Finding 01 Finding Kaden

by Jean Reinhardt

  Martha shook her head.

  “Please excuse me, I need to be alone right now, Jasper, can you. . ?”

  The boy stepped forward and took her arm, leading her to her room.

  “Don’t worry, Martha, I’ll see them out.”

  He hugged her before heading back to the living room. Promising to get in touch as soon as they had more information regarding the accident, the officers left the apartment. Standing alone in the middle of the room, Jasper looked around at the photos of Martha’s son. She had them displayed on the walls and in frames on the desk. His heart ached for her. Slumping to the floor, Jasper released all of the pain he had bottled up at the loss of his own brother, finally allowing himself to grieve.

  The funeral arrangements were made by the college, with Martha’s consent. She was in no fit state to make those kind of decisions. Losing her husband the year before Kyle came into her life, left a big empty space in her heart. The couple had been fostering for years, with a view to adopting, as they had no children of their own.

  Even when Martha’s husband became terminally ill the fostering went on. Sick as he was, he loved having young people in the house, and they all loved him. He was a fantastic gardener and spent many hours teaching the boys they fostered how to grow and harvest food. Just before his death, he made Martha promise that she would carry on caring for children in need. He assured her she would have no financial worries as he had already taken care of that.

  When he passed away Martha sold the house and moved into the city. She had no heart for gardening or looking after a big house any more. Instead she did voluntary work with young people and that was how she came to meet Kyle, and began fostering again. It was as if they were meant to be a family, he fit so easily into her life and as other boys came and went, he remained. After a three year wait his adoption was finalized.

  At the Wall of Remembrance Kyle’s ashes were put into a small chamber alongside her husband’s. Martha held onto Jasper throughout the service, and he was glad of this. He didn’t know anyone there and almost hadn’t come that morning. Martha didn’t want to force him, saying she understood and that she would be fine. At the last minute he changed his mind, not wanting to let her go through it on her own. Once the service was over people began to file past offering their condolences. It seemed like the whole college had turned up, pupils and tutors. One of the students embraced Martha and held onto her hand for quite a while, whispering something in her ear. A strange look came over her face and when the young man stepped back and nodded to her, she introduced him to Jasper.

  “This is Scott, he was Kyle’s best friend and roommate. Jasper is staying with me. I told Kyle I was fostering again. I wish they had met, I’m sure they would have liked each other.”

  The boys shook hands.

  “I know they would, Martha. Kyle was always saying you should get back into fostering. If you need anything at all, please let me know. Promise me?”

  Martha thanked him and said she would.

  “Let’s go home, it’s been a long day,” she said to Jasper.

  Leaning forward, Martha kissed the plaque on the wall and said goodbye to her son. Making their way back to the line of cars, neither of them noticed Detective Matthews watching from a distance.

  ******

  Jasper had made some lunch and knocked on Martha’s bedroom door. There was no answer so he thought she might be sleeping. He had just taken a mouthful of food when she stepped into the kitchen. Putting a finger to her mouth warning him not to talk, she signalled for him to follow her back to her room.

  On their way Martha pointed at a delicate vase sitting on a narrow desk and frowned. Jasper noticed it was not in its usual place. He was surprised when she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into her bathroom, saying something about a leak. Having turned on the shower, Martha held out her hand to show him a memory card which she then put into a small recording device.

  She spoke in a hushed voice.

  “This was given to me by Scott at the funeral today. He was to make sure I received it if anything should happen to Kyle. I want you to look at it and then listen to what I have to say.”

  She gave him a set of earphones. Jasper nodded, not asking any questions as he looked at the small machine in his hand. He could see that it was Kyle speaking.

  “Hi Mom, if you are watching this recording it means I am either dead or missing. Firstly, I want you to know that I love you more than I’ve ever told you. You have given me so much, emotionally and materially, and I can never repay you. Please keep up the good work you do for homeless kids and those needing help.

  Now I’m going to tell you something that you will find hard to believe, but it is vital that you do exactly as I say on this recording. Your life may depend on it. The apartment might be bugged, so please be careful.

  I was doing some research for my course on investigative journalism, and what you have been telling me about the odd goings on at the Soup n Sleep rang alarm bells. I think there’s a link between some of the street kids that have gone missing over the last few years and the shelter. Now Lloyd Seager’s son has mysteriously disappeared. Don’t trust the police, some of them are involved but I’m not sure who. Seager himself may be part of it, as he fundraises for the charity. If his son is being held hostage it could be keeping him silent.

  It’s common knowledge that there is a link between the Brubaker Clinic and Soup n Sleep and they want everyone to applaud their good works. I found out they provide a high protein, vitamin and mineral rich soup for the boys that go there so they can build them up. I don’t know why, but it’s not just for the good of their health. I had a lab technician at college test some samples. One of the main ingredients is krill oil and you know how expensive that is.

  Grant Brubaker’s father, who opened a clinic in Mexico nearly thirty years ago, has business interests in Antarctica. We both know how high someone must be connected to get permission for that. But something happened recently to rock the boat. Grant Brubaker had a secret meeting in a bar called McCauley’s, Eastside in the city. I had been following him and went into a diner across the street to watch from there. After ten minutes or so a detective showed up, his name is Jake Matthews, and he is very friendly with Lloyd Seager, as is Brubaker. Their meeting lasted about a half hour, the detective leaving first, followed by Brubaker a little while later.

  The thing is, ever since America won the battle for Antarctica, there has been a lot of business interest in the place, and it’s not just the krill industry. The public doesn’t know what goes on there but the Brubaker Clinic is deeply involved. So don’t trust anybody. I’m giving you this information because I want you to be aware of why you might be followed or even brought in for questioning. Play dumb, don’t take any chances and remember, the apartment might be bugged. Trust your instinct, you are usually right.

  If you think Jasper should see this recording, make sure he realizes how serious the situation is. Jasper, if you are watching, it’s because Martha feels you are in danger too, so be careful. Oh, and by the way, welcome to the family, and please take care of our mother while I’m away. Well, it’s getting late so I’ll finish up now. Love you forever, Mom. Please be careful.”

  Kyle blew a kiss to the camera and the screen turned black.

  Martha, wiping tears from her face, turned off the shower.

  “I don’t think the bathroom is bugged, but the vase in the hallway has been moved. Did you do that, Jasper?”

  The boy shook his head.

  “Are you joking? You warned me not to touch that in case I broke it.”

  It was the last present Martha’s husband bought her before he died.

  “Well someone has moved it. I would never leave it that close to the edge.”

  She picked it up and checked the base.

  “Nothing unusual there,” she said, stooping to look at the underside of the hall table.

  “I can see a mark on the wood and it feels a bit sticky. I bet a dev
ice was planted there, maybe by that detective, Jake Matthews. Now that Kyle is no longer a threat, there is probably no need to bug the apartment. I’m sure it’s safe to talk now. Let’s put our heads together and try to make sense of all this, Jasper.”

  ******

  Detective Matthews looked across the table at Grant Brubaker. The men had arranged another secret meeting. Jake was sure Martha’s son had been murdered. But how big a threat could he have been? Surely a college student couldn’t do too much damage.

  “All I know is, the information I supply gets passed on,” Grant said. “I haven’t a clue what’s done with it or who makes the decisions. Have you considered the fact that the kid might have genuinely had an accident? It happens all the time with young drivers.”

  Grant wasn’t going to have his father’s clinic dragged into a murder investigation. The detective stood up and paced back and forth.

  “His mother’s apartment was bugged, wasn’t it, along with his room on campus?” Jake said.

  “Do I have to remind you that you owe the Alliance big time for those ten extra years you and your wife had together?” Grant knew those words would give Jake a reality check.

  The detective had been reminded of the fact that his loyalty was the price of a new heart for his sick wife, and no amount of money would release him from that debt. Besides, he agreed in principle with the ethics of the Alliance. The streets had definitely become safer, less petty theft, too.

  “Any news on Lloyd’s son?” Jake changed the subject quickly.

  “I’m getting that sorted as best I can tomorrow, but I can’t make any promises. From what I’ve gathered so far, none of the young men in the program have made any claims to be Kaden Seager.”

  “For crying out loud, Grant, the boy appears to have amnesia, for now at least. His memory could come back at any time. You need to get things sorted before that happens.” Jake shouted in frustration.

  Grant Brubaker threw his hands in the air.

  “Okay, okay, keep your voice down, I’m working on it.”

  The meeting came to an end as there was nothing either one could do at that moment. They left in their usual manner, one at a time.

  Lydia Brubaker and her daughter were packed and ready to go when Grant arrived home. The flights to Mexico were booked and a sense of relief swept over him at the thought of getting away for a few days. That feeling wasn’t to last for very long. Someone had come to the door, and when Megan opened it, Grant was surprised to see Amelia standing there grasping the handle of an overnight case.

  “Thanks so much for inviting me, I’m so excited. I think I was ten years old the last time I was at your grandfather’s ranch in Mexico.”

  The two girls linked arms and ran up to Megan’s room. Grant looked at his wife with a puzzled expression.

  “I knew you wouldn’t object. It might take Amelia’s mind off all this business about Kaden for a while. Do her some good, don’t you think?”

  What could he say?

  “That’s a great idea, sweetie. I’ll just go pack some things”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  The boys listened as the man in the white coat spoke to them. He explained how they would be given the opportunity to serve their continent, America, living a far better life than the one they had left behind. They would be well looked after, providing they didn’t cause any problems. Their working day was twelve hours long and he advised them to get a good night’s sleep as they would have an early start in the morning.

  “An evening meal will be provided when the rest of your comrades arrive back. In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable, there are books to read and board games to play. That’s the way your great grandparents amused themselves in their day,” he said, signalling to the guards.

  Some of the boys had begun to ask questions but the men left the room without even a backward glance.

  Through the large glass ceiling the sky appeared to be getting darker. The hours dragged by until the door to their courtyard was unlocked and swung open. A group of young men ranging from fifteen to eighteen years of age shuffled in. They looked exhausted. Nobody spoke a word. Tuck had been sitting with Kaden trying to help him regain the rest of his memory.

  “If that’s what we have to look forward to maybe you should go ahead and tell them who you are Teach. Death might be the easier option.”

  Kaden was filtering his memories, which were coming back in waves and crowding his head.

  “I think you have a point about me keeping my identity hidden. At least for now, until I know exactly what these people are capable of,” he said.

  Two young men from the weary group went into Tuck and Kaden’s bunk room. They followed them in, introducing themselves.

  “We don’t know why we’re here, could you fill us in on what’s going on?” asked Tuck.

  One of the boys was sitting on a bunk, his back against the wall, eyes closed. The other one was lying down, already asleep. They looked exhausted. Kaden grabbed Tuck’s arm and began to pull him towards the door.

  “Come on, let’s leave them in peace, they’re shattered. Sorry for bothering you, maybe we can talk in the morning.”

  The young man leaning against the wall called them back.

  “It’s okay, I know what you must be feeling right now. We have half an hour before food arrives and lights go out in two hours, so let me just rest up first. We can talk as we eat.”

  Kaden thanked him and left the room with Tuck.

  The only sound around the large table in the courtyard was of food being eaten. They were all ravenous. It was a good meal. Tuck, as usual, was the first to speak and Kaden kicked him under the table. The young man who had promised to answer their questions smiled.

  “That was my foot you just kicked,” he said. “It’s okay, what do you want to ask me?”

  “Why are we here?” both of them asked.

  “Shucks, I thought the first thing you would want to know was my name, which by the way is Ash, short for Ashton, and you are - sorry, didn’t quite get it the first time.

  “I’m Tuck, he’s Kaden.”

  “What’s Tuck short for?” Kaden asked.

  “I take things, I TOOK your wallet, didn’t I?” he laughed and said his real name was Trucker Tucker, his father being drunk when he registered him.

  “It could have been worse, the registrar wouldn’t accept the name he really wanted, you can guess what that was - it rhymes with Tucker. Everyone thought it was funny except my mother, she always called me Tuck, right up to the day she died.”

  Pointing at Kaden he said, “And HIS name is short for I’M NOT HOMELESS AND NOBODY BELIEVES ME! Now can we get back to the more important stuff?”

  The introductions over, Ash pointed to the cameras strategically placed around the room.

  “They watch everything we do, in the bunk room and bathroom as well. But I’m pretty sure they can’t hear us. We tested that out some time ago. One of us accused another of having a knife. Nothing happened so we tried a few more things that should have had us searched or punished, but nobody paid any attention, so it’s okay to talk. I think the only reason they monitor us is in case a bad fight breaks out, which used to happen a lot, but not so much anymore. We’re all too tired to fight.”

  Tuck leaned forward, looking around the table.

  “Why is everyone so exhausted?” he asked.

  “Tomorrow morning, you’ll be woken up at 6 am, there’s a clock over that door, in case you hadn’t noticed,” Ash pointed at the entrance to the courtyard.

  “After a decent breakfast, you are going to put on your insulated clothing and snow boots and leave here to march for twenty minutes in the freezing cold. You’ll be headed toward a mine shaft and go down in a lift so deep the temperature rises. Welcome to Antarctica’s only gold mine, boys.”

  Tuck smiled and said, “What’s so bad about that, do we get paid?”

  Ash laughed but never answered the question. He asked one instead.

>   “Which bunks did you pick for yourselves, I bet it was a top one, the bigger guys always pick those.”

  Kaden said both he and Tuck had top bunks.

  “What difference does it make?” he asked.

  “You’ll see for yourself this time tomorrow,” Ash said.

  He went on to explain how they were all unpaid workers, slaves held captive with no chance of escape.

  There was a huge underground lake in the area that was very important and unique. It had to be protected from any risk of pollution, so modern mining methods could not be used to extract the gold from the surrounding rock. The job had to be painstakingly done with a pick. Nobody would do that work for any amount of money, and if they were to be paid what the labour was worth there would be no profit. So slave labour was the answer.

  “Most of the guards are mining engineers and they never tire of telling us how well they are paid. They don’t do any heavy work, not even when they see how exhausted we are,” Ash said.

  “What happens if someone is sick?” asked Kaden.

  “There is a sick bay, but if you miss work too often then you disappear. It can be dangerous in the mine. Every now and again one of us has an accident. If it’s a serious injury, we don’t see that person again. You lot are replacing guys we lost in a cave-in recently.”

  Ash looked from Tuck to Kaden and lowered his voice to a whisper.

  “If you try to escape on the way there or back, they’ll shoot you. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve never killed anyone, but I feel that I’ve been given a life sentence of hard labour. All I ever did was rob a few stores to feed myself and my little brother. I don’t deserve this. None of us here do.”

  Once the meal was over the boys went to their bunk rooms to settle down for the night. Ash lay on his back under Kaden’s bed. He introduced them to the sleeping form on the lower bunk next to his.

  “That’s Harley snoring already. He’s going through a bad patch right now. His younger brother was one of the guys who died in that accident I told you about, so don’t expect him to be too sociable.”