Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1)

by Gary Starta

  Mitchell sidled up to her. “And if you know about space gadgets then you know damn well what our artifact does, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know what it does. In fact, I never really know what any of them does until we get them back to the labs. I sometimes help reverse engineer them. Frankly, whatever they do is then kept secrets for years before it’s turned into a profitable consumer product. That’s why I’m so confused. I don’t know why Jack was so hot for yours. It doesn’t make sense.” Dan glanced at Iris. “Read me. You’ll be able to confirm I don’t know what your artifact does. I think it works with the OBOLs but they’ve never made their presence clear. I know you have your theories, but I really don’t care. I just want to take my daughters to safety.” He glared at Mitchell.

  Iris cupped her hands around her mouth and called out. “Dad, look at me.” Iris stared at her father, wondering if any truth existed there.

  A few more minutes passed while Kassidy lobbed rocks around the pueblo.

  “I think he’s telling the truth.”

  Kassidy picked up another rock and tossed it. “For once he may have, Iris. But is that going to continue? He’s been trained by his employers to excel in subterfuge. He managed to pull the wool over his own family’s eyes for decades. I still don’t trust him.”

  Mitchell folded his arms across his chest. “I am inclined to concur.” His tone mimicked the same pledge of allegiance type cadence Dan had used earlier. “I promise I won’t beat the hell out of you if you agree to turn around and leave right now. We’re not sharing our find with you. And if you really swear to the aliens above that you don’t know what its purpose is, maybe I’ll even allow you to leave at a walking pace.”

  “No! You’ve got to let me help. I might have some experience. Some knowhow.”

  Iris pointed a finger. “Do you? Can you really help? When I calm the hell down from the hissy fit I feel coming on, I’m going to know, Dad. I’m going to know. Remember that.”

  “I don’t know about these aliens”—he pointed his finger toward the sky—”that you’re referencing. The being that’s coercing you; did you stop and think he may be earthbound, just some deceased human being having some fun with you?”

  “Come on, Dad, you can’t tell me you don’t know about the war. They have lived with us for decades. One even lived with my stepmom, Doris. You even had me believing our alien was a ghost. And to think, you’ve probably made countless deals with them yourself over the years, you know, all for the sake of acquiring your little gadgets.” Iris made parentheses with her fingers.

  “Nah, I promise I don’t know about any war. Do you really think I’m high enough on the chain to know those kinds of things—even if they were true?”

  Mitchell intervened. “Okay, then how did Jack know?”

  “Jack’s a snake, Mitchell.” Dan pursed his lips. “He wasn’t here to protect like I was. He was out for self gain.”

  “You call plausible denial protecting the public?” Evan asked. “Or, how about apology is policy? You finally come clean about things when consequences have fully evolved. Isn’t that nice? Mitchell, I say we send our G Man packing.”

  “You know what, Evan,” Mitchell responded. “I have a change of plan. Let’s get Mr. Camden involved. I bet his employers would love to know he’s been aiding civilians. Spilling their precious secrets . . . I just can imagine what they’d do to a traitor.” Mitchell traded glances with Evan.

  “You can stop screwing with my dad, Mitch. I know you’re bullshitting. You wouldn’t wish such a curse on anybody—even your enemies.” Iris locked eyes with her father on the word “enemies.”

  Dan cupped his hands about his face. “What have I done?”

  “I hope that’s rhetorical, or we’re going to be here awhile,” Kassidy answered.

  “Out of love for your daughter, Mr. Camden, you can stay and help us.” Mitchell stretched his hand out toward Dan.

  Dan positioned his hand for a shake. Mitchell reprimanded.

  “No. I don’t want your hand. I want that gun. Give it to me. Then you can stay.”

  “You better give that gun to me,” Iris said. She imagined Mitchell beating her dad over the head with it.

  Despite the reign of hell she had just experienced, learning her father had lied about aliens, coming to grips with the fact that her half sister was alien, and the impending doom of the light weapon; Iris Camden allowed a smile to wash across her face. He loves me.

  Dan smiled sheepishly.

  Iris scolded her Dad. “I meant Mitchell, Dad. I was referring to Mitchell.”

  Sharing thoughts with her dad wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. At least she could keep the man in check though. She hoped.

  While lost in her many thoughts, Iris never considered inventorying the team. Rusty was nowhere to be found. But she had yet to notice him missing.

  Chapter Twenty

  IRIS HAD BELIEVED she might get a breather. But when she observed Mitchell clutching at his chest with eyes rolling in his sockets, she wondered what form of trouble had descended upon the pueblo once again.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe this. He’s gone. I thought he had gone ahead to scout but he’s . . . and so is the gun!”

  “Who’s gone?” she asked.

  Instead of answering verbally, Mitch nodded and placed a finger over his lips. His gaze was fixated on something behind her.”

  “Ah!” Dan who had been walking beside and a little behind the pace of Iris let out a staccato scream. By the time Iris turned to face him, he was stumbling to keep his balance.

  She observed a foot kicking him in the lower back. This kick brought Dan to the sand.

  He must have ambushed us from the ledge above. Iris scanned the circular wall to her right. If I was paying more attention I would have known something was wrong. Where had Rusty been all this time? That was who Mitch had been referring to. She wished with her heart and soul Mitch could express himself telepathically. But she didn’t have the luxury to fashion a wish list. Right now her father was in danger.

  “It’s not your fault,” a voice responded in her mind. It was Dan. “I’m okay. He’s just venting. How many more team members are there?”

  “It’s not okay, Dad. He’s got a gun trained on you.”

  Iris screamed with a hoarse voice, “Rusty, what are you doing? Put that gun away!”

  “Don’t you see?” Rusty answered. “He’s another man like Jack. I was listening to you, Mitchell. You said Jack’s death was justified. You’ve got to believe this man’s will be as well.”

  Mitchell spread his hands out. “Just hold it, Rusty. Maybe you heard my anger speaking.”

  Iris used the distraction to extract her newly acquired weapon. With shaking hands, she pointed it at Rusty. She had Jack’s gun at the ready, but unfortunately Mitch had lost the gun he obtained from Dan because Rusty was not only a great guide but a fairly good thief. Now she was in a standoff against a man who was supposed to be an ally. Iris shook her head slightly and grimaced. What could be next?

  “Your gun will only accomplish what I seek,” Rusty said to Iris. “If you fire there’s a good chance you’ll hit your Dad.”

  “Do you think I want to shoot anyone?” She shook the gun.

  “I know you are blinded by blood loyalty. You have to believe this man is the same as the one your sister killed. He is guilty. He upholds corruption. People in power have oppressed the Hopi time and time again. It happens because it’s allowed to happen.”

  “No, Rusty,” Mitchell said. “You know the people really behind the corruption are nameless and faceless. We’ll never see them. This man here, he’s not who you want to harm for their sins. People like Dan are more misguided than they are evil. He probably became delusional from all the brainwashing. But at heart, Dan loves his children.” To Iris he said. “I apologize for discounting love. It’s a mistake many scientists have made.”

  Iris held a hand to her heart. She wished s
he could embrace Mitch at that instant but that was kind of hard to do when life was becoming more and more like the OK Corral.

  Rusty’s eyes were saucer like. “No, it is men like him. He empowers the nameless and the faceless. How else would they be able to command from behind a veil unless they got willing minions to do their bidding? This man supports them by working for them. There is no degree of guilt here.”

  Iris observed Rusty’s body language. He was growing angrier, feeding on past memories perhaps. No doubt they were visualizations of abuse against the Hopi.

  Before she could put her hand on the trigger, Rusty had seized her father by the shoulders and spun him around. Then he launched a knee in Dan’s chest sending him to the sand. Dan, who was sprawled spider-like on his back with arms and legs splayed, was at Rusty’s mercy. Rusty began pistol-whipping Dan.

  “How can you work for the Skeleton Man?” Rusty screamed at Dan. “Tell me, what do they give you in exchange that allows you to bury your compassion? Come on.” Spittle flew from Rusty’s mouth. “I’m waiting to hear your excuse.”

  Iris attempted to steady the gun. She surmised Rusty was either beyond the point of sanity or simply believed she would never dare fire a gun in the range of her father. He was correct on the latter point. I wish Mitch had a weapon right now and not me. She watched in disbelief as her father uttered not a single response. He’s probably been trained for these kinds of situations. Maybe he’s even been in them before.

  Iris felt anger swelling and allowed it to overtake her fear. She couldn’t allow precious time to evaporate by over thinking. Here was yet another situation where she could help people she loved who were in risk.

  She closed her eyes and fired. A bullet careened off the rock wall and produced the same sort of sound she had heard watching movies about the Old West.

  After she fired, Dan’s right hand rose and pushed at Rusty’s chin. But the young man still had a grip on his weapon until Evan bounded down off the ledge and onto his back.

  Evan rolled with Rusty as if they were human tumbleweeds. Iris moved her gun to follow and began creeping toward her father.

  With Evan landing on top of Rusty, the smaller man presented no match for the burly scientist. Evan connected a left hand jab to the boy’s chin. It was enough to knock down Rusty’s spirit if not his consciousness.

  Mitchell pulled Evan up off Rusty and secured the weapon. Iris consoled her Dad.

  Then everybody came to a dead freeze to the sound of hands clapping.

  “Good job,” Kassidy said, applauding. “Is there anybody else who wants to hand Earth over on a platter?”

  Rachel, standing by Kassidy’s side, nodded. “I’ve got to agree with her on this one. We’re going to destroy ourselves without anybody’s help.”

  Iris patted her father on the shoulder. “You should think of an answer to Rusty’s question.”

  She marched over to Rusty and stood glaring over him.

  “And you,” she asked, “did you come along as a guide knowing you would find an opportunity?”

  Rusty answered with a moan. Blood dribbled down his chin. “What do you mean?”

  “Revenge is a pretty good motive. Rusty, maybe you were blinded as well. We came here to save everyone. You apparently came here to feed the lust of anger, to serve an individual need. I should have considered the fact that you were betting a man like my father might come along.”

  Rusty covered his eyes to shield from the sun. Iris pondered if it was also to fend off guilt.

  “I am guilty. I am ashamed. But my anger was not for my benefit, but for my people’s.”

  Mitchell offered a hand. “Come on, get up.”

  “What will you do with me?” Rusty asked.

  “Put you to work,” Evan answered. “We’ve got to get our object online. Can you think of any other outlets that may be available, something that might give us an alternative power source?”

  Kassidy winked at Evan. “Good thinking.” Evan locked eyes with her for a long moment.

  Rusty sighed. “I’m afraid I have no other suggestions. We must plug the artifact back in. We can only hope the charge will hold.” He allowed Mitchell to pull him to his feet.

  Mitchell clapped his hands. “He’s right. Let’s get to it. Time is of the essence.”

  “But,” Evan said, “whoever handles the dial is going to be exposed to another large dose of radiation when it becomes plugged in again. That’s why I suggest I do this. Alone.”

  “No. I will.” Rusty shook some sand off his shirt. “It will be my penance.”

  Dan shook his head. “I don’t think we can allow anyone to do this with the exception of me.”

  “Come on,” Rachel said. “We all can’t be martyrs. Maybe we should pick straws.”

  Gavin answered, “But where will we find straws?”

  “What do you think?” Mitchell had posed the question to Iris, but she was nowhere in sight. “Oh. Don’t tell me.”

  By the time he found her, Iris had the object reconnected. The world sparkled once more with holographic images and laser light strobes.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  MITCHELL SCOOPED Iris into his arms as if he had become a swooping hawk. Carrying her just beyond the stone wall, he laid her down and brushed his hand along her cheek.

  “That was a pretty stupid thing.”

  “No,” she said, “just an impulsive one. Someone had to do it. And we don’t have any means to judge how much radiation has been released.”

  Iris watched Mitchell take in the light show. “I have a pretty good idea,” he said. But his tone was not reprimanding or angry. “Your impulse was correct, someone had to do this.”

  “Hopefully, it won’t be any more harmful than an X-ray.” She pouted. “Maybe a few X-rays.”

  “Yes, but you usually wear padding for that.”

  She smiled at him.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I’m just picturing you giving me an exam.”

  “I’m not that kind of doctor.”

  “And I’m not that kind of ghost hunter. Not anymore.”

  “For the life of me, I have no clue as to who I’ve become in these last days either . . . It’s not the future I pined for when I began chasing UFOs. I’ve been yelling at people, mostly you, acting like some drill sergeant.” He kissed her forehead. “I don’t like this version of me. I’m sorry.”

  Iris blinked. “No. Don’t get me crying. I have enough just thinking about DJ . . .” It was already too late, the dam had burst. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

  “Here,” Mitchell said, removing her glasses. “Let me take these. I think you can go without seeing for a moment or two.”

  Her voice croaked a single word, “Thank-you.” Iris stared into Mitchell’s eyes for a moment. He seemed to be drowning in her gaze. She knew this connection was much more than just a physical one, and she wondered with irony if her glasses were a barrier that kept her from seeing what Mitchell saw in her. Mitchell jabbed a thumb beyond the wall. “I’m going to give you some privacy. If you need me, I’ll be right beyond that stone.”

  The light show was no less amazing than before. The giant TV screen was reconnected and on it played scenes from space. It was mostly constellations, partial views of galaxies colored in red, green, and purple hues.

  Iris reflected. Was this a GPS for space farers? If so, I wonder how many civilizations came to our planet as visitors, and should our ancestors have been more cautious who they welcomed?

  Her Dad interrupted her daydream. He gestured for her approval to sit.

  “You are so courageous. I can’t put it in words. I guess if I had been around for you. I would have already known this.” He smiled and patted her knee.

  “Did you know about DJ? Dad, you’ve got to level with me on this.”

  “I didn’t know. It’s pretty sad. I should have. And not just because of my job, because I was blinded”—he masked his eyes—“my sight.”

  S
he gripped his arm. “No, Dad. That’s not it. I shared telepathy with her, well, up until recently. I never saw it.”

  “Then it’s connected to this object.” He folded his arms over his knees and interlaced his hands. “DJ seems to have been affected by the change in her mother. But I was in close contact with her for a time and nothing happened to me. But then again I wasn’t an embryo growing in her womb.” He fell silent and stared upwards.

  “Contemplating?” Iris asked.

  “There’s not enough time in the universe for that, my darling.” He bent his head sideways until it met Iris’s.

  Evan’s shouting echoed throughout the pueblo.

  “It’s shutting down—again!”

  Evan was correct. Iris scrambled back toward the cauldron in time to see the lime-green moss extracting itself from chocolate-colored soil and then, the soil itself discoloring from deep brown to taupe. In minutes, the barren, lifeless soil had returned.

  So had hopelessness, but just for a minute, because yet another distraction was on its way to the pueblo.

  THE HELICOPTER gleamed in the near cloudless sky. It was hovering above two of the grandest stone structures, somewhere over the point where the rock was cut so as to resemble the letter U.

  “This is black. If this is what I think it is . . .” Evan’s voice trailed.

  Rusty cupped hands above his eyes. “It is black in color. But it is not who you expect.”

  Mitchell was across the wall and could not hear the conversation.

  “Damn it. You’ve led more spooks here. Haven’t you?” He pointed a finger at Dan. “That’s a black helicopter.”

  “No. I have not.”

  “Then who did?”

  “It is not spooks. I know because the other man from my team lies dead in Jack’s vehicle. I don’t think any other agents from my organization would know about what’s going on here. I think they were out for selfish gain.”

  “How about just ordinary police . . . maybe all our yelling and shooting attracted attention?”