The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 59

Relieved, Paul slowed his loping stride to a casual stroll around the back of the amphitheater enjoying his regained freedom. Was that me jumping out of the van? He admired the night engulfed by the thick evening sky and the few stars sparkling above despite the bright city lights. The dense Botanical Garden vegetation behind the manicured slopes surrounding the amphitheater pond provided a scene that could have been drawn by a fantasy artist of an alien world. Paul took a moment to enjoy the unique scene.

Sirens blared drowning out the night-creatures eternal song he appreciated earlier. Dozens of vehicles arrived at the nearest road, still a hundred yards from the theater, their strobe lights flashing. Their headlights focused beams illuminated the forest creating dramatic shadows behind the vegetation.

Rushing towards him dozens of police officers, some with weapons drawn, descended ordering him to lay face down on the ground with his hands over his head. Paul lowered his battered body wincing in pain but happy he was in friendly hands. He voluntarily surrendered without being coerced by the slave drug's effects that had departed. They'll have an arrest warrant for me? Jail will be my home until I am cleared. Several officers stood around him talking on their radios while many others surrounded the amphitheater stage. Too late. They're gone.

"Paul," Nara said. "You can get up now. Officer, I'll take care of him. He's okay. I know him."

The officer stood aside while Paul slowly got up, protecting his wounds. "I'm glad to see you," Paul said, thankful that he was in friendly hands.

"I was worried. You sounded so strange on the phone." Nara then noticed Paul's bloody lip and swollen face. "What happened? Are you OK?"

"It was close. They beat me to inject their slave drug. They wanted take me with them, but I escaped by cracking a combination lock and jumping out of the getaway van."

"Is the drug...?"

"No, I used makeup putty on my earlobe and distracted them with violent resistance. The micro-array is on the back of my earlobe."

"How did you think of that?" Nara's mouth hung open, aghast at Paul's anticipation, knowing he was in the presence of a genius.

"I learned about it at Maria's lab and then I saw some in the video production packing boxes in the inventor's hideout. I concluded there was a high probability they would use the drug on me so I took a container. Glad I did." Paul wanted to tell about his ordeal but he was having trouble talking because of his swollen lip.

"Do you know where they went?"

"No, they drove away when they heard your sirens. One of them said something about going to their new home base, but they didn't say where that was."

"We've got all the roads blocked and I have the Coast Guard alerted. We have thousands of surveillance cameras and even helicopters looking for them. They shouldn't get too far."

Paul was skeptical. "They had a plan. I'm afraid they've escaped. Probably to another country."

"We'll see, but even if they get away their cause has received a fatal blow. With your help we uncovered a link leading to the manufacture and distribution of the Magic drug in Myanmar. They were using the money from this illegal drug to fund their Arcadia operation. I already notified my connections in the Myanmar government and assured me they'll eliminate the source."

"Good, that'll really hurt them. They won't be able to develop a way to mass distribute the slave drug. They planned to use it to enlist tens of thousands of followers."

"When we get back, I'll get CIS to remove the slave drug injector from your ear. Then we can find an antidote."

"I can help with that."

"I'm sure I can arrange that. Without the millions from their illegal drug sales they'll be impoverished exiles in a foreign land."

"I don't know. Maria is brilliant and endowed with unmatched creativity and intelligence. If anyone can recover from this setback, it would be her. She has a core group of devoted followers too."

"Don't give up yet, it's possible we'll apprehend them tonight."

Paul shook his head in disbelief, "I hope you're right."

The two walked back toward the parked emergency vehicles with their strobe lights still flashing and headlights beaming into their eyes as they approached.

Nara stopped and looked Paul, "I'm retiring from the force. You know I was thinking about it. My inheritance made me insanely wealthy and I want to use it to help as many people as I can. You have a special gift. I know you're aware of this. Together, with my money and your intelligence, we would make a great team."

"That's very generous, but I don't..." Paul avoided eye contact by staring at the ground in front of him.

"Yes, you have a special gift. You just need to focus and apply yourself."

Paul turned his head staring into the vast empty sky. With VK's law enforcement expertise and my ability to understand and create, we could do so much. "I'm humbled by your offer and I accept. I hope I won't let you down."

"You won't. We can concentrate all our efforts on improving the human condition. We can share this dream?"

Paul and Nara walked side-by-side toward the waiting police vehicle. Paul turned his head toward the now dimly lit vacant amphitheater stage as he bent over to slide into the passenger seat.

"Get in," Nara said. "I'll give you a lift to jail."