A private detective faces a bizarre and life-threatening situation when he realizes that his own family may be trying to kill him. After surviving three near-fatal accidents at home, he suspects either his wife or son is behind the attempts on his life. The detective, Frank Foley, grapples with the unsettling notion that his family, whom he believes to be loving and supportive, could harbor such dark intentions. As he investigates, a mysterious client named Angus W. Haney enters the scene, claiming to be an inventor working on a time machine. Haney reveals that his great-great-great-great-grandson, who exists in the future, is using mental suggestion to manipulate Foley's family into attempting to kill him. This grandson, trapped in the present, wants to prevent Haney from completing his invention, fearing it will disrupt the timeline and his own existence. Foley is torn between the bizarre claims of his new client and the reality of his family's behavior. He is offered a lucrative contract to protect Haney and his invention, but the situation becomes increasingly convoluted when he is approached by the grandson, who offers him a substantial sum to destroy the time machine instead. As Foley navigates this tangled web of time travel, familial loyalty, and survival, he finds himself caught in a physical confrontation between Haney and his descendant. The climax unfolds in Haney's basement, where the time machine is located. In a chaotic struggle, the machine is ultimately destroyed, leading to a profound realization for Foley: he is now trapped in a reality where time travel is impossible, and he is left questioning his sanity. The narrative explores themes of family, trust, and the consequences of tampering with time, culminating in a twist that leaves Foley isolated in a world that dismisses his experiences as madness. The story concludes with Foley's acknowledgment of his unique position as the only one aware of the truth about time travel, while everyone else remains oblivious to the reality he has lived.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1993 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Science Fiction