JEREMY THE GERM,
Planetary Crime Fighter
by
Ben A. Vanguarde
SMASHWORDS EDITION
* * * * *
PUBLISHED BY:
Ben A. Vanguarde on Smashwords
Copyright © 2012 by Ben A. Vanguarde
Smashwords Edition License Notes
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respecting the author's work. This book is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places, and / or incidents are a product of the
author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any
person or alien being living or dead or any location or incident is
entirely co-incidental.
Cover art provided by Maria (last name
withheld)
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Chapter One - What Really Happened to Jeremy at Home
Jeremy woke with a start. Looking about, his eyes focused on at the gently moving, heavy curtains. A steady breeze, invited by the open screened windows, carried the crisp autumn cool into his room. Thud. Jeremy tossed off the covers and, like a child, raced to look out each window for the origin of the sounds. He saw nothing unusual outside in the mid-morning sun but the windows of his guest house did not afford a view of the main house.
Slam-bang. Jeremy knew the sound of the backdoor to the main house slamming shut and it was always followed by his mother yelling that a slammed door was just not dignified. He waited but his mother’s voice did not follow. Jeremy asked himself. Why did the door slam? Who was there? He hurriedly hitched up his pants and put on his sandals before leaving to investigate. In his mind Jeremy pictured the scavenger that he had been trying to catch. Maybe it’s the raccoon.
“Willie boy, you sure picked a good one. Look at this shit. Let’s get upstairs and make sure nobody’s home.” The first black man bounded up the steps fearless of meeting someone. At the top of the stairs he pushed open each bedroom door and quickly looked inside for anybody or anything he could pawn. In the master bedroom he removed the two pillow covers and threw one to his companion standing meekly in the hallway. “Hey Willie boy, get downstairs and fill her up.”
Fearfully, the younger black man moved searched the downstairs rooms for saleable treasures. He disconnected the DVD player and bagged some gold plated tableware. As the seconds ticked by, his fear was soon replaced by disgust as he grasped an ancient pair of field glasses, obviously an heirloom and possessing some unknown value, proudly displayed on a sconce. A quick look produced new enthusiasm as Willie called to his partner, “Bones, you should see the books this guy has. Some look to be three hundred years old.”
Who’s here? Jeremy asked himself as he cautiously walked through the kitchen to see who was inside his parent’s house. His heart reverberated in his chest.
“Books? We ain’t after no books. Take one or two and forget it. Too heavy. Its shit we can sell…”
Jeremy watched the man in the living room toss mother’s best silverware into a pillowcase. He is stealing. I wish I had a gun. I’d shoot him. Jeremy stood in the doorway and tried to force his brain to think of how to subdue this criminal without a pistol or light saber.
“Bones, I still feel bad about this; I went to school with one of their kids, until he got sick. Nice people.”
“Yeah? Well, don’t care. Got a good jewelry count. Flat screen here’s mine.” Then “Bones” Plowder paused. “Look here. Looks like one of ‘em died in Afghanistan. Fool. What’d it get ya, pal?”
“Don’t talk like that about the dead,” said Willie who turned to face the stairwell but caught sight of Jeremy standing impassively, observing him. “Uh-oh. We’ve got trouble. Bones!”
Bones galloped down the stairs two at a time and stopped before Jeremy. Bones pulled his knife from his pocket and waived it menacingly before Jeremy’s face. “Bones, no. This is Jeremy. He’s retarded. Retarded. Leave him alone.”
“What’s your name boy? Tell me or I’ll slice your throat.” He waved the knife blade from side to side at Jeremy. Jeremy did not move for a good three seconds and then he shrugged his shoulders and flailed his arms, while babbling incoherently.
Bones took a step back and looked at Willie as he sheathed his knife. “Does he know you? Can the fool talk?”
“I don’t think so. He got sick, I think it was fourth grade, and got like that. They took him outta school. Never saw him again.”
“Good for him. Else I’d have to cut him up. There’s an empty bedroom up there. I’ll take him up. Look for a rope or clothes line or a thin extension cord.” Bones apprehended Jeremy by the upper arm and marched him up the stairway to the unused bedroom, Jeremy’s old bedroom. Jeremy uttered a muffled protest.
“Where's the safe? Tell me boy!” Jeremy's eye brows were pinched and his mouth hung open, frozen in confusion. "Hey! I ain't fooling here. Where's the damned safe?" Jeremy just stared into space. Bones punched Jeremy in the stomach so hard he doubled over. Jeremy babbled incoherently as tears rained down his cheeks. His crying did not sound like crying. Bones squeezed Jeremy’s hand hard, as if a car rolled over his hand. Jeremy cried some more.
Willie returned with an extension cord. “Stop it, Bones. Can’t you see he’s retarded? He can’t tell you nothin’.” The older man just looked disgustingly at Willie. “Bones, I don’t care the consequences; I can’t be a part of this. I ain’t never working with y’all again.”
“Good. Go load the shit. You’re useless anyway.”
Chapter Two - What Happened to Perry
"Hi Dad. Good to see you." The two men weakly embraced.
"I know you Perry. Something's really troubling you when you come to see me like this. Is it the sergeant's promotion?"
"Yes and no. It's connected with the Schweitzer case."
"Schweitzer? I read about that in the papers. Any relation to Albert Schweitzer? Ah, who cares? I read you were on it but I also knew you could handle it. Grab a couple of beers in the refridge and come out on the porch. Then, let's hear it."
Perry unscrewed the long necks and sat down. "I have a great chance of making officer of the year again and this time there's another sergeant's opening. My case closing percentage is 64%. Sheldon Lutz is behind me with 62%. Last opening, Ruffman made sergeant with only 58% closed."
"Sounds like the promotion's yours, unless another cop runs in front of a speeding freight train to scoop up a child between now and the end of the year, that is. When I made sergeant there was none of this crap. You just put in your time and took the promotions as they came. Anyway, what's bothering you?"
"Dad, you said something which I'll always remember, 'When you know in your gut whose guilty and innocent, then you're a real cop. Then you can be a sergeant.' That's where it breaks down for me."
"Just tell me the story, Perry."
"I was sitting in my cruiser parked on someone's gravel driveway behind some ratty trees near the end of my shift. If someone ran that traffic light in the next twenty minutes, I'd pull 'em over. After that, I wouldn't see nothing so I could leave on time."
"Nothing wrong so far, son. Keep going."
"Being in my zone I was the first responder after the call. Dr. Michael Schweitzer met me at the door. On the couch, clinging to his mother was 22 year old Jeremy Schweitzer. The boy was babbling incoherently and jerking kind of funny. This was nothing like the O.D.'s I'd ever seen. He acted like a child. I asked, 'Dr. Schweitzer, what happened to your son?' They informed me she was also Dr. Schweitzer. One was a psychologist and one a psychiatrist, whatever the difference is. Snobbish people. Anyway, his mother, Sonia said, 'Obviously, someone frightened our son Jeremy.' Like I said, snobs.
"I said, 'I have to ask, what's wrong with Jeremy?' Michael Schweitzer answered, 'Our son Jeremy was a normal boy but at age ten he came down with a fever and emerged like this. Something happened. It appears like autism but we never got a definitive diagnosis and we have not found a successful treatment.'
“I said I was sorry to hear that and asked if they wanted the paramedics. They said no. I asked if he could talk or describe what happened. She said maybe after he calms down that sometimes he writes a word or two on paper. Jeremy kept staring at me, kind of creepy like. I asked Michael Schweitzer to show me what was taken and he took me around the first floor. They took everything they could pawn.
"When we returned to the living room Jeremy was standing with his mother who was holding a note. Jeremy lunged at me as if he had a knife. My heart was in my mouth because I was definitely not ready for this. I reached to draw but I saw he had nothing in his hand. The mother thought he must have been threatened by someone with a knife.
"He stood babbling incoherently before me. She handed me the note. It read 'GUN - SHOOT THEM'. I stepped back and asked her if she thought he wanted me to shoot someone. She said more like Jeremy wanted to shoot someone. His brother had always been the pacifist. He dropped out of college and became a Navy corpsman. He was killed in Afghanistan. Jeremy always wanted to be the hero. She explained that Jeremy lived outside in the guest house where he spent his days watching western, war movies, and space adventures."
"Its a tragedy to have a child like that but another tragedy to have one killed," answered Perry's dad. "Get us another beer, how about it? Don't know which would be worse."
Perry continued as he fetched another round. "I asked if there was any way to communicate directly with Jeremy but they both said no. Well, I inspected upstairs and of course, they did not have any serial numbers or photos. Outside, I noticed truck tires at the back door but you know where this is going?"
"Yes, I do," replied Perry's dad. "No where. The last thing I read was a burglar does on average 29 before he's caught. They're hard to catch. Takes time. Persistence. That would make it really bad for your closed case percentage. I can see why you'd be pissed with this call."
“This case put Sheldon Lutz ahead of me. Yah, I was pissed. I was also pissed that Jeremy, a boy in a helpless man's body, had met some real life criminals. Dad, I had no idea how much worse his life and my life would become."
Chapter Three - What Really Happened to Jeremy at the Park: Part One
Two months later, the open windows of Jeremy’s guest house let the overnight noise from the park waft inside with the cool air of late autumn. Jeremy watched an old, classic, black and white cowboy film as if for the first time. He did not notice that the night sounds had stopped and had been replaced by a new sound. The sound of rushing air, such as like the exhaust of a vacuum cleaner, was as quiet as a whisper at first, but then became louder, as if someone was knocking on the door. Jeremy was startled by the faint sweep of a blue light across the television. Next, a faint red beam and green beam swept the television face and the disheveled bookcase of dusty and unread elementary school books and DVD’s tossed around carelessly.
What is that light? Jeremy asked himself. Maybe it’s the police catching those burglars in the park. Thoughts buzzed in Jeremy’s brain.
Jeremy got up and put on his jeans and sandals. I’ve got to see this. I’ll hide this time so I’ll be safe.
The late fall Virginia weather had briefly warmed in recent days. Behind the Schweitzer’s mini-estate was a large town park, large enough for a full sized golf course. Between the park and houses ringing the park was a narrow swath of natural flora and fauna to appease the ecologically responsible.
Looking through the open window Jeremy observed the colored lights had changed from searching beams to diffused lights, such as the running lamps on a car. The breeze-tossed boughs of the trees at the border of the Schweitzer estate partially concealed the meadow of the town park just beyond and the light’s source.
Ready to investigate, Jeremy opened his door. A cylinder, about twice the size of Jeremy’s head, displaying a dull white light, like a neon lamp on a bright day, floated towards Jeremy. It corrected its height above ground to match Jeremy’s head height. It stopped moving and remained stationery about three feet before Jeremy. Jeremy impulsively reached out to touch it but the hovering object moved backwards, just as quickly. A steady sound, as like the rush of air from the exhaust of a vacuum cleaner, was the only hint of motivation.
Jeremy said, Hello. I’m Jeremy. His voice babbled gibberish.
A deep, kind voice responded in his mind. Hello Jeremy. My name is Parlow.
I can’t see you.
I am in… We are in the meadow. I would like to meet you, Jeremy. Please follow my explorer. The cylinder of light gently moved toward the field in the direction of the lights. Jeremy followed and his pulse quickened over the three minute walk through the woods and to the emerging camp.
How is it that I can hear you in my mind, Parlow? Even my mother and father can’t.
I don’t know Jeremy but we could hear you as we were riding by. Were you watching a movie?
Yes, I was. This is great. I want to learn how you do it. Talk to others, that is.
Four small, gray, men-like creatures were setting up lawn chairs, a table, and a portable BBQ. The park was pitch black on this moonless night but lights came through the open door of a black craft, about the size of a commuter jet liner but thicker, parked nearby. The older male held a controller for the explorer, which he turned off when Jeremy arrived into camp.
The strong voice spoke in his mind. Welcome Jeremy. My name is Parlow. I am pleased to meet you. I can easily hear you think so you need not speak.” Parlow offered his shriveled gray hand. You have very strong psychic powers. May I examine you? Without waiting for a response Parlow produced another controller out of his gray uniform pocket and directed a pink lighted explorer to come from inside the craft and hover beside Jeremy’s head.
This is scary. Who are these people? Aliens? Jeremy asked himself.
Jeremy, we can hear you thinking to yourself. Don’t be afraid. We are people just like you, just from another planet. We do not look like you but we are a lot like you. This is my family, my wife Nitkah, my son Trall, and my daughter Istasha. We mean you no harm, Jeremy. We work on this planet, just like your parents do.
The Medi-Explorer hovered next to Jeremy and aimed a focused pink beam, about the size of a Cub Scout flashlight, at Jeremy.
Will it hurt?
No Jeremy.’ The explorer completed its examination in twenty seconds. You have a problem speaking what you are thinking.
Jeremy lowered his head in shame. Yes, I know. Tears welled up in his eyes and ran down his cheeks. Parlow directed the Medi-Explorer to return to the craft.
Another gray alien carried a platter of steaks to the table and turned to Jeremy. Hello Jeremy, I am Nitkah, Parlow’s wife. We would be pleased if you would stay for dinner. Have you ever had buffalo steaks, Jeremy?
She turned to return to the craft. Jeremy answered, Yes. No. I mean, I’ve never had buffalo steaks before. Parlow tossed a plastic bottle of drinking water to Jeremy, who could not catch it.
As Jeremy bent over to pick up the bottle, Parlow said, Sorry Jeremy. I forgot you lost your coordination, too. Listen to me Jeremy, I have a proposition for you. If you are willing to help me for about ten minutes I would be willing to have the Medi-Explorer fix your brain. Are you interested in hearing me out?
Jeremy raised his head and smiled. Sure, what do I have to do? Mow your lawn or something?
No. Jeremy, I want you to be very certain that you will help me. First you will help me then I will have the Medi-Explorer repair your brain. Are you willing to do this very important job for me?
Yes. I hate this. I want to be normal again. I want to go back to school, to my fourth grade class again. I miss my teacher.
Listen to me carefully, Jeremy. I just need information. I am looking for a healthy boy and girl about your age. Do you know anyone in the neighborhood like that? They should live nearby and preferably they should not be good friends of yours.
That’s easy. There’s Timothy Pollack over there. Jeremy pointed in a direction past the meadow. And, then there’s Wanda Winkler over there. I used to go to school with them before I had to stay home.
Trall? Parlow glanced at a gray man his size but younger and then returned his gaze to Jeremy. This is my son Trall. You will go with him and bring back Timothy and Wanda. I’d like to meet them. Then we can eat our steaks and fix that problem in your head. Okay?
Well, Parlow, I haven’t seen them since fourth grade and they didn’t like me very much. They used to call me names and try to beat me up.
I am sorry to hear that, Jeremy, but I can assure you that they will not harm you as long as I am here. They still may call you names but you are a strong boy. Names never hurt smart people. Agreed?
Yes sir. Jeremy’s backbone stiffened.
Trall donned a rugged leather-like jacket with a cigar shaped object mounted on each shoulder and a helmet like a motorcycle driver would wear. From his utility belt he took a controller, another cigar shaped object, and pointed to the ground twice and two hovering solid black rectangles appeared. Thrall stepped up into one and sat in the middle. Get into yours, Jeremy, said Trall telepathically, and sit down. I can stand in these things but it is better to sit when you are not used to them.
What is this? asked Jeremy as he stepped aboard his small craft. A magic carpet? Jeremy looked about in amazement that he was floating above the ground. The subdued sound of rushing air was all he heard.
Chapter Four - What Really Happened to Jeremy at the Park: Part Two
Thrall directed the two hovering crafts to float out of the meadow of the town park and along the two lane paved, country road. Thrall answered telepathically, Magic Carpet is a good name for these crafts. You are really smart and well read. I want you to show me where the first house is.
The craft moved at fifteen miles per hour, much faster than Jeremy had ever ridden a bicycle. He screamed in exhilaration as his pulse raced.
Be quiet, Jeremy, said Trall telepathically, as he looked in all directions for danger. Remember, these people are sleeping and we do not want to wake them.
Jeremy gave directions and they docked their crafts along the side of the Wanda Winkler’s house. Don’t ever say a word inside. Just think it, admonished Trall. He pointed a cigar sized wand around the front door and then to the front door lock. The lock clicked open and Trall opened the front door and walked in with Jeremy following. The floating explorer with its dull white light followed the two through the house, as if it were a floating puppy.
The sensor inside the helmet directed Trall to two sleeping females in one bedroom. Trall quietly opened the door and walked in. Which one, Jeremy?
Wanda is the one on the right.
A housecat jumped up to the foot of Wanda’s bed. Jeremy almost screamed as he took a step back. The cat meowed. Jeremy reached down and stroked the pet’s head.
Trall aimed the shoulder gun at Wanda and fired a stun blast. Her body shook mildly with the blast and she remained in place asleep. Trall produced the controller which had formed the hovering craft and used it to raise Wanda out of her bed. She rose two feet above the bed and Trall pulled off the snagging bed sheet. Then Trall directed her out of the open bedroom door, as if on a floating and invisible gurney. Trall kept a careful eye on Wanda’s sleeping sister but she did not stir.
With the hovering Wanda leading the way, the intruders stealthily departed and met at the side of the house. Trall made an adjustment to the controller and Wanda’s invisible gurney turned into a hovering craft with solid plastic walls. Trall and Jeremy climbed aboard their hovering craft and they departed for Timothy’s house.
Very good, Jeremy, said Trall. Remember to be quiet. Trall waved the cigar controller about the front door and controller lights illuminated dimly. He had detected a burglar alarm. He aimed somewhere in the house and the electronics to the burglar alarm burned up. Trall then opened the front door as before and they walked in. The white, floating explorer again floated behind Jeremy.
Trall scanned the house and walked up the stairs to Timothy’s room. From out of the last bedroom a small creature appeared and immediately began to bark. In the instant that Trall aimed and pulverized the Chihuahua, the barking woke all the occupants.
Trall unlocked the bedroom door but a boy of middle school age walked out of the door from where the dog came from. He looked at Trall and Jeremy and began to scream but a stun beam knocked him backwards and off of his feet. Trall quickly opened the bedroom door to see Timothy standing and hurriedly loading his antique Colt .45 Peacemaker. Trall fired first and Timothy fell back, stunned and unable to move.
A deep male voice yelled from downstairs, “Boys, what’s going on? Timothy? Lance? Speak to me!”
Trall directed the explorer to focus through the floor to the two standing beings below. He looked at Jeremy and said, This is a tricky shot but they never expect it. Jeremy lined up on Timothy’s parents and blasted each with a stun shot. The outlines of their images fell to the floor inside their bedroom. Jeremy’s jaw was opened as he stared at the immobile figures. The people will get up in half an hour but I blasted that yapper. I hate those dogs. Jeremy cracked a hint of a smile. We have to leave.
Trall commanded the controller to float Timothy out of the house before them. Trall picked up the pistol and they left the house. At the side of the house Trall created a similar hovering craft with solid walls for Wanda. Trall noticed Jeremy staring at Timothy and Wanda. These are captivity boxes. They keep your catch comfortable and restrained. They move just like the hovering craft do. It is time to get into your Magic Carpet. They departed and sped just as quickly as they arrived.
Like a child, Jeremy cheered in his mind at the tension relief and exhilaration of the hovering craft so near the ground, moving so fast.
Trall led the hovering craft beside the lawn chairs. Parlow quickly looked at the two captives and then he looked at Jeremy. Good job, Jeremy. The steaks are ready for us. Parlow introduced his daughter and they sat to eat. Trall disintegrated the two hovering craft and stood the captivity boxes on edge so that Timothy and Wanda stood on their feet although sleeping. The captivity boxes gave the occupants inches of room in front and to the sides. Trall dialed the controller so that wind vents appeared on all six sides.
On a screen before Parlow Jeremy could see a picture of his back and the scene. He turned around to see the floating explorer and he turned back to the screen. Parlow then shut down the explorer’s picture and it floated inside the parked craft. Jeremy, please tell us what happened out there.
Chapter Five - What Really Happened to Jeremy at the Park: Part Three
Jeremy could hardly contain himself. It was the most exciting thing he had ever done. He told the story and freely embellished, causing Trall to smile at his family frequently.
Wanda and Timothy began to stir. Would you like another water, Jeremy? asked Nitkah.
No ma’am.
They are waking up. They will say some mean things, Jeremy. It changes nothing. I will examine them with the Medi-Explorer the same way I examined you. Oh, let me bring out the Medi-Explorer and fix your speech. Parlow retrieved a controller from his belt and the pink illuminated explorer floated out of the craft to rest one foot away from Jeremy. “Stay perfectly still, Jeremy. Breathe lightly.” The pink light of the explorer beamed to Jeremy. After three minutes it slowly went down his body and then floated over to Timothy.
As the med-explorer examined Timothy, Parlow said in his mind voice, Say something out loud, Jeremy?
“Something out loud,” repeated Jeremy with a wise cracking smile. When he realized that he heard his voice he yelled, “Yeah! I can talk. I can talk. I’m smart now.”
Jeremy, please be quiet. Your neighbors are sleeping, replied Parlow with a satisfied smile. Finishing the scan on Timothy, Parlow directed the Medi-Explorer to examine Wanda.
“What is that thing, Parlow?”
It’s called a Medi-Explorer, Jeremy. It costs a fortune but it has saved my life. Once I was shot in the back with a shotgun. Nitkah directed the Medi-Explorer to me and stopped the bleeding and put me back together. I would have died without it with us.
“Help! Help us! Let us out!” yelled the awakening Wanda and Timothy, banging on the captivity box walls. Trall worked his controller to close all of the wind vents of the captivity boxes and soon, low muffled sounds were all that was heard from the confining boxes of Timothy and Wanda.
Parlow picked up the pistol and examined it. It was heavy to his tiny hands. Jeremy, I want you to speak to them. I will tell you what to say telepathically, like I am speaking now. They can not understand me telepathically so I am relying on you. Just tell them only what I say. Jeremy looked at Parlow. Trall will open the wind vents soon. Tell them both to be quiet or I will stun them again and they will sleep through their last minutes on earth.
Still using his mind, Jeremy answered, Okay.
Parlow pointed the pistol at Timothy. The air slots opened again. This time Timothy was quiet.
“Let us out,” screamed Wanda. “Get me outta here now!”
Jeremy said, “Be quiet or Trall will stun you to sleep again.” The conversation paused as Timothy and Wanda looked about to size up their situations.
Timothy spoke first, “Is that you, Jeremy?” He looked at Wanda. “Is that Jeremy from school?”
Wanda blurted out, “It’s the freak. Jeremy, the freak, all grown up.” Jeremy frowned with anger.
Timothy tried to compose himself. “Jeremy, what are we doing here?”
“It’s Jeremy the germ,” exclaimed Wanda. “You know, the kid who stopped talking and started babbling in fourth grade? He’s the retard. Get me outta here, germ-head.”
“I’m not a retard, Wanda,” replied Jeremy with his brows furrowed. “You are. And you’re still ugly.”
Timothy turned his head to the other captive. “Wanda, shut up!” She glared back at Timothy still enraged and shaking the captivity box with her fingers through the wind vents.
“Jeremy. Jeremy,” Timothy continued catching Jeremy’s attention. “Look at me. Ignore her. What’s going on here?”
“You were so mean to me. You used to punch me all the time. You and Mitchell McAllister beat me up, and for no reason.” Jeremy’s eyes began to fill up as he relived the pain and humiliation. “Wanda called me names every day.” The tears rolled down his cheeks.
“I did? I don’t remember it, but that was a long time ago. Well, I’m very sorry now. I won’t hurt you. We’re adults now, not kids. Wanda’s sorry, too, aren’t you?” They looked at Wanda. She turned her head away from the camp.
“She’s not sorry,” observed Jeremy as he wiped his tears away.
“Jeremy, I promise, we’re both sorry. We were stupid kids then. We’re adults now. We could be friends now. Best friends. And Wanda could be your girl friend. She’s not ugly any more, Jeremy.”
Wanda whipped her head around, “Girl friend? Are you insane?”
“Girl friend?” Jeremy shriveled up his face.
“Jeremy, ask the gray. What is going on here? Why are we here? In these cages?”
“He wants to know what is going on here,” said Jeremy vocally looking at Parlow.
Parlow now took a step forward to toward Jeremy, after listening watching the exchange patiently, and said telepathically, In your mind, Jeremy.
He wants to know…
Tell them both that we have examined each one and both are in perfect health. Tell Wanda to stand very still while we fix something.
“You are both in perfect health but, Wanda stand still because he needs to fix something to make you better.”
Wanda’s eyes were seething as her fingers clutched the holes in the captivity box. Parlow walked up before her and casually pointed the gun at Wanda. Her eyes widened and she froze. The Medi-Explorer hovered below her abdomen for a minute and then returned inside the craft. Parlow communicated to Jeremy. Then Parlow returned to the grill area.
“Parlow says that you are both going to depart this planet for a new and wonderful life. He says it is legal because he has a permit to remove 150 specimens each year. This is their family business. He wants to know if you would like a buffalo steak and a bottle of water.”
“What?” yelled Wanda. “Look freak, let me outta here. I’m a person; not a specimen. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got graduation in two months and my wedding in three months. I don’t have time to waste with you freaks. Let me outta here, now! You’ll be arrested if you don’t get me out of here, now!” she demanded at the top of her voice.
“Please Jeremy, I’ve got graduation in two months, also, and remedials this summer before I enter law school in the fall. Legal or not, tell them to get someone else. They don’t need us. Come on, Jeremy, you’re one of us.”
Before Jeremy could relay the message back to Parlow, the gray man held up the pistol before Timothy. Ask him what this is that was taken from his house.
Turning to Parlow as would any eager student bursting with the correct answer, Jeremy replied, “Ah, Parlow, I know. It’s a Colt .45 pistol. It’s in all the cowboy movies. The gun that won the Wild West.”
Parlow again gave Jeremy a message.
Jeremy looked confused and unsure when he heard the message but dutifully relayed the message. “Timothy, Parlow likes your Colt .45 and, if you don’t mind, he’d like to keep it.” Timothy gave a weak nod. “And Wanda, Parlow says that you will be passing a six week old fetus in the next four hours.” Jeremy screwed up his face. “Do you know what that even means? Should I ask him?”
Wanda yelled at the top of her lungs, “What? A baby? You killed my baby? It is my right to choose, not yours. Murderers. Freaks. You’re evil. Get me outta here now!” She shrieked and tried to rock the captivity cage back and forth. Trall closed up the captivity box wind vents and she yelled to herself.
“I’ve always wanted a pistol like that. May I look at it?” asked Jeremy. Parlow handed the pistol to Jeremy.
Timothy looked at Parlow and then at Jeremy. “Now! Jeremy, shoot them all! It’s full of bullets. Shoot the bastards! Get us out of here!” screamed Timothy. Wanda straightened up and starred at Jeremy. “You have to do it, Jeremy. We’re all gonna die.”
Jeremy pointed the pistol in the general direction of Parlow but Jeremy hesitated. “I can’t shoot. Momma taught me.” He looked back at Timothy inadvertently pointed the pistol at him. “I can’t hurt anybody. That would be bad.” Jeremy looked back at Parlow but his face held no emotion.
Timothy and Wanda screamed angry, pleading oaths at him. “Kill them. Kill them now.”
Jeremy turned from Parlow to look at Timothy. “That’s not right,” said Jeremy. “I shouldn’t hurt anyone, not even ugly Wanda.”
“Help us, Jeremy. Free us. Shoot them. Shoot them, now. We’re gonna die. They’re gonna kill us.”
Jeremy looked at Parlow but Parlow looked back without emotion, as if studying Jeremy.
“I don’t know.” He looked at Parlow as if he were his father. “Parlow, I don’t know what to do.”
Trall had closed the wind vents on Timothy’s captivity box. Give me the pistol, Jeremy. Jeremy obediently gave Parlow the weapon. You did the right thing, Jeremy. It’s not right to hurt anyone. I am so proud of you. It is time for us to leave. We will be back again next year and we would like to see you again. Jeremy, think of some reward you would like. I like to give my friends rewards for helping me. I am so glad to meet you and have a good friend in you, Jeremy. You have been very brave.
Parlow hugged Jeremy. Jeremy began to weep and hid his eyes behind his forearm. “Did I do the right thing, Parlow?”
Yes you did the right thing. Jeremy hugged Parlow, towering over him but embracing him as a child would do to a parent for reassurance. Jeremy wept without words.
Did I do the right thing? I don’t want to hurt anybody. I want to do what is right. I am confused.
Parlow broke off the embrace and walked over to hand Jeremy a napkin from the serving table. Jeremy, this is all new to you and it seems confusing. Let me give you a second chance. Jeremy, we made a deal; I would heal your body and you would help me find a male and female specimen. I want you to think about this really carefully, Jeremy. I can have the Medi-Explorer make you like you were before, unable to talk and communicate with your family, and I will send Timothy, Wanda, and you home. It would be as if we never came here.
Jeremy, we honor deals made but I am giving you this one chance to change your mind. If you go back now you will grow to be a normal, healthy, smart young man. If I change you back, they will still call you Jeremy the Germ. I hate that name because you are so much more. Look at them, Jeremy, and then tell me your decision.
Jeremy turned to stare at the two captives. Still enraged, Wanda continued to beat on her captivity box. Timothy just stood there looking at Parlow and Jeremy forlorn. He realized something important was transpiring. It was something important and something he could not hear. Worse, he was not a part of the decision. Timothy repeatedly mouthed the word, “Please.”
Jeremy turned to look at Parlow. “Back to before?”
Yes, Jeremy, you would be back as before you were changed. Jeremy, if it helps you in any way, consider your parents. Nitkah and I love our children as your parents love you. Would they be happier with you as before or now that you are normal?
“Normal, Parlow.”
I know that you are concerned about Timothy and Wanda. Jeremy, our lives are a journey to explore. We never know where we are going or what we will do in our lives, from time to time. I promise you, they are about to embark upon an extraordinary journey. It could be that they will return some day when you are all old and thank you for sending them on the adventure of a lifetime. Your life, too, will only get better, from now on.
Parlow reached out his hand to Jeremy. Do you want to stay the same as you are now or go back to what you were?
“I don’t wanna go back.”
You have made a wise decision, Jeremy. Your parents will be proud of you when you go home. Please go over to Nitkah and get me another bottle of water.
Parlow watched Jeremy walk away and then walked over to face Timothy. He reached into his uniform pocket and produced six bullets. Telepathically Parlow said to Timothy, You played your part well, Timothy. I needed to know if I could trust our friend Jeremy. It looks like I can trust him.
Timothy’s eyebrows raised in surprise to the deep voice inside his head. Then he composed himself and yelled from inside the box to Parlow. “Please, I promise I won’t yell any more.” Parlow looked over to Trall, who opened the wind vents to Timothy’s captivity box.
“What did you just say to Jeremy?”
I made a deal with him to correct his brain nerves in exchange for locating a male and female specimen. He experienced regret when he saw you both in captivity boxes. I offered to let you both go but I would have to damage his brain again. Did he decide as you would have, had you been in his position?
Timothy hesitated as he tried to conjure up a persuasive reply but he could not think of anything. “Suppose so.” He looked downward, dejected.
You and your lady friend will ride in the hold until we reach capacity and then we will depart for the planet Wisp. You will be disembarked at the Digor auction.
“What will become of us at Digor auction?”
I do not know but I am sure you will be well treated. They will pay a lot for you; you will be prized.
“Prized?” Timothy shook his head in disgust. “Bring Jeremy back. I want to forgive him.”
Forgive? asked Parlow, unsure of Timothy’s meaning. That is an unnecessary emotion. He glanced at Trall, still attentively watching his father.
Jeremy returned with the bottle of water.
“Jeremy, please come here,” asked Timothy. His eyes spilled with tears. “Please forgive me for being mean to you when we were children. I was a jerk then. I’m a man now and wiser.” Timothy quickly added, “We’re both men now. Jeremy, please tell my folks what happened. Please don’t make them worry about me. Same for Wanda.”
Parlow telepathically spoke to them both in a very serious tone. Jeremy, you will tell no one about this, ever. It only means real trouble for you. You have helped me and I have healed your brain. When we come back next year I will try to give you what you want when you help me again. Parlow nodded toward the lingering Trall. The two captivity boxes rose up off the ground and hovered into the craft. Jeremy and Parlow watched without a word or thought exchanged. Parlow looked back at Jeremy. How would you like a bar of solid gold?
Jeremy thought for a moment and then asked, “Well, I don’t know. How about, can I have a ride in your space ship? Can we ride around the world?” His face beamed with joy at the thought. “How about the moon?”
Yes, Jeremy. That is a wonderful idea. We live in this craft most of the year so it did not occur to me. Think about it and you can change your mind if you want to. Remember Jeremy, it is really important for you to tell no one, ever, about what we did tonight. Parlow extended his little hand to shake. It is time to go home and go to sleep. Can you find your way or do you want the explorer to lead you?
“I know the way,” he shook Parlow’s cold hand.
Remember Jeremy, it is very, very important to keep this a secret. Do I have your promise?
Jeremy felt the same as he felt when he realized Christmas was over. “Yes sir.” Jeremy left and Parlow turned to help his family strike camp.
Chapter Six - Perry Answers a Call
"Dad, this is the Schweitzer call you read about. I was first on the scene to the Pollack residence. Their son had just been abducted so they were hysterical. I pulled Mr. Pollack aside and asked him what happened. He said he and his wife were awoken by the sound of a brief scuffle in the upstairs bedrooms. He called out to his sons without an answer. He had not seen anything but that he and his wife were shot with a ray gun, say in stun mode, from the second floor."
"A ray gun?" Perry's dad stroked his thick gray mustache.
"I wish to god that you were there with me. I just knew you would know what to do." Perry took another swallow of cool beer. "Their son Timothy Pollack was abducted. Their Chihuahua was shot, blown to smithereens. I've never seen anything like it. Their youngest son Lance said he saw a white male observing a little gray Martian, or something, that wielded the weapon. Lance was shot by the intruder and left in an immobile state for four hours, also. At that point I looked around to see if I was being pranked but, no, the women were crying and the men frightened.
"We hoped for a ransom call but when a call came in, the caller ID identified Dr. Schweitzer’s residence. Mr. Pollack picked up the receiver and cocked it away from his ear so I could hear. 'Pollack residence,' he said.
"'Mr. Pollack? This is Jeremy Schweitzer from across the park.'
“'Hello Jeremy,' he said. 'It’s nice to hear from you, son, but we’re a little busy this morning. What can I do for you, Jeremy?”
“'Oh, you’re busy? Doing what?' Jeremy asked. Mr. Pollack’s looked at me not knowing what to say next. I could tell we were thinking the same thing. Wasn't Jeremy a retard, autistic, or something? Jeremy continued, 'If I tell you a secret, Mr. Pollack, would you promise not to tell anyone?'
"'Mr. Pollack stared at the phone as if he were going to murder the caller. 'Yes Jeremy, you may tell me a secret and I promise not to tell anyone.'
“'Cross you heart and hope to die?'
“'Yes, Jeremy, cross my heart and hope to die.' Pollack shook his head in disgust.
“'I was there last night. I was with Trall. He captured Timothy and Wanda. Parlow put them in his space ship. That’s Trall’s dad.'
"Pollack repeatedly blinked his eyes, apparently lost for words, his mouth wide open in disbelief. I mouthed the words, 'Is he home?' Pollack instantly recovered and went on without missing another beat. 'Excuse me, Jeremy. Are you home right now? I would like to hear some more but my portable phone is dying. I’d like to come over and you can tell me the whole story. Would that be all right?'
"'Sure, Mr. Pollack. Could I ask you a favor? Would you stop by the donut shop and get me two chocolate donuts, please.'
“'Yes, Jeremy. I will. Stay right there so I can find you.' They hung up and Pollack looked at me. 'Wanda? Is he referring to Wanda Winkler?' I told him that as part of our investigation I did not tell anyone there that Wanda Winkler was also kidnapped last night.
“'What is this space ship crap?' he asked but went on. 'Officer, if it weren't for you and your gun, I'd go over there now and blow his head off.'
"'You did good, Mr. Pollack. I'm going over there now with some officers and we'll bring Timothy and Wanda home just as soon as we can,' I said. If only it were true."
"I can see why you've become upset," Perry's dad added. "Two closed cases and major felony at that. It should have been easy."
"The FBI walked in as I was walking out. We went over there and arrested Jeremy and searched his guest house and the main house. There was not a single clue in the house. No sign of Timothy or Wanda. Later, Lance Pollack ID'd Jeremy as being with the gray creature. I know, Dad, what you're gonna ask."
"What did you find in the park?"
"The ground was disturbed as he said. Different little boot prints everywhere in a campsite. It was almost like Jeremy said. Of course, it didn't make sense. Once the FBI heard about a space ship, they took over the case. No one was allowed to even look at the site after that."
"You mean you don't believe someone would kidnap two different people from two different locations for two chocolate donuts? Well Perry, I've gotta pee."
Perry's dad returned and sat back down. "So what's really bothering you, Perry?"
"The FBI worked on Jeremy for hours. He cried and all but he stuck to his story until his parents called a lawyer. I watched behind the glass. When the interview was over, the captain pulled me aside and asked, 'I have to brief the mayor. What do you think happened, Salter?'
"What do you really think, Perry?"
"In my heart, I believe Jeremy but in my head, it's impossible. He doesn't know how to drive. We tested him and he failed, unless he was faking that, too. Where could he have disposed of the bodies and for what purpose? I really believe he has the mind of a ten year old. That's what I told the Captain and Sergeant Wagner."
"What did the Captain say?"
"Captain said, 'You're no help, Salter. Get back to your zone.' Did I blow it, Dad? Will that hurt my chance of promotion?"
"Damned if I know, Perry. I hope not. Did Fred Wagner say anything?"
"No dad, he is supportive as much as he can be."
"Good man Fred. I don't think anyone could have answered that any better with the information available. What a spot to be in."
Chapter Seven - What Really Happened at Jeremy's Sentencing
Thoughtfully, the judge slapped a gag order on this case. No one wanted the label of alien abduction to ridicule this tragedy, although it was whispered about freely in the community. The minutes and hours crept by slowly like an inch worm crawling along a branch for the grieving families. As the weeks turned to months, it became painfully obvious to everyone that Timothy Pollack and Wanda Winkler were not coming home alive, if at all.
Local news coverage was muted and mainly focused up the inability of the police to get a confession and resolve the case. Rumors circulated about aliens and space ships, ray guns that stunned the mind, and aliens, along with Jeremy Schweitzer, grilling and eating the victims. Some advocated returning to the good old days when detectives resorted to beating the confessions from suspects. The case went on like a cooking pot of stinking, bad stew; everyone directly avoids it but no one does anything directly about it. The township just wanted this case to end.
Eleven months after the disappearance of Timothy Pollack and Wanda Winkler a short trial was held. Six psychologists and psychiatrists interviewed Jeremy and all agreed that he was unfit to stand trial and but the experts disagreed regarding Jeremy actually knowing the difference between what was true and real versus what was false.
The District Attorney tried to show that one or both of Jeremy’s parents coached Jeremy with how to act as insane but the testifying doctors said Jeremy was really a ten year old boy in his mind and maturity.
Then the District Attorney suggested that Jeremy’s parents had influenced some of the doctors to protect their son but the defense attorney asked the doctors for the prosecution if they had ever had contact with either of the Schweitzers before the trial. While they knew of the Schweitzers by reputation, each testified to no contact prior to the trial. Despite their expertise, none of the doctors could explain how Jeremy could have regained his speech lost twelve years earlier. Such a case of recovery could not be found anywhere in the medical literature.
With pull of Sergeant Fred Wagner, Officer Perry Salter attended every day of the trial. He saw Jeremy, now a 23 year old man, sit on the witness chair but heard Jeremy, the 10 year old boy, speak in his simple way. During Jeremy’s testimony on the stand, the District Attorney often caused Jeremy to break down and cry. Jeremy easily fell for her trick questions and answered naively but his story never changed about what happened that night. Sergeant Wagner tasked Perry at the very least, to learn where the bodies were. But Perry Salter, the rising star in the department, could not figure out what really happened.
The court ruled Jeremy unfit to stand trial and was ordered confined indefinitely to a mental health institution “for his own safety”.
As part of the settlement, Officer Perry Salter was given a one hour interview with Jeremy, Jeremy's private attorney, and the District Attorney before he was transported away.
In the interview room, Gerard Pedowski began, “Officer Salter let me remind you of the rules we’ve agreed upon. You may tape this interview but you may only discuss matters relating to the burglary and assault at the Schweitzer residence and you may not discuss anything related to the alleged kidnappings of Mr. Pollack and Miss Winkler or Mr. Schweitzer’s medical conditions. If you ask just one such question, the interview will be over at that point. Do you understand, sir?”
Perry Salter responded, “Yes sir. Just so everyone knows, we have been recording since you entered this room with the cameras overhead and through microphones in the walls.” Perry then identified the room’s occupants and date and time of the interview and other legal disclosures. Perry went over the preliminary facts of the burglary with a list of stolen items and got a confirmation by Jeremy Schweitzer. Perry continued, “Mr. Schweitzer, do you know either of the men who burglarized your parent’s home?”
The attorney nodded but Jeremy was anxious to talk. “One of ‘em was Willie DeGraffenwright. I used to go to school with him, until I got sick. I knew him. He said he knew me.”
“Do you know the other man?”
“No, I’ve never seen him before. Willie kept calling him ‘Bones’. He was the mean one who punched me in the stomach and hurt my hand. I hope you catch him and shoot him and bring back great granddad’s binoculars. He was a famous explorer, you know.”
“We will certainly try, Jeremy. Do you know where Willie DeGraffenwright lives?” Officer Salter went on to ask other questions until he realized Jeremy knew nothing further about DeGraffenwright and Plowder. “Thank you for your cooperation. I know this has been difficult for you, Jeremy. Good luck, son.”
The District Attorney seized the opportunity, “Jeremy, where are the bodies of Timothy Pollack and Wanda Winkler? Please…”
Defense attorney Pedowski pounded the table, “That’s it! Interview over. Jeremy, don’t say another word!”
“…tell me so we can bury then with dignity." She continued as the attorney Pedowski and client Jeremy rose to their feet. "The parents deserve it and nothing more can happen to you.”
Pedowski defiantly glared at the District Attorney and indignantly ordered, “Leave now, Jeremy and don’t answer her. She wants to hurt you with her words.”
Jeremy looked at her as his attorney pulled his arm to stand. “They’re up in space. Really, they are.” They went out the door to the attending uniformed officers, who handcuffed Jeremy and led him away. Perry heard him ask his lawyer, “When do I get to go home?”
“Same bull crap. Never changes,” muttered the District Attorney. “Did you get what you wanted?” Perry just nodded.
Chapter Eight - Arresting the Bad Guys
"After the interview I found a burglary sergeant and gave her the case. I asked her to find William DeGraffenwright. Two weeks later I got a note from the detective at roll call. Mr. DeGraffenwright worked at Big Sam's used cars in Peterborough but was off on vacation. The watch commander gave me a rookie and said we should go in plain clothes to bring him back here and charge him here.
"Mr. DeGraffenwright surrendered peacefully and immediately lawyered up. After processing, I had the rookie drive. We ignored the prisoner until we made a pit stop an hour out. We took him to the restroom and I bought him and me a fried chicken lunch. I told the rookie to go sit in the car."
"For a guy gunning for a promotion, that was a very risky move, Perry. Done it myself but not when they were looking at me."
"I was all knotted up inside over the other case. I guess I blew it. Anyway I said, 'Mr. DeGraffenwright, I know you asserted your rights. That's Okay,' I said. "Let's just talk, man to man. It won't go any further than you and me. There are no witnesses so you and I can deny everything. Willie, I want to know, did any of the officers tell you what kind of time you're facing?'"
"'Three to Eight years. Is that right?' I could see he had been crying.
"'Well, that's for hardened criminals. Burglary, assault, and conspiracy. This is your first offense. More likely it'll be twelve to twenty-four months. You can do that. But the real kick in the ass is the felony, which will follow you the rest of your life. It will keep you from ever getting good jobs. You'll only be able to work the left over jobs. Nothing against selling cars, Willie. It's a real shame.'
"'I'm so sorry. I never meant it. He forced me 'cause I owed him.' This twenty-three year old man cried like a baby. I know you've seen it before, dad."
"All the time when I was on the job."
"Yah, its sad. 'How could anyone force you?' I asked. 'You're a grown man. You're not weak.'"
"'I owed him. I owed him five hundred for crack. I couldn't stop.'"
"I asked him who and he said Cedric "Bones" Plowder. I'd heard of him before. He's a dealer with a long rap sheet. So I said, 'Bones is a big fish. He's probably on probation. Here's what I'm thinking, Willie. I will go to the District Attorney and recommend misdemeanor breaking and entering with probation, provided you complete drug rehab. You must get clean and stay clean for say eighteen months. In exchange you will testify against "Bones" Plowder in all proceedings we need you for. Are you ready to end this nightmare?'"
"Quit it, you're breaking my heart, Perry." Both men sipped their beer. "So you smoked out DeGraffenwright and he rolled over on Plowder. Pretty good, son. Then what?"
"I watched the SWAT team serve the arrest warrant at Cedric "Bones" Plowder's estate in crackville. There was all kinds of drugs, weapons, money, and he was on probation. He won't be walking the streets for the rest of this century."
"I imaging 'the suits' were happy. This is the kind of stuff that makes them forget all about the missing kids. I'll have to call Fred Wagner and thank him. You know, by letting him win a round of golf or two. He's a pathetic golfer but a hell of a good cop."
"Yah, dad, Sergeant Wagner is letting me run free like a detective. The Captain's counting the kidnappings as closed cases, too, since there was adjudication. I should be happy but I feel sick, like I'm disappointed. Like I cheated on a test but got an 'A', you know?"
"Like planting evidence and getting a conviction."
"What?"
"Oh, never mind," answered Perry's dad. "Son, get us another beer."
"If you don't mind, dad. I've had enough and I feel better for having talked it out with you. It has been emotionally draining, like nothing else I've experienced. You know it's been a year tomorrow since those kids disappeared. One year. I've got the next three days off and I'm gonna start by catching up on all the sleep I've missed."
"Don't get too worked up about this. You're good. You know? You can't prove them all. Just so you know, guilt or innocence. One year, huh? Well, another year and you won't be thinking about this case but something new."
"One year," Perry said looking up. "It just occurred to me, dad, in court Jeremy testified that the aliens were to return in one year. What do you think?"
"I'd say go home and get some sleep. Don't go looking for space monsters; you'll never find them and if you do, you carry a 9mm. You don't have the weapons they do, remember? They carry ray guns. Hah. In thirty years I never had any aliens. Oh, what a crock this is. Forget all this space alien stuff; it won't help you get that promotion. You know how cops are? They'll ridicule you the rest of your career. Just forget it and don't ever mention it to anyone again, you hear? No one. Ever. Unless you make a collar and drag one of them in. No word of this. Now, get going. Don't let them pull you over, son."
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