Madness by Bill Wetterman Read Free Book Online

Reed,” the suspect answered.
    “One more time,” Franks said. “Who do you work for?”
    “My only interest is keeping the world green,” he said.
    “Well , you’re bloody nuts thinking you can keep the world green this way.” Franks gave out a little huff. “What terrorist group are you a member of?”
    “ Who are the real terrorists? The U.S. and China produce ninety percent of the world’s pollution.”
    “I’m not buying this,” Peacock said. “The bomb was sophisticated. This man was part of a professionally executed plan. You can’t convince me a group of tree huggers pulled this off.”
    Loomis clicked off his cell. “B.B.C. just announced a group calling itself Sanctuary claimed responsibility for the attack.”
    Polaris spoke inside Peacock’s head. “Ursa thinks Sanctuary is a myth. He’s ordering you home. Trust no one.”
    Polaris had intervened for the third time in as many days. Trust no one meant, not Franks, not Loomis, not Sherman, only herself. A sudden anger rose up in her. She couldn’t understand why she was angry, but the emotion fit somehow. Maybe Doctor Kolb’s team was playing in her head again.
    Loomis called out, “Sherman is ordering us back to Washington.”
    “And tomorrow’s my day off,” Peacock said. “Tell Sherman I’ll report in and then take off. I need the rest.”
    “We’ll keep Sherman updated,” Franks said and exhaled deeply.
    He knows something he’s not telling.
    Peacock and Loomis left and headed out to Heathrow and a presidential jet to fly back to Washington.
    There’s never a day off, she thought. She’d be reporting to a meeting with Ursa once she went off duty at the White House.
    #
    Polaris grabbed the buzzer and signaled Kolb.
    “What?” Kolb grunted.
    “Peacock’s off program.”
    “What!” Kolb hurried over to Polaris and watched the monitor. “Something angered her. That’s not supposed to happen. She’s supposed to cycle down and not even notice.”
    “She just took control of herself. She doesn’t realize that’s what happened.”
    “We’re supposed to control the emotions, not her. Adjust her. Shock her. Do something.”
    “Wait,” Polaris said, lifting his hand. “She’s back in balance.”
    Kolb swung atop the desk where Polaris sat. “Don’t page me next time. If this happens again, shock her back instantly. That’s an order.”
    #
    Day 1016 in Hercules
    “This way, Madam .” A large Herculean male escorted Peacock out of Ursa’s office. They walked down the hallway and into the main Herculean meeting room. “In here.”
    Peacock stared into the face of Ursa, who posed with a kindly look she didn’t trust. He’d allowed that bitch Kolb to turn her into a mental and emotional wreck.
    Her closest companions from her time in Hercules rose as one to greet her. Magnus, her trainer, whose ribs she’d bruised in their last encounter, gave her a hug. Felicia Lange, her closest friend in Hercules waved at her from across the table. Ursa’s technical assistant, Carna Esposito said in a monotone, “Good to see you again.”
    Carna never showed emotion . Maybe she had none. Peacock could relate.
    Peacock’s heart rate felt slightly elevated, most probably by an electronically induced increase in adrenalin to keep her sharp.
    “How are you feeling?” Ursa asked.
    “I’m doing what I’m programmed to do. Why don’t you ask Kolb?”
    She didn’t say the words sarcastically. She stated the fact.
    “Kolb’s worried about your programming,” Ursa said. “Should I be worried as well?”
    Peacock smirked. “Don’t ask me. Worrying isn’t in my nature, with or without the thing in my brain. Do you have a change of assignment for me?”
    “First, we need to brief you.”
    “First, I want to see my son. Can you make that happen?”
    Ursa cracked his hairy knuckles. “You’re upset with me. Are you off program?”
    “ No. I remember, although vaguely, your promise to let me keep my son for a week and visit