I left the mansion in the country as unobtrusively as I had come. Anna was safe and at least a little justice had been done. I got back to Philadelphia in the early evening and to my surprise I found both Anna and Kevin fast asleep.
It was tempting to just sit and watch her sleep, but my curiosity about something else wouldn't let me miss this opportunity. I went back out into the main room and approached the Jurassic monolith of a computer that dominated the top of a stylish end table. I pulled a screwdriver out and undid the screws on the side of the CPU. That done I slid an entire side panel off the computer.
I backed up a step still holding the panel and simply stared at the maze of wiring and I don't know what else inside the body of the old computer.
"What is all that?"
I hadn't even heard Anna walk up. Her question was a good one.
"I don't know, but I know what it's not. It's not Windows 95. Do you buy stuff, mechanical type stuff for Kevin?"
"Yes it's his favorite thing to do. He's always dragging me into hardware stores and auto part stores. Is that part of my toaster?" She asked pointing at an object.
I nodded.
The boy was MacGyver on steroids! We looked at each other in unison and then back at the packed contents of the CPU.
"What does it do?" Anna asked softly.
"I'm not sure, but I'll bet there are no patents pending for anything like it. Anna I think Kevin has created an entirely different computer platform that doesn't rely on ones and zeros."
"What does that mean?"
"Again I'm not sure, but I think it would be a good thing if we didn't tell anyone yet."
Anna nodded and in a tone of wonder said, "My son is a genius!" As if she was just now realizing it.
I glanced at her, "I'm sure his mother had a lot to do with that."
She smiled, "Words spoken like that will get you a lot in return Nikolai."
"Anna."
She looked at me, "You're safe." I said.
Her lip quivered a little and she nodded as her hand found mine and held it tightly.
"Anna are you sure you still want me?"
She stepped around in front of me and her fingers interlaced behind my neck.
"More than ever Nikolai!"
I looked deeply into your eyes and could discern no lie to be found there.
"Would you like to go out for dinner and a movie?" I asked a little unsure of myself.