Terms (The Experiments Book 3) (19 page)

“No much. Wanna hang out?” Billy asked.

“Yep.”

“What’s wrong.”

“Nothing.”

“Something is wrong.’

“Jake’s partying with another woman.”

Billy laughed.

“Oh, you think that’s funny?”

“Um, no not at all.” He cleared his throat. “Asshole.”

“Exactly. I sent him a text message that said just that.”

“I’m surprised he’s not calling.”

Cal shrugged. “Probably trying. I shut my phone off.”

“He’ll try the room.”

“I told them to hold all calls.”

“You’re pissed.”

“Nope. Not at all.” Cal dug her spoon in the pudding.

“Cal? Why are you eating a family size pudding portion? You’re gonna be sick as a dog.”

“It’s the last sweet thing I can have for three days. My portion of the experiment starts tomorrow, the healthy food.” Cal grumbled. “The inspection patrol comes in my room to check for sweets at midnight.”

“Remind me to avoid you.”

“How about reminding yourself to sneak me sweets?”

“Cal, that would be cheating.”

Cal snapped a glare at Billy.

“Or … you know, maybe not. I might be able to sneak treats.”

“Thank you.” Cal reached down an picked up the remote.

“What are we watching.”

“I told you the news.”

“Sorry. Maybe you need to eat that pudding a little faster.”

No sooner did Cal turned on the news, she saw a reporter, with the words ‘Whitehouse’ at the bottom of the screen.

“Oh, great.” Cal said I can’t get a way from his partying.

The reporter held her ear as she spoke. “Seems the celebration in honor of those who have given outstanding service to our country, has gone a little out of  control. The evening which was slated to end at ten PM is showing no signs of stopping.”

Readying to complain again, Cal perked with interest and started to laugh, as did Billy when Rickie was waving behind the reporter, jumping up and down and trying to get attention.

“Oh, my God.” Cal laughed.

Rickie started to yell. “Cal-Babe! Hey!”

Billy pointed. “Now isn’t this worth it?”

“Yeah.” Cal smiled. “I can’t wait until he gets here tomorrow.”

The reporter finally took notice of Rickie and drew him into the camera’s view for an interview. “One party goer in particular is right there. What’s your name?”

“I’m Rickie Graison, ma’am, and I want to say Hi to the Cal-Babe.”

“Is that your girlfriend?”

Rickie snickered, “Babe, that’s my mom. I’m gonna be seeing her tomorrow. We’re doing a little island research adventure with a bunch of bambino carrying babes.”

The reporter looked at him confused. “Sounds interesting.”

“It will be. Hey, Cal-Babe!”

“And you’re here tonight .. why?”

“To impress the president and try to get a date with his babolicous daughter. Or shall I say the first babe.”

“Have you succeeded?” The reporter asked

“Nah, she’s like way too engrossed in that actor dude over there.” Rickie shrugged. “Doesn’t know what she’s missing with me.”

“Who are you here with Rickie?”

Rickie kept waving to the camera. “My dad, Lt. Colonel Graison. I call him Sarge. He’s like the cool dude getting honored tonight. The prez loves him. They were doing shots.”

“The … president was doing shots with your father?”

“Babe, yeah.” Rickie nodded. “The vice president and him are tight. Did you check out the VP’s wife?” Rickie laughed. Hammered.”

The reporter was speechless. “I … guess uh this is a  party to remember.”

“The best. Too bad Cal-Babe is missing it.” Rickie looked into the camera. “You’re missing it Cal-Babe. I miss you! I love you, You rock!”

Cal teared up.

Billy saw it he handed her a napkin.

“He’s so sweet.” Cal sniffled.

Billy wanted to laugh, but didn’t.

The reporter spoke, “And that celebration continues. From the Whitehouse I'm Elizabeth Wentworth …”

“And me!” Rickie yelled.

Elizabeth chuckled. “And Rickie, Fox news. Back to you.”

***

The remote fell from his hand. It slipped from his fingers, bounced off the table, and switched off the television set when it hit the floor.

“Oh my God.” The man stammered. Fifty some, he stood slowly from the leather sofa. His surroundings were plush, deep wood paneling encased the study where he watched the news. He grabbed the remote and turned the television back on.

Nearly, tripping over the coffee table, he raced across the large room to his desk. A bottle was perched there, and he poured a shot, downed it and lifted the phone.

He had to gain his composure. Hand trembling he ran his hand through his salt and paper hair, then reached his unsteady finger to the key pad.

He dialed.

“John,” he said. “It’s Richard. Have you seen the news?” He paused. “Fox. No.” With a spin he looked at the set. “What’s wrong? Nothing is wrong, John. John …” he said airy. “Rickie is alive and fine. Yes, you hear me, fine. Walking, talking, being Rickie.” Richard nodded. “I know. I know. This is unreal. I have to make arrangements. I have to go. It’s a must. Rickie is fine. My son … is fine.”

September 5
th

What kind of physical therapy was involved with bionics? Cal wondered. It was far before breakfast and when she called Billy she was told he was in therapy. At first, she thought maybe there was something wrong. That he was emotionally scarred, then when Agnes informed her it was physical, she asked if there was any way to go and see him.

There was no observation window, and Billy was the only one in the room. A therapist, in a white coat, walked about, looking as if he were trying to appear busy.

Billy was on a treadmill, and he walked at a quick pace.

He lifted his hand in a wave when he saw Cal.

Cal made her way to him. “Morning.”

“What are you doing up so early?”

“Hungry.” Cal munched on something.

“Is that a brownie?”

“Yep.”

“I thought you were on the good for you diet.”

“It starts at eight, so I’m getting it all in.”

“What brings you here?”

“I thought you wanted to have breakfast with me? It’s at eight.”

“Sure,” Billy said. “I should be done. I just can’t believe you’re up and about.”

“Call it Jake influence.”

“Speaking of Jake, have you spoken to him?”

Cal shook her head. “Not yet. I got twelve emails from him though, all saying the same thing. That there was a problem with the line and to call him.”

Billy chuckled. “He doesn’t get it. Did you reply?”

“Nope.”

“You should reply.”

“Nope. He needs to learn,” Cal said. “I’m pregnant. I’m emotional. He’s gonna piss me off.”

“You know, thinking about learning, I was thinking about you this morning.”

“Oh, yeah.” Cal smiled. “Bad thought? Or good?”

“Depends. Are you going back to teaching?”

“At the academy, yeah. I was supposed to go back, but then this came up.” Cal shrugged. “I will. What made you think about me teaching?”

“I was thinking of David Martinez.” He saw Cal slow down in her chewing. “What’s wrong?”

“What made you think of David.”

“One of the techs were talking about his brother in-law David. Just, you know, clicked in me. Why?”

“I got an email from David this morning.”

“Is that unusual?”

“Not really. I mean I haven’t heard from him since we got back. He zapped an email to say he was thinking about me.”

“Did you tell him you were pregnant?.“

“No.”

“Why?’

Again, Cal shrugged. “I felt funny. But .,.. I suppose I may have to tell him soon.”

“Why is that?”

“He’s coming down.”

Billy stopped and it caused him to peer up. He immediately, started again. “Why is David coming down? To see you?”

“No. No. He mentioned that he wanted to see me when I went up to see Joyce next month, but then added, he was going to beat me to the punch. He has a big interview at  a private school down here.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope.” Cal shook her head. “He wants to see me while he’s here.”

“Wow. I wonder how Jake will react?”

“He won’t, but then again, his lack of reaction will say a lot.”

“Out of curiosity,” Billy said. “What if he takes the job? Will he take the job?”

“It was email, and he didn’t say. But if he’s coming down for the interview, he’s serious about it.”

Billy stopped the treadmill. “So David Martinez just may move close to you.”

“He may.”

“I see.”  He stepped off the treadmill.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m done.”

“Billy, I know you. What’s wrong?”

“OK, well .. it’s David. David is David and deep in your heart he’s still there.. It just bothers me that he’s going to be around and I won’t.”

“Don’t be silly,” Cal snickered. “We’re going to be working on Cheerleader Boot Camp. It’s David. It’s over. OK?”

“Yeah, I’m just overreacting. And … I think I want to change.” Billy turned and started to walk away.

“I’ll meet you in the hall. I want to call Jake and hang up.”

Billy snickered and shook his head. He went into the changing room where his fresh clothes were laying neatly over the back of a chair. Before closing the door, he peeked out to see if Cal left. She did. He closed it, and eyed the phone. After a brief debate, he lifted it and dialed.

“Hi, it’s Billy. Is he in yet?” Pause. “Ok, tell him I called and need to talk to him. No, he can’t. I’ll call him back. Yeah, tell Dr. Haynes it’s important.”

He hung up and sunk into momentary thought about David, before dressing.

***

It wasn’t so bad that Jake had to start his day late because he had to get Rickie to the airport for a flight to Reston. Rickie was flying to the institute, then they were seeing him to the island. That was only after they had gotten home in enough time to get Rickie’ things packed.

Jake hadn’t had much sleep.

That wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t even so bad that Jake could not get a hold of Cal. He called the telephone company about the loss of connection, and figured the switchboard wasn’t putting him through because it was a Caldwell thing.

What was bad was the fact that Adams had called off and Jake had a new secretary. A sergeant from Ammunitions who typed half the speed of Jake—and Jake didn’t type all that fast. He answered the phones well but was a loss at everything else.

So Jake simply told him to just play on the computer and answer phones.

The temp, Tyler, did. He sat by a pretty silent phone while playing Texas Holdem.

Jake was working on a training schedule that was presented to him when his phone rang. He saw the number and smiled. “Cal.”

Click.

“Fuck” Jake shook his head. “I’ll call the phone company again.”

Setting down the cell, he looked at the intercom when he was summoned.

“Lt. Colonel Graison.”

“He knows how to use that.” He mumbled to himself and pressed the button. “Yes?”

“A Richard Carlotto is here to see you.”

Jake lifted his finger, he didn’t want Tyler to hear his comment. “Fuck,” he said then pressed the button. “He was supposed to be on that plane. I hope he didn’t get kicked off.”

“Should I send him in.”

“Oh, yeah, send him in.” In disgust Jake shook his head. He prepared in his mind to blast Rickie, but then thought, perhaps the flight was cancelled and it wasn’t all Rickie’s fault. With his luck, the flight was probably delayed, and Rickie just came back home so as not to have to hang out at the airport.

The door opened.

Jake looked surprised when it wasn’t Rickie who stepped inside.

“Can I help you?” Jake asked.

“I believe so, yes.” He stepped closer to the desk. “I’m Richard Carlotto. And I believe you have my son.”

***

Greg fully expected the phone call to come one day. He was prepared for it. He didn’t know when it would arrive, but something in his gut told him to be ready. He was.

About the only thing he wasn’t ready for, was the call to come from Jake.

Jake told him the guy claimed he has his son, Rickie. And after the man said he was unaware Rickie was alive and well, Jake excused himself for a moment, and immediately called Haynes from another room.

Why?

He withheld reactions, he told Haynes, until he heard what Caldwell had to say.

“Simple, Jake,” Greg said. “He’s not being honest.”

“What do you mean, he’s not being honest. This is a simple yes or no answer Haynes. Did Caldwell tell him his son was dead?”

“No.”

“Thank you.’

“Not exactly.”

“Not exactly? How can you ‘not exactly’ tell a parent his kid is dead?”

“I knew this would happen. The smug son of a bitch would come back. I was prepared.”

“What do you mean prepared.”

“I’m prepared. I knew he’d eventually come back, throw it in our faces, claim we never told him his son was alive and fine, and want something in return. I recorded the entire message and had a witness on the line.”

“So he knew Rickie was alive?”

“Yes. Without a doubt. We were honest,” Greg explained. “When we realized Rickie was in that cocoon and would awake, we notified his father. In fact, his father was notified before you and Cal. We told him that Rickie wasn’t killed in the experiment, but was affected by the experiment, to which extent we didn't know, all that we did know was that he was indeed mutated in some form.”

“Did he ask questions?”

“Of course, and we explained the stasis to him. We also told him we were certain how Rickie would be.” Greg said. “He told us thank you very much.”

“I asked if he wanted us to inform him when Rickie emerged. His response was a question, was I certain Rickie was affected and mutated. I told him the cocoon was a very good indication.”

“And?”

“And that was it. He said no thank you. Call him only if Rickie wasn’t mutated.”

“You’re shitting me?”

“No, I am not.” Greg said. “I have the transcripts, I can fax them.”

“Did you call him when you realized Rickie was fine?”

“Is Rickie fine?”

Jake paused.

“Not always. He needed work to control it. Under the wrong atmosphere, Rickie would cease to be Rickie and you know that. If placed in a hostile environment, who knows if Rickie could control it. You have helped him control it. You Jake, and the environment you and Cal provided. No … when he emerged and we knew there was a mutation of some sort, we figured, since his father didn’t want a less than perfect child why bother.”

Jake presented a wave of silence before ending the call.

He didn’t know how to handle the conversation with Richard, but after speaking to Haynes at Caldwell, Jake was ready.

***

Seaweed? There was no way, Cal was going to eat seaweed no matter how much they dressed it up and tried to flavor it.

Billy snickered.

Cal glared at him. “It’s not funny.”

“Oh, yeah it is. You eating seaweed salad, and a broiled Tuna steak.”

“I think I’m gonna gag.”

“You better eat something. You’ll starve.”

“I’ll manage. I’ll also have to figure something out.”

“You know, they worked out that sweet tooth thing you have.” Billy pointed to the fish “Look. Ginger.”

“If you really think it looks that good, you eat it.”

“No, thanks, I have my bacon cheeseburger.”

“Asshole.” Cal grimaced, shifting her fork through the seaweed mess. “I’ll lose weight.” She peered around the dining room at the women who were happily enjoying their meals. Meals high with calories, and decorative. Beverages such as lattes and alcohol free margaritas. Cal had juice and seaworthy food. “I have to figure out something. Seriously.”

“You won’t be able to. Grin and bear it for the next couple days.”

“You out of your mind?” Cal asked. “Are you suggesting I give up and not try to beat this?”

“Yes.”

“Right.” She scoffed. “What I need is help.”

“Don’t look at me,” Billy said.

“Oh, I’m not. Trust me. I’m just waiting on a miracle.”

“Like?”

“CAL-BABE!” Rickie’s call for her obviously didn’t come from the dining room, but rather from a distance in his fast approach.

Cal grinned widely. “That.”

“Cal-Babe!” Rickie shot into the dining room.

Cal jumped from her chair and flew over to Rickie.

“God,” Billy rolled his eyes. “You would think you two haven’t seen each other in a month.” He said in reference to the excited embrace.

“I missed him.” Cal cupped Rickie’s face and kissed him on the cheek.

“I missed you too, Cal-Babe. And ..” He lowered down. “How are my belly buds?”

“Hungry.” Cal said with a whine. “Look at what they’re feeding me Rickie. Just look.” She pointed to the food. “Seaweed.”

“Uh!”

“Yes.”

“Babe, that’s awful.”

“I know. Only wholesome food. No sweets.”

“I’ll help you out.”

Cal smiled. “I knew you would.”

“Rickie,” Billy called his attention. “Cal is not allowed any sweets. It’s part of the experiment.”

“So?” Rickie replied.

“So you shouldn’t give any to her.”

“Are you gonna tattle?” Rickie asked.

“I may.”