Time passed excruciatingly slow for Lucas during the following month. First he had to wait a couple of weeks before buying the plane tickets to avoid raising red flags to the people monitoring his moves.
During that time Vega came to the conclusion that, for those same reasons, it was better for both of them if she didn’t accompany him to Cincinnati. She wasn’t absolutely sure whether David or Mr. Martin at the office were in on it or not, but thought it was better to play it safe to avoid arising suspicions from them.
Lucas had a lot of time to ponder his travel options and finally settled for Chicago. He had been there for business before so he knew the city well and most importantly, had a history to back up his new trip there in the eyes of those tracking his moves. Also, he thought it would mask his true destination better than Detroit because, although the distances were quite similar, Chicago was in a different time zone and had the whole state of Indiana between itself and Cincinnati.
Before the self-imposed two-week waiting period had expired, Lucas got another letter from Edwin Moon acknowledging receipt of his response and confirming their meeting at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on May 18. A few days later he went online and bought himself a round-trip ticket to the Windy City. He also booked a car rental for two days with return to the same location.
Finding a hotel took a bit longer. Since, in all probability, his every move was being monitored, he needed something that would signal he was going to stay in town while providing him easy access to I-94, the route he had to take out of Chicago towards Indiana on his way to Cincinnati. He didn’t want to add any unnecessary time to the 4½ hour drive. After some patient search, he found what he, and his budget, were looking for at the Crowne Plaza in the West Loop area and made reservations for two nights.
For the next two weeks Lucas and Vega went through all the possible scenarios and planned for each one of them. Lucas felt very confident when he boarded the flight to Chicago that Saturday, May 17, 2008. He was already in his seat when a woman in her mid twenties and an athletic build placed a weekender type bag on the overhead compartment and sat in the seat next to his. He was prepared to face the possibility of him being followed the whole trip and immediately tagged her as an agent of whatever government agency was tracking his actions.
“Business or pleasure?” he asked her.
“Business,” she said courtly.
“Same here, business on a Saturday. I’m in advertising. Clients don’t know the meaning of the word weekend,” said Lucas trying to get her to spill whatever cover she was using.
“I do most of my work during weekends,” she said with a small smile that lighted up her stern face.
“Really, what is it that you do? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“I’m a professional soccer player. I’m on my way to Chicago to join the Red Stars.”
“The Red Stars? I’m not familiar with them.”
“It’s the city’s entry in the new Women’s Professional Soccer League.”
“Wow, I didn’t know about it. Good luck…” Lucas extended his hand to shake hers, “my name is Lucas Adrich, consider me a Red Stars fan from now on.”
“Thanks, but be aware that the first season starts next year. I’m Megan… Megan Rapinoe by the way.”
If this was a cover it was a pretty risky one; too easy to corroborate whether her information was false, thought Lucas. She must be the real thing. He wondered if she would end up being one of the league stars. He considered asking for her autograph just in case but desisted from the idea.
The flight was uneventful and he arrived at O’Hare Airport in Chicago right on time. He followed the signs to the car rental companies, and 45 minutes later left for the Crowne Plaza Hotel on a silver Toyota Camry.
He was too excited about the next day’s adventure so he hardly slept that night. It seemed like he had just closed his eyes when the alarm clock went off at 5:00 in the morning. After showering he had a hotel bedroom coffee that tasted like dirty water and got on his way. He had to leave no later than 6:30 to make it to the game before the 1:15 start time. There was a one hour difference between Chicago and Cincinnati and leaving at that time would give him an hour to spare for any unforeseen events.
Driving through Indiana got to be extremely boring with flatlands as far as the eye could see, but it was a beautiful day for baseball with clear skies and gorgeous 66° weather. He was already on I-65 heading south when he realized it was already mid-morning and he hadn’t had breakfast. He stopped at the next rest area near Lafayette and got himself an egg and bacon sandwich with some more coffee. After a quick restroom pit stop he was back on the rented Camry approaching Indianapolis at 65 miles per hour.
Two hours later he pulled into one of Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark parking areas, never noticing the car tailing him, a nondescript gray sedan with a middle-aged couple inside that looked like anybody’s next-door neighbors. They watched him step out of the car before following him inside the park.
Once inside the ballpark, Lucas had to ask directions to the suite 110. When he finally got there, the old man was waiting for him outside. To Lucas he resembled the actor that played Batman in the 60’s TV series.
“Ed?” asked Lucas as he approached the man.
“Lucas I presume,” answered the man extending his hand to shake Lucas’.
“Yes Ed, thanks for the invitation. This ballpark is absolutely gorgeous. Like a temple for baseball.”
“Please call me Neil, there’s no need for subterfuge anymore,” said the old man with a smile. “Let’s go in. Would you like a beer?”
Ha! I knew it! You’re Neil Armstrong, thought Lucas but instead said “Love one Neil, thanks.”
“Two Hudys Al”, the old man told the suite attendant as they entered.
“Hudys?” asked Lucas.
“Hudy Delight, Cincinnati’s very own light beer,” said Neil. “Would you prefer something else?”
“No, a Hudy would be perfect.”
“Let’s seat outdoors. The day is too nice to stay inside,” said Neil leading the way.
“We’ll have more privacy out here; don’t wish to be overhead by the suite attendant,” he said once outside. “By the way, great pitching matchup today Volquez versus Lee, the two teams’ aces.”
Once they took their seats the game started and with it the most fascinating three hours Lucas had ever experienced in his lifetime.
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