Maxs expression turned wary. Except? What did you do now?
Theyre all going to be pissed off at me for going into that meeting alone. None of them will ever understand why I had to do it.
He finally hunkered down next to her. You didnt go in alone. You had me.
A smile tickled her mouth, then it faded. If Hatch wasnt in on what happened at the park, then that means the Coalition is coming after me now, too. Maybe to grab her, she thought, and coerce Marcus into those nefarious deeds to save her.
Maxs expression turned tormented. She put a hand to his cheek and said, Theyre going to have to find me first, though, remember? Im leaving. Were leaving.
Can I take that as agreement that youll marry Joe?
You might want to rethink that offer. You have no idea what kind of family youd be marrying into.
I proposed to Elise, not Honor.
Suddenly she felt sad. We cant escape our real lives forever.
Max stood, caught her hand and tugged her to her feet again. Why not?
She stared at him. Why not indeed? Then she laughed. She laughed long and hard and fully. Right. Ill race you back to the Jeep. I can call Marcus from the road.
And he did it, she thought, he really did it. He took off jogging so that she had to fly to catch up. When she reached him, she caught her arms around his neck from behind and they tumbled into the dirt.
When he trapped her against the ground and pinned her with a kiss, she was finally free.
Fever
By Linda Winstead Jones
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Prologue
J ake Ingram leafed through the papers in the opened folder on his desk, then returned his attention to the computer screen. It was good to be home, if only for a few days, but he couldnt take his mind off what still needed to be done. No one could continue to live at this hectic pace and not be affected in a negative way. Still, when he tried to clear his mind and relax, even for a few moments, he found it impossible.
His meeting with Matt Tynan and Samuel Hatch hadnt made the tasks he had taken on any easier. The search for Agnes Payne and Oliver Grimble, Coalition scientists who had been involved in the original Bloomfield experiments, was not progressing well. If they could locate Payne and Grimble theyd likely find former CIA agent Willard Croft and Gideon, Jakes own brother, with them. Hatch had been looking for Croft for twenty years, and had stumbled across his share of leads. But without help, Hatchs hands had been tied. Croft always managed to slip through his fingers.
Years ago, Croft had covered Payne and Grimbles tracks with a house fire in which they were supposedly killed. Gideon had been assumed lost with them, but all that time theyd been in hiding. All those years spent shaping Gideons genius
Jake dropped his head into his hands and closed his eyes. He had to learn to focus on one impossible mission at a time. Right now his top priority had to be finding Faith. His sister was out there, somewhere, not knowing who she was or what dangers awaited her. If the Coalition found her first, if they triggered her hypnotic hypersuggestibility, what might she be able to do? Genetically engineered to be a diagnostician and a medical wizard, she could be used in frightening ways, particularly in this day and age of biological weapons.
Despite all their efforts, Faith hadnt been located at any major hospital in the U.S. Searching wasnt an easy task. Faiths name might have been changed at the time of their hypnosis, as Graces had been changed to Gretchen and Marks to Marcus. Then again, that might not be the case. Memories that had been returning slowly teased the corners of his mind. Ten years old, her structured world being torn apart, Faith had become hysterical when Mark had been ripped away from her and drugged before her eyes. It was possible that by the time theyd calmed her down, time had become a problem. There was also the issue of individual resistance to take into account. Faith had been small, he remembered. Quiet. But she had also been very stubborn.
Jake shoved his paperwork aside. Faith could be anywhere. Anywhere in the world. They didnt even know without question that she was a doctor!
The phone rang, and Jake answered quickly. Ingram.
Hi. Its Marcus.
Jake relaxed a little. Arent you supposed to be on your honeymoon, little brother?
Were back in Delmonico, Marcus said. Since Ive been away from the phone for a few days, I wanted to call and check in. He hesitated. Have you had any luck locating Faith?
Jake could almost hear his brother holding his breath as he awaited the answer. No, he said gently.
You have to find her, Marcus said. He was frustrated, as they all were. We cant let the Coalition get their hands on Faith.
I know. Were doing all we can. I promise you that.
Let me help. I can take leave if you need me.
Jake sighed. At this point, there wasnt much more they could do. Gretchen was heading the search, directing the investigation from the island of Brunhia, and she was doing everything humanly possible to find her little sister. You know Ill call if theres anything you can do.
I hate feeling helpless.
Jake understood, too well.
Im remembering things, Marcus said, his voice lowered slightly.
As they all were. Me, too.
Bits and pieces, mostly, but the memories are so real. Sometimes its like everything I forgot for so long happened yesterday. Faith wasshe wasnt strong. Smart, yes, butIm not saying she was weak, but she wasnt strong. Right?
Fragile. Jake supplied the word Marcus was looking for.
Yeah, thats it, Marcus said. Fragile.
Next to you, Im fragile, Jake said with a rare smile.
You know what I mean, Marcus said. Faith needs someone to look out for her.
Yeah. Jakes smile faded. As children, Mark and Faith had looked out for each other. He was strong and she was not. She was brilliant and hewell, Mark had often had trouble understanding things the others took for granted. Faith guided Mark and Mark shielded Faith. Jake silently cursed the people and the circumstances that had torn them all apart.
Ill call you the minute I hear anything, Jake said.
Tara walked into the room, her eyes hardening when she eyed the phone in his hand. They had mended a few fences, temporarily at least, but an awkward tension remained between them. Even so, she expected his undivided attention now that he was home, and he couldnt give it to her.
One of these days he was going to have to tell Tara everything. Because they were engaged to be married, she deserved to know the truth about who he was, where he had come from and what he still had to do. He just hadnt been able to bring himself to say the words he knew she wouldnt understand.
Tara seemed not to be aware of the new, tightened security that surrounded her. She was under surveillance at all times, just as Jake was, in case the Coalition tried to kidnap or harm them, but she had no idea. Jake, on the other hand, was very aware of the change in his everyday life. He didnt like the situation, but at this point there was nothing he could do.
I thought maybe we could have a late dinner tonight, Tara said, a tight smile blooming as Jake ended the call with Marcus and turned his attention to her.
Could we make it early? Jake asked. I have a meeting this evening.
Taras forced smile died, and she pursed her lips, pouting. I cant make an early dinner. My mothers planning a party for her friend Edith, remember? I told you about it. I promised Id help. Were interviewing a new caterer late this afternoon. Cant you cancel your meeting? Or reschedule it?
He shouldnt be angry with Tara for asking him to cancel his meeting so she could interview a caterer; she didnt know what was going on in his world, and until he sat her down and explained everything, she wouldnt. Since she had no idea how much his life had changed, he shouldnt be annoyed with her for being, well, Tara. Still, he sounded snappish when he said, No.
She waved a disgusted hand in his direction. Fine. Maybe tomorrow.
Jake knew he should go after Tara as she stalked out of the room. He could smooth things over with a few words, as he had last time theyd argued. But he stayed put as the front door slammed behind his angry fiance.
One
W hen she was out of the country for extended periods of time, it was the grocery store Faith missed most. Such simple pleasures. Pushing a cart up and down aisle after aisle, shelves laden with every kind of food imaginable. The temperature in the building was constant, and mindless music played softly over the intercom. The entire experience was utterly soothing.
She threw a second bag of cookies onto the growing pile of goodies in her cart.
More cookies? Janine asked with a wry grin. It must be nice, to never have to worry about your weight. She sighed as she looked Faith up and down. Its just not fair.
Faith smiled at her roommate. Janine had been on a diet since theyd met six years ago, and before, to hear the woman tell it. Not that Janine needed to diet constantly. She wasnt thin, but she certainly wasnt fat. She was a pretty woman with blond hair, green eyes, dimples, and the mistaken idea that her life would be much better if only she lost twenty pounds. Somehow it didnt matter what she weighed. She was always twenty pounds away from happiness.
Ill hide them from you, Faith said.
Thanks.
Aside from her obsession with her weight, Janine was the perfect roommate. Since she worked in the administrative offices of the National Institutes of Health, Janine was always around to take care of things like paying bills and feeding the cat, no matter where Faith happened to be. Everythingthe apartment, utilities, telephonewas in Janines name, since Faith was out of the country so often. She was usually gone for weeks and months at a time.
More than a dependable roommate, Janine was a nice, fun person who didnt try to set Faith up on blind datesat least, not anymoreor needle her about why she was still single at the age of thirty-three.
Faith could certainly afford a place of her own, but she liked knowing someone was there at the apartment, taking care of the details of everyday life. And she liked having a friend to come home to.
A shopper ahead had parked her cart sideways in the aisle, in front of the baby food. A toddler sat in the basket seat as the woman studied the labels on two bottles of juice.
Excuse us, Janine said brightly as she gently shifted the tail end of the womans cart.
Sorry, the harried mother said, moving the cart a few inches farther toward the shelves.
Faith looked not at Janine or the other shopper, but at the little boy sitting in the carts seat. He smiled up at her and then swiped at his runny nose.
Her thirty-third birthday had passed while shed been working in India. It had gone by with no celebration, no cards, no gifts. She and her team had been knee-deep in patients at the time.
She had noted the date, and in a strange way it had been a sad day. Thirty-three. She was now leaving her early thirties and entering her mid- thirties. Biologically she was no different than she had been two months ago, but still it seemed like a dark milestone. She didnt miss having a husband; she didnt pine for love and romance. Love and romance were not for women like her. She was too ordinary to enchant adoring men, too dedicated to her work to waste time primping and shopping for attractive clothes. And she wouldnt pretend to be someone she was not, dumbing down and dressing up for the sake of impressing a member of the male species.
In spite of all that, Faith was very aware that her time to bear a child was here and would soon be gone. The days went by so fast. They turned into weeks and months and then years. No, Faith didnt miss having a man in her life, but knowing that she would never have a child caused a pang of regret she refused to share with anyone. Even Janine.
She reached out to caress the little boys cheek.
Careful! the woman holding two large, unwieldy containers said sharply.
Faiths hand jerked back quickly.
The woman smiled. Sorry. I didnt mean to sound so shrill. Dylan has a cold. I wouldnt want you to get it.
Faith touched the childs head. Her fingers fluttered against pale blond bangs. I dont get sick, she said almost absently. Shed been exposed to much worse than a runny nose, but she never became ill. When her colleagues asked why her immune system worked so well, she told them it was because she ate a balanced diet and exercised moderately. In truth, she suspected the strength of her immune system was a genetic trait. Since she did not remember anything about her real parents, she never mentioned this supposition. It could never be anything more than a theory.
Faith continued to stroke the childs hair. When she was assured that Dylan didnt object to her touch, she gently tipped his head back to take a quick peek up his nose. He doesnt have a cold. He has allergies.
What?
Your son doesnt have a cold. Its allergies.
The woman blinked twice. Are you sure?
Trust her, Janine said, pushing on to the end of the aisle. Shes never wrong.
Are you a doctor or a psychic? the mother asked with a wry smile.
Faith returned the smile. Doctor. She stepped toward the woman and tapped a fingertip against one of the juice containers the woman held. And this is your best choice. In spite of the labeling, that other brand is only twenty-percent juice. Its mostly sugar water.
Thank
s. The woman squinted at the labels, then placed the rejected brand on the shelf. Allergies, huh?
Dont worry. Its nothing serious. His doctor can prescribe something that will help.
Faith, Janine called, her voice lightly touched with impatience. The ice cream awaits.
Good luck, Faith said as she joined her roommate. The little boy watched her go, sticking his finger up his runny nose as he tilted his head to the side to see past his mother. She kept her eyes on Dylan until she rounded the corner. Why did she want one of these messy, unpredictable creatures so badly? A baby would surely turn her life upside down.
Before they tackled the ice cream, Faith and Janine took a leisurely stroll down the magazine aisle. Janine flipped through periodicals filled with articles about weight loss, fashion and makeup. Faith browsed through the travel and financial magazines. She didnt care much about clothes or makeup, much to Janines chagrin. Faith didnt wear makeup, and she wore her long, dark hair in a ponytail so it was easy to take care of and out of her face. Her clothes were chosen with practicality and comfort in mind. She was partial to blue, and on occasion made note of the fact that she possessed more clothing in that color than any other.
The outfit she wore today was one of her favorites. The matching cotton top and trousers were a lovely shade of sky-blue. Janine said the blouse was two sizes too large, but Faith did not agree.
At the end of the magazine display, she ran into a collection of tabloids. One headline, caught between a dog boy and an Elvis sighting, screamed at her. Genetically Engineered Supermen in Hiding Since the Sixties! Where Are They Now? She laughed and moved on.
Family Secrets: Books 5-8 Page 71