Route 66

25 The Decision

"P−Paul!"

Yes, for Paul it was. He still had a full head of hair but now there were hints of gray. He peered at me with an expression of wonderment mixed with melancholy, as if he was seeing a ghost.

"So it's true, you haven't changed...not in the least," he said and then paced across the room and shut the door.

I didn't know if I wanted to hug or slap him for putting me through this secretive ordeal. Instead, I just stood there.

"Paul, I...I don't know what to say. Where have you been all these years? Why am I here? You scared me half to death!"

He studied my eyes as if seeing them for the first time and said, "Veronica, I'd never scare you on purpose but I needed a place where we could talk away from prying ears considering your unique situation. You were right about Randolph...Randolph Hindler. I knew from the moment you told me about your experience sixteen years ago that there must be something to it.

I've learned quite a bit about Randolph since last time we spoke. The government employed him to create antidotes for chemical and biological weapons at a very young age. He's a specialist in the properties of dihydrogen oxide (water) and is the world's top hydrologist.

Here's where you'll see how diabolical Randolph Hinder can be. All his education, experience, and prominence were just a means for him to hone his craft so that he could eventually create one of the most dangerous weapons on Earth, the death serum you encountered.

His plan was to perfect it and sell it to the highest bidder, who at that time were the Soviets. He convinced his assistant Andrew Borden to join him and together they kidnapped and murdered countless victims in an effort to create a flawless product.

When the government caught on, they went into hiding. Several years later a CIA agent found and fatally shot Dr. Borden in Milan, but Randolph escaped. Now he considers Americans his sworn enemies and will help any power that has an ax to grind, of which there are many."

"He must have been on the run when they kidnapped us!" I exclaimed.

Paul nodded and said, "I heard they combed the area where you went missing several times over but didn't find a trace. He's very elusive but we'll get him...it's only a matter of time."

"Who exactly do you work for, Paul?"

"I'm with the US government in much the same capacity as Randolph was and focused my postgraduate studies in the field of hydrology, just like him. Now I'm the world's top legitimate expert and it's my job to create antidotes to Randolph's serums and keep the public safe."

"How come there haven't been any warnings? Shouldn't we all be checking our water supply for any signs of this life threatening serum?" I asked in confusion.

"The government doesn't want to alarm the masses needlessly. My antidote is mixed in with all the drinking water and public swimming venues, rendering the serum harmless. Those who own pools already have the antidote mixed in with the chlorine they purchase."

"The cause of death is suffocation?" I inquired.

"Correct. It doesn't matter if the infected water soaks through the skin or is ingested. The result is the same. In most basic terms, it dries out the entire body over a short period of time from the inside out. The lungs are moist so naturally, when they dry out that's where you get death by suffocation. However, the drying out process continues even after death. Get the picture?"

"Eventually you'll look like a mummy," I whispered with a gulp.

Paul nodded and explained, "That's right, and he's always trying to speed up the rate of evaporation with broader coverage."

I cringed at the sickening thought of what would have happened if there wasn't someone to counteract the morbid brilliance of Randolph's schemes.

"Veronica," Paul said hesitantly

"Yes? What is it?

He motioned to the swivel chair and said, "Please, sit down," and then paced back and forth; deep in thought.

After a couple minutes he said, "I didn't bring you here just to relay information about Randolph."

I leaned in towards Paul anxiously and said, "What then? What else?"

"From this day forward what you possess will bring out the very worst in some very powerful individuals and organizations including those in our government. I'm sure no method will be spared to unlock the secret of immortality."

Paul's lip trembled as he dabbed his eye with a tissue and said, "Those techniques will be painful. Who knows what human nature is capable of when the stakes are so high. You'll be nothing more than an experimental rat. Never underestimate the dark side of greed."

I was speechless as my heart skipped a beat.

"But Veronica, I can give you a way out. That's why you're here."

It took me a minute to digest what Paul had just revealed before I responded and said, "Remember the bridge in the bluffs of Winona? There was an unseen crack that nearly sent me to my death."

Filled with emotion, Paul cleared his throat and said, "Of course I remember."

I rose, placed both hands on his shoulders, and said, "If I do what you say my life is in your hands. Paul, you're like that bridge I trust completely. I pray there isn't a crack hiding in that bridge."

"I remember that day, I remember it well. If you were going down I was going down with you. I've loved you my entire life and know you don't feel the same but have come to terms with that. The reason I'm telling you this is because you must know that I would never do anything to hurt you."

"My heart belongs to Blake and will always be his," I said gently.

He lowered his head as a single tear rolled down his cheek.

After a couple moments, he shook it off and spoke with a sense of urgency.

"I've found out what they're planning from the highest levels. They'll move you to a top secret facility in Hawaii and tell your family it will only be for a couple weeks. Then, they'll run tests to see if they can duplicate the conditions that halted your aging process. However, I've learned that the real plan is to hold you there until they've unlocked that secret no matter how long it takes.

Veronica, if those initial tests don't yield results they'll dig deeper and deeper. What I'm trying to say is they won't stop until you are DEAD.

I have an idea but it will change your life forever. In San Diego there'll be a plane switch and I'll manipulate the schedules and locations so that it will be me who meets you an hour before your real escort shows up.

Next, I'll walk you to a plane that I've fitted with remote capabilities. If all goes according to plan, we'll be the only ones getting on and I can fly it. Risky? Yes. But they just might buy it if I look official enough.

There's a deserted island where I'll have hidden a small hydroplane. By the time they discover that you've been kidnapped, we'll have jumped out of the plane and parachuted down to an inflated raft. Then I'll use remote control to force the plane into a nosedive where it will be destroyed beyond recognition and sink to the depths of the ocean. You'll be presumed dead.

We'll fly back to San Diego, change your appearance, and then you'll live in my home where I'll introduce you to staff as a distant younger cousin that's fallen on hard times.

For this to work, you must be dead to everyone, including Blake and your family. As long as you're alive, they're in danger. If there was any way I could include them, I would. The risk is too great. One misstep from your young son puts all of us in jeopardy. "

It took me a few moments to digest the enormity of what Paul had just described.

"I have to think about it...can I have a couple days?" I asked anxiously.

He shook his head sadly and said, "I won't have another chance to see you again. They'll have you under lock and key until the transfer takes place and any phone you touch will be bugged. It's a miracle that I managed to pull enough strings to make this meeting possible. I'm sorry Veronica, you must decide now."