“The generator’s efficiency is running slightly below normal, but it can sustain me at full capacity for about two hours.”
“Great!” She turned back to Adam. “What did you put in the brew?”
“A freakish combination.” He grinned. “Let’s just call it combustible hash. Mardon was the chef.”
“Mardon?” Marilyn’s cheeks grew warm. Even the sound of his name heated a firebrand within. “How is his eyesight?”
“Not great. He’s sitting in the living room resting his eyes. He says they’re still burning.” Adam peeled a layer of scorched, dirty skin from his forearm, wincing as it came off. “I gotta hand it to him. He’s a real genius. I mean, he knew exactly how every ingredient would react—rubbing alcohol, motor oil, spray paint, dirty socks, Epsom salts, and whiskey old man Nivitz across the street had thrown out. Amazing!”
Marilyn picked at a raised plastic nodule on the chair arm. “Well, good for Mardon. But I still don’t trust him.”
“Yeah, he might just be kissing up to us, but he’s jumping all over anything I ask.” Adam shrugged. “So it’s all good, at least for now.”
“He’ll do anything to go to Second Eden. He’s obsessed with being with Sapphira.”
“By the way, I hauled that federal agent’s body out like you asked. I don’t know how he died. I didn’t hit him that hard with the bat. Mardon thinks he might’ve popped a suicide pill.”
“Alert!” Larry’s monitor flashed, and new lines scrolled upward in a central text window. “I am displaying a transmission from Lois.”
Marilyn rolled the chair closer. The lines ran by too quickly to read. “Larry, give me a summary.”
“One moment, please.”
Adam joined Marilyn at her side and whispered, “I wonder why Lois would risk a transmission. Is she thinking that the Feds are too busy trying to save their own hides?”
“Adam’s suggestion is somewhat accurate,” Larry said. “Yet, in order to safeguard the security of transmissions, Lois is sending data that any government monitor can decrypt. So if they are monitoring, they are receiving an innocuous update about Lois’s battery status. The hope is that they will not suspect that the transmission includes a far more sophisticated string of data that I am collecting and will translate into a video stream. I will be able to show it to you when the transmission concludes.”
A few seconds later, a new window opened on the screen. A side view of Carly sitting in a driver’s seat appeared. With both hands on the steering wheel, she kept her gaze forward, her dark hair flowing in the wind. As she turned the wheel to negotiate bounces, her arms, exposed by her black T-shirt’s short sleeves, tightened and loosened. Her lips moved in a jerky fashion, as if the transmission skipped some of the frames. Her voice joined in, a half second out of sync.
“Mrs. B, Lois and I are on our way to Castlewood. We helped a woman get in touch with her son who is at a scouting camp for the week. She was worried about the radiation and the possibility that the Enforcers might take him. Turns out he’s safe, at least for now. To thank us, she let us borrow this Jeep.” Carly touched something on the dashboard. “The gas gauge is under a quarter, and Lois calculates we might make it to Castlewood, but it’s impossible to be sure.”
The scene bounced hard, then settled in a tilted pose. Carly’s hand reached close and adjusted the view. “It’s kind of bumpy, because I’m taking a back road—mostly loose gravel and a few potholes. Lois says the main highways are blocked. We’ll lose some time this way, but it’s better than running into some overly curious guys with guns, if you know what I mean.”
She heaved a deep sigh. “One drawback. The Jeep is uncovered, so I’m exposed to fallout. But I had to take the risk. Lois reported that Ashley got through to her and said you’re working on a secret project of some kind. Lois analyzed the possibilities and determined that it might have something to do with a genetic reconstruction involving Jared … or Clefspeare, I suppose. The trouble is that some of the information was transmitted to Lois’s databanks after she was separated from Larry, supposedly for security reasons.”
Another bump sent the camera off-kilter again, but Carly didn’t bother to straighten it. “Lois doesn’t know what the project is, but I assume it won’t work if you try to complete it. Since it was important enough to offload a piece to ensure its security, and it was done without telling Lois what it is, we’re guessing that it’s critical, and we need to get Lois and Larry back together before you attempt it …” Her voice cracked. “If it’s not already too late.”
Carly brushed a tear from her eye. “I have to admit, Mrs. B. I’m pretty scared. I saw a woman carrying a child, and she threw herself into a bonfire. Both went up in flames, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. A guy stabbed another guy just for pushing into the line to watch the woman and child burn. Most of the people have terrible sores, I guess from the radiation, and dead bodies are lying in the streets of Morgantown.”
She pointed at a dime-sized lesion on her cheek, raw but not bleeding. “And now I might be getting radiation poisoning, and they say it’s a horrible way to die. If I run out of gas, I’ll be out here alone, and no one will know where I am.” She stared straight ahead and brushed another tear. Her lips quivered between a smile and a thin, horizontal line. After several seconds, she spoke in a shaking voice. “Well … never mind. This isn’t about me.” She reached close again, and the video ended.
Marilyn sat back in her chair. “Wow! It’s getting rough out there.”
“No kidding. And Carly’s really scared.”
“Can’t blame her for that, especially since she has exposure symptoms.”
Adam walked to the window and peeked between the blinds. “I wish I knew which road to take. My Mazda’s not working, but I’d go looking for her on a bicycle.”
“And risk your own life?”
“Well … yeah.” He kept his gaze locked out the window, shifting from foot to foot and back again. “She’s risking hers for us.”
Marilyn focused on his nervous fingers as he held two slats apart. The new information about the offloaded data could wait a minute. “Adam, you’re in your thirties, right?”
“Right.” He let the blinds snap closed and turned toward her. “Why do you ask?”
She let the question float for a moment as she studied his inquisitive eyes. “You never married. Why is that?”
“Because I’m waiting for a certain girl. We kind of dated for a while years ago, but when I went to Bible school to learn about missions work, we drifted apart. She didn’t want to be a missionary’s wife.” Adam slid a hand into his pocket. “It’s for the best. Eight years in Afghanistan taught me that I was better off alone. Besides, I could never marry someone who doesn’t believe the same way I do.”
“So this girl isn’t a Christian?”
“I thought she was. But sometimes it’s hard to tell. I guess fear removes a lot of masks.”
“I know what you mean.” Marilyn glanced at the screen where Carly’s video was replaying, this time without the sound. “And she never married either?”
Adam shook his head and looked again between the blinds.
“So you’re hoping she’ll turn to faith in God. That’s why you’re waiting.”
He stared silently for a moment before murmuring, “Something like that.”
Marilyn rose and slid her arm around his shoulders. “Carly’s worth waiting for, Adam.”
He laughed softly. “Not hard to guess, huh?”
“Not at all. The day you two worked together to rebuild Apollo, I thought I saw a spark. You’re both intelligent, passionate, and loving. You saw how scared she is. We need to pray for her now more than ever.”
He nodded. “That’s exactly what I’ve been doing. For years.”
“Good. Keep it up. I’ll pray for her, too.” She patted him on the back and walked to Larry’s control monitor. “All right, Larry. What did Carly mean about a p
iece of the project being missing? What piece could she be talking about?”
“I do not know. Carly’s transmission provided my first awareness of a missing piece.”
“But it couldn’t be the genetic code. That has to be perfect, right? We wouldn’t have a plant at all if there was something missing.”
“Although the data I have affirms your supposition, I believe that question would be better addressed by our genius scientist. A piece of the project could be instructions on how to help the plant grow after implementing the genetic code, which Mardon might already know. Your concerns could be alleviated by simply asking.”
Marilyn rolled her eyes. Talking to Mardon was like interrogating a snake. “I suppose you’re right.”
“I’ll get him.” Adam rushed to the hallway door and dashed out of the room.
Marilyn began pacing again. “Another question is who would have put in the procedure to offload part of the project to Lois? Obviously Carly didn’t know about it, and Adam didn’t speak up.”
“Perhaps it happened while I was locked down. During that status, much could have taken place without my knowledge. Only a few people had access during that time, and only one person had sufficient programming skills to send data to Lois after we were separated.”
Marilyn’s ears turned fiery hot. “Mardon. That weasel!”
Adam hustled back into the room. “He’s coming.”
Still holding Jared’s plant, Marilyn set a hand on her hip. “He doesn’t need a guide?”
“He doesn’t seem to.” Adam looked toward the door. “I guess he’s healing, trying to be independent.”
Mardon walked into the computer room and stood in front of Marilyn, his eyes fully open behind his silver-dollar shaped glasses. With nervous hands, he brushed the sleeves of his tattered brown jacket. “Yes?”
She shot a hot scowl at him. “What do you know about sending a piece of Jared’s transformation instructions to Lois and deleting it from Larry?”
Mardon wrung his hands. “I did that to … to …”
“To make sure no one else had all the pieces to the puzzle!” She jabbed a finger at the worktable. “The spill! The burning eyes! Was all of that an act?”
“Well …”
“Was the catalyst liquid lacking what we needed all along?” She shoved Jared’s pot close to his face and shouted, “You stunted his growth on purpose, didn’t you? You did it to make sure we would have to go to Second Eden!”
Mardon folded his hands behind his back and straightened. “Yes. I admit that I did.”
Marilyn slapped at his cheek, but her hand passed through his face, making her stumble with the momentum. When she righted herself, she stared at him. “You’re a ghost!”
He nodded. “Which means that all portals to Second Eden have closed.”
“Well, that’s of no consequence to you. You’re not coming with us.” She handed the pot to Adam. “Please find a sturdy box for Jared. Maybe we can brew some more fuel and run a car engine. Then check the Foleys’ house to see who’s home. Last I heard, Shelly and her sons might be visiting.”
“Just one of them,” Adam said. “Ricky stayed in Morgantown with his dad. But Shelly might be heading back already. I’ll check.” Adam glanced at Mardon briefly before hurrying from the room.
Mardon smoothed out his shirt. “The fuel will work reasonably well in a car, but how will you enter Second Eden?”
“Sapphira can open a portal.” Marilyn sat in the control chair, withdrew a memory stick from a drawer, and inserted it into an interface in Larry’s front panel. “Larry, download Jared’s project information and data to this drive. We’ll take Lois to Second Eden and figure out how to grow Jared in the birthing garden ourselves.”
An image of a padlock appeared on Larry’s main monitor. “Encrypting data now. I will provide you with a key when the process is complete.”
“Good.”
Mardon edged closer. “I know why the portals have closed. You will not be able to open one without my help.”
She swiveled the chair toward him, a shout begging to erupt, but she kept her voice calm. “What did you do? How did you close them?”
“I did not close them. My mother planted a device in Second Eden, and I am assuming that it detonated, which created a sequence of events that sealed the portals. I am familiar with the device’s payload, so I am able to counter its effects.”
She rose and glared at him. “Then prove yourself. Tell me what to do.”
He lifted his head and sniffed. “You have already said I am not coming with you. Why should I give away the only leverage that might change your mind?”
“Then you are in this for yourself! You’re not trying to help anyone but Mardon.”
He looked her in the eye. “Guilty as charged. Yet, I realize that by helping Jared, I will be furthering the cause of destroying Arramos, which is another goal that we all cherish.”
“You’re such a snake!” She stalked to the table, grabbed Excalibur, and pointed it at him. “You intentionally hid a crucial step that would have helped my husband! Your selfishness endangered his life! Stop pretending that we have the same goals! It’s an insult!”
“Very well.” Mardon bowed his head. “I will rely only on your passion to restore your husband. Since you need me for that quest, I suggest that we work together in a cooperative manner, even if ours is a hostile relationship.”
She waved a hand at him. “Cut the hogwash. You’re making me sick.”
“Download complete,” Larry said. “You will find the remaining genetic material in a flask inside my cabinet.”
“Thank you.” Marilyn jerked the memory stick out and slid it into her pocket. “I need to pack a bag.”
Mardon spread his arms. “Are you taking me with you?”
“Only because I have to.” She narrowed her eyes. His expression seemed too cocky, too self-assured for a ghost who could be sent away once the portal opened. “You have something else up your sleeve, don’t you?” She lifted the blade close to his nose, though it couldn’t hurt him. “What else did that device do to Second Eden?”
“You said to cut the hogwash.” Mardon stared cross-eyed at Excalibur’s tip. “Indeed, I do have more up my sleeve, as you say. My mother’s device actually provided a benefit. It fertilized and hydrated the soil so that your husband will transform from alpha to omega dragon at an extraordinarily rapid rate. Yet only I know how to trigger the process. Although the information is in Lois’s memory storage, you will not be able to interpret it without my help.”
Marilyn squeezed the hilt, her lips tight. Calm down. Lashing out again wouldn’t do any good. Mardon’s leverage would eventually run dry, and then he could be expelled from Second Eden forever. Until then, altering her tone and playing along with this mad scientist’s game was the best course to take.
“Okay.” She set Excalibur back on the table. “You win. I’ll take you with us. Anything for Jared.”
“Excellent!” Mardon rubbed his hands together. “Adam told me about Carly’s imminent arrival. I have a formula in mind that will work efficiently in a Jeep, and we can easily find the ingredients along the way. We will have no need for fueling stations.”
“Good. That will be helpful.”
“I will ask Adam to gather a few things.” Mardon walked through the wall and disappeared.
Marilyn’s heart thumped. Having a ghost around stirred this bizarre situation into a haunted whirlpool. Yet, his nonphysical state actually made one issue easier to deal with. He wouldn’t take up any space in the Jeep.
She mentally counted. Adam, Carly, and herself—three. Carl and Catherine would make five. If Shelly and her son were still here, that would make seven. Did the Jeep have that many seats? And since it had no roof, what about the fallout risk? How well could a three-year-old boy tolerate—
Adam burst into the room. “Mrs. B! We’ve got trouble!”
“What kind
of trouble?”
“Take a look.” Adam pulled a string that drew the blinds up. Through the window, dawning light barely illuminated Cordelle Road. Down the street, two vehicles had parked in front of the Foleys’ house.
“I can’t make out who’s there,” Marilyn said.
“Enforcers. A police cruiser and a paddy wagon. I’ll bet they’re after Mark.”
“How could they know he’s here? Shelly lives in Morgantown.”
“Tracked them down, I guess. Since they’re your friends, the whole family is probably on a hit list.”
“Then they’ll kill Mark before the day is out.” Marilyn jerked open a desk drawer, withdrew a pistol, and slid it into her pocket. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
Adam grabbed Excalibur and hid it behind his back. “I’m with you.”
“Larry, send an emergency signal to Lois. Hang the secrecy. Tell Carly to stay away.” With Adam following, Marilyn rushed out of the room, ran down the hall, and opened the front door. She stopped and raised a hand. “Adam, stay here unless I need you. We don’t want to spook them.”
He nodded. “Got it.”
With the reddish light of dawn growing stronger, Marilyn hurried to the street, then walked casually toward the Foleys’ house. The paddy wagon had parked on the road, two wheels in the Foleys’ lawn, while the police car sat in the middle of the street, its blue lights flashing.
An eerie silence blanketed the area. With dawn breaking, birds would normally be greeting the morning with a chorus of chirps and whistles. But that was before the days of the scarlet sun.
A loud flapping noise interrupted the calm, though the bird, maybe a vulture looking for an easy breakfast, stayed out of sight. With animals dying because of the fallout, the scavenger pickings had been easy lately, though probably not safe to eat, even for a carrion feeder.
Marilyn stopped at the rear of the paddy wagon and peered around it. Three officers wearing yellow hazmat suits and hoods stood at the Foleys’ front door. One pounded with a fist and shouted, “Open up, or we’ll break it down!”
A muffled voice emanated from inside. “Hang on. Hang on. I’m coming. I’m not as fast as I used to be.”