Maybe

27

Darwin.

DARWIN CAN’T BELIEVE it. Things had been going so well. He called Sam, told him to forget the hit on Sherry Cherry, told him it was too late. Told him, “I’m quitting. I’m out of it.”

Then Sam said, “You can’t quit!” and Darwin said, “Creed knows everything. You’re on your own!”

Then Darwin said, “If you’re smart, you’ll take your life before Creed hunts you down.”

Except that last part was heard by Kimberly.

Creed’s daughter.

The one who thought she’d been talking to Sam for the past year.

Darwin didn’t get to age sixty in the assassination business without being quick-witted. He had one ace in the hole.

The tape.

…And figured this was as good a time as any to play it.

Perhaps the tape would infuriate her enough to kill Sam. That would be the ideal situation. Because if Sam’s alive when Creed shows up, he’ll spill his guts and Creed will learn it was Darwin who manipulated Kimberly to become a killer.

Darwin, not Sam.

So he played the tape. She asked him to play it again, and Darwin obliged. Then he hung up and started to make one last call. But before he could press the button on his speed dial, his phone rang.

Creed.

He answers, and Creed says, “Get your things and meet us in the lobby in two minutes. We’re out of here!”

Darwin’s bags are already packed, which gives him sixty seconds to make one last phone call before his official retirement. The call he’s contemplating will impact Rachel Case’s future. In Darwin’s opinion, Rachel is certifiably insane, and she’s Creed’s only weakness. He thinks a moment, trying to decide if the call is necessary. For the sake of his partnership with Creed, he decides it is.

When he presses the button, Lou answers.

“This is Lou Kelly. Who’s calling?”

Darwin turns on the voice-altering equipment and says, “Lou, this is Holden Prescott.

Lou knows Holden is the chairman of Homeland Security.

Darwin continues, “The committee has reviewed your credentials and are preparing to render a decision regarding your request to replace Darwin. In fairness, I need to point out the committee is divided. Several members feel Donovan Creed is the best candidate for the job. I happen to disagree. In my opinion, Creed’s unstable.”

“What can I do to help sway the vote?” Lou says.

“Those who support Creed think you’re too soft.”

“What? Creed and I worked overseas for years with the CIA. If you check the record you’ll see I matched him kill for kill.”

“That was a long time ago, Mr. Kelly.”

“I’m up for any action that protects my country,” Lou says. “Name it.”

“There’s one thing I know that would sway the committee.”

“Tell me. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“It has recently come to our attention there’s a patient locked away in your facility, in an interior padded cell. She’s been receiving drug rehabilitation treatments.”

“I’m aware of the patient and the significance of keeping her safe.”

“Her safety is no longer an issue.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The Center for Disease Control has gotten to the President. He’s nixed the exchange. The scientists at Mount Weather are refusing to give up Rachel Case for Sherry Birdsong.”

“Actually, that’s good news for me.”

“Why’s that?”

“As a matter of full disclosure, Ms. Birdsong-who goes by her maiden name, Cherry-has expressed an interest in dating me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Kelly, because the government can’t afford to let Sherry live. If she’s captured by one of our enemies, they could possibly use her genetic code to create the Spanish Flu virus. You want to be head of Sensory Resources? I believe the job is yours, provided you can assume credit for terminating Ms. Birdsong.”

“Surely there must be a better way! Have you considered placing her in the bunker at Mount Weather? She’s the perfect backup in case something happens to Rachel. You could protect her there, and harvest her genetic code along with Rachel’s.”

Darwin pauses, then says, “Perhaps the committee is right.”

“Sir?”

“Perhaps you aren’t emotionally equipped to handle the requirements of the job.”

“Wait!” Lou says. “I’ll do whatever it takes. Just to be clear, you’re saying if I terminate Sherry Cherry, I get Darwin’s old job?”

“I can’t speak for the rest of the committee, but you’ll certainly get my vote.”

“What sort of proof will you require?”

“Her hands and head.”

“Both hands?”

“Yes.”

“How long do I have?”

“Minutes, not hours.”

“Count on me,” he says.

Darwin hangs up, thinking whatever happens, happens.

He tosses the voice-altering device in the trash, grabs his cell phone, suitcase, and doctor’s bag, and heads for the lobby.

From this point on, whether he lives or dies, he’ll do so as a civilian.