Charlie drove in silence, out of the city and into the countryside, Daffodil giving directions.
“Turn left here,” she said, as they approached their destination.
He pulled into a secluded driveway. The safe house was a modern two-storey building hidden behind a high wall and overlooking a large garden. In one corner was a huge oak with a tree house built into its upper branches. A makeshift swing consisting of a rope and tyre dangled from one thick bough. At the bottom, separated by a wire fence, was a field containing a parked tractor.
They drove into an adjoining garage and pulled down the corrugated iron door. The house was unlocked and keys hung from a hook in the hall.
Gerry Ray was gone.
The pair trooped into a spacious living room, furnished with expensive leather couches. On one wall was a map of Edinburgh. A huge PC sat on a desk beside open French windows, curtains billowing in the breeze. Outside was a wooden balcony with a view across the Pentland Hills.
“Fancy, ain’t it?” Daffodil said admiringly. “Your dad must be richer than a gold-plated chocolate cake to afford such a swell pad.”
“I’m pretty sure Frankie supplied the funds.” Charlie went looking for the kitchen. “I’m going to make some tea and then we’ll talk.”
“No sugar for me, Chaz. I’m sweet enough.”
“Make your own damned tea. Can’t you get it into your head that we’re not friends?”
Charlie stormed out of the room, leaving Daffodil sitting on the wide chesterfield couch. But he came back with two cups on the tray.
“Cheers.” She accepted the brew. “Hospitality is the cornerstone of civilisation, as Grandma used to say.”
“You remember your grandmother?”
“Nah. I was just making conversation.”
“Can’t you be serious for one sodding minute?” Charlie sank onto the couch beside her. “Doesn’t the situation we’re in even bother you?”
“That’s why I’m trying to lighten the mood, dummy.” Daffodil sipped her drink. “But I’m happy to stop jokin if you’ll start comin clean.”
“How do you mean?”
“Look.” She grabbed his hands and turned them over so the palms were showing. “Last night these were cut to ribbons. Now you’re completely healed.”
“They were just some splinters.”
“You also beat up an armed intruder who looked like a shaved gorilla.” The girl wasn’t put off. “Wanna tell me how you managed that?”
“No.”
“You really need to work on your communication skills, Chaz.”
“I mean I don’t want to talk about it. And stop calling me Chaz.”
“You got nobody left to confide in, bub.” Daffodil swivelled round in her seat until she was looking him in the eye. “So how about pullin that grouchy head out of your butt for five minutes, huh? What are you hidin?”
Charlie stared at the floor for a while. When he looked up, his eyes were red-rimmed.
“I’ve always been sickly. Had severe bouts of meningitis ever since I was a baby.”
Daffodil touched her neck. Charlie guessed Frankie was informing her that meningitis was a life-threatening viral infection.
“Oof,” she said. “Sounds pretty bad.”
“A month ago I had another attack. One that turned into pneumonia. I was hospitalised and my parents thought I was going to die.” His voice was flat. “I was sure it was why my dad left. Because he couldn’t deal with me any more.”
“I can understand his point.”
“Mac. If I’m going to make the effort…”
“Sorry, force of habit. Go on.”
“Then, suddenly, I was fine.” Charlie’s hands trembled and he almost spilled his drink. “The doctors had never seen anything like it. What’s more, I haven’t had a day’s illness since.”
“That’s good, ain’t it?”
“I’m not just fine.” He blew on his tea. “I’m… different.”
“Howd’ya mean?”
“It’s going to sound weird.”
“You don’t say?” Daffodil feigned surprise. “And I been havin such a normal couple of days.”
“I’m faster and stronger than I used to be.” Charlie flexed his muscles. “What’s more, I can perform Olympic-level gymnastics or black-belt kung fu or play guitar like a rock star, just by watching someone do it on TV. I could manage that van after five minutes of looking at my mother drive.” He seemed lost for a second. “I didn’t tell Mum about my abilities ’cause I was scared. But I guess she spotted it anyway.” He shook his head sadly. “She obviously knew a lot more than she was letting on.”
“Handy talent to have, instant expertise.” Daffodil was suitably impressed. “No wonder Frankie picked you.”
“I ain’t convinced that’s the reason.” Charlie’s voice was suddenly huskier and his accent took on a weird twang. “I’m five foot five and weigh eighty pounds. Hardly the type to save the world, huh?”
“Holy cow!” Daffodil’s jaw dropped. “You sound exactly like me.”
“Told you.” His tone returned to normal. “There’s nothing I can’t copy.”
“You got any idea how it happened?”
“Didn’t have a clue until I talked to Dad.”
“Ole hairy-face didn’t say anything about that. I was listenin.”
“Worked it out myself,” Charlie said flatly. “Right after he broke into Manticorps’ Marginal Research Division, I miraculously began to recover. All signs of meningitis and pneumonia gone.” He closed his eyes. “My father didn’t infiltrate Manticorps to free Frankie. He went to steal the Atlas Serum.”
“The stuff that makes soldiers faster and stronger?”
“And resistant to disease.” Charlie sipped his tea. “He sacrificed his own freedom in the hope that some experimental drug would give me the strength to survive.”
“No kiddin!”
“He probably went straight to the hospital after he escaped from Manticorps’ labs and made me drink it. I was so delirious, I wouldn’t even have known he was there.”
“Seems like it worked. And your pop’s a regular hero, to boot.” Daffodil looked bewildered. “So why ain’t you happier?”
“You heard him. The Atlas Serum wasn’t only designed to make soldiers stronger and smarter. It made them more aggressive too. And we’re talking about trained, disciplined men, not a short-arsed teenager.” Charlie studied his hands but there wasn’t a mark on them. “Whatever is running through my veins is changing me. And for the worse.”
“You talkin about sproutin hair and extra teeth?” The girl shuffled back and held up her hands. “Do I need to fetch a rolled-up newspaper?”
“Who knows? I’m trying to control my new abilities, but I don’t know if I can.” Charlie rapped white knuckles against his head. “I’m always angry these days. Can’t remember the last time I smiled.”
“You’re a teenager,” Daffodil said sympathetically. “I doubt anyone will notice.”
“I don’t think the way I used to either. My mind makes leaps of logic it wasn’t capable of before.”
“That so? Gimme an example.”
“OK.” Charlie pointed to the computer. “If Dad wanted to talk to me last night, Frankie could have accessed my PC from right here in this room.”
“What about Manticorps’ bugs?”
“A running tap or radio hiss will disrupt any listening device.” Charlie spread his hands. “Why go to all the trouble of sending you?”
“Maybe he thought I should get out more. I’m kinda lackin in the life-experience department.”
“I think Frankie knew a set of short-circuited devices and a strange girl climbing my drainpipe would force Manticorps into action,” Charlie said glumly. “Their goons would move in and I’d have to go on the run. It was his way of guaranteeing I’d end up here.” The boy’s lip curled in revulsion. “Now I’ve got no choice but to fight back if my family is ever going to be safe.”
“That’s pretty sneaky.” Daffodil pouted. “I’m gettin awful tired of bein used, Chaz. Or maybe I’m just tired. I haven’t slept for almost two days now.” She yawned loudly. “There’s only one way we can find out what’s really goin on. We gotta talk to Frankie.”