The Director, page 1
THE DIRECTOR
THE MINDBENDER SERIES BOOK 4
C.S. LUIS
Copyright (C) 2021 C.S. Luis
Layout design and Copyright (C) 2022 by Next Chapter
Published 2022 by Next Chapter
Edited by Tyler Colins
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author’s permission.
CONTENTS
1. Chance Meeting
2. Broken
3. Dinner at Chateau Cuisine
4. Shadow Man
5. The Talk
6. Regret
7. The Art Store
8. Together
9. The Reality of the matter
10. Denial
11. The Discovery
12. The strange pain
13. Alien Ghost
14. Recovery
15. The Good Doctor
16. Quick recovery
17. Escape
18. The Vanishing Wound
19. Prom
20. The Watcher
21. Milton’s Prom queen & king
22. The dream
23. Graduation
24. Illusion
25. Unexpected
26. All Eyes on ME
27. The Plan
28. In his room
29. My love
30. Coming together
About the Author
Notes
1
CHANCE MEETING
DR. NICHOLSON
A few months earlier…
I leaned an elbow on the desk. The movement ruffled some pages, crinkling paper, and clacking together some plastic cases. I looked down at a CD labeled with a black marker. The lines were thin, neat, my own handwriting visible in the code that I’d designed. To an outsider, it would seem to be nothing more than innocuous business dealings. Not the science tools of a scientist; no ordinary person would comprehend the genetic terms. I’d been the only one to understand and decode the structure of Alien DNA within the Company. The patterns that analyzed maps of an alien body. The mechanics and schematics created for this particular product—a project that had unforeseen peculiarities. And given life to a foreign technology and had unearthed possibilities yet unforeseeable.
I lifted my elbow and reached for the desk drawer. As I pulled it out, it stuck. Frowning, I pulled harder. The wood squeaked but came free.
The drawer was a front. It could have belonged to anyone with its array of loose paperclips, a few ballpoint pens, and a pad of paper. People rarely looked beneath the surface. I counted on that. Even the Company was victim to this particular human failing, even when they thought they were the ones behind it. There was always someone else behind everything. I made certain of that. No one knew how deep the well went.
Except for, perhaps, me.
I unscrewed one of the ballpoint pens and tipped it into the small hole underneath the drawer. The false bottom came loose, revealing the few documents that no one else ever saw.
One of my devices skittered around the drawer, a robotic spider looking for all intents and purposes. I let it latch its legs onto my finger; it knew me and soon moved back to the dark corner of the drawer. It would be waiting, should anyone find the hidden compartment.
I pulled out the stack of papers and discs, flipping through them. These results were not what I wanted, not at all. I returned the papers and discs back inside the false bottom of the drawer.
I took my seat at the desk, with all my instruments. The lab assistants continued to work while I stepped away to handle the duties of a Director to a Venator. It was time to make a call.
Pulling up to my computer, I laid my hand upon the mouse, clicking through the various screens until I found the one I was looking for. Before I logged in, I included several files on the screen. When my image popped on the monitor, John would see the files on his end and a clear image of me in the center of his monitor.
The chat video came up; a young man with brown golden locks, and a boyish face with a chiseled jaw appeared. He was nothing what others would assume was a threat as he stared back at me from the computer screen.
The room he sat in was dimly lit, revealing enough to see a bedroom. It was the rental where agents retrieved their assignments and instructions. Today was the beginning of John’s assignment in a high school located in the state of Texas. The small metal insects we’d sent had revealed there was a potential ET product at this site. The indicators had stopped where they had felt surges of electrical currents that were outside the norm.
John was well built and strong, with broad shoulders. The genetic material used to create him was of a superior make. It didn’t surprise me why he was so strong and appeared far bigger than the average human. His eyes were far more alien, emerald-green, more intense than those of normal green eyes. He was a success, because no one suspected that he was a hybrid.
In fact, he was the first successful creation of his kind. Jack had been a failure not by his aptitudes but by his lack of obedience and ability to follow orders. He was rebellious in every sense of the word and a distraction to my obedient hybrid. If he weren’t such a rebellious boy, he would be the perfect combination of hunter and soldier. However, what he lacked in discipline, John made up for.
Dressed in a dark blue tracksuit, John looked alert and ready to engage in discussion with me.
“I see you have arrived well,” I said in greeting.
“Ready and alert, sir.” He smiled confidently. No doubt his handsome good looks gave him an advantage over his peers.
John was perfect in definition, both physically and mentally. He was a true chameleon in the world.
“I’m going to assume that Joseph has briefed you on the importance of this assignment?”
He gave me his undivided attention. John was well disciplined for a boy of 17, and one of my best recruits. He had been trained by drill sergeants, learning the craft at an early age, and knew his place.
“Yes, sir.” He placed his hands on the table, awaiting my next words like an obedient dog. However, when I said nothing, he continued, “Joseph has informed me of the possible discovery of an alien product.”
“Correct. We detected a sighting of the product escapee but are unable to confirm its exact whereabouts at the present time.” Confirmation of a surge had alerted our detectors. “It moves quickly. The devices confirmed its last sighting before they were no longer responsive. Which means, whatever or whomever destroyed the metal insect indicators, knew what they were. As you are aware, the devices can only be destroyed by alien interference. Its capability to reconstruct its body to its original form makes it an effective instrument.”
Another file appeared on the screen at his end. The file revealed the location the target was last spotted. It was a building with lovely Romanesque exterior architecture. John’s eyes sped-read the small bio of the building history and its present status.
“The only intel we’ve received is the sighting at this local high school,” I continued as he perused the file.
An image of a man in his sixties with white hair appeared on the screen. He was dressed in a suit and tie. It had been taken from his school profile. “This is the principal of Milton High, Dr. Neil Edwards.”
John examined the image closely. He had a way of taking in all the details of one’s face. It was a skill that had served me well, a skill that didn’t stop with just taking great care in observation. Yet, then again, the boy had a gift for picking up anything fairly quickly, whether it was a physical skill, learning a new language, or anything else I put in front of him. He never disappointed me. He absorbed everything. He adapted, a true alien anomaly.
“As of yesterday, he is deceased, victim of a heart attack according to the authorities. A man by the name Michael McClellan has been temporarily appointed by the School District as his substitute. They were good friends.”
More files appeared on his screen: one of Dr. Neil Edwards, and others on Michael McClellan, James Claypool, Richard Vasquez, Alice Wallace, and of the two security officers the school had to offer.
“This is the school staff. Study them. Learn everything about them,” I instructed.
John straightened and nodded. His eyes were glued to the screen. He would soak up every bit of information I offered.
“Yes, sir …”
So obedient.
“You will assume the identity of student name Christian Müller."
John furrowed his brow. Had he recognized the name of a once-promising cadet?
“Joseph will accompany you on this mission.”
The furrow turned into a look of annoyance, or perhaps disapproval. “Sir? Joseph? Does he have a role? I don’t necessarily need a guardian for a school walk-through.”
Disappointed by his quick response without the final details of the assignment, I refrained from answering too quickly out of anger. Not to mention he had the audacity to ask me anything …
“Joseph has a role. Not only as your guardian but as Dr. Neil Edwards’ official replacement. You will accompany him; he will presume the name of Dr. Joseph Müller. He is your uncle,” I explained patiently.
“Uncle?”
Things now seemed far clearer to him. There were fleeting expressions in his eyes that he tried to hide: surprise and satisfaction. Ah, clever, those eyes said.
“All the documents that you will require are in the yellow envelope inside the desk’s top drawer.”
John opened the drawer and pulled out the envelope and examined the items: driver’s license, legal certificates, social identification cards, all the necessary documents to confirm who he was, if needed.
“Joseph has received the details of his assignment. I want you to accompany him when he introduces himself to the staff. Get a feel for the place and the school administrators. Make a good impression.”
The last part of my instructions seemed to confuse the young hunter. Which pushed me to ask the obvious question. “Is there a part of your assignment that confuses you, John?”
“Make a good impression on who, sir?”
I didn’t answer his question, merely smiled. Let him consider it for a moment.
“Remember the ET product is not so easily fooled. Be prepared for anything—”
“Detect, engage, retrieve, and most importantly, find the source,” he interrupted, speaking arrogantly in a single breath, reiterating previous instructions of past missions.
I continued to explain what was expected of him. “Set the markers. If the source is detected the devices will confirm its presence—”
“Yes, sir. I know the procedure and how the devices work,” John said haughtily. He acted like a bored teenage boy being lectured by his father.
The stern look I gave did nothing to discourage his position. Nonetheless, no one dared speak to me in that manner; however, I appreciated the boldness when one did. “Very good, then. Do you have any further questions in regard to your assignment?”
John looked ready to engage. The position had taken a different meaning for him. It was more adrenaline fueling, a real-time workout. “No, sir.”
“Good, then. Now, in the envelope you will also find your new housing location. I’ve secured a new rental for you and Joseph in the fashionable River Oaks area, close to the target destination. You’ll find the details inside.”
“Isn’t that a little too flashy, sir, for the salary of a mere principal?”
Nothing passed him. At least, he was thinking.
“Very good, John. But no, your uncle comes from a wealthy family. The details are all in the envelope, so memorize your family history. You know the procedures.”
“Of course, sir. Forgive me,” he answered. He examined the documents again.
John was always thorough. Following orders was all he had known since birth. He would go through every single detail, memorize important key elements regarding his family history, his name, every part of his profile. If asked any questions an hour after his assignment was given, he would have all the answers.
“Under the bed, you will also find a drawer with a few devices that may be useful in the retrieval of the alien product. Don’t hesitate to use them.”
Devices were important parts of the job.
“One last thing, John. In regards, to your previous question …”
John stared back at the screen, surprised I had returned to a question I had obviously deemed unworthy of an answer.
“It seems that the late Dr. Neil Edwards had one living relative. One that has just now come onto our radar …”
John shot a quizzical look.
“A granddaughter by the name of Claudia Belle. It might be of interest to get to know her. She might widen the social network from another angle. She might be your inside connection.” There had been no plans to include her; however, after some consideration, I concluded that she might offer John an overall advantage.
“Is it your wish for me to interact with her, sir?”
Smiling, I said, “Yes, interact, get to know her, she might offer some information. Waste no time if she offers none. This part of the assignment must be handled discreetly, and a detail not to be discussed with your guardian. He has his own orders.”
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.
