All The Way
Chapter 42
Boston. Massachusetts
Sunlight filtered through the ornate windows of Huntington Carter's inner sanctum, a world of museum quality treasures, grand mahogany bookshelves, leather bound first editions, Persian rugs, Bohemian chandeliers and the rich aroma of money….old money. Carter stood with his back to the window, eyes closed, allowing the rising and falling waves of violins and trumpets of Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries to flow through his body.
Tall, slender, salt and pepper hair, bright eyes, full lips, Huntington Carter's face was handsome and aristocratic. At seventy he had a regal carriage and a family line extending to England. Being a member of a prestigious heritage he was expected to continue the Carter line by marrying a woman befitting his stature. However, the young Carter while in Europe on a lark met the fiery Franceska Heisenberg near Munich. After a whirlwind courtship fueled by youthful rebellion, they were quickly married. Both of their families were horrified. Richard Huntington Carter was born nine months later. The early years were difficult, but they endured and flourished. His young wife thrived on travel and the excitement of his work. It was through Franceska's influence that he developed an affinity for Wagner and the study of the noble Germanic tribes. His wife would laugh and say the reddish highlights in her own hair were due to her family's links to 'Barbarossa' or 'Red Beard'. The Germanic lore was equally appealing to him. The Wagnerian theme of love saving a man's soul seemed prophetic.
Wagnerian. The rising and fall of the violins, the maidens on horseback selecting the fallen, the music and the vision swept through him. Prophetic. Was this all preordained? Richard's death. Unfortunately, it was too late for Richard's soul. Huntington Carter's eyes fluttered open and thought of his own soul. Was it too late? Could love save his soul?
Grinding his teeth, he looked at the photo of Howard Blair, an evil necessity. Why had they signed a pack with the little devil? What made him believe he could trust Blair? The rewards for success were irresistible. If they were successful the Carter name would be linked with a discovery that could change the lifespan of humankind. The chance for their 'day of days' was within their grasp and the opening of an ancient tomb would pale in comparison. But if they were not successful…...Carter's eyes quickly darted to the folders arranged on his desk.
Pushing the Howard Blair file aside he glanced at the other folders arranged in a neat semicircle. Since Richard's death he had been busy, very busy. He had spared no expense on private investigators. Every person involved with his son before and after his death had a folder on his desk. Mentally he went around the outer ring of names, Samuel Winslow, the Sheriff in Utah, Dr. Phillip Naster and Dr. Carl Haas, the coroner and pathologist in New Mexico, and Cryogen Laboratories. The names of the inner circle were far more interesting; Professor T. Eliot Stokes, Dr. Herbert Osmund, Dr. Eric Terpening, Dr. Denis Summerlin and graduate students Bridget Marlin and Lance Doole and the niece of Professor Stokes, Hallie Stokes. However, it was the center file that intrigued him the most…. Dr. Julia Hoffman.
He thought he knew his son until now. What did this woman possess that caused his son to behave so differently? How could she convince such a self-possessed man to share it all with her? Why was she different from all the rest? Was it possible his son was in love for the first time in his life? She must be very special…..no…. she must be extraordinary!
His long slender fingers moved tenderly across the photo admiring the fair white skin, high cheekbones and the mysterious dark eyes that seemed unfathomable. His fingers lingered over her lips. They were full, sensual and somehow defiant. The woman had spirit; he could sense it through the photo. He could envision her as a Valkyrie on the back of a white stallion, auburn locks flowing, fair white skin covered by a sheer gown, eyes blazing, and wielding a sword. She was the warrior princess of Valhalla. Julia's love would save his soul.
Huntington Carter fingers lovingly caressed Julia's photo. I will be your Odin, my dear Julia and you will be my princess. You will be the last great conquest of my life and together we will be the first omnipotent individuals whose cells will never die…. and together….. we will live forever.
~~~tbc~~~