The Golden Couple (The Samantha Project Series, # 2)

by Karpinske, Stephanie

  Eve left and Owens motioned me to sit down. “Very nice to meet you Samantha. You’re a beautiful girl. And I hear that you’re very intelligent.” Owens’ mannerisms and the way he spoke reminded me of how rich people are portrayed in old movies.

  “Thank you, Mr. Owens. What is it you would like to know?”

  He turned and looked out at the mountains again. “Such a majestic country, don’t you think? Practically untouched by man. Nature in all its beauty. I love it so much that I built a home here. Just one of many. I have homes all over the world.”

  He continued talking about Iceland, causing my mind to wander. When is this interview going to start? I thought. Does he just like listening to himself talk?

  “Samantha, do you hear me? If you do, clear your throat.”

  Owens was still staring out the window and had started talking about the weather. I looked around to see if someone else had entered the room.

  “Do you hear me? If so, tell me. Cough. Or do something.”

  I realized that his voice was in my head. I was hearing Owens’ thoughts, even though the brain wave scrambling device was clearly displayed on his suit jacket. It was the same circular piece of metal that Eve wore.

  I coughed, then cleared my throat.

  “Good. Now you need to listen to every word I say.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Dinner Date

  I tried hard not to react. I was sure we were being monitored. “What did you say was the average temperature here in Iceland?”

  Owens turned away from the window. “I believe the average yearly temperature is 46 degrees. That’s Fahrenheit. Chilly for most people, but I don’t mind it. I’m originally from upstate New York, so I’m used to the cold.”

  He sat down and began asking me basic questions about where I grew up and what subjects I liked in school. As I answered, I listened to what he was telling me through his thoughts.

  “Now remember that I can’t hear your thoughts, so don’t try to think back to me with your mind. You’ll just have to listen to what I’m thinking while you continue to talk out loud for the cameras. Got it?” I gave him a quick smile to let him know I understood. “I’ve been involved with GlobalLife for many years. I’m one of the Founders. It’s a very powerful group. You’ll learn more about them later. I’ll be here all week preparing for the event on Saturday.”

  As he talked, I kept wondering how I was able to hear him. I moved my hand along the neckline of my v-neck dress, pretending to adjust it but stopping right where the brain wave scrambling device was on his jacket.

  Owens picked up on my question. “I have a device on that disables it. Don’t try to ask me any more questions. It’s too obvious. Now I’m working on a way to get you and Erik out of here. But you both need to help. I can’t do this alone.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Why would this guy want Erik and me to escape? And why would he help us? I desperately wanted to ask him but couldn’t.

  “I know you need those base codes and I know for a fact that they are in this building. There are two small vials of the alien genes hidden somewhere on this floor. I don’t know exactly where. You and Erik will need to find that out. When you do, you’ll need a password to access them. The vials will also be protected with some type of biometric. I’m not certain what that is. I know it’s not a fingerprint or retinal scan. That technology is too old and too easy to copy. You need to find out what else it could be.”

  “And so I’ve always been interested in science,” I said, continuing to talk about myself while also trying to hear Owens’ thoughts.

  “I’m going to try to show you maps of the building and the surrounding area. I don’t know if you’ve ever received an image instead of words via your thoughts but you need to try. You’ll need these maps for your escape. I will imagine one section of the building at a time, showing key points of entry and exit. Memorize them. I will then show you the outside, including a route to the place you’ll need to go when you escape.”

  I put all my energy into interpreting his thoughts as he imagined each section of the building. I built my own map in my head, starring sections of importance. We finished just as Eve walked through the door.

  “I wanted to check in and see how things are going.” Eve turned on an exaggerated smile for Owens.

  “I think we’re done here,” Owens said, getting up. “Samantha is a remarkable girl. Just as you described. I’m very impressed.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad to hear that.” Eve put her arm around me, making me cringe. “Well, should I get Erik?”

  “Yes, let’s move this thing along. I’ve got a lunch meeting I need to run to.”

  I heard Owens again in my head as I left. “One last thing. Colin and Jack are safe.”

  The words were unexpected. I tried to hide any emotion, but inside I was jumping for joy. I hadn’t yet told Erik about my dream of Colin and Jack escaping the airport because I didn’t think it was true. But now it was confirmed and that, along with Owens’ plan to help us, filled me with happiness and hope.

  “Well, you must have taught her something,” Eve said to Jonathan when we were back in the room. “She somehow managed to win him over. Erik, let’s go.”

  “Listen to Mr. Owens. Listen to his every word,” I thought to Erik as he met Eve at the door.

  Erik didn’t respond, but I knew he heard me. A half hour later, Erik returned. We were finally alone in the room.

  “Did he tell you?” I thought to Erik, making sure to hide my excitement from the cameras.

  “Yeah. But who is that guy? And why is he helping us?”

  “Maybe he doesn’t like this genetic manipulation thing. Who cares why? With his help, we might actually get out of this place! And now we know that Colin and Jack are okay!”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Owens told me. He didn’t tell you?”

  “No. But I could barely hear his thoughts. Eve stayed in the room during the interview and kept talking to him. I guess she didn’t trust me to answer his questions the right way. So my dad and Colin are okay?”

  I told Erik what Owens said, then explained the dream I’d had that showed Colin and Jack surviving the airport explosion. “I didn’t say anything to you because I wasn’t sure if it was true,” I thought to Erik. “But now we know it is! They’re safe, Erik!”

  I hugged Erik, then realized the cameras were watching. I quickly pulled away.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “It looks suspicious. Us hugging without talking. They’ll know we’re using telepathy.”

  “They already know. You heard what Eve said.”

  “Yeah, but still, we shouldn’t make it so obvious. If they think we’re using it all the time, they’ll think we’re planning something. We need to make them trust us. Make them think that we have nothing to hide.”

  “Yeah, like they’re gonna believe that, Sam.”

  “I’m just saying that it wouldn’t hurt to try to hide it more, okay?”

  The door opened and two men entered carrying a table and chairs. They set the table with white linens and china and put a bouquet of flowers in the center. Then they placed two silver-domed plates on the table. The men motioned us to sit down, then left.

  “Everything is so formal here.” I lifted the dome off my plate. “Salmon and roasted asparagus? For lunch?” Off to the side was a tossed salad and a roll.

  “I hate fish. And asparagus,” Erik mumbled. “Next time, make it a burger and fries!” he shouted at the ceiling. We still hadn’t found the listening devices, but the ceiling seemed like an appropriate hiding spot for them.

  I felt old sitting there eating a fancy lunch while wearing a designer dress and heels. Erik looked like a rich businessman in his expensive suit and tie. He took his tie off and undid the first few buttons of his shirt. He stared at the ceiling again. “And along with that burger, give me some jeans and tshirts!”

  “Yeah, I’ll take the same!” I
called out. “And sneakers!” I slipped off my heels. My aching feet instantly felt better.

  As we ate, Erik told me, telepathically, what Owens had said during his interview. Apparently the password we needed to access the alien genes was encrypted as some type of code, or cipher as Owens called it. He imagined the cipher in his mind so Erik could see it. It was the same type of code that Erik had cracked before. The same type that his brother, Luke, had left in his journal.

  Owens explained that GlobalLife used this type of mathematical cipher to secure top-secret files. Over the years, Owens had lost trust in GlobalLife and had been trying to access their files in order to learn more about what was really going on with the enhanced genetics project, also known as The Samantha Project. But Owens couldn’t get the files open because he couldn’t find anyone who could figure out the ciphers. So he created a temporary Internet game site to see if someone out in cyberspace could do it. The first one to crack the code would get $1,000. The game attracted lots of people but only one who could crack the sample code that was posted. And that person was Luke.

  Erik went on to say that Owens contacted Luke and hired him to figure out the actual ciphers. But before Owens hired him, he did some background checks on Luke. And that’s how he learned of Luke’s connection to GlobalLife and Erik. Before Luke died, Owens was trying to help Luke find Erik and get him up to Iceland, where the missing base codes were.

  “Well, that explains why your name was in his journal,” I thought to Erik as we ate dessert. “And it explains why he had the longitude and latitude for Reykjavik. But why didn’t Owens just go get you himself? Why involve Luke?”

  “He said it was too risky, given his connections to GlobalLife,” Erik thought back.

  “So how did Owens know about the alien genes? Did he know Dan, the guy who made the file we got from Paul?”

  “I don’t think so. Owens didn’t mention Dan or the file. It sounds like Owens has been involved with this project since the alien genes were discovered. He said he used to know a lot more about it until he started objecting to GlobalLife’s plan for the genes. The past few years, he’s been getting less and less information from them. That’s why he’s been breaking into their files.”

  “Then I guess he’s always known about me. He said he was a Founder. That was the same group of people who were supposed to be at that meeting in Minnesota. But the meeting never happened, so I never met any of them.”

  “What’s a Founder?” Erik asked.

  “I’m not sure. I think it’s one of those secret societies. Invitation only.”

  The door opened again and the men who had brought us lunch were back to clean it up and take the table and chairs away.

  “I wonder what’s next,” I said, out loud this time.

  “We just hang out in these uncomfortable clothes and wait.”

  I walked to the shelves of books. “We could read. They’ve got plenty of books here.”

  “We need to start planning,” Erik thought to me. “And I need to work on that cipher. Not being able to write it down makes it harder to work on. It’ll take me days.”

  “When you work on it, you need to look like you’re doing something else. Grab a book and pretend to be reading.” I scanned the books on the shelves. Hey, here’s a book on the golden ratio. Remember that necklace I got from Allie with the Greek letter, phi? That symbol is supposed to represent the golden ratio.” I felt my neck, noticing that the necklace had been taken.

  I picked out another book and we both sat down to read. The books provided a good cover because we could easily mind-talk without having a fake conversation.

  “What kind of biometric would they use to protect the alien genes if they’re not using fingerprints or retinal scans?” I thought to Erik.

  “I have no idea. But before we even think about that, we have to find out where they put this stuff. Where do you hide a vial of alien DNA? One of the labs? Does it have to be stored some special way?”

  “Human DNA is usually stored in a solution and frozen. But I remember my dad saying that newer methods allowed it to be stored dehydrated at room temperature. So I guess it could be either way.”

  We continued mind-talking until early evening, when Walter showed up in our room. “Mr. Chamberlin has invited you to join him for dinner this evening in the dining room. Perhaps you’d like to freshen up first?”

  Erik and I looked at each other, then looked at ourselves. “No, we’re ready to go.” Erik said, getting up.

  Walter let out a dramatic sigh. Apparently we weren’t aware of the proper protocol for dinner preparation. “You should at least wash your hands,” he said in a disgusted tone.

  He got up closer to me. “And perhaps you could brush your hair, miss.” My hair had so much product in it that it hadn’t moved all day. I was sure it was fine, but I went to the bathroom anyway to appease him.

  “Young man, a tie is required at dinner. Do you need me to pick one out for you?” I heard Walter ask Erik.

  “No,” Erik answered, sounding annoyed.

  Once we met his approval, Walter took us down the hallway at the back of the building. We passed a series of conference rooms like I’d seen earlier. At the end was a door that opened to a formal dining room. A man in a tuxedo was waiting for us.

  “Mr. Chamberlin.” Walter bowed to him like he was a king. “Your guests have arrived. Shall I show them to their seats?”

  “No. That’s not necessary. I can show them.” Chamberlin waited for Walter to leave, then came up closer to greet us. “So you’re the Samantha I’ve heard so much about.” His smile seemed forced. “I was looking forward to meeting you in Minnesota, but, well, we all know how that turned out.”

  He turned his focus to Erik. “And how fortunate we were to find you, Erik, alive and well after all these years. Come and sit down. Both of you.”

  Chamberlin looked to be around 45. He had dark brown hair and eyes and was of average build, shorter and smaller than Erik. He led us to a table that had been set for the three of us. Plates of food were waiting, along with glasses of wine. “Please, go ahead and eat. I don’t like talking on an empty stomach.”

  “So you manage this office?” I tried to sound relaxed, but being around the guy was making me edgy. Knowing Worthings and the horrible things he was capable of, I figured his replacement had to be just as evil. Maybe even worse. Who else would take the job? Nobody with any sense of right and wrong.

  “I manage the whole GlobalLife Genetics division. I took over when Worthings was, shall we say, dismissed.” I was certain that Chamberlin knew I’d killed Worthings, but the topic was not pleasant dinner conversation so he moved on. “I’ve been working out of this office the past year, getting it up and running. The building is brand new. It has the latest technology, the latest equipment, and the most exquisite design. It’s very pleasing to the eye, don’t you think, Erik?”

  Erik hadn’t been paying attention, which I could tell was irritating Chamberlin. He looked up when he heard his name. “The building? Yeah, I guess it’s okay.”

  “Okay? Are you blind, young man? This is one of the most magnificent buildings ever built. It’s a work of art. It was designed using the golden ratio, a mathematical equation that represents perfection. It’s been proven that designing buildings, or artwork, or even people using this golden ratio results in—”

  “People?” Erik finally became interested.

  “Don’t EVER interrupt me!” Chamberlin glared at Erik, pausing to make sure he understood. “As I was saying, it results in objects that people find appealing. And alluring. Like they are looking at perfection. Just look at the room we’re in now. The columns, the ceiling, the artwork. Sheer perfection!”

  Erik and I continued to eat, wondering how long we’d be stuck there listening to the guy.

  “Did you know that the golden ratio even shows itself in our DNA?” It seemed like a rhetorical question but Chamberlin stared at me, waiting for an answer.

 
“Um, no. I didn’t know that,” I replied, growing more and more uncomfortable around this strange man.

  Chamberlin talked about architecture and paintings throughout the rest of the meal. During dessert, I couldn’t take his rambling anymore and decided to get to the point. “Why is it that you asked us to dinner tonight, Mr. Chamberlin? Did you have something to tell us?”

  He seemed annoyed. “Yes. But that’s business. This is dinner. And during dinner, one talks about topics such as art or music. Clearly, you both need some etiquette training.”

  Erik and I quickly finished our desserts, then sat quietly and waited while Chamberlin ate his dessert slowly, bite by bite. When he was finally done, he put his silverware down and smiled at us.

  “All right, then. Dinner is over so I will address your questions now.” He took a sip of wine. “As Eve might have told you, we were not pleased with the way Worthings dealt with you, Samantha. I hope you’ve noticed, and appreciated, the more civilized approach we’ve taken in regards to your care.”

  I gave him a half smile to acknowledge the better conditions.

  He turned to Erik. “We were also perturbed to find out that your caretaker, and our long-lost employee, Jack Reid, took it upon himself to insert that inferior DNA into your cells.”

  I could feel Erik’s anger. “He’s my father, not my caretaker!” Erik got up from the table. “And he did it to save me from that timer! You know, the one that’s gonna kill me soon?!”

  “Sit down, son,” Chamberlin ordered. “That timer will be fixed soon enough. As long as you’re here, safe in our care, you’ll be just fine. Now, please, sit, so we can continue our conversation.”

  Erik sat down again.

  “So you can fix the timer? You have the antidote here?” I knew it wasn’t an antidote but wanted to see what he’d say.

  “Yes. And it’s safely locked away. So no need to worry about that.”

  I tried reading his mind, attempting to get past his brain wave scrambler but couldn’t.

  “How long are you keeping us here?” Erik asked.

  “That’s not your concern. The timeline depends on many factors. For now just enjoy your surroundings.” Chamberlin paused to gaze at the elegant dining room. “Enjoy the fabulous cuisine. The designer clothing. Given where you came from, Erik, I don’t see why you’d ever want to leave this place.”