Trapping the Gazelle

Chapter 19

The door to Kiera's office opened and Ryan peeked in. Kiera noticed that he had something big to tell her, but could not say it in front of Melissa.

'Does it have something to do with Doctor Hakim?' Kiera thought giving Ryan a perplexed look as she ran her fingers through her hair trying to smooth it out.

She then noticed how he scanned the room looking from Melissa, who was still pretending to fix her makeup. Then back to Kiera who felt a flush of red rush into her cheeks.

"Am I missing something?" Ryan asked with a confused look.

"No Ryan," Kiera replied in what she hoped sounded as a normal voice, "We were finishing our session, right Melissa." Kiera glanced at Melissa who had put away her compact and was looking at her watch.

"Oh yes," Melissa added with a smile, "Were did the time go. It was a very enlightening session." Melissa tapped her chin as if thinking, "I would say heated at some point during the session."

Kiera masked her emotions and kept her face neutral at this comment.

"Well I really need to get back to London." Melissa said, "I have to prepare for the upcoming conference."

"I'm sure you are eager to get back?" Ryan said.

"Well I would love to stay for a bit longer." Melissa said and glanced over at Kiera with a small smile, "But I must get back."

"Melissa I forgot to ask." Kiera started to say, "You mention the MRI results, but did anything show up my blood test."

Kiera swallowed and felt something was odd by the way. Melissa looked with a confused look, "What blood test?"

"The half dozen blood test you ordered." Kiera replied slowly and felt the blood drain from her face at Melissa still baffled expression.

"I already had blood samples from your parent's test." Melissa said with a perplexed voice. "Why would I order more? Plus I would not trust a hospital with that kind of testing."

Kiera knew Melissa told the truth by the confused look on her face. Her eyebrows furrowed in deep thought and she glanced from Kiera to Ryan looking for answers.

"A nurse a few days ago took half a dozen blood samples. It was on the instructions." Kiera answered Melissa's confusion.

"Kiera, I did not order any blood samples." Melissa repeated herself holding her hand to her chest. "I can show you what I requested."

Kiera looked quickly at Ryan and Ryan seemed to understand what she was thinking, "Doctor Hakim then." Ryan answered.

"Doctor who?" Melissa asked, "Who is Doctor Hakim?"

"Doctor Abd al Hakim," Kiera answered, "He was the doctor who performed the MRI scan and his nurse performed the blood test."

"Doctor Fahri was supposed to see you." Melissa said shaking her head at Kiera as if to correct her.

"It was Doctor Hakim not Doctor Fahri." Kiera said and sat down putting her face in her hands.

"Kiera I need to find out what happened." Melissa said quickly, "They probably made a mistake or the samples were lost."

Kiera did not answer she kept her eyes closed and took deep breaths. Melissa's answer did not sit well with Kiera. She felt as if her world was spinning. Her stomach felt odd. 'Why would someone want my blood samples?' Kiera thought, 'Does the blood contain the virus?'

"Kiera...Kiera?" Kiera heard Ryan calling her name.

Kiera looked up in confusion and uncertainty.

"Kiera you don't look so good." Melissa added.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Kiera said quietly and she did feel queasy. She quickly stood up and ran out of the office to the bathroom next to the kitchen. Pushing the toilet seat up, Kiera vomited into the toilet. Kiera's stomach heaved a few more times, as she kept her eyes closed tight.

Kiera took deep breaths trying to calm down her stomach spasms. She opened her eyes expecting to see blood in the toilet, but to her surprise, she did not see any blood. She lifted her head, slowly stood to her feet still feeling dizzy and walked over to the sink. Turning on the sink, Kiera splashed water on her face and rinsed out her mouth.

She looked up into the mirror, seeing a pale drawn face staring back at her. She also noticed Ryan and Melissa standing at the door to the bathroom. Kiera took a deep shuttering breath and turned around.

'Why was I sick all the sudden?' Kiera thought as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"Kiera are you alright?" Ryan asked.

Kiera swallowed catching her breath and spoke, "I felt queasy for a moment." Kiera stepped towards Ryan and fell into his open arms. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him feeling safe.

"Kiera I'm going to go and try to contact Doctor Fahri." Melissa spoke, "I will let you know what I find out."

"Thank you Melissa." Kiera replied, "If you want to talk more about your discovery. I'm available."

"Of course Kiera, but for now take care of yourself." Melissa added and placed a hand on Kiera's shoulder. Melissa's fingers strayed across Kiera's sensitive spot on the nape of her neck. The touch caused Kiera to shutter involuntary.

Kiera nodded and watched as Melissa grabbed her coat and left.

"Do you feel like having some lunch?" Ryan asked as soon as Melissa left.

"I think so." Kiera said slowly and she felt better.

"Sit down on the couch and I will bring it with some tea." Ryan replied as he helped Kiera to the couch.

Kiera smiled feeling her heart warm and she felt happy that Ryan would be her husband.

"What are you smiling at?" Ryan asked smiling himself.

"I'm happy that you are going to be my husband someday." Kiera said with a smile.

"I can not wait either, but for now you rest while I bring in our lunch." Ryan said placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder and squeezing gentle.

Kiera placed a hand on top of his and smiled. Then she watched as Ryan let go of her shoulder and walked into the kitchen. Kiera closed her eyes for a moment.

"Kiera, your lunch is ready." Kiera heard Ryan say. She opened her eyes and looked around.

"Did I fall asleep?" Kiera asked confused for a moment.

"It would seem so." Ryan replied with a chuckle as he sat the food down.

"Maybe I needed a moment to relax." Kiera said with a smile of her own.

Ryan sat down next to Kiera and handed her a plate, "Did you have a good talk with Melissa?" He asked.

Kiera sensed there was more behind that tone. "It was productive if that is what you are asking."

"Did she have anything to say about the MRI scan?" Ryan inquired.

"The scan confirmed that the virus did indeed enter through the cut on my finger and is traveling through my veins, but she only had preliminary reports right now from her assistant." Kiera explained. "That reminds me. Kate never called me back after I asked for the video from the bar."

"Maybe you need to call her?" Ryan suggested as he took a bite of the sandwich.

"I will after I eat." Kiera replied, as she felt her stomach grumble from the smell of the food..

"Was there anything else?" Ryan asked, but Kiera felt like he was asking more.

"What do you mean by that?" Kiera asked as she narrowed her eyes at Ryan.

"Nothing at all love," Ryan replied and she saw he looked offended by her brisk question. "You two are old college friends, I was wondering what else you two ladies talked about."

Kiera sighed and shook her head, "Sorry Ryan, I don't know what came over me, I guess I'm feeling okay with the vials missing and everything."

"Kiera you don't have to apologies for it." Ryan said sincerely.

"We talked about her husband's death..." Kiera stopped in midsentence as if thinking of something, "She was a bit odd and vague when we were talking about his death."

"What do you mean by vague?" Ryan inquired.

"Well first off, it was a house explosion outside of Rome last year." Kiera answered.

"You think it is connected to the events from last year?" Ryan questioned Kiera.

"At first it seemed to be a coincidence, but she never did tell me her husband's name and when I mentioned Victor. Well she was shocked by the name." Kiera paused and then continued before Ryan could ask a question. "I never had a chance to determine if she was surprised by the name or shocked. She when on the defensive about how names mean a lot her and when I asked her what her husband's name was again she paused for a brief second before answering that it was Demetrius."

"So she did give you a name, but you were not satisfied with the answer." Ryan asked as he took a sip of tea.

"Correct," Kiera said pausing for a moment, "Melissa pausing for a moment and that could be related to her trying to think of something, but it could be that she felt angered by me asking." Kiera shrugged.

"You seem to be a bit unsure thought." Ryan added.

"I am," Kiera answered, "I don't see how Melissa fits in. She is a high profile person with a lot to lose. Moreover, she is helping me and she did not know about the missing blood vials. On the other hand, I cannot shake the feeling that she did know Victor somehow and Melissa is always planning something."

"This sounds like we need to include Melissa Cohen in our investigation." Ryan added.

"I guess so." Kiera sighed, "We can't leave any stone unturned. What if Victor was her husband and she is out for some kind of revenge. What if she is behind everything that is happening?" Kiera paused, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes.

"Victor did mention about someone else wanting you." Ryan recalled from that day.

"Do you think he knew at the time that I carried this virus?" Kiera asked.

"It is possible, but why would someone want me for this virus. We know that it is not a contagious virus and you can't be used as a biological weapon." Ryan added, "Plus whoever did this to you has the virus, so why you?"

"That is exactly what I want to know." Kiera said leaning back on the couch and rubbing her nose. She felt the wetness of blood on her fingers and looked down at her hand.

"Your nose is bleeding again." Ryan said and handed Kiera a napkin.

"Thank you, love.' Kiera said taking the napkin and holding it to her nose.

Kiera kept her forehead against the cool tile of the shower wall as the warm water cascaded down her back. Before her shower, she had tried to reach out to Kate, but the call when to voicemail. Kiera realized she had a lot on her plate with Melissa's the virus and the missing vials. Not to mention the hallucinations of Raphael and Mia Nightingale. With a deep sigh, Kiera put her face under the spray of water. As she let the water run into her face, she thought she heard Mozart playing. Listening, she only heard silence, and then she heard the music playing again.

Quickly Kiera turned off the water and stepped out. She dried off quickly as the music stopped playing. Throwing on a robe, Kiera walked into the bedroom and picked up her phone. She noticed that she had two missed calls from Kate. Kiera pressed the redial on her contacts for Kate and placed the phone up to her ear.

Kiera held her breath as the phone rang several times. The call connected and she let out a sigh of relief.

"Well look who decides to finally answer my calls." Kate said and she did not sound happy. "Is this Kiera or Mia Nightingale?"

"Kate, what hell are you talking about?" Kiera said feeling her anger rise, but felt fear creep down her spine.

"You sent me a text asking for information about that video. Then you call me and leaving a message telling me I had better find said video or else. What the hell is your problem Kiera?" Kate exploded in anger.

"What..wait I did not call you... I only texted you." Kiera felt her own anger dissolve into confusion. "I don't understand what is going on Kate."

"Well great someone is impersonating your voice and using your phone. Now I have seen it all." Kate said with vile sarcasm.

"Kate, I only called you this evening. I will even check through my recent call list." Kiera said and she opened her call list to look through it. Then she gasped in shock. There on her recent call from four days ago was Kate's number. "That is impossible."

"Kiera you there, don't do this to me now." Kate said in exasperation on the other end.

Kiera placed the phone up to her hear and in a trembling voice spoke, "Kate, I swear to you, that I did not call you, but my recent calls show that I did call you, but none of your call are on my phone. How did that happen?" Kiera felt dizzy.

"Kiera I don't know what is going on, but you left me a voicemail as this Mia person and when I tried to call you back. The phone rang and then it said your voicemail box was full." Kate explained, "You have to tell me what is going on?"

Kiera sat on the bed confused, 'I know I did not call her, just like I did not write those names and circled on my note pad and why would I say that I'm Mia.'

"Kate can you play or send me the voicemail?" Kiera asked her voice still trembling with shock.

"Of course if you want to hear yourself again. Give me a minute." Kate said with a long sigh.

Kiera listened then she heard the voice speak, "Kate, what he hell are you doing? I needed that video yesterday. Put down the f*****g donut and sent me the goddamn video or so help me I will straggle your fat ass! This is the only warning you will receive from Mia Nightingale." Then the message ended.

Kiera sat in stunned silence. The voice was unmistakable hers. There was a slight alteration in the pronunciation to some words, but the tone was definitely hers.

"Kiera or Mia you still there. Do you plan to straggle me now." Kate said angrily.

"Kate I swear to you, I did not call you. I did not leave you that message. I don't know..." Kate cut her off.

"Well someone called me, Kiera. It came from your phone and I was able to trace the call back to your phone in Saint Ives."

"Kate, it does not make any sense. You know I would not talk to you like that." Kiera pleaded feeling tears in her eyes.

"Kiera, you need your head examined. When you get your head screwed on straight, meet me at the place that has no place." Kate instructed, "Good bye Kiera, I hope you figure out what the hell is your problem."

"Kate wait I can explain..." Kiera could not finish due to Kate ending the call.

Kiera dropped her hands and stared at the blank screen on the phone. A tear rolled down her cheek and splashed on the screen. Kiera mind felt blank as she tried to recall what Kate had told her and the voicemail message.

'What is happening to me? I feel like I'm losing my mind.' Kiera thought as she stared at the screen.

"Hey, Kiera it looks like we can visit the morgue to..." Kiera heard Ryan's voice stop short, "Kiera what is wrong?"

Kiera continued to stare at her phone with silent tears running down her cheeks. She felt Ryan sit down next to her and wrap a comforting arm around her. Kiera could not answer Ryan. She did not know what to say.

"Kiera talk to me, what is wrong?" Ryan repeated in a soft voice.

"Kate called me back." Kiera answered quietly.

"Did she find the video?" Ryan inquired.

Kiera looked up at Ryan and spoke, "I called her four days ago and threaten her as this Mia Nightingale person from my nightmare." The words sounded hollow to her. "Also she has tried to call me back, but I did not answer and my voice mail box was full."

"Kiera that is impossible, you did not call anyone." Ryan replied with a confused look.

"I heard the voice mail I left. Ryan it was my voice and I have Kate's number on my recent calls."

"Kiera it can't be, there is no way you call her. It is impossible."

"It is really that impossible, Ryan. I wrote those names on the notepad and circled them. I have no memory of doing it, but I did it. I think that I might have multiple personality disorder." Kiera laid her head on Ryan.

"Kiera that does not make sense. There has to be another answer."

"It makes perfect sense Ryan. I made that call the early hours of the morning before Melissa called and everything that happened downstairs. I wrote those names after I blacked out and I talked to a little girl called Mia Nightingale." Kiera said taking a shuttering deep breath then continuing, "I know people suffer from this disorder after a tragic event in their lives and they develop these other personalities in order to cope with the events."

"Kiera you are smarter than that. You are a trained psychologist."

"Ryan I am not immune to psychological problems. The voicemail, the blackout and the vision of the little girl are all signs. I'm trying to cope with the events of last year."

"There is also the possibility that your phone has been hacked by someone and your voice was recreated." Ryan explained, "You said it yourself that Kate called you and your voicemail box was full. Did you see any calls from Kate?"

Kiera accessed her phone and searched through her recent calls. She saw the call she placed, but oddly there were no call from Kate except for the one a few minutes ago.

"I or Mia could have deleted the recent call from my log." Kiera suggested not feeling any better about the situation.

"You could have, but I'm sure your phone bill would show those calls." Ryan answered.

Kiera accessed her online phone bill as she held her breath. Once the page of her call log appeared, Kiera scrolled through the log and then felt her world collapse around her. There on the log were several calls from Kate throughout the past few days.

"Kiera it does not mean anything. You are not losing your mind. Someone might have hacked your phone." Ryan said quickly. "I know it is possible, I did it."

Kiera thought she heard doubt in his voice. "But what if Mia is taking over my mind." Kiera felt herself breathing heavy as her head spun.

Ryan held Kiera's face in his hands and forced Kiera to stare into his China blue eyes. "Kiera listen to me.' Ryan said sternly, "We will discover who is doing this to you. The surge members assassinated, the virus and this Mia person are all connected. We have to find the common thread, pull and unravel this. You are not losing your mind. Someone is behind all of this and it is not you."

Kiera saw the determination in his eyes. She felt gratitude for Ryan. He wanted to look at all possibilities before accepting the results. Kiera on the other hand, had a feeling that Mia was taking over her mind. Kiera wrapped her arms around Ryan and laid her head on his chest. Kiera closed her eyes and could not stop the tears. Ryan held onto her and rocked her as she sobbed.