Fumbling Toward Ecstasy

Chapter 13 - Missing

Brynne looked up at Payton, as he crossed back and forth in front of her, pacing. His face left no mysteries as to what he felt. He was pissed.

"What were you thinking?" Payton asked Brynne.

"I don't know," Brynne replied. "It was just this spontaneous thing."

"Really?" Payton asked. "Well, this 'spontaneous thing' just created a very grave problem. Check that – it just created three very grave problems. And on top of that, you didn't even fix the minor problem you were supposed to fix in the first place!"

"What's all this talk about problems?" Hockley asked, stepping into the conversation. "I want to know what's going on. I demand an explanation immediately."

Payton looked to Bell, conveying a silent cue, which the latter promptly picked up on.

Bell turned to Cal, Rose, and Jeremy. "It's been an eventful evening for all of you, I'm sure," Bell began. "Mr. Bratt, I'm sure you and your companions could use some refreshment."

Jeremy, disconcerted, looked to Brynne as he responded, and she wilted a little inside because she knew the truth, and she knew he would know the truth very soon, and it wouldn't be good. "I can't speak for Mr. Hockley or Ms. DeWitt-Bukater, but I sure could use … something. This experience has thrown me for quite a loop." His eyes left her as he left the room. Rose, Cal, and Bell followed.

"Why, Brynne?" Payton asked once the others were out of the room and out of earshot. He sat down beside Brynne on the bed.

"I don't think you would understand," Brynne said.

"No, I think I do, which is exactly why we warn you rookies about this kind of stuff in training," Payton countered. "You didn't actually think that we could keep them here, did you?"

"For the record, I didn't actually bring Cal and Rose here," Brynne said. "They came through of their own volition."

"It doesn't matter how they got here. What matters is that they're here, and that we need to get the back to where they belong."

Payton's cell phone rang. Before the first ring was done, the flip phone was open and pressed against Payton's ear. "What is it?" he asked.

Bell re-entered the room. Brynne stood and met him at the door. "What did you give them?" she asked.

"I didn't have many options," Bell said. "It's pretty bare in there."

"Yeah, I know," Brynne said. "I don't get to make groceries that often."

"I found a few cans of soda. I think Jeremy would have preferred something a little stronger, though. Did you tell him anything before today?"

"What do you mean? About me?"

"Yeah. You didn't mention anything to him, did you? While you were on the ship, or while you were working together?"

"Damn!" Payton cursed.

Bell and Brynne turned to Payton. The boss man began barking orders into the phone. "I want every available tech and repair person on this. Get those links back up." He snapped the phone shut.

"What is it?" Brynne asked.

"There's a problem with the links," Payton revealed. "They're going out all over."

"How long will it take to get them back up again?" Brynne asked.

Payton shook his head. "I don't know. I put everyone we can spare on it. Just what I need – another problem."