“Interesting, Chief; this looks just like the door in Dr. Bellos’s office.”
“Just like it; except this one works…”
Marshall pushed the hall button; and the door slid open.
“After you, Detective…”
Marshall followed him in and spoke aloud, “Security Chief-060…Red-6; stat.”
“Some kind of code, eh?” Burns asked.
“Yeah, hospital code.”
When the doors opened, Marshall walked out first; and, Jake stayed inside, apprehensively looking at the rough rock walls.
“Looks like a cave, Chief…Sparkly; are we still in the hospital?”
There were shiny, ornately decorated glowing characters etched into the rock wall; designs of all kinds that were completely unfamiliar to him. He stepped out onto the platform, looked at Marshall and called upstairs; but, there was no reception.
“Okay Chief; we are going back upstairs; come on; get in.”
Marshall stood grinning, while Burns pushed buttons on the bezel.
“What’s going on, Chief?”
“Nothing is going on. If you’d care to follow me; you have nothing to be afraid of here.”
Burns looked out and around again.
“Afraid? I’m not afraid. Lead on; let’s go; I’ll follow.”
Marshall looked at him, snickered and began walking, slowly, past several doors including Unit 17. Then, they both walked into a wider tunnel and stepped onto a moving tram that carried them downward and to the left. Burns watched as crowds of people passed them, going in every direction living their lives, no differently than on the surface.
“It looks like the bloody airport,” Burns said.
The people mover took them to the main vertical chasm, of the station’s underground tunnel system. They approached and walked off the tram toward the railing. Marshall gestured Burns to look over, into the sheer drop. Burns grabbed the railing, with both hands, and surveyed the unbelievable cavern and architecture.
“Not quite the airport; is it?” Marshall said.
“No, I confess I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s almost like a fantasy movie set.”
“Yes, I know. The first time I saw it was over two years ago. There are underground cities, like this, everywhere; miles below the Earth’s surface. It’s still all quite new to me. People here have never even been up to the surface; and, if you ask anyone, they would insist they’d never want to be anywhere else.”
“Unbelievable; and where does all the light come from? At first glance, it looks wet, damp and chilly. I mean, given the rock walls; but it isn’t, is it? It’s quite beyond pleasant.”
“I hope you understand, if I plead ignorant. They have told me ‘it’s technical’. After all, I am in the security business, not lighting. But, as I understand it, the light comes from microscopic algae, or something like the glowing jellyfish in the deep oceans. That’s probably where they originated, anyway. Everyone takes them for granted, once you’ve been here a while…Look, Detective; Mr. Swanson and Dr. Bellos will be here shortly. I’m supposed to show you, as much as I can. But; honestly, there’s really not time for much. I’d like to take you to one place that may answer all your questions.”
“That would be a nice change, eh; fine, lead on. I’d prefer not to get lost down here.”
The two men walked along the outside path of the main vertical chasm. Burns had no questions. Rather, he filled his senses with the awesome sights and people. Finally, Marshall opened a glass door; and, the two walked into Ever-Life lab 202.
“Well, Chief; you have my undivided attention. You can start talking anytime.”
Marshall had a faint smile.
“Welcome to Ever-Life, Detective. Andrews and the entire Brock/Swanson Complex above were built on the cave, catacomb structure, we walk within now. This is all part of a self sustaining, subterranean environment, far below Earth’s surface, and between planetary continents.”
“You mean, we are in some Jules Vern novel?”
“No one has ever written about this place; I guarantee it.”
“So, Ever-Life; what is that?”
“It’s where the bodies are, Detective.”
“Bodies?”
Burns stopped dead and turned to face Marshall.
“We only found one body. I think it’s time you explain yourself, Mr. Security Chief.”
“Yes, well that’s why you are here; this way.”
The two walked over three hundred ft. Burns saw many medical tables, with Knofer’s, holograms, naked body parts, and some full bodies, suspended in mid air. In another area, there were transparent rooms, one after the other, with doctors operating.
“Is this your hospital’s Frankenstein parlor, Chief?”
“Not exactly; here we are…”
They walked into chamber two of Lab 202, where Dr. LuAnne stood, waiting for them.
“Good morning, Dr. Lu.”
“Good morning Luv…” She patted Marshall’s face. “…And who might this be?”
“This is Detective Jake Burns, of the Arden City Police Department.”
The doctor looked him over, head to toe.
“Hmm, good stock; you must be Scottish?”
“Scotts, Irish, English, Hungarian, actually; but a New Yorker, by profession; I moved to Arden ten years ago.”
LuAnne giggled.
“Woe; some temper, I bet...Interesting genetic package, too.”
“He is investigating the shooting at Andrews.”
“Ah, well you’ve come to the right place.”
“Hmm, really; why’s that? Who are you people?”
“Dr. LuAnne grinned.
“Over here, Jake; I think you’ll find this most entertaining.”
She turned; and they followed her, through the double doors of the lab’s operating room.
“Hello, Dave,” a voice said.
“Dr. Bellos? My God!” Marshall grinned and embraced the seventy-four-year, young man. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Thanks; I can tell; me too.”
“Excuse me,” Burns chimed, “you are Dr. Bellos?”
Dr. Richard turned to Jake.
“One of them; and you are?”
“Oh, Dr. Richard, this is Detective Burns from the police. He’s investigating the shooting at the hospital.”
“Ah…” Richard looked at Marshall. “…He’s been cleared by GGM?”
“What?” said Burns. “You know; I’m only going to take just so much of this crap? One of you better start talking to me.”
Richard replied kindly, “Well, I guess that would be me, officer. My name is Dr. Richard Bellos. I am the mortician at Andrews Hospital. Early this morning, I was with several people in the morgue lab. Some very nasty military types broke in, and shot up the place. I remember being shot several times, falling; and then, nothing. Beyond that; I can’t tell you anymore.”
“So you were shot?”
“Yes; rigorously…”
Richard opened his lab coat, with both hands, to reveal his chest.
“…Here, here; and here, as you can see…Oh, and here, my leg”
Burns looked and walked closer, to study and feel the bullet scars. He turned to Dr. LuAnne, with a look of amazement.
“How is this possible?”
Just then, Mr. Mike and Jack Sheldon walked through the lab’s doors.
“Good afternoon everyone,” said Mike. He looked at LuAnne. “Are we ready for Jack?”
“Yes; I hope so. Will you excuse us, Jake? You may watch; but, preferably, from over there,” she pointed.
Burns and Marshall stepped backward, to the side; to give the others room.
“Who’s that?” asked Burns.
“Mike Warren, Mr. Swanson’s driver; and that’s Jack Sheldon?”
“Sheldon? There was a Sheldon shot in the morgue, right?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, there were two Sheldon’s’ shot. He is the one you found on the floor, qui
te dead, at the time. The other was his wife. She is here, too; shot by the same men. She will be next, I think.”
“Next?”
“You will want to pay special attention. You see; we found and already eliminated the special ops boys, who did the deed, as well as their boss, and the conspirators. All that remains is to bring everyone back to life.”
Burns pulled Marshall’s arm and yanked him back out through the room’s double doors.
“What do you mean you’ve eliminated the special ops boys and all that remains is to bring everyone back to life? I think it’s time we all go back to my police station.”
Out of nowhere, two GGM guards appeared, beside Marshall.
“Sir, is there a problem?”
At that moment, a familiar voice interrupted.
“No problem, men. You may go. Mr. Marshall is quite correct, Detective…Hello, Jake.”
Burns turned and released Marshall’s arm.
“Gordon Swanson; as I live and breathe.”
Swanson extended his hand. “Good to see you again Jake; to my left here is the mysterious Dr. Mathew Bellos, whom you’ve been looking for.”
Jake shook hands and quipped, “Well, Swanson; I trust I’m here to solve this puzzle?”
“Yes, my friend; I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, please follow us. We don’t like good people to stay dead, do we?”
Swanson led the five, including Brian, back into the lab unit.
“Hello, doctors. How are our patients?”
“Fine; so far…” LuAnne said.
“How are you, Dr. Richard?”
“I’m fine, Sir. It’s quite something. LuAnne gave me C.P.T. I feel so; hmm, so complete. Yes, complete is the word.”
“Well then, wonderful.”
Swanson handed Bellos two blue vials.
“Don’t you think; it’s time you do this, Mathew?”
Bellos looked at Swanson and then at Jack. “Yes, Sir, I do.”
“Dad?” Brian said.
“Sonny, everything is fine. This is what we have been waiting for. I’ll be just fine.”
Dr. LuAnne went to the refrigeration cabinet, pulled out the box and gave it to Bellos. He turned and smiled at his longtime friend.
“Have a lay down, Jack. Up you go; right here.”
At the same time, Burns turned to Swanson.
“May we have a word?”
“Of course; this way…”
Swanson led Burns into Dr. LuAnne’s office and leaned back on the desk, while Jake paced.
“I know you have a job to do, Jake.”
“Yep…” Burns cleared his throat. “…But, my question is; why have you allowed me to see all this? I’m not a stupid flatfoot. I have to take you all in. You know that.”
Swanson put one hand in his pocket, turned around facing the wall monitor and touched the screen. It immediately turned into a full size hologram of Jack, and Bellos performing C.P.T.
Jake stared at the hologram.
“My God man, what is all this?”
Then, the two heard a young woman’s voice and watched Angie Bellos come through the door.
“Some place utterly wonderful…Excuse me, my Dad told me I could come in; and, that Mr. Swanson was here.”
Swanson smiled and extended his arms.
“Yes I am.”
He embraced her.
“So good to see you, Angela; you’ve got quite a dad, you know.”
“Yes, I know; thank you.”
“Angela, this is Mr. Jake Burns. He is a policeman, trying to solve the shootings in the morgue.”
The two shook hands.
“How do you do…That was the scariest thirty seconds of my life, except for seeing Dr. Sheldon on focus ward, that is; and being kidnapped, of course. I almost didn’t make it to the closet.”
“You were there?”
“Oh yes. I saw those men shoot Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon and Dr. Richard.”
“Jesus!”
Burns sat down, looked at the two and the hologram. He took a long deep breath.
“I guess it’s time for me to retire.”
“Not at all, my friend,” Swanson patted Jake on the shoulder. “It’s just time for you to change careers. Come on, you two.”
Swanson led them back into the lab room. Bellos finished injecting Jack and gave him a filled glass.
“Here, Buddy; this should be the last drink of this you need. Then, you’re good to go.”
Swanson stepped behind one of the gurneys, looked at everyone and announced, “Please, all of you. I need your full attention.”
Everyone stopped talking and paid attention; Jack, Bellos, Marshall, Burns, Richard, LuAnne, Angie, Brian and Mr. Mike.
“I have two things to do; and, the first is in this room. I have thought a great deal about this. As some of you know, our laws require that we relate properly down here, with each other and the Carriers. No one is perfect; but we cannot tolerate extreme felonious behavior. We must deal with it, in a timely way. Usually, we would do so within the confines of our own culture. However; in this particular case, this behavior has affected the lives and deaths of several people here and from the surface. This is Detective Jake Burns.
Jake, I invited you here to arrest the person, who allowed all this to happen.”
Swanson walked around and forward to the left of Mathew Bellos. As he did so, two armed guards came through the door.
“Mr. Marshall, I am so much more than disappointed. You see, everyone, Mr. Marshall has been our Chief of Security for over a year. He is the only person, who could have authorized Angie’s clone to get into ‘focus ward’. No guard would just let her in. Either she had the door combination, which she did not; or, you, Dave, called the guard and told him to open the door for her…And that wasn’t enough…Then, you notified the Brock camp, when Angie was in the hospital morgue. You are responsible for stealing Jack Sheldon’s manuscript, and the shooting of three people.”
Swanson looked Marshall squarely in the eyes.
“Do you have anything to say, Dave?”
Jake Burns looked on, with a blank stare, watching as Marshall stood rigid, at attention.
“Sir; I thought I was helping the surface get a piece of life they deserved…Mr. Brock was very convincing to me, Sir. After all, his name is on the marquee, with yours. I didn’t think so many would be hurt.”
Everyone looked in shock. The guards tied Marshall’s hands behind him, while Swanson spoke, “That’s usually the way it is with people like you. The problem, Dave, is that you knowingly disregarded your part in this horrendous conspiracy. You have been here over a year. You know how we work, how I work. You have obviously been involved with the Brock camp for months. There is no jury system here. These are your choices. You are going with Detective Burns. Whatever happens within his legal system; well, you are lucky. We would put you in a dry Unit, and let you rot. If they do not punish you to the full extent of their law, I will personally see you again. If you say anything about us up there, I will personally see you again. If anyone you know ever mentions me, or anything about us, I will personally see you again…I trust you understand me?”
“Yes; I do.”
“Guards…Take Mr. Marshall to Carrier-Unit 4. He should be comfortable there, until Mr. Burns is ready to leave.”
As the guards left the room, Jake turned his palms to the ceiling.
“What just happened?”
Angie turned to Jack and helped him off the stretcher.
“Hello, Mr. Sheldon, do you remember me?”
“Yes I do, young lady. How are you, now?”
Swanson asked Burns to rejoin him in LuAnne’s office.
“Jake, I have to tell you; we are all thankful you got into this, so fast. But, you know better than anyone does, what the practical aspects of a murder case are. Take Angie’s kidnapping, for example; who can say how long it would have taken you to trace that van. And, you would never find out there were two of Angie, one a clone.�
�
Burn’s eyes bulged.
“Jake, I have a proposition for you…I’d like you to consider something, seriously?”
“…And what would that be?”
“I’d like you to become our new Chief of Security. We need you. I trust you. You would work for Mathew. This Ever-Life station would be your home base. However; you would report to me. I say it that way, because this is not just a position to be located here, in Arden, Jake. It’s a worldwide, career.” Swanson grinned. “You can hire your own team and coordinate everything from here…
…I’ll tell you what; think about it. Mathew, out there, will take you around, show you our Complex, in detail, and answer all your questions. You two have to get to know one another, anyway. Then, you arrest and take Mr. Marshall back. Take this; and call me.”
“I have a cell phone, thanks.”
“Not one like this, my friend. Do me a favor, Jake; wait here for just a few minutes. I’ll be right back”
“Yeah, fine.”
He shook his head, surrendering with a grin.
Chapter 31
C. P. T.
Gordon Swanson walked out the door, of Dr. LuAnne’s office, back into the Ever-Life lab. He leaned in, and spoke softly to his driver, “Mike, please prepare Carrier-2400 for departure; destination is Post 4.”
Then Swanson turned to Bellos. “Mathew, may I have a word?”
The two left lab-2 and stood in the main module area.
“Mathew, we have four hours. Will you take Mr. Burns on a tour; and, then, meet me at platform six. We leave together.”
“Are we keeping the cop?”
“I hope so. I have a sixth sense about both of you.”
Meanwhile, Brian Sheldon helped his father get his his bearings.
“Dad, you okay now?”
“Yes, Son; better than I’ve been in a while...”
Dr. Richard squeezed Brian’s shoulder.
“I believe your father’s going to be just fine.”
Jack smiled, but his entire face and demeanor changed, suddenly.
“Doctors, where is Rachel? Where is my wife?”
Richard turned to LuAnne. “Where is she, Doc.?”
“Through there,” She pointed.
“Do you have a vial, Lu?”
“Yes, here.” She handed it to Richard.
“…Not this time…This one goes to Jack.”
Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust Page 19
