Momentum (35 page)

“We went to find Kellan,” I said cautiously.

“Did you find him?”

“Yes. He’s not coming back here, though.”

“Why not? Oh, is he gonna go and see his dad in the hospital? Dr. Fox woke up just a little while ago,” Gramadea said.

“I guess.” I looked over at Gramadea. “Is Kellan’s dad okay?”

“He’s apparently sitting up and talking. There are some new developments in Mountain View, but we’ll discuss them later when your dad gets back.” Hensen and Mitch had left while we were chatting, so David and I followed Ella and Gramadea into the kitchen.

“Is there any news about Mom?”

“Alfred is sending his specialists over to examine and treat her. They should be there later today. There’s no change thus far, or I’m sure Grayson would have contacted us.”

“When do you think Dad will be back?” I untied the laces on my combat boots.

“I’m not sure. Group two is ready and waiting for him to return so they can get going.”

Group two. We still needed to rescue Harry. I was exhausted and wanted to go and see Kellan more than anything else but, for right now, until Dad was back there was nothing more to be done, apart from getting out of these clothes and getting cleaned up. “Gramadea, can I take a shower somewhere?”

“Yeah, you need one!” Ella scrunched her nose. “Have you been sick? You kinda smell like it.”

“I do stink a bit.”

“You and Ella have rooms next to each other down here in the basement. Ella, will you show Arizona to her room? I’ll show David to his.” Gramadea got up and brushed down her skirt.

My room was very basic and badly lit. It had a small shower room attached, with fresh towels and everything else I needed. Once showered, I collapsed on to the metal-framed bed and closed my eyes. I felt like I hadn’t slept in forever and quickly fell into a dreamless slumber.

“Arizona, wake up!”

I felt wet licks covering my face and sat up in horror. I stared into Tallulah’s puppy eyes.

“Ella! You scared me half to death.”

“Sorry! You have to get up. Dad said he wants to talk to you.”

“Dad’s back?”

“Yeah, he’s been back for hours and hours. You’ve been a real sleepyhead.”

“Okay.” I looked around for some clothes. I couldn’t bear the thought of wearing the leathers again.

“You looking for clothes? Gramadea put some in that closet for you.” Ella pointed to a door. “Do you want me to pick you something?”

“Thanks, I’ll do it.” I got up and rummaged through the selection, finally deciding on an Abercrombie dress. After the adventure in those heavy leathers, I felt the need to put on something flowy and pretty. I combed out my hair, pulled it back with a hairband, and applied some lip gloss before heading out with Ella. My stomach grumbled, so I was happy when she led me right to the dining room where Dad was having lunch with Gramadea, Granddad, and David.

I said a cheery hello and sat down beside David; Ella sat on my other side. I was dying to dig into the plate in front of me, but asked Dad about Kellan first. He threw me a curt warning nod, glancing over at Ella who was busy eating. He was obviously going to have to be fuzzy until we were on our own. So I dug into my food, eating as fast as possible. Then David, Dad, and I retired to his study.

I flopped into the green couch. “So, what’s going on?”

“I haven’t got a lot of time to talk, we’re deploying group two in less than an hour.”

“Okay, shall we go and get changed, then?”

“Get changed?” He looked at me incredulously. “You don’t for a minute think that you’re coming, do you? Especially after that stunt you pulled. That could have wrecked the whole operation.”

And Kellan might have been killed. I shuddered. I looked down, ashamed of myself, a lump rising in my throat.

“Arizona.” His voice softened, and he put an arm around my shoulder. “It’s okay. David used his head, and you’re safe. However, you will stay here this time. This operation is bigger and more complicated. Harry’s being held at one of Potomal’s residences. We have a plan, though; we’ll have him back here by tomorrow morning. The information we got from Raj and his accomplices was invaluable in formulating our plan.”

“Who was that man I saw coming out of the motel room, the one that the last Sigma-W came out with after Raj?”

There was no mistaking the quick but undeniable look exchanged between David and Dad.

“What?” I persisted, my brow furrowed at their secrecy.

“No one important,” Dad said firmly and dismissively.

“Where’s Kellan?” I hoped he would at least be able to tell me that before he left.

“He’s at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. Alfred knows some of the staff, so he took him there. He’s conscious, but very weak and dehydrated. You can go and see him later this evening if you want.”

A heavy weight instantly lifted from my chest. I could breathe again. I didn’t want to talk anymore. I just wanted to feel the air in my lungs.

“Dad, go get Harry. Will you tell me everything when you get back?”

“I will, honey.”

“David’s coming with us, we need him,” Dad said, kissing my forehead lightly before he left.

“You’ll be okay, Poppet?”

 
“Yeah, no worries. And I’m sorry for being such a pain.”

“It’s okay.” David enveloped me in a hug before he left.

It was strange being left on my own; I had been babysat for so long–always someone by my side, making sure I wasn’t whisked off. I guessed it was safe enough in this dreary basement. Why did Alfred have this basement in the first place? Why did he feel the need for an underground hideaway? It seemed pretty ancient. Perhaps it had been built as a shelter during the war. There were numerous bedrooms, all small and dark, like little crypts. I shivered.

“Arizona?” I looked up and met Gramadea’s gaze. “I bet you’re ready for some normality.”

I laughed. “I’m not sure I know what that is anymore.”

“If everything works out, we should have you back in Mountain View tomorrow. Back in school.”

“But what about Kellan? I don’t think I want to leave him here. I’ll stay until he’s well enough to come home.”

“By the sound of things, he may be ready to transport back tomorrow. I just spoke to his doctor. Thankfully, there was no internal damage, but he’s badly bruised and shaken. He keeps asking for you.”

“He does?”

Gramadea nodded, her eyes narrowing.

“I guess I should go and see him. Can I?”

She nodded. “I have the all-clear from your dad. Ella wanted to come as well, but I don’t think it would be a good idea for her to see him in his current state. I’ve arranged a trip to the Natural History Museum for her and Alexa to keep her busy while we head over to see Kellan. You should prepare yourself; he’s badly hurt.”

I knew that. His wounds were imprinted in my mind from the last time I had seen him. I nearly gagged again getting a visual of them when Gramadea warned me. I felt a gush of rage flow through my every vein; the person responsible for doing that to Kellan had to pay.

“What happened to him exactly?”

“I don’t know. Your dad didn’t either. We’ve got the people who were in the motel room with Kellan in custody. They’re being interrogated right now, so maybe we’ll know more soon.”

“Who are they? I recognized Raj and Simla, but who were the others?”

Gramadea’s expression was blank as she half-shrugged. I could tell she knew more than she was sharing. But why would she keep things from me? I guessed she needed Dad’s permission now that he was the leader. I thought about pressing her a bit more, but decided that Kellan could tell me what had happened. “Can we go now?”

“Yes. Alfred has a car ready to take us. We’ll drop Ella and Alexa off on the way.”

Ella was ready and waiting in her room with Alexa. “What about Tallulah?” she asked.

“Tallulah will be fine here; Cleo will keep her company.” Gramadea glanced over at the corner of the room.

I followed her glance. Cleopatra was lying on her back, her face flopped to her right, with her teeth peeking through her slightly open mouth. Her left hind paw jerked every so often, like she was swatting a bug or something. Her eyes, though closed and heavy in sleep, kept flickering in an unsettling fashion. Next to her, with her body close up against Cleo’s belly, lay Tallulah, fast asleep. Such a cute sight.

“I guess, but who’ll feed her and take her out?”

“I’ve arranged for someone to take care of that, little mommy! No need for you to worry. Just come and enjoy the museum with Alexa.”

“All right, but I kind of want to see Kellan instead. Why can’t I go?”

Gramadea rubbed her hands. “Hon, Kellan isn’t feeling very well. I don’t really know if he’s even up to seeing us. I just think it will be better if we don’t go in all at once, so we don’t tire him. I’ll take you tomorrow if he’s feeling up to it. In fact, I’m hoping he’ll be able to go home tomorrow.”

“Oh, can we go home, too? I want to see Mom. Is she awake yet?”

“Not yet, but soon, I hope. Yes, you can go home tomorrow.”

“Will Dad bring Harry back? Will he come home, too?”

“Yes, I hope so. Ready to go now?”

“Okay.”

We called for Finna, who led us back upstairs and through the hallways of the old mansion. We could hear angry voices coming from one of the rooms as we passed.

“What’s going on in there, Gramadea? Can I go see?” my very nosy little sister asked.

“Best not, sounds like a serious discussion. We better follow Finna before she disappears around that corner and we lose her all together.”

We picked up our pace and finally walked out into the fresh evening breeze.

“Is the museum open this late?” I asked.

“Alfred called ahead and arranged for a private tour.”

“Wow, he must be a powerful man. Who is he exactly? Some kind of nobility?”

Gramadea’s lips curled into a mysterious grin. “Something like that.”

T
here was no arguing with the nurse who wore a tolerant but firm expression. She was in her late forties, clearly someone used to having her instructions followed. Only one of us would be allowed in to see Kellan.