Page 13 of Operation: Discovery

“I went to a local blood drive today with someone new to Wayside, and we noticed something was off right away. When we got inside, there were nurses, but the whole set-up was questionable with parents separated from their children. I went back to investigate, which tipped them off that we were on to them. They ran and no one was apprehended, but there was pretty concrete evidence that something, possibly organ harvesting, might have been about to take place. Is that something Viceroy or any of his minions did?”

Both Scarlet and Trace were silent, then there was muffled talking between the two of them that Brendon couldn’t discern. The mumbling became more pronounced, until someone covered the mouthpiece on the phone.

A moment later, Trace said, “I didn’t see any of that, but I was mostly locked in my apartment. I rarely saw anyone who didn’t pay to see me except Scarlet, and she was only there half the time.”

Scarlet mumbled her agreement. “The only time I remember Viceroy talking about children was when one of the girls he used often became pregnant, but that would have nothing to do with this situation. I’m sorry we can’t help you. I know that there were at least four men and one woman who answered directly to Viceroy who were bosses in their own right. Evie was the woman, and she’s in jail. The others stayed hidden. I don’t even know their real names; only what Viceroy called them. I’m sure Viceroy isn’t his real name, either.”

Brendon had suspected the same. He’d looked through birth records of every child born between forty and fifty years ago in the state of Wyoming and had come up with nothing. The name Viceroy was very uncommon and would’ve pointed easily to someone if that was his true identity.

“So, either he’s branching into new territory, one of his underlings is, or this is someone new.”

Trace answered, “I don’t know if it helps you or not, but my handler, Maximus, mentioned once that he was being sent to eliminate some competition. If there is someone new, they won’t stand for it for long.”

While that answered his question, the implications were terrible. Viceroy was used to doing whatever he pleased and taking out anyone in his way. If this was Viceroy, he and Dee had just put Wayside right back at the top of Viceroy’s kill list.

* * *

Dee saton the sofa along the wall in Connor’s office listening to what Moira had to say. While she could completely understand Moira’s hesitance to come to Connor’s office alone, she should’ve been checking in on Rebecca. After being gone for hours, it was likely Rebecca was done with Sam and probably without anything to do or anyone to talk to. Brendon was there, but the chances of Rebecca seeking him out were slim.

Moira talked to Connor in halting phrases, like she was afraid to say what had happened in front of her son. If she could get Adam out of the room, the meeting could go much quicker. Brendon kept that stash of chocolate on his desk for emergency use, he’d said. This seemed like a perfect scenario for emergency chocolate. “Why don’t I take Adam for a short walk?” She smiled at the boy.

He quickly bounded toward her, but Moira reached out for him. “Wait!”

“I promise, we’ll be in the room right down the hall with Brendon. That will give you a moment to talk openly with Connor and let Adam move around a little.”

Moira gave her a hesitant glance. “I don’t know …”

Adam laid a hand on his mother’s arm. “I’ll be all right. I listened to what you said when we got home. If something doesn’t feel right, run or scream.”

While there was no perfect defense against someone who wanted to harm children, teaching them to trust their gut and giving instructions on how to listen to that inner feeling was a good start. “If you’re finished before we get back, Adam and I will be two doors down, on the right.” Dee pointed in the direction they would be headed. “I’ll leave Brendon’s office door open.”

Moira nodded, giving reluctant permission.

Dee opened the door and held it for Adam, then left it partway ajar so Moira wouldn’t feel blocked from going to her son. She led him down toward Brendon’s office, noting that Rebecca’s door was still closed like it had been that morning. Lunch would start soon, and Dee wasn’t even sure where to find her to help her with her first day in the dining room, since she’d brought her meals to the room the day before.

Even though Brendon had left his door open, she knocked out of courtesy. He didn’t know her anymore. She couldn’t simply walk in. “Hello again.” She waved, trying to give the gruff former Army Ranger a reason to smile back.

“It’s been so long.” His deadpan made her giggle.

“Not that long.” She turned and whispered in Adam’s ear. “He keeps chocolate somewhere on that desk, I know it.”

Brendon cracked the barest of smiles. “You’ve come to steal and pillage? I thought I was the good guy?”

Her chest tightened at that because she thought he was the best of the best. “You are the good guy, but there are no rules when it comes to chocolate. Would you agree, Adam?”

He looked pleadingly between the two of them. “Can I have some, please?”

Brendon drew open the center drawer on his desk and pulled out a half-empty bag of wrapped chocolates. “I had to have a few pieces myself after the morning we had. Have a couple, but don’t ruin your lunch, or your mom won’t think I’m much of a hero anymore.”

Brendon tilted his chin down, a subtle sign of embarrassment. He probably didn’t want to be seen as a hero either way, but better that than a villain. Adam approached the desk slowly.

“Any time I have to visit a desk like this, I’m in trouble.” He sat in the chair and took one piece of candy.

“Do you get in trouble often in school?” Brendon asked, keeping his voice and tone moderate and quiet.

“Mom says I can be difficult because I can’t sit still. It’s like I can’t do it no matter how I try. She can tell me to stop bouncing my legs or tapping my hands and I’ll stop, but a minute later she’s squeezing my shoulder to remind me that I’m doing it again. I don’t even remember starting.” He slowly unwrapped the chocolate. “Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate when you’re concentrating so hard on being still.”

Dee sat down in the other chair. “Well, you’ve got a week out here before school starts. I don’t know if you’ll stay the whole week or just a few days, but you can run around and have some fun. Outside. Brendon tells me there’s another little boy here too and he’ll be new to your school.”

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