Scarlet (26 page)

"You know what I think of gut feelings," he said.

She did. Robert Santiago was a man of science and a follower of the law. He wanted solid proof, not suppositions. He didn't believe in chasing feelings. He'd told her time and again they were misleading, especially when it came to the job."I know, Grandpa, but too many strange things have been happening to be mere coincidence." She sat back and the cushions cradled her.

"Such as?"

Red hadn't wanted to tell him about the unknown and the wild accusation that he made against her, but she didn't have a choice. Maybe her grandpa would be able to give her advice, but he couldn't do that without all the facts.

"A few days ago, a man came into town. I'd never seen him before. He found me when I was eating a late lunch. He started screaming about me leaving him. He accused me of forgetting him. As if we'd had a relationship."

He frowned. "Did you know this man?"

"No, Grandpa. That's just it. He was a stranger. To make matters worse, the man turned up dead the next day. Jim Thornton discovered he was an unknown during dissection. I've encountered a lot of unknowns over the years, but I'd never seen that man before in my life."

'There's something definitely going on."

"Then yesterday on my way to lunch, I was called into an alley. You know what happened next."

"I still can't believe that you went," he said admonishingly. "I trained you better than that."

"I know it was stupid. I knew it at the time, but I wasn't expecting to be ambushed and I really did think my backup would show at any moment." She mentally kicked herself again for the rookie mistake.

He nodded. "I still don't understand why he did that. It risky. He could've been easily caught in his own trap, which tells me he was desperate."

"I agree." Red said. "But there's more."

"I'm not sure my heart can take much more." He pressed a hand to his chest and rubbed. She started to rise from her seat, but he waved her back. "I'm fine. Please continue."

Red reluctantly sat back down. "The same guy ended up dead on my back doorstep this morning. There was blood everywhere. I slipped and nearly fell in it."

Robert Santiago's brown eyes widened. "This isn't good, special one. How was he killed?"

"His throat was slit just like the first guy. Although the first guy was also shot."

"I take it you think it's the work of the same killer or killers'"

"Absolutely." She nodded. "That's why I believe I'm being set up. The bodies have been placed in areas I frequent. Most people in town think I'm a murderer."

He propped his elbows onto his desk. "What does Morgan have to say about all this?" Robert asked with a wave of his hand.

Red felt her face heat and her gaze dropped to her hands.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Morgan needed to take care of some personal business. He left several weeks ago. He left me in charge until he gets back." And she'd done a damn fine job of running Nuria into the ground.

"Where has he gone? Surely the business can't be as important as what's been happening in Nuria."

Red couldn't tell him. She wanted to, but how could Red explain that Morgan had gone after his wife and child, when it was hard for her to accept. "Take my word for it, it's important."

"Why don't you let me decide what is and is not important."

She shifted in her scat under his regard. "'I'd rather not talk about it."

"I thought you two were getting along."

"We were. We are. It's just that a lot has been happening lately. He has stuff he needs to take care of. I have to let him handle things on his own. I thought while he was away things would be the same in town. But I don't fit in at Nuria any better than I did here. I'm starting to think I made a mistake."

"Do you love him?" he asked.

"Of course I love him," she said. Of that Red had no doubt.

The viewer activated in her grandfather's office. They both turned to face the screen as it glowed to life.

"What now?" he muttered at the interruption.

"We interrupt your workday for this important announcement," the broadcaster said. "A bomb has been detonated at the Santa Fe Cloning Lab Corporation. Five people have been killed and several others injured. The prototype for Project Scarlet is among the many items destroyed. The onsite investigators are calling the act sabotage."

Red's heart began to pound in her chest, threatening to bruise her.
Please let him be all right and not involved.
A picture of Morgan flashed on the screen and she gasped.

"Morgan Hunter has been detained in connection with the bombing. Sources confirm that he was a security guard for the company. His previous employment lists him as the former sheriff of Nuria in the Republic of Arizona. He's been taken in for questioning."

"No! They're wrong!" she shouted. Morgan wasn't a murderer. That thought was quickly followed by a second realization. He was alive. Morgan was alive. Her relief was short-lived as the severity of the situation sank in. "They can't just take him away. Grandpa, shouldn't IPTT be the ones questioning him?"

"I thought you said Morgan left on personal business. What was he doing at the Santa Fe Cloning Lab? You have some explaining to do, young lady. What aren't you telling me?" He demanded as his sharp brown eyes latched onto her face.

"I've told you everything."

"Gina? Time is of the essence. I need to know the truth if I'm to help Morgan."

She looked at him, silently pleading with him to believe her. He was frowning and snaking his head as he stared at the screen.

"Morgan would never hurt anyone in order to destroy the lab. I know he wouldn't. He's a good man." But even as Red said the words, she remembered what Morgan had told her before he left. He would do whatever it took to prevent the Santa Fe Cloning Lab from destroying the memory of his dead wife and child. And from the looks of it, he'd made good on his promise.

chapter eighteen

Red stared in horror as Morgan's picture rotated on the screen. The image was from his I.D. at the Santa Fe Cloning Lab. Dark circles marred his tired amber eyes. A day's growth of hair covered his chin. He looked so different, so lost.

The announcer spoke again. "We repeat. The former sheriff of Nuria, Morgan Hunter, is suspected of blowing up a portion of the Santa Fe Cloning Lab today, destroying what could've been a revolutionary vaccine for mankind. No reason for the sabotage has been given. He is currently being held in an interim facility in Taos for questioning, but will be moved soon. Standard admission tests have detected genetic anomalies in his blood. Stay tuned for more information."

The room spun as Red fought to get air into her lungs. Her grandfather came around his desk and shoved her head between her knees. "Breathe, special one."

"This can't be happening. It can't be real. What am I going to do?" she gasped. "I have to see Morgan. I have to find out what happened. There's no way it went down like they said."

Robert Santiago crouched next to the chair until they were nearly at eye level. "I don't think that's going to be possible. We don't even know who's holding him. Besides, I think it's best you stay far away from him, Gina. They've already started testing his blood. Soon they'll discover how different it really is, and then he'll be beyond our help."

Her head jerked up as pain infused her. She couldn't let that happen. Red didn't know what she was going to do, but she couldn't let them use Morgan like a lab experiment. "I know who's holding him. Roark." Her grandfather pushed her shoulders back down, encouraging her to slow her breathing some more. "It has to be him. He's behind everything."

"You don't know that for sure," he said patiently.

"But you could find out for me, Grandpa. You could use your contacts. It's important. I really need to see him. Make sure that he's okay. Then I'll figure out a way to get him out of there."

Robert sobered. "If he's guilty of the crimes they say, there will be nothing you can do."

"I realize that, but he's not guilty. I know he's not." Red's heart squeezed as she prayed that was the case. What was she going to do if it turned out that Morgan was behind the sabotage? They'd put him in detention for the rest of his life, if they didn't decide to execute him instead. If he'd killed those people and destroyed that vaccine, then execution was a good possibility, since its destruction would cost the lives of hundreds of thousands.

He frowned, causing the thick lines on his face to nearly swallow up his brown eyes. "I'll see what I can do. I hope that he's worth it."

"He is," she said, rubbing her tired eyes.

Robert Santiago rose and walked behind his desk. He pressed a button on his vidcom and called Samuel Duncan, the leader of the Republic of Missouri.

"Hello, Sam, how's it going?" he asked.

"It was quiet and calm until that announcement."

Robert nodded in agreement.

"Listen, Bob, you've never been good at dancing around a subject," Sam said. "What can I do for you?"

Her grandfather laughed. "You know me too well." His smile faded as he looked at the man. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Shoot," Sam said.

"My granddaughter needs to get in to see the man who was arrested today for that bombing."

Sam sucked air sharply through his lips. "Not sure that's going to be possible. He's due to be questioned."

"So he's been delivered to your republic?" Robert asked.

"I didn't say that," Sam said.

"Yes, you did." Robert grinned.

"Okay, maybe I sent orders for him to be brought here, but he isn't here yet. He's being processed at the Taos detention center."

"The arrest happened pretty fast, don't you think? Not really time for a proper investigation."

Sam rubbed his chin. "Yes, we really lucked out. An investigation could've taken months or even years, if he hadn't been spotted on scene."

"That is lucky, but still circumstantial. Don't you think? He is a security guard there after all." Robert sat forward. "Who was the brave soul who caught him?"

"Wouldn't you know, it was Roark Montgomery. The damn glory hound. Has to have his face splashed on all the viewers." Sam shook his head in disgust.

Red gasped. Her grandfather gave her a sharp look and shook his head in warning.

"You may want to watch your back. Sam," he said.

It was the Republic of Missouri leader's turn to frown. "Why's that?"

"Because I think Roark might be angling for your job and then some."

"Oh, that." His shoulders relaxed and he shook his head. "He's been after that for years. Hasn't managed to get it yet."

"He's gaining in popularity," Robert said. "His followers are turning into zealots. You know what happens when that occurs."

"Yes, I know." He sobered. "We'll have a war on our hands. Luckily, he has such wacky agendas that he drives the honest voters away. He'd be a lot better off if he'd stop spouting off about the Others or uniting the republics," Sam said.

"There are some people who'd like to see the republics united." Robert reminded him, without touching on the subject of the Others.

He balked. "Yes, and there are even more people who

would fight to keep that from happening. Either way, no one

"You're right. Well, I'd consider it a personal favor if you can get my granddaughter in to see Morgan Hunter. I doubt Roark would accommodate me."

Sam's dark brow rose. "He won't have a choice if I tell him to let her in. I still run this republic. Until I step down or the
people decide they don't want me to lead any longer, that remain the case."

Robert smiled. "I appreciate it, Sam. If I can ever do anything for you, just give me a shout. Next time you're out this way stop by. We can grab a synth-drink and talk about old times."

Sam chortled. "Sounds good to me," he said, disconnecting the call.

Red sat up. "Thank you, Grandpa."

"I hope you know what you're doing, Gina." The concern was evident in his voice. "I don't like you going into that republic without backup."

"I'm not on the team anymore."

"I know, but old habits die hard. Speaking of which . . ." He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out her old navcom. "I want you to take Rita with you. If you don't have

backup, she's the next best thing. She'll make sure to notify me if anything goes wrong."

"I can't, Grandpa." She shook her head and looked at the communication device that had served as a surrogate friend for
so many years.

"Yes, you can," he said, rising to come around the desk and put the navcom on her wrist.