Page 27 of Stryker

“That’s not going towork,” Brick said. “You tell us everything, or I report you to mymany contacts in the government as a threat to national security.And if you know anything about me, you already know I neverbullshit.”

As people shuffled around the room,John noticed Gunner move closer to Conor, Elias closer toFletcher—even though the guy was as big as a house—and Shaw stoodbetween the table, Brick, and John as if protecting them at thesame time. John didn’t think the men realized what they were doing;it was instinct, but it was fascinating to see. Stryker releasedWoodley and moved to John’s side. His body was tensed, his gazewatchful, like a cobra about to strike.

“Frank Seya was part of anelite task force encompassing all branches of the US military,” thedetective said.

“Truth.” Their human liedetector was certainly earning his stripes today.

“Elite task force? My dadwas a pilot in the Air Force,” John argued.

“Yes, he was until he wasrecruited onto the task force,” Woodley said.

“Who recruited him?” Brickasked.

“The secretary ofdefense.”

“Why?” Johnasked.

“Your dad had been part ofa project that I believe the team here is already aware of,”Woodley explained.

“What project?” Gunnerdemanded.

“The NoahProject.”

The mood in the room changeddrastically. What was once controlled aggression was now outrightanger.

“Truth,” Conorstated.

“And by the way you’reacting, I’m guessing you were one of the test subjects, Conor,”Woodley said.

“Why are you here?” Brickasked with barely controlled rage. “Are you one of those NoahProject believers here to collect the research and the people thatdamned project hurt? Because if you are, you’ve gone down the wrongfucking road.”

“Wait.” John was dazed.“Jason told me a bit about the awful things the Noah Project did tobabies and children before they were born. Was my father involvedin making the Noah Project, or was he a recruit, a specimen of sometype?”

“Your father was one ofthe men who suffered under what those scientists were doing,”Woodley confirmed.

“You mean he…” John lookedover at Conor. “You mean he had gifts due to his DNA being messedwith?”

“Yes. He benefited fromincreased reaction time, which made him a flying ace, and he wasinstrumental in bringing the group down, alongside Aleksandr Popov.The Russian wasn’t a defector. He was a scientist trying to stopthose experiments.”

John’s head was beginning to hurt. Athrobbing started at the base of his head, and his breathing becamelabored. He had to know the truth.

“Does that mean I’m partof that project?”

“Yes, John. You are,”Woodley said.

“Truth,” Conor whispered,looking at John sadly. His gaze honed in on the detective, and histone grew frosty. “And I wouldn’t use the wordbenefitedwhen referring to those ofus who were used and changed without our consent.”

John was struggling to breathe, thestress of the situation and its horrifying ramifications too muchto bear. As panic trapped him, strong arms wrapped around him, andthe plastic of his inhaler touched his lips.

“Breathe in, babe. You cando it. Just breathe in nice and deep.” Stryker’s voice was calmingand strong, exactly what John needed right now.

“Holy shit,” Shaw said.“How does this keep happening? These people need to bestopped.”

John didn’t give a shit about howanything kept happening as he gulped in the relief of his inhaler.But it still wasn’t enough.

“Outside, please,” Johnbegged Stryker between gasps.

Within seconds, Stryker had himoutside the lake house and on the back deck facing the calm water,where he could finally take his first few deep breathsalone.

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