Time Waves: A Where is Now Story

By Mary S. Sheppard

BioTime, the company that reached into the past to bring back select plants to be used to cure diseases, was humming. Things were going well for Amy, a research scientist who had developed a drug that would cure depression, and for Jeff, one of the leading time travelers. At work, things were good.

Jeff, a former sheriff from 1895, returned with Amy to 2066 and was adapting surprisingly well. Their bliss would be momentary. The same technology that saved lives is trying to ruin theirs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary S. Sheppard
• Release date: Mar 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310899867

Mary S. Sheppard

In my new series Samantha Keene, energy analyst extraordinaire, lead a pretty much run of the mill existence. There is always work, family and more work, but when she takes a vacation to the U.K. she is suddenly plunged into a different world, one filled with spies, intrigue, and romance and so the limited series starts.

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Durango 1895

Amy gathered the cold water in her hands and splashed it on her face. She immediately reached for the towel and dabbed the chilly droplets off. That would wake up a dead person, she thought. The small basin had been filled with warm water the night before, but now of course it was cold.

She could have ordered hot water from downstairs, but that would take longer and it wasn’t necessary, she could tough it out. She was back in Durango, 1895. They had arrived the day before.

She finished dressing and wondered what was keeping her roommate. Kaylie wasn’t back from visiting the bathroom. She had not taken to this time too well. Kaylie was supposed to be a fearless, resilient FBI agent, and maybe she was, but she also complained a lot.

First she complained about the smoke from all the smokers, mostly men, who carried their cigars and pipes puffing throughout the hotel. This actually bothered Amy as well, but luckily they had a filter that could clean the air around them. It was a small pin attached to their lapel. In the hotel room, they had a larger filter, which would clean air. Once they got back to 2066, they could have their lungs basically washed out, through a simple osmosis procedure, but meanwhile there was nothing that could be done about it.

Then Kaylie had complained about the bathroom.

I don’t mind sharing with you, she had clarified, "but to have to share with a bunch of backward strangers that have who knows what bathroom habits? Oh yuck.

There was not much they could do about that either. There were staying at the Strater Hotel, the best Durango had to offer and at least it had electricity and bathrooms. Some of the other hotels in the area still had outhouses and none was equipped with electricity, yet.

Kaylie continued with the bathroom theme. And I noticed there was no shower or even a bathtub in that bathroom.

Amy explained that there was a bathtub in the main bathroom downstairs and one had to make an appointment to use it.

All the people of the hotel use one tub? asked Kaylie worried.

It was more people than that, but Amy wasn’t going to tell her that even the people from outside the hotel could use it.

And what about toilet paper? I know we don’t use toilet paper anymore in 2066, but I read that there would be toilet paper here and I didn’t see any.

Amy had brought toilet paper, just in case and took out a roll from her suitcase.

Toilet paper in a roll had been invented in the early 1890s, but sometimes it was hard to get. Amy had had the lab make some for the previous time she came and had really appreciated that convenience. Hotels were starting to provide toilet paper, but most people out in Western USA were using the Farmer’s Almanac, leaves and cornhusks.

Thank goodness you brought that. She took the roll. I don’t know what I would do without you. You seem to handle this time travel to backward times pretty well.

I’ve had plenty of time to prepared and remember, I have been back here before, said Amy. Maybe it was also that as a scientist she looked at the differences with interest, rather than as a problem. Time travel to the past, or ‘backward times’ as Kaylie called them, would always be filled with inconvenience and time travel to the future was not possible. It would be too dangerous not knowing whether you would arrive in the middle of a crowd or in the middle of a wall.

The bedroom door swung open and Kaylie walked in. Good, you’re ready, she said. Let’s go down to breakfast, Marie, I’m starved and Jeff should be down there.

Marie was Amy’s new name. She better get used to it quick, thought Amy as she put the blue contact lenses in. She made sure her newly blonde hair was pinned up securely and followed Kaylie out.

Day two, sighed Kaylie. I can’t wait to go back. I’m going to appreciate everything back in 2066 a lot more. I really hope we can leave soon, otherwise I will have to face taking a bath in the dreaded bathtub.

If Vincent is here, we will find him today, said Amy. The town was not that large. The reasons for agreeing might be slightly different, but she also felt that the sooner they left 1895 the better.

Vincent Koz was why they were here. Vincent Koz, man from the future, technology enthusiast, politician and currently an assemblyman for the Bay Area.

He had used the time machine to transport himself from 2066 and ended here. Well, maybe here. They knew he had gone to the past and this was one of the times and places he could have gone to. He had done this to avoid the FBI and that was why Kaylie was with them.

Jeff and Amy were helping the FBI find him, but both knew there was a more frightening possibility having him back here. He could change the timelines. Everything they knew would be different if that happened. The people in 2066 would not see the change, only the time travelers would notice and for a brief moment the computers at BioTime would register the alteration.

The computers constantly checked for any deviations, tracking all significant events, people, stock markets, inventions among many things. If they found an inconsistency, the lab was alerted and the travelers were informed so they could fix what had gone wrong. That was the official plan but there had been no need to implement such a plan in the few years the time machine had been functioning.

As of a couple days ago, when they left 2066 and San Francisco, no deviations had been detected and this boded well.

Well, we haven’t found him yet, said Kaylie as they walked towards the dining room. Maybe he’s dead. It will save all of us a lot of grief. We’ll just pack up the body and bring it back.

Amy looked at her alarmed.

Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot he is your friend.

Not a friend, but that seems kind of harsh. I think that he has not been here long enough to make changes. Vincent wasn’t her friend; he was more like an acquaintance, but he was the reason she couldn’t be called Amy. He would recognize the name and then her. Even with her new blue eyes, lighter complexion, and long blonde hair, he might recognize basic features through the disguise.

I’m not being harsh, said Kaylie looking at her. When someone gets elected, it is because we trust him and when he uses that trust for his advantage, he deserves some punishment. You know, Marie, that the court system will put him up in a jail that is more like a country club and that those type of criminals don’t repent in that environment.

Kaylie paused before entering the dining room. Marie, remember to call him, Mr. Lindsey, and that you’re the cousin of Amy, his old girlfriend.

Right, Amy nodded. The cousin thing would explain any similarity anyone saw, but she knew all this. It had been covered extensively before coming, but this was one area where Kaylie was more in her element. As an FBI agent she was probably used to answering to different names. She just had to remember she was Marie now.

They walked into the breakfast room and Amy saw that Jeff was sitting at ‘their’ table next to the window. It was the table where they had had their first date, so many months and hundreds of years ago.

He turned and smiled as he saw them come in.

She almost forgot who she was. It was hard not to run to him and kiss him. Good morning Mr. Lindsey, she managed to say instead.

Good morning Miss Wilson, Miss Close, he stood up. Lovely morning. Would you please join me?

Yes, of course, said Amy, sitting down next to him.

There was no other chair and before Jeff could get another chair, Kaylie had found one. She started to pull it and Jeff interceded. Allow me, Miss Close.

Amy smiled. Even after Kaylie had lectured her about their cover, she had forgotten that in this time, ladies were not expected to move chairs by themselves.

Oh, thank you Mr. Lindsey, said Kaylie.

You are reading the morning paper, said Amy. Any interesting news?

Nothing much. Everything is the same, said Jeff. He had contacted 2066 earlier and that meant they should continue to look for Vincent. What are your plans for the day?

What would my cousin Amy have done? asked Amy.

She would probably go riding, but I’m not sure I recommend it today. The weather seems a bit unsettled, I think we might have rain this afternoon.

He would know about the weather. He could go outside and tell you what was going to happen, even without an app. He knew everything about this place.

I plan to visit my old friend, Brian Stanley. He is the Sheriff now, he said. Maybe you should come with me, Miss Wilson.

Amy looked around just to make sure no one was listening. I guess it is a good time to see if he recognizes me.

Yes it is, but I don’t think he will. I barely recognize you and I know you much better, said Jeff.

And as interesting as that sounds, I will not join you. I plan to make my own inquires, said Kaylie. I want to find Vincent ASAP and get out of here.

Chapter 2 - A long lost Aunt

The air outside was thick with dust. It hadn’t rained in weeks and every horse or carriage just added more particulates to the air. She also had to be careful not to step on any of the smelly mounds the horses had deposited on the ground. It made the town grimy, but at least everything was organic, thought Amy as she followed Jeff on the wooden planked sidewalk that ran along the Main Street.

Occasionally an electric tram would glide down the middle of the road. Durango was very progressive for its time, and the electric trolley, installed in early 1892, was one of the first in the state.

What do you think about being back here? asked Amy.

It’s nice, said Jeff.

Nice, she thought. Nice was such a bland word. Did he like it more than 2066? She had a fear he might decide to stay. What would she do? She didn’t want to stay in this time and she didn’t want to go back alone.

He turned to her to help her over some missing planks. That needs to be fixed right away, he said.

He felt responsible for all of it, she thought looking at his face. It was obvious he still loved Durango.

Take a look at that tree, he pointed at a half dead tree down the street. Lighting hit that tree and the explosion brought everyone out of their homes. They thought we were being attacked by Mexico, he smiled and shook his head. No one wondered how the Mexicans could have gotten across New Mexico or Arizona undetected with a canon.

Arizona and New Mexico are not states yet, she said.

Yes, but they are US territories. And over there, close to that rock outcropping, I was almost attacked by a coyote. I had to shoot him.

She winced.

I know that’s illegal in 2066, but it was matter of survival, him or me.

This was a dangerous place, she thought. Jeff hadn’t wanted her to come, but she had to. She was one of the few that could recognize Vincent. She had seen him without his disguise and he wouldn’t be wearing one out here. It would be too hard to maintain a disguise for a long period of time.

Everything looks pretty much like when I left, said Jeff as they walked along the street.

Suddenly he stopped walking. Amy walking close behind bumped into him.

Oops, sorry, she said.

He steadied her. I think I recognize the woman that came out of the sheriff’s office.

It was an older woman and she was looking away from them.

It might be my aunt, he said.

Aunt? I didn’t know you had an aunt.

I’m not sure, I haven’t seen her in years. She was the sister of my dad, but they went their separate ways a long time ago. When my mother died, I didn’t know how to contact her.

Amy looked at the woman, as she started moving away from them.

No, said Jeff convincing himself. What would my aunt be doing here? It can’t be her.

Then the woman decided to cross the street. She turned towards them.

I think it is, said Jeff just as woman looked at them. A smile lit up her face. She waved and started walking towards them.

Jeff, Jeff, it is you isn’t it? she shouted.

Aunt Davila? Jeff’s voice was not as loud.

I thought you were the sheriff here, said Aunt Davila from twenty feet away. She continued her conversation, as she got closer. The man in there told me you were gone, to San Francisco, or somewhere west. I didn’t believe it and now I know I was right. How can a man who calls himself sheriff be so wrong about something like this?

Anyway, she stopped in front of them. I’m glad to see you.

It is you, Aunt Davila.

Of course my dear. It is I. I know it has been a long time. She kissed him on both cheeks.

Fourteen years.

Fourteen! My goodness how time flies. Well I recognize you from the pictures your mother sent me a couple of years ago. I was sorry to hear she passed.

Jeff nodded.

Amy thought he looked a bit shell shocked. Hello, I am Jeff’s friend from San Francisco, Marie Wilson.

Oh, I’m sorry, said Jeff waking up. Miss Wilson, this is my aunt, Miss Davila Lindsey.

Nice to meet you, said Aunt Davila glancing at Amy’s hands.

Amy knew what she was looking for; she was not wearing an engagement ring.

Jeff had been living with her for the past four months, but marriage was not a subject they had talked about. Life in 2066 was very hectic especially for Jeff who was adapting to everything new. It would be some time before they talked about that.

It is a pleasure to meet you, said Amy registering that he had introduced his aunt as ‘Miss’.

Jeff, can we go somewhere to talk? asked Aunt Davila.

There’s the hotel down the street, suggested Jeff.

That is where I am staying. Let’s go, she took his arm and started to walk.

Amy followed.

There is so much to tell you. It has been a long time. I meant to come and visit, but life gets in the way of things, you know, said Aunt Davila.

It sounded like Aunt Davila was going to talk with Jeff for a while, thought Amy. She could join Kaylie who was making inquiries at the General Store. She needed to hurry the process, she could see that this place was digging its tendrils into Jeff and now with the appearance of his aunt, the pull might be stronger. Excuse me, Mr. Lindsey?

He stopped and turned to her.

I need to get a few things at the General Store. I’ll meet you back at the hotel? I think our friend Miss Close is there right now.

All right, he said. His eyes told her to go ahead but to make it fast.

Wonderful, said Aunt Davila. We will order some tea and have it waiting for you.

Thank you, that sounds lovely, said Amy.

Jeff watched her go for a moment.

Seems like a charming girl, said Aunt Davila.

She is.

Well it is nice to see you happy.

Hmm, hmm, he said as he opened the door to the hotel. They went into the lobby and proceeded to the restaurant. He was wondering what his long lost aunt could want from him.

You are looking well, she said after they had ordered tea and coffee.

I am well, how are you?

That is part of the reason I am here. I am not as well as I should be.

I am sorry to hear that.

These things happen. Some lives are cut short like your mother and your father.

Was she that ill, he wondered, she didn’t look that ill. Have you seen a doctor about your illness?

Yes, several, she forced a smile. Well, enough about me. That girl, are you serious about her?

His eyebrows rose automatically; that was a personal question. On the other hand the whole conversation so far had been very personal. Yes, I am serious about her.

Good you should settle down.

Aunt Davila, why did you come?

You are direct, just like your father. In times like this, I miss my brother, he would know what to do. She took a sip from her cup and then they sat in silence.

Jeff knew that eventually she would speak, most people did.

When she started, she surprised him again.

I have a daughter, she said in between sips of tea.

I didn’t know you were married.

I didn’t marry. My name is still Lindsey. This was part of the reason my brother stopped speaking to me.

Oh, said Jeff.

It was a mistake. Not her, her father was and he is long gone.

Jeff didn’t know if he should say sorry again or congratulate her for getting rid of the mistake.

I am here because of my daughter.

He didn’t understand.

She is thirteen, but quite mature for her age. She is a good student and knows how to read and write very well. She is also good with arithmetic, she paused.

He went ahead and complimented his aunt on her smart daughter, but meanwhile his senses were warning him of danger. The conversation continued suspiciously innocent as she talked about young girls and schools.

Finally she said, Well, I can see you want to know the exact reason I came, she took a deep breath. I want you to take care of Grace.

Grace? Excuse me? He couldn’t believe what he had heard.

You are her cousin and she is too young to be left on her own.

I can’t possibly take care of her.

She is in seventh grade. I checked with the local school and they will accept her. She will be at school all day and won’t be a bother. She is quite helpful at home and can help with the cleaning. She almost takes care of herself.

You don’t understand, Aunt Davila. I have a dangerous job and cannot possibly look after a young girl.

I thought you quit your job as sheriff.

How could he explain that his new job might be just as dangerous and that he was not even going to live in the same century as Grace? Just then Amy walked in. She smiled at them unsuspecting the conversation they were having. It was all going horribly. What would she say about this?

Aunt Davila glanced in the direction he was looking. Are you worried about Miss Wilson? Do you think she will not like my daughter?

No, it’s not Miss Wilson. Jeff stood and pulled out a chair for Amy.

I think you will like Grace, won’t you Miss Wilson, asked Aunt Davila.

Amy was surprised. Who is Grace?

She is my thirteen year old daughter.

Another relative of Mr. Lindsey’s? I am sure I will like her.

See Jeff, I knew it. In any case, why don’t we have dinner together this evening then you can meet her and decide for yourselves, said Aunt Davila getting up from the table.

Aunt Davila, there has to be some other person.

You think I haven’t thought about this? her voice cracked. There isn’t anyone else, Jeff. She walked away.

What was that about? asked Amy.

It is complicated, said Jeff. He had to concentrate on the job at hand, even with this extra complication. There had to be someone more appropriate to take care of his cousin and maybe his Aunt Davila wasn’t as sick as she thought.

The door to the outside swung open and Kaylie walked in.

I’ll tell you later, said Jeff.

You got here fast, Marie, said Kaylie.

Yes I saw you were finished with your conversation at the General Store, said Amy.

Yeah, not much information there. The guy said someone else works there most of the time and that maybe he had seen Vincent. I’ll go back in the afternoon and check again.

That would be Mr. Grayson, said Jeff.

Did you guys talk to the deputy? asked Kaylie looking at the dishes on the table. It looks like you were having tea instead. She sounded critical.

Jeff took a breath. He didn’t like to be judged or pushed by Kaylie, but this is the way she was with everyone. I didn’t get a chance to talk to the sheriff yet, he corrected her.

Well I hope you do it soon, you know there is an element of urgency, said Kaylie.

I am aware.

All right then. She waved at the cigar smoke that was coming in her direction from some of the fellow customers at the restaurant.

If he’s in Durango the sheriff will know, said Jeff. I’ll see if he has returned, Am… Marie?

Yeah, I’ll go with you.

Good and I’m not going to wait here, said Kaylie waving at the air. I’ll walk around and see what I can find.

Chapter