the trails, thinking. He never should have talked to Elizabeth after drinking. His body is phenomenal and can rid itself of toxins quickly, but it has limits and it doesn’t stop him from engaging his mouth before his brain. Is he trying to re-live his glory days? Is he jealous of Turan?

  He hasn’t talked to Jesse since The Great Tech Out. Although still not sure who or what Jesse really is, he knows Jesse is an advanced entity and hates to bother him with his trivial life issues. He stops and shakes his head. That’s an excuse. The truth is simpler. Jesse gave him a second chance in a genetically perfect body. For the past year, Josh has done nothing and feels guilty. On top of that, there is some fear. Jesse has always been kind and understanding, but there is no question in Josh’s mind that Jesse could pull the plug on him in a millisecond. He takes a deep breath and in the dark park with no one around, softly says, “Jesse, you still out there?”

  He hears the familiar voice in his head. Yes.

  “First, I want to apologize. As usual, I never try to talk to you unless the human race is in trouble or I’m in trouble.” He takes another deep breath. “Jesse, is there a new threat out there or am I just being a jerk?”

  Yes.

  He can’t help but smile. “Ok.” He pauses. “I remember asking you what could possibly be as dangerous as the comet. You said, ‘you and what you create.’ It’s obvious now that Jen was the ‘what you create,’ but you also said … ‘you.’ What did you mean?”

  What would a universe without life look like?

  Used to Jesse’s irritating habit of answering questions with questions, he shakes his head. “That’s a trick question, isn’t it? Without life, there’d be no one to observe the universe, and therefore, no way to tell what it would look like.”