James (Teumessian Trilogy Book 2)

by Ana Elise Meyer

  “Yes, they are telling stories. The ghost is fake,” Chessy added.

  “Believe what you want. The ghost is real, and he is deadly. He killed Rachel and what I want to know is for who. What could Rachel have known that could cost her her life?” Elliot added.

  Greg heard the words and instantly looked to James.

  James felt a lump in his throat. Was the information about him what they were after? Was he the next target? James stood up, “I am going to bed. I hope they catch whoever killed her.” James walked from the room.

  “Watch out for the ghost!” Elliot hollered to him. James ignored him. He wanted to get away from the conversation and the idea that Rachel was killed because of him.

  James went straight to the classroom. He wanted to call Uncle Finn and there was a phone in there. James entered the classroom and found it vacant as he had expected. James hated using the phone in the lounge. He liked the privacy of the classroom. He picked up the black phone that was on the main desk at the front of the classroom and took a seat. James took a deep breath, reached down and dialed the number.

  The phone rang three times before a familiar voice came on the phone. It was Uncle Robby.

  James smiled, “Hey, Robby, it’s James. Is Uncle Finn home?”

  “Of course he is. How are you doing?”

  “I’m doing okay, just feeling homesick.”

  “Well, you stay tough. I will get him. Hey Finn, it’s James on the phone for you.”

  James could hear the phone exchange hands.

  “Hey, bud, how are you?” Finn asked.

  “Uncle Finn, it is so good to hear your voice. I’m doing okay, just missing home.” James replied, trying to sound convincing.

  Finn was not fooled, “James, what’s wrong? You don’t sound like yourself. What is going on there? Are they treating you okay?”

  James took a deep breath, “Things just seem off here. They were asking about my mother.”

  James heard only silence on the other end of the phone.

  “You know nothing about her do you?” James questioned hopefully.

  Finn took a deep breath, “James, I know nothing about her. I didn’t even know about you until you showed up on my doorstep. My brother had a lot of girlfriends. Any of them could have been your mother. Why would they want to know about that?”

  James felt his head drop, “I don’t know, but….” James stopped himself. He didn’t want to upset Finn.

  “But what, James?”

  James thought for a second, “But I wish I knew more about her.”

  “I’m sorry I can't help you. We miss you.” Finn wanted to change the subject. He knew very little and he didn’t want James to know what he knew.

  “I miss you guys too,” James smiled. It was nice to be missed.

  “You stay strong and if you need anything, you call us immediately.”

  “I will. I need to get back to my room. Good night.”

  “Good night to you, too.”

  “Good night!” Robby added in from the background.

  James continued to smile as he hung up the phone. He quickly got up from the desk because he didn’t want to be caught in the classroom. He moved back to his dorm room. Getting to touch base with the only family he knew had made him feel better. They may be curious about his mother, but he had family that mattered to him a lot more.

  Chapter

  12

  James put Rachel’s death to the back of his mind. He needed to focus on his studies and training, not on his potential influence on Rachel’s life. James excelled in his physical training, though his language skills were not as impressive. Chessy, on the other hand, was extremely skilled in languages. James saw this as his opportunity to get to know her better.

  “Seriously, James, if you think asking her for help will help you get up her skirt, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.” Tim laughed, patting James on the back as they sat on the hill overlooking the training field.

  “Hold up, that’s a bit crass. I just want to get to know her better.” James smiled, looking at the field where Chessy was sitting with her friends.

  “You are wasting your time and your lunch break focused on something you can’t have,” Greg said, throwing a wrapped sandwich to James.

  James caught it and leaned back against the tree behind him. “Look, she is just my type and I think she could help me a lot with my language skills. Just give me time, I will get her attention.”

  “James, you are hopeless,” Greg laughed.

  “There is always hope!” James stood up and smiled, “My destiny awaits.” He made his way down the hill.

  Tim turned to Greg, “Ten bucks say he gets punched in the nuts.”

  Greg laughed. “I am not taking that bet; I am going with a broken nose.”

  “You are on.”

  They both turned to watch.

  James made his way toward the small group sitting with Chessy. “Hey Franchesca, can I talk to you for a minute?” James asked as he approached the group.

  Chessy looked up, “Okay.” She didn’t move.

  “Can we talk alone?” James asked.

  Chessy took a breath. “Fine.” She stood up.

  James gestured for her to follow him. They moved away from the group and toward the small grove of trees.

  “So, what do you want?” Chessy asked, crossing her arms.

  “Look, I know you are the best with languages and I am really struggling. Is there any way you could consider helping me?” James asked with a smile.

  “Really, is this all you got? Look James, I am sure you are not a major creeper, but grow up. You are around adults, not little high schoolers. I am not here looking for hook-ups. I am here to serve my country. I suggest you keep your focus on that as well.” Chessy turned to walk away.

  “Wait, just wait and hear me out,” James persisted.

  Chessy turned back to face him.

  “I am here for the same. My dad died serving this country and I want to make him proud. I’m sorry if you think I am being inappropriate, but you are exquisite.”

  Chessy rolled her eyes.

  “And you are the best with languages and I need help. Please,” James pleaded.

  “Fine, but this is a professional courtesy, I don’t need you insulting a dignitary or something.” Chessy pointed to James.

  James smiled, “I am your student.”

  “Tonight, during free time, we can work in the lounge,” Chessy walked away.

  “Thank you!” James called out. She just waved her hand. James smiled and looked up to Tim and Greg, watching on the hill. James walked up the hill and rejoined them.

  “So which of you two took ‘gets hit’? I know you made a bet. Because you lost, she is going to help me.” James smiled as he took a seat.

  “You are a lucky guy, have you seen her throw down on the mats? She is strong and skilled. You are lucky you didn’t piss her off,” Greg replied.

  “He still has time.” Tim laughed.

  James just grinned, “I will do my best not to get beat to a pulp.”

  Chapter

  13

  James met with Chessy that evening and every evening after to work on his translation skills. He grew more and more fond of her as they spent more time together. She was warming up to him as well. James felt himself getting comfortable around her, even more so than around Tim and Greg. However, she always kept it professional, holding him at an arm’s length. James knew that he needed to be honest with her to gain her trust and he wanted nothing more than to be closer to her.

  “Chessy, I need to tell you something,” James said as he slowly closed the book in front of him.

  Chessy looked up from her book, “James, unless it has to do with your learning, I think you should just keep it to yourself.”

  “No, I really need to talk to someone about this. Would you please just listen?”

  “Okay,” she replied, closing her book.

  “I think I am respons
ible for Rachel’s death.”

  Chessy’s eyes widened, “What? Do you know who killed her? Why haven’t you told Ray or John?”

  “No, I don’t know who did it, but I think it was because of me.”

  “Because of you?”

  “That day when you found me on the field, I had been in a session with Rachel. She had been pressing me for information on my mother. I didn’t want to tell her anything, but I told her what I knew and she was killed shortly afterwards.”

  “James, that is a stretch. It could have been a coincidence. Who was your mother that people would kill for information about her?”

  “I don’t know who my mother was.” James paused and took a breath. “I only remember what she did.”

  Chessy lowered her head and whispered, “What did she do?”

  James was struggling, but he needed to tell someone he trusted, “She killed a man and then herself, in front of me.”

  Chessy gasped, holding her hands to her mouth. She was at a loss for words. She just stared at James.

  “I’m terrified of knowing who she was when someone would want to know what I remembered of her when I can only remember so little.”

  “You know she was your mother?”

  James just nodded, “I see her face at night when I go to sleep. In my heart, I know she was.”

  Chessy was trying to process what she was hearing, “Your father, he died as well?”

  “Yes, but before that. The man who took me to my mother killed my father. I am starting to believe it was a custody thing or something. She isn’t on my birth certificate.”

  “James, that sounds….”

  “Off.” James finished her sentence. “I know it is weird and there are pieces missing. I want nothing more than to find out what really happened and who she really was.”

  “Do you have any other family?”

  “My Uncle Finn raised me, but he never talks about my father and never admits to knowing anything about my mother. I never wanted to push him. He is a good man, and I didn’t want to burden him.”

  “Then what do you plan to do?”

  James shrugged.

  “Cute, but you have a plan. Don’t act like you don’t."

  “Well, we work for the CIA now, so maybe I can get some information that way. They may have more in my file then I know about myself.”

  Chessy scanned the room, “Are you considering doing what I think you are? If you get caught, you will be kicked out and potentially locked up. Why don’t you just ask Ray? He may be willing to help. Whatever you told Rachel, I am pretty sure she told him anyway.”

  James sighed, “Okay, I will try that first, but if he gives me nothing, I'll have to try it my way.”

  “Okay, you better go now.”

  “Why? Is he still here?”

  “Yah, he stays late into the evening. I see him in his office this late all the time.”

  “What are you doing near the admin building late at night?” James replied flirtatiously.

  Chessy laughed, “And you’re done. Get going.”

  James got up and saluted, “Yes ma’am!” before walking from the room.

  James made his way to the admin building, and she was right. Ray’s office light was still on. James entered the building and walked down the hallway to Ray’s office. The door was half open. James could see Ray at his desk, reading through files. James gently knocked on the door frame.

  Ray looked up, “James, come in. What can I do for you?”

  James stepped into the office and gently closed the door behind him. He was nervous, wringing his hands.

  Ray could tell. “James, what’s wrong?” He leaned back in his chair.

  “Sir, I have been debating talking to you about this. I don’t want you to think I’m crazy, because I am not.”

  Ray smiled. “James, out with it.”

  “I think I’m responsible for Rachel’s death,” he blurted out.

  “Why do you think that?” Ray leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk.

  “Because she was digging into my past and she was killed shortly after she learned about my mother.”

  “Your mother?” Ray questioned, confused.

  James realized that Ray knew nothing about his mother killing herself.

  “James, you need to tell me more about this.”

  “I told her that I witnessed my mother killing a man and then herself. That’s all I know about her, but I think it was enough to get Rachel killed. I don’t know who my mother was or why anyone would want to know anything about her, but it seemed really important to Rachel.” James was rushing through his words. He was nervous and scared.

  “Calm down, calm down. I believe you.”

  “Please tell me you know something about my family. Anything that can give me some answers. I need to know if this was my fault.”

  “James, when you were added to the program, I did as much research as I could. A birth certificate with no mother and no information showing why you were selected raised major flags to me. I’m really sorry to tell you that I found little. Your father had his hand in a lot of pots. It is almost impossible to figure them all out. However, I figured out that he was heavily involved in Soldat Industries.”

  James looked confused, “What’s Soldat Industries?”

  “That is where all the money in your trust fund came from.”

  James gulped. He had never touched that trust fund and didn’t want to. Making his own way was important to him. He also never wanted anyone to know about it.

  “Yes, son, I know about it. Soldat was a weapons' company that was shut down after numerous deaths, including your father’s.”

  James held his breath, “How many deaths?”

  “Enough."

  “Who was responsible for the deaths?”

  “That is sealed.”

  James nodded. “Did you find anything about my mother?”

  “No, she is a mystery. There are no records of her.”

  James hung his head.

  “Son, I’m sorry, but she doesn’t exist.”

  “You know that can’t be true. I had to have a mother.”

  “Yes, but what you are telling me about her is the first piece of information I have ever heard. Do you know anything else about your family?”

  “No, that’s why I am asking you,” James replied, frustrated.

  “James, trust me to keep looking. I am not a big fan of being out of the loop on my team. You see that portrait up there?” Ray pointed to the large black and white portrait that was hung on the wall to his left.

  James looked to it, “Yes sir.”

  “That is my great-great-great-grandfather General John Buford. Do you know who he was?”

  James smiled, Uncle Finn would be disappointed if he didn’t, “Yes, sir. He was a Union Cavalry General during the Civil War.”

  “Well, he knew the importance of the ‘high ground’ and back in those days, it was about position. In this day however, it is about information. I make it my business to stay informed. James, you are one of mine and therefore you are under my protection. Let me try to find out more.”

  James smiled slightly, “Yes, sir.”

  “Now go back to your dorm and get some sleep. You are not responsible for Rachel’s death. She was responsible for herself, not you.”

  James nodded, “Yes, sir.” James turned and left the office. Ray leaned back into his chair. He knew there was more, there had to be more. James was thinking the same as he made his way back to his dorm.

  Once James got to his dorm, he realized all his roommates were already asleep. It was only 10:00pm, but they had to be up early. James quietly moved to his bed and pulled his bag out from under his bed. He opened it and pulled his teddy bear out. He sat down on his bed and gripped it in his hands. It was getting old and worn, but the words ‘we love you’ were still clear. He felt tears coming to his eyes. She was real. He could remember her face. He never understood why he clung to her so much. It ju
st had to be the belief that she was real. James held the bear to his chest and laid back onto his bed. He would find out who she was and who he was. Those were his last thoughts as he drifted to sleep.

  Chapter

  14

  The following morning Ray caught John up to speed.

  “Okay, what did you need to talk to me about that I had to get up an hour earlier for?” John said as he took the seat across from Ray’s desk.

  “There is more going on with James than we thought.”

  “I told you.” John leaned forward in his chair.

  “He knows very little about his mother, but he told Rachel what he knew. I am really starting to worry about what the information actually means and who she was.”

  “Is she alive?”

  “According to James, she is dead. She killed herself in front of him.”

  “Then why would anyone care about her?”

  “His father’s weapons' company fell apart. There were numerous deaths that have no record of why or how, just that they died. People may think James knows more about what happened there than he is saying. I am worried for his safety.”

  “I’m worried for everyone's safety with him around. If people are out after him, he could jeopardize all of them.”

  “We are not turning our backs on him. He is one of ours and we will protect him. I will find out what is going on and I need to know you are on board with this.”

  John shook his head, “Ray, I trust you. It is not that. I just worry that this is beyond us. I have your back and you know that, but you need to keep all of their safeties as a top priority. We are not even one hundred percent certain what we are sending these kids into, and with a potential secondary threat....” John stopped himself and looked straight at Ray.

  Ray hadn’t flinched, “Tell me you are on board. I need your help.”

  John ran his hands through his grey hair. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Train him, and train him well. We will keep him with those he trusts nearby. Always keep your ears and eyes open. This stays between us.”

  John took a deep breath. “Okay, then I better get to the training grounds. We only have six more months to get them ready.”