‘Caldwell Research Sees Success Again.’
The article was brief, and mentioned that Caldwell was wrapping up Iso Stasis Thirteen. No mention of Jake Graison or his part in the experiment. However, about three articles over there was mention.
‘Lt. Col. Jacob Graison to be honored by the President.’
Carter smiled. He read how Jake was invited to the White House to attend a dinner and was going to be honored for his service and commitment to the US Army.
It didn’t give many more details, but it was a Jake article, one Carter would save.
He wondered if Jake’s wife even knew about it. Just to be sure, he sent a message via his handheld unit.
Inform Mrs. G of the Article in Times. Pg 7. Just to be safe.
He checked the agenda, Mrs. Graison, or Mrs. Iso as Carter called her, was set to land any minute.
He felt a sense of control knowing what they did, when they did it, and without their knowledge.
Every move.
Learn.
Beat.
“Sir?” The stewardess called his attention.
“Yes.” Carter’s smooth voice responded pleasantly.
“Do you need anything?”
“No. Everything is fine.” He looked down to the newspaper with a smile. “Just fine.”
***
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Although sleek and convenient, Cal was convinced the worst thing in the world, the worst invention ever made was the cellular phone. She lived without one for a really long time, and she would have never imagined in a million years that Jake, Mr. ‘I still think a typewriter is the way to go’, would worship the cell phone.
As expected, the second Cal stepped off the plane, and turned on her phone, was the second it rang.
“Yes, Col Graison, I have indeed landed,” was Cal’s greeting.
“Your plane was three minutes late,” Jake said.
“No Jake, it wasn’t. I was three minutes late. I waited to be the last to leave. And where are you? Aren’t you supposed to be picking me up? How come I can’t see you?” she stood on tip toes looking about,
“Office. Yes. I’m not there,” Jake responded.
“What?” Cal asked.
“I got held up in a meeting. I’ll be home shortly after you get there. Adams should be there. He’s my new secretary.”
“Another one?” Cal asked. “Gees, Jake, what the hell do you do to them?”
“Cal, the Army moves them on. Do you see him?”
“No.”
“Look to your left.”
Cal slowed down and peered to her left. There, standing by a podium was a uniformed soldier. He waved. Cal returned the wave. “Jake? How did you know that he was to my left?”
“Cal please, I’m like God. I’m everywhere.” Jake said.
“Oh my God. You made a joke. I’m so proud of you.” Cal approached the soldier.
“Thanks. But in all seriousness. He’s on the phone right?”
“Yep.”
“That’s me he is talking to. I’ll see you at home. Oh, Cal. Chuck recorded all the episodes of Survivor that we missed.”
“Really? That’s great. Did you watch them?”
“Hon, there is just something not right about watching Survivor and making fun of it alone. See you soon.”
“Bye.” Cal hung up the phone. “Adams.”
“Mrs. Graison ma’am. It is my pleasure to escort you home.”
“It is my pleasure to take the ride.”
The specialist took her carry-on bag. “Just so you know, ma’am, you are not as large as the colonel described you.”
“Excuse me?”
“Yes ma’am, Colonel Graison said to look for the short women with a huge pregnant belly.”
“He did, did he? Thanks.”
“Not a problem, ma’am.”
Cal knew she’d be seeing Jake shortly after she got home, and she made a mental note to bring that little ‘huge’ item up to him.
***
By the time Cal made it home, she had a plethora of mental notes. There was something odd about the new secretary. It was the fifth one Cal had seen Jake go through in their years together, but it was the first one who was extremely talkative to her. Not only talkative, but talkative about Jake.
She would have had Adams carry the bag to the house, had Rickie not barreled out the front door, down the grass, arms waving as he shouted, “Mom!”
Cal welcomed Rickie’s greeting.
“Cal-Babe, I had missed you. And my almost siblings.” Rickie bent down toward her stomach, and placed his face near. “Hey there little dudes, did you miss me?” Rickie jumped back. “Man that one just nailed me.” Rickie snorted a laugh. “Come in the house I cleaned.”
“Did you?” Cal asked.
“No, actually my new friend Sss Bill cleaned up. The Sarge said that I have to make sure the house was clean, so I did.”
“You mean Jake didn’t clean up this morning?” Cal asked as she walked in.
“Oh yeah, but Sss-Bill and me had a little Java the hut Pizza Party in the house. Sarge came home, and freaked out.”
“Sarge always freaks out.”
“Yeah, I know. The nets back. You can email now.” Rickie allowed for Cal to enter first. “Sarge wasn’t happy about the net being gone. He wasn’t able to check updates on Guns R Us.” He snickered, turned, and closed the door. “You hungry?”
“Actually yeah I am.”
“Come to the kitchen oh, vessel of babinos, Me and Sss-Bill made some snackaronis.”
“When do I meet him?”
“He’ll be by tonight.” Rickie laid his hand on Cal’s back. “This way, in case you forgot.”
The front door opened with Jake blasting out. “Rickie! Did you not see me walking up the walk.”
“Oh hey Sarge. I did see you walking up the walk.”
“Then why did you close the door?”
“So the cold air wouldn’t get in, Sarge. You’re always telling me, Rickie close the door. I do and man, you’ve been picking on me lately. I’m so glad the Cal-Babe is home. She can protect me.” He hurried behind her.
Cal folded her arms.
“Cal,” Pleased, Jake laid his hands on her shoulders, leaned down and kissed her. “Uh-oh. What did I do?”
“Jake, did you describe me to your new secretary as short with a huge belly?”
Jake paused.
“Jake?”
“Adams is fuckin’ fired.”
“You did!” Cal gasped.
“Cal please. I believe I used the term extremely overly extended belly.”
“You dick!”
“What?”
With another gasp, Cal turned and stormed to the kitchen.
“Cal, what is with this attitude?” Jake followed her to the kitchen.
“Um, hello.” Cal said as she stood by the island, made a dramatic stop.
Rickie responded. “Hello.”
“What?” Jake tossed his hands outward. “Oh, you’re upset because I made a stomach reference.”
“You made me sound huge.” Cal leaned in toward the counter.
“Are you denying that you are quite a bit larger than you were seven months ago?”
“No, but you’re not supposed to be making an issue out of it.”
“I’m not making an issue,” Jake argued. “It was a description.”
“Issue. Rickie?” Cal asked.
“Sarge is cold and insensitive when it comes to a pregnant woman’s feelings.” Rickie pushed a plate of cookies to Cal.
Jake’s mouth stammered. “Rickie,” He said in disgust. “Who asked you?”
“Cal.”
Jake grunted. “And why is Adams opening his mouth anyhow?”
Cal shrugged and lifted a cookie. “Maybe he felt that he had to forewarn me that you were making fun of me with everyone on base.”
“Where is this coming from?”
“You called me fat ... and … w
ow, Rickie these cookies are really good.”
“Sss Bill is like the champ,” Rickie said. “I think he’s gay.”
Jake flung out his hand. “He is not.”
“Is too,” Rickie said. “And I think he has a little crush on you.”
“Oh, he does not.” Jake scoffed.
“Does too. And I think maybe you have a little crush on him.”
“Rickie!” Jake blasted.
Cal laughed.
“Seriously, Sarge, why else was he hanging out in your bedroom so long?”
Jake’s mouth hung open.
So did Cal’s mid bite of her cookie.
Rickie pursued. “Was he, or was he not hanging out in your bedroom for an hour?”
After a few stutters, Jake grunted. “He was hiding from you and …” he snatched the cookie from Cal’s hand. “Give me that.”
“Hey!” Cal yelled. “I can’t believe you stole my cookie.”
“Cal, you don’t need a cookie.”
“You dick!”
“Hey!” Jake barked. “What is with the name calling?”
“First you call me I’m fat and then you take away my cookie.”
“Cal let’s face it, you keep eating junk like this you will be …”
“Don’t you dare.” Cal warned.
“Fine,” Jake surrendered “But I think you should have fresh fruit, or a salad. I have things in the fridge healthier and less fattening.”
“So you do think I’m fat?” Cal grabbed another cookie
“I … you ... fuck it. I’m looking out for your best interest. You aren’t young Cal, extra fat on your heart … “ He cringed when she gasped. “What now?”
“I’m old, fat, and weak.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Yes, you did,” Cal rebutted, “Didn’t he Rickie?”
“Cal-Babe, I heard him call you a whale just last night.”
“Oh my god.” Cal breathed out.
“What!” Jake blasted in shock. “Rickie, quit starting trouble. Cal … have a celery stick.” He reached for the plate of cookies.
Rickie dove in front. “Sarge, don’t make me go monster on you. I’ll protect Cal-Babe’s sweet treats. Me and Sss-Bill made them. So there. And the house is clean so there.”
“That it is. Good job.” Jake told Rickie.
“I’ll let my friend know.”
Jake looked at Rickie through the corners of his eyes. “You mean to tell me you had Bill clean the house?”
“Sss-Bill.” Rickie corrected. “Yes.”
“I thought I told you to clean it.”
“You said to make sure it was clean,” Rickie said.
Cal nodded while chewing. “He has a point.”
Jake was at the point of highest frustration. “I quit. I quit. No winning with you two. And Cal …”
Cal smacked his hand. “Don’t you dare.” She growled.
Chuck’s call out of ‘Ah, fighting,” Caught everyone’s attention as he walked in the kitchen. “The family united again. How happy I am.”
“Chuck.” Cal smiled.
“Hey Cal great to see that you’re ….” He extended his arms as Cal stepped from around the counter. “You’re … you’re ….Holy shit!” Chuck stumbled back. “You’re pregnant.”
“You didn’t know.”
“Oh my God. No. I didn’t know. I mean, Jake said you gained a little weight.”
Quickly, Cal shot a glare Jake’s way.
Jake facially cringed, then regained his composure. “Everyone is getting fuckin’ demoted.”
“Sarge,” Rickie reached or the plate. “I don’t know guy, telling everyone your wife is fat, even your best friend. Sounds to me like you’re trying to get rid of the Cal-Babe.”
“Rickie,” Jake grumbled.
“Just a Rickie-Meister observation,” Rickie said. “ So, like Chuckie, isn’t Cal-Babe like a pregnant babe.”
“Um, yeah,” Chuck still spoke in shock. “Pregnant. Wow.”
Rickie nodded. “Shocked ya’. Bet ya’ didn’t think the Sarge had it in him.”
As Chuck’s hand laid upon Cal’s belly, he slowly looked at Jake. “Nope. Didn’t think the Sarge had it in him at all.”
***
“So that’s the skinny on it,” Jake kicked back with Chuck on the deck, both man drinking beer.
“Again, I’ll just say ‘wow’,” Chuck gave a shake to his head. “Wow. How are you with all this?”
“Good. Fine. Better than fine.” Jake said. “Cal and I wanted to start a family. You know this. It wasn’t the way I wanted my wife to get pregnant, but she is. And I wouldn’t want to change that now. I want to be a father. I’m ready to be a father. And those twins are nothing less than mine.” He chugged a bit of his beer.
“And what does the sperm donor have to say about you being the father?” Chuck asked.
“The sperm donor has to deal with it,” Jake said. “Billy shouldn’t have been donating his sperm in the first place.” He paused before drinking to wince at that thought. “He knows my feelings. He knows those babies will be Graison’s. And nobody outside of this household, and the select few will know the true origins of the conception.”
“Jake, people do know about how you can’t …”
“I don’t give a fuck what people know. They’ll probably think she was inseminated. That’s fine. I just don’t want people to think or know the truth. That’s all.”
“I understand,” Chuck nodded. “Man, Caldwell pulled out all stops to … to …” he hesitated. “Jake?”
“Yeah.”
“Caldwell had a hand in this,” Chuck said. “What if they … what if Caldwell claims interest in the kids?”
“I already thought of that. And rest assured, it isn’t going to happen. Over my dead body Chuck. My dead body. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll protect what is mine. Trust me …I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Caldwell doesn’t get their hands on my children.” Jake finished off his beer and stared out. “Whatever it takes.”
***
Caldwell Research Institute – Reston, VA
Deep, dark circles encased his bloodshot eyes like a raccoon. He growled a bit, and didn’t smell his best. But the physical aspects were the reason Greg called Stan into the office for the evening meeting.
Barely off the plane, two days without sleep, Stan was whisked to Caldwell, where he was told Dr. Haynes needed a few minutes of your time, and then you can have a day or two off.
What was so important that it couldn’t wait?
When Greg informed Stan it was about the pregnancy testing, he growled. One of many animalistic noises he made in the office.
“And this couldn’t wait?” Stan asked. “Really? The experiment doesn’t begin for four more days.”
“No, it could not wait,” Greg told him. “Do you really think this is the only thing I do? One experiment at a time? No, I want to clear my mind of this. Make sure you are on the right rack with preparations and then I can move on to other things. I’m trusting you.”
“Fine.” Stan sulked in his chair. “Go on.”
“Well, thank you very much for your interest.” Greg took a seat behind the desk. “Now, as you know, the experiment will run for two weeks. You have to coordinate with the two doctors there so we can monitor the expectant mothers constantly. I want three ultra sounds done on each one, stress tests, you name it. Stress tests will be performed after we put them through … stressful situations.”
“Nothing that will harm the babies?”
“What do you take me for, a monster?” Greg asked.
Stan only peered up.
“You’ll be more like the coordinator there. A ‘Julie’ from ’The Love Boat’ if you will.”
“Who?”
Greg waved out is hand. “Anyhow. Another aspect that you should be aware of.”
“Hold on, so you’ll be providing me with a list of activities and so forth?”
“Yes.”
Greg only smiled.
“OK, I get it. Go on.”
“Thank you. Everything will take place on the island which isn’t far from Hilton Head. We have an old hotel we have renovated for our research facility and clinic. The rooms for the woman are being made up just like the hotel suites, so they should be quite comfortable.”
“When they aren’t stressed.”
“Exactly.” Greg said. “The left wing, floor two through four is our bionic research and development unit. There are five patients there right now. All male. And we are expecting one more.”
“I see. Billy Griffith?”
“You got it.”
“So, the timing of Billy’s bionics treatment in conjunction with the pregnancy experiment all plays into Col Graison’s role in this?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
Stan did it. He gave a look to Greg, even though through his exhaustion it was hard to tell, but the look was there. A ‘what do you take me for, an idiot’ glance. “Look, I know Cal’s pregnant and I know this is a pregnant study, but I am not buying it entirely. It’s the start of something.”
“Why did you say that?”
“I have a feeling, and I know it has to do with Graison. I know Jake. There is no way in hell he’d let his wife do this research study, if you weren’t holding those babies over his head, or her. So, what do you want with Graison?”
Dr. Jefferson’s voice emerged into the room as well. “That’s what I would like to know, too. “ he stepped further into the office. “What exactly do you want with Graison? Personally, I can see the institute wanting those children more.”
“We do.” Greg replied. “Especially if tests are conclusive after they are born. We won’t know until then, but if we can use them as leverage, we will.”
“For Graison,” Jefferson said. “Why?”
“Because he has beat us at our own game,” Greg explained. “Twice now. When everyone else believed the world was coming to an end, Graison knew better. He walks away from experiments that no one is supposed to walk away from. He’s costing us money because he’s now making sure others survive.”
Stan shook his head. “Just don’t invite him to partake in anything anymore that way he won’t beat you.”
“But that’s not what I want.” Greg said. “I could pull back, yes. But what makes this man tick? What makes him strive? What makes him continue? Determination, his wife. Lifestyle.” He shrugged. “All of the above. He claims to be unbreakable. I claim he is not unbreakable and I have …. I have investors who lost because of him, and investors that are more than willing to invest again. Only this time to see an experiment beat him.”
Terms (The Experiments Book 3) Page 6