by J C Ryan
“Liam!” Mackenzie jumped to her feet and started pounding on the window with her fists. “Liam, can you hear me?”
Seema grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her back into the chair.
“It’s a soundproof room and a one-way window. He can’t see or hear you. So stop!” Nasser said.
He stepped next to the window and flipped a switch on the wall. “Proceed,” he told the man in the room.
Mackenzie watched in sheer horror as the man effortlessly picked Liam up and placed him face down on the table where he tied the little boy’s hands and feet with leather straps attached to the table.
Nasser stepped in front of her, leaned forward to look her in the eyes and continued, pointing toward Liam, “You hold the safety of this child in your hands. Do you understand?” He asked.
Mackenzie, cringing with terror she could not fathom, slumped into her chair, defeated and began to plummet into a bottomless pit of fear and panic.
Nasser stepped aside so she could see into the room again.
She watched as the man walked to the window, flipped a switch on his side of the wall, and said. “I am ready, sir.” His words came over a speaker in the room where Mackenzie was. Then he walked back to the table - taking a cane about four feet in length and half an inch thick with him in his hand.
Mackenzie swiveled her seat around and looked at Nasser with hate-filled eyes. “You utter bastard!”
Nasser fixed a hard gaze on her and spoke again. “Here is what is going to happen. You will make no further demands. You will be quiet, and you will listen. I will ask you questions; you will answer. Every time you hesitate or fail to answer, your little boy is going to receive one lash with the cane in that man’s hands. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”
Mackenzie nodded, her cuffed hands straining against the restraints. “Please don’t hurt him; he is only an innocent little boy. Please?”
“The only person who can hurt your child now, Dr. Devereux, is you. Answer my questions and he is safe. Hesitate or fail to answer and he is not. And by the way, my friend in the room does not differentiate between a man and a boy when it comes to the strength of his strikes.”
“I will do whatever you say.” Her whole body was trembling in fear for her child.
“Good. I wish it hadn’t come to this, but you have given me no choice. You are not a citizen of the United States here, and that has to be made clear. I own you, and you will do what I wish. No one is going to find you. No one is going to magically appear and whisk you away. You are unreachable.” Nasser walked around the table and stood to the left side of the window facing Mackenzie.
“I will repeat; my name is Daiyan Nasser I am the director of this Institute. You are now a guest at this institute. You have no need to know the name of the Institute, and you don’t need to know which country you are in. We also have your husband in custody. You and your husband are now in our employment.”
Mackenzie was staring at Liam’s little body stretched out and tied to the table; she only caught a few words of what Nasser was saying. Nothing was registering in her brain.
Nasser saw that she was not paying attention. He walked to her and pivoted her chair away from the window. “I can see you are not listening to me. This is important. I suggest you pay close attention. Or do I need to tell that man to strike your boy to get your full attention?”
Torn and trembling with fury and fear, Mackenzie shook her head. “Please don’t do that. I will listen carefully.”
“Good. Let’s continue.” Nasser started again. “As I have said before, you and your husband are now working for us. We have some vital projects that require your expertise. Our facilities and equipment are the best in the world, and we hope that you’ll be able to make rapid progress. I’m sure that once you start working in our laboratories and see what has already been achieved, you will enjoy the work.” Nasser paused when he saw the question on her face.
“I understand.” She nodded. “What is it that I - we, I mean my husband and I - will be working on?”
“I’m a bit surprised that you haven’t figured that out already,” Nasser grinned. “You, of course, will be working on respirocytes, and your husband on ancient nuclear weapons.”
Mackenzie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Who are these people? How do they know about the top-secret work Carter and I have been working on?
“We have all of your research available here at the Institute, along with your husband’s research as well. This is good, no? It means you won’t have to start all over again.” Nasser said, amused at her surprise.
When Mackenzie heard that, she came to the same conclusion that James had a few hours earlier. A-Echelon had been compromised!
“Do you have any questions?”
“Yes I have, and many more for later, but for now, my only question is when can I see my family?”
“Your husband is working in a different location, and you won’t see him soon, or even very often. You will live here at the Institute where you will be taken care of. Your son will be moved to a different location where he will be taken care of. You will see your child only with my permission, and you must understand that my approval will be based on your performance, behavior, and progress.”
Mackenzie nodded and rotated her chair back to the window. “Please, will you allow me to see him now, even if it’s just for a few minutes? Please.” She begged as the tears gathered in her eyes.
Nasser looked at her for a long time as he was contemplating what to do. Finally, he nodded slowly. “You have been cooperative. I will allow five minutes,” he said as he walked to the intercom and told the man on the other side of the window to release the boy and bring him to the meeting room.
When Liam, accompanied by the man in black came into the room, he looked fearful and unsure of what to expect.
Mackenzie pulled her veil off and rushed to him. Sinking to the floor, she gathered him in behind the handcuffs to her heart. For moments, they clung together just feeling the assurance that they were both still alive and together.
Slowly Mackenzie moved away from him enough so he could look into her eyes and see the love and support he so desperately needed.
“Liam, my love, we’ve come to a time in our lives that is going to be very hard for us. We are going to have to be very brave and full of courage.”
He nodded, “Where’s daddy?”
“He’s here, but we aren’t allowed to see him yet; we will later, though. Can you trust me enough, Liam, to believe I will do everything I can to get us to see daddy and to return home? Whether you see me or not, can you know that I have you in my heart every minute of every day?”
He nodded “I know Mummy,” he was silent a moment, “What about Jeha? Will she be alright while I’m gone?”
“Now Liam, you know your grandparents love that little dog as much as you do. They will take very special care of her while they wait for you to return.” Dear God, Jeha is all they have left of us for now; I just hope it’s enough to give them hope.
He nodded and snuggled back to her shoulder and chest.
Mackenzie glanced up over his head at Nasser, who nodded and allowed them a bit more time. He was pleased with how both of them had behaved and how they’d calmed each other down. This was going to work.
Mackenzie held Liam close for another couple of minutes and then said, “You must go now, you have places to go and things to do while I stay here and work. Is that okay?”
“Yes, will you be alright?”
“I’ll be just fine, I promise.” She smiled, kissing him on both cheeks, and then let him loose from her handcuffed arms. It tore her heart out to watch him walk away with the man in black. For a few more moments she stayed on the floor, calming herself, wrestling with her fear and trying to take her own advice.
Nasser came over to her, helped her stand, and unlocked the handcuffs. “You handled that beautifully, I can see you are a devoted mother.”
Inwardly, Mackenzie
fumed at his words. She didn’t care what he thought of her and had several choice words she would like to unleash on him, but knew that she had to hold her tongue for Liam’s sake.
He led her back to the table where a cup of strong black coffee was waiting for her. She tentatively held it in her shaking hands.
“If you can continue in this vein and work with me, I think that before long I could arrange for Liam to live with you. But…” he held up his hands, “you understand this is entirely dependent on your behavior and work.”
Mackenzie’s relief was palpable, she nodded, thankful she hadn’t lost her cool with the man. Despite everything, she had gained some of his respect, and this was going to be important in the coming weeks.
Chapter 7 -
How did it happen?
It was late afternoon when Joseph dropped James off at the hotel where he and the Andersons were staying. James had two things to do – report to Director Patrick, and phone Ahote and Bly, who were still unaware of the tragedy.
Pulling out the secure satellite phone, he punched in his passcode when told to do so, and then listened to the electronic sounds as the call was directed to the A-Echelon exchange that would encrypt the call. Director Patrick answered almost immediately.
Their call lasted for about 10 minutes. During that time, James provided his Director with the latest information. He recounted the morning’s meeting at the Consulate General’s offices in detail but kept the particulars of the meeting with Ben Friedman to himself. Hunter had no new information from his side.
When the call with Hunter ended, James sat staring at the floor for a long time. He mulled over how he was going to break the news to Ahote and Bly. They loved Carter as if he was their son. Mackenzie was their favorite ‘daughter in law’ and Liam their favorite ‘grandson’. Ahote taught Liam how to ride his pony, went on camping trips with him, and taught him everything about nature, fishing, and hunting. When the Devereux’s were on Freydis Liam practically lived with Uncle Ahote and Auntie Bly.
As those thoughts went through his mind, James murmured softly, “How am I going to give them this devastating news?”
At one stage he wondered if it would be better to ask the minister of the church in Saguenay, the little town close to Freydis, to deliver the news to Ahote and Bly. In the end, he realized he was only trying to take the easy way out. He had to call them. His hands were shaking as he dialed their number.
Bly answered, and James asked her if she could call Ahote to the phone and then put it on speaker, as he would like to talk to both of them.
“Is this bad news, Jim?” Bly asked. The tension in her voice was obvious. “It’s about Carter, isn’t it?”
“Yes Bly, I’m afraid it’s terrible news. Please, get Ahote on the phone and then I can tell both of you.”
James could hear Bly calling Ahote. “Come quickly! Jim Rhodes is on the phone; something’s up with Carter!”
“Jim, Ahote here. Something serious has happened hasn’t it?”
James was taken aback and paused for a moment, “Yes. How did you know?”
“Just tell us; is he alive? Are Mackie and Liam okay?”
“Carter is alive but in the hospital. He’s severely injured, but will live. We don’t know about Mackenzie and Liam.”
There was silence on their end. “What do you mean you don’t know about Mackenzie and Liam?”
“There was an explosion in The Triangle, a large shopping mall and entertainment center in Jerusalem. Many people were killed and injured. Somehow Carter survived it, but there’s no sign of Mackenzie and Liam.”
“How can that be Jim?” Bly asked with a shaky voice.
James’ heart hit the pit of his stomach as he answered, “They … they might have been vaporized in the explosion.”
Another long silence followed. James could just imagine the emotions flooding Bly and Ahote.
“Jim, how’s Carter coping?” Ahote asked with deep concern in his voice.
“He’s not Ahote; they are keeping him sedated at the moment so his body can do some healing until he’s strong enough to face the worst of it.”
“Which hospital is he in?”
James told them and answered a few other pertinent questions before he had one of his own. “Tell me; you already knew didn’t you? How?”
“It was Mackie’s wolves, Jim, they never come near the houses or the farm buildings when she and Carter aren’t here, but two nights ago they turned up and wouldn’t stop howling. We knew then something was badly wrong. We’ve been waiting ever since to hear what it was.”
James felt guilty. They should have been told at the same time as the Andersons. They were the nearest Carter had to family since his grandfather died a couple of years ago.
“Jim, what can we do to help?” Ahote asked.
“Carter will probably be in the hospital for another month or more. Let’s see when he gets out of the coma what would be the best course of action. The Andersons and I are with him at the moment. I will phone you every day from now on. You also have my number now so please, don’t hesitate to call anytime you want.”
“Thank you, Jim. I will make sure our passports are in order so that we are ready to travel on short notice.” Ahote said.
Jim’s other phone began to ring; it was the duty nurse attending to Carter. He’d emerged from the coma, and he was asking to see Jim alone.
Jim passed this information on to Ahote and Bly and told them he’d keep them closely informed, and then he hung up.
He quickly washed his face and then left for the hospital.
***
Carter became aware of the hospital smell again and opened his eyes. In that fleeting split second, he remembered where he was, and why. He shut his eyes again trying to erase the memory, but it was impossible. An image of Mackenzie appeared in the darkness before him. Her beautiful face and green eyes smiled at him as she reached out to take his hand. Liam appeared next to her holding his arms out inviting Carter to pick him up.
“Mackie, Liam,” he whispered as tears trickled from his eyes.
He opened his eyes again; the image remained. He moved his head to see if the vision was real, and pain shot through his neck forcing a groan of agony and vanquishing the image. They were gone, and he was left alone, staring at the white ceiling above him; more alone and empty than he had ever been.
Mackie and Liam are dead. I will never see them again. God, why have you done this to me? My parents, my brother, my sister, and now my wife and my son. Why? What have I done to you? His mind went blank, his vision glazed over, and he just stared into emptiness. There was nothing; no answer; only pain and silence.
The nurse standing beside his bed checking the monitors saw the tears running from Carter’s eyes over his cheeks and onto the pillow. She placed her hand softly on his shoulder. “Professor Devereux, can you hear me?”
“Yes, I can,” Carter whispered through dry lips.
She poured some water from a jug into a glass, placed a straw in it, and brought it to his lips without saying a word.
Carter took a few small sips and thanked her.
“You must be hungry. Can I get you something to eat?”
“No. I’m not hungry, thank you,” He whispered. “Can I have more water please?”
She brought the straw to his lips again, and while he was sipping slowly she said, “Professor do you remember that your in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, their son Ray, and your friend Mr. James were here before?”
Carter nodded slightly. He moved the straw out of his mouth with his tongue. “Yes, I remember. How long have I been here?”
“Three days.”
Carter didn’t respond. He just looked at her.
“They have asked that we contact them when you wake up; they’re staying at a hotel very close. Is it okay if I let them know?”
“I would like to see Jim Rhodes first. We need to talk before I see the Andersons.”
She gave him a brief smile as she lef
t the room.
***
James arrived ten minutes later and was let in past the guards Ben had put in place at his request. He looked at Carter, who still had oxygen supplied by a tube near his nose, but the mask was off and to Rhode’s relief his eyes were aware although shadowed with sadness.
“Come, Jim, sit down.” He whispered.
James sat and just stared at Carter as if fearful he would vanish. The last hour had broken the reserves he’d held in place over the past few days as he tried to get everything sorted out and also look after the Andersons.
“What?” Carter asked.
“I don’t think I can explain it, Carter. I feared I’d lose you too.”
Carter looked at him for a long moment, “They’re dead aren’t they.”
James nodded slowly. There was no way around it, “Yes my friend. I’m so sorry, but there is no other conclusion we can reach. There are no bodies, no sign of them at all. You were the only person who came out of that place alive. Several others are missing as well – all of them were in the restaurant at the time.”
Carter stared at the roof and spoke very softly. “They could have been vaporized.”
James nodded again. “Forensics is working on that now. We should know more in the next few days.”
Carter let out a long sigh.
James hesitated, “What can you remember?”
“We’d taken a pavement table at the restaurant. Mackie went to the ladies’ room while I stayed with Liam. She returned, we ordered our food, and then I went to the men’s room. As I was about to open the door of the gents on my way out, I was hit and blasted backward.”
He stopped and frowned, “I can’t get past that point, Jim.”
James’ eyebrows rose, “I’m stunned you can recall so much. So they were out on the pavement and would be, to your knowledge, there when you returned.”
Carter shrugged. “Well… yes.”
James was silent as he took this in and reorganized his thinking. “So how long were you gone? Three or four minutes, maybe?”
