“Oh my Jack; oh yes, my Love, my only; forever.
Jack brought her close; and, as he rose, they embraced and kissed, holding each other in a oneness that would last beyond their understanding at that moment.
**********
Then, the moment was now again, and Rachel was at home, in the lab, remembering her night of horror. She looked at Jack’s manuscript on her lap, opened it and flipped through it…This is so much thicker…She turned to the newer pages. “Holy shit, Jack, we never discussed any of this.”
She read feverishly and then looked up. “There’s got to be some results here, some proof.”
Then it hit her…I’ve got to see Jack…
With another blink, she said to herself, “Brian, my God, Brian. I haven’t talked to Brian about anything.”
Rachel picked up her cell phone and dialed her son. The call automatically forwarded to the Brock building, in Bethesda Maryland, just west of Washington D.C. Marion Brock had one rule above all others-speak person to person. There were no message services anywhere through his multibillion-dollar organization; rather, a secretary always answered every incoming number.
“Good morning, Brock building, may I help you?”
“Yes, my name is Rachel Sheldon. I’m Brian Sheldon’s mother. I am trying to reach him. It’s a family emergency. I must speak to him right away.”
“Just a moment, Mrs. Sheldon…”
Rachel sat exhausted, teary eyed, waiting for some word.
“Hello Mrs. Sheldon. Thank you for waiting. Mr. Brian Sheldon is out of town on a security matter with Mr. Brock. I will contact Mr. Brock and have your son call you as soon as possible. Can you give me time to do that? I will call you back, if that‘s okay with you?”
“That‘s fine. I appreciate it.”
Rachel hung up the phone.
Chapter 9
Brock’s Visit
Back in ‘focus ward’, room 309; after Nurse Angie’s exit; Jack Sheldon sat aching, confused and unwashed. Unbeknownst to him, it was the odor of his own death that left him nauseated. He had massive memory loss; and, in many ways he was, literally, a grown child. Moving slowly off the gurney, with baby steps, he finally reached the bathroom shaking. Slowly he sat down on the toilet and looked, with welcome, at the shower in front of him. It hurt, relieving himself; but, then he stood up, naked, and stepped into the glass stall, examining his bloody body. There were no scars, sutures, cuts or bruises anywhere. Shockingly, when he turned on the water, he exploded in pain. There was a deafening, stinging high pitch, from the faucet knobs squeaking. The next second, the first rush of water out of the nozzle only magnified his sense that someone was stabbing into his ears with ice picks. He screamed and grabbed his ears. The sensation only lasted a few seconds. Then, he went limp. He felt so weak: he grabbed the handicap support rod to keep from falling. Standing rigid, he tried to clear his thoughts. He tried to hold his balance and took soap and a washcloth and began, slowly, to clean off the stench and dried blood.
My mind…What the hell has happened to me? Jack grabbed his head and tried to think. Rachel; Rachel…We were home. I left…I was going to nightshift-special duty…No…It was a meeting with Bruke…No…Brock…and Brian…BRIAN, my son…My God, Brian.
Then he clenched his ears again and screamed, “The pain, the pain, Christ I can’t think. What the hell is that?”
He concentrated as best he could. The sound was coming from the corridor outside his room. Strange too, because room-309, itself, was lead lined and locked, to prevent any security breach.
“Voices, Christ; am I going mad? That sounds like a woman’s voice.”
In fact, a single voice was speaking from far down the ward hallway. But Jack heard it, as if she were in the shower with him, yelling into both of his ears.
It was Barb Sawyer, whispering to herself, “Angie, what were you talking about? There has got to be a reasonable explanation?”
After Bellos ordered her reassignment, Barb decided to visit ‘focus ward’, to see if anything Angie said made sense. She was roughly fifty-feet away from Jack’s room, when, down the hall, out of Angie’s office came two men. Both were wearing tailored suits, so Barb shifted to automatic manners. The older of the two looked in his mid 50s and he commanded a second look from any woman. The other, a much younger college looking man, walked a half step behind.
“Good evening, Barb Sawyer. I am Marion Brock. This is Brian Sheldon, Jack Sheldon’s son. I hope we haven’t arrived, at too inconvenient a time?”
“Hello,” Barb said without thinking.
“I hope you recognize my name, at least. Mine is the first name on the marquee of this place, Brock/Swanson. I remember you, from the award ceremony two years ago. I would never forget a pretty, smart lady like you.”
“How do you do, Mr. Brock. You have quite a memory. You shocked me, being here like this. Can I help you?”
With a slight smile, Brock looked at Brian, and then back at Nurse Sawyer.
“Well, Barb, we have been monitoring the lad’s dad from another location; and, suddenly, all the readings went dead. So, we came directly here to try and check with the ward nurse. No one has been here since we arrived. The vital monitors are reading nothing. Naturally, I am concerned, not to mention the emotion of the boy. We have been in that office, unable to communicate with any hospital staff. They keep quite good security up here. We can’t use the landline or anything wireless, to make a call. We found out the hard way that all the doors lock automatically. I didn’t know that, when one enters this ward, one is locked in. How can we find out exactly what is going on; and we would like to see Dr. Sheldon.”
“I see. First, let me say how sorry I am, that this has happened to you, both. You must be quite frustrated. I will help in any way I can. You see, the nurse, who normally is here, has taken ill. I have been assigned to the ward, now; but, I will not have authority for the floor, until ‘redirect’, scheduled for 4 p.m. this afternoon. Until then, I can let you out and show you to Dr. Bellos’s office, if that would help. I’m sure he can explain the entire matter.”
“I appreciate your situation, Barb; I really do. Maybe it would be best if, as your boss, so to speak, we have a little chat before going to see anyone. First, have you seen one of these?”
Brock handed her a badge; one like it she had seen, only once before at Andrews, on Mathew Bellos.
“Barb, this is my authorization for the Complex, just to be clear and let you know I have the authority. Try to be comfortable. You are free to talk about anything, without fear of reprisal, in anyway, all right?”
She turned the badge over and examined both sides.
“Please verify it, before reacting. That is security protocol,” Brock added.
The three walked back into Angie’s office. Barb plugged the badge through the clearance verifier and typed her code into the computer. The monitor brought up a picture of Marion Brock and his complete security clearance. With relief, and a sigh, she sat back and looked at the two men.
“It has been a night, I will never forget, Sir.”
Brock stood up and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“I can imagine. Now, can you tell us, what is Dr. Sheldon’s condition?”
“I really don’t know. I was coming up here to check. I assumed the room doors would be open. I, like you, have never been in here. No one really knows the actual security measures up here; no one except the ward nurse, and Dr. Bellos. I am supposed to be indoctrinated this afternoon. So far, I know the basic protocol to get in, but that is all. By the way, how did you two get through security?”
“Well, not to make too light of it; but, I showed my badge, the guard punched six numbers on the keypad, and then, the door opened. Barb, do you have access from this computer to the ER, and any surgical records from earlier this evening?”
“Only if I enter the proper codes, which I won’t have until, as I said, ‘redirect’ at 4 p.m. All medical information is stored immediately in a
separate, secure hard drive, which one can only access by code. Patient records are retained differently, than anything else in the Complex.”
“Hmm,” Brock took a deep breath. “Please; then we should start with what happened as you know it.”
The three gathered in Angie’s office, while Jack Sheldon stood in the shower, painfully listening, wet, and mystified. He shouted as loud as he could, calling, “Hello; Hello! Anyone; who’s out their…?”
Then, he went deaf. Jack grabbed the railing again. He fell to his knees and blacked out, curled up in the corner, as the water continued to splash against his aching body.
Meanwhile, Marion Brock and Brian Sheldon sat down in front of Barb Sawyer; and she began to recount her early morning episode with Angela Esposito.
“Barb,” Brock interrupted her almost immediately, “Is there a comfortable waiting room on this floor?”
“Why yes; at the opposite end of the hallway, where I came in, Sir.”
Brock turned to Brian.
“Brian, my boy, I need a few moments with Barb here, alone. Would you mind waiting for me in that room? That’s a good lad. I’ll try not to be long. Please try to be patient, son. We will get to the bottom of this. I just need to speak to Barb, about some highly secure hospital matters; you understand?”
Brian frowned, but he did not say anything. He just turned around and walked out the door to the waiting room.
Brock turned back to Barb. “Please my dear, continue, and feel free that the buck stops here. You have nothing to fear.”
Brian Sheldon walked one slow step at a time to the room down the hallway. He had an overwhelming sense that his father needed him.
“My God,” he whispered. “The doors; there are no numbers on the doors. Where is room 309? Where’s Dad?”
Brian had no choice but to continue walking.
Barb Sawyer resumed her story about Angela. Brock listened intensely; and then, he began questioning her, “Barb, do you know what time the car accident happened, exactly?”
“Around 10:15-10:30 p.m., I think.”
“Okay, this is very important. Do you know the members of the surgical team that worked on Dr. Sheldon?”
“Dr. Bellos; I’m sure; then there is our chief of surgery-a new hire, and an anesthesiologist along with two nurses and one back up doctor.”
“Do you know where they all are now?”
“I don’t know for sure.”
Brock stood up, walked to the door and whispered to himself, “Holy shit, Jack…Again? I am going to find you.”
Brock turned around, sat down and listened to Barb finish. She didn’t take long; and, for Brock, it all fit. He pretended to focus on the nurse.
“The whole thing sounds so bizarre, Sir. So, I came here to find, I don’t know what; something to verify what she said.”
“Barb, you were able to get in here. Can we get out?”
“Yes, I have the protocol for the entrance I used. But all protocols go to a guard’s station for review and final clearance.”
“I’d like you to go now and take Brian with you. It’s only natural that he tries to see his father. Iam sure you won’t have an issue with the guard.”
“But what about you, Sir; Hospital security says you can’t be here. I don’t know if you can get out, once I go. The guards already know you are here. If you don’t have the correct security code…”
“Barb, I’ll be fine. The important thing right now is to get you and Brian off this ward.”
“Yes Sir.”
Brock got up and gently reached for Sawyer’s shoulders.
“Barb, after you get out, I want you to take Brian to my flat. It’s in the Fargo building on the southwest corner of the campus. It’s isolated so don’t be frightened at the location. Here is my key and remote for the garage and security system. The code is 145. Wait for me there. Try to be as discreet as possible. We really don’t know what we are dealing with, yet.”
“But Sir, I can’t possibly do that. I have to prepare for my redirect meeting with Dr. Bellos.”
“Yes, of course, you must…hmm.”
Brock stepped beside Barb and out the office door.
“Follow me.”
He walked quickly down the hall and into the waiting room, where young Sheldon sat nervously.
“Hello Brian. Thank you for waiting. I know this is all very difficult for you. But, I need you to listen and trust me. There are things going on that I have to get to the bottom of, right now. That means you need to follow my instructions, all right?”
Brock knew this was a gamble; but he had no choice.
“Brian, are you with me here?”
“…Am I with you? My father is somewhere on this floor, and I’m going to find him, damn it! No! I am not with you.”
“Brian, listen to me. Your father has been working, in secret, with me for months. I can’t explain it all to you here right now; we don’t have time; will you just trust me, Son?”
Brock shook him. Brian finally looked with his furrowed brow and said, “Okay fine; stop it; but hear me, Mr. Brock; I don’t give two shits if you are my boss, or have billions, or if you are God himself. I will find my dad, you got it?”
“Yes, Son, I do.”
Brock released Brian and said, “Now listen and remember. This is a key to the Fargo building on the southwest corner of this campus. Here is my key and security remote. Push 145 to clear the security and 541 to engage, got it? I need you to go to the flat and wait for my call. Brian, will you do that?”
Brian’s eyes were glassy. He looked at Brock but didn’t focus.
“BRIAN?”
“Yes; I’ve got it; fine, I will.”
Brock turned to Barb.
“Young lady, will you trust me with one more thing?”
“Yes?”
She looked at him, with hopeful affection.
“Good, after you get out of the meeting with Dr. Bellos, call me on 111-145, can you remember that?”
“Yes Sir.”
Brock looked at them both, “Now, go.”
When the two reached the ward door, Brock studied closely while Barb pushed six security buttons on the exit keypad. The door clicked; and Barb pulled it open. She and Brian walked down the corridor to the elevator. As the ward door closed, Brian turned around and saw Marion Brock walking back to Angie’s office. When he got there, Brock sat down again. Only this time, Barb had not logged off the computer; so, he had access to everything, except the patient records and the room door locks. He typed in his own security protocol; and two additional windows appeared on screen, a phone face instant messenger, and his control module to communicate with his personal worldwide network. He, quickly, called his secretary, who informed him of all incoming messages including Rachel Sheldon’s call to Brian. Then, he called and talked with his Chief of Staff, Rash InVoy. InVoy was Brock’s top security advisor. He was a small framed man of East Indian decent; and although he stood only five-foot three, his ridged military like facial expression commanded respect. It was a look that could kill. His resume’ included Special Advisor and Council to the Soviet President, Special Security Council to the President of the United States, mercenary for hire during the terrorist wars; and also, surprisingly, he spent 4 years as Special Envoy to his Eminence Pope James X. Brock hired InVoy 4 years ago to manage his worldwide communications and his security network.
“Rash, good morning; or is it afternoon there?”
“It’s almost noon, Sir; good morning.”
“I need an update on security matter C.P.T.”
“Yes Sir, cloak-six was eliminated, earlier this evening, as instructed. Primary one should be there with you. Have you recovered vials?”
“Not yet; there has been a glitch with the girl. Primary one is here, but I haven’t found him. What’s the shelf life of the vial? How long do we have?”
“We have not calculated, exactly; but the techs say perhaps a day or two, if that.”
“Where are th
e other vials?”
“Sir I beg your pardon, but this line is not secure. Our computer has identified a virus and tracking mode. I strongly advise you cease communication immediately, and leave where you are. Do you copy?”
“Yes; damn!” Brock disconnected the protocol and shut down the computer. “Damn, damn you, Jack!”
He got up, walked down the hallway to the exit door and pushed 122607 on the keypad, duplicating Barb’s input. The door unlocked and he walked out to the elevator. When he reached the first floor, the doors opened and a security guard, dressed in what looked like military garb, blocked his exit.
“Sir, excuse me.”
Brock waived what he thought was his free pass-badge in front of the guard; but, the guard just said, “I’m sorry Sir, please come with me. There has been a breach on floor three. We must follow procedure. I know you understand.”
“Just a minute; do you know who I am, boy? Look at that badge. I am not going anywhere but out. Step aside!”
Brock tried to walk around the guard; but, with one quick smooth grip, the guard took Brock by his arm and yanked him to the wall.
“Sorry Sir, if you don’t cooperate, you will be detained by force. Please, walk in front of me toward the blinking light.”
“All right, my boy; no need for violence.”
Brock brushed himself off; and the guard escorted him down the corridor to a small elevator. They entered and the sergeant pushed red-6 on the panel. Brock was anything but cooperative.
“Where the hell are we going? It feels like we’re going down to the left. That’s impossible?”
The guard stood silent, fully armed with a strange weapon, Brock had never seen.
“What kind of special ops are you, anyway? Do you realize you work for me? I am Marion Brock! My name is on the marquee. I built this place. Jesus! Are you deaf, you dipshit?”
Brock turned red-faced and looked like he was going to explode.
Chapter 10
Taken
Nurse Ralph Walker met Angela Esposito in Chicago, Illinois during their undergraduate years. Ralph was visiting his father over a Christmas break, who was city council member for the fifth district. The two students had quite a mutual attraction for one another then, almost ten years ago. Now at Andrews, the two renewed their old friendship, without the romance.
Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust Page 7