by V. E. Lemp
“So, about this strange car,” Aaron said, looking at Mark. “Karen told us it might be someone keeping an eye on her, or us. Why would that be? We aren’t involved in anything shady, and I can’t imagine Karen is either. Seems weird, but hey, I’m willing to listen to an explanation. Karen said you might be able to answer some of our questions.”
Mark draped his arm across the back of sofa, behind Karen’s head. “Perhaps. What has Karen told you?”
“Not much,” Thea said. “Claims you’re investigating the death of Alex Wythe and that project she was involved in years ago, when we were in college.”
“The Morpheus Project.” Karen shifted to sit comfortably on the sofa. When Mark’s arm slipped and dropped onto her shoulders, she froze in place.
Thea’s eyes were alight with mischief. “Yeah, that’s the one.”
“Something to do with dreams, wasn’t it?” Aaron asked.
“Yes, that’s right,” Karen said. “And that’s where I met Alex. I told you about him, Aaron, and I’m sure you’ve heard more from Thea. He died”—Karen closed her fingers over the pendant of her necklace—“many years ago, but there’ve always been questions about what happened, at least in my mind, and Mark—he was the government liaison for the project—he had questions too. So we’ve been digging around to uncover the truth.”
“I see,” Aaron said slowly. “So you think someone isn’t too happy about your investigations?”
“We’re fairly sure of that,” Mark said. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you. It appears the people who’ve been watching us are now also watching you. Not something I’m happy to report, but we must face facts. I think it’s best you’re given enough information to keep an eye out for yourselves and protect your children.”
“Our children?” All humor evaporated from Thea’s voice. “What kind of danger are you talking about? Is someone planning to harm them?”
“I don’t think so,” Mark replied, “but I’m not willing to take any chances. The point is, you’ve been pulled into this situation, like it or not.”
“By me,” Karen said.
“By the people we’re fighting,” Mark countered, his fingers brushing Karen’s shoulder. “They’re the ones at fault. We’re just caught in the crosshairs.”
“So what can we do?” Aaron stood and paced the floor. “What do you suggest we do? I need to do something.”
“Keep your eyes open and report any strange individuals to me. I’ll give you my private number. And,” Mark said with a wry smile, “I’m afraid I need to check your house, including your phones, for any bugs. Apparently Karen and I may have attracted some unwanted surveillance. No telling if it has spilled over onto you, but since you are Karen’s closest friends … ”
Thea’s eyes widened. “You know how to do that?”
“He does,” Karen said. “Along with a few other things.”
Thea’s glance slid from Karen to Mark and back again. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“There are also these people,” Karen said. “Dark-haired, dark-eyed people. Thin, with pale skin. Their eyes may appear strange to you, if you look closely.”
“And?” Aaron stopped pacing to stare at her.
Mark gently pulled Karen closer to his side. “And they’re not to be approached or talked to. And don’t let them near the children. Don’t let them anywhere near you either. If you see them, walk the other way.”
“They’re dangerous, these people?” Thea asked.
“Possibly,” Mark replied. “We’re not sure of their agenda. But I’d avoid them if you can. If you do see them, call me or Karen. But try my number first.”
“This is unbelievable.” Thea crossed the room to be by Aaron’s side. “But I can see by your expressions it’s no joke. My God, what have you two gotten into?”
“The problem is, we’re not entirely sure,” Mark said. “But we know enough to want to put you on your guard. Ignorance may be bliss, but it isn’t safe, not under these circumstances.”
Thea stared at Mark for a moment, then shook her head. “I think now’s the time for some wine.”
“It’s only noon,” Aaron said.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere.” Thea marched into the kitchen. “And even if it isn’t,” she called out, “I don’t give a damn!”
“Mama said a bad word,” piped up a voice. It was Cara, wandering down the hall. She stared at the faces of the grown-ups and frowned. “You fighting?”
“Nope.” Aaron scooped her up into his arms. “We’re not fighting, pumpkin.” He glanced at Mark and Karen. “At least, not each other.”
They talked again that evening, after the children had gone to bed. Karen informed Mark about her conversation with Isabelle as he was checking the house and phone for bugs. He was extremely agitated by her recital of the encounter, but managed to appear calm by the time they met with Thea and Aaron again. Karen, who’d been thinking a great deal about Drew’s death, suggested the remaining Morpheus Project should be warned.
“But how do we do that without alerting the wrong people?” she asked.
“I may be able to manage something,” Mark said, “if I can find a way to send some packages that can’t be traced to us.”
“Do you just need something mailed anonymously, from another city, perhaps?” Aaron asked. “I don’t know if Karen told you, but I’m an electrical engineer. I do mostly contract work, so there’s a lot of travel. I should be able to drop off a few packages in out-of-the-way places.”
Thea smiled at him with pride shining in her eyes. “That might be risky, honey.”
He shrugged. “Well, like it or not, we’re in this thing up to our eyeballs. Might as well do some good.” He lifted his hands. “I like to take action, you know?”
“I understand,” Mark said. “I feel the same. If danger’s going to follow me around like some rabid dog, I’d rather turn and face it than run. But we have to be smart about how we face it. We don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
“I take a few out-of-town trips myself,” Thea said. “I don’t mind helping out. Especially”—she glanced at Karen and Mark—“to protect my children and friends.”
Mark nodded. “Okay. Karen has your number, of course, and your phones appear clean. I’ll call you when the packages are ready, and we can decide where and when to meet.” Mark gazed at them with a somber expression. “I don’t like dragging you into this. Please remember—it will always be your choice, whether to help or not. No one will blame you if you say no.”
“I appreciate that,” Thea said. “But I think we can manage.”
Mark stood and crossed the room to shake hands with Aaron. “We do have one advantage. There are braver people in this world than Ian Vance and his cronies ever dreamt of.” He hugged Thea. “Take care. I need to return to D.C. and start work on our little project. Karen, walk me out?”
She stood with him for a moment at the front door, unsure of what to say.
“I’ll call you later.” Mark pulled her phone from his pocket. “Forgot to give you this earlier. It wasn’t bugged, thank goodness, so it’s fine to use.”
“About that call the other day …” Karen shoved the phone into the pocket of her jeans. She’d debated all afternoon about broaching this topic. “We never really finished that conversation, you know.”
“Didn’t we?” Mark smiled. “I honestly thought we’d moved past it.”
“You said something about a demonstration.” Karen lifted her chin and met his intent gaze.
“That’s right, I did, didn’t I? How could I forget?” He laid one hand against her face. “Close your eyes.”
Karen blinked at him. “What?”
“I’m going to kiss you properly. It’s probably best if you aren’t staring at me with that astonished expression the entire time.”
Before she had a chance to reply, he leaned in and kissed her.
“Now that’s better,” he said, after several minutes. “I knew you had it in you.�
�
“Don’t get too full of yourself. I’m just using you for practice.”
Mark laughed. “Well, use me all you want. I don’t mind.” His expression sobered as he examined her face. “Take care, Karen. These encounters with dark-eyed strangers are worrying.”
“I’ll be fine,” Karen said, still processing her reaction to his kiss. “You’ll take care of yourself, too, won’t you?” She gazed at his calm face. His eyes were shadowed behind his glasses.
“I’ve been doing that for years. Don’t intend to stop now.” He bent down to kiss her swiftly on the lips. “Practice,” he said, with a brief grin. “We can continue our training sessions in a few days.”
She bit her lip to smother a smile. “Maybe I’ll find someone else to practice on in your absence.”
“I won’t be gone that long,” he called over his shoulder as he headed for his car. “And I rather doubt”—he paused by the open car door—“you’re that fast a mover.”
Thea walked up behind Karen as Mark drove off. “If you don’t give that man a chance, and I mean a real chance, I’ll personally hunt you down and kick your ass.”
Karen turned to her, and they fell into each other’s arms, laughing. Over Thea’s shoulder Karen saw Aaron watch them for a moment before shaking his head in amusement and striding away.
Dream Journal, July 22nd:
I stood at the top of a grand staircase, gazing down at a great hall where a masquerade ball was underway. There was an orchestra playing somewhere. Dancers in colorful costumes wove in and out of a colonnade formed by polished marble pillars. I walked down the stairs, my hand gliding along the slick surface of the stone handrail. When I reached the bottom of the staircase I was instantly caught up among the dancers, swept along by their energetic movements, although I had no partner of my own. I realized every dancer had the same face—pale skin and dark eyes. Of course, it was a masquerade. They were all wearing masks. I lifted my hand to feel the form of my own mask, but my face was bare.
“Dance with me,” called a voice from the crowd. A familiar, beloved voice.
I spun about, following the sound, but couldn’t locate the speaker.
“Where are you?” I cried.
The dancers stopped in place and turned to me. They spoke as one. “We’re here. Beside you. All around you. Where we’ve always been.”
“Not you. I’m not looking for you.”
“You must go through us,” the dancers said, “to find what you want.”
“Why? What do you want from me? What use do you have for me?”
The dancers separated like a sea parting. At the far end of their ranks, I spied a solitary figure—a slender, dark-haired woman. She walked until she was standing before me.
“Your hands make art,” she said. “Just as the fingers of a musician make music. Just as the body of a dancer gives form to dance. Just as the voice of the actor brings drama to life. These things are precious to us.”
“Why?
“We have no art of your own. It is the one thing we do not possess. And thus something we treasure, in all its forms. It is the reason”—her dark eyes flashed behind her mask—“we have studied you so long.”
“No art?” I contemplated this concept for a moment. How could any beings live in such a world? What would life be without the things that gave mine meaning? “But you dance in my dreams. You have music in my dreams. Music and art and color and life.”
“It is you that make it so,” the woman said. “Your mind, and your creativity supply what our dream messages lack.”
“Take off your masks,” I demanded. “Show me your true form.”
“You cannot see us, Karen Foster,” said the assembly. “Your eyes are not yet accustomed to the light.”
I ran into that mob, but as I reached for their masks each dancer disappeared. “I’ve given you my art!” I shouted. “Now give me what I want.”
There was no one left in that great marble hall. No one but me and one solitary figure.
“What is it you want, Karen Foster?”
“I don’t know.” I sat down on the mosaic floor, in the middle of that great hall, bathed in the light that shone all around me, and burst into tears.
“You know. But you must find the courage to admit the truth. This will come, Karen Foster, if you will open your heart. You have an artist’s heart. It will lead you if allow it.”
“I want love. But it eludes me.”
“It is waiting for you,” the dark-haired woman said. “You must simply look. Look and see, Karen Foster. What do you see?”
I glanced up at the top of the stairs, where another figure stood. Tall and slender, and watching me intently. “Alex,” I said, rising to my feet.
“Is this what you want?” The woman laid her hand upon my arm. “You must ask yourself, Karen Foster, if you want this dream.”
“What else is there?” I longed to run up those stairs, but my feet wouldn’t move.
“There is your life.” The woman turned her face to me. She no longer wore a mask.
“Alice, what do you know of my life?”
“I have watched you for many years. I know your true nature. I know your mind. I have guessed at the secrets of your heart. You were not meant for smallness, Karen Foster. You are on the path you were meant to walk. Can you not guess who is meant to walk beside you?”
“I thought I knew. But now I’m not sure.”
“Your heart knows the answer,” Alice said. “It is your mind that rejects it. Do not deny the truth, Karen Foster. Do not be afraid to see clearly.”
She faded then, before my eyes. I stood in a plain white room, without music, without any trace of color or life. I sank to the floor and closed my eyes and refused to look at anything else until I woke in my own bed.
ELEVEN
After returning home, Karen spent several days walking the university campus, pondering the events of the last weeks. She eventually stood before the Indigo Building, staring at its bland facade. If she had not entered those doors, how different her life might have been. But if she had never entered that building, she would never have known Alex. Karen moved away from the building and found a quiet bench under the canopy of an oak tree. She sat and considered a life with or without Alex and realized no amount of pain would ever tip the scales to a point where she would have chosen not to know him. And now—now there were other people who mattered. The Morpheus Project students and their families. And Myron and Ariel Tarrow. And Mark.
Karen sat and stared at the campus lawn—a tapestry of greens mingling to create a smooth blanket of grass. The perfect pasture for unicorns. Karen reached for her cell phone.
“Mark,” she said as soon as he answered, “I’m going to talk to David Cole.”
“Very well.” His sigh betrayed his feelings on the matter. “But remember he’s lying about something. Maybe not everything, but there’s information he’s holding back. See what you can extract, but don’t expect the absolute truth.”
“You don’t mind?”
“It’s your life, Karen. I may suggest the best course of action from time to time, but I’m not going to tell you what to do and when to do it. I highly doubt,” he said, in a lighter tone, “I’d be very successful at that anyway.”
“Then we’ll get along just fine,” Karen said with a little laugh.
“But, Karen, one thing—try not to flirt with him too much, would you?” Mark’s bantering tone took the bite out of his words. “Especially since I’m not there to keep you in line.”
“I do not flirt.”
“Don’t you? David Cole might disagree. He certainly had his eye on you.”
“Nonsense. He has no interest in me.”
“Oh, I don’t think I’d say that. Anyway, I’d rather you not encourage him.”
“For my own protection?”
“No, for mine.” There was a slight pause before Mark continued speaking. “I plan to be home tomorrow night if you’d like to stop by. After
I drop off the packages with Thea and Aaron. I’ll call you tonight with the time. And Karen,” he added, in a firm voice, “please be careful.”
“I’ll try.”
“Do more than try. I want to see you again, you know.”
“Strangely enough, I think I’m looking forward to seeing you as well.” Karen hung up before he could say anything else.
Karen called David Cole and made an appointment to meet with the researcher the following day. She apologized profusely for the delay, but David graciously brushed aside her explanation.
“I assumed you had a good reason. I’m just glad you contacted me now. I’ve been looking forward to speaking with you again.” Karen thought she detected sincerity in David’s voice.
The next day, as she stepped off the elevator onto the third floor, she couldn’t help but glance down the hall. There were barricades placed in front of the double doors. She shook her head and walked to David’s office.
“Hello?” she called out as she knocked on the door. “It’s Karen.”
David opened the door immediately, giving her a warm hello and stepping into the hall to allow her to enter the office in front of him.
“The barriers are back up,” Karen said.
“So they are. I do check them every day.”
“I certainly hope so.” Karen took a seat in one of the office chairs. “I’d hate to think of anyone else getting hurt because of Exocorp. Enough people have been harmed already.”
“What do you mean?” David sat behind his desk. “Who’s been harmed?”
“Well, Drew Bronski, for one. And his family, of course.”
“Bronski. Yes, I did hear something of that. Terrible tragedy. He worked for Exocorp for some years, I believe, but I didn’t know him, except in passing. I can’t imagine why he’d take his own life.”
“Neither can I.” Karen fixed David with a pointed stare. “In fact, I don’t believe he did. But unfortunately, that’s what the reports say. So his family’s left thinking he abandoned them.”
