Don't Shoot the "Messenger", Ch. 3

Chapter 3

    Not far from Dragonheart, signs of life came from the abandoned Carlo Hesser compound.
Alison was happily making herself at home. She still couldn’t believe that the police had just left everything there. Well, maybe not everything. It was obvious that they had removed all of Carlo’s electronic surveillance equipment and certain rooms were still littered with papers strewn everywhere after they had completed their searches, but they had left the furnishings alone and then merely sealed the place. It was ideal for her. The compound was secluded and the police wouldn’t even think of looking there for her, they were busy searching the area and countryside around Llanfair. Besides, the LPD was not the sharpest department when it came to capturing and holding onto their criminals; heck they couldn’t even manage to hang on to the dead ones.

      “It was very naughty of you, Natalie, to shoot your husband and after I gave your Mom and Dad such good news. Shame on you. But don’t worry I’m sure he’ll forgive you, after all, you’re going to provide him with a child.” She reached over and laid a cloth on the forehead of the man lying on the bed next to her.

    Ivan strolled into the room and looked at his patient. “What are you muttering about now?”

    Alison looked over at him. “It’s none of your business. How come he hasn’t woken up.”

    “My dear, these things take time. You do realize a day ago he was considered dead. I and my pets do work miracles, but not overnight. They’re doing their job, he has a pulse and is breathing on his own. He was shot repeatedly, those wounds had to be seen to first. It was a miracle I happened to overhear he had been shot while I was getting supplies from the hospital that night. What with the blackout and confusion, no one even recognized me. The Llanview morgue was seriously understaffed. They didn’t even question me when they brought him in. They figured he was dead and I verified that for them, so they left him." He looked at Alison tenderly caring for the man on the bed.  "I must commend you.   Your plan went off without a hitch.  It’s too bad Carlo wasn’t able to make his escape, but he certainly knew the Llanview police. Who would have thought they would simply leave this place unattended. That certainly worked in our favor.”

    “My plans always work. Why do you think he leaves everything to me. Which reminds me I have an errand to run. You better make sure he’s alive when I get back.”

    “I assure you, I know what I’m doing. I don’t suppose you would care to tell me what your errand is.”

    “You just never mind about my errand. I’ve got some unfinished business.” Alison left humming to herself.

       Ivan stared after her. She was a loon but extremely gifted when it came to certain things. He checked out his patient and reached into his bag. He pulled out a strange glowing vial and inserted a syringe into it, drawing out some of its contents. He then proceeded to inject it into his patient. “A few more of these shots my man and you’ll be good as new.” As soon as the contents got into the bloodstream his patient began to seize. Ivan held him down until the seizures quieted. “That’s right, go do your jobs my dear ones.”

       He sat down mulling over everything that had happened. He and Carlo along with Laurence had worked diligently to put their escape plan into motion. Laurence’s Ms. Perkins had proved a valuable ally and had provided the means for the plan to take effect. There had been one snag. Carlo’s attempt to have his guard removed was thwarted by a young inmate who saved the guard’s life, thus enabling the guard to stop Carlo from escaping. Still, Ivan had managed to get out and had commandeered a vehicle and made his way to his second lab. It had only taken a short time to retrieve his notes and his supply of nanobots being carefully stored there. Now he was back in business. There was a perfectly wonderful room where he could set up his new lab in. Soon he’d let the partners know that deliveries would begin again
.
      Ivan reached to take his patient’s vitals only to find himself grabbed suddenly by the throat. With his much stronger artificial hand, he extricated himself and looked into the confused eyes of his patient. “Easy Mr. Laurence, you’re safe. It’s me, Ivan Kipling.” He watched the eyes but saw no recognition. “You need to take it easy. You were severely injured, but you’re going to recover. Don’t try to talk I just want you to rest. Let the medicine I gave you do its work.” Laurence relaxed and nodded off to sleep. “That’s good, let my children work. You’ll owe me big time and I will collect. I always collect.” Ivan completed taking the vitals, then left his patient to sleep and headed to the room he was going to set up for his research.

***
      Alison arrived at her destination. She stood in the shadow of the trees watching the young woman and two small children playing in the front yard. She smiled to herself. They looked really happy and she wondered if they were aware they were being watched. He was a big man standing at the corner of the house and his eyes were watching the children intently. She didn’t want to scare them, but he did look a little menacing. She was about to walk out and say something when the little girl child suddenly squealed and ran to the man who laughed and picked her up swinging her around. The next thing she knew the little boy joined the girl and all three seemed to be having a great time. The young woman was standing off to the side laughing. It was like a scene from a fairytale complete with a castle. 

      Alison had seen the house the night before as she was making her way to Carlo’s and had been fascinated by it. The house had been lit by candlelight due to the blackout and as she had walked past she had seen the beautiful windows flanking the front door. She had been delighted to see dragons staring at her. She had moved closer to get a good look at them but had heard a car arriving and had decided she would have to just imagine who owned such a home and she had quickly fled continuing her way to Carlo’s. It was foolish of her to wander back here, but she had been curious to see something of the owners.
      
       She stuck around just a little longer and wondered if the father might soon arrive home.
She tried to picture the man who would give such a house to his family, and in her mind, she suddenly saw Mitch standing there watching her and their children running around the yard.

    My beautiful Alison, you have proven yourself faithful to me and given me these lovely children. The Lord has looked down on me and given me an abundance of riches. Come, gather my flock and we shall retire to give our thanks and smite those who would tear us asunder.

    Her beautiful dream was interrupted by the sound of cars coming down the road and once again, she left. She had stayed longer than intended and although tempted to see if the cars held the father of those children, she knew she had yet to complete her assignment. It was time to get back to work.

      A short time later, she stood looking through the windows at Llanfair. She backed out of sight at the sound of voices.

    “Here it is Natalie, we’re going to have to start taping them on them. They both refuse to wear them and it’s winter time.” Jessica held up Liam’s sock and grinned at her sister.

    Natalie laughed, “I know and they kick them off when you least expect it.”

    She listened to the sisters chat about their babies. She didn’t see the allure of Natalie and when she had heard she had been the one to shoot Mitch, Alison had been furious. Natalie was nothing but a spoiled brat who used her looks to get who she wanted, just like all those years ago when she had gotten Mitch to marry her and then turned on him.  

    “You girls play Mommy for now, but soon Miss Natalie you’re going to help me get what I want this time. I’ve waited long enough.” Alison turned and left, getting off the property the same way she had gotten on. A short time later she pulled out some sunglasses and a kerchief and made her way down Main street till she came to a neighborhood store. After purchasing some supplies, she headed back up the mountain.

    Opening the door to his room, she spotted the doctor standing over Mitch. “He still better be alive, or you’re going to be lying there next to him dead.” She pulled the gun out and held it on Kipling.

    “Don’t do anything foolish, my dear. He’s still alive, in fact, he seems to be trying to come around.”

    Alison kept the gun on Kipling and moved around to where she could see Mitch for herself. He was moving his head and slowly his eyes opened. She tucked the gun away and went to him.
“Mitch everything is going to be all right. I’ve got it all under control.”

       He looked at her. Her face was familiar but he couldn’t quite place it. “Who?... Who are you?... Who’s Mitch?”

       She swung around angrily at the doctor. “You said he was going to be alright. What did you do to him?”

        With the gun aimed at him, Ivan realized he’d better find the correct answer and fast, or the madwoman would shoot him. “Easy with that gun. He just woke up and he almost died. He‘s confused. and the blood flow to his brain was stopped for a while. He’s going to need guidance for a while. You can do that can’t you, Alison? He’s going to need you while he heals.” He saw the wheels turning as she listened to him and sure enough he had figured her right. The woman was in love with Laurence.

        Alison stopped and she suddenly saw her dream coming true. He didn’t know she was just a disciple. She could make him love her and they could start a little church somewhere and a family. She dropped the gun and knelt on the floor beside the man she worshipped.

       “Oh Mitch,...that’s your name, and I’m Alison, your fiance. Don’t you worry, I’m going to take good care of you and you’ll be back to normal in no time.” She leaned over and kissed him and surprisingly, he responded. It was as she had always imagined it would be. His lips were firm almost unyielding then they came alive and took her breath away.

       Ivan looked on and felt a small amount of pity for the woman. For now, Mitch Laurence had no memory and he would most likely go along with the fantasy, but eventually, the nanobots would complete their work and his memory would be restored. The man was a raving fanatic. If the woman wasn’t careful, she would find she had tangled with a deadly serpent once too often.

      “Yes well my dear, I’m sure Mitch is hungry. Maybe you could fix us all something to eat. Did you remember to get a radio so we could monitor the police broadcasts?”

        “Of course,” Alison quickly snapped, then she saw the alarm on Mitch’s face. “It’s okay dear. We’re monitoring the police broadcast because last night some terrible people escaped from the prison and we want to make sure they don’t come here. You haven’t been well and the doctor and I felt you needed the peace and quiet this place provides to heal.” Mitch’s eyes went to the gun and Alison said, “The gun is merely for protection. I know how much you abhor these things and I promise to put it up. It’s only for an emergency since we’re so isolated up here. Now you just lie there and take it easy. I’ll fix us something to eat.” She checked his face; he looked so lost. “It’s all going to be okay.”

        Alison picked up the gun and glared at Kipling, but then gathered the supplies she had gotten and headed to the kitchen. She brought out the radio and batteries and handed them to the doctor. “Here, why don’t you go listen in your room and see if there is any news. I don’t think we should bother Mitch with the broadcasts.” She glanced over at the patient and noticed he had fallen asleep. “Listen up Doctor, for now, we keep his past between us. I don’t want him knowing we are the escaped prisoners. I helped you to escape. You owe me. You betray me, and you’ll regret it.”

         Ivan shrugged, “It’s not my concern what you tell him. I provided the means for him to survive. What goes on between you two I have no interest in. My next task is to find a way to get Carlo out of prison, and …” he noticed her about to erupt, “and taking care of your patient until he’s well enough to be without me.” 

        “You would do well to keep remembering that, Doctor.” Alison patted the gun tucked in her jeans. As she headed for the kitchen she looked over her shoulder at the man on the bed, recalling the kiss, she touched her lips and smiled. He had actually kissed her. Her heart skipped a beat and she began humming once again.