Nine-Tenths Read Online Free PDF Page B

tried to mess with the past, none of this would have happened.”
    “Are you talking about the time machine again?”
    He nodded absentmindedly, mulling over the potential outcomes.
    Alina shook her head in disgust. She guided her husband down the sidewalk. They took several turns before Leonard recognized his surroundings. Alina led him toward the open space. He followed obediently as she dragged him back into the shelter of the large tree and sat him down. After surveying the park like an owl appraising its environment, she joined him, whispering, “How do you suppose that you not wasting your life on a time machine would create this mess?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “I think the time machine is all in your head.”
    “Perhaps it’s something I created. Something I invented instead of inventing the time machine.”
    She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t see how that could make a difference. You were working for IBM. You only joined the DID three years ago.”
    “What is that, the DID?”
    “The Department of Interrogation and Defense. You’re doing some top, top -secret project. You’ve never even given me a hint.”
    “I work for an organization called the Department of Interrogation and Defense?”
    She folded her arms. “They don’t have a DID where you come from either?”
    “No.”
    She pursed her lips to one side pensively. “That’s possible if you don’t remember anything that happened since college. Most of the government agencies got reorganized and renamed when Stehlen was a senator.” She said the name softly with disdain. “I was pregnant with Garrett when he was elected. Man, it already seems like decades ago.” She looked at the ground for awhile before continuing. “Anyway, at first the agency reorganization project seemed like a good idea. Consolidation, you know.”
    “Sure. Makes sense.”
    “Only when you consolidate, it’s kind of like joining forces. They all became so powerful and…” She glanced around the open space with a panicked expression. “We shouldn’t talk like this.”
    “Why?”
    “We just shouldn’t.”
    Alina made a move to get up, but she appeared to notice something out of the corner of her eye. Before Leonard knew what was happening she had him pinned to the damp ground, and she was kissing him passionately.
    “Now we’re talking,” he said flirtatiously.
    She nibbled at his ear. “The bushes moved. Pretend you’re hot for me.”
    “I don’t have to pretend.”
    She rolled over, pulled him with her, and bit him playfully on the other ear. “I’m serious. There’s a Watcher behind those bushes.”
    “A Watch—?”
    She silenced him with her mouth.

Chapter Four
    The Tramers returned home only after Alina was convinced the Watcher was either gone or a figment of her imagination.
    As they slipped inside the front door, Leonard flipped on the light. It burst, leaving them in darkness.
    “Dammit.” Alina groaned.
    “I’ll change it.”
    “Never mind. We don’t have any light bulbs.”
    “It’s okay. I like the dark.” Touching her hair, he said, “I kind of wish your Watcher had stayed a little longer. I would have liked to finish what we started.”
    “Shh,” Alina said sharply. She put her arm out to prevent him from stepping forward. “The kitchen light is on.” She grabbed an umbrella by the door and tiptoed slowly and purposefully toward the kitchen. She continued to hold one arm out to protect Leonard, which had the effect of making him feel emasculated. Irritated, he snatched the umbrella out of her hand just before they reached the kitchen.
    “Garrett,” Alina cried, sounding both relieved and concerned.
    Leonard leaned the umbrella in the corner.
    The teenager stood over the sink, a muffin in one hand and a carton of milk in the other. He was still wearing the tattered jeans, his feet hidden beneath an abundance of denim.
    He spoke without looking at them. “Kind of an odd time for a walk.”
    “Kind of an odd time for a