Роберт Уилсон - Days Since... - Thomas - Day 758

What the hell?

“—so, believe it or not, your well-being is part of my orders. Someone out there thinks very highly of you and has made it a point to ensure that this trial comes to a favorable conclusion. A conclusion that…” He looked to the ceiling while in thought. “Holds you in the most positive light.”

“And who’s that?” Thomas replied, doubting the notion.

“William Haverty. I’m sure you know him or at least of him. Currently, he’s been assigned to the transition of River’s Edge Academy. He speaks well of you for whatever reason,” Blaine said coldly with a hint of jealousy. “You’ll be presented with his terms should you not fail this trial.”

“I see.” No arguing with that.

“For now, I need you to focus on the trial and instill in James the importance of keeping with the narrative on what occurred…” Blaine ensured Thomas paid attention before continuing. “There was no struggle. You simply captured him.”

Thomas nodded. It wouldn’t be a problem. He knew James would more than likely do this on his own, his pride being a strong motivator, a close second to the promise of the analyst position. James would never admit that they had any trouble with the kid. Honestly, he could tell the truth and say he never struggled with the guy—that only Thomas’s life slipped toward death.

But if asked, James knew better than to try and play games. He wouldn’t have a choice otherwise, he too needed this promotion, and Thomas had the ultimate say in whether or not James would accompany him. A simple lie would be his stepping stone—a way to move from his unappreciated position and into one of increased responsibility and respect.

At this very moment, as James spoke with the others, he was probably telling the lie, affirming the struggle hadn’t occurred—that all was right with the world—that an intruder came and was taken—that Thomas and James, two invincible warriors, killed two crazed maniacs in the train yard—that the two of them were unstoppable, infallible, and nothing could stand in their way.

Thomas watched James, knowing of course that none of it was true. But, it didn’t matter as long as the lie was believable.

In his periphery, Thomas could see Blaine inching forward in his seat. He whispered, maybe out of habit or for effect as there was no one around, but his voice came out softly. “Do you trust him?”

“Completely,” Thomas lied, his eyes likely showing the truth. He could feel it swelling inside, bubbling toward the surface.

“And why’s that?” Blaine waited for an explanation as Thomas searched himself for an answer.

“He’s been doing a good job. We had our run in with the prisoner, and”— This is going to make us sound like idiots —“we were ambushed in the rail yard too. Ended up—”

“Again?” Blaine nearly choked on the word trying to get it out so swiftly.

“Sounds worse than it was. We’ve had our run-ins but we’ve always come out on top. We ended up killing a man and his wife.” He caught himself. “But they attacked us. Got the jump on James, but he reacted appropriately, and he made it out fine.” He glanced over through the window again—James still going at it, his lying seemed to come so easily to him. “It’s not going to be a problem.” Thomas faced Blaine once again. “He’ll be on board with whatever I tell him.”

“Just make certain of it,” Blaine ordered. “And the boy? Is there anything additional I should be made aware of?”

“There’s nothing more to say, neither of us talked to the guy. I watched him all night, and then James watched over him when I left for the meet up.”

Blaine nodded. “If that’s all…” He placed his notepad into his pocket, slid the chair from the table, and turned to leave, finishing his statement from over his shoulder. “…I guess I’ll get started. I’ll let you know if there’s anything relevant for you before you depart. Keep reading or whatever it is you wish.”

“But what about that girl?” The question stopped Blaine a few steps into his exit. “What information did she give you about the camp?”

“I wasn’t ready to delve into that.”

“I’d like to know now, so I can get a jump on my planning.”

“If you insist.” Visibly annoyed, he crept back into the chair. “Since we are changing gears, I feel it best I start it off with my own inquiry.” He attempted to crack his knuckles again in preparation for another round, but they were spent. “What do you know about her?”

“I don’t know anything about her. Just saw her running past me, but I didn’t see anyone chasing her. I figured somebody was by how she was moving, but I couldn’t tell.”

“What if it had been the Butcher’s men chasing her? Moving in to try and reclaim her?”

“The idea of it being a trap crossed my mind, but…” Do I tell him? Thomas worked his eyes through the room, yawned, obviously buying time, but at the moment he didn’t care. He couldn’t appear crazy or worse, weak. He very clearly saw a little girl, not a woman, not in the slightest. Then… it wasn’t her. Does that make me crazy? “When she passed me I thought I saw the scar.” The lie came out like expelled food that had held his breaths hostage. “She ran past so quick… I just didn’t get a good look, but figured if she was one of the Butcher’s women, I could get some good Intel.”

“You saw the scar?” The question soaked in skepticism. “Even though she ran past ‘so quick’ as you put it?”

“Yeah.” Thomas coughed. Is that a tell? A sweat began to build up in his hands—a nervousness inside him elevated his heart beat. “I’m pretty sure I saw it as she ran past. You know what I mean. It happened quickly, but I definitely saw it.”

Thomas couldn’t prevent himself from stumbling through his answers. But after a short while, Blaine revealed that they had eyes on Thomas the entire time. He already knew the lengths Thomas had gone through to find the woman. His tone was much more relaxed now, and Thomas welcomed it. He’s not trying to trap you.

Blaine continued speaking the details, pointing out a few concerns, but overall nothing to give any indication he didn’t believe Thomas’s account.

Thomas took a slow, deep breath, trying to settle the rise of his chest. Calm down! You’ve done well. This Soldier spot is yours. The nervousness subsided. “I had to take the chance. Like I said, I saw the scar and knew the Intel would be worth the shot.”

Just as Thomas had finished his statement, one of the Soldiers brought the woman from a backroom and into the office. The blood. He craned his neck to check on her.

The Soldier sat her down at one of the computer desks in the corner, and a medic began to look her over. He pitched some bandages that were striped red, cleaned the wounds, and began wrapping both her arms with fresh gauze. They allowed her to sip on some water and take a few bites of what had to have been the stalest crackers left in the world. “Did you guys hurt her?” Thomas’s eyes shot back to Blaine. “A blood trail led me to her.”

“You should know better than that.” Blaine hung his head with disappointment. “Why are you here?”

A pause. Thomas wasn’t budging—he wanted the answer to his question.

“Our purpose is to save them,” Blaine said. “You know damn well we’d never hurt her.”

Thomas considered it to be the truth, but something existed in the woman’s eyes that made Thomas second guess Blaine’s solemn words. Maybe it was the blood or the speed by which she moved. The hurried feet. All he ever saw were the bottoms of them as she ran with her flowing hair pulled back by the fear that propelled her. Surely, she ran from someone. At the moment, it appeared to be them. They were the only ones found to be chasing her. Had something gone awry?