Whistleblower (2 page)

She could almost hear her sister’s voice. “
It’s always all about Marley
.”

Marley reached up to wipe away tears from her cheek and found her hand shaking. Okay, this wasn’t getting her very far. She had to find help.

Her mind brought up the image of the man whose essence surrounded her. ‘You’re safe’. She clung to his words because she had felt them to be true. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

For a minute, she bathed in the thought until reality forced its way in. He couldn’t keep her safe. She wondered if anyone could. Marley slumped back against the wall and pressed her hands over her face.

If her logic was right, they’d already killed outright at least once. Not to mention the other deaths they were covering up. She wanted to curse Galan Bone but couldn’t bring herself to do it. Why did he have to leave a note for her? Why not send it to someone who could do something?

She drew in a deep breath. He’d sent it to her because she would do something about it, where he didn’t dare. Okay, maybe that wasn’t nice. The man was dead, but it was the truth, and it was time she started to do some thinking so she didn’t end up the same way. It was only pure chance she’d survived until now.

With a glance at the door, she started to work her way out of the wet clothes. The towel was large, thick and heavenly as were the clothes. The man had been lean in the hips but she still had to cinch the drawstring up to keep them from falling off her waist and then roll up the legs a good four inches. The top she could’ve almost worn on its own as a dress. Instead of rolling up the sleeves, she let them hang over her hands enjoying the warmth.

A sigh escaped her as she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a mad disarray of limp tangles. Make up, well she hadn’t started with any but knew she sure needed something to cover the circles under her eyes.

She looked a mess, which her sister would say was normal. She’d never been big on her looks, but she still had enough vanity to not want to appear in front of the gorgeous man who’d saved her looking like a drowned lab rat.

The comb on the counter was undoubtedly his. Marley only hesitated a second before picking it up. With her mass of hair, she preferred a brush, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. She had absolutely nothing, not even a penny in her pocket, just a small memory card which would likely get her killed, and if she managed to survive, it would tear apart the company she worked for.

Taking one final look in the mirror, Marley decided she looked as good as she could. She opened the door cautiously. The empty bedroom carried only faint signs of the man who lived there. Keys and a wallet sat on the dresser, tempting Marley to check the ID. She shrugged off the idea, figuring after the way he’d treated her, she couldn’t be so rude.

Still, she couldn’t keep herself from looking around. She smiled, liking the feel of the room. The bedroom was so large even the king sized bed, with its heavy wood frame and matching dresser, didn’t overshadow it. The only thing that could be considered out of place was the open armoire doors, revealing a large flat screen TV. Everything else appeared neat and tidy. Even the bed was made. She could appreciate that. She liked order.

The clothes in the walk-in closet didn’t even fill a fifth of the space. There were two suits hanging there, but the rest of the clothes looked about evenly split between dressy casual and work around the house and yard.

Feeling uncomfortable about intruding anymore, Marley made her way down the hall following the faint sounds of movement. For a big man, he moved extremely quiet. She froze, catching sight of him in the kitchen. It hit her she didn’t even know his name. He’d told her, she was pretty certain of that, but couldn’t recall it.

Never really one to feel comfortable meeting new people, especially handsome men, she stood there uncertain how to approach. This man wasn’t only handsome, he was large, with a powerful aura about him.

What did you say to a man who had probably saved your life, took a shower with, though clothed, and you didn’t know his name? Add to that, if he knew the mess you were in, he would wish he’d never met you.

Locked in her turbulent thoughts, it took a second for her to realize he was watching her.

“It’s all right, come on in.” He had a low voice, not gravelly, but a hint of rumble.

Marley found herself moving forward.

“Are you hungry?”

She nodded, knowing if she opened her mouth, she couldn’t get the simple words out.

“Good, I hope you like chili, it’s homemade. I actually make a pretty decent chili. Not too spicy. I hate to burn my taste buds off. It’s just thick with lots of flavor. Here at the counter okay?”

Marley nodded again. She knew he was talking to help her relax and appreciated his effort. When he turned to spoon up the chili, she slid around the counter onto a stool.

Like his bedroom, this room was large. It opened to the family room with only an island counter dividing the rooms. A bay window jutted out to one side with a table set in it. Windows ran from the ceiling to a padded window bench on one wall of the family room, giving a great view of the outdoors. Unfortunately, the mountains were obscured by thick clouds and rain.

Marley turned back as he placed the food in front of her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He came around and settled in the seat next to her while she took a bite. She almost groaned with the sensation of food hitting her stomach, not realizing how hungry she was.

“Is it okay?”

“Oh yes. It’s wonderful.” She glanced over to find him watching her and dropped the spoon. It clattered to the counter and onto the floor. “Sorry,” Marley gasped, embarrassed at her clumsiness.

“No harm done.” He was already off his stool retrieving the spoon. With a casual flip, he tossed it into the sink and reached into a drawer for a new one.

Marley could feel the color heat her face and knew she was about to start stuttering. She hated when she did that. Why couldn’t she talk like she did when discussing chemical compounds or theories? “I, I don’t even know y-your name.” Fighting to get the words out right didn’t help. Thankfully, he didn’t comment on her difficulty.

“Zan, Zan Masters.”

When he looked at her, she knew he expected her to say her name. “I wa … ant to thank you, Mr. Masters.”

“Just Zan.”

“Zan.” She liked his name. It was different. Like him. “I’ve never met anyone named Zan before. Is it a family name?” Marley couldn’t believe she’d actually asked the question without stumbling over it.

“Sort of. My grandfather’s name was Zedekiah, my father Zeke, and I have a twin, Zac.”

“You have a twin?” Marley couldn’t imagine two men looking like him.

“Identical, though I’m almost an inch taller. He won’t admit that though, says it’s barely a half inch.” There was no missing the teasing before he turned serious. “Are you going to tell me your name?”

“You might be better off if I didn’t.” It took her a second to realize she actually said it out loud. When she raised her eyes to him, she found him studying her.

“Are you in trouble with the law?” he asked without pause.

The question took Marley by surprise. She’d never been in trouble with the law in her life. She’d never even been pulled over for a speeding ticket. It took a second for her to answer. Her head shook negative first then the word came out. “No.”

He studied her. She knew he was making up his mind if he believed her. It didn’t take him long to nod.

Warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the food or the temperature of the house. The look in his eyes took her breath, and she became lost in pale, ice-blue eyes as they burned into her. Her chest tightened. A wicked smile crossed his face as if he read his effect on her.

“It’ll be all right.” His voice rumbled over her, bringing a wave of tingling with it.

“Marley,” she whispered but he heard.

The smile deepened along with the lines around his eyes. “It will be all right, Marley.” There was no doubting the promise in his tone, and for a moment, Marley let herself believe it true while she ate. Silence settled over them so easily, it surprised Marley when he spoke again.

“The phones are out. The storm must be affecting them, and I’m afraid we’re trapped here because there’s a ton of debris that came down the river and caught on the bridge. It will take a couple days to clear. But don’t worry, as soon as I can get a hold of the sheriff’s department, we can hook up a line to get you across.” He added quickly as if to relieve any fears that might have risen.

“Until then, I’ve plenty of supplies, and the house is built to be self-sufficient. Heating, power, water are all on solar cells that have a backup that’ll last awhile. Plus there’s always wood.” He nodded out the window.

“This is beautiful. I never even knew there was a house back in here.”

“It’s about a half mile to the road. I like the privacy.”

“Then I came along.”

“I don’t mind. Though, I’m still trying to figure out how you got here.” He looked at her, leaving it open, waiting for her to answer.

“I-I got lost in the st-storm.” The stammering over the words came back with a vengeance. She was a lousy liar, even when it was mostly the truth. She really had been lost or more correctly, just had no idea where she was going.

For an instant, the eyes watching her became glacial, and Marley couldn’t meet them. “Do, do you mind if, if I rest for a min-minute?”

There was a second’s hesitation as if he thought to say something but shook his head. “You can use the room that’s the first door down the hall on the left.”

“I’ll, I’ll just stay out here if you d-don’t mind.” For some reason, Marley found she was unwilling to leave his presence.

Zan stood and walked to the window seat and raised one of the sections, taking out a fluffy throw. “You can put this around you.” He dropped it on the brown leather couch which sat between the kitchen area and the large rock fireplace, facing the windows.

“Thank you.”

Her course to the couch took her within a foot of him. He shifted slightly drawing her attention as if she wasn’t aware of him already. He towered over her, with his broad chest and shoulders. The memory of being pressed into his chest surfaced with a wave of heat.

Clinically, she’d say he was a perfect specimen of manhood. Something inside her said he was more than just good-looking, which was a problem. She didn’t have any experiences to draw from on how to handle a man like Zan Masters. He was way out of her league, but for a moment, maybe she could just dream she wasn’t an egghead nerdette, and she could attract a man like him, because she was definitely attracted.

Slowly her gaze slid up the column of his throat, over the strong chin dusted with dark stubble. His lips were thick, masculine, and she itched to raise her finger to trace them. Her breathing picked up a beat.

He had a fascinating mouth. One corner twitched a little and lifted, drawing her eyes up to meet his, and the air caught in her throat. The clear blue eyes blazed back at her like the hot blue flame of a torch as if he knew what she contemplated and was daring her to act.

“You can trust me, Marley.” The husky words wrapped around her in a duel promise. He would help and be there for her.

“You don’t know me.” She found the words.

“For some reason, it doesn’t matter.” He lifted a hand to smooth back a lock of hair that clung to her cheek.

Marley found she wanted to curl into the touch as she did to the man, which was a totally foreign reaction to her. Her eyes drifted closed as she fought for control. At the feather-light brush on her forehead, her eyes snapped back open. His face was only an inch from hers, and she wondered if it truly had been his lips brushing her and not just her imagination.

“Get some rest.” He reached around her to pick up the throw, letting it unfold as he draped it over her shoulders. “Then, if you want, we can talk.” He turned and disappeared into the hall.

It took a full minute before Marley could break the trance of staring after him and settle on the couch. She wrapped up in the blanket, snuggling into the warmth, dozing lightly.

It gave her comfort hearing him moving around. There was something in knowing he was there that settled her. Her mind recorded the sound of the washer starting, then him in the kitchen. She didn’t want to give into the exhaustion chasing her and sleep.

On its own accord, her mind drifted back to the morning. It had started so much the same as any other. She got to work, checked over her specimens. It was almost noon when she slid the last tray of petri dishes she had been studying back into their slot and went to her computer to record the data. Finishing, the message notice caught her eye. She opened it.

If this message is delivered I am probably dead.

Marley froze. “What kind of a sick joke,” she said to herself then looked at the sender, Galen Bone. Dread filled her because he really was dead. Two days ago, there was a fire at his house. He’d been asleep and hadn’t awakened to get out.

Her mind brought up the image of the fidgety man. He was barely her height with hair that always looked like he’d been running his fingers through it because he had, leaving it in a mad scientist look. He had a hawk-like nose and bushy eyebrows. He was so totally locked up in his work he barely seemed to function in the real world. Still, they had managed a kind of friendship. She read on.

You must get the file to the proper people, but it can’t be anyone dealing with the Gladiator program. I didn’t know. I am sorry to put you in danger, but you are the only one I trust to do the right thing.

A file and password were the only things in the way of a signature. Marley couldn’t take her eyes off the screen. She wanted to believe it really was a sick joke but didn’t. Still she reread the note once more.

Her fingers shook as she called up the file and entered the password. She knew of the project, though wasn’t working on it, but she’d helped with some of the early development until they closed it off to all but a very small team.

Gladiator was the nickname for a drug they were developing for the military to help boost strength and stamina of soldiers in combat situations. Her eyes flipped over the technical notes going unerringly for the most recent findings.

Ice filled her as she read of a test subject going into a mad rage, destroying everything in his sight until he dropped dead. Massive coronary was listed as the cause of death. The man’s heart had literally burst in his chest.

The findings were glazed over as a missed defect in the man, but there were others. After Marley read of the fifth, she skipped ahead to the end of the report. Galen had tagged on a note.

To date, three men died at their own hands after going insane. Others had become what could only be described as berserkers and died from blood loss or heart failure.

Eleven men dead, twelve counting Galen, an even dozen.

Marley thought she would be sick. She wanted to deny it, to close out the file and pretend she hadn’t seen what was in it, what the people she worked for, worked with, were doing, but there was no way she could.

It was why Galen had left her the file. He knew she couldn’t ignore it. She just didn’t know what to do with it. Her heart thundered, as if just reading about the drug’s effects could bring on a coronary.

She had to think. It was what she was supposed to be good at, but the whole thing jumbled her mind. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

First, she had to copy the data, but there was no way she could smuggle out disks or a memory stick, and the computer system was safeguarded from sending out information. Security systems were tight. Without Galen’s code, she would’ve never been able to access the program.

That brought up another detail. How long would it be before Galen’s access was removed? It could be erased at any time. She couldn’t risk waiting. Marley pushed her fingers up into her hair, much the same way Galen used to. Dropping her elbows on the desk, she glanced at the player that she listened to while running.

Snatching it up, it took several extra seconds to remove the tiny memory card because her fingers were shaking. Placing the card into the slot, all Marley could do was pray that the file would load onto the card. She held her breath and pressed the download command. She could hardly believe it when the transfer indicator popped up. Time felt like it stood still.

The sound of the door opening across the lab surprised her, and she nearly tipped over in her chair. Marley looked up to see Oscar Hymas, section supervisor over Gladiator, enter the room and almost panicked. Slowly, Marley moved her hand over to close the file, bringing her project reports back up.

Her heart pounded as the man headed her direction. Glancing back at the memory ports, she shifted her notepad up so it covered them. Marley erased the last line of notes and started to retype it in, ignoring the approaching man.

“Miss Reynolds.” He stopped beside her, waiting for her undivided attention.

Marley looked up into his dark, beady, little eyes and shivered. It was a common reaction to him. He reminded her of a rat, even his nose twitched as if smelling her out like a morsel of food to steal. He made her nervous, always watching her.

“Dr. Hymas.” She stressed the term doctor because he seemed to forget it when referring to her, though her degrees outnumbered his.

“I wanted to come by to let you know I considered you very carefully to take over for Galen. Your qualifications are most satisfactory.”

“I c-couldn’t leave my project on a broad based flu serum. It’s too important.”

“Yes, I was informed. I still wanted you to know I thought of you.”

A chill went over her at him thinking of her. She managed a swallow. “Well, thank you. So you’re going on with the pr-project?” She stumbled over the word, her nervousness making her stutter.

“Yes, of course. It’s almost finished. It will be going out to the military in just over a month.” His pointed nose tilted in the air as he looked down at her.

“A month?” Marley gasped. “What of the testing?” She burst out then caught herself. “It can’t be near completion.”

“Near enough. The findings are strong. The military wants it.”

Marley couldn’t believe the man could callously make such a statement. She knew he would have all the information on the deaths. There were notes made by him as he observed the testing.

“We’ve a few minor glitches we’re working on, but it should be released on time.”

Minor glitches.
She wanted to yell.
Men were going insane and dying.

“Well, would you?” Oscar Hymas sounded annoyed.

“What?” Marley stared at him, trying to switch her thinking around to what she’d missed.

“Would you like to have lunch with me today?” His features tightened, making his face appear more rodent-like.

“Oh.” Marley swallowed back a wave of nausea that came as much from the thought of having lunch with him as trying to smuggle out the file. “I hav-ve a dentist appointment. I have to leave s-soon.”

His eyes hardened to black points. “Another time then.”

Marley could only nod. He stood over her nearly a full minute longer before he turned and walked away without a parting word. Hearing the door close, Marley slumped back in her seat. She had to get out of there. They were giving the drug to the military in just a month. She had to stop it.

Switching the computer to the memory card, it indicated the file had been successfully downloaded. Still, she checked to make sure the information was all there before removing it, and shutting down the computer.

Marley started to return the card to her player then hesitated, nervous at the thought of putting it there. It wasn’t usual for security to check her player, but it had happened. In fact, they had checked it the day before. She usually left the player in her car to avoid the hassle of security but had forgotten and left it in her pocket again today.

She thought of just dropping the card in her pocket then dismissed the idea as too risky. But it made her remember the small hole she’d found the other day in the pocket lining of her suede leather jacket. She’d meant to fix it last night but had gotten side tracked then ran out of time.

Going to her work counter, she found a tiny plastic sleeve and placed the memory chip inside and sealed it. With the plastic wrapped around the chip, it barely fit through the hole which was only about a half inch long. She worked the chip down to the corner where the seams met. Running her fingers over the seam several times, she was satisfied it couldn’t be felt. With a last steadying breath, she removed her lab coat and pulled on the jacket.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the doorknob. “I can do this,” she said the words to herself. Her legs shook as she took the stairs three flights down. She should’ve taken the elevator, but that would’ve been out of character, and instinct told her she shouldn’t deviate from the norm.

Like I’m some master spy knowing how to act.
She took a deep breath.
I can do this
, she repeated in her mind as she approached security.

“Dr. Reynolds,” the guard greeted as she approached.

“Hi, Mike.”

“You left your lunch in your car again?” The guard was nearing retirement and had a warm smile.

“Oh, no.” Marley dropped her keys and player into a tray. “I have a d-dentist appointment.” She fumbled over the words, and for once in her life, was thankful for her slight stuttering problem.

“Have a cavity?”

“I’m afraid s-so.” She held her breath stepping through the metal detector, praying that the small chip wouldn’t be detected.

When no blaring alarm sounded, she almost sank to the ground in relief.

“Well, I’d say have a good day, but I’d better change it to good luck.”

“Thanks, Mike. I’ll need it.”
That was an understatement.
She was about to reach for her keys and player when the door opened behind the security station. Marley recognized the security chief, Calvin Mills, a stone-faced, bull of a man. She found him cold and intimidating. His hand clamped over the player before hers. Mud colored eyes met hers.

“May I?” It wasn’t really a question, but she nodded.

Marley’s heart about sank when he turned the player and flipped open the memory port. If anything, his frown lines deepened, but the face was so immovable it was hard to tell. The man turned the device over and touched the power button. Marley could see the play list come up, and the security man scrolled over the songs. He took a full minute before turning it off and handing it back to her. He didn’t say a word in dismissal as he turned away.

Marley glanced at the older security man. Mike just shrugged. Marley forced a smile, but when she looked back, she could see Calvin Mills standing off to the side, talking on his radio.

Marley made it through the doors and had to keep herself from breaking into a run for her car. Unfortunately, it was in the back of the parking lot. Being a secured place, she always parked in the back, like she took the stairs, for the extra exercise.

She’d almost reached her car when she heard footsteps coming toward her. Marley looked back, catching a glimpse of the tall, smooched-faced man. She quickened her pace. Drew Jansen was Calvin Mills’ right-hand man, and Marley found him even scarier. Where Mills was deadpan, Marley always felt a malevolent streak in Jansen.

Marley just reached her car when the man called out to her. “Dr. Reynolds.”

For a second, she debated on ignoring the man but knew it was no use. “Yes.” She turned back to him, clamping her hand on her keys.

“I wonder if I might have a word with you.” The man sounded far too civilized, especially for someone who looked like he enjoyed pulling wings off of butterflies.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Jansen?”

“You can tell me what you did with the file you accessed. It would make things a whole lot easier.”

The fear Marley had been holding back flooded her, and she fought for calm. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” Her voice trembled slightly, but for once, she didn’t stutter.

“I was doing a computer sweep of Bonehead’s files. I picked up the access and followed it to your terminal and found it had been downloaded,” he glanced at his watch, “about fifteen minutes ago.”

Fifteen minutes, had that been all
? “I’m afraid you’ve made s-some mistake. I don’t have access to Dr. Bones’ files. I was on my terminal f-fifteen minutes ago, but I was recording data on specimen progression. Dr. Hymas was there if you don’t believe me.”

Knowing her bravado was failing, she reached for the car handle. “If you’ll excus-se me, I have−” Marley broke off as a hand gripped her arm, jerking her back around. “Hey. What do you think−” She cut off again at the sight of the hypodermic gun in his hand.

The scream barely made it out of her mouth before he pressed the hypodermic to her neck. The world immediately blurred, and her legs dropped out from under her. A sinewy arm locked around her as her body was pressed against the car.

“Where’s the download?” The words growled in her ear. Offending hands ran over her.

“Not here, you idiot.” The words came through the fog in her mind.

She was aware of being shoved into her car and driven off, but everything remained in a haze. The car turned off the paved road and bounced over deep ruts before it stopped. A few seconds later, rough hands returned to travel over her. Marley wanted to knock them away, to scream for help, but nothing made it past the fuzz of her mind.

“Too bad,” a voice wheezed out. “The Doc’s got a pretty good body.”

“Don’t think about it. It’s got to look like an accident.”

“Shame.” There was a pause. “I can’t find it.”

A string of swear words cut the air. “All right, put her to rights, and let’s head back to the road.” Marley now recognized Calvin Mills as the other voice.