Chapter 37
Marty spent the morning going from turbine tower to turbine tower, running diagnostics tests. This was accomplished at the computer control station inside the base of each one.
Technically, he was also supposed to climb the interior ladder to the trapdoor at the top and stick his head out to do a visual check of the blades. He was not in the mood, so he skipped that part. He figured he could get a good enough look at them from the ground.
It was noon by the time he was ready to leave. Before climbing into the company truck he’d used to drive there, he glanced down the dirt road that led off the site and frowned.
Vladimir and his motorcycle were parked a few hundred yards away, where the dirt road met the highway.
Marty had hoped for a miracle that would have called his unwanted shadow away. If that had been the case, he would have seriously considered a run for the border. But no such luck.
As he got into the truck, an idea struck him, something that might reduce some of the pressure on him.
He drove down the road and rolled to a stop as he came abreast of the motorcycle. He lowered his window.
“Hey,” he said.
Vladimir stared at him, disinterested.
“I, uh, thought your boss might like to know I collected a lot of good stuff at work this morning.”
Vladimir’s expression did not change.
“I, um, left it at the office or I’d give it to you now,” Marty said. “I could run it out to you later, if you want.”
Still no response.
“Or, I guess, I could, uh, drop it off at Mr. Popov’s hotel this evening.”
Vladimir picked his helmet up off the bike’s seat and put it on.
“Just let me know when you figure out what you want me to do,” Marty said.
He forced a smile. “Okay, then. I-I’m going back to the office.
” He started to roll the window up but stopped when it was only halfway.
“I’ll probably pick up lunch on the way.
I just don’t want you to think I’m pulling a fast one. ”
Vladimir answered by starting the motorbike.
“Uh, great. Good talk.”
Marty gave him a tentative wave, rolled the window all the way up, and pulled onto the highway, regretting so many of his life choices.
—
Vladimir called Aleksei as he followed Marty back to Palm Springs and relayed what the engineer had said.
“He didn’t elaborate on what he meant by good stuff?” his brother asked.
“That’s all he said.”
“Did he say anything about Dr. Perez?”
“Nothing.” Vladimir heard the splash of water in the background. “Where are you?”
“Having lunch by the pool. Is that a problem?”
“It’s fine. I’m happy for you. I hope there are many pretty girls.”
“There are a few,” Aleksei said. “Is that all you have for me?”
“For now.”
Vladimir followed Marty to a fast-food restaurant at the edge of town and then back to RRE, where Vladimir settled into the same spot he’d been in earlier that day.
He’d been there for about a half hour when his brother called and said he was sending Erik over so that Vladimir could get something to eat.
Erik showed up in fifteen minutes.
“I won’t be long,” Vladimir told him, then drove off to grab some food.
After he ate and used the facilities, he headed back.
He was a block and a half away when he noticed a man on top of a three-story parking structure located across the street from the RRE property.
That, in itself, was not unusual. The fact that he was looking toward RRE’s parking lot through a pair of binoculars was, however.
Vladimir immediately pulled to the curb and cut his engine. He got off the bike and made his way around the block, until he was on the opposite side of the parking structure.
Alert for any sign of trouble, he entered the ground floor of the structure, then started his way up using the car ramps instead of the stairs.
There was nothing unusual on the second floor, so he continued up the ramp that led to the roof.
He crept up until he could peer into level three.
Vehicles filled most of the spots, making it even harder for anyone to see him.
Peering under the cars, he scanned the area until he spotted not one but two pairs of feet near the edge facing RRE.
The people the feet belonged to were separated by four parking spots and were facing away from Vladimir’s position.
Vladimir edged up the ramp so that he could see through the windows of the cars near him.
Two men, both fit and dressed in slacks and polo shirts. Vladimir knew security personnel when he saw them.
He made his way back out of the structure. When he was completely out of sight of the building, he called his brother again and told him what he’d found.
“Any idea why they are there?” Aleksei asked.
“No clue.”
“I don’t see how they could have anything to do with us but keep an eye on them. I’m going to leave Erik with you. Do you need anyone else?”
“The two of us should be okay for now,” Vladimir said. “Rules of engagement?”
“If they become a problem, do whatever you need to do.”
“Understood.”
—
Stacy arrived at the Mountain View Resort & Spa at two p.m. and called Billy as soon as she was in her suite.
“I may never leave,” she said. “This suite is gorgeous!”
“You will have to leave for a little while at three,” he said.
“What’s happening at three?”
“I’ve booked you for a massage at the spa.”
“Have I ever told you that you’re the best boss ever?”
“I do not believe I’ve ever heard those words pass your lips before.”
“An oversight on my part. You are the best boss ever. If you’d like, I can get you a mug to that effect.”
“How about we leave it in the verbal state for now.”
“Your loss.”
“Oh, and our dinner with Pike and Tina has been moved to nine. Same place.”
“Thanks for the mood killer. Promise me you’ll be there.”
“Still mulling it over,” he said, clearly yanking her chain.
“I might have to rethink the best boss thing.”
“Too late. I’ve recorded the call.”
“Goodbye, Billy.”
“Enjoy your massage!”
—
Tina and Pike arrived at the Parker Palm Springs at 3:30 p.m. and were met at their car by a member of the staff, who escorted them directly to their suites, located next door to each other.
“Here are your keycards,” the woman said, handing each their card. “Mr. Westin, you have an appointment at the Yacht Club in thirty minutes.”
“Yacht Club?” he said.
“Our spa,” she explained.
“Oh. Cool. Thirty minutes, you say?”
“Yes, sir.” She gave him directions.
When it became obvious that Pike wasn’t going to tip her, Tina did the honors.
“Please let us know if you need anything,” the woman said and then left.
Pike opened the door to his suite, then looked back at Tina. “We’re meeting Billy at eight, right?”
“Nine,” she said.
“Nine? That’s not what you told me before.”
“Something came up and he needed to push us back.”
Pike huffed. “Are you saying Billy has something better to do than talk to me?”
Tina hadn’t told him while they’d been driving because she knew the news wouldn’t go down well and hadn’t wanted to be trapped in the car with him while he fumed.
“That’s not it at all,” she said, as placatingly as possible. “Remember, he’s on vacation, so we’re working with his schedule.”
“You’re kidding me, right? Billy should be dropping everything to meet with me. In fact, he should have been waiting in the lobby when we got here.”
“Think of it this way, now you get to spend an extra hour or two at the spa.”
He opened his mouth to continue arguing, then stopped himself as her words sunk in. “I guess that’s true. I’m still not happy about this, though.”
“I know you’re not.”
“And I’m going to let Billy know that.”
“How about I have a separate conversation with him and tell him how you feel. It’ll be better if you seem cooperative rather than angry.”
He considered her suggestion and nodded. “All right. I’ll leave that to you.”
“Enjoy your massage,” she said, forcing a smile.
She opened her door and slipped quickly into her suite, having decided that today would be her last as Pike Westin’s agent.