The Chrysalid Conspiracy

by A. J. Reynolds

  “Amelia, it was exactly what I needed. No one has ever given it to me like that. The truth as it really is, I mean. It was like being hit in the face with a cricket bat. If you hadn’t, I would have been out that door and back into my self-pitying wilderness. You put everything into perspective. I owe you,” Sheila confessed. “Do you mind if I tell you the whole story, now I think I can handle it?”

  “I think we could sit through it – for your sake, of course,” said Rayn. “Don’t you mum?”

  Sheila laughed and, after taking a deep breath, began her story.

  “I’m going to give it to you, warts and all. I’ve come to realise I’m not entirely blameless, so here goes. At eighteen I went off to college, as I said, to do physiology. There I was, fresh from the farm, amongst people my own age, more intellectual than your average farmer and fun to be with.

  It was a totally new environment but I quickly got into the swing of things. I studied physiology in great detail, both male and female; sometimes at the same time. I tested the limits of my tolerance to drugs, alcohol and sleep deprivation. I became so good at it that I got top marks, but only from the students. The administration asked me to leave. I call it my ‘blank’ year. I don’t remember much but I’m supposed to have had a whale of a time.

  “Meanwhile, back on the farm, mum and dad were disappointed but not judgemental and I managed to get sorted out. I carried on with the ‘magic’ and, when I was ready to trust myself again; I went off to Melbourne and got the necessary certificates.” Sheila paused for a moment. “Any chance of another coffee?” she said to Rayn. “My hands are shaking. This is really tougher than I thought it would be.”

  “You can stop when you like.” said Lucy.

  “No she can’t!” burst in Rayn. “I’ll get you all the coffee you need. Just don’t start again till I get back.” Sheila laughed again, which both Lucy and Amelia saw as a good sign. When Rayn returned and they were settled again, she continued.

  “Word of my magic touch sort of spread and I got a job with a sports club, from where I ended up as physio to the National Rugby Team. It was a very prestigious position, very high profile and I loved it. That’s when it all fell to pieces. A snide of a reporter contacted some of my so-called friends from college and did a kiss and tell piece in the Sunday papers, with photographs. The next thing you know, I was gang banging the whole team and supplying them with drugs. I didn’t have the courage to stay and fight. I just split.”

  There were tears in Sheila’s eyes as she stopped for a moment. The others were silent. There was nothing they could say. Rayn, who knew this was the truth, was beginning to wish she had been a little less enthusiastic, while Amelia, who could feel the pain, was nearly in tears for her.

  “You know,” Sheila said, at length. “Last night was the only time I’ve given a thought for the other people involved. The team went through hell. Drugs enquiries; divorce actions, the guy who hired me got fired. Loss of advertising contracts had a huge impact on the whole sport. And I’ve been so wrapped up in myself I’ve never given them a thought. That kick in the backside you gave me has certainly shaken a few things up. Anyway, I’ve been on the move ever since, a couple of years now. Mum and dad have stood by me with finances and such. If somebody recognises me I just split again. One time I didn’t even go back to my flat. Just got on a bus and kept going. Then last week I got this letter from my dad telling me to take this job. He didn’t ask, he actually told me. Imagine how I felt when I was recognised in about eight seconds?” Sheila paused again and then suddenly turned to Rayn. “Rayn, can we get stuck into that washing up? I need to be active or else I’ll fall apart.”

  They retreated to the kitchen just as Carrieanne’s voice called out from the shop. “Hello? It’s us. Can we come in?”

  “Yes! Come on in,” called Amelia.

  “Amelia,” said Lucy, quickly. “Can we arrange to be alone this week some time?”

  “Of course, Mum. Any particular reason?” answered Amelia, curiously.

  “It’s time,” she said, as the two sisters came bouncing in. Amelia caught her breath.

  Claire rushed in, already talking. “Hey, Amelia. Guess what Caz found out? We know…” She stumbled to a halt when she saw Lucy. “Oh, hi Lucy,” she said. “You look well.”

  “What do you mean, well?” said Carrieanne, quickly. “She looks fantastic. Nice to see you up and about again, Lucy. How do you feel?”

  “I’m fine, thank you. It looks as if you girls have something you need to discuss. I’m off to get some work done,” and she motored out to her workshop.

  “Sorry,” said Claire. “Is it safe to talk now?”

  “Yes,” said Amelia. “What’s this all about?”

  “We have news about the Lucy Lacey thing. Caz has this stupid friend at school that’s got…” began Claire.

  “She’s not stupid,” defended Carrieanne in a loud voice.

  “Stop!” Amelia implored. “Don’t start again. Claire, apologise to your sister and let her tell her own story. Now, go get Rayn, she’d better be in on this.” A somewhat deflated Claire did as she was told.

  “Hi guys,” greeted Rayn. “What are you doing here on a school day? Escaped?”

  “Teacher training day,” said Claire, still showing her disappointment.

  “I thought you’d better hear this Rayn,” said Amelia. “Go Ahead Caz.”

  “Well,” began Carrieanne, “I’ve got this friend at school, she’s a really lovely girl…”

  “Come off it, Caz,” interrupted Claire. “She’s thick as a walrus and twice as ugly.”

  “Claire, shut up,” Amelia told her.

  “Thank you, Amelia. I’m going to have her stuffed and mounted. Anyway, she may not be pretty but she plays a wicked flute and has a terrific singing voice. It turns out she also has an elder brother who’s a bit of a computer freak. Very clever and a wizard hacker.”

  Claire couldn’t resist any longer. “Oh, come on,” she moaned. “Alex is completely thick at maths. He thinks a prime number is an ageing lap dancer.”

  Despite herself, Rayn burst into laughter. Amelia was about to rebuke Claire again when Rayn cut in, showing some uncharacteristic tact. “Hey Claire. Why don’t you take Sheila’s cigarettes in the kitchen to her?” and she slid a packet and a lighter across the table. “Have a chat, she’s really nice.” Claire grabbed the cigarettes and lighter, stuck her tongue out at her sister in defiance and flounced out of the room.

  “Sorry about that,” said Carrieanne. “She’s annoyed because dad has been on at us to find out exactly what happened on Sunday. He’s got a copy of the police report somehow, but he doesn’t believe it. As far as I’m concerned he can get stuffed. Ve know Nar-Think.”

  “That’s okay, Please go on” Amelia smiled.”

  “Well, I was talking about Brenda, my friend. Her brother is a computer hacker. So I asked her to get him to check out Lucy Lacey Imports. Apparently it’s a worldwide charitable conservation trust. The Lucy side deals with collecting plant and non-sentient life and the Lacy side does the same with animals, reptiles, insects, that sort of stuff.”

  “Did he manage to get any details of the structure of it? You know, organisers, funding, anything at all?” asked Rayn.

  “Yes. It was started about ten years ago by a Lucille Jaxson and William Lacey,” said Carrieanne. “It’s called the ‘Lucy Lacey Research Foundation’ and it’s registered as a charity.”

  “Who the hell is William Lacey?” muttered Amelia.

  “George’s original name was Billy, wasn’t it?” suggested Rayn. “Do you think, maybe…?”

  “Reasonable assumption, I suppose,” answered Amelia. “Go on Caz. What else?”

  “He couldn’t find out where their funding comes from, which really got up his nose, as he hates to fail. The charity seems to run itself and there have been many accusations and inquiries into allegations of illegal imports and smuggling. But no prosecutions. “But,” and she paused for ef
fect. “In the legal paperwork of those inquiries, he found a reference to an Exotic Animal Sanctuary somewhere near Warem Down in Hampshire. Is that okay?” Carrieanne finished.

  “That’s fantastic Caz. You’ve done really well, thank you.” Amelia was still shaken by the continuing confirmation of her mother’s involvement, but was getting used to these kinds of shocks. Rayn pointed out that it didn’t get them much further forward, but it was nice to get some answers for a change.

  “I don’t know, Rayn. It gives us a much better understanding of the size and influence of Maddy’s organisation,” Amelia answered.

  “At least we now know who and what the Lucy Lacey imports thing is all about, and what it is they’re up to.”

  As she was talking, Sheila came in looking for another lighter. Hers had died.

  “What’s that about Lucy Lacey?” she asked. “I’ve not heard that name since I left home.” Although her voice was conversational, the impact was disproportionate.

  Amelia sat back in her chair with a half-smile on her face, while Rayn choked on her own expletive.

  “Sheila?” asked Amelia, with an amused look on her face. “Would you be kind enough to tell us what you know? It’s quite important – to you as well as us.”

  “Sure, if it’ll help,” she said.

  “Thank you,” said Amelia. “Caz, will you get your sister in here? It’s not fair to leave her out and she needs to hear this. I think it’s going to be very interesting.”

  “Amelia, what are you up to?” asked Rayn. “And why are you grinning all over the place?”

  Claire came in, mumbled her apologies and sat meekly at the table, pleased that she had been included again. Amelia introduced Sheila and left her centre stage.

  “I don’t really know much, but my dad does a lot of work for them,” Sheila informed them. “He and mum collect specimens of plant life for them. They pay him very well.”

  “When did they become involved, do you know?” asked Amelia, still with that half smile.

  “It was about the time I got back from college,” she said. “I was a mess, still addicted to drugs, drink and, shall we say, social interaction. Mum got this Dr Smith in. She stayed a couple of months and sorted me out. Got me straight again before she left and put dad in touch with the foundation.”

  “And you were clean within two months, you say?” asked Claire, breaking her silence.

  “Yes. This doctor was pretty amazing.”

  “She must have been to cure addictions like those in that time,” said Claire. “On a scale of one to ten, the chances of a full recovery are nearer to zero than one.”

  Carrieanne responded to Sheila’s perplexed expression. “Sorry, she has a photographic memory. She’s a child genius with a master’s degree in rectal discomfort,” Claire didn’t join in the laughter.

  “Look, I’m not sure what you kids are trying to say, or what it is you want from me,” Sheila remarked. She turned to Amelia. “That story you gave us last night really scared me. How am I involved? Oh, sorry,” she suddenly paused looking at the two young sisters. “Did I…”

  “It’s Okay,” Rayn answered her. “It’s alright, they know the theory; they just don’t believe it yet.” She’d been sitting wondering what Amelia was up to and suddenly arrived at the same conclusions. She too sat back and smiled, saying “Did you notice, during your ‘wilderness’ travels, that when one door closed, another one opened? You know, something always turned up?” she asked.

  “Yes, actually I thought I was always pretty lucky like that. Something always seemed to turn up at the right time. But now I come to think on it, it’s as if it was already there waiting for me to fall into it. Why?”

  “It wasn’t luck, Sheila,” added Amelia, after a nod from Rayn.

  “You’re not here by accident. Was this Dr Smith person tall and slim with an eastern complexion, a compelling intellect and an ageless beauty?”

  Sheila stared at her, incredulous. “How would you know that?”

  She was becoming very frightened.

  “When’s your job interview?” asked Rayn.

  “As I’m here a few days early, she’s seeing me this afternoon.

  “Good” Amelia gave her a warm smile of encouragement. “Don’t be afraid, Sheila. Go see Maddy and you’ll find out what we are talking about. She’ll explain it better than we can. She knows the whole picture. Just remember – you’re among friends, and this is where you are supposed to be. It’ll also explain how I knew you were coming and your real name.”

  Sheila was totally bewildered. Her world was turning inside out and she was struggling to find a landmark to maintain her perspective. Part of her wanted to cut and run, but this is something her parents had set up. And she owed them, big time.

  “I think that’s enough for now,” said Amelia brightly. “It’s getting near lunch time. Anyone for baguettes? Rayn, we need some money from my mum, and find out what she wants. Sheila, would you be kind enough to pop over to the bakery? It’s just up the road. And get some of those gorgeous jam doughnuts as well. Caz, would you help me to the toilet please? And Rayn, we’ll need some drinks. Then you can tell Caz and Claire exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon. And be careful, those two can see straight through you.”

  The two sisters registered surprise and sympathy at Amelia’s plight and the two deaths, but were devastated by the news that Horace had died, and burst into tears.

  When they’d calmed down, Rayn gave them the straight, unfunny version of the events at the Hall. The girls were suitably impressed and not a little frightened by it all.

  Sheila returned with the goodies, having declined the offer of lunch on the grounds that her appetite had gone ‘walk about’ and she didn’t know when it would be back.

  “It’s a bit weird out there. What’s going on around here?” she asked Amelia. “I popped into that beauty and massage parlour next door to check out the chances of a job. You know, as a back-up if things don’t work out. Force of habit, really. Anyway, she said they were closing down at the end of next month.”

  “Oh,” said Amelia. “Well, I’ll be sorry to see Sandra go, but people do move on. What’s weird?”

  “Well, the garage next door is closed. Big handwritten sign on the doors and the baby outfitters next door are having a closing down sale. The place after that is all boarded up, and in the bakery I heard them talking about finding a relocation site so they don’t lose their jobs. What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know,” said Amelia. “The garage was closed because George died, but I didn’t know about the others.”

  “That guy Sambo still lives there.” said Carrieanne, “He told me Lorraine told him her boss said he could stay on until they could make other arrangements,” said Carrieanne.

  “Hmm, this is interesting. I wonder?” Amelia pondered for a minute. “Tell you what Caz; can you get your friend’s brother, the computer hacker, to find out if there is anything going on for us?”

  “Er… there might be a problem there. He charges twenty-five quid a go. I still owe him for the last one,” confessed Carrieanne.

  “Oh Caz, I wish you’d told me. It’s a bit expensive, but what the hell. Rayn, pop in and see mum and tell her I need to borrow fifty pounds, would you?” She smiled at her hesitant friend.

  “Oh sure,” Rayn showed her reluctance. “Wish me luck,” and she made for the door.

  Sheila made her apologies and said she had to go. She’d been nervous about her interview with the doctor. “But now I’m a complete mess. I’ve got to get myself prepared for it,” she said. “I’ll come back this evening and give you and your mum a workout regardless, okay?”

  “Yes please, Sheila. Then you can tell us what happens,” said Amelia.

  “More to the point,” added Rayn. “You can tell us how you feel about what you learn. We can swap notes.” Sheila gave them a quizzical look as she gathered up her things and left.

  When she came back from visiting Lucy, Rayn han
ded Amelia the money she had asked for and the four girls finished eating with Amelia and Rayn going round again in a vain attempt to appease their ravenous hunger. “How was she?” said Amelia, expecting the worst.

  “Actually, she didn’t say anything. She just gave it to me,” Rayn told her. “She’s sitting there with a strange look on her face and a tear in her eye. I asked her if she was all right but she wanted to be alone for a while. Do you think she’s okay?”

  Amelia thought about her mother asking if they could spend some time together and assumed it was connected. She sent out a gentle ‘scan’, just in case, and was unnerved to feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment mixed in with an enormous relief, and no other emotion. Amelia was stunned. This was no normal reaction to the recent events she was aware of. What was going on?

  Her mind was suddenly dragged back into the living room when Rayn placed Ryxyl’s mask in the middle of the table and she was left with no time to pursue the question.

  “Dare I ask?” she said to Rayn.

  “I’ve had an idea, but I’m not sure about it. It’s based on something you said,” she said, adding the bait to pull Amelia in. It worked.

  “If it’s what I think it is, I’m halfway there,” Amelia replied. Rayn was furious.

  “If you’ve been reading my mind Amelia, I’ll…”

  “Mind reading?” interrupted Claire, who had been studying the mask.

  “Come on Rayn,” parried Amelia. “You know I can’t do that.”

  “You couldn’t yesterday,” Rayn came back at her. “But I never know with you these days.”

  “Look,” Amelia tried to reassure her. “It just means we’re on the same wavelength. That’s all. Now, what’s this idea?”

  “Yeah, okay. Sorry,” said Rayn. “Caz, Claire, do you mind if we discuss this openly? It involves your father, in a not very favourable light.”

  “Major understatement, but eloquent,” put in Amelia.

  “This sounds interesting,” said Claire. Carrieanne nodded, looking a bit unsure.

  “Good,” responded Rayn. “Amelia, what does this tell us? How does it help?”