Page 42 of Dark Medicine

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

He was still alive. Damn! Two attempts now, two well-planned, calculated attacks that should have assured his death failed.

The smoke and flames continued to billow from the seaside mansion. That’s exactly how it was planned. Nothing and no one could survive the heat of the blaze. As a testament to that, the firefighters pulled back, the heat too intense even for them.

Standing in the crowd of onlookers, unnoticed, the next plan was already being formulated. Next time, there would be assurances of his location and, more importantly, the woman’s. The camera panned the crowd of onlookers. Turning to avoid the possibility of facial recognition, the wind whipped across the shore, and the flames licked the sky.

Smiling at the inferno masterpiece, there was nothing left to be done today. Tomorrow… tomorrow was another story.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

With the wedding guests gone, Aislinn, Kane, and the others gathered in the late afternoon sun of the Brennan sisters’ garden. The wedding attire was gone, replaced by denim and wool, much more practical in the cooler evening temperatures. The sisters, long since retired, left the house to the group to enjoy, their guest rooms waiting for them.

Uri sat in silence, watching the merriment of the group, a pit forming in his stomach. He missed his family desperately and wanted to get back to them quickly. He knew that running off without Kane’s assistance would sign his death warrant. He had to be patient.

“Alright, so I hate to do this on my wedding day, but we have to make this right,” said Kane.

“I agree,” said Aislinn. “I think we have no choice but to return to the states and find Moore. My question is, how do we get back in without him knowing we are all back in the states?”

All eyes turned to Uri with a questioning look.

“I have some friends in the Russian military. People who were loyal to my father. I think I can get us a transport back to Canada, and then we’d have to drive from there,” he said.

“I think Fiona and I should definitely go with Uri, but it doesn’t make sense for all of you to go, too. It might send off alarms, in fact. I think the newlyweds, Flip, and Spook should travel home commercial as planned. We can all meet at Kane’s office in two days’ time,” said Adam.

Uri sat at the table, turning the cake knife in his hand, the shining blade glittering in the candlelight. He remembered cutting his own wedding cake, and the tears pooled in his eyes.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” said Flip. “I think we can trust Uri to keep them both safe.”

“Me, too,” said Spook. “Besides, it gives me time to try and figure out who our arsonist might be.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to look any further than someone who was at the base,” said Uri. “I don’t know what your skills are, but even if you have mediocre computer skills, you should be able to access the records that are left from the base. If you find the names of those stationed there or working there, you can trace back and find the children of the right age.”

“I thought there were only paper records?” asked Spook. Uri shook his head.

“There were only paper records on the Aries Project, but the payroll and enlistment records will identify all the enlisted and workers who were on-base with children.”

“That reminds me,” said Kane, “we supposed that we were most likely the oldest. Is that accurate?”

Uri looked deep in thought for a moment and then nodded.

“That should be right, more or less. From what I remember, the oldest was forty, and he killed himself. There were at least ten children the year that you and Adam were there. Six are gone.”

“Gone? You mean they killed themselves?” asked Aislinn.

“Three did, yes. Three others were killed by Moore.”

“What do you mean? I thought he wanted them alive,” asked Flip.

“He did. He does, but the three he killed couldn’t master their gifts. Two had abilities of telekinesis but weren’t able to move anything larger than a book. The third heard thoughts but was unable to focus if given distractions. He shot all three, personally. It was after those deaths we started to make the connections of age. The older an individual is when they are exposed, the less control or intensity of the gift.”

“Jesus,” whispered Fiona. “And I’m related to this monster?”

“You are nothing like him,” said Uri, staring at Fiona. “He is cold and cruel and calculating. I haven’t been around you for very long, Fiona, but you seem to be the complete opposite. You are kind, warm, and loving. You are your mother’s child.”

“Thank you,” she said, smiling at Uri. “Tell us about your family.” Uri stiffened for a moment and then realized that these people were helping his family.

“My wife, Melanie, she’s the most beautiful woman on the planet. She’s loving and a fantastic mother to our daughter, Kelly. Kelly plays volleyball, and she’s an honor roll student.” Uri stopped, swallowing back tears.

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