The Hades Connection by Gabriel S. Timar

Table of Contents Chapter 1, part 1 Chapter 1, part 2 Chapter 2 Chapter 3, part 1 Chapter 3, part 2 Chapter 4 Chapter 5, part 1 Chapter 5, part 2 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8, part 1 Chapter 8, part 2 Chapter 9 Chapter 10, part 1 Chapter 10, part 2 Chapter 11 Chapter 12, part 1 Chapter 12, part 2 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15, part 1 Chapter 15, part 2 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18, part 1 Chapter 18, part 2 Chapter 19, part 1 Chapter 19, part 2 Chapter 20 Chapter 21, part 1 Chapter 21, part 2 Chapter 22, part 1 Chapter 22, part 2 Chapter 23, part 1 Chapter 23, part 2 Chapter 24, part 1 Chapter 24, part 2 Chapter 25, part 1 Chapter 25, part 2 Chapter 26, part 1 Chapter 26, part 2 Chapter 26, part 3

Chapter 26 part 1 of 3

After finishing my negotiations with Ann Forrest, I returned to the inner office, sat down, and turned to Luce.

“I think the matter is settled,” I said with a deep sigh. “When the Board of Trade opens tomorrow morning, Pete or Ari should take Ann out, although I also want to be in the hospital when she comes to. They should call her Miss Jackson; she will not object. Wait for me and don’t install Ann’s soul into Esther’s body without me.”

“I’ll look after the matter,” Michael said. “Although there is no need for George to come to the hospital, I don’t mind if he does. We should meet at the intensive care ward at twelve-thirty sharp.”

I nodded.

“Well, Luce,” Michael said, “I guess our business is more or less finished. I shall deliver Miss Forrest to George tomorrow afternoon. As soon as he signs the receipt for her body and soul, our contract becomes valid and binding.” He stood up and continued, “I can’t say it was a pleasure doing business with you guys, but it is a damn sight better than having to pay a couple of millions in fines to the Board of Trade. I am sure you share my feelings. I believe they should deregulate the soul business just as they did with many other less important ventures.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Luce said. “By the way, give my regards to G.G. Lord.”

“I will,” Michael replied. “See you around.”

We shook hands, Michael walked out, and I was alone with Luce. He winked at me and with his index finger pointed to the outer office. I understood. I was supposed to make sure that Michael had really departed and had not left any bugs behind.

I got up and strolled leisurely from Luce’s sanctuary into the domain of Arabella. I looked into every nook and cranny, even opened the stationary cabinet. The room was empty and the exit door closed. I knew that Arabella had a bug detector switch in her desk somewhere. I opened the drawers one by one; in the left-hand bottom drawer, I found it. I set the three-way switch to sweep and pressed the start button. In about fifteen seconds, the green light came on signaling that the room was clear of illegal listening devices.

“There are no bugs here,” I announced.

“Okay,” came Luce’s voice from the inner office, “come on in! I just ran a sensor sweep of this office and found it clean. Although I don’t think he left any monitoring devices behind, I ordered a security check on the complete route Michael followed entering and leaving this building.”

“That’s what I was worried about,” I said. “You and I have the proverbial great minds, which think alike.”

“And they are suspicious,” added Luce.

He was right. During my last assignment, I had suspected every terrestrial. Luce had just revealed that in the Third Dimension everybody and everything might have had a second meaning, a secret, or a hidden life.

“That is the only way,” I said. “Don’t trust anybody; rely on yourself; and have the courage to make quick decisions.”

“You are right, George,” Luce said with a big smile. “That is the secret of success. By the way, it was a brilliant move to leave Esther behind. This way we have the competition by the short hair. You gave us the evidence of their interference in the First Dimension. If anyone scans Esther, it will be all right, since her soul is stamped as Heavens’ property. In exchange for our silence, Michael agreed to cover part of the costs of the Earth project, and I gave them a small guaranteed share of this new lucrative market. Actually, I did not give away anything, because they would get that much anyway.”

“So it seems we are going to be all right,” I concluded.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Luce cautioned, “but our chances are looking better and better every day. Where did you find that kid Garfield? She’s a born leader. My sources suggest she’s doing a fantastic job keeping everybody on the straight and narrow.”

“I didn’t have to search for her,” I replied. “She was the only one available. I was lucky, I guess.”

“In this business, George, there is no such thing as luck,” Luce stated. “You’re either competent and make the right moves or you get fired. I’m going to give you a bonus and an office on this floor.”

I kept quiet since I did not want Luce to know that I had almost ruined his grandiose plan of nailing Heavens, Inc. to the wall when I tried to talk Esther out of staying behind. I considered myself lucky most of the time, although I never had won the lottery and, when it came to an election, I always ended up losing.

“Anyway, George, I would like to invite you for a meal, a drink and some intellectual discussions in my beach house,” he said. “Are you free tomorrow evening?”

“I’ve nothing better to do,” I replied.

“Okay,” Luce said, “I’ll send Cleo to pick you up around seven. Wear something casual.”

I was tired. I said farewell to Luce, went downstairs, got into my car and drove home. I did not have the strength to pour myself another drink; I just stripped and fell into my bed.

* * *

Shortly after noon, I entered the intensive care ward of Grace Hospital. It looked very familiar. An institution with the same name exists in St. John’s. I remembered the place well, because the nursing school was part of the hospital and I loved to chase their female students.

Michael was waiting for me at the nurses’ station. We shook hands and he produced a receipt for the body of Esther Jackson and the soul of Ann Forrest.

“As soon as I take possession, I’ll sign it,” I stated.

“You can trust me.”

“No, Michael,” I countered, “I learned a long time ago not to trust anybody, especially guys who say I can trust them.”

“You have a suspicious mind.” He smiled. “Let’s go.”

We entered Esther’s room. A nurse and a doctor were preparing the body for the transfer. I was sure these guys received a salary from the hospital, from Hades, Ltd. and last but not least from Heavens, Inc. It must be nice to collect three paychecks.

The doctors had connected Esther Jackson’s body to all kinds of machines; she looked like a spider in the middle of its web. The doctor and the nurse were removing the wires one by one.

When they had disconnected all the wires and tubes, Michael took his cell phone from his pocket and dialed. Obviously, someone on the other end answered because he firmly issued his instructions: “Start the transfer, Herc, now.”

He folded the phone, looked at me, and took out the receipt again. Before he could say anything, I held up my hand: “I’ll sign that damned thing, Michael, as soon as I’ve confirmed that she was the right soul in the right body. Just keep your shirt on.”

He shrugged. In about ten minutes, Esther or Ann opened her eyes, looking a little bewildered. I must have looked that way when I got my new body. She was tough, and she managed to control her emotions.

I stepped up to her and looked into the deep blue eyes. It was a weird sensation. Although they were Esther’s, something was different about them.

“Hello, Ann,” I said.

She did not answer, just stared at me, obviously waiting for the password.

“Come-By-Chance,” I intoned slowly, carefully modulating my voice as if I were cross-examining a child witness.

“Burin,” came the quick reply.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Ann,” I said, and I wanted to reach out to shake her hand, but suddenly Michael stepped in my way.

“Now,” he said and stuck the receipt under my nose.

“Okay,” I said and quickly signed the receipt. “Now, get the hell out of here, Michael; I have work to do.”

I handed him the receipt and turned my back on him. As I could not stand the sight of him, it was a glorious feeling to insult him.

Ann was just lying there motionless.

“Don’t be afraid, my dear,” I said, “your arms and legs are where they are supposed to be and I’m sure they work. Try them.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you, George,” she said, but still did not move.

Although the voice was Esther’s, the intonation and the accent were slightly different. Anyone knowing Esther would have realized in a matter of a few minutes that a different soul was occupying her elegant, streamlined body.

Wearing the hospital-issue pajamas, which did not properly cover her curves, she slowly got out of the bed. I caught her looking at her legs at the first opportunity, but she did not say anything.

“I hope you’re satisfied,” I asked with a smile.

“I can’t say,” she replied. “As soon as you get out of here, I’ll inspect the merchandise and give you a full report. By the way, do I get any clothes?”

“I’m afraid you have only a borrowed safari suit and a pair of hushpuppies,” I replied. “I think we should visit a department store to get you some clothes.”

“Do you think it would be wise?” she asked. “What happens if we can’t come to terms?”

“I consider my investment in your wardrobe as low-risk venture capital,” I replied. “This would be the first one I made in either of my lives.”

She smiled uncertainly and gave me a dirty look: “You may have seen every detail of this body during the manufacturing stage,” she said, “but as long as I am in it, I would appreciate your respect of my privacy. So, kindly leave me alone and let me get dressed.”

I just nodded and stepped out into the corridor. Although she was testy, I liked Ann Forrest. She valued her independence and obviously knew just how far she could push people. I thought I had found an intellect in her that would not compete with mine but complement it very well. Of course, I was referring to professional matters only. How we would match up in bed, I had no idea. I was not too interested in sexual relations with her, since Cleo was picking me up in the evening, and I hoped she would give my glands a proper workout.

Leaving the hospital, we got into my car and drove to Elizabeth Towers. For the time being, I did not know what to do with Ann. It was too late to try and get her to the office. However, I remembered that upon receiving my new body I had to eat a complete meal. Therefore I took Ann to a buffet restaurant called The Mandarin and watched her stuff herself with all the delicacies.

After the cognac, we both relaxed. My first thought was to leave her at my apartment. This was not a good idea, since I had to get ready for the evening, and there was a good chance of hooking up with Cleo after the party. It would look funny taking her to a dingy motel.

Fortunately, Ann had other ideas.

“Just park me in a motel and give me a major credit card with a spending limit,” she said, “I’ll look after myself. Don’t worry, I’ll buy only one outfit, and it will not be an expensive one. I’ve never bought designer clothes, because I did not think I should pay some idiot for putting his name on them. I need only one outfit for the formal negotiating session tomorrow. By the way, what time do we start the interview?”

Apparently, the negotiations were the only things that mattered to Ann Forrest. It was not surprising. When I was in limbo, I was ready to do anything to return to the land of the living.

“You’re right,” I replied. “I’ll check you into a motel, give you my Amex card, a hundred dollars, my cell phone in case you get into trouble, a map of the city and the keys to my car. You’ll be on your own until tomorrow morning. At eight-thirty sharp come to my apartment and we’ll go to the office to discuss the terms of your employment. Is that okay with you?”

“Very well,” she said with a smile and extended her hand. I had the feeling that she was slowly finding her bearings. I was equally sure that everything would work out just fine between us.

* * *

Proceed to part 2...

Copyright © 2004 by Gabriel S. Timar