“I’m not a physician,” she continued. “I can’t help this man if anything goes wrong.”
“I’m not asking you to treat him, Ms. Winters. We have our own physicians on staff. I want you to study and improve upon what has been started.” Braxton threw her a predatory look. “Don’t be so naïve; you are here because you are a world-renowned Ph.D. in genetic work.” He turned his back on the two and walked toward the door, which Ken Howard was holding open. “I will be back at the end of the day and expect some results,” he said without so much as a backward glance. Ken shot Victory a menacing glance, then followed Braxton out of the lab.
“Are you-” Tristan started. He stopped abruptly as Victory looked up at him. He didn’t want her saying anything that would give them away. Tristan saw the etched shock on Victory’s face and reached down for her hand. “Come on Victory, we are going to have a long hard afternoon. We need to take a break, have some lunch and maybe a short walk.” He nearly dragged her from the room.
“The man is insane,” Victory said as she walked along the beach absently kicking at the small pebbles in her path.
Tristan felt like a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders as she finally spoke. They had gone to the mess hall and eaten lunch, during which time Victory hadn’t uttered single word. Finally her initial shock was wearing off.
“I realize that Biotec is a huge corporation, but I can’t believe they are so powerful that they could get away with all this,” she said swinging her arms out in front of her. “Detective Howard investigated Lisa’s murder. He told us that Lisa was accosted by a drug addict looking for money. Now I wonder if he didn’t kill her himself.” Her pain was once again turning to pure anger.
“What would make you think that?” Tristan asked.
“Lisa and I would have lunch together every now and then, but we weren’t what you would call good friends. About a month before her death, she told me that she was seeing someone in the police department. When I asked her who she wouldn’t tell me,” Victory said.
Tristan processed this new information. “There is a very good chance you are right. Howard could have murdered Lisa. He works for Braxton. It would make sense that Braxton would send a spy to gather information about his competitor. What better way for Howard to obtain this information than by dating an employee. And as far as Biotec being so powerful, it isn’t solely Biotec,” Tristan responded. She stopped and looked up into his face, unspoken questions reflecting in her expression.
“We did some digging before I came out. Took your lead, remember? You whispered Kaleidoscope during our phone conversation. This facility is owned by a corporation called Kaleidoscope Group,” Tristan said.
Confusion ran across her face. “But why would anyone want to kill Lisa? She was such a sweet, gentle person. I don’t think she had an enemy in the world.” Victory said.
“Best guess: Howard used her to gather information and once he had everything he needed, he tied up his loose ends,” Tristan said.
Sadness shown in Victory’s eyes along with sparks of hatred. “Poor Lisa, she deserved so much better.” Finally registering the second part of Tristan’s answer she said, “Kaleidoscope. Yes, I heard Braxton mention that. I’ve never heard of them.”
“No one has. This highly clandestine corporation has stayed under the wire, until now. Our best guess is that Kaleidoscope Group is owned by a cartel of ultra rich business tycoons throughout the country, possibly throughout the world,” Tristan said. Victory stopped dead in her tracks, a shocked look flashing across her face. “Keep moving Victory, I have a feeling we are being watched.” As he said that he reached for her hand and pulled her along with him. “We believe that someone in the government is involved in this conglomeration, or at the very least, aware of its existence. That is the only possible explanation as to how this facility has stayed under wraps for so long,” Tristan said.
“So, what you are saying is that there is more than one insane person involved in this project. Isn’t that wonderful, it makes me feel so much better,” Victory said facetiously.
“What it means,” Tristan responded, “is that we are dealing with a very powerful group of people. They feel that they are untouchable.”
“Yes, they do, and at the cost of how many lives; Jeffery, Lisa and the man in the lab. Those are only the ones that we know of,” she threw back at him. Victory knew she needed Tristan here to pull off this scheme and keep her sisters safe. Still, she didn’t trust him and wasn’t sure what his end goal was.
“Much fewer than if we didn’t get involved,” Tristan rallied back at her. She glared up into his stormy onyx eyes and retreated a small step, her angelic peach complexion reddened. She dropped her eyes and stared down at her fidgeting hands.
“I’m sorry,” Victory all but whispered. “I didn’t mean any of this is your fault. It’s--who is that poor man in the chair, Tristan? How did he get involved with this maniac and does he have any idea what Braxton has planned for him?”
“I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to get cross with you.” He was only too aware that she didn’t fully trust him, so he attempted to lighten the mood. “Hey, I think we had our first lovers’ quarrel.”
Victory turned apprehensively and looked back up into his now serene eyes. She noticed the inky color had been replaced with vivid violet and his sharp features had softened into a breathtaking face. All were framed by his stunning blue-black hair.
“What I mean is we are supposed to appear to be more than work associates. This little disagreement reinforces the façade to anyone watching. And believe me, there is always someone watching around here,” Tristan said.
“You really think so?” Victory ask shyly.
“Boy, for such an intelligent person you can sure be naive.” His comment had slipped out of his mouth before he had a chance to censor it.
“Thanks a lot,” She commented rather tersely.
“I don’t mean that as a put down. In fact at times I think it might be really nice to not be aware of all the crazy and sick people in this world. You seem so innocent.” As they walked along the beach he could feel the heat of her body beside him and he forced himself to continue looking straight ahead.
“I know there are bad people in this world. In case you forgot, I witnessed Jeffery being killed and a corrupt police detective took part in his death. I guess I choose to see the good in the world. Sorry if that sounds naïve.” She too kept her gaze straight out in front of her to avoid eye contact. “Right now I have to deal with the really ugly Braxton’s in this world. I haven’t done enough research to be certain what ramifications could result from injecting that serum into a live human. Worst case scenario it could kill him. Best case, it will permanently change his genetic makeup.” Victory glanced out at the ocean; when would this nightmare come to an end, she thought to herself.
Tristan stopped, grabbed hold of Victory’s shoulders and slowly turned her to face him. When she kept her head down avoiding his gaze he gently placed his hand under her chin and tilted it up until she was forced to look directly at him “You are the very best at what you do right?” He saw the question play across her face and then she gave a slight nod. “You know more about genetic testing and the possible ramifications than anyone else in your field. That gives this guy the best possible chance of making it though this mess.” He could see her processing his train of thought. Before she could respond he continued. “You are ready to deal with this, Victory. You have to be. People are counting on you, including your sisters. I know you can do this. Let’s go back to the lab and get this started so that we can finish it. One day Lawrence Braxton will get what is coming to him.” Before she could answer him, Tristan took her hand and headed for the compound.
* * *
Braxton pulled his ringing phone from his breast pocket. “Yes.”
“You were right boss. The scientist and her assistant share more than a work space. I’ve been watching them since they left the compound, there is positiv
ely more going on than a work relationship between the two,” Max commented, still looking through his high power binoculars out towards the beach.
“Good. That will give me one more tool to use if I can’t get her to cooperate. Keep track of them until they return to the lab,” Braxton said. Without waiting for a response he ended the conversation. Braxton looked up from his desk and watched Howard pace back and forth like a caged lion.
“Why didn’t you tell me that Victory Winters was the woman you brought here?” Ken Howard scoffed, barely keeping his anger in check.
“Why didn’t you tell me that Victory had done extensive research in genetic manipulation?” Braxton fired back without so much as a hesitation. “That’s why I sent you into Claremont in the first place. To find out if any of their scientists had gotten involved in this type of research.”
“When I interviewed Victory, all she told me was that she was a research specialist. She wouldn’t reveal any specific information. I tried to push her, but she told me that her research was classified. She said if I wanted to know more I would have to get a court order. I questioned Lisa about Victory and she gave me the same research specialist line. I didn’t think it was relevant at the time, so I left it alone.”
“I don’t pay you to think, Detective Howard. I pay you for information, and you failed to provide that.”
Ken Howard realized that he had pushed too far, so he decided on a new route. “Victory is an intelligent woman. She is eventually going to put two and two together and figure out that I killed Lisa.”
“No matter,” Braxton commented. “As long as I hold the fates of her sisters in my hand, Victory will do as I wish. Besides, she will never again be a free woman.” Braxton looked down at his watch. “It’s getting late. The helicopter will be ready to leave soon. Get yourself together and get back to the helo pad. You don’t want your department to wonder what happened to you.”
Howard stayed rooted in his spot contemplating continuing the conversation, but thought better of it and headed for the door. “Fine. I’ll touch bases with you after you get back to the mainland.”
* * *
Max entered the laboratory where he found Victory intensely studying something on her computer and Tristan sorting through paper files.
“I’m glad you are here,” Victory said without looking up from her computer. “I need access to the patient in order to move forward in my work.”
“I can’t let you in there. Mr. Braxton has not given you permission to enter the exam room,” Max responded.
“If Mr. Braxton wants me to formulate any conclusions I will need access to that patient,” Victory said.
Max stared at her, blatantly running his gaze up and down her entire body. Tristan could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. It was taking all his will not to punch this guy. As if reading his mind, Max glowered at Tristan and frowned. Then he turned and left the lab. A few minutes later he returned. “You can have access to the subject, but not alone. I will be in the exam room with you. You are not allowed to enter the exam room without me.”
“Fine. But stay out of my way.” Victory was determined not to let Max bully her. She turned to Tristan. “I need you to prepare six vials and accompany me into the exam room.” Tristan nodded and readied the equipment.
Max unlocked the door to the exam room and held it open for Victory and Tristan, and he followed the two into the room. As he entered Tristan was inundated by the stench of pure rage vibrating off of the man strapped to the exam chair. Tristan stopped abruptly, shook his head to clear his thoughts and inhaled a cleansing breath. He opened his eyes and was met with threatening dark brown eyes. He could swear that he was picking up an ever-so-slight scent of wolf.
With a syringe in hand Victory cautiously approached the man. Instantly the man’s full attention refocused in on her.
“Victory be careful,” Tristan warned.
She turned and looked at Tristan. “I know what I am doing Tristan, don’t worry. It’s your responsibility to make sure everything is ready.” She could hear the man’s heartbeat accelerating as she approached him and a low sound of a growl vibrating from his very core. Trying to calm him she sent waves of sympathy his way. His heartbeat wouldn’t slow and she could feel his anger being directed toward her. Clearing her mind she turned her entire focus on him and attempted to communicate telepathically, as she had done hundreds of times with hurt animals. “We aren’t your enemy. We are trying to help you.”
Both Tristan and the man in the chair shot her a look of surprise. Victory noticed the man’s heartbeat begin to slow slightly.
“What’s taking you so long?” Max shot at her. “Get the damn blood and get out.”
Victory cautiously approached the man. When he didn’t show any signs of aggression she wrapped the tourniquet around his upper arm and inserted the needle. The entire time the man’s glare never wavered, boring directly into Victory’s.
FOURTEEN
“What did you think you were doing today?” Tristan demanded after securely closing the door to her bedroom.
“What do you mean?” she answered with a dumbfounded look on her face.
“In the exam room you attempted to communicate telepathically with that man.”
She looked at him, shock on her face. “You knew?”
“Yes, I heard every word,” Tristan said.
“What do you mean you heard every word? I can only communicate using feelings and thoughts. Not words, not sentences. I have never had a human hear me,” she said in amazement.
“I got every word and from the look on that guy’s face so did he. You need to be careful. We have no idea what is really going on here.” Tristan was angry with her behavior, but there was something underneath the anger, something he didn’t want to confront. Was it fear?
“One thing I did know is that he was enraged and distraught. His heartbeat was elevated and I could swear that I heard a slight growl come from him. I was trying to calm him. I don’t understand how you both could have heard my thoughts. I have only ever been able to communicate feelings. At least that is what I have always thought. Hmmm. I wonder if telepathy is linked with the DNA that was injected into him. But that still wouldn’t explain how you could have heard my thoughts,” Victory said studying his face.
“I can communicate telepathically with my brother. But I have never been able to communicate with anyone else. As far as our friend, my best guess is the serum too. When I entered the exam room I caught the scent of wolf. Do you know what type of DNA was injected?” Tristan asked.
“According to the file, canine, but it didn’t specify what exact type.” Victory was astonished. She didn’t know which astounded her more, the fact that Tristan had smelled wolf, or that he, and very possibly the man in the lab had heard her thoughts.
“Then the serum must be taking effect. Can his genetic makeup actually combine with the canine DNA?” Tristan asked.
“That’s the problem,” Victory said. “It is too soon to conduct this test on humans. For all we know the canine DNA could completely take over his system, destroying his original genetic makeup. His body would try to fight it off, reacting to it as if it were another disease, which might even kill him. This has never been done on this scale, only on mice. Many of the mice totally changed their behavior, becoming aggressive and turning on each other. And now we are dealing with human intelligence. There is no telling how that could be affected by the DNA clashes. Part of my research involves attempting to create a genetic buffer between human DNA and foreign or canine DNA. I am trying to create a linked pathway between the two, to allow both to coexist in one host, without negative reactions.”
“And have you succeeded?” Tristan asked.
“According to all my data, it is possible, at least on paper,” Victory said.
“Victory, I have a feeling Braxton is aware of your research. This whole setup seems all too convenient.”
“Then maybe I should ask him to retri
eve my laptop. It could save me some time. I have an excellent memory, but I’m sure that I am forgetting some of the minor details,” she said.
“No. We don’t want him to have any more information than we possibly need to give him,” Tristan answered abruptly. “You will have to rely on that beautiful brain of yours.” He stopped talking and cocked his head towards the hall door and inhaled filling his lungs with deep full breaths.
Victory grew quiet and watched him.
He looked at her, noticing her usual peach complexion was etched with dark lines of worry and exhaustion. “There are a couple of guys standing on the path close to your door. I haven’t encountered them before; both of their scents are unknown to me.”
She was surprised these men had approached without her hearing them. She attributed it to the intense conversation she and Tristan were involved in. Now she listened, focusing only on the intruders. “Yes. They are debating who will stand first watch,” she said.
“Don’t worry about them. They aren’t a threat; they are our watchdogs for the evening. You need to get some sleep, you look exhausted,” Tristan said.
“Gee thanks. Is that your roundabout way of telling me I look like crap?” she joked lightheartedly. She felt worn out, but this brief span of playful banter between them gave her a feeling of release.
“No. You always look great. But anyone can see that you are in need of sleep,” he said.
“I’ve had a hard time sleeping here. I spend all my time worrying. I know I shouldn’t ask,” she started. “But would you mind staying until I fall asleep?”
Tristan stared at her for a heartbeat, confused for only and instant about what she was asking. “Ahh, I guess we are supposed to be a couple, so it would look more authentic if I spent the night, so to speak,” he replied with a boyish grin.
* * *
“Tristan.”
There is was again. Maybe it wasn’t a dream.
Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters) Page 11