Chapter Seventeen
As the limo sped into the Mansion's parking lot, Angelica had just slipped on the last of her shoes. Her lips felt bruised and her face flushed as she stumbled from the vehicle. Brad let the window down, his face full of worry and concern as he reached his arm out to hand her the keys she had left in his possession earlier that night. "Are you sure you are alright, Miss?" Nodding as she adjusted her skirting, the woman breathed a sigh of relief. Rolling up the small stack of papers into a tight cylinder, the woman stuffed both articles into her clutch. The silver object bulged, but held none the less. "Don't you worry about me. Just keep out of sight until the night is over…just trust me. You were amazing…" Tipping at his hat as he drove back to his well hidden spot, the young man sped the car out of view. Angelica looked back up at the staircase, not looking forward to ascending it for the second time that evening. Brushing back her long hair, the woman bit her lip. People were already out on the balcony, which meant unless Trent and Lisa had done their jobs, she was going to be questioned as to the late arrival.
When she finally pushed through the double doors, what met her sight made the woman's breath hitch. An ambulance from the town evidently had been called, four specialized paramedics loading Annette Birkin onto a stretcher. Within her arms was a small bundle, tiny arms waving about from the crimson fabric. William looked positively abashed, his hands running through his hair. The man gave her a shocked look as he followed the procession, he smile wide and dazed. "My baby had a wife…I mean Annette…Sherry…I have to go…I have a daughter…" Angelica stood dumbstruck, her blue orbs wide and in disbelief. Sharply she turned, looking for Trent. Lisa came running up as quickly as her dress would allow, roughly grabbing her by the elbow. "Where have you been…" Trevor hissed beneath her breath, her cheeks flushed. Ushering the woman back outside, the pair descended the stairs. Angelica nearly tripped towards the end, a young, Asian man quickly supporting her by the arm. Spencer had been conversing with him by the staircase, and Ashford lazily listening with a glass of alcohol in his hand.
"Ah..pretty young miss wears too high of heel!" The young man smiled as he steadied her, his white teeth shining. Spencer grinned as well, though the smile struck Angelica as…shark like… "Ah, Doctor Burrows, we were just discussing you with Mr. Okani here. He is our new co-CEO of the Japan branch. The new base will be out of Tokyo." The other man smiled, nodding his head vigorously. "It was my dream to see through my father's legacy, and with Umbrella, we will start a new journey at BioHaz." Angelica stopped cold, her eyes scrutizing the three men before her. Where had she heard the name Bio Haz before… "Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, sir. But I had better get to the hospital to make sure my patient is alright."
The voice came from the approaching man from the bottom of the staircase, his now clean hand adjusting his thick glasses. Spencer nodded graciously as the small trio moved off, despite the fact that Angelica was looking more and more confused by the minute.
Turning back to the other two men, Spencer's voice lowered itself. "I have been made aware that our small…problem has been eradicated. Your data will be transferred, Mr. Okani, as promised. The Teska name will be restored once more." A cool look came across the young man's face as the former jubilation mask slipped. His sparkling eyes glinted with greed and cunning. "I am glad that our two companies could rectify the quandary between us, my father was a fool to have throw away such…opportunity." Edward Ashford chuckled as he clasped an arm about Okani's shoulders. Leaning in close as the three walked towards the lower entrance, he darkly smiled. "Ahh good, seeing as the merger is official, we have bee wanting to discuss a pharmaceutical branch in your division. It would be under the company surname of Tricell…"
…
The hospital lounge was not one's first choice to discuss sensitive information, but none the less it had to be done. After discussing her ordeal with the two of them, Angelica finally had the time to read the actual documents that had been taken. And her worst fears were realized. Not only were funds being siphoned, but many of the various employees that Marcus had dealt with over the years had gone mysteriously missing…. New creatures under the bioweapons committee had been linked to the virus's, and now there was also proof of communication with an outward source that had been interested in buying the very subject matter that she had been working on with him for the last three months. Sinking her head into her hands, Angelica almost burst into tears. All the problems…all the trust …she had even put her job on the line for him…. And he was nothing but a lie. And a lie that seemingly had lost his mind in the end…
"It just doesn't seem right….everything just doesn't add up. And why would Wesker just give the files to me?" Lisa shrugged as she munched on a vending machine snack, her eyes heavy with tiredness. "Maybe because he figured you couldn't help…" Angelica snapped her head back up, the common words striking familiarity. "That's what he said…does everyone know something I don't?"
"You mean other than the fact that Marcus left as of this evening?" William Birkin moved in upon the small circle, sitting tiredly down upon the waiting room sofa. Confused looks were shared by all, and all directed at the intruder. "I am fully aware that you were close with the man, as was I. But the thing was…he had been stealing for quite some time. When the numbers just didn't add up…he had to be terminated. We were going to give him a fond send off, but he took the news too hard and refused to stay a moment longer than he contract allowed. He was packed up and gone by this evening. Wesker and I tried to personally meet with him beforehand, but no such luck." Stroking his chin as he looked at Birkin, Trent almost believed the story….almost. Looking over to Angelica, he could see her doubt linger…but exhaustion finally won through. Resigning herself into belief, the woman flopped back into the seat cushion.
"So he stole an abandoned….just great." As William stood back to his feet, the young man patted the woman's shoulder sympathetically. "You just can't trust people anymore.." Trent watched as Birkin moved from the room, keeping close attention to the man's eyes. Something dark was stirring behind them….something murderous…
….
"Get your clothes on."
Despite the stern voice, Ada heaved against the desk like someone had stolen the very air from her lungs. As a matter of fact…he had. Wesker had already pulled his trousers back up from where they had fallen about his ankle, his wide hands deftly re-buckling his wide belt. An eyebrow was raised at the panting woman, no sympathy for her state what so ever showing upon his features. He had taken her roughly, refusing to give her the pleasure of seeing his face, only the grip of his hands on the back of her neck as he had slammed his manhood into her. It was the most….glorious….horrifying….painful thing she had endured, and now she wanted to again and again. Looking up hopefully into his eyes as she turned her bare front to him, the woman ran her hand down her chest seductively. "How bout another go on top of the desk this time, baby…"
Ada found her shoulders being clasped about, her clothing shoved in her arms, and her slim body placed outside the door. Shaking his head curtly, a gravelly answer came from the pit of Wesker's throat. "I think not, you would ruin the varnish….Good evening, Miss Wong, your services are no longer required for this evening." As the door slammed in her face, the young woman felt the sting of hatred pit into her heart. That man was truly an animal…..and unfortunately…..she loved it..
As he heard the womanly rage be taken out upon the door frame, Wesker sat back into his office chair. She was a solution to another woman's burning itch, and unfortunately she had been a very bad one at that. The uncontrollable desire had been abated, but the ache still lingered. Ada…she was lovely…but not what he had wanted. Her skin wasn't smooth enough, her hair not long enough…she didn't taste right…smell the same…the heat and friction hadn't been so satisfying. Reaching into a drawer, the man withdrew a small, silver cigarette case. The compact lighter flared into life, letting him drag the sweet comfort of nicotine into his lungs. Leaning back as into the leather chair as he took a deep breath, Wesker sighed. He would get her out of his head… So many things he could do to make an Angel fall…but she hadn't quite yet. …. He had to get her out of his head…. After all, an Angel would never love a demon, and with blood on his hands, all he could see with his eyes closed….was red…..
…
"She's so beautiful…our Sherry…"
William Birkin was holding his newborn daughter, not really talking to anyone in particular considering Annette had fallen asleep from weariness fifteen minutes beforehand. The little angel within his arms was asleep as well, her pink skin glowing with new life and promise. Kissing her upon the nose, William began to rock her gently back and forth. Sherry was perfect to him…blue eyes…little wisps of blondish brown hair, and the iddy biddiest fingers and toes one could ever see. He had counted them all over and over, yet he could not cease marveling over how small and fragile a human life could be. Human life….
A grim line set at his jaw as he remembered what he had done earlier that night. Looking back over to Annette, a sinking, sick feeling crept into his stomach. But he couldn't worry now…it was all over… And if they ever did find out…he prayed they would understand why he did it… He had done it…for them. Laying the sleeping infant back in its cubicle bed, William fished out the small earbud that was flashing an incoming call. Lifting it to his ear, the man moved just outside the hospital door in order not to wake sleeping wife and child. "Yes?" A soft chuckle came from across the line, one that could only belong to one man. "Ahhh good to hear your voice, William. Well done on the problem I sent you to deal with…man after my own heart." Birkin hissed under his breath at the comment, his patience growing weary and thin. "What do you want, Spencer? I am at the hospital with my family, can I not have a minute of peace?" A snort came from over the line, Spencer's voice growing irritated. "I have just called to inform you that Trent will be you new department head of viral engineering in the Arklay Facility. You should enjoy his company considering your debt to him…" Finally snapping, William Birkin growled. "I was under the impression I and my family would be going to back to the New York office…you promised after the facility was complete…"
"Yes, yes…but all the positions have been filled there during your absence. And I need you here. There will be a pay increase of course…but mentioning your family…it would be in your best interests to stay here where you are asked of." William paused at this, his eyes growing large. The man who he had just murdered for …sounded like… "Are you …threatening me, Spencer?"
A long, drawn out pause came across the receiver, accompanied by an over dramatic sigh.
"I am indeed not, just merely stating that it would take several months trying to get your position back in New York. It may not be available for years…who knows. And under that terms..unimployment may imply….and we all know what happens to those who don't take my offers….but the decision is yours, William…just think of your family… Well, good night! Try and get some rest, and oh, Merry Christmas!" As the line went dead, William Birkin slumped against the wall. Wesker had been right all along. He would never be able to leave this company alive….
Umbrella was always going to be there….over his head…until the day he died…
Or until the day he ended up like Marcus…..dead by the hands he called "family."