Giles looked away from Bryn.“A two-pronged approach.I make contact as a potential investor while Emmett researches their employees.We’ll need a few days to establish credentials that will hold up to scrutiny, but…”
“Three days,” Emmett said suddenly.Everyone turned to look at him.He ducked his head but continued.“Helix is having an open day for potential investors on Thursday.I found a reference in theWall Street Journal.”
“Excellent,” Giles praised.“That should work nicely.It gives us enough time to prepare.Clear a space.”He began unpacking the food containers.“Let’s eat while we plan?Cold Chinese food is not nearly so appetizing.”
“The investor angle could work,” Gunnar said, “but, like you say, we’ll need a rock solid background story.Bryn goes nowhere near that place without it.”
They ate in silence for a while, straight from the cartons.When they were done, Emmett cleared away and, at Giles’ polite request, scurried into the kitchen to make tea for him and coffee for everyone else.
“There’s a private equity firm specializing in medical technology.They’ve been making strategic acquisitions all along the eastern seaboard.That could be an option,” Giles said.
“A shell company?”Gunnar asked.
“Perfectly legitimate, I assure you.Though their ownership structure is…deliberately complex.”
“And you know this because…”
“I have a stake in the organization.The documentation will pass any level of due diligence.”
“And you have expertise in medical technology.But what about Bryn?What’s his reason for being there?”
“He’ll be my personal assistant.”
“No fucking way!”The words burst out before Bryn could stop them.
“Think about it.It makes sense that a high-powered investor would travel with an aide,” Giles said.“Oh, Emmett, you are a delight.”He took the tea Emmett offered him.
Bryn’s temper was a hair’s breadth shy of boiling point.Playing the part of Giles’ assistant would mean being his subordinate and acting accordingly, something that Giles would love and Bryn would detest.And the smug bastard knows it.
“We need to discuss the risks,” Gunnar said.“All of them.Bryn’s not doing this if I’m not happy he’ll be safe and Warden will support me on that.”
“No way am I doing it anyway,” Bryn stated.
“Of course.”Giles’ tone shifted, becoming more businesslike as he ignored Bryn’s comment and responded to Gunnar.“The security at these clinics is substantial.Armed guards, surveillance, and most concerning, blood scanners at every entrance.”
“Blood scanners?”Emmett asked as he finished handing out coffee.
“A new technology, developed specifically for detecting gene-enhanced individuals.A single drop is all it takes.”Giles leaned forward.“Clever, isn’t it?”
“And once again for the room…you happen to know this because…?”Bryn let the question hang.
“Because I helped design the scanners.The analysis element, anyway.”
“Of course you did.So I guess you have a way of getting us past them.”
“What I understand,” Gunnar said in a voice that was dangerously quiet, “is that you’re asking my partner to walk into a potentially lethal situation without full disclosure.That’s not happening.”
“Your concern is admirable, Detective.But perhaps we should let Bryn speak for himself?”
“Perhaps you should both stop talking about me like I’m not fucking here.I need some space.”Bryn headed for his bedroom, closing the door behind him with measured violence.He took a deep breath then sat on the edge of the bed, head in his hands.
The door opened, and Bryn tensed, but it was Gunnar who came to sit beside him.
“You okay?”Gunnar asked.
“Define okay.”Bryn tried for a smile but couldn’t quite manage it.“Sorry about…him.”
“Don’t be.Knowing what he put you through, I’d really like to detach parts of his anatomy.Don’t think Warden would appreciate that, though.I’ve sent Emmett home and told Giles to go for now.”
