“Well, what happened? Did the police see you?” said Ilya as Cole turned back onto the highway towards downtown.
Faith let out a gasp she’d been holding since we left the government building. “That was totally intense!”
“No, they didn’t see us, but it was close. We almost botched the entire thing. Could you hear that alarm from the street?” said Cole.
“I think you could have heard that alarm from across the city,” said Ilya. “But it’s a good thing I had that horrendous sound to warn me how much I’d have to concentrate on you before those cop cars arrived.”
“You had to concentrate? Try being on the inside!” said Faith.
Cole glared ahead at the highway. I looked down at my hands and the precious envelope.
I opened it right there in the car and pulled out a single sheet of thick white Innoviro stationary lit by the undulating cool orange of streetlights. The memo read,
Attn: Dr. David Plume,
As per our recent negotiations, this letter is to offer you contract work with Innoviro Industries, the privately held company owned by myself, Ivan Krylov and Tatiana Krylov.
The scope of your work will include supervising aspects of Project Compendium Transmuto as outlined in the master document we discussed. Using your knowledge of global climatology, you will work with geologists, geneticists, biologists, and cryptozoologists.
Your contract with Innoviro Industries must be completed before the end of this calendar year, barring any redefinition of project parameters, initiated and approved by myself or Ms. Krylov.
Should your participation in this project be terminated at any time, you remain bound by confidentiality not to discuss your work performed for Innoviro Industries with any other parties for any reason.
Please contact my office at your earliest convenience to arrange a time to meet with me and sign your contract.
Sincere Regards,
Ivan Krylov, BSC, MBA
CEO, Innoviro Industries
I flipped over the sheet of paper. Stark white blank paper mocked me. All this letter told me was that Ivan had hired a climatologist and that the real information remained hidden somewhere else in some master document.
“It’s not here,” I said weakly as Cole, Faith, and Ilya bickered.
“What?” said Cole. All voices stopped.
“It’s a letter offering to hire a climate guy. It mentions a project and another document that has everything they’re working on. I think,” I said quietly.
“So all we have is another lead–maybe?” said Ilya.
I felt disappointment and frustration emanating from all three of them.
“Fuck it,” said Faith. “Let’s go to Vancouver anyway.” The rush of our brush with the police still coursed through her veins.
“This doesn’t really change anything. We knew that envelope might not contain anything useful. We didn’t even know for sure we’d find it. But we’ll have more than enough cash between the five of us. I know what my father paid for wages. Unless one or more of you have a serious drug addiction or gambling problem I don’t know about, we can to stay in Vancouver for several months.”
“I think you’re all forgetting that Faith and I got arrested tonight. We’re wanted, maybe even twice over now,” I said.
Faith laughed out loud and the guys chuckled.
“I’m having serious second thoughts about all this fugitive stuff,” I said. “Even if we drain our accounts, what are we supposed to do afterwards? What are we going to live off of? And where, for that matter?”
“Weren’t you listening to yourself reading that letter? Ivan’s experimenting on more than people. This is about more than just our friends. He could be doing something mega dangerous,” said Faith.
“But you’re talking about living off the grid, maybe for years and years. Really running from the law,” I said, frantically trying to convince my friends that we weren’t going to enjoy a vigilante lifestyle. A deep sense of helplessness mingled with the desperate hope that my life would change in the next ten minutes.
“When we pick up Jonah, we’ll take an official vote. If he’s still in, I say we hit the nearest bank machine and take everything we can. We can still board a ferry first thing in the morning. Once we’ve got somewhere safe to stay in Vancouver–probably the downtown East Side if we want to stay under the radar–we’ll start looking for this warehouse hanger place Irina saw,” said Ilya.
“I dunno man, this is getting intense. My little sister is an adrenaline junkie, but that doesn’t mean this is a good idea. Irina’s right. We’re talking about crossing a line. I don’t wanna go to jail.”
“What did you think we were after tonight? Your friend may be dying. No, he probably is dying. And Faith is right. It’s become more obvious to me every step of the way that my father has set something in motion that’s bigger than unethical genetic experiments. If it were your father, wouldn’t you try to find out why he was doing something so awful?”
“I can’t see my dad doing anything remotely dangerous, but I feel you on the responsibility angle.”
“I know it’s not going to bring them back, but I still want justice for my parents,” I said. “Rubin is gone, but Ivan still has to answer for it.”
“Dude, I’m so in!” Danger had improved Faith’s mood.
Cole parked on the street outside our abandoned Chinatown walk-up. As promised, Jonah had been watching and waiting. But he wasn’t alone. He and Vincent emerged from the shadowed alley carrying several backpacks and tightly rolled sleeping bags.
“To what do we owe this visit?” Ilya sounded as though he’d come home to find an unexpected family friend over for coffee.
“I wish this was a social visit. I had a run-in with your father. Or I should say a near miss,” said Vincent. Ilya’s face fell as the rest of us tensed with anticipation.
“He was waiting for me in my apartment. He had a new friend; a replacement for Rubin and Hugo all in one. If I hadn’t spit at the man on sight, I’d probably be dead right now.”
“How can you know he was there to kill you?” said Ilya.
“Buddy, seriously?” Cole said to Ilya.
“I don’t like it either, but we’re all going to have to come to terms with the fact that this isn’t going to end in a vindication for Ivan,” said Jonah.
“Why don’t you tell us exactly what happened, Vincent?” My immediate concern was for finding out what our new opponent was packing for a variation. The idea of someone as strong as Rubin and Hugo combined put my financial future into a less catastrophic light. What would I need money for if I wasn’t going to live to spend it?
“Ilya’s got a point. They could have been there to recapture me. But my gut told me otherwise. I wouldn’t have let them take me even if they’d tried. We didn’t exactly have a heart-to-heart conversation though. I shouldn’t have gone home, but I thought I had time to pack a bag before anyone came looking for me. And why me? I have no idea. But, I walked into my apartment and I sensed something was wrong. Like most of us, I live–sorry, lived–at an Innoviro building. The one out in Oak Bay. So there were no signs of a break-in. Instinct had me on edge when I walked into my living room. I’m pretty sure Ivan was sitting in my reclining armchair, next to the balcony. But when I rounded the corner, what I focused on was the beast that confronted me. This may sound stupid . . .”
Vincent paused and took a breath. “It looked like some sort of caveman. I’m sure it was a man though. He had wild hair, long and matted, not like dreadlocks, but like a stray dog with dirty tangled clumps of fur. His skin had a dark tanned hue–practically scorched or burned. He grinned at me with sharp brown teeth. His pale orange eyes were bloodshot. I don’t even remember what he wore other than that it was filthy. I’d never seen him in my life. He would have sto
od out, even in the catacombs.”
Vincent fell silent and we absorbed it all. The possibilities of Ivan’s reach and the likely multitude of other variants in the world hit me like a pair of dumbbells.
“Well, what can he, you know, ‘do’?” I said.
“Yeah, this guy sounds ugly, but if you spat on him, shouldn’t he be out of commission now?” said Faith.
“He should, but my venom rolled off that skin of his. He probably needs new clothes now. Other than his thick skin, I don’t know what his variation is. But Ivan’s telekinesis is as strong as ever. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my television hit the dividing wall next to where I’d been standing. If I hadn’t turned to run, the blow would have turned me into jam.”
“I’m sure he found a way to enhance his gift,” said Ilya. “He always used to talk about maximizing variations, as well as making sure they were stable and under control. Every time he shared those philosophies, it was always general. His goals always sounded scientific, altruistic; like he was dedicated to the betterment of humanity.”
“We all felt that way. You’re not alone. But if he doesn’t need that bodyguard, what’s the real reason to have this new guy?” said Jonah.
“Probably doesn’t want to do his own dirty work,” said Cole.
“All the more reason we need to get a move on,” I said.
“I figured you were on your way out of town, but I couldn’t in good conscience miss a chance to warn you. Not when I could find you.” Vincent extended his hand to Ilya. “Good luck in Vancouver. I really wish I could be more help.”
“Thanks, my friend. We’re definitely going to need it.”
After Vincent said his goodbyes, Cole popped his trunk to finish packing. He and Jonah took everything we had left and quickly stuffed it all on top of an old spare tire. Jonah squeezed into the back seat on my side. I sat uncomfortably wedged between him and Faith as Cole started the car. Ilya consulted a Vancouver map he’d fished out of the glove compartment.
“So, what kind of score did you make out at that government building? We need some good news. Did you find anything cool?” Jonah asked hopefully.
“Yes and no,” said Ilya. “We’ve got another lead, but we still need to go to Vancouver if we want to find out what Innoviro and my father are really doing.”
“Right, of course. We knew it wouldn’t end that easily,” said Jonah.
I heard the disappointment in his voice. None of us had really expected to find a cure for Jonah’s genetic breakdown in a simple paper envelope, but we’d all hoped for a stronger lead.
“The only thing this envelope says is that they’re working on a big project, across several branches of science.” I looked down at the floor as I spoke. I felt responsible for not producing more information. We needed results, Jonah most of all. “It’s bigger than genetics. But that’s pretty much all there is here. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. Even if I don’t get better, we’re obviously onto something here. Who knows how much damage Ivan can do,” said Jonah.
The car fell silent as Cole pulled over at a Royal Bank. Faith and I hopped out and took turns withdrawing as much money as the ATM machine would let us.
“So, why do you think Ivan went after Vincent? Is it possible he knew about what happened in the Highlands?” I directed my question generally at everyone in the car as Cole turned back on to the dark slick highway.
“My first thought is that Brad found my father and told him what happened when we escaped. That guy lived pretty high up on the Innoviro food chain. If he knew where to find my father, I’m sure he went straight to him the first chance he got. I wish I could listen to him, but he’s got some way of keeping me out. So does my father," said Ilya.
“Brad was actually in the first vision I had about this envelope - the memo, I mean. In my vision, Ivan talked with him about a new variant, which could have been me, and then Tatiana interrupted them and he gave her the envelope.”
“It’s fortunate that we didn’t come back to find Ivan’s new beast thing with Jonah instead. I bet if he had gotten a chance to interrogate Vincent, Ivan and his new sidekick would have met us instead,” said Cole.
Faith continued glaring out the window as Cole drove, but Ilya listened to the air.
“I wish we knew what this new thug was capable of,” I said.
“I’m not sure the mystery man is our biggest problem. If my father really did attack Vincent, even on his own, he would have won. Vincent never would have been able to escape so easily. And Brad was there when we made plans to hide out in Chinatown. I’m sure he was able to find my father. So why would they bother . . . with Vincent . . .” Ilya continued listening to something distant. “I’m such an idiot!”
“What?” I said.
Even Faith paid attention again.
“They did get to Vincent. That beast thing has his daughter.” Ilya concentrated behind closed eyes. “Why didn’t I probe his mind back there when I stood right next to him! Never trust anyone.”
“Where are they now? If you can’t track your father, follow Vincent to that beast thing,” I said.
Ilya concentrated again. “Already done. I found the beast. Even from this far away, his thoughts are a primal snarl. All aggression, rage, and bloodlust. I can’t make out words or ideas. He’s a walking hunger for violence.” Ilya’s voice shook.
“It doesn’t matter now. We’ll be off this island before breakfast and the whole mess will be in our rear-view before you know it,” said Cole.
A few minutes after three o’clock in the morning Cole parked his car on the gravel shoulder before the entrance to BC Ferries’ ticket booths.
“I’m glad we’re getting the hell off this rock. I’m going to hit the little girl’s room in the bushes.” Faith slammed the door and in a few steps, she disappeared into the tree line.
“Not a bad idea.” Jonah walked up the road and the blackness of the roadside forest enveloped him.
“I can’t get over the feeling that something is still wrong. That man-creature’s snarl of a mind is getting louder, which probably means closer,” said Ilya.
I heard the fear in his voice and wished I could do something to help.
“We’re already at the end of the line. Where exactly do you want us to go from here? If Ivan knows we’re going to Van, should we abort?” said Cole.
“I don’t know,” said Ilya, his paranoia contagious.
“Why aren’t Faith and Jonah back?” I said.
Chapter 17
A guttural rumbling GRRRRRRRRRR rose in the bushes behind me, much deeper and more sinister than the scorpion dog I dodged at the lab. It was the beast. My feet instantly froze to the ground.
Cole saw the look on my face and his gaze shifted to focus on the landscape behind me. His concerned expression curled into rage. He bolted towards me. Survival swept me into action. I leapt off the ground and dove towards Ilya. I felt the stab of my hip hitting the concrete and the sting of gravel opening tiny wounds in my hand and forearm.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cole tackle a large dark shape. They tumbled into the blackberry brambles lining the road. The crunch of footfalls on gravel and Ilya’s wide frightened eyes confirmed Ivan’s presence. I turned to face him.
“I can’t tell you how much it pleases me that the two of you have been working so brilliantly together. I never expected you’d get on so well before being properly introduced.” Ivan’s wicked smile blossomed into an evil grin as he put his hands in his trouser pockets.
“Dad, tell us right now that this is all a misunderstanding. Tell me that when we go to the Vancouver office, we’re going to find this Compendium Transmuto and that the project will explain everything that’s been going wrong.”
“Right to the good stuff, hmmmm? Well my boy, you wo
n’t find the Compendium in Vancouver. You won’t find it period. And if you think something is wrong here, you’re not the son I raised you to be.”
“Mr. Krylov, I know this is all a mistake too. We want to understand why you’ve been testing on people so aggressively. You’re taking risks like this for a reason, right? Just tell us why.”
“I’m not telling you squat about my work, love. But you’re right, I have my reasons. Starting with bringing you back home, with your brother, where you belong.”
“My what?” Instinctively, I looked over at Ilya.
“Your twin brother, actually. Your combined mind-reading and premonition abilities should have produced that piece of information on your own. I dosed your Tarot cards with my experimental serum T-E nine-three-zero-six, right before I had Rubin plant them in your town and compel you to buy them. I already knew the formula worked when I asked you to submit to an injection regiment. And I had a feeling that Ilya’s anguish and isolation in his little sanctuary would cause him to use astral projection. I love being right. That you couldn’t recognize your own twin . . . well that’s just hilarious.” Ivan stepped forward.
Cole emerged from the brambles wrapped from shoulder to hip in some kind of silk twine. The same sticky threads sealed a patch over his mouth. The creature we’d heard so much about ambled along behind him, shoving him forward every few steps. His dirt-streaked skin, brown fang teeth and matted hair showed faintly in the dark of our surroundings. But his vivid cat-like yellow eyes shone in the pale white moonlight. Cole fought helplessly against his restraints. What kind of thread could hold the strongest man in the world?
Ivan looked over at Cole and the beast. He nodded and with a flick of his wrist, uprooted an old stump nearby. Dripping crumbs of dirt, the stump followed the arc of Ivan’s arm and came to rest right in front of him. Ivan sat carefully.
In Irina's Cards (The Variant Conspiracy #1) Page 23