Code 47 to BREV Force Cracko

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 22

Martin and Vivian had been busy all day getting their current projects wrapped up and trying to find the link between Controller and their I.A.S. files. Rosie had reported that every lead so far had turned into a dead end. Dr. Schmidt had contacted Martin, as Dr. Donatez had said he would and was ecstatic that the I.A.S. had taken his recommendation in assigning them to the Controller case.

He told Martin, "I am confident that together we will get the job done right for all concerned." Dr. Schmidt then gave Martin a secure priority password for Rosie to up-link with the data banks at the Science Institute and directed that Rosie post all daily progress reports, directly to his office. Both Martin and Vivian were pleased that would be the extent of his hands-on involvement.

Brad and Evie were still primping for the football rally that night when Vivian called, "Dinners ready." They thundered down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Well, you both look all decked out. Hot dates?" their mom asked.

"Brad has one," Evie said, "I'm just meeting Ginger from the Hot Spot Shoppe." Turning to her brother she teased, "Brad, you should really give her a whirl! She's got the hots for you, ya' know!"

"Nah, Jimmy said he saw her with some big jock at the game over in Teesville last Saturday night."

"Duh! That jock is her brother."

"Whatever," Brad replied impatiently.

Dinner conversation was mixed. Their dad didn't say much, except to ask them both to be more careful. Especially with the news of Controller's new hologram, Cracko.

They both agreed.

Vivian picked up the conversation, "I talked to Gran today. You guys sure got her all fired up on this Controller stuff. She's chomping at the bit to get out here and do something about it."

"You know it doesn't take too much to get Gran going on anything spacey, Mom," Evie replied. "If it wasn't Controller, it would be Martian's, or something else."

Brad and Evie watched the clock, waiting for the opportunity to leave. Finally Brad interrupted, kissed his mother and said, "Sorry Mom, Dad, I need to pick-up my date or, I'll be late."

"Yeah I gotta go, too, before I'm late to meet Ginger." Evie kissed her parents and added, "Have a good night you two."

"Try to come home at a decent hour... both of you," their father said as he watched them leave. "I suppose that was a wasted comment."

"Oh, Martin, I would have said the same thing, if you hadn't beaten me to it!"

They both laughed.

The football field at school was jam packed. Evie, who reluctantly attended, had met up with Ginger and they both agreed the rally actually turned out to be a lot of fun.

Evie had arranged to meet Brad and his date at the Hot Spot Shoppe after the rally and Ginger went along.

Waiting in line to get a table, Evie noticed Ginger couldn't keep her eyes off Brad. Evie felt sorry for her, as Brad dated so many girls, this one was probably number 737 for the year on Brad's list of conquests. When Evie asked where his "date" had disappeared to, Brad said she'd gone to the ladies' room some ten minutes earlier.

They all laughed.

Ginger had once told Evie she didn't understand why Brad never looked at her but as long as he didn't have a permanent relationship with anyone, she still had hope.

Ginger was born in IslandFalls. Her family had settled there in the late 1800's, so she knew just about everyone and everything. Ginger was very friendly and outgoing and when she first met Evie, she sensed how lost and unhappy she was and decided to help her learn her way around.

Ginger was a sophomore who worked her way through school by putting in really long shifts as a cashier at the Hot Spot Shoppe. She didn't often have time off for school events or time for anything other than school and work.

Alternately, Evie didn't have many friends or want to do much outside of school, so when they talked about the rally, they agreed maybe they should give it a try.

Also, Evie know Ginger really had it bad for Brad—she did from the first time she met him. So, they both hoped, maybe tonight he'd notice her.

The Hot Spot was really packed after the rally and even the fact that Ginger was an employee couldn't help them get a table sooner. By the time they were finally seated, the music was cranked up and the place was even more jammed.

After introducing everyone, Brad decided to get some drinks. His date, a petite blonde named Denise, finally returned and requested a large mocha latte; Evie and Ginger decided on Diet sodas. Ginger asked him to wait while she got some money but he gallantly refused.

While Brad was gone, Ginger tried to strike up a conversation with Denise, whose answer on every topic seemed to be, "Uh, I dunno." Ginger whispered to Evie that Brad's date didn't seem to be much of a conversationalist.

Evie responded that the girl's ability to make conversation was the least of Brad's interest.

Brad got on the refreshment line behind a short guy in a black leather jacket. The guy's date was hanging all over him; a girl with a ring in her eyebrow and a large, "Life Sucks" tattoo showing at the edge of her low-rise jeans.

The line began to move and Brad ordered. He picked up the tray full of drinks and accidentally bumped into the guy and girl in front of him, spilling the latte.

"What's with you man? Can't you see I'm ahead of you?"

Brad started to apologize when the guy turned around. Brad had to do a double-take before he realized it was Jonathan standing there with this gorgeous brunette, draped all over him.

Jonathan picked up the tray he was pushing along and moved toward the cashier. He was acting as if he didn't even know Brad.

Brad got off the line to order another latte. He finally got through the even longer line to the cashier, then paid and returned to the table. He put down the tray and handed Denise her latte, "What took so long, honey," she asked.

He ignored her question and asked instead, "Did any of you see what just happened?" Brad hoped he wasn't just overreacting.

"No. Why? What happened?" Evie asked handing Ginger her soda and taking her own drink.

"See that guy over there with the black leather jacket and the sexy brunette?"

Both Ginger and Evie scanned the crowded room in the direction Brad was pointing. "So!" Evie finally said.

"That's Jonathan!"

"C'mon, Brad. Are you nuts? You can't expect me to buy that! I know Jonathan, remember."

"Well, maybe you think you do but not any longer... that is Jonathan Morris, in the flesh... I swear!"

"What's wrong with him?" Denise cooed, "I think he's really sexy."

Ignoring her comments again, Brad told Evie and Ginger to take a closer look at the new Jon.

Neither of them could believe their eyes.

That became the topic of conversation at their table for the remainder of the night. After they saw Jonathan leave, Brad decided it was getting late.

He took Denise home and when they got to her house, he walked her to her door and said goodnight. He didn't even kiss her. Brad was totally consumed by this new Jonathan situation. He finally realized he was also seeing radical changes in some of his other friends at school and work.

Denise slammed the door but all Brad could think of was Jonathan--he had to find out what happened to his best friend.