CHAPTER 26
I languish in bed until late afternoon. My sleep wasn’t dreamless, but it was still preferable to what my waking hours have been like since working on the project. I sit up and look over the side of the bed where Rick is sleeping soundly on the floor. He literally sleeps like the dead. I guess that’s where the myth came from that vampires die at dusk. Just wish I could sleep that well every night.
I get up as quietly as possible and go to the living room. Sitting on the couch I try to figure out what I’m going to do with my life now that the project is over, and more importantly, who am I now that I’ve done the things that I’ve done? Rick says I’m the same person. I sure don’t feel the same. If anything, I feel…broken. Logically I know that the demonstration yesterday went seamlessly and the world is a better place without such a deplorable creature roaming the streets. Still, when it came down to pressing that trigger, I was still looking at a child when I did it. I can tell myself over and over again that we killed a hundred-and-three-year-old vampire, but the identifiable nature of the images forever tattooed on my memory is not something that I expect to get over any time soon.
Does it make me a bad person? No. It just makes me a person who is willing to do bad things in the name of science, in the name of human survival…in the name of what is right? I don’t know. Forcing this internal debate aside, I pick up the phone to call mom.
“Hello,” mom states.
“Howdy, mama. How are you?”
“Well, Emma Jean. It’s about time I heard from ya. What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Why do you think something is wrong?” I ask.
“’Cause you called me ‘mama,’ Emma Jean and you only do that when somethin’ is wrong. What is it?”
“Well, we finished the project. Rick and I actually developed something that works. We will both receive a bonus.”
“That’s wonderful, Emma Jean. Will you have to stay in Rowan much longer?”
I think for a few moments. “I don’t really know. I don’t think so. No more work will be done on the project, unless they need us to stay and oversee implementation of our work. I doubt it though. So once I get my final payment, I guess I’ll be coming back to Huntington.”
“My prayers have been answered! I’ve been countin’ down the days ‘til you’d be home.”
Smiling I say, “I know, mama. But nothing’s definite yet.”
“So what else is botherin’ ya?” she asks.
“Um,” I stammer, “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with all of the work that we did here.”
“Not comfortable? But I thought you all had the best project?”
“We did, but the actual nature of the project itself is somewhat troubling,” I respond.
“Emma Jean, was anyone hurt with what you did?”
“Yes.”
“Was it a good person that was hurt?” she asks.
“Not exactly. Definitely not good,” I answer vaguely, not wanting to involve mom in too many of the details.
“Your pawpaw had a dog. I loved that dog. He was like my best friend, which is kinda sad if you think about it.”
“Mom, I’m not talking about dogs,” I interrupt.
“Emma Jean, you hush and listen. This dog, I sure did love him. He was kinda moody though. Some neighbors had told your pawpaw that the dog growled at them and even chased them, trying to bite. Pawpaw was going to put him down. I cried and begged him not to because of how much it would hurt me. So, your pawpaw didn’t do it. He didn’t want to see me upset. And I was so happy to still have my best friend. A couple of months later, that dog bit a neighborhood boy who ended up having to have two of his fingers amputated.”
“My God, mom, that’s awful!” I exclaim.
“Yes. Was quite awful. They came and took that dog away. I was hurt and crying over it. But I can guarantee you that boy hurt more than me.”
“Um, mom, you’re not trying to make me feel better are you? Because this story is not helping.”
“Emma Jean, we all hurt. That’s a part of life. Sometimes we are given an opportunity to prevent hurt. If we would have done something about that dang dog, that boy – now a man – would still have his two fingers. But your pawpaw didn’t want to hurt me although we saw the warning signs with that dog. If he would’ve allowed me that hurt, a tragedy would’ve been prevented.”
Silent tears rolling down my face, I say, “I know, mama. It’s just so hard to wrap my mind and heart around it.”
“No one said it was easy. People’s true values are tested when times are rough, not when they’re easy. If it were easy, everyone would be a saint.”
“Well, I’m definitely not a saint.”
“You know what I mean, Emma Jean. Don’t be sassy. Like what happened with my dog, just try to accept that the hurt you feel now may be the life you save tomorrow.”
Tears streaming down my face I whisper, “Thanks, mama.”
“You’re welcome, baby. Now, I gotta get off here ‘cause my pinto beans are about to boil over. I love you.”
“Love you, too, mama.”
I set the phone down and lay back on the couch. Mom is right, as always. I know that the things we did will save lives in the future. There are no prisons that are equipped to deal with murderous vampires. At this point, the only way to deal with the threat to human safety is through execution. I actually fully agree with that premise. It’s just that I don’t like being the person pulling the trigger. I’ll even make the bullets as long as someone else is taking aim. I know that shouldn’t make a difference as far as my guilty conscience goes, but it is a thought that makes me feel better.
Deciding not to think about these things any further, I decide to busy myself with fixing something to eat, then cleaning up the apartment. As I’m dumping a basket full of laundry into the washer, I hear sounds of stumbling in the living room. I peak around the corner to see a very mornings-can-die look on Rick’s face, or whatever the vampire equivalent is.
“Didn’t sleep well?” I ask.
He actually jerks as if I startled him. “I slept fine. Just wish I could sleep a few more hours.”
I look at the clock on the wall, “Unfortunately we have to get ready to leave soon. I assume that we will need to be there early so you can eat.”
He plops down on the couch, “Your assumption would be correct.”
I take the empty basket back to the bedroom. When I return, he’s leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, watching me. I glance at him then walk back to the kitchen. “Is it safe for me to assume that you’re in a better mood?” he asks.
I walk back to look at him. “Not particularly. I’m just choosing not to think about things right now, so please don’t bring it up.” I return to the kitchen.
I feel slightly bad for being so short with him, but the last thing I need right now is a clingy vampire who happens to be a man that wants to solve all my problems. Let me deal in my own way.
“Okay,” he says loud enough for me to hear. “I’m going to take a shower and get ready.”
Now there’s a distraction – more thoughts of a hot, naked vampire in my shower. Ugh, doesn’t seem appropriate to divert my thoughts of guilt over killing a vampire to thoughts of ravishing one for my own carnal satisfaction, but if it works I’ll go with it. Inappropriate thoughts of having a peephole in my bathroom are quickly quashed with the realization that someone could peep on me, and I already have one too many stalkers.
Hmph. I do wonder where Tucker is. Maybe he went back to New York. As long as he leaves me alone, it doesn’t really matter. Should just say good riddance and forget about it. My gut tells me it’s not going to be that simple, though. I guess I won’t know anything until he decides to show himself. That’s part of the aggravation. Even at a distance he’s still controlling the situation.
I quickly get ready for the evening while Rick is finishing in the shower. Once he’s done, I step into the bathroom for a few moments to apply some mascara and lip gloss. Once I’m happy that my looks won’t scare anyone, we head out the door on our way back to the research facility.
I decide to go to the cafeteria and have a snack and Coke while Rick is taking care of his own dining needs. As I’m picking at my cheese quesadilla, Abe walks across the room, raising his hand in greeting. “Good evening, Emma.”
“Oh, hi, Abe. What are you doing here?”
“Well, that’s rather out of character for such a sweet person as you,” he responds.
“I’m sorry. I just thought everyone had gathered their things and left since it was announced that work on the project would stop.”
“Do you mind if I sit?” he motions to an empty chair.
“On, no, go ahead.”
Sitting down he says, “Most of the researchers had. But for whatever reason Bree and I were asked to return for a meeting with Mr. Caulfield.”
Cocking my head to the side, “Did they say what the meeting was about?”
“Just told us to further discuss our contribution to the project.”
Suspicion begins to entwine itself around the base of my spine and snake its way up my back. We used part of their solution in our demonstration. Sure we had been unknowingly working on the same thing, but we didn’t tell anyone that. What if Mr. Caulfield is suggesting that we split the bonus money with them? Certainly they could tell from the observation notes and videos that our projects were going in the same direction. Rick is not going to be happy about this.
“That’s interesting,” I choose my words carefully. “Maybe there’s another project possibility?”
“Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and see what Mr. Caulfield has to say. When are you meeting with him?”
“At 8:00.”
“Curious. That’s the same time as our meeting with him.”
I look at him while trying to force my eyes from widening any more than they already had. I set my quesadilla aside and take a long drink of Coke. When you don’t have anything to say, put something in your mouth so that it’s obvious that you can’t talk. Well, put something reasonable in your mouth. Wouldn’t be sane to go around shoving squirrels in there.
As if on cue, Bree and Rick walk through the cafeteria door together. They appear to be deep in conversation, about the meeting no doubt. Or comparing who had a better dinner.
I set my Coke bottle down as my inner panic attack continues. What if we DO have to split the money? I won’t be able to pay off my student loan bills. All of this work and emotional torment, and I’ll still be struggling to make ends meet. Regardless of how brilliant I can be, the looming cloud of debt prevents me from really starting my life. This sucks. Even worse, my moral uprightness has been thwarted yet again. Thirty minutes ago I was worried about how the things I had done would change me. Now I’m back to worrying about the money. I guess self-preservation really is the most important instinct, even when that fight-instinct is really all about grabbing as much green as possible.
“Hi, Abe,” Rick begins as he looks to me. “I guess you already know that Bree and Abe will be joining us for the meeting.”
“So I’m told. Any ideas why?”
“Well, you all did use part of our project in your demonstration,” Bree scathingly replies as she narrows her eyes at me.
I smile tightly at her. “As I’m sure Rick has explained, we were actually working on the same thing and the archivist records can attest to that.”
Bree shifts her shoulders, “We’ll see. Abe, shall we?”
Abe smiles at me with a slightly embarrassed look on his face. He gets up and walks with Bree toward the exit door. Throwing any attempt to be proper out the window, I roll my eyes in a very exaggerated way before standing up and walking around the table to Rick’s side.
“She really has no concept that someone else may do something better than her, does she?”
He tilts his head down to me, “She’s an older vampire of a type that is convinced that vampires are superior to humans.”
“How old is she?” I ask.
“That I do not know. But she is older than me, and I’ve met the type before. Don’t take it personally. It’s not that she thinks you’re stupid. It’s just that she thinks of all humans are for the sustenance and pleasure of vampires.”
“Oh, joy,” I respond, “that makes me feel even more comfortable around her.”
Rick laughs as he puts his arm around me, gently urging me toward the exit. “Don’t let it bother you. I also happen to know that with those types of vampires, their supernatural bravado makes up for their lack of success with seducing humans.”
I pull a little out of his arm, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea about us. Or for Rick to realize just how much I like his arms around me. Either way, it’s attention that neither one of us needs right now.
We finally arrive at Mr. Caulfield’s office. Bree and Abe are already sitting at a large round table with Caulfield’s assistant, Allison. Mr. Caulfield himself walks around his desk and holds his hand out to Rick then me. “Dr. Allstedt. Dr. Burcham. Congratulations again on your success. Please, have a seat.” He motions to the large table before taking his own seat beside Allison.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I glance at Bree, who has given her full attention to Mr. Caulfield. I notice that Abe is watching Bree more than anything else, which makes me wonder if maybe his interest in her is more than a common love for science. I guess I’m not one to speak as I too have learned the rather bewitching effects of working closely with the fanged sort. The thrall is just too tempting sometimes, so I hope he’s careful. And I hope someone is wishing the same for me.
“I’m sure you all are wondering why I have asked for this meeting,” Mr. Caulfield begins. “First, Drs. Allstedt and Burcham, given the agreement we had at the beginning of the project and the fact that you provided the first successful demonstration, you will both receive a fifty thousand dollar bonus in addition to your regular salary. After the meeting, please confirm your payment details with Allison. The final payment will be deposited into your bank account within 2 business days.”
I bite my lower lip as casually as possible to keep the huge smile from breaking through my professional façade. Rick seems to pick up on my overexcited vibe and lightly squeezes my knee under the table. I take a couple of deep breaths and promise to thank the universe later for giving me what I need to pay my bills.
I glance at Bree and see a very hard line protruding from her jaw, as if she’s gritting her teeth with so much force that the muscles in her face are doubling over into a rope-like form. She’s obviously not happy with this news.
“However,” Mr. Caulfield continues, “Drs. Vinh and Krishnamurthy did contribute to the final outcome. In the very least their teamwork did bring them to the brink of success, even when the last step was not the great leap that they had hoped it would be.”
Ouch. I’m sure those words stabbed Bree right in the chest, especially coming from a human, if what Rick said about her is true.
“Nevertheless, FOHVA needs this type of brilliance on our team.” Mr. Caulfield motions to a stack of folders resting on the table. Allison rises and gives a folder to each of us. The front cover has the FOHVA emblem embossed along the top.
“FOHVA is expanding into the realm of paranormal investigations. Just like this project, the investigations team will focus on crime committed against humans by various supernatural entities.”
Wait. Huh? Various? “Excuse me?” I interrupt. “Various? We have provided a viable solution for crimes committed by vampires. What else are we dealing with?”
His lips quirk as he regards me with the look of a father addressing his naïve daughter. “Dr. Burcham, humans have to worry about more than just vampires. The human community at large is not fully aware of all that goes bump in the night, and there’s no need to cause a widespread panic. FOHVA intends to address incidents that seemingly have a supernatural element with our new investigations team. The U.S. government seeks to begin dealing with these issues before the reality of the existence of more than just vampires grabs the public’s attention.”
I quickly glance at Rick, who is resting back against his chair with a blank look on his face. I guess he’s not surprised by any of this, and I’ve just proven yet again just how unsophisticated my knowledge really is when it comes to anything other than human.
“That’s why I have asked all of you here. Given your performances on this project and your specific areas of expertise, we feel that FOHVA would greatly benefit from each one you joining our investigations team.”
I begin to ask another question and he holds a hand up, seemingly anticipating my confusion. “I know you all are scientists. Researchers. Not investigators, per se. However, your analytical skills and ability to problem-solve and find answers to difficult problems make each of you perfect candidates to lead the team to great success.”
He pauses as he watches each of us, allowing us to momentarily digest everything he has just said. “All of the information you need to make an informed decision is in your folder. I will also add that the confidentiality agreement that you signed when you were hired for the project still applies. Given the timeline commitment FOHVA has agreed to, we will need your answer by the end of the week.” He looks at each one of us before saying, “That is all.”
And with that we are dismissed. Bree and Abe shake Mr. Caulfield’s hand again before leaving his office. Rick and I verify all of our bank details with Allison so we can receive the large deposits for the work we have done. We also shake Mr. Caulfield’s hand again, leave his office and walk outside in complete silence.
Standing in front of my car Rick says, “A lot to think about over the next couple of days.”
I nod, not able to completely grasp what has just happened. When I started this project, I was excited to have a steady paycheck to help pay my debts. Now I have an extra fifty thousand dollars and the possibility of a new career with the U.S. government, investigating all manner of life – and probably un-life – that I had no idea existed before today. To say it was like a dream was an understatement.
Abruptly, Rick gives me a rather firm hug. “You did great work, Emma. It was a privilege working with you.”
Taken aback, I hesitantly wrap my arms around his waist. “You did great, too, Rick.”
He pulls back and looks down at me. “Let’s go back to your apartment and try to relax after all of the excitement. Once the adrenaline stops rushing, maybe we can think more clearly about Mr. Caulfield’s offer.”
I look at him and smile, silently counting my blessings while I can and recognizing that trying to think clearly with Rick in my apartment will be more difficult than I care to admit out loud. Something needs to change about that.
Smiling, we get into the car to head back home. Yep, a lot of things will be changing soon. Hopefully I’m ready for it. FOHVA has thrown the bait, but will I bite?