A.D.A.M.

by Melissa Caudle

Agent Turner, Agent Morrison, and Lieutenant Commander Anderson entered the room.

  Dr. Bradford glared toward the General who sat behind his desk. “General Anbar, I have an update on my research.”

  “That’s excellent news. I’m sure it will please President Corbin.”

  “I’m not here to please the President. I’m here in the interest of science. However, I think you’ll be pleased to know the specimen is alive and is evolving. I’m also certain the specimen is not a threat.”

  “How can you be certain of this?”

  “The microbes in Mono Lake have been here for thousands of years. If any of them were a danger, humanity wouldn’t be here. With that said, this specimen is evolving; you already know that. For my research to continue, it is imperative that no one enters my lab under any circumstance. I cannot risk contamination of the environment. During the next phase of my research, I am going to transfer the specimen into the larger tank and monitor it. I want to see what it does, in a larger environment contained in the water in which it came.”

  “Carry on Dr. Bradford. Please be extremely cautious and don’t hesitate to alert Major Dwyer or Sergeant Merritt if that thing becomes a danger.”

  “You won’t have to worry about that. I do want to live.”

  “Dismissed Dr. Bradford. Return to your quarters for lunch. In one hour, you’ll be escorted back to your lab.”

  Agent Turner, Agent Morrison, and Lieutenant Commander Anderson sat across from Jessica and Rebecca.

  The Commander fixated his eyes on Rebecca and cleared his throat. “Rebecca, we need you to talk with Jessica and tell her the seriousness of the situation she’s in.”

  “I’m sitting right here. Don’t talk as if I’m not.” Jessica crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Jessica, do you know why I’m here speaking with you?”

  “Do you think I’m stupid, Commander Anderson? You want to know where the rest of the samples are and if I don’t tell you I’m going to jail.”

  “You are smarter than you look.”

  “I take that as a compliment, but you can just hold your breath. I’m taking the fifth until I see Dr. Bradford. Wait!” Jessica glanced over at Rebecca and smiled. “I’m taking the fifth until we see Dr. Bradford.”

  “Miss Newcombe, how do you feel about Jessica’s request?”

  “Honestly, I’m for it. Neither one of us knows if Dr. Bradford is alive or dead.”

  “Would it make you feel better if we allowed you to talk to her on the phone?”

  Jessica puckered her lips. “Oh, it would make me feel better, but it won’t get me to tell you where the samples are. You know my demands. We see Dr. Bradford alive and in person.”

  “In addition, I get to bring a camera and record her interview. If these two demands aren’t met, I support Jessica all the way. Am I under arrest?”

  Agent Morrison’s brow creased. “No, Rebecca, you’re not.”

  “That means I’m free to go, right?”

  “And leave me here with these goons all by myself. Rebecca, you can’t do that.”

  “I can help you better on the outside.” Rebecca stood. “Don’t worry Jess; I’ll get you out of this mess.” She glared toward Agent Morrison. “Let me know when you decide I can see Dr. Bradford with Jessica.” She quickly took her leave.

  Agent Turner nodded to Agent Morrison. He retrieved a syringe from his jacket and then jabbed the needle into Jessica’s neck.

  Jessica’s head fell forward onto the table.

  The Commander stood. “Nice work agents. I think Rebecca fell for the trap. You know what your orders are from here. I’ll have the helo ready.”

  On the outskirts of New Orleans East in an abandoned warehouse, Patrick slept upright in a rusty aluminum chair with his hands tied behind his back and his ankles duct taped together. His left eye was swollen shut, bruised, and had a small amount of blood dripping from it.

  The metal garage door clanked open causing him to strain. The bright sun burst into the darkness as Ryan and Spike entered.

  Ryan stood over Patrick and slapped his face. “Wake up sleeping beauty.” He hit him again.

  Patrick moaned and shook his head. “Where am I?”

  Spike stepped forward. “You’re not a very smart one, are you?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Leave him alone, Spike. Let’s tell him why he’s here.”

  Patrick winced in pain.

  “We need your help.” Spike spat on the floor. “Actually, the government needs your help.”

  “They could have just asked.”

  Ryan grinned. “It’s not exactly the thing they want everyone to know. The government selected you to participate in an experiment. We need someone on the inside.”

  A black stretch limousine pulled into the warehouse.

  Spike strode over to it and opened the passenger’s door. Out stepped Dr. Lamia Gilbreth, a petite woman all of five feet and four inches with short silver hair. “Where’s my patient?”

  “This way Doctor.” Spike led her to Patrick.

  “Good afternoon; I’m Dr. Gilbreth.”

  “Am I supposed to be impressed?”

  “I don’t give a damn, and when I’m finished with you, you won’t give a damn either.”

  Ryan darted his eyes toward Dr. Gilbreth. “We’ve followed your instructions and gave him the dosage.”

  “Good. Bring me my medical bag. It’s time to reprogram him. Excellent work; I think he’s going to prove to be perfect.”

  Patrick winced in pain. “Go to Hell.”

  When Dr. Bradford returned to the lab, she immediately noticed the white sheet that covered the tank protruded upward like a tent. “What the Hell?”

  “Dr. Bradford, is that you?”

  She bolted for the tank and jerked off the white sheet. Her jaw dropped as her eyes widened. “Impossible.”

  To her disbelief, the infant transformed into a five-year-old boy, and he sat waist deep in the tank. “Dr. Bradford.”

  Dr. Bradford reached out and touched the boy on his shoulder. He shivered and flashed a thin-lip grin.

  “How is this possible?”

  “I am growing older?”

  “That’s not what I meant. How are you alive and breathing?”

  “I do not know. I only remember taking my first breath; it burned.”

  “Let me get you out of there.” She lifted the boy, placed him

  on the science lab table, and then wrapped him in the sheet toga style.

  He immediately swung his legs.

  “Who are you?”

  “I do not know.”

  She looked over to the tank. “I’m going to apologize first, but in the interest of science, I have to do this.”

  “What Dr. Bradford?”

  “I don’t know what is going on, but you morphed into a human being, and now you are growing. I have to remove the picture from the tank.”

  “You do not like the picture?”

  “I love the picture. It’s of my son.”

  “I do not understand.”

  After going to the tank, she closed her eyes and gently peeled the picture from the tank. “Please, still be there.” She took a deep breath and counted to three before she opened her eyes.

  “Dr. Bradford, I am still here.”

  A tear fell from her eye as she stood and gazed at the young boy.

  “Now what am I going to do with you?”

  “I can go back into the tank.”

  “No. Somehow, someway, I’ve got to keep you hidden. I need you to listen to me very carefully and do exactly what I say. Do you understand what I am telling you?”

  “I understand everything, Dr. Bradford. I am of higher intelligence than you humans.”

  “I’m dreaming, aren’t I?” She pinched her arm and then pinched his. He pinched her back.

  A knock on the door sent her scurrying to hide the young boy. She picked him up and placed him in a lower cabinet by the sink. “Stay here and don
’t make a sound.”

  He blinked, smiled, and nodded.

  “Don’t be afraid either. I’ll be right back.”

  “I am not afraid of the dark.”

  She closed the cabinet door. Her heart raced as she strode to the tank. “Shit. Just another minute. I have to secure the specimen.” She quickly returned to the cabinet where the boy hid and opened it. “I have to take the sheet. I’m sorry.”

  He nodded and handed it to her.

  After she covered the tank with the white sheet, she knocked on the lab’s door. “The specimen is secured; you can come in.”

  Major Dwyer stepped in carrying a laptop computer. “I believe you ordered this.” He handed it to her.

  “Thank you. It will come in handy to record my research.”

  “Is there anything else you need?”

  Dr. Bradford lifted her brow. “As a matter of fact, I am about to start the next phase of my experiment, and I can’t leave it unattended. Can I have a cot, sheets, a blanket, and a pillow brought in here? I plan on resting as I time each stage.”

  “I’ll put in your requisition.”

  “One more thing. I need to go to my quarters and change clothes. I spilled a chemical. Can you take me?”

  “I’ll have Sergeant Merritt escort you.”

  “That would be fabulous.”

  He opened the door. “Are you ready to go now?”

  She glanced around the room and took a deep breath. “Yes, let’s make it quick, and please don’t let anyone inside of this lab.”

  CHAPTER 9 - UNIQUE

  The black helicopter lifted over the Belle Chase Air Base and headed northwest. Inside, Jessica lay unconscious on a gurney, and Agent Morrison and Agent Turner sat buckled next to each other.

  Agent Turner took a deep breath. “Here we go again. I won’t ever get used to this.”

  “It takes me back to my days in Afghanistan. The only difference is we’re not being shot at.”

  “I suppose I should find that somewhat comforting.”

  “Beats sitting in the truck on a stake-out.”

  “For once, I agree with you. Do you have any idea what they are going to do with Jessica?”

  “Besides kill her when they get the information they want, not a clue.”

  “Poor kid.”

  Dr. Bradford entered her quarters and faced Sergeant Merritt. “I won’t be long. I just need to change clothes, and then I’m back at it.”

  “Take your time. I’m on duty for the next six hours.”

  Dr. Bradford nodded her head and gently closed the door. Immediately she took off her lab coat and removed her blouse. After retrieving a T-shirt from the dresser, she slipped it over her head, and then another. She quickly put her lab coat over her T-shirts and then buttoned it.

  A knock on the door sent her bolting for it. “Just a minute. I’m almost dressed.”

  “We have a special delivery for you.”

  “Hold on.” She slowly opened the door. “Giles, what on earth?”

  “Your cot, sheets, a blanket, and a pillow.” He placed the items inside her door.

  “I need those brought to the lab, not my quarters. I will be doing timed experiments that must be under constant supervision.”

  “I will take them there now.”

  “Wait! I’ll come with you. I’m ready.”

  Giles picked up the items and headed toward section five. Dr. Bradford followed with Sergeant Merritt at her side.

  “Giles, this means a great deal to me, but when we get to the lab, nobody can come in. I can’t risk cross-contamination. I hope you understand.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Rebecca bolted into KWNC and headed straight for her desk. She rifled through the contents. “Damn it. I know I wrote that down. Where is it?” Her brow furrowed as she continued to search for the note. She paused her search as she took a deep breath. After several seconds, she picked up the phone and dialed.

  “You’ve reached Stephen Stone Diamond. I’m currently off-air, but if you have a news tip, please call the tip hotline. Thank you for calling.”

  “Damn it.”

  Henry entered and approached Rebecca. “Have you heard from Patrick?”

  “Not at all, and frankly, right now, I have bigger fish to fry.”

  “Are you on another story?”

  “Same one. The FBI is still holding Jessica Parker, and I need to find out where they are holding Dr. Bradford. I need to call in a lot of favors. Do you know any senators or a congressman?”

  “You know that answer. My sister is married to Mitch Landry; he’s in my speed dial.”

  “Call him. I need to get information about what they really do at Fort Huachuca and where they took Dr. Bradford. I think her life is in danger.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Then do it, Henry. Now! Get me a goddamn appointment.”

  Stephen Stone Diamond drove up in his Lexus to the New Orleans FBI headquarters. I must be crazy. He parked his car and powered down the engine. He looked over at the envelope on the passenger’s seat that Jessica sent him. His heartbeat increased as he opened it. He read the letter Jessica wrote to him again. “Damn it! I guess I’m Han Solo, after all.” He retrieved the piece of paper he took from Rebecca’s desk and read it. If this was important to her, it has to do with Jessica and Dr. Bradford.

  Ryan tapped on the driver’s car window.

  Stephen crumbled the paper and then rolled down the window. “Can I help you?”

  “You’re Stephen Stone Diamond.”

  “I am, and you are?”

  “Agent Ledford. I listen to your show all the time.”

  “Thank you. Hey, do you know anything about where the FBI took Dr. Bradford? I’m trying to get her on my show.”

  “Good luck with that one. Wherever they have her, you won’t find her.”

  “You have connections, can’t you help me out?” Stephen handed Ryan his card. “If you hear anything in the wind about her whereabouts, please call.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Dr. Bradford took a deep breath as she closed the lab’s door. Just inside, the cot and the supplies she ordered rested against the wall. On her desk, a plate of beignets caught her attention. After she shoved her desk in front of the door to block it, she strode to the cabinet where she hid the young boy. “Please don’t be afraid; I’m back.”

  “I’m not afraid, Dr. Bradford.” The boy’s tone muffled from inside the cabinet.

  She retrieved the white sheet from the tank and returned to the cabinet. After kneeling, she slowly opened the door. “This is impossible.” Her eyes widened as she lifted her brows. “You have grown to the size of a ten-year-old human male.”

  “Hello, Dr. Bradford, it is good to see you again.”

  She grinned at the young boy, and he mimicked her.

  “Dr. Bradford. It’s been a long metamorphosis.”

  She covered his body with the sheet and then extended her hand. “Let me get you out of there.”

  “I am fine. I am not cramped like in the tank.”

  “No, you’re not fine in there. Come on.” She grabbed his hand and assisted him out.

  He dropped the sheet and stared at her.

  Dr. Bradford peeled off her lab coat and one of the T-shirts. “Here, wear this. You need to cover up.”

  Frozen in his stance, he tilted his head in confusion. “Why do I need to cover?”

  “Because you can’t be naked?”

  “I do not understand. I was born into this covering. I like it.”

  “You’ll still like it when it’s covered.” She quickly dressed the boy in the shirt. “There, that’s better.”

  “If you say so.”

  “You do realize I question my sanity because of you?

  “No need. Sanity is within you. I am glad I am no longer left unoccupied.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I am a life form am I not? That is what you call me. I consist of organi
c compounds like your carbon unit.”

  “Carbon unit. Oh, you mean what we are comprised of.”

  “I am like you. Am I not?”

  “You’re not like us at all.”

  “You are not pleased with my carbon unit? I can change into something else.”

  The young boy morphed into a liquid translucent shape that shimmered beneath the fluorescent lights.

  “No! Stay just like you are.”

  “We are more alike than you want to believe. Do I frighten you, Dr. Bradford?”

  “No. I’m confused by you. I don’t understand your special qualities. Please look human again.”

  “Special?” The boy morphed back into his human representation.

  “Unique. One of a kind.”

  “My name is Unique?”

  “You do not have a name.”

  “Why do you not name me? Major Dwyer has a name. You have a name, Dr. Bradford. Why can’t I have a name?”

  Before Dr. Bradford answered, a knock on the door interrupted her answer. “Just a moment.” She placed her finger over her lips. “Shhh.”

  On the other side of the door, General Anbar pounded his fist. “Open this door. Somebody get this damn door open.”

  Dr. Bradford quickly escorted the boy to the cabinet. “I’m so sorry I have to do this. Please get in and be very quiet. Do you understand?”

  The boy nodded in affirmation and crawled into the cabinet. He sat humped with his knees up to his chest as he gazed at her with a silly-stupid grin.

  “Remember, not a word.” Dr. Bradford gently closed the door. She raced to cover the tank with the sheet. “I’m coming; I have to secure the specimen.” She shoved the desk to unblock the door and opened it.

  General Anbar red-faced, clenched his teeth and huffed. “What in the hell do you think you are doing?”

  “Securing a scientific study environment from contamination. Each time you or anyone enters my lab, they risk contaminating it. Have you forgotten all the protocol in your training?”

  “There is no protocol for this!”

  “For you maybe; but as long as I’m in charge of this research, I call the shots.”

  “You’re not in charge.” General Anbar approached the tank.