A.D.A.M. Page 2

  Dr. Bradford exasperated by the pair intervened. “Both of you listen to me. Retrieving another sample is the only way any of us are going to have a career. I was on the verge of a major discovery. We’re pretty much ruined if we don’t get these samples.” She looked sternly at Jessica. “Pull yourself together and focus.”

  Jessica forced a smile, removed her glasses, and dried her tears. “I got this.”

  “What can I say other than I do owe my career to you.” Dr. Peterson presented a grateful-heartfelt nod toward Dr. Bradford.

  “That would be the government you owe, not me.”

  Jessica took in a deep cleansing breath. “Hell, I don’t even want to imagine what I’m going to owe between tuition and taxes. I hate paying taxes.” She tossed a purple scuba fin to Dr. Bradford hitting her leg with it.

  “Please be careful. We can’t afford any mistakes or mishaps.”

  “Sorry, I’ll be extra careful.”

  Another bolt of lightning hit the water, making Jessica jump and almost toss a dive mask out of the canoe as she looked upward. “The sky looks like it belongs in a scary film. At any minute, I know something is going to jump out of the water and eat us. This is exactly how a horror film starts. The next thing you know, a large lizard or alien creature like the one in The Shape of Water is going to flop into this canoe on top of us.”

  Dr. Bradford’s eyes tightened as she pursed her lips. “Relax, the largest living creature down there is likely a brine shrimp. As alien as they look, they are not creatures from the Black Lagoon. Although, maybe they’re from outer space.”

  “What! Stephen Stone Diamond is right. We do have aliens from outer space here on earth.”

  “You just keep sorting gear and get ready to collect the samples.”

  Dr. Peterson chuckled. “Amen to that!”

  Jessica glanced toward Dr. Bradford with a scowl. “I got this Dr. B.” She held up two small mesh dive bags that contained several small vials with lids. “Look, I took the liberty and marked each vial.” She proudly grinned. “Sample A, sample B, and sample C. I used a black Sharpie and labeled them before we left the lab.”

  “Good job on that one; but there are six vials.”

  “I’m not stupid. I used a hot pink Sharpie to label the samples I’ll collect.”

  “Of course, you did.”

  “I told you, I’m smarter than I look.”

  “We know.”

  Dr. Peterson chuckled. “Having intelligence isn’t your problem, you lack common sense. Just like you don’t think we should have to pay taxes.”

  Jessica waved her finger at both professors. “Let me tell you something. Taxes are part of a government conspiracy, and the government is full of conspiracies. I know this for…”

  “. . .Jessica!” Dr. Bradford’s reprimanding tone darted straight toward her young assistant. “The gear, just focus on the task at hand.”

  Jessica pouted her lips, took a deep breath, and conformed to Dr. Bradford’s last demand.

  Dr. Peterson winked at Dr. Bradford with doubt as he shrugged his shoulders.

  As if Jessica wasn’t in the canoe, Dr. Bradford winked back and jetted a thin-lipped grin. “I was just like her at one point in my life.”

  Dr. Peterson chuckled again as he shook his head. “Just think, her generation is our nation’s brightest and our future.”

  “We have no hope for survival.” Dr. Bradford’s tone teased Jessica.

  “I’m right here, you two. I may not see well, but my hearing is fine.”

  The professors ignored Jessica’s comments. Dr. Peterson blew air from his lips. “Hell, I wouldn’t have joined the astrobiology institute much less research if...”

  “. . .No ifs.” Dr. Bradford’s tone filled with authority reinforced her no excuse policy. “You provided the scientific skill I required.”

  “I can’t find one of my fins.” Jessica dug fast through the pile of gear at her feet.

  Dr. Bradford shook her head in disappointment and stared directly at Dr. Peterson. “Who said to bring her along?”

  “I believe that one is on you.”

  “Don’t remind me.” Dr. Bradford sighed.

  Jessica extended her left arm as far as she could barely able to reach her pink fin. “I got it. I got it. I just can’t reach it.” Jessica stretched and began to stand as she grabbed for it. The canoe tilted to one side and almost tossed Jessica from it.

  Dr. Peterson grabbed Jessica’s left arm and pulled her to safety. “Sit down, Jessica!”

  The canoe rocked and almost flipped over. Jessica flopped down with the flipper in her hand. “Got it. That was close.”

  Dr. Peterson rolled his eyes. “I’d say.”

  A stern glare from Dr. Bradford revealed more than any words could, and Jessica recognized it immediately. “I’ll get my own. You sit still.”

  Jessica flopped her hands onto her lap and bit her lower lip.

  Dr. Bradford eased toward the pile of gear and tossed Dr. Peterson his mask. She zipped her diving suit, grabbed her air tank, put it on over her shoulders, and then secured it.

  Jessica struggled with the weight of her air tank as she noticed boat lights flicker in the distance. She managed the maneuver and grabbed her hot pink full-face diving mask and put it on over her glasses. She pointed to a small boat in the distance. “We have company.”

  Dr. Peterson snickered toward Jessica. “You look ridiculous. You don’t need that, yet. Wait until you’re in the water.”

  Jessica lifted the mask and rested it on the top of her head as Dr. Bradford, and Dr. Peterson continued to put on the remainder of their scuba gear.

  “You know Sandra; now I’m older, I realize no one took me seriously about any of my research.” Dr. Peterson zipped his diving suit.

  Jessica, using her fin, pointed at the boat in the distance. “Hey! Does anybody but me care about the boat heading our way?”

  Dr. Bradford slipped her fins onto her feet. “You were attached to the crazy list for your theories about alien life forms here on earth.”

  “You apparently have decided to join me.” Dr. Peterson grabbed his face mask. “Even I found it hard to believe a life form used arsenic to reproduce.”

  “I’m honored to be in such prestigious company.”

  The boat approached at a faster rate. Jessica waved her fins high into the air to get both professor’s attention. When that didn’t work, she tossed one fin to Dr. Peterson and then pointed at the boat. “I don’t like the way this looks. Yep, just like a horror film; one of us is going to die.”

  Dr. Peterson glanced over his shoulder. “Expecting company?”

  “Finally!” Jessica sighed. “I hate it when you two ignore me. Sometimes, I have something really important to say. You know I’m not just another pretty face.”

  A concerned frown twisted Dr. Bradford’s brow. “I say we get the sample and get out of here.”

  Dr. Bradford and Jessica quickly put on the remainder of their scuba gear.

  With a discerning frown, Dr. Peterson glanced toward Jessica. “Don’t turn the canoe over when you go overboard.”

  “I am a licensed scuba diver. I know how to dismount from a boat.”

  “That’s my point, a boat; a canoe is different. How many canoes have you gone overboard wearing diving gear?”

  “Ugh, none; but I practiced in Dr. B’s pool.”

  “Don’t worry Peterson. She’s got this, I hope.”

  “Well, I do.” Jessica proudly nodded. “Are we going in or staying here? There’s a research sample down there waiting for me.”

  Dr. Bradford carefully stood, adjusted her stance, and gained her balance. She reached for Jessica’s hand and with Jessica’s assistance, made her way to the center of the canoe and sat next to her.

  Jessica took off her glasses and put them in her small pink duffle bag.

  Dr. Peterson rolled his eyes concerned as he gawked toward Jessica. “How in the hell are you going to see? Your blind as a ba
t.”

  “Aquawear dot com. This prescription mask is the best available. I’m smarter than I look. I’m not just another pretty face.”

  It is all Dr. Peterson could do to keep from laughing. He noticed the boat ramped up its speed and retrieved his handgun from his backpack.

  Puzzlement shrouded Dr. Bradford’s face. From her expression, she didn’t have to ask the question on her mind as she stared at Dr. Peterson.

  “I’m better with a gun. I’ll stay on top. You two retrieve the samples.”

  “Guns?” Jessica hyperventilated as her eyes flashed and her chest heaved. “Who said anything about guns? That wasn’t part of the plan, Dr. B?”

  “It’s okay Jessica, just breathe slow and easy.” Dr. Bradford digested their current situation. Her chest constricted. One team member is already dead. I can’t let it happen again.

  Jessica took a deep breath. “I know what to do. Auh ommm. Auh ommm.” She used her right hand, touched her fingertips and her thumb to her mouth and nose and pulled slowly back as if meditating a mantra chant. “Auh ommm. Auh ommm.”

  Dismayed, Dr. Peterson patted Jessica’s shoulder. “Jessica, if you don’t calm down, you’re going to run out of oxygen when you get below.”

  “Then, then, I might drown.” Jessica’s body trembled, and her voice cracked.

  Dr. Bradford looked Jessica straight into her eyes. “Girl, just calm down. Breathe.”

  Jessica used her right hand, put it over her mouth and nose as she pretended to pull air with her fingers again. “Auh ommm. Auh ommm.”

  Dr. Peterson rubbed his chin. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Okay, Jessica. Do what Dr. Bradford said and breathe in, and then out.”

  “Auh …ommm. Auh …ommm.” She motioned with her fingers again as if she pulled air from her mouth and nose. “I’m there. I’m good. Really, I can do this.”

  Relieved, Dr. Bradford smiled and nodded at Jessica. “Fantastic news. Let’s do this. You take the right side, and I’ll take the left. Remember Jessica, we have to go into the water at the same time, or we’ll tip the canoe.” Even through her calm words, Dr. Bradford felt her nervousness. She forced her breathing to remain in control.

  “I got this. I can do it.” Jessica took inventory of her gear as she visually scanned for each item. “Fins. Check. Wet Suit. Check. Air tank. Check. Mask…”

  “…Check.” Dr. Peterson tapped Jessica’s shoulder. “You’re good. It’s all there.”

  Dr. Bradford studied Jessica’s body language and facial expression. “Okay, Jessica, move with me at the same time and sit backward on the edge of the canoe. Are you ready?”

  “Ready, I got this. Auh …ommm. Auh …ommm.”

  Dr. Bradford and Jessica moved in unison as they slowly stood. Together like a perfect choreographed dance, they sat on opposite sides of the canoe ready for their backward entry.

  “Great job, ladies.” Dr. Peterson nodded and smiled.

  “Okay, Jessica. On the count of three, just like we practiced in the pool. One. Two. Three.”

  “I got it. I’m good. Really, except for the shrimp.”

  By the look on both Dr. Bradford’s and Dr. Peterson’s faces, they weren’t too confident in Jessica’s ability to go overboard backward.

  Dr. Bradford glared at Jessica. “Forget about the shrimp. One, two, and three.”

  Both women bailed backward into the lake and almost tipped over the canoe. Dr. Peterson grabbed each side of it and maneuvered his weight to prevent it from flipping.

  Dr. Bradford and Jessica floated to the top of the water and doggy-paddled. Jessica screamed paddling her finned-feet as she swooshed hundreds of brine shrimps away from her. “Oh my God. Shrimp! Shrimp! I hate shrimp.” She gagged and took in a small amount of salty water which choked her. She quickly spat it out and coughed several times.

  Dr. Peterson glanced down at Jessica. “Remember Jessica; the shrimp are a part of this lake. They belong here. You’re the intruder. You’re the alien in these waters. Forget them. Trust me; they’re more scared of you than you are them.”

  Jessica huffed as she doggy-paddled toward Dr. Bradford.

  Dr. Peterson handed Dr. Bradford the tip of the hundred-foot hose and the two dive bags containing the marked sample vials.

  “Thanks, Peterson. Just give us a couple of minutes to retrieve the samples before turning on the siphon pump.”

  “When you’re ready, jerk the hose three times, and I’ll turn it on. Then, when finished, jerk five times, and I’ll secure the samples.”

  “Likely I’ll forget Peterson; I’m not Jessica.”

  “Just reviewing the plans. Initially, I was going below with you two.”

  “Good point. Stay close Jessica. Just like we practiced.”

  Jessica acknowledged with a fist pump and put her thumb up. “For the third time, I got this.” She secured her dive mask over her face.

  Dr. Peterson shook his head, gawking directly at Jessica. “Now you look like a creature from outer space.” The boat on the horizon quickly gained distance on them. “Be safe and be quick. By the looks of things, we don’t have much time.”

  Another lightning bolt jetted across the sky as Dr. Bradford, and Jessica disappeared beneath the water. The clear hose began to unwind from the bottom of the canoe.

  “Good luck, you two.” Dr. Peterson stuffed his gun beneath his left thigh. He nervously observed the boat gain distance as he retrieved a beer from a small ice chest. The boat stopped about six feet away from the canoe as a bright spotlight shone onto his face.

  The Zodiac Boat with two Navy Seals floated closer to the canoe powered by a small electric outboard trolling motor. Stationed at the bow, Petty Officer Mendez glared toward Dr. Peterson while Ensign Devon Ray steered the craft.

  As they approached the canoe, Petty Officer Mendez stood. “You’re trespassing on a restricted area. What are you doing here?”

  “Taking a break from fishing and having a cold brew.”

  “I doubt that, Sir. Not much survives in these waters. I’m afraid we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”

  “I’m trying to catch brine shrimp.”

  “Without a fishing net?”

  He grabbed the fishing net and held it up. “You never know what could be lurking in the water below.”

  Ensign Ray held a satellite phone as he spoke into it. “Dr. Bradford isn’t with the professor. She’s nowhere to be found.”

  Dr. Peterson swallowed hard. “Excuse me, if you’re looking for Dr. Bradford, she’s camping in Canada right now. I’m just out here fishing for brine shrimp and relaxing on my vacation.”

  Chief Petty Officer Mendez lifted his Beretta M9 and fired the kill shot right between Dr. Peterson’s eyes propelling him backward onto the switch of the siphon pump. He collapsed as a pool of blood formed around him.

  Navy Seal Mendez, who held a rope, transferred into the canoe. “Ready, let’s get out of here.”

  “What about Dr. Bradford?” The young Ensign seemed dismayed and confused.

  “Not our problem.” He immediately retrieved the anchor and flipped the switch off from the pump. “Our orders were to kill anyone on this canoe after finding out what they were doing here. Do you see anyone else?”

  “Negative, Sir.”

  Once seated securely in the canoe, Chief Petty Officer Mendez signaled with his index finger toward the horizon. “Forward. Move out!”

  “Copy that.” Ensign Ray steered the Zodiac with the canoe in tow. As the watercrafts left the area, the clear siphon hose pulled out of the canoe and floated in the water. The Zodiac and canoe faded into the distance as they headed back to the shore.

  Within a minute, Dr. Bradford and Jessica emerged to the water’s surface.

  They removed their masks and air pieces. Dr. Bradford pointed to the watercrafts. “We’re on our own.”

  Scared, Jessica glanced around. “What do we do now? I’ve got to pee, and I can’t see. My glasses are in the canoe.”

&nb
sp; “One problem at a time.”

  CHAPTER 2 - TRUTH

  Three Weeks Later

  The sun seeped through Dr. Bradford’s living room bay window cascading a sunbeam across her face as she sat in her oversized royal blue, burgundy, purple and black geometric patterned chair with a burgundy fleece throw blanket draped across the back. A half-empty coffee mug and a small handgun rested on the cherrywood side table beside it. She wore black dress pants and a white collared starched cotton blouse as she stared out of the window almost as if in a daze.

  After three weeks, and her alarm level raised by the death of Dr. Peterson, she felt the pressure, but that was the least of what filled her thoughts. What am I supposed to do now? She pursed her lips as she wiped away a single tear. Her head shook as she briefly closed her eyes before she took a deep breath. Damn it, Jeffrey. After she composed herself, she rose, and tugged on her blouse straightening it.

  She strode to the sitting area consisting of a Wilcot four-piece royal blue velvet sectional sofa carefully placed in the middle of the room facing the fireplace. Her palm rubbed across the tufted pillow. I remember when we bought this. It wasn’t my choice, but it is now. She straightened the cushions and the accent throw pillows and proceeded to the built-in floor to ceiling cherry bookcases that held a myriad of items representing her academic life. Her fingers skimmed across several research journals, three books she authored and awards she received over the last couple of years. Look at me now, Jeffrey. I have all of this; yet, I have nothing left. Another tear gravitated toward her chin before she wiped it away.

  A glimmer of a smile crossed her lips as she glanced at the personal items on the other shelves. She glanced at each black-framed photograph of her and Jeffrey as they stood in front of numerous city landmarks across the world and a snow globe from New York City they purchased while on their honeymoon. I remember Paris, Rome, Berlin, and London. After she retrieved the black-framed photograph of her and Jeffery in front of Stonehenge, she sighed. I think going there was my favorite of all our travels. Another tear escaped. She quickly replaced the photograph and proceeded to the brick fireplace accented by a cherrywood mantel that showcased a white fetal sculpture. Her hand gently touched the art piece as she moved her fingers as if she sculptured it once again. I remember the day I showed this to you. She chuckled beneath her breath. You thought I was pregnant, and you looked so disappointed when I told you it only represented a new life.