Terms (The Experiments Book 3) (3 page)

The Plaza - Los Angeles, CA

August 29
th

‘Pass the creamer.’

“The weather is great.’

‘Yes, I’ll have a bagel.’

Common phrases that slip from the tongue without much thought or emotions. Delivered in the same manner that Greg delivered the statement to Jake over morning coffee. So uneventful he spoke the words, ‘we want your wife.’

It took everything Jake had not to spring forth his hand across the table, grab Haynes by the throat and snap his neck.

“You’re not saying anything.” Greg spoke.

“That’s because at this moment, I’m trying to figure out how to make your death look like a fuckin’ accident.”

“I believe . . .” Greg added cream to his coffee. “Aldo made that offer.” He shook his head. “A man of your stature shouldn’t be involved in such dealings.”

“Where are you getting that from?” Jake asked.

“You can say I am everywhere. I see all. I hear all. I know all.” Greg smiled. “Like God.”

“Yeah well, hey God, you aren’t getting my fuckin’ wife.”

Calmly Greg looked at Jake. “Before you get yourself upset, you know my basis of this request. Section fifteen of the contract you and your wife both signed. Now . . . I can easily have gone to Cal first, but I wanted to break it to you, figuring you would break it to her in a way, she wouldn’t give us any hassle.”

“Nothing in section fifteen gives you the legal right to claim her.”

“I’m not saying ‘claim’ her. I’m saying we need her. We have the legal right, whether you like it or not, to call upon your wife if we have the need for research, and testing, for up to the next three years.”

“I’ll fight you on this.”

“Fight me. Go on. You’ll lose. You know it.” Greg spoke arrogantly. “You’re boasting parenthood Lt. Col. Graison. Why is that? Think about it, if it wasn’t for this experiment,
would
you right now, be expecting a child? No.” Greg shook his head. “Our manipulation caused your wife’s infidelity. For that we have documented proof. Our manipulation through that infidelity caused the pregnancy. Her one time multiple pregnancy is proof of that. You agreed. You signed.”

“I was sterile. I didn’t give it a second thought.”

“You should have.” Greg sipped his coffee. “You of all people know through the Iso-Stasis, any and all things are possible. If you want a legal battle, we’ll get into one. But we’re not asking right now for a lifetime. We have a need for her, and under contractual oblations, if we call, she must fulfill that obligation. Now . . .” Greg slid forth a piece of paper. “Because your wife was under the influence of a drug we created, we would like to place her through a serious of blood tests, ultrasounds and so forth. Nothing that will harm her or that baby. I would think, Lt. Col. Graison, since we had a hand in the pregnancy, you would really want to know that the pregnancy is . . . Normal?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Go on.” Jake said.

“You’re listening. Good.” Greg winked. “Secondly, we have a research study. Since your wife fits the criteria, and she fits that criteria because of us, we’d like to call upon her as a test subject.” Greg watched the facial reaction of Jake. “Before you get upset, look at the doctor’s orders for your wife. Rest. Take it easy. The study is the perfect medicine for the prescription. It is merely a two week study. We can do our testing while she participates in this study.”

“What is this?”

Greg gave a nod to the contract he handed Jake. “Read. It’s from the American Obstetrician Associations. Surely they wouldn’t want to see a woman harmed. Basically it’s an effects and cause stress test.”

Jake read through the first page and flipped to the second. “This makes it sound like a vacation.”

“That’s pretty much what it is. We are testing a wide variety of things that may affect the emotional state of the pregnant woman. From rich foods, pampered bath products, lounging in the sun, to movies. And she won’t be alone by any means. She will be isolated for two weeks from you, but there will be seven other expectant mothers. Caldwell employees, you can even send Rickie for assurance if you like since he works for us. Two weeks. On a research island of ours just two miles off the coast by Hilton Head North Carolina.”

“What’s the catch?” Jake asked.

Greg snickered. “No catch. Well, Cal doesn’t get paid like the other seven women. Jake . . .” Greg leaned into the table. “I suggest you agree to this and speak to your wife. I also suggest that you make it seem like it was your idea not ours. Helping us out so to speak.” With a smirk Greg lifted his hand.

“Why would I do that?”

“Why wouldn’t you? I would think you would want to be agreeable. In fact, I would think Lt. Col. Graison, that you would want to be very congenial about anything we ask of you for three years.”

“Why is that?” Jake asked smug.

“Because I don’t think you really want to force our hand on certain painful issues of section fifteen . . .now do you?”

Jake exhaled heavily. Contemplation of calling Aldo immediately raced through his mind.

“Now in all seriousness.” Greg said. “I have bases covered. So if myself or anyone I know ends up with say, a bullet in their head, or their car exploding . . .”

Jake’s head went back, his eyes rolled slightly and he tossed his hand in defeat.

“Thought so. Hands tied. Now . . .” Greg sighed out. “Do we have a deal.”

Jake spoke in a near gravel manner as he leaned into the table. “How come I have this feeling that this isn’t going to be the last time my hands are tied, and I’m agreeing to something that I’m gonna regret?”

In response, Greg only smiled.

^^^^

Aldo’s comment of ‘fuckin’ worm’ caused the front desk woman to look up suddenly. He moved Jake away from her earshot. “Say the word, Graison. He won’t be a problem.”

Jake exhaled. “OK, listen. I was thinking maybe you could threaten to pull your investment.”

“Won’t work.” Aldo stated.

“Why? You’re the biggest backer.”

“Yeah, but after his recent fanfare experiment, Haynes got people breaking down their doors. The threat of my pulling is no longer a threat.”

“Fuck.” Jake closed his eyes in disgust.

“My lawyers already looked at the contracts. You don’t have a shot in hell of beating this thing in court.”

“I know.”

“And there are other things they can force as well.”

“I know that too. So basically . . . I’m fucked.”

“No.” Aldo shook his head. “Who’s gonna force the issue if Haynes disappears off the face of the earth.”

Quickly Jake looked up. “As appealing as it sounds, the talkative bartender pretty much let Greg know something could happen. He’s a smart man, he’s covered it.”

“Well, at least that talkative bartender won’t be a problem anymore. He’s gone”

Horrified Jake looked up.

“Fired, asshole. I had him fired.”

“Oh.” Jake nodded.

“I don’t trust this. Haynes has a plan. This contract holds a lot of leverage and he knows it. The two week vacation study is nothing but a first coating sugar glaze to hide the rest.”

“He doesn’t need what that contract states he can have.”

“Exactly.” Aldo agreed. “He’s using the contract to get what he wants.”

“That would be?” Jake asked.

“The next experiment to start immediately.”

“Can he do that?”

“Oh, most definitely.” Aldo replied. “And he has. In my opinion, Iso-Stasis fourteen is well underway. The game, as we investor call it, has already begun. Only the game needs a good pawn. And my friend, that pawn . . . is you.”

“No. No way. What for?”

“Better to ask, what is the Iso-Stasis experiment.” Aldo said. “It is a series of what?”

“Physical and mental endurance tests.”

“That’s right.” Aldo pointed. “So why not put
you
through a series of mental and physical endurance tests.”

“It’s sounds far-fetched. If he wanted my participation, why didn’t he just ask?”

“Why?” Aldo asked with a laugh. “Because if you knew you were going to be tested would you let it show the effects?”

“No.”

“Exactly. And in my opinion, again this blackmailing you with the contract is a small mental endurance. I’m trying to figure how they’re gonna test you mentally while she’s away.”

“The absence?”

“Nah.” Aldo said. “No way. You go away too much on your job. There has to be something else. A catch.”

“See, that’s I thought. There has to be a catch. The deals too sweet. But what is it?”

Aldo lifted a finger when his phone rang. “Hold that thought.” He answered. “Hello. Hey . . . no. No need to go up there, he’s right here. Hold on.” He showed Jake the phone. “It’s Cal from the hospital.”

Jake took it. “Cal, hey babe, I’m sorry I got hung up. I’ll be right there. How’s Billy?”

“Not good, Jake. His fever spiked, his mood is down and lungs are filled.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. What did the doctors say?”

“He’ll pull through, but right now, he’s not doing good. Took a turn last night.” Cal responded. “I feel bad, Jake. We’re leaving in a couple hours. He needs us. What do you think about leaving Rickie here for support?”

“Billy doesn’t need Rickie, Cal. You know that.” Jake breathed heavy. “Why don’t you stay a few extra days. I’ll head on home, me and Rickie will get things done there.”

“Jake . . . I can’t. It wouldn’t be right. Not with me leaving for this pampered puff study for Caldwell. I wouldn’t see you.”

“Cal?” Jake snickered. “We just spent seven months side by side. We’ll handle it. Plus, I’ll see you before you go. Maybe only a day or two, but I’ll see you. Billy needs you.”

“If you’re sure?”

“Positive. And I’m giving Aldo back his phone. I should be there shortly.”

“OK.” Cal said. “Oh, one more thing. Even though it’s a pampered study, I know you’re worried about me.”

“Of course.”

“Well, you don’t have to. Guess what? You know that little research island they’re sending me to.” Cal’s voice seemed to smile over the phone. “Billy is going there for his bionic testing. He’ll be there the whole time with me. Isn’t that great?”

Jake’s eye closed. “Swell.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. See you soon.” Jake beeped off the phone handed it to Aldo. “Thanks.”

“Problem?” Aldo asked.

“Billy took a turn for the worst. Cal’s gonna stay behind and be support for a couple days.”

Aldo stared. “I know the situation, Jake. I know there’s some closeness that bothers you, but, don’t let it. A couple days. No sweat.”

“Oh, this hospital stay isn’t bothering me. Not at all. It’s the fact that Caldwell is conveniently sending Billy for his leg testing to the same place Cal is going for that study. He’ll be there the whole time.”

“Ouch. Seclusion.”

Jake quickly looked up.

“Hey, we wondered what the catch was.” Aldo lifted his hand. “There’s your catch. Slight mental endurance experiment on you. But the bright side is, you know about it. You know they’re testing you. No sweat. Unless of course they really throw those two together some way. Then, you know . . .” Aldo shrugged. “You might have a little mental endurance obstacle called . . . trust.”

Jake agreed, not with words but with a simple grumble.

Cedars of Sinai Hospital - Los Angeles, CA

August 29
th

Cal repeated her actions, looking like a nervous criminal more than a hospital visitor. And in a sense she was.

She’d do the same thing. Glance at her watch, look up to a sleeping Billy, then over her shoulder to the door, and back to Billy again while she tapped her fingers a few times on the bed in the waiting moment before she’d repeat it all over again.

The tiny footstep in the room made her jump, and Cal turned fast in her chair. She breathed out and grabbed her chest. “It’s you. Thank God.”

Aldo walked in, “I moved as fast as I can. How is he?”

“His fever went down, but he’s still out of it as you can see.”

“And as
you
can see.” He lifted a silver suit case then set it down next to Billy’s bed.

“I thought for sure Haynes was gonna beat you here.”

“Nah.” Aldo shook his head. “I had someone watching him.”

“So you did it?” Cal asked.

“Yep. Every piece of paper, disk, photo negative and video . . . . copied.”

“And you . . .”

“Made it.” Aldo pulled up a chair. “We got the case to Jake in time. I mean just in time, it took a lot. He was boarding. He has it now. So it’s safe.”

“Thank God. I mean, he made the deal. No pay, he gets his story. He got his story Aldo. That was seven months of a lot of work. I think he’ll be very happy to find out we did this, don’t you?”

“Oh, yeah.” Aldo said. “I believe so. It’s one thing to not deliver the story, it’s another thing to not have it. So whether or not Billy uses the information. His loss, his work, will not be in vain. We got it. We got a copy of it all. Or shall I say, Jake has a copy of it all.”

Cal smiled. “Safest place.”

“Best place. I have to tell you, Cal. Good thinking on your part. If you wouldn’t have thought of copying that, Haynes would have ended up with that case, and every ounce of information and evidence Billy collected would of been lost.”

“Still, Aldo, what good is that case gonna do. Contract signed, and as hard as this is to believe . . .” She glanced at Billy. “He sold out.”

“His story yes. But I have a feeling that information will come in handy. Real handy.”

“You think Billy might end up using it?”

“Or Jake.” Aldo mumbled.

Cal curiously looked up. “What do you mean, why would Jake need that case?”

Aldo hem-hawed around. “Well, I just mean it’s evidence. Now, it may not be useful evidence  any longer in one aspect. Such as, the story. But . .. . down the road, it may be useful evidence in another aspect. Just in case, one of you develop post traumatic stress disorder and you can go back and see where it occurred.”

Cal snickered. She thought it was funny, but consumed with other thoughts, she didn’t really pick up on what Aldo was saying. Of course, Aldo knew he wasn’t being clear, and was perhaps being a little mystical. But that was fine with him. The documents, evidence and so forth were copied and they were in Jake’s hand. And as he told Cal ‘down the road they could be useful’ Aldo wasn’t exaggerating. More than she realized, he spoke a truth.