David Dun - Overfall

Anna peered through the tinted glass window at a wide-shouldered figure in a panama hat leaning against the concrete. His arms, neck, and chest filled out his leather coat. Sunglasses dangled from the open neck of the coat as if he expected the sun to shine. She looked closer, trying to discern the face under the shadow of the hat, and suddenly realized that it was Sam puffing on a cigar.

Without even thinking about the men who had been following she opened the door, jumped out, and confronted him.

“You son of a bitch.”

“Hello to you too. Shall we go up?” Sam asked.

“Where the hell did you come from?”

“California.”

“Sam, don’t give me a hard time.”

Maddeningly he took her arm and started walking toward the entry. Not knowing what else to do, she walked beside him, Shohei trailing. They walked briskly along the sidewalk to the entry level of the building. They entered a large lobby several stories high and hundreds of feet across.

From nowhere two men appeared in the lobby, escorting them to the elevators.

Instinctively she looked back to the front door, saw several men exiting a dark sedan on the street.

“Are they the ones? In that dark-looking car?”

“Probably, but don’t look at them.”

“Why are they following me?”

“Maybe they have personal business in the building, like you and me.”

“What floor are you going to?” she asked.

“I’m going to fifty-nine.”

“And I suppose by some marvelous coincidence you’re going to Dyna Science Corp,” she said.

“I can’t believe it. Is that where you’re going too?”

“Sam, I have a private meeting.”

“Oh, absolutely. So do I.”

“Who are you meeting?”

“Dr. John Weissman.”

“Well, I’m meeting somebody else.”

“Whose name is?”

“I’m sure you already know.”

Sam pushed the button for the fifty-first floor.

“Why are we doing this?” Anna asked.

“Fool the followers. A little-distraction-never hurts.”

They stopped at the fifty-first floor and exited.

“Now what?” Anna said.

“The stairs.”

They climbed eight flights to the fifty-ninth. By the last stair her thighs and calves were burning. She knew Sam was watching her and she could detect the mirth at the corners of his mouth. As far as she could tell he was completely unfazed by the fast climb.

According to the placard as they exited the stairs, the floor was occupied by Dyna Science Corp. Even the hall outside the offices was elegant with blue red-trimmed carpets, wall tables with blue vases, some paintings of the neoclassical period, and the occasional chair. Everything picked up on the blue and red, whether by echo or contrast.

“I want to attend to my business alone.”

“Okay. We’ll all wait inside in the lobby.”

“I’d prefer you wait here.”

“Okay,” he said, but continued walking toward the door.

“You said okay.”

“Okay, I understand you want me to wait out here.”

“So you’re refusing to wait out here.”

“Why would I wait out here?”

“To respect my privacy. To allow me to attend to my business uninterrupted.”

“Okay.”

“Screw you,” she said, walking in the double doors with Sam and the entourage following.

“To these people I am Robert. Don’t tell them otherwise. Get behind me, eyes on your toes. Leave your hat and sunglasses on no matter how dumb it feels,” Sam said in her ear. Instantly she took off her sunglasses and her hat and turned to look Sam in the eye, radiating her displeasure. Then she gave the receptionist her best infectious smile.

“Good morning. I’m here to see Dr. Carl Fielding.”

The receptionist’s face lit up. “Anna Wade. How exciting to meet you. They told me Anastasia Wade, not the Anna Wade.”

“Robert,” the receptionist said, still looking at Anna but talking to Sam. “Look at who you’ve brought us.”

“Quite an event, huh?” Sam said.

“It’s very nice to meet you, May,” Anna said. “You’ve got a great place here and I’ll bet that is your daughter?” Anna looked at a small picture on the woman’s desk.

“She’s my pride and joy.”

“She looks to be at that age where everything is exciting.”

“That’s so true.”

“What grade is she?”

“She’s in the second grade.”

“Well, give her an extra hug for me, would you?”

“I will. And I know you’re here to see the professor.”

“Dr. Carl Fielding. I’m wondering where I might find him.”

“Well, I was about to say that Dr. Fielding is not here but he suggested you see Dr. John Weissman. Who also has an appointment with Robert.”

“This Robert?” Anna asked.

“Well, yes. That’s our only Robert.”

“This is Sam,” Anna said.

“Nickname,” Sam said. “We just need one of the small conference rooms for twenty minutes. That’s it.”

“Okay, let’s see. Two-B. And it’s open for the next two hours.”

“Great. Anna and I will be in the guest office for a couple of minutes if you could get that call going for me.”

May nodded.

“We’ll be right back.” Sam led Anna toward a small office off the lobby. Anna knew how to allow her publicist and agent to handle her and her activities when she so desired. Sometimes it was easier to think about her work and not sweat the details. But right here, right now she wasn’t going to be handled. She stopped and turned to May.

“May, did Carl Fielding actually speak with you when he left a message for me?” Anna said.

“Yes. like I said, he suggested you see Dr. Weissman.”

“I see.” She turned to Sam. “Somehow this was your doing.”

“Only partly,” he said. “We can clear this up in this office if you’ll just come and listen.” This time she allowed herself to be ushered inside. Sam closed the door. “Dr. Weissman is the guy.”

“And why are you the one to determine that?”

“Good point. How would you like to decide this?”

“I thought I was doing okay.”

Sam stuck his head out the door. “May, is Dr. Fielding on the line yet?”

“Just coming, I’ll patch him through.”

Sam put a phone in Anna’s hand.

“You spoke with my ex-husband, Joshua Nash?” she asked Dr. Fielding, by way of introduction.

“I did indeed. I assume we’re talking about Jason Wade’s work?”

“Yes. I understood you would meet me.”

“Yes. I’m so sorry if I disappointed you by not being there. Dr. Weissman and I have been friends since graduate school. He would be most familiar with Jason’s work. We don’t really have a handle on all that Jason is doing, but I could do you no better than John. I would have been there today but I’m teaching this quarter and I’m a little strapped at the moment.”

“Well, thank you very much, Dr. Fielding. You’ve been very helpful.”

“If you need anything else…”

“We’ll let you know.”

“So who do you choose?” Sam asked Anna after she had replaced the receiver. “Will John fit the bill? He’s Carl’s man.”

“Carl’s or yours?”

“You talked to Carl.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me all this?”

Sam shrugged. “I knew you’d overlook any unintended slight.”

“Let’s go talk with Dr. Weissman,” she said.

“If that’s your choice I can live with it.”

John Weissman was a tall balding man with a confident smile and a fringe of once-blond hair. Sam immediately pulled the curtain over the interior glass wall of the conference room, giving them privacy from reception.

“Sam tells me that you would know more about Jason’s work than Carl Fielding.”