The Link 2 - The Hunted

Epilogue - Natalie

The doorbell surprised me. I had been deep in worry about my little girl running around the world with a man barely old enough to vote. The shooting at the hospital still had me terrified. The fact they disappeared without taking the car was even more worrisome. I was thankful I could still feel her, know she was still alive and not in distress. I put the peanut butter jar down. Zane would have to wait a moment for his sandwich.

"It better not be the police again," Sam said, joining me at the door. They had been badgering us for Caleb and Teegan's location, and we've stuck to a runaway story. It wasn't hard to feign worry since that was all I could do anyway.

Sam opened the door to FedEx. The delivery guy wasn't smiling, probably running behind.

"Natalie Fuller?" FedEx asked. His premature gray hair looked glued to his head, not a strand moving in the breeze.

"Yes," I answered.

"I need to verify an ID," the man said. "Driver's license, passport, or any other government-issued ID." I smiled, knowing this was what bothered him. He probably preferred to just drop things off and move along unseen. If he only knew my problems, his would pale in comparison. I wondered if he had any kids recovering from gunshot wounds.

I retrieved my purse from the credenza and fished out my wallet. FedEx examined my license and tapped a few keys on his mobile device. He handed back my ID and a padded legal sized envelope, turning around the device for me to sign the small screen. He mumbled something as he turned, moving quickly back to his truck. I told him to have a good day, though I think his mind was elsewhere.

"Busy guy," Sam said, looking at the package.

"I'm sure we slowed him up," I said as I tried to tear open the package. It was taped too securely, requiring scissors. I moved back to the kitchen, Sam following.

"Where is she?" I asked for the hundredth time.

"Still on the west coast," Sam said. "She hasn't moved since the last time."

I emptied the package on the kitchen table. Two ATM cards and Sam's car keys fell out. Along with them, a small red thumb drive. I looked back into the envelope and pulled out a handwritten letter that was still inside.

Mom and Dad,

Things have changed. Caleb and I are well and we'll be calling you once protections have been put in place. Please return Caleb's father's ATM card and let them know we are okay.

Love, Teegan

"What is going on?" I asked Sam.

"Maybe this will tell us more," Sam said, pulling the thumb drive from the pile.

"We'll use Zane's computer," I said, moving to finish Zane's sandwich. "He needs to know what we know." Sam nodded. It would be insulting to hold things from Zane, now that he had gotten shot over it all. My kids were growing up too fast.

"What does this mean?" Zane asked, reading the letter. He was sitting up in bed, a clean white bandage wrapped around his torso. His voice was still weak like it pained him to breath too deeply. I ignored it on the outside, but my insides were crying for him.

"Not sure," Sam replied. "They returned the ATM cards, so I have to guess they solved any money issues. This may tell us more." He held up the thumb drive.

We sat on Zane's bed as Sam double clicked the thumb drive's movie file on Zane's laptop. I recognized the face on the screen immediately, though it was infinitely older than remembered.

"That insane bastard has my baby," I said as my anger flared.

"He's supposed to be dead," Sam said. Then Douglas Corbett's image began to speak.

"My doctors tell me I'll be quite dead before you see this," Corbett's voice was raspy like there was gravel in his throat. "That's fitting since I don't wish to apologize in person. Teegan has reached full majority, or something has happened to expose her. Either way, know that I'm still adamant in my belief that she is the future of humanity. My error was in my methods, which your husband so forcibly corrected. That he allowed me to live, is a testament to the tolerance you two will have instilled in our angel."

"He has no right to say 'our,'" I interjected. Sam put his hand on my leg, calming my anger as Corbett continued.

"I know now that she needed nurturing I couldn't provide." The gravelly chuckle that followed sounded almost evil. "Money can't buy everything." More sick chuckling. "I still find that hard to believe. Nevertheless, I did what I could to maintain her anonymity in your house." A sly smile appeared on his face, slightly distorted by advanced age. "That is the proof of my apology. I have known her location for over 15 years, and still I stayed in the background. I've let you raise her as you saw fit, in an environment of your own choosing."

"Let?" Sam said with some venom. "He's lucky I LET him live." Zane's eyes were wide, taking in his father's sudden anger. Sam let out a sigh, some of the vehemence fading away.

"I was put on this earth with one skill, amassing wealth," Corbett continued. "I have been very successful at it, building an empire that would make the emperors of old jealous. But what is money without a lasting legacy? Carnegie built libraries; Gates is eradicating disease. I'll top them all and give our angel to the world."

"He's still insane," I commented.

"My estate will be held in trust until she reaches full majority. At 21, she inherits everything. The money, the businesses, and all the political power that comes with it." I stopped breathing. "She will be my legacy and if it all goes to hell," Corbett broke into another chuckle, "I'll blame you. We'll see if your love is as powerful as my empire."

Corbett paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts and becoming more serious. "I have few regrets in my life. I usually don't wallow in them, but striking you has pained me more than your husband ever did. I know now it was jealousy that drove me to it. It is not an emotion I've had much experience with. The fact that our angel loved you more than me was - well - painful." His smile returned. "Natalie, I give you something that I can't remember ever giving before, my apology. Be strong and hold back the forgiveness, I am undeserving. And you, Samuel, next time someone attacks your family, especially our angel, don't hold back." The screen went black as the movie ended abruptly.

"Teegan is rich," Zane said.

"He was completely insane," I said, barely believing what I just saw.

"I thought he was out of our lives," Sam said, as surprised as I was.

"Teegan's rich," Zane repeated.

"Damn," I said, "I forgive him." My eyes were welling up. Corbett was off his rocker, but in his own way, he truly loved my daughter. Sam put his arm around me.

"Good thing you stopped me before I fried his brain," Sam said. I nodded and collapsed into his arms.

"Do you think she'll buy me a Corvette for my birthday?" Zane asked.

"All that's happened to you and your sister, and you're worried about your birthday present?" Sam asked.

"Dad," Zane said, "Teegan's rich." As if that solved all the problems in the world.

*****

Preview of the final installment: The Link 3 - The Huntress

- Caleb

I took the stairs two at a time. I could feel Teegan's fear building amongst a million other emotions. The timing couldn't be worse, my inadequacies announcing themselves loudly, convincing me of my incompetence for the task at hand. I ran past Victor, who looked confused at my speed as I burst into the bedroom. Teegan was sitting on the end of the bed, her hand over her skinny belly.

"I thought we were careful," I said.

"I'm scared," Teegan said, reaching for me. "I love her too much already." Something opened inside of Teegan, a barrier that had been private even from me. I felt her then, pure innocence unscathed by the sins of the world, a fresh mind that knew my song and instantly owned my soul.

"She's beautiful," I sighed. Teegan nodded, tears running down her cheeks. It didn't matter that we weren't ready.