by Tami Kidd
“That won’t be necessary. I’m fine.”
“I agree with Agent Carter,” Mara said. “You should have a thorough examination.”
“I will, but not now. It can wait.” Thomas’s bored expression surprised Reece.
Mara crossed her arms. “Fine, it’s your body. I see you’re still stubborn as always.”
The exchange between the husband and wife interested Reece. He noticed Alex also watching them intently. When Alex returned his gaze, Reece continued, “It wasn’t a request, Mr. Byrne, I insist.” Sometimes he hated dealing with people. He looked at the others at the table, “Let’s continue. Should I start from the top, or do you want to ask questions first?”
“Start from the top,” Mara said.
“Very well.” Reece recounted the events of the past several days: Jessica Foster’s abduction, Mara’s apprehension at the airport, her meeting with the president, and finally the hypnotherapy and ambush at Dr. Hildegard’s house. He paused to allow for questions.
“Have you found Dodger?” Mara asked.
“Yes. When we apprehended Dr. Foster, Dodger was with them,” Reece answered. “He’s safe in Washington, recovering from his wounds. He’ll be fine.”
“Thank God,” Mara said her voice heavy with relief.
“What about Dr. Hildegard? Have you recovered her body?” Michael asked.
“No, not yet. We’re still searching, but it’s not looking hopeful.”
“How were you able to find us? How did you know where Dr. Foster was located? Do you know why she left Thomas at the compound?” Mara appeared breathless after her procession of questions.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Byrne, but I can’t share how we located you. That information is classified. The confidential data also relates to how we found Dr. Foster. In answer to your last question; however, I would only be speculating as to why she left Mr. Byrne behind.”
“I find it curious that you were able to find us so soon after the ambush,” Mara said while exchanging glances with Michael. “I understand if you can’t share that information.”
“Are there any other questions?” Reece Carter asked the group.
“I have one,” Alex interjected. “What’s going to happen to Doyle and Kale?”
Reece’s shoulders tensed. “Regrettably, they will be transported back to Arkansas. They will be charged with a number of crimes.”
“Can I drop the charges against them for my abduction? Will that help them?”
“Mr. Strange, unfortunately you cannot drop the charges; however, you could testify on their behalf.”
Alex nodded. “I understand.”
“Any more questions?” Reece eyed everyone around the table.
“What about Dr. Foster and Spencer Duncan? Where are they? Do you know why they left the compound in the first place?” Mara glared at Reece.
This woman never stops with the questions. “They are being held at a detention facility in Pensacola. They will be transported back to Washington where they will be formally prosecuted with a laundry list of charges.”
Reece stood and walked to the water dispenser to fill a paper cup. After taking a long drink, he continued. “We intercepted them when they left the compound. Shots were fired. We were able to overpower them and take them into custody.”
“That’s the gunfire we heard,” Mara said to Michael, who nodded.
“Yes,” Reece said, sitting down at the table. “Why they left the compound is still a mystery. Perhaps we’ll learn more during their interrogation in D.C.” He glanced around the table. “If there are no further questions, please see Agent Matthews. He will provide you with transportation and accommodations at a hotel in Pensacola. I cannot release you yet to travel home.” Sensing their rising protests, Reece added, “It shouldn’t be more than a couple of days. We need to sew up all the loose ends.”
The attendees rose to exit. “Mr. Strange, I’d like you stay behind so I can have a few words with you.”
“Certainly,” Alex said.
Mara turned at the door and gave Alex a weak smile.
This turned out to be a soap opera. Reece waited for the door to close.
****
Alex regarded Mara as she left the room with the others. Her normally vibrant whiskey-colored eyes dimmed when she turned to look in his direction. Alex dropped his gaze to the table, unable to bear the pain of gazing into her eyes for a second longer.
“Thank you for staying behind, Mr. Strange,” Reece said.
The agent’s voice pulled Alex out of his dark mood. He refocused and said, “Did I have a choice? I assume you want to scold me for taking off and charging the compound without authority.”
“I’d like to, because it was a stupid move. But, that’s not why I asked you to stay behind.” Reece unbuttoned his suit jacket.
Alex shifted in his seat. “What’s going on?”
Reece cleared his throat, hesitated, and inhaled deeply. “I’m not quite sure how to approach this, but here goes. Have you ever heard the name Spencer Duncan before this incident?”
“No. Should I have?”
“Not necessarily.” Reece paused. “When we apprehended Duncan and Jessica Foster, we ran their prints through our database. We discovered Spencer Duncan is an alias.” Reece rubbed his forehead.
“That’s not unusual, most criminals use aliases,” Alex said.
“The prints came back as a match to Joseph Strange.”
The room began to spin. Alex felt his face burn. He stared at Reece. He got up from the table. This isn’t possible. For years, he hated his father. Hated the idea of seeing him again. Except at the old man’s funeral. He had rid himself of the man, vowing never to lay eyes on him again. He came to terms with that decision. Now, raw emotions inundated him. “That can’t be. I mean, how is that possible? Are you trying to tell me that Duncan is my father?”
“I’m saying his prints match those of Joseph Strange.”
“Could it be a mistake?”
“We ran the prints several times to be sure. Have you seen this Duncan?”
“No I haven’t.”
“If I show you a picture would you be able to determine if he’s your father?”
Alex inhaled deeply. “Maybe. I don’t know. It’s been over twenty years since I’ve seen him. I don’t even know if he’s alive.”
Someone had left a manila folder off to one side. Reece slid it in front of him, opened it, and pulled out a photo.
Reaching for the photo, Alex hesitated before he grabbed it. The photo revealed an elderly man, whose white hair was cropped close in military style. His tanned skin like leather seemed familiar, but the blue eyes pierced Alex’s heart. His breath caught in his chest. Squeezing his eyes shut, he pinched the bridge of his nose. The image floated behind his lids; it wouldn’t leave. Bile bubbled in his gut. He threw the photo across the table to Reece, leaving the room in a rush.
Forty
The van delivered the group to the Seville Inn and Suites in historic downtown Pensacola, a welcome sight since they had to wait a few hours for Thomas’s medical exam to finish. They made their way to the front desk where they were issued room keys. Mara looked forward to sleeping in a real bed. To her relief, they all received private rooms. Receiving her key last, she looked toward the elevator as the door closed on the faces of Thomas, Noah, and Michael. A giggle slipped from her lips. She knew Noah had accidently closed the door on her, because he could never figure out which button held it open.
After she took the adjacent elevator, she walked the long hall to her suite. Inside, she found her luggage placed on the bed. She eagerly ran to the bags and began sifting through them. She removed a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom, relieved she could finally take a hot shower. A knock at the door stifled her excitement. She threw her head back, looked up at the ceiling, and huffed. Now what?
Noah greeted her and reached out to pull her into his arms. “I haven’t been able to properly give you a miss you hug sinc
e all this has happened. I want you to know how grateful I am that you’re okay. I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to you.”
Returning the embrace, Mara felt her heart fill with love for her brother. “I want you to know you are my hero. I’m so lucky to have you.”
“Hey, I’m not the only hero. I had help. Actually, it was Alex’s idea to take the lead and go in without waiting for Carter’s okay. You know he really loves you, sis.”
Mara stepped back to allow him to enter the room. Her face fell. “I know he does, but things have changed. Thomas is alive and I can’t ignore the vows I have made to him.” Her brother’s craggy face filled her eyes with tears.
“Aw, sis, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. Damn it. Why did I have to open my mouth?”
“No, it’s okay. This isn’t going to be easy for anyone, and ignoring it won’t make it go away.”
“I know. I hate like the dickens that you have to choose between them.”
“The decision is easy. I’m still married to Thomas.” Mara sniffed and wiped her eyes.
“But you love Alex,” Noah whispered. “I can see it in your face.”
“I love Thomas too. I loved him first and went through hell when I lost him. That’s not something I want to experience again.”
“Look, I didn’t come down here to dredge all this up. I wanted to invite you to dinner with Asher, Wally, and me. Carter hasn’t released them yet, either. We’re going to check out that seafood place down the street.”
“That’s sweet. I’d rather stay in, take a long hot bath, and turn in early. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good night’s sleep.” She noticed his sudden concern. “I’ll order in.”
Noah nodded, “I understand. Will I see you in the morning for breakfast?”
“Yeah, I’ll see you then.” Mara opened the door and waited for Noah to exit.
“Try to relax. Pray. God will lead you in the right direction.”
Mara took her brother in her arms again. “I hope so.” When she shut the door, she leaned against it. “God, if you’re listening, please help me.”
****
Noah hesitated before knocking. He sucked in a deep breath and prayed he was doing the right thing. He rapped on the door with confidence.
Thomas greeted him. The plush white robe provided by the hotel swallowed him whole. His hollow eyes and sunken cheeks dominated his corpse-like face.
At the sight of his brother-in-law, Noah recouped and smiled. “Hey, Tom, I wanted to check on you and see how you’re doing. Do you need anything?”
“Come in, Noah. No, I’m fine. I ordered room service. It should arrive shortly.”
“Good, you need to put some meat on those bones.” Noah chuckled.
Thomas strode to a chair and sat. “What can I do for you?”
Noah waited for the words to find him and said, “Uh, listen, I’m worried about Mara. She’s been through a lot and now that—”
“Now that I’m back in the picture she has to choose between me and Alex.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Well, worry no more, Noah. I’m going back to California. I’m not part of her life any longer. We basically said our goodbyes at the compound.”
“I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
Thomas crossed his thin legs and said, “I’m dying. I don’t want her to go through my death again.”
Noah found the chair opposite Thomas. “What? How?”
“The cure that bitch, Foster, developed, keeps you from getting cancer, but the side effects wreak havoc on your system. Mostly it causes psychosis, and all manner of internal problems, but no cancer,” Thomas’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“And Mara knows this?”
“Yes, I told her at the compound. She was ready to drop everything and stay with me because of the promise she made on our wedding day.”
Noah scrubbed his face. “Shit, I’m sorry, Tom. Are you sure there isn’t anything the doctors can do? Maybe they can reverse the side effects. Hell, with the medical advances they have today, they can practically perform miracles.”
“I’m not going to be anyone else’s guinea pig, ever again.” Thomas chewed the words as they spewed from his mouth. He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “I’m really tired.”
“Right, right, sorry. I’ll let you rest.” Noah stood to leave.
“No, I mean I’m tired…of living.”
Noah placed a hand on Thomas’s shoulder and squeezed it gently. “Don’t give up. You never know what life has in store for you in the next chapter. You’ve gone through hell, but you’ve come out on the other side. Sure, you’re a bit tore up, but you’re still in one piece.”
Thomas shook Noah’s hand and said, “Thanks, Noah.”
Forty-One
The world around Alex wavered like a mirage in a desert. Like misplaced hope. He reached for the doorknob, wanting only to escape this nightmare. His heart lurched when he heard Reece’s next words.
“He wants to see you,” Reece said.
“I don’t care what he wants.” Alex remained frozen, his hand still on the knob.
“I understand, and I’m sure you have your reasons, but please let’s discuss this.”
Images flashed before Alex’s eyes, of his mother and the day he came home from school and found her unconscious on her bed like Sleeping Beauty. His life changed forever on that day. He called 911, but she died in route to the hospital. Alex was only seventeen.
His mother, an attractive woman gentle in her ways, was devoted to her family. She had suffered from bouts of depression for many years, brought about by his father’s infidelity. Alex tried to compensate for his father’s absences, but his efforts proved futile.
One day, Grace reached the point where she could no longer endure the rejections. She donned her prettiest dress, applied her makeup with care, and took an entire bottle of sleeping pills. When Alex entered her room, he knew in his heart what she had done. He inched step by terrifying step to her still body, bent over, and kissed her forehead. Grace would not suffer from her husband’s blatant disregard for her feelings another day.
The day after his mother’s funeral, Joseph Strange paraded his latest piece around the house, even taking her to the bedroom he had shared with his dead wife. Alex left the house and never returned.
Alex glared at the FBI agent. “I’m not changing my mind.”
“There are some things you need to be aware of before you decide. Please have a seat.”
Alex closed his eyes as if summoning the courage to walk back into the room. Skulking to the table he said, “Alright, what is it that I need to be made aware of?”
“As you know, Mr. Strange is in custody. He has been very adamant about seeing you. Frankly, he has made some allegations we find hard to believe. If you would agree to meet with him, perhaps you can assess the situation and help us determine if his claims are substantiated.”
“What’d the liar say?”
“Well, he claims he gave you the passenger manifest for Mrs. Byrne’s flight. In addition, he said that he gave you papers describing how Telomerase cures cancer and extends a person’s life expectancy.” Reece studied Alex’s face. “Is that true?”
Remembering the Riverside Inn, Alex said, “I did get the flight manifest, but I have no idea who provided it. Also inside the packet, technical papers mentioned something about Telomerase, but the science flew over my head. But I didn’t realize he led me to the flight manifest.”
“He reported that he had a note placed in your jacket pocket as you were leaving the courtroom in Riverside, and he also hired a woman who called to urge you forward.”
Alex shook his head. “So what? Why’s that important?”
“Well, it confirms his truthfulness and culpability.”
“Culpability? Really? You think he’s not responsible for his actions?” Alex pounded the desk with his fist. “Let me tell you
about this man. He drove his wife to suicide without an ounce of remorse. He coordinated an attack on a house full of innocent people, killed a secret service agent, a doctor, and injured three other people. Not to mention what happened to Thomas Byrne over the past year. So, if you believe he’s not culpable than you need to return back to the rock you crawled out from under.”
Reece stilled himself. “Perhaps you are correct, but I do believe he can provide us with valuable information. If you would talk to him, you may be able to get more out of him than we could.”
Alex scowled at Reece. “No.”
“He claims he’s dying from cancer. Dr. Foster promised him that she would provide the cure in exchange for his help.”
Alex smiled, his eyes cold and uncaring. “I don’t care. I hope he does die.” He left the room without another word.
****
Reece watched Alex leave the room. He reached inside his pocket, removed his cell phone, and placed a call. Holding it to his ear, he said, “May I speak to Deputy Director Franks, please?” After a moment, a voice came on the line.
“Talk to me.”
“Sir, this is Reece Carter. I called to give you an update on the situation here. The civilians are at a local hotel until I get the go-ahead to release them. Also, Alex Strange refuses to speak to his father.”
“Listen to me, Carter, you must convince him to change his mind. Joseph Strange’s desire to confess all to his son gives us the advantage. He might be able to convince his father to disclose the location of Foster’s laboratory. That tiny underground lab at the compound isn’t big enough to perform a prostate exam, let alone develop a cure for aging and cancer, not to mention other life-threatening diseases. She has a team and a lab somewhere else, and we need to know where. Do what you have to do.”