Terms (The Experiments Book 3)

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Go on.” Jake said.

  “You’re listening. Good.” Greg winked. “Secondly, we have a research study. Since your wife fits the criteria, and she fits that criteria because of us, we’d like to call upon her as a test subject.” Greg watched the facial reaction of Jake. “Before you get upset, look at the doctor’s orders for your wife. Rest. Take it easy. The study is the perfect medicine for the prescription. It is merely a two week study. We can do our testing while she participates in this study.”

  “What is this?”

  Greg gave a nod to the contract he handed Jake. “Read. It’s from the American Obstetrician Associations. Surely they wouldn’t want to see a woman harmed. Basically it’s an effects and cause stress test.”

  Jake read through the first page and flipped to the second. “This makes it sound like a vacation.”

  “That’s pretty much what it is. We are testing a wide variety of things that may affect the emotional state of the pregnant woman. From rich foods, pampered bath products, lounging in the sun, to movies. And she won’t be alone by any means. She will be isolated for two weeks from you, but there will be seven other expectant mothers. Caldwell employees, you can even send Rickie for assurance if you like since he works for us. Two weeks. On a research island of ours just two miles off the coast by Hilton Head North Carolina.”

  “What’s the catch?” Jake asked.

  Greg snickered. “No catch. Well, Cal doesn’t get paid like the other seven women. Jake . . .” Greg leaned into the table. “I suggest you agree to this and speak to your wife. I also suggest that you make it seem like it was your idea not ours. Helping us out so to speak.” With a smirk Greg lifted his hand.

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Why wouldn’t you? I would think you would want to be agreeable. In fact, I would think Lt. Col. Graison, that you would want to be very congenial about anything we ask of you for three years.”

  “Why is that?” Jake asked smug.

  “Because I don’t think you really want to force our hand on certain painful issues of section fifteen . . .now do you?”

  Jake exhaled heavily. Contemplation of calling Aldo immediately raced through his mind.

  “Now in all seriousness.” Greg said. “I have bases covered. So if myself or anyone I know ends up with say, a bullet in their head, or their car exploding . . .”

  Jake’s head went back, his eyes rolled slightly and he tossed his hand in defeat.

  “Thought so. Hands tied. Now . . .” Greg sighed out. “Do we have a deal.”

  Jake spoke in a near gravel manner as he leaned into the table. “How come I have this feeling that this isn’t going to be the last time my hands are tied, and I’m agreeing to something that I’m gonna regret?”

  In response, Greg only smiled.

  ^^^^

  Aldo’s comment of ‘fuckin’ worm’ caused the front desk woman to look up suddenly. He moved Jake away from her earshot. “Say the word, Graison. He won’t be a problem.”

  Jake exhaled. “OK, listen. I was thinking maybe you could threaten to pull your investment.”

  “Won’t work.” Aldo stated.

  “Why? You’re the biggest backer.”

  “Yeah, but after his recent fanfare experiment, Haynes got people breaking down their doors. The threat of my pulling is no longer a threat.”

  “Fuck.” Jake closed his eyes in disgust.

  “My lawyers already looked at the contracts. You don’t have a shot in hell of beating this thing in court.”

  “I know.”

  “And there are other things they can force as well.”

  “I know that too. So basically . . . I’m fucked.”

  “No.” Aldo shook his head. “Who’s gonna force the issue if Haynes disappears off the face of the earth.”

  Quickly Jake looked up. “As appealing as it sounds, the talkative bartender pretty much let Greg know something could happen. He’s a smart man, he’s covered it.”

  “Well, at least that talkative bartender won’t be a problem anymore. He’s gone”

  Horrified Jake looked up.

  “Fired, asshole. I had him fired.”

  “Oh.” Jake nodded.

  “I don’t trust this. Haynes has a plan. This contract holds a lot of leverage and he knows it. The two week vacation study is nothing but a first coating sugar glaze to hide the rest.”

  “He doesn’t need what that contract states he can have.”

  “Exactly.” Aldo agreed. “He’s using the contract to get what he wants.”

  “That would be?” Jake asked.

  “The next experiment to start immediately.”

  “Can he do that?”

  “Oh, most definitely.” Aldo replied. “And he has. In my opinion, Iso-Stasis fourteen is well underway. The game, as we investor call it, has already begun. Only the game needs a good pawn. And my friend, that pawn . . . is you.”

  “No. No way. What for?”

  “Better to ask, what is the Iso-Stasis experiment.” Aldo said. “It is a series of what?”

  “Physical and mental endurance tests.”

  “That’s right.” Aldo pointed. “So why not put you through a series of mental and physical endurance tests.”

  “It’s sounds far-fetched. If he wanted my participation, why didn’t he just ask?”

  “Why?” Aldo asked with a laugh. “Because if you knew you were going to be tested would you let it show the effects?”

  “No.”

  “Exactly. And in my opinion, again this blackmailing you with the contract is a small mental endurance. I’m trying to figure how they’re gonna test you mentally while she’s away.”

  “The absence?”

  “Nah.” Aldo said. “No way. You go away too much on your job. There has to be something else. A catch.”

  “See, that’s I thought. There has to be a catch. The deals too sweet. But what is it?”

  Aldo lifted a finger when his phone rang. “Hold that thought.” He answered. “Hello. Hey . . . no. No need to go up there, he’s right here. Hold on.” He showed Jake the phone. “It’s Cal from the hospital.”

  Jake took it. “Cal, hey babe, I’m sorry I got hung up. I’ll be right there. How’s Billy?”

  “Not good, Jake. His fever spiked, his mood is down and lungs are filled.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. What did the doctors say?”

  “He’ll pull through, but right now, he’s not doing good. Took a turn last night.” Cal responded. “I feel bad, Jake. We’re leaving in a couple hours. He needs us. What do you think about leaving Rickie here for support?”

  “Billy doesn’t need Rickie, Cal. You know that.” Jake breathed heavy. “Why don’t you stay a few extra days. I’ll head on home, me and Rickie will get things done there.”

  “Jake . . . I can’t. It wouldn’t be right. Not with me leaving for this pampered puff study for Caldwell. I wouldn’t see you.”

  “Cal?” Jake snickered. “We just spent seven months side by side. We’ll handle it. Plus, I’ll see you before you go. Maybe only a day or two, but I’ll see you. Billy needs you.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  “Positive. And I’m giving Aldo back his phone. I should be there shortly.”

  “OK.” Cal said. “Oh, one more thing. Even though it’s a pampered study, I know you’re worried about me.”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, you don’t have to. Guess what? You know that little research island they’re sending me to.” Cal’s voice seemed to smile over the phone. “Billy is going there for his bionic testing. He’ll be there the whole time with me. Isn’t that great?”

  Jake’s eye closed. “Swell.”

  “What was that?”

  “Nothing. See you soon.” Jake beeped off the phone handed it to Aldo. “Thanks.”

  “Problem?” Aldo asked.

  “Billy took a turn for the worst. Cal’s gonna stay behind and be support for a couple days.”


  Aldo stared. “I know the situation, Jake. I know there’s some closeness that bothers you, but, don’t let it. A couple days. No sweat.”

  “Oh, this hospital stay isn’t bothering me. Not at all. It’s the fact that Caldwell is conveniently sending Billy for his leg testing to the same place Cal is going for that study. He’ll be there the whole time.”

  “Ouch. Seclusion.”

  Jake quickly looked up.

  “Hey, we wondered what the catch was.” Aldo lifted his hand. “There’s your catch. Slight mental endurance experiment on you. But the bright side is, you know about it. You know they’re testing you. No sweat. Unless of course they really throw those two together some way. Then, you know . . .” Aldo shrugged. “You might have a little mental endurance obstacle called . . . trust.”

  Jake agreed, not with words but with a simple grumble.

  Cedars of Sinai Hospital - Los Angeles, CA

  August 29th

  Cal repeated her actions, looking like a nervous criminal more than a hospital visitor. And in a sense she was.

  She’d do the same thing. Glance at her watch, look up to a sleeping Billy, then over her shoulder to the door, and back to Billy again while she tapped her fingers a few times on the bed in the waiting moment before she’d repeat it all over again.

  The tiny footstep in the room made her jump, and Cal turned fast in her chair. She breathed out and grabbed her chest. “It’s you. Thank God.”

  Aldo walked in, “I moved as fast as I can. How is he?”

  “His fever went down, but he’s still out of it as you can see.”

  “And as you can see.” He lifted a silver suit case then set it down next to Billy’s bed.

  “I thought for sure Haynes was gonna beat you here.”

  “Nah.” Aldo shook his head. “I had someone watching him.”

  “So you did it?” Cal asked.

  “Yep. Every piece of paper, disk, photo negative and video . . . . copied.”

  “And you . . .”

  “Made it.” Aldo pulled up a chair. “We got the case to Jake in time. I mean just in time, it took a lot. He was boarding. He has it now. So it’s safe.”

  “Thank God. I mean, he made the deal. No pay, he gets his story. He got his story Aldo. That was seven months of a lot of work. I think he’ll be very happy to find out we did this, don’t you?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Aldo said. “I believe so. It’s one thing to not deliver the story, it’s another thing to not have it. So whether or not Billy uses the information. His loss, his work, will not be in vain. We got it. We got a copy of it all. Or shall I say, Jake has a copy of it all.”

  Cal smiled. “Safest place.”

  “Best place. I have to tell you, Cal. Good thinking on your part. If you wouldn’t have thought of copying that, Haynes would have ended up with that case, and every ounce of information and evidence Billy collected would of been lost.”

  “Still, Aldo, what good is that case gonna do. Contract signed, and as hard as this is to believe . . .” She glanced at Billy. “He sold out.”

  “His story yes. But I have a feeling that information will come in handy. Real handy.”

  “You think Billy might end up using it?”

  “Or Jake.” Aldo mumbled.

  Cal curiously looked up. “What do you mean, why would Jake need that case?”

  Aldo hem-hawed around. “Well, I just mean it’s evidence. Now, it may not be useful evidence any longer in one aspect. Such as, the story. But . .. . down the road, it may be useful evidence in another aspect. Just in case, one of you develop post traumatic stress disorder and you can go back and see where it occurred.”

  Cal snickered. She thought it was funny, but consumed with other thoughts, she didn’t really pick up on what Aldo was saying. Of course, Aldo knew he wasn’t being clear, and was perhaps being a little mystical. But that was fine with him. The documents, evidence and so forth were copied and they were in Jake’s hand. And as he told Cal ‘down the road they could be useful’ Aldo wasn’t exaggerating. More than she realized, he spoke a truth.

  Orange County Airport - Los Angeles, CA

  August 29th

  Greg smiled pleasantly as he stood by the conveyor belt watching the silver case run through the x-ray machine.

  “Ironic,” Dr. Jefferson said. “Perhaps the second time it was examined today?” He made reference to the case.

  “Actually.” Greg gave a nod and a smile to the security woman and took the case. “Third. We had to go through it again ourselves. Doesn’t look like anything was tampered with. I didn’t think it would be. That wasn’t the purpose for them stealing the case.”

  “Why am I getting the feeling what they did doesn’t shock you?” Dr. Jefferson wondered.

  “It doesn’t. I expected it. I thought for sure they would have thought of it right away . . .” Greg snickered. “In fact, I started to get annoyed at the length of time it was taking for them to think about copying the case. I was starting to think I would have to drop . . . hints?”

  “So this doesn’t worry you?” Dr. Jefferson asked as they walked the terminal.

  “No not at all.”

  “Even with Jake having the case. He may someday find, how can you say, a defense?”

  “Nah. The core of the information won’t even be seen, because the surface of it all is so . . .” He whispered out in a snide way. “Tasty.” He watched Dr. Jefferson shake his head. “You’ll figure out what I mean. You can say their little, ‘copy the case behind Haynes back’ . . .” Greg winked. “Played right into my hands.”

  Fayetteville, North Carolina

  August 29th.

  There were some bags to unload from the car that brought him from the airport, but it wasn’t much. After paying the driver, Jake stood on the walkway to this home.

  He stared for a moment before heading up to his house. A weird sense hit him.

  Normalcy.

  So many mental endurance experiments, so many projects that took him away for weeks even months at a time, experiments were second nature to him. But Jake couldn’t recall ever getting bombarded with such a sense of return to normalcy. He felt it even more as he stood at his front door.

  Even after the last Iso-Stasis experiment, Jake didn’t feel it. Then again, Jake wasn’t living in his house either. He had base housing, it was far from a home. He was overwhelmed because he had built such a life for himself, and he realized that right there and then. He also realized how alone he was going to feel. Prior to Cal, being alone was never even a thought, because he had always been alone. It wouldn’t be long that they’d be apart. He’d stay busy and occupied. But that still wouldn’t stop him from missing her. Something he had already started to do. It was going to be a long few days until she got back, and an even longer two weeks while she was on that study. How quiet his life would be.

  “Dude.” Rickie stood behind Jake. “Dude, you gonna get the door or what? I have to pee really bad.”

  “Rickie.” Jake reached for the door.

  “No guy, I’m like ready to water the plants if you get my drift.” He watched the door open and Rickie blasted in past Jake.

  The bags nearly topped from Jake’s hand. He shook his head listening to Rickie’s pattering feet, and radical screaming of, ‘I’m not gonna make it, I’m not gonna make it.’

  Not worrying about the bags, Jake walked to the security keypad and punched in the code. The beep of which rang out simultaneously with Rickie’s long sigh of relief.

  Grumbling, Jake walked across the foyer, got a grip on the bags and closed the door. The house didn’t smell stale, and he was grateful for that. Chuck, his life-long friend must have done the task asked and aired things out.

  He flicked on the lights to brightened the dimming evening. On the table in the foyer he saw a stack of mail next to the phone. “Christ.” He lifted up the note on top by Chuck telling him that the stack was just a preview. While he was standing there, Jake picked up the phone. He liste
d to the series of beeps that told him he had messages. It was odd, but thinking that maybe Cal called, Jake accessed the voice mail.

  “You have three hundred and forty-one messages.” The voice mail said.

  “Fuck. Fuckin’ asshole, he didn’t check my voice mail.” Not bothering, Jake immediately hung up and dialed again. “Hey Chuck. What the fuck? You were supposed to check my voice mail.”

  “Um, hello?” Chuck laughed. “No how are you? Nothing like that?”

  “Not when I find out I have three hundred fuckin’ messages. I fuckin’ paid you to take care of this shit.”

  “Let’s try again, Jake. You’re talking to me, you haven’t seen me in seven months and . . .”

  “Chuck. What? You want me to get sentimental?”

  “Might be nice.”

  “Fine. You’re a good friend. I’d love to see you.”

  “Jake, that’s nice.”

  “Yeah. Love to see you come over here and clear off these three hundred fuckin’ messages.”

  “Add some beer and pizza and I’m there.”

  Jake grumbled. “Chuck.”

  “Jake, Jake, Jake.” Chuck snickered. ‘It’s good to have you back.”

  After another grumble, Jake hung up the phone.

  Chapter Three

  Cedars of Sinai Hospital - Los Angeles, CA

  Billy was to have the best. Cal requested that, and so did Caldwell, but somehow the best didn’t quite extend to the food. Still sleeping after being hit with a super dose of antibiotics, Cal stared at the tray of food that perched upon the bedside carousel. The wheat colored plastic cafeteria tray. The tiny carton of milk, cup of coffee and tin covered plate.