The Enigma Wraith

“Petra, I am sorry to interrupt you, but this is what looks like another of our strange code exercises. This guy contacted us on Otto’s number. He wanted to speak to Otto, but I said you were helping out while Otto was on an extended vacation. Do you recall a Gary Kibben from a trip to Texas with Otto? He claims he met you when Otto took you on a motorcycle trip around Texas.

“He and his son Evan apparently own a winery. He said he had contacted Otto some time ago for a recommendation on some technology additions to monitor soil moisture for his grapevines. Otto had recommended some programs and connections that were a bit over Gary’s price tag, so he ordered something online he thought was similar. However, now they have a weird issue, as he put it.”

Petra paused for a few moments, then replied, “I do recall going to a barbeque restaurant with a gentleman in Texas after he had helped us. Like always, Otto struck up a conversation and we were invited to Gary’s property where we pitched our tents for a couple of nights. The property was pretty, and Gary spoke about his sons. I can’t recall his sons’ majors in college, but Gary, I think, was an architect. Nice man. It doesn’t surprise me that he and Otto kept in contact. Otto has never met a stranger and always takes care of his friends.”

Petra remembered that wonderful summer trip she and her dad had taken through Texas. They had rented Harleys in Dallas and just gone riding for two weeks, camping out and meeting some very memorable people. Petra’s Harley had gotten a flat tire just outside of a small town in Texas, and that had grounded them to a halt. They decided to call for a tow and perhaps enjoy some local food while the tire was repaired. Cell phone coverage was a little spotty, and she was having trouble calling the emergency towing service when a man stopped his pickup truck just behind them, then kicked on his emergency lights to alert other drivers of a problem.

Gary introduced himself and offered to take them to the garage in town. Otto was apprehensive about leaving the gear on her Harley unattended, so they put all of her stuff in the back of the pickup. Otto followed Gary into town on his Harley. They’d made arrangements for the tow of Petra’s Harley. The owner of the garage thought he would be able to get it fixed the next day or the day after that at the latest. The local restaurant was the next stop as Gary and Otto quickly became friends. During dinner Gary had mentioned his son and the property he had purchased with some wild idea to maybe grow some grapes and perhaps make it into more. His son Evan had fallen in love with the property and been out every chance clearing the land and learning all he could about grapes.