Found You - James B. Barnes

6. New Beginnings

The Jackson Motel, New York City - August 1955

"My name is Nancy Sadler. Hello, my name is Nancy Sadler." I repeat over and over again like a broken record. The face in the mirror belongs to Nancy Sadler. Edith's hair was a dirty blonde, but Nancy's hair is almost jet black, it only reaches my chin when it's curled. My lips are painted a dark pink, but my cheeks pull them into a different smile. Nancy's smile only tilts the corners of my mouth, my eyes open a few degrees more as my eyebrows rise upwards.

I grip the sides of the sink desperately, I need to become Nancy Sadler. Nancy Sadler won't get caught, because Nancy Sadler wants this job, with Hydra.

I check my watch, 8:26 am. I am meeting Dr. Zola in an hour, then I will hopefully begin working for him. I tuck my short hair behind my ears and tap my left thigh. I inhale sharply, but then I remember, I left my gun, when I dropped it on the docks in Los Angeles 10 days ago. I don't need it anymore, it only connects Nancy to Edith. Besides, if I'm ever in enough danger that I need it, I won't have the time to reach for it.

I smooth out the creases in my blouse and gather my things. I gulp down the last of my tea from room service, it's cold but tea is tea. I finish cleaning myself up and head to the exit. The woman at the reception informs me that the taxi called for has arrived. I thank her tartly, just as Nancy does.

When I arrive at the Shield office that contains Dr. Zola and his lab, the sun has hidden itself behind the clouds. It's quite an inconspicuous building, Shield bases always are. I appear to be entering a travel agency but there are too many cameras, too many Shield Agents in the lobby, all of which are armed.

I approach the man sitting at the desk. He adopts a disinterested expression, one that is just too forced.

"I have an appointment with Dr. Zola. My name is Nancy Sadler." The words slip easily over my tongue, the lie becoming less and less false each time I say it. He raises an eyebrow, suddenly interested and attentive. He turns to his telephone and dials upstairs to confirm. He nods to me and instructs me to head to the 9th floor, placing a visitor badge in my hand.

I take the badge and lay it around my neck. The lift chimes as the door opens, I step inside and press the 9th button. I take a deep breath and try to enjoy the music. Still, the ride is too short, as the lift chimes again. A short woman awaits me with a notebook and pen already in hand.

"Nancy Sadler?" She asks, her voice high. I confirm and she takes a single glance at me before returning to her notes. "This way, please." She instructs, despite her pitch, she remains authoritative. I follow her down many hallways that twist and turn until I think we have walked down the same halls at least 3 times. She abruptly stops in front of a metal door, turning to me.

"He's waiting for you." She speaks, before disappearing into the maze of rooms and halls. I tuck my hair behind my ears to steady my heart. Nancy isn't scared to meet Dr. Zola, she's excited, she will have the chance to further science with some of the greatest minds of our time. Yes, my racing heart is due to anticipation.

I lift my fist and knock hard on the cold metal. The door quickly swings open to reveal Dr. Zola himself.

"Hello, my name is Nancy Sadler. I am so very glad to meet you." I introduce myself, the lie getting simpler again. He smiles kindly.

"Sadler? I know you, don't I?" He questions quizzingly. I planned this.

"Yes, my father Dr. Friedrich Sadler worked with you in the past." I answer, Nancy's smile forms on my face. Friedrich Sadler did have a daughter, but her name was not Nancy and she died 6 years ago.

"Ah yes, I remember now. How is he?" Relief washes over his face but a hint of a smile remains, one that already knows the answer to his question.

"Unfortunately, he passed away eight years ago." I answer, somberly lowering my eyes to the ground. "Still, he spoke of you sometimes." I continued, catching his attention.

"My father said that you were the brightest mind he had ever had the privilege of working with." I chuckle gently. "I suppose I'm buttering you up, but I speak the truth. My father may not have passed his exact knowledge to me, but he shared with me his passion for furthering science," I let my eyes glint dangerously, "whatever the cost."

"Yes, I think you will fit quite well here." Dr. Zola decides, a true smile drawing across his tiny face. I thank him as he guides me over to a chalkboard covered in chemical compounds and terms I am not familiar with. I feel a little out of my depth and it must appear on my face.

"No need to worry dear, everything you don't know, can be learnt. I will teach you." He pats me on the shoulder and reaches forward to grab a piece of chalk.

He begins to explain how he is working on creating a biological weapon that spreads through water sources. Capable of killing humans, animals and plants alike. He warns me that Shield already has him working on a vaccination against it. He says that the plan is for the bacteria to die off after one year of being created in the lab. This will allow water sources to be used again as drinking water.

I point out an incorrect equation on the board, a two where it should be a one. He lets out a small laugh.

"Yes, I was hoping you would catch that. You are passing all my tests today." His attention is soon demanded by another Doctor, asking for Dr. Zola to view some results.

My name is Nancy Sadler and I am ready to get to work.