Rise & Walk (Book 2): Pathogen

by Gregory Solis

  “Have him do it tonight; I want to know what she knows.” Richardson said. Denkinger acknowledged with a grunt, never taking his eyes off Alexandra.

  “Sir, I have an urgent request from the CDC.” She said.

  “What is it?” Fatigue was apparent in his posture.

  “They would like to examine the old woman’s body. They’re scrambling a team to be here in a matter of hours.” She said, still feeling the rasp of Denkinger’s eyes.

  “Understandable. Do it.” He said and looked mournfully towards the gravesite. Alexandra, her nerves frayed by the day’s events, had had enough of Denkinger’s intimidations. He may be a dangerous killer for hire, but she was a high placed company official with the hand that feeds. It was time to remind him that he was an employee.

  “Do you have a problem soldier?” She barked while turning her head to look him directly in the eye. He lifted his eyes to hers almost dismissively and spoke.

  “Have you been checked out on that weapon?”

  Here was the hard part for Alexandra; holding her ground. Clawing through the ranks of male dominated business she found that she could open strong when fighting for respect, but had a little trouble maintaining the aggression that seemed so natural and plentiful in men. She knew she couldn’t let herself get side-tracked by answering his question. It was a dismissive deflection that both questioned her competence while putting himself in control of the conversation; an old rhetorical trick. It was time to remind him of his place.

  “You don’t ask me questions, Soldier! I’m Senior V.P. of R&D. I’ve been with the company for twelve years and have personally fired every type of weapon we make ammunition for. My ability is none of your concern.” Her voice was a crescendo, aimed directly at the mercenary, her words a series of blows.

  It worked; Denkinger neutralized his stare and stood at attention. She thought using her title was a nice touch to remind the soldier that he was just a grunt in the chain of command. She looked to her boss and found him looking strangely at her. His expression was a cipher. He appeared both sad and amused.

  “Excuse me sir,” was all she could think of to say. She began to depart until stopped by Richardson’s words.

  “Denkinger, you are to follow Ms. Devereaux’s orders as if they were my own.”

  The soldier snapped his attention to Richardson. He continued,

  “That’s right. She is to be my second-in-command. Understood?”

  Denkinger straightened and nodded once.

  “Now go inform your men.” Richardson said and wafted his hand to dismiss the soldier.

  “Sir.” Denkinger acknowledged and turned smartly on a heel, tearing a ring in the grass, and walked towards the gravesite. Alexandra was confused by this sudden promotion. She almost opened her mouth to speak when he cut her off.

  “Are you close to your parents Alexandra?” He asked with a weary voice.

  “My mother. My father; he passed before I was born.” She said. Richardson nodded as if he was recalling a fact; his blue eyes were pale and sad.

  “I have to bury my son now.” He said with a wavering voice. He surprised her by reaching his hand out to her.

  “Will you come with me?” he asked. Hiding reluctance and uncertainty, she put her hand in his large palm and walked with him towards the gravesite. For the first time since she had known Gavin Richardson, he appeared old. His steps were unsteady on the grass and she even found herself helping him balance once through their clasped hands.

  As they closed the distance to see four of Denkinger’s men lowering the remains of Lance Richardson into the earth, the father regained his balance and composure. Alexandra saw his jaw firm as his head tilted down to follow his son’s descent. His voice was low.

  “Tomorrow we find who did this to my boy.”

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  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Prelude

  YESTERDAY

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-Two

  Thirty-Three

  Thirty-Four

  Thirty-Five

  Thirty-Six

  Thirty-Seven

  Thirty-Eight

  Thirty-Nine

  Forty

  Forty-One

  Forty-Two

  Other books