Terms (The Experiments Book 3) (9 page)

They brought him a selection of movies to watch while he lounged. Another nurse, a male came in and took his vitals right before dinner and asked Billy if he wanted to go to the beach for fresh air.

Billy accepted, and was told an escort would be there after his meal had settled.

He was waiting in the wheelchair by the couch when he heard it.

Music.

It was coming from the nurses intercom. Billy rolled his way there.

‘Billy don’t be a hero, don’t be a fool with your life …’

The song played. An old song from the seventies.

“Billy don’t be a hero, come back and make me your wife’

Why was someone playing that song? Just as Billy began to think he was in some sort of warped Iso-Stasis vacation experiment, a laughter emerged through the speaker, followed by the words, “Be right in.”

And right in he came.

Stan.

“Hey!” Stan was boosting with excitement. “Miss me?”

“Not … entirely, no.” Billy said.

“Tough. Missed you. Good to see you. You look well. Unlike when I last saw you.” He shook Billy’s hand.

“Was that you playing the music?”

“Yeah. Isn’t that funny.” Stan asked. “I spoke to Rickie before I came and he asked me to do that. Don’t know why?”

“Rickie is twisted. I can’t believe you listened to him.”

“Are you happy to see me?” Stan asked.

“Shocked. Why are you here?” Billy asked.

“I am the observer for this project. In charge so to speak.” Stan grabbed on to the wheelchair. “That is why I’m here.”

“You work bionics?”

Stan laughed. “No, man.” He opened the door. “The pregnancy study. You know I’m a Caldwell guru when it comes to the research experiments.”

“Wait. Stop.” Billy said. “Experiment.”

“Study. Sorry. Study.” Stan began to push him down the hall.

“OK. I’m here for the bionics. I’m not pregnant. I’m gonna assume you’re here to visit me, because there is no way that the pregnancy stuff has anything to do with me. Or am I involved somehow unknowingly?”

“Cal’s coming tomorrow.”

“I know.”

“OK, so, knowing that, knowing Caldwell, you have to ask that question.” Stan gave a double tap to Billy’s shoulder, and pressed the ‘down’ button on the elevator.
 

***

Where some would have thought Jake was indulging in a little porn by the way he moaned and groaned in pleasure, Rickie knew better. He had to be on the website of future weapons.

He knocked on the door, because Rickie was fully aware that Sarge insisted on that, and besides, just incase the Sarge was a tad more exciting and saluting more than his C.O., Rickie announced his presence.

“Yeah,” Jake called out.

“Hey, Sarge?”

“Ah, Rickie. Check out these scopes. Fuckin’ brilliant.” Jake stared at the screen. “Can you imagine having one of these? I bet they make them.”

“Isn’t that why you’re on the site?” Rickie asked.

“Yeah, but these are patent pending,” Jake said with disappointment. “What going on? Did you need something? You aren’t going to announce that you have the hots for Colonel Roberts housekeeper are you? We hear it enough over dinner.”

“No, no, Sarge. Got to remain faithful to the Prez’s babe daughter you know.”

“Rickie don’t even think that.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.” Jake finally turned his chair to face Rickie.

“Sarge, that is like such a lame parent reason.”

“Tough. Deal with it.”

“OK.” Rickie shrugged. “See ya’”

“Rickie, what did you want?’

“Oh, yeah.” Rickie snapped his finger and laughed. “How come the Cal-Babe has a date?”

“She what?” Jake asked. “What are you talking about?”

“Some dude, d is here now. Said, ‘Dude, I’m here to pick up your bodacious mother for a romantic ron-day voos behind the Sarge’s back.”

“You’re lying.”

“No, Sarge. Kid you not. Check it out.” Rickie pointed backwards.

“If I get up and you only want the computer …” Jake stood. “Your ass if running twenty miles tomorrow.” He left his office, which led immediately to the foyer. “Where is he?”

“Outside the door. I wasn’t letting him in. I don’t want him to steal my mom from my dad.” Rickie nodded. “But Cal-Babe will be down in a second, I didn’t want to be rude and not tell her that her date was here.”

Jake reached for the door.

“Sarge, I think he’s hung, dude.”

Jake grumbled and opened the door. Fully expecting no one to be there. Fully expecting to be the butt of Rickie’s joke, he was surprised to see the man there. Carter.

Carter turned.

“Can I help you?” Jake asked.

“I’m here to pick up Cal,” He said as he extended his hand. “Carter Gray.”

“And you want what with my wife?” Jake asked.

Rickie snickered.

Jake snapped a glare at Rickie.

Just as Carter was about to reply, Cal’s voice did so.

“He’s here to get me for Aldo. We’re having coffee this evening and desert, remember?” Cal tromped down the last step. “Has he been outside the whole time?”

Rickie nodded and pointed. “Sarge said don’t let him in.”

“Rickie, I said no such thing.” Jake replied. “Cal, why is Aldo sending one of his henchman for you.”

Carter cleared his throat. “Beg your pardon sir, I am chief of security for his enterprise.”

Jake rolled his eyes, “Whatever.”

Cal nearly gasped. “Did you just say .. whatever to this man? That is so rude.” Changing demeanor she smile and extended her hand to him. “Carter, I’m Cal.”

“Pleasure.” Carter said.

Rickie snickered.

Jake tried to speak to her. “Cal, look  I don’t know if I like this.”

“Tough Jake.” Cal said. “Aldo can’t come here. You don’t want me to drive. What the hell do you expect me to do? Click my heals together three times and say take me to Della’s? No. Night. I’ll be back in an hour.” She tiptoed up and kissed him on the cheek. “Ready?” She spoke to Carter as she stepped out.

Jake watched Carter place a leading hand on Cal’s back and move with her down the walk. As he closed the door, Jake glared at Rickie who was giggling. “What?” Jake blasted.

“Nothing, Sarge, just watching the Cal-Babe contemplate a little extra marital fun. Was a little expectant, do you think? Get it. Expectant. She’s pregnant.”

“Yeah, I get it.” Jake grumbled. “Hey, Rickie, you hungry?”

“No.”

“You’re not in the mood for a little coffee and dessert? I am.” He gave a twitch of his head. “Let’s go.”

“Sarge! Whoa.. Are you gonna do a little I spy guy on your wife. ‘Cause you know what? That would be like so wrong.”

“No, Rickie. I’m gonna do a little I spy guy on my wife and some asshole.”

“Oh, Ok.” Rickie shrugged. “That’s better. Let’s go.”

Jake grabbed his keys and headed for the back door.

“So, like Sarge, can I bother this guy?”

“Absolutely. In fact .. There’s fifty in it for you if you really get under his skin.”

“Yes! Sarge. You know you better pull out that fifty, cause the Rickie Miester  is gonna dig deep.”

“That’s what I’m counting on.” Keys jingling in hand, and feeling optimistic, and a tad suspicious, Jake left with Rickie.

***

Dr. Jefferson was used to the eccentricities of Greg Haynes. The late night mystery meetings. His odd schedules. Wanting to be secretive. He totally understood when Greg wanted to meet with him outside the normal Caldwell realm, just to really keep everything under wraps. He even understood meeting him at a local lounge. What Jefferson didn’t understand and didn’t quite get was when he walked in, Greg was standing with a microphone in his hand, performing, complete with emotional facial expressions, as he sung his heart out to the Karaoke version of ‘Turn the Page’.

He wasn’t bad.

He wasn’t great.

The Director of Caldwell research institute was a karaoke junkie? No. It was a front.

Jefferson took a seat where Greg could see him, he ordered a drink from the waitress and applauded when Greg completed his song.

As if he were a super star, Greg lifted his hand high in the air and walked to Jefferson.

“Glad you could make it.” He sat down.

“I … I was unaware you liked Karaoke.” Jefferson said. “Out of character for you.”

“Not at all. I developed the passion years ago, and picked it back up the other day. Of course …” Greg winked. “It’s a way to get lots of women.”

“I see.”

“Would you like to sing?” Greg passed him the Karaoke song book “They have lots of songs.”

“No, I’ll pass. I’ll leave it up to you to represent Caldwell at Karaoke.”

“Ah, I see.” Greg nodded. You’re snubbing me.”

“Yes.”

“Fair.” Greg closed the book.

“So what is up with the late night meeting? Care to tell me why I had to miss the replay of my favorite reality show?”

“I thought everything Caldwell did was your favorite reality show.”

“The only reality show we have happening is the pregnancy study. And that’s hardly entertaining like the Iso-Stasis.”

“Well, that won’t be for long.”

Jefferson’s attention was perked. “What do you mean?”

“Remember I mentioned I had something in the works. Something the pregnancy study was a kick off to?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like it’s a go. I have four investors already waiting, and primed. They’re just .. waiting to find out what they are primed for.”

“You mean to tell me you got investors without telling them what they are investing in.”

“Caldwell, of course, and the new Cere-Stasis Experiment.” Greg smiled pleased. “The newest reality ‘show’ if you will that Caldwell will offer in the interim of the Iso-Stasis. Four investors. One situation. Four potential outcomes.”

“And the investor with the winning outcome. Wins.”

“Exactly.”

“Sounds interesting. What is the situation?”

“In due time, I’ll announce. In fact, I’ll have a special Cere-Stasis Experiment meeting to kick it off. CSE One. Doesn’t that sound exciting?” Greg said proudly.

“It’ll probably sound more exciting if I knew what was happening.”

“A few months. There’s something I have to wait for. And ... My dear Dr. Jefferson I not only want you to be impressed, I want you to be surprised.”

“Also meaning you don’t want slack from me.”

After taking a sip of his drink, Greg winked, “Possibly.”

Dr. Jefferson sighed out. “The pregnancy study is the kick off of sorts. We have to wait a few months. Why do I get the feeling that this all has a lot to do with those Graison babies.”

In his typical, Greg manner, he gave a smug closed mouth smile. “Possibly.”

***

Jake had read in an obstetrician report that shell fish could make an expectant mother tired. Perhaps that was why super energized Cal was out like a light just after midnight. It could have been those twelve Clams Casino, or the three Cannelloni’s he watched her consume at the coffee shop. In any case, Cal was sound asleep, and Jake, who had planned a nice quiet evening alone with her before she left the next day, was left to read.

He really didn’t mind. He was with Cal.

Hand on her stomach, Jake was in the final pages of the new Army Survival guide.

He chuckled at some of the suggestions they were giving. Obviously, vital mistakes he would never tell his men to make. He particularly enjoyed the Island Survival section.

Last page, just about to finish, Jake heard it.

It caught his attention and made him turn his head.

A rumble.

“Christ, Cal.” He said. “You cannot be hungry in your sleep.”

Shaking his head and preparing to read, the grumble sound more like a growl.

“Fuck. This is impossible.” He gave a slight jolt to her. “Cal. Cal Your stomach is growling. Cal.”

She didn’t respond.

Sighing out, Jake felt it under his hand. Not only movement of his child, but a shake. Moving his hand some, he felt it. A shifting. He gave a single tap of his index finger on her stomach.

The tap was returned.

Immediately, he pulled the cover down on his sleeping wife to expose her belly. Cal didn’t budge. Watching her, while exploring, Jake slowly lifted her shirt.

“Fuck.” He watched her belly distort and move. “Fuckin’ twins.” Just as he was about to cover her, he heard the slight grumble. His eyebrow cocked. Thinking about the sound, looking at her stomach, Jake began to lower his head to listen. After realizing how ridiculous he not only looked, but was being he re-covered her belly, pulled the blankets over Cal, shucked it off, and returned to his manual.