4.19 Good Evening, Mr. Heffner
Kellie
I barely managed to digest the fact that Tony has been transferred from jail to our lab, because supposedly he was an alien, when professor Morgan took me aside.
"Miss Heffner, I understand this man is related to your adoptive family," he said. "Is it going to pose a problem for you? Will you be able to continue your work? We need to study him and conduct necessary... tests. You realize that, don't you?"
Kellie
I barely managed to digest the fact that Tony has been transferred from jail to our lab, because supposedly he was an alien, when professor Morgan took me aside.
"Miss Heffner, I understand this man is related to your adoptive family," he said. "Is it going to pose a problem for you? Will you be able to continue your work? We need to study him and conduct necessary... tests. You realize that, don't you?"
I took a deep breath. Everything in me screamed in disapproval. I wanted to tell professor Morgan that this was all nonsense, that Tony couldn't be an alien and we couldn't treat him like a lab rat, which was very likely to happen. But if I voiced those thoughts, it would get me thrown off the project and I wouldn't be able to care for Tony and help him. Neither me or Chris would ever see him again. The idea sent a wave of dread through me. No... I swallowed hard and plastered a fake smile on my face.
"It won't be a problem, professor. I barely know the man anyway. I understand the importance of this project, we need all answers we can get," I said hating myself for those words instantly. I hoped Tony was out of earshot.
Professor Morgan patted my shoulder. "I'm glad you didn't disapoint me, miss Heffner. Your work has been exceptional so far, I see great things in your future."
My own vision of the future on the other hand has become quite unclear as the questions that I had been pushing in the back of my mind started re-emerging. What were we doing here? No one said that aloud yet, but there was no doubt what was going to happen. Unethical experiments on a living being, all with the government's blessing.
Would you be equally appalled if it wasn't someone you knew, if it wasn't Tony? I asked myself. I didn't like the answer at all.
* * * * *
Tony
What the hell was this place? These people in lab coats were complete nuts. And Princess was in the middle of it. No wonder she had issues. As soon as I said hi to her, this blonde idiot started poking me, "Drop it! Drop your disguise!" he kept saying. "We know what you are!" Thankfully, some other guy, who was obviously a gay by the way he had been checking me out managed to pull the idiot away from me. I swear if he kept going one more second the only thing that would drop would be him. Dead.
Before I could survey this place properly, agent Stiles began bothering me again. He pushed me toward a large cage and removed my cuffs. "Get inside, Corleonesi," he ordered. "You will do whatever these good scientists tell you. If not, there's a couple of loyal soldiers waiting outside. I know they would jump the opportunity to teach a bastard like you some manners."
Without knowing it agent Stiles just graduated from toolbox #3 to toolbox #2. It was only a matter of hours before he would be worthy of toolbox #1. Oh, how I was going to enjoy introducing him to it and applying more than a little amount of violence on him. Three levels of torture for agent Stiles waited in the future. Nine would be much better though. I shot him a glare and got in that blasted cage.
Without knowing it agent Stiles just graduated from toolbox #3 to toolbox #2. It was only a matter of hours before he would be worthy of toolbox #1. Oh, how I was going to enjoy introducing him to it and applying more than a little amount of violence on him. Three levels of torture for agent Stiles waited in the future. Nine would be much better though. I shot him a glare and got in that blasted cage.
Not long after I made myself comfortable in the cage if one can even use such word in the situation I found myself in, those "good scientists" started coming to me with their tasks. First one was this very eager looking lady. She handed me two plastic cups.
"You will be escorted to another room," she said. "I need samples of urine and semen from you."
"Whoa! That's a bit fast even for me! For your info, lady, I don't give samples before dinner. Apart from that, you are not my type. I would recommend toning down the pink lipstick. It is a bit too much."
Not long after I made myself comfortable in the cage if one can even use such word in the situation I found myself in, those "good scientists" started coming to me with their tasks. First one was this very eager looking lady. She handed me two plastic cups.
"You will be escorted to another room," she said. "I need samples of urine and semen from you."
"Whoa! That's a bit fast even for me! For your info, lady, I don't give samples before dinner. Apart from that, you are not my type. I would recommend toning down the pink lipstick. It is a bit too much."
Next was the blond-haired punk that had been poking me before. He came to my cage with a syringe in his hand "I'm going to take a sample of your blood," he announced. "Don't get any ideas."
I took it as an invitation. "I remember this surgeon," I started telling in a calm voice as he was approaching me. "He botched a surgery and killed a patient. He got away with it. The husband of the deceased young woman was desperate for justice, so he hired me to kill the surgeon. I did something better."
The punk stopped in his tracks and looked me in the eye, curious but wary.
"I suppose you are familiar with how an electric bone saw works and the sound it makes?" I mimicked the whirring sound. He flinched. "But do you know how burned flesh smells?" I asked him. "Unlike me most people can't stand it. Needless to say the surgeon never performed any surgery again. You need a pair of hands for that." I smiled broadly. "I would not hesitate and do it again for free, you know, to someone who would be so foolish to abuse their position to hurt a defenseless, caged person."
The guy lost his cool completely. He broke the eye contact with me and his hand with the syringe dropped. "I'm not doing this!" he shouted over his shoulder. "Let Heffner do it!"
Agent Stiles came closer again. "Are you making problems, Corleonesi?" he hissed.
I shrugged. "I didn't do anything. The punk is a coward. Couldn't face a real man."
"Scare one more of these people and I'll have you chained to the chair! Understood?"
Toolbox #1. I knew it wouldn't take long. We'll see how brave will agent Stiles act when he gets to hear the sound of a bone saw.
They sent Princess to do their dirty work after the coward backed off. She looked pale. I decided to bring a little color on those cute cheeks of hers. "Hey, Princess," I greeted her again and motioned to the syringe in her hand. "Who would have guessed the two of us would play doctor, huh?"
She blushed. I grinned. Much better.
"I have to take some blood from you, Tony," she said apologetically. "I'll be gentle, I promise."
Did she just stole my favourite line? "I know you will. But before that, are you going to tell me what's this all about?"
She raised her perfectly manicured eyebrows. "They didn't tell you?" She gave a loud sigh. "They think you're an alien."
I laughed. "An alien? Is this some kind of a reversed madhouse? I thought only people who believed they were aliens or abducted by aliens got locked up in asylums, not people who others believed were aliens. What's this really about? I hope it's not one of those government experiments to create a supersoldier or something. I don't want to be part of that!"
"This is an alien reserch lab. Funded by government though."
"You work for the bad guys now, Princess?"
"For the government, Tony."
"What I said, Princess."
"Would you stop calling me, Princess, please? At least in front of my colleagues. I'd like if they took me seriously, you know, as one of them. It's not always easy when I'm the youngest here."
"As one of these guys? You don't want to be like that. You are much better than them, Prin- Kellie. I'm really worried about you."
"You are worried about me again?"
"Why yes, of course! Look at the company you keep. Old men, a mean blonde dude, a gay and a woman whose idea of a fantastic date is staring at sperm in a test tube. Anyway, this alien thing. Are you serious? Do they really believe those tales? Do you belive it?"
"It is not just tales, Tony. Haven't you noticed the green lady in the tank over there?"
"Of course I have. I thought she was just a fancy..." I almost said fancy sex doll put in a tank, but seeing Kellie's wide brown eyes made me reconsider. "...decoration."
"No, she is very real."
"Princess..." she frowned at me for calling her that again. "Kellie. I shouldn't be pointing that out to you, but my skin isn't green. It never was. Not even when I overstuffed myself with that excellent spinach lasagna I made last year."
"They wouldn't have brought you here without a reason. We must run some tests to find out more."
I held out my hand. "Do it then," I said. She draw my blood and was very gentle as she promised. I experienced a strange feeling of pride while watching her. She looked so professional in that moment, so focused and somewhat emotionally detached. Almost like a killer.
* * * * *
Next day...
Chris
I didn't know what was going on with Kellie anymore. She came home from work yesterday and she ate her dinner absent-mindedly. I half expected another argument about my father, but she only asked me once whether I was going to visit him soon, and when I said I wasn't, she burst into tears and ran up to her bedroom. She didn't even check on Celeste and her homework, so I had to do it. I had a feeling my little sister didn't like me for some reason. She was ready for bed, playing with a plush toy, but her homework wasn't done yet, so I made her finish it. She was shooting me such ferocious glares that made my flesh creep. Where was that hostility coming from, I wondered. I was hoping Kellie would be in better mood next day and see about Celeste's needs and duties.
I didn't know what was going on with Kellie anymore. She came home from work yesterday and she ate her dinner absent-mindedly. I half expected another argument about my father, but she only asked me once whether I was going to visit him soon, and when I said I wasn't, she burst into tears and ran up to her bedroom. She didn't even check on Celeste and her homework, so I had to do it. I had a feeling my little sister didn't like me for some reason. She was ready for bed, playing with a plush toy, but her homework wasn't done yet, so I made her finish it. She was shooting me such ferocious glares that made my flesh creep. Where was that hostility coming from, I wondered. I was hoping Kellie would be in better mood next day and see about Celeste's needs and duties.
Unlike at home the situation at work improved significantly. I passed the tests and got my detective badge. My father's curse had been lifted off at last. After a very long time I felt I belonged and I wouldn't let anybody take that from me.
Not long after my promotion chief Johnson summoned me to his office. Terry was there as well.
"I have a little problem, Chris," Johnson said. "I have two senior detectives who act like two stubborn kids and refuse to work together. I could make them, but I don't want to deal with their disputes every day. Luckily for us we have a newly promoted detective and so Terry comes to me and says: 'Chief, let me work with Chris.' Imagine my surprise when the next day Anita comes to me and says: 'Chief, I think Chris and I would make a great team.' Everyone seems to want to work with Heffner all of a sudden. You don't happen to have a twin brother, do you, Chris? Haha."
"No, sir," I said.
"Who would you like to work with, Chris?" he asked. "I need two detectives on the drug case in Willow Creek right now and then there's this new arson case in Oasis Springs."
I shot a glance at Terry. "I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, chief," I said. "It is your decision, not mine."
Johnson laughed. "How diplomatic of you! I thought you might say that. Well then, as you have probably guessed already, I decided to team you up with Terry. I hope you two won't let me down. I expect at least a hundred percent success rate at solving cases from you! Haha."
Terry would be my choice as well. He's been mentoring me for a while and I held a great respect for him. He smiled at me and held out his hand to me. I shook it. "We know each other's strengths, don't we Chris?" he said. "I'm looking forward to working with you."
I couldn't be happier. Everything was going so well at work. This happened over three weeks ago.
I arrived at work today ready to take care of some paperwork on the cases I and Terry had been working on. Detective Alvarez greeted me with a smile as usual. Fortunately, she was cool about the fact that chief assigned me to Terry. I smiled back at her and at the same time my phoned buzzed.
I continued to my desk, but Terry met me halfway.
"Hey, Chris, Johnson wants to talk to you," he said.
I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Any idea what's that about?"
He shrugged. "Not sure, but two guys walked into his office early this morning and haven't left yet. All three of them are waiting for you. Must be some government business by the looks of it. You better not keep them waiting."
I headed to Johnson's office. A government business? I immediately thought of my father. If he screwed things up for me again somehow, I swear Kellie can cry her eyes out and I will never visit him in the prison. Ever!
"Here he is," Johnson said as I entered his office. "These two gentlemen have something important to tell you, Chris."
The men in question rose up from their seats. "I'm agent Stiles," the dark-haired one introduced himself, "and this is Mr. Cole. He's an employee of Better Future Labs."
I noticed none of them wanted to shake hands with me.
"We process your department's evidence," the other man added in condescending tone.
"I'm aware of that," I said. "How can I help you, gentlemen?"
"Hey, Chris, Johnson wants to talk to you," he said.
I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Any idea what's that about?"
He shrugged. "Not sure, but two guys walked into his office early this morning and haven't left yet. All three of them are waiting for you. Must be some government business by the looks of it. You better not keep them waiting."
I headed to Johnson's office. A government business? I immediately thought of my father. If he screwed things up for me again somehow, I swear Kellie can cry her eyes out and I will never visit him in the prison. Ever!
"Here he is," Johnson said as I entered his office. "These two gentlemen have something important to tell you, Chris."
The men in question rose up from their seats. "I'm agent Stiles," the dark-haired one introduced himself, "and this is Mr. Cole. He's an employee of Better Future Labs."
I noticed none of them wanted to shake hands with me.
"We process your department's evidence," the other man added in condescending tone.
"I'm aware of that," I said. "How can I help you, gentlemen?"
Mr. Cole spoke again, "We were processing the evidence from your recent action in..."
He shot a nervous look at agent Stiles who promptly added, "from the drug bust in Willow Creek."
"Yes, from the drug bust," Mr. Cole went on. "We discovered that instead of the expected narcotic substance one of the containers held a sample of potentionally lethal strain of virus. The seal on the container was damaged. The inner protective layer was still intact, but we can't risk anything. Since you were one of the people who came into contact with the container we have to test your blood, it will take just a couple of minutes."
"What kind of virus?" I asked and my mind was racing. Have I been infected? Am I going to die? What about my family legacy? I haven't finished my goal yet. I have no children, no heir. Am I destined to fail?
"I'm afraid that information is classified," agent Stiles said.
Mr. Cole took a syringe and a strangely looking device out of his briefcase. "Roll up your sleeve, please, Mr. Heffner."
"What if I refuse?"
"Come on, Chris, it's just a few drops of blood," Johnson prompted.
Agent Stiles bared his teeth. "That would be unwise. I have the authority to force you. It's a question of national security. Your arm, Mr. Heffner!"
I reluctantly complied. Something about this situation bothered me. I couldn't put my finger on what it was though.
Mr. Cole put on gloves and took my blood. He filled the test tube on his device with it and then we waited for the results. Minutes were ticking off very slowly, it felt like eternity.
"What happens if the result is positive?" I asked.
"You will come with us," agent Stiles said in a cold voice, "and undergo a treatment."
He didn't say you will get a cure. So there likely wasn't any. I swallowed hard. The device pinged. I held my breath.
"Negative," Mr.Cole announced and for some reason he sounded disappointed.
I started breathing again.
"That will be all. Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Heffner. Chief Johnson," agent Stiles said and after Mr. Cole packed his things they both left the office.
I stood there motionless, still reeling from what had transpired in the past few minutes. I'm not ill. My mother's legacy will not end with me. I can still finish my goal.
A hand on my shoulder startled me. "Chris," chief Johnson said. "You can go back to work."
I slowly wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. "Ah. Of course." I headed for the door.
"Wait," Johnson called after me. I stopped and turned around. "Since you are already here, Chris... I've been meaning to do this earlier, but something always came up. We have a tradition. I invite every newly promoted detective for a dinner. I hope you aren't having any plans for this evening and can join me and my wife."
"Yes. I mean no. No plans, sir."
"Good. I will pick you up after your shift ends."
As soon I left his office I pulled out my phone. Raven was not going to like this, but hopefully she would understand.
I stared at her reply and read it again. What the hell did she mean by it?
* * * * *
The same day in the evening
I parked my car behind Johnson's and joined him in front of the house. The garden looked well tended, the air smelled of flowers. Lilies? I guessed.
"I hope you like taco casserole, Chris, because that's the only decent food my wife can prepare, haha."
I groaned internally. I was quite hungry and the idea of food poisoning after I dodged the bullet in the form of a lethal disease didn't exactly filled me with joy. I will have to eat whatever Mrs. Johnson serves not to offend anyone. I suppressed a sigh. Fine, Chris, all you have to do is to keep the dinner down until you're out of the old lady's sight. Then you can throw up like a fountain.
However, when we entered the house, the smell of the dinner that assaulted my nostrils wasn't unpleasant at all, on the contrary. It made my mouth water.
"Make yourself at home," Johnson said motioning to the right where the dining room and kitchen were situated. I peeked in and I was...
...taken aback. I had never met Johnson's wife. She had never been introduced to me, and so I assumed she was his age. I couldn't be more wrong.
The first thing my eyes rested upon was an exquisite pair of legs. As my eyes traveled slowly upwards appreciating the whole rear part I had such a great view of, my mind slowly reached the conclusion that the owner must truly be Johson's wife.
The first thing my eyes rested upon was an exquisite pair of legs. As my eyes traveled slowly upwards appreciating the whole rear part I had such a great view of, my mind slowly reached the conclusion that the owner must truly be Johson's wife.
Then she turned around. The front was even better than the rear.
Those eyes...
Her face... She was so radiant. Her lips were moving. She was talking to me. Her voice... I could easily get used to hearing it every night before sleep. So soothing. Like a soft murmur of rain behind the window.
Now she said my name...
"Good evening, Mr. Heffner."