Essentially Human (13 page)

He pulled out the elaborate phone the Aleena had given him and fiddled with it. In the faint light it gave off she saw his eyes narrow. “Bad news?”

“I think we need to leave the interstate. I doubt we’ll find anywhere to eat until morning.”

“What did you see?”

“There’s an alert out for a fugitive on motorcycle. It hasn’t spread this far, they don’t realize the range of this bike. But it won’t take them long to do some research and realize Jake’s past with the racing circuit.” He slid the phone back into a pocket of his jacket and pulled out a package of turkey jerky, handed her a piece, then removed an actual paper map from another compartment. He bent over it, using a small penlight to trace routes while she chewed on the salty snack.

Deciding to take advantage of the stop, she strode a few hundred feet up the road and back, warming up her tired muscles. Clinging to the back of a man for hours at a time didn’t provide many opportunities to stretch.

“Ria!”

His voice brought her back quickly. “Yes?”

“Time to move on. There’s a small town to the east, we’ll head there and find a place to camp for the night. Another two hours, at least.”

“All right.” She took the helmet and joined him back on the bike, her mind searching for memories of what camping was like.

*****

For six weeks, they traveled north in a zigzag fashion. Four times they visited derelict marine facilities. Three were padlocked and closed, one sat too near the sea and had been swallowed by rising storm tides.

At the beginning of the third week, Sam said it was time to change vehicles.

“Why?”

He’d been visiting an internet café and sighed. “The alert has spread and they have a photograph of the bike, and both of us on it. Must have passed a surveillance camera. I have a contact in New York and we’ll change out there.”

She stroked the seat of the motorcycle. “I am sorry you have to abandon something from your family.”

“I hope it won’t be abandoned, just kept somewhere safe.” With a shrug he let go of the regret. “If not, it served its purpose. From what I read, the original alert encompassed a small area around the cabin. They didn’t know which way we’ve gone or how far we’ve gone until now. Though from the area they are searching, they caught us traveling west.”

“But now that they know what to look for, all those surveillance cameras will be tuned for us. Aren’t they watching the bridges into New York?” Her ability to slip the helmet on without assistance had grown. She adjusted the strap and looked at him, one eyebrow raised. Sometimes she appeared completely normal, as if the years with the aliens had never happened.

“Some of them, but the contact is outside Manhattan, so I expect we’ll be fine. There is more to New York than the city. It’s a big state.” The surprise he had planned for her made him grin. He quickly turned and climbed aboard the cycle. They’d reach Bridgetown in three hours, just after dark. From there they’d ride a ferry onto the island. He’d been told his bike would be picked up and stored, the underground agent would contact them after midnight.

Still, he kept off interstates and followed beat up country roads.  Drum had been the one to pass on the alert. Hermione had been summoned to Washington to answer questions. She’d barely had time to let Drum know before disappearing. Sam tried not worry about her. If anyone could manage an official hearing, it was Hermione.

*****

“Professor Bales, I appreciate your speedy answer to the summons.” Hammer smiled, but her hackles rose.

“Where is the hearing room, sir?” She slipped her phone into a coat pocket and lifted her briefcase to her waist.

“Oh, this isn’t an official meeting.”

Blinking, Hermione considered her options. The last thing she intended was to be alone with this man, especially with two intimidating government agents at her back. They were standing in the foyer of the building housing the armed forces. He gestured to the door the led next door. It was a dark and isolated area.

“I’d like to freshen up first.” She turned and thrust her briefcase at the security man on the left. “Will you hold this, please? I’ll be right back.”

Not waiting for an answer, she strode to the women’s bathroom. Thinking fast, she locked the door behind her, pulled out her phone and gazed at it. Who to call for backup? She had one number programmed into the cell that could be used once and only once. It wouldn’t even display on the screen. In her heart and guts, she knew if she walked down that path with Hammer she’d disappear for good. Something in that man’s eyes seriously tweaked her instincts.

Ten minutes later, she heard a key being inserted in the main door of the large restroom and knew her time was up. After explaining the situation to the voice on the phone, she’d been told to wait. Evidently, Hammer’s patience had evaporated.

The door opened. “Professor Bales, there is no other exit. You might as well surrender. I already know you’ve been in contact with Montgomery. If you expect to save your career, I suggest you come with me. I won’t be unreasonable. After all, you have known him for a great many years and it is quite commendable, the loyalty you are showing.”

She stayed silent, staring at her phone. Knowing the contacts that phone held, she speedily removed the back, stepped into a stall and flushed the memory card down the toilet. When the bowl was full again, she dropped the remaining pieces and flushed them.

Only then did she head for the door.

He stood in the doorframe. “I’m so glad you’re being reasonable. I already cloned your phone, days ago.”

She held back a smile. He’d cloned her other phone, nothing but frivolous contacts and passwords there. Damned man thought he was so clever.

She waited for him to step away, then left the bathroom, striding for the passage. She couldn’t outrun the goons, who she knew held stun guns. Hammer chuckled at her back.

As suspected, she was turned from the entrance to the Homeland Security offices and herded to the parking lot.

Sorry, Monty. I let you down. Thought I could handle this bastard.

A very large car waited, engine quietly purring. The door opened… the roar of several old fashioned motorcycle broke the quiet. The security men scattered as one bike slid, clipping one of them and sending him flying toward the car. Hammer jumped back as another swept toward him. A third stopped and the driver held out a hand. She didn’t need to be invited twice, she climbed behind him and hung on as he revved the engine and took off, leaving the scent of burned rubber behind him.

They sped through the streets, dodging traffic. The remaining two bikes came up next to the one she clung to and she glanced to the side, startled to realize they each bore a passenger, dressed in a dark suit, with hair like hers. They split off at different intersection. Ah, decoys.

It was official, she was a fugitive. Damn, it felt good!

Ria watched him pack up the accoutrements they’d traveled with, attaching the helmets to the bike and folding the gloves, jackets and even the flexible boots into the cargo area. He then hauled out an ugly looking lightweight tarp and strapped it around the bike. Turning, he hefted the pack to his shoulder and held out a hand to her. “Shall we?”

“Aren’t you worried it will be stolen?”

“No, the alarm system on this bike delivers a hearty electric shock. There’s a warning that flashes on the windscreen. I’ll leave the key and the location with our contact on the island.”

“Oh.” She took his hand. They walked from the lot, down a deserted street until three blocks later they turned a corner and joined a crowd, waiting to board a ferry. The cloudy sky made it appear later than it was. She glanced up at him. His hair had grown to nearly his waist. They’d trimmed hers twice already, to keep it from her shoulders. A sudden concern had her blink. “Sam? They took pictures of us. They know our changed appearance?”

“We had on the helmets. My hair was tucked into my coat. It would be assumed yours was also.”

Relief ran through her. The line moved quickly and soon they were standing at a window, looking out on a skyline much different than she remembered. “It’s much darker.”

“The population is less. They built a seawall but that could only do so much and the tidal fluctuations still made it inconvenient for dozens of corporate headquarters to keep employees.” He leaned on the sill and pointed south. “The Statue of Liberty is still standing, but it is often flooded to the pedestal, and the structure was damaged by an alleged terrorist attack. She no longer holds a book.”

She shivered and he swept an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. The ride took less than thirty minutes. He advised her to keep her face down as they left. “Cameras.”

With a nod, she followed his advice. She’d have done so even without his warning. There were so many people and the crowd made her nervous, and fearful of being shoved off balance. She clung to Sam and took small steps.

Sam seemed to understand and didn’t push her to move faster. They spilled out onto streets, still moving with the crowd. “Can I look up now?”

“Yeah, just be aware of areas that are well lit.”

“Okay. So, if the city is under populated, what are all of these people doing here?”

He smiled down at her. “New York is still the center of nightlife. It is more alive after dark than during the daylight hours. Rent dove after the tidal surges and entrepreneurs took advantage, created something different. There was always an active nightlife, but now…it’s less regulated and a bit wild.”

The way he grinned at her filled her with curiosity. “So…where are we meeting this contact?”

“Ria, we’re going to a video music club. Happy?”

With a laugh, she danced away from him and spun. She’d been reading about them for months and couldn’t wait!

He grabbed her hands and hauled her back to his side. “First, we eat something…”

For the first time since leaving the ship, she didn’t particularly pay attention to the menu or the food placed before her. Sam had called up the venue on the tabletop computer screen and she scanned the details.

“Tonight is dedicated to rock musicals from 1975 to 2025!”

“Yup.” He pushed her plate over to block the screen. “Eat so you’ll have the energy to enjoy. And listen to me. It’s going to be crowded and very loud. I believe our ear filters will protect us from the volume, but take the earplugs they’ll give out at the door anyway. If you don’t, it will look suspicious. Keep an eye on me, know where I am. Know where the exits are. We’ll scope them out when we enter.

Fear had no place beside the excitement, but she nodded to show she heard him and took a forkful of spaghetti. The ripe taste of tomato sauce exploded against her tongue and she moaned. He agreed. “Best place I know of in the city for Italian food. Try the garlic bread.”

Her spirits lifted even higher at the incredible food. He insisted they stop at an internet café for a few minutes before the club. The lines on his face lessened as he clicked on a message board she recognized from other visits. A game of some sort where he traded messages.

“Good news?”

“Yeah. Hermione has joined the underground, escaping Hammer’s attempt to take her. Means Drum is the only contact I have inside the investigation. But he seems to be holding his own.” He logged off and turned to her. “Ready to dance?”

The club was loud and dark, only lit by the huge video screens, hung on every wall. Sam bought her a bottle of water, decorated with neon flowers that flashed in the light. He’d pointed out the exits. They agreed to rendezvous back at the Italian place if separated for any reason. She doubted there would be trouble, he kept an eye on her as she joined the mosh pit, swaying and dancing to the music.

She laughed loudly and with total abandon as video and music from
Tommy
faded to “The Time Warp” from
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
, then, in an almost schizophrenic fashion, the next song was “Dancing Queen” from
Mamma Mia
. The sheer silliness of no logical reason to go from one to the other, to another, overwhelmed her and she embraced the escape from their chase.

The dancers around her picked up on her energy and she found herself leading a Congo line around the room. Once it broke up, one person after another, took her hand and danced, following her moves. A glance toward the table where Sam stood showed him looking up at the video monitor, a frown on his face. She twisted to see what drew his ire and saw herself in a dozen of the monitors before being replaced by a fresh video.

Oh. So much for being invisible. She ducked her head and kept dancing. He’d come get her when it was time to leave. Four songs later, she felt a hand at her back and turned, thinking it was Sam, but another man swayed in tune with her, his eyes didn’t meet hers. He was watching her chest. She sneered and spun away. And into the chest of another man dressed in a similar fashion.

Before she had time to panic, Sam stepped into the gap and swept her away. He took her to a new table and ordered another bottle of water. The two men followed and tried to intimidate him. He simply stood and stared them down. It was impressive to watch. She took the fresh water bottle and emptied it as the two guys backed away.

“Nice.”

A short, pudgy guy raised an eyebrow as he pulled up a stool between them.

Sam turned his glare on him, but the guy raised his hand. “Down boy. I’m Azure.”

The stance of her protector changed. “I’m Indigo.”

“And this must be Emerald.” The new man turned to her. “Good dancer.”

He shouted, but she could hear him clearly. She removed the earplugs and smiled at him. “Is it time to go?”

“Yup.” Sam dropped a credit chit on the table, which drained the account in it. She’d grown used to Sam paying in that fashion. It was very anonymous. He bought the credit chits at different locations and carried an impressive amount of them. She knew enough to realize that. He shifted the pack from one shoulder to the other and took her hand as they followed Azure from the club.

It had been fun and wild. Her body hummed with righteous exhaustion combined with exuberant energy. She wondered where they’d go next.

*****

Sam had been aware that the cameras were following Ria, but trusted the club didn’t save all their video. Some of it might be going to straight broadcast, but not much. He’d make sure she wore something to disguise her face better next time. If they managed another time. Glasses or something that would confuse the monitors.

When the two piranhas targeted her, he’d been ready. She was bound to draw the attention of bullies, hoping to take advantage. He’d assessed them correctly, more bluster than perseverance. He didn’t blame them, she’d been mesmerizing. The world was too bound up with fear but when she danced her joy radiated outward. If he hadn’t been waiting for the contact, he’d have joined her.

They left through the main door and Azure led them through a dizzying number of streets. From those brightly lit, to dark allies. Nearly thirty minutes of haphazard walking finally settled the fear they were followed and Azure stopped. “Okay, I have a beat up sedan for you back on the mainland. We’ll cross the George Street Bridge and be there in less than an hour. Where did you leave your transport?”

Sam handed him the keys and told him where the bike was. “It’s belonged to family. I really hope I get it back.”

“No worries, it’s too distinctive to be used by anyone else. We’ll store it.”

They walked down one more alley and into the cab of a delivery truck. Ria sat between them, saying little. He’d noticed she grew a bit shy around new people. Azure put the vehicle in gear and headed out. He glanced toward Sam and then to Ria a few times.

“What?” Sam finally prodded him.

“Rumor has it you’re the one who leaked the cure for the Shakes. If so, thanks.”

Ria softly spoke, “Did you lose someone?”

“Everyone lost someone. Didn’t you?”

“I lost everyone.”

Sam knew what she meant, but Azure didn’t. He shook his head. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

Sam interrupted before he asked too many questions. “She was visiting friends when they declared an emergency in her home state. And you’re welcome.”

“You’re heroes, no matter who is after you. I’ll treat that bike like its gold. Don’t worry.” He patted the steering wheel, a grin spreading across his face. “I hope Alfred Hammer chokes.”

“Ditto,” Ria said, and laid her head against Sam’s arm. He lifted it and she tucked herself against his chest. By the time they reached the toll stations, she was asleep. He let her sleep, pulling his jacket up to cover her lower face. Azure said nothing more until they reached a warehouse area, where they transferred to the sedan.

“We got the message that you needed some supplies. You’ll find them in the trunk.” He held out his hand. “Take care of yourself and be safe. Be sneaky.”

Sam chuckled. “My middle name.”

“It isn’t Gamgee?” Ria muttered sleepily.

Azure just shook his head, climbed into the panel truck and drove away.

“Come on, Ria. Let’s put some miles behind us before we stop.”

“We crossing into Mordor yet?” She slid into the front seat, buckled herself in, turned slightly sideways and was asleep before he had the engine started.

“I sure hope not,” he muttered, more to himself than in reply to her. He wanted to turn sharp northeast and head into Massachusetts, not Mordor.

Two weeks later, they stood at the thick glass window enclosing the jellyfish display at the last aquarium on their list. Ria leaned close and tilted her head at the neon creatures. “Nothing is here, Sam.”

“I think this place is too popular for him to risk the attention meddling with it might cause.” He looked at the reflection of the crowd behind them. Very popular place. He’d bet it made money, being this close to Boston. Damn it, they hadn’t found the missing Aleena. This was the first open facility they’d found.

Ria took a deep breath. “I understand why places like this are good. And I know the animals live longer because of being in captivity. Well, some of them. But I wonder if people would be served if they saw how damaged the oceans are. This might give the impression that everything is perfect.”

She turned to survey the crowds and then pushed through them. “They go home unaware of…”

Sam shook his head at her and she closed her mouth, clearly unhappy. He linked an arm with her and moved across to another display, not so crowded. “I know, but this one is run by the enemy, so keep your criticism down.”

They left the aquarium and drove into Boston. Sam checked them into an inexpensive hotel room and decided it was time to tackle the big issue. His body was suffering from broken sleep patterns and since the search for the missing Aleena had turned up nothing, he was willing to push Ria. He’d put it off long enough.

She showered and slipped into a mid-calf dress they’d found for her at a street vendor the day before. It slid down her body, and he exhaled, still finding her lack of modesty a test of his will power.

“Why are you so angry with Phillip?”

His question startled her. She tilted her head at him, before turning away. “I’m not.”

Her back betrayed the lie. He snorted. “You’ve been away from the Aleena long enough, it’s easy to tell when you’re trying to hide something. What did he do?”

She spun and for the first time he saw anger in her face. She all but snarled at him. “None of your business!”

“I need to know.”

“You do not!” With a shudder, she drew herself upright and the bitterness of the anger sank away from the surface. Reading her was easy. Her lips twitched. He stood up and moved between her and the door. She’d run, he knew it.

“Yes, I do. Because…the reason I hold you all night is to stop your striking at me. You’ve called me Phillip, you’ve muttered about his not sharing, about how unfair it was…” He stopped as the color drained from her face. Shock replaced the fading anger.

“I’ve been hitting you?”

“It started on the ship. It’s time you explain to me why. Maybe together we can stop these dreams and help you sleep better.”