Sitting in the car, I watched the house, running my hands through my hair and wiping at the sweat on my forehead. Gripping tightly the steering wheel, I stared up at her window hoping to get a glimpse of her figure.
Take a breath, John, I told myself. How could she do that to me and not want me to react? I wanted to climb up to that window and be with her.
Shaking my head, I looked into the distance. Turn on the car and go home, Slater. You’ll see her tomorrow, and the next day … and then, before you know it, she’ll be with you forever.
With a single huff and then a grin, I drove off. Thirty minutes later, I was in the driveway of the rental. Why did I leave her? Shaking my head again, the phone still mounted on the car console began to ring.
“John Slater,” I answered without a thought.
“John!” the voice yelled from the other end.
I quickly recognized the voice of my technical assistant, Jason. “It’s me Jason, remember? I know you said never to call you unexpectedly like this, but … well, I felt this was important.”
I tried to interrupt him, but he wouldn’t stop talking.
“Forgive me for the lack of quality in this recording and not calling instead, but … well, remember when I said that the name Belle was familiar to me? Well, because you mentioned you had a date and … um, I was like, that can’t be. But … I didn’t ask, because well ...”
I rolled my eyes. I hated when he went on like this. He laughed a bit. “Well, um … thing is, I wanted to say, just reading off the file and …”
Yeah, I thought wearily as the message droned on. My lips tightened as I waited. What was he trying to say?
“Well, I couldn’t recall from where, but I knew I heard the name somewhere. Then, it hit me—Nicholas Belle! Can’t be the same person. I mean, um … sure I was reading off the file, but did you …”
“What are you talking about Jason? Yeah, so?” I asked the machine. I already knew that. I didn’t see why that was so important.
“Did you really mean Belle? Or was that my bad? You know, it could have been my mistake when I was reading off the file. I could have just thought you said that you’re dating a ‘belle’. Did you?”
Getting out of the car, I started to walk. “Yes, so just get to it,” I whispered half to myself and half to the recording. The anxiety that was starting to fill my chest was an unfamiliar emotion.
“It might have been my mistake. Anyway, this Nicholas Belle is employed by The Company. The same company you and I work for. He’s dead. But I’m sure you already knew that.”
“What?” I stopped walking as I let the new information sink in. Understanding what that meant, I hurried into the house.
I found Joseph in the kitchen on his laptop. He closed it as soon as he saw me. I dropped the phone in front of him, turning on the speaker.
“What’s up?” he greeted before I motioned to the phone. He stopped.
Jason’s message continued and Joseph listened attentively. “And that’s not all. Nicholas Belle is the adopted son of The Company’s founder, Vladimir Valentin.”
Joseph glanced at me. There were wrinkles of uncertainty on his face.
I motioned for him to continue listening.
“The file I found on him said he was the only male mind-sifter to exist. If it’s something you’re working on, I thought it might be important. He had a daughter by the same name you mentioned. Can’t be the same girl, can she?
“According to The Company’s records, she went missing a long time ago. There’s not a trace on her, or at least not in the file. It looks like The Company went through a lot to hide this information. But I can break through any code. Just remember who you’re talking to. Hope this helps, John. Hey, so you think we can …”
The message stopped, self-deleted. It was gone and had cut him off.
Joseph glanced over.
“Nicholas Belle is the founder’s adopted son,” I muttered. “Do you know what that means?” I was frightened. My lips quivered.
“John, take it easy. She can’t be the same person. You heard Jason; he wasn’t even sure.”
“No, he’s sure. We know Nicholas Belle is her father.”
“It can’t be the same man.”
“Why are you denying this, Joseph? Claudia is in danger. This is far worse than I thought. He said there is no record of her. Then, how is she here? Why are they hiding that she once existed? Claudia told me her father was hiding from someone, that he was afraid of the bad people. He was afraid they would take her away. Explain that to me, Joseph!” The volume of my voice rose with every word I spoke.
“John—”
“Why are you so calm? Can’t you see what’s happening here?” A glare from me didn’t move him to react. Then, I realized something. “You knew … didn’t you? You knew all along who Nicholas Belle truly was? And you didn’t say anything.” This sting of betrayal was stronger than when he had reported me to Dr. Nicholson.
He scanned my face, his expression neutral. “I thought it was irrelevant. Of no use to the mission.”
“What? Irrelevant?”
“Obviously, things have changed.” Joseph stated.
“You think? What else have you kept from me? Do they know about her?”
“They know nothing, John. Now, will you just relax? It’s better this way. Better that no one knows she’s here, or who she truly is.”
“I can’t relax … I have to protect Claudia. You sure as hell don’t seem to care what happens to her.”
“That’s not true,” he growled, angry.
“I’m taking her with me. We’re leaving right after graduation, so whatever you’re planning, Joseph, it fuckin’ better be good.”
I moved to the steps of the rental and stopped. “You know she wanted me to ask you to come with us …”
I glanced back.
Joseph looked surprised.
“Now, I’m just not sure. I’m not sure if I can trust you. You keep challenging my trust.”
“John—”
I didn’t want to hear it and rushed up the stairs, brushing away his excuses. “I’m going to bed,” I yelled.