A.D.A.M. Read online

  Dark circles beneath his hazel bloodshot eyes told the story of Patrick’s health. Paler than normal and with sweat beaded across his brow, he edited his next upcoming news special. His desk phone rang, which reverberated in his ears, annoyingly. He slowly picked up the receiver. “This is Patrick Algiers with KWNC news desk.” He listened intently to the caller, slammed the phone onto the cradle, and then bolted to Henry’s office. “Rebecca just called and needs George at FBI Headquarters with his camera. She wouldn’t say why, only that she’ll go live with the biggest news story of her career.”

  “Then, why isn’t he already on the road?”

  “I’m on it.” Blood oozed from Patrick’s nose.

  “Never mind, I’ll tell George myself. You need to go to the emergency room right now. Enough is enough! You’re extremely ill, and I can’t take a chance of you getting everyone else here sick.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “This isn’t up for negotiation, get to the emergency room.”

  The New Orleans FBI headquarters suddenly became more active than usual creating a chaotic entry for the black SUV driven by Agent Morrison; it slowly progressed through the crowd. More than a dozen news crews had assembled including Rebecca and George, her camera operator.

  Rebecca turned toward George. “Get ready and stay close to me. Shoot everything, and I mean everything. Don’t stop rolling until I tell you to stop.”

  “I’ve been rolling since we pulled in.”

  Agent Turner in the backseat adjusted the handcuffs around Jessica’s wrists. “Remember to look frightened. It’s all a part of our plan.”

  “I don’t think I’ll forget that because I’m scared to death. I won’t have to act.”

  “Jessica.” Agent Morrison pressed the brake pedal to avoid hitting a news reporter. “They’re vultures. Do not answer any questions, including those from Rebecca, take the fifth and demand to see your lawyer.” The SUV came to a stop at the front entrance to the FBI headquarters.

  “I understand. Loose lips sink ships. Dr. B always says that.”

  “Let’s make this newsworthy.” A small grin graced Agent Turner’s lips.

  Jessica took a deep breath. “I’m petrified. Auh ommm. Auh ommm. Auh ommm. Auh ommm.” She pulled the air from her nose as if it helped.

  Agent Turner glanced over at Jessica as she raised her brows in confusion.

  “It’s my mantra; it calms me down. Auh ommm.”

  “Sure thing, just get your act together as if Dr. Bradford’s life depends on it.”

  Jessica’s eyes widened as her bottom lip turned down.

  When Dr. Bradford entered the underground concrete base shower facility, she tilted her nose to a smell that reeked of mildew and musky dampness squinting her eyes. “Well, Sergeant Merritt, at least I can shower and wash my hair. It’s been more than twenty-four hours since my last one.”

  “Then you should enjoy it. I took the liberty of assigning you locker three twenty-seven and placed the shampoo and soap you requested in there. Here is your key.”

  Dr. Bradford grasped the key as Sergeant Merritt stepped to the side and assumed a guarded stance.

  “I guess it would be asking too much for some privacy.”

  “Ma’am, I have my orders.”

  Dr. Bradford took a deep breath. “Any way I can obtain a robe?”

  Sergeant Merritt twitched her mouth and handed her two thin white towels. “This is the best that I can do. I’ll requisition one as soon as I get to my desk. Will there be anything else?”

  “Privacy while I shower.”

  I’ll remain posted at the door. Ma’am, you have two minutes.”

  “Two minutes to shower and wash my hair? Are you kidding me?”

  “Ma’am we’re on a military base, we can’t waste water. Two minutes. You’ll learn to adapt.” Sergeant Merritt left the area.

  After turning on the shower water, Dr. Bradford used her new key and retrieved a small black plastic basket containing her shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a pair of black flip-flops from her locker. Two minutes, unbelievable. She grabbed the pair of fatigues and a green T-shirt and placed the basket inside the shower and the clothes onto a hook. She peeled off her two-day worn clothing, dropped them to the floor, and then stepped into the mildew infested shower. She leaned against the cold white porcelain tile and allowed the warmth of the water to relieve her stress. She grabbed her scented soap, slid it between her hands, and sniffed it.

  Dr. Bradford. The soft male tone of the voice caused her to glance over her shoulder quickly.

  Dr. Bradford.

  “Who’s here? Sergeant Merritt, is that you?”

  A sharp, intense pain ruptured in her mind as she grabbed her head dropping the soap.

  Dr. Bradford. Do not be afraid.

  Her knuckles fisted as she pounded them against the shower wall tile. “No!”

  Agent Morrison exited the SUV, walked around to the other side, and then opened the back passenger door. Out stepped Agent Turner and Jessica. Agent Morrison took off his jacket and threw it over Jessica’s head to prevent anyone from seeing her face.

  Rebecca stormed toward the threesome. “Is this Dr. Bradford’s Assistant? Why is she charged with treason? What evidence do you have?”

  Cameras flashed as Agent Morrison, and Agent Turner escorted Jessica through the crowd.

  Rebecca followed closely behind to the entrance. Once the trio went inside, Rebecca stood on the steps and positioned herself to deliver a live broadcast. “What you have just seen is the live footage of Jessica Parker being taken into custody by FBI officials. Parker is the undergraduate assistant to astrobiologist N.A.E.T. leader Dr. Sandra Bradford who has gone missing after being taken into protective custody by government officials. Stay tuned to KWNC as this story develops. I’m Rebecca Newcombe reporting live from New Orleans FBI headquarters.”

  Sergeant Merritt escorted Dr. Bradford dressed in fatigues and a T-shirt into her sleeping quarters; her eyes widened. “Things are improving. I see the General came through with my request for a new television and a brand-new Lazy Boy recliner. That was fast.”

  “Maintenance probably has dozens of televisions in storage. So, I’m not impressed.”

  “Well, I am. Frankly, I’m surprised he let me have one.”

  “Ma’am, he’s not as harsh as you think. He does have a heart. That’s what makes him a great General.”

  “He has so much heart he kidnapped me and is holding me here against my will.”

  “Your dinner will be here shortly. I’ll be standing on guard until my shift changes if you need anything else.”

  “Thank you, Sergeant Merritt.”

  The Sergeant closed the door.

  Dr. Bradford immediately sat in the recliner, leaned back, and then grabbed the remote. The television came on to nothing but white-snow fuzz and static.

  A knock on the door averted her attention from the television. “Come in.”

  Giles entered carrying her dinner tray and set it onto the table. “I made you red beans and rice with sausage. I hope it reminds you of home.”

  “Thank you, Giles. Are you any good with connecting televisions? This one was just installed, and I’m not receiving a broadcast signal.”

  “You’ll have satellite tomorrow when they run the wire. Enjoy your dinner.”

  “One more thing. Could you please find out when they have transferred the water into the larger tank and let me know immediately? I’m anxious to resume my research.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  After Giles left, she sat down at the table. Before taking a bite, she prayed. “Heavenly Father, I’ve never questioned your existence before, but are you real? I’m not sure what real is anymore. What I have just witnessed can only come from you. Please give me the wisdom to know what to do. Amen.” She took one bite. “Not exactly like home, but close enough.”

  Jessica sat alone and scared inside the FBI interrogation room when Age
nt Morrison, Agent Turner, and Emanuel Mendez, Assistant Director of Homeland Security, entered.

  “Jessica Parker, I’m Mr. Mendez with homeland security. I trust I’ll have your full cooperation.”

  “Sir, I respectfully request a lawyer.”

  “Let me make one thing clear, Ms. Parker. You committed an act of treason; you’re not entitled to a lawyer. You have no rights.”

  Jessica’s eyes opened wide as she looked at Agent Morrison.

  “It’s all right, Jessica. Just answer his questions.”

  “Nope, I take the fifth. I’m not talking until I know Dr. Bradford is alive and safe. Because, if I don’t get that information, my contact will release it to the public. You see, I’m smarter than I look. I watch movies. Never give up your source and always have a back-up plan. So, my plan included me giving over the rest of the samples to someone incredibly special whom I trust, and if I ever came up missing or dead, for him to release them to the press. So, you see. I have this all figured out.”

  “I think I liked you better when you took the fifth.” Mr. Mendez sat across from her. “This isn’t the movies, and you’re playing a very dangerous game.”

  “I’m not playing. I speak nothing but the truth; so help me God. So, I demand to see Dr. Bradford and to make one phone call. If neither of those happens, by morning, my other samples will be made public.”

  “Mighty tough words coming from someone charged with treason.” Mr. Mendez cleared his throat.

  “Okay. You have until nine in the morning, and that’s it. I demand to see Dr. Bradford.”

  Mr. Mendez glared toward Agent Morrison. “Come with me.” The two men left as Agent Turner sat down across from Jessica.

  “You need to listen to me, Jessica. This isn’t a game, and homeland security is not messing around with you. You could be executed for treason.”

  “You’re the one who talked me into doing this, and I’m the only one in trouble.”

  “You don’t get it. Agent Morrison and I are witnesses to your crime. Do you have another sample, or are you bluffing?”

  Jessica pinched her thumb and index finger together and zipped her lips and squeezed her eyes shut.

  Dr. Bradford sat in her new recliner as she wrote in her journal.

  “End of Day Two – 10:30 PM. Today has been full of surprises - mostly disbelief. The only thing I’m certain of is whatever I discovered in Mono Lake is more like us than I realized. I knew the microbe contained the same DNA and RNA building blocks, other than phosphorus, but to be able to morph and thrive in an arsenic-laden environment is beyond my imagination. I now view the meaning of life differently. This changes the way I think about discovering an alien life form somewhere in the universe. Have we gotten this wrong? Has the scientific community overlooked a life form somewhere else? I’m not certain if I have the answers, but I know I must find out what this thing is. What else could be out there?”

  Dr. Bradford took a deep breath, put her journal down, and shuffled to her bed. She climbed in, turned off the light, and closed her eyes. She tossed and turned as she remembered holding her infant son for the first time.

  In extreme labor pain, Dr. Bradford screamed as she gritted her teeth; beads of sweat covered her body. “The baby is coming.” She adjusted her position in the oversized stuff chair and attempted to look between her legs under her nightgown. “Get my hospital bag! It’s time!” She took a deep breath as her face turned crimson.

  Jeffrey quickly bolted to the bedroom, grabbed her packed suitcase, and then charged out the front door slamming it shut.

  “Jeffrey!” She doubled over in pain and screamed as she squeezed the chair arms. “Don’t push. Don’t push.” Her breaths quickened as she blew air in and out between her ‘O’ shaped lips.

  Jeffrey frantically entered the house bolting to her side. He kneeled. “Honey, are you okay?”

  “What do you think? I’m having a baby! Call nine one, one.”

  He stood and reached to lift her, but she shoved him away.

  “It’s too late. The baby is coming now! We don’t have time to get to the hospital. Go get blankets and all the towels you can find. You’re delivering our baby.”

  “Whoa! I’ve never delivered a baby.”

  “That doesn’t matter, you going to do this. Now go get the blankets and towels.”

  “Should I boil water?”

  “Jeffrey, get the damn towels.”

  He scrammed and gathered the supplies as he dialed the emergency operator. When he returned, he spread a blanket onto the floor and then assisted her in laying on her back. “I’m right here, Sandra. We can do this.” He kneeled between her legs and positioned himself to deliver their child.

  She lifted her knees and pushed. “Just make sure you catch the baby.”

  “Breathe Sandra.”

  “I am.”

  “I see our baby’s head.”

  She took a deep breath and pushed with all her might.

  The infant’s cry brought tears to her eyes as Jeffery handed her their newborn son. “He’s beautiful. He has a face I’ll never forget.”

  CHAPTER 8 - BREATH

  The song Reveille blared over speakers throughout the base. Dr. Bradford yawned and stretched. I hate that song.

  Three taps on the door caused her to ease out of bed, slip her feet into her flip-flops, and shuffled to the door. “I’m up. You can bring in my breakfast.”

  Major Dwyer entered. “I think you will be pleased to know the water was successfully transferred into the larger tank.”

  “That does please me.”

  “Excuse me, Major. I have a special delivery for Dr. Bradford.” Sergeant Merritt entered holding a white garment bag. “These are the clothes you requested; black pants, white shirts, and the General added one other item.”

  “Well, at least the day is getting off to a good start.”

  Agent Merrett smiled. “As soon as you finish your breakfast, I’ll escort you to your lab.”

  “Give me a minute to get dressed. I’m not hungry.”

  After spending the night in the FBI interrogation room, Jessica’s bloodshot eyes drooped, her hair uncombed and her clothes wrinkled. Surrounded by Agent Turner, Agent Morrison and Emanuel Mendez, the Assistant Director of Homeland Security, Jessica pounded her fist against the table and then stood. “Everybody shut up. I give. I’ll tell you where the other evidence is if you bring me to see Dr. Bradford. I want to see she is alive and unharmed.”

  Agent Morrison placed his hand onto Jessica’s shoulder. “Telling us is in your best interest. That is the only way I can help you to get the government to drop the charges against you.”

  “I’ve raised my demand. As soon as I see Dr. Bradford and I have Rebecca Newcombe from KWNC here to record my statement, I will tell you. If we cannot agree on terms, then I will not talk, and your evidence will remain buried long after you have killed me; and my secret person out there will turn over the rest. Oh, one more thing, I demand to speak with Stephen Stone Diamond.”

  Agent Morrison smirked and rubbed the test tube in his pocket. He stood and cleared his throat. “Excuse me; I have to make a call. I’ll see what we can do to provide you with your demands.”

  The Director of Homeland Security lifted his brow. “We do not negotiate with terrorists.”

  “I’m not a terrorist; I’m a scientist. Auh ommm. Auh ommm. Auh ommm. Auh ommm.”

  “Good morning, this is Stephen Stone Diamond; and do I have a lot to discuss with you today. Do any of our listeners out there remember caller five, zero four? Strange as this may sound, caller five, zero four is the graduate assistant to Dr. Bradford, the N.A.E.T. scientist who was taken into custody by the FBI. I have reason to believe the arrest of Jessica Parker for treason is related. In fact, I suspect caller five, zero four is the one and only Jessica Parker. I don’t have any proof, but I can add one plus one and come up with this theory. Caller five, zero four, if you’re not Jessica Parker and your listening, phone line
s are open. I’d like to continue our discussion; so, give me a call. I’ll be right back with more headlines after a word from our sponsors.” He pressed the off-air button, started the pre-recorded commercials, took off his headphones, and leaned back placing his feet onto the desk. A knock on the glass door caused him to bolt upright and turn around.

  A Fed Ex employee holding a large envelope stood on the other side.

  Stephen rose as a scowl crossed his brow. He looked back over his shoulder toward Robyn, his producer in the glass sound booth. She held up her hands in an I-don’t-know motion.

  He took a deep breath and opened the door.

  “Special Delivery for a Stephen Stone Diamond.”

  “I’m Stephen Diamond.”

  “Please sign here.” He handed him an electronic pad to sign.

  “Who is it from?”

  “I only deliver the packages; I don’t know who sends them.”

  “Yes, of course.” Stephen signed the electronic pad, and the Fed Ex employee handed him the envelope.

  “Have a wonderful day.”

  Stephen nodded and quickly returned to his seat. He glanced at the return label as his eyes widened.

  Robyn tapped on the window. “You’re back live in three seconds.”

  He lay the package to the side, hurriedly put his headphones on and then pulled the microphone close to his mouth. “Welcome back. We have eight callers on hold, so that means we have room for two more. This is open mic Monday, and I’m Stephen Stone Diamond. Let’s take our first call.” He pressed one of the blinking lights on the panel. “Welcome caller nine eight five. You’re live on the Stephen Stone Diamond Show, what’s on your mind today?”

  “I want to talk about the alien life form the government has stashed away.”

  “I think that’s what everyone wants to talk about today except for the government and Jessica Parker.” His eyes darted at the package.

  “I have a theory.”