The Planck Factor

Swede’s gun clattered to the floor. Alexis crawled over and scooped it up.

Mel crossed to Swede and stood over him. “I think your friend will have an interesting story to tell us.”

“I don’t understand.” Alexis said. “I thought the terrorists approached him, too.”

“They did,” Mel said. “They didn’t realize he was working for another faction. One that would pay more for the information.”

As a group of officers arrested Swede and called an ambulance, Daniel emerged from Mel’s hiding place. He approached Swede and stared down at him.

“You . . . You’re supposed to be dead.” Swede’s astonishment was matched only by his clear disappointment.

“It was you who had me followed that night, wasn’t it?” Daniel kept his voice low and even, but Alexis could sense anger beneath the calm.

“You were going to sell our research to the highest bidder,” Daniel said. “And you figured you could get your hands on my half of it through Alexis. Am I right?”

“What of it?” Swede’s voice dripped disdain. “You’re just a goddamned academic. What use would you make of the knowledge?”

Alexis felt a cold ball of fury forming in her belly. That son of a bitch!

“I wouldn’t give it to people who’d do harm with it.” Daniel’s voice revealed the depth of his disgust and dismay at Swede’s betrayal. “I may be an academic, but at least I’m not a traitor. Or a murderer.”

Alexis sprang to her feet and crossed to where Swede lay. She hauled back and kicked him in his leg wound. As the cops dragged her off, Swede’s howl could probably be heard all the way to Brooklyn.

Once Daniel had retrieved his portion of the work, the police forced Swede to disclose where he’d put his part of the project. No doubt with promises of a plea bargain, for what they were worth.

Alexis and Daniel later met with Mel at an office in the federal building.

“You done good, kid.” Mel smiled at Alexis. “Nice work. Now hand it over.”

“What?” Daniel said, clutching the papers.

“You need to give me those papers.” Mel’s tone was no-nonsense.

“Why? What gives you the right?”

Mel held up his badge. “It’s in the interest of national security. You saw what almost happened.”

Daniel, who had tensed like a coiled snake, relaxed, but his eyes looked wary.

“The government needs to keep your research in a safe place. One terrorists can’t access.”

Daniel hesitated before nodding his assent. “I suppose you’re right.”

He started to hand the papers to Mel. Alexis said, “Wait. What will you do with them?”

Mel shrugged. “That’s for others higher up on the food chain to decide.”

Jessica

The story was working its way toward resolution. I hoped my own story would also be resolved soon.

CHAPTER FIFTY

Jessica

The following morning, I reported to the Boulder police station to review a line-up of suspects in Fred’s murder. As a uniformed officer escorted George and me to the room, I saw the elderly woman who lived across from Fred’s apartment step into the hallway, talking up a storm to the officer with her.

“That was him. I’m positive,” she said. “I remember seeing him hanging around outside, waiting. Of course, I didn’t think much about it. Plenty of people lurk about . . . .”