Read Retrieval for Free Online Page B

another breath and slung back a shot of the deep gold liquor he’d poured earlier. His face screwed up, and he inhaled sharply. It must’ve burned like hell.
    “I found that my children had been living with a moderately wealthy family there for fourteen years, but they’d moved. I searched for another six years, and finally, through sheer luck, I located them again. Before I could reach them, they disappeared. I despair that my children have been told lies that have led them to fear me. That’s why they run. Always they run.”
    The doctor set his snifter down, his eyes going to Sebastian. Sebastian nearly applauded as the man shook his head again, lifted a handkerchief to his eyes, and dabbed away nonexistent moisture.
    “This guy’s good,” Bleak said out of the corner of his mouth.
    Morrissey grunted. “We’re better.”
    Their words carried no farther than the three of them.
    “Then my good friend General Post referred me to you. Your name is bandied about as being the best retrieval man in the world. Many recommend your team. Now it seems you’ve found them only to lose them again. I have faith that if you did it once, you can do it again.”
    “That’s a really beautiful sentiment, and a great story by the way, but the question is, why do you so desperately want to bring them here to you? It’s obvious to me she wants no part of being brought anywhere. Her resistance to even talk with me was proof of that. What are you not telling me, Smythe-Ward?”
    “Imagine never knowing your children. What have they been told about me to scare them in such a way? There is another reason as well, but I must be assured of absolute secrecy before I speak of it with you.”
    Who do you think you’re fooling? “I signed an agreement giving you full confidentiality. The things I learn will never be released. I don’t tell tales,” Sebastian ground out, hating the man in front him but still not sure why.
    “Thank you, Mr. Graham. You’ve proven an invaluable asset, and I apologize for anything I withheld that would’ve made your job easier.”
    Sebastian inclined his head.
    “This thing is so heinous it is not to be believed. Yet all of my studies on the research my Milania did have led me to no other conclusion. My children are special. I want the opportunity to try to get to know them before I pass away. They will inherit a wonderful company, and some part of me just wants to know them before I die. I may not have many years left.” He cleaned his glasses before continuing.
    “Forgive me my fit of melancholy. Where were we? Oh yes. When Milania left I discovered some of her journals about her research. She was brilliant, on par to becoming a leading wonder in the field of genetics. But she was a troubled soul. A violent father who frequently abused her in his bouts of drunkenness raised her. She and I had to overcome many of her personal demons before we were able to connect. It wasn’t until right before she left that I noticed her bizarre behavior. She had a propensity for journaling her inner thoughts, and I felt lucky when I discovered the writings she’d left behind. At least until I read them. Then I discovered how sick my precious Milania truly was.”
    There was a dramatic pause. Sebastian barely kept from rolling his eyes.
    “I wept at the levels she’d sunk to in her research. Her betrayal by leaving pregnant with my children was given levity only when I realized what else she’d done. I was appalled, and to this day I feel a strong need to apologize to my children for the actions of their mother.” Smythe-Ward again lifted the kerchief to his eyes and took a moment to compose himself.
    “What horrible thing did she do, Smythe-Ward?” He fought to gentle his voice. The question came out more a guttural command.
    Smythe-Ward sighed and put his glasses back on. “I have such a hard time saying these words, you understand?”
    “Well just spit them out, and we’ll help you pick up the