The Gender Experiment: (A Thriller) (28 page)

His cheeks sagged, and he slumped back into this seat.

She’d hurt his feelings. But what did he expect? Taylor sat in the plastic chair across from him. “So what happened? Why did you leave us?”

He nodded. “Fair question. First, let me say I’m sorry. I know it was wrong to abandon you. But I had to leave your mother. She changed, and I couldn’t handle it.”

“Don’t say anything bad about her or I’ll walk out right now. Just tell me why I never saw you again.” Or heard a single word from him until yesterday when he’d called.

“The military offered me a job I couldn’t refuse. The opportunity was tremendous, but required a deep commitment and total secrecy.”

“I know about the research complex and ImmuNatal. That’s why my body is this way.” Bitterness oozed out of her voice, and she didn’t try to hold back.

He leaned forward and spoke softly. “I wasn’t involved in the Peace Project, and we can never talk about it. I was simply tech support for the research facility. But you have to trust me that some wonderful medical discoveries came out of that place.”

She’d been debriefed by military investigators who’d pressured her to sign papers saying she would never publicly talk about her experience. She’d refused. They’d said they would contest her account and that her version would make her sound crazy. She hadn’t yet decided if she would tell anyone. But it was comforting that her father knew the truth.

Still she had to confront him. “That doesn’t explain why you never called me or came to see me. I can’t believe they wouldn’t let you see your family.”

Miguel Lopez sighed and hung his head. “I know. I was rattled by your gender issues. Your mother and I disagreed about how to handle the situation, and she won the first big decision. We fought all the time about whether to treat you like a boy or a girl. I finally gave up and walked away.”

Hurt and confusion overwhelmed her. “You mean you wanted to raise me as a son? So, if I wasn’t male you didn’t want to be around me?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I wasn’t rejecting you. I was just afraid of the confrontation and confusion and decisions that needed to be made. I didn’t know how to support you emotionally.”

His eyes were watery, and Taylor had a moment of sympathy for him. But she was also glad he hadn’t been part of her childhood. It might have actually been worse. “I have to go. I’m really here to see my friend Jake.” She’d only agreed to meet her father because she was going to be in Colorado Springs anyway.

He reached over and grabbed her wrist. “Please give me a few more minutes. I want us to have a relationship.”

“Why? Nothing has changed. I’m still who I am.”

He fought back tears. “But
I’ve
changed. Give me another chance.”

“I’ll think about it.” Taylor stood and walked away. She would probably come around someday and spend time with him, if only out of curiosity. But not today. She hadn’t had the explosion dream the night before and felt at peace for the first time since her mother died. She would hold on to that for as long as she could.

A few minutes later, she walked into Jake’s room in the ICU, feeling nervous about this meeting too. She didn’t really know Jake either. They’d spent an intense day and half together—all of it focused on the investigation. What would she say to him? Besides “I’m sorry.” She hadn’t wanted to ever return to Colorado Springs, but she owed Jake a personal thank you.

Another young man was in the room. Longish blond hair, bone-thin, and with a terrible complexion. Both men turned to her.

“Hey, Taylor.” Jake sat up, beaming. “I’m so glad to see you.” He pushed back the white sheet, swung his legs to the floor, and stood.

“Don’t get up on my account.” Taylor hurried over, worried about his injuries.

“I’m fine. They want me to move around. And I need to give you a hug.”

Taylor stepped in and gently put her arms around him. He squeezed her back and whispered, “I was so worried about you.”

She let out a small laugh. “I was too.” She glanced at the other man.

Jake grinned. “Taylor, this is the illusive Seth Wozac. Seth, this is Taylor Lopez, the reason you’re still alive.”

Seth shook her hand with cold fingers. “Thank you. That was some crazy shit. But it was also just what I needed.”

She didn’t know what to say. “I’m so glad Jake was able to warn you in time.”

“It’s all good. I finally know why I am the way I am.” Seth turned to Jake. “I’ll get out of here and leave you guys alone.”

“Don’t leave on my account.” Taylor wanted to be polite.

“I have to go. My mother’s picking me up.” He blushed. “And taking me to rehab. I want a real life, if I can.”

Thank goodness.
He looked kind of gray. “Best wishes.”

“From me too,” Jake said. “And thanks for saving my bacon. I owe you. If you ever need a favor, call me.”

“Nope. We’re good.” Seth gave a funny salute and walked out.

“How did he save you?” Taylor asked, sitting down.

“I can’t talk about it. Because Seth wasn’t actually at the clinic that night.” Jake winked and eased back onto the hospital bed.

What did he mean?
The FBI agent had told her that Devin Blackburn, the assassin, had damaged computers and burned the clinic. But Seth had an obsession with fire, and if he’d really been there…

“Don’t think about it,” Jake pleaded. “Just know that I owe him my life.”

“Now I really am glad he’s getting treatment.”

“Me too.” Jake scowled. “So why the heck did they kidnap you? The military investigator who debriefed me said you were found wandering around the back of Fort Carson. And they have no idea who took you or how you ended up there.”

What a load of bull.
Taylor tried to keep her anger under control. “It’s a cover-up.” She scooted her chair closer to the bed. “They don’t want me to go public with this, but I have to tell you. Devin Blackburn kidnapped me and took me to an underground research complex. They wanted to train me to be a spy in the fight against terrorism.”

“No shit?” Jake laughed, then grabbed his chest in pain. “Why you? Because you figured out what they were up to?”

Taylor shrugged. “The guy in charge said he liked my spunk.” The image of the crashing helicopter flashed in her mind. The major and his son had both died, and she’d felt nothing but relief.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just been a rough week.”

“Sure as hell has.” Jake gave her a brave smile. “Just be glad you’re alive.” He reached over and touched her hand. “I hope you’ll tell me the whole detailed story of what happened to you. The Denver Post wants me to write a three-piece article for them.” He looked tired, despite his good cheer.

“I will when you’re feeling better. The military will deny it and say I’m crazy, but I don’t care.”

“Good.” Jake grinned. “The Post offered me my job back.”

She squeezed his hand. “That’s wonderful.”

“I’m pretty damn happy about it.” His eyes clouded. “I almost died though.”

She knew the feeling. “So what happened?” She hadn’t heard his story yet either, only that he’d been injured.

“I went to the clinic in the middle of the night, hoping to find information that would help me locate you. Instead, the assassin was there, trashing computers. And he shot me. Twice.”

“Oh no.” She brought her hands to cover her face. “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault you got involved.”

“No.” Jake locked eyes with her. “I found Zion’s body, remember? And called you. Besides, I’m okay. Seth pulled me out of the building and called 911. But you can never tell anyone that.”

Because Seth had set the fire, and Jake was protecting him.
“I hope Seth gets his problems figured out.”

Jake nodded. “He will. He’s been troubled by his gender issues, but that could be over now. Or at least a lot better.”

She might as well tell him her news. “I just saw my father for the first time in sixteen years. He was an IT person at the research complex all this time.”

“Get out! That is too fucked up.”

“I know. I’m still coming to terms with it. But he says he had nothing to do with the experiment, and I believe him.”

“Are you going to see him again?”

“Probably. But not yet. I have something more important to take care of first.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m contacting everyone on the list and inviting them to a group meeting. Maybe even ongoing meetings. I think we all need each other.”

“Great idea. Maybe you can find a counselor to join you.”

She laughed. “You think I’m messed up?”

“No!” Jake flushed with embarrassment. “I just thought it might be helpful.”

“It’s actually a good idea, but my real purpose is for us to meet others like ourselves. Maybe even find someone to date. I’d like have a partner who would accept me for who I am.”

Jake smiled. “That should be easy. You’re pretty terrific.”

L.J. Sellers writes the bestselling Detective Jackson mysteries—a four-time Readers Favorite Award winner. She also pens the high-octane Agent Dallas series and provocative standalone thrillers. Her 19 novels have been highly praised by reviewers, and she’s one of the highest-rated crime fiction authors on Amazon.

Detective Jackson Mysteries
:

The Sex Club

Secrets to Die For

Thrilled to Death

Passions of the Dead

Dying for Justice

Liars, Cheaters & Thieves

Rules of Crime

Crimes of Memory

Deadly Bonds

Wrongful Death

Death Deserved

Agent Dallas Thrillers
:

The Trigger

The Target

The Trap

Standalone Thrillers:

The Gender Experiment

Point of Control

The Baby Thief

The Gauntlet Assassin

The Lethal Effect

L.J. resides in Eugene, Oregon where many of her novels are set and is an award-winning journalist who earned the Grand Neal. When not plotting murders, she enjoys standup comedy, cycling, and zip-lining. She’s also been known to jump out of airplanes.

Thanks for reading my novel. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review or rating online. Find out more about my work at ljsellers.com, where you can sign up to hear about new releases. —L.J.

POINT OF CONTROL

Chapter 1

Friday, March 13, 8:05 p.m., San Jose, California

Nick Bowman had never felt more alive. He’d just had the best sex of his life with a spectacular younger woman who expected nothing from him, and his research had hit a breakthrough that had just earned him an exciting job offer. Plus, he’d finally won the International Metallurgy Award. Nearly euphoric, he strode down the hall of the hotel, eager to climb into his new Jaguar XE, rev the engine, and fully enjoy the moment. Soon enough, he would be home, boxed in by a wife who didn’t appreciate him and two surly kids who didn’t seem to have his DNA.

As he stepped into the elevator, Nick shoved aside the negative thoughts and replayed his session with Carly, a long-legged model he’d met at the gym. She was incredible—sexy, smart, and independent. She’d waved him off after their second round of sex, telling him to move along so she could shower and have the room to herself for a while. Carly understood that he had to get home to his family before it seemed suspicious, even for a late night at work.

In the basement parking garage, warm, muggy air engulfed him, and he pulled off his sports jacket. Out in the night air, with the Jag purring under him, the air would be fantastic. He loved living in central California—so much more civilized than the dull Iowa landscape and cold winters he’d grown up with. Nick hurried toward his car, whistling softly. He only had twenty-four hours to consider the job offer, and he didn’t know if he would take it, but the money was exciting to think about. He was already doing quite well. A lucky, lucky man.

A sudden movement startled him. He spun toward the big concrete post he’d just passed, and a man in dark clothes rushed toward him. No, two men, one behind the other, and both wearing ski masks. The lead guy’s arms jerked up, holding something dark. Before Nick could cry out or swing his fists, a heavy cloth bag came down over his head, and the man spun him around. Powerful hands grabbed his wrists from behind and pulled them together.
What the hell?
Fear shot from his belly into his throat. “Hey! Stop! You’ve got the wrong guy!” His words sounded garbled inside the cloth.

A hand clamped the bag against his open mouth. “Quiet! We don’t want to hurt you.”

Nick didn’t believe him. Heart racing, he prayed for the first time since he was a kid.

Chapter 2

Sunday, March 15, 7:20 p.m., Washington D.C.

Zach Dimizaro stepped out of the bar and tried to shake off the jitters. Head down against the wind, he hurried toward the nearby park, wishing he hadn’t downed two beers on an empty stomach. But this meeting made him nervous, and he needed the alcohol for courage. The buyer had insisted on a late-night transfer in a part of town he normally didn’t go to, especially after dark. All of it made him uncomfortable. Except the money he was about to put in his pocket. The first step toward forming his own start-up company, making the lifestyle apps he was really interested in.