Free Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1) by Gary Starta

needed to thoroughly experiment with it first. They
also needed to use these wonders for black ops. Great secrets could be obtained
from both enemy and allied nations alike. The day would arrive when these
technologies would be sold, and Dan wanted a family to share those wonders,
even at the risk of creating a second child with psychic abilities. And as Dan
imagined, not envisioned, that’s exactly what happened.
    Dan checked his watch. Another few minutes and Iris would
stop home. She seldom deviated from habit. Dan attempted to console himself
that Iris would not get herself mixed up with any alien discoveries because of
this. He had ingrained the notion in her head at an early age that UFOs were
nonsense, mere misinterpretations or hoaxes. He’d told her there were no other
life forms, but even if there was, they wouldn’t be traveling via starship to
planet Earth. He didn’t believe his daughter could be convinced otherwise. She
probably was only interested in this guy for dates. He hoped so. But the iPhone
would ensure it because it would serve as his eavesdropping device. With
today’s phones, you didn’t need to plant bugs. As long as your target kept the
batteries in their phone, you could monitor without fear of discovery. Besides,
he could never risk using his psychic abilities because with them, came a
severe risk of discovery.

 
 
    I RIS GREETED her dad with a hug. She always fantasized the
day would come when her father would announce he was leaving his job. There
would be no more need for such strict secrecy. Best of all, he would be there for
her. Maybe it would take some of the sting out of the last few decades. Iris
didn’t kid herself that her pain would ever totally heal. That part of her
harbored resentment against Doris Camden. She would never forgive her stepmom
for breaking apart Dan’s first marriage. Not even in her death.
    Today was not the day for the “announcement.” Her dad did
seem uncharacteristically happy though. He handed her a gift wrapped in pink
paper with a beaming smile. “What’s going on, Dad? You run out of cash or
something.”
    Dan smiled. “Good one. Actually, I thought it might be
more fitting—and thoughtful—to give you a tangible present for your
upcoming birthday.”
    “Okay.” Iris smiled back at her dad. “You’re a week
early. Dad, I hope this is not your memory failing you. Remember when I
suggested you take Ginkgo Biloba?” She waited for the wave of shock on her
father’s face to subside.
    Finally, he smiled. “Ah, got me again. Well, it serves me
right.”
    Yes it does, Iris thought. “But seriously I do suggest taking
supplements—at any age. I’m sure your job still demands the most of you.”
    Dan sighed. “I know where this is going. In a minute
you’re going to get very pissed with me. You’re not going to come right out and
say that my job ruined all our lives. Yet you will, in your own kind of way.
But before you do this, why don’t you unwrap your present, honey ?”
    Iris thumbed a piece of stubborn tape off the corner of
the container. “Actually, the choice of word differs. I was going to say your
job ‘consumed’ our lives. Hmm. Sure packed this baby tight. Is this some secret
device?” Iris fought the urge to smile. It was another barb. She waited for the
shock to return to her father’s face. It was so predictable. Anytime she
mentioned technology, he would get sensitive and quiet. She knew darn well her
father created technologies most of the nation believed to be science fiction.
He had to, because all the secrecy and interviews she was mandated to attend
screamed so. Once every few years, Dan’s cohorts asked her if she was aware of any
specific work her father did, and she answered them truthfully, with a “no.”
The interviewers only told her that her cooperation would keep America safe.
Yet her intuition knew better. Of course, he and his cohorts were up to
something nefarious. But she was sure these