I apologize for taking so long to get this chapter done. Unfortunately, I broke two fingers and sprained my wrist on my left hand, the good one. It's taken quite some time to recover. Hunting and pecking on this story proved to be hard labor given all the errors. But here it is at last with one last chapter to complete. Hope you enjoy the journey.
Please feel free to drop me a line.
"What does it say?"
"It's from the Undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security asking me to call him immediately. Which I am about to do."
I went up to my loft where the computer was on and humming. I wanted to privately record the call for further reference so I set up my wifi to my phone and turned on the speakers. To be honest, I was nervous having never called the DHS before. I made the call. A Mr. Wales answered.
"Hello. Is this Ray ____, of ______, _____, _____?" (Redacted)
"Yes, however, I have a new address. How can I help you?"
"I'd like to ask you some questions about malware that you found and reported to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security division."
"Sure, what would you like to know?"
He then proceeded to follow a script of detailed questions, which I answered as fully as possible. I told him of the methods I used to contain and secure the malware from the host server, how I took it offline, copied the root directory to a sandbox, how I ran checksums on the server and on the sandbox and there I detected an anomaly. Without going into technical stuff, I explained each step and what remedies I designed. After nearly ninety minutes, he thanked me and said that he would be getting back to me but did not say when.
"What was that all about?"
"I don't really know. We went over some malware that I found on a client's server and how I isolated it and sent it to the government for identification. It turned out to be a piece of Russian malware. This happened several weeks ago. This Mr. Wales, the Undersectretary of the Department of Homeland Security wanted to interview me about it. Like I said, I don't know why. Things like this eventually come out eventually. Time will tell."
"I bet they want to give you the Medal of Freedom or something like that. I would, you know. You are my hero."
The next few days were busy between going back and forth to the storage units and shopping for supplies for the new house. Fortunately, it rained for a few of those days so we spent them indoors putting things away and moving furniture. My man-loft was shaping up. I had a second identical Eames Lounge that we brought over enabling me to put one in the loft. It's my favorite "creative" chair.
Sam asked Jane to set up a simple rental agreement for Ella and Lou, who gleefully signed it and proceeded to move in. We helped break in their bed.
Yes, things were busy around the houses. Several times, the doorbell rang. It was neighbors welcoming us and inviting us over. One neighbor was a well-known sculptor, now retired, who had several permanent installations in big cities around the world. She lived with a famous architect. Another neighbor was a member of a rock band big in the seventies and eighties. I asked him to come by some time and jam with me. Everyone seemed pleasant, relaxed and welcoming. Already, I liked this neighborhood.
Elaine flew in on Monday and took an Uber over to our house. Sam had prepared lunch and we anticipated a lively week.
"Wow, this place is great. You have some beautiful view. The landscaping in this neighborhood is gorgeous; it's like a tropical jungle! I like. The pool is private. I love this. Now show me around the house, please." Sam gave her the grand tour while I settled in my chair and looked out the window.
As they came out of the bedroom, Elaine asked, "What are you going to do with the atrium?"
"I don't know. We haven't thought about it yet."
"I have ideas I'll share with you." As they moved into the living room, she said. "And there is Ray in his favorite chair. Some things never change. And what's up there?"
"Oh, that's Ray's domain. I haven't been up there yet."
"Go look," I said.
They went upstairs. I heard them murmuring quietly, or perhaps, it was conspiratorially. When they came back downstairs, I quickly cut them off. "I promised myself I would try to get my mojo back. I'm just waiting for some inspiration."
"We didn't say a word"
"I'm going to see the property tomorrow. Will you guys come with me?"
"Sure, E. Maybe we'll take our friends and neighbors and tenants who also have a house under construction on the island."
"Sounds like a plan. And now, I'm making dinner!" In the kitchen, I pulled out the red beans that I bought in Trader Joe's that had been sitting in water over night. I threw them into a pan and let them sauté a few minutes. Then I threw in rice, water, my secret spices and covered the pan. Then came the andouille sausage I had shipped from Louisiana. That I sautéed at high heat until I turned them brown. By then, the rice was done. I put the red beans and rice in a serving bowl, mixed in the sausage and set it on the table. I pulled a cornbread from the oven. I made three Bloody Marys. "Ladies," I called, "Dinner is served."
"What smells so good?" and "Wow!" rang out as they entered the dining room.
"Et les bontemps roulez!"
I think that the Bloody Marys with horseradish and a celery stick was the winner. I had to keep pouring.
The rest of it wasn't too bad either, if I do say so myself. Now that dinner was over and the kitchen was cleaned up, I excused myself to go for a stroll.
"Wait," said Sam, "we'll all go and fart together."
