Early Retirement (An Arturo Nash Novel)

Ch. 3

Darren Galdenbaum when into his home office and retrieved his late wife's sleek, black laptop from its space in a bag under the computer desk. He unzipped the bag, removed the laptop, and left the room.

When he returned his nine year-old daughter, Aubrey, was talking to the repairman. The girl, whose long brown hair was in a ponytail, had apparently said something funny because both of them were laughing.

"Why don't you run along Aubrey," Galdenbaum said to his daughter.

She said her goodbyes and skipped off down the hallway.

"I have the laptop for you right here," Galdenbaum said.

The man calling himself Riley took the laptop and didn't move.

"Where can I go?" he asked

"Um, well I guess you can use the kitchen table. Right this way," Galdenbaum said motioning toward the kitchen area.

The repairman made his way into the kitchen, his boots clanking on the hardwood flooring. The kitchen was done in a really deep brown and the smell of recently applied paint was in the air. The repairman pulled a chair back from the velvety red table. He sat down, scooted himself up and placed his bag on the table.

"If you need anything I'll be watching television in the living room," Galdenbaum said exiting the room.

The repairman waited until he heard Jeopardy begin, and then removed a flash drive discreetly from his bag. He turned on the computer and waited for it to boot up.

The screen flashed brightly then Bridget Galdenbaum's background, a picture of her class, came on. The repairman opened the main hard drive folder as a cover then opened Galdenbaum's documents and began rooting around.

"This looks interesting," the repairman said opening a folder marked Research.

When the folder opened the repairman was presented with several different documents. He chose one and began to read:

James A. Carlyle Elementary School was founded in 1950.The school was an addition that was unexpected. The school board approved the construction and it was widely rumored that the school was front for among other things a U.S. government spy operation or a possibly a hiding place for a treasure. None of the these rumors have been proved true however the speculation that there was something strange about this school increased in 1967 when a suggestion that renovations be made to the sixteen year old building was adamantly turned down by the school board

president...

The repairman stopped reading the report when he heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. A moment later Galdenbaum's 14 year-old son Brent came running by the table and straight to the fridge. He snatched the candy he was looking for out and just as quickly went running back out of sight.

The repairman just shook his head and turned back toward the screen.

"Anyway," he said

...Gerald Bogart because "the building was in great shape". Two years later Bogart decided not run for another term and was replaced by Harold Reever. The remodeling job on Carlyle was suggested again and was again turned down this time because "the structural integrity of the building could be compromised".

"That's it," the repairman said trying his best not to scream. "What a lot of help that was."

The repairman moved on to the next document and the next but found nothing to his liking.

"She had to have research notes somewhere," he thought to himself out loud.

After several minutes of unfruitful searching the repairman took off his hat and threw it on the table in frustration. At that moment Darren Galdenbaum walked into the kitchen empty glass in hand.

"Are you almost finished Mr. Riley," he asked pouring a glass of juice for himself.

"Yeah sure," he said not really paying attention. "Um, does your wife have the software that came with the computer?"

"I think so," Galdenbaum said

"Could I see it?" the repairman asked with a sly smile.

"Here let me show you where it might be," Galdenbaum said pointing toward the living room.

The two got up and the repairman followed Galdenbaum toward the home office.

"Look in the top left cabinet," Mr. Galdenbaum said pointing toward the oak computer desk.

Once he was alone the repairman began searching through all the cabinets, feverishly looking for anything pertaining to Carlyle Elementary. He went through drawer after drawer, cabinet after cabinet, and still found nothing he was looking for.

Mr. Galdenbaum heard the slamming of drawers and decided to investigate. He put the TV on mute, and walked toward the home office.

The repairman was startled at the sound of an opening door and jumped dropping papers all over the floor.

"What are you doing?" Galdenbaum said

"Looking for the CD," the repairman said facing the wall

"In our drawers?" Galdenbaum said disbelievingly

The repairman withdrew the revolver from his waist and took a deep breath.

"I..I," he stammered. " I want you to put your hands up and be quiet."

Suddenly Darren Galdenbaum had a revolver pointed in his face and he complied with the repairman's request.

"Now do as I say. Call your kids in here."

"But they," Galdenbaum said fearfully.

"Call them!" the repairman yelled.

"Brent, Aubrey come to the computer please?" he said tearing up.

"Now up against the wall." He said to Galdenbaum.

The repairman kept his gun on Galdenbaum as the kids arrived at the door.

"Yes dad," they said in unison.

The repairman spun around and without taking his eyes of Galdenbaum made eye contact with the kids.

"Over there with your dad, now!" he ordered.

The kids ran frightened right into the open arms of their father.

"Let me start by saying I'm sorry it had to come to this but I really have no choice," he said in his raspy voice.

Galdenbaum held his kids a little tighter.

The repairman set the gun and an aimed.

"I am a gentleman, so ladies first."