The White Limousine

By John R. Paterson

Fred Davidson has just lost his last few dollars in Las Vegas, He is understandably skeptical when he wins a trip to visit his past. With nothing to lose, Fred plays along and steps into a plush white limousine chauffeured by the amiable Eddie Strong. Fred finds himself standing outside his old university house on the night in 1950 when Kimberley disappeared. Discovering Kimberley’s fate is also the key to Dr. Lisa Edler’s time travel experiment to learn if the past be changed. Her careful plan begins to unravel when Fred disappears, and federal agents close in to shut down the project. Eddie makes a final, desperate trip, but when the white limousine returns without Eddie and a blood soaked seat, Lisa’s feelings for Eddie surface. Disregarding that she may never return to the present, she goes to his rescue. Lisa steps out of the limo into a dark night in 1950 where she fends off a blind killer, and finds Eddie seriously hurt. Lisa nurses Eddie back to health, but the pair are trapped in 1950 in Riverbend, a backwater town controlled by a delusional cult leader. After disrupting an abusive ‘priestess ceremony’ Eddie and Lisa attempt to escape. Pursued by a ham-fisted sheriff, Lisa’s driving prowess is tested. After a year, Lisa’s brother rebuilds the time machine and they return to the present. Eddie and Lisa’s child, Eloise, is born a month later. They learn the truth about Kimberley and Fred, but Eddie’s time travel induced disorientation is driving him to insanity. There is only one option.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John R. Paterson
• Release date: Aug 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370467907

John R. Paterson

John grew up in Lethbridge, a city in southern Alberta. He holds degrees from the University of Montana, and the University of Calgary. He held positions with the governments of Alberta and British Columbia in human and social services. John's writing draws from his imagination, wide range of interests, psychology/sociology background and, his work experience. The White Limousine, Paterson’s inaugural novel about time-travel, was inspired by the enchantment of Las Vegas. Two other novels not yet published, The Douglas Document – Betrayal, and The Douglas Document, Redemption, brings the colonial history of British Columbia to the present day.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The outside temperature in Las Vegas, Nevada was ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit, but in the casino where the temperature was always comfortable, Fred Davidson was sweating. The house had won the last several games, and the other two players had moved on. It was just Fred and Steve, the dealer.

Fred hunched over the blackjack table as Steve dealt the next hand. Fred’s first card was a seven, and his second card a four. It was a promising combination, and the corner of Fred’s mouth twitched with a hint of a smile. It was about time that his luck turned. He’d been playing for an hour, and unlike the previous day, the cards had not been in his favour. He bet his last chip and asked for another card, hoping for a face card or a ten. Damn, it was a six. Fred could only hope that seventeen would be enough.

Steve’s first card was the seven of diamonds. Fred’s eyes were fixed on Steve’s hand as he took his next card. Shit! It was the ace of hearts. Fred exhaled, and his chin dropped to his chest.

House pays nineteen – sorry, Steve said as he took the last of Fred’s chips.

*

As Fred conceded defeat with a shrug, Steve remembered the woman in the black dress. He’d noticed her loitering near his table earlier that day. She’d looked uncomfortable in the casino, and had waited until there were no players at his table before she approached. Her speech was formal, her accent English and she was direct.

We are arranging a surprise for an elderly colleague. This is his picture, she’d said, showing Steve a five by seven inch photograph.

Yeah, I know Fred. He’s played this table a few times in the last few days. He had a good day yesterday.

Yes, and I think that he will be back later today. When he returns, could you please give him this card? Steve glanced at the card but didn’t take it.

I’m not sure about this, it’s against the rules. A fifty-dollar bill had resolved the impasse, and she coached Steve about what to tell Fred.

As Fred started walking away, Steve said,

Hey, Fred, you did win something. Steve handed him the card with a single word in multiple colours; KALEIDOSCOPE,

Fred glanced at it. What is this?

There’s a machine in the corner of the casino, Steve pointed. This card will give you a free play. You’re guaranteed to win something, but it’s only good for the next couple of hours.

Yeah - probably a stuffed animal or some other piece of crap. Just what I need. He snatched the card from Steve, stuck it in his pocket and trudged away. Fred was a tall man, but the weight of life’s experiences had rounded his shoulders.

Fred trudged past the ranks of gaming machines. Popular themes and colourful displays enticed hopeful players. Bells rang and lights flashed to advertise occasional winners, while scantily clad ladies plied players with drinks, keeping hopes high and wallets open.

Fred paused in the middle of the casino, captivated by a bronze statue of a couple. They looked eerily real, as if frozen in time. Their faces radiated the joy of a big win. Money stuck out of every pocket, and bills even hung from under the man’s hat. The jubilant couple seemed somehow familiar, but the connection eluded him. Fred felt a strong, unexplained sense of resentment. The couple inspired hope and perpetuated the myth of the big win. The only big winner was the house. Fred cursed the iconic couple, these patron saints of the casino, and moved on.

The decline of Fred’s fortunes had begun years earlier. He’d done well when he sold his music business, but a divorce and a separation took deep bites out of his wealth. Despite those setbacks, he’d managed his remaining investments well. He was on his way to financial recovery – and then the stock market crashed. He’d never forget the despair he’d felt on that day. Fred mortgaged his home to purchase revenue properties, but a few years later, the real estate market collapsed. Factories were closing and relocating to Asian counties where labour was cheap and regulations were non-existent. He left town before creditors took his car. Fred had come to Las Vegas in desperation, and now he’d lost his last few hundred dollars. He was almost oblivious to the lights, noise, and people around him. He had no idea what to do. He was broke with nowhere to go.

His wandering eventually brought him to a corner of the casino where an unusual machine caught his attention. A montage of brilliant colours formed a circular pattern that became a vortex. The colours swirled to the center, like water going down a drain, and when the last of them disappeared, the word KALEIDOSCOPE formed in the middle of the screen, stayed for a few seconds, and the pattern repeated. Fred watched the display for a minute or so, and then he remembered the card and pulled it out of his pocket. Steve said that it was good for a free play. Fred put the card in the slot, but he didn’t have high expectations. He hadn’t eaten all day. Maybe he’d win a trip to the buffet. A flashing green button appeared in the middle of the screen. Fred touched it. There was a brief swirl of colours, and then a message appeared.

"Congratulations!

You’ve won a trip.

Please wait here. Your chauffeur will arrive shortly."

The message remained for a few seconds, and then the words dissolved and the colour show resumed. There was something captivating about the moving colours, and Fred found it difficult to look away. He lost track of time, and was still watching when a voice startled him.

Hello, Fred. I’m Eddie, your chauffeur. Are you ready to go on your trip? Fred pulled his eyes away, and looked up to see a handsome man in a uniform. He had a friendly smile on his deeply tanned face – probably in his early thirties, Fred thought. He looked the part of a chauffeur, but Fred was suspicious. Steve had given him a free card; he’d won a free trip, and now a chauffeur? It was all too easy. Fred suspected a scam.

You’re wasting your time. I’m broke - don’t even have bus fare.

No problem, Fred. This trip won’t cost you a cent, Eddie replied, his voice reassuring.

Can I take cash instead of the trip?

I am sorry, Fred, but the trip is the only prize. Eddie sounded sincere, but Fred wasn’t convinced. Fred himself was well versed in the art of deception.

If this one of those time share deals where they take you out and try and sell you a piece of desert a hundred miles from the nearest water tap, I’m not interested. Eddie laughed and shook his head,

It’s not a timeshare, Fred. We’re not selling anything and the trip won’t cost you a cent. It’s an all-inclusive deal. If you’ll just come to the limousine with me, everything will be explained. After that, if you choose not to take the trip, you can leave. If this is a scam, Eddie is playing it well, Fred thought.

I’m going in a limousine? Fred queried.

That’s right – a special white limousine. What do you have to lose? Fred watched Eddie closely. He seemed honest, and he was right. He had nothing to lose, and the thought of a limousine was enticing. Maybe it would have a bar and snacks. He could use a good single malt scotch. This is getting better all the time, Fred thought.

Sure, why not?

Eddie led him to a white limousine parked in a secluded, closed off section of the parkade. Fred had never seen anything like it. The finish was flawless, and so highly polished that it looked like milk glass. Eddie opened the rear door and Fred stepped into a luxurious private domain. He sank back into the exquisite comfort of the soft white leather seat. The partition separating the passenger and driver compartments was a screen radiating the same colour patterns as the machine in the casino. He couldn’t help relaxing, as he watched the swirling vortex. His troubles somehow seemed far away. A pleasant, female voice interrupted his peaceful interlude.

Hello, Fred.

Uh.... hello? He looked around in surprise. It sounded like she was sitting next to him, but he was alone.

Where are you – who are you –? Fred said.

My name is Lisa. Your prize is that you can travel back in time to three dates and places in your past. Fred sat in silence for several seconds. Finally, he said,

Did I hear you right - did you just tell me that I can travel back in time to three dates and places in my past?

That’s right, Fred. It’s a one-time offer.

So, Lisa. You’ve got a time machine? Fred said, not bothering to mask the disbelief in his voice.

You’re sitting in it, Fred. She sounded serious.

"This car? I mean, it’s nice and all – very comfortable – but a time machine? Fred said, shrugging.

It’s much more than just a limo, Fred.

Ok, Ok, Fred said after a long pause. He wasn’t convinced, but decided to play along. Ok, Lisa. I’ll do it, but you have to come with me. Lisa’s voice was formal, but it had a subtle sensual quality that Fred found enticing. Besides, he might as well have some fun with whatever this scam was about.

I just make the offer, Fred. If you choose to accept, Eddie will take you back.

No offence to Eddie, but I’d rather go back in time with you, Lisa.

I am sorry Fred, but that is not possible. You must decide now. Will you accept the offer to visit your past, or shall we part company?

Fred hadn’t expected an ultimatum. Scams didn’t work that way. Besides, he was enjoying the comfort of the seat and was in no rush to leave.

Could we drive around so I can think about it? This is a big decision – and I could use a drink.

I am sorry, but you need to decide now. Fred was silent. He thought that she was bluffing, but after several seconds had passed, Lisa said, All right then, Fred. Eddie will come around and open the door for you. Eddie opened his door to step out, and Fred realized that Lisa wasn’t bluffing. He could easily think of three choices he’d made in life that he’d like to have back. Why not play along and see what would happen? He had nothing to lose.

Okay, okay, I’ll accept the prize - I’ll take the trip.

Good luck then, Fred, Lisa said.

Fred sat back and chuckled. He couldn’t afford a coffee, and here he was in a luxury limousine, but he didn’t believe that he was about to re-visit his past. Time travel was just science fiction. Back to the Future was a favorite movie, but this limo was no DeLorean converted to a time machine by an oddball professor. Whatever this scheme was, someone had gone to a lot of trouble to set it up, and he was going somewhere. He had no pressing business so he might as well enjoy the ride, but it must be a scam. Las Vegas was a factory designed to separate people from their money, but the joke would be on them when they finally realized that he was broke.

Where do you want to go first, Fred?" Eddie said.

The date is May 23, 1950, 10:00 pm. The address was Fred’s university house and it was the night of their graduation party.

This will be interesting, Fred thought. He would soon learn what their game was. He relaxed in the exquisite comfort of the limo, waiting to see what would happen. The colour show came on the screen. He tried to resist, but the vortex drew him in.

CHAPTER 2

May 23, 1950

Fred felt slightly dizzy and had no sense of where he was. This is weird. He was alone, but it was such a strange sensation that he said it aloud. The feeling lasted a few moments and passed. I must have had a mind lapse, he thought. Looking around, he was standing on the sidewalk half a block from the house he shared with three other university students.

As he walked towards the house, a beautifully reconditioned 1932 Roadster parked on the street caught his eye and brought a feeling of pride. It was his car. The car was barely running when he bought it. It took him almost two years but he’d completely re-built it. Tomorrow, Kimberley and he would leave in the roadster to begin their life together. The thought of Kimberley evoked other strong feelings. I’m the luckiest guy in the world, Fred thought. He took a comb and made a few adjustments to his carefully styled hair. He smiled at his reflection in the car window.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the huge oak trees that lined the narrow boulevards. Laughter and music floated on the warm air. The tune was "Mardi-Gras in New Orleans" by Professor Longhair. Fred’s friends were standing in the front yard.

Hey Freddie, Bob called, as Fred opened the rickety gate. We were wonderin’ if you were going to make the scene tonight.

Hey, Bob, you know I wouldn’t miss our last bash before we split.

Yeah, let’s get blitzed one last time.

That’s my plan, Fred replied.

Here Fred, have a drink. We scored some special brew for the occasion. Norma actually gave him a hint of a smile as she spoke and handed him a tall glass. Fred hoped it was a sign that she was finally accepting their breakup. It had been six months, but Norma’s hurt was still raw and her bitterness had spilled over and tainted other relationships in their group.

Drink up, Fred. You’re a couple behind the rest of us, Martha said. Martha was Norma’s best friend, and she was Bob’s girl. The four of them had planned to travel together after graduation. Kimberley had ruined that plan.

Is this the high-test moonshine? Fred asked.

That’s the stuff. It has a real kick. Norma figured out how to mix it, and it goes down real smooth, Ernie said, taking a long drink. Ernie was a few years older than the others. After his first year of university, he’d joined the army and did a tour of duty in Korea. When he came back, he tried to pick up where he’d left off; to fit in with them and with college life, but it wasn’t working. What he’d seen haunted him. Ernie was bad news when he got drunk, and he was well on his way. Uh- oh, we’d better go inside, Joe said, nodding towards the street. The fuzz are casting eyeballs our way. A police car slowed as it went by.

Fred’s house was one of several student rental houses along this street. The exterior needed painting, and the weed-infested yard desperately needed tending. The owner put as little as possible into upkeep, but rent was cheap. Fred’s house had a reputation as a party place, and word was out about tonight’s event. A couple dozen celebrants were in party mode. For some, the night would be short, and the bottom of a toilet bowl would be their memory of graduation night. As they went inside, Fred caught whiffs of marijuana mingling with the cigarette smoke. He’d tried it a few times, but tonight, he’d stick with the moonshine.

Fred’s group gathered in the living room. An old door resting on cinder blocks served as a coffee table. Two weary overstuffed sofas and assorted thrift-shop chairs were arranged around it. Fred sank down into one of the sofas and looked around. It was a familiar room, but a feeling that he hadn’t been here for a long time confused him as he looked around. He remembered that all of the rooms were painted in a peculiar shade of green. They’d speculated that the landlord had mixed leftover paint together. They named the colour ‘landlord green’ in his honour. On some walls, where the sun beat through curtainless windows, there were faded patches, while in other places, cigarette smoke and accumulated grime gave it a greenish-yellow hue. I won’t be sorry to leave this behind, Fred thought.

So, Fred, are you and Kimberley ready for your big trip? Joe asked, breaking into Fred’s thoughts, catching him off guard.

What – oh, yeah, we’re all set. We leave tomorrow morning, Fred said, focusing back on the group.

Well, ring-a-ding-ding isn’t that just peachy-keen. Fred and his foxy babe, Kimberley cruising into the sunset. Norma’s voice was loud, and her caustic words sucked the celebratory spirit from the room.

Hey, Norma, cool it. No sniping tonight, Bob said, his firm tone a warning.

Speaking of Kimberley - is she going to make the scene tonight or, is she going to be a party-pooper? Martha queried, coming to Norma’s rescue.

She’s just finishing packing and cleaning the apartment. She’ll be along in a while, Fred said.

Norma’s jealous tirade dampened the mood, but liberal quantities of moonshine revived it.

Heads swivelled when a girl that Fred hadn’t seen before sauntered into the room. She wore a fashionable Marilyn style white dress, the plunging neckline generously revealing.

Hey, everyone, this is my cousin, Janet. She’s in town for a visit, Martha said.

Hi everyone, Janet’s voice was low and breathy.

Janet, take my seat, Martha said, standing. I’ll get you a drink.

Janet took Martha’s place next to Fred. She sat and crossed her legs, the dress riding up to mid-thigh. She made a show of pulling it down. Martha returned a few minutes later. She had a tall glass in one hand and a pitcher in the other. She handed the glass to Janet, and topped up Fred’s glass from the pitcher.

As the evening progressed, the mood in the group was a mixture of laughter and tears. College life had ended. They were excited about their futures, but sad to be leaving the friends that they’d made and good times that they’d shared. Some had jobs, others were looking, and a few planned to travel. They promised to keep in touch – a few would. Norma and Martha kept the drinks flowing.

Squeezed in next to him on the couch with her leg pressed against his, Janet was hard to ignore and most of the talking. She was only here for a few days and then she’d go back home to California. He should give her a call if he was ever in Santa Barbara.

It was getting late. Where was Kimberley? Fred thought. Maybe she’d decided not to come. She didn’t really like these parties. Martha came around again with the drink pitcher, and Janet kept talking to Fred, ignoring Ernie’s attempts to get her attention.

An uneasy feeling nagged at Fred. Norma and Martha were unusually quiet. Norma liked to be the center of attention, but tonight she was playing hostess. He’d dated her for over a year, and had learned that she had a mean streak and an unforgiving nature. Fred was sure that Norma was up to something and whatever it was, Martha would go along. The drinks had gone down too easily, and Fred was feeling the effects. He put his glass down and pulled himself out of the couch. When he stood, he wobbled unsteadily.

Hey, Freddie – Janet had taken to calling him that – Let’s go out on the porch and get some air. The smoke in here is getting to me, Janet said. Fred turned to face her. Her dress was up to mid-thigh, revealing shapely, tanned legs. She held out her hand. Fred took it, and overestimated the amount of effort required. As he pulled her up, her momentum carried her forward, bumping into him. Fred stumbled backwards, tripped, and fell, sprawled on the floor. Janet came down on top of him. Their faces were inches apart and she was in no rush to move. Her scent filled his nostrils, and the warmth of her body was enticing.

Fred glanced up and saw Norma watching. Her cynical sneer gave her plan away. Fred pushed Janet away, got up, and stumbled outside to the porch. He leaned over the railing and took deep breaths of the cool night air. Janet was behind him, her hand resting on his shoulder.

Fred, what’s wrong? Fred shrugged her hand away, turned to her and said,

Leave me alone, Janet. Norma’s little scheme isn’t going to work.

Janet wasn’t used to such a rude dismissal. She spun around and stormed back in to the house. The fresh air helped clear Fred’s head, and a few minutes later, Fred saw Kimberley coming up the street. He stumbled down the porch steps and ran to meet her.

Hey, Babe am I glad to see you! Let’s get something to eat, and then crash at your place so we can get an early start tomorrow.

*

Kimberley was surprised to see Fred running to meet her. Tonight, she’d expected him to party with his friends. Tomorrow, they’d leave college behind and start their life together. Until Martha called and extended a special invitation, Kimberley hadn’t planned to attend the party, but something was up. Martha was a willing follower of Norma, and Norma was still stewing over Fred breaking up with her. She was not beyond seeking revenge. Curiosity, and concern for Fred, won out and she decided to go.

Fred’s group thought that she was a prude because she studied hard and took only an occasional drink, but neither they nor Fred knew why. Her parents and many of her relatives were heavy drinkers, and she’d grown up in poverty. She could still hear the taunting voices of her classmates ridiculing her shabby, hand me down clothes. She wanted a better life, and had left home at fifteen – hastened by the unwanted attentions of male relatives.

Kimberley was determined and resourceful, supporting herself with minimum wage jobs. With the support of a teacher, she finished high school, and then saved enough for university. It took her longer – working part-time while taking full course loads, but she’d made it. She had her degree and was prepared to move to wherever she could get a job. Their plan was to look for possible places to settle on their trip.

Okay, Fred, I am hungry. I didn’t have a chance to eat with the packing and all. You look like you’ve had a few. I’ll drive.

Let’s walk, Fred said. It’s only a few blocks and I could use the air. Besides, it’s a beautiful night."

*

They walked hand in hand, enjoying being together in the coolness of the night. I almost ruined things, Fred thought. If I hadn’t pulled away when I did, Kimberley would have seen me with Janet. That would have ended it. Kimberley had made that clear from the start.

The first time that Fred saw Kimberley was in the library when he was studying with Norma. When Kimberley walked past their table he couldn’t help staring. A few days later, he saw Kimberley again and followed her to one of her classes. Fred was good looking and usually at ease around women, but he felt awkward and tongue-tied when he introduced himself. Two weeks and three chance encounters later, Fred asked her out for coffee. When he walked her back to her residence, she said,

Thanks for the coffee Fred, but I don’t date guys who are going out with someone else. It’s been nice meeting you.

Fred tried but he couldn’t forget about her. He had no idea if Kimberley had feelings for him, but he knew that he had to break it off with Norma. Norma didn’t take it well.

He waited two weeks after his breakup with Norma before he asked Kimberley out. Three dates later, he didn’t know where he stood with her. She seemed interested, and wanted to know all about him, but she kept her distance, never talking much about herself. After the movie, they walked back to her residence. Neither of them spoke,