soon.”
I took the subway to Greenwich Village. Getting off, I went to do some window shopping. Checking in each window for anyone following me. Six blocks from the subway, I entered Greg’s Tavern. I walked straight through without stopping, out the back door and into the alley. I went to the store next door. I swiped a badge on the door and went inside Mary’s clothing store.
“Hi, Mary, how’s business.”
“Hi, Mike. Good to see you. Business is good.” Mary grabbed a broom. “Let me see if the coast is clear.”
Mary went out the front door. As she swept off the front steps and the sidewalk, she looked for anyone loitering. Mary returned and put the broom back. “It looks all clear out there.”
“Thanks, Mary, I’ll see you later.”
Walking out the front door, I turned right and crossed the street. At the corner, I caught a cab. I gave the driver a corner to drop me off at. On the way, I tried to find out who the doctor was. I had seen him somewhere before. I paid the fare and got out. I walked to the alley. I walked halfway up the alley and swiped my badge on a door. Inside, I took a freight elevator up. On the upper floor, Sean opened the elevator.
“Thanks, Sean. Sis, I need data on a Dr. Minder.”
“OK, Bro. Coming up.”
I looked over April’s shoulder as she worked the computer. “Hold up, sis. Who is that person in the picture?”
“That’s Dr. Pelkey. He’s an authority in biotechnology. Five years ago, he put an implant into a young girl so she could walk.”
“How did that work out?”
“I went to MIT with her. She won’t run any races, but she can walk.”
“Get me everything you can on the good doctor.”
“You got it, bro. Not sure what he has to do with this job.”
“He came in just as I was leaving the penthouse. What does Mr. Collins need from Dr. Pelkey?”
“Maybe he’s funding some research.”
“Maybe, but what research is the question.”
“Mike, can I get an apartment for hacking? I might find some systems to hack.”
“Sure, sis. I’ll set one up in Eatontown, New Jersey.”
“Thanks, bro, come look at this. Dr. Minder has a daughter. Jane Minder, assistant secretary of the army for manpower and reserve affairs.”
“Wow, not what I expected. Look, his father was into genetic engineering.”
“Like father, like son. They both studied the same thing.”
“OK, sis. Check to see what you find on both of them.”
“OK, bro. I’ll check them both.”
Hopping on another computer, I started to check airlines. I looked for a history of flights taken. His airline flights piqued my interest.
“Sis, look at this. Dr. Minder has flown to almost every state in the nation. Twice a year for twenty years. Except for Austin, Texas, He went there every month. What’s in Austin that gets him to go there every month?”
“I don’t know, bro. Something or someone.”
“Yeah, I need to talk to some of Dr. Minder’s peers. Maybe they can shed some light.”
I shut down my computer. Walking to the closet, I picked up a pre-packed overnight bag.
“I’ll let you know what I learn.”
My first step was to go to Austin, Texas. I needed to find out what was so important that Dr. Minder went there twelve times a year.
Landing at Austin/Bergstrom Airport, I stepped into a hot and muggy day. My first stop was the University of Texas. I dialed my phone.
“Hi, bro. What’s up?”
“I’m in Austin. Don’t know of any biology schools in Austin. I’m gonna dig around, see what turns up.”
“OK, bro, wait… I found out something. Jane Minder is the CEO of the Minder Foundation.”
“Sis, dig into it. Let me know what you find.”
“Sure, bro, talk to you later.”
Not sure where to start, I picked up my rental car. I drove to the University of Texas. Going to the administration building, I checked all departments. No biology or technology departments. What did he come here for? I returned to searching for something. I decided to stop at the Smoke Pit for lunch. When you walk in, there is a bulletin board with pictures of patrons. I found one of a teenage Jane Minder with a young girl. Looking around, I took the picture and stuck it in my pocket. I went to the counter and sat down.
“What’ll it be, young man?”
“Ribs, baked beans, potato salad, and iced tea.”
“Coming right up.”
As I ate lunch, my phone rang.
“Hi, sis. What do you have for me.”
“I’m going to Eatontown. I have some sites to hack. When I get something, I’ll let you know.”
“OK, sis. I’ll wait for your call.”
“Oh, the Minder Foundation owned an 800-acre ranch thirty miles west of Austin.”
“Thanks, I’ll check it out.”
Following April’s directions, I found the ranch. I walked past the “for sale” sign. The house was huge. A small playground for children. Wait, six swing sets in a large circle, two large bunk houses, enough picnic tables for forty people. I went back to my car after taking pictures. I continued west another twenty miles. The ranch was abandoned, no animals on the ranch. I turned around and went back to Austin. Back in my hotel room, I sent sis the pictures. Looking at my options, I decided to drive to college station. I needed to talk to people at Texas A&M. Arriving at Texas A&M, I looked for their biology department. Finding the main building, I parked five rows from the building. As I walked to the building, I spotted Dr. Richard Mahoney.
“Ricky, how have you’ve been.”
“Mike, what are you doing here? You still with the FBI?”
“No, resigned several years ago. I’m looking for information on Dr. Minder.”
“Is that Richard, Charles, or Paul Minder?”
“Well, Paul mostly, but if you can tell me of the others, I’ll take it.”
“Buy me dinner and I’ll give you what I know.”
I followed Ricky to a nice Tex-Mex restaurant. Inside,
