Chapter 21
The harsh morning light streaming through Todd’s hotel window did nothing to ease the tension carved into his features as Sadie’s face appeared on his laptop screen.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes like bruises, a testament to a sleepless night spent processing Melinda’s revelations.
Todd’s own reflection in the black screen before the call connected had shown similar marks of exhaustion.
He’d spent the night staring at the ceiling, his mind cycling through worst-case scenarios and contingency plans.
“I have everyone on,” he said without preamble, needing to dive into the briefing before their connection could be interrupted. “Dalton will patch through to us. Hang on.”
He established the secure connection that would bring the other Keepers together. Within seconds, the familiar faces of his teammates filled the screen. Todd positioned his laptop so Sadie could see them through her phone’s camera, creating a digital bridge across the miles that separated them.
The sight of his team should have been comforting. Instead, it only emphasized how isolated Sadie was, surrounded by potential threats with only her own skills to protect her.
“What have you got for us?” Todd asked, his voice rougher than he’d intended.
Casper leaned forward, his expression grim with the weight of their discoveries.
“Dalton and I have been running everything through databases all night. My skills aren’t as good as Sadie’s, but we managed to verify Melinda’s story.
” He paused, consulting his notes with the methodical precision that made him such an effective researcher.
“She’s listed as Melinda Tork at the spa, but that’s an alias and not a very sophisticated one.
Her real name is Melinda Torkel. She works for the Fort Worth Chronicle in Texas. ”
Todd watched Sadie’s face on the small screen, saw her eyes widen with a mix of relief and apprehension. Melinda’s story being true meant they confirmed that an untrained civilian had stumbled upon information that might put her in danger.
“We tracked down her editor. Lorie Porter,” Dalton continued. “And checking into Lorie’s college sorority records, we found Hannah March. Wealthy widow. Died one week after returning from Serenity Dunes. No autopsy. No surviving family. Everything matches what Melinda told you.”
“Good God, you found that out quickly,” Sadie breathed, genuine awe coloring her voice despite the circumstances.
“So Melinda’s story is true,” Todd murmured, his chest tightening as the implications crystallized. “She really is a reporter, and her investigation may have put her in danger.”
“Now, about the link to Dr. Patel and the Swiss clinic,” Casper continued. “That required deeper digging. Dalton consulted with Luke Costas from Saints Protection and Investigation this morning.”
At the mention of Luke’s name, several team members nodded with recognition and respect.
Logan was close to the original leader of LSI, and the relationship enabled their companies to lean on each other when needed.
Luke’s reputation for cyber investigation was legendary throughout the Lighthouse Security network.
“Luke confirmed Dr. Patel’s internship at Institut Médical Lac Léman.
It’s a clinic in Switzerland specializing in Alzheimer’s treatments using combinations of already approved drugs.
Now, I did find that there are some references to experimental drugs, but nothing concrete on that.
The medications don’t cure the disease, but they’ve proven effective at slowing symptom progression.
” Dalton’s expression darkened further. “It appears Dr. Selinski and Dr. Patel have been collaborating with them to find new applications for these drugs through experimental protocols. He’s submitted multiple applications to the FDA for approval of his treatment methods, but they’ve been consistently rejected due to insufficient evidence. ”
“Damn,” Todd muttered, as he processed the implications. Sadie was in a facility run by a man desperate enough to use unwitting human subjects in unauthorized medical experiments. The clinical detachment required for such violations spoke to a dangerous level of moral flexibility.
Landon’s voice cut through Todd’s spiraling thoughts.
“I have the analysis of the supplements Sadie obtained. The primary active compounds are racetams. They’re not FDA-approved in the United States.
Also, there is solanezumab, which failed clinical trials but could theoretically be used in experimental applications.
Documented side effects include skin rashes and heightened anxiety.
If they add any of the known dementia drugs, such as donepezil or rivastigmine, nausea would be a side effect.
The remaining pills contained standard vitamins and mineral supplements in elevated doses, but nothing immediately alarming in isolation. ”
Todd’s hands clenched into fists on the desk surface as the scope of the conspiracy became clear. “So if he’s administering these drugs without prescription or consent, what’s his endgame?”
“It doesn’t make sense,” Sadie said, her expression thoughtful but troubled.
“He’s using the spa guests as an unauthorized test group.
It’s not official, not sanctioned, and the participants have given no informed consent to participate in any study.
But if he can gather preliminary data on early-stage effects, he still won’t have regulated evidence to reapply to the FDA for further testing with more documentation. ”
“But he could stand to make a fortune from being on the cutting edge of brain anti-aging treatments,” Todd said, his voice heavy with disgust.
“That would be my assessment,” Landon agreed grimly.
Curses erupted around the conference table as Dalton asked, “So the motive is purely financial?”
“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Sadie interjected, her eyes narrowed. “At most, he can gather some information on the possible early side effects.”
Todd respected her sharp intelligence even as concern burned in his chest. She was thinking three steps ahead, analyzing motivations and long-term strategies with the clarity that made her such an invaluable operative.
“But maybe he’s looking down the road,” Sadie added.
“There are plenty of wealthy people who would pay enormous sums for access to treatments that supposedly slow the process of brain aging. Pharmaceutical regulations are different in other countries. Mexico would be the closest and most accessible option. He could partner with a clinic or spa there, market exclusively to affluent Americans, and charge premium prices for a luxury experience that includes his experimental drug cocktail.”
Around the conference table, heads nodded as the team processed this expanded scope of the operation. Todd watched Casper’s and Dalton’s fingers move across their keyboards, already following the logical threads of the hypothesis.
“Bingo,” Dalton called out, his voice tight with grim satisfaction.
“I’m looking at several luxury spas in Mexico that offer experiences remarkably similar to Serenity Dunes.
Their marketing materials emphasize rejuvenation, anti-aging, cognitive enhancement…
all the same buzzwords. If Selinski partnered with or established his own facility with this experimental supplement regimen, the profit potential would be staggering. ”
The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, but instead of satisfaction, Todd felt only mounting dread. The scope of Selinski’s operation meant Sadie was dealing with someone who had everything to lose if his experiments were exposed.
“With this evidence and proof of what he’s administering to guests, we should extract Sadie immediately,” Todd said, his voice carrying the weight of absolute conviction. Every instinct screamed at him to get her away from that place before something irreversible happened.
“I have no intention of putting one of my people in unnecessary danger,” Logan replied, his authoritative tone brooking no argument. “We can inform Maria Benedetto that we have a theory about what happened to her sister-in-law, but we may not be able to provide definitive proof.”
Todd’s heart sank even as his mind acknowledged Logan’s reasoning. He knew with bone-deep certainty what Sadie’s response would be. He could read it in the stubborn set of her jaw visible even through the small phone screen.
“No way,” she said, the words sharp with determination. “I haven’t completed the ten-day program. There’s more to discover here.”
“Sadie, you’ve already collected evidence proving their activities are illegal and dangerous,” Todd argued, desperation filling his voice despite his efforts to maintain professional composure. “That’s more than enough reason to extract you and turn this over to the authorities.”
“But I don’t know what happened to Natalia!” The anguish in her voice cut through him like a blade. “I can’t abandon this investigation when we’re so close to answers.”
Logan’s response carried the measured tone of someone weighing operational requirements against human costs. “What you’ve uncovered provides substantial grounds for involving the FBI or DEA.”
Sadie countered with passionate intensity. “And what about closure for Maria Benedetto? What about justice for Hannah March and whoever else has suffered because of Selinski’s experiments? What about Melinda? I can’t abandon her when she’s sick and vulnerable.”
Todd’s chest ached with conflicted emotions as he watched her face through the screen.
Her courage and compassion were among the qualities he admired most about her, but they were also going to place her in danger if she wasn’t careful.
He understood her reasoning with painful clarity.
If their positions were reversed, he would make the same choice to stay and see the mission through.
“There’s nothing I can say to change your mind, is there?” he asked, resignation heavy in his voice.
“No.” Her response carried unwavering determination.
“I need to ensure Melinda’s safety. She took an enormous risk trusting me, even without knowing whether I was truly trustworthy.
And I’m certain I can access the administrative offices.
They have security cameras, but Casper has the skills to override their surveillance systems. If we coordinate the timing, he can disrupt their system long enough for me to get inside undetected. ”
“Jesus, Sadie… you’ve got more confidence in me than I do,” Casper said. “But I’ll talk to a friend who I know can help. I’ll be ready when you are.”
“Dammit,” Todd cursed, running his hands through his hair in frustration. The thought of her inside while he sat helpless miles away made him feel physically ill. After a moment, he exhaled heavily, accepting the inevitable. “Don’t attempt anything without backup coordination.”
Logan’s voice cut through their exchange with commanding authority.
“Sadie, this assignment has evolved into a different type of mission entirely. I’ll contact our FBI liaison immediately, and we’ll coordinate with you on every action going forward.
No independent operations. Todd must know your location and activities at all times. ”
“Believe me, I don’t have a hero complex,” she replied, her tone earnest despite the circumstances. “I’m not looking to take unnecessary risks. I know I can’t help anyone if I compromise my safety or blow my cover.”
Relief flooded through Todd at her practical acknowledgment of the dangers. “Keep the lighthouse necklace on,” he said urgently. “The transmitter in the base gives you instant communication access if anything goes wrong.”
“I promise.” Her voice softened slightly, carrying reassurance meant specifically for him. “I need to locate Melinda, but our schedules don’t align today. I want to verify she’s recovering. I’ll update you with whatever I discover.”
The Keepers offered their support and well-wishes before disconnecting, leaving Todd alone with Sadie in their digital space. The sudden privacy felt both intimate and inadequate. How could I see her face, hear her voice, but the physical distance between them stretched like an unbridgeable chasm.
“Sadie...” He found himself struggling with words that felt simultaneously too important and completely insufficient.
“I know, Todd...” she replied, understanding flooding her expression.
They stared at each other through their screens, separated by only ten miles but connected by something that transcended the distance. Todd felt his careful restraint crumbling under the weight of everything he could no longer keep buried.
“I was going to wait until this mission ended,” he said, his voice rough with suppressed emotion. “Until I could see you in person, until I could touch you again. But dammit, when we get back to Montana, we need to talk. I want to move beyond professional friendship—”
“I want that, too.” The words burst from her with such genuine enthusiasm that his heart stuttered in his chest.
Drawing in a deep breath that did nothing to calm his racing pulse, he managed a smile that felt like the first genuine expression of hope he’d worn in months. “Good.”
They continued staring at each other through the small screens, and Todd felt grateful he could see her but frustrated at the distance. She chuckled, and he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
“All this time we danced around each other,” she began. “Now… now we make a decision, and I can’t even reach over to touch you.”
He nodded, wanting to pull her into his arms and shield her from every danger the world could offer.
As they disconnected, and he was alone in the silence of his hotel room, Todd realized that each passing day only intensified his desperate need to hold her again, to begin the future they’d danced around for far too long.
They hadn’t settled what a new relationship would look like, but he hoped she wanted what he wanted.
Soon, he promised himself, staring at the black screen that had just held her image. Soon this nightmare would end, and they could finally stop running from what they both wanted most.