Days of Darkness

Chapter 29

I was on my third cup of coffee before my mom was satisfied with Teegan. I could tell she doubted some of what I said but trusted that I thought it was true. Most of her questions were about Natalie. The thought of a grandchild made her eyes sparkle.

"So the government took them," Mom summarized.

"No," I clarified, "it was a guy by the name of Douglas Corbett."

"The billionaire guy, Corbett Industries?"

"That's him," I replied, "he bonded with Teegan after she was born and sees her and her progeny as a profit stream. He somehow feels it is best for all."

"But you didn't see them. How do you know it was him?"

"I fished in one of his men's minds. The guy who orchestrated yesterday's k********g," I said, "it's what made me pass out."

"You can read minds?"

"Sort of. If I'm angry or determined enough," I replied, "it usually just feelings, and only those of Natalie and Teegan." I smiled at the memory of some of those feelings. "You can't do it for a living. You saw the side effects."

"So, we have to get them back," Mom said, "Betty told me not to call the police, but I don't think we have a choice."

"We?" I said, I was having trouble holding down my smile. I liked sober mom.

"If you think I'll let some rich asshole hurt my grandchild...well...I just won't," Mom said with more than a little fury.

"I don't think he has intention of hurting Natalie," I said calmly, "he needs Natalie to take care of Teegan. Though, I have no idea what will happen when he realizes Natalie is pregnant." I wondered if he would see another child as a hindrance to his plans, someone Natalie would care for more than Teegan. Maybe leverage. I shook off the thought. "We are going to get them back."

"So we call the police?"

"Nope," I shook my head, "they would push us to the side and take Teegan."

"But they would help us get Natalie back," Mom said.

"I need them both," I admitted, "we've adopted Teegan and no one is going to turn her into a science experiment." I knew my mother thought of Teegan as just another kid. I couldn't blame her, but it wouldn't stop me from insisting I have it all. Mom sighed, resigned to my decision.

"How about some breakfast, or lunch," Mom said, looking at the clock. It was nearing noon, and I was famished.

"I'll take either," I said. Mom's face lit up, and she began to dig into the refrigerator. I was about to help and then thought better of it. I think I was part of her recovery. She wanted to be a mother again, no matter how old I was. Besides, I was still exhausted, and she looked like she was having fun.

"I have to go to Portland," I told my mother as I was finishing the sandwich she made for me. She had sat and watched me eat, smiling the whole time. Nothing for herself, insisting she wasn't hungry.

"Is that where they took Natalie?" Mom asked. I nodded, chewing the last bit of the ham and cheese. Her smile disappeared when she continued, "you can't do this alone. They have helicopters, and God only knows how many men, Sammy. You have to call the police."

"I can't," I said, taking a deep breath, "I'll figure it out when I get there."

"When we get there," Mom said strongly. I shook my head.

"I need you to stay here for a day or so," I said, reaching out for her hand, "call your sponsor, Pam isn't it? Let her know I'm furious, but have no idea what to do. Let her talk you down from the stress, stop you from drinking."

"What? I'm going with you," Mom insisted, "what happens if you pass out again? I won't let you go alone."

"I need to surprise them," I insisted, "they're monitoring your phone. They have to think I'm here and out of options." I said it softly, trying not to ruin what little re-bonding we had done. I had no idea what I was going to do when I got to Portland, but having my mother along wasn't going to help. Having Corbett think I'm nowhere near would help.

A rumble of motors interrupted my mom's next protest. The sound increased as more engines pulled to the front of the cabin. I moved quickly, thinking Corbett had returned to remove me from the equation. My mind was working quickly, trying to figure a way to get my mother to safety. I cursed as the third women in my life was now at risk. I moved the window curtain slightly, attempting to peek unseen. I smiled, things weren't as grim as I had thought.

"We have guests," I told my mother. She was white knuckling the table with the same fears I had been thinking. She relaxed when she saw my smile as I went to the door.

"Betty!" I said when I swung open the door "and you brought friends." Betty kissed me cheek and waved to my mom. Mom was as relieved as I was.

"Good to see you up and about," Betty commented moving to my side, "This is Todd Renault," she said, introducing a rather large man with a serious demeanor. He had to be at least six-five with a set of Elvis sideburns that fit the leather jacket that must have cost two cows their hides. He held out his massive hand, and I shook it, noting it completely swallowed mine. "He started The Lifers about ten years ago and has been running it ever since." I could hear the pride in Betty's voice. The group meant a lot to her.

"Betty tells me you got a problem that needs fixing," Todd said. There was a confidence in his voice that made me think there was little he couldn't fix.

"It's a nasty problem," I admitted, "not likely to please the police, but I intend to correct it anyway."

"You took care of our sister once," Todd said, nodding toward Betty, "we're here to return the favor." I smiled, seeing the porch fill with four more vets with the same offer on their faces. I couldn't help but smile.

"I could use the help," I said, waving them all inside.

Betty quickly introduced my mother and me to the rest of the g**g. Monty looked like one of those workout nuts and wore a smile that flashed charm. I was sure he thought himself God's gift to women. Thomas and Harry still wore Army sanctioned haircuts. They possessed that starched military stature most people would find uncomfortable. I could see they were mission oriented and didn't understand the word failure. Devlin was the only normal looking one of the bunch. He was about my size and had a relaxed look about him. I sensed he deferred to the others, but would follow them to Hell's gate if necessary.

It took about an hour to bring everyone up to speed. There was some apprehension in their eyes, but they trusted Betty, so they trusted me. I was pleased to learn that Harry was ex-Special Forces. We devised the first part of a plan and would figure out the rest when we got to Portland.

Natalie and Teegan had a small army.

.20 - Natalie

The first thing I felt was the drool running down my chin. I adjusted my lips and lifted my head, trying to slow the flow. I blinked quickly, then slowed as my eyes began to adjust to the light. I saw a lamp I didn't recognize. It was sleek and expensive, not something that belonged in a cabin.

Memories flooded back.

A man, short and stocky, sat in a chair opposite mine. Shirt and tie, but no jacket. My only thought was enemy. I tried to stand and found my hands well secured behind the chair. Panic seeped in, and I screamed as I attempted to kick at the calm figure in front of me. My calf knotted in pain. My feet were secured as well.

"I would like to untie you," the man said calmly. My breathing increased as my awareness became clearer. It was a sparse office, missing all the trappings of one that is in use. No papers on the desk, zero plants and no pictures of family members.

"Where is Teegan?" I demanded, the memory of the invasion now fully returned. My voice came out raspy, forcing me to cough and clear my throat. I could feel a cord chafing my wrists as I struggled to free them.

"The child is fine," the man stated, "it is our goal to return her to you." I stopped struggling. It didn't sound like a lie. I was sure it wasn't everything, but it seemed like he believed what he said.