CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It seemed as though Pakistan knew they were coming. When a problem with the main engines on their train delayed them more than twelve hours, Isaac and Leo asked a local taxi driver if there were any small villages, within just a few hours of the train station that could use medical attention.
He bought it hook, line, and sinker. Taking them to the first one, which was just forty-five minutes away, they found what they were looking for. An entire village with poor water sources, abject poverty, and clear signs of families marrying within their own circle.
Isaac had been practicing his good, kind doctor routine for years. With just a smile and soft touch, patients seemed to instantly trust him. He gave them all a quick examination, noting strange growths, disfigurements, vitamin deficiencies, and skin conditions on nearly every person in the village.
He asked the driver to tell the villagers that with one simple shot, they would all be cured. He explained it all, using words that the driver would never understand. So impressed by the American’s intelligence, he convinced them that it would be for the best.
Within an hour, he’d injected them all, using five of his remaining vials. The next two stops would need to be given the oral dose.
When they arrived at the second location, there were mixed signs of the interfamily marriages. It appeared some had, and some had not. Either way, Isaac was determined to end the cycle for them all.
“Isaac, they’re not all guilty,” whispered Leo.
“But they will be, brother. Just let me do my job.”
Once again he was successful at convincing them that he could heal the imaginary, and not so imaginary, diseases. Willingly, each person took the oral dosage, from the oldest all the way down to the youngest child who was barely one.
The little, brown-eyed child smiled, willingly swallowing the pink liquid substance. Isaac never blinked but something inside of Leo crumbled a bit. Staring at the innocent faces that would soon be dead, he was questioning everything in his life.
He’d allowed Isaac to guide him and convince him to do things he’d never done before, never considered before.
When he joined the military, he thought he could distance himself from his older brother.
The guilt of having played a part in the deaths of not only their parents, but the four siblings that died, was almost too much for him.
In the Army he could think of things other than family.
That is until Isaac came around threatening his career.
“I know you, Leo. I know you better than anyone and I have a way to stop what happened to us.”
For years he allowed Isaac to bully him into finding the equipment he needed, access to certain laboratories, and finally to access military bases as the kindly Dr. Isaac Wadston. He’d conducted unnecessary blood work on thousands of soldiers to see if they had the biomarkers he was looking for.
There weren’t many but to his surprise there were enough to use in his studies. Young men and women, some who were aware, others who were not, of their family history.
Leaving the small village behind, the driver said there was one more they could visit to give their needy medical advice and assistance. Then, they would need to rush back to the train.
With less than sixty people in the remote site, it was a quick discussion and examinations. But there were no signs of what Isaac was looking for. It didn’t matter. They’d seen him and his brother, so they needed to die.
“Let’s leave them, Isaac,” said Leo. “They’re fine.”
“They expect medical care, brother and I’ll give them medical care.
We cannot leave witnesses anywhere.” Leo heard the familiar ringing of a cell phone and turned to see the taxi driver speaking to someone.
Isaac turned now, as well. They could see the concern and fear on the man’s face as he slowly started to back up toward the taxi.
He yelled something to the villagers and they all gasped, running back to their homes.
“Well, damn,” said Isaac. “Just when I was beginning to like him.”
Two hours later, with the taxi parked near the train station, Isaac and Leo boarded their car. No one was the wiser.
“You didn’t have to kill him or all those people,” said Leo.
“You know, brother, I’m getting tired of your whining and back-pedaling. We agreed to all of this. If you’ve suddenly lost the stomach for it, I suggest you get off this train now.”
“Give me half the money,” said Leo. “I’ll leave and you’ll never see me again.”
His brother gave him a sickening, perverse smile and handed him an envelope full of cash. Just as the train started to move, Leo stood and walked toward the exit, prepared to step from the train. As he did, he felt the needle in his shoulder and turned to see his brother’s smiling face.
“It’s never a good sign when you can’t even trust family. Goodbye, Leo. I wish I could tell you that death will come swiftly for you but it will not.”