Stillness

by Eldon Farrell

  “No,” Lynne shifts in her seat to face Caleb “He’s still lying and I can prove it.”

  “You can?”

  “Science doesn’t lie. Do you remember what Wendy said about the restriction enzymes and the signature they leave behind? The work on this Isidis strain was done by American trained geneticists. Cummings just lied about it coming out of the collapsed Soviet Union.

  “I’m telling you that whatever is going on at this Chimera facility—it isn’t for defensive purposes.”

  Once again Caleb can’t help but be impressed by her. In the short amount of time that he’s known her he’s grown quite fond of her. Seeing her now across from him, with a vibrant smile lighting up the space between them, he can feel his pulse racing.

  Needing to know something he asks “Is that why you came with me today?”

  Tilting her head coyly she answers, “Part of the reason. I couldn’t watch Josh coddling to Cummings anymore when I knew that he was full of it.”

  “And the other part?” Caleb leads her along.

  “I like spending time with you,” she admits eliciting a boyish grin from him. “And I think we work well together.”

  “Well in that case,” Caleb twists the key in the ignition “Now that my fellow Feds are busy looking for El Said, Mr. Sullivan has been trying to reach me. He left a message for me to meet him regarding Castle. Care to tag along?”

  Lynne buckles herself in answering with a playful look “Try and keep me away.”

  Mary Osborne nervously rattles the dishes in her sink as she cleans a coffee mug. Catching her reflection in the kitchen window she’s startled by how wild she looks.

  Her short hair stands out of place in several spots while her round face has no makeup on it to cover up the deepening bags under her eyes.

  Wetting her fingers she runs her hand through her auburn hair until the wild spots are once again tamed. Closing her eyes she exhales deeply to try and calm down.

  Glancing back over her shoulder towards the living room she sees Jacob Castle sitting on her sofa patiently waiting for her to return.

  “Get it together girl,” she whispers under her breath as she sets the coffee on to brew. Leaving the calamity of her kitchen behind she stands in the doorway to the living room watching Jacob until he raises his head to look back at her.

  “I really appreciate you doing this Mary.”

  Dismissively waving her hand at him she replies, “Don’t mention it Jake. You can stay here as long as you need to.”

  “Well,” he says, “With any luck I won’t have to put you out for too long.”

  “I told you Jake, it’s no bother. I’m glad to help.”

  Jacob nods and shows her a half smile before she turns away back into the kitchen to finish preparing the coffee. “So can I ask,” she hollers over her shoulder “Since Will is bringing the cops here; you’re obviously not hiding from them. Who are you hiding from?”

  “I promise Mary,” Jacob answers “As soon as Will returns, I’ll tell you everything.”

  She reenters the living room with two steaming mugs of coffee, handing one to Jacob she sits down beside him.

  “So,” Jacob ventures “You’re looking better than the last time I saw you.”

  “Don’t lie to me Jake, it doesn’t become you. I look hideous.”

  “I don’t think so,” Jacob eyes her as he sips his coffee, “I never see you like this. At the café you’ve always got your hair and makeup done. You just look…natural now.”

  Mary playfully shoves him to cover up her reddening cheeks.

  “Although,” Jacob says, “I do hope to see you at the café again someday.”

  Before she can reply a knock sounds at her front door. They look at each other for a moment before Mary rises to answer the door.

  “Come in,” she says to Will as she opens the door wide. Her eyes though remained fixed on the man behind him with the jagged scar on his cheek. As he passes her she notices the bulge under his jacket and instinctively steps backward.

  Looking away from him she sees for the first time the beautiful woman trailing behind him. The woman offers her a comforting smile as she passes in front of her and once again Mary feels exposed without her makeup done.

  “The FBI as promised,” Will beams at her, “Jacob in the living room?”

  She nods and follows the entourage into the living room where Jacob is sitting stock still watching the FBI agent.

  The agent extends his hand in greeting, “I’m special agent Caleb Fine with the FBI Mr. Castle. You’re a hard man to find, you know that?”

  Jacob shoots Will a sly glance saying, “So I’ve been told.” Taking Caleb’s hand he says, “Pleased to meet you Agent Fine.”

  “This is Dr. Lynne Bosworth,” Caleb introduces her, “My partner today.”

  Extending his hand in greeting to her, Lynne accepts it saying, “I’ve read your work Mr. Castle. The flu shots—I wasn’t impressed.”

  “If all you’ve read is that story, then you haven’t read my work.”

  Nodding slightly, Lynne steps back as Caleb says, “Your friend tells me that you’d like to talk to me.”

  “I do.” Jacob fidgets uncomfortably on the soft sofa cushions. “I want to tell you everything that I know about everything that’s been going on. But first,” he sighs heavily “I need to tell you about how it all began.”

  The room’s attention focuses squarely on Jacob who nervously clenches and unclenches his fists. Taking another gulp of coffee he can feel it burning all the way down his esophagus.

  He doesn’t care. Taking a deep breath he fixes Caleb in his stare and begins to tell the story that has haunted him for so long.

  “Bobby and Maggie Sullivan were my best friends. We had grown up together, went to school together, Bobby and I even roomed together at college. I loved them. Before I go any further, it’s important that you understand that.”

  Caleb nods noncommittally prompting Jacob to continue, “The happiest day in my life was the day they got married. It was a beautiful day filled with the promise of so many more great days to come.

  “I was Bobby’s best man that day.” Shaking his head at the memory Jacob sighs, “It’s been so long since I’ve been worthy of that title.”

  “This is touching and all,” Caleb says, “But can we get on with it.”

  “When we are dead and gone Agent Fine,” Jacob looks over at Will saying, “All that remains for those we leave behind are the moments of our lives that they will cherish for the rest of theirs.”

  Turning to look at Will, Caleb sees in his face the pained expression of a lost child. Feeling like a heel he sits back and allows Jacob to continue uninterrupted.

  “The happiest day in their lives though wasn’t their wedding day. It was the day Will was born. I still remember seeing them that day, they were so happy. I had never seen them so happy.

  “You were the center of their universe Will.”

  Will nods and Lynne notices the glistening of tears forming in his eyes and in her own as memories of her own parents float to the surface.

  Taking another deep cleansing breath Jacob says, “So you see, Bobby and Maggie had a very happy life together—a life that I felt very lucky to be a part of. I would never have hurt them and that’s what hurt the most after what happened to them.

  “How quickly this community turned on me and thought the worst of me. It’s such a tragedy when young lovers are murdered Agent Fine. Nothing compares to it, except maybe the tragedy of how those who are left behind are unable to remember the good times.

  “Murder is a stain that can never be removed. It clouds everything and robs you of all the moments you want to cherish. You can never get past it—this I know is true. But, I’m getting ahead of myself, so let’s back up for a moment shall we?

  “The weekend they disappeared we went camping. We used to go camping all the time before they were married. But Maggie got pregnant so quick that we hadn’t had the chance to go i
n so long. That weekend…it was one of those rare weekends that seem tailor made for camping. A breeze blowing down from the north kept the temperature from becoming unbearably hot while the bright sunshine seemed to light up the whole world.

  “It was Bobby’s suggestion that we go camping out in the nature preserve. Maggie was all for the idea and quickly enlisted Mary to baby-sit Will.”

  To Jacob’s right, Mary smiles at the memory of the day.

  “It sounded like a world of fun. Bobby said it would be just like old times and it was, for a time. So often over the years though, I’ve thought about how different things might’ve been if we hadn’t gone.”

  Shaking his head he continues, “We left early that Saturday and after a quick pit stop to fill the cooler with beer we drove the few miles to the preserve and went deep into the woods. We spent the morning making camp and the afternoon lounging around reminiscing about our days together in high school. What I remember most though, was that night. We must’ve stayed up to at least three in the morning, laughing so hard our ribs hurt.

  “We were playing an old game we used to play in college. The first person to pass out would have whipped cream put in their palms and be woken up by a feather tickling their nose.

  “Bobby tried so hard to stay awake, but just like in college he was the first to pass out. I had no idea then that…”

  Jacob chokes up reaching for another sip of coffee to clear his throat before continuing. “I slept late the next morning; I didn’t even hear them leave to go wash in the lake. I woke up to Bobby calling my name. His voice…I knew instantly that something was wrong.

  “I must’ve made that short sprint to the lake without even breathing—I was so afraid something had happened to Maggie.”

  He shakes his head saying, “I never expected to see what I did. From the moment I saw him I didn’t trust him. He was haggard and disheveled—he had a sickly stench to him that was overpowering even in the fresh air.

  “His face was covered with dried blood from cuts and scrapes and his clothes were really torn up. My gut told me that whoever this guy was, he was on the run. There was just something about him that was…off.

  “I asked Bobby what was going on and he said that they found him just lying face down in the short grass. He was obviously sick with something and Maggie was insistent that we help him. But then that was Maggie; that was why everyone loved her so much. She would do anything to help others—even complete strangers.

  “I told Bobby that I didn’t like the situation. We had no idea who this guy was or what he was doing just lying out in the wilderness. And more importantly since he was obviously sick, he might’ve been contagious.

  “Bobby understood my concerns—he shared them—but he couldn’t go against Maggie. And Maggie wanted to help this stranger. Despite my misgivings I had to admit that he was in bad shape and that if we didn’t help him she was probably right in saying that he’d die.

  “We decided that there was really nothing any of us could do to help him out there. We had to get him some medical attention. We thought about carrying him the few miles out of the woods to the pickup but looking at him we doubted we’d be able to carry him that far.

  “He was a fair size man and in his prone condition, nothing but dead weight. Even all three of us wouldn’t have been able to maneuver him out of there. That’s when Maggie suggested someone should just go and bring back help.

  “Bobby immediately said Maggie should go. I knew what he was thinking about and I agreed with him. Neither of us wanted her to be around this guy any longer. She refused though saying that she’d never get to help and back in time. We could go faster.

  “It was out of the question. Bobby wasn’t going to leave Maggie out there with this guy. They turned to me and I knew that if anyone was going to go it would have to be me. I didn’t want to leave but if I didn’t this guy was going to die. Reluctantly I agreed to go for help after we got him back to camp.

  “Back at camp I took Bobby aside and together we searched the stranger for any identification we could find. He had none on him and was so incoherent with fever that there was no way we could get anything out of him.

  “Whatever he had he was dying and fast. His breathing was labored and he kept sliding into coughing fits. I left and ran a large portion of the way back to Bobby’s truck. I still remember the drive back to town. All the thoughts that ran through my mind have remained burned in me ever since. Mostly I was worried about your parents Will. I tried to comfort myself by saying that Bobby would never let anything happen to Maggie. I believed that right up until I returned to the campsite.

  “But I’m getting ahead of myself again. When I got back to town I went straight to Doc Hoag’s office. I told Alex what had happened and he called the Sheriff right away and told him to meet us at the edge of the woods.

  “I got into Alex’s car and we sped back to the scene. Sheriff Anjou was there waiting for us and together we hiked the few miles to the campsite. I’ll never forget what we found there.”

  No one can take their eyes off of Jacob as they wait for him to continue. They’re hanging on his every word.

  “The campsite,” Jacob continues “Was gone. I was sure that we were in the right location. We followed the same path in that I took out—I knew that and yet the clearing was empty.

  “There was no sign that anyone had been there recently. The tent was gone; we found no trace of a fire and no sign of anyone. Walter immediately ordered a search convinced that I must’ve gotten lost on the way back.

  “For days the forest was scoured by hundreds of volunteer searchers all to no avail. As the days went by suspicion began to fall upon me. I would hear the whispers from those who knew me my whole life. They couldn’t get past the fact that three went out and only one came back.

  “Everything I said came under scrutiny as I was made the prime suspect in a possible double murder. My account of the stranger was dismissed as an attempt to cover my tracks. After their bodies were found a week later with gunshot wounds, I was taken into custody.

  “I was told that the wounds matched to my gun. You can’t understand what it feels like when the whole world believes you did something that you know you didn’t do. Everything I said contrary to the party line sounded like the ravings of a desperate and guilty man.

  “Even my own lawyer advised me to cop a plea, but I refused. I was innocent and I naively believed that the evidence would set me free. The day the jury was selected I sat in my cell worrying that I’d spend the rest of my days behind bars for a crime that I didn’t commit.

  “That was when he showed up.”

  “Who?” Caleb and Lynne ask in unison.

  “I have no names and that was the only time I ever saw anyone. After that, all my contact was by phone. He told me that I was going to be found guilty of two counts of murder. Unless…”

  “Unless what?”

  Hearing the pain in her voice Jacob looks over at Mary. I’ve disappointed so many people in my life but this woman has never wavered in her support for me. With just a look he pleads for her forgiveness saying, “Unless I agreed to let him help me. He said that he could have the charges dropped before the trial began, if I agreed to help him in return.

  “At first I didn’t believe him. I wanted to believe him but I couldn’t see how he could do it. He told me not to worry about it, that with just a few phone calls I would be a free man.”

  “What did he want from you?” Caleb asks leaning forward.

  “He told me that all he wanted was favorable press. That if he helped me, I would kill any unfavorable stories that he didn’t want to run. I didn’t exactly have any better options at the time. I agreed and the charges were dropped.”

  “So it’s true then,” Mary accuses him “You bought your freedom.”

  “I can’t defend what I did Mary, but I didn’t do what I was going to go to prison for. Besides, in the court of public opinion I’ve been guilty of killing my two best friends a
ll these years. Believe me; I’ve been punished for whatever my sins are.”

  “And the story about the flu shots?” Lynne asks.

  “I got a call to run it.” Jacob lowers his head saying, “I didn’t know it would start a riot, I swear.”

  Lynne and Caleb exchange glances as Jacob sits back on the sofa, spent from his confession.

  “Now for the icing on the cake.” The room’s attention shifts to Will who’s brandishing two folders. “This,” he says raising his right hand “Is the results from the recent examination of my parents’ remains. It proves that they were both already dead when they were shot.

  “The fix was in further proved by what I’ve just come into possession of.” Slapping the report on his parents down on the coffee table he raises his left hand declaring, “From the confidential files of Sheriff Anjou.”

  “How did you happen upon that?”

  Eyeing Caleb, he blushes as he answers “His son gave it to me.”

  “And his father just gave it to him?”

  “Something like that,” Will smirks, “This file contains evidence proving that Sheriff Anjou is dirty. He falsified the original autopsy report on my parents, arranging for a Dr. Vladimir Tesla to sign the report. The county has no record of a Dr. Tesla.

  “There are transcripts of conversations he had with his handlers, financial records of payoffs, blueprints for some secret facility, and…a list of suspect names!”

  Lynne and Caleb both look wide eyed at each other at the mention of a secret facility. “Any mention of the name of this facility?” Caleb asks.

  “Chimera,” Will answers nonchalantly. “That means something to you?”

  “Yeah,” Caleb reaches out for the file “Let me see those names.”

  He flips through the file only glancing briefly at the blueprints—long enough for Lynne over his shoulder to confirm they’re for a laboratory. Skipping past the financial records he reaches a handwritten page containing five names:

  Dr. Vladimir Tesla

  Dr. Arthur Wellesley