Naura (4 page)

Chapter Seven

Naura awoke to voices coming from inside the house. She jumped from the bed and rushed through her morning ritual before slipping on the clothes she’d acquired the previous night and hurrying into the living room.

Tony and Vaulcron were busy strapping weapons onto the military-style clothing they both wore.

“You located shoes to fit you?” Naura glanced at her brother’s feet.

Vaulcron grinned. “Melvin delivered them before we arrived.”

She turned her attention to Tony. “Melvin is the same man who helped us before?”

Tony gave a quick nod and tucked a knife into his boot. “We are leaving in a few minutes to take you back to the beach. If you need anything, I suggest you speak up now.”

Naura’s stomach clenched. “As I said before, I am not going back.”

Tony plucked a small band from his shirt pocket and pulled his hair back into a ponytail. “I don’t have time for this.” He turned to Vaulcron. “Either you do something, or I will.”

Vaulcron blew out a breath and briefly shut his eyes. When he opened them again, Naura could see the defeat lurking in their depths. He took a step forward. “Naura? I am asking you as your brother to go home and wait for us there. We will return as quickly as possible.”

She stood her ground. “I know that you both think me a child. I assure you, I am not. I may lack knowledge where the land walkers are concerned, but I am a quick learner, and I am a healer. I feel certain that I can be of help.”

Vaulcron dragged a hand down his face and shifted his attention to Tony. “She will only follow us. I know my sister well.”

At her brother’s words, hope soared through Naura. She held her breath as Tony seemed to consider his options. She didn’t have long to wait.

“First things first. You do as I say. One wrong move on your part and I’m sending you packing. Secondly? You stay here while we retrieve Henry. You are not to leave this house under any circumstances. Are we clear?”

“But—”

“No buts,” Tony snapped, effectively cutting off her rebuttal. “You wait here at the house, or you go home. Those are your options.”

“Fine,” Naura reluctantly conceded. “I’ll wait here, but if either of you become injured, I will not be able to help.”

Tony snatched up his hat. “We’ll be all right. It’s an in-and-out job.” He moved around her toward the back door. “You can watch television, just keep the volume low, and if we aren’t back by dark, do not use the lights for any reason.”

Inching the back door open, Tony checked his surroundings before preceding Vaulcron outside.

“Lock this behind me,” Tony ordered, giving Naura one last glance before disappearing into the early morning fog.

* * * *

Henry Sutherland donned his glasses and peered at the test results he held in his hand.

He’d suspected that the CDC had been behind the mutation of the Incola virus ever since overhearing a conversation between Martin Raducha and Doctor Phillips several months back.

Raducha had been the Director of the Center for Disease Control for more than twelve years and was known for pushing the boundaries of what was considered ethical.

Henry had a feeling that Raducha had gone against protocol and risked everything on a theory that had proven to be a deadly mistake.

Viruses were not uncommon in an overcrowded world with over seven billion souls residing therein. Scientists worked nonstop on cures and vaccines, barely staying ahead of deadly epidemics that could potentially destroy thousands of lives in a matter of days. But they’d never encountered anything resembling the bacteria brought to ground by the aliens living in the Gulf of Mexico.

From what Henry had gathered after catching the tail end of Raducha’s conversation with Phillips, the CDC had attempted to destroy the Incola virus by splicing it with the deadly Marburg bacteria.

The results had been devastating. Instead of destroying the Incola virus or at the very least, weakening it, the spliced organism had mutated into something more lethal than anything the world had ever known.

Hundreds of people were hospitalized daily, experiencing dementia, bleeding from all orifices, and displaying rabid behavior. The medical teams were forced to use restraints to keep the patients from attacking others with their teeth and nails, further spreading the virus.

Henry read over the test results once again, making sure he hadn’t missed anything. The answer had to be there, he thought, taking a seat behind his desk. What was he missing?

The lab door opened, and Bruce Ortega marched inside, wearing scrubs and a frown.

“It’s insane out there,” he barked, approaching Henry’s desk. “You wouldn’t believe what I had to go through to get in here.”

Henry stood and extended his hand. “Unfortunately, it’s a necessary precaution. Please, have a seat.”

Bruce accepted Henry’s outstretched palm and sat in the chair he indicated. “It’s a three-ring circus at the hospital too. And there are roadblocks on every major highway between here and there.”

Returning to his chair, Henry propped his chin on his folded hands. “I know. I’m afraid it will only get worse until this virus is contained.”

“Any progress on a vaccine?”

Henry shook his head. “From what I hear, they take one step forward and two steps back. It seems to be mutating faster than they can keep up with.”

“Damn it,” Bruce growled. “We are losing patients by the day as it is. We can’t keep going like this. The hospital is understaffed and overworked.”

“I’m sorry, Bruce. The CDC is working around the clock to get a handle on it. As am I. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Bruce leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Any news of Abbie?”

Henry’s heart constricted at the mention of his daughter’s name. “Nothing.”

“So, you don’t know if she’s even alive?”

“She disappeared over a year ago, Bruce. The chances of her being found alive are ten to one. But I haven’t lost hope yet.”

“Any sightings of the alien she was last seen with?”

“You mean Hauke? No one has seen him either.”

Bruce’s expression hardened. He got to his feet and turned to go. “You will call me if you hear anything?”

“Of course,” Henry lied. He had no intention of repeating any news of his daughter. If she were still alive…

The phone rang only seconds after Ortega’s departure. Henry snatched it up on the third ring. “Yes?”

“Doctor Sutherland? It’s Doug Jefferies.”

Henry’s jaw tensed at the sound of Jefferies’s voice. The secretary of Homeland Security was President Rueben Howell’s right-hand man and was partly responsible for Abbie and Hauke’s capture the year before.

Hiding his dislike of the guy, Henry cleared his throat. “What can I do for you, Jefferies?”

“Go home and pack a bag. Be at your house by at five o’clock this evening. There will be a team waiting for you there.”

Henry’s heart began to race. “A team? Where are they taking me?”

“To a holding facility at Eglin Air Force Base. Your assistance is required by Martin Raducha.”

“Martin Raducha? You mean, the Director of the CDC? Why would he need my help?”

“They have apprehended two of those aliens. Your assistance is needed.”

“Is either of them the one that took my Abbie?”

“I don’t think so, and as I recall, your daughter went willingly.” The call ended.

Henry dropped heavily into his chair and stared at the phone’s receiver in his hand. One of those things might have news of his Abbie.

Chapter Eight

Tony emerged from the tree line and stopped next to the house that Melvin had given him directions to.

“Are you certain this is the place?” Vaulcron asked, coming up behind him.

“It’s the address Melvin gave me. Stay close.”

Keeping low, Tony ran along the side, looking in windows as he went.

Satisfied that the house was unoccupied, he slipped inside with Naura’s brother tight on his heels.

Tony turned to peer at Vaulcron. “There is a military-issued vehicle in the garage that we’re going to take to the lab. You will have to hide in the back, out of sight, while I drive.”

Vaulcron raised an eyebrow. “Will you not be recognized?”

Tony pulled a photo ID from his pocket and clipped it to his shirt. “As of today, I am Master Sergeant Mike Farlow.”

“The hair color is the same, but that is where the similarities end.”

“I’ll handle that,” Tony assured him. “Do a perimeter check while I take care of my appearance.”

With a nod, Vaulcron strode off toward the back of the house.

Tony entered the master bathroom and opened the top drawer next to the sink. He pulled out clippers, razors, and a pair of scissors before going to work on his overgrown hair.

He couldn’t recall the last time he’d had a haircut, not to mention a shave. His beard had been with him since the day he’d lost his family.

Running a finger lightly over the scar that ran the length of his cheek, he noticed his hand shook slightly. Screams echoed through his mind in a nightmare of pain he was suddenly powerless to stop.

His stomach heaved with the memory of his wife’s pleading voice, his son’s tormented cry only moments before a blade sliced through Tony’s face.

He held his hands up and stared at the scars embedded into his wrists. It had taken him two days to free himself of the wire bonds he’d been restrained with.

A wail threatened to emerge, so great was his grief. After all the years since his wife’s and son’s deaths, the pain had never subsided. He relived it every time he closed his eyes.

With a snarl of helpless rage, Tony took a deep breath and shut down his thoughts. Jerking up the clippers, he went to work on his hair.

* * * *

Half an hour later, Tony emerged from the bathroom and went in search of Vaulcron. He didn’t have far to look.

The big Bracadyte was on his knees in front of the television like a kid glued to his favorite cartoon show.

Tony stopped next to him. “We need to go.”

Vaulcron nodded but didn’t move. “I have never seen a more beautiful female in all my life.”

“The reporter?” Tony questioned, glancing at the television screen.

“Yes. She is captivating.”

Tony shook his head in disgust. “That’s Mallory Cahill. Better known as the Great White.”

“Why is she named after a shark?”

“I’ll tell you later when we have more time. And trust me when I say that she has earned the name. She is vicious and can’t be trusted.”

Vaulcron stood in one fluid motion. Shock appeared on his face as he gazed at Tony in stunned disbelief. “You no longer resemble the man I came here with.”

“Yes, well that was the point. Hopefully I’ll pass as Mike Farlow and not get us both killed.”

Tony led the way to the garage and opened the back hatch of the vehicle for Vaulcron to slip inside. Tony tossed a few blankets over the Bracadyte, shut the door, and slid behind the wheel.

“It’s about a twenty-minute drive to the lab from here,” Tony stated as he pressed the garage door opener and waited for it to lift. “Stay down, and no matter what happens, do not come out until it is clear to do so. Our only hope is they don’t demand a vehicle search.”

“Do not worry about me. I know what to do,” came the muffled response from beneath the blankets.

Tony backed out of the garage and pulled onto the main road. His stomach knotted with every turn he made, half expecting to be ambushed, but the drive went surprisingly smooth.

His heart hammered at the signs of a roadblock ahead. He unsnapped the holster at his side and slid his gun free, resting it next to his thigh.

A young soldier stepped up next to the vehicle as Tony gently pressed his foot on the brake and came to a stop.

Tony rolled down his window and held up his ID before glancing at the guy’s rank on his nametag.

“Private,” Tony acknowledged with a nod.

“Master Sergeant.” The guy gave a salute before backing up and allowing him to pass. Tony didn’t exhale until he glanced in his rearview mirror and saw the private checking another car.

“We made it through the checkpoint,” Tony called loud enough for Vaulcron to hear. “I’m nearing the lab now. It’s an in-and-out mission, one that I’ll get done as quickly as possible.”

Tony pulled into the parking lot of Winchester Industries and got out, careful to keep his steps sure and confident.

He pressed the intercom button next to the main door.

“Can I help you?” a voice questioned from the small black box.

“I’m here to see Doctor Sutherland.”

“ID please?”

Tony lifted the badge that hung from his shirt and held it up to the camera resting above the intercom.

A
click
sounded, telling him the locks had disengaged. He opened the door, stepped inside, and came face to face with Willie.

Tony stilled, waiting for the guard to sound the alarm.

“Doctor Sutherland is on the second floor, Mr. Farlow. You can go right on up.”

“I appreciate it,” Tony murmured, relieved that Willie hadn’t recognized him.

It had only been a little over a year ago since Tony and Hauke had stormed the lab, injuring the ones that drew on them and turning rabid patients loose for a diversion.

Tony climbed into the elevator, not relaxing until the door slid shut with a
ding
.

He arrived at the second floor a moment later and strode down the hall toward Henry’s lab to find the door standing open and Abbie’s father sitting behind his desk.

Tony quietly entered and eased the door closed behind him. “Doctor Sutherland.”

Henry looked up from the paper he held and adjusted his glasses. “Yes?”

“Are you alone?” Tony questioned, moving deeper into the room.

The older man stood. “Why do you ask?”

“Answer the question.”

“Yes. I’m alone.”

“I’m here to get you out,” Tony informed Henry as he stopped in front of the giant oak desk.

Tony saw the instant that recognition dawned.

“Anthony?” Henry breathed, his eyes huge in his face.

“Keep it down. No one knows that I’m here.”

“What
are
you doing here? They’ll kill you without question if you’re seen.”

Tony rested his palms on the desk and leaned in close. “I’ve come to take you to your daughter.”

Henry paled, and tears gathered in his eyes. “Abbie is alive?”

“Very much alive, which is more than I can say for you if you don’t come with me now.”

“But I can’t leave yet. Not when I’m so close to proving the virus’s origin. The CDC—”

“Is responsible for the Incola virus. We know,” Tony interrupted. “Now, let’s go. We are running out of time.”

Henry took a step back. “I can’t. I’ve been ordered to go to Fort Walton Beach.”

“What for?”

“Because they have two of those gulf dwellers at Eglin Air Force Base, and they need an epidemiologist at their disposal to study them.”

“What?” Tony growled, his muscles tensing as he fought the urge to choke his dead sister’s husband. “How long have they been in possession of the Bracadytes? Are they still alive?”

Henry dropped into his chair. “I don’t have the answer to either question.”

“You better figure it out and quickly before Abbie gets wind of it. The last thing either of us want is your hotheaded daughter getting herself killed trying to save a couple of Bracadyte prisoners.”

“You can’t tell her, Tony. Please. Promise me that you won’t tell her.”

“For now,” Tony conceded, fishing a cell from his pants pocket and tossing it to the older man. “Hide that one better than you did the last one.”

“But—”

“I’ll be in touch.”