The Didymus Contingency by Jeremy Robinson Page B

needs me to be filthy rich?” asked David.
    “Do you know how to tend sheep, work the fields or grow olive trees?” Sally asked.
    “No, but I’m only going to be there for a few days at most, probably less. Once I find Tom, we’ll both be back. I couldn’t spend this much in a lifetime,” David said, as his own comment began to sink in. “Oh.”
    “If you get stuck back there, if your watch breaks or malfunctions or…”
    David tied the pouch to his twine belt. “I get the idea.”
    “Just find a hole in the wall little town and try not to interact with anyone…for the rest of your life.”
    David hadn’t considered getting stuck in the past as an option. He cursed himself for not thinking of it after his last adventure through time. He had come close to losing the watch even then, and he had only been in the past for a few minutes! David would make sure he and the watch would never be separated.
    “I’ll come back,” he said with confidence. He looked into Sally’s eyes and smiled, “I promise.”
    Sally smiled and said, “You better get to the prep station. The boys are getting antsy.”
    “Will you be coming to watch?” David asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
    “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
    As David turned to leave, Sally suddenly said, “David, wait.”
    He froze in his tracks. What was this? David turned toward Sally as she walked over to him. Her face looked softer and her eyes were locked on the floor.
    “I wanted to apologize,” she said.
    David nearly passed out but managed to stay standing.
    “I know I’ve been a real ass over the years,” Sally said slowly and deliberately, “but try to understand that it’s not who I really am. My job is…complicated, and I have to sometimes say and do things I don’t like, to make sure things get done. I just wanted you to know…in case something happens.”
    Through his smile David said, “I understand. Thank you for apologizing.”
    He thought he should leave before anything more was said—or done—that might cause him to change his mind about risking his life to retrieve Tom. “See you down there,” David finished and started for the door.
    “David, let’s keep this between you and me. I can’t have anyone else knowing I’m not a complete bitch.”
    David stopped at the door, “Your secret is safe with me.” He closed the door behind him on the way out.

    Sally stood alone, looking at the door and a wave of sadness swept over her. She closed her eyes, but quickly composed herself as the door behind her opened. Three men entered and she turned to greet them with the cold gaze she had perfected over the years.
    The man in the blue suit was George Dwight, CEO of LightTech and one of only three people with more clout then her. He was like a politician stuck forever on the campaign trail. His hair was slicked back and his nails were impeccably manicured. George had more power than Sally, but she knew she still intimidated him.
    Jake Parrish, a tall and astute man with squinty eyes, was George’s assistant. He was George’s voice, his errand boy and a constant thorn in Sally’s side. Every executive order from George came from Jake’s lips. He took such joy in delivering those orders too. Sally knew that Jake lusted for power. She could see it when he gave orders, smiling fiendishly. She watched him like a hawk whenever he showed his face in her department. Today was no different. He had a look of “I know more than you,” on his face. She could swear his eyes were smiling at her.
    The other man was a stranger—tall, shaved head and clean. Sally imagined that there wasn’t a loose flake of skin on the man’s body. There wasn’t a trace of stubble on his slick, cleft chin and even less intelligence behind his eyes. Sally didn’t like him.
    Smiling his pearly white, phony grin, George said, “You handled that well. I think that’s a new low, even for you Sally, leading him on like that.”
    Sally swallowed hard,