Paul Gillebaard - USSR Hoax

Mashing his lips together, Tom did his best to keep a straight face as he nodded toward Chris.

“Tom was in the process of passing over the LRL canister to the individual when you found it.”

Chris leaned forward. “Who’s the guy?”

“That’s information you don’t need to know.”

Chris nodded acceptance.

“You should know that the canister was empty. It was set up to look official to convince the suspect.” Dick leaned back in his chair. “I’m telling you this only because I just heard some very disturbing news. I was informed earlier today after assigning you to the Apollo/Soyuz mission that you may have tried to steal some of that lunar material.”

Chris slumped deep into his chair, glaring toward Tom.

Not acknowledging the stare, Tom hoped Dick wasn’t giving up his informant.

“Tom happened to be wearing a wire in an effort to record the culprit during the transaction. In reviewing the tape, we found that the conversation between you and Tom had been recorded. It sounds like you were propositioning Tom to split the rocks with you. Unfortunately, the recording is garbled and we were unable to establish exactly what was being said. I just asked Tom if you had said this, and he denied you had.”

Biting his tongue, Tom did everything possible to keep from cracking a smile. Wow! Good story, Dick.

Chris shot Tom a relieved look.

Dick slapped a hand hard on the desktop causing Chris to jump. “But you should know I’m not convinced. I think Tom is trying to protect a friend. I have been told the CIA has the technical knowhow to clear up that recording. But because it’s a costly undertaking, they’re holding off until it is deemed necessary.”

Chris snapped to attention as he raised both hands. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I am unaware of anyone wanting to steal moon rocks.”

Dick stared at Chris for a moment. “Have you discussed this with anyone outside this room?”

“Absolutely not!”

“I pray you are telling the truth. If I hear you have discussed this in any way with anyone before or after you leave this room, I will assume you are somehow involved. I will recommend the CIA clean up that tape. If you made those incriminating remarks, I can guarantee you will be going to prison for a very long time.”

“I won’t say a word to anyone. I promise.”

Tom eyed the squirming ass. Right, we’ve heard that before.

“All right, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and allow you to stay on the Soviet mission. But because I’m not fully convinced you are telling the truth, I’m not having you participate in an upcoming public relations trip for the mission.” Dick turned toward Tom. “Tom, you will be the one to go, teaming up with U.S. diplomats. The meeting will take place next month in Geneva. The Soviet cosmonaut you will be meeting with is…,” Dick slipped on his reading glasses before scanning over a paper on his desk. “Viktor Alexandrov.”

Since his boss mentioned the lunar material would be passed directly to a cosmonaut, Tom assumed this was his man.

Dick removed his glasses. “This is basically a big photo opportunity to hype up the mission and show that the two countries are gearing up for a working relationship in space.” Dick closed his file. “Tom, I’ll fill you in on the full details later this week.”

“Got it.”

“All right, gentlemen, that’s all I have.” Dick leaned far over his desk, looking Chris squarely in the eye. “I assume we are all clear on what’s expected of us?”

“Yes, sir. Crystal clear.”

As the two astronauts left the office, Chris put his arm around Tom and quietly whispered, “Thanks for the help getting me on that mission.” Chris looked around to confirm no one was within earshot. “And keeping quiet on what I said in the conference room.”

Tom’s voice was flat and emotionless. “We made a deal, and I stick to my word. I expect you to do the same.” Before Chris could answer Tom darted in the opposite direction to avoid walking with the ass.

BEAT AFTER THE long day, Tom was pleased to be home. He fell back on the couch and kicked off his shoes.

“Here’s your martini, sweetie.”

Tom looked up to see Anne holding his savior for the night. He reached for the drink. “That’s exactly what I needed.”

Anne sat next to him. She pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

Tom figured this was as good a time as any to tell her about his upcoming trip. “Looks like I’ll be going to Geneva in a few weeks to promote a possible joint mission with the Russians.”

Anne perked up. “Really? With the enemy? Wow! Will you be flying it?”

“Don’t know. So far Chris Riddick is the only one assigned.”

Anne raised an eyebrow before taking a long drag from the cigarette. She slowly blew the smoke toward the center of the room. “So you might be teaming up with him?”

“I sure hope not. That guy is one cocky son-of-a-bitch. He’s one astronaut I can’t stand.”

Anne crinkled her forehead and turned away, a sign something was troubling her. Tom reached for her arm. “Did I say something wrong?”

Anne set her lit cigarette in the ashtray and paused for a moment. Anxiety lent an edge to her voice. “I’ve been keeping something from you.”

“What’s that?”

Anne looked over, sadness growing steadily in her eyes. “Chris made a pass at me.”

Tom’s grip tightened around the martini glass thinking of Riddick making a move on his wife. Struggling to keep his emotions in check, Tom angrily asked, “When?”

Anne gave a reluctant sigh as she opened up guardedly, her voice barely audible. “It happened when I went to his home to pick something up.”

Tom set his glass down. He assumed that something was the Snoopy toy. “You were at his apartment? Did he play the piano?”

Anne nodded with a curious expression.

“I bet it was a Beethoven song, the only tune the ass knows. In fact, it’s a big joke among the guys. It took him a whole year to learn that song. He likes to brag that the girls eat it up when he plays it. He claims they’re putty in his hands when he finishes. I’m sure his goal the whole time was to hit on you.”

Anne turned away in disgust, probably for falling for the charade. Her voice was intense. “He’d been going on about the blonde he caught you with and…”

It was Chris who told Anne about Connie.

“…it was all a big mistake. I let him get close, and…he kissed me.” A tear slid down her cheek. “I immediately left. I hate that he was able to manipulate me.”

Anger raged within Tom at the thought of Chris putting his lips on his wife’s. Satisfied it was only a kiss, Tom gently wiped the tear off her face. He needed to show his trust in her. “Sweetheart, I don’t blame you. I blame Chris. I know it didn’t mean anything.”

With fire in her eyes she exclaimed, “It didn’t mean a damn thing. I was confused and just wanted out of there.”

Tom gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “I know. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Chris crossed the line. I’ll teach him a lesson.”

Anne grabbed his arm. “No, honey. Don’t do anything stupid. It’s not worth it. Think of your career.”

“My career? Don’t worry about that. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize that.”

Suddenly Anne’s eyes narrowed and her lips compressed. “Chris told me you were involved in something illegal.”

Damn it! Riddick can’t keep his mouth shut. Furious, Tom asked, “What? When did he tell you that?”

“Does it matter?”

Tom needed to know if the incident happened after Dick’s ultimatum. “Yes.”

“Day before yesterday, when I ran into him again at the store. He didn’t tell me what it was. I think he was trying to intimidate me.”