Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust (15 page)

“Fine; good speech; I remember something else too. I had help.”

“Jack, we knew this would happen. Please, eat, drink; it’s critical. Listen to the headset. You will feel better.”

“Who is ‘we’, Matt? Who knew this would happen, the hospital staff?”

“There are forces that want C.P.T., all the vials. How much did you make? If they get it, they will try to duplicate it. Look, my point is that you may not even remember what we have said here, so far; unless you do as I say.”

“I remember five vials, I think. I’m well enough to talk. Tell me; where am I?”

“Why do you have to know everything, immediately? Right now, your wife and my daughter are in grave danger; and you have to get better a.s.a.p. to help me keep them safe.”

“What
; Rachel…?” Jack shook his head. “What do you mean, ‘And your daughter?’”

“Yes my daughter. She is in this
, up to her eyeballs; and she doesn’t even know it yet. Jack, she is the key to all this. We have to protect her. I can’t explain it all right now. Listen; do you remember Marion Brock?”

“He was co-investor of the Brock/Swanson.”

“Right; well, he invested in you, and your experiment to prove out C.P.T., because Gordon Swanson…”

“Gordon
Swanson? Yes, I remember that Bastard. He turned me down.”

“Yes
, and for good reason; he didn’t want to murder you.”

“I was murdered?”

“Then, of course, there was your bad timing; your jackass impatience almost lost you your life. Now it’s threatening us all. Getting Brock involved, opened the door to profiteering and sabotage, on a global scale.”

“Wait a minute. Who is Swanson to judge and decide the future of C.P.T
.? I don’t believe that.”

“Well, that’s why we a
re here. Obviously, you don’t believe anything bad about Brock. You don’t realize the forces in play, in all this. I can assure you, Gordon is one of the good guys.” Bellos smiled. “And so are we. What you need to know is that we have to move fast. That means you have to heal fast. The drink will work; but it needs a little time; and you need to listen to this headset.”

“Fine, I do need to eat. I am
so tired again, all of a sudden.”

Bellos patted Jack’s shoulder.

“It’ll come and go, for a while. Now relax; I will be back to pick you up. Jack, you have discovered a miracle, but others have turned it into some cat and mouse game, for the usual power and money. We are going to make it right.”

     
              Bellos gave him a thumb up and left the room.

Chapter 15    

Why Me?

As Marion Brock descended with an armed guard in the Andrews hospital elevator, he reached inside his pant pocket and pressed the emergency button on his phone. It sent a signal to his Chief of Staff, Rash InVoy. InVoy was at his east European office in Istanbul, Turkey, when the signal came through.

“Archur…ARCHUR! Get in here.”

“Yes Sir.”

“I want a team at Andrews Hospital, in Arden, New Mexico, within a half hour, ready to complete stage four; and we need to get Mr. Brock out.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Who have we got there?”

“We have four men
, prepped at the complex, in Mr. Brock’s building. I can have them in the hospital within twenty minutes.”

“Do it!”

Back in the Andrews elevator, Marion Brock looked like a man about to burst, thinking to himself and murmuring incessantly to the guard.

             
“Do you know what I’ve done for that ‘son of a bitch’, Jack? I should have fixed him six months ago. He’s the one who came to me, after his precious friends deserted him…Christ! It was that irresistible letter that started it all:

Dear Marion,

Thank you for your recent support with regard to our latest acquisition of the Dunns programming software. It will allow us to control and read the viral stimuli variations within the quarantined floors.

Additionally, if you would consent, I would like to meet with you on a private personal matter. It is of great importance to me-to us, I believe.

Sincerely,

Jack Sheldon

Chief of Research and Development

Brock/Swanson Bio-Lab

“Jack was the first bastard employed at the Complex to see my home. Bet you didn’t know that… For years, I kept faithful to my code. But smooth talking Jack, he was right about every issue, he ever wrote about, to me. I remember thinking, what could his letter mean? The big three; Shit! Visionaries of tomorrow…They sucked me dry, with researching the common cold, Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, and now this…Look at me, shit!”

Brock was raging red, staring at the guard.

“Within two years of knowing me, they were negotiating, on their own, with the pentagon, Israel and China; funding new money, making new theories. They all needed
me
, in the first place, to finish this Complex. I was there for them, no one else. My help allowed them to become famous; and that son-of-a-bitch, Jack; he changed everything. How could I resist making that first farking phone call?”

Marion remembered every word…

“Hello Jack?”

“Yes;
Marion?”

“Yes; yes; h
ow are you?

“Fine, Marion;
thanks for calling.

“Well, I know I’m somewhat of a recluse. It seems we only see each other
, when I’m awarding you monies at some conference. Jack, I got your note. Yes, I would love to meet. When would you like to come over?”

“Fantastic, great; I’d like to see you at your earliest convenience
; if possible, today or tomorrow…?”

“That’s fine;
as a matter of fact, I am home now. It’s 4:30 p.m. If you would like to come over, I’d be glad to see you.”

“I’m at home too. I can be there at say six-o’clock; how’s that?”

“Good, I’ll see you then.”

So
; at six o’clock sharp, Jack arrived and pushed the security buzzer to the penthouse entrance, outside the Fargo building. A guard answered. Jack gave his name and the door opened. Jack took the elevator to the penthouse; and, his knock on Brock’s door began it all.

“Hello Jack,” Marion said with a smile. “Come on
in.”

“Thank you for s
eeing me on such short notice.”

Jack shook his hand.

“It’s fine; can I get you a drink?”

“Sure;
thanks.”

“Something special
, I think; Champagne.” 

Brock opened one
of his many bottles and filled two tall crystal glasses.

“Here; now sit
. Tell me; what I can do for you?”

They had a sip;
and then, Jack told Brock everything about CPT and the meeting with Swanson.

“Jack, I am rarely at a loss, but this is beyond my understanding. As for me, I
can offer my money and resources. What do you need?”

“I need this special equipment.”

He handed Brock the proposal that he gave to Bellos.

“I also need a location to work and trusted assistance.”

Marion sat and reviewed the 20-page proposal.

“You also need patent rights, copy
rights, international protection; not to mention personal security, and transportation; things only money can buy. Jack, I’m yours; but, only on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“Why, that we are partners in this, Jack…With my money and resources, along with your brains and medical know how; why, it’s a win, win, guaranteed. Here’s my hand on it.”

Jack took Brock at his word, and they shook hands with wide smiles.

Well, that was months ago. Now, Brock stood in a silent rage, waiting for the guard and the elevator to take him to God knows where.

“Mr. Br
ock…Mr. Brock,” the ops guard said, breaking Brock’s concentration. “We’re here Sir. Please follow me.”

The two men stepped off the elevator
into the hallway on the sixth floor below the hospital. The guard led him to a small room and opened the door. It was quite pleasant, with a comfortable couch, chair and two tables.

“Please Sir; if you wou
ld be kind enough; wait in here. We can clear this up very soon, I’m sure.”

“Well, all you had to do was ask, S
onny. I’m at your beck and call; like I have a choice”

As the guard began c
losing the door, he heard, “You are fired, you know; you dipshit!”

Even though Brock heard the click of the lock, he grab
bed the knob and tried to yank the door open.

“Shit, shit, shit!”

Then, he took his phone out and dialed InVoy; no reception.

“Damn it! Where the hell am I?”

Chapter 16     

The Morgue

Dr. Rachel Sheldon and Nurse Angela Esposito arrived at Andrews Hospital emergency room entrance, again, around 4:45 a.m. The emergency staff had been too busy to notice them; so, they both easily walked past reception.

“Angie, follow me now…The elevator…H
ere; inside.”

Rachel pushed two on the panel.

“I know Frank Bloom. He stayed last night, if Jack died; so maybe he’ll give us some concrete answers. Let’s hope so.”

They both stood patiently. The elevator door opened
; and the sign in front of them read:

ANDREWS HOSPITAL MORTICIAN
 


Angie followed Rachel, as she walked to the right, twenty-five feet, or so, past a wide window that overlooked the beautiful atrium. They pushed the glass double doors open, revealing the department’s main area. In the middle of the room, there were four examining tables, and on the other side, in a corner, working on something, sat a man, looking into a microscope.

“Excuse me
; excuse me! Frank, is that you; Frank?”

The white haired elderly man looked up and turned around. He was obviously in quite good shape, while well into his seventies.

“Frank? No, Ma’am; Frank works in research lab-23, now; different building.”

“Oh, really?”

Rachel seemed to wither a little.

“You look like I just kicked you in the belly. Perhaps I can help. I am Richard Bellos. The Mortician here, extraordinaire; okay, it is a bit late for that. What can I do for you two?”

Rachel looked at him with great surprise.

“Bellos? Are you related to Matt?”

“Of course; Iam his father. I’ve known of you for a long time.”

“But;
I always thought you passed away. I mean, I’m sorry; it’s just a shock.”

“I expect so; nevertheless, I am here in the flesh.”

He held out his arms, and she instinctively hugged him.

“Jesus, why would Matt let us think you were dead?”

Rachel held on tight; her eyes began tearing.

“It’s just…Jack, you know?
”

“I know. It’ll be fine. Let it out. Come; sit here.”

He walked them to a cushioned bench a few feet away.

“It’s been just a horri
ble night. I’m at my wits end.”

Rachel sobbed;
and Angie took her hand. Dr. Richard stood before them and spoke reverently.

“My
deepest apologies and respects, about your husband, my dear; they keep me pretty cooped up and busy here. But, I am so sorry for your horrible evening.”

“Thank you.
I am here to see his body.” Rachel began to shake. “I need to see him.”

“I understand,” said Richard. “You have nothing t
o fear. Try to stay calm. Believe me; I will show you nothing to be afraid of. Please, come with me.”

Richard helped her up;
and then, he turned, leading them through the doors on the opposite side of the room, which led into one of the main vault areas.

“Now I assume, ladies, that neither of you frequent this atmosphere much; so, I will tell you things have changed radically
, throughout the industry; and, in particular, here at Andrews. For one thing, I hope you noticed, there is no peculiar fragrance or nauseating odor...”

The two women sniffed the air.

“…For another; we lay our guests in bedlike comfort, to assure best in case potential. By that, I mean we address any question, about anything, at the bed. Let me show you.”

He walked the two over to the wall, pulled the latch and a mahogany twin bed-like casket slid out like a drawer.