by E. E. Borton
“The Colonel and the director almost succeeded because it was contained within their offices,” explained Ryan. “Exposure is what they feared the most. They used their power to keep a lid on everything. We’ll use ours to blow the lid off. Even if the Atlanta office can’t wrap their heads around what happened, they’ll be asking more questions than the deputy director can dodge. After all, even he has a boss. A boss who coincidently worked in the Atlanta field office before moving to Washington.”
“You’re thinking you can beat this by using the same system that sent you to kill me? I wish I could see the positive results as clearly as you. And don’t tell me to trust you on this one.”
“Okay, I won’t,” said Ryan. “But I know you do. I know you’ve got to be tired of running. I’ve only been doing it for a few days and I’m ready to stop. We accomplished what we set out to do. Maybe not in the way you thought of a few months ago, but Didache is dead. No one else is going to get hurt. Let’s go put the spotlight on the deputy director and watch that prick dance.”
“I’ll tell you right now, I’m going to regret this in the morning,” said Derek.
“You mean in a few hours,” observed Tom.
“Let’s try to get a little sleep,” said Ryan. “We’re all going to need it.”
27
True Believer
Nobody slept.
Each spent the hours looking back at the past few months, but from different angles. Tom was worried it was the end of the team and the end of the only family he knew. Michelle had already made up her mind it was her last assignment in the field. When Kristina was killed, she not only lost a witness under her protection, but a rare friendship. Dallas worried about his boss. He had an uneasy feeling the man he greatly respected had crossed a line, changing him forever. Derek imagined himself sitting on a beach with his arm around the only person in the universe who mattered.
Ryan simply wanted it to be over. He wanted everyone involved who had survived to be shielded from the consequences of his actions. The veteran agent was prepared to shoulder the blame for every move made outside of the law. He knew he’d face criminal charges for going off the grid and killing the men responsible without due process. What worried him the most was that he didn’t care.
Dawn was breaking, signaling the continuation of a long day which seemingly had started weeks earlier. Ryan went over the details of his final plan and relayed his last orders to the team. If it all fell apart, Michelle and Tom would be waiting close by to cover Derek’s escape while Ryan covered theirs. But in the back of his mind, he really wasn’t worried about a shootout with federal agents. Derek’s speed would put him out of harm’s way before anyone could put cuffs on him.
A sedan pulled up to the hangar, and one of Steve’s men approached Ryan, carrying a garment bag. Inside was a pressed Marine uniform complete with a duty belt and service pistol. Derek wanted to be in his dress blues when he turned himself in to the feds.
Not much was said when Ryan and Derek were dropped off at the marble stairs of the Federal Building. They calmly walked inside and passed through the security checkpoint with no interference from the posted guards. They took the elevator to the third floor and stopped at the door with the large brass nameplate. Ryan put his hand on the knob leading to the office of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Archer.
They walked in to see Archer standing beside his secretary’s desk in the waiting room. “Well, look what the cat drug in,” said Archer in a slight southern accent. “Good Lord, Ryan. How long has it been?”
“About two years, sir.”
“Two years? Really? Time slips by me faster and faster every day. I would’ve sworn on a stack of Bibles you left this office no longer than two months ago, let alone two years.”
“It is getting harder to keep track,” said Ryan, holding out his arm to bring Derek closer. “Sir, I’d like you meet a friend of mine. This is Captain Derek Mathews.”
“An honor to meet you, sir,” said Derek.
“Honor is mine, son,” replied Archer, gripping Derek’s hand. “I was Navy, so I hold a special place in my heart for Marines. Which unit are you with?”
“The 2nd Marine Special Ops Battalion out of Camp Lejeune.”
“A fine unit,” said Archer. “So, what brings a Special Agent from Virginia and a Marine from North Carolina to my front door?”
“Sir, may we speak in private?” asked Ryan.
“Absolutely. My morning brief doesn’t start for another half hour. Will my office do?”
“Yes, sir,” said Ryan with a smile. “It will.”
As they entered the office, both Ryan and Derek took a deep breath before making themselves comfortable in the chairs opposite Archer. Ryan had been in the same seat in the office several times in the past. His eyes gravitated to a framed photo of Deputy Director Donaldson shaking Archer’s hand during an award ceremony. He was hoping Derek didn’t notice the picture.
“How’s DC treating you, Ryan?” asked Archer with the first round of small talk.
“The traffic is ridiculous, but I don’t spend much time in the city.”
“That’s right,” said Archer, remembering the new assignment, “You’re with a fugitive recovery unit.”
“Yes, sir,” answered Ryan. “It’s why I’m here. I don’t mean to be rude, but Derek and I are working under the gun. We don’t have very much time.”
“Okay,” said Archer. “Am I to assume you’re not here to catch up on old times?”
“That would be correct. I’m here because I trust you, and I also need your help.”
“You have my attention.”
“I’ve been on assignment for the past three months under orders from Deputy Director Donaldson,” stated Ryan. “Those orders were to hunt down and recover four Marines who went UA from their post. The four Marines are Peter Arrington, Joshua Bell, Richard Elliot, and the man sitting beside me. They were there as volunteers for a classified research initiative identified as ‘The Didache Project’.
“They were basically human test subjects for genetic therapy. I won’t even begin to try to explain the science behind the project, but I’m in contact with three young men who can. They can be here in thirty minutes if you decide not to lock me up in a mental hospital.”
“Let me help you cut to the chase, Ryan,” said Archer. “Why did you bring Derek here, and what are you asking of me?”
“Yes, sir. Derek is here to show you the results of the genetic therapy. I couldn’t see you believing my story if I didn’t bring him. What I’m asking of you is to bring in the Special Counsel for your office so we can give a sworn statement.”
“I don’t have to remind you of FBI protocol regarding affidavits, Agent Pearson. That can happen anywhere. Why did you feel the need to sneak up on me with this? I need you to drop the cryptic shit and tell me why you’re here.”
“Like I told you, sir,” said Ryan, “I’m on assignment from the deputy director, and I believe it was his intention for me to bring in these four fugitives dead instead of alive. I also believe he’s responsible for the murder of a witness who was under my protection.”
“I believe the cheese has just slipped off your cracker, son,” said Archer. “Agent Pearson, tread lightly. I’ve known Boyd Donaldson for twenty-five years. I argue there isn’t another man with his level of integrity and honor in this Bureau. Whatever you think he’s done or said, I can assure you there’s a legitimate explanation.”
“I very much wish that to be true, but I almost killed this man sitting beside me thinking he was a violent fugitive,” said Ryan, holding his ground. “He’s not a fugitive, sir. He’s a victim.”
“You have an impressive service record,” said Archer. “But this behavior and what you’re telling me is flat out baffling. The only thing keeping me from picking up the phone and having you thrown in a cell are those years of dedicated service. I’ve always thought of you as a good man, Ryan. That’s going to buy you about one hour with my S
pecial Counsel, but that’s just to get this insane accusation on the record to cover my ass. I have a very strong feeling you just fucked up.”
“What happens to me after this is the least of my worries. I’m sorry to say I’m confident it’ll be the least of yours as well,” said Ryan.
“You can give your statement here in my office,” said Archer. “I’ll have my counsel, John Kramer, here in less than an hour. You go ahead and get your scientists and anybody else you need.”
“Thank you, sir. We need to give those statements on video as well to record the physical mutations.”
“Mutations?” asked Archer. “No offense, but he looks like a standard Marine to me.”
Ryan looked over at Derek. It was time to make Archer a believer.
Derek stood and took off his shirt. He neatly folded it and placed it on the seat of his chair. Reaching up to his mouth, he gripped his two front teeth and with a slight jerking motion removed what resembled dentures. He placed them in a plastic container and put them in his pocket. Archer shook his head with a slight smile as if he were about to be the victim of a prank.
“Agent Pearson, I’m sorry, but this is borderline ridiculous. And this little show isn’t helping. I’m thinking maybe I need a psych evaluation if I let this continue. Both of you just sit down and let me get in touch with Donaldson before this goes too far.”
Derek closed his eyes and started to hyperventilate. Archer immediately stopped talking, leaned back in his chair, and narrowed his eyes.
“He’s turning pale,” observed Archer. “Is he going to pass out?”
“No, sir, that’s how it starts.”
“The mutation is his skin color? That’s not exactly what –”
Before Archer could finish his sentence, pulsating veins resembling chaotic blue lightning bolts shot to the surface of Derek’s face and neck.
“My God,” whispered Archer, mesmerized by Derek’s transformation. Ryan’s eyes were fixated on Archer’s face because he knew what was coming next would radically change his expression.
Derek began to move his head around in circles like someone trying to stretch a sore neck. He pressed his lips together in obvious pain and produced a low throaty groan. He abruptly stopped the rotation and threw his head back, opening his mouth wide. He strained to open it wider until Archer heard a disturbing popping noise. He assumed it was his jaw dislocating. Archer instinctively stood up and drew his weapon when he saw the source of the noise.
With his head tilted back, two fangs pushed out of his gums and locked into the spaces previously occupied by the fake teeth. Blood sprayed on Archer’s desk when the fangs broke through a thin layer of recently healed tissue inside his mouth.
Archer aimed the weapon at Derek’s head, but the Marine never took an aggressive step towards him. Ryan reassured Archer he was in no danger. It seemed to offer him very little comfort.
Derek slowly raised his hands to his chest. During the mutation, his fingers extended two inches past their normal length. His fingernails added another inch as they thickened into intimidating claws. As the fingernails transformed, they ripped through the sensitive skin, adding to the pain of the event. Blood began to trickle down his palms and forearms. Archer’s hands were shaking as he kept the sights of the pistol on Derek’s disfigured face.
“This is what they did to me,” said Derek in a distinctively lower voice. “They did it to all of us.”
“Derek,” said Ryan in a calming voice. “I think he understands now.”
“I don’t think he does,” said Derek, glaring at Archer.
“Bring yourself back, buddy,” said Ryan, slowly moving his hand to Derek’s shoulder. His earlier reassurance to Archer that he was in no danger wasn’t exactly true.
“Talk to me and I promise to help you, son,” said Archer, lowering his weapon. “I want to know who did this to you, Marine. I want you both to tell me everything.”
After Derek mutated in front of Archer and then returned to his normal human appearance, he truly had his undivided attention. Archer summoned his special counsel who took their sworn statements. After receiving the signal from Ryan, Michelle and Tom sent in the three Didache scientists who gave their statements as well. Everyone was gathered in a conference room in front of a bank of microphones and video cameras.
The meeting was in its sixth hour when the door to the conference room opened, causing Derek to jump to his feet. Ryan rose slowly beside Derek after the Marine recognized the man in the doorway. Ryan wasn’t surprised when Deputy Director Boyd Donaldson walked into the room.
“I expected this,” said Ryan, attempting to calm Derek.
“I didn’t.”
“I made the call when we were setting up the room,” said Archer. “Listen to what he has to say, Ryan. You need to hear it from him.”
“Keep the tapes rolling,” said Ryan.
“Of course,” replied Archer.
Donaldson took a seat at the table across from Ryan. Derek reluctantly returned to his seat, never taking his eyes off the man who wanted him dead. Donaldson had anticipated the cold welcome and deliberately made his movements as slow and non-threatening as possible. He was aware of Derek’s ability to kill him in less than a second, but was more wary of Ryan’s disposition.
“The only way to do this was in person,” said Donaldson. “I can only imagine what’s going through your head right now.”
“No, you can’t,” said Ryan. “If you did, you’d be doing this over the phone.”
“This is exactly why I’m here. You’d be less inclined to believe me if I chose that option.”
“I trusted you,” said Ryan, “Every word. You used your position to further your own agenda, and it cost the lives of innocent people. Whatever you told Archer to bring him to your side won’t be enough. It may not happen today, but I swear I’ll be the guy putting the match on the pile that burns you at the stake.”
“Ryan, you walked into my office asking me for help,” interrupted Archer, “And I’m giving it to you. Nobody is going to put a hand on you or Derek. You have my word. You’re both going to walk out of here today.”
“With all due respect, sir, I don’t give a shit about that. There’s no doubt in my mind that Derek is walking out of here. But I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere until he’s in a cell.”
“I betrayed your trust, Ryan,” said Donaldson, “And I’ll resign my position if you still feel the same way at the end of our conversation. All I’m asking for is a few minutes. Will you allow me that?”
“You may have swayed Archer. You won’t sway us, but go ahead and start dancing.”
“I betrayed your trust because I trusted Colonel Brown,” started Donaldson, “And it was a mistake that’ll haunt me for the rest of my life. Before this mess, he was a respected leader and a vital component to a program with unprecedented potential to save lives in combat. The more I learned about the Didache Project, the more I believed in it. The results were extraordinary and the applications were sound. But the lengths he was willing to go to insure its survival weren’t. He betrayed all of us, Ryan.”
“You’re telling me you had no idea what was happening?” asked Ryan. “I can’t accept that. I can’t accept you simply took his word that we needed to kill Derek and the others.”
“Ryan, even you were taken in by the need to stop them before they killed again. Neither one of us knew why. We just knew we couldn’t let them continue. The Colonel manipulated the evidence and the situation to make us believe they were murderers on a rampage.”
Archer interrupted again. “Before the deputy director left Washington, he sent me the transcripts and recordings of every conversation he had with Colonel Brown and you. When you hear them, I think you’ll have a better understanding. For what it’s worth, I have very little knowledge of what happened, but the tapes are compelling. The Colonel motivated nearly every move the Bureau made. And we now know everything coming out of his mouth was a lie.”
“We started to suspect he was playing us when we discovered he authorized the destruction of Joshua’s juvenile criminal records,” continued Donaldson. “I immediately put a team on investigating the nature of the offenses. It didn’t take them long to put the pieces together proving he was a true sociopath. We still didn’t understand why Derek, Peter, and Richard jumped on Joshua’s killing bandwagon, but it raised enough red flags for me to put the brakes on accepting the Colonel’s request for support. Unfortunately, you had already uncovered the truth about his intentions. When we couldn’t contact you, I knew something was wrong. After he sent Alex’s fake confession to the oversight committee, there was no doubt in my mind of his true nature. When I sent the agents to Maine, they didn’t go to protect him. I sent them to help you. Obviously, you didn’t need it.”
“I killed him,” said Ryan, “And Alex. That needs to be made perfectly clear. It’s all on me. And Joshua was killed while he attempted to take another victim. It was a clean shoot for Michelle and Tom.”
“I have no doubt, Ryan,” replied Donaldson. “I’m sorry you thought you were out there alone on this. From what I’ve heard so far, and for the record, the Colonel was barricaded in the lab and resisted arrest. His was a clean shoot as well. The U.S. Attorney’s Office concurs. We have a mountain of paperwork to complete, but at this point no criminal charges are being filed against you or any member of your team. After you finish the reports I’ll be helping you with, you’re going to take a very long vacation while I sort out the details. I’m sorry, but there’s no way to avoid putting you on administrative leave until this case is closed.”
“Administrative leave is the least of my worries, but what about Derek?” asked Ryan.
“It’s a little trickier for him,” said Donaldson, who turned his attention to Derek. “Regardless of why, there are still a number of families out there wondering what happened to their daughters. We have to answer to them. There’s no way to avoid it.”
“He helped us end this, sir,” said Ryan, becoming irritated. “As crazy as it sounds, they programmed him to kill those women. There was no premeditation or natural urge. I understand the families need closure, but there has to be another way. Derek doesn’t deserve to go to prison.”
