Dark Lake

by Clare Revell

  “You’re welcome.”

  Evan flicked on his torch and led them through the network he knew so well. Up ahead, there was a light and at least two voices. He turned off the torch and pulled Lou against the wall, motioning to the others to keep still and quiet.

  “It has to be here somewhere,” Varian’s voice carried. “There’s nowhere else those papers would be. You’re sure Evan said the documents were in the caves?”

  “Yes. I heard them myself.”

  “That’s your security man, isn’t it?” Shock filled Lou’s tiny voice.

  Glad he couldn’t see anyone’s reaction, Evan scowled. “Yeah, Zach. Hence his sneaking around, listening at doors, and demanding personal time as the dam fails.”

  Ira whispered in his ear. “Let me handle this.” The sound of a gun slide echoed.

  Evan put a hand on Ira’s arm. “Not yet.”

  “And they proved my grandfather’s role in all this?” Varian raised his voice. “We have to find and destroy it. I can’t have any of this coming back on me. Not after all I’ve done to keep it hidden.”

  ~*~

  Lou pulled away from Evan. If she were being honest, she felt like death warmed up. The migraines hadn’t been this bad for a long time. She wanted to sleep. Forcing one foot in front of the other, she moved into the light, throwing up a hand to protect her eyes. Pain seared her sockets, piercing her brain and making her gag. “You hiding evidence again, Varian?” she managed. “Rewriting history so you come out intact? Making yourself and your family the victor rather than the perpetrator?”

  Varian spun around. “Lou.”

  “Yeah, it’s me.” She leaned a hand on the wall, desperate to stay on her feet long enough to resolve this. “And this is your fault. If you hadn’t sent me up here and then followed me to destroy the evidence, none of this would have come to light. The burned bone would have been explained by the scorch marks on the church walls. The records and history mention the huge fire that destroyed the villages. Because you sent me, we found the journal that proves the villagers were murdered.”

  “You’re sick. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

  She ignored him. “I have a headache, not memory loss. You planted those bombs that destroyed the ruins and destabilized the dam. That’s why it failed. You killed AJ. What your grandfather did wasn’t your fault. What happened today and this last week is.”

  She pinched the bridge of her nose. Her head was beyond painful now. Rotating triangles captured ninety per cent of her vision, and her eyes blurred. “You could just have let me resign. I was leaving anyway after Llaremont was finished. I’m tired of you giving all my notes to Monty. Well, not this time.” She shivered and coughed. “It’s too late. It’s published.”

  Varian scowled and moved a step towards her. “What?”

  She groaned, leaning against the wall. “It’s published. AJ brought all my notes up himself. I didn’t ask him to. I could have, but I didn’t. I have some honour.”

  Evan stepped into the confined space and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I told you to wait.”

  “I’m fine.”

  Zach pulled out his gun. Ira lifted his.

  Lou sighed. “Seriously? You two have seen way too many movies where the bad guys threaten the good guys so the bad guys stand a chance of winning. Ain’t gonna happen. Good guys always win. Put the guns away, and let’s talk like grownups. Varian, you win.” She glanced up at Evan. “We’re leaving.”

  “We can’t,” Evan said. “Not without those files.”

  “Yes, we can. The scientists from Porton Down have the samples from the vault. Truth always wins. Varian can keep the files that are here. We don’t need them.” She closed her eyes, swallowing hard, her head pounding, fit to burst. “I’m going to be sick.”

  Evan held her as she threw up.

  She straightened, coughing hard. Her hand came away covered with blood. “Evan? Dad?”

  Evan swung her into his arms. “We need to get you out of here. Ira, run ahead and call an ambulance or a helicopter or something.” He glanced over his shoulder at Varian. “I suggest you also get yourself to a doctor.”

  “Why? What’s she got?”

  “I have no idea. She says it’s a migraine, but it could just as easily be your grandfather’s plague.” He paused. “And, Zach, you’re fired.”

  46

  Evan raised his head as Jack slumped into the plastic chair beside him. “How is she?”

  “Not good.” Jack’s eyes were red, and he appeared to be as tired as Evan felt. “I’ve sent for her mom. She’s flying over. How are you?”

  “They’ve started antibiotics, and it’s a seven day course, so too early to tell. How about you?”

  “The same.”

  Evan rubbed the back of his neck. “They won’t let me see her. They say it’s family only.”

  “I’ll tell them you’re her boyfriend.” Jack shot him a smile. “It’s the truth; you are courting her.”

  He sighed. “I never had a chance to ask her. Things got rather fraught this morning and stuff happened really quickly.”

  Jack agreed. “Is anyone else sick?”

  “Ira, Varian, and Zach. A couple of the underwater search and rescue divers are running a fever. Charlie Brampton and Jasper Steele were found dead in their home this morning. They house share and have both been up at the dam a lot. My team is on antibiotics the same as everyone else.”

  “Mr. Close?”

  Evan glanced up. “Yes?”

  The tall man sat beside him. “Peter Dorchester from Porton Down. I thought you’d like to know before the press gets hold of it. It is pneumonic plague, but not a genetically modified version. It’s still highly contagious but treatable. As yet, we don’t know the source of the outbreak, but we’ll keep searching. Could you let Dr. Fitzgerald know?”

  “She’s in intensive care. She’s really sick, but yeah, I’ll tell her.”

  Jack’s phone rang. “Fitzgerald. Hey, honey.” He stood and walked to the window, talking quietly.

  Evan gazed out of the window, and then pushed upright. He headed down the hallway to the chapel. Inside, it was dark and quiet. A stained glass window lit the area behind the altar, a huge cross set on a table at the front.

  Evan sank into one of the chairs and buried his head in his hands. He wasn’t sure how long he lingered before he became aware of someone beside him. “I never told her how I felt.” Guilt tied his insides in knots. “I mean, she knows, because I’ve kissed her often enough, but I never said it out loud. I even asked her father for permission to court her, but I never told her. And now, it’s too late. Well, probably too late.”

  “It’s never too late. While there’s life and breath, there is always hope. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.”

  Evan glanced sideways. The man beside him wore a suit and dog collar. “You reckon?”

  The green eyes twinkled. “I know so. Things always seem darker just before dawn.”

  “Dawn’s a long way off, Padre. It may never come.” His nails dug into the palms of his hands.

  “All the more reason to tell her. She’ll hear you. Would it help to pray or light a candle?”

  “No, but thank you.” He paused. “Not really a praying kind of a bloke, haven’t been for a while. But being here, it’s peaceful. Comforting.”

  The man nodded. “You may have forgotten God, but He hasn’t forgotten you. I’ll add your friend to my prayer list. What’s her name?”

  “Lou, and thank you. She’d like that.” He stood. “I’d better get back to ICU.”

  Evan picked up two coffees from the vending machine on his way and held one out to Jack, who sat in the waiting area. “Here.”

  “Thanks.” Jack sipped the hot liquid. “I told the nursing staff you’re family. You can see her when you want.”

  Evan set his cup on the table. “Thank you. I might go see her now. There’s something I need to tell her.” He headed over to the ward and rang th
e bell.

  The nurse opened the door.

  “Evan Close. I’m here to see Lou Fitzgerald.”

  The nurse smiled. “You’re her boyfriend, right? Pop on the mask and suit. Then wash your hands before you put the gloves on. She’s in the side room with two beds. There are specific instructions on the door you’ll need to follow as she’s in quarantine.”

  Evan did as requested and then crossed over to the occupied bed. Shock flooded him, almost knocking him backwards. She lay there, wired up to monitors and on a ventilator.

  The nurse at the end of her bed, also wearing a suit, mask, and gloves, smiled. “It’s not as bad as it looks. You must be Evan.”

  “Her boyfriend, yeah. I hadn’t realised she’d be…no one said.” He sat beside the bed. “Can I hold her hand?”

  “Sure.”

  He gripped her hand tightly, blinking hard, unprepared for the onslaught of emotions that charged through him. “What are all these machines for?”

  “Right now she’s in a medical coma, to give her body a chance to rest and fight the infection. This machine here records her heartrate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. This one is breathing for her.”

  Evan raised Lou’s hand and kissed her fingers through his mask. “How sick is she? I know they’ve sent for her mum from the States, so it’s not good.”

  “She’s critical. Probably won’t know anything for at least the next seventy-two hours. If she makes it that far, then she might have a chance.”

  Evan’s eyes burned, and he was grateful the mask hid his trembling lips. He squeezed her hand tightly. “Don’t you die on me. You hear me? There is so much I want to tell you about how I feel, but I’d rather you were awake to listen. I …I love you. There I said it.”

  He took a deep breath. “Your headache is contagious.” His vision blurred, and he dropped her hand.

  The nurse tilted her head. “Are you all right?”

  “Headache. I think I might go home. Sleep it off.” He stood, and his legs gave way. He slid to the floor, gripping onto the bed as he fell.

  An alarm rang somewhere, echoing. A door slammed open.

  “I need some help in here.” Gloved hands caught him. “Let’s get you onto a bed.”

  “I’m fine,” he protested. Someone lifted him onto a bed. He assumed the empty one beside Lou. The cool pillow under his head felt good.

  “Doctor, this is Evan Close. He’s Lou Fitzgerald’s boyfriend.”

  “Evan, I’m Dr. Halstead. I’ll just check you over.”

  Evan shook his head, instantly regretting it as the world spun. “I need to rest for a few. Then I’ll go home. Probably allergic to those antibiotics someone gave me.”

  “Humour me, OK? I need a full set of bloods run. FBCs, U and E’s, LFTs…”

  Evan groaned. “Sounds like I’m in an episode of Casualty.” He closed his eyes. “Lou, honey, if you’ve given me the dreaded lurgy, I shall have to marry you and make you regret it forever.”

  47

  Lou opened her eyes. This wasn’t her bed. A nurse in a mask and gown sat at the end of the bed. That meant it was a hospital. OK, that was a little excessive, even for a migraine as bad as this one had been.

  Three people, also wearing gowns and masks, hovered around her bed, but not one of them the one she longed to see. “Where’s Evan?”

  “Charming,” Jim complained. “We fly thousands of miles to be here, an emergency flight, I hasten to add, to sit by your deathbed, and your first words are ‘where’s Evan?’ It’s nice to see you too, Lou.”

  “Hi, Jim. Well, as I recall, you only visit me for the chips, so fair’s fair.” She turned her head slowly and reached for her mother. She sat beside Jack, and as usual they were holding hands. “Mum.”

  Mum clutched her hand. “He’s teasing. How are you feeling?”

  “Better. What happened? And what’s all this about my deathbed? It was a migraine.”

  “What’s the last thing you remember, kiddo?” Jack asked.

  Lou thought for a moment. “The dam fell. Evan and I went to the caves with you and Ira. I had a massive headache, and you and he wanted me to go home to bed.”

  “That was ten days ago,” Mum said.

  “Ten days?” Lou frowned, trying to get her head around the idea. “Really?”

  “We’ve been here almost eight now.” Mum glanced at Jack. “Not the best way to spend an anniversary.”

  “Is that today?”

  Jack pushed the hair from her face. “Yeah.”

  The nurse stood beside her. “I need to run a few tests now you’re awake.” She shoved the thermometer into Lou’s mouth.

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “Don’t even think about it.”

  She scrunched up her nose. Did that man remember every single thing she’d ever done? “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “And don’t talk with your mouth full.”

  Lou rolled her eyes. Some things never changed. Being visited in hospital for one thing, and Jack moaning at her about thermometers, for another. As soon as the thermometer was removed, she asked again. “Where’s Evan?”

  “He’s in the next bed. He’s been sick, too, but not as bad as you. He’s sleeping right now.”

  “Sick?” She pushed upright, to have the nurse lie her back down. “Someone tell me what’s going on?”

  Jim pulled a face. “You got the plague, and you don’t even remember?”

  Plague? That made no sense, but now wasn’t the time to ask. She tilted her head. “That explains the very sexy masks everyone is wearing.”

  Jim snorted. “Did you just call your mother and stepfather sexy?”

  She struggled to keep a straight face. “I might have.”

  Jack groaned. “She’s feeling better. I think it’s time for lunch while you have those tests done. We’ll be back later.”

  Lou arranged the blanket as they all stood. “Nothing changes, look, it’s like old times. Leaving me alone in a hospital bed with a nurse brandishing needles.”

  Jim laughed and cleared his throat. “You know you love it, really. We’ll be back. Fret not.”

  “All these years, and you still do a rubbish impression of that actor.” She glanced sideways at the nurse. “Let’s do this.”

  Fifteen minutes later, the nurse pulled back the curtains between her bed and the one next to her. “The doctor will be in shortly.”

  Lou glanced to her right. “Evan…”

  A huge grin split his face. “You’re awake.” He threw the covers back and got out of bed. He sat beside her, leaned in, and hugged her tightly. “I was so worried about you.”

  She hugged him back. “Happy birthday.”

  “You remembered.”

  “Of course I did.” She paused, leaning against him as he settled onto the bed next to her. “How sick was I? I mean they got Mum over here, and Jim said something about death beds and the plague.”

  Evan kissed her forehead, his arm settling around her. “Yeah, plague. They wanted to give you the last rites at one point, but Jack said no. He prayed a lot.”

  “It does work. Perhaps you should try it.”

  “Tell you the truth, I have been.” His hands moved slowly through her hair. “There is so much I should have told you. How I feel about you for one thing…”

  “Evan,” she began. She twisted to look up at him.

  “Let me finish. I love you. I don’t want to lose you. And I don’t want you taking a job at the other end of the country or moving back to your family home in the States.”

  “You work in London. I’ve been offered that job up here in the university. Not that I’ve accepted it yet.”

  Evan’s face fell. “I see.”

  “You seriously think I’d pick a job over you?” She cupped his face in the palm of her hand. “I love you. I could never put work over you.”

  “You do?”

  She tapped his ear. “Maybe you should turn your hearing aid up or have one fitted.”

  “
Did you say something?” He grinned at her, shaking his head.

  Lou giggled. She mouthed, “I love you.”

  “Speak up. I can’t hear you.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

  She closed her eyes, kissing him back.

  Footsteps stopped by the bed, and Jack coughed.

  Lou beamed at Evan, and then glanced up, her cheeks burning. “Nasty cough, Dad.”

  “I thought we’d had this conversation,” Jack teased. “You know, the one about kissing my daughter in compromising places.” He pointed to the bed. “They don’t come much more compromising than a bed. Do we need to have it again?”

  Evan laughed. “And once again I’m kissing her in front of an audience.”

  “Dad…” Lou began.

  “It’s OK, kiddo. I’ve already given him my permission.”

  “Permission for what?” she asked, confused. “What did I miss?”

  Evan held her face towards his. “The night before you got sick, I asked your dad for permission to court you.”

  “Court?”

  “Yeah, an old-fashioned way of dating. As an archaeologist you should know that.”

  “I do, but…”

  Jim groaned. “It’s a bit early for the ‘I do’s’, isn’t it?”

  Evan kissed her. “It’s never too early. We’ll figure out the jobs and the living arrangements further down the line.”

  Lou leaned into him. “Sounds good to me. We have plenty of time to do that. Just promise me it won’t be in Dark Lake.”

  “OK.”

  “What happened to Varian? Did you find the rest of your great-grandfather’s papers?”

  “Varian got sick, but he’s recovering. The police have charged him with various things, including AJ’s murder and attempting to kill you.”

  “What about Monty?”

  “He left a letter with my office in London. He’s handed over all the papers Varian had pertaining to Dark Lake, and he’s left the company. He said he’s doing what you told him to do and following his dreams.”

  She snuggled into him. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Evan snorted. “You told him to be a fireman.”

  “Did I?”