The Cure: A Genetic Engineering Thriller

Chapter 10

“Since you’re in town, Melanie, we really ought to show you some of the sights to see,” Reggie declared over breakfast. “How about a turn around the Custer State Park?”

“That sounds lovely,” she said, covering her mouth with her hand as she chopped down on Irene’s phenomenal eggs. “It might be nice to do something relatively normal on this, uh, vacation? Is that what we’re calling it?”

James snorted, and the rest of the table erupted into laughter. They had agreed as a unit that they were going to be cautious about their unusual circumstance, but that they were not going to show Big Pharma that they were afraid. They were stronger together, and so far, James had no reason to believe they’d followed him out this far. As long as they kept their distance, and refrained from having a social media presence, they could regain their bearings and finally come up with a real plan of action. One that didn’t involve staying at the O’Connor’s ranch for the rest of his life, no matter how pleasant and peaceful it had been.

“We’ve deemed it a miracle,” Irene beamed. “Without James I have no idea how much time I would’ve had 92 left with Reggie in this world. He’s given us a beautiful gift; one I’ll never be able to repay.”

“It was my pleasure.” James reached over and grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “But I think it’s time that Melanie and I figure out a way to help more people, just like I did with you.”

“That sounds wonderful. But first, a tour of this beautiful city!” Reggie hollered.

The afternoon was one that James would not forget anytime soon. It was nice to just sit back, relax, and hold hands with the girl he loved. With Reggie and Irene in the front seat, they drove around the massive loop of Custer State Park and managed to spot tons of wildlife. James had never seen one herd of bison before, let alone half a dozen. He allowed his mind to wander, thinking about what it must be like to not have any cruelty that exists among humanity. What he would do to not have to worry about some man sneaking up on him in the middle of the night and stabbing him in the throat.

After their tour, Irene suggested they all grab a late lunch at a bistro not far from the park. Melanie and Reggie were quick to agree, and before he knew it, the four of them were seated on the patio, burning under the blazing sun. Melanie sprawled out on their side of the bench, soaking it all in. Like usual, Irene gave her best recommendations for the best items on the menu, and the waitress disappeared with their orders. All was 93 well until his gaze lingered on a patron seated three tables over for more than a second.

That was all it took for his day of pure bliss to burn up like hell fire.

Staring down at his plate, James attempted to regain his composure, but it was easier said than done, knowing only a few feet away sat the man who killed his best friend, his benefactor, Dr. Ronald Clark. The last thing he wanted was to alert his hosts, or Melanie for that matter, that Mr. Payne had finally tracked him down. It was possible that he had been tailing Melanie this whole time, just waiting for her to break down and come out and see him. She might’ve led the man in black straight to him, and now, everyone seated at that table was in danger.

He had to do something, for their sakes. There would be no more waiting around, no more hiding in the countryside, while Big Pharma grew stronger and more desperate. James needed to act, now.

“Are you alright?” Melanie whispered, finally noticing that he had gone a bit pale. “You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Me?” James pointed to himself. “No, no, I was just thinking about the drive today. It got me thinking, it might be nice to go out for a cruise myself, you know, clear my head, think of some things. Besides, it’s not good to have the Jag sit for that long. It’s been a while since she’s had a proper ride.”

“It’s the perfect night for it,” Reggie commented. “You and Melanie should go out when we get back to the ranch.”

“Yeah,” Melanie chimed in. “I wouldn’t mind a little romantic drive. We could stop somewhere and watch the sunset. It’ll be nice.”

James didn’t have the heart to tell Melanie that he had much more morbid plans with his spontaneous drive. It was about time that he put an end to all this madness, starting with the man in black.

***

It had been relatively easy coming up with a ruse as to why James wanted to scope out so many roads that were off the beaten path. “I just like how quiet they are,” he had said, and Melanie went along with it.

What he was really doing was finding the best place to execute his plan. One of the things that Mr. Payne did not know was that he and his deceased wife were a part of an exclusive club. A racing club to be exact, meant for Jaguar enthusiasts. Back home, they used to head up north for the weekend and drive around coned tracks in empty parking lots with their friends. It was always a good time, and while Amelia was a much better driver than he had ever been, James knew a thing or two behind the wheel

Getting out of the house by himself was a difficult task all on its own. Melanie had been hesitant, stating that 95 she wanted to be with him, not because she had missed him during their time apart, but because she wanted to keep him safe, like they had promised. When he told her that he wouldn’t be gone for more than a few hours, and that he was planning a secret surprise, she finally caved. Irene offered to show Melanie around the ranch, and with Reggie out at the neighbors again, James left the house with the hope he’d be returning later that evening.

He went into town to the local coffee shop. Within minutes, he spotted the man in black in his peripheral vision.

Perfect, James thought. I knew you’d come.

After ordering his drink to go, he got back into his car and drove to the outskirts of town, pulling over just before a bridge. He got out and looked out at the rushing water below for a while, patiently waiting for his “friend” to arrive. The same black SUV drove past three times until it stopped on the opposite side of the road. James knew it was now or never, and although he wondered if his heart was going to beat out of his chest, he marched across the road and knocked on the window.

The man inside looked startled, as he had been distracted on his phone, he didn’t even notice James approaching. They locked eyes for a few seconds before he rolled down the window.

“Can I help you?”

“You’re Jeff Payne,” James stated. “Or at least that’s the name you gave Melanie. How did you find me?”

“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the man said. “I’m just trying to find my way back into town.” He tried to flash the phone in James’s face, but he wasn’t buying the lies for a second. Instead, he took the lid off his steaming cup of coffee and poured it onto the man’s lap.

He cursed a number of colorful profanities before practically falling out of his vehicle. “What the hell is the matter with you!” he shouted. “I could have you charged for that!”

“I’m sure going to the police is the last thing you’ll do considering you murdered my best friend,” James retorted.

The man’s mouth dropped open, and he looked as though he might be sick. He blinked a few times, shaking his head, and managed to compose himself. “You weren’t there, you don’t know what happened.”

Was he really suggesting that he didn’t kill Ronald? James thought. Growling, he shoved the man against his vehicle and pointed a finger to his chest. “I know what you did, and I have the evidence to prove it. It’ll be game over for you soon, you and your associates at Big Pharma.”

Not giving Jeff the opportunity to defend himself, James stormed across the busy road and hopped back into his car, waving smugly at his dumbfounded enemy.

But that was just phase one of his plan—stir the beast.

Heading further out of town, James drove at a steady pace until he spotted the familiar SUV in the rear-view mirror. “That’s right,” he hissed. “Come and get me.”

Making a sharp right turn onto a dirt road, he could barely see behind him, but through the cloud of dusk a dark shape emerged, and things were seemingly falling into place. Picking up speed, he led them down the winding road, hugging the yellow line as much as possible. He trusted his vehicle, more than any average man would, as it had never steered him wrong before.

For a brief second, he thought about Amelia. He knew deep down she would be disappointed in what he had planned to do, using their skills of driving for evil intent, but so many things had brought him to this point. He couldn’t lose another love, surely she’d be able to understand that if they were to ever meet again. That losing her that night had been the worst pain he had ever endured, and even with the serum running through his veins, he was certain his heart would break if he lost Melanie now.

His Jaguar jerked forward, and James realized that Jeff had given him a little nudge. He was following so close he couldn’t even see the SUV’s headlights in the rearview mirrors anymore. Losing himself in his thoughts, 98 he had nearly missed his window of opportunity. Slamming his foot on the gas, he redlined his car until the very last second, right when Jeff was about to rearend him again. Downshifting, he lifted his foot off the gas and yanked his steering wheel to the left, the back of his car swinging out until he did a complete 180 turn.

The familiar sound of tires screeching against the pavement roared in his ears, only it had not come from his vehicle, but the SUV that headed for the onehundred-foot cliff with no guardrail to block its path.

Slamming on his brakes, James watched as the SUV plummeted over the edge, flipping at least six times before landing in the ravine below. Pulling off onto the shoulder, he gripped onto the steering wheel for a few minutes, willing his heart to return to a normal pace. He peered over the edge, not daring to step foot onto the forsaken ground. He didn’t need to go down there and check if Mr. Payne had survived the crash. There was absolutely no way he could’ve lived through that; not while the SUV had engulfed in flames.

Staring up at the sky, he closed his eyes and placed a hand over his chest. “That was for you, Ronald. Now your death will not be in vain. I hope you can find peace now, and maybe, just maybe, so will I. When all of this is over.”

He knew in his heart that it wasn’t. This had just been the beginning of a long road of death and darkness. James Scott had become a murderer, no matter which way he twisted it. He ended a man’s life to save his 99 own, and that was something he was going to have to live with for the rest of his days.