Shed Secrets

By Natalie Buske Thomas

How do we fight the enemy within? The World Order continues to push toward a utopian society in which humanity is genetically modified to be of only one unified race and one gender, eradicating religion as well, thereby eliminating the motivation for terrorism and domestic crime. Peace and security are sought at any cost—even if it means that humanity itself will be lost. Can Serena Wilcox stop the march toward artificial intelligence, or is it too late to change the course of fate?
Serena is challenged when she meets an alternate version of herself. Will this unsettling experience give her the courage and determination to make a difference? Serena is confronted with a pivotal moment. Do we have free will or are our lives predestined?
SHED SECRETS is the final book in the 12-book Serena Wilcox mystery series. The series spins off in a new direction with book one FENDER (the 10 Chapters series), included in this book!
More about the Serena Wilcox Mysteries: These books should be read in order, beginning with Angels Mark, book one. Serena Wilcox is a quirky former private detective, a happily married wife, and a mother of three. While Serena is far removed from the political scene, President Ann Kinji is drowning in a divided nation riddled with conspiracies, power-hungry government and criminal politicians. President Kinji calls upon government outsider Serena Wilcox. Can Serena save the day with her unlikely crew of vigilantes and burned agents?
The Serena Wilcox Mysteries began with three novellas published from 1998-2000 that developed a cult following (Gene Play, Virtual Memories, Camp Conviction). The Serena stories evolved into a popular series of full length books beginning with book one, Angels Mark.
Angels Mark (Book 1): What if the United States knew of a nuclear threat and let it happen? First published in 2011, Angels Mark is eerily current. Conspiracy, greed and a lust for power are at the root of this plot-twisting thriller about corrupt American government; when the future of the nation depends on former private detective and mother-of-three Serena Wilcox and her unlikely crew. Covert Coffee (Book 2): An asset to President Ann Kinji in the past, Serena is snatched in Germany and brought back to the United States for a covert mission run by former government agents. Realizing that her participation is not entirely voluntary, she is desperate to complete the mission so that she can be reunited with her family. As the case draws her ever closer to the conspiracy to kill the president, she reaches out to the criminally insane for help, sinking deeper and deeper into a rabbit hole where the bodies are piling up and nothing is as it seems.
Bluebird Flown (Book 3): Bluebird Flown goes even deeper into the madness of futuristic America; corrupt, heavy with conspiracies– chillingly close to tomorrow’s headlines. As the United States continues to spiral out of control, can Serena stop all of the traitors before they kill the President? As the layers of betrayal are peeled, will anyone remain standing?
Project Scarecrow (book 4): Serena and her crew are hired by the Gödel Solution Institute (GSI), run by former President Ann Kinji. Time travel technology is classified as top secret Project Scarecrow, but Project Scarecrow is compromised. Governments from the present and the future clash to control the destiny of mankind. Can Serena uncover who is behind this power struggle before history is forever altered?
Ruby Red (book 5): To investigate the men of the future, Serena must journey into the past. The government entities of the future are beyond sinister and they will stop at nothing to gain power over time travel technology. They threaten GSI, Serena herself, and ultimately the future of the entire planet.
Future Beyond (book 6), Project Willow (book 7), Downward Spiral (book 8) and Shed Secrets (book 9) complete the series. The spin-off series to The Serena Wilcox Mysteries is "10 Ch

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natalie Buske Thomas
• Release date: Nov 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311930392

Natalie Buske Thomas

Natalie Buske Thomas is the author of the Serena Wilcox Mysteries, the Dramatic Mom comic stories, Savannah's Inky Imagination and the Thriving in a Hateful World series. She is also an oil painter and entertainer. Her paintings have been in exhibits, galleries and on tour. Please view her website to see her list of titles, pictures of her paintings, life stuff on her blog, and more!

Book preview

Chapter 1

Can you at least tell me where I’m going? Serena Wilcox stood with her right hand on her hip, looking down at Beav, who was squatting on the floor tinkering with something.

He didn’t look up at her. No.

Serena pulled her dark hair into a ponytail. There were more silver strands in her ponytail now, but all and all she had held up fairly well. An easier post was close at hand, and after that, retirement. As long as the final leg of this journey wasn’t too harrowing she should come out of it without much damage.

Beav said, I thought you were going to cut your hair.

Serena frowned. I said I was thinking about cutting my hair. Why? You think that I should?

No.

Then why did you mention it? Serena twirled the end of her ponytail. Her hair had been thinning. Clumps of it were coming off in the shower. Maybe it was time that she gave up the long tresses. And maybe she wasn’t holding up as well as she thought she was.

Beav rose from his squatting position, abandoning the gadget he was working on. I can’t work with you hovering over me.

I just want to know where I’m going. Why don’t we get this over with?

Beav sighed. You know that I can’t tell you anything. This is Ann’s deal, not mine. If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be going.

Serena blanched. It’s that bad? You think it’s too dangerous?

Beav studied her face. No. I didn’t say that.

Serena said, You haven’t said anything. That’s what’s infuriating!

Beav said, You won’t have to wait long. Ann’s marching this way as we speak.

Ann Kinji was indeed marching toward them as fast as her tiny feet could carry her. Her heels clicked on the floor, a sound that was locked into the subconscious mind of every GSI employee. It was Pavlovian, the way that the clicking sound brought Beav and Serena to full attention. They were standing stock still, with eyes as expectant as a dog’s after the master has been away. Had they destroyed the house while the master was out?

Ann stopped short in front of Beav. She tipped her head back until her dark shiny bob folded onto the shoulder pads of her purple trench coat. Is it done?

With all due respect…

Ann silenced Beav by patting his upper arm with her queenly hand. She looked him straight in the eyes until he blinked. In my experience, anyone who begins a sentence with ‘with all due respect’ is about to say something regrettable. My advice is that you reconsider what you intended to tell me, and don’t.

Serena exhaled, realizing that she had been holding her breath. Is this about me? I know that Beav isn’t fully on board, but he’s been against a lot of my missions. He never lets his feelings get in the way of doing the job.

Ann turned her steely glance on to Serena. This is different.

How so? I’m braced for whatever you throw at me. I just want to get it over with. After several seconds lapsed without a response, Serena added, I’ve been on countless time travel missions by now.

Ann removed her trench coat and folded it neatly over the arm of a leather chair. They weren’t in her office, so she couldn’t perch on her usual soapbox, seated on her desktop with her legs dangling off the edge with the heels of her shoes clicking against the desk as she swung her feet. She remained standing.

Beav cleared his throat. Both women looked his way, but he was only clearing his throat because it was dry. After that, the only sound in the room was the white noise coming from the ventilation system. The silence continued until fidgeting filled the void. Beav snatched the gadget from the floor and resumed tinkering with it. Serena made a pretense of rummaging through her messy purse to find an enigmatic lost object.

Ann folded her hands in front of her. Then she began twiddling her thumbs. She continued to twiddle her thumbs until she was finally ready to speak.

"You might recall the original purpose of the creation of the Gödel Solution Institute. I realize that we have become politicized and that we coordinate with various other agencies, but the final say is still mine. Whether you acknowledge it or not, whether you are aware of it or not, I have never let go of the wheel. GSI is mine. I created it as an independent watchdog over science and technology, as artificial intelligence is the biggest threat to humankind.

Wars and rumors of wars are inevitable, as it has always been. But when our only weapons were rocks or spears, the odds of mass casualties were low. As time went on, we developed more sophisticated weaponry, obviously. Today our options for destroying all of humankind, and the planet itself, are horrifically varied and plentiful. Our methods continue to evolve, with science and technology always at the helm. No matter what we mean for good, there will be those who will twist it for evil. We evolve more and more, as we reinvent humanity into something superior, on a steady path toward artificial intelligence through genetic modification, computer innovation, and manipulation of time.

Serena and Beav realized that Ann had settled into her public speaking mode. They resigned themselves to being there for a while. Both found a chair and slumped into it.

Ann didn’t seem to notice, as she was on a roll. "I’m not saying that we shouldn’t innovate—definitely not! I favor creative thought. I favor progress. What I’m saying is that I built GSI to monitor and restore the balance when the scales of progression tip downward toward a destructive end. It’s that balance that I seek, not time travel technology. We’ve been distracted by time travel and it’s preoccupied us for long enough. Time travel is one of the tools in our toolbox, not the toolbox itself.

And that’s one of the things I wanted to talk to you about. We no longer need a pioneering crew to manage time travel technology. Beav’s innovation and your pluck are wasted when assigned to already conquered arenas. Thanks to you, we have a strong network of white hats who will keep watch over all intergalactic time travelers, their host countries, and time lines of the future. Willow has signed a treaty to that effect.

Serena said, Does this mean that my trip of shame is canceled?

Ann frowned. Absolutely not. Consider it mandatory counseling.

Beav said, I don’t think it’s necessary to put her through that.

Ann wagged her finger at him. Beav, keep your opinions to yourself. We at GSI are all heroes. We fight the good fight. And that’s what I want you to focus on, the fight.

Serena said, I don’t understand. Am I still a time traveler or not?

Ann said, "Heroes are not about the car they drive. Forget time travel, it’s only the vehicle. You are meant to lead the way, not maintain the status quo. I’ve appointed a new time travel team. Oh, don’t give me your famous pout, Serena. You were planning on leaving anyway, or so you said. And if I’d told you when your last official mission was, would it have done you any good? No, it wouldn’t have. I’m always looking out for you, you should know that by now.

No, don’t say anything. This is not a conversation. You might as well sit down, both of you. What I have to say can’t be rushed. Ann looked pointedly at Serena. "Or interrupted. Settle in and listen. I know that patience isn’t one of your virtues, Serena, but you’ll have to bear with me. You’ve been nagging me to be more transparent. Transparency takes time. There’s much to explain.

"Think about when we first met. How did we meet? Don’t answer that. I’ll tell you. We met when I fetched you. I’d heard about you and I was intrigued. You had stumbled into a highly classified operation, or more accurately, that operation stumbled into you. While you were lawlessly fleeing from what you thought was an impending nuclear attack, based upon nothing more than a tip from a friend, and hiding from the government after burning down your own house, you managed to select as your hiding place an off-grid organization that was run by a budding domestic terrorist. Only you, Serena, could pull off this brand of insane serendipity.

"Throughout your adventure, you landed on our radar. While others thought you to be a silly nuisance to be gotten out of the way, and yes, when I say ‘out of the way’ you should look alarmed. There were plenty of security experts who thought that you should disappear. After all, you, a common citizen, knew highly sensitive information. It was I who called off the dogs. I didn’t see you as a common citizen. How can a common person end up in the middle of the biggest scandal to ever hit our nation, leading to a terrorist act that ended the lives of two Presidents? Furthermore, how is it that this common everyday yokel knew who the terrorist was before we did?"

Serena opened her mouth to say something but Ann waved her off.

"No, Serena, you couldn’t have stopped him. No one could have, I suspect. Because none of us knew what he was going to do—no one but you, and you didn’t have the resources to prevent what happened. And that’s a shame. Well, never again. I’ve made sure that you have the resources to help us prevent bad people from doing bad things.

"You aren’t a common person, Serena. You have a mysterious gift for seeing things that others can’t see. Your methods, while sloppy and often silly, are unorthodox and that’s what we need. We have too many logical people managing the planet. We think we know the answers, or where to find them. We’re trained to think in the same way. We see what we expect to see, instead of what is. You see the crazy, Serena. Your life doesn’t flow like a river, but more like a babbling brook—one with dancing mermaids and evil sea creatures lurking at the bottom."

Serena said, Is this a brook or an ocean?

Ann shushed her. "That’s an example of what I’m talking about. Who cares if my metaphor involves a brook or an ocean? I’m not saying that your childlike ways make you simple. Your IQ belies that. You are one of the forever young, eschewing convention and grown-up perceptions. You see things differently. I told you from the very beginning that I needed someone honest. I needed someone from the outside, someone I could trust. What I didn’t get into is that you aren’t just from outside the government, but you are also outside the adult world altogether. You are truly living in your own bubble. Yours is the perspective that I need, not the chirpy voices of those who agree with my every word.

The villains and crises we’ve seen during our time together at GSI were beyond my ability to imagine, and beyond my ability to accept as reality. I’ve never been a fan of fantasy fiction or comic books. I don’t like the silliness of super-powered people or crazy ways to die. While I have a keen interest in science, I’ve never liked science fiction. If it’s not realistic, it’s garbage. I’m afraid that there’s no changing me. The good news is that I understand this about myself, which is why I chose you. You attract the silly, the insane, the farcical, and everything else that makes me feel uncomfortable. You’re natural among the unnatural. You imagine light when all I see is darkness. When someone tells you that something can’t be done, they might as well be calling you chicken. You are too stubborn to quit, too lucky to fail, and too idealistic to give up. Even when no one wants you, when the world hates you, and everyone’s your critic, you just keep going. You irritate many people, and you know this.

Beav held up both hands. Hey, is this going somewhere? I don’t see the point in running her down.

Ann chuckled. "Sorry. I got carried away. I drove my point home already. Serena is perpetually underestimated and I think that’s her secret weapon. No one expects her to succeed, when they themselves can’t do what she does. They are baffled and angry when she manages, once again, to complete another extraordinary task. She’s prolific. She leads an extraordinary life that others envy. They say that she’s not good enough because they don’t understand why she has what they want. Why Serena and not themselves? Serena’s not that special. Her work is flawed. Why her?

I’ll tell you why. Serena is a beautiful person. She sees the good in things and she runs toward it. The silliness, the sloppiness, the immaturity—these are excuses that others have for not embracing the light. Serena lives a positive life. That’s the explanation in a nutshell. And that’s why I chose her to be the time travel pioneer, a decision that people have finally understood was one of the best I’ve ever made. You’ve won them over, Serena, you have.

Serena said, You’re scaring me with all of this buildup. I’m beautiful? You’re bringing tears to my eyes. This moment is only slightly ruined by the fact that I know you want something big.

Ann resumed twiddling her thumbs. Yes, I do.

Beav said, I can’t sit by without saying something. Serena, remember when we all thought that you were dead? We waited for you for three days. You came back as if nothing had happened—you said that you’d been gone for only an hour or two. We’d lost all communication with you. Our ability to track you or yank you out had been compromised. You were unreachable, completely off the grid, and lost in the future. You were missing for over forty-eight hours. We had to inform your family.

Serena said, Of course I remember!

Beav said, And you were briefly hospitalized due to severe dehydration.

Serena said, Right. I know. Did you ever figure out why that happened?

That’s what I want to remind you of. We don’t know how that happened and we can’t prevent it from happening again, said Beav.

Ann said, Nonsense! If she doesn’t wander off the beaten path she’ll be fine. We lost her because she went somewhere that blocked us from tracking her. She won’t run into those issues where we’re sending her.

Serena said, And that is…?

Beav said, Well, are you going to tell her, or should I?

Suddenly Ann yanked Beav’s ponytail.

Beav was too shocked to respond.

Serena’s jaw dropped. You touched his hair?

It wouldn’t have occurred to me to do it if I didn’t know how much it would get his goat. It goes back to the Neanderthal antics of his days with the agency. Agent Bloom had a habit of doing this, I believe. Or was it Agent Flowers? To be frank, they all look alike to me, said Ann.

Serena raised her eyebrows. He shared that with you?

Beav glowered. I most certainly did not!

Ann said, We’ve been working on the research and development of telepathy. The process is much like the one you’ve become accustomed to using when you talk with Willow.

Ahah! You read Beav’s mind. Serena gasped. You’ve been reading my private thoughts too, haven’t you? For how long? How long have you been doing this? I never gave you permission to do that!

Ann clucked her tongue. Yes, you did. You should learn to read the fine print when you sign something.

I’ve never signed a contract. Show it to me.

The contract is implied, said Ann.

Beav squeezed Serena’s shoulder. I’m sorry. I knew you wouldn’t like this.

Ann said, Oh for pity’s sake. The surveillance system isn’t on 24/7. The range is only within the GSI complex; and only in the commons. Serena hasn’t frequented the commons in ages, being a freelancer these days.

Serena said, But you have read my thoughts at some point. Is that what you’re saying?

Ann folded her arms. Yes, that’s what I’m saying.

And why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with my final time travel event? Serena’s voice had developed a whiny pitch.

Ann said, Because I’ve learned a few things about you, things that trouble me.

Serena grimaced. I don’t care what I signed, or what was implied. I didn’t give you my consent. My private thoughts are mine alone.

For the record, I refused to listen to your stream. I never have, and never will, invade your privacy. What you choose to share with me is enough. Beav crossed his heart with his fingers.

Beav has been on the record plenty, said Ann. He opposes the telekinesis program, but his opinion carries no weight with the powers that be. The program is intended to keep the nation safe, to keep the world safe. If we know our enemy we can conquer him.

Serena stared at Ann. Am I your enemy?

Ann sank into the leather chair that held her trench coat. No, Serena. We spy on you to keep you safe.

Serena’s green eyes seemed to change color. Her dark eyebrows furrowed and her jaw clenched. How does spying on me keep me safe? Am I a danger to myself?

Ann’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper. Yes, Serena, I’m afraid that you are.

That’s not good enough! I want a full explanation. Serena glared at Ann, temporarily forgetting how intimidating Ann could be.

Ann adopted a soothing tone, as if speaking to a young child. We at GSI, me most of all, routinely ask you to do things that put your life in danger. Not only you, but we put everyone you love at risk as well. Your family could be collateral damage at any moment. She paused for effect and then continued, using the same hypnotic voice. "We not only appreciate your service, but we need you. It is in our best interest to protect you. We protect all of our assets the best that we know how, but when it comes to you we pull out all the stops. This is how it’s always been. The only difference is that our capacity to do that has reached new heights. We can now spot vulnerabilities in the asset herself, in you. We find weaknesses that can get you killed, that can put your family at risk, and can jeopardize the mission—and given what the scope of your missions tend to be, the entire planet could be at risk if you are unstable. I’m talking about security risks, and yes, Serena, you did consent to this when you became an employee of GSI."

Serena folded her arms across her chest. I can’t imagine that anything in my private thoughts could be a security risk. Beav stared at the floor, a subtle gesture that didn’t escape Serena’s notice. Hey, you said that you never listened to my stream!

Beav squirmed in his chair. I didn’t. I, uh, I read the transcript. Again, I want to say that I don’t agree with any of this. Security means nothing without freedom. What good is it to be safe if we aren’t free?

Ann dropped her soothing tone. Don’t look so betrayed, Serena! We care about you. Do you think that it matters to either of us what your intimate thoughts are? It’s none of our business—I agree! Beav thinks we crossed a line, but he’s here, isn’t he? He’s here because he saw the same thing I did. You have a vulnerability that we need to act on before we reassign you to the alternate reality position that I promised you. You’re a security risk, and more importantly, you’re a danger to yourself and to your family.

Beav, is this true? I mean, any more than usual?

Beav nodded.

I’m listening, said Serena.

Beav lent you his support, and he’s said his piece. The rest of this is just between you and me. Ann jerked her head toward the door.

Beav shared a commiserative look with Serena on his way out.

Ann waited until she couldn’t hear Beav’s footsteps anymore before she launched into her carefully crafted speech. For all of your bravado, you second guess yourself often, even after all of the success you’ve had. The words of your harshest critics return to you and you listen to them. Oh, you come around eventually, but you hesitate. You don’t have the confidence to make a snap decision. That one second falter could be the difference between life and death—not only yours, but all of ours.

Serena said, I’ll admit that I’m not always sure that I’m making the right decision, but I think the same is true of anybody.

Ann said, "But you aren’t just anybody, Serena. Extraordinary people have to be better. I’m not putting ‘anybody’ out there; I’m putting you out there. And you have to be confident—no hesitation."

Serena tucked a few loose strands of graying hair behind her ears. I thought I was doing that.

Ann said, "No, you hesitate. You look to external sources for validation, like right now. You studied my facial expression to see what I thought of what you just said. Do you think that I seek approval