A Temporal Trust (The Temporal Book 2)

by Martin, CJ

  Ian began the process of quietly retreating to the men waiting outside. He had no interest in picking a fight without knowing what he would be facing. He gripped the handle of his flamethrower tighter.

  He kept facing the visible darkness while stepping backward toward the tiny circle of light pouring in from the distant exit hole. He held the nozzle of the flamethrower with one hand and fingered the trigger with the other.

  With each step, his breathing became more labored. He felt sweat trickle down his cheeks despite the cool, constant fifty-four degrees in the cavern.

  “Ian.”

  Her soft voice startled him as he whipped around. It came from behind him as if the woman had come from the opening. It wasn’t so much that it was a kind voice but that it sounded like Suteko’s.

  “Ian, it’s me, Suteko.”

  It was her voice. But it was absurd to think it could be her here in this forsaken cavern.

  Or perhaps it wasn’t so absurd.

  She could move incredibly fast and she had been the one to receive the information directly from the Nephloc. Perhaps she didn’t want to worry the old man and had come without permission?

  “Suteko?” Ian turned around to see the ghostly image of a woman. Tearing off the goggles, he fumbled for his flashlight and upon turning it on, her kind face appeared before him in living color. It truly was Suteko. She took a step closer.

  “What are you doing here? Why?”

  “Why?” Suteko approached Ian with silky movements. He kept the light in her eyes, but she didn’t seem to mind. Her smile didn’t falter for a moment. She kept her head down, only partially revealing her face. “Because, dear Ian, we needed to be alone.”

  She lifted her arms. Her fingers reached out to touch him, pausing as if to ask permission. He did not resist. She made contact.

  “I forged the map. Hikari didn’t give it to me. I knew the old man would choose you to go. He has always used you.”

  She placed her hands on his arms and slid them up to his shoulder and then around his neck, locking her fingers. Her arms were cold against Ian’s bare neck, colder than the cool cavern air. “He has never appreciated your talents for what they truly are.”

  “Wh...what’s this all about, Suteko?”

  “Marcus forbade me to seek you after...after we met. It kills me to see you so hurt. You were my savior. The man who did so much to help me. And then to see him continue to use you as a mere messenger boy. You are so much more than that, my love.”

  “Love?” Ian wanted to say more and to say it with great protest and disgust, but the simple, repetitious one-word question was all that could come out.

  “Yes, Ian, I love you. I have always loved you.”

  “But what of your current lover, Sam?”

  “I need Samuel—we need Sam, but that doesn’t mean that I want Sam.”

  “What about what you told Catherine? That you had never had feelings for me?”

  Suteko dropped her arms and looked down, partially hiding her face in the shadows. Ian held the flashlight steady.

  “I lied. She was threatening to tell Sam about my feelings for you. She knew how much I long for you, and then she confronted me.” Suteko looked up at Ian and, gently batting away the flashlight, she moved in close and playfully bit Ian’s earlobe. She continued in a whisper, “Ian, she blackmailed me. I had to lie to her. For us.”

  “This makes no sense. Why would you lie?”

  “As detestable as he is, Samuel is integral to our plan.”

  “Our plan? What plan?”

  “Ian, have you ever dreamt of the power to control others?”

  “No...No, never.”

  “Yes, you have. You’ve dreamt of controlling me.”

  “No, Suteko, I would never.”

  She took a step back and positioned her face directly in front of Ian. “Look me in the eye and tell me you have never had...thoughts.”

  He looked deeply into her eyes, still somewhat illuminated by the downward-facing flashlight. There was something strange about them, something compelling.

  “It’s all right. I want you to take control.” She reached for his hands, cuddling them between her own. “I give you permission to take control.” She waited until his face showed total absorption before continuing. “Once we take care of Samuel and the others, you and I can rule the world.”

  She smiled. He mirrored her smile.

  “You would like that, wouldn’t you—as long as we do it together?”

  “I’d go anywhere with you—I’d die for you, if you asked.”

  Her face changed. It had a hint of panic. “Ian, Sam is calling you. He must not know that I was here. Dr. Bracker will instruct you on what to do next.”

  Suteko handed Ian a folded piece of paper with a time and location.

  “Bye, my love—remember we will be together, but only if you do not fail me or reveal our secret.”

  In an instant, she was gone. Ian blinked a few times, clearing his head only slightly. Was he going mad? The flashlight was still on. He lifted it up, but instead of beautiful Suteko’s face, it was again illuminating wet rock. No, she had chosen him. He wasn’t sure what just happened, but he was smiling.

  “Ian?”

  Ian had heard some noises coming from the earpiece in his pocket. Upon placing it back in his ear, he discovered the interference had cleared up. It was Sam’s voice. The loser. Ian smiled.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank God. We were so worried. We lost signal for a few moments. Must have been the caves.”

  Ian let out a muffled laugh.

  “Are you all right? What’s so funny?”

  “Oh, nothing. Just a little joke I remembered.”

  “Did you see someone or something?”

  “Who?”

  There was a bewildered pause before Sam answered. “A Nephloc, a bear, or a coal miner—anything. Did you see anyone?”

  “Oh, Suteko? Why, no. No, I haven’t.”

  “Suteko? Look Ian, get back outside. I also couldn’t get your guides and although I don’t sense anything now, something was there. It could come back.”

  “Relax, junior, I’m coming out.”

  Ian removed the ear piece and threw it to the rock floor. Sam’s voice faded into silence as Ian climbed out of the cave.

  Exiting, Ian saw the most natural sight. He almost expected it even. Both of the agents had their throats slit and lay dead at the entrance of the cave.

  Ian removed their weapons and despite the absurdity of the situation, he smiled. He had been right all along. This was vindication. Her eyes had shown him. This was love.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Horrified, General Gordon closed his phone with a shaking hand. His suspicions regarding Dr. Bracker had been limited to the petty political ambitions of a Washington ladder-climber. This new revelation raised his concerns to a whole new level. This was treason.

  Worse.

  He feared Dr. Bracker had corrupted the president. Repeated calls to the president’s office had fallen on deaf ears. Never before had it been so difficult to reach his boss’ ear. But after the call from Marcus, it was all too clear.

  Gordon called Dr. Bracker’s secretary for his itinerary, and he decided to confront the man directly. If it was true that he was working with the Nephloc, he must be stopped at all costs. But he had to be sure. According to the secretary, Bracker was at his home for the rest of the evening.

  Gordon met two uniformed servicemen in front of Dr. Bracker’s home.

  “Yes, General,” Dr. Bracker said after opening the door. He had anticipated their presence before the men reached the front door porch. “Welcome. Come in, please. Bring your friends, too. I must say that I’m a bit surprised. I didn’t think you would be one for a late night visit.”

  “I’m here on a serious matter. I would like to ask you a few questions.”

  “But, of course. Please come in.”

  The three men entered cautiously and headed in t
he direction of Dr. Bracker’s pointing finger. It was a luxurious living area with a lush black suede couch and several comfortable looking recliners. There was no television, but one wall was lined with leather-bound books from floor to ceiling. Another wall housed a well-stocked bar. General Gordon spotted a pair of night vision goggles on a stool at the bar. It was the Anvis 9 Night Vision Goggles—the same model his department stocked, the same model given to Ian when he went to the cave. Gordon made a point to remember to ask Marcus about that.

  Dr. Bracker was dressed in a silky, deep crimson evening robe. His left hand swirled a large rimmed glass of an amber colored drink, his right hand hidden in the robe’s deep pocket.

  “Scotch? Brandy? Coffee? What can I get for you gentlemen?”

  “I apologize for the abrasive nature of this meeting, but I wanted to bring witnesses purely for the record.”

  “Armed witnesses, I see.”

  “I would like to know who you were calling while we were preparing the mission.”

  “Who I was calling? Oh, you mean in the waiting room. Why, the president, of course. He gave me strict orders to keep him in the loop. And while I didn’t have much of a loop to report, I did feel it my duty to tell him all that I knew.”

  “I checked the White House records and no calls came from you that day.”

  “Look,” said Dr. Bracker, setting an empty glass on a table. He had a hint of a smile on an otherwise serious face. “I know you don’t like me, but that’s no reason to snoop on me. The phone call would be registered under the name Becker. Check the records. It should be there.”

  The general motioned with his right hand and one of his men pulled some papers from a briefcase.

  Dr. Bracker continued, “The president is a little paranoid about a leak. I didn’t like it, but he asked me to use this secondary phone when discussing the Temporal—against the name ‘Becker’ should be the phone number 202-965-8773. It was his intention to keep it as secret as possible.”

  “There were two calls from a Becker with that number on that day, sir.”

  “The president is, however, a little concerned,” Dr. Bracker paused mid-sentence to pour another glass of brandy, “about you. Only this morning, he expressed some mild concerns regarding your loyalty. I, of course, made every effort to assuage his fears, but, as a piece of friendly advice, I would be more worried about your career than pointing unwarranted fingers at others.”

  Gordon remembered something Marcus had told him. Marcus had said that Dr. Bracker claimed he, General Gordon, had told Bracker of the Temporal and various aspects of the operation. The general had done no such thing.

  “Thank you for your concern for my career. One more question regarding something you told Marcus. You claimed that I told you of the Temporal. I never did. You lied to gain access to information. But I am curious. How did you know of the Temporal? Who told you?”

  “Lied? I simply told Marcus that the president authorized me back. Marcus filled me in. Perhaps he’s feeling a bit repentant about being so loose with his tongue, but I assure you I have kept that information sacred. Have you considered the possibility it was Marcus who was the leak? He was and is, after all, the only one with all the information.”

  “No.”

  “No? Well, excuse me, but you weren’t there.”

  “And neither were you. The president assured me he had told no one.”

  The general was bluffing. He still hadn’t been able to get in touch with the president, but by Bracker’s reaction, he would also know if the president had any knowledge of Bracker’s betrayal. While the whole idea of getting information through a dream seemed a bit too Area 51 for him, he trusted Marcus far more than he trusted Bracker and Marcus was absolutely sure about the accuracy of this accusation.

  Bracker paused awkwardly before speaking.

  “I’m sure the president said that for fear that you would disapprove. He knows how much you hate me. It would simply be easier for him to tell a little white lie rather than risk an upset general. You know what politics is all about. I’m sure,” said Bracker with a dismissive wave of his hand, “if you confer with the president once more, I am certain that he will affirm my words.”

  “That’s just what we are about to do.”

  Dr. Bracker’s smile didn’t slip as his fingers touched the outer rim of the cell phone deep in his hip pocket. Immediately, the phone began to ring. Dr. Bracker casually pulled it out, and after looking upon the blank screen, he said, “I’m afraid, I must take this call. Please wait here. I won’t be a moment.”

  Rushing out the room, Bracker dialed a number and waited for a response.

  “General Gordon’s office.”

  “Yes, this is Dr. William Bracker and I need to get in touch with the general immediately. Where may I find him?”

  “I’m sorry sir, but I don’t have authorization to give out his home phone number. If you like, I can relay a message to him.”

  “So, he is at home?”

  “Yes, I don’t have him scheduled for anything tonight.”

  “In that case, I don’t want to bother him. He just left my house for a personal visit and I completely forgot to invite him to a dinner engagement next week. Would you be so good as to relay that message?”

  “Certainly. I’ll let him know in the morning, Dr. Bracker.”

  “Much obliged. Good night.”

  A second later, Bracker was returning to the room. He knew Gordon had lied about speaking to the president—he had made sure Gordon wouldn’t have access. That meant Marcus also had knowledge of who he was—an old adversary, erstwhile friend. It was of no matter. His role as Dr. Bracker was quickly coming to an end.

  The three men were standing and preparing to leave.

  “Good sirs, please do not leave in such haste. I have something to show you.”

  “Bracker, I have nothing more to say to you.”

  “Now, General, you accuse me of treason and then walk away like it was nothing? You owe me at least a minute more of your time.”

  “What is it?”

  “I have proof one of the Temporal is working with Kaileen.”

  “How did you know her name?”

  “Marcus. Do you want to see the file? It is just downstairs.”

  “Which Temporal?”

  “It’s Ian. Come. Follow me. I have proof.”

  Dr. Bracker had already opened a door and was going down a set of dark stairs. The door closed behind him.

  The men looked at the general.

  “Keep your weapons ready,” he said in a whisper to the other two men.

  The general was the first to enter, the servicemen followed close behind. It was difficult to see even a foot in front of them. There were a few soft lights in the distance like the glow of LEDs on a computer tower. The room was otherwise pitch black. Gordon pulled out his phone and turned it over, letting the backlighting act as a weak flashlight. It was enough to see a few steps in front of him, but not much more.

  “I apologize for the lighting,” came Dr. Bracker’s voice from within the darkness. “The stair bulb burnt out. I’m almost at the main switch. Ah, there.”

  Suddenly, there was light. It was dim, but a marked improvement from the previous deep darkness. In front of the men was a well-stocked wine cellar. The source of the lights they had seen was indeed a computer on a desk on the far wall. A large furnace blocked much of the room straight in front of them. Dr. Bracker was not in the immediate view.

  “What’s this all about? Why did we have to come here?” asked the general.

  From the other side of the furnace came some muffled sounds.

  “You were right.” Dr. Bracker’s voice also came from beyond the furnace. “And as to why we are here, it’s all very simple. The living room is just too lovely to soil.”

  A terrible screeching sound of wood against concrete filled the room as Dr. Bracker reappeared dragging the back of a wooden chair on its two back legs. Letting it go, it wobbled into
place. Tied to the chair sat a man, gagged and bound. Behind him stepped a third figure. The general didn’t need to adjust his eyes to the low light. He immediately recognized the identities of both men.

  “My God, Bracker, what have you done?”

  The men behind the general lifted their guns and took aim.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  “Marcus, there is something outside.” Sam spoke with hushed tones. “They are surrounding us.” His eyes were wide, unsure of the implications of what he was sensing. Sam had a good understanding of his gift regarding Nephloc and Kaileen—although more often than not, she had been able to mask her signature—but what he saw outside was something new.

  “Nephloc? Perazim?” asked Marcus.

  “No. I’m not sure what it is. I...I also can’t seem to pinpoint their location. Or rather, their locations.” Sam closed his eyes to aid his concentration. It wasn’t helping, but he kept them shut.

  “They are in the trees.” Vered had just entered the room. “Catherine told me to tell you that there are spies in the trees.”

  “In the trees?” Sam asked with a disbelieving tone.

  Marcus’ face turned upward as if he had just remembered a great number of important things. “Eagles. Yes, I saw one earlier. I had my suspicions.”

  “Eagles?” Sam asked feeling slightly embarrassed for not having understood what kind of signatures he was seeing.

  “They are her spies,” said Marcus after a short pause. “You may remember the sound of their cry the night the four Nephloc came.”

  “Those sounds were eagles? How is that possible? Can she control animals?”

  “Control? No. She isn’t controlling them. Remember Balaam’s donkey. They are working with her.”

  “But they are dumb beasts.”

  “But even dumb beasts were made for extraordinary feats of agility and craft. And why not choose the eagle? The eagle has excellent vision and can observe virtually unnoticed at great heights. She can see what they see and know what they know.”

  “Can we do that?” asked Sam with the wonder of a child.