“What did you find?”
Carl’s voice elevated in pitch, “Some futuristic explosive device in one of the units with Chinese characters on it, something I’ve never seen before. I’m sure this was the unit originally in lot 1, meaning the prime unit probably has the same device. If true, Jesse’s spacecraft will not deploy its chutes.”
Peter started to pace the room as he dug his hand deep in his hair. China was involved, and if they wanted to destroy the Iris spacecraft with a modified PDD, both units in a particular lot would need to have the altered pyrotechnic device, since EarthOrbit decided which went into the spacecraft. Knowing the spare unit in the warehouse would be inspected after any accident, it made sense to switch it out. By putting it in lot 3, it could be smuggled out or used in another spacecraft if their operation failed. “Have you told anyone about this?”
Carl answered emphatically. “No.” He took a deep breath. “Peter, I was shocked to see Chinese characters. All the parts for those units were to be made in Germany.”
Peter needed to inspect the unit to see what kind of explosive device it was. Was it powerful enough to act as a bomb? “I understand. I don’t want you telling a soul. I have no idea who we can trust. I’ll fly back immediately. I suggest hiding the unit somewhere safe. I’d like to see it before we decide what to do.”
“Okay. I did take a picture of it.”
“Great, send it to my phone.” Peter planned on forwarding the snapshot to SID.
“Will do. I’ll hide the PDD in a cabinet in my office.”
“Got it.”
“SIR, I WAS just informed Peter Novak was not put on the flight.” Kuang crumpled the paper in his hand in anger as he looked up at his assistant standing in his doorway. “Why?”
Ming grabbed the doorknob to steady himself, his voice was deep and uncertain. “We are not exactly clear, but it sounds like our contact was concerned postponing the flight could lead to the bomb being discovered.”
Kuang’s upper body jolted erect. “So he rejected an order? You tell him we decide what happens, not him.”
Ming bowed. “Yes, sir.”
Kuang jutted his finger toward his assistant. “You pass on that I want that American, Peter Novak, eliminated. I don’t care how.”
With his head still down, Ming answered. “Yes, sir.”
23
CONFRONTATION
Seeing an ambulance pull out of EarthOrbit’s parking lot alarmed Peter as he drove up. He quickly parked and hustled through the lot. He bounded up the eight stairs leading to the company’s entrance with two long strides. He powered through the lobby glass doors and walked straight toward the receptionist desk. As he approached, the young lady had an uncharacteristically solemn look. She seemed to be in a deep trance.
Peter’s voice cut through the lingering tension. “Hi, Sherry, is everything all right? I just saw an ambulance leaving the parking lot.”
The receptionist blinked before looking up, sadness in her eyes. “I can’t believe what just happened.”
Peter put both hands on the desk as he leaned in. “What happened?”
“Our shop manager, Carl Stewart, just died.”
Peter’s heart sank as he instinctively balled both hands into tight fists. “What? How did that happen?”
She looked toward the entrance. “It sounds like he had a heart attack or something. He was found dead in his office.” She looked Peter squarely in the eyes. “I can’t believe it. I just talked to him this morning about his daughter playing volleyball.”
Peter was stunned and convinced this was no accident. Right away, he was stricken with guilt, wondering if his friend died because he threw out his name to Walter. His blood started to boil as he blamed Chris. He wanted to confront the old man immediately, but first he had to get that altered PDD out of Carl’s office. It was now obvious the shop manager was onto something, and Peter couldn’t let the evidence get into the wrong hands.
Without saying a word, he charged down the hallway to the shop floor. With every step Peter’s anger grew at the thought of the ex-NASA man having one of their own killed
As Peter approached Carl’s office, he saw all the window blinds closed. He asked one of the shop employees working close by, “Hey, any idea why Carl’s blinds are closed?”
The worker looked uneasy. “Did you hear what happened?”
“I did. It’s terrible news.”
The worker shook his head. “It’s a total shock to all of us. He seemed so healthy.” He leaned back against a milling machine as he pointed to the office. “Carl had his blinds closed off and on over the last few days. When I came in this morning, they were closed and his door was locked. I think he was working on something.”
Carl must have been inspecting the PDDs in his office. “Thanks.” He walked up to the closed door and slowly opened it. The room was dark, lit only by a few streaks of light passing through the blinds. He found the light switch. After his eyes adjusted, the office appeared to be in order, no signs of any struggle. He closed the door behind him before crossing to Carl’s chair. He ran his hand across the seatback where the man sat just moments earlier. He looked to the ceiling. Carl, I promise we’ll find out who did this and they’ll pay. Your findings will not go to waste.
He walked over to the workbench, which had tools scattered about. Carl had been working on something. Peter turned to the only two cabinets in the office. After a quick glance through each, he found no sign of the PDD. Frustrated, he did a more thorough search and still came up empty. Peter’s fear was confirmed; whoever killed Carl took the PDD and probably was working for China. He was now certain there was a bomb on the Iris spacecraft and Chris was involved. He was also convinced Carl’s death was somehow tied into Chris leaving the spaceport early. He had to confront the man.
PETER STORMED INTO the control room, set on dealing with Chris. He glanced at an overhead monitor to see the mission was going as planned. He tried to keep his emotions in check as he went directly to the old man’s console. He gave Chris a solid pat on the back.
A surprised look emerged on Chris’s face. “Hey, Peter, I didn’t expect you so soon. What’s up?”
Peter lowered his voice to a whisper. “I need to speak with you now, in private.”
Chris cocked his head, raising an eyebrow. “Can it wait?”
Peter stood his ground. “No!”
Chris shot him an annoyed look before taking off his headset and speaking in a condescending tone. “Okay, let’s go to my office.” He turned to the mission director. “Jerry, I’ll be right back.”
Peter followed Chris closely out of mission control down the long, empty corridor. The awkward silence seemed to get the best of Chris as he tried to make small talk. “Looks like the mission is going well. Your men are doing a great job.”
Peter snapped, “Yes, they are.”
Chris glanced over his shoulder with his left eyebrow cocked. Peter stared straight ahead. As they walked up the stairwell the only sound was the pounding of their footsteps. When Chris reached the top step, he asked, “Did you hear about the poor guy in the shop? He apparently died of a heart attack.”
Peter took a deep breath as he balled a hand into a tight fist. He kept quiet, knowing he could lose control if he responded. Chris looked back. Peter’s emotions were starting to get the best of him. He did everything in his power to suppress his anger, but it still oozed from every pore of his body. Chris appeared puzzled, which made Peter even hotter. Neither said another word as they trudged down the short distance to his office, Chris slumping as if he was walking the plank.