The Director

1. Chance Meeting-2

John nodded obediently.

“Report back to me once you and your guardian have settled into your roles. And, as always, you know the procedure: maintain radio silence until you’ve completed your mission.” Shutting down the video chat, I left off on that note, not giving my hunter a chance to say any more.

Clicking off the laptop, I closed it. The silence stirred thoughts in my mind; the mission and everything it entitled weighed heavily on me. This could be the closure of the project. Each mission had brought me closer and provided the potential of reaching that goal.

Nevertheless, there was also the possibility of my source being in the rural parts of Mexico where I had sent my second hunter, Jack.

The knock on the door shook me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called to the outsider.

Jonas appeared at the entrance and greeted me. The tall brawny African-American man was in his early thirties, dressed in a fitted black suit. Muscle was now visible on the formerly timid, thin young man, who had lost the love of his life when I had first met him. My eyes dropped to the watch screen.

“Ah, is it that time already?” Jonas, my loyal and devoted bodyguard, grinned and nodded. “Are you ready, sir? The conference will start soon. Shall we?”

Grabbing the watch next to the laptop, I rose and came around the desk. Jonas opened the door and we walked out. We stepped out of the building into the parking garage. A car was waiting for me.

Two other men were waiting. Being a high-level ranking member of The Company, I required an equally well-trained security team.

“Jonas, get rid of the extras. I don’t need the added attention from patrons.”

“As you wish, sir.” He opened the car door and I climbed in, and he closed the door behind me.

Jonas turned to the men standing at the front of the car. I didn’t hear what he said to them. I worked on The Company’s products; once I left the lab, I was Jonas’ responsibility and under his careful watch. He handled those details, and he handled them well.

The men did not argue as they left us. Jonas took the driver’s seat.

Moments later, we pulled into an empty space at the front of the convention center’s busy entrance, despite it being strictly marked for the valet. Almost immediately, the young valet walked up and tapped the window.

Jonas lowered it.

“Sir, this is valet parking only. You’re gonna have to move the vehicle.”

Jonas slipped him some money. “I’m sure you can make an exception for Dr. Nicholson. I won’t be long, twenty minutes tops.” He grinned and winked.

To think this man had once been a chaotic mess before he came to be in my care. No longer afraid of his own shadow, far from it.

The valet took the money as he glanced toward the back seat. “Yes, of course, n-not a p-problem,” he stuttered with a boyishly shy smile as he regarded me.

Jonas helped me from the vehicle and escorted me into the convention entrance. The center was filled with members of the medical community: scientists, doctors, medical professionals, anyone with a hand in pharmaceutical drugs. I was there as a face for The Company, but I wasn’t the only one. Crowds never fancied me, nor did conventions, though they recognized me for my accomplishments … at least the ones the public was aware of.

At the front of the center, I was greeted by a young blond hostess who already knew me by name. She gathered a few folders and the itinerary for the event and handed them to me. The place was crowded with colleagues, pristine members of the science community.

“Dr. Nicholson, your seat is this way, sir. Please, follow me.” She guided us through the mass of attendees and escorted me into the VIP section, where two other men were already seated.

These men were older than me. A prodigy in the medical and science world, most regarded me with curiosity, jealousy, even envy. These two avoided my eyes; I would expect nothing else from them the entire event.

“Would you like me to remain, sir?” Jonas asked as he sized up the men.

They wrinkled their noses at my man.

My eyes shot them an icy glance and they turned their noses in the other direction. “No need, my friend. I know how boring these social events can be and how they can drag on. Take the time for your own leisure.”

Jonas, usually not one to take time for himself, curved his lips into a smile, then nodded. Taking personal time was not something he was used to doing. “Call me when you’re ready to leave, sir.”

I couldn’t blame him wanting to be elsewhere. Who would want to be among these superficial, arrogant fools?

The meeting proceeded with speeches from various science divisions. They discussed breakthroughs and bragged about funding awards. Most of my research was top secret, all mixed in with The Company’s affairs.

Alfred Valentin, The Company’s CEO, appeared as a keynote speaker and asked for more donations and contributions.

“That’s why we need your funding. You can all make a difference.” What he meant was he needed money for funding his military projects and putting more people in power that had The Company’s best interest at heart. The pharmaceutical industry was a growing, thriving business. The Company had its hands buried deep in every aspect of drugs.

“Make a difference to whom?” I muttered from behind my water glass. I envied and despised him at the same time.

Medical conferences were my least favorite part of the job. They were events where colleagues were determined to get drunk, find s*x, and then go back to their respective labs and hospitals … until they did it again in another four years.

After the speeches and lectures, we could mingle. I hated the superficiality of cocktail hour. Discussions and research seminars were not terrible on their own, just mundane and unnecessary. Cocktail hour, however, was hell. If I could get away with avoiding it, I would. Unfortunately, it was a necessity of seeking more influence—smiling, nodding, and pretending I gave a damn about what my colleagues were doing in urology or orthopedics.

There was a break between chats, and I turned back to the bar and ordered another whiskey on the rocks. If I would have to endure, I would have good liquor. Top shelf, I gestured to the bartender.

Some of the equipment I’d been presenting bumped the inside of my jacket. I might stick the next fool who thought I cared with a needle and, at least, get samples out of this whole mess.

Scanning the bar, I wondered who might prove an appropriate victim and caught sight of a young man with dark hair, golden skin. He was in his early twenties. His gaze dropped immediately to his drink. He’d been watching me.

I observed him, feeling the stir of attraction. That surprised me. However, I blamed it on the liquor. I wasn’t the sort to feel the quick rush of endorphins upon seeing an attractive individual.

Rising, I walked out of the gaggle of doctors and scientists to the restaurant side, a place I very much enjoyed, and took a seat at a small table near the back.

The waiter set bread, an oil dip, and goat cheese appetizer on the table for my enjoyment. I sampled it and took out my journal.

This was my favorite part of the evening: to sit in one place and watch patrons, to see them in their own world, going about their business, unaware of any chaos afoot in some underground facility.

My smile wouldn’t disclose hidden dangers that lurked outside other people’s realities; the things this mind could reveal would scare them. No, the outside world wasn’t ready for any of it. Aliens, space lifeforms that had come here years and years before, bringing with them technology far more advanced than ours, and some dangerous pathogens.

Some of the best minds had dissected them, attempting to explore their makeup but, instead, unleashed them onto unsuspecting masses. We had released so much filth and, yet, the world continued. We were advanced, but only a few knew this. I belonged to a different reality and a different world.

Enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, I drank, recalling strange, faded memories. The familiar taste of the wine reminded me of her … however, of him, far more. Married only to keep up the display, yet secretly I was always with him, not her. She came into my world just as he had been taken from me.

My wandering eyes invited glances, yet not one interested me. Did I seek to be alone this evening? Loneliness was a part of my existence. The occasional encounters at functions were anything but discreet.

Young and old.

Lifting a pen from my pocket, I began writing, then dropped it. The thought had abandoned me, and another had taken its place.

Concentrate. I had to work this evening. It was time to take on my newest role, the father of a teenage boy.

The waiter took away the empty appetizer tray. After a while, he returned and took my order. I ordered my entree and drank; the moment was perfect. It wasn’t often I spent time just enjoying the peaceful tranquility surrounding me.

The waiter returned and set a glass of Chardonnay in front of me. It was a less expensive bottle of my least favorite wine. Questioningly, I stared at him.

“From the gentleman at the bar.”

I glanced over. An older, not overly attractive man gazed at me, lifting a glass. Beauty wasn’t as important as intelligence, but he seemed to lack both. He was dressed in a pricy, bold, navy-blue suit with a bright ruby-red tie and pink silk shirt. He reeked of the busy beaches and social bars of Miami, Florida. The obvious tell of too much sun left his face over-tanned with deep-seated wrinkles. I’d never been much for blondes. He seemed to come from money, which didn’t bother me; however, it made him appear arrogant with a lack of empathy.

“Take it back.” I returned to my work.

Nodding, the waiter picked up the glass and left. From across the room, the suitor looked disappointed, yet not discouraged. Ah, he was a man that thought he was entitled to everything and anyone. Ignoring his wondering gaze, I continued with my notes: the DNA of Hunter John Slater when combined with a powerful alien element, has the potential to create a greater, far more superior being.

A thought half-filled my head, and my brow creased as I stopped to consider what I had written. I continued: to achieve progress, one must add a suitable element, not just any will do—again, I stopped. There were too many distractions.

John needed a suitable mate, someone with the same make to create the perfect combination. Not just any partner would do.

Jonas entered and took a seat on the opposite chair. I hadn’t called him, but it was no secret what the itinerary was. One to leave these events early, he was keen to my needs without any summons.

“Are you planning on leaving, sir?” he asked.

I was about to reply when the tousle-haired young man stepped through the doorway, catching my gaze.

“I was, but not just yet. Tell them to send a bottle of cabernet to the table. Two glasses.”

Jonas looked behind him at the young man and raised an eyebrow. Like the good employee he was, he simply asked, “Something the matter, sir?”

Smirking, I said, “No. Quite the opposite, actually.”

“Do we know him?” He rose and stood aside, pulling out a chair.

“Not yet.”

With that, he left.

I lifted my hand and flicked my fingers towards the young man. Come here.