Relentless: Episode 3 of the Shattered Chronicles

by Ciana Stone

  Cord watched the dog approach and extended his hand. When the dog licked his outstretched hand, Cord knelt down. If it was a dream, then it was a very vivid one because the dog was every bit as real as Morgan’s dog, Ghost.

  But Ghost was back home with Morgan. Or is he? Cord’s mind whirled. What if it wasn’t a dream at all?

  Regardless, Jeff was having a fit. "It's okay, it's okay." Cord chuckled as he reached out to calm Jeff down. "It's only Ghost."

  "No, it's a goddamn wolf!" Jeff yelled, "Them suckers are mean!"

  Ghost jumped down and moved in between Cord and Jeff. Cord crouched and gave the animal a big hug. "Hey, big fella, I bet you're thirsty!" He looked up at Jeff. "Got any water with you?"

  Jeff nodded and backed up toward the jeep. "Yeah,” he said in a voice that sounded a little squeaky. Then clearing his throat, he spoke a bit more normally, "I got some in the back."

  He opened the tailgate of the jeep and pulled a large yellow water cooler over to the edge. Then rumbling around in the back of the vehicle he found a small pot, filled it with water and put it down on the ground. "Here you go, fella," he said to Ghost. "Any friend of Cord's is a friend of mine."

  Cord smiled as Jeff pulled the top off of the cooler and reached inside to pull out two beers. He tossed one to Cord, "Thought you might like a cold one for the ride back to town!"

  Chapter Eight

  Cray County, Texas

  "It feels like we've been gone forever." Morgan commented as the limo stopped in front of Victor's house in Texas.

  "Didn't you enjoy yourself?" Victor asked as he helped her from the car.

  "Oh, yes," she took his hand. "It still seems a little unreal, though. I felt a bit like Cinderella. You know, poor country bumpkin at the ball with the handsome prince."

  Victor laughed, "You have a unique way of looking at things. Although how you could ever consider yourself as a poor little bumpkin or whatever, is beyond me."

  She shrugged and walked into the house. Once inside, she flopped down on the couch and kicked off her shoes. Victor walked to the bar and fixed himself a drink and her a glass of juice.

  He handed her the glass and sat down beside her. She took a sip then set the glass down on the end table. She leaned against him and closed her eyes. He set his drink aside, wrapped his arm around her and studied her as she relaxed against him. On the flight home he read the latest report on the experimental drug. His team of scientists were screaming to test Morgan to try to find out why the drug performed so differently on her.

  They requested permission to put her through such procedures as an MRI and PET scan. Also proposed were SQUIDS, or superconducting quantum interference devices. All of those methods would allow the scientists to map the activity of the brain in action. The report explained the researchers ascribed to the theories of a notable professor of Neurology and Psychology whose theory was that the corpus callosum of the human brain, which contains over two hundred million neurons, does not function the same way in all individuals.

  Acting as a kind of communication network, the corpus callosum works to allow the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate. Each part of the corpus callosum carries distinct information. Not just any kind of information may be carried in each area. It must be specific in order for the neural net to allow its transmission. In short, there are specific areas for specific functions.

  But the theory is that there is no one pattern or standard that's applicable to all human beings. Within each brain there are variations. While a certain area of the corpus callosum in one brain may be organized to do one particular thing, the same area in another brain will not perform in exactly the same way.

  Therefore, his scientists suspected that the drug, while affecting certain areas of the left brain and the corpus callosum in sufficient strength to achieve the desired influence in most cases, had acted quite differently in Morgan's case because of the unique functioning pattern of her brain.

  They suggested that perhaps Victor try giving her yet another small dose of the drug to see whether the abilities it had awakened would increase. Several of the researchers even suspected that it might even add to those abilities, making it possible for her to send and receive thought impressions.

  Victor considered the possibilities. If he were convinced that she was under his complete control, it might be of value to him. Also, even though he loved her, he had no desire to put himself into a position in which she had an advantage over him. So, he dismissed the proposals in their entirety.

  Things were proceeding well as they were even though he found it somewhat of a drain to keep his mental barrier in place so she couldn’t read his true intentions. And he had been marginally successful in implanting mental images into her mind when she was relaxed and unsuspecting.

  Like now, he thought as he watched her, projecting his intent. After a short time, she opened her eyes and turned her head to look at him.

  As their eyes met, he felt a current of desire pulse through his body. She climbed on his lap with her legs straddling him. Never breaking the contact of their eyes, she unbuttoned his shirt.

  Just Outside Odessa, Texas

  "Pull off here and let me out," Cord directed.

  "What's wrong, man?" Big Jeff slowed the jeep. "Gotta take a leak?" He pulled off the side of the road and stopped the vehicle.

  Cord got out and walked around to the driver's side as Ghost leaped out of the back to stand beside him. "You go on back into town," Cord said. "I'll catch up with you there."

  "No way, man!" Big Jeff shook his head emphatically. "That's what you said last time!"

  "Look, Jeff," Cord put his hand on the big man's shoulder. "You're already in more danger than you realize just by coming down here. What I have to do, I have to do alone. When I need you, I'll let you know, okay?"

  “Okay, whadda you want me to do?"

  "Go back to the hotel and pretend like you didn't find me. It's very important, Jeff. No one, not even Morgan, can know. Now get going."

  Big Jeff nodded, jammed the jeep into gear and pulled out onto the highway. Cord watched as it disappeared into the distance then headed across the road with Ghost at his heels.

  "Come on, big fella," he said. "We've got a job to do."

  Washington, D. C.

  Stork made his way through the crowded restaurant to a booth in the back. He slid onto the bench seat on one side and looked over at the man who sat waiting. Ken Westfield was an old friend. With short blond hair that never seemed to gray and a trim physique he looked much younger than his fifty-eight years.

  "Hey, Rog," Ken greeted him. "How's it going?"

  Stork grunted as the waitress appeared. He ordered a club sandwich and black coffee. When the waitress left, he spoke up. "So, what's up?"

  Ken looked around before answering, a sure sign that whatever he wanted to talk about wasn’t common knowledge. "Victor Vinsetti. I've been placed in charge of the Senate investigation for his confirmation."

  Stork raised his eyebrows, "And?"

  "I can't find a damn thing on the man that isn't squeaky clean." Ken complained. "And you and I both know everybody's got something to hide. So why isn't anything showing up on him?"

  Stork considered it for a moment. "Have you tried digging into the Vinsetti family? I seem to remember something about them from years back. Some kind of connection to certain 'families', shall we say?"

  The waitress returned with their order. Ken waited for her to leave then answered. "Yeah, I already tried that angle and guess what? Zip! Nothing at all. I'm telling you, Rog, something just doesn't add up. I remember something about old man Vinsetti's connections, too. But it's like everything has been wiped clean. Something's definitely screwy about this. It's all just too neat and tidy."

  Stork swallowed a bite of his sandwich. "So why come to me? The boys on the hill are the ones you should be telling."

  "That's another thing. I've tried, but everyone I talk to acts as if I'm badmouthing the Pope or some
thing. No one wants to hear anything about this guy except that he's cleaner than Kleenex. There's absolutely no opposition whatsoever to his appointment from either side. Now, you tell me. How many times in history can you remember that happening?"

  Stork considered what Ken said before speaking. "So, what do you want from me?"

  "You know this Masters or Alexander, or whatever the hell she calls herself that he's engaged to, right?"

  "Yeah, we've met a few times. Why?"

  "Well, maybe you can get something out of her on Vinsetti. After all, she's living with him. Who knows what she's seen or heard?”

  "I don't know," Stork pushed his plate away. "She's been through the ringer with the trouble her husband's in over the nuclear waste stuff. I don't know how she'd handle being approached with this."

  Ken Westfield leaned forward with his face set in a serious yet earnest expression. "You've got to try. I've got a real bad feeling about this one."

  Andrews County

  "Oh shit! What was that?" The guard grabbed the back of his leg and looked down just in time to glimpse a large diamondback rattlesnake slither out of the door of the guardhouse at the main gate.

  He reached for his phone to call for help, then gasped as something wrapped around his throat and cut off his air. Cord caught the man as he slumped forward on the stool. He hung up the phone and gently laid the man on the floor, talking quietly to himself. "Don't want to dirty my uniform."

  The man only thought something had bitten him. In reality he'd been stabbed with a sharp stick. It was the choke hold that rendered him unconscious. He'd be out for a while. Just to ensure that he wouldn't wake and raise an alarm, Cord bound and gagged him. Once dressed in the man’s uniform, Cord stepped outside and signaled the falcon. With long slow passes she sailed by the motion sensors located around the perimeter of the complex setting off alarms and sending guards scrambling.

  Cord put his hand on top of his hat, which sat loosely on his head and opened the gate. He had to hang onto the front of the droopy pants he’d taken from the guard with his free hand to keep them from falling down when he took off running toward the front entrance.

  "Come on, Ghost!" he said to the dog who trotted along behind him. "Stay close. These guys'll shoot you!"

  When he spotted a guard exiting from the front door he yelled. "He's after me! He's after me!"

  The guard looked up and pulled his sidearm, but Cord maneuvered his body into the man's line of fire, running as fast as he could and screaming at the top of his lungs. "Don't shoot! You might hit me!"

  "Get out of the way!" the guard yelled back as Cord continued to run, holding his hat down with one hand and his pants up with the other.

  There were only a few yards to go when a second guard emerged from within the building and took up a position a few feet to the side of the first. He pulled his weapon and took aim.

  Cord bounded up to them with Ghost in close pursuit. Just as he got close, his fists shot out, catching both guards squarely in their chins and sent all of them tumbling to the concrete in a heap.

  Cord bounded to his feet, pulled his pants back up and crammed his hat down on his head. "You men are temporarily relieved from active duty," he deadpanned to the two unconscious guards.

  Once inside the building he headed for the IT center with Ghost close behind him. They reached it without further incident, and Cord looked around. All that was required was for him to punch in a valid security code to unlock the door.

  "What do you think, Ghost? Did they change the code?"

  Ghost just cocked his head sideways as Cord's fingers punched away at the keypad set into the wall. "Good old Tom McGuire," he remarked as the lock released. "He never changes."

  With the door unlocked, he and Ghost slipped inside. Cord smiled. Tom could never remember his access code so when they set up the security system, Tom used his name as his code and refused to let it be changed. That way he couldn't forget what it was. With that being the case, you could open every door in the complex just by keying in Tom's name.

  The center was strangely quiet. Cord had expected to find it full of personnel but there was no one inside. "Well, Ghost, looks like it's our lucky day. Let's hope that luck holds out."

  Cotton Creek, Texas

  Something felt different as soon as she entered the house. "Is something wrong?" Victor asked

  "No," she tried to figure out what gave her the feeling. "I guess it just feels strange to be home. It's almost as if I lived here another lifetime ago."

  "That's exactly how it is," he drew her to him. "That life is in the past. Now you have a new life. With me."

  Morgan closed her eyes and surrendered to the feeling his hands aroused in her as they moved over her body. All other thoughts slipped from her mind. He swept her up in his arms and carried her into the den. Placing her on the wide sofa, he continued his seduction. "Have I told you today how remarkable you are?" he asked as he unfastened her slacks.

  "I don't remember," she replied and went to work on the buttons of his shirt. "Tell me anyway."

  "You're the most beautiful, seductive, passionate woman in all the world," he flattered her as he undid the last of the buttons and reached inside her blouse. "I want you more every day."

  Her nipples hardened at his touch. "I want you," she said in a husky voice as his mouth took the place of his hands.

  He smiled as he raised his head, "And do you love me?"

  "Yes." She pulled him to her, running her hands up his hard stomach to his chest. "I love you. More every day."

  Just then they heard a noise from the front of the house. "Someone’s here!" Morgan fumbled to get her clothes buttoned. Trevor and Cable walked into the room just as she got her blouse fastened.

  "Mom!" Cable flew across the room and hugged Morgan as she stood.

  Morgan returned the hug then noticed the scowl on Trevor's face as he remained standing across the room. "What are you two doing here?" She pulled back to look from him to Cable.

  "Well," Cable looked over at her brother. "Actually, it was Trevor's idea." Then she looked over at Victor and back at Morgan. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"

  "Oh!" Morgan hastily apologized. "I'm sorry. Cable, this is Victor Vinsetti. Victor, this is my daughter, Cable."

  Victor stood, heedless of his shirt hanging unbuttoned and loose, exposing his muscular body. He took Cable's hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it lightly. "An honor," his voice was pitched low and smooth. "Now, I can see that you’re as beautiful in person as in the pictures your mother has shown me."

  Cable smiled and blushed at the compliment, trying not to look at his body as she spoke. "Thank you," she said, "It's nice to meet you."

  Morgan looked over at Trevor. "Are you not even going to say hello?"

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "What's this shit about you being engaged?"

  "Well, so much for the pleasantries," Morgan commented and took a seat on the couch.

  Victor sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. Trevor's eyes narrowed at the sight while Cable quietly took a seat on the loveseat.

  "I tried to call you," Morgan explained in a calm voice. "But you never seem to be in, and I didn't feel it was something we could talk about via voice mail or text."

  Trevor remained silent but Cable spoke up. "I've been swamped at school, so I haven't been home much and when I am, I usually just let it go to voice mail so I can get my studying done."

  She looked over at her brother. "And Trev hasn't been there for a while, anyway."

  "Oh?" Morgan looked at him in surprise. "And where have you been?"

  He still didn't answer, so Cable did the talking. "He left the day we heard the news about your engagement."

  "Why?" Morgan asked, looking once again at Trevor.

  "To keep you from doing something stupid!" he finally spoke. "Do you have any idea what a fool you're making of yourself, Mom? I've been waiting here all that time. Where the hell were you? What
the hell–"

  "Trevor!" Cable cut in. "Calm down."

  "Hey!" He cut her a mean look. "Don't tell me to calm down! You should be just as pissed off as I am. What's wrong with you?"

  "Nothing's wrong with me!" She glared at him and her voice rose in anger. "Just because I don't behave like an uncouth, arrogant, spoiled loudmouth–"

  "Whoa!" Morgan's voice brought silence to the room. "Time out. Why don't we all just try to settle down and talk about this like civilized people?"

  Cable looked down in embarrassment, but Trevor stood his ground. "I want to know about this damn engagement!"

  "Well, what exactly do you want to know about it?" Morgan asked, trying to keep her cool despite the irritation his tone of voice was creating.

  "Just how the hell do you think you can be engaged? In case you've forgotten, you already have a husband. Dad! Remember?"

  "Stop yelling!" Morgan's let a stern tone come into her voice. "And sit. Then I'll explain."

  Trevor held his ground for a minute, glaring at his mother. But she won the staring contest and he flopped down on the couch beside Cable. "Well?" he asked in a surly voice. "I'm listening."

  Morgan resisted the urge to chew him out about his attitude and tried to center herself. She looked at her children, took a deep breath and tried to speak in a calm and light tone.

  "I'm no longer married to your father. We’re divorced, so everything is perfectly legal. As for my engagement, I love Victor and we plan to be married. I’d hoped that you of all people would be happy for me and glad I found someone I want to share my life with."

  "I am happy for you Mom." Cable had tears in her eyes. "It's just a surprise, you know? I mean, first Dad takes off with that woman and never even bothers to say goodbye or get in touch with us, and now suddenly you're divorced and engaged. It's not that I'm not happy for you or that I don't want you to be happy. It's just a lot to get used to."