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    Q-23: A Novel of Espionage and Racqueteering
    Q-23: A Novel of Espionage and Racqueteering
    Q-23: A Novel of Espionage and Racqueteering
    Ebook91 pages56 minutes

    Q-23: A Novel of Espionage and Racqueteering

    By Paul R. Theroux

    2.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Paul R. Theroux was educated as a chemical engineer, and following service in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, pursued a career as an insurance industry executive. He currently lives in Florida and has been an avid world traveler and tennis player. Cousin of authors Paul, Alexander, and Peter Theroux, this is his first novel.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLiberty Tree Press
    Release dateOct 1, 2013
    ISBN9780988655669
    Q-23: A Novel of Espionage and Racqueteering

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      Book preview

      Q-23 - Paul R. Theroux

      KURT STRONG knew something was bothering his opponent. Usually, Roger Pate extended himself to maximum effort and concentration—but not this evening.

      After scores of 6–2 and 6–1, Kurt started around the tennis net to change sides for the third set, when Roger startled him with, Let’s call it enough. I’m sorry, Kurt, but I’m way off somewhere.

      Okay, Kurt conceded grudgingly. He disliked attaining what seemed like only half a workout, and they had twenty-five minutes remaining of the one and a half hours they had reserved at the indoor tennis center. In the three years they had been pounding a ball at each other, Kurt couldn’t remember Roger not wanting to play until the last minute. In fact, that was one reason they had such good matches; they both went all out to win, and neither wanted to give up a point without a struggle.

      Roger seemed to sense the question in his friend’s mind. You’re right, Kurt. I’ve got a problem that’s bugging me. Let’s go for a beer, and I’ll tell you about it.

      Infrequently, after a game at the indoor tennis center, they dropped by the Side Door Bar and Grill. Infrequently because Roger wanted to get home to his wife and two young kids. Kurt was single, a bit younger at twenty-six, and he would have preferred a visit to the Side Door Bar and Grill follow each tennis session. After three of their normally hot sets of tennis, it was the time he most enjoyed a cold draft beer. Also, he liked Roger, who reminded him of a big friendly dog with his enthusiasm and excitability. A chemist, Roger was the chemical research manager at a sizeable conglomerate—Benson & Co., just outside of Chicago.

      After taking a long satisfying drink from the frosted mug in front of him, Kurt prompted, Well, what’s this problem you were talking about?

      Roger didn’t respond immediately. His usually friendly face looked deadly serious, and he studied Kurt’s eyes for a moment. Finally he blurted out, Hell, I shouldn’t be telling you my troubles. It’s just that I’m up against something that has me up a tree, and I don’t know what to do. He paused.

      Trying to be helpful, Kurt offered, Is it trouble at home?

      No, everything is fine at home. It’s at work. They’re trying to pull something I don’t like. In fact, they’ve already done it. He paused again, scowling intently into his half-empty mug of beer, as if the problem was hiding somewhere in the light-brown liquid. His six foot two, two hundred-pound body was tautly hunched in the secluded booth they had selected in the nearly empty tavern. Kurt waited patiently until Roger continued. I know you have a law degree, and while you’re not in active practice, maybe you can give me some free legal advice. He smiled briefly, without any mirth. The lab project I’ve been working on for the past year was an improved shaving cream, one that would soften the beard so a razor blade would cut through whiskers like they were made of soft butter. About four months ago, it happened. Roger’s eyes seemed to ignite as he looked up, recalling the thrill of success. I finally came up with a combination that did just what we wanted. Even a relatively dull razor blade would produce a clean shave, with no stress or strain on the face.

      Sounds great, Kurt inserted.

      Yeah, if I had let it go at that—but I had to go and fuss with it some more. Roger’s face screwed itself into a wry, disgusted expression. If I had just quit while I was ahead, everything would be okay. Soly was happy as a lark. He’s my boss. So I should have let it lay, but I figured I could make it even better. He paused and drained his beer mug.

      I’ll get some more beer, Kurt offered, as he picked up the two mugs and stepped up to the bar.

      With the refills in front of them, Roger continued. "Well, anyway, I kept adding more and more of this one ingredient. It’s a new kind of softener I found. Finally, I had it. Formula Q-23 not only softened the whiskers, it actually made them disappear! What do you think of that?" he demanded.

      Come on, Kurt laughed. "What do you mean, disappear? Sounds like you invented vanishing cream."

      Well, in a way it is, ’cause it does make whiskers vanish. That’s the beauty of it. Roger was enthusiastic. It seems to affect only hair. Doesn’t hurt the skin at all. I tested it on myself—no problems. It removes the hair all the way down to and including the roots. That’s the biggie; it removes the roots. Until now, the only hair-removal method that removed the hair root, or hair bulb, was electrolysis, and that method has its drawbacks, including some pit-like scarring, time involved, and high costs. There have been some other cream-type hair removers, but they don’t compare with Q-23. It’s permanent hair removal with one application.

      Wow! Sounds like you really have something. You and your company should be happy. So what’s the problem?

      "The problem is that Benson & Co. is a conglomerate. When I brought Q-23 to Soly, my boss, he was amazed, but he didn’t seem pleased. He told me to keep it quiet. About a week later, I pinned him down. It seems our big moneymaker is razors, razor blades, and everything else that goes with shaving. Soly

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