Family Ties

Part 2

Ch. 4

(FBI)

The next morning, Colby and Don escorted Rose toward the Interrogation Room, making sure the Rose doesnt collapse from exhaustion. They met Megan just outside the Interrogation Room, looking at the monitors intently.

Hey guys, Megan greeted them all, only steeling a quick glance at them.

Has he given us anything yet? Don asked her.

Nothin she shook her head.

Rose is here to see if she can get anything else out of him before the NID takes him away, Colby explained to Megans unasked question.

Megan finally looked up from the screens and said to Rose, Well, good luck.

Yeah, she breathed.

Rose took in a deep breathe, collecting up all of her energy that she could muster. She stepped into the Interrogation Room. The clone stared at her.

I got into a car accident and the baby didnt make it, she told him very quickly. She leaned closer to him, still not sitting down.

Youre plan to obtain the ATA Gene has failed. This is your last chance to give us some information before the military takes you off. And believe me, she paused for effect and then continued, firmly, they wont treat you as nicely as my brother and his friends have.

Rose walked away and leaned on the glass wall that surrounded the room.

What is it that youd like to know?

How many clones are out there? she asked.

There are many, he told her.

She laughed.

You seem to be missing the point, Rose told him. She moved right into his personal space and continued, more firmly. You give us useful information and we will make sure you dont get sent to a room thats nothing more than a hole in the ground.

There are seven clones for each individual member of The Trust, he then told her, a little reluctantly.

Rose smiled sweetly and said, Now was that so hard?

She walked out and met the others.

Thats all I could get, for now, she told them. But its one hell of a start.

Right. Ill call General Landry with an update, Don said, starting to walk away. Good job, sis.

Aw it was nothin! she said waving a hand.

Rose swayed a little. Her energy was waning fast once more. Colby placed a gentle hand on her arms, to stable her.

Lets lie you down, Colby said, guiding her, for she had no energy to fight him away stubbornly.

He helped her settle into the sofa that was in the break room. Colby took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. Rose dug the side of her face into the pillow. He kissed her just before she fell asleep.

*****

A handful of hours later, Rose woke with a start. She stood up and rubbed her face with her hands. Colbys jacket slipped off her shoulder. She caught it and pulled it up. Rose rubbed her chin against it and breathed in his scent. The familiar smell of his aftershave comforted her from the bad dream that she had woken up so abruptly to.

Sorry. I didnt wake you did I? came a familiar voice.

Rose pulled away from her trance and looked around for the source of the voice. It was St. Clair. He had been clanging around, getting some coffee.

No. No. I just woke up, really, she told him, yawning.

Coffee? he said, offering up his cup that he just poured.

Two sugars, two creams, please, she told him, with a faint and tired smile.

He handed her, her cup, returning her smile.

Better get ready for round two, she sighed, taking a sip.

With that clone? he asked.

Uh, hum,

Well, theyve taken him already, St. Clair informed her.

Wait. What?

The NID shipped him out about an hour ago,

They werent supposed to for another couple of hours, she said.

Don said something about the IOA wanting to get this business over with, he shrugged.

Rose groaned, Morons.

To be continued . . .