Chapter Seven
Naura awoke to voices coming from inside the house. She jumped from the bed and rushed through her morning ritual before slipping on the clothes she’d acquired the previous night and hurrying into the living room.
Tony and Vaulcron were busy strapping weapons onto the military-style clothing they both wore.
“You located shoes to fit you?” Naura glanced at her brother’s feet.
Vaulcron grinned. “Melvin delivered them before we arrived.”
She turned her attention to Tony. “Melvin is the same man who helped us before?”
Tony gave a quick nod and tucked a knife into his boot. “We are leaving in a few minutes to take you back to the beach. If you need anything, I suggest you speak up now.”
Naura’s stomach clenched. “As I said before, I am not going back.”
Tony plucked a small band from his shirt pocket and pulled his hair back into a ponytail. “I don’t have time for this.” He turned to Vaulcron. “Either you do something, or I will.”
Vaulcron blew out a breath and briefly shut his eyes. When he opened them again, Naura could see the defeat lurking in their depths. He took a step forward. “Naura? I am asking you as your brother to go home and wait for us there. We will return as quickly as possible.”
She stood her ground. “I know that you both think me a child. I assure you, I am not. I may lack knowledge where the land walkers are concerned, but I am a quick learner, and I am a healer. I feel certain that I can be of help.”
Vaulcron dragged a hand down his face and shifted his attention to Tony. “She will only follow us. I know my sister well.”
At her brother’s words, hope soared through Naura. She held her breath as Tony seemed to consider his options. She didn’t have long to wait.
“First things first. You do as I say. One wrong move on your part and I’m sending you packing. Secondly? You stay here while we retrieve Henry. You are not to leave this house under any circumstances. Are we clear?”
“But—”
“No buts,” Tony snapped, effectively cutting off her rebuttal. “You wait here at the house, or you go home. Those are your options.”
“Fine,” Naura reluctantly conceded. “I’ll wait here, but if either of you become injured, I will not be able to help.”
Tony snatched up his hat. “We’ll be all right. It’s an in-and-out job.” He moved around her toward the back door. “You can watch television, just keep the volume low, and if we aren’t back by dark, do not use the lights for any reason.”
Inching the back door open, Tony checked his surroundings before preceding Vaulcron outside.
“Lock this behind me,” Tony ordered, giving Naura one last glance before disappearing into the early morning fog.
* * * *
Henry Sutherland donned his glasses and peered at the test results he held in his hand.
He’d suspected that the CDC had been behind the mutation of the Incola virus ever since overhearing a conversation between Martin Raducha and Doctor Phillips several months back.
Raducha had been the Director of the Center for Disease Control for more than twelve years and was known for pushing the boundaries of what was considered ethical.
Henry had a feeling that Raducha had gone against protocol and risked everything on a theory that had proven to be a deadly mistake.
Viruses were not uncommon in an overcrowded world with over seven billion souls residing therein. Scientists worked nonstop on cures and vaccines, barely staying ahead of deadly epidemics that could potentially destroy thousands of lives in a matter of days. But they’d never encountered anything resembling the bacteria brought to ground by the aliens living in the Gulf of Mexico.
From what Henry had gathered after catching the tail end of Raducha’s conversation with Phillips, the CDC had attempted to destroy the Incola virus by splicing it with the deadly Marburg bacteria.
The results had been devastating. Instead of destroying the Incola virus or at the very least, weakening it, the spliced organism had mutated into something more lethal than anything the world had ever known.
Hundreds of people were hospitalized daily, experiencing dementia, bleeding from all orifices, and displaying rabid behavior. The medical teams were forced to use restraints to keep the patients from attacking others with their teeth and nails, further spreading the virus.
Henry read over the test results once again, making sure he hadn’t missed anything. The answer had to be there, he thought, taking a seat behind his desk. What was he missing?
The lab door opened, and Bruce Ortega marched inside, wearing scrubs and a frown.
“It’s insane out there,” he barked, approaching Henry’s desk. “You wouldn’t believe what I had to go through to get in here.”
Henry stood and extended his hand. “Unfortunately, it’s a necessary precaution. Please, have a seat.”
Bruce accepted Henry’s outstretched palm and sat in the chair he indicated. “It’s a three-ring circus at the hospital too. And there are roadblocks on every major highway between here and there.”
Returning to his chair, Henry propped his chin on his folded hands. “I know. I’m afraid it will only get worse until this virus is contained.”
“Any progress on a vaccine?”
Henry shook his head. “From what I hear, they take one step forward and two steps back. It seems to be mutating faster than they can keep up with.”
“Damn it,” Bruce growled. “We are losing patients by the day as it is. We can’t keep going like this. The hospital is understaffed and overworked.”
“I’m sorry, Bruce. The CDC is working around the clock to get a handle on it. As am I. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Bruce leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Any news of Abbie?”
Henry’s heart constricted at the mention of his daughter’s name. “Nothing.”
“So, you don’t know if she’s even alive?”
“She disappeared over a year ago, Bruce. The chances of her being found alive are ten to one. But I haven’t lost hope yet.”
“Any sightings of the alien she was last seen with?”
“You mean Hauke? No one has seen him either.”
Bruce’s expression hardened. He got to his feet and turned to go. “You will call me if you hear anything?”
“Of course,” Henry lied. He had no intention of repeating any news of his daughter. If she were still alive…
The phone rang only seconds after Ortega’s departure. Henry snatched it up on the third ring. “Yes?”
“Doctor Sutherland? It’s Doug Jefferies.”
Henry’s jaw tensed at the sound of Jefferies’s voice. The secretary of Homeland Security was President Rueben Howell’s right-hand man and was partly responsible for Abbie and Hauke’s capture the year before.
Hiding his dislike of the guy, Henry cleared his throat. “What can I do for you, Jefferies?”
“Go home and pack a bag. Be at your house by at five o’clock this evening. There will be a team waiting for you there.”
Henry’s heart began to race. “A team? Where are they taking me?”
“To a holding facility at Eglin Air Force Base. Your assistance is required by Martin Raducha.”
“Martin Raducha? You mean, the Director of the CDC? Why would he need my help?”
“They have apprehended two of those aliens. Your assistance is needed.”
“Is either of them the one that took my Abbie?”
“I don’t think so, and as I recall, your daughter went willingly.” The call ended.
Henry dropped heavily into his chair and stared at the phone’s receiver in his hand. One of those things might have news of his Abbie.