Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III)

by Carol J. Donahue

  “What kind of person is your father Rian? Why would he kidnap his own granddaughter?”

  “He’s evil, Kareena he will do anything to try to manipulate me. But he won’t hurt Cassie; he only wants to use her against me.

  Rian’s cell phone rang. It was Katherine. “Hello!”

  “Rian, I can’t get a hold of Magan, there’s no answer at her flat or on her cell. I left her a message to call me.”

  “Did you tell her where you were going?”

  “No, Rian I didn’t.”

  “Well don’t. If she calls back just tell her to meet you at the Airport. If you can’t get a hold of her before your flight leaves, go without her and I’ll try to contact her.”

  “Ok Rian, I’m on my way. I Love you Son!”

  “Love you Mum, be safe!”

  Rian’s phone rang. “Rian, buddy, James here, nice to hear your voice, It’s been a long time. What’s up.” Rian gave a brief explanation to James, and asked for his help.

  “Kareena’s alive James! Cassie’s mother is alive!”

  “Well of course she is Rian, are you off your rocker? Are you guys back together?”

  “What are you saying James? My father led me to believe she was dead.”

  Rian’s anger was building. “Are you saying you knew she was alive?”

  “Why yes Rian, …I called and left a message.”

  “No…No I didn’t get any message. When?”

  “I left a message with Magan, Rian. I spoke to her the day you woke from your coma. I gave her Kareena’s phone number so you could call her if you had a mind to. You know I tried to get in touch with you on several occasions, but you never returned my calls!” Rian didn’t say a word for a full twenty second his mind was racing. “Are, you there buddy?” James asked.

  “Yes James, I think I know where my daughter is. Thanks, you have no idea how much you just helped me. But I need you to do me a favor!” Rian explained and hung up.

  “Hello, Rian?”

  “Mum, listen, don’t call Magan again. If she calls back please don’t’ tell her where you’re going. I’m sorry Mum, she’s involved. I think she has Cassie.”

  “But why Rian? … Why would she?”

  “I can’t explain now Mum, but just tell her Cassie has been abducted, and we are all sick about it if she calls. Tell her that I have my team working on finding her. That’s all, don’t let on that you know she has Cassie! That’s very important Mum, do you think you can do that for me?”

  “Yes, Rian, she won’t hurt Cassie you know!” Katherine said with relieve.

  “I know Mum, I know. I’ll call you at Uncle Paddy’s when I get this mess straightened out.”

  Allies

  Rian spoke to Charles next. Charles was in his car and on his way in no time. Rian also made contact with Morgan in England.

  Richard was also on his phone to his buddies, he never backed down from a fight and he’d be damn if he would back down from this one. He was coming to the realization that he would have a tough fight on his hands if he was ever to be with Kari again, and right now he was in the mood for a good fight. Richard’s backup was on there way.

  Morgan left his flat and was on his way to find Magan. He arrived at her flat at two thirty in the morning. He pulled behind the two story structure got out and quietly closed his car door. Her flat was on the second floor, and her Beamer was parked in the driveway, so she was home. He could see a child’s car seat through the rear window of a rental car that was parked beside her Beamer. He opened his car door again and reseated himself. He quietly closed his door and hit the speed dial on his cell phone.

  Rian picked up his cell. “Hello Morgan? Where are you?” “I’m sitting in your sister’s driveway. There’s a child’s car seat in a rental car parked next to her Beamer. All is quiet at the moment.”

  “I knew it; I knew she was involved with that old son of a bitch! Ok, Morgan can you stay till day break?”

  “Of course I can! Do you want me to confront her?”

  “If she tries to leave with Cassie, than yes I want you to stop her. Don’t let her leave her apartment even if you have to hold her there forcefully. I just need to know that Cassie is safe. I don’t’ think Magan will harm her, but I need you to make sure she doesn’t leave, Ok?”

  “Ok, Rian, I’ll keep your little girl safe, don’t worry. Call me when all is clear.”

  “I need to get back to the Barrett Estate and confront my Father. I have a feeling this isn’t going to end well Morgan!”

  “Just be safe Rian, I wish I were there to help you!”

  “You are where I need you to be Morgan, I can’t thank you enough!”

  “Please, Rian, you’re like a brother to me. I would kill for you and you know it!”

  “It’s good to have, friends that I can count on Morgan. I will make this up to you. I promise!”

  “Don’t mention it! God speed, Rian!”

  “Thanks, Morgan!”

  Standoff

  Richard’s phone had died so he used Rian’s cell to call Nakoma.

  “Rian?” Nakoma answered with panic in her voice.

  “No, Nakoma it’s Richard, my phone is dead, …. I’m using Rian’s cell.”

  “Finally,…Richard, I was getting really worried. What the hell took you so long?”

  “We couldn’t arouse Kari, I was really worried.” Richard lied “Her car was in the drive so I knew she was home. I tried the doors, but they were locked. So we went to each window and knocked. Finally she woke up. I think we scared the daylights out of her, but she finally let me in.”

  “Did she meet Rian?”

  “No, she didn’t, Niki. Rian waited in the car. I sat with Kari for a bit to make sure she was ok when my phone went dead. That’s why I waited to call you.

  “Richard, I really wanted Kari to be at this party. Are you sure she’s not up to it?”

  “Yes Niki, I’m sure. She’s sleeping now, please leave her be.”

  Nakoma hung up and went to tell the other guests that Richard & Rian were on their way.

  She found Sean out by the pool apologized for the delay and informed all the guests that they would be sitting down to dinner soon.

  Sean couldn’t get his contact on his cell and suspected something had gone wrong, but he wasn’t going to panic. His time with the C.I.A. had taught him patience. He waited to see how the situation would unfold. This was a very important night, and he didn’t want to alarm any of the other guests.

  Kareena still had a key to the cottage. Nakoma had insisted she keep it when she moved into her loft. So they all decided it would be best that they wait there until Rian sent a text message to Charles. Rian would go in alone and tell Nakoma that Richard went home.

  Rian was seated across from Sean as were the other Fathers and sons. Rian would not cause a scene, he would bide his time until the other guests had left for the evening. He would then confront his father.

  So they all had a pleasant meal with talk of the lab and the progress Nakoma had made with Gene therapy. And the direction that this research should take to make the most profit for the pharmaceutical company that was to take over after the completion of the final phase of the study.

  Nakoma was very gracious during the entire dinner, she made the perfect hostess. After desert she invited everyone to see the lab and quietly asked Sean and Rian if they would mind staying a short while after the other guests had left. They agreed Rian gave Nakoma a look of gratitude after she made the gesture. She acknowledged with a slight nod that no one caught except Rian. As they exited the lab through the main entrance that brought them out to the circular drive where their cars and drivers were waiting, Nakoma expressed how grateful she was that they all had come and looked forward to meeting with them again in the not to distant future.

  After going thought the customary farewells, Rian excused himself to the rest room. He then sent a detailed text telling Charles to be ready. There was no backup brought in by his father as
far as he could tell and he would send a message when he wanted Kareena to come to the lab.

  Nakoma pored their after dinner drinks as they took a seat in the library. She excused herself as Rian had asked.

  Rian then faced his father and said very calmly. Do you suppose Nakoma would have any information about Kareena’s death since her late husband was the doctor in charge at the time?”

  Sean raised his eyes from his drink and said “It wouldn’t hurt to ask Rian, but it’s been such a lovely evening are you sure you want to reopen that old wound?”

  “Yes, I do!” Nakoma walked back into the room. “You do what Rian?”

  “I’d like to ask a great favor Nakoma if I might.”

  “Yes, Rian, what can I do for you?”

  “Would you by any chance have access to your late husband’s files on a past case that I’m interested in researching?”

  “Well, as a matter of fact Rian, I do have all of Phillip’s files on his computer in the lab. What exactly would you be interested in?”

  “There was a case three years ago with a woman that had an abortion. She died, but the baby was saved because of a new procedure that your husband had done extensive research on. It seems that this case presented the perfect opportunity for him to bring that research to fruition.”

  Sean just stared at his son in amazement, but didn’t say a word. He wanted to see where this would lead. He had all the confidence in the world that Rian would only come to the same conclusion that had already been revealed, and would not find any new information on the case. Sean was sure all the tracks had been covered.

  “Of course Rian, I could pull those files if I had an exact date or if I had the name of the woman.”

  “The date was February 24, 2008.”

  “Come,…. we can take a look now if you like.”

  “Yes, I would like that.”

  “Sean would you like to join us?”

  “Of course this should prove most interesting. Are you sure you want to do this Rian?”

  “Yes Da.” Rian hated to use that term of endearment on his father at this juncture, but he had to play out his hand, and keeping his father as a supposed ally was essential to his plan. “I need some final closure.” He whispered. Sean accepted this from his son but was still a little on edge in regards to his earlier failure to contact his collogue.

  They followed Nakoma into the outer lobby, through the reception area and into Kareena’s office. Phillip’s computer was still on the desk against the wall. Nakoma turned it on and waited for the system to boot. “What exactly is your interest in this case Rian?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a look before I tell you anything further.”

  ”No!… I think you need to tell me before I pull up the file. You never know what kind of information might be revealed. I can’t take a chance that some research that is still being perfected may be leaked.”

  “Ok, Nakoma, if I must.” Sean stepped forward and laid his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Rian I don’t think this is a wise move at this point in your career.”

  Rian turned and faced his father. “Da, please, if I don’t get some closure to this, you can kiss my career good by.”

  “Okay Rian, go ahead, but we must first ask Nakoma for her complete trust that what you are about to reveal will go no farther than this room.” Nakoma gave Sean a look of total innocents.

  “I don’t know what this is all about, but I assure you, that you have my word that what ever it is, will be safe with me. You know Sean, without the help of the organization I would never have been able to come as far with my research as I have. I’m for ever in your debt. Rian please continue.”

  “Okay.” he took a deep breath. “Three years ago, I was involved with a young woman. I was in my junior year of college and she was from the small town of the college I attended. We met one evening at a ski lodge. We became very close, but knew that our futures would take us in different directions and we would have to part eventually.”

  Some of this story was sounding very familiar to Nakoma, but she said nothing, just listened as Rian continued.

  “We promised each other that we would not make it hard on one another when that time came. I was about to break it off, she had a sixth cents about what was to come. Even though I fell deeply in love with her, I had not made any romantic advances toward her before that day because I felt she deserved better. But the passion between us was so great that just the knowing that we would part brought us together in a way that neither one of us anticipated. To make a long story short, six weeks later she found herself pregnant with our child. I now have a beautiful daughter and her mother is with God. But I need to know exactly what happened. I need closure Nakoma, You have to understand that.”

  Nakoma nodded, and continued. ‘It’s just a coincidence.’ She told herself.

  Kareena was standing in the reception area as directed by Charles. Her nerves knotted up inside of her, listening as Rian told their story. His velvet voice made everything sound so beautiful. She had to hold back a sigh, and fight the shaking she felt inside.

  “Rian, I’m sorry, I had no idea.” Nakoma paused for effect. “Of course we’ll look at the file.

  I just need to access it with Phillip’s password.” As the file folders appeared on screen Nakoma scanned for the date. “Here it is.” She clicked to open. This must be it.” Nakoma read “02/24/07 4:30pm subject #362 fetus development advanced. Planned procedure aborted. Project savior initiated. Additional anesthesia administered. Removal of fetus successful. Project womb accepted fetus. Subject’s vital signs weak. PPH extreme, administer 2mls Atropine. Subject not responding. Administer 10mls Atropine. 8:22pm resuscitation unsuccessful. Subject’s vital signs null. 8:30pm subject pronounced dead.

  “Rian, I’m so sorry. I know this is not at all what you were expecting.”

  “Nakoma, is there a name anywhere in the file?” “No Rian, I don’t see one!”

  Rian had been staring at his father all the while Nakoma read the file. He was searching for the slightest twitch or movement. Anything to prove that his father was human, but there was nothing. Sean only sat there not moving, looking back at his son. No emotion, … no sympathy,… no hate no pity… nothing.

  Rian never hated anyone more in his entire life, as he did his father right now. He was shaking inside and had to steady himself as to not physically attack him. He spoke very calmly. “Is that all she was to you and your good friend Dr. Phillip Barrett, a number? No name, you didn’t even consider her a person just some lab experiment!”

  “Rian, you have a beautiful baby girl, isn’t that enough? You have to move on Son. You have your whole future ahead of you. You need your wits about you to move forward into the political arena.”

  “No, old man, it is not enough and my political career is over as of this moment! I will not be a party to this heartless greedy manipulative game you call politics.”

  “Rian you don’t know what you’re saying. You must look at the big picture. The process is going to move forward with or without you, but you my son can make it all the more desirable for the populous.”

  Nakoma scanned the computer files while Rian and Sean were going head to head. She had accessed a sub-file of Subject #365. It needed a password. She was trying in vain anything she could think of that Phillip might have used.

  Rian reached for his cell and hit send. He waited a couple of seconds and looked toward the door as it opened. “Kareena.” Was all Rian said as he held his hand out and went to her.

  Nakoma’s thoughts were flying so fast her fingers could hardly keep up. 'That’s it! ‘Kareena.' She tapped the name in the computer and an amazing array of images appeared on the screen.

  Sean still seated, only stared at the girl as she walked into the office, to stand at Rian’s side. She felt his strong arm ease around her and his hand come to rest on her hip as he gently pulled her close to him. There eyes met and she was momentarily dazed, her heart skipped
a beat and her breath became shallow as her pulse quickened at the feel of him. Rian was overwhelmed, he was counting his blessings at this moment no words could express the fulfillment and joy he was feeling. He struggled to tare his eyes from her and to once again meet this father’s darkness.

  Sean’s mouth eased into a slight smile. “You think you’ve won don’t you Son? You still have so much to learn. You will do as I say now Rian. You will forget the girl, or you will never see your daughter again! Do you understand?”

  “No!” Kareena screemed. Rian had to hold her up, she was beginning to loose her balance. He pulled her into his arms. “We will get her back! I promise you!” He whispered into her ear.

  Nakoma read the file and assessed the situation unfolding before her. She had planned quite a different outcome for this evening but was perfectly willing to adapt to the situation. She placed her left index finger over the small button on her belt and as Sean raised his glass in triumph and sipped. A ripple undetectable by the human eye passed through his drink.

  “All I need to do is hit this redial on my cell phone and my bidding will be done. Your daughter will be sold on the black market.” He took another drink.

  Nakoma counted to three and interrupted. “I don’t think that will be possible Mr. O’Connor. You will no longer manipulate your Son, Kareena or I for that matter. Go ahead call in the big guns see if you can!”

  At that moment Sean’s arm fell to the side of his chair as the rocks glass dropped from his hand to the tile floor and shattered into a thousand peaces.

  “What’s going on?” Rian looked in Nakoma’s direction. “What have you done to him?”

  “Don’t worry dear boy, it’s not a permanent condition, unless of course we unanimously agree it should be. There are a few things we must get out of the way before we decide just what to do with this peace of trash.”

  Even thought Rian’s hate for his father had grown over the past couple of years he still felt a pull at his heart to hear Nakoma refer to him that way. ‘No!’ he told himself. ‘I have to remain strong, he is no longer my father, and he is the worst kind of evil.’ Rian held Kareena closer as his thoughts went to their daughter. He immediately pulled out his cell.