In The Genes

by Cindy Combs

  Sam walked into the living area, rubbing down his wet hair with a towel. "Morning," he yawned.

  "Yeah," Blair replied, trying to work open his eyelids as he turned off the noisy appliance.

  Sam looked up and spotted the green liquid swirling to a stop in the blender. "Ah, Blair, what is that stuff?"

  "This? Algae shake." Blair popped off the top to show its contents to his brother. "Want some?"

  Sam's face started to turn as green as the shake when he caught a whiff of the obnoxious odor. "Oh man, he's got to you!"

  "Huh?"

  "Dad's got you drinking that gunk, too!"

  "Why not?" Blair shrugged. "It's good for you."

  Sam stared at him in round-eyed horror. "Oh man, you're even starting to sound like him."

  "Sam…"

  "Indy, if you start quoting Harry right now, I'm outta here."

  "Sounds like I arrived just in time." The brothers turned to find Jim walking through the doorway, a bag from the nearby bakery in his hand. "Like buttermilk donuts, Sam?" He opened the bag and held it out.

  "As long as you don't put them in a blender first," Sam replied eagerly, walking over and reaching into the bag. "Please, Jim, don't you ever convert to health drinks, too. I don't think I could take it."

  "No chance of that," Jim replied, wrinkling his nose as he glanced at his roommate's breakfast. "I'd never drink any of that smelly crap."

  Sam studied Jim a moment. Man, if that stuff smells awful to me, it must be really disgusting to Jim.

  "Hey, do you guys have any idea how much fat is in one of those?"

  "Yeah, Dad's preached that sermon before," Sam replied. "It still smells and tastes good."

  "Come on, you two. You eat that junk, you'll both die of a heart attack in ten to twenty years. Drink this and you'll live for another fifty."

  Jim raised an eyebrow. "Will I live another fifty years, or will it just SEEM that long."

  "Jim," Blair rolled his eyes at his roommate's denseness. "I told you there's several essential…"

  "Can it, Chief. That stuff smells too bad to be healthy." Jim turned to the coffee pot, pouring himself and Sam a cup of the fresh brew. Blair simply shrugged and poured his algae shake into a glass. It was an old argument and Blair was too tired to fight it again.

  "Any word from Captain Banks?" Sam asked.

  Jim sipped his coffee. "No more news from the men we caught last night. Their sole involvement seems to be trying to steal the disc."

  "So our only lead is still Fortuity," Blair concluded.

  Jim shrugged. "Dalton and Ms. Carpenter flew into Miami yesterday. They're suppose to call Simon in another hour with an update." Jim inspected his disheveled roommate. "I suggest you get moving so we can be there, too."

  Blair shrugged and drank another large swallow of his drink. "You leave any hot water?" he asked Sam.

  "Hot water?" Sam asked innocently.

  "Man, this just isn't going to be my day," Blair muttered as he sat his half finished drink on the counter and walked to his bedroom. Once he was in the bathroom, both Jim and Sam looked at the frothy green liquid left in the glass, then traded questioning looks. At Jim's consenting smile, Sam picked up Blair's glass, held it at arms length, and walked over to the sink.

  An hour later, Simon Banks' office

  "…According to the airport records, a light plane headed for Wyoming left Miami about half an hour after Lisa's flight." Jack Dalton's voice vibrated over the speaker.

  "Who's the owner?" Jim asked.

  "A dummy corporation called Aqua Sources. Nikki's trying to track it down now."

  "Any more luck on why someone would want the disc?" Blair asked.

  "Just bits and pieces. Rick's computer has been wiped clean. He told his assistant that Mac was helping him to secure it. She also said that Rick's journal containing all his notes is missing, too."

  Sam looked up, puzzled. "But if they have the journal, why would they need the disc?"

  Jack chuckled. "Sounds like it's in Rick's shorthand. We all had a tough time in college trying to decipher Rick's class notes. None of us could read it except Mac, who learned it out of sheer desperation. He got so wrapped up in some lab experiments, he kept missing their Osteology class. He needed to read Rick's notes to pass the final."

  "So without the disc and with Dr. Hudson in the hospital, they'd need Dad to read the journal." Sam concluded. He and Blair traded looks. If they needed Mac, he may still be okay.

  "So basically, all we have is that Dr. Hudson was looking for 19th century loot from Fortuity, WY, and someone under the cover of Aqua Sources wanted that research bad enough to hurt him and abduct MacGyver." Simon shook his head at what little they knew.

  "Nikki and I'll poke around here some more and see if we can dig up anything else," Jack inserted. He figured it was only a matter of time before Mac sprung himself loose, but it wouldn't hurt to find him sooner than later.

  "And we can see what else we can dig up on Fortuity," Blair added. "Maybe Rainier's library can shed some more light on all this."

  After a few minutes discussion, Jim followed Blair and Sam down to the police garage. As everyone climbed into the truck's cab, Blair demanded, "Okay, since we'll probably be at the library for several hours, and I didn't get to FINISH MY BREAKFAST…" He glared across the seat at Jim and Sam, both of whom were trying to look innocent with varying degrees of success. "Can we stop somewhere so I can pick something up?"

  "Louie's Donuts is just around the corner," Jim replied, his face deadpan as he turned the engine.

  "Yeah, right," Blair replied sarcastically. "Next?"

  A small smirk sneaked its way onto Jim's face. "Okay, how about Moonbeam Bagels on 4th?"

  "Now you're talking!"

  4th Street

  Blair practically had the door open before Jim could pull into a parking space half a block down from Moonbeam Bagels. "Do you guys want anything?" he asked as he pulled his backpack onto his shoulder.

  "Do they have iced tea?" Sam asked, trying to spot the store.

  "Sure. Do you want Sparkle Mint, Apple Harvest, Lemon Zipper, Hawaii Citrus, Ginger …"

  Sam interrupted, "Do they have just plain tea?" At Blair's puzzled look, Sam rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Okay, get me some of that Mint Spankle."

  "Sparkle Mint?"

  "Whatever."

  "And just get me some strong coffee that won't offend my nose," Jim added, reaching over Sam to hand Blair a twenty.

  "A Sparkle Mint and inoffensive coffee, coming up," Blair replied jauntily. The prospect of a hearty bagel that Jim was paying for improved his spirits greatly.

  While Jim's attention was diverted by radio traffic on the police band, Sam watched his brother walk down the sidewalk. Blair was nearly to the door when a black van pulled into the space that had just opened up. Sam frowned as the side door flew open. "Jim…."

  Jim turned his head just in time to see two men in masks grab his friend right off the sidewalk. He was already starting the engine when they shoved the struggling Sandburg into the van. "Damn!" he exclaimed, tossing his emergency lights onto the roof. He swiftly shifted gears and pulled into traffic right behind the van, nearly clipping a red Escort.

  Sam grabbed onto the armrest, trying to read the license plate. As he repeated it to himself, he swiftly snapped the seat belt on. Jim managed to toss him his cell phone before slamming into a sharp right. "Second speed dial is Banks!" he shouted, turning a sharp left after the van.

  Sam held his breath as the truck threatened to lift up on one side. He then managed to loosen his hold on the seat belt long enough to punch the number. "Captain! It's Sam. Blair's just been abducted by masked men driving a black van, license plate…" Jim was forced to make another left, barely missing a dumpster by the road. Sam found himself nearly cross-ways on the bench seat, only saved by the seat belt.

  "Hold it Sam! Where are you?!" Simon interjected.

  "We're on Harmony passing 10th, heading towards G
reenwich," Jim shouted, overhearing the question.

  "I'll send the units!" Simon barked back before Sam could repeat. The sounds of the captain calling out orders echoed in Sam's ears while his heart took up residence in his throat as Jim swerved again to avoid a pedestrian.

  The van in front ran a red light, nearly hitting a truck loaded with tall panes of window glass. While the van managed to dodge around, the truck swerved, dumping its load onto the road. Jim slammed on the brakes, but not in time to avoid the broken glass flowing over the asphalt. Sam winced as both of the front tires blew, then winced again when Jim violently slammed his fists onto the steering wheel. "We lost them," he whispered to Simon.

  Blair, with a bag over his head and hands tied behind his back, was forced to move out of the van. He tried to struggle against the strong hold to no avail. They had walked only a few feet before suddenly climbing steps. Blair was then shoved down onto the floor. His anger burst forth as he fought against the bag and the rope. A door softly shut. A few minutes later, Blair heard turboprops roar to life. Closing his eyes as he felt the movement, he could only hope Jim and Sam were not too far behind.

  Sam sat on the truck's back bumper, watching Ellison pace like a caged animal. Then he glanced at the police cars, their emergency lights reflecting off the broken glass covering the road. His own emotions of anger, fear and guilt boiled inside him, making him feel like pacing along side Ellison. At this point, he'd even be willing to drink Blair's green gunk if it meant Blair and Dad could be safe. Sam stood up when he spotted Captain Banks' approach.

  Jim nearly snarled at his friend before getting a hold of his temper. It wasn't Simon's fault he couldn't keep his guide safe. "What?"

  "The van was found abandoned near the airport," Simon replied.

  "How much you wanna bet there was a private plane waiting for them, heading for Wyoming," Sam replied, his mind working to put the pieces together.

  "What's Lisa's status?" Jim didn't want to lose anymore of MacGyver's 'kids'.

  "Megan has her at the safe house. Rafe, Brown and Taggart will be taking turns to help guard."

  "Okay, let's have one of them take Sam there, too, and I'll get transport to Wyoming."

  "Hold it." Jim and Simon turned back to Sam. Simon had never seen the laid-back young man look so fierce before. "If you're going to Fortuity, so am I."

  "I'm not placing you in any more danger, Sam," Jim declared forcefully.

  "Nuh uh, it's not up to you. I am an adult, I've been taking care of myself for quite some time, I've handled dangerous situations before, and I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions. They have MY brother and father. There's no way you're leaving me behind."

  "Sam..."

  "Besides which, you need someone to watch your back." Sam lowered his voice to a growl. "If you zone out and get yourself killed, Blair'd never forgive me."

  "Yeah, and if something happens to you, your father would never forgive me, either."

  "Ellison, the kid's got a point," Simon inserted.

  "Simon..."

  Simon straightened to make full use of his extra couple of inches on his friend. "You need backup, Jim. I'll get you a flight to Wyoming. Just keep an eye out for each other."

  Jim growled, angrily stomping couple of paces away from Sam and Simon before storming back. "All right. But let's get going now. I don't want those thugs hurting Sandburg."

  Tuesday afternoon, 45 miles from Fortuity, WY

  Blair felt the vehicle stop. Good, maybe they'll take this bag off me. It's hot enough without it. He again tested the ropes around his wrists. There was still no give in them.

  The door opened. Hands grabbed Blair from under his arms, hauling him out into the even hotter air. The bag was yanked off his head. Blinking in the bright light, Blair quickly studied his surroundings as the two men pulled him forward. The red sandstone and arid conditions suggested the American West. He noted the corral with cattle, the barn, the maintenance shed, and the car up on blocks. Some potential opportunities, if he could find a way to get rid of his escorts. However, he was also hoping the next hour might shed some light on what happened to his father. Blair decided to let things play out, then start thinking up an escape plan. That is, unless Jim somehow found him first. Looking forward, Blair realized he was being led to a structure built next to a cliff.

  Blair's eyes squinted in the dim light of the building after the bright sun. They entered an elegantly decorated room that remind him of the old westerns. As the goons untied his hands, Blair found himself facing a large, redheaded man in jeans and a light cotton shirt. "Mr. Sandburg, I presume?" the man's gravely baritone asked. His green eyes studied the young man intently.

  Blair stared back at the man as he rubbed his numb hands. "Yeah, but if you wanted me to visit, you could have just invited me politely."

  "I did. The boys weren't too rough on you, were they?" Blair just continued to stare defiantly, not wanting to show his unease. The large man stepped closer. "You want politeness? All right, Mr. Sandburg. I am a reasonable businessman. All you have to do is give me the disc you received yesterday, and my boys will take you back."

  Yeah, right. "You don't honestly think I have the disc on me, do you?" Blair replied sarcastically. The man clicked his fingers. His goons displayed Blair's backpack, then roughly emptied all the contents onto the floor. Blair mentally thanked Jim's foresight in having them all memorize the pertinent information instead of carrying it. Then they roughly patted him down. Blair fought to keep from stating exactly what he thought of them and their upbringing, though he was sure it showed on his face.

  "Okay, where is it?" the head man asked when they came up empty.

  Blair tried to keep from wincing as his belongings were viciously shoved back into his pack. "Safe."

  "Then how do you plan to find the missing loot?"

  Blair shrugged. "We're not interested in any loot. We only want to find MacGyver."

  The man laughed. "You want MacGyver? Will you give me the disc for MacGyver?"

  Blair forced down his impatience. "I told you, I don't have it on me. But I could probably get my hands on it if you'd give him to me." Or better yet, I'll give you another copy of Rainier's Forms and Procedures.

  "Then it's time for a meeting. Boys, let's take Mr. Sandburg here to Mr. MacGyver."

  Dragged along by his arms again, Blair tried to memorize the turns of the halls. He suddenly realized that the walls were actually stone. We must be inside the stone cliff. How is Jim going to find us here? He was pulled to a stop in front of a metal door. The head man glanced through the small window, then unlocked the door. Blair was pulled inside.

  Sitting at a small table with his head down was MacGyver. Blair was shocked to see him shivering violently. "Mac?" he gasped. Mac lifted his head, nearly falling out of the chair. Jerking away from his captors, Blair rushed to his father's side. He could feel the heat radiating off the older man as he caught him, in spite of his shivering.

  "Blair?" Mac whispered. He wrapped his arms around his son's waist, tucking his face against Blair's neck.

  "Easy, Dad, easy," Blair soothed as he hugged him back, missing the leader's face light up with the revelation. Both scared and furious, Blair lifted his head to glare at the men responsible. "What the hell did you do to him!"

  Softly, Mac gasped into Blair's ear, "Malaria." Blair tightened his hold in response.

  "'Dad', did you say? How interesting." The older man studied his prisoners.

  "He needs to be in a hospital!"

  "Not until he finishes translating Dr. Hudson's journal for us. Of course, you could speed up the process by giving us the disc." Blair simply glared at him. "Why don't I give you both some time to think about it?"

  "He needs…" The door was slammed and locked, leaving Blair and Mac alone. "Hang on, Dad," Blair softly whispered to the shivering man in his arms, fighting back his panic. "Just hang on."

  Two hours later, airstrip near Fortuity, WY

  The
small plane dropped Sam and Jim off at a tiny airstrip ten miles from Fortuity. "We're a little ahead of schedule," their pilot informed them in a western drawl as he pulled out their bags. "The sheriff should have someone here soon to pick you up and take you into town and the car dealership."

  "Thanks," Sam replied. He took a sip of water from his bottle as he glanced around. Heat rippled off the runway, blurring the edges of the small metal hanger on the other side. Dry sagebrush and tuffs of sharp-bladed buffalo grass surrounded the airfield. The soft curves of the prairie were broken only by the rise of a mountain range in the distance.

  Jim could feel tiny picks on his skin as the moisture was evaporated into the arid air. He judged the temperature was about as high as it had been in Chicago, just minus the humidity. Dialing down his sense of touch so he could reach some level of comfort, Jim also studied the surroundings. He could pick out the town in the distance and several ranch complexes scattered here and there. He spotted a jeep with the Fortuity county seal on the door approaching them. He gauged that they had about a ten to fifteen minute wait.

  He caught the baseball cap Sam tossed him. Tugging it tight onto his head, he stooped down to grab his small duffel. Faint voices reached his ears as he straightened. Jim quickly focused in on the sounds.

  "I don't like this. Madison's people are doing something weird."

  "It's none of our business, Karl."

  "But I swear to you, they had that guy tied up! And I don't buy that Buster was carrying just a carpet back from that last trip. I know moaning when I hear it!"

  "Keep your nose out of it, or Madison will make sure you have an 'accident'. You know the sheriff is his cousin."

  "But it isn't right, Jake!"

  ~Slam~ ~Slam~

  Jim focused tighter to catch more of the conversation, but found himself falling into the sensation of sound. He could faintly hear an urgent voice calling, but he couldn't grab a hold of it. A sharp jerk on his arm brought him back, gasping.