Sloshing through the water, Ellyssa took to the middle of the stream, her legs feeling like weights were tied to her ankles. The more distance the better, played through her thoughts, keeping her going. Sleep would be a sweet blessing better enjoyed at a later time.
5
Though the hour was late and he was tired, Dr. Hirch looked up with a forced smile on his face when Detective Petersen strolled through his office door. By her expression, he doubted the news was good. He kept up the formalities, anyway.
“Ah, Detective Petersen. How is the search going?”
Before answering, Angela took a seat in the guest chair on the opposite side of his mahogany desk. Her eyes and cheeks sagged with weariness and, with the dark jacket she wore, the contrast made her look gaunt. She laid Ellyssa’s file on his desk. “I made some copies.”
“Of what, precisely?”
“Only things relevant to finding her. Her likes and dislikes. What she excelled in, which is everything.”
Pleased, he smiled genuinely. “Of course. We only provide the best training.”
“There is something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” she said, meeting his eyes. “Are the other subjects like Ellyssa? Do they have special…abilities?”
“That, Detective Petersen, is none of your concern.”
“For security purposes, I think it is my concern,” she said, raising her eyebrows. “If I’d known before she’d escaped instead of afterwards…”
Dr. Hirch leaned forward in his chair. “It is none of your concern. Now,” he said, dismissing the subject, “what news do you have?”
Angela opened her mouth as if to argue, then apparently thought better of it. “She escaped from the train,” she answered, crossing her arms over her chest.
“How?”
“We aren’t one hundred percent sure.”
Dr. Hirch leaned back in his chair, rocking slightly as he stared at the ceiling. “First time out of The Center. Able to adapt quickly, blend… very astute,” he mused, with a smile.
The detective’s face puckered into a scowl. “This isn’t a research project. She wasn’t anywhere on the train. When the police interviewed the passengers, one said he thought he saw someone jump, but he wasn’t sure.”
George’s eyebrows rose, wrinkling his forehead. “Do you think she jumped?”
“You know her better than I do.”
Folding his hands together, he thought for a moment then nodded. “Yes, if she felt threatened and jumping was the only option, she would take that course of action.”
“Do you think she feels threatened?”
“For unknown reasons, she left. She knew to do so was prohibited. I sent you after her. Yes, it stands to reason that she feels threatened.”
“Then she could be dangerous.”
Trying to remain calm, Dr. Hirch met the detective’s gaze. “All the children could be dangerous,” he said. “Your job is to bring her back safely. Do you understand, Detective?”
“Perfectly,” Angela said, through tight lips. She rose to her feet. “One more thing.”
“Yes.”
“What about emotions?”
“She has been trained not to feel useless reactions that could jeopardize themselves.”
“But she can still feel them?”
Narrowing his eyes, George leaned forward in his chair. “Yes, I suppose feeling is possible. Regardless of how she was conceived, she is human. But I, myself, structured her program. And Ellyssa’s ability to fool me for eighteen years would be unlikely.” He leaned back. “Why all the questions, Detective?”
“Have you ever thought that maybe something went wrong?”
“Never. Not since she was young has Ellyssa shown any inappropriate emotions. She is quite efficient. Why do you ask?”
“Because, when she stepped in front of me on her way to the train, she seemed nervous.”
The doctor’s eyebrows stitched together. “Nervous? What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. She was fidgety, and she over-explained her situation, like she couldn’t stop talking.”
“Interesting,” he said, tapping his finger to his chin. After a moment, his eyes shifted back to Angela. “She needs to be brought home.”
“Yes, I know,” said Angela, her tone abrupt. “I think we should take the dogs.”
“Dogs?” The idea of his creation being treated like a common Renegade, instead of the secret to a better humankind, sickened him.
“According to the train personnel, all exits were covered. If she was on the train, she jumped, and if that is the case and if she didn’t sustain serious injury, she’s on the run. The dogs will pick up her scent.”
“And what if the whole thing was a ruse?”
“I have my best men searching for any sign for her in Chicago.”
Dr. Hirch rubbed his forehead. The whole thing was getting out of control. It was bad enough he had had the detective involve more of The Center’s secret police, but also the local authorities in Warrensburg. Secrecy was of top priority and becoming impossible to maintain.
“Fine. Take the dogs.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “You have to understand the dilemma we are in. Ellyssa must be found, but by divulging as little information as possible.”
“I understand.”
He paused for a moment while he removed a ticket and the proper traveling papers from his desk drawer. He slid the credentials over to her. “Unfortunately, due to our circumstances, you will have to travel by train. It will leave in two hours.”
She leveled her eyes on the doctor. “I will find her.”
“Very good,” Doctor Hirch said, dismissing her.
With a curt nod, Detective Petersen departed. As soon as the door closed, George reached into his bottom left-hand drawer and pulled out another file on his missing beloved creation. The file contained his lifelong work, each of the children’s powers well documented and studied. When Ellyssa returned home, Hitler’s future goals—his future goals—would soon come together.
Detective Petersen stalked through the long corridor of the sterile center on her way to her apartment. From her coat pocket, she removed a copy of Ellyssa’s picture and unfolded it. The creases were beginning to warp part of Ellyssa’s face, but the photo only served the purpose of keeping her quarry next to her, not for a reminder of her appearances.
The platinum hair, the bright azure eyes, and smooth, pale skin were embedded in Angela’s mind. She served as a constant reminder that the detective had failed.
But Angela wouldn’t fail again. Ellyssa would pay for the embarrassment and disgrace she had caused.
When she was a child and had been brought to The Center for training, she’d competed with the children born there, both types—the ones like Leland and the ones considered pure, whom no one ever saw. The visions of perfection were sectioned off in a secure part of the building, where only a few were allowed to go.
Angela had worked hard, studied hard, and excelled in physical fitness. She was just as intelligent, cunning, and beautiful—determined by the unwanted attention she received from male suitors. But even with working her ass off, her excellent record, and obtaining the position of Chief of the Kripo Unit, she still fell short. At least according to Dr. Hirch and The Center’s prerequisites. But the detective knew without a doubt, if given the same type of training the pictures of perfection had, she would’ve excelled beyond them. Even with their special abilities.
Angela released the tension in her hands, where the edges of the photo crinkled under her grip. Fighting an urge to rip it apart and stomp on it, she placed it against her stomach and smoothed out the wrinkles.