A.D.A.M. Page 5

  “No, Jessica, you can’t. The FBI has me under lock and key.”

  “You mean, you’re a prisoner?”

  “Not by any account, but I need you to stay safe.”

  “I will Dr. B., I promise.”

  “One last thing I need for you to do for me.”

  “Anything. I’ll do anything for you.”

  “In the morning, go to the lab and secure the samples.”

  “Yes, Dr. B. You can always count on me.”

  Several hours later, Dr. Bradford exited from her kitchen with a cup of hot tea to find Agent Morrison staring at the biosphere. He quickly glanced at her. “I hope you feel better knowing Ms. Parker is safe.”

  “How do you know I was talking with her?” Dr. Bradford sat in her oversized chair.

  “You have a certain look on your face when you speak about Jessica or to her.”

  “Interesting observation. I wasn’t aware I did that.”

  “Comes with the job. By the way, what are those in the tank?”

  Dr. Bradford approached the biosphere orb and grabbed the fish egg food jar from the fireplace mantel. She bent eye level to the tank as both Agents watched in curiosity.

  “These are African Albino Dwarf frogs. Are you babies hungry? It’s time to eat. It’s Thursday.” She dropped three eggs into the tank. The frogs jumped for the food.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. You talk to frogs?” Agent Morrison’s eyes widened.

  “They don’t talk back, and they are excellent listeners.”

  Agent Turner rolled her eyes as her posture stiffened. “They’re frogs.”

  “Not just any frogs, they’re exotic and poisonous to human touch.”

  “Did you say, poisonous?” Agent Morrison stepped backward to put distance between him and the biosphere.

  Dr. Bradford dropped three additional fish eggs into the tank and then held up the jar. “You want to feed them?”

  “I’ll pass.” Agent Morrison gulped.

  Dr. Bradford screwed the lid back onto the jar. The agents continued to stare at her. “I take it, you’ll be here all night?”

  “And, tomorrow and the next.” Agent Morrison strode to the couch. “Do you mind if I sit?”

  “I may not like the fact both of you are here, but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my manners or my hospitality. If you must be here, you may as well get comfortable. Please sit. By the way, how long will you both remain here?” She speared Agent Turner with an unholy glare.

  Agent Turner raised her eyebrows. “As long as it takes.”

  Agent Morrison eased onto the couch and faced the bay window.

  “What about my lectures and interviews? Am I supposed to cancel them? Does my life cease to exist until you catch the killer?”

  “We’ll request clearance from General Anbar.” Agent Turner drew a deep breath and sat across from Agent Morrison.

  Dr. Bradford yawned, stretched, and then made her way toward the hall. She stopped just short of the hallway. “Which one of you will be sleeping with me?”

  Not amused, Agent Turner tightened her jaw. “Excuse me, Dr. Bradford, that comment is inappropriate.” Her take-no-prisoners glower shot darts at Dr. Bradford.

  To break the chill in the room, Agent Morrison stood and moved between the two women. “One of us will stand guard, while the other will sleep. You have nothing to worry yourself with while your asleep. Good night Dr. Bradford.”

  Dr. Bradford left the room, but she quickly returned and retrieved her purse and journal. “It’s not that I don’t trust either one of you; but, I don’t. Oh, take your chance with my frogs. They could kill you in the middle of the night if the lid comes off, and they jump out.”

  Not amused, Agent Turner’s eyes glowered. “Is that a threat, Dr. Bradford?”

  “You’re a smart woman; you’ll figure it out.” Dr. Bradford defiantly exited the living room.

  Agent Turner’s brow wrinkled. “She’s a pompous ass.”

  “It takes one to know one.” Agent Morrison returned to the couch and sat.

  “For the record Agent Morrison, I didn’t take this job from your screwed-up partner. The director assigned me to this position; so, deal with it.”

  “You think I give a damn about your opinion? I’ll take first watch.” His eyes glared as thinly disguised loathing toward his partner.

  “Have it your way.” Agent Turner strolled to the oversized chair, grabbed the fleece throw blanket, and curled up. “Wake me at three, and not a minute sooner.” Glowering intently at Agent Morrison from across the room, she couldn’t shake the growing resentment that simmered inside her.

  CHAPTER 3 - CONSPIRACY

  The sun rose over the N.A.E.T. research facility as a fourteen-member first-responder hazard crew dressed in bright white jumpsuits, and helmets rapidly gained entrance into the building and breached Dr. Bradford’s lab. They immediately packed the entire contents.

  Jessica bolted into the lab, shocked, as she observed in disgust the crew. “Wait! Who are you people, and what are you doing in Dr. Bradford’s lab?”

  The contamination-hazard crew ignored her as one crew member who held a box pushed her out of the way on his way to the door.

  Jessica’s faced turned red. “This is wrong.” She stomped her foot. “I demand to be informed as to what is going on. I have rights. I’m a citizen of the United States.” She stormed toward one of the crew members. “Tell me what is happening.” Her bright blue eyes impaled him with an unblinking glower.

  His eyes squinted, he pursed his lips and shook his head. “Young lady, I suggest you remove yourself from these premises before I have the guards arrest you.”

  “Arrested? I belong here. I work here.” The corner of Jessica’s mouth kicked up in a sneer.

  The crew member pushed past her headed for the door. Jessica followed his path.

  Giles entered the lab and grabbed Jessica by the arm. “I gave you a stern warning. You’re not allowed in here. Now leave.”

  “Please tell me what is going on. I beg you. We do important research here. We need these things.”

  Several crew members siphoned the water from the three tanks into several five-gallon white buckets.

  Jessica bolted toward them in helpless bewilderment. “Is this even legal?”

  Giles limped toward her. “You have to ask that? How smart of you.” He lifted a box squinting in pain. “All of this is being confiscated. Young lady, this is your last chance to leave or face the consequences.”

  A tall N.A.E.T. security guard wearing a gas mask and long-white-hazard gloves entered and approached Jessica. “Ms. Parker, I’m very sorry, but you aren’t authorized to be here. I’m afraid you’re going to have to leave.”

  “Where are you taking Dr. Bradford’s research? I have a right to know.” She fixated on him with an inquisitive stare.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know that answer, but you must leave. Now go before you get arrested! There’s nothing you can do about it.”

  “Oh, that’s what you think, mister. I have blog talk radio, and I’m calling Stephen Stone Diamond” She scolded Giles by waving her index finger inches in front of his face. “When he gets ahold of this story, the roof will be blown off. The bomb of conspiracy will resound across the airwaves. Anyone and everyone who can read, write, and hear will know about this. If you don’t believe me, call Stephen Stone Diamond for yourself. I’m sure he’ll educate you on a thing a two.”

  “Miss, please shut up. I’m trying to help you. Just leave.”

  Her eyes squinted as she tightened her jaw. “Okay, I’ll leave. I don’t like it, but I’m leaving.” She put her index finger high in the air and swirled it. “Stephen Stone Diamond is my next call. Good luck with this fabrication of a cover-up in true form. I’m not just another pretty face. The intelligence your showing right now is nothing more than a pea. I’m a grapefruit. Size matters in this case. You’re lucky you’re a pea.” Jessica stomped from the lab waiving her finger and flipping
her hair the entire journey.

  Dumfounded, Giles took a deep breath in speechless wonder. A grapefruit?

  Rebecca and Patrick, co-anchors, sat in matching chairs in the KWNC studio readied for their daily talk show What Matters.

  Henry entered the production area. “You’re live in five seconds.”

  George and another cameraman turned on the cameras.

  “Welcome to What Matters on KWNC. The talk show that discusses what matters to you. I’m Rebecca Newcombe.”

  “And, I’m Patrick Algiers. Today’s hot topic surrounds an alien life form – GFA-1 that thrives off arsenic.” He glanced toward Rebecca.

  “It’s no longer science fiction, but actual science.”

  “I agree with Rebecca. Truth is stranger than fiction in this case. According to General Anbar, United States Defense General, his research team has complete control over this project. Dr. Sandra Bradford is no longer in charge of the N.A.E.T. team who discovered A.D.A.M., that stands for Arsenic Driven Astrobiological Microbe.”

  “This story is relevant and historical because the microbe found in Mono Lake thrives off of arsenic.” Rebecca’s eyes targeted the camera. “This microbe has five of the same six elements as humans. These elements are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur…”

  As What Matters aired, Dr. Bradford paced in front of the frog biosphere. Agent Morrison stood guard at the front entry foyer, and Agent Turner leaned against the wall.

  “…So, this microbe uses arsenic instead of using phosphorus, the sixth element?” Patrick nodded his head in round-eyed astonishment toward Rebecca.

  Dr. Bradford focused on the television as Agent Turner looked at Agent Morrison and motioned for him to look toward it.

  Rebecca folded her hands onto her lap. “This is a huge discovery for the science world because scientists realize this newly discovered life form is genetically different from all other living matter in the universe. Even Dr. Stephen Hawking had his alien theory and wouldn’t be able to deny scientific evidence for the classification of this new life form. If the scientific community doesn’t acknowledge this, they aren’t their worth of a grain of salt.”

  Dr. Bradford continued to watch the broadcast as she fidgeted.

  “For once, we agree.” Patrick adjusted his position. “Now everyone is wondering if there are also life forms like A.D.A.M in other parts of our galaxy.”

  “NASA has already confirmed this and speculate the icy rings of Jupiter contain the same microbe. Dr. Bradford might have discovered alien life, which is a remarkable discovery, and she needs to be recognized for it. She may go down in history as the woman who discovered aliens.”

  In her threadbare efficiency apartment, Jessica, wearing boxer shorts with yellow smiley faces and a white T-shirt sat Indian style in the middle of the round multi-colored rug.

  “Okay area code five zero four, you’re on the air. Welcome to the Stephen Stone Diamond Show. What’s on your mind today?”

  “Everything, but, mostly aliens.”

  “Are you talking about alien immigrants or aliens from outer space?”

  “Aliens, as in extraterrestrial aliens? Do you believe they exist?”

  “You know five zero four, I’m going to play you a sound bite from an interview I did with former President Obama before he was elected. Listen closely.”

  “Okay.”

  There was a brief pause before the sound clip played.

  “If you were elected and found out that the government knew that aliens visited earth, and the public didn’t know, would you make sure that the public found out?”

  “It depends on what these aliens were like.” President Obama’s voice resonated authority.

  “Caller five zero four, what do you think about that? Did you hear what former President Obama said to me?”

  “I knew it. Aliens are real, and the government is covering it up. Just like they are covering up Dr. Bradford’s research.”

  “You mean Dr. Bradford as in the N.A.E.T. scientist taken into custody by the FBI?”

  “Yes, I’m her graduate assistant and this morning…” Click. Click. Buzz. Jessica lost her signal. Her brow furrowed. “Stephen Stone Diamond, are you there? I’m caller five zero four.” She tried redialing the number, but it connected to a loud-buzzing single. “Yep, definitely a government conspiracy and cover-up.” Jessica’s lips twisted in bafflement.

  Rebecca sat at her desk, picked up the phone, and dialed a number. She pulled out the piece of paper from her bra, glanced at it, and then quickly put it back into hiding for safety.

  “Come on, answer the phone, Jessica.” She took a deep worried breath.

  “Rebecca! Thank you, Jesus.”

  “Jessica, you okay?”

  “It depends on your definition of okay. I’m scared to death, and the government won’t let me near Dr. Bradford.”

  “I know, Jessica.”

  “They took all of her things from the lab this morning.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. I watched them in action and tried to stop it. I was outnumbered and got nowhere.”

  “Jessica, I need you to listen very closely and follow my instructions.”

  “This sounds serious.”

  “As serious as life itself.”

  “Okay, I’m listening. What do I need to do?”

  “Meet me tomorrow morning at Ruby Café at nine. I’m buying you a coffee. Don’t tell anyone we’re meeting; and, I mean no one, Jessica.”

  “Not even Dr. Bradford if she calls me?”

  “Not even Dr. Bradford. The government is probably listening to her conversations, so it is important you keep your mouth shut. Do you understand?”

  “Of course, I do, I’m not just a pretty face. I know how to follow instructions.”

  Rebecca disconnected the call and researched on the internet. She typed “NAET and new life form” into the search bar, pressed enter, and several hundred of article findings emerged. She located an article and studied the document.

  Patrick approached her desk as if on a mission and peered over her shoulder. “Haven’t you learned everything you need to know about that non-existent microbe?”

  “Something isn’t right. The government doesn’t want us to know about it. Whatever this microbe is, the government is keeping it top secret.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The new life form. Why did they tell us about it? This isn’t like our government. They hide things, not expose them. Roswell, MK-ULTRA, Area Fifty-Four, the X-files. They’re all cover-ups by our government.”

  “Are you suggesting a government conspiracy of telling the truth?”

  “Exactly! What is the government not telling us by telling us this? That’s the question you should be asking.”

  “I think you’re biting off more than you can chew. You’re treading in high water with this one, and you’re going to look like a fool if you continue down this path.”

  “You weren’t there when the FBI took Dr. Bradford. Something was odd about the whole thing. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

  “We’ll see, won’t we?”

  “I hope sooner rather than later; but, mark my words, something is out of kilter.”

  Agents Morrison and Turner focused harnessing their stern expressions as Dr. Bradford reviewed her research notes. Her cellphone vibrated, and she glanced at the caller ID.

  “Who’s calling?” Agent Morrison stood and approached her.

  “It’s Jessica. No concern of me spilling defense secrets. She already knows the truth.” She answered her phone in defiance with an expression of you-don’t-control-me. “Good afternoon. How are you doing?”

  “The government took your samples from the lab. All of them.” Jessica’s heightened panic concerned Dr. Bradford.

  Dr. Bradford glanced at Agent Morrison and smiled as if nothing was wrong. “That’s a remarkably interesting research finding for your paper, and how did you arrive at
your conclusion?”

  “I’m not talking about my paper. Did you even hear me? They took our new samples. I was there.”

  “Quantifying scientific research should never be attempted alone. You should always back up your study with viable data and maintain a copy of your original samples and sampling technique.”

  “Did you not hear me? They took everything. There are no samples left.”

  “I’ll be at the television station later for an interview with Rebecca Newcombe. Bring your data and findings to the station.”

  “I don’t get it. There’s nothing to bring Dr. B.”

  “I understand your findings. You must follow FRAC protocol.”

  “What? FRAC? Oh! You want me to initiate FRAC.”

  “That is correct. I am also expecting a call from my mother today. You’ll need to call her and let her know I am tied up at the moment.”

  “Oh my God! Our safety code. You’re in trouble. Oh shit! Oh shit! I’ll call the police. Auh ommm.”

  “That’s not necessary, Jessica. Just follow FRAC protocol. That is the only thing you must do. I’m putting all my faith in you. You can do this.”

  Dr. Bradford hung up the phone.

  Agent Turner inquisitively raised her left brow in suspicion. “Is everything all right with Ms. Parker?”

  “Yes, she’s just a little worried about her dissertation research. She’s preparing to defend it, and I’m the head of her committee. Nothing that should worry the government or interrupt national security.”

  Dr. Gordon and her husband Mike, and Dr. Stolz and his wife Martha, sat at a corner table in Bayona, a French Quarter restaurant with southern charm and known for their garlic soup. A glass of water and a cocktail sat in front of each as they consumed a dozen raw oysters.

  Mike sipped his cocktail. “I caught What Matters this morning. Rebecca and Patrick have everyone believing in aliens.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Dr. Gordon cleared her throat. “The public has been ready for the government to reveal the truth about alien existence since Roswell.”

  “Are you suggesting this new life form is extraterrestrial?” Mike gulped a sip of water.