The Enclave (29 page)

By dinnertime both Espinosa and Reinhardt were still missing, and the story of their alleged fight had achieved epic proportions. Some people were actually taking bets on whether Espinosa was dead or had simply left for good. Others murmured about Andrea Stopping and how Espinosa’s mysterious disappearance certainly wasn’t the first. Maybe he’ d gone out hiking, too, they’d suggested ominously.

That was the first time Lacey heard there’d been other girls besides Andrea who’d disappeared. At least two, and she couldn’t help thinking of her mysterious intruder. Wondering if perhaps he was behind all the disappearances. If Swain was executing yet another cover-up. After all, Manny had replaced her in the AnFac. What if Frogeater had come back and found him instead of Lacey and been angry?

The thought chilled her.

Swain cleared his throat into the microphone up on the front dais. “I have an announcement, if you please.” The room quieted at once, and he continued. “I am sorry to report that Dr. Manuel Espinosa, our recent postdoctoral hire, has apparently left the Institute without checking out or giving notice of his resignation. We’ve confirmed that he was quite angry over his demotion to support technician yesterday, and we believe he has left us for this reason. The fact that all of his belongings have been cleared from his quarters corroborates this conclusion.

“As for the rumors regarding a fight between him and Dr. Reinhardt last night, those are
entirely
unsubstantiated. We have no eyewitnesses of this supposed occurrence, and surveillance records show nothing. For those of you stimulated to flights of speculation by the fact that Reinhardt is also absent this evening, please recall that today was his regularly scheduled leave rotation and also that it is his custom to eat dinner in Tucson and return late in the evening.

“With absolutely no evidence of foul play, we must conclude that Dr. Espinosa has left of his own accord, and that we will receive notice of his resignation soon. If not, we’ll have to file a missing person report, which means the police will be out here—along with the press. Thus, in the interests of guarding the Institute’s reputation and integrity, as well as that of doctors Espinosa and Reinhardt, I would appreciate it if you would all curtail your conversations regarding this matter until you have something factual and verifiable to discuss.” He paused. “Thank you.”

“So much for your ridiculous Vault theory,” Jade muttered at Aaron.

“Hey, it could happen.”

“Those canisters are like twenty feet tall or something. How’s he supposed to get the body into one by himself?”

“And not trigger off-line or leakage alarms,” Lacey added.

“Maybe he had help.”

Groans and hisses of disgust greeted his suggestion.

As she turned from the conversation, Lacey’s eye caught on Director Swain heading in their direction. He stopped to chat with Dr. Yuen at the table next to them, and then suddenly there he was, taking the empty faculty member seat between Pecos and Tina. For a moment everyone at the table was so shocked, no one said a word.

Swain smiled and said, “Please, don’t let my position intimidate you. I’d rather you see me as your loving father than the distant director of the Institute. It’s important that we get to know each other. You, so you’ll know where I’m coming from and trust me; me, so I can know how best to serve you.

“Now, let’s go around the table and each of you tell me how you got here, why it was you chose genetics in particular as your field of study, and what your long-term goals are. Where do you see yourself five years from now?” He turned to Pecos, who sat directly to his left. “You may start, young man.”

Pecos hastily introduced himself.

They proceeded from Tina clockwise around the table to Aaron, Jade, and all too soon, Lacey. “Ms. McHenry,” Swain said, making a point of showing her and everyone else there that he knew her name already, “what is it that
you
would most desire to research?”

Since she’ d not come up with a single clear thing all day long, she’ d been striving to come up with something intriguing before he got to her. Now that his attention was upon her, her mind went absolutely blank. Moments stretched by, and then, right out of the blue, words: “I think right now I’m mostly interested in the factors that direct growth. Particularly accelerated growth.”

She heard her own voice with a measure of horror. What in the world was she saying? Was she deliberately trying to provoke him?

She was relieved when he simply lifted a brow, seeming more amused than annoyed, and said, “Well, now. That just happens to be an area that K-J is actively pursuing, as, of course, you know.”

Touché,
she thought.

Swain held her gaze. “And where do
you
see yourself five years hence?” he asked.

“Why, right here, I hope.”

“No thoughts of running off to get your doctorate?”

“Well, if an offer came, of course, that would be great. . . .” But there was no chance of that. She suspected he knew it.

Finally he smiled, as if she had passed some sort of test, and said,

“I’m delighted you feel that way, Ms. McHenry. You wouldn’t happen to have come up with any specific project ideas in line with your interest in accelerated growth, would you?”

“Project ideas? I . . . no, sir. Nothing specific.”

“No? Well, why don’t you see me after dinner and we’ll discuss it further.”

His attention moved on to Mel, sitting to Lacey’s left. But the poor girl was so disarmed by what he’ d just said to Lacey that she stumbled and stuttered her way through whatever it was she said. Lacey herself was so stunned she hardly heard her.

Did Director Swain really just ask me to see him after dinner to
discuss a potential project?
she wondered. When it finally penetrated that, yes, indeed, that was what he had done, she wanted to leap up and shriek, except . . .

Except she wasn’t entirely sure it was for real. Perhaps he’ d been annoyed by her comments about the ATR and was simply baiting her. He probably suspected she’ d not been serious, given the thoroughness of the profiles he compiled on his employees. When she admitted as much, he’ d send her back to Reinhardt and that would be the end of it.

Nevertheless, she could not extinguish the hope he’ d birthed in her.

They continued around the table and, once the introductions were completed, had embarked on a lively conversation. Swain was engaging, generous, and funny, and by the end of dinner, she was utterly enthralled with him. That he’ d take the time to sit with them, talk to them in such a respectful way, not as peons but as equals, blew her away. Every time she had any personal dealings with the man, it seemed, she just got more and more impressed.

The only weird part of it was that during the conversation he did not speak directly to her again, or even acknowledge her presence. His eyes would fix upon each of her tablemates, but would jump from Jade on Lacey’s right straight over to Mel on her left, never again making eye contact with Lacey herself. It left her feeling quite confused, unable to celebrate, unable to lament, unable to do anything.

Even at dinner’s end, as he’ d left them and her cohorts gathered around to congratulate her in surprise and apparent joy, she couldn’t shake her ambivalence. All he’ d promised was a discussion. Congratulations seemed entirely premature.

Indeed, he’ d left the table so rapidly, she wasn’t sure he even remembered he’ d asked her to talk to him afterward. At first she thought he’ d left the room entirely, but then she saw him, locked in conversation with the head of Chemical Engineering. Not knowing what to do, she drifted in his direction, and as the others left to attend the evening forum, she waited in his periphery, slowly talking herself over to the view that he had forgotten what he’ d asked of her, or she’d misunderstood, and even if he did mean to discuss a project with her he’ d not meant that evening.

“Ah, Ms. McHenry.” His smooth and pleasant voice broke into her dismayed rationalizations. “I’ve been making a few inquiries over the weekend, and it looks as if we may be able to get you into the U of A graduate program.”

She gaped at him. He held up a cautionary finger. “Before you protest, hear me out. I spoke to Dr. Essex yesterday, and today he has agreed to approve on a trial basis your admission into the university’s doctorate program. I will serve as your adjunct doctoral advisor, though officially it will be Dr. Essex who mentors you.”

Her ears were roaring, and she wondered if she really was hallucinating this time
.
“I hardly know what to say, sir.”

“How about, ‘Thank you. I accept’?”

“I would love to. . . . I would say yes in a moment, except I—”

“Your funding problem,” he guessed, cutting her off. “No worries. I have secured you a full sponsorship from among our many donors, one who has asked to remain anonymous.”

“Estelle? Is it Estelle?”

“Now, now, Ms. McHenry.” He smiled. “You can’t ask me to betray a confidence. You have only to say yes.”

“Well, then . . . yes! Of course I accept. I—” Words failed her as her throat closed up and tears blurred her vision.

“I’m transferring you out of Applied Genetics and into Human Resources for the time being. That’s where we’ve located our other independent researchers. You’ll be directly answering to Dr.Viascola—though, as I said, I will be your advisor. Anything you need, anytime you wish to talk, just let me know. For now, report to Dr.

Viascola tomorrow at nine, and she’ll get you settled into your new office.”

“Office?”

He smiled. “I told Essex you could have a rudimentary proposal ready by the end of the week, so why don’t we set up an appointment for ten-thirty Thursday morning. You can bring in what you’ve got and we’ll go over it. Then I’ll fax the final version on Friday.” He paused and smiled again. “I consider it a matter of honor to see that my loyal employees are very well treated, Ms. McHenry. Anything you need, just let me know.”

“Yes, sir.”

He said good night and left her there, too dazed to move, reliving the encounter in her mind, certain she must have misunderstood. To have her chance at a doctorate after all? Practically handed to her, money and all?

Eventually she ended up back at her room, which she had to herself, since Jade had gone to the forum. She shut the door and began to squeal and jump around with glee, reveling in the astonishing change in her fortunes. Soon enough, however, her ambition superseded her rejoicing, reminding her that if she had nothing to present on Thursday, the offer could well be retracted. She’ d best get to work. Today’s effort had been playtime. Now she needed to get serious.

As she sat down and powered up her laptop, Swain’s parting words returned to her:
“I consider it a matter of honor to see that my loyal
employees are very well treated
.” This time they struck her with a significance that her high-running emotions had blinded her to earlier, and she wondered suddenly if Swain’s offer was not as much happenstance as it had appeared. Maybe his offer was not made because he’ d noted potential in one of his young employees and wished to develop it, but because he was rewarding her for her silence regarding the events surrounding Frogeater. His way of making up for that small black spot she would always carry on her record.

It rankled a little, for she’ d rather be promoted solely on the basis of her own work. And yet . . . after all the trouble she’ d had, all the grunt work she’ d put in, all the embarrassment and mental trauma she’d suffered, perhaps it was only fair she be recompensed in some way. Besides, it was only the opportunity that was being offered, not full-fledged success. That she
would
have to earn by her own merits. So why not take advantage of this opportunity to show him what she could do?

Her eyes drifted to the black box sitting on her desk. Strangely unreflective in the overhead lights, it looked more like a cube of shadow than obsidian or plastic—or whatever it was made of.

She picked it up and sat on her bedside. “I don’t suppose
you
have the answers, do you?” she asked it jokingly, as if it were a Magic 8 Ball. Maybe if she turned it round she’d find the solution in a little answer box:
Signs point to yes. Reply hazy, try again. Without a doubt.
My sources say no. . . .

She did turn it round, but no answers appeared. Then a wave of dizziness swept over her and she plummeted through blackness. The sensation was so startling she dropped the box with a gasp. But as she stared at the cube on the floor, fear beating irrationally in her throat, nothing further happened. After a moment, fear turned to amusement—sleep deprivation and stress were no doubt rearing their ugly heads again.

With a grimace she replaced the cube on her desk, then pulled out her chair and reached for her laptop, because she’ d just gotten the perfect idea for a project.

Chapter Twenty-Two

New Eden

Neos was right in his prediction that Zowan would be discharged from the infirmary on Monday afternoon, seventy-two hours after his exposure to the toxic wind surge. Though he felt fine—one hundred percent normal again, except for his buzzed-off hair—he was forbidden to go outside again for a year, due to his now-increased sensitivity to the toxins. Thus he was to be reassigned from the goat barn once he’ d trained his senior assistant to take over his job, a task he had begun that afternoon.

And that same Monday, in the evening, as Neos had instructed him, he headed for the Star Garden shortly after dinner. He went alone. There was to be a performance of a string quartet that night, and he wanted to get to the fifth level before the place got too crowded. Plus, he didn’t want to talk to his friends just now. Not only had his ordeal with the toxins left him shaken and emotionally brittle, but he’ d learned that day—for real—that Andros had indeed died while Zowan was in recovery, the result of his inability to withstand his punishment in the Cube. His body had been cremated while Zowan was still in quarantine. Because he’d died as a result of his punishment, there would be no memorial service.