by Tami Kidd
“You’re not asking me. This is my decision. I care about Alex and the thought of hurting him pains me, but you’re my husband and I love you. It seems I’ve loved you my whole life.” She leaned down and kissed his tear-covered lips.
Thomas inhaled deeply. “Before you make this decision, I have to tell you something. Tomorrow, if we find a way to escape, I’m not going. You and Michael go, but I’m staying here.”
Mara stiffened and shook her head. “What? What are you talking about? We’re all leaving together. Why would you say something like that?”
“To keep you safe. If I go, you won’t ever be safe. Jessica will hunt me down no matter where I go.”
“Why?”
“I’m a liability. She doesn’t want the world to find out about me.”
“Why? You’re proof that her cure works.”
“Her cure doesn’t work. Yes, it cures cancer, but the side effects—look at me. Do I look healthy to you?”
“You’ve been through a lot and haven’t been taken care of properly. When you’re out, we’ll get you fit as a fiddle.” She pulled his hand to her lips and kissed it. “You’ll see. You’ll be good as new.”
“Mara, I’m not getting better. I’m dying. Soon, I’ll be exactly like her: crazy and psychotic. I don’t know what else will happen. I can’t put you through that.”
Wiping tears from her cheeks, she said, “I don’t understand. I thought she cured herself and then proved it works by injecting you.”
“Yes, you’re right, but the drawback is that the serum causes a severe chemical imbalance in the brain. That’s why she takes those pills. So far, I’ve been okay in that area, but the weight keeps falling off. I suppose it affects people in different ways. She can’t let the world know about it yet.”
“Then why was she trying to work out a deal with the president?”
“She doesn’t have the manpower or proper facilities to work on it. My guess is that she was looking for him to provide those things.”
“Then why fake her own kidnapping?”
“She’s crazy. Maybe that was her way out. If she’s gone, then the president couldn’t pressure her for more information. She didn’t count on him going after you. He forced her hand. She had to get to you first.”
“But the president can assemble a team of doctors and scientists to work on the cure without her. He had me hypnotized and—”
“What?” Thomas asked.
“Well, Dr. Hildegard hypnotized me and recorded the session, but I don’t remember what she did with the recording. It never crossed my mind until now. Where could it be?”
“They must have it,” Thomas said. “Did you remember what was in the letter?”
“Yes, I remember all of it. Thanks to Dr. Hildegard.”
“You have to get out of here.” Thomas sat up. “She’s going to kill you. Who else knows about the contents?”
“Dr. Hildegard, but she’s dead. Dodger and Michael are the only others. Opie was there, but he’s dead too.”
“So you, Michael, and Dodger are the only ones?”
“Yes. We don’t know what happened to Dodger. He could be dead too.” Mara covered her face with her hands. She peered through her fingers at Thomas, and said, “You have to come with us. You can’t stay here to die. Please don’t make me mourn you again.”
Thomas shook his head in answer.
When he pulled her into an embrace, Mara rested her head on his shoulder as she had done so many times before. She squeezed him, heard his breath catch. She pulled back to study his face. Shadows outlined his features, chilling her deep within. “I’m sorry,” Mara said.
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. You must leave tomorrow without me. I can’t let anything happen to you. Let me do this for you, please.”
Mara gently pushed him back down on the cot and then lay down beside him. Placing an arm over his chest, her tears fell freely. She felt his lips on her forehead. The dam within her burst. Together, they cried for the lost days, for the future together that would never exist.
Thirty-Seven
The SUV driving away with Asher and Wally White left Alex relieved about their safety. Noah’s son and best friend had not signed up to risk their lives in an attempt to find Mara, even though they would never hesitate. It was better this way. Noah refused to leave. Reece relented and allowed him to remain at the command center. Alex understood Noah’s need to be near Mara.
Bomb-sniffing dogs had arrived and the plans set in motion to scour the perimeter for explosives.
“What makes you believe there are explosives out there?” Alex asked.
Reece looked up from the map he studied and said, “Because when we took Dr. Foster and her accomplices into custody, she vowed we’d never get inside. The explosives they set would blow us to kingdom come. Her words, not mine.”
“Wait, what? You never said anything about having her in custody. What did she do?” Alex eased into a chair. The thought had never crossed his mind that Dr. Foster would have anything to do with Mara’s disappearance. It didn’t make any sense. Dr. Foster’s involvement confused him. Were there more surprises to come? Alex stared at Reece. What else isn’t he telling me?
“Mr. Strange, there are many aspects of this investigation that you’re unaware of, and I am not at liberty to share the information with you.” He turned to Noah. “Nor you, Mr. Carpenter.”
Noah’s eyes narrowed, “How’d you know she was here?”
“Gentlemen, there may come a time when I can brief you on everything, but until that time, I must make preparations to extricate the hostages from the compound, safely. I’ll tell you what I can, when I can, but until then, please allow me to do my job. The goal is for the team to go inside at dawn. Provided the perimeter is safe.”
Alex considered Reece’s words as the agent focused his attention on the map. He turned to Noah and nodded to the door.
Noah’s subtle nod let Alex know he received the hint. Noah rose and walked to the door. “I have to get some air. Excuse me.”
“I’ll join you,” Alex said.
The two men left Reece to his planning and stepped out into the darkness. Summer bombarded them as they walked away from the MCC. A warm breeze blew in from the south as the stars and full moon cast a pale light on their surroundings, bringing sunless shadows out to play. Cicadas and frogs chimed in their nocturnal chorus. Alex paused to appreciate the natural symphony. He then realized that a short distance away Mara might be listening to the same night sounds. Looking at Noah, he said, “I say we don’t wait until dawn to go in and get her.”
“I say your line of thinking is spot on.” Noah frowned. “How do you want to do this?”
“I noticed a stash of weapons in a storage area on the other side of the rig.”
“Is it locked?” Noah asked.
“Doesn’t matter.” Alex reached in his pocket and held up a small tool kit. He grinned.
After Alex and Noah armed themselves, they drew out what they remembered of the compound on the ground, devising a plan to rescue Mara and Michael Porter.
“What about the other person inside? Do you think there are explosives, like that doctor lady said?” Noah asked.
“I’d bet my life she was bluffing.” Alex paused. “If the third person in there is a prisoner, then they come too, if not, we’ll do what we have to. Are you okay with that?”
“Fine with me,” Noah said, his voice resolute.
Alex erased the markings on the ground with his foot. “Ready?”
“Been ready since I left Arkansas.”
****
Reece Carter pulled his lower lip with his teeth as he looked at the monitor, closed his eyes, and shook his head. “Shit, this isn’t good,” he said to Beck.
“How do you want to proceed, sir? Should we send a team after them?”
“Damn it. I should have ordered them to leave, but, no, I gotta be a nice guy and let them stay. I’m going to get my ass reamed for this.” He kick
ed a chair and felt a speck of satisfaction when it hit the opposite wall of the command center.
“Sir?”
“I heard you. I’m thinking.”
Beck raised her eyebrows and turned away from the SAC.
“Here’s what we’re going to do: let them proceed, but I want Viper One on their heels, weapons tight. Only interfere if necessary.”
“Yes, sir,” Beck said.
Reece punched the air in frustration. “Son of a bitch.”
Thirty-Eight
The smell of fresh roast coffee and muted voices roused Mara from a fitful sleep. Facing the wall, Mara realized she had fallen asleep in Thomas’s arms. Her eyes felt swollen and gritty. Her head pounded. She turned over and sat up. “Got any more coffee?” She noticed Thomas sitting at the island sipping his coffee, lost in his thoughts. Somehow, he had managed to slip out from under her without disturbing her.
“Sure do. Let me get you a cup,” Michael said as he poured. He walked over to the cot and held out a mug.
“Thanks,” she said, looking up at him. She detected a hint of sympathy in his expression and quickly diverted her eyes, unwilling to reveal the pain they exposed. She heard him walk back to the island. Drained and exhausted her face felt numb. She remembered the same sensation after Thomas had died. All happiness and hope left her body with the tears she shed last night. She didn’t want to move, but knew that she must. A refill urged her on as she lumbered over to the island.
One glance at Thomas filled her eyes again. She held her breath to will the tears back. “So, what’s the plan?”
“As soon as the sun comes up, Thomas and I are heading out to look for tools or a way out of this place,” Michael said. He blew into his coffee.
Apprehension rose in her belly. Mara wanted desperately to escape this hell, but knew that when she did leave, it would be without Thomas.
“Is something wrong?” Michael asked.
A quick glance at Thomas, Mara shook her head. “No, I’m—”
“Hey,” Thomas interrupted. “Why don’t we fix something to eat, I’m famished. Can’t work on an empty stomach.”
“Good idea. Who knows when we’ll get the chance to eat once we escape beyond the fence. We may have quite a hike before we reach civilization.” Michael opened the cabinets in search of food.
“You’re right,” Mara said with a forced grin.
A loud crash from the next room startled everyone. Mara froze, her hands gripping the edge of the counter. She squeezed her eyes tight. Images of Duncan, Dr. Foster, and their thugs flashed in her head. The end had come. They would all die here. Pulling into herself, Mara knew she would never see Alex’s smile or his startling blue eyes again.
Michael pulled her and Thomas behind the island for cover.
****
Alex crouched low as he ran through brush toward the compound. The full moon high in the sky illuminated the thick forest giving it a mystical, otherworldly appearance. He heard Noah’s feet crunching behind him, but concentrated on the path ahead. He ignored the burn in his lungs and legs; no amount of pain would prevent him from reaching Mara. He glanced back at Noah, his face stony and focused. When they reached the edge of the forest, Alex stopped, allowing himself the opportunity to catch his breath. Noah arrived winded and dripping with sweat.
Alex patted Noah on the back and said, “You alright, pal?”
“Don’t you…worry…about me. I’m fine.” Noah huffed.
The two men rested for a few seconds, studying the distance between the edge of the tree line and the compound fence.
“So, I figure that’s about a hundred yards,” Noah said.
Alex recalculated the distance in his mind. “I think that’s about right.”
“How are we going to get through the fence?” Noah looked at Alex and raised his eyebrows.
Alex reached in his pants pocket and pulled out a strange tool. He held it up so Noah could see it. “We’re going to use this little gem,” he said.
Noah took the tool and turned it over in his hands. “What the heck is this?”
“A Gerber knife.”
“We gonna cut our way through the fence with this little sucker?”
His PI kit of must haves contained certain tools. Alex had always pocketed this tool and the lock pick for most jobs. Luck had prevailed when Doyle and Kale forgot to empty his pants pockets. He took the knife back and opened it up. “We’re going to use the wire cutter to cut the links in the fence. Hopefully, we’ll be able to pull it back to shimmy inside.”
Impressed, Noah nodded. “Cool. I need to get me one of these little doodads.”
“Come on. Let’s get to work.” Alex took a step forward.
Noah grabbed him by the arm. “Wait, what about the explosives?”
“I think Foster used that as a stall tactic which worked on Sherlock Holmes back there.” Alex nodded in the direction of the mobile command center.
Noah left Alex standing alone. “Quit your yapping, let’s get this over with,” Noah said.
“Hey!” Alex shot out from the edge of the tree line. He grinned, his admiration for Noah growing with each footfall. His heart pounded inside his chest. He caught up to Noah. After Alex made sure the fence wasn’t electric, he cut a hole large enough for them to squeeze through. His gaze fell on the building beyond. Mara had to be on the other side of the door; he swore he heard the murmur of voices—her voice—and detected movement.
Nudging Noah along, they crisscrossed across the open area to reach the front of the building next to the door. Pressed tight against the wall, Alex wiggled the doorknob and whispered to Noah, “Locked. I’m busting through.”
Noah nodded. “Let’s get our girl.”
Alex took a step back. One, two, three. He rammed into the door using the weight of his upper-body. The door exploded open, snapping off its hinges. He and Noah dashed in with their weapons aimed and ready. On the other side of the partitioned walls, the scramble of commotion reached his ears. Alex motioned for Noah to take position at one side while he took the opposite point. He edged his head around the corner to assess the room. Seeing no one, Alex noticed three steaming cups of coffee, the vapor rising visibly toward the ceiling. On the floor at the corner of the island, he spotted a hand partially exposed. He smirked at Noah and shouted, “Come out with your hands up.”
Three sets of hand emerged above the island top. His heart flipped in his chest when he recognized Mara’s hands. “Mara, it’s Alex. You’re safe. Noah’s here too.”
He waited, expecting her to rush around the corner into his arms.
“Are you armed?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“The other two with me are no threat. Please put the guns away.” As if in slow motion, Mara stood, tears filling her eyes.
The sight of her filled Alex with relief unlike he had ever known. He fought the urge to run to her, not knowing who remained behind the island. “If that’s the case, then they need to show their faces.”
“Stand up so they can see you’re not a threat.” Mara waved to the other two, urging them up.
A man befitting a federal agent rose to his feet. “I’m Michael Porter, good to see a friendly face.”
A nudge from Noah had Alex shifting his eyes to the right of Mara. “Now for the other one,” he said.
After a slight nod from Mara, the third set of hands remained overhead as a thin, sickly man rose.
Recognition set in right away. Alex felt his eyes grow wide when the man looked up to meet his gaze. He had never met the man before, but recognized him immediately. “My God,” he said under his breath. Out of the corner of his eyes, Alex saw Noah falter and then regain his footing.
Noah said, “Holy shit, is that really you, Thomas?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“But how? Why?” Noah stammered
Mara stepped closer to Thomas and said, “Dr. Foster held him captive here. Used him to test her supposed cure.”
“Why wo
uld she do that?” Noah asked.
“Because she’s a crazy lunatic,” Thomas sneered. “Let’s not get into the details now. I assume you guys are here to rescue Mara.”
“We’re here to get you all out,” Alex corrected.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying. Mara won’t be safe until she’s far away from here. I’ll stay to provide a diversion for Dr. Foster if and when she comes back.”
“She ain’t coming back,” Noah said.
“What do you mean?” Michael asked.
“The feds have her and her accomplices in custody. It’s over. You’re all safe.”
Relief washed over Mara’s face, while Thomas’s expression looked doubtful.
“I don’t understand; how did she get captured?” Thomas asked.
“I don’t know the details, but I was told by the man in charge that she’s in custody.”
Mara covered her face with her hands and said, “I can’t believe it. It’s really over.”
Alex wanted to run to Mara and take her in his arms, but she made no advances toward him. When she pulled her hands away from her face, he studied her eyes. Their eyes locked before she turned away. His gut contracted.
The pounding of boots trampling over the fallen door grabbed everyone’s attention. They spun around to face the group who stormed into the building. Alex recognized them as Reece’s men. Alex called out to them, “All clear gentlemen. Everything is all good here.”
“Roger that, but you all have to return to the command center with me. Mr. Carter isn’t happy.”
Noah chuckled and slapped Alex’s shoulder.
Grinning at Noah, Alex said, “I suppose not.”
Thirty-Nine
Eight people, excluding SAC Reece Carter and his assistant, sat like parishioners around the conference table in the safe house. Reece paced around the table once before he sat down to study their faces. He clasped his hands in front of him and said, “I know you all want answers. I will try to accommodate you as much as I can. Please, understand that I cannot disclose any classified or sensitive information. I hope you’ll bear with me. I know you are anxious to get back home and resume your normal lives. Not everyone goes through what you’ve all experienced, especially you, Mr. Byrne. I would like to have you medically checked out.”