Cellar Door

Chapter Seventeen

Following an intense interrogation by military police, Clu returned to the house shortly after nightfall and went straight to his room without speaking to anyone. He was sound asleep the next morning when Ethan knocked on his door to inform him that he'd missed breakfast. "You had a long day yesterday," Ethan said, as he walked into the room, "so, I let you sleep in. We can go to brunch if you're hungry."

Clu sat down on the end of the bed and said nothing. Sensing that something was wrong, Ethan reached around behind his back and closed the door. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"The military police recognized me from a missing person report that was filed before I left the hospital," Clu said. "They took me to the barracks to ask me about the aircraft. I told them it's mine."

Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief. "What did they say?" he asked.

"They wanted to know how it works," Clu said, as he raised his eyes to meet Ethan's. "I don't know anything about aircrafts except how to fly them, so I lied."

"Did you tell them about the transvector?"

"No," Clu said. "They never mentioned such a thing, so I have reason to believe that it's still on-board."

"They must have searched your aircraft from nose to tail when they got it," Ethan said. "Where would the transvector be?"

"I can't tell you."

"Of course," Ethan said, as he rolled his eyes. "Anyway, have you figured out how you're going to get your aircraft back?"

"Yes," Clu said, "and it will be easier than I thought. They arranged a meeting for me to meet Mr. Melvin Hupfeld at nine o 'clock tomorrow morning. All I need is one good distraction for them to leave me alone with my aircraft, and I can finally go home."

"Do you want me to do it?"

There was a sense of mischief in Ethan's voice. "I don't have anything else to do," Ethan said, after a moment of silence, "and if they arrest me, oh well. At least I won't have to deal with my overbearing father anymore."

Clu was at a loss for words. "I don't want you to go to jail on my account," he said, after a moment of thought, "but, there is something you can do to help me."

"What?"

"Behave."

Ethan was temporarily stunned; then he said, "Fine. I planned on taking a drive to Bondi Beach to do some surfing before the weather turns cold. Would you like to come?"

"I don't know how to surf." Clu admitted.

"I'll teach you," Ethan said, as he turned and opened the door. "It's not that hard."

It's not that hard, Clu thought, as he followed Ethan out into the hall. It's not that hard.