Chapter 7 "Change in plans"
Charlotte could smell the delicious aroma of omelets and toast wafting through the house as she dried her hair. Making her way into the kitchen she smiled when she saw Wesker slaving over the stove. His hair was still wet from the shower leaving tiny beads of water to run down the curve of his back and finally disappear into the fabric of his uniform pants.
"Isn't this a site to see," Wesker flipped the omelet then shot a glance over his shoulder. "How long has it been since you've made breakfast for two?"
"Not long enough, my Dear." His voice was as professional as ever, but she could tell he was enjoying himself. He loved the food, the expensive clothing - the 'finer' things in life. He would take you to dinner, buy you the most expensive jewelry, and then slap the business offer on the table during dessert. He loved the feeling of creating – then destroying. So it surprised Charlotte when he had made her a genuine proposal of marriage.
It had taken place in the gardens at one of Umbrella's guest houses in France. It was like a dream. Her step-father had spared no expense in welcoming one of the company's most 'up-and-coming' researchers into the family. And Wesker - he looked incredible - the sunlight catching in his blue eyes when he smiled at her.
Two years later she would receive word that Umbrella had authorized the assassination of her step-father, leaving her the sole benefactor of his estate. Somewhere in her mind she thought Wesker had conceived and delivered the plan, but soon after they parted ways, agreeing that being involved with Umbrella was too much of a risk to remain anything more then friends.
So Charlotte had left Umbrella and her position with the U.B.C.S. She sold her inheritance to former colleagues and applied to New York City's S.T.A.R.S. branch of the police force. The move had been hard. She hated to see her marriage end so abruptly but was glad when she was accepted by S.T.A.R.S. At least it would help take her mind off of the past - It did, until a year ago when she got a letter in the mail. Wesker was writing to inform her of his decision to leave his scientific research and join S.T.A.R.S. While glad that he had decided to finally 'leave' Umbrella, she knew better then to believe that they would release one of their B.O.W researchers into the public without just cause – They wanted a spy in the force. One who was reliable - yet ruthless. And so it started again, just like it had in the beginning. The calls, the missions, the reports; she knew everything she did was not only helping him, but Umbrella as well. She had put her life as a mercenary behind her, and taken up her role as an officer of the law only to come full-circle.
Wesker put a plate on the table in front of her. "I need you to study those."
Charlotte glared down at the omelet. "They're over there," he said pointing to the kitchen counter.
"Good. For a moment I thought you were referring to breakfast."
"You're good," he said sitting down with his own plate. "But not that good." Reaching over she grabbed the map folder then plunked it on the table beside her food.
"So what's the plan?" She asked flipping through the pages. The maps were old and had probably been stuffed away somewhere accumulating dust for some time before Wesker got his hands on them. "These sketches look familiar…"
"They should. It's the old Spencer estate." Charlotte set her fork down and brought the maps closer. Her eyes examining the details of Mr. Trevor's architecture.
"That place has been boarded up for years. They don't even use the service entry to the labs anymore." Finishing his toast, Wesker brushed the crumbs from his fingers.
"The staff have been using it anyways. Most of them can't stand being underground for more than one shift at a time. So they've opened up some of the old rooms to accommodate them."
"So you want to bust them for trespassing?"
"Unfortunately it's far worse. There's been a biohazard lockdown since last month." Biohazard, the word made Charlotte's skin crawl.
"How did it happen? And why hasn't U.B.C.S. been called in for cleanup?"
"It's been categorized as 'accidental' and I've been assigned for cleanup." Charlotte laughed.
"They want you to clean it up?" Wesker furrowed his brow.
"Not before I've done a little 'research' of my own." Pushing her plate away she crossed her elbows on the tabletop. She wanted to know more.
"I'm sending S.T.A.R.S. in to investigate. There isn't a doubt in my mind that some of the infected staff had escaped into the surrounding forest. That would account for some of the hikers reported missing."
"And you're willing to inform the team about Umbrella's operations?"
"Oh course not," he said as he cleared the plates from the table. "I want to see how their expert training will hold up against Umbrella's creations."
"And if they become infected?"
"Acceptable losses in the name of research."
"FUCK RESEARCH!" Charlotte screamed, slamming her fist down. Wesker didn't seem to take notice of her outburst which made her even more furious. "They don't even have the equipment to…"
"Precisely." Charlotte nearly choked on her words.
"You want them to die?"
"No, not particularly, but I don't have much of a choice. Umbrella is growing wise to my every move. I have to do something quickly to ensure my 'backers' don't expose me."
"So you've been playing Umbrella, just like you've been playing the rest of us?"
"I haven't been playing you at all." He said as he grabbed his shirt. "You're just as guilty as I am." Charlotte stood still watching as he grabbed up pieces of his uniform. Her eyes were stinging from the tears she held back.
"So what do you have planned for me?" Her voice was nearly a whisper. She didn't really want to know his plans.
"You're going to help me strand them and then secure our escape route through the facility." She nodded.
"And what of the survivors?" Wesker knew who she meant by 'survivors'.
"There won't be any." Without another word he slipped out the door leaving her alone. 'Sorry, Forest, but there isn't any room for you in my plans.' He thought. "A real shame." He whispered as a grin grew across his cold face.
