Exposed (16 page)

     “Geneva?” Charles asked. “Why Geneva?”

     “Wow! I can’t believe with everything that’s happened, I never got to tell you why I was in your office that day.”

     “Come to think of it, you were there unusually early.”

     “That’s because I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to tell you my news.”

     “You still haven’t told me.”

     “I was coming to tell you I got accepted for an internship in Geneva. It’s supposed to be starting some time around now. I’m sure it’s not too late for me to go.”

     “You got accepted to do research in Geneva? That’s amazing! I am so proud of you.”

     Alyson smiled, comforted by her father’s words. 

     “Do they have lodging for you?”

     “There’s student housing for all the interns. Cassie can stay with me. Nobody would even know because we look alike.”

     “I’ll miss you, of course, but I’m relieved to know you’ll have a safe place to stay.”

     “Thanks, Dad.”

     “Just one question.”

     “What’s that?”

     “Does Howard know about it?”

     “I’m sure he doesn’t. The only person I told is Jake. I can’t imagine he would have said something to his dad about it.”

     “Then we just need to get in touch with Rachel’s father. Alex, I think it would be best if you spoke to Rachel and her father in private. We can’t be too careful.”

     “I agree, Charles. Before you say anything, Cassie, I know you want to go with me, but you need to stay here. I’ll be back soon as I can. In the meantime, Charles will remove the locator chips from your neck and start preparing for your departure.”

     “Good luck, Dad.”

     Alex gave Cassie a quick hug and raced over to Rachel’s house to put the plan into action.

Chapter Twenty - Four

     “I wonder what’s taking my dad so long. He must have talked to Rachel’s dad by now. Why hasn’t he called?”

     “Relax, Cassie. He’ll call soon. He’s not asking for a cup of flour. This is a huge favor. We need to give him time.”

     “I should have gone with him.”

     “You know that wasn’t possible.”

     “I know you’re right, Alyson. At least your dad got that microchip out of us. I feel a little safer now.”

     “It was really creepy having that thing in us.”

     The door to Alyson and Cassie’s room opened slowly.

     “Hello?”

     “Rachel! I’ve missed you so much. I didn’t think I was ever going to see you again,” Cassie said, hugging her friend tightly.

     “Hi, Rachel,” Alyson said, trying not to interfere with their reunion.

     “Hello, Alyson. I’m really glad you’re okay. It’s good to see you again.”

     “Have you worked everything out with your dad? Is he going to be able to take us?” Cassie asked, still clinging to Rachel.

     “He has a flight scheduled four hours from now. We’re going to meet him on the tarmac. Your dad will drive me home after you leave.”

     “I wish we didn’t have to go. I’ve barely gotten my life back and now it’s going to be turned upside down again.”

     “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. I know it’s really far, but maybe I can visit? I’m sure my dad wouldn’t mind me tagging along sometimes.”

     “It won’t be safe for anyone they know to visit,” Charles said.

     “Ever?” Rachel asked.

     Cassie already knew the answer before Charles said a word. She looked at Alyson, then hugged Rachel. Charles was silent. He hated giving bad news.

     “No, Rachel. We can’t take the chance. Not as long as Mr. Parker is around.”

     “I know he was holding you hostage, but is he really that dangerous? I mean, you’re still alive. It’s not like he killed anyone. He’s just an obsessed science geek.”

     “You don’t know everything, Rachel. We saw things while we were in that room.”

     Alyson took a deep breath before speaking.

     “Dad?”

     “What is it, Alyson?”

     “He did kill someone.”

     “What? He what? Who?”

     “His partner, Leonard. He killed him and then disposed of the body somehow. I don’t know what he did with it but I’m guessing he didn’t have a funeral for him. He probably buried him somewhere where he’ll never be found.”

     “He...he killed his partner? And you were...there? You saw it? You saw it happen? Oh my... Alyson, are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

     “I...I guess I blocked it out. I didn’t want to think about it or remember. I wish I could just forget everything that happened from the day I walked into that room in your lab. I wish I could just erase my memory and make things go back to normal.”

     “I wish I could do that for you, Alyson. I truly do. I would love to be able to take away all your pain, all your fears. All the bad memories that haunt your dreams at night.”

     “I know you do, Dad.”

     “Cassie, are you...are you okay? You’ve been so quiet,” Alex said.

     “I’m just trying to hold onto this moment right now. Being here with you. With Rachel. It’s probably the last time I’m going to see both of you.”

     “I would love to say you’re being dramatic, but this is most likely the last time we’ll see each other.”

     “Oh, Dad! I just got you back. I’m not ready to let go,” Cassie said as tears started running down her cheeks.

     Alex hugged his daughter as she clung to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his back. She nestled her face in his chest, tears soaking through his shirt.

     “Alyson, there’s someone here to see you, too,” Charles said as Jake pushed open the door and peeked his head inside.

     “I couldn’t let you leave without saying good-bye.”

     “We’ve really come full circle, haven’t we?” Alyson said.

     “I guess we have. I’m really going to miss you. I’m sorry I...”

     “Don’t. We can’t go back. I don’t blame you. We’re just different people now. The last few weeks have changed me. I’m not the same. I never will be.”

     “But I still...”

     “I still love you, too. I always will.”

     “If I could go with you...”

     “I know. I know you would. It wouldn’t be safe for anyone. Not as long as your father is free. He could follow you.”

     “I know you’re right. But Alyson, if I could, I would go back six months ago, before any of this happened, and I would feed you cayenne buttered popcorn as we watched Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman for the thousandth time.”

     “And I would snuggle into the crook of your neck while you played with my hair.”

     “It feels like those days are a million years away now.”

     “Good-bye, Jake.”

     Jake wrapped his arms around Alyson, squeezing her tighter than he ever had before, breathing in her scent, memorizing every detail about her. Alyson rested her head against his chest for a moment, then pushed away and went in the bathroom to cry.

     Jake wanted to follow, but knew she needed to be alone.

     “She’ll be okay, Jake. Don’t worry.”

     “How could I not? It’s my fault she’s in pain now. If I hadn’t said anything. If I could have done things differently. But that’s all in the past now.”

     “There is one more thing you can do,” Charles said, placing his hand on Jake’s shoulder.

     “Anything. Just name it.”

     “Keep your father occupied for the next few hours until we’ve safely gotten them on the plane.”

     “Not a problem. I need to go home anyway. I left the house so fast when I got your call before, I forget my cell phone. I’ll head home now.”

     “Jake?”

     “Yes, Mr. Pierce?”

     “We won’t forget you or what you’ve done. Thank you.”

     Jake’s eyes scanned the room. He watched Cassie and Rachel have one last moment together. He remembered the feel of Alyson, just minutes earlier, locked in his embrace. Then, he looked at Charles and Alex, about to lose the daughters they only just got back.

     “Again, I’m really sorry for everything,” Jake said and left the room.

Chapter Twenty - Five

     “The plane’s almost ready. I’m glad you made it in time.”

     “This is one flight we couldn’t miss. Thanks again,” Alex said.

     “Alyson, this is my dad, Ernest Fox. He’ll take you and Cassie into France. From there you can take transportation to Geneva.”

     “You’ll have choice of bus, train or boat. It’s very easy to commute from one place to another,” Ernest said.

     “We can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing. You’re literally saving our lives,” Alyson said.

     “Thank you, Mr. Fox,” Cassie said, giving Rachel a hug.

     “We’ll be leaving in just a few minutes so I’ll let you say your good-byes. Rachel, I’ll see you at home in a couple of days.”

     “Thanks, Dad. For everything,” Rachel said, hugging her father.

     “I’ll meet you on the plane, girls.”

     As he was about to board the plane, he got a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a slight, middle-aged man standing before him.

     “I’m Charles, Alyson’s father.”

     “Yes, Alex told me about you. I’m glad to help. I’ll take good care of them.”

     “Thank you.” Charles said, shaking his hand.

     “Words can’t express how grateful I am to you. We’ll talk after you return,” Alex said, his eyes welling up.

     “We’ll stay in touch,” Ernest said as he got on the plane and prepared for takeoff.

     Charles walked over to Alyson who was standing alone, watching Cassie and Rachel say their good-byes.

     “Alyson, you know how I feel about you. Thank you for being in my life. And for everything you’ve done. For me. For Samantha. I’m sorry about...”

     “It’s okay, Dad. I understand now why you did what you did. We all have to make choices.”

     “But mine hurt you.”

     “You made your decision out of love. I can’t stay angry with you for that. And, Dad?”

     “Yes?”

     “You have been a real father to me. No matter how I came into this world.”

     “I never thought I would get a second chance with you. I love you, Alyson. I wish you didn’t have to leave.”

     “It’s not safe for us here anymore. I wish it were. I feel like I’ve just gotten my life back...and now I have to leave everything and everyone I know.”

     “Not everyone,” Cassie said. “I’m coming with you, remember?”

     “You know what I mean, Cassie. You’re the sister I’ve always wanted and now finally have.”

     “You girls will be just fine. We’ll take care of things here. Charles and I will set up an account for you in Geneva so you’ll have all the money you’ll ever need.”

     “Thanks, Dad,” Cassie said, giving Alex one last hug.

     “Are you ready, girls? It’s time to go,” Ernest called from the doorway of the plane.            

     “I’ll miss you, Dad,” Alyson said.

     “I’ll miss you more.”

     “Come on, Cassie. Our new life awaits.”

     “Good-bye, Rachel. I’ll miss you.”

     “I’ll miss you, too.”

     Alyson and Cassie stepped inside the plane and when the engine started, they hugged as the tears flowed down.

     “No turning back,” Alyson said.

     “No turning back.”

Chapter Twenty - Six

     “Jake? Is that you?” Howard called from upstairs.

     “Yes, Dad. Of course, it’s me. Who else would be coming in the front door.”

     “I don’t know. Nothing is making sense right now. Maybe you could explain something to me.”

     “Sure. I’m just going to get a drink. Do you want anything?”

     “Water would be fine,” Howard called out.

     “How about some juice instead? There’s not much left and I wanted to empty the container.”

     “Sure. Water. Juice. It doesn’t matter. Anything is fine.”

     Jake filled two glasses and tossed the empty orange juice container into the recycling bin. He brought them out to the living room and waited for his father to come downstairs.

     “I’ll leave it on the table for you. Will you be down soon?”

     “Have a seat on the couch. I’ll be there shortly.”

     “Okay,” Jake said, settling into the couch cushions, still distracted by his last moments with Alyson.

     “Maybe you can explain this?” Howard said, holding Jake’s phone high in the air as he walked down the stairs.

     “Oh, that. It’s my cell phone. I forgot it when I left the house before. I was in a bit of a rush.”

     “You must have felt lost without it.”

     “A little, I guess. Why are you acting so strange? It’s not that big a deal. I was only out of the house for a short while.”

     “You must not have expected me to find it,” Howard said, walking toward the couch, cradling the phone in his hand.

     “It wasn’t actually lost. I just forgot to stick it in my pocket. Why are you making such a big deal about it?”

     “You’re working with him, aren’t you?”

     “What? What are you talking about? Who?”

     “Him. Charles. My sworn nemesis. You know how I feel about him.”

     “I’m not...”

     “I can’t believe it. You’re on his side, aren’t you?”

     “What are you talking about?”

     “I know everything, Jake. I found your phone. Your call history. I know you’ve been in contact with him.”

     “Let me explain,” Jake said, rising from the couch, backing away from his father.

     “How long? How long have you been colluding with him? Plotting against me?”

     “I didn’t! I wouldn’t! Just...just calm down, Dad.”

     “I saw his number. Don’t lie to me.”

     “I’m not! I’m...!”

     “How...could you? You’re my son. My son! How could you betray me like this?”

     “Please, Dad!”

     “After everything I’ve done for you. After I’ve taken you in as my partner. My partner! How dare you feign loyalty to me and then...this!”

     “It’s not what you think,” Jake said, trying to calm him down.

     “What I think? Do you know what I think?”

     “Dad...”

     “I think...you..are a traitor. And you know of course what happens to traitors. They must be eliminated.”

     The color drained from Jake’s face.

     “Yes, I know what you’re thinking. You are my son. And that does pose an issue of concern. But no worries. It’s not a problem beyond repair.”

     “What are you doing, Dad?”

     “I am doing what I should have done a long time ago. Before you had a chance to deceive me. Before you could provide aid to the enemy.”

     “Dad, you’re scaring me.”

     “No need to be frightened. Relax,” Howard said, letting the phone fall from his hand.

     Jake took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

     “It’s only going to hurt for a moment. Then, you won’t feel a thing,” Howard said as he moved closer and closer toward his son.

      As Jake backed away, Howard grabbed him by the throat and squeezed. He gasped for air as he tried pushing his father away.

     “Please, Dad. I..can’t..breathe.”

     “Stop fighting me! It will go a lot easier if you just let go and give in,” Howard said as he tried to maintain pressure on Jake’s neck.

     Jake struggled, kicking and punching his father. Howard backed him into the wall, bracing his body firmly against Jake’s. As he tightened his grip, Jake kicked hard as he could, finally breaking free and shoving his father away.

     “You won’t get away from me that easily.” 

     Jake snatched the juice from the table, threw it in his father’s face and let the empty glass fall to the floor. Howard swiped his hands across his face but was still blurred from the icy liquid burning his eyes. He reached out blindly for the nearest object to throw at his son -- the lamp on the side table. With dripping hands, he grasped the metal base, forgetting about the exposed wire. A shock shot through his body, dropped him to the floor and he lay there, silently, not moving.

      Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as Jake stood back, trying to catch his breath. He stood there, waiting. Waiting for a response from the man who tried to squeeze the life from his body. After several minutes of watching his father lie motionless, he leaned down and listened for a heartbeat. His body was still. No breath. No pulse. He was gone. His father was gone. Jake sat on the floor next to him, leaned against the couch, and slowly exhaled.