Evil Intent (24 page)

Chapter 32

A
lthough she was back in that dreadful office again, Kathryn felt so different. Those two days with Richard meant everything. She had such a renewed look on life and her confidence was somehow restored. She was smiling again, in fact beaming with joy, would be a better description. She was going to be just fine, and tonight when she goes home to her man, she will feel like the happiest woman in the universe.

“Good morning Kathryn,” Barbara said, bringing Kathryn her usual coffee and schedule. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but is everything alright?”

“Everything is wonderful Barbara, and I certainly don’t mind you asking. I consider you a dear friend, and appreciate all the concern you have had for me. But, Richard and I had the best time together. He helped me so much, Barbara. I’m a changed woman.”

“You do look happy. And I’m so happy for you, Kathryn, but what about the police and this stupid office? The bullshit doesn’t seem to want to end?”

“I’m fine. Richard convinced me. We’re innocent, so the police have nothing and are just doing their jobs. So why worry? And Dr. Andreyushkin? He’s just different. Eric’s brush with death or strange behavior isn’t my problem and although Ted might be a problem, since he’s my boss, what’s the worst that could happen? He fires me? So what. And of course, Donald is just plain nuts. I’m letting him go in one ear and out the other. You must realize Barbara, we can’t control anyone, so all I want to focus on is how much I can love Richard.”

“Well, good for you girl. I’m so proud of you Kathryn,” Barbara said, returning to her desk, happy that her boss was back to her good old self.

Ted Duncan was alone in his office worrying about all that was coming down on him. He gazed out the window thinking how any day now, Joe Black or Human Resources would show up and fire him. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.

“Why should I feel bad? They deserve these problems. Hell, if this company goes down, it’s their fault not mine. They deserve exactly what happened. Maybe I should just forward some of the truth to those bastards. That’ll get them worried,” he thought.

Just then Ted’s private cell phone rang.

“Hi baby, what a nice surprise.”

“Teddy, I’m sorry, but this isn’t going to work. I’ve thought about it ever since last night when you came over. It’s not the same anymore. Something is different. You’re weird as shit, and maybe even paranoid. I can’t handle it any longer.”

“Baby cakes, wait a minute.”

“I’m not your baby cakes. It’s over. Go back to your cute little wife. She doesn’t know about us, you’ll be fine and it’ll be better for you in the long run. Good bye Teddy.”

Ted Duncan was pissed. “Screw her. She isn’t the only broad in town who can fuck. There’s plenty of women who would want me.”

Still fuming, Ted picks up the phone and calls Eric Halsey.

“Eric, Ted Duncan. Can you send me over the test scrips on the Diage AU003?”

Eric Halsey suddenly became worried.

“Why the hell is that dork poking around in my stuff? Oh well, two can play this game.”

Eric reached for his phone and dialed the familiar number.

“Anton, Eric. Just thought you’d be interested, Ted is asking all sorts of questions about the test scrips on your wonderful pump. Sorry to bother you but I knew you’d want to know.”

Dr. Anton Andreyushkin obviously became concerned over Eric’s comment. He too picked up the phone and made a call.

“Mikhail, it’s me. I need you to look at the test plan. Is there anything in the documents that would alert someone to a problem? This is urgent. Please send over anything you find, immediately.”

Over at the 17th Precinct, Detective Peters sat in his office alone, staring at a blank piece of paper.

“Shit,” he whispered to himself. “This fucking piece of paper is just like our case - blank. We don’t have a damn thing on
The Cafe 63
murders. Who the fuck is the man in the trench coat? The chief is going to have my ass!”

Suddenly, a figure emerged in Detective Peters’ doorway. It was one of the forensic analysts from the lab.

“Hey Peters. I figured out that little X-box contraption you gave us. Pretty slick.”

“What? You know what it is?”

“Yep. Definitely, a homemade transmitter.”

“What for?”

“Lots of possibilities. It’s small and portable. It can almost function like a computer and transmit commands, using Bluetooth technology, to another computer or any device that contains a microprocessor as long as the device accepts uploads.”

“Oh shit, Charlie. The fucking kid did it. And the man in the trench coat put the kid out of his misery before he knew what he had just done. This guy is a psycho!”

Back in Kathryn’s office, she was just about to get up and go see Suki when her best buddy, Donald Gingrich, appeared at her door. Only moments earlier, he handed the receptionist a box addressed to Kathryn, and asked Sherry to call Barbara and tell her to come up front and pick up an urgent delivery. “I would do it myself,” he told Sherry, “but I’m late for a meeting.”

Kathryn, looks like you’ve been in the sun? You do know that sunburns are bad for our health. I’m surprised that your doctor boyfriend, doesn’t give a damn about your health.”

“What is that supposed to mean, Donald?”

“Well, I’ve warned you, how many times, about the dangers of Dr. Andreyushkin? And, instead of helping me, or the Company, you go off with the handsome doctor to some motel!”

“Donald. We’ve already had this conversation. I told you I couldn’t do anymore. I spoke to Ted, and I had Anton investigated by the police, which I probably should not have done. I did my part, and there is nothing more I can do. All your concerns, are not my problem, so you can leave.”

“I don’t know what has come over you, Kathryn. Dr. Andreyushkin is a KGB spy trying to harm our company, working with other Russians, but you don’t care. Gosh darn it. You’ve changed so much, and I am so very disappointed in you. You used to care. You cared about the company and you cared about me. I know how you felt about me. You, and I understood each other. You were very special then, but now, you’re just like everyone else. You’ve become like them and can’t be trusted. Ever since the handsome sexy doctor got you in the sack...”

“That’s it Donald! Please leave.”

“It’s not over Kathryn. You watch. It’s not over.”

Donald Gingrich walked out just as Barbara was sitting at her desk looking into an empty box.

“Hello, Barbara. What a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

Kathryn, sat still for a few minutes, actually feeling sorry for Donald.

Why is he so paranoid? Does he really believe the things he keeps saying? Did he really see or hear Anton talking to the Russians? Good grief. This all is unbelievable. I’ve got to see Suki, and tell her about Richard and me.

She started to walk over to Suki’s office and was passing through the lobby area when she heard a very intriguing and attractive woman say something to Sherry at the reception desk. Kathryn’s ears perked up at the woman’s Russian accent. Before Kathryn approached the reception desk, the Russian woman turned and entered the elevator.

“Please hold the elevator,” Kathryn screamed out as she jumped in.

“Thank you so much, I’ve been trying so hard to meet you Natasha. I heard so much about the presentation you gave.....”

“I’m so sorry, you must be confusing me with someone else. My name is Lidiya Sokoloff.

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry to bother you. Do you work here Lidiya?

“Oh no, I am Anton Andreyushkin’s sister-in-law. He works here. I just stopped by to deliver something from his brother, Mikhail. We have a family business together.

“Oh, I see. I’m so sorry.” Kathryn said, as the color drained from her face.”

“Are you alright?” Asked the woman just as the doors opened onto the lobby of the building.

“I’m fine. Just fine,” Kathryn whispered as she got off the elevator feeling like she was about to faint.

Chapter 33

T
he next day, Donald Gingrich was late for work. He had to stop off at the Apple Store on 59th, to pick up an accessory, a small USB converter, that somehow, he managed to misplace. He needed it for his MacBook Air.

He was quietly working in his office, when Eric Halsey came by his office.

“Hi Donald, have you heard anything about testing on the AU003 pump?”

“Like what? Don’t tell me dumb shit Andreyushkin forgot to test it?” Donald said laughing his ass off.

“Hey, wait a minute, I’m the one responsible for testing that unit, not the stupid doctor.”

“Ok, ok, bad joke. Why you asking?”

“Ted Duncan, I think has some problem with it. He’s been asking questions.”

“So were the police. Maybe they spooked him”.

“What the hell were the police asking?”

“I don’t know. I just know they were interrogating Andreyushkin about those murders that happened. Maybe they think this pump is a killer? After all, two people show up dead from insulin overdoses, and they both were wearing the AU003 pump? It hasn’t been released to the public all that long. It’s pretty strange that two unrelated people have the same problem. I’d say that coincidence is a mathematical impossibility!

“This place is really beginning to suck. See you later, Donald.”

Donald resumed what he was reading, somewhat pissed off by the distraction.

He was working for about another hour on something. No one knows what. One employee was overheard telling a secretary to stay away from Donald today because he’s in a terrible mood. Whatever it was, it only got worse around 11am when Dr. Andreyushkin called Donald.

“Donald, this is Anton. What do you know about the testing of the AU003 pump?”

“Nothing, why?”

“People are telling me you are running around saying the device is a killer?”

“What the fuck? I’m saying what? I don’t know shit about your stupid pump. Why would I spread some silly rumor like that, even if it were true? I don’t give a shit about you or your dump pump! If I were you, I’d be more concerned with the police, and the murders that happened with two people wearing your pump! Let me ask you a question. What was that all about?”

Dr. Andreyushkin hung up the phone, extremely annoyed at Donald. Donald too was furious, over his questioning, and of course, over the interruption.

It wasn’t long after the conversation with Dr. Andreyushkin, that Donald walk out into the lobby carrying a large attaché bag.

“Oh Sherry? I have to visit a client in Garden City. I won’t be back in the office today,” Donald said to her, just before getting into the elevator.

Sherry surprisingly turned to the other receptionist, “since when did Donald Gingrich have clients, Marge?”

“Beats the shit out of me, and, I don’t give a crap, either. As far as I’m concerned, he is one hell of a strange duck. Almost scary, Sherry.”

The car was traveling down Cherry Valley Avenue, when it turned onto 6th street. It immediately pulled over and parked in front of the corner house. A man proceeded to walk to the front door and ring the bell. Moments later, a woman answered the door.

“Hello, can I help you?”

“Yes, my name is Donald Gingrich, and I am with Rockne Pharmaceuticals. We are visiting customers because I’m afraid there may be a problem with your new diabetic pump.”

“Oh dear,”

“Oh, I’m sorry, don’t be concerned. This is just a safety precaution. We care about our customers and do everything to provide a comfortable and safe environment. It will only take a second for me to check it out. May I come in?”

“What did you say your name was again?”

“Donald Gingrich, ma’am.”

“I know that name. You may know my daughter, Kathryn Becker, who works there, too.”

“Well, I’ll be gosh darned, I know her. That’s your daughter? Small world.”

“She has often mentioned you, young man.”

“She has?”

“Yes. You probably know my daughter is not married. I always hoped she would find a young man, settle down, and get married. For quite a while, I thought it would be you?”

“Oh really? What makes you say that?”

“She talked about you all the time. How nice you were, and how smart you were. She recently even told me she worried about you.”

“Why would she say something like that?”

“I don’t know the details, but, wasn’t there a promotion, or a job maybe, that you were supposed to get but some outsider stole it from under you!”

“Oh, yes, I know what she meant. Well, I do love this position. I get to meet wonderful people like yourself.”

“Oh, you are such a nice man. No wonder my daughter likes you.”

“May I come in?”

“Certainly Donald. Would you like a cup of tea? Or coffee?”

“Tea would be lovely, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, I was just about to fix some tea for myself, when you rang the bell.”

As Kathryn’s mother was fixing the tea, Donald removed a funny looking device from his attaché’ case. When she returned, with the tea, and a few cookies, Donald told her it should only take a few minutes.

“My, my, these cookies are good. Did you bake these?”

“Afraid not, Donald. They’re store bought.”

“Well, either way, Mrs. Becker, thank you so much for the tea. It’s very good. And so are the cookies.

I guess I can check your device now. I can display the readings of your vitals, then, if all is alright, it’s finished. I promise, it doesn’t hurt.”

Donald was checking the unit when he suddenly looked up and said, “this is very unusual, ma’am. There is a problem with this unit. You are very lucky that I stopped by today. Let me get a replacement part from my bag, and then I’ll be on my way.”

“Oh thank goodness it’s a simple matter.”

It was only a few minutes, before Donald returned.

“Oh dear, I seem to be out of the part,” he said, quietly looking like he was thinking of what he should do.

“Mrs. Becker, I hate to put you through this, but you need this part as soon as possible. Is your pharmacist nearby?”

“Oh yes, right down in the village, just a few blocks away.”

“We could drive over there, I could explain everything to him, and in the future you can just have him check. This part, should be replaced probably every six to nine months. Shall we go to your pharmacist? It shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to completely resolve this.”

“I guess so, Donald. I’d rather fix it now, too, than wait. Why put it off to a later date?”

“You’re a smart lady.”

She checked the back door, turned off the lights, than locked the front door behind her, as they left for the Pharmacist. Donald opened the car door for her, then went around to the driver’s side. He immediately locked the doors when he got in the car. He turned the car around to go back to Cherry Valley Avenue and then made a left turn, passing the country club.

“Oh Donald, you turned the wrong way. You needed to make a right turn to go to the village.”

“This will do.”

“No Donald, you’re going the wrong way.”

That was when Donald pulled out the gun.

“Please Mrs. Becker. I suggest you just sit tight and enjoy the ride. Kathryn would just hate it if her mother was harmed in any way.”

“Who are you? Why are you doing this?

“I told you, I’m Donald.”

“You can’t be Donald, my daughter said he was a nice man.”

“Well, your daughter ma’am, was a nice woman. Until, she got hooked up with that fancy doctor. I knew right from the beginning, he was not the right man for her.”

“Is my Kathryn alright? You didn’t hurt her, did you?”

“Kathryn is just fine, for now. Hopefully, you will see her shortly. Now please be quiet, and enjoy the ride. As long as you do as I say, no one will get hurt.”