26. Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Galen
Galen sat on the workout bench wondering, how do ya thank someone for saving ya from jumping off a high rise? They don’t make a thank ya card for this occasion. Though the thought had crossed his mind over the years, and his reckless behavior in the military had been an apparent death wish, he was still surprised he came so close to ending it. Galen’s attention was diverted as Alex walked up the staircase to the second-floor gym, where Galen was doing his physical therapy. Galen was surprised as Alex had been avoiding him for the past two days since the incident––he couldn’t blame him for needing space.
“I’m glad to see you up and moving, Galen. Would you like some coffee?” said Alex.
“Nah, need to finish mah physical therapy. Doc finally released me to do more.”
Galen couldn’t take the tension anymore as Alex took a seat on the bench across from Galen without speaking.
“Don’t know what came over me the other night. Lost mah head.”
“I know, Galen. I had a front-row seat. A volatile mix of sorrow and alcohol.”
“Betrayed ya. Must leave. Will resign immediately.”
Alex paused before saying, “I needed some space to clear my head, Galen. You could leave, if that’s what you want, or stay and help bring the enemy to justice.”
“How could ya ever trust me again?”
“You did betray me, but you were honest about why. You did a bad thing, but you’re not a bad guy. You were so remorseful you wanted to die. You didn’t have to confess, and I’ve no room to judge. I’ve made mistakes with life-altering consequences––Wynn is a prime example. Plus, I’ve touched your life energy on multiple occasions. I know, at your core, you’re a good person. Besides Hoko, you’re the only person I’ve connected with since this ordeal began. With your help, I want to discover the true villain’s identity. I can’t do it without you; Sherlock needs his Watson.”
“How?”
“We’re going to root out any traitors in the company.”
Galen leaned forward and laid his head on Alex’s shoulder. “Will do anything to fix the damage I’ve caused.”
“I know, Galen,” Alex said as he wrapped his arms around him, holding Galen.
Galen basked in the warmth and compassion of Alex’s embrace. He didn’t want it to end.
“I do want you to get help, though,” said Alex. “You must agree to see Diana for counseling.”
Galen nodded his head. “Deal, mate.”
“Not to be intrusive, but I can see the spark in your chest, and you’re growing stronger.”
“Yeah, the doc says can’t have any shots until the noggin has healed.”
“No worries. I promise I won’t read your mind or energy.”
“Look all ya want, mate,” Galen said as he stopped doing his biceps curls. “No more secrets. Sherlock and Watson.”
“I know, but I want to ensure you can be comfortable around me. So, I had this created while you were in the hospital.” Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a small item to hand to Galen. “Open your hand, please.”
The request made Galen worried. He extended and opened his right hand, where Alex placed a silver and black ring.
“What’s this? Bold to ask me to put a ring on it so soon.”
“OK, Beyoncé, don’t get too excited. Inoculations aren’t the only way to block my abilities. I learned from Hoko that wearing an item treated with the ‘magical substance’ has the same effect. Hoko wears a treated medicine bag instead of taking the injections.”
Galen held the ring between his thumb and forefinger to examine it. Black onyx with a silver fern––the symbol for the All Blacks.
“It’s amazing what you can find on the internet. I didn’t find you in any rugby calendars, but I did find numerous videos of the team when you were a member, and your pregame dance was nothing short of impressive,” said Alex.
“Called a ‘haka.’ Ceremonial Māori war dance or challenge. Haka represents the team’s pride, strength, and unity. Not that I’m ungrateful, but ya had a replica championship ring made?”
“Yes, they made it to the championship the year you left, so I thought you’d earned it. They wouldn’t have made it to the championship without you.”
“Cheers, Alex,” Galen said as he flashed his boyish grin and placed the ring on his finger.
“I’d never seen you wear any jewelry, so I was clueless about whether you’d wear it.”
“Ya did good. Let me know if it works. Try to read mah thoughts.”
“You’re thinking about what a wonderful guy I am.”
Galen smiled and his face flushed; he was actually thinking that, if Alex were single and sitting closer to him, he’d have been tempted to kiss him. Galen’s heart skipped; he’d shared his energy with Alex. Did Alex see the shower sex dream or his lewd thoughts?
“Wrong. Works because yu’re way off base, mate.” Galen sat quietly, looking at the ring. “Any new leads on Danyal?” he asked.
“No, the pawn shop you visited had already been cleared out. It was only a front. I did meet with the board a couple of days ago to review what we know to date.”
“Eh?”
Alex shook his head. “Well, our work is cut out for us. I may have scared them.”
“What did ya do now, mate?”
“I may have gotten upset at Bruno and caused a coffee cup to fly across the room and the conference tablet to vibrate uncontrollably.”
“Sweet Jesus,” laughed Galen, “can’t leave ya alone for five minutes before ya threaten Bruno.”
“He had it coming since he insulted Zoe and me. I may have also silenced him by taking away his voice.”
“Come again? Hope ya have a video. Want to see his face.”
“He was outraged because Zoe disproved his theory that I destroyed the electrical grid.”
“Figures, ya can’t do anything right,” said Galen, shaking his head. “Can ya bring me the twenty-pound dumbbells?”
Galen watched as Alex reached out with his hand and, in one smooth motion, levitated the two dumbbells from the weight rack and floated them over to Galen at the weight bench. Galen laughed when Alex couldn’t stick the landing, the dumbbells crashing at Galen’s feet.
“Bombs away!” yelled Galen. “Showboating. Showing off your abilities like a peacock.”
“I’ve been called worse, but I need practice. I haven’t even mentioned the teleportation.”
“Huh? Out for a few weeks, and yu’re teleporting?”
“Afraid so; it appears I teleported at the moment of the explosion to shield you from the blast.”
“Aye…Guess I should formally thank ya for saving mah arse twice.”
“I’m keeping track, and might even offer a two-for-the-price-of-one special.”
“Trying to be sincere, arsehole.”
“I know; I feel bad I put you at risk in the first place.”
“Ya didn’t put me at any risk I wasn’t willing to take. Been thinking…”
“Did it hurt?” said Alex.
Galen put the dumbbell down and flipped Alex off with his right hand. “What was the point of the explosion?” he said.
“Ryo thinks it was a diversionary tactic for the PGC breach.”
“Only reason I came up with is…”
“You were the intended target because you’d delivered the ambrosia sample, and they were wrapping up loose ends,” said Alex.
“Zactly, Sherlock. An explosion would never hurt ya, but could eliminate a loose end.”
“It would also inflict emotional suffering on me if you were injured, since you and Hoko are my only allies. As I told the board, this feels personal.”
“Agreed. Spot me for the bench press?”
“Sure, but only if you take it easy.”
“Only a hundred pounds.”
Galen couldn’t avert his gaze from Alex, who intently watched him move the weight bar up and down.
“Be less awkward if ya weren’t gawking at me,” Galen said, finishing his last rep.
“Sorry, I was looking at your surgery scars. As soon as your hair grows out a little more, you won’t even be able to tell you were injured.”
“Doc Anderson did excellent work with an assist from ya. At least I won’t be ugly.”
“You’re not ugly, but I think you know that, Mr. Humble New Zealand rugby god. It’s my turn to bench press.”
“How much weight do ya want?”
“Let’s start with three hundred pounds.”
“Yur funeral, Hercules.”
Alex lay with his back on the weight bench, grasping the bar with each hand. He tried to lift the bar, making strained faces.
“OK, mate. No shame admitting defeat.”
“I can do it––want to place a bet? The loser buys the other a burrito for lunch?”
“Will take yur burrito. It’s a deal.”
Alex took two deep breaths before gripping the bar again. Letting out a third breath, he lifted the bar and slowly counted each repetition out. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,” before gently returning the weights to their resting position on the arms of the weight bench.
“Cheater!” snapped Galen. “Took advantage of an injured bloke.”
“For the record, I only suspected I could do it based on my sessions with Hoko.”
“Bro, ya look weird doing bench presses with yur eyes closed.”
Alex smiled. “When I worked out with Danyal, he’d say, ‘Look at my eyes, not my crotch.’ I didn’t think either would be appropriate, so be grateful they were closed.”
“TMI,” Galen said, playfully punching Alex’s shoulder.
“Ouch. That’s workplace violence. Saved by the bell,” Alex said, going to answer his ringing cell phone.
Galen instantly noted the look of concern on Alex’s face.
“OK, I understand. We’ll be there immediately,” Alex said, as he ended the call. “Ryo wants us in the boardroom for an emergency meeting. The burrito you owe me will have to wait.”
Alex and Galen stepped off the private elevator and walked down the hall toward the boardroom.
“Pardon our attire,” said Alex, “we were working out.”
“Please sit. Glad to see you up and about, Galen,” said Ryo.
“Glad to be breathing,” said Galen.
Ryo said at 11:30 a.m. today, they received an email request for a meeting at noon. He indicated the request was initially from one of their technology subcontractors, but further investigation revealed several anomalies.
“If we don’t know who we’ll be talking with today, is it wise to take such a call?” Alex asked.
Given the recent security breach that could have compromised the secure servers, Ryo shared Alex’s concern. He added they had enacted every security protocol possible, but would find out in thirty seconds.
Galen could feel the dread building in his stomach, and he wanted to vomit. Something terrible was about to happen.