Hybrid - Forced Vengeance by Greg Ballan Read Free Book Online

remote chance something does go wrong, an alarm will sound in this chamber. Make sure you contact me immediately.” The doctor handed the sergeant a card with a handwritten five-digit phone number.
    “Yes, sir,” Phelps assured the doctor.
    The medical team departed and Phelps closed the massive door behind them. He now had two charges.
    Gray was mystery enough, but the occupant of the second cell brought forth several significant questions.
    “Who is she? What did she do to wind up here?” And more importantly, Phelps asked himself aloud, “Is anybody looking for her?”

    * * * *

    Erik pulled into Silver Hills gated community and parked in front of the Pendelton’s home. He wasn’t looking forward to breaking the news of his departure to his daughter. Erik had forced Richard Pendleton to ease the visitation restrictions by leveraging the corrupt industrialist’s involvement in the Hopedale incident.
    Margaret Pendelton, his ex-wife, knew that something had occurred between the two men, but neither Erik nor Richard spoke of it. Their relationship since the Hopedale Mountain incident had been one of cool formality for Brianna’s sake.
    Erik made his way up the manicured walkway and rang the doorbell. He felt a knot in the pit of his stomach every time he came here. His ex-wife and daughter were comfortable in the upscale environment of Silver Hills; Erik was not. Margaret came to the door.
    “Erik!” She greeted him with genuine warmth. “Please come in.”
    “Hi, is Brianna here?” he asked.
    “No, you just missed her. She’s down at Community Cuts getting her hair done. Janet squeezed her in this afternoon.”
    “Ah yes,” Erik remembered. “The big social is tonight.” He hoped his news wouldn’t spoil her time.
    Margaret looked deeply at Erik. “Out with it; what’s wrong?”
    “Is it that obvious?”
    “Yes, and don’t smirk at me!” she added lightly. “Now let’s go sit down. You can tell me what’s going on.” Margaret tugged on his arm and led him into the spacious kitchen.
    Margaret prepared a pot of coffee and heated up some banana-nut bread. She poured coffee and placed a platter of the sliced bread on the table. “It’s probably not up to Madame’s standards, but it’s the best I can do on short notice.”
    Erik took a sip of coffee and placed the mug back on the table. He looked into the dark fluid in the mug and added, “I’m going to be out of the country for about six to eight months – on an extended assignment.”
    Margaret exhaled sharply.
    “It’s not as bad as you’re probably thinking, just performing bodyguard services for a foreign socialite. I’ll be able to call a few times each week, but not much more than that.” Erik continued to stare into the contents of his coffee cup.
    “When will you be leaving?”
    “Tomorrow,” he whispered.
    “God damn it, Erik! Don’t these people have any consideration for family, or what you’ve just been through?”
    “No. They don’t think about family or friends. It will always be ‘the job’ first. However,” he added looking into her eyes, “that’s not how I view things. Bri is the most important person in my life.” He swallowed. “But lives are at risk, and unless I do this there could be serious political ramifications that I can’t divulge.” He smiled. “Not the first time I’ve said that over the past two years, is it?”
    Margaret returned the smile despite herself. “Please, promise me you’ll be careful.”
    Erik nodded. “Maybe getting away for awhile will do some good.”
    “When are you going to tell Bri?”
    “I’ll pick her up from the hairdresser. We’ll grab a bite then I’ll spill it.” Erik paused and grinned. “Brianna’s always been after me to crop the hair and lose the ’70s style. I do need to clean up a bit for this trip. As long as I’m there.…”

    * * * *

    Erik spotted his daughter through the window and parked across from the salon. Community Cuts, like