There was a slender blond at the hotel bar. Maybe a little sex would clear his head. At least he had managed to place a tracker on Scarlet’s shoe before he left. He had snuck under her car during the shootout. At least those stupid mobsters were good for one thing–a distraction.
Chapter 49
Indigo needs a liver transplant, the Commandant explained.
“Yes sir,” Jagan replied not sure of what else to say.
“Please. Call me Shanks.” He tugged hard at the sides of his shirt.
Jagan almost spit out his coffee. Not a great time for the church laugh but reaaally…Shanks? It must have been nervous laughter because he knew his uncle was in serious condition.
“I think you’d better sit down, son.” He pointed towards the chair tucked into the desk kneehole.
Jagan obliged his request and pulled the seat out. Sure, anything you say Commander Shanks-a-lot. He tried to hide his amusement. He wished Luca was here to be in on the joke. The Italian would have gone on and on with that name-Spanks for Shanks, Shanks Yanks, Shanks shoots blanks, and so on.
“What I’m about to tell you is not going to be easy for you to here. This wasn’t how I wanted to break this to you, but we haven’t much time.” Shanks went around him and pulled another chair and positioned it so he could face him.
“Am I in some sort of trouble or something?” Jagan asked wondering if this had something to do with the microchip.
“We’ve been watching you for a long time,” he explained.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“You have a special ability, one only a few have. You know what I mean.” Jagan nodded his head. “You see, you and your uncle share a gift, but with that comes a curse I’m afraid.”
“A curse?”
“Think of it like Mozart. He was the most gifted composer, one who inherited his genius, but with that came an affliction. For him, it was drink.”
“Okay,” Jagan tilted his head. He didn’t like where this was going.
“You and your two uncles are the last of the Timucuans. The Native American tribe was thought to be extinct. That is until your uncle showed up all those years ago.”
“I thought we were Cherokee,” Jagan divulged.
“That’s what your mother told you…to protect you. She knew we’d try to recruit you.”
“She lied to me,” he complained.
“She was trying to keep you safe. Understandably, she didn’t want you to become some sort of guinea pig to be used in some type of science experiment or something. We weren’t the only ones watching.” Shanks got up from his chair and lit a cigar. “You see son, I can’t authorize Indigo’s transplant unless you agree to take his place.”
Chapter 50
Scarlet got up and stared down at Indigo. Turning around she focused on Mozart. “He looks so helpless. Why aren’t they doing anything?” He simply shrugged his shoulders. “Big help you are,” she chastised.
Mozart couldn’t help but like Scarlet. In fact, he adored her. He felt a strong urge to protect her at any cost. Everything about her reminded him of his little sister–his murdered sister. Scarlet would have the SEALs protection as long as they were around and able.
“I hate hospitals,” Scarlet announced, continuing her rant. “Doctors too, for that matter. They kill more people than they cure.” Mozart stood up and grabbed the back of Scarlet’s arms. He turned her around and brought her into his arms.
“It’s going to be all right. You did this Scarlet. You saved his life.”
Chapter 51
Shanks put his cigar in his mouth and smoothed out his uniform again. He knew he had to tell Jagan the entire story, but he was worried about the time. “About twenty years ago, I was notified by the MP’s that they had found a young man wandering on base out at Camp Pendleton in California. I was just a sergeant at the time.”
“Indigo,” Jagan whispered.
“That’s right.” Shanks confirmed. “He was in a fugue-like state. He had no ID or anything on him. He didn’t know who he was at all. Total amnesia.”
“Oh my gosh,” Jagan said and covered his mouth.
“I recognized his high cheek bones and other subtle facial features. I knew he was Ticumua and that he had to be nurtured…protected.”
“How did you know?” Jagan asked. Studying Shanks’ hands he realized the answer. The liver spots were as numerous as the stripes on a zebra.
“We have a common ancestor son.”
“I see.”
“What you may not know is that our tribe shared a common disease. Geneticists call it a ‘founder effect.’” Shanks extinguished his cigar in his Styrofoam coffee cup. “We have a rare form of it. There are several other types.” Shanks rubbed his hand on his forehead and continued, “There are certain things that trigger the condition.”
“Such as?”
“Well, sunlight for one. That’s why some call it ‘Dracula’s disease’. Avoiding too much exposure is key to managing the condition.”
“You said triggers as in plural didn’t you?” Jagan was overwhelmed. He couldn’t concentrate. He had just found out his uncle was alive and that his family had lied to him and now…he had a rare disease to boot.
“Well…intense exercise and a low carb diet are also triggers.”
Jagan’s mouth shot wide open. His mother had been right about the food and the working out. He owed her an apology, but not until she gave him one first for lying. “Is there a treatment?”
“Yes, but over time the toxins accumulate in the organs and liver failure is the most dreaded complication.”
“So, why do you need me to take my uncle’s place?”
“Once his liver is removed, his special gift goes away with it I’m afraid.”
“Oh…I see. But what about my mother and my grandmother? They never got sick and they have the gift, if by the gift you mean clairvoyance.”
“Unlike some of the other types, the Ticumua disease is X-linked.”
“You lost me.”
“The disease is carried on the X chromosome. Your mother and grandmother are affected carriers, but don’t express the full blown disease. So, they get the gift with less consequence.”
Jagan stood up and blurted out. “Yes. Of course I’ll take his place. He’s served his country long enough.” It didn’t make any difference to Jagan at this point. The love of his life had her heart set on another. He had nothing to lose.
“That’s very brave of you, Jagan…but there’s one caveat.”
“What’s that?”
“You can never disclose to anyone what you are signing up for…you have to sever all ties. In a sense…you have to disappear.”
Chapter 52
The surgical staff entered the room down below. Scarlet, Mozart, and Wolf looked on during the delicate procedure. Scarlet pointed at a clear fluid-filled bag that was hooked up to Indigo and asked, “Is it supposed to be that color?”
“It looks like Merlot. What does that mean?” Mozart tilted his head like an inquisitive puppy. He was racking his brain but nothing came to mind. That wasn’t something they covered in his emergency medical training.
“I think I have an idea,” Scarlet said. “I have to go down there and warn the surgeons what’s wrong with him.”
“You can’t interrupt his surgery,” Wolf said.
“But if they give him the wrong medication, it could kill him.” Scarlet knew the wrong anesthesia could be lethal.
“Don’t worry Scarlet. I already spoke with the Commandant. They already know what’s wrong with him,” Wolf stated.
“Well, I don’t trust him for one, and for another, if they knew his condition, why didn’t they treat him before?” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted.
“I think they had their reasons. I’m not saying I agree with them.” Wolf said. We’d better stay up here until the procedure is over. You could contaminate the room. That would be dangerous for him in his weakened state.”<
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“And where the hell is Jagan?” Scarlet asked. Wolf and Mozart had an idea, but they didn’t want to share it with her, not when she was in such a fragile state.
Mozart began to understand there was something unusual about Scarlet. He couldn’t be sure, but he had his suspicions. He would confront her when the time was right.
Chapter 53
A driver opened the back door of the black Tahoe for Jagan and Shanks. “What about Indigo?” Jagan asked. Shanks explained that he pulled through the surgery and that he should make a full recovery. Jagan was thrilled his uncle would be able to go home. He wished he could be there to see the look on his family members’ faces when he showed up. The thought of them brought on a surge of guilt. He knew his mother would be devastated when she found out he wasn’t returning. There had to be some way he could notify her so she wouldn’t worry. He didn’t understand how Indigo had managed all these years without so much as a peep.
“You need to secure Indigo’s liver. The one they removed I mean.” Jagan said. He recalled the man waiting near the doors in his dream. That must have been what he was after.
“See, you’re a natural at this. I wouldn’t have thought about that.” Shanks said with that proud father type of look on his face. “Of course they would want to secure it for themselves. It’s a rare specimen. Maybe the Europeans were planning on securing the liver to harvest the disease for their own remote viewing program.”
“Look kid, I don’t have much time to train you. I’ll try to catch you up to speed with Indigo’s mission. Your mission now I mean–‘Operation Overthrow’.” Shanks pulled a dossier out of his briefcase and handed it over. He ordered the driver to take the fastest route to Dulles. “You ever been on a plane before?” he asked.
Jagan answered no without taking his eyes off the paper. “Well, it isn’t easy for our kind,” Shanks explained. “It might make you a little anxious, but you’ll get used to it.”
“Where are we headed?” Jagan asked. He had a feeling he already knew the answer. His visions were starting to make sense now.
“China,” he answered.
“Let me guess,” Jagan said. “Beijing?”
Shanks felt bad he hadn’t had time for a more proper ceremony. He asked Jagan to raise his right hand and he swore him in. “Welcome to the Corps, Agent Z.”
Chapter 54
The recruiter stopped at a used car lot and traded the Porsche for a Honda Accord. Sure, it was a step down, but at least this insured he wouldn’t be pulled over. The dealer thankfully was shady, so he didn’t seem to care the sports car was stolen. He only cared about one thing–the bottom line. He’s lucky too, because if he would have refused the trade he would have ended up with a bullet in his head.
His source at MI6 had already informed him that Jagan had boarded a jet. This was most unfortunate, but he would catch up with him soon. He arrived at the National Institute of Health and parked the car in the garage. Flirting with one of the nurses, he managed to get past security. She bought the story that he was there to visit his sick mother. What a dingbat. He made his way to a laboratory and stole a white coat and an organ cooler.
The recruiter pinpointed the surgical room using GPS. At least he planted that tracker and had a chance to complete one part of his mission. He opened the doors and announced he was there to pick up the diseased liver. “The Chief of Endocrinology wants the specimen immediately for dissection.” Unaware of the recruiter’s true identity, the nurse placed the organ into the cooler. The recruiter looked down at Indigo. If only I’d gotten here a little sooner, he thought shaking his head.
Chapter 55
Scarlet grabbed a hold of Mozart’s arm. “That’s him. That’s the guy that was following me and Jagan. I’m sure of it.” Her heartbeat doubled in speed and her thoughts raced as though she had just downed a cup of cappuccino.
“Let’s go,” Mozart announced. The SEALs and Scarlet made their way to the stairwell. As soon as they entered, they saw the suspicious man carrying the cooler.
“He has Indigo’s liver,” Scarlet yelled out. The pop of a gunshot rang out in the confined space. Scarlet’s ears rang in response to the deafening noise. She crouched down but the SEALs jumped over the railing and almost fell right on top of the suspect.
“Stop right there or I’ll shoot her,” the man said before they could rise to a stand. He had his sights pointed directly at Scarlet. The SEALs could tell that he still had a direct shot at her head. They had no choice but to let him go. “And if you follow me, I’ll start shooting the patients,” he warned.
“I’m sorry,” Scarlet said to the SEALs, knowing she had jeopardized the suspect’s capture by not taking cover. “But I did at least manage to get one thing right,” she said. Mozart and Wolf stared at each other in disbelief.
“This I got to see,” said Wolf trying to catch his breath.
“I got the guy’s picture,” she said holding up her phone.
Chapter 56
The recruiter glanced down at his cell phone–Deak Roland. That goofy looking fuck, he said aloud. He knew better than to ignore the call, but he let it ring a few times so he could regain his composure.
“Word has it that you let him slip through your fingers,” Deak stated. The sounds of a knife being sharpened resounded in the background.
“I have everything under control,” he lied. “I know where’s he’s headed.”
“You need to report back here at once. The Chancellor wants a word with you.”
“Wait. You need to let me finish. I have a special package–the liver…the only one of its kind. Give me more time to find the kid and I’ll make sure it’s delivered to you immediately.”
“Send it to our genetics lab and get your ass to Italy. We’ll take care of Beijing.”
“Understood.” The recruiter ended the call and headed towards the airport.
Chapter 57
Wolf took Scarlet’s phone and transmitted the image to Benny. “I need you to get me an ID on this guy. Find out whatever you can. Get with Homeland Security and see if you can get his picture flagged. If he’s flying somewhere, I need to know about it. Also, remember that girl you hooked up with that works at Langley? See if she can get us some intel on him. Oh and tell Cookie to meet us here. I need him for a special favor.”
“The nurse said we can see him now. He’s been moved over to recovery.” Indigo’s face lit up when he saw Scarlet. She introduced Wolf and Mozart and they all chatted for a while. Cookie came in the room and Wolf explained to Indigo that Cookie was a fellow SEAL and he was going to make sure he made it home to Georgia safely.
Indigo wasn’t used to all this attention. It was going to take him some time to get used to his new life. The chatter was gone. His memory was starting to return. He wondered if she had waited for him. He knew it was a long shot, but at least there was some hope.
“Scarlet can I talk to you in private?” Indigo asked. The SEALs obliged and left the room. “I need you to do something for me. I know it’s a lot to ask after everything you’ve done, but it’s important.”
“What is it?” she asked. She sat next to him on the hospital bed and gazed into his eyes. She was surprised at how comfortable she felt around him.
“I need you and the SEALs to go after Jagan. He’s young and inexperienced. The Commandant is expecting too much of him, especially for a mission this dangerous.”
“So that’s where he went. Is he taking your place?”
“I’m afraid so. It wasn’t my idea. I would have refused the surgery had I known. My sister’s going to kill me…when she finds out I’m alive that is.”
Scarlet couldn’t help but chuckle and Indigo did as well. “Don’t you think we might, I don’t know, hurt his feelings if we just show up unannounced, like he can’t handle it on his own?”
“Just tell him I had a premonition about it before I was cured. He’ll understand. Will you let him know something for me?”
“Sure, what’s that?�
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“Tell him not to worry about Kaya. I’ll explain everything to her.”
“Kaya?”
“Oh, sorry. That’s his mother.”
“Indigo,” Scarlet spoke softly and leaned in closer towards him.
“Yes, Scarlet.”
“You’re going back for her, aren’t you?”
Their eyes locked in a deep understanding. Scarlet nestled her head into Indigo’s chest. He moaned in pain. She apologized for being so clumsy. Indigo pulled her into him tighter. She was going to miss him so. She never had a big brother before, and now she had two adopted ones–Indigo and Mozart. She couldn’t wait to thank her grandmother. If it weren’t for her, they never would have met.
Chapter 58
The supersonic jet landed in Beijing without a glitch. Jagan apologized to Shanks for his poor aim with the barf bag. He offered to pay for the dry cleaning.
The airport was like something out a science fiction movie. Even Shanks was impressed by the architecture. The luxury vinyl tile was as smooth as glass and resembled an ice skating rink from a distance. The domed walls were covered with triangular windows that gave an open feel almost like an oversized terrarium. Shanks explained the red roof represented good luck. Jagan suspected they were going to need all they could get to accomplish their mission.
Shank’s driver, JoJo, accompanied the men. She was fluent in Mandorin and Cantonese. “Put your chin onto the headpiece,” she explained to Jagan. The computer entered his name into the facial recognition system as he had never flown before.
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