by Lynn Moon
“I just love being left out,” Nate interjected grinning over at Tyler and Lacey who only grinned back. “Left out in the cold… left to my…”
Chapter 46
LOOMSBURY REVIEWED THE lab results and scratched his head. There was no way the report could be accurate. Angry and frustrated, Loomsbury grabbed his phone and dialed an extension.
“Lab 4. How may I help you?” a young female voice asked.
“I need to speak with Dr. Hansley. This is Loomsbury.”
“Yes sir, one moment please.”
Waiting patiently, Loomsbury re-read the report still not believing the carefree attitude the laboratory was giving the samples.
“Hansley,” the voice said.
“Hansley what in the world are you people doing down there?” Loomsbury shouted.
“Sir, I am afraid I don’t understand.”
“I have a report in my hand that states the subject is a combination of human and animal DNA. What kind of…”
“It’s no kind of anything sir, the blood samples were obviously contaminated,” the young doctor replied.
“I took those sampled myself.” Loomsbury yelled.
The phone went quiet for several seconds. Neither spoke.
“I need the test re-ran immediately,” Loomsbury demanded.
“Yes sir, I’ll have a technician take another draw as well. Just to be on the safe side,” Hansley replied. “Not sure if the mother and child will be happy but it’s the best I can do.”
“Whatever it takes,” Loomsbury said with an edge to his voice. “But I want accurate results… I hope we understand each other.”
“Yes sir, I will run the test myself and will personally report back to you.”
Chapter 47
TWO POLICE UNITS pulled up in front of the marble stairs and screeched to a halt. Constable Fahey stepped out of his car and adjusted his pants before heading for the door. He nodded to the other officers. Turning to enter the double doors, Constable Fahey bounced off the butler standing rigidly to assist him.
“May we help you sir?” the butler asked.
“We wish to see the manager right away.” Fahey regained his balance and walked around the butler straight into the large structure. He wasn’t waiting for an invitation. The butler followed the officers into Stonefield Castle anxious to deter him from entering any of the other rooms.
“Sir, I beg you,” the butler requested, “please allow me…”
“I’ll take it from here, Douglas,” the manager stated from his office door. “What can we do for you, Constable?”
“We have a warrant to search the premises,” Fahey stated with an air of authority.
“And may I ask what it is we’re looking for?” the manager asked calmly.
“General Longhorn from the United States. We believe she may be in room twenty-one.” Fahey announced boldly.
“Let me check the records for you, sir.” The manager motioned for the officers to follow him to the front desk. He punched a few numbers into the computer and shook his head. “I’m sorry but we have no record of a General Longhorn ever being registered here. Weren’t several of your men looking for her a couple of days ago?”
“Yes, but if you don’t mind, I’ll have a look for myself,” Fahey demanded.
“Certainly,” the manager motioned for the butler. “Douglas, would you please escort these two officers so they do not get lost.”
Douglas nodded.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” Constable Fahey added as the three walked away.
“Everything has been taken care of I presume?” a man in a suit and tie asked with his pipe smoldering in his left hand.
“Yes sir, everything,” the manager replied.
Chapter 48
MARTY STOOD NEXT to her daughter who was sleeping peacefully in her crib. She hugged her eldest, Macie. They watched as little Lizzie’s chest rose up and down.
“Mommy, she looks just like any other baby except she has fuzzy hair all over her. When did you say they were going to remove her tail?”
“I’m not sure yet,” Marty replied. “They want to make sure it won’t damage anything if they do. It wouldn’t be good if they crippled her now would it?”
“But Mommy, she can’t go around with a tail. I mean, how could she wear her pants?”
“We may have to cross that bridge when we come to it.” Marty tried to reassure her daughter. “But until then, we are here and we are safe. So let’s just enjoy our new baby and don’t worry about it.”
“I love her, Mommy,” Macie said, smiling down at her baby sister.
“I love her too,” Marty replied.
“What are you doing?” little Eliza asked, entering the room.
“Hi sweetheart,” Marty said giving her a kiss on the cheek. “We are watching Lizzie sleep.”
“Why?” Eliza asked.
“Because we love her,” Macie replied.
“Oh,” Eliza said satisfied with the answer.
Macie, who’s six, and Eliza, who’s four, have light reddish-blonde hair and dark green eyes. Not once since arriving in Washington have they asked about their father, nor has Eliza asked anything about her new strange sister. Only Macie noticed something was a little different. But both girls loved holding and playing with her. Marty was happy and content with her small family. Never once did she question how or why her life changed so suddenly. Nor did she question why she couldn’t see her parents or friends. Only little Lizzie knew something wasn’t right about being whisked away in the middle of the night and hidden deep in the forest. Only Lizzie was asking questions no one could hear. Only Lizzie was paying attention to what was going on, and Lizzie was only a few weeks old.
Chapter 49
“I AM NOT going to stand here and try to justify my position on this matter any longer. Our conversation is finished.” The coffee spilled over the side of the cup and burnt his hand. He shook his head and sighed shaking the hot liquid from his skin. “I don’t even know why we are having this conversation in the first place.”
Director Vernon Geeshmore’s glasses slid down his oily nose as he vigorously paced the floor. He adjusted them, too afraid to look into the eyes of the angry man. The situation was way out of control, and Geeshmore didn’t like the path they were headed on. The carpet muffled his forceful steps as he carefully contemplated his next move.
“As I said,” Nestle stated. “Our conversation is done. You may leave now.”
Geeshmore paused, stretched out his neck by rolling his head around, and took a deep breath. After twenty-five years in the military and obtaining the rank of agency head of the National Institute of Health, he was surprised his courage was failing him at this crucial point in time. He turned to confront the man who was about to ruin a society created to protect the truth centuries before they were born. Decisions about life and death were ever present in his life, but today of all days, Geeshmore felt alone and unable to find the strength and courage he so desperately needed.
Slowly and methodically, Geeshmore spoke as his hands shook uncontrollably in his pants pockets. “The ancient and accepted rite of our society is, above all else, to seek out the truth. We do not teach men about the truth, instead we guide them toward a truth that can be accepted by every member—every chosen man on Earth. We all must find the truth for ourselves, we cannot, nor do we try to find it for anyone. Our journey is self-discovery and self-growth. We seek a common ground to philosophical and religious ideas in order to align our standards of right and wrong. We protect the reality of God. We are not gods, in and of ourselves. Nor do we pretend to be. I came here to state my objections not so much as to what we are trying to accomplish, but how we’re going about it.”
Dr. Nestle didn’t move; he didn’t speak, either. He stared into a dark corner of the room as though in deep thought.
Geeshmore breathed a short sigh of relief. So far so good, he said to himself. “Roland, my friend, my brother… you must hear me. We are
destroying families in our efforts of human refinement, not to mention the lives of the individuals, all at the whim of our discretion. Have you honestly thought this through? Do you honestly believe what we’re doing is what our founders had in mind?”
Silence was the Director’s answer. Dr. Nestle didn’t say a word. Geeshmore felt it was safe to continue his small, memorized lecture.
“I understand the university will benefit financially from our research, but at what price? How do we put a price on a two-year-old, or a three-year-old? Or for that matter on any living soul. We are tampering in areas where we have no business. We are treading on God’s soil. I see everything exploding in on our society and there will be no way of stopping it. We have enough to worry about with the conspiracy theorists nipping at our heels. New members are joining every day, yes, but what legacy are we leaving them and those who follow?”
Nestle started to laugh. He laughed uncontrollably.
“What’s so funny?” Geeshmore asked.
“You,” Nestle yelled. “You.”
“I have stated my concerns and objections. I am not in agreement with what’s going on. I’ve had my say.” Geeshmore closed the door behind him as he left.
The room became silent except for the remaining chuckles escaping the old doctor’s lips.
Chapter 50
THE SMELL OF bacon was more than Carrie could resist and the empty bed next to hers was a clear sign she was probably the last one to wake up—again. After grabbing her bathrobe and slippers, she headed for the kitchen.
“Hey sleepy head,” Maddie said handing Carrie a cup of coffee. “You must have needed the rest.”
“Tell me about it,” Carrie answered. She sniffed at the bacon sizzling on the stove then sat down at the kitchen table. “Where is everyone?”
“Well, Lacey went to check out the city; Tyler’s at work, and Nate is running some errands. So it’s just you and me. How do you like your eggs?”
Carrie took a sip of coffee. “Scrambled’s fine. So tell me, how’d you get mixed up in all this?”
“Well I’m not really sure what ‘all this’ is yet,” Maddie answered as she plopped a couple of eggs into the bacon grease. “But I don’t like what I’ve heard so far.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense, spill the beans.” Carrie sipped her coffee and watched the birds eat at the feeder through the kitchen window. The small home was cozy and comfortable and just as she’d expected.
Thinking back, Carrie felt sorry for Maddie, but it didn’t take long for her to realize Maddie didn’t need anyone’s pity or sorrow. Maddie was a strong woman and knew what she needed and how to get it. Never during her life did Maddie ever give up or throw in the towel. Never had she regretted anything she said or did. Every word, every action had a reason Maddie could defend. She fought for everything that was good in life and hoped to make a difference in this crazy world. If Carrie could accomplish only half of what Maddie did, Carrie could feel she too had succeeded in life.
Chapter 51
“CHARLOTTE!” THE YOUNG maid screamed. “Charlotte, don’t move. Stand still.”
Charlotte was perched at the edge of the roof five stories above the gardens. From her position, Charlotte could see over the trees and across the valley. It felt wonderful and she longed to be free. As her wings spread out in the sunshine, her blood warmed and the feeling was energizing, giving her a sense of strength she never felt before. It took an enormous amount of effort for her to flex her wings, her back muscles were still weak. Charlotte was never allowed to open her wings in the castle. She had to keep them bound to her back. But now standing on the high rooftop with the sun warming her blood, Charlotte knew she could do anything, anything she wanted. The sensation and essence of just being high above the Earth gave her a comfort and a deep longing for more. Something Charlotte could not resist.
“Charlotte. Don’t move, “ Bart coached trying to push his large body through the small window, “we’re coming to get you.”
The little girl turned and smiled proudly at the man who wore an anxious and worried look. Then, in just a split second, she turned her back and glanced over the edge. Charlotte spread her wings as far as she could to allow her body to feel the rush of air that was just beyond the edge.
“No! Charlotte, don’t do it! Your wings are not strong enough… Charlotte, NO!”
But it was too late. Charlotte had already leaned far enough over the edge to allow the wind to catch her wide and colorful wings. Her back ached as the air pushed against her outstretched membranes. Her body and legs were pulled toward the Earth as her wings tugged high into the blue sky. It was as if her body would be torn into pieces at any moment, but it felt exhilarating.
No fear flowed through Charlotte, only a wonderful sense of freedom. As she glided toward the concrete below, Charlotte used all her strength to flap her wings. Never before had anything felt as wonderful. Her breathing rapidly increased in both strength and frequency. It didn’t take long for her to realize that using her shoulder muscles eased the strain on her back. She soared over the tree tops toward the large lake. As she reached the water’s edge, Charlotte allowed her left wing to drop, which raised her higher on the right side. If she shifted her body, she glided in a half circle toward the left. A few flaps of her wings and a small upward tilting of her head sent her body soaring higher.
The air was cool up here, but the hot sun warmed and thinned her blood as it rapidly flowed through her veins. The higher she soared the less restricted she felt. Her boundaries were limitless. For the first time in her life Charlotte was free.
Bart and the young maid ran outside followed by Stewart. He stood in awe watching the little girl conquer her fears and dominate the elements. The scientists concluded the human body would never be able to withstand the strain of the air current and the gravity, the wings would detach from the body and the person would die a painful death. But Charlotte was proving them wrong. She was flying, just like the birds flew freely in the sky. Charlotte was flying.
Unlike her sister whose fragile bones broke even as she slept, Charlotte’s were light but strong. When her sister was born, Stewart named her Angel. For the little girl looked just like one. But Angel only lived a few years, and each year was filled with pain. It was both a blessing and a curse when she passed. Stewart cried for weeks after Angel’s passing.
When they decided another child would take Angel’s place, they knew the bones had to be stronger. They also surmised the stronger bones would be heavier thus not allowing the child to fly. But there she was, soaring above the trees and proving them all wrong. Stewart watched as Charlotte glided toward the ground, but before her feet touched, she fluttered her wings to slow her descent. She touched down so delicately, it was as if Charlotte had stepped off a cloud.
The maid and Bart ran to her and began scolding. Charlotte ignored them stretching out her wings even further, taunting them. It felt wonderful to finally release the muscles she had to keep constrained all the time. Then as if she were a bird, Charlotte flapped them a few more times before folding them against her back. Her eyes met the doctor’s and they smiled together. Stewart winked at her with a twinkle in his eye.
Chapter 52
“GOOD AFTERNOON, MS. BRIGHTEN and Mr. Harding,” Crystal said introducing herself as she sat across the table from Tyler and Caiden. “I’m investigating the mysterious deaths of the family murdered by the wife and mother—Early Sutton.”
Caiden and Tyler glanced at each other surprised they would be questioned about something they knew nothing about.
“You look confused,” Crystal said responding to their reaction to her statement. “I understand you are the DNA experts. Is that correct?”
Caiden shrugged his shoulders and replied, “I wouldn’t necessarily say that, would you, Tyler?”
“Not really,” Tyler replied. “What is this all about anyway and who do you work for again? I don’t believe I caught that part.”
“I didn’
t say,” Crystal answered, pulling out a badge and flashing it briefly, she added, “the FBI. Now as I was saying…”
“Can I see your badge again?” Tyler asked.
“That isn’t necessary,” Crystal added. “Now back to where I was… oh yes, I believe you tested the DNA samples of the baby girl born at Mercy Medical Center?”
“I’m sorry,” Tyler spoke up. “First off, we have no idea as to what samples you’re referring to. Second, I didn’t get a good look at your badge. And third, our projects are classified and only our clients are privy to the results. So if you’ll excuse us, we have work to do.”
Caiden and Tyler stood and gave the woman another glare before leaving the room. Crystal laughed to herself as she gathered her papers from the table. At least someone is using their heads, she said to herself. Thank God for small favors.
* * * * * *
Crystal drove down the winding road away from the large complex all the while laughing at the whole situation. Lewis answered her call on the third ring and after briefing him, she called Spangleholtz, the man she loathed. When there was no answer, she was awarded with his voice mail.
“Euie baby! It’s Crystal. I’m sorry I missed you darling,” she lied. “I’ve spoken to the two scientists and all’s clear, they know nothing, absolutely nothing. That trail, I’m afraid, is a dead end. I’ll see if I can find out exactly where those blood samples were sent. It’s obvious they didn’t go to Barker Institute. Maybe one day you can tell me what’s so special about these samples… maybe? Anyway, later Euie baby… later.”
Crystal clicked off her phone and continued to laugh as she headed for the expressway that would ultimately take her to California. It would be good to finally sleep in her own bed.