by Rey, Solomon
“She should be fine. Anyway, I was excited about your research, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself being as close as I am and not stop by.”
“Well, it’ll be nice to see you…where are you now?”
“I’m at the Red Lion, I can be there in fifteen minutes.”
“That’ll be fine. Let me give you my address. It’s—“
“Don’t bother, I already have it.”
“Then, I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye,” Saunders said.
He stood and concealed the Glock in his waistband and covered it with his shirt. He checked himself in the mirror, making sure the gun would remain hidden.
“Let’s get this over with,” he told himself.
* * *
Richard disconnected the phone call, setting the phone down slowly. It didn’t sit well with him—the coincidence of Steve’s story. Possibly he was being paranoid, but he didn’t think so. I don’t feel good about this, he thought, I can’t explain it, but I’m getting a very strong premonition that things are going to get bad—very bad!
Donna had just turned off the shower when Richard knocked on the door.
“I’ll be out in a sec,” she said.
“Well, you need to hurry,” he said with a sense of urgency.
“What’s going on?” She asked, opening the door, wearing only a towel.
“Why did she have to look so…wow! He noted the rivulets of water rolling down her cleavage. She was sexy without even trying. This isn’t the time for this, he thought, bad things are going to start happening—snap out of it.
“Steve called. He just happened to be in Eugene for a family emergency and wanted to stop by. He’s at the Red Lion.”
“Here…in Coos Bay?”
“Yes.”
“This is the same Steve you emailed info about Chromosome ‘S’.”
“The same.”
“Richard, I have to tell you, it doesn’t seem coincidental to me,” the worry was clearly noticeable on her face.
“I believe you’re right.”
“What do you want to do?” She asked.
“I’m not sure yet, but I’m glad the kids are out,” he said.
“Do you think we’re being silly?”
“Well, let me ask you this…I inform him of my research two days ago, then he just happens to show up in Eugene, what are the odds of this being a coincidence?”
“Slim!”
“Well, you need to hurry and get dressed, he’ll be here in ten minutes.”
“I’ll be quick,” she said rushing to her bedroom, stripping the towel off as she entered.
He went to the kitchen and finished wiping everything down. Five minutes had passed, then Donna emerged from the hall wearing jeans and a t-shirt with her hair in a ponytail.
“What are we going to do? I mean about the kids?” She asked anxiously.
“They should be gone for another hour and a half. If he asks about Olivia, leave it to me…I’ll come up with something. I told him, I hadn’t told anyone else about Chromosome ‘S’, so if he mentions anything act confused.”
“Okay, I hope we’re just being paranoid,” she said, but knowing they weren’t.
“I need to tell you something. I touched lightly on it when I was trying to save Olivia’s life, but didn’t feel the need to expand on it. I told you I had a sixth sense, allowing me to know if someone is about to die, do you remember?” She nodded quickly, “When I found my wife, that entire day I was filled with unease. The feeling became more intense as I drew closer to home. On my way, I became nauseous and the sensation of imminent doom became so powerful.”
“Have you experienced this many times in your life?” She asked intrigued.
“Yes, but the strength of the sensation is dependent on my relationship to the person. The closer I am, the stronger the feeling. That day with Olivia was overwhelming.”
“Why haven’t you ever told me any of this before?”
“It’s not something I would want to advertise or bring up in casual conversation, but if it makes you feel any better, you’re the only one I’ve told.”
“You’ve never told Olivia…or Brenda?”
“No. The need or desire never presented itself,” he said.
She didn’t want to stand there talking about this any further with imminent doom knocking at their door. “Why don’t we leave? Go to the river and get the kids.”
“Hold on…” he said, walking over to the sliding door, he peered out and scanned the woods encompassing the house.
“What are you looking for?” She asked, worried after hearing his declaration.
“I don’t like it; I get the feeling that someone’s out there watching us. If we were to leave, we might lead them to the kids.”
“Are you sure your senses are accurate?” She hoped his answer would make her feel better.
Silence was his answer—she felt worse.
“You’re really scaring me,” She said moving closer to him, putting his arm around her, pulling her against him.
“We need to act normal as possible. We can’t let him see that we’re nervous, okay?” She nodded. “There is a slim chance this feeling involves someone else,” Offering hope.
“Like who?”
“It could have to do with another person who’s close to me.”
“I pray your feelings for some reason are malfunctioning,” she sat down, trying to relax her nerves. Everything will be fine, she told herself, nothing is wrong and no one is out there watching us.
He was standing at the slider, “Here comes a car, it’s turning into our driveway. It’s him,” he said going to Donna, “Act natural and if something does happen, I will whisper to Olivia to stay away. I hope she will be able to hear us before they get to close to home. If anything happens to me, you continue to signal her, okay?”
“Yes, I got it.”
He pulled her in for a kiss. They kissed passionately holding each other tight, not wanting to let go. Given the strength of the premonition, he had no idea if he’d ever feel her soft lips again.
CHAPTER XXIX
The minutes flew by, before they knew it, Saunders was tapping on the sliding door. They slowly eased away, gazing into each others eyes. A multitude of thoughts passed between them. Donna and Richard turned to greet him. Richard slid the door open: Act one; scene one, he thought. “Hey Steve, it’s so good to see you after all this time,” Richard said, hugging him, then turned to Donna.
“Steve, I’d like you to meet my fianceé, Donna,” they shook hands. Donna casually wiped her hand on her leg; his hand was cold and clammy. “I proposed forty-five minutes ago!”
“Well, Congratulations! That’s incredible news,” Steve said, pretending he cared.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Donna offered politely.
“No, no. I’m really not thirsty, but I’d really love a tour of the house…if you don’t mind,” Steve requested.
“Oh sure. Where are my manners? He guided Steve around the house; careful to avoid the bedrooms. He didn’t want Steve to see the kid’s rooms.
“And the lab is right down the stairs,” he pointed.
Suanders couldn’t help admiring Donna’s figure and beautiful face. Maybe I can go a few rounds with her, he thought, she looks like she’d be a lot of fun. Too bad they’re going to kill her. Perhaps I’ll make Richard watch. A smile emerged.
“I really don’t want to take too much of your time, I’m sure you two would love to celebrate and I have to get back to my wife in Eugene. Hopefully her cousin’s doing better,” Steve said, “Can you show me Minnie, then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Sure,” Richard led them down the stairs. Cousin? I’m sure he had said Aunt before, he thought.
* * *
Bzzzzz…Bzzzzz…Bzzzzz…Bzzzzz
“Leader-one, go.”
“Black widow requires update—over.”
“Perimeter secure—three targets in dwelling—wait further instr
uctions—over.”
“Mole to ensure all data authentic and complete—over.”
“Any further instructions—over.”
“Two targets to be eliminated; you have specific instructions regarding mole—over.”
“Roger that, Leader-one—out.”
* * *
As they walked down the stairs, Steve began, “I advised you the other day not to tell anyone about your research, did you heed my warning?”
“I haven’t told a soul,” he did his best to sound casual.
“You haven’t told Olive?”
“Olivia and no! She doesn’t live with me, she’s with her Grandmother over in Sweethome. I only get to see her every other weekend, if she’s in the mood. You know teenagers,” that’s good, he thought, that explains Olivia’s room and clothes.
They reached the key pad, punched the code, then entered.
“This is very nice, Richard, I’m impressed,” he identified much of Richard’s hi-tech equipment.
“Can I see your research and formula?”
“Sure,” he said, walking to the safe and retrieving his papers, handing it to Steve, who excitedly read through the material.
Richard looked at Donna, it was obvious she was nervous. He smiled at her hoping to relax her. She forced a smile.
“This truly is an amazing accomplishment. You should be very proud of yourself,” he placed the data on the counter, “Can I see Minnie?”
“Looks like a normal mouse, can I get a scalpel?” Saunders asked. “She’s right over here,” Richard led him to the cage.
Richard handed it to him and Saunders went to work. He used all his strength to slice into Minnie, then watched the open wound seal in front of his eyes. He was astonished. “I read your research, but seeing it for myself is beyond anything I had ever imagined possible. We’ve all been looking at ways to improve the human immune system, but this was unforeseeable, at least not in our lifetime, if ever. Science will revere you, as the greatest mind of our time and you will receive accolades from around the world,” he turned away from Donna and Richard, slipping his hand under his shirt. In one smooth motion he pulled the Glock out, whipped around and aimed the gun at Richard’s chest. Richard gained his composure immediately. “It’s too bad you won’t be around to enjoy all the kudos,” Saunders pulled his cell phone out, sending the text to Leader-one outside.
“Why are you doing this? You are suppose to be my friend,” Richard said angrily. Donna stood next to him. Her mind shifting toward the kids. If we die here, she thought, what will happen to the kids—where will they end up.
“It’s about money—the one evil all men seek.”
“Money! If you needed cash, all you had to do was ask.”
“You wouldn’t give me the amount I require.” A sound came from above, Saunders turned his head toward the noise. Richard stepped toward him in hopes of disarming him.
He wasn’t fast enough.
Saunders pulled the trigger. Richard grabbed his chest. Donna screamed. He fired again and again and again.
* * *
“I wonder what the first day of school will be like at Marshfield. You know everyone is going to freak, right?” Derek said, imagining the faces of his fellow students as they lay on their beach towels.
Olivia giggled, “I know! It’s going to be awesome.”
“I bet you get asked out by at least seven guys…and maybe a couple of girls too,” he said joking.
“You are mentally disturbed.”
“That’s why we get along so well.” Instantly, Olivia was on her feet, her face alert, as she listened intently. “What’s wrong?” Derek asked.
“I heard gun fire—four times and a scream! It was your Mom!” She said anxiously, but with a strength Derek had never seen before.
“That’s over a mile away, are you sure it was her?”
“Positive, we need to get out of here, now!” She commanded. She was scared more than she could ever remember.
Derek was ready to go. He jumped on her back, becoming a blur.
* * *
Saunders stared at Richard, who stood unharmed. Richard rushed him still holding the Glock. He hammered the gun down on Richard’s skull. He fell to the ground.
Donna rushed to his side as two men dressed in camouflage entered, pointing assault rifles at them, each with a side arm on their hip.
Donna helped Richard up, blood running down the side of his face. Richard whispered inaudibly, “Olivia, stay away. There are men with guns here, do not come back onto the property,” he continued it over and over.
“Everything alright Mr. Saunders?” Leader-one asked flatly.
“Yes, but why the hell are there blanks in this gun? What’s going on here?” He asked angrily.
“Precautionary measure—we couldn’t take the chance of you accidentally shooting Dr. Osborn before the required information was acquired or have you wounding one of my team members. I’m sure you’re intelligent enough to fathom our reasoning. “Leader-one said, “Did you look over the data?”
“Yes,” he said sharply, still simmering.
“Is it complete and authentic?”
“I looked it over, it is.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve been working with DNA for over twenty-years, I can confirm it’s authentic,” he said arrogantly.
“Did he tell anyone else?”
“No, he only trusted me,” he said, superciliously with a smirk to Richard.
“Are you positive?”
“Yes, completely!” He said confidently.
“Good,” Leader-one said with a half grin. He pulled his side arm and put a bullet into Saunder’s left knee.
* * *
Derek kept his head down, the wind was too hard on his face. She was going much faster than she had the other day. They’d been running for twenty seconds, when Olivia stopped abruptly, causing him to bump heads with her. It didn’t faze her.
“Ow!” Rubbing his head, “Why’d you stop? We’re almost there!”
“I can hear my Dad! He’s saying there are men with guns in the house…I can hear the men…there are two speaking.”
“What are we waiting for, let’s go!” He pressed desperately.
“We can’t! He says to stay away from the property.”
“And you’re going to listen to him?” He asked unbelievingly.
“Yes, I’m not going to risk your Mom or my Dad’s life by going in there blind.”
“But they could die, if we don’t do something. We have to go in, damn it!” He was scared and angry at the helplessness he felt.
“First, I have no idea how many are in there. Second, they could have guns to their heads. I may be fast and able to get one gun away, but not both, possibly killing one of our parents, can you live with that? She stared intensely into his eyes, “I can’t!”
He turned away, “No,” he conceded defeat. He knew she was right.
Olivia contemplated the situation, while she listened to the men talk about research.
It’s all about Chromosome ‘S’, she thought. “I know why the men are in the house,” She said to Derek.
He turned to her, “Why are they here?”
“It’s about the serum!”
“Of course it is,” he said sardonically. “Isn’t there anything we can do?”
“I’ve been thinking…we can try to get as close to the property as possible, so I can take a good look around. Maybe we can figure the best way in, when the time is right.”
“Yeah, let’s do that, at least we won’t be standing around doing nothing!” The helpless feeling vanished.
“Crap!” Her body froze.
“What happened?”
“I heard another shot and scream!”
“Who was it?” Derek asked apprehensively.
“It wasn’t our parents, it was one of the others,” she said relieved.
* * *
Saunders screamed as he fell to the ground. Donna covered
her mouth to stifle a shriek. Richard whispered hoping Olivia was able to hear him, “We’re okay. Stay away,” repeating continuously.
Saunders lay on the ground whimpering, blood flowed manifesting into a puddle, as he squeezed his leg tightly, trying to somehow stop the pain, “You bastard!” He whined, “Why’d you shoot me?!”
“It’s a personal message from Ms. Sinclair. You failed us before and though we appreciate all your assistance in this matter, my associates feel it’s best to terminate our relationship, permanently.
“You can’t kill me!” He pleaded, “Please, I beg of you…I can disappear, they’ll never know you didn’t do it, please.”
Leader-one raised his eyes to Richard, “Dr. Osborn, what do you think…should I kill him?”
“I’m a doctor; I save lives. If it comes down to taking his life, I say no,” he said firmly.
“What are you some friggin saint! The man just aimed a gun at your chest and unloaded it, and you still want to save his life?” Leader-one said.
“The actions of mine enemies shall not cast a shadow upon my character.”
Saunders looked at Richard in disbelief, turning to Leader-one.
Richard continued to whisper to Olivia. “Dr. Osborn, you are definitely a humanitarian, but would you feel the same, if you were to discover that your dear friend Professor Saunders, is responsible for the death of your beloved wife?”
* * *
Olivia and Derek walked slowly, crouching down, as they moved careful not to be seen. After a few moments they were in sight of the property.
“Okay, that’s far enough. Lay on the ground,” she instructed.
“Where are you going?”
“See the top of this tree?” She pointed up, “That’s where. They won’t expect anyone up there.”