Page 47 of Dark Medicine

Many nights, Moore or K would decide that the men should be on lockdown, forcing them to be locked inside their quarters. Dan possessed a newfound bounce in his step, his heart lighter knowing that his wife and children were safe. He needed to temper that in front of the others but knew this would be his way out.

Crossing the large green lawn space toward the sheds, he spied Tom Cullen on one of the stone benches. It was their favorite place to sit because there were no listening devices out this far. Dan walked casually toward Tom, trying to act as if everything was normal. Sitting beside him, he purposely slumped his shoulders and gripped Tom’s.

“Act normal, say nothing, just nod,” said Dan. Tom nodded suspiciously at him. Dan relayed what happened during his call as Tom looked wide-eyed.

“Uri? How? I thought they sent someone to kill him?”

“They did, but apparently, they couldn’t find him or his family. They’re all safe. Uri’s family and now mine,” he said, shaking. “They need our help, Tom. I’m going to do it. If this is my last mission, then let it be a good one.”

Tom looked at his friend, staring hard at his face trying to determine if it was painted with truth or falsehood. For the first time in years, his eyes glowed with the light of love and weightlessness only a man with few worries could have.

“You’re telling the truth,” he whispered.

“Yea, brother. Brother. That sounds good, doesn’t it? We’re brothers, Tom. Remember those days. I do. I remember when we fought for what was right. When we saved women and children, not killed them. I remember when we had balls enough to stand up for the little guy and to stare down the bad guy. We were warriors, Tom. Let’s start acting like it again.”

Tom Cullen’s eyes filled with tears, a single drop of salty liquid rolling down his cheek. Dan squeezed his shoulder, looking around to ensure they were still alone.

“What about Fredericks?” asked Cullen.

“I think he’ll do it, but we have to be careful how we approach him. I know that he’s nervous about everything, and who can blame him? We’re all nervous, and we’re all worried about how this will turn out.” Cullen smiled for the first time in years.

“I think I have an idea.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Uri emerged from the back of the house, his eyes puffy and red and his face with a decidedly female handprint upon it. He looked down at his feet as he shuffled into the room. Adam and Kane smiled at one another. They were warming up to Uri, but he had much to atone for.

“Well? How did she take it?” asked Kane.

“I think you know the answer to that,” grimaced Uri, massaging his cheek. “She called me a coward. A coward and a traitor, and she was right.” Adam frowned at that, as did Kane.

“You’re not a coward or a traitor Uri. You’re a man who loved his family. There is no crime in that.” Melanie Bellum appeared behind her husband, her hand resting on his shoulder.

“I was angry, Uri. I didn’t mean the words I said. I’m sorry. You’re a good man and a brave soldier. I know that, and I know you were only protecting me and Kelly.”

“You were right. If I had possessed courage, I would have trusted in my brothers. Moore has destroyed all of our lives, and I’ve let him do it.”

“He hasn’t destroyed anything yet,” said Kane. “If I have anything to say about it, he won’t destroy our lives or your lives. We’re going to find the others, and we’re going to do exactly what Moore wanted. We’re going to create an army. Not for his mercenary purposes. Instead, for good.”

Uri’s eyes grew wide as he looked at the faces in the room. The expressions of the others showed pride and resolution. This small band of once children who were technically experimented upon were now the bravest warriors he’d ever had the privilege of knowing. He nodded his head and then looked up.

“What about all of us? Fredericks, Henry, Cullen? Me?” asked Uri.

Adam looked at Spook, and they both looked to Kane and Aislinn. It was as if they were all having a conversation without words.

“We could use help,” said Kane. “We need your skills as well as your connections. You can stay here or anywhere you like, but you still have resources that we could use to find the others and to help those that can’t help themselves.”

“You would trust us?” asked Uri.

“I do trust you, Uri,” said Kane. “If I didn’t, you would have been dead in Ireland.” Melanie clasped her hand with his and looked at the group.

“What about our daughter? We can’t expect her to remain in hiding forever. She’s a teenager that will be graduating high school next year. She wants to go to college,” said Melanie.

“She can stay here, or we can ensure her safety at a local university when it’s time. In theory,” said Adam, “if we kill Moore, everyone should be safe.”

“We won’t be safe until K is gone as well,” said Uri.

“I’m working on trying to find her identity,” said Spook. “K isn’t exactly a lot to go on. I can’t find any employment information, nothing. If I had a voice clip or photo, I could run a recognition program that would most likely tell us exactly who she is.”

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