A.D.A.M. Read online

  Patrick adjusted his sitting position. “Now that sounds like a government conspiracy or cover-up if you ask me.”

  Agent Morrison received a text message. He read it and then showed it to Agent Turner.

  “I’ll take the fifth for now on the government conspiracy. I just hope they come to their senses and realize the importance of our discovery.”

  “It sounds as if you are full of skepticism.”

  “That is a great way of putting it. However, I have my reasons. The government hasn’t always been forthcoming.”

  Rebecca’s eyes darted toward Dr. Bradford. “What does all of this mean?”

  “It means with the evidence I was able to collect; we have found alien life. A life form different in DNA but with the potential to evolve. An evolution much like our Big Bang Theory.”

  “Now, that is exciting.” Patrick lifted his brow. “But, isn’t this microbe’s evolution different because of arsenic in its basic composition?”

  “That is a fact. Every other compound is the same as found in the human body.”

  Rebecca nodded her head. “Yes, yes. We all know the elements that comprise humans. The elements of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus.”

  “You’ve done your research. I’m impressed.”

  Patrick looked puzzled. “So, if this life form thrives off arsenic, isn’t it going to be deadly to humans? After all, arsenic is a poison. The same poison used to kill your fellow researchers.”

  “It is a dangerous substance to humans.”

  “One thing I know is the suspect is one of the waiters. I can’t believe the FBI hasn’t caught this guy. How many waiters are there?”

  “Patrick, I have to agree with you on this one.” Rebecca nodded at her co-host. “As I said in the beginning, there is something strange about this situation. I think it would behoove our viewing audience for us to get to the bottom of this situation sooner than later.”

  Patrick nodded his head. “I agree. I know you are staying on top of what is going on with Dr. Bradford. I’ll join you in our efforts and investigate what happened to that waiter. If anything, he sounds as if he is a national security threat. Just think about that, there is a man out there who possesses arsenic and is poisoning people.”

  “Where does this leave the scientific community?” Dr. Bradford leaned forward as she darted her eyes between the co-anchors.

  Henry held up his hand and circled his finger in the air to indicate to go to a commercial break.

  Rebecca nodded. “Well, there is more to come on What Matters. We’ll be right back after a quick commercial break, and up next, we bring you the headlines that matter to you. I’m Rebecca Newcombe…”

  “… And, I’m Patrick Algiers. Stay with us here on KWNC.”

  In duck formation, five Thunderbirds flew over Fort Huachuca located in the town of Sierra Vista, Cochise County in southwest Arizona about fifteen miles north of the Mexican border. The military base served as the headquarters for the Army Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), the Joint Interoperability Test Command Center, the United States Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM), and the Information Systems Engineering Command (ISEC).

  Inside the conference room, General Lector Anbar sat opposite two E-9 ranked soldiers, Chief Master Sergeant Carter, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Merosky.

  General Anbar drew a deep breath. “What is the update on the microbe?”

  Chief Master Sergeant Carter pursed his lips. “It is transforming General. We must destroy it. I believe our national security is at risk.”

  Command Chief Master Sergeant Merosky slammed his fist onto the table. “We cannot destroy a life form under any circumstances. There is no way to calculate the consequences if we do. We need to study it more. As he said, it is transforming. We do not know what we are dealing with, and we have come to a stalemate. Frankly, we are at a standstill and need Dr. Bradford’s expertise as she is the only qualified scientist to conduct this research.”

  General Anbar cleared his dry-dusty throat. “She doesn’t have the security clearance. We can’t involve a civilian.”

  “On whose authority?” Command Chief Master Sergeant’s face flushed crimson as his eyes harshly squinted. He placed his elbows onto the table and rubbed his hands slowly together as he squinted making direct contact with General Anbar. “Yours? We’ve enlisted dozens of civilians before.” His eyes remained on the General although he directed his next statement to the General. Make the call to President Corbin.”

  Patrick and Rebecca continued their interview with Dr. Bradford.

  Rebecca stared at Dr. Bradford. “How does this affect the way NASA searches for alien life in our universe?”

  “Don’t you mean aliens?” Patrick chuckled.

  “I’m not with NASA. N.A.E.T. employs me, and A.D.A.M. is terrestrial, from planet earth. However, I suggest the entire scientific community to revisit many things that may finally prove the existence of extraterrestrial life.”

  Patrick’s eyes opened wide. “Are you telling us the government has found evidence of extraterrestrial life on the moon and Saturn and is keeping it a secret?”

  “No, Patrick, I’m not. This story is not Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds.”

  “You just said we need to revisit; I heard it myself.”

  Agent Turner received a text message. She skimmed it.

  “What I said is that we can no longer limit ourselves to the six elements we currently use to identify and measure life matter. The scientific community must re-examine the current samples from the moon and Saturn; in fact, any atmospheric samples the government has in its possession from any shuttle mission.”

  Rebecca took a deep breath. “It’s my understanding the samples you and your team acquired were confiscated and taken to a military base. Is that true?”

  “President Corbin ascertained it was a matter of national security.”

  Agent Morrison’s phone vibrated. He lifted the phone to his ear and listened as he walked out of the area.

  Rebecca’s heart raced as she felt a shortness of breath. “National Security? How is a microbe found in Mono Lake a danger to national security?”

  “Good question.” Patrick scratched his chin in wonderment. “We’ll continue this discussion when we return from a word from our sponsor.”

  Agent Morrison confidently strode directly to Agent Turner and whispered into her ear. She nodded, and the two agents approached Dr. Bradford on the platform.

  “You have to leave.” Agent Morrison’s tone seemed non-negotiable. “There’s been a new development.”

  Rebecca stood and put her hand on Dr. Bradford’s shoulder. “We’re in the middle of our show.”

  Agent Turner stepped between Dr. Bradford and Rebecca. “Then the ending of your show will be without Dr. Bradford.” Her eyes pierced toward Dr. Bradford’s. “Let’s go, Dr. Bradford.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I finish this interview.”

  “If necessary, we’ll take you by force.”

  Dr. Bradford removed her microphone and transmitter. She slammed them onto her chair and stormed off stage. “Excuse my rudeness. There doesn’t seem to be an end to what the government will do.”

  Agent Morrison and Agent Turner escorted Dr. Bradford out against her will as Jessica followed.

  Rebecca stomped red-faced toward Henry and George. “Did you get all of that on camera?”

  Jessica sprinted to catch Agents Morrison and Turner who escorted Dr. Bradford out of the building. She lifted her fists toward them. “The interview shouldn’t be over. You can’t bully Dr. Bradford like that. She has rights. There is nothing right about this.”

  “Excuse me, Ms. Parker.” Agent Turner abruptly stopped and faced Jessica. “We’re in a hurry. We have her life to protect.”

  Dr. Bradford jerked away from the agent’s hold and approached Jessica. “Did you get the stuff?”

  “Well, not exactly.”

 
“What do you mean, not exactly?”

  Agent Morrison grabbed Dr. Bradford by the arm. “Let’s go, and this isn’t a request.”

  The agents, one on each side of Dr. Bradford, tugged her with more force to their SUV. Agent Morrison pushed Dr. Bradford’s head down and forced her into the back seat. He entered the vehicle and sat next to her as Agent Turner took the driver’s seat.

  Jessica stood wide-eyed, dumbfounded shaking her head in confusion. “Auh ommm… Auh ommm.” She raised her fists. “Auh ommm. Auh ommm.”

  The Black SUV squealed its tires out of the exit as Dr. Bradford looked over her shoulder and out of the back window at Jessica. Dr. Bradford held up her left hand as she gazed out the side window and gestured “I Love You” in sign language to Jessica.

  Jessica felt helpless as a lump formed in her throat. “Yep! A government conspiracy. Stephen Stone Diamond will hear about this. Oh, yes in-deedy, he sure will. I’ll see to it. You can take that one directly to bitcoin.”

  Rebecca bolted from the side door and collided into Jessica. “Where did they go?”

  Jessica stomped her foot and pointed to the exit gate. “That way.”

  “Let’s go. We can’t just stand here with our mouths wide-open.”

  “What? What’s happening?”

  Rebecca hauled Jessica to her car. “We’ll never catch them if we don’t leave now. Get in and make it fast.”

  “Wait! You stay here and find out what is going on. You know, do your press stuff thingy. I’ll go to her house. Maybe they’re taking her there. If not there, they’re taking her to FBI headquarters. Maybe you should go there next with your cameraman.”

  “Agreed. For once, Jess, you’re making sense, common sense. You’re not just a pretty face.” Rebecca winked at Jessica. “Be careful. This situation isn’t looking good.”

  The SUV’s sirens blared as Agent Turner drove west to a nondisclosed destination as Dr. Bradford and Agent Morrison sat in the back seat. The silence overshadowed the road noise.

  Dr. Bradford pointed to the long unrecognizable road ahead. “You’re not taking me home, are you?”

  Agent Morrison retrieved a syringe from his suit pocket and stabbed Dr. Bradford in the neck quickly emptying the contents. “Sorry, Dr. Bradford, it’s for your protection.”

  “Why?” Dr. Bradford closed her eyes and lay limp.

  Agent Turner’s eyes reflected in the rearview mirror. “She’s going to have a hell of a headache when she wakes up.”

  A Hummer parked down the street from Dr. Bradford’s home on a stake-out – the passenger’s eyes fixated on the home’s exterior as Jessica’s compact car pulled into the driveway. She exited the vehicle forgetting to close the door, and then bolted to the trunk. After opening it, she grabbed the new biosphere she purchased at the pet store earlier and several other bags. “I’ve got this.” When she reached up to close the trunk, the weight of the items prevented her action. She set them onto the ground and quickly slammed the trunk. Her eyes darted toward the house noticing the dark windows. “Now what? She’s not here.” A frown developed across her lips. She picked up the bags and the biosphere and carried them to the front door.

  To unlock the door, she set the items down. “This is getting old.” After she unlocked the door and opened it, she placed each bag inside the door before entering.

  She took a deep breath and pulled the air away with her right hand. “Auh ommm… Auh ommm.” Then, she repeated her action. “Auh ommm… Auh ommm.” She flicked on the lights and glanced around the living room. “Okay, okay. I must find a place to put it.” Her eyes darted about the room. “Got it.”

  She unpacked the new biosphere, placed it on the fireplace hearth, and then stared at the frogs in the old tank as they swam around.

  Rebecca sat at her desk as she researched “N.A.E.T. and National Threat Response Tactics” at her computer. Her cell phone rang. She quickly answered it after checking the caller I.D. “She’s not there, is she?”

  Jessica held her cellphone to her ear as she lay on the couch. “Afraid not. Did you find out anything, anything at all?”

  “Not yet, Jess, but I do have a lead I’m investigating.”

  “How good of a lead?”

  “Not as strong as I would have liked, but a lead. Now listen to me. Don’t leave Dr. Bradford’s house for any reason whatsoever and don’t answer the door unless it’s me.”

  “How will I know it’s you?”

  “You don’t have any common sense, do you?”

  “What do you mean by that? I’m smarter than I look. You just told me that.”

  “You’ll know it’s me when you see my face and hear my voice. Again, Jess, this is important. Do not leave the house under any circumstances.”

  “What if it’s on fire?”

  “Jessica!”

  “You sounded just like Dr. B.” Jessica huffed as she slumped her shoulders. “I’ll be right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Lock the front door and check to make sure the back door is locked too.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Then do it, now.”

  Jessica bolted from the sofa headed for the front door, suddenly she stopped, turned about-face, and then dashed to the back door pushing her glasses up high onto her nose. Before she reached the kitchen, she executed another about-face and skedaddled toward the front door. “Okay, back door first.”

  She bolted toward the kitchen. After she double-checked the backdoor lock, she slid the safety chain into place, and then shoved a kitchen chair in front of the door tilting the back beneath the knob to brace it. She nodded in confidence before she scrammed to the front door, deadbolted it, and secured the chain. Her eyes fixated on the overstuffed chair. “Do I, or don’t I?”

  A large exhale confirmed her decision not to move the massive chair as she skipped back to the sofa and plopped down on her back onto her phone. “Ouch!” Her butt lifted as she searched for the phone before grasping it, and then put it to her ear. “Yes, the house is locked up. Don’t worry; I won’t let anyone in but you.”

  “Good job, Jessica. Stay safe, and don’t let anyone in.”

  “You have already told me that. I realize how important it is. I won’t even let an alien in, although I would want to make first contact.”

  “Be serious, will you? I got to go. Bye.”

  “Bye, and you be safe.” Jessica disconnected the call and placed the phone onto her stomach. She glanced over at the frog’s biosphere. “Are you guys aliens? I guess it is just us for now.”

  CHAPTER 5 - PRISONER

  Agents Morrison and Turner sat at General Anbar’s conference table in silence.

  “That was one hell of a flight.” Agent Turner rubbed her neck. “I can’t believe the speed of that stealth helicopter.”

  “That’s what the Air Force is known for.”

  “Well, I want to get the hell out of here. I don’t like this base.”

  “I am just following orders. Until we get the go-ahead to return to New Orleans, we remain here.”

  General Anbar opened the conference room door and entered as the agents quickly stood. “At ease, agents!”

  The agents remained in their rigid stance.

  “Well done agents, please be seated.”

  “Thank you, General.” Agent Morrison reached to shake the General’s hand.

  The General immediately sat as he tightened his jaw. “Please, sit.”

  Both agents sat immediately, although not relaxed. Agent Turner folded her hands and placed them onto the table, and Agent Morrison leaned back.

  General Anbar furrowed his brow and cleared his throat. “There is still another situation that beckons both of your services. Lieutenant Commander Anderson will brief you on your follow-up deployment.”

  Agent Morrison leaned forward with authority. “I was quite impressed with the Commander’s interview. Did you happen to see it?”

  “Agent Morrison, you are not here to have a discussio
n or a casual conversation. You were summoned to escort Dr. Bradford. Understood?”

  Agent Turner smirked toward her partner. “General, we won’t let you down. We stand ready to follow any orders provided.”

  The General rose tugging the bottom of his jacket uniform and then placed both palms onto the conference table. “How much longer until the drug’s side effects are out of Dr. Bradford’s system? I need to speak with her as soon as possible.”

  Agent Morrison rubbed his chin. “Not certain General, but it is only four in the morning. I’m sure she’ll wake up by eight.”

  “We may not have that much time.”

  Agent Turner scowled as she darted her eyes toward the General. “Is there a situation you haven’t informed us?”

  “That agents, is on a need to know basis. You need to know I must speak with Dr. Bradford. One of you wake her up.”

  Agent Turner stood. “I’ll go, General.”

  “We’ll all go.”

  The dimly lit concrete cinder-block room, void of windows, seemed more like a prison cell than sleeping quarters on a military base. Sparse in decorations with only one twin bed, a nightstand with a lamp, a five-drawer dresser and one small thirty-inch round dining table with two dining chairs, the room amenities failed to meet hotel standards. Two white government issued towels, two worn washrags, a plastic container with a toothbrush, toothpaste and other grooming essentials lay on top of the dresser. On the table, one pair of fatigues, a T-shirt and a pair of underwear shone in the light that jetted from the bottom of the door. Dr. Bradford’s purse, her messenger bag, and her brown leather research journal rested on a threadbare burgundy recliner.

  Asleep on the bed, Dr. Bradford moaned, rolled over and slowly opened her eyes to the unfamiliar surroundings. She rubbed her temples as she winced in pain. “My God, what in the Hell has happened?”

  Her head shook, and she popped her jaw as her body trembled. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.” She rubbed her eyes as her vision blurred. “Where am I?” The events from the day before barely resurfaced as she bolted upright grabbing her head. “Son of a bitch!”