Heartless: a Derek Cole Mystery Suspense Thriller (Derek Cole Suspense Thriller Book 1) by T Patrick Phelps Read Free Book Online Page A

that ‘eyes’ are coming after him.”
         
    Mark wasn’t seeing any “eyes” in his dreams, only memories, which were bad enough. And as Mark sat in the conference room listening to Straus rattle off his findings on Alexander, he began to wonder if he would ever see Henry Zudak deliver another child again.
       
    “There are a few other findings,” Straus called out from the black speaker, interrupting Mark’s thoughts and the silence of the conference room. “I did some muscular tests and found that the patient’s strength is quite exceptional for an six-day-old infant. His reflexes are quick and responsive, and his cartilage has already begun transforming to bone. As with all his other cells, both his muscular and skeletal cells are ‘super-charged.’ No decay, self-replenishing, and with the potential to grow in strength as the patient matures.”
         
    The long pause that followed had all the doctors at Saint Stevens staring at the speakerphone. The hundred plus years of education in the room couldn’t ask one single question. They wondered what they could ask about something that they were not yet convinced was real. A quick crackle sounded through the speaker, sending a bolt of excited and startled energy through Mark and his team.
          
    “The last thing I want to say, believe it or not, is perhaps the most difficult fact to understand and to accept. He can talk. Not words, mind you, not yet anyway. But he can use his vocal chords. We have no idea how he can do this without his lung performing while he is awake, but he can. He’s done this on several occasions. The first time almost scared us to death. In order for Alex to speak, he must become perfectly still. I have some theories that may explain this ability, but I won’t share them until I run some more tests.”
       
    “Doctor Straus? Peter Adams here. I have a quick question. You said that his cells have a life expectancy of around thirty years. Are you saying that he will live for thirty years? I guess I didn’t quite understand what you were saying.”
       
    “Not for certain. The tests do indicate that the cells will lose their ability to transfer energy after thirty years, but we can’t say for sure. We tested his cells after each of his sleep episodes and found that they lose some transfer ability. An incredibly small amount of loss, but loss nonetheless. Remember, he has only fallen asleep twice so we don’t have enough data to really be accurate. Also, we don’t think he can produce new cells, so whatever we take out, we have to put back. Not sure if the cells we put back continue to function. We certainly don’t want to cause permanent damage by removing too many cells. Could be a very delicate balance. Again, his cells do show indications of an ability to adapt and evolve as needed. I simply cannot say for sure how long Alex will live.”
       
    “Excuse me, Doctor Stanley Mix here. You said that the child could be dangerous when he grows up. What did you mean by that?”
   
    “If he has a negative disposition, his retained knowledge and exceptional strength could be dangerous to anyone who tried to outsmart him or overpower him. Just speculation on my part, Doctor.”
       
    “Are you going to be able to keep him in a safe area, just in case?” Stanley asked as his mind relived a retained image of Michelle’s face.  
       
    “I can assure you that my facility will retain the child until it becomes impossible to do so. If that day comes, I have a private lodge up North to which I could make some renovations and keep the child up there. I’m looking at this as a full-term endeavor. I’m not going to give up on this child until I find out everything there is to find out, or, God forbid, he passes on.”
       
    “Some of us may want to visit Alexander from time to time. Can that be arranged?” Mark asked while staring directly at Stanley, asking with his eyes if he thought Henry would benefit