“And how many reported cases of lupines or sanguines affected by the drug have there been so far?”Gunnar asked, marking locations with a red Sharpie.
“Thirty-seven confirmed, but…there are probably more.Some of the symptoms could be mistaken for standard drug reactions or mental health issues, especially in the earlier stages.”
Bryn fidgeted, annoyed that his sanctuary had been violated by Giles’ presence.
“You’re thinking too loudly, dear boy,” Giles commented without turning from the window.“How about you share with the class?”
“How exactly did you get involved in this?Because last I checked, you were supposed to be in London on an extended break.”
Giles turned, the fading sunlight casting half his face in shadow.“Ah, you’ve been keeping tabs on me.How touching.”
“Answer the fucking question.”
“One of my former students was affected by the drug.Not that I knew what it was at the time.”Something flickered across Giles’ face, too quick for Bryn to read.“The effects were…particularly unpleasant.I made inquiries.”
“And decided to investigate without telling anyone,” Bryn said.
“I informed the appropriate parties when I had something concrete to report.”Giles moved away from the window.“Emmett, could you pull up the mortality rates for the affected individuals?”
Emmett typed rapidly.“Um, of the thirty-seven cases you’ve identified, twenty-two resulted in death.Average time from estimated first exposure to death is forty-eight days.”
“Jesus,” Gunnar muttered.“That’s fast.”
“Indeed.”Giles leaned over the table, studying the map.“And the progression of symptoms has accelerated in more recent cases.I assume because the drug is being altered.Refined.I suspect Russo is seeking a way of creating the perfect soldiers for his private army.This is all about power and money.Predictable and so tedious.”
Bryn scowled.“So what’s your brilliant plan?Send me in as what, exactly?A patient?”
“Actually”—Giles straightened—“I was thinking more along the lines of me going in as a potential investor.Helix Solutions is looking for new capital.”
“What about their security?”Emmett interrupted, either oblivious to the tension or deliberately trying to break it.“Their systems have to be sophisticated if they’re working with gene-affected individuals.”
“I’m sure they are,” Giles agreed.“But I don’t intend to do anything that means avoiding security.People and their fallibilities are the key to this plan and that’s where you come in, my dear Emmett.Your research skills and connections could be very useful.”
Emmett blushed at the attention.“I mean, I could probably… Wait, how do you know anything about me?”
“Mr.Delacourt has apparently done his homework on all of us,” Gunnar said, not sounding pleased about it.“Haven’t you?”
“Knowledge is power, Detective Ericson.Something I’m sure you understand, and I like to know who I’m working with.”Giles moved to examine one of the clinic locations more closely.“This one.The Burlington.It’s their newest acquisition, still being renovated.Lots of new hires.That’s our best point of entry.”
“You know a lot about this place…” Bryn started, but a sharp knock at the apartment door cut him off.Bryn went to open it and one of the staff from the building’s employee restaurant nodded at him.She was holding two bags of takeout.
“This arrived for you guys.Warden asked me to bring it up.”
“We didn’t order anything,” Gunnar said.
“No.”Giles smiled.“I did.I thought we might be here a while, and I remembered how cranky Bryn gets when he’s hungry.”
Bryn mumbled something under his breath but took the bags.“Thanks, Madge.”He pulled the door closed.
“Shall we discuss strategy over dinner?”Giles said.“I ordered extra dumplings.You still like those, don’t you, Bryn?”
Bryn set the bag down harder than necessary.“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“This…this thing you’re doing.Acting like you know me.Like nothing’s changed.Like you didn’t…” He cut himself off, aware of their audience.
“Perhaps,” Gunnar interjected, “we should focus on the plan.The Burlington clinic.What are you proposing?”He gave Bryn’s shoulder a squeeze.
