Brainrush 04 - Everlast 01: Everlast Read Free

Diego.” Timmy
was Doc’s lead science engineer at Area 52. The young whiz kid had saved Jake’s
life by hiding him in Italy after Jake had awakened from his six-year coma.
    “Crap,” Jake muttered, his nerves bristling.
     “That’s not the worst of it. Timmy’s pretty sure one of the
sources is a Chinese triad.”
     “No way.”
    Doc nodded. “These guys are bad news, one of the oldest
criminal organizations ever known, with connections everywhere.” He hesitated
before adding, “They’re known for being among the top black-market arms dealers
in the world, specializing in advanced weaponry. Unearthing the Grid tech would
be a dream come true for them.”
    Jake stood abruptly and exited the booth.
    “Don’t panic,” Doc said, rushing to catch up. “Timmy’s team
has fended off hundreds of similar searches since the Grid. Dead ends and phony
death certificates—that’s all anyone’s ever uncovered.”
    Jake stopped to face him. “Then why are you here in person?
Why not just call?”
     “Because yesterday Timmy discovered a tap in our phone
system at Area 52. We’re not even using our cell phones for sensitive
information.”
    “Jeez, Doc,” Jake said, double-timing it toward the lobby.
“You couldn’t have led with that info?”
    Doc kept pace. “But that part of it probably has nothing to
do with you!”
    “Probably?” Jake said, pulling his smartphone from his
pocket. “Probably isn’t good enough when we’re talking about my family’s
safety.” He speed-dialed Francesca’s number.
Redondo Beach
    Francesca knew Jake and Alex had
sensed something was wrong. She’d been hiding it pretty well until today. But
after the meeting she’d had with Alex’s doctor this morning, the situation had
gotten the better of her.
     “We’re not sure what’s going on,” the doctor had said, “but
the activity in his brain is all over the map. I’m afraid it’s affecting his
entire system.”
    When he’d explained what that meant, the news had shattered
her.
    She pulled into the Walgreens parking lot and made her way
to the counter. The doctor said the pills would help get her through the day.
She hoped so.
     “Name?” the pharmacist asked.
    “Francesca Bronson.” Saying her married name out loud
usually brought a smile to her face. Not today.
    The pharmacist checked the computer. “Your doctor phoned in
the prescription and we’re preparing it now. It’ll be ready in just a few
minutes.”
    She sighed and took a seat in the small waiting area,
dreading the thought of telling Jake. He’d blame himself, even though it wasn’t
his fault. That’s the way he was—he shouldered responsibility and guilt for any
repercussions that occurred in the wake of the accident that had enhanced his
brain, saved his life, and ultimately changed the world. They’d argued about it
more than once, and while he agreed with her intellectually, she knew he
harbored a deep-seated belief that everyone would have been better off if he’d
simply died eight years ago from his brain tumor.
    Now, Alex’s health issues would reopen old wounds, since
their root cause had likely been his contact with the alien Grid. But she had
to tell Jake. Keeping secrets in their family wasn’t easy, not with her
empathic abilities and his uncanny brain. She’d let her guard down this morning
when she saw him with Doc at the VA hospital. Doc’s unexpected visit couldn’t
have come at a worse time.
    They’d have much to discuss this evening.
    Her phone sounded. The ringtone was Andrea Bocelli singing “ Vivo
per Lei” —“I Live for Her.” Jake had installed the song as his ringtone. Her
husband was an unabashed romantic and she loved him for it. Nevertheless she
let the call drift to voice mail.
    She needed to steel herself before they next spoke.

Chapter 3
Redondo Beach
    I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE some sort of genius, but I
got confused just as easily as the next kid. Even more so, since my brain never
seemed to slow