A.D.A.M. Page 13

  General Anbar glared toward Major Dwyer. “Escort Dr. Bradford to her quarters. You have four hours, then back to the lab.”

  “Very generous of you, General. This isn’t over. Never underestimate the power of sisterhood. My sisters will find me.”

  “I’ll authorize the televisions and a computer.”

  “Thank you, General; I’ll take that compromise.”

  “This way, Dr. Bradford.”

  Major Dwyer escorted Dr. Bradford from the conference room as General Anbar picked up the red phone receiver.

  “President Corbin, we have another security breach.”

  “What level?”

  “Dr. Bradford’s undergraduate assistant I believe is her sister.”

  “How have you come up with this assumption?”

  “By a threat, she referenced her sisters would look for her.”

  “Did you say, sisters?”

  “Yes, that means she has a family we’re not aware of.”

  “This may not be a concern. They can’t find her. What’s the status of Dr. Bradford’s research?”

  “She’s reluctant to cooperate and demanding personal items and for her quarters be brought to more of her liking.”

  “General, keep her happy. Give her whatever she wants or needs to conduct her research. We must find out what this thing is and what it can do.”

  “I completely understand.”

  “And, have someone follow Ms. Parker and see where that leads us. It is imperative we know whether there is another sample out there.”

  “I’ll contact Agent Morrison. He’s already in the field with Agent Turner. If there’s another sample out there, Agent Morrison will retrieve it.”

  “General, leave no witnesses.”

  “I’ll personally take responsibility of overseeing the matter.”

  Rebecca, disgusted, slammed her hand against her thigh as she spoke. “Damn the FBI protocol. We have a right to know where you took Dr. Bradford. Do you understand our terms?”

  “That’s right.” Jessica held her head high. “If you don’t provide us with what we want, we don’t speak; and I won’t tell you where the sample is.”

  Agent Turner placed her hands into her suit pockets. “We said we’ll do what we can. Just come up with a plan we all can agree upon.”

  Agent Morrison’s cell phone vibrated. “Excuse me; I have to take this. Continue developing our plan.” He stepped into the foyer away from the women and answered the call.

  Jessica pouted her lips. “I can’t thank you enough. I just know something isn’t right. I don’t want Dr. B dead like the rest of them.”

  “I understand your concern, Ms. Parker.”

  “Please call me, Jessica.”

  Agent Morrison returned as he stuffed his cell phone into his jacket. “Now, where were we?”

  “Why did you decide to help us?” Jessica’s eyes teared as she gazed toward Agent Morrison.

  “We took an oath to serve and protect; and frankly, the only thing that will keep her alive is for you to turn over the last remaining sample you have. It’s evidence, Jessica.”

  “I didn’t think it was evidence. I forgot I even took the vial. I thought it was lost until I saw it when…”

  “When what, Jessica?” Agent Turner’s eyes widened.

  “When I saw the news. I’m glad you believe me.”

  “Jessica, where is the remaining sample?”

  Rebecca stood and strode between Jessica and Agent Morrison. “Wait, Jessica. There must be a better way. If you give up that sample, we’ll have nothing. We’ll be giving up our bargaining chip. We need to keep it safe and secure.”

  Agent Morrison twisted his lips and nodded. “For once, Ms. Newcombe, I agree with you. Keeping the sample safe is our priority too. Together, we can come up with a plan to keep you both safe, the sample safe and bring Dr. Bradford home.”

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Jessica jumped from the couch and raised her hand open-palmed to Agent Morrison expecting a high-five in return.

  He raised his hand, and they slapped them together. “So, let’s strategize.”

  Agent Turner confused, glared at her counterpart. He winked at her.

  Dr. Bradford entered her quarters, and the first thing that caught her attention was the plate full of beignets, small white powdery donuts, on her table next to her lunch. She grabbed the plate, crawled onto her new mattress and purple bamboo 1800 thread sheets and matching twin comforter, and leaned against the new fluffy pillows. She placed the plate on the bed to her side.

  After she devoured one beignet, she wrote in her journal.

  “Day Two – 3:00 PM – I think we are somewhere close to New Orleans as I asked Giles this morning for beignets and the ones delivered taste just like those from Café Du Monde.” She took another bite of the beignet and then continued to write. “It’s hard to believe what I’ve seen today. It is as if science fiction has become a reality. The microbe has transformed within a twenty-four-hour period substantially. I’m unable to ascertain how much the specimen’s mass weighs as I’m afraid if I remove it from its natural environment, it will die. However, I’m certain that the specimen started as a microbe has already been exposed to oxygen. How else could you explain the evolution? What I am seeing is Darwin’s theory of evolution in action. What should take millions of years has taken only one day, how can that be possible? Is this how man evolved? Are there other life forms in the universe? Are we alone?”

  Suddenly, Dr. Bradford felt a cold chill trickle down her spine as she heard a child, within her mind, calling her name. Dr. Bradford.

  “Impossible.”

  She bolted from the bed and banged her fists onto her locked door. “I need to go back to my lab, immediately.”

  The door opened, and Sergeant Merritt stepped in. “Dr. Bradford, is everything all right?”

  “I need to return to my lab right away.”

  “It will be another thirty minutes. They are installing the new tank you ordered.”

  “How did they get it here so quickly? It’s only been a couple of hours.”

  “This is a research facility. We have just about everything you need here. If we don’t, we can get anything here within hours.”

  “Your still not going to tell me where here is, are you?”

  “Enjoy the rest of your time off.”

  Sergeant Merritt closed the door.

  Dr. Bradford paced. Minutes seemed like hours before Major Dwyer knocked onto her door and entered. “Your tank has been installed. What is your next directive?”

  “I need you to go to Mono Lake and retrieve enough water to fill the tank you just installed and bring double that amount back in a sterile container for reserves. No, make it triple the amount.”

  “I’ll inform General Anbar of your request. This way, please.”

  CHAPTER 7 - TREASON

  Agents Morrison and Turner stood on Dr. Bradford’s porch.

  Agent Turner scowled toward him. “You could have let me in on your plan before you started it.”

  “There was no time, I had my orders, and I’m authorized to do anything to get it.”

  “Do you think Jessica knows where it is?”

  “She doesn’t come across as the lying type. She has it; we just don’t know where. Our orders are to obtain it immediately and bring it to the General for it to be destroyed.”

  “I’m clear on that, but what keeps anyone else from retrieving another sample from Mono Lake? It’s a public reserve.”

  “Was is the key factor in this scenario. The government has it sealed off, and it’s under the security of the Army. Let’s say; there’s a no questions asked policy in place. If anyone tries, they won’t come out alive.”

  “Just so I’m clear, we are to develop a plan with Jessica and Rebecca to get any sample Dr. Bradford may be hiding, at any cost?”

  “At any cost. You know what we have to do.”

  Patrick sat at his desk. He opened the
email Rebecca sent and read it. “Holy shit!” He bolted to Henry’s office and barged in.

  “This better be good; you didn’t knock.” A scowl crossed Henry’s brow.

  “Trust me, it is. If there is any truth in her message, this is the story of the century.”

  “Fill me in on the details.”

  Patrick sat and took a deep breath; his nose dripped. He wiped his finger under his nose and smeared the moisture across his pants leaving a tinge of neon yellow on them for two seconds.

  “Are you okay, Patrick? Have you been sniffing the yellow highlighters? Your nose has a yellow spot on it.”

  Several empty coffee cups, sodas, and a half-eaten pizza cluttered the living room area. Rebecca stood over Jessica and watched her type on her laptop.

  Agent Turner sat on the couch captivated by an article she found – “Arsenic Driven Microbe Discovered in Mono Lake.”

  Agent Morrison strode to the bookshelf and studied the contents. He retrieved a book Mono Lake Guidebook by David Gaines. “This looks interesting. Jessica, how close are you?” With the book in his hand, he sat in the oversized chair and flipped through the pages.

  “I said I could hack the State Department of Defense. I just don’t know how long it’s going to take. How exactly is this going to go down once I’m in?” She lifted her bare feet and crossed her legs Indian style.

  “The sooner you get in, the sooner I can tell you where they took Dr. Bradford.”

  “Geez. Don’t you think I know that? I haven’t hacked into a computer since I was in my teens. By the way, how did you know I could do this. I thought my juvi records were sealed.”

  “We’re the FBI. We know everything.”

  “Seriously!” Jessica scowled. “If you knew everything, you’d know where they took Dr. Bradford.”

  Rebecca looked sternly at Agent Morrison. “Are you sure this is the only way we can find her?”

  “Positive. Are you sure you two will honor our agreement?”

  Rebecca rubbed her forehead. “Yes, as soon as we know where Dr. Bradford is, Jessica, will give you the sample and not a second before.”

  Agent Turner took a long deep breath. “Give her time, Morrison. Let Jessica do her thing.”

  “Yes. I’m in.” Jessica clapped her hands.

  The agent’s eyes connected as Agent Turner nodded, and then darted her eyes sideways toward Jessica. “Nicely done Jessica. Now upload your message. You’ll get their attention.”

  “Yes! Message uploaded just like we planned. Now your turn. Locate Dr. Bradford.”

  Agent Turner stood, retrieved her handcuffs, and then secured Jessica’s hands behind her back. “Welcome young lady to your first felony.”

  Flabbergasted, Rebecca stood wide-eyed. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Jessica’s lips tightened as her heart raced. “Yeah, you’re kidding, right?”

  “Let’s go Jessica.” Agent Turner grasped Jessica’s shoulder with her right hand as she clutched her left to the handcuffs on Jessica’s wrist. She shoved Jessica toward the front door.

  “You are kidding, aren’t you? Rebecca stormed after them.

  “Afraid not. Jessica just committed a felony.”

  Jessica’s eyes flushed as her lips quivered. “I don’t remember handcuffs being a part of any plan or getting arrested.”

  “What plan, Jessica? You just committed treason.”

  “I thought it was an act and part of our plan; not for real.”

  Agent Morrison approached Jessica. “Jessica Anne Parker, you are under arrest for treason against the United States of America. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you by the state. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?”

  “Not just no, but Hell no!”

  Agent Turner pulled Jessica, a little too roughly toward the front door.

  “Hey! Ease up.” Jessica whimpered as her lips formed a pout.

  Rebecca grabbed her cell phone. “Jessica, I’ll meet y’all with my cameraman to cover you bringing her into FBI Headquarters for questioning. That will get their attention by airing it on tonight’s news.”

  Before Agent Turner could open the front door, Agent Morrison placed his hand on it and harshly stared at Jessica. “The sample, where is it?”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. We don’t know where Dr. Bradford is. I’m not talking until I know where she is and you’re certainly not going to get the sample. I’m going to exercise my rights and not say another word. I want an attorney too.”

  “The evidence, Jessica. This is the only way to save Dr. Bradford and keep you safe at the same time; just like we planned. Where’s the sample? Do you want to save Dr. Bradford or not?”

  Jessica glanced at Rebecca as if asking what she should do.

  “Hold on to it, Jessica. Please don’t give it up yet. I’ll get you the best attorney.”

  Angrily Agent Morrison flashed a sly grin toward Jessica. “Once we have you booked, we’ll use the sample as a bargaining chip to find Dr. Bradford. That’s our plan. There’s no other way. I need that sample to help you.”

  “It’s in my hoodie pocket.”

  Rebecca huffed as she rolled her eyes. “Jess, I wish you wouldn’t have told him just yet.”

  “That’s easy for you to say, you’re not the one in handcuffs.”

  Agent Morrison grabbed Jessica’s hoodie jacket and searched the outside pockets.

  “It’s in the inside pocket.”

  Agent Morrison located the test tube. He held it up and inspected it. “So, this is what has caused all of this confusion.”

  Agent Turner opened the front door. “The clock is ticking; let’s go.” She pushed Jessica through the door.

  “My shoes, can’t I get my shoes?”

  The heavy-lift Boeing CH-47D helicopter with four high-speed pumps hovered over Mono Lake with a large bucket siphoning 2,500 gallons of water. The process took less than ninety seconds.

  The pilot looked over his shoulder at his co-pilot. “Have you ever seen anything like this before?”

  “Only in a science fiction movie. It doesn’t look real. In fact, it looks like it should be an alien planet.”

  “I agree, but one thing is certain, whatever is below the water, has created a national security risk.”

  “Not sure if I can even begin to speculate.”

  “The bucket is full. We must move and get this sample to Fort Edwards as quickly as possible according to the Generals orders.”

  “Understood. The shipping container is ready for us to dump the water into it once we arrive.”

  “Whatever they are going to do with it must be a priority.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Our orders are to dump this cargo so they can transport it to another base for research.”

  Dr. Bradford concerned and with an intent scowl strode into the lab.

  “I hope the tank meets your specification.” Major Dwyer took a slow and deep breath.

  “It’s plexy glass; I wanted real glass.”

  “That’s all we could get on such short notice. We had it built here in the lab, and it has been sterilized.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We should have the water from Mono Lake in a couple of hours.”

  Dr. Bradford waved her hand to dismiss him. “Please don’t let anyone enter while I’m conducting research. I’ll be using arsenic, and it’s a matter of safety and a sterile containment field.”

  “Very well.” The military officer abruptly left.

  She glanced at the smaller tank as the white sheet glowed neon yellow. Carefully removing the sheet, she held her breath. “Okay, here we go.” Her mouth formed a full ‘O’ as her brows lifted.

  “You’ve grown again. Don’t worry; I’m
getting you a new home.”

  The water glowed brighter as if to converse.

  “What are you?”

  The water rippled as the neon yellow faded.

  She took a deep breath and retrieved the wallet size photograph of her son and taped it to the side of the tank. The blob gradually morphed into a shape of a twelve-pound newborn infant submerged in the water as he sucked his thumb; he slowly blinked.

  A knock on the door sent her darting to cover the tank. “Just a minute. Let me secure the samples. I don’t want to risk contamination.” She at once covered the infant. “All right, the sample is secure. You may enter.”

  Sergeant Merritt entered. “I’m here to inform you the helicopter is landing with the container of water from Mono Lake as you requested. General Anbar ordered me to escort you to your quarters for the remainder of the evening. It’s going to be a process pumping the water into the tank.”

  “I’d rather stay and supervise.”

  “I’m sorry. I must obey General Anbar’s orders. Please come with me.”

  “I have to secure the specimen to prevent contamination, please step out. I’ll knock when I’m ready.”

  Sergeant Merritt nodded and exited.

  Dr. Bradford bolted to the tank and then removed the sheet. The infant’s eyes connected with hers. “I hate to do this to you, but I have to remove the picture. You’re getting a new home, and I can’t risk anyone finding out about you.”

  The infant’s eyes closed.

  With extreme care, she gently removed her son’s photograph as the infant gradually returned to its original blob state. Her heart sank, and she felt a deep emptiness in her soul.

  After securing the specimen, she tapped on the door. “Lab is secure; you may enter.”

  The door opened. “This way, Ma’am.” Sergeant Merritt held the door open.

  “Is getting a shower out of the question?”

  “I’m sure I can arrange that. This way, please.”