6
Jack struck out at a hardware store and an appliance store, but finally found what he wanted at the Wiz. On his way back to Jeanette's apartment he stopped at a pay phone to check his messages. He groaned aloud when he heard Sandy Palmer's voice.
"Good morning, 'Jack.' Yeah, like I'm supposed to believe that's your real name."
Jack? How did he know—?
And then Jack remembered: the outgoing message on his voicemail began, "This is Jack…" He'd forgot all about that. Not that it mattered. Palmer thought it was phony anyway.
"Listen, we have to talk again. I've come up with an idea that's going to transform your life. We've got to meet. And don't blow this off, because what I've got to say to you is vitally important. Another reason you shouldn't blow me off is I've still got the drawing. Now don't get me wrong, because I don't want you to think I'm trying to blackmail you, but I'm pretty sure you weren't completely straight with me the other day—about your past, that is—so I don't feel bound by our little agreement to destroy the drawing. But we can let bygones be bygones and straighten all this out with one little meeting. Call and tell me where and when. And trust me, Jack, or whatever your name is, you'll be ever so glad you did."
He left his number and extension at the paper.
Jack slammed the receiver against the phone box. Then did it again. And again.
Now I don't want you to think I'm trying to blackmail you . . .
What else am I supposed to think, you rotten little bastard?
He had this frenzied urge to get his hands around Palmer's pencil neck and squeeze until…
Easy. Step back. Look at it again…
But short of killing the kid, Jack saw no quick and easy way to take command of the situation. Palmer controlled the deck. Jack would have to play it his way. For now.
He called Palmer's number and extension. With an effort he kept his voice low and even when he reached his voicemail.
"Same place. Noon."
Then he hung up.
He'd cooled a little by the time he reached Jeanette's apartment, but his mood was still cooking over a low flame.
Kate took one look at him and said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing to do with this."
"Need to share?"
Jack considered that, almost gave in to the urge to tell her, but decided against it. The fewer who knew, the better.
"I'll be all right. But thanks." He opened his Wiz bag and produced a little white gizmo. "Looky. A microwave tester."
He set the oven for five minutes and started it, then ran the little tester along the edges of the door. The indicator started flashing red immediately and went into high gear when he reached the lower right corner with the cracked glass.
"That confirms it. Leaky oven." He hit the off switch. "How dangerous is that?"
"I did a search on Jeanette's computer while you were out."
"I'd think a doctor would know all about microwaves."
"Why? I haven't found a use yet for radar in my practice."
"Radar?"
"That's why the first microwave ovens were called radar ranges. Microwaves are radiofrequency radiation—somewhere below infrared and above UHF in the frequency spectrum."
That meant nothing to Jack. "I know they're used for cell phone transmission. But what's the downside—besides brain tumors?"
"That's never been proven, and it seems unlikely since it's non-ionizing radiation. The main effect is heat. The guy who discovered the microwave oven was playing with different frequencies, looking for new radar applications, when he melted the candy bar in his shirt pocket."
"A true 'Eureka!' moment."
"I suppose so. The ovens work by causing vibrations in water molecules, creating heat. The strength of the transmitter and the frequency of the waves determine the depth of penetration and the amount of heat generated. The best documented ill effects in humans are cataracts and sterilized testicles."
Jack stepped away from the oven. "But no brain tumors."
"Not a one. But my search popped up lots of hits involving central nervous system effects—everything from memory loss to mind control. I don't know how factual they are though."
"So if this virus is having an effect on Jeanette's brain—"
"Which is the heart of the central nervous system."
"—maybe the microwaves disrupt that."
"But what about Holdstock? He was dosed with the virus too, but he walked right up to the oven and turned it off."
"Right. Forgot about that. Damn. So much for that theory."
"Pretty far-fetched anyway."
"Lot of far-fetched stuff going down these days," he said, thinking back on the events of the last couple of months. "And remember, I didn't come up with the virus-taking-over idea. That was Jeanette's."
"Well, rest assured, there's no virus taking over Jeanette's mind. But she might believe there is."
"Maybe that's the engine driving the Holdstock cult—some sort of shared delusion."
"You may have something there."
"Yeah, well, whether I do or not, it's something for the NIH boys to handle, not me. Did you call Fielding?"
Kate's face clouded as she nodded. "Yes. He said not to worry. He's been in contact with them daily and what seem like interminable delays are simply the normal bureaucratic process."
"Why do I get the feeling you don't believe that?"
"Because he seemed so nervous. I could almost hear him sweating."
"Well, his reputation and his career could be at stake."
"Because of a mutation? I don't see how. I think I'm going to call NIH myself and see what I can find out."
"Good idea. And while you're doing that, I've got to meet the press."
"Sorry?"
"Long story."
Kate smiled at him. "Do you know how many times you've said that over the last few days?"
"Too many, probably. Someday soon we'll sit down together and I'll tell you a few of them if you want." A select few, he thought.
"I'd like that very much," she said.
"Then it's a date. But for now I've got to run. Call you later."