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After a quiet dinner in the dining room, we went back to the suite and talked about our situation. We all agreed we couldn't make any real plans until we understood what it was that Dr. Braun wanted from us. We figured it had something to do with the medical project, but we couldn't come up with anything that made sense. We had been cooperating with Dr. Wainwright and his team. There was no need to force our participation.
We talked about possible escape plans. Could we get to a radio or find our phones? If we did find our phones, would they even work here? If we could free Jared and Chance, would they require medical care? Would they be able to walk for miles through the jungle?
Cassie didn't want her pregnancy to be a liability, but I felt strongly that we had to be conscious of her condition and not allow her to take undue risks.
At some point, we switched gears and prepared for our meeting with Dr. Braun the next day. In the short term, we'd be forced to cooperate with whatever he suggested but, once we understood what he was after, we would regroup and come up with a plan. In preparation for the challenges of the coming day, we all tried to sleep. I think each of us managed to sleep at least a couple hours.
XXX
I was up first, so I started the coffee pot for the others, made myself a cup of tea and took my turn in the shower. We filled a bag with laundry as Katrin had instructed us. When I was going through my pockets before putting my jeans in the bag, I found Agent Driscoll's card. I stared at it for a couple of minutes trying to send him the message that we needed help. I was sure several people had already figured that out, but I was concerned they wouldn't be able to track us to wherever the lodge was located. I tucked the card in my pocket just before there was a knock on the door.
One of the things on our list for today was to figure out how many people were in the lodge. We made a list of those we'd already seen—Dr. Braun, Katrin, Tattoo, Blank, and Dr. Wainwright. Each of us was trying to be as observant as possible. We would all contribute whatever information we could, but we also assigned focus areas. Since Gracie Layne seemed to be less involved in whatever was going on, we assigned her to count doors and memorize what she could of the layout of the building. Cassie was focused on people. My assignment was to make note of anything that could be used as a weapon or a tool to aid our escape.
We were led back to the conference room where we were taken the day before. Katrin and Dr. Braun were already in the room. I was surprised when Katrin took a seat. I assumed she was just there delivering the pitcher of water and glasses that now sat in the middle of the table. Clearly there was more to her role here than I thought.
Dr. Braun said, "I know you have questions, but after I explain why you're here, there'll be no need to discuss them."
That wasn't an auspicious beginning.
"Mrs. Dickenson, you and the elder Ms. Mason, were participating in a medical investigation into the care you received in the Idaho wilderness. Dr. Wainwright was leading a team trying to duplicate the salve that was used to treat your wounds. I think both of you are aware of the speculation that the unique ingredient in this medication is some biological byproduct from what you Americans call bigfoot.
"We backed the research by Mr. Randerran, who I believe you both had the pleasure of meeting. Unfortunately, our efforts with that program came to an early end. It was fortuitous that the amazing healing properties of the medication used to treat your wounds came to light before our efforts in the US had been totally disbanded."
"Dr. Braun," Cassie said, "could you get to the point."
"The point is that Dr. Wainwright is not qualified to lead the project to its logical conclusion. That is why you've been brought here."
"So, he did experiment on Chance and Jared," I said.
"He has been working to create a formula which duplicates the healing properties of the original salve. As you might imagine, we don't see the need to go through typical clinical trials. Again, fortune smiled on us. Dr. Wainwright's ineptitude provided us with the incentive required to get you ladies here to the lodge where we can adequately examine and monitor you."
"We were cooperating with the study in the US," I said. "Why do we need to be here?"
"I'm afraid the potential of this is far too important to trust to someone of Dr. Wainwright's questionable intelligence. I must oversee this project myself. Starting today, you'll be given a battery of lab tests and physical examinations."
"And if we refuse?" Cassie asked.
"Your husband is recovering well, but health can be such a transient thing."
"You're holding Chance and Jared hostage to force us to participate in your little science experiment," I said.
"A crude, but not inaccurate description of the situation," he said.
"You'll be well fed and well treated during your stay with us."
"What is it you think you'll get out of this?" Cassie asked. "What's your end game?"
"When we are successful, our organization will be returned to its prior status as one of the greatest powers on earth."
"And what is this organization?"
"I'm sure you've heard of us, but your history books paint us in a less than favorable light. That's what forces us to make our discoveries hidden away in these dark jungles."
"What about me?" Gracie Layne asked. "I didn't have any magic medical treatment to make me of interest to you."
"That's true. Dr. Wainwright should not have involved you in this, but since he did it provides us with an opportunity of comparison between your genetics and those of your sister. I believe our studies will show us some remarkable differences."
He stood up and started toward the door. "Wait," Cassie said. "If you expect us to cooperate, we want a daily visit with Jared and Chance. We want to confirm that they're alive before we allow you to use us as test subjects."
"Escort them to the medical unit. Give them five minutes then bring them to my office."