Page 41 of Eden and her Mercenary
"I don't understand—"
"How many human subjects have you tested on?"
Whitmore's mouth worked silently for a moment. "Seventeen," he finally whispered.
"How many survived?"
The silence stretched between us, broken only by the gentle lapping of water against the dock.
"Three," he admitted.
I felt something cold settle in my chest. Fourteen people had died for his "business decision." Fourteen human beings, reduced to test subjects for his profit margins.
"The survivors," I pressed. "What happened to them?"
"They... the integration was successful. They're assets now."
"Assets." I repeated the word like a curse. "You mean slaves."
"They're compensated—"
"They're controlled by remote devices implanted in their brains," I cut him off. "Just like you tried to do to Stella."
"The dog was different. The canine program was meant to be... more humane."
I almost laughed. "Humane. You tortured a rescue dog, turned her into a weapon, then sent mercenaries to hunt her down when she escaped."
"She represented years of research—"
The gun was at his temple before he could finishthe sentence. "She has a name. Stella. And she's not property."
Whitmore's breathing became rapid, shallow. "Please. I have a daughter, grandchildren—"
"Did the prisoners you experimented on have families?" I asked softly. "Did you think about their children when you drilled holes in their skulls?"
"It wasn't like that—"
"What was it like?" I demanded. "Explain to me how turning human beings into remote-controlled weapons isn't exactly what it sounds like."
He was crying now, tears mixing with lake water still dripping from his hair. "The government contracts... the pressure... we needed results."
"So you decided other people's lives were expendable."
"I never meant for anyone to get hurt—"
"But they did. Fourteen people died. Eden nearly died. And you're still making excuses."
I stepped back, lowering the gun slightly. Whitmore sagged with relief, mistaking my movement for mercy.
"Here's what's going to happen," I said quietly. "You're going to call off all pursuit of Eden Wade, Stella, and anyone associated with them. You're going to destroy all research related to Project Cerberus. Andyou're going to turn yourself in to the authorities."
"I can't—the contracts alone—"
"Or," I continued as if he hadn't spoken, "I can kill you right here and let your son-in-law explain to your daughter why her father won't be coming home."
"You wouldn't—"
I raised the gun again. "Eden is fighting for her life because of you. Stella spent months being tortured because of you. Fourteen people died because of you. What exactly do you think I wouldn't do?"
