Rogue Alliance

EIGHTEEN



Brennan slid the needle into a plump vein in the crook of his left arm just as he heard footsteps ascend the stairs to his apartment. He recognized Victor’s heavy-footed approach. He was the only person who ever came to his quarters, and even that was rare.

The infusion would take half an hour, which is why he chose the early morning, just before his run. It lessened the chances of interruption. He wondered what had brought Victor to his door so early.

“Come in,” he shouted, before Victor had a chance to knock.

Sunshine spilled in through the front door and Victor walked in with a burst of energy. Brennan was self-conscious but continued to run the supplement.

“I’d get up, but…”

Victor waved him off.

“No problem,” he said, “stay where you are. I’ve got a bit of news for you.”

Brennan leaned back.

“Oh, yeah. What kind of news?”

“A friend of mine, the one who was a mutual friend of Shinto’s who told me about you, gave me a call just a bit ago. It seems that the government has been able to keep your escape from the media thus far. They apparently want to keep everything that happened there under wraps. They’ve relocated the other subjects and will most likely continue their research under a new leader.”

Everything inside of Brennan hardened. The thought of ‘the other subjects’ made his blood run cold. What other abominations had Shinto created?

“The only problem is that the main financial contributor, who my contact happens to know quite well as they were both avid investors, well he is a bit put out that one of his investments has fled the scene and killed his doctor and a few guards in the process.”

Brennan sensed what was already coming. He’d been waiting for this news.

“He’s hired a hit man to find the both of us,” Victor said.

“You don’t look surprised or concerned,” Brennan said.

“Why would I be? We knew something like this would happen. The chances of us walking away Scott-free were unlikely. Besides, it’s kind of fun, don’t you think?”

There was a new glisten in Victor’s eye. He looked amused. This was a game to him. Brennan found his disregard for the gravity of the situation a bit unsettling.

“I wouldn’t go so far as to call it fun,” he said, “but we’ll be ready for him when he comes.”

He adjusted his arm to allow the infusion flow to quicken. He felt restless and wanted to be out of the chair.

“Damn right we’ll be ready,” Victor said, “this hit man has no idea who he’s messing with.”

“Was there any feedback as to whether or not he knows who you are or where to find us?”

Victor shook his head.

“No, but I’m not exactly inconspicuous. I’m sure it won’t be more than a week before he’s at our doorstep, so to speak.”

“That fast, huh? Okay, let him come. But you and I are inseparable until then,” Brennan warned, “we can’t take the chance of him finding either one of us alone and off guard.”

“Okay. I see your point, but I can’t have you hanging around when I’m with Shyla. It will freak her out.”

“We should be fine while we’re away this weekend. It’s not likely we’ll get trailed to San Francisco.”

Victor casually opened up the refrigerator, peeked inside, then closed it again and turned to face Brennan.

“Can I get you something?” Brennan asked.

“No. I’m fine, I have to get back to the house and make some phone calls.”

Victor opened the front door but turned to Brennan before he left.

“I’ve been meaning to ask; what do you think of Shyla?”

Brennan kept his eyes averted.

“She’s alright,” he said, “seems like you two have hit it off pretty well.”

Still standing in the doorway with the rising sun at his back, Victor’s silhouette gave an eerie quality. Brennan sensed that he was fishing for more of a response.

“We have,” Victor said, “ and I like her a lot. I don’t want her hurt.”

“She won’t get hurt. We’ll keep an eye on her safety as well.”

“Good. That’s good. I’ll see you in the house.”