The Einstein Papers Read Online Free PDF

retreating scientist.
     
    Over the last week Einstein had studied the FBI agents and their habits. The surveillance consisted of three separate teams. Each team was comprised of two agents. A total of six agents in all. The teams seemed to rotate their shifts around so that each team worked both night and day shifts.
    Einstein noted that as the days passed the agents had become lax in their surveillance. They no longer observed his home through binoculars. Frequently one agent would leave the car to fetch lunch or to use the restroom in a university building a block away.
    It was time for Einstein to put his plan in motion.
    Einstein’s gardener was a cranky old Irishman named Jack O’Toole. O’Toole had cared for Einstein’s grounds for too many years to remember, and the men had grown quite close. In the summer, when O’Toole finished with the yard work he would share a cold drink with Einstein and talk baseball. In the winter, when O’Toole performed snow removal duties, the men would enjoy a hot toddy and discuss weather and politics.
    Still, as close as the two men were, O’Toole opposed Einstein’s plan.
    “Al,” O’Toole said slowly, “I didn’t think you knew how to drive a car.”
    “I have never actually driven a car,” Einstein pleaded, “but I am quite good on the bumper cars at the amusement park.”
    “Very funny,” O’Toole said, “my truck has a four-speed gearbox. Do you think you could learn how to shift gears?”
    “No problem, you just push the pedal on the left to the floor then select the gear you wish. Next you engage the gear by using the hand shifter that is located on the floor.”
    “This is rich,” O’Toole said, laughing. “How far do you need to drive?”
    “Not far,” Einstein lied.
    O’Toole stared at his friend for a moment. “I must be crazy. But, sure, you can use my truck. But I want you to know you have to have it fixed if you bang it up.”
    Thank you, Jack,” Einstein said, touching his friend’s shoulder. “Now let me explain the rest of my plan.”
    Twenty minutes later, Einstein and O’Toole stood in the living room in their costumes. Atop O’Toole’s head was Einstein’s felt slouch hat. Tufts of gray hair tumbled down from the sides and rear.
    “This itches,” O’Toole noted, “and these pants feel like they’re going to fall off.”
    “Helen brought the hair back from a dog-grooming parlor yesterday-I think she said it was from an Afghan hound.”
    “And the false mustache,” O’Toole said, feeling like he was about to sneeze.
    “From the same four-legged donor,” Einstein said, smiling. “Now pay attention to how I shuffle when I walk.”
    Einstein demonstrated his walk. He was dressed in a set of work clothes similar to the ones O’Toole customarily wore. Helen Dukas had purchased the clothes from a nearby Sears Roebuck store only yesterday upon learning of the plan. O’Toole trailed along with Einstein until he had mastered the walk
    “Good, good, you have it perfectly,” Einstein said finally. “Now we go outside.”
    Helen Dukas watched the men from a chair in the living room. T think you two are starting to enjoy this cloak-and-dagger stuff.”
    Einstein said nothing. Hooking his thumbs into his pants pockets he bowed his legs and swung his hips from side to side.
    “I don’t walk like that,” O’Toole said, shuffling along behind him.
    “But you do, my friend,” Einstein said.
    “This is never going to work, Dr. Einstein,” Dukas said quietly.
     
    “There’s Einstein,” Talbot said as the men walked onto the porch.
    O’Toole shielded Einstein as they walked toward the driveway. Leading Einstein to the drivers door of the truck he opened the door and waited as Einstein climbed into the seat. Once Einstein was in place, he spoke.
    “Here’s the key, Al,” O’Toole said, “just please try not to wreck the old girl.”
    “How about you?” Einstein asked. “Will you be all right?”
    “No problem,”