Author Part 12
(Chapter 65 of "Senses")
TORONTO
"Doctor Sues Christopher Brothers For $450 Million!"
That was the headline that screamed across the nation. Vindictive? Larry had seriously underestimated the man. This was the defamation suit to end all defamation suits.
Dr. Douglas Hopkins had relocated out of the country after all, just not to where the leads had been directing us. The fact that he was in Canada is probably the only reason we hadn't heard from him the first week. He had had to hire a U.S. lawyer who could practice law in Canada and California, so that search probably took most of his time. It also lead us right to him, although I'm certain he hadn't expected what we really were.
If you've ever been involved in a court proceeding you know that the plaintiff and the defendant are both listed right down to their home addresses in the filing. Paul arranged for a copy of the filing to get into our hands and then the search really began.
Scott searched his exact address through the maps he had developed over the years. Actually, this step could have been done in a very low-tech fashion, but as long as he was there... you get the idea.
Next we needed to find out what he was up to. Unfortunately, the only way to really do this was to actually confront the man, face to face. So who would do the confrontation?
Mats was out. We had no clue what it could be like for him if one of Dr. Hopkins' machines were in the area, so he was the one member of the group that absolutely had to be excluded. Both Jim and A.J. were also out. A personal confrontation with the Christopher brothers could turn ugly. Most of the rest of the group was excluded simply because they wouldn't know what direction to take things without blowing some of our cover.
Paul had to go. He was the legal counsel and the meeting could be set up in the guise of attempting to reach a settlement. It was also decided that Larry would go; for his resemblance to Jim in case a means for raising ire was necessary and also for his observational skills. Karen also went due to her empathic abilities.
They flew to Toronto in Paul's private jet, with some gadgets from Scott to aide in the tracking of Dr. Hopkins should it be necessary. During the week before the trio flew east Scott had been busy inventing extremely thin and very lightweight devices that could be tracked through our satellite. It would be Larry's job to get the device someplace where Dr. Hopkins wouldn't notice it and would also carry it with him anywhere he went. If anyone could figure out how to accomplish this, everyone agreed, it would be Larry.
They met in Dr. Hopkins' lawyer's office, in a meeting room with an oblong table. Larry, Paul and Karen were seated first and they waited five minutes before the lawyer and Dr. Hopkins walked in.
Dr. Hopkins was a man in his mid-forties, with a shock of silver hair that could remind you of Einstein, minus the moustache. He was a bit portly, but not overly so, and a bit under six feet in height. He had a booming voice that betrayed active and belligerent use.
He looked at Larry and yelled, "What is he doing here? This meeting was to be between counsel!"
Larry stood up and extended his hand towards Dr. Hopkins. "A common mistake," he said. "I'm Larry Christopher, not Jim. I'm secondary counsel in this matter. Besides, you're here."
Dr. Hopkins shook Larry's hand tentatively but ignored the second observation. "Twin?" he asked.
"No. I'm a bit older."
"The resemblance is amazing."
"I know. It gets me into trouble from time to time."
"I see." He pointed towards Larry's hair. "I see it now. You're going gray and there are some other signs of age as well. Very well."
Paul stood up and also extended his hand. "Paul Cynic," he said. "The woman seated to my right is Dr. Karen Price, who will be taking notes for me this session."
Dr. Hopkins stared at Karen for a moment, but let whatever comment was behind those eyes slide and said, "Very well." He and his lawyer, who remained silent, were seated. "We all know why we're here. I want a full apology from Jim and A.J. Christopher plus damages."
"And those damages would be?" Paul prompted.
"I have been ridiculed by my colleagues due to the allegations made, which are false. As you are probably not aware, in the scientific community any form of ridicule can be disastrous to a career. My opportunities for advancement have been severely decreased by the wanton disregard your brothers have shown for the historical record," Dr. Hopkins was facing Larry, "and for my own feelings. I feel that compensation is appropriate."
"We attempted to find you before the single was released," Paul countered, "just as we did Dr. Wallace. As you were not in the United States and had left no forwarding address with Arizona State University, we decided to act alone."
"That was a mistake. And it will cost you."
"450 million dollars?" Larry asked.
"No. That was simply my opening bid. To let you know I'm serious."
"So this boils down to money."
Dr. Hopkins stood, his face suddenly beet red. "This has to do with defamation! It has to do with character assassination! I am not a public figure! The rules are different!"
Paul and Larry stared up at the man, while Karen made notes on the pad about Dr. Hopkins. She wrote the word "Loony" at the top of the pad and then began documenting her emotive observations.
The lawyer spoke for he first time. "I'm John Gilford," he said. "Mr. Cynic, I believe the two of us can work out a favorable settlement and bring it to Dr. Hopkins for his approval. If the three of you wouldn't mind waiting here while we discuss this further?"
Dr. Hopkins let his breathing return to normal, then sat down. "Fine," he said.
Paul nodded in agreement. He smiled at Dr. Hopkins' performance in admiration and turned to Karen. "Stay here Dr. Price," he said. "This will only take about fifteen minutes." Paul grinned a feral grin, then joined Mr. Gilford in leaving the office.
"I apologize," Dr. Hopkins said to Larry. "This situation has made me emotional."
"I can see that. My brothers can bring that out in a person."
"I am curious. You are a lawyer?"
"No. But I am the oldest, and I they trust me to negotiate in their best interests."
"Ah. I was right. They want to settle."
"You said at the beginning of this meeting that we all knew why this meeting had been called."
"True."
"Well you were wrong," Karen said.
Dr. Hopkins turned towards her. "What?" he asked.
"You were wrong," Larry repeated.
To the silence Karen continued, "Right now Paul is negotiating in bad faith and dragging it out. In a few minutes he will storm out of your lawyer's office saying that he refuses to accept the terms."
"What?" Dr. Hopkins roared, standing. "This is an outrage!"
"It is. How long have you been communicating telepathically with machines?"
Dr. Hopkins raised his hand as if to slam in on the table and then suddenly froze. He slowly looked at Larry first, then Karen.
"We know about the device in Greenland," Karen said.
Dr. Hopkins slowly sat back down. "Amazing," he muttered. "And quite unexpected. What is your doctorate in?"
"Clinical psychology, if you must know, but that's not the issue here."
"We have been trying to find you," Larry noted, picking up the conversation. "That part was the truth. We finally resorted to the single when you didn't turn up in our searches. Your wallet please."
"Who are you?"
Larry glanced at Karen, who nodded once. Larry nodded three times in response. Using the signals they had agreed upon before the meeting, they had agreed that Dr. Hopkins could not be brought in as a part of the group. This man had ulterior motives and they had to be discovered.
"American citizens, just like you. Your wallet please." Both Larry and Karen leaned back in their chairs, just as they had rehearsed on the plane. Larry had decided to use cover story number three.
"Why do you want my wallet?"
"To confirm you are who you represent yourself to be."
"Oh come on now! We've been discussing this settlement and I am Dr. Douglas Hopkins!"
"You could be an actor."
"You could be Jim Christopher with some aging makeup!"
"A fair trade then," Karen said. "We will allow you to examine our identifications if you will do the same."
Dr. Hopkins thought it over for a moment, as if looking for a loophole. "Agreed," he finally said.
While driver's licenses were exchanged Larry pressed one of Scott's tracking devices, a clear magnetic strip, onto the back of Dr. Hopkins' identification. Larry decided it would have to do.
"All right," Dr. Hopkins said, "you're who you say you are."
"And so are you." Karen stated.
"You represent the United Stated government?"
"In a fashion."
"An obtuse answer."
"It's all you're going to get for now," Larry said. "How long have you been communicating telepathically with machines?"
Dr. Hopkins sighed. "I wasn't exactly quiet about Greenland. That was intentional and you well know it."
Larry caught it immediately. Dr. Hopkins had sent a threat to someone. Probably the U.S. Government. Alter the plan slightly. "Educate me," he said.
Dr. Hopkins frowned. "You don't know, then."
"Just here to do a job."
"Get information," Karen said. Karen had also caught on.
"Why use the ruse? Why the song by the Christopher Brothers? To get my attention?"
"From time to time it is necessary to use resources outside our normal jurisdiction," Larry said. "This method was ascertained to be the best way to find you quickly. Your profile in our records indicated this would be so. The incident in question was given to my brothers by me."
"I see." Dr. Hopkins grinned. "Well then, I shall oblige you and tell you my plan. I'm going to destroy all life on the surface of this planet."
Both Larry and Karen were stunned, even though they should have been expecting it. To actually hear the words was a shock.
"The Greenland device is one of hundreds that are now scattered around the planet in strategic locations," Dr. Hopkins continued. "Another demonstration will be set off shortly. Then there will be a public announcement to allow the people to prepare for the final devastation. Then judgment day."
"With you as the judge," Karen said.
"Self appointed."
"By what right?"
"Mine, of course. Whom else?"
"Why?" Larry asked.
Dr. Hopkins actually chuckled. "There's always a why, isn't there. Because I feel like it, that's why. Because I haven't been able to find a good cup of coffee in two years. Because the human infestation of the planet has gone on long enough. Pick one of the above.
"We've destroyed to much and reverted to animal over the course of the centuries, and it's time to let Earth start over with something new. The planet will survive what I will do. But the people wont."
"Neither will the trees or the fishes or the animals," Karen pointed out.
"Yes. Unfortunate that. However, all I know how to build is sledgehammers to kill this pesky mosquito. It will have to do."
"You'll die," Larry said. "You'll die along with the rest of us."
"I know. I had planned to let it happen over time. Let people adjust to the inevitable just as I have. It is a difficult thing to do and I should know it." Dr. Hopkins stood up again. "But now it may have to happen faster." He walked towards the door.
"What makes you think you can leave here alive?" Larry asked.
Dr. Hopkins laughed. "What makes you think that eliminating me would stop the process? How do you know it won't trigger it?"
Karen went wide-eyed. "Larry," she said, "he actually hopes that you will kill him."
"So there is a mind trigger should something happen to you," Larry said.
Dr. Hopkins paused, staring at Karen calculatedly. "And you two are not what you seem," he responded. "Congratulations. You have made my decision official. My plan will continue as scheduled."
"So you weren't sure about doing it," Karen said.
"I wasn't. But you've validated everything I believe in during this little chat. Goodbye until the end of the world, people." Dr. Hopkins opened the door just as Paul was storming in, having broken off the negotiations. He was followed by an equally angry Mr. Gilford.
"It was all a sham," Gilford said to Dr. Hopkins. "They were just trying to determine what tactics I would use in court. They never intended to settle."
"I know," Dr. Hopkins said with a jovial expression on his face. "Drop the lawsuit. I won't be around to collect." With that he walked out the door.
Paul stared at Larry and Karen. "Did you get what we came for?" he asked.
"And don't try to contact me again!"
Larry and Karen looked at each other in shock, confirming that the other had heard Dr. Hopkins' mental shout. "Holy shit," Larry whispered. "This guy is more than we thought he was." He mouthed the word "telepath" to Paul, who went wide-eyed.
"All we feared and more so," Karen replied. "We've got to get back to Los Angeles."
Gilford was still staring at the closed door, having apparently not even noticed the exchange between Larry, Paul and Karen. "My client is insane," he said, shaking his head.
"No kidding," Larry replied.