by Jill Cooper
Because she was raising one and saw that pure sweetness up close? Because Jake made sacrifices to keep the world safer and the few times they were together she saw real kindness, compassion in his eyes?
“Who came up with the project?” Dirk asked with his eyes narrow. “A few scientists couldn’t have come up with this. It has to be bigger than that.”
“Classified.” Briggs said simply. “A few dead glistenings help keep the world safe. Keep the program alive. I thought of all people you would understand, Morgan.”
Jenna licked her lips, but didn’t face him. She couldn’t move away from the glass. One of the technicians had a scalpel in his hand. He approached Tim and then the window went dark. She couldn’t see anymore what he was doing, but she suspected. She knew Tim was as good as dead. He was going to be dissected like nothing more than a frog.
“What will you tell his daughter? Friends, family?”
“He killed his wife. What do you think we’ll tell them?”
Her heart skipped a beat. This was wrong. All of it. She was like a trapped rat in a lab only New Haven didn’t realize who she was. What she was. And if they found out, Jenna had no illusions that she would become just like Tim. Her fist clenched and she turned to face Briggs.
She caught Dirk’s face from the corner of her eye and saw a flicker of fear on his features. He was worried about her. She never wanted to run off with him more than she did in that moment. It was time to leave it all behind, but Jenna didn’t know if she could.
“The harnesses will keep them in check, right?” Jenna asked. “His friends, family, none of them will ask any questions. They’ll just go about their lives.”
Briggs shrugged. “That’s the way of the world. Glistenings lost. We won. Humans want nothing to do with them.”
“Out of sight, out of mind.” Dirk sneered.
“Except you have to keep it secret.” Jenna said. “If there was nothing wrong here it, the senate, would know. The president would know.”
“Who says he doesn’t.” Brigg’s words sent a shiver racing down her spine. “Americans, the world, want to keep their hands clean. It’s our job to ensure they do. That they can go to sleep at night knowing the world never changed. Their lives are the same. It’s our job to protect that illusion.”
“Well,” Jenna’s voice echoed around them. “I guess we can just agree to disagree on this.”
Briggs nodded. A voice interrupted them over the intercom. “Chief, Carl Spector has arrived. He is requesting Officer Morgan in your office.”
Here they went. It was time to face the music.
Then it was time to get the hell out of New Haven and disappear forever.
That or it was time to stay and dismantle New Haven from the inside out. But if she did that, Jenna might miss her big chance at freedom forever.
Chapter Ten Jenna
Chief Briggs Office
Outpost, New Haven 57
Jenna didn’t know what she was expecting, but Carl Spector smiling wasn’t it. He offered her a handshake and Jenna accepted, pumping his hand. Maybe things wouldn’t go as bad as she feared. Maybe she would have the time and gall to bring up the harnesses and just maybe he’d answer her questions.
“Please,” he gestured to two chairs.
Jenna and Dirk sat. It was only then did Jenna see the seriousness in Spector’s face. The worry lines around his eyes crinkled. “Give us a moment.” Spector said to Briggs.
Briggs nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Then again, Jenna thought…
Spector sat on the edge of the desk, his eyes sweeping over them. “I know some would say what you did was unthinkable. Unfathomable. I, on the other hand, see it differently. You did what you had to. The country should offer you its thanks that we don’t have five hundred more glistenings out there as part of the resistance.”
Dirk and Jenna did a double take to each other. “Resistance?” Jenna had never heard it referred to that way.
“We have an opportunity.” Spector bit his lip. “An opportunity to bring them in. Peacefully. With no blood shed on either side. But I’m going to need to ask one more thing of you.”
Jenna held her breath. “We’re supposed to be retired.” Dirk said. “You’ve already asked one more thing of us. We are frankly, running out of things.”
Spector sighed with a nod of his head. He was sympathizing with them, but going to ask anyway. “If I had any other options, you have to believe me, I’d take it. But you were specifically asked for. By name. There’s no way I can turn down this request.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Who made this request?”
“Jake Monroe.” Spector said and it stilled Jenna’s heart. She could feel her blood pressure slipping, panic beginning to set in. Dirk reached over and squeezed her hand. It grounded her. Brought her back from the brink.
“He’s made contact?” Dirk asked what Jenna couldn’t as her mind reeled. It had been months since they’ve seen Jake. They promised no contact. So what was he up to now?
Spector nodded. “He went to see Rebecca Seers. He’s requested to speak to the senate.”
“Is he insane?” Jenna asked out loud without really meaning to.
“He says he doesn’t want a war. He doesn’t want the glistenings and humans to start killing each other. I can’t say that I think what he’s doing is going to work. I have no reason to believe Congress is going to view him anything other than a monster. But if we can get him into the capital peacefully, maybe there is hope--.”
“Of bringing him in?” Jenna asked with a crumbling heart.
Spector spoke quietly and his eyes fell away from her face. “He’s their leader. Without him…”
“They might go to war.” Dirk said. “Sir--.”
Spector held up his hand to silence him. “You’ll escort him to the capital. Make sure he’s safe and no one tries to kill him. But you’re also to make sure he isn’t up to anything funny. He’ll get to say his piece. Then once he’s off the floor, you’ll tag him and bring him in.”
Jenna’s hands shook. She quelled them by making two fists. “And then what? If the glistenings come to rescue him?”
“We’ll have Jake reconditioned.”
“And if it doesn’t work?” Jenna clenched her jaw.
“Our new methods are fool proof. Once the harness is in place, his brain will be so bombarded with happy feelings, he won’t even remember what it felt like to be free.”
She resisted the urge to puke. But it was hard. Damn hard. She thought of Jake, everything they had said to each other in the past. That would just be all snuffed out? Destroyed once the harness was in place.
“We’ll get him to tell them to stand down. Turn themselves in peacefully. And if they don’t listen, we’ll have no choice but to snipe them off one at a time.”
Was there anyway she could get herself out of this? Jenna couldn’t tell Spector why she was the wrong person for the job. She couldn’t tell anyone what a good kid Jake was, that there was something different about him above all other glistenings. How loyal she felt to him. All she could do was sit there while inside every part of her trembled.
“Yes, Sir.” Jenna whispered, feeling haunted and alone. Her lip trembled. “When do we go?”
“He’ll meet us two days from now. Get some rest and then you’ll move out. We’ll set you up with a comm and make sure security is setup for his arrival.”
“I want say on the final roster.” Jenna said. “I won’t have any of Laurel’s plants on the task force. If he were to be assassinated while on the floor…”
“We don’t want that either. We need him taken alive.” Spector said and Jenna was chilled. Interrogation, reconditioning, and possibly what she just saw happen to Tim…..
“Can you give us a moment, Sir?” Dirk asked.
Spector nodded. “Take all the time you need. And thank you. The both of you. I know it’s asking a lot, but once this is over, you’ll both get to do what
you’ve wanted for a while.” He smiled. It was warm, genuine, and it made Jenna despise him in a way she reserved for monsters.
Betrayers.
The door closed behind him and Jenna let out a long, slow breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding. Dirk leaned over to her, his hand caressed her cheek. His eyes were concerned, warm. Loving. Jenna took one look into them and she crumbled. She cried, her face scrunched and she just cried.
“Oh Jenn…” Dirk whispered, pulling her forward.
Her head rested against his shoulder and she just cried, her shoulders rocking up and down in spasms. If this was the world, if the people she fought for couldn’t be trusted, God help them all.
“We’re supposed to be the good guys, Dirk.” Jenna whispered, her lip trembling. She gripped him tightly.
His arms tightened around her, but didn’t say anything. He just held her and in those moments, there was nothing else she needed.
***
Silo Engineering
New York, City
Gerard Finch, CEO and founder of the biggest medical engineering facility of New York sat in his office. Dressed in his finest suit, he sat in his overstuffed recliner, his eyes gazing at the flat screen news terminal on his screen.
He took a long drought of his cigarette and held it as the news reel scrolled by, “Glistening Jake Monroe to appear before Congress. DC ordered on lock down and curfew for his arrival.”
A sneer took shape on his face. Finally a break. Finally something for Gerard to look forward to. Since Rebecca lost the baby a year ago, there was little good news. He paid good money to ensure Wendy Reynold’s baby was delivered to him. He lured away the finest New Haven officers, technicians, and scientists all in the name of research. That baby was rightfully his.
And he wouldn’t rest until it was.
Now if Jake Monroe was going to make himself known, if he was going to just announce where he was going to show up, well maybe Gerard could reproduce the child with the woman he kept in captivity. He had little luck in his experiments so far, but if he could capture Jake…
Gerard grinned and turned the television off. In his lap was hologram paper. On it a photograph took shape. A blond man with a large, unshapely nose. He leaned forward and hit the intercom button on his phone.
“Yes, sir?” A woman’s voice piped through the speaker.
“Get the penitentiary on the phone. I need an audience with Mr. Jameson. And ring up Judge Ringwald. I’m going to need a favor.”
Chapter Eleven Jake
Monroe Farm
Rural Saskatchewan Territory of the Canadian State
Jake packed a duffle bag.
He didn’t know how many clothes he would need, or even what the outcome of this was going to be, but it was the right thing to do. He had to try.
Slinging the bag over his shoulder he turned to see Marie standing in the doorway of his room. She was wearing a simple flower skirt and a blue blouse, tugging on her finger, Marie was studying him. Her sweet, blue eyes wide and moist.
“I’ll be fine.” Jake stepped up beside her.
Marie shook her head. “That’s what Mom said when you were missing. Over and over. That everything would be fine, but nothing was fine. Nothing has been fine….since.” Her voice trailed off and she chewed on the inside of her cheek.
Jake sighed and gripped her shoulder. “I’m going to have an old friend with me. Nothing will happen. I’ll be safe.”
“I wish you could promise me that, but you can’t. You know what could happen?” Marie shook her head. “Maybe we’ll never be safe again.”
The truth was, they weren’t safe. They were always a moment’s breath away from being caught. Telling Marie that wouldn’t make her feel better, it would only make things worse so instead he just leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Stay close to Dad. I’ll be back soon. And avoid Victor. I know you two have gotten close--”
“We’re in love.” Marie bit her lip.
Jake closed her eyes and sighed. “Oh, Marie. You’re too good for him.”
“You’d say that about anyone, dork face.”
Jake smiled and laughed with her. “You haven’t called me that since New Haven.”
“Well, maybe it’s time I start again.” She punched him on the arm. “We never get to talk and I never knew I’d say that, but I miss you. I miss fighting over the remote and all that stupid stuff we used to do that would drive Mom crazy.”
Jake’s eyes gazed far off and he could almost hear his mom’s hum turn to anger, “If you make me come in there, I will find chores for you to do Jacob and Marie Monroe!”
“We made her hair turn gray.” Jake said.
“And her skin wrinkly.” Marie added.
“But it never did.” Jake blinked back tears. “She was the most beautiful woman in the world, even for a glistening. Always smiling and always taking care of us.” He let out a long, laboring sigh. “If I could do things different, if I could have just said good-bye…”
Marie hugged him. Jake folded against her and really held her. It was the first time in a long time. He wanted to cry, let it all out, but he didn’t.
“You couldn’t have known.” Marie’s voice was sweet. Jake forgot how much she could sound like Mom when he really needed to hear it. “If you did, I know you would have done anything to save Mom.”
“Thanks, Marie.” He kissed her forehead. “You’ll never know how much I need you, or your words. One day, I hope I can explain it.” Jake turned away toward the door and Marie spun after him. “Wait, Jake. Take me with you.”
His eyes widened with disbelief. “Marie, I appreciate--.”
“Ever since we were kids you had my back. Made sure everyone treated me well. And sure, we fought but I never got a chance to say thanks. Not really. I want to stand by you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. Marie, I’m your big brother. I didn’t do those things so you could thank me.”
She nodded. “I know.” Jake could see the nerves on her face. “But I want to. Mom would want us to be in this together. She died thinking what she was doing was going to save you. She was used by the humans. I don’t want that to happen to you. If you’re going to go talk to them, I want to stand with you. You’ll need some support, right?”
Jake sighed and turned his head away, trying to find a way to say no. To say good-bye, to cut her loose. “Marie…”
“Please.” Marie whined and stepped forward. She gripped his arm. “Please, Jacob. Think of Mom. She’d want us to stand together.”
Her face was so desperate with wide eyes and the beginning of a smile. Marie thought he was ready to crack and say yes. God, he wanted to, but he couldn’t. “No.” He said simply and walked away.
Marie squealed and grabbed his arm. “Jake, you can’t make me stay. You need me. I know you do.”
He spun around and put his hands on her hips, pushing her back. “I need you safe. Alive.” Jake’s eyes raged. “Do you know what would happen to me if I lost you?”
“Mom--.”
“Would want you safe. I can’t risk your life—for any reason.” Jake huffed a slow breath. “Please, Marie. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
Tears laced her eyes, threatening to overspill. “We are supposed to be a team. Jake, let me help you.”
Jake stroked her hair, running it through his fingers like dough through a pasta maker. “You can help me by keeping Victor under control, but there’s no place for you in DC, Marie.”
“If something happens to you…” Marie could barely eke out the words.
“It won’t.” He kissed her forehead and then was gone. Turning his back and heading toward the stairs to begin his journey. He had to will himself not to look back, because if he saw that look of sadness in her eye, Jake knew Marie would win and this was one fight, he wasn’t willing to lose.
****
Nuefeld Farm
Jake ran a hand through his hair and rang the doorbell before peeking his h
ead inside. “Mr. Nuefeld?”
“Nick?” Came the voice from the kitchen. “In here, son.”
The screen door squeaked to a close behind Jake as he entered and the old floor boards creaked as he stepped across the living room. Mark was at the sink, washing dishes. He turned the faucet off and wiped his hands on a green tea towel. “What can I do for you?”
“I have to head out of town for a while. Nothing serious, but if you could keep an eye on my people while I’m gone, I’d appreciate it.”
Mark gave a slight nod. “How long you expecting to be gone?”
“Just a few days.” Jake knew no matter how things went, good or bad, his face would no longer be welcome among most humans. Everyone would know who he was, what he was. It made him sorry. Sorry that who he was wasn’t enough to be accepted by those he loved. Those he respected.
“Well, have a good trip then.” Mark smiled. “Is there something else I can do for you?”
Jake hesitated. “Just thank you. All the time I’ve known you, you’ve been kind. I just wanted you to know how much I respect you. Your family.” He offered Mark his hand in friendship.
Mark shook it with no regrets, but would he feel the same tomorrow when his face was plastered all over television? “Feels like you’re saying good-bye for good.”
“Not if I can help it.” Jake tipped his baseball cap. “Good day, Mr. Nuefeld. Give my best to the family.”
He left the house and headed toward his truck. A familiar silhouette was leaning against it. Liz wore a pair of shorts with long, sleek legs sticking out. On someone else it might have been provocative, but paired with simple tennis shoes, she just looked sweet. Her long hair pulled back in a braid.
Jake’s heart sped up as he approached the truck. “Liz, hey.”
“Where you going, Nick?” Liz’s eyes were sad. “I heard what you told my dad. So where are you going?”
