Free Dark Waters by Chris Goff Page A

inches above his body. When she finished, she turned, told us he had a blood disorder that needed immediate treatment.”
    “But she already knew that.”
    Taylor’s jawline stiffened. He didn’t like her pointing out the flaws in his reasoning.
    “We hadn’t told her, or anyone connected to her, anything about his condition,” he said. “She told us that for five thousand dollars she could cure him. That it would take about five weeks.”
    “And you agreed?”
    “Sarah wanted to try, so I went along. Ethan was really sick.”
    Jordan worked on keeping an open mind. “Did she pinpoint the cause of his condition?”
    “No more than the doctors at Children’s Hospital. She explained that Ethan’s immune system was suppressed. While he could build antibodies to fight off disease, his body treated the antibodies like a virus. Instead of stoking his white blood cell count, his antibodies turned on themselves, killing each other and destroying any resistance he had to illness.”
    “So you went with Alena,” said Jordan.
    Taylor nodded. “He had three weeks of treatment, and he was better by the time we got in to see the specialist. The doctor said there was nothing wrong with him. He acknowledged the previous blood work and admitted, based on the reports, that he had given Ethan low odds for survival. He labeled it a ‘spontaneous recovery’ and gave no credence to Alena.”
    “How is your son doing now?”
    Taylor seemed to steel himself. “He’s dead.”
    Jordan didn’t know what to say. “But you said he was cured.”
    “Alena wanted to keep treating Ethan,” Taylor said, his voice heavy with anger. “She said he wasn’t out of the woods yet and needed more treatment. Sarah refused. She was under pressure from some of the members on her senate committee to denounce the alternative therapy. They felt it was sending the wrong message. She became convinced the specialist was right—that Ethan got better of his own accord and that we had been duped. Two years later, the condition returned. Before we had time to react, Ethan was gone.”
    The pain made the lines in his face deepen. Jordan wished she could do something to smooth them out. “I’m sorry.”
    He nodded and stood. Picking up the coffee mugs, he carried them to the sink. “My marriage ended soon after that. If it weren’t for Sarah stopping the treatments, my son would still be alive.”
    He couldn’t know that for sure, Jordan thought, but she was beginning to understand. “And now Lucy has the same condition.”
    “Possibly worse,” he said, turning on the faucet. “The doctors at Children’s were talking about bone marrow transplants.”
    Jordan understood science, but bioenergy treatments? That was a little too out there for her. She picked up the creamer and sugar bowl and carried them to the counter.
    “Instead, you brought her here?”
    Taylor looked over. “My ex-wife wanted Lucy in a hospital in the States, but I put my foot down. This time we’re doing it my way.”
    It required permission from both parents for minors to travel outside the United States. “How did you get your ex-wife to agree?”
    “It was Lucy. She convinced her to sign the papers. It’s one of the main reasons we have to stay.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Faith. It’s a powerful tool. Lucy told Sarah that she believed.”
    “And you have faith, too? Enough to stay, even though your lives may be in danger?”
    Taylor set a clean mug upside down in the dish drainer and turned to face Jordan.
    “I know one thing, Agent Jordan.” His hands gripped the edge of the counter, his eyes asking for understanding. “I’m not going to lose another child.”

Chapter 15
    H addid fled through the streets of al-Ajami. Sweat beaded on his brow and soaked his shirt while slow-motion frames of what had happened clicked through his mind.
    Mansoor advancing toward the intruder.
    Najm diving over the back of the couch.
    The woman, draped in her black pashmina,