Page 44 of Sam to the Rescue

“Think Comic Con for conspiracy theorists. There’s rides, a flea market, meet the stars, and then, a real, live flying saucer is supposed to land behind the bandstand.”

“No way.”

“Way. Some Hollywood special effects guys were hired for big bucks. Check it out.” He sends me a link of the event and it truly is spectacular.

“Okay. Follow him and call me if you see any signs of him. Wait. Before you go, do we know anyone with a land line?”

“I think Nonna has one.”

Of course.“Thanks.” After hanging up with my cousin, I rush to my Mom’s house and knock on the basement door.

“Buongiorno, Samantha.” My grandmother, smelling of sausage and Lilies-of-the-Valley, embraces me to her huge boobs in a bear hug.

“Hi Nonna, can I use your phone?”

At her blank look, I clarify in Italian. “Telefono, per favore.”

“Si, si.” Nodding and smiling, she points to a black plastic box with a rotating wheel. I’ve seen them used in old movies so bravely pick up the headset.

I hear nothing.

Laughing, the dear old woman grabs the u-shaped device, turns it one-hundred-eighty degrees, then places it to my ear. Dial tone buzzing, I put my finger in the hole but nothing happens. She guides my hand in a circular motion until it hits the end, then pulls my digit out of the disc.

Click-click-click… I wait for the sound to stop before trying the next number in the sequence. Holy shit, people must’ve been awfully patient. This takes forever. Finally, I finish and the artificial intelligence application picks up.

“Hello. This is the Jason Nine-Thousand. How can I help you?”

“It’s me, Samantha Sutcliff.” Background music plays for about ten seconds, then his voice returns.

“You are on an unfamiliar connection. I must ask you a few security questions. Where did you attend grade school?”

“Saint Thomas.”

“What is your favorite color?”

“I can never remember.”

“Correct. What is your mother’s middle name?”

“Sophia.”

“Correct. Please continue.

“I need to find Sebastian.”

“I am sorry. I don’t have that information.”

“Can you patch me into Detective O’Brien?” I wait and eventually am connected to the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“Sam?”

Thank God, he picked up.“I just had a call from Vladimir Oblonski. He said they’re going to kill Suds.”

“Who?”

“Who what?”

“Who intends on offing your husband?”