BTC 12: Wood Carving

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy
Chapter 12: Wood Carving

Back to Chapter 1: A Hot Pink Car

Joe sat uncomfortably in the wood working class, his skill was good, and in the past week he produced enough pieces to make it look like he’d been in the class form day one; six weeks ago. He was uncomfortable today because there was someone new; someone he had to gain their trust while not giving anything away.

Why did he accept this assignment? Sure it was close to him, all the more reason to not be involved. Yet also justification for not risking lives. But for his first assignment?

Joe’s gouge nicked off a large chunk of wood off the candle holder he was working on. Joe stopped the lathe and took off the lopsided spindle.

“Sure don’t look like your day,” a voice said beside Joe.

“No it isn’t,” Joe said to the new guy.

“Been hard work for me today. Goin’ to the pub after class, care to join me? I’ll buy you a drink to burry the troubles of today.”

Joe took his ear muffs off. “Yeah sounds good. Class ends in five minutes, why don’t we go now? I’m feeling like I need that drink.” Joe held up the ruined candle stick. “At least this was the first one,” Joe said tossing the chunk of wood into the scrap pile as he headed to the door.

“Better than my bowl,” the new guy said tossing an indescribable hunk of wood unto the scrap pile as well, and followed Joe. “You’re Joe Trebble of Alberta, Canada, aren’t you?” the new guy said after they left class.

Joe stopped short, almost causing the new guy to walk into him. “Um . . . yeah . . . why?” Joe said, thinking: “contact made.”

“Name’s Justin, I’ll tell you why over that drink.” 

(081130)

Next: Chapter 13: The Equation Will Come Out At Last 

BTC 11: English Toffee

Joe Trebble and the Bio Tech Conspiracy
Chapter 11: English Toffee

Back to Chapter 1: A Hot Pink Car

Joe sat in the tea shop shaking his head in his hands. “I just couldn’t quite tell her.”

Devin put a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “There will be plenty of time for that later. Now’s not the time to worry about that, you have to prepare for the mission. Besides, perhaps it’s a good thing. If anyone close to you thinks you’re hiding anything, you’ve got that to fall back on.”

“You’re right.” Joe looked up into Devin’s green eyes. “Heh, you’re always right.” Joe scanned the old tea shop, one of his quiet refuges, and meeting places, for the past couple years. “I think I might miss this place.”

Over in the corner he saw old Dick working through his crosswords, with a chessboard beside him, ready for a game. Alice puttered away behind the counter, making the tea and baked goods. Claudette was by the till, chatting on her mobile, her French accent contrasting the pure Englishness of everything else in the shop.

“Come on, time to go.” Devin stood and strode to the till, disrupting Claudette’s call.

“Toffee?”

Joe was startled by the question, but managed not to overly show it.

“My dear, you still have to work on your peripheral senses. Now would you like some good old fashioned English Toffee for the road?”

Joe smiled at the silver haired woman. “But of course Alice, you sly one. I may need to work on my peripheral senses, but isn’t Dick the only one who’s ever heard you coming?”

“And that’s why I married him,” Alice replied as Joe grabbed a handful of toffee. “Now you run along my little Canuk.”

Joe stood and put on his jacket and cowboy hat as Devin returned to the table.

“All ready for your debriefing?”

Joe nodded and turned to follow Devin out of the shop. After one step he paused. Turned back around and faced Alice. “Now don’t you break down on me,” Joe said as he wiped the small tear from Alice’s cheek, and then gave her a kiss on both cheeks. “Bye Dick,” Joe said as he walked towards the door.

“Good riddance to you boy,” Dick spat back with fatherly love.

“Eleven down is pusillanimity.” Joe opened the door, looked at Dick with a smile and a wink.

Dick scowled back, and, as Joe left, looked at eleven down; “By George Alice, he’s right."

(081130)

Next: Chapter 12: Wood Carving

Note on Chapters 11 & 12

Chapters 11 & 12 were written before Chapters 8, 9, 10, & 13 and were temporary misplaced. They were found later and deemed to fit best after Chapter 10.