Book 1 of the H&K Series : Path of Knowledge

Chapter 11

Tess watched as Tristan and Shannon swam in the basement indoor swimming pool of the Dude Ranch main building.

She couldn't keep from glancing at anyone who was in the pool area or came in. She was suspicious of everyone since all the turmoil began. Bob had left a few minutes earlier to make a phone call, telling her he needed to check in with a friend to find out what was happening. Katharine had stayed in her room to catch up on sleep since, at night, the three of them were taking turns keeping watch just in case someone found out where they were.

Tess pulled her cell phone from her purse. She knew Hank had warned them about using their cell phones. He had even told them to leave them behind, but she needed to talk to someone who would just listen without making any comments or suggestions.

"It's Liam. Leave a message," the voicemail message stated

"Hey," Tess said in a whisper so no one would hear her. "I just wanted to say that I will be out of town for a few weeks but didn't want you to worry. I'll catch up with you once I get back." Tess hung up, but the call trace had been successful for those monitoring her cell activity.

Tess thought about what had been happening over the past week. Then she remembered something Katharine had once told her while out drinking one night. Katharine had confided that she had been part of the International Medical Aid and Relief Foundation and that they had connections in the intelligence community. Tess used her smartphone to look up the International Medical Aid and Relief Foundation to find their phone number. Incredibly, the foundation was still operating. Once she acquired the phone number and information, she called the number. The waiting was nerve-wracking as the phone rang.

"Thank you for contacting International Medical Aid and Relief Foundation. How may I help you?" a man asked.

"I am not sure if you can help me. My cousin has talked about working with the foundation for years. Someone by the name of Graff recruited her. I doubt if he still is associated with the foundation, but I would like to see about volunteering," Tess explained.

"May I have your name and phone number so that I can have someone contact you?" the man said.

Tess gave the man her information. He asked who her cousin was as well, and Tess reluctantly gave the man the information. As the connection terminated, Tess wondered why she hadn't joined the foundation before. Then Tess remembered all the times that Doctor Martin had downplayed the foundation. She had allowed him to influence her decision to join the foundation. Well, that had all changed. She was more than ever determined to join the foundation now.

As Tess sat thinking, her cell phone rang. "Hello?" Tess answered.

"Tess Roy?" a male voice asked.

"Yes, who is this?" Tess asked.

"I am an associate of your cousin Katharine. My name is Jason Graff. I understand that you would like to join the International Medical Aid and Relief Foundation," Graff replied.

"That would be correct," Tess replied.

"Has Katharine explained what the International Medical Aid and Relief Foundation does in general?" Graff asked.

"Yes, they do international medical relief in war-torn and third-world countries. And the benefit of assisting the Foundation is that you assist in solving a problem I have."

"Has she confided in how she joined the foundation?"

"Not exactly."

"When can we meet? I would like to explain what all the foundation does and allow you the option to decide if you want to join." Tess thought about it for a few moments then gave him the location of the Dude Ranch. They planned to meet the next evening when everyone was asleep. Tess smiled after she terminated the connection. She was determined to erase every bit of influence Doctor Martin had on her. She decided that she would eventually tell Katharine but after she had met with Graff.