Caged Eagles (23 page)

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Forrest ran through the doors and past the receptionist. There were only four rooms down the narrow hallway. He flung each wide open. The first two revealed no one, but voices came from the third. Brandi lay on a table with the abortionist standing over her. The man held a syringe in one hand. He prayed it hadn't happened yet.

His focus cleared some; blood covered the lower half of Brandi. The syringe didn't contain a harmful solution to kill his daughter, instead it was a solution to induce labor. That was when he heard it—a small, soft cry, barely audible from what appeared to be a garbage can. Luck had never been on Forrest Evans' side before this moment, but today it was.

The doctor put the needle down and came toward him. He punched the physician in the face, breaking his nose and front teeth. The abortionist cursed and covered his wounds. Blood seeped out between his fingers. The small whimper called out to Forrest again. He ripped the lid off the barrel; the inside contained a small naked human thrown on top of many mutilated bodies in transparent bags.

Forrest ignored Brandi's screeches, took off his coat, and bent to lift her out of the small prison. She tried to cry in anguish but her small voice wasn't strong enough. Forrest wrapped her up, holding her tight to his chest. She would be safe there, he knew she would. He pushed the receptionist out of the doorway and left with Trevor.

He placed a hand on her small body. He couldn't help but cry; it was so unfair she had to fight for her life having just entered this world. He wanted to fight for her, he would have given his soul to trade places with her. She could have his strong body; he would take her frail little one. He choked on his tears. Forrest didn't remember getting into the E.V. or Trevor sitting next to him but when he looked up Trevor spoke.

“Talk to her, she needs to hear your voice too, not just feel you.” Forrest couldn't find the words. His friend glanced over at him and said, “What did you plan to name her, Dad? I'm sure you had something picked out.”

“Faith, after my grandmother.”

“Hello there, little Faith. It will be alright.”

“Daddy's going to get you to the hospital.” Forrest muttered so quietly to the delicate ear that his voice was almost inaudible.

The E.V. slowed to a halt. “Damn these lights.”

“Can you run it?” Forrest leaned toward the dashboard and looked both ways. Trevor waited until the last car had passed and punched on the gas. Forrest was thrown into his seat but the hold he had on his baby never changed.

“Sorry.”

“It's fine but hurry. Her breathing is growing weak.” Forrest's voice broke and he fell silent. Trevor paused to let another E.V. pass before he jerked hard on the wheel. Forrest heard a car horn blare.

Forrest got out at the entrance and ran inside, frantically looking for a nurse, doctor, anyone that could help. A nurse came to his side but he couldn't say anything. She pulled back the edge of the coat and shouted down the hallway. Two doctor's came to his aid. They didn't try to take his baby, but pushed him into the nearby elevator. One of them shouted for another doctor to be paged with an emergency. The new doctor tried to ask him what happened but the words wouldn't form in his mouth. How could he tell them what he had witnessed in the abortion clinic? The female doctor pulled Faith out of his arms. He kissed the small forehead and handed her over. Trevor had arrived and began to answer questions.

“Her mother aborted her but we arrived just in time. This is the father, Forrest Evans.”

They took Faith and left the men standing alone in the hallway. Trevor guided him to a quiet room down the hall and pushed him into a chair. It was a small lobby and the sound of rain on the window was comforting. Forrest leaned forward in the chair, face in his hands. Trevor said he'd call Laney. Forrest looked up, watching him.

“Is this my punishment?”

Trevor stopped in the doorway. “What? Evans, you're crazy.”

“I betrayed all of you, all because of my job.”

“No you didn't, betrayal would have been if you had turned us in.”

“I shouldn't have taken the job with Leslie.”

“Honestly no.”

“Call Laney … she needs to know.” He placed his face back in his hands. Trevor called her cell phone. Forrest heard the weight of Trevor's body settle into the chair next to him.

“I would think about raising her … what I would do with her. I had decided I would quit my job, find something new … . ”

“Yeah,” Trevor knew talking would make things easier, for them both.

“Why Brandi, why did she have to be the mother? Why did she do this?”

“I don't know.”

“Faith … Faith Evans … she's mine … my daughter.”

“I know.”

They both fell silent. Trevor's mind was blank but Forrest's was filled with everything. He imagined his life with Faith. What kind of ice cream would she like? He didn't care how much it would cost; he would buy her ice cream every day if she lived. He saw her with dark hair in pigtails that trailed behind her on a swing set. She squealed with delight. Another thought popped into his head. What were the odds of a baby surviving an abortion? Not good. His insides tightened so badly he wanted to puke. She most likely wouldn't survive the night. He started crying again. This was his daughter, why didn't he have the right to say if she lived or died? Why had it been up to Brandi alone? It wasn't fair, none of it was. He probably wouldn't get to see her blow out birthday candles.

His mind saw the images. There she was as a one-year-old, chewing on the cake with her toothless mouth, frosting all over her face. He could hear her giggle. Her laugh was more beautiful than any music. There she was at age ten, running around the backyard with her friends. He wanted that life. Why did it have to be this way? He could see her riding her bike at six; she fell and started to cry. He ran over and picked her up in order to kiss her red palms. Why couldn't he kiss her now to make everything better? He could hear her voice, hear her calling him Daddy. Would that have been her first word? He broke down again.

The next time he knew, Laney launched herself into his arms.

“What happened?”

“Brandi went to get an abortion.”

“No.” She had a look of horror on her face. “Is the baby …” She couldn't bring herself to say the words.

“No, she's alive, but I don't think it's good.” Forrest cupped her face in his hands. “I thought you considered me a traitor and wouldn't come.”

“No, I don't. I know and love you better than anyone. But Blaine doesn't feel the same. He wants you to stay away so nothing gets ruined. I'm worried Donovan might …”

Two doctors entered the room. One was a skinny young woman the other was an older man with a big belly.

“Is Mr. Evans here?”

“Yes,” Forrest stood. Laney grasped his hand. They both hoped for good news.

“We have some paperwork that will need filling out. Is there someone here that can do that?”

Laney raised her hand slightly. “I can.”

“Good.”

“What about my daughter?”

“She is very weak, Mr. Evans. Though the speed with which you brought her in here can only benefit her.” There was hope in their eyes. “I do advise you plan for the worst. I'm sorry. Her brain is being watched for bleeding, which can cause death or brain damage.”

“What are the chances she will live?”

“I'd guess between forty and fifty percent. She does have some luck on her side though. She is a girl, and female babies usually fare better than males. She is also the only child born, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Being a single birth is good. On the other hand, the mother has done a lot of harm to her by giving birth so early, and without steroid shots administered right away. That is the deciding factor–just how traumatized she was before she arrived. She is very fragile and the trauma might prove to be too much for her.”

“If she survives ….”

“Mr. Evans, please don't place your hopes on that.” The doctor frowned. It hurt him to tell Forrest this news.

“I can do the paperwork now if possible,” Laney said. Forrest then asked, “Can I see her?”

“Dr. Ellis will take you to the nurses' station for the paperwork. As for your question, Mr. Evans, she is still being cared for. I will inform you when possible.” The doctors turned to the door, but stopped at Forrest's voice.

“Doctor.”

“Yes, Mr. Evans.”

“If she isn't going to make it, and you come to that conclusion, let me hold her.”

“Alright.”

Forrest turned back to the only two people left in the room.

“This is Brandi's fault. She did this.” Anger filled his voice. It was one of many emotions he would experience in the foreseeable future.

“She doesn't matter, Forrest,” Sarah pleaded.

“I hate her. I will probably lose my daughter because of her. She doesn't care; she has only cared about Wells.” He turned and punched the door. It didn't break, but creaked from the blow. He stood in the doorway, turned with wrath in his eyes, “I could kill her right now. I would strangle her with my own hands.” He held up his hands, surveying them as he turned them over.

“Forrest, keep your head, Brandi has been enough trouble.”

“You're right, and someone needs to stop her.” Forrest walked out of the room.

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Trevor had to go help Blaine with last-minute arrangements near midnight. It had stopped raining, but the air was still alive from the last storm. He wondered if there would be another. Blaine explained everything to him about all three locations. Trevor's eyes began to drop shut but he forced them open. He wouldn't allow himself to think about sleep. It was too important to stay awake. Blaine made him recite all the details until Trevor, half asleep, only muttered them back. All three points would be bombed at the same time, beginning with the East Coast at 6:30 a.m. Blaine wanted early-morning hits to avoid a large death toll. Blaine was adamant about this. He wanted to make his point, not kill anyone. If a war broke out there would be plenty of time for death later on. After they finished it was well into the morning hours of Friday. Trevor found it necessary to tell him what had happened. Blaine said nothing and only listened. Afterward he nodded and agreed that Forrest might be a changed man, but he had no place in their business anymore. He was a risk to himself, Laney, Faith, and everyone else involved. If the government discovered Forrest was acting as a double agent he would be in more danger than anyone. Trevor promised to express to Forrest Blaine's wishes.

Blaine got up from the table, insisting that Trevor get some rest also. He opened his mouth to disagree but Blaine cut him off. There was nothing Trevor could do at the hospital, and he was needed later that afternoon at Point Two.

It was three o'clock in the morning and Trevor's mind wouldn't let him sleep. He had to go back to the hospital to see how things were going with Faith. Laney was in the lounge. She had fallen asleep in her chair; her body leaned to the right and her head rested on the wall. One of her long legs crossed the other at the shin. Trevor put one hand on her shoulder.

“Laney, wake up.”

“Wha ….” She jerked awake, cracking a joint in her neck. “Is it Faith?”

“No, it's me.”

“Ouch, damn it.” She rubbed the back of her neck.

“Are Forrest and Sarah here?”

“No, they both left after you did.”

Trevor felt some of the panic from the night before come back to him. “Did they leave together?”

“No, Forrest left first. He wanted to be alone. Laney stood, yawned, and stretched down to the floor until her palms touched the carpet. “Sarah left early this morning. She said she would go get us all a change of clothes and food.”

“That means she had to go back to my place.”

“Yeah,” Laney stood and grabbed her sweater. “She knew, but she said she would call if there was a problem. I kind of wonder if she didn't follow Forrest?”

“I have to go find out. You stay here.” Trevor held a hand up to prevent her from following.

“Trevor!”

“Don't worry, just stay with Faith. I will call as soon as I find them.”

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Leslie Taylor couldn't bring herself to go in to work the day she found out Forrest Evans was Sodi Hall. She couldn't get out of bed the next morning either. She reached for her cell phone; it was simple to call in sick that morning even though it was only 3:00 a.m. Her voice was hoarse from crying the previous day. Submerged in despair, she had no way to get over her loss. They had used her. This thought was a plague. She had to confront them both.

By three thirty Leslie staggered out of her front door. She stubbed her toe getting onto the elevator and had to wear sunglasses to shade the new batch of tears in her eyes. She arrived outside Trevor's apartment door, the one she'd thought she would be calling home if the world had been perfect. A French-manicured nail touched the number eight nailed up at eye level. She followed the pattern of the looped figure. An angry voice came from inside.

“It should have died!”

“It's a baby, you should be charged with attempted murder!”

Leslie pushed the door open to find two women standing in a living room to her left. One had a knife in her hand, Brandi. The other stood on the other side of the room, cornered. It was Lula Dell. Leslie shook her head, no it was Tobian Morrison and the scene before her was real–no reason to pinch herself.

“You're brave to say that, especially since I'm holding this knife.” She waved the weapon in the air, “and you have no way out.”

“Trevor ….”

“Trevor has no idea where you are. No one does, they're at the hospital concerned about that fetus.”

“So what do you think will happen if you kill me? Trevor will come running into your arms?” Tobian's voice was steady, which surprised Leslie. She was shaking just watching the scene from the shadows of the doorway. Tobian continued, “Or will you cut this,” she held her hand up into a fist, revealing a diamond ring, “from my hand and claim your prize. You're crazy; you need to get over it. Trevor will never love you, especially after you tried killing the baby.”

Leslie noticed Brandi's midline was much smaller. She gasped. Brandi had tried to kill Trevor's baby!

“Oh look, all three women that love that jerk.” Brandi turned to Leslie. “Get in here and shut the door.”

Leslie obeyed and walked to the edge of the couch three feet away.

“Dr. Taylor, this is Tobian, the great goddess.” She bowed in mockery. A sinister, murderous look in her eyes never left Tobian's face. ”We have been beaten, Doctor. See that ring on her finger–it's from Trevor.”

Leslie was confused and didn't know what to say. Everything she thought she knew fell apart in her mind. She had to gain some sort of control of the situation.

“Miss Lewis, please put the knife down.”

“I
won't
and don't try to manipulate me!”

Leslie's heart beat so rapidly she thought it would explode in her chest. “Miss Lewis, where is the baby?”

Tobian answered, “She got an abortion, Forrest found her just in time.”

“Mr. Evans? Why him?”

“He was the little brat's father. I wanted you to think it was Trevor so you would get over him.”

“Ironic, you should have taken your own advice,” Tobian spit back. Leslie was shocked at the nerve of the woman.

“So Trevor is with you?” Leslie asked Tobian.

“Yes, Trevor has always been with her. He was just using us.” Brandi maliciously spat.

“No, he was only using Dr. Taylor, and I'm
truly
sorry.”

Leslie was taken back. She had never expected this! Tobian's voice was sincere, as was her face.

“I understand how much a person can love him. I hated knowing you held real feelings for him and he felt nothing but friendship in return.”

Brandi's laughter was forced. “He didn't feel anything for Leslie and me.”

“Yes, he feels friendship for her. Without her, he would have never found me.” She turned back to Leslie, “He was forced to live with Brandi because she threatened to kill Forrest's baby. He couldn't let his best friend's daughter die. I'm so sorry, Dr. Taylor, but our love is real and I would do anything for him, including die.” Leslie knew she spoke the truth. She knew Tobian loved Trevor Wells just as much as she did.

“It's all a lie, Doctor, don't let her fool you.” A sneer deepened on Brandi's face.

“You're half right, Brandi.” Tobian turned back to the volatile woman. “He felt nothing but disgust for you.”

“I will not let either of you have him. He won't ever be with Leslie, so she's no worry.” Brandi dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “But you were right about one thing, Tobian–you do get to die for him.”

Leslie saw Brandi's plot in her eyes before the woman moved. Within milliseconds several thoughts went through her head. Leslie had not liked what she heard–she didn't want to know that the man she loved had chosen another woman, no matter who it was. She also knew that she, too, would die for Trevor.

Leslie lunged forward, grabbed the murderous woman's arm, and held the knife in the air. Tobian jumped over the couch and grabbed Brandi's cell phone to call the guards from downstairs. An agonizing cry came from one of the women.

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Trevor ran back outside. The air was surging with electricity–it would rain again, but there was a force in the air also. He couldn't tell what it was, but he felt like a giant weight was tied to his shoulders. The last twenty-four hours things had kept going wrong and he was barely keeping up with the changes. What if he was too late?

The rain had started when he arrived; the drizzle brought with it a dark omen. Inside the lobby guards were running to the elevator; two of the three held tasers in their hands. Trevor squeezed inside and rode up with them. All four men ran to the same door. Trevor wasn't allowed in his apartment but he could hear two women. The guards were arresting one of them; a gruff voice rambled off Miranda rights.

Patience was no longer on his side. He pushed into the room only to find something he never expected. Sarah was standing against the wall closest to him. Her ashen-colored starting at the floor. On the floor lay Brandi Lewis in a crumpled heap, a kitchen knife sticking out of her chest. Her eyes stared up at the ceiling, the anger and hatred still in them, frozen under the gloss of her eyes. Doctor Leslie Taylor stood in bloody clothes. An officer clipped restraints on her wrists. She shook violently. Trevor walked to Sarah and touched her elbow. She jumped in alarm, then flung her arms around him. He could feel her trembling. He buried his face in her soft hair. Sarah knew he would want an explanation.

“Brandi tried to kill me, Leslie stopped her.” Sarah pulled away to look up into his face. He kissed her lips tenderly and said, “It's okay, you're safe now.”

She stepped away from him to face Leslie. “I'm sorry, we will do anything we can to help you.”

Leslie looked up. She had seen Trevor come in and go directly to Tobian.

“No.”

“Thank you so much for what you did, Leslie.” Sarah replied. Leslie had tears form in her eyes.

“I guess I had a revelation moments before …” She closed her eyes. Tears slipped down her face. “I want to see Trevor happy, and that includes being with another woman. I won't be like Miss Lewis was …” She opened her eyes again but only looked at Sarah. She took a deep breath and exhaled. “I will let him go, something Brandi wouldn't have done, something I know you would have done in a heartbeat.”

Trevor felt his stomach clench. He never deserved her love, some greater man did.

“Leslie,” his voice was full of compassion.

“No, don't speak. I understand now. You two were always meant to be. I want you to promise me you will love each other forever.”

“Of course.”

“I want you to promise, because knowing there is love like yours out there gives lonely people like me hope.”

“We promise, Leslie.” Sarah stepped toward her, but a guard put a hand up to block her. The paramedics showed up and lifted Brandi's lifeless body into a black bag and left the room. The police started to take Leslie to the door but she stopped them, and turned back to the couple.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Wells.”

“About what, Dr. Taylor?”

“I didn't understand you at all, the entire time I've known you. Now that I'm in your shoes …” she looked down at her bloody clothes, “I do. It's just ironic that I lectured you about stabbing a man in self-defense and the exact same thing has happened to me.”

“True, and one last thing.” He went to stand in front of her. “I hope you get a damn fine counselor in rehab, just like I had.”

Leslie laughed despite her agony. Tears fell down her cheeks and the guards took her away.

Trevor couldn't delay. He took Sarah back to the hospital and left to meet Blaine at Point Two. Blaine would be upset because he was ten minutes late. Fortunately it was the last thing on the leader's mind. He was busy positioning everyone in the right spots. Trevor was originally supposed to be on his own, but the plans had changed at the last minute. He was with Blaine on the roof of the building half a block down the street. It was taller than Point Two, so they could watch everything. They sat like birds perched in the early morning before the sunrise. Trevor told him about that morning. Blaine shook his head.

“Poor doctor, but that is why we are doing this, for people like her.”

Trevor never thought 4:30 a.m. would never come, but he'd never thought that day would come either. Blaine watched his clock turn to four-thirty and announced, “All clear,” on the transmitter. A voice answered, “yes.” He then pushed a button inside his coat. An earth-awakening echo broke through the air. Suddenly the creaks, cracks, and crashes of the building falling to the ground came to their ears, and a gray cloud edged its way down the street.

“Let's go.” Blaine turned to find Donovan behind them.

“Points One and Three succeeded, but there is something you should know.” He turned a small portable radio on.

“We have just received a report of four different bombings on the east coast; we ask everyone to remain calm. Officials are out right now detaining the terrorists. We believe the attacks were planned by the same people.” The radio clicked off.

“Six? Who else hit targets?” Trevor asked. Blaine gave him a look that silenced all other questions. Donovan suddenly pulled a gun on them, pointing it at Blaine.

“You used Evans as a distraction,” Blaine said very calmly.

Donovan took a step forward. “Yes.”

“You have always been planning an attack on the United States?”

“Yes, and you were the stupid fool I thought perfect to take the fall. Be proud, Martin, your goal was met. You started a war, though you helped another country start it with the United States, instead of another civil war.”