The Descartes Evolution

by N. J. Croft

  “Come on, Luke. You reckon we’ve been infected?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. If we have, it’s not the same thing we saw in Ivory Coast. The first symptoms showed almost immediately. You feel anything?”

  Callum shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “Me neither.”

  “Which doesn’t mean a thing.”

  “Hmm.” He thought for a moment before turning back to the doctor. “The chemicals you need for testing Jenna. Tell us exactly what they are. If it’s possible we’ll get some.”

  He left the room and went back to where Jenna waited for him. She backed up when he entered. Strain showed in her eyes.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t be anywhere near me,” she said.

  He ignored the words, stepped toward her, and took her in his arms. She resisted for a moment, pulling back, but then sighed and leaned against his chest.

  “I reckon if you’re giving anything out, I’ve already got it. But I feel fine. We’ll worry about it later. First thing is to stop the terrorist attack.”

  “You’re going to this lab.”

  “Yes. We’ll go in and destroy the stocks. There may be more, but it’s all we can do at the moment.”

  “What will you do with him?” She nodded to the window where he could see Callum questioning Smith.

  “I don’t know. Maybe hand him over to the authorities when this is all over.”

  She looked up into his face. “What do you think is wrong with me?”

  “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you. You’re perfect.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  An idea had been growing in his mind. “I think maybe they did some sort of tests on you when you were a child. The drugs your father gave you suppressed the effects of those tests.”

  “But where did I come from?”

  He stroked the hair from her face, studied the perfect features, the flawless skin. A small frown furrowed the space between her brows. He decided not to share what he thought about that.

  “I don’t know,” he replied. “But we’ll find out. We’re going to break this thing wide open. For the first time we have a means of communicating with someone in the Conclave, maybe not the head, but very close. We’ll uncover all their dirty little secrets.”

  Her frown deepened. “I don’t want to be anybody’s dirty little secret.” She bit her lip. “I think I should keep away from people for the time being. I don’t know if I am poisonous, but I’d rather not risk infecting anyone else. I’m going to go back to my room.”

  “I’ll get the stuff the doctor asked for. He can do the test when we get back. We’ll find out one way or the other. Until then, yes—it might be a good idea to stay in your room. I’ve sent for some clothes, and if you’re hungry, dial the kitchen. They can leave the food outside your door.”

  She nodded, her eyes still shadowed, and he had an almost overwhelming urge to hold her tight, never let go. Instead, he forced himself to take a step back. His hands fell back to his sides. “Come on, I’ll see you to your room. Then I need to talk to Callum, go over the intel, make some plans.”

  They were silent as they made their way upstairs and through the quiet house. Luke cast her a sideways glance but could tell nothing of her thoughts. He stopped in front of her door and pushed it open.

  “Try not to think about it.”

  A wry smile curled the corners of her lips. “Right. Like that’s going to happen. Will I see you before you go?”

  “Yes. We’ll wait for darkness. I’ll come back before we leave.”

  She stepped through the door and shut it behind her, leaving him staring at the dark paneled wood and wishing he could stay with her.

  He couldn’t begin to imagine what she must be thinking, but the best way he could help her was to bring down the Conclave and expose their secrets.

  Including Jenna.

  …

  Jenna lay back on the velvet coverlet and stared at the crimson-and-gold canopy above her head. The color reminded her of blood. She rolled her head to one side and looked out the window instead, wishing she could sleep to make the time pass, but if she closed her eyes, she saw an image of those people dying. Their pain and despair as they must have realized they’d been tricked, and no help was coming.

  Was she poison?

  The image of the villagers was superimposed with a different one—Luke, his life and vitality drained away, his skin slick with blood.

  She’d always held herself off from getting close to anyone, hadn’t thought it fair when she could get ill at any time.

  But this was worse.

  Now, it appeared she could actually kill those close to her.

  Chapter Forty

  “So how do we do this?” Callum asked.

  “They must know we have Smith; they’ll be expecting us. We need to go in fast, blow the place, and get the hell out of there.”

  “And what about the woman?” Callum’s expression was blank.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” Luke said.

  Callum shrugged. “I’m thinking we’re almost there. We’ve worked at this for ten years, and at last, we’re close, but you’re not thinking straight. That woman has you tied in knots.”

  Luke wasn’t going to deny it. For the first time since this whole nightmare had started, he was looking beyond the end of the mission, actually contemplating an existence after they destroyed the Conclave. Always before he’d known he would give his life for the cause. He still believed that, but now the difference was—he didn’t want to die, he wanted to live. But Callum was involved in this as well. “So what do you think we should do about Jenna?”

  “I think we should lock her in one of the cells. Keep her quarantined. At the very least, keep her confined to her room. If she is somehow poisonous, chances are we’re already infected, but there’s no need to risk anyone else.”

  “She’s staying in her room. It was her idea.” He stared Callum straight in the eyes. “She’s not the enemy.”

  Callum ran a hand through his hair. “I know. I just want to be sure that your priorities are right. Hell. What are you going to do if we get this stuff and the doctor tells us she is toxic?”

  “I don’t know. Search for some sort of cure, I guess.”

  “For her, or for us and every other poor sod she’s been in contact with?”

  “Both. Look, we know she’s been fine for the last twenty-six years. There’s no reason why she can’t be fine again, why we can’t reproduce the drugs her father gave her. Now drop it.”

  Luke knocked on the door and pushed it open without waiting for an answer. Jenna lay on the bed facing him, her eyes wide open. She blinked as though coming out of a trance, and he crossed the room, putting the bags he carried on the floor by the bed.

  “Some clothes for you. I guessed the sizes, but they should fit.”

  “Thank you.” But she made no move to look inside the bags. “If you find out I am poisonous, will you do something for me?”

  “What?”

  “Kill me.” She held up a hand to stop him interrupting, and he bit back his words. “I saw the film. I couldn’t bear to be responsible for doing that to anyone. Really, I’d rather be dead.”

  “It won’t come to that. Besides, we can quarantine you until we find out the cause. Or until we can get a supply of whatever it was your father was giving you.”

  “Maybe, but you must keep the option open.”

  “I will,” he lied. “Now come here.”

  She rose to her feet and stepped into his arms. After a minute, he released her. “I just came to say goodbye. We’ll be heading out in a few minutes. I’m leaving two men here—use the internal line if you need anything.”

  “Will it be dangerous?” she asked.

  “Shouldn’t be, if the doctor’s give
n us accurate intel on the place and the security.”

  “Could he be lying?”

  “He could be, but I doubt it. Let’s say it’s in his best interests for us to succeed. I’ve sent him back to London—we have a holding facility there. He knows if we fail, they’ll release the poison, and he’ll die along with everybody else. He didn’t change his story, so I think the intel is good, and we have all the security codes, the guard positions, and so on. Should be easy.” He didn’t add “as long as the Conclave aren’t waiting for us.”

  She forced a smile. “I’m glad. I want this to be over.”

  “Me too.” He reached out and stroked a stand of silky hair from her cheek, tucked it behind her ear. “I have to go.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Jenna watched as his tall figure strode from the room and the door closed behind him.

  Luke had said the attack wasn’t dangerous, but she’d known he didn’t want to worry her. How could it not be dangerous?

  She wished she were going with him. A horrible feeling of doubt nagged at her mind. Something was going to go terribly wrong; she knew it but felt helpless to prevent it.

  Crossing over to the window, she drew back the curtains to peer down onto the curved gravel driveway below. A minute later, a black van drove up and parked directly beneath her. Luke and Callum stepped out onto the wide stairway, both dressed in black combat pants, boots, and Kevlar vests. They wore weapons belts with pistols, and a shiver of unease ran through her. She’d led such a sheltered life with her father, and she found it hard to believe the man who cared for her for all those years could have been part of this world. Why had he never told her, never prepared her… Unless he’d done things he was ashamed to tell her.

  Luke glanced up at her window as if he could sense her presence, but she stayed still and a second later, Callum spoke to him, and he turned away. They climbed into the back of the van, the double doors slammed, and the van pulled away.

  After waiting until it had disappeared around a curve in the long drive, she sank down onto the bed. She sat for a long time, her mind blank, then gave herself a small shake. Reaching for the bags Luke had brought her, she tipped them onto the mattress next to her, finding underwear, jeans, T-shirts, and a pair of sneakers. She dressed quickly then paced the room.

  Restlessness gnawed at her. She recognized the feeling—it was a familiar companion. In the past, she had always run it off, and perhaps that’s what she needed to do now. Go run off some of her excess energy. Run until she was so exhausted she couldn’t think of anything else.

  She went back to stand beside the window and peered down. Only one floor up; she could jump from here, go running and be back before anyone knew she was gone. She fiddled with the catch. They were old-fashioned sash windows that slid up smoothly when she pushed. The night air was cool against her skin, freedom beckoned, and without thinking any further, she slipped a leg over and sat perched on the ledge.

  The harsh shrill of the phone rang on the bedside table as she was about to push herself off. A light flashed on the handset—an internal call, presumably one of Luke’s men. She swung her legs back into the room and crossed to the phone, picked it up.

  “Lock your door. We may have a problem. I’ll call when we have the all clear.”

  After placing the phone gently on the table, she stood for a few seconds, slowing her breathing. She reached out and switched off the light, leaving the room bathed in moonlight, then crossed to the door and cracked it open an inch. From somewhere below her, she caught the muffled pop of a silenced pistol and the sound of footsteps running down the hall. She closed the door and turned the key in the lock.

  Luke should be at the laboratory facility by now. Soon he would blow the place and end the threat of the bioweapon being used in London. After that, it was only really her life involved. She just needed to stay free for a little while longer. And warn Luke.

  She picked up the phone again and started to enter the number he’d left her before she realized the line was dead. Nothing but an ominous silence. She tried the internal line, but no one picked up.

  She was on her own.

  They’d cut her off. Just like the night at her father’s house. A cold lump settled in her stomach, and panic rolled over her in waves, threatening to suck her under, fogging her thoughts.

  She tightened her fists until her nails cut into her palms, and the sharp sting brought her back.

  No way.

  She had to get out of there.

  Keeping close to the walls, she edged around and peered out of the open window. Nothing moved.

  Should she go find a weapon? Why hadn’t she asked for one?

  But she didn’t want to be cornered inside the house. At least outside she could make a run for it. Without giving herself any more time, she swung herself out over the ledge and hung down by her fingertips, dangling for a moment before releasing her grip and dropping to the driveway below. Shock ran through her ankles as she landed. She rolled, came up onto her feet, and stood for a moment, testing that everything was fine; there was no damage.

  As she turned to run, a jolt punched her in the back and pain erupted inside her, driving all coherent thoughts from her head. Agony radiated outward, contracting her muscles to solid steel. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.

  Then the pain vanished.

  She pushed herself up onto her hands as it came again. Her body snapped rigid, and her cheek hit the gravel.

  This time when the pain stopped, she lay still.

  “Well, she’s a fast learner, anyway,” a woman said from somewhere behind her. “Don’t move.” A toe nudged her in the side as hands grasped her wrists, pulling them behind her. Cold metal snapped around them, and she was caught. Jenna dragged her gaze upward. A woman stood before her, tall and blond, her elegant appearance at odds with the weapon in her hand. “Taser,” she said, aiming it at Jenna. “Very effective.”

  “Who are you?”

  The woman pursed her lips. “Let’s just say I was a friend of your father’s.”

  “My father is dead.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. As I said, we were friends.”

  Jenna’s mind raced. “Were you also friends with Professor Merrick?”

  “A long time ago.”

  “He’s dead, as well.”

  “I know. A tragic loss.”

  Was there a faint thread of amusement in the voice now? A flash of humor in her eyes?

  “Who are you?” Jenna asked again.

  “My name is Lauren; that’s all you need to know.”

  “And what do you want, Lauren?”

  “Why, to help you, of course.”

  “Do I need help?”

  She gave a soft chuckle. “Oh, yes. I imagine you’re feeling a little strange right now. You feel like you’re changing. Would you like to know why you are changing? And even what you are changing into?”

  “Do you know?”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “So tell me.”

  “Later. But I will tell you that if you stay out here, you will eventually kill every person you come in contact with. So you could say I’m doing the world a service.” Lauren was silent for a moment before continuing. “By the way, how is the handsome Mr. Hockley? Is he showing any symptoms yet?”

  The voice held such certainty. An image flashed through her mind of Luke dead, blood oozing from open sores that blossomed across his skin. Nausea roiled in her stomach. “Do you have a cure?”

  “Yes, and maybe I’ll give it to you. If you cooperate.” She turned to the man who stood behind her. “Is Hockley here?”

  “No. We’ve cleared the place.”

  “Shit. Then we have to assume he could already be at the storage facility. Damn. Time to call in that backup.”

  “I’ll get on it.”


  Hard hands dragged Jenna to her feet, and she stood swaying in their grip.

  Lauren gave a rueful smile. “I’m sorry, but I’ve seen you in action, so…”

  Something struck her from behind, and the world went black.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  “Are the perimeter sensors down?” Luke spoke into his comm unit.

  “All done, boss.”

  “Okay, I’m going in.”

  He scaled the wall, jumping lightly down on the other side, and stood for a moment in the shadows, surveying the compound. The place was a converted country estate, and three hundred feet of lawn separated him from the main building. Floodlights lit the immediate area, and he could make out the guards moving about, six at the front. More than Smith had said, but they’d expected that. At a guess, there would be at least the same number at the rear.

  “Are you in place?” he asked into his comm.

  He waited while he received an affirmative from the four men situated on the walls surrounding the house then pulled the night-vision goggles over his eyes.

  “Okay, take them out. On my count. One, two, three.”

  He heard the muted thud of the silenced sniper rifles. The first shots shattered the floodlights, plunging the area into darkness, and moments later, the guards crumpled to the ground.

  “All clear, boss.”

  In the silence that followed, he held himself motionless, but nothing moved. “Callum, we’re on.”

  Callum appeared on top of the wall. He carried the large rucksack containing the explosives, which he lowered gently to Luke. They ran across the open space, stopping once they reached the shelter of the building, while Luke oriented himself with the information the doctor had given them. According to the intel, the house should be empty, but there would be more guards inside the storage unit situated at the rear.

  All was quiet as they made their way around the side of the house. The storage facility was obvious—a stone-built barn, but the doors had been replaced with steel. Callum placed a charge on the lock then they stood to the side, backs pressed against the stone.