bulldozing hit.
A whiff of ammonia snaps Sam back into consciousness. He opens his eyes, the team doctor’s face appearing fuzzy.
‘You okay, son?’
‘Dunno. My head still attached?’
‘Let’s get a quick scan of your brain.’ Dr. Meth slips the portable MRI device right over Sam’s helmet. ‘Don’t move, this’ll only take ten seconds.’
The device activates, scanning Sam’s brain.
PATIENT: SAMUEL AGLER.
DIAGNOSIS: THIRD – DEGREE CONCUSSION.
PROTOCOL C-3: ICE, ANTICONCUSSION /INFLAMMATORY
MEDS, MONITORED BED REST.
RETURN TO ACTION: THREE DAYS MINIMUM.
NONCONTACT DRILLS FOR FIVE DAYS.
‘That’s it, son, you’re done.’ Dr. Meth and his two assistants help him to his feet.
Coaches and players watch in accusing silence as Sam limps off to the locker room.
7:16 p.m.
Three hours, a shower, and seven interviews later, Samuel Agler emerges from the air-conditioned training facility into the cool dusk November air.
He motions for the guard to open the gate, then pushes through the usual postpractice crowd. He signs a dozen portopads, then sees the black government-issue limousine parked along the sidewalk.
Fubish… of all days.
The driver’s door opens, releasing a powerful African-American man.
Sam crosses the street, the crowd still enveloping him, shoving porto-pads in his face.
Ryan Beck approaches. ‘Back off!’
The crowd scurries.
‘Hey, Pep. Still have that gift of gab, I see. How you doin’?’
‘Just doin’. You look like shit.’ Beck opens the rear door.
‘Yeah, nice to see you, too.’ Sam climbs in back. The door closes behind him as he takes his place opposite his mother.
Dominique Gabriel removes her dark, wraparound sunglasses. Although she is forty-nine, most would place her age closer to thirty. The ebony hair is still long and parted in the middle, with a touch of gray sprinkled here and there. The breasts are firm, her figure still flawless, thanks to a strict diet and daily regimen of weight training and cardiovascular exercise. The only signs of aging are the crow’s-feet that litter the corners of her chocolate- brown eyes.
Sam looks her over. ‘You look good for an old broad.’
‘Is that how you greet your mother?’
He leans over and dutifully plants a kiss on her cheek. ‘I wasn’t expecting you. You know I don’t like surprises.’
‘You look tired, Manny.’
‘Sam! Call me Sam.’
‘To me, you’ll always be my Manny.’
‘Can we cut to the chase?’
‘Your brother wants to see you.’
‘Forget it. We had an agreement.’
‘Yes we did. You wanted total anonymity, we gave it to you. A new name, a new identity, surrogate parents… you got the works. But what you’re doing now is extremely dangerous. Instead of living out of the public eye, you’ve dashed back into the spotlight. Your face is on every website and public broadcast in North America. How long do you think it’ll be before some hotshot reporter sees through the tinkered files and false birth certificate and figures out who you really are?’
‘Immanuel Gabriel is dead, mother. He drowned six years ago. No one will put two and two together.’
‘Jacob thinks otherwise, and that’s why he needs to see you.’
‘Jacob’s a freak.’
The slap in the face stuns him, sending shock waves through his already bruised brain. ‘That freak, as you call him, gave you a new life. If it wasn’t for your brother, you’d still be living in the compound… or worse.’
‘How long are you going to keep this charade up, Mother? You’ve been giving in to Jacob our whole lives.’
‘I don’t give in to him.’
‘No, you’ve done worse. You’ve empowered him by believing in this whole Mayan Hero bullshit. Look at you. When are you going to get on with your own life?’
‘I have a life!’
‘Yeah, sure you do. I have a life. You work for Jacob.’ He shakes his head. ‘Just tell me how long.’
‘A few days. He says he needs to discuss things that only you would understand.’
‘God dammit, Mother, for the last time, I am NOT Hunahpu!’ He closes his eyes, fighting back tears of frustration. ‘The two of you are not part of my life anymore. You don’t know a thing about me. I’ve worked my ass off… I trained for years. I take a beating every time I step out onto that field. I am not like… him.’
‘You’re right. As cold and emotionless as Jake can be, he’s selfless. You’re driven by ego.’
‘Good-bye.’ He slides toward the door.
‘Wait!’ Dominique grabs his arm. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.’
‘Yes you did.’
‘Manny, I am really proud of you. Proud of what you’ve accomplished in school. Proud of the life you’ve been able to lead. And I like everything I’ve heard about Lauren. I think she’s good for you. Will you at least introduce us before you get married.’
‘Not a chance.’
She smiles. ‘You’re so much like me. Stubborn as a mule.’
He cracks a half smile at the mention of his nickname. Checks the digital timer sewn into his shirtsleeve. ‘I have to go. I’m having dinner at my father’s house.’
‘Surrogate father.’
‘Whatever.’
‘I’ll pick you up here tomorrow morning at nine. Pack an overnight bag.’
‘I’m supposed to spend the holidays with Lauren’s family.’
‘Get out of it. She’ll understand.’
‘No she won’t. I don’t even understand. What am I supposed to tell her?’
‘You’ll think of something.’
‘Can’t we do this another time?’
‘No, it has to be now.’
‘Why?’
‘Tomorrow morning, Immanuel. After that, I’ll be out of your hair forever.’
He exits the car without saying another word.
Jacob Gabriel had always ‘sensed’ there were enemies about, ever since the day he had learned to read the Bible Code, ever since his first remote-viewing session. But it was not until his last communication with his father that he realized how close he had allowed his true enemy to come.
He had always known Lilith was Hunahpu, his genetic cousin and equal. He had never suspected her to be the Abomination.
Jacob knew there were only two ways to stop the Hunahpu’s pursuit; either kill his one true love or convince her that he and Manny were dead.
Faking his brother’s drowning had been a simple matter. The collision on the bridge was easily choreographed, the black hair dye and contact lenses easily fooling the media into believing it was Manny who was the victim. Jacob’s immersion into the nexus stifled his life signs long enough to convince CNN and the randomly
