by Brian Keene
“Who’s Paul?” Abhi asked.
“His husband,” Carrie replied. “What do they have on him, Doctor? I’m assuming it’s some kind of blackmail?”
“Yes, although it feels more like bullying to me. Paul … he got into some trouble when he was younger, years before we met. It involved kickbacks and graft for a building he was designing. As I said, this happened years ago, and there was never a conviction. There’s no record of it. But Alpinus knows about it, and they have access to certain documents and e-mails that the authorities never obtained.”
“So they’re a bunch of blackmailing bastards,” Carrie said. “Okay. And I’m betting they lied about never receiving the egg, too.”
Still staring at the floor, Barbet nodded in resignation.
“Those fuckers.” Carrie spat. “I knew it. I knew I was right! Ochse was so condescending, insisting that I must have misheard them—that I was mistaken. And you went along with that, Doctor.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand why now. But that still doesn’t explain why they lied about the egg in the first place, and it especially doesn’t explain why they wanted you to conceal the truth about Paolo’s prognosis. Why would they want us to think he was getting better if he wasn’t?”
“I don’t know why they lied about the egg,” Barbet said, “but I can confirm it was indeed brought in with you, and I did perform an ultrasound on it. When that was finished, I stored it in the lab. At some point, it was gone. I have to assume Ochse had his men confiscate it. As for Paolo, Ochse ordered me to only administer small doses of the antivenom—enough to make your friend stabilize, but not enough to cure him.”
“But why?”
Barbet took a deep breath. “Paolo is undergoing some changes, and Alpinus is very interested in studying them.”
“What kind of changes?”
“These changes are taking place at a cellular level. To put it bluntly, Paolo’s brain is mutating. It’s a slow process, but it’s definitely occurring. I don’t know what is making it happen, but I suspect someone in Alpinus Biofutures does. In all my years, I’ve never seen anything like it. All I know is they want to allow his brain to continue mutating and they want me to record the results. If he dies, they’ll take his body.”
“And if by some miraculous chance he lives?” Carrie asked.
“Then the mercenaries won’t be the only ones who have disappeared.”
Shocked and stunned, Carrie clenched her fists. “Those motherfuckers.”
“Aye,” Abhi said.
“Again,” Barbet apologized, “I am so sorry. But if I don’t go along with them, then they’ll ruin Paul, and destroy our chances at having a family.”
“Well,” Abhi said, “at least now we know why we haven’t been allowed to leave this place. Media scrutiny, they said. We know that’s not true. The question now is, what do we do about all of this?”
“I can try to double the dose I’ve been giving Paolo tonight,” Barbet offered. “One of the security personnel is always with me when I administer it, but they don’t pay attention to the dosage amount.”
“Will that cure him?” Carrie asked.
“Hopefully it will begin the process. If I am correct, it should at least begin to halt the mutations. I don’t know if the process can be reversed, but I’m fairly confident I can stop it from going further. Maybe that’ll buy you time.”
Carrie considered this carefully. If they could halt or slow the process, it might give them time to figure out a way to escape and get Paolo to a specialist.
“I’m putting a lot on the line here,” Barbet continued. “If I start upping his doses and someone notices, I could lose everything. So could Paul.”
“We’ve all got something riding on this,” Carrie replied. “Certainly our reputations. Maybe even our safety. Isn’t that reason enough to do the right thing and get out of here?”
“That’s easy for you to say. You can go back to America. But this is my home. If my safety is threatened, there’s nowhere for me to run.”
“If it comes to that,” Abhi said, “we’ll keep you and your husband safe.”
Barbet scoffed. “I need more than that.”
“I met a reporter,” Carrie said. “If they start to out Paul, or if they threaten you in any other way, we’ll go to her. Reveal everything that’s happened here.”
“How do you know she’ll believe you?”
“I’m a public figure,” Carrie replied. “No, I may not be a movie star or a pop singer, but people know who I am, especially after all the recent news coverage of the collapse. She’ll believe me, and she’ll run with the story because it will get ratings—someone like myself bringing these allegations against a company like Alpinus? The media will be drooling for an exclusive with us.”
“Well…,” Barbet paused, frowning. “Do I have your word you’ll help me and Paul?”
“You have my word,” Carrie promised.
“And mine, as well,” Abhi said.
Barbet smiled slightly. “Thank you both.”
“Could you manufacture more doses beyond the initial week,” Carrie asked, “so we could smuggle them out with us once we get Paolo out of here?”
“Provided I have enough specimens, and I don’t anticipate that being a problem.”
“And you’re sure you can fool Ochse and his men for that long?”
Barbet nodded confidently. “They aren’t doctors or scientists. They’re just thugs—bullies in nice suits. But once Paolo begins to get better, they will surely suspect something is amiss. What then?”
“I don’t know,” Carrie admitted. “But you said it will take a full week of regular doses, right?”
“Correct. That is my best guess.”
“Then we’ve got a full week to figure out what our next move is.”
* * *
As it turned out, they didn’t have a full week.
They barely had any time at all.
THIRTEEN
Dr. Barbet administered the first full dose that night. By the next morning, Paolo already showed marked signs of improvement as the antivenom went to work on his system, counteracting the mutation’s progress. Since they had to assume they were under constant surveillance, Barbet couldn’t communicate the specifics to the other conspirators, but Carrie and Abhi could see the remarkable changes in Paolo’s condition for themselves. His complexion changed, and his fatigue abated.
A second full dose was administered the following night, after which Paolo’s appetite returned. More important, the hallucinations ceased and the constant pain in his head seemed to ease. He was able to get out of bed on his own and use the restroom by himself.
The next morning, Barbet slipped a note to Carrie and Abhi, informing them that, given the antivenom’s success, a full week of doses might not be needed after all before Paolo was well enough to be transported. Carrie stepped up her planning, but was stymied by the cautionary ways she had to use in communicating her plan to Abhi and the doctor. They’d decided against using the pantry a second time, so as not to arouse suspicion. They had also agreed not to mention anything to Paolo, until they had no choice.
Their waking hours were filled with tension and nervousness, trying to keep up the appearance of normality, exchanging pleasantries with Alpinus officials whom they no longer trusted, and worrying about the ramifications if it was discovered that they knew about the blackmail attempts and the company’s real agenda.
All the while, Carrie desperately planned.
* * *
On the third night, after administering another full dose of antivenom and checking Paolo’s vitals, Dr. Barbet stepped out into the hall, thinking about how much he missed Paul, and about how tired he was. He was looking forward to sleep—the one place where this current bout of anxiety and depression couldn’t reach him.
Unfortunately, Ochse and Maberry were waiting for him outside of Paolo’s room.
“Dr. Barbet.” Ochse kept his v
oice low but cordial. “Working late, I see?”
Surprised, Barbet fought to keep his voice from quaking. “Actually, I was just about to retire, gentlemen. You’re right. It’s very late.”
“Could you come with us, please?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No problem, Doctor. No problem at all. It’s good news, in fact. We’ve been told that this operation can cease, effective tomorrow morning.”
“Really?” Barbet did his best to feign excitement. “Well, that’s wonderful! But there’s still so much to do. More testing on the specimens. And what about Paolo?”
“The specimens will be transferred to another Alpinus Biofutures research center, where they can be studied and analyzed better. After all, you’re just one man, and you lack the equipment needed to really do an in-depth analysis. The company feels it would be better to have an entire team devoted to this. That way, you can get back to saving lives, rather than examining dead things.”
“I see. And my patient? What of Paolo?”
“He’s being transferred, as well. The company is dedicated to seeing that he gets the best care available. Don’t get me wrong. That’s not to say you haven’t done a commendable job. You have, and my superiors are grateful. It’s just that, again, there are specialists who might be better suited to accommodate him.”
Barbet nodded dumbly, afraid that if he tried to ask any more questions he’d give himself away just as he was about to be allowed home.
Ochse’s expression was quizzical. “I must say, Dr. Barbet, I thought you’d be glad to get rid of us and get things back to normal.”
“Oh, yes. I am glad. I mean, not about getting rid of you, of course. No … I’m just … surprised?”
“That’s perfectly understandable.” Ochse smiled and nodded. “We just got the news ourselves.”
“And it will really be over?”
Ochse smiled, patiently. “I give you my word. You and your husband can rest easy. I hate that we had to drag him into this in the first place, but I had my orders. Just know that it wasn’t personal.”
“And our adoption process? You’ll leave us alone?”
“I wish you nothing but good luck with it. I have two kids of my own. It’s a wonderful thing, to be a parent. Anyway, we’d like your assistance in preparing the specimens for transport. If you would, please?”
“Now?”
“Yes, unfortunately so. I’m afraid the company would like this entire process expedited. If it were up to me, I’d say wait till morning, but you know how these corporate bigwigs are.”
“Of course.”
“Then, please,” Ochse said again. “If you would, come with us.”
Maberry motioned down the corridor with his hand. Swallowing, Barbet walked in the direction indicated. He glanced around, hoping to catch sight of another staff member, or perhaps Carrie and Abhi, but he was alone, except for the two agents. They fell in step behind him, and, under the dim fluorescent lights, their shadows seemed to stretch over his own, engulfing it whole. Their shoes, echoing on the tiles, sounded very loud in the silence.
Barbet wondered if they could hear his heart pounding, as well.
* * *
When she heard the elevator door close, Carrie tiptoed out of her room. She glanced both ways, but the hallway was deserted. Mindful of the facility’s surveillance system, she wondered what to do next. Although she’d only overheard pieces of the discussion between Barbet and the Alpinus agents, she’d heard enough to be concerned. As she stood in the doorframe, chewing her bottom lip and weighing her options, Abhi’s door creaked open. He emerged, yawning and glancing around cautiously.
“You heard?” she whispered.
“Not all of it. I was asleep. But I heard enough to know it was bullshit.”
“Yeah,” Carrie replied, “that’s what I’m thinking, too.”
“What do we do?” He lifted a finger toward the ceiling, reminding her about the cameras and microphones.
“Hey, Abhi.” Carrie spoke louder now, playing to whomever might be watching or listening. “What are you doing awake? Couldn’t sleep, huh?”
He stared at her, blinking, his face aghast. Then, realizing what she was doing, he grinned.
“No, I was asleep, but then that conversation woke me up.”
“Yes.” Carrie nodded emphatically. “I heard that, too. Great news, huh?”
“Aye. Great news indeed. Sounds like we’re going home soon.”
“I know! Isn’t it exciting? I thought I might go down to the lab and see if I can help them prep the specimens for transport. I have experience handling these remains, after all.”
“Ah … um…”
Abhi shifted from one foot to the other, obviously unsure of what she wanted him to say or do.
“Why don’t you check on Paolo?” Carrie suggested. “The noise probably woke him up, too. You can tell him the good news.”
Understanding slowly crept across his features. “Ah, yes. That’s a good idea, Carrie. I’ll go check on Paolo. I just need to go to the bathroom first. The older I get, the worse my prostate is at night.”
Carrie cringed inwardly, all-too-aware that the two of them sounded like they were reading from a script. She was suddenly gripped with indecision. Maybe this wasn’t the right approach. After all, if they were being monitored, whomever was watching them could now inform Ochse that she was on her way down to the lab. Still, it was too late now. Things were already in motion.
Abhi opened the door to his room and slipped inside. Carrie started down the hall, pulse racing, expecting to be stopped or challenged at any moment. Instead, the corridor was silent. She tried to step lightly, but her footfalls echoed in the stillness.
She was confident that Abhi had understood what she was implying—that he should watch over Paolo in case one of the agents arrived. She wondered about his bathroom comment, though. Obviously, he said it because there was something he wanted to retrieve from his room. But what? A weapon, maybe? Whatever the case, she felt confident of his abilities. Paolo would be fine. Dr. Barbet was her primary concern now.
She passed by an empty nurses’ station. The computer was turned off. A cup of coffee sat next to it. She touched the mug with the tip of her index finger. It was cold. She frowned, trying to remember when she’d last seen one of the nurses or staff. This wasn’t the first time she had encountered a deserted nurse’s station, either. Had Alpinus been phasing the staff out, as well? Doing it slowly, so as not to arouse suspicion?
Just how far were they willing to go to keep things quiet?
After reaching the elevator undiscovered, Carrie pressed the button and waited. Watching the lights, she noticed that, instead of ascending from the sub-basement level where the lab was located, the elevator instead began its ascent from the garage level, where the loading docks were. Frowning, Carrie puzzled over that. They couldn’t have already packed the lab specimens and the carcasses from the freezer.
The elevator arrived. The doors hissed open, and Carrie walked inside. She instinctually reached for the lab’s sub-level but after a moment’s hesitation, she pressed the button for the garage level. The doors slid shut. The elevator descended. Carrie noticed idly that someone had turned the music off. The silence was discomforting. Her muscles felt taut, like overstretched guitar strings. As the elevator stopped, she focused on her breathing, using her diving techniques to help steady her nerves, and rehearsed in her head what she’d say if caught sneaking around.
She was still thinking about that when the elevator doors slid open again, and she found herself staring down the barrel of a gun.
“Shit!” Carrie instinctively put her hands up to shield her face. “Whoa. It’s just me. Don’t shoot!”
The gunman, agent Legerski, stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, both hands controlling his weapon, arms outstretched, and elbows locked. One finger was on the trigger guard, a split second away from the trigger itself. Carrie recognized this as a professional sh
ooter’s stance. Heart racing, she tried out her best smile, the one she used during press interviews and to sway investors.
“Jesus, you really scared me. What’s going on?”
Instead of answering her, Legerski spoke to his lapel. Carrie realized he had some sort of Bluetooth device in his ear.
“Ochse, I’ve got Carrie Anderson here.”
There was a pause while, presumably, Ochse responded in his ear. Carrie glanced at the elevator’s control panel, debating making a lunge for the button to close the doors.
“I don’t know,” Legerski said, not taking his eyes off her. “I thought he was on monitor duty, too. What do you want me to do?”
Carrie did her best to appear perplexed and surprised and frightened. For the latter, she didn’t have to pretend.
Come on, you stupid doors, she thought. Fucking close already!
“Okay,” Legerski said. “Affirmative.”
Close, she silently pleaded. Come on!
“Ma’am, step out of the elevator please.” Legerski motioned with the barrel of his handgun.
Sighing in resignation, Carrie slowly complied.
“What’s going on, Legerski?” she asked. “Is there some kind of trouble?”
The agent lowered his weapon but did not holster it. Carrie took a cautious step forward. She estimated that he stood about five feet away from her. As she gauged the distance, she heard the doors slide shut behind her. The elevator dinged, cheerily.
I’m going to rip that thing’s circuits out if I get a chance.
“We’ve had a security breach, Miss Anderson. If you’ll just come with me, please?”
“Come with you where?”
“My orders are to get you to a secure location.”
“Whose orders? Ochse? Maybe I should talk to him instead.”
“He’s right this way. Just come with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you—”
Instead of responding, Legerski raised the weapon and pointed it at her face.
“Okay,” Carrie shouted, putting her hands up again. “Okay, okay. Jesus fucking Christ!”
