Link to beginning of story:
https://steemit.com/fiction/@justephen/justin-time-chapter-1-an-original-novel
Link to Chapter 30: A Close Shave
https://steemit.com/fiction/@justephen/justin-time-chapter-30-an-original-science-fiction-novel
Chapter 30 Review:
Larry Van Morrison is losing his patience and his vitriol against William and Katherine has grown to epic per-portion. Katherine reminds Justin, Kirstin and Blair about the pool party on Saturday. Connie, Justin's old nurse was invited also. Justin has to go back 18 years and see Madam Clearvision for the third time.
Chapter 31: Eavesdropping
Traveling back 18 years once again, Justin made his way into Madam Clearvision's empty shop where he found her behind her curtain sitting at her small table drinking some hot tea.
Justin sarcastically said, "I hope those aren't the 'special' tea leaves you're drinking from. I wouldn't want you to lose out on your extra ten dollars."
"Oh hi Mr. umm..What should I call you?", nervously replied Clearvision.
Justin ignored her question and got straight down to business. "Here is another set of instructions."
He handed her the envelope and waited for her to review it.
"This is lengthy.", she commented. "Also, this isn't a prediction. It is more of a demand."
"Whatever it is, you must do precisely what is asked. I don't care what you think it is."
Justin could here the bell ringing as someone was entering the door. "I have to leave."
Justin rushed out of the door and accidentally bumping into Mark Hannity. "Damn. No apology or anything.", yelped Mark.
Justin walked around to the back of the shop once again and he could hear Mark saying ,"Madam Clearvisoin?"
She answered from behind the curtain, "I will be with you. Please give me a moment."
Justin stood next to the vent in the back and after about 15 minutes he heard, "Are you read..."
"Sorry Mr. Hannity.", interrupted the Madam.
"With the advise you give, you have no reason to apologize. I am ready for the big score now!", said Mark.
"I have something very important to tell you Mr. Hannity. It is complicated and you will need to take notes. I had an incredibly clear vision last night and we need to discuss it.", she said.
"I am ready!", Mark said enthusiastically.
"Please sit here and I will start.", she said.
Madam Clearvision began. "You will not find this as good news. I am sorry. You are about to be summoned as a juror. It will be a very high profile case and you must get on the jury."
"What kind of case and why must I do it!", he argued.
"This is a case with a well known scientist who will be accused of several crimes. You must convince the jury that she is not guilty."
"And what if I don't?", Mark asked?
"Then your mother will die a painful death.
"What?!", he yelled. "How do you know? Is that a threat?"
"No. Mr. Hannity. It is not a threat. In the future your mother will have a severe stroke. It will be debilitating and very painful. The scientist's name is Katherine Time. In the future, if she is found innocent, she will create a drug that will reverse the stroke. In other words, not only will your mom be free of pain, she will be back as healthy as she was before the stroke."
"How do you know?", he demanded.
"These visions just.."
"Come to you.", he finished "Yeah I know. But why me? I can't believe this.”
"My best recommendation at this point is try to be the jury chairman."
Justin couldn't believe what he was hearing. He couldn't believe that he had influence on his mother's trial. That the whole trial was resting on the ability of a 'Get rich quick', kind of guy. 'This man doesn't have what it takes to persuade a jury. Yet, he has no choice.', thought Justin.
Justin was so lost in the conversation that he forgot he had to get back. So, he hurried back to the field and waited.
Upon arriving he saw Kirstin and Blair.
"How was your trip?", questioned Blair.
"It went well. Mark Hannity didn't like what he heard, but I think he knows he doesn't have much of a choice."
"Whose Mark Hannity?", asked Kirstin.
"He seems to be a key player in this web. I will explain it in more detail later tonight hun.", responded Justin.
"Wow. You seem to have this time traveling thing down.", remarked Kirstin. "You can get rich from this discovery. Are you going to announce your discovery now?"
"Absolutely. I will be ready in just three days.", Justin responded with an expression and body language that indicated he was being sarcastic.
"Quiet!", yelled Blair suddenly.
Blair walked over to the wall mounted clock. He lifted it from the wall. On the back side he saw a small chip. He then detached it from a protruding wire.
"We were being bugged. Someone has been spying on us!"
"It appears they found the bug." said Frank Knuth in a closed door meeting.
The small meeting of Eugene, Elroy, Dr. Filbrick and Frank Knuth was taking place in a private conference room.
Ignoring the fact that Blair found the bug, Dr. Filbrick yelled, "Did you hear that? He is going to announce his discovery in three days! We need to hurry!"
As panic was setting in, Dr. Filbrick grew hostile. "We need our project completed now!”
Trying to be as calm as possible Elroy said, "It should be completed and ready in just a couple days. We have 23 technicians working around the clock. Once the science is understood, it is actually not to difficult to build."
"My bigger concern", interjected Eugene, "Is your progress with the meditation and dream control?"
"Don't worry about me. I will be just fine.", shrilled a desperate Dr. Filbrick. "I will be ready. You just make sure the time device will be ready. I will give you two days to complete it."
"Don't you think you are trying to go too quickly.", interjected Eugene. "Although your progress is good, we can't afford you traveling prematurely. The consequences could be disastrous."
"We don't have the luxury of time!", yelled Dr. Filbrick. "I will be ready. Also, we need to record this event. We will call the local news and announce our discovery immediately after I arrive back. Now everyone leave and don't bother me. I will be busy."
"Who would want to...", started Kirstin.
"Shh..", said Blair quickly as he started inspecting around the basement.
After a few minutes Blair said, "Okay. We are good."
"Who would want to bug us?", asked Kirstin.
"Everybody", responded Blair.
"Looks like I will need to do a forensic inspection on this place."
The remainder of that day and evening was spent examining Justin's home. Blair shared the event with a few friends of his who specialized in this type of investigation. They found that the bug device used was a common one and it could of come from any electronic store. All finger prints turned out negative with the exception of Justin, Blair, Kirstin and Katie. Justin and Kirstin took Katie for a walk and a bite to eat while Blair was working. It was late in the evening now and Blair's was finally finished.
"Who ever bugged you was a true professional.", said Blair.
"The only thing new that we founds was that Katie was most likely drugged when you found her on the couch."
"You knew something was wrong the other day when we met up here. You just couldn't figure it out.", commented Justin.
"He did. Didn't he?", chimed in Kirstin. "That is amazing."
"Yeah. But you get accustomed to it.", added Justin.
"Now that the excitement is over. Shall we all meet here tomorrow morning for the next set of instructions?", asked Blair.
"Make sure Justin doesn't do anything stupid between now and tomorrow.", Blair added.
"I don't want to be responsible for that. Justin is on his own. Besides, opening day of my play is this Friday and I have to prepare some more. Justin will be there. It would be nice if you can make it there too.", asked Kirstin.
"I'd love to go. That sounds fun. Well, I will see you both later."
Kristin approached Justin. Her face was three inches from his as she put her arms around his neck and pulled him close. She kissed him softly, yet passionately.
"I love you. Let me know how tomorrow goes."
You may want to refer to Chapter 11:
https://steemit.com/fiction/@justephen/justin-time-chapter-11-an-original-novel