Destined to Fly

Just as a buzzard can sense roadkill, every fibre in her body could sense that Quinn was onto yet another ground-breaking discovery. Her instincts were confirmed sooner than anticipated when her researchers discovered that Quinn’s major benefactor, the enigmatic and always-discreet philanthropist, Leroy Edward Orwell, — or Leo, as he was known — was flying into Sydney the same weekend as Quinn was meeting up with Dr Blake. As Xsade was on the verge of finalising a patent on their ‘purple pill’, developed to combat female sexual arousal disorder, she knew she would hit the jackpot if she could continue to access information on what Quinn and Leo were up to.

Madeleine and Lauren were on a one-day conference together when Lauren informed her that the forum’s planned experimentation might not go ahead after all. Madeleine was left with no choice but to anonymously blackmail Quinn into continuing what he had been planning so meticulously for months. Much to her relief it seemed to work, as the testing went ahead as scheduled and the results she obtained from both Quinn’s and Webster’s computer systems were far beyond anything she had ever imagined.

Lauren’s casual phone call to Madeleine from Singapore, mentioning she had just bumped into Alexandra Blake, before she boarded a plane to London was the icing on the cake. Having been thwarted by strengthened security on Quinn’s and Webster’s computer systems, Madeleine felt as if the universe was delivering Dr Blake to her doorstep and compelling her to act; accordingly, she arranged for the Blake woman to be forcibly escorted to a chateau in Slovenia and then to Xsade’s off-the-grid facility under Lake Bled.

Madeleine was sure she was on the cusp of discovering the source of the anomalies in Alexandra’s blood, unlocking potentially limitless profits for Xsade and earning herself the level of personal and professional power she had dreamed of for years. The best part would be finally outwitting the great Dr Quinn. There was no aphrodisiac more meaningful to her than social status and positional power. Quinn had, in fact, achieved her own ideal version of a networking nirvana in the pharmaceutical and medical worlds. In her mind, he rather arbitrarily and haphazardly stumbled upon the miracle cures that the world adored him for. It bewildered her that, apparently, money was never the driving factor for Quinn. He certainly never sold his formulas for the highest offer, because if he had Xsade would control the entire market. Well, this time, she wouldn’t let Xsade be ignored because of some misguided moral stance of Dr Quinn’s. She would discover his secrets before they went to the marketplace. This time it would be she who gained both the notoriety and the superprofits of the next great drug to save the human race, leaving Quinn to fade into insignificance. If she didn’t achieve this and at the same time regain access to the enigma of Dr Blake’s blood, she could at least take comfort in the fact that she had personally destroyed their credibility in the eyes of the world.

Everything was going according to plan until Josef let her down at the last minute. As if mere pinpricks of Alexa’s blood were ever going to be enough for the detailed analysis she had in mind. All he had to do was extract a large sample of her blood while she slept after having ingested the purple pill. So simple, so easy and no one had to get hurt. She had no doubt that results from tests on Alexandra’s blood would have been remarkable and she is furious that she didn’t just do the blood extraction herself which, in hindsight, would have been far more effective, if slightly messy.

A smile that looks more like a snarl curls Madeleine’s lips as she allows her mind to wander indulgently further afield. If Alexa’s children’s blood is anything like hers, the possibilities are endless. Even if she cannot gain direct access to them, perhaps once the world sees the scandalous pictures of their mother Madeleine has up her sleeve, they might be taken into care. Then she could even offer to foster the children and have their bodies continually available to her for experimentation.

Despondently, she admits to herself that this is merely a daydream and snaps back to the matter at hand.

As she stands in front of Xsade’s version of Judas — and not in front of the one person in the world she wants under her control, Dr Alexandra Blake — rage twists in her belly. This man, a trusted employee for the past five years, managed to ensure Blake’s escape from their facility and personally delivered her into the hands of her lover, Dr Jeremy Quinn, in Dubrovnik. Had she not treated him fairly? Paid him handsomely for his work as Xsade’s lead physician and Head of Research and Development? She can’t understand what drove this madness in him as he stands defiantly before her, secured by her henchmen.

Josef is valiantly maintaining his silence in the face of his boss’s venomous wrath. He knows only too well from previous experience that nothing he says will be tolerated until her fury subsides. Madeleine Jurilique is determined, powerful, manipulative, cunning, dangerous and, in general, should never be crossed — even more so when she is in this ferocious frame of mind. He has overheard muttered conversations in the staff canteens as colleagues likened her to the White Witch of Narnia or a barrel of aggravated, poisonous snakes and Josef can now understand why.

As the European Managing Director of Xsade, Jurilique is one of the most powerful executives in the global pharmaceutical marketplace. She seems to have an uncanny ability to deliver the next ‘big drug’ to consumers, as well as huge profits to the Board of Directors and Xsade’s shareholders, so much so they have gradually allowed her to run the company more or less as she wishes. Jurilique’s unstoppable ambition has made her more callous and reckless with each passing year, enabling her to make increasingly dangerous decisions and take unprecedented risks on behalf of the company. But as long as the money keeps rolling in, it seems the executives are happy for her to have free rein.

Josef himself has ignored his conscience and turned a blind eye, but her treatment of Alexandra Blake proved to be the final straw for him. At first he believed that Alexa, like so many others, was willing to sell her body for money or for the sake of research. It wasn’t until he found some of his boss’s files that he understood she had been specifically brought in for reasons other than what she had signed up to in her contract.

Under such extreme circumstances, she handled herself with a dignity he didn’t often find in people and he could sense the goodness within her. Jurilique’s demand, her order that he drain over a litre of blood from Alexa while she slept, had violated his personal and ethical values beyond any degree of conscience; no amount of money could make up for what she was asking of him, or the risks she was willing to take in relation to Dr Blake’s life. He could take no more.

As their standoff continues, Josef refuses to meet her eyes though he can feel the breath pass her porcelain-capped teeth before it hits the bloodied skin on his face. She slides her hardened, glossy nail under his chin, silently forcing him to meet her lethal gaze.

‘Be under no illusions, good doctor. You will be going nowhere until I have what I need, and you will be assisting in the process.’ She slides her nail along the line of the wound on his cheek as she watches him flinch before her. ‘So you can kiss goodbye to the thought of seeing your sweet little wife again any time soon, just as you can kiss your professional future goodbye when all of this is over.’

An involuntary shudder ricochets down his spine at her words.

She steps back and issues her command to her ever-faithful henchmen. ‘Lock him up. He is boring me and the sight of him is making me ill.’

With a flick of her wrist she goes to dismiss them. She notices Josef is finally struggling against the firm grasp of her men.

‘To ensure he is secured I’ll organise for Dr Jade, our new head physician’ — she glares at Josef viciously with hate in her eyes — ‘to administer the same drugs that paralysed our dear friend and escapee, Alexandra, when we were moving her from the chateau to this facility.’

Panic and dread settle into Josef’s bones. He understands that this woman is beyond simply ruthless as he had presumed — she is a sadist. Her extreme lack of conscience now fosters a dangerous love of violence. He realises that his hope that her fury would dissipate and he could reason with her was futile. For the first time since he was taken, he suddenly fears for his life. There will be no escaping if he is completely immobilised by those drugs.

Madeleine finally sees in Josef’s eyes the fear that she has been longing to provoke. It inspires her further.

Josef continues in his attempts to struggle free, his efforts creating a sheen on his face. ‘Madeleine, please, you can’t do this, please, my wife —’

She raises her eyebrow at Louis who instantly bends Joseph’s wrist back onto his arm causing him to shriek with pain, effectively silencing his words.

‘Take him to the lab and I’ll page Dr Jade to meet you there. Under no circumstances let him out of your grasp, boys. You know what I pay you to do.’ She turns and a smile plays on her lips when she hears the distinct sounds of suffering in Josef’s screams as he is dragged out the doors backwards. She silently congratulates herself: at least she can always count on Louis and Frederic to obey her every command.

Alexa

I lean against the doorframe to gauge the intense conversation between the two powerful men in front of me. Jeremy Quinn — who is, and if I’m completely honest always has been, the love of my life — and Martin Smythe, an ex-US marine who now looks after security for the mysterious and elusive Leo, one of Jeremy’s closest friends and major benefactor.

I can’t help but consider that the difference between males and females becomes even more pronounced in times of danger or unease, in that men require action and females need reflection and supportive discussion. Or perhaps that is just me.

Their focussed debate has been going on since I received a horrifying blackmail letter — from the same woman who abducted me less than a month ago when I had arrived at Heathrow to meet up with Jeremy and the other members of the Global Research Forum.

My stomach is still tumultuous from throwing up moments ago in the kitchen sink, which occurred seconds after I’d finished reading the letter’s contents. Emotions swirl in my nervous system, spinning between pain, anger, regret and surprisingly, a hint of ultimate acceptance. Acceptance that this is my fate until this nightmare is resolved, comes to an end. At least I hope it does. Surely that can happen in life, not just in stories? I have more than a sneaking suspicion that it won’t come to an end until we understand exactly how and why my blood is what it is: an enigma which seems to vary its state depending on the hormones released in my body at any given time. Apparently, the more extreme the scenario, or my situation, the more intriguing the results, or at least that’s what Jeremy and his technicians tell me. Why? Why me? I have absolutely no idea. There is still so much I don’t fully understand.

My fragile stomach and pounding head force me to turn away from their action-orientated strategising about my future, and I make my way into the en suite of the master bedroom. Attempting to distract myself from the reality of the threats hanging over my head, I splash my face with cold running water before collapsing on to our king-size bed and gaze out at the orchestrated picture-perfect scenery from our Disney Resort Hotel suite in Orlando, Florida. I am situated in what is marketed as ‘the happiest place on earth’ and ten minutes ago I would have argued vehemently with anyone who told me that wasn’t true.

I had been blissfully happy. More happy than I almost believed any person deserved to be in a lifetime … but in one puff of smoke or, more accurately, one A4-sized envelope later, my happiness turned to dread and fear, thanks to Madame Madeleine Jurilique, the Managing Director of Xsade’s European Division. Also known as Madame Goldy or the Wicked Witch of Kidnap and Abduction. My body shudders in response to my memories of being abducted from Heathrow airport in London, drugged, taped to a wheelchair and concealed under a burka, and finally being transported through Europe in a suitcase to Xsade’s facilities in Slovenia. I retch again but there is nothing left to bring up except a lingering acidic taste of bile. What the hell am I going to do?

Dr Josef Votrubec, who worked for Xsade, risked everything to ensure my escape from the facility beneath Lake Bled, before they could more or less drain me of a significant portion of my blood. Thank god he contacted Jeremy directly who, via the seemingly endless global resources of his friend and mentor Leo, managed to ensure my ultimate safety. Appallingly, the same thing can’t be said for Josef, who was captured at gunpoint by Xsade mercenaries just after handing me over near Dubrovnik. Jeremy, Martin and I managed our getaway in a sleek speedboat to rendezvous with a luxury cruiser. Although I had only known Josef for a short time, he risked his entire career to ensure my safety and for that I will be forever grateful. He is a kind man with a good heart. On the drive to meet with Jeremy, he told me of his love for his wife and how, so far, they had been unable to have children, a thought that always causes me pain knowing how forceful my own urges were to procreate when the time came.

I can only hope and pray that he has been safely reunited with his wife, though as much as I want that to be true, I know deep down that the two men on the pier with the guns aimed toward Josef would in all likelihood have been Louis and Fred. They were the men who had guarded me in the castle embedded in the hills north of Ljubljana. Madame Goldy’s right-hand men.

Josef’s betrayal of both Xsade and his boss, Madame Jurilique, would surely precipitate a reaction no human being would choose to experience. I have never met a more dangerous and narcissistic woman. Since my escape, Martin has provided us with regular updates and background on her, which makes her even more sinister. She operates in society as an elite, well-educated leader of industry and moves in circles of influence most people only dream of … well, people other than Jeremy and Leo, I suppose. Yet she has about as much heart as a ravenous anaconda carefully manipulating and devouring her prey. Shivers ripple through my body as my concern for Josef’s wellbeing reaches fever pitch. And now she wants me back within her vile corporate web for further experimentation, explicitly involving my blood.

I have no doubt that Madame Jurilique will follow through on the threats contained in her letter. I still hold the letter apprehensively in my trembling hands, and I read it again as though I’m somehow willing its contents to have changed.

Dear Doctor Blake,

I do hope you have had a wonderful time recuperating in the Mediterranean with your lover and have enjoyed the delights of Disney World with your sweet children, Elizabeth and Jordan.

It is so unfortunate that you were not able to properly conclude the entire 72 hours at our facility. After having provided us with such useful information, there is but one element we now require.

Should you not be forthcoming in relation to our requirements we shall once again be forced to take circumstances into our own hands. The enclosed news headlines are but a sample of the strategies we will employ to ensure that we acquire what we need from you, so please let me be clear.

We need your blood.

If, for some reason, you decide not to cooperate with our request within the next ten days, we shall be forced to proceed with our global ‘Do you really know Dr Alexandra Blake?’ campaign. Needless to say, I shouldn’t have to remind you that we have some wonderfully explicit photographs and video clips to authenticate our headlines.

While I have your attention, I should also mention that should this not procure your participation, we would look to acquire the next best thing — the blood of your children.

I shall look forward to working with you again in the very near future.

Sincere regards,

Madame Madeleine de Jurilique

If she can’t have access to me, she will ensure no one else does either, in any way, shape or form. I also have no doubt that keeping Jeremy and me apart would give her an added sense of psychotic joy, knowing that she is controlling me and he cannot do anything about it. The thought makes me nauseous all over again.

Salina, who works for Martin as part of Leo’s security team, is still in Europe attempting to locate both Josef and Jurilique. During her investigations she discovered that Lauren Bertrand, the French member of Jeremy’s Global Research Forum, was bitterly disappointed that Jeremy was given the role of Project Leader rather than herself. An email exchange between Lauren and Madeleine promised that Jeremy would get what he deserves both professionally and personally. They just needed a little more time and patience.

If anything happened to Jeremy or my children I don’t think I could live with myself. No, I know I couldn’t live with myself. The sheer evil of her suggestion is mind-blowing … if I don’t meet her demands, she will endeavour to procure the blood of my children! How dare she? She is one sick woman whose desire for power, money and ultimate market control means she will stop at absolutely nothing. How dare she threaten my children! They are my world, they mean everything to me. I will protect them with my life. And my blood.

Once again, I return to the room Elizabeth and Jordan are sharing. My profound need to see their small bodies resting soundly is overwhelming. It’s difficult for me to believe that they are already nine and seven years old. Time has flown by so fast. My emotions are as raw as my love is strong. As I gently smooth the hair away from their angelic faces and kiss their foreheads, I lay my palms against their hearts so they can each sense my love for them drifting through their innocent sleep.

‘Sweet dreams, my cherubs. My love for you is as deep as the core of the earth and as high as the stars in the sky.’ My voice is low and heavy within my chest, and I breathe their presence deeply into my lungs before gently closing the door behind me.

I return to the kitchen where Martin and Jeremy are still huddled over their notepads, brainstorming strategies and the next steps in my life. As soon as Jeremy senses me in the room he rushes to embrace me in his strong arms. Arms I so desperately long to be cradled in forever, but I know this will be impossible in the short term.