Chapter Thirteen: Oleander
Malcolm arrived at the Police Station. Winter yawned as he looked around. "we home yet?" he asked.
"Yep. C'mon."
The two of them entered the station. An older Hispanic woman waited for the both of them. "Welcome back, boys."
"Great to be back but there's one thing that we need to discuss." Malcolm handed Rose the note.
Rose examined the note quietly. "Genocide? You mean she's planning a full blown killing spree?"
"Sounds like it. We even found a weird incubator in the back of Helen's ambulance. She's currently caring for the child that was left in it." Commented Malcolm.
Rose sighed. "Polonium is not making any of this easy. Have we confirmed that Sam is in a safe location."
"Not yet. I haven't heard anything from either one of the boys. I imagine they are though."
Rose thinks for a moment. "I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on our corners. I do want to dust this note for fingerprints. In case we can catch the writer. Who knows if Polonium left a trap for us."
Winter and Malcolm both nod in agreement. Rose handed the note over to Winter. "See if you can't find any evidence on this."
"Will do."
"and I'd better get back to my sister's house. I'll alert you on the child's condition."
"Alright. Stay safe."
Malcolm left the Police Station. He couldn't help but feel uneasy. He drove back to his sister's house on his bike. He parked behind his sister's ambulance before walking up to the front door. He noticed that the door was locked. He gave the door a gentle knock.
Helen got up from her chair. She answered the door to see her brother standing outside. She motioned for him to come in. He tip-toed into the house. The baby was still resting peacefully. Malcolm noticed that Helen was able to find the stuff she had from when Mandy was that small. "How is she?" he asked.
"The baby's fine. Still super small for her age." whispered Helen. "She's just been napping away in her basket."
"That's good. I still find it sickening that Polonium was planning on killing the small thing."
"The killing part isn't the only thing that bugs me, Malcolm. It's the idea that Sam had gotten that woman pregnant. I know it wasn't his fault but, what do I tell him?"
"You tell him that he has a child. He deserves to know."
Helen looked down at the child. "What kind of a world do we live in?" she wondered.
Sam woke back up again. He could smell food being cooked. His stomach howled. He limped out of his room. He spotted Katryn in the kitchen cooking. His brother was talking to a woman he didn't recognize. He hung back a bit. "Glad you could join us, Samuel." mused Katryn
Celeste turned around. She eyed him up and down. "Damn, you are gorgeous."
Sam blushed. He coughed. He turned his head away politely.
"Where are my manners? I'm Celeste Fiori. I was the one that developed the cure that saved your life."
Sam nodded. He sat with his brother on the couch. He stayed silent. Charlie patted his brother's shoulder. "She doesn't bite. I promise."
"No but I will talk your ear off about science. Shame that my old mentor is causing so much pain." sighed Celeste.
"Polonium was your mentor?" asked Charlie.
"Yeah. Back when I attended college in Germany. She used to teach genetics. She was a bit crazy at the time but never on this scale." replied Celeste.
Sam growled quietly. He narrowed his eyes at Celeste. Celeste sensed his gaze. "Don't worry. None of her craziness rubbed off on me. I'm too much like my parents. Besides, I work more with machines than I do people."
"It's true." commented Katryn. "You should see the machines she invents."
"Bit like you, Sam." mused Charlie.
That made Celeste perk up. "You're an inventor?"
"Was. Had to stop because of how strict my current Chief Fire Officer is."
"I would love to know the things you've invented."
Sam blushed again. "I'm afraid my memory is a little fuzzy on that part."
"Shame. I'd love to show you my newest project after dinner if you'd like." offered Celeste.
Sam looked at his brother. Charlie smirked. "You don't need my permission to make friends. You need to take your mind off this whole ordeal."
"I need to contact Helen and let her know we made it safely." argued Sam. He stood up. "I'll be back." He retreated back to his room. He closed the door gently.
Sam took his phone out of his pocket. He dialed Helen's number.
Helen felt her phone going off. She picked up.
Helen: Sam? Did you and Charlie make it to your safe zone?
Sam: Yes we did. We're in very good hands.
Helen: Good. I was beginning to worry because you hadn't called me yet.
Sam: I would of reached out to you somehow. I wasn't sure where Charlie was taking me.
Helen: I'm glad your safe. There's something I need to alert you to though. When I do, don't take it as a sign that you need to come back to PontyPandy. I want you to stay where you are.
Sam: What's going on, Helen?
Helen: When we arrived at the house this morning, there was an incubator with a child in it. The incubator had a note that talked about her trying to kill said child in an act of voilence against us.
Sam: What? What do you mean?
Helen: Sam, you have a child. She was going to use the child as a way of getting to you. To have you watch it die.
Sam: I have a child? How?
Helen: I'm not sure. I'm still working that out. The child is in my care. I'm doing what I can to keep her safe.
Sam: I'm...I don't know how to feel...
Helen: I was surprised too.
Sam: Who does she look more like?
Helen: Well she does look a bit like Polonium but she has a lot of you in her. I just hope she'll inherit more of your personality and less of hers.
Sam: I hope so too. I just...wow...
Helen: Just remember Sam, you have the whole of PontyPandy to help you. Trust me there are more moms in this village that know how to handle a child than you think.
Sam: I'm worried about her safety. I mean how do I explain that her mom was a monster?
Helen: I would say to not talk about her mom but at the same time she deserves to know the truth. You just tell her what her mom did.
Sam: I just can't get over the fact that I ended up bringing her into the world. I didn't mean to get Polonium pregnant. She forced herself onto me.
Helen: Sam, we know it wasn't your fault. Please don't blame the child for it.
Sam: I won't. I'm just worried that the others will.
Helen: You don't worry about what the others will say about her. If Dilys knows any better, she'll keep her mouth shut. You focus on giving this girl the best possible future.
Sam: I-I will. I'll try to at least.
Helen: -lets out a tired sigh- that's all you can do. I'm right here if you need help. Remember that.
Sam: I'll be very thankful for that. I know being a single dad won't be easy.
Helen: It won't but look at Dilys. She made it work.
Sam: -chuckles- Well...
Helen: I know you just got the news but have you decided on a name?
Sam: Renee. I don't know why. It just popped into the back of my head.
Helen: Renee, eh? Sounds like a lovely name.
Sam: Please take care of her. I want to know how she's doing.
Helen: I'll keep you updated, Sam. Please take care of yourself too.
Sam: Helen...
Helen: Yes?
Sam: I love you.
Helen: I love you too. Take care.
-Helen hangs up-
Helen heard Renee begin to cry. She picked her up into her arms. "Shh. It's alright. I've got you."
Renee hummed hungrily at her. Helen went into the kitchen. She searched her shelves. "I'm afraid I don't have any formula. Hmm.."
She reached into the fridge. She pulled out the milk she hand. She did a bottle up for Renee. Renee suckled from it rather quickly. Helen chuckled. "Hey. Slow down. You don't want to make yourself sick."
Renee cooed at her quietly. Helen went back into the living room. She sat down with her on the couch. Once Renee got done with her bottle, Helen burped her gently before laying her down in the basket. "There. Happy now?"
Renee let out another coo. She settled down in her basket. She yawned loudly. Helen rocked her back and forth steadily. "I wonder what Sam was like as a baby?" mused Helen. "Probably just as small and adorable as you are now."
The more Helen stayed with the baby, the more attached she felt. The anger she had towards it in the beginning subsided. Renee clenched the corner of her dad's flannel in her tiny hands. She slowly fell asleep. Helen stopped rocking the basket. She heard the front door open. Mike walked in. "I've got the things you asked for, love." he whispered.
"Thank you."
Mike put the bag on the counter. "I honestly thought we were done having kids. Guess not."
Helen chuckled. "I guess not either, dear."
Mike hugged her gently. "How is she? Has she given you much trouble?"
"No. Not really. Just tired and hungry. She's been resting most of the afternoon."
"Do you remember when Mandy was that small?" asked Mike.
"Yes. I think she was a bit bigger than Renee though."
"You've named the child already?"
"No. Sam called earlier to let me know they had reached their safe spot. He picked the name for the child." explained Helen.
"Oh. I see. Well I'm heading off to get cleaned up. Today's batch of jobs were rather rough." He kissed Helen on the cheek.
Helen smiled. She watched as her husband disappeared up the set of stairs. She heard a faint "thud" as Malcolm slid forward in the recliner. He snapped awake. He yawned, looking around. The days of traveling had finally gotten to him. "Is it my turn to watch the baby?"
"Technically, but I think you need some more rest."
Malcolm yawned. "what gives you that idea?"
"The fact that you can barely stay awake in my chair." mused Helen. "Go back to sleep. I can watch her for a few more hours."
"If your sure." Malcolm rested his body up against the recliner again. He closed his eyes. He went back to sleep but kept an ear out for Helen and Renee.
Crompton had returned back at the lab by nightfall. He shook when he heard slamming and thumping coming from the work area. He walked in to find Polonium in a tizzy. "Crompton, have you seen the incubator?"
"No. Not since you last showed me this morning."
She glared at him. "Really?" She grabbed him by the shirt collar. "Why do I have a feeling that isn't the case? You know, I saw something strange on the cameras this morning."
Crompton withered around in her grasp. "R-Really? I don't know what your talking about."
"I know what you did, Crompton. I honestly thought better of you." She chucks him into the wall.
Crompton grunted. He tried to stand up only for her to put his boot down on him. "Now that you've given them the baby, they know what my plan is. I guess I'll have to move on it quicker than expected."
"Polonium, please. This isn't you. Just stop! Leave that man and his friends alone!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that." She grabs him by the back of the shirt again. She pins him against the wall. "Which means I can no longer allow you to live either."
Crompton struggled to get away from her. "No! It was an honest mistake! I can get her back!"
Polonium grabbed a knife off her workbench. She made him face her.
"What are you doing? No! No!"
Polonium stabbed him in the neck. His blood spattered against the wall. She heard him gag and choke on his own blood. He slumped down the wall. She kicked his body over. "Sorry Crompton, I'm afraid I can't have any more loose ends."