Keeper of His Heart
Chapter 15
Forty-five minutes later, having stopped for a fuel top-up and a food run, Tim and Sam finally arrived back at Tim's apartment. Throughout the journey, Sam had been on tenterhooks. She had never been more aware of the body heat radiating off the person seated next to her. The memory of his sea-foamed eyes boring intently into hers, and his show of protective streak less than 24 hours ago made her heart race.
How am I going to survive the night? She thought despondently.
"Would you like to eat first, or would you prefer to first take a shower?" Tim inquired lightly as he turned on the lights to his apartment.
"Food first." She replied without hesitating. Her stomach growled in agreement. Plus, the aroma of the Japanese takeout was very much tempting.
They made light conversation while munching on their dinners. Teriyaki chicken had never tasted so good to Sam.
"How's the shoulder?"
"What? Oh…It's fine. I barely even notice it…" While she spoke, she attempted a tentative shoulder roll. Aside from a slight discomfort, it truly didn't bother her any longer.
"That's good." Tim paused for a moment. "I'll check on it later, after you've showered." His follow up sentence was put so casually that any normal person wouldn't put much thought into it.
"What…?" Sam voiced out dumbly for the second time in the night. "Is that really necessary?" She added on awkwardly, avoiding his eyes. "I'm feeling fine, I really am."
"Yes, but I'll rather keep the graze under wraps for another day, just in case." Tim cocked his eyebrows at her. "I'm sure you don't want to risk any chance of infection."
"No but…" Sam trailed off, hoping against hope that her embarrassment was not showing on her cheeks. She knew she was attracted to Tim Scam, and was more or less aware that the feelings were mutual. She wasn't sure if she could keep her emotions in check once more if they were placed in an…intimate-ish situation.
"That settles it then." Tim's tone left no room for argument. "Take a shower after you're done, and I'll deal with your wound."
Sam had to struggle to contain the sarcastic 'yes dad' remark that was on the tip of her tongue. With white-knuckled hands, she elected to keep mum and continued eating her dinner.
One quick and refreshing shower later, Sam paddled back into the guest bedroom which she had left her things in. She noted with some surprise that the sheets on the bed had been changed, and the windows opened to let in gusts of cool, almost-spring air.
"I've changed the sheets." Sam raised her head at the sound and nodded at Tim's obvious statement. The man was leaning against the door frame, having already showered and changed into a pair of matching black pyjamas.
"I've noticed. Thanks Tim." Her reply was sincere and courteous.
Tim's face softened and he nodded, still not used to being thanked for the things he did. A year spent with the O.R.A.I.C team (especially with Clover and Alex) had taught him a thing or two about consideration for others. It had taken him awhile to get used to the idea of relying on others and vice versa again. Not to mention many awkward attempts at first. But the warm feeling in his heart at Sam's words were worth it.
He cleared his throat. "I'll need to help you re-bandage that." It was only then did Sam notice the familiar first aid box balanced against his side. She could not hold back a groan.
I had hoped he'd forgotten… "Really Tim…I told you it is not necessary." Her remark came out more biting than she had intended.
The man in question ignored her persistent words, taking a step into the room. "And as your unofficial doctor, I said that I insist." He answered instead, placing the first aid box on the side table. With gentle yet firm hands, he guided the young woman to sit at the edge of the bed.
"Now, are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way?" He asked.
Seeing no other option, Sam conceded defeat. "Fine." Her tone made it clear that she didn't like what he was about to do.
With a satisfied smile, Tim set to work.
The experience from yesterday made this wound-injury-check-up session a less awkward one for both parties. However, that didn't stop Sam from feeling hopelessly embarrassed as she perched on the edge of the guest bed with her top off.
She took in deep breaths to regulate her breathing, trying hard not to react at the gentle and warm hands hovering around her shoulder as he tended to her wound.
"Good…It's healing along nicely." Tim declared, glad to see new tissue forming along the wound areas. It was taking a lot of willpower on his end to remain professional as well. More than once, he had to swallow the lump that rose to his throat at the sight of the soft, milky skin belonging to Sam.
Get a grip Scam. She's got so much going on…She doesn't need you lusting over her now.
It didn't take long for Tim to rebandage the wound with a clean piece of gauze.
"Done." He declared, standing up. While Tim headed to the bathroom to wash his hands, Sam hastily slipped her t-shirt back on.
"Thanks Dr. Scam." In an attempt to play off her own embarrassment, she sent him a dazzling smile when he returned.
He effortlessly returned her smile. "Nothing to it. Would you like something to drink?"
"Sounds great. Tea?" She supplied. It was one of her habits, to indulge in a cup of freshly brewed tea before bed. "I brought my teabags from the base. I could make you a cup…if you like?"
"Sure." Tim answered readily. The pair left the room.
Soon, they were both settled on the couch, each with a cup of tea. For a while, there was no sound other than the contented sipping of the beverage by each of them.
"This is surprising good." Tim commented, breaking the silence.
"Thanks. It's my special brew." The mysterious glint was in her eyes was a clear indication that she wasn't going to share her recipe.
"I'll find out eventually." Tim replied nonchalantly, earning a short burst of laughter from the young woman next to him.
"What do you normally do in the evenings after work?" She wondered after a while.
"Nothing much really…I'm often too tired after work to go out…I like to have a drink and relax on the armchair with a good book…Or sometimes I deal with paperwork." He waved a lazy hand at the stack of folders on one of the shelves.
She giggled. "Workaholic."
He cocked a lazy brow in her direction. "You don't know the half of it." Tim sighed. "I guess I just don't know how else to spend my time." He finished honestly.
Sam went quiet, nodding her head in understanding. "So, what should we do tonight then?" The shower, and then the tea had provided her with a burst of new energy that she was eager to put to good use.
"It's been a long day Sam, and it's likely going to get even longer tomorrow…Why don't you have an early night?" Tim suggested. The man than made the mistake of grabbing his briefcase and extracting a couple of manila folders from it.
Sam raised her eyebrows evenly at Tim. "And what will you be doing?"
With his head lowered and focused on arranging the files he had in his hand, Tim didn't pick up the slight change in her tone. "I'll stay up for a bit to look through the files from Shane and Wayne's offices…See if I can find anything."
"Oh, so you don't need my help then." This time, Tim caught the tinge of contempt and hurt in her voice. He raised his head just in time to catch Sam's emerald eyes blaring with fury in his direction, arms folded across his chest.
Tim sighed. "I didn't mean it that way Sam…"
"Oh really?" Her resort came firing back. "Because it certainly sounds like it. Who do you think you are? I can make my own decisions Tim Scam. You can't tell me what to do." Sam grounded her teeth. While she appreciated his concern, the fact that he had practically delegated her to bed (as if she were a small child or a weak woman) rankled hard. It irked her that in this twenty-first century world, women were still sometimes viewed as the weaker sex.
Knowing that the situation would end badly if he didn't handle it well, Tim wisely backed down. Frustrated at himself for riling Sam up (even though it was accidental), he ran a hand across his hair.
It seemed like whenever he was around Sam, he lost all rationality. He just wanted to protect her, to make it all up to her. But Sam clearly had different ideas. +
Tim sighed. He seemed to be doing that a lot recently. "You're right…I'm sorry Sam. I shouldn't have assumed or tell you what to do."
"You definitely shouldn't." Sam remained scowling, but the biting edge in her voice lessen.
"Don't be mad." He coaxed awkwardly.
"I'm not mad…" She let out a puff of air. "I'm just tired of women in general being seen as less competent compared to men. It was the same with Terence, Wayne and Shane…I really don't want to experience the same here…" Her (ex)-leader in particular, had a way of making her feel inferior, all because of her gender.
"I'm sorry…It's just that... I care for you Sam. And I was raised with the mindset that men ought to look out for those around them…especially women." Tim admitted slowly.
Sam dropped her arms to her sides, turning her body so that she was facing him. A tentative smile worked its' way onto her face. "I understand Tim. But I also need you to understand that I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself." She reaffirmed her beliefs.
"Gotcha. I won't tell you what to do any longer, but I'll continue to look out for your physical wellbeing and safety. No buts on that one." He sent a meaningful look at her.
She nodded. "Fair enough." It was nice to know that someone cared for her. "So…Where should we start?" She gestured at the stack of folders and papers that laid forgotten on his lap.
Wordlessly, Tim picked up the folders and handled Sam half the stack. "Hopefully, these would tell us what exactly Terence is up to."
Sam ruffled through the stack and gestured for them to swap some of the folders. "I skimmed through Shane's papers earlier. He seems to be working on creating a volatile liquid that does not leave behind evidence traces. But I don't have much chemistry knowledge…Hopefully you can figure things out."
"Alright." Tim hid his astonishment at Sam's admission that she didn't have any chemistry knowledge. He knew that Sam was always one of the top students of her year, both in high school and college. Looks like the amnesia really did a number on her.
Hopefully, it can be reversed…It'll really be a shame…O.R.A.I.C could use another Science whizz around.
"Yeah…But Shane only has one piece of the puzzle. Hopefully, whatever notes Wayne left behind has some answers."
Seated side by side on the couch, the pair worked in comfortable silence. Tim poured over Shane's notes and equations, stopping multiple times to retrieve some chemistry reference texts he owned. It had been years since he was exposed to anything chemistry related, and he needed some refreshers. Shane Morris was very detailed, a trait that played well in understanding what he was tasked to do.
The more he uncovered, the more uneasy Tim became. True to what Sam had deduced, Shane was working on a volatile liquid. What was more concerning was the chemical properties behind the liquid. If Tim was looking at things right, the liquid's constituent compounds were arsenic (commonly found in rat poison), and black widow venom. A quick search on the web revealed how potent each could be on its own. Tim shuddered to think what would happen if these two poisons were used together.
By why create this volatile liquid? What is Terence's plan?
Sam on the other hand, was having more trouble with Wayne's notes. The fact that the man had the chance to ruffle through his notes (and taking those that are of vital importance) meant that Sam was left with many pieces of uncomplete information. Most of the notes were preliminary ideas and sketches. She could hardly make head or tail of it.
Okay…Think Sammy. Feeling her frustration building, Sam paused in her own work to reflect. Although hers, Wayne's and Shane's roles were vastly different, the redhead was certain that they all contributed to the same plan.
What has Terence asked me to steal for him thus far? Besides cash, there have been…wielding supplies, glue guns, electric wires, laptop computers, iPad, smartwatches, walkie talkies…Oh and medical syringes from my first ever mission…
Her head was spinning with the overload of information, so Sam grabbed a pen and paper and proceeded to write everything down. Slowly and meticulously, she began listing down the known and unknown uses of the items she had stolen.
Laptop computers & iPad- hacking into L.A security system.
Smartwatches- to satisfy his own materialistic cravings…*eye roll*
Walkie Talkies? - To communicate with one another during missions? Or to modify?
Glue guns- Modify?
Medical Syringes?
"What have you got thus far?" Sam paused in her work. She raised her head to look at Tim.
"Hmm?" Snapping out of his own train of thought, Tim shared his findings with Sam, and showed her the Internet webpages regarding the two substances in the volatile liquid.
"Our lab associates at the CSI can give us a better conclusion, but it'll take a few days." Tim sighed, unsuccessfully stifling a yawn.
Sam sent him a sympathetic look. "You look exhausted." She murmured.
He returned her smile with a soft one of his own. "I'm okay. Don't worry. What about you? What did you find?"
Sam showed Tim the list she had been making.
"I think the cash could have been to purchase the black widow venom. The market price for it is just…wow." Sam mentally added up the amount of money she had 'acquired' for Terence, and it was quite a substantial sum.
"Good point. Hmm…The syringe could be used to store the volatile liquid." Tim commented. "I know from Shane's notes he was working on a way to store it in normal conditions."
"Could be." Sam made a note on her paper. "The fact that Terence asked me to get wielding supplies means that they were planning to modify something…"
"But what?" Tim mused. For a moment, the pair stared at the paper. The cogs in both their minds were on overdrive as they tried to decipher Terence's plan.
Suddenly, as if something clicked within them, Tim, and Sam each jolted up in shock. Their heads immediately snapped to one another.
"You don't think… that the glue gun..." Sam trailed off.
"Let me guess…Modified to shoot out the volatile liquid?" Tim's was quick to catch on.
"Yes." Sam was firm. "It is possible…right?"
"If the two of us can come up with this idea…I don't see why Terence can't." Tim replied carefully. And the plan itself sounded diabolical enough.
"It will explain the wielding materials. And the electric wires." Sam mused. "And also, the initial notes on Wayne's papers about the interior wiring of guns." She searched through the papers before producing the one that she was talking about. Tim scanned the paper and nodded, having grasped the link Sam was going down.
"If this is his plan, we still don't know how it fits into the broader picture." Tim said.
Sam sighed; excitement deflated somewhat. "That's true…"
"Hey, don't worry about it." He immediately sensed her mood change. "It's a really good lead, the best we've got thus far."
Sam wasn't exactly listening, willing her brain to focus and churn out possible explanations. Something was nagging at her; there was a wisp of memory at the back of her mind that she just couldn't grasp.
Straightening up, she spread out all the papers and files they had on the coffee table. Tim remained silent while she did this. He recognized the 'thinking' face she had; Clover and Alex had similar thoughtful looks. He wisely elected not to interrupt her.
Emerald eyes moved slowly across the table, taking in the words, diagrams and charts scrawled on them. She allowed her mind to roam and explore the possibilities.
Laptop computers…monitor the streets of L.A…some kind of public display or public attack? Could be…That would explain why the walkie talkies will be handy…
Smartwatches can be synced to mobile devices…some kind of monitoring or tracking device?
Black window venom…impacts the nervous system…
Arsenic…impacts the digestive system…
Syringe and gun…mass poisoning?
"Mass poisoning?" Her words came out in an uncertain whisper as her mind entertained that thought.
"Pardon?" In the silence of the room, Tim had heard the words she had spoken, but it was so out of the blue that he did a double take.
Jerkily, Sam turned her head to meet his. Tim could see the horror in her emerald orbs as she uttered the next few words.
"I think Terence is planning on poisoning us."
"Listen to me." Sam's voice picked up in urgency and speed. "There was something that was nagging at me earlier while I was making the list, but I couldn't quite grasp what it was. But now I remember." She paused for breath.
"There is a large map of L.A. in our control room, that's where we hold meetings. It wasn't there earlier when we infiltrated their base, so it didn't come to me. But there are several places marked out on the map…A map, I need a map of downtown L.A!" Sam shut her eyes in a bid to retain the mental image of the map in her head. She could visualise the placement of the red pins that Terence had placed.
Tim wasted no time, dashing into his room. He practically ripped off the map that he had on his wall and brought it to the living area. "Here." He had a feeling that this was going somewhere good.
Sam opened her eyes. The map in her mind's eye and the map in front of heroverlaid in her brain. Immediately, Sam placed her fingers on several places on the map. "Here and here. I'm sure of it." With each point that she determined, Tim made a marking with a black sharpie marker.
"You sure?" He asked. Fingers working on his laptop, Tim opened Google Maps and zoomed in on one of the areas that Sam had marked out.
"Positive. I've stared at the map long enough during those long, boring meetings, but never had the opportunity to scrutinise it up close. Terence practically lived in the control room."
"Alright. Let's see what we're working with here…" Tim and Sam poured over the zoomed in area of the map.
"There!" They both shouted in unison. Their fingers too, worked in sync to point at a particular building shown on the map.
The Governor's Office.
A quick zoom in on the other pinned area Sam had pointed out revealed another grim potential target- The Central Bank.
Seafoam and emerald eyes lock in a look of determination.
Receiving a terse nod from Tim, Sam voiced what they were both thinking.
"We need to call Jerry."
In no time at all, a three-way video conference had been set up: Tim and Sam, Clover and Alex, and Jerry.
Tim and Sam took turns to elaborate on their grim discovery. Putting together Sam's theory and the pinned points on Terence's map, they postulated that Terence might be planning on a mass poisoning through tempering with the water supply.
"We don't know if that's really the case…But it fits all the evidence we've got so far, so it's a pretty apt theory." Tim cautioned.
Jerry was thoughtful, nodding his head in understanding. "Regardless of its' truth, it is a disturbing theory indeed…Good work agents."
Sam felt a burst of pride at Jerry's acknowledgement of her as an 'agent'. At that moment, she had never been more certain that this was where she belonged.
"What should we do now Jer?" That came from Alex, who was teleconferencing from her apartment with Clover.
"I'll warn the governor's office and the bank to be on the look out for suspicious activities. And I'll get the CSI team to speed up their analysis process if they can." Jerry decided.
"Can you give us a rough gauge on the timeline we're working with Sammy? How prepared was Terence and Wayne when you last had a meeting with them?" Clover prompted.
Sam bit her lower lip as she reflected. "I know the chemical part was more or less completed, based off Shane's notes. I only procured the glue gun and wielding tools a couple of days ago, so I don't know how much Wayne has done in terms of the modification. But I would say Terence will probably aim to speed things up before things get further compromised…He's been harping on this grand plan of his for months now."
"I agree." Tim chimed in his two cents. "With Sam's deflection and Shane's temporary absence, the risk of discovery is just too high. I think Terence would take the risk rather than lie low again. It's his personality…"
"So, I would think…the next couple of days perhaps? Next week at latest." Sam gave a hesitant timeline.
"That doesn't give us much time." Clover answered, worry lines appearing on her face. She shared a look with Alex.
"Indeed, that doesn't. I'll contact the FBI and see if they are able to help…Perhaps their face and body-language recognition technologies can be of use while we monitor the CCTV footage. Otherwise, be on call 24/7 agents."
"Roger." Alex nodded solemnly. The rest of them echoed Alex's comment.
On his end, Jerry hung up the video call with a sigh. One hand came up to his rub his temples. He felt a migraine coming on.
No can do. Have to focus.
With yet another tired heave, Jerry stood up and began a slow place up and down the small room he was seated in.
Although he had sent his agents home to rest, he himself hadn't dared to leave H.Q. For Jerry knew his brother well. Terence Lewis wouldn't be easily convinced with just a simple text message. Jerry had a pretty good feeling that his brother would be ringing Shane Morris' phone anytime tonight.
Hence his decision to stay in H.Q.
Shane Morris was currently in well-guarded room next door. Jerry had already met and spoke with the man that if he wanted O.R.A.I.C's help (and protection, and possibility a reduced sentence), he ought to cooperate and feed Terence with certain false information.
Jerry's thoughts channelled to the criminal held up in the room next to his. Approving the conversation between Shane Morris with Sam had been a good move. The man had readily cooperated with him afterwards, providing as much information as he knew. Jerry suspected that the guilt reflected in the man's eyes was a critical factor in his decision.
Now, with Sam and Tim's theory, the pieces of information that Shane Morris had told him was much clearer. The more Jerry thought about it, the more he was convinced that Sam and Tim were on to something.
Everything is coming full circle…The end is nearing…I can feel it. It was going to end soon. And Terence Lewis had to pay the price for what he had done.
Whoever that kept saying that blood is thicker than water clearly never heard the original saying: that the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. Jerry reflected, weariness seeping through his soul. Although Terence was his twin brother, the bond between them paled in comparison to the bonds he had to his W.O.O.H.P, and O.R.A.I.C agents. Brother or not, Terence was going down for good this time.
Frankly, Jerry was physically and emotionally exhausted. After last year's saga, he had no other choice but to push on with founding O.R.A.I.C, but he was feeling much too old for such drama. He would be glad when everything is over.
Suddenly, the cell phone Jerry had been grasping in his hand chirped to life. It forced Jerry to snap out of his musings. One glance at the device said it all.
Terence was calling.
"Let's get this show on the road." Jerry muttered to himself. Without any hesitation, the head of O.R.A.I.C hurried out of the room.
Err…Hi?
Hope everyone is well!
I'm so sorry for the unintentional hiatus everyone! I'm trying my best to write whenever I can, but work has drained me of my creative juices (and my time). Still trying though. I'll try not to leave this hanging for too long. sheepish grin. Bear with me please!
Stay safe and keep well,
TrixieNancy