Chapter 102
Jamie and Hannah drove down a winding lane past several buildings in various stages of completion, with only a half-dozen here or there in what appeared to be a completely finished state before Hannah pulled to a stop in front of what looked like a typical two-story office building. “Here we are,” she said, getting out of the car. Jamie did the same, stopping on the walkway to look at the façade. “Jordan wants his office in one of the high rise buildings once they’re done, but for now, this will do.” She gestured over her shoulder at some of the larger structures. “There will be larger housing buildings so that those who come long distances will have a place to stay, as well as facilities for those of us who will be permanently a part of the Kansas City team.”
“And training facilities?” Jamie asked, still looking around at all of the building going on.
“Yes. Over there,” she pointed in the distance, “will be a state-of-the-art gymnasium and natatorium. There will also be a large garage to house all of our vehicles.” She gestured in the direction of what appeared to be a nearly-complete parking facility. Jamie had never seen a place so large built solely for automobiles. Most of the people he knew still had never ridden in one.
“If you’ll head through those doors, you’ll find reception.” Hannah opened the back door and handed out his suitcase. “I hope I see you again soon, Jamie.”
He took his luggage and her offered hand. Even though she was wearing an ankle length blue dress and proper boots, she seemed just as liberated as the other women he’d worked with within the organization. “Thank you, Hannah,” Jamie said, nodding at her politely as he took a few steps toward the entry.
He had no idea what he was doing here. When Jordan Findley requested your presence, you went. In the past, he’d either met the Findleys at their home in Iowa or out in the field. A few times, they’d communicated via wire or telephone. He’s received this message along with a train ticket and knew there was no reason to respond, just show up.
The receptionist was a blonde woman with her hair piled up on top of her head. “Dr. Joplin,” she said, standing as soon as he walked through the front door. “Good afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Findley are expecting you.” He noticed the name-plate on her desk read, Candace Klein. “Just take the elevator up to the second floor, and their office will be on your right.”
“Thank you, Ms. Klein,” he said, smiling politely and directing himself to the elevator. It was a bit different than any he’d seen before, but pushing a button made the doors open. On the inside, he pressed another button and hoped it stopped at the second floor. He couldn’t imagine what the alternative might be.
His suitcase was a little odd in his hand, but he’d had no idea how long he might be here, and he had no other place to leave any of his belongings, so he always brought them all with him. At least when he’d been assigned to the Washington, DC, team he’d had an apartment. Now, he was a bit of a nomad. Many of his things were still at his parents’ home in Boston, but he knew it might not be too much longer before he’d have to find a more permanent place for those as his parents were getting up in years; having never Transformed, they would not last forever the way that he would.
Jamie chose not to dwell on those morbid thoughts at the moment and stepped through the elevator doors as they opened. He saw the office in front of him and made his way to it. The door was solid, but a placard to the right let him know he was in the correct place. He knocked twice on the door and then fidgeted with the button on his brown sports coat, nervously.
It took only a moment for Janette to open the door. He’d met her a few times, and she always looked well put together and lovely. Her long brown hair was pulled up in a bun on the top of her head, only a few strands of silver showing her age at all, which Jamie imagined was nearing one hundred. Not a wrinkle lined her smiling face. “Jamie!” she exclaimed. “It’s so good to see you!” He set his suitcase down to return her embrace. “Come in, come in, come in!”
Her enthusiasm was met by her husband who also approached the door before Jamie could collect his luggage and step completely past Mrs. Findley. “Welcome, Jamie,” Jordan said, throwing his arm around the younger man. “It is a pleasure to see you.” Jordan Findley could’ve easily passed for forty, if not mid-thirties, though Jamie knew he was considerably older than that. Unlike his wife, he had stopped aging and would live forever since he was a Guardian. Dissimilar to Kit, they were willing to put their feelings for each other above the fact that one day they’d be called upon to separate permanently.
“Have a seat, won’t you?” Jordan said, gesturing to one of two chairs on the far side of what Jamie took to be his desk. Next to it sat a similar piece of furniture, though it seemed much tidier, and Jamie assumed this other desk must belong to the misses. Along the walls, dozens of framed pictures of the couple with other Hunters and Guardians, some Jamie recognized, and what he took to be family members, smiled back at him. Jamie set his suitcase down once again and took a seat.
“Can I get you anything, dear?” Janette asked. “Tea? Coffee? I do hope your train ride was comfortable. I know it can be a long ride, coming all the way from Nevada.”
That’s where Jamie had been when he’d gotten their letter, helping the Area Leader there track down a group of marauding Vampires that struck settlers out in the regions away from major settlements. They’d manage to get five of the six and were formulating a plan when Jamie’d been summoned. He hoped they’d managed to track down the last one by now, but he’d be happy to go back out and help if he could. Nevada was nothing like Washington, DC, so he didn’t mind going there. “I’m just fine, thank you,” he replied with a smile.
Janette returned the grin and sat in the chair next to him. Jordan was already sitting in the seat on the other side of the desk by the time they’d ended their conversation.
“Well, Jamie, I don’t want to beat around the bush. You know me. I like to get straight to the point.”
The doctor did know this to be true. He raised an eyebrow. “What is it, sir?” he asked, afraid he was about to be reprimanded for something. He couldn’t think of any infractions he may have committed, but he hadn’t quite been himself the last year or so, and it was possible he’d slipped up without even knowing it.
