“Oh yes. My friend Benny was thrilled to hear from me. We talked for half an hour. When I asked if we could ask more questions, he suggested we come in person. He has a new two-foot-long Gila monster he’s sure we’ll love.”
I shuddered. I wouldn’t, but as we had a favor to ask, it was important to be polite.
“Can we work in a road trip and the conversation with your brother?”
“Brandon today and Reno tomorrow?” he said. “Book a room. One with a king-size bed and a soaker tub.”
He flashed his grin and dimple, and my heart skipped a beat. It made me feel warm inside that he was more like himself. He’d been subdued all week.
I went online to see if our vouchers were valid for a luxury room and discovered that they were, so I booked a room for the following night.
Christopher texted his brother and asked if he could stop by later today. The answer was short and affirmative. We decided to talk to Brandon together. He wouldn’t be bothered seeing the two of us together because he didn’t know or care that I’d been his girlfriend. We drove past the front of Brandon’s place but didn’t stop, because sitting at the end of the block was a familiar black SUV with tinted windows. I’d bet that Horace and or Jasper were inside even though they’d disappeared when Eric had. We turned left down the alley before we reached them and I called Andrew.
“The Real Tech goons are in their SUV outside Brandon’s.” There was a hitch in my voice. I’d guessed Horace and Jasper, but it could have been Eric. We hadn’t been able to see through the windows.
“I’ll send someone right away,” he said.
We stayed in the car. Less than five minutes later, I received a text from Andrew.
“Must have spooked them. They’re gone.”
“Either way, Brandon’s on his own,” said Christopher. “Let’s go.”
We parked in the alley and walked hand in hand to Brandon’s front door.
“I didn’t expect you to bring your girlfriend,” he said when he opened the door.
His manners hadn’t improved since he’d awakened from his coma.
“Can we come in, talk to you inside?” said Christopher.
Brandon shrugged and opened the door wider, inviting us in. He didn’t ask us to sit, so we stood in an awkward huddle just inside the door.
“I heard you got out of jail,” he said, looking at Christopher.
Brandon should look uncomfortable about what he’d done to Christopher at the lab, but he didn’t show it. He may have been curious about why we’d come, but not in an emotional way. His lack of reaction was unsettling, and it hurt my stomach to talk to him when he was so flat and detached.
“Look,” said Christopher, “I was rude when you came to see me in jail. I’m sorry about that. I’m not sorry for telling you what I thought, just how things came out. I yell too much.”
He hadn’t told me that part.
“You aren’t angry now?” said Brandon, his eyes narrowing.
He didn’t understand emotions. Christopher was furious—for all he was being polite. His muscles were granite-like with tension.
“I’ve been angry since you injected yourself last August. After I got out of jail, I learned you lied to our parents. Told them I was fine and looked after. That Elizabeth was taking care of me. That’s fucking unacceptable. It’s total shit. When you’re like this, not only are you not my brother, but that’s not something you should do to anyone. Science shouldn’t always come first. You should know right from wrong.”
Christopher’s fists were clenched and his eyes blazed. Brandon wasn’t in danger. Christopher wouldn’t hit him, even if he was justified.
Brandon stepped back, unable to meet Christopher’s eyes.
“You’re probably right,” said Brandon. “The law seems clear. I should not have put science before the law, and I know now that it was unacceptable.”
It wasn’t an apology, but it was an admittance of guilt. Perhaps that was as much as Brandon was capable of right now. It was a start.
“The thing is,” said Christopher, “I want you to make and take the antidote.”
“I can’t make more.” Brandon shrugged. “No more lab.”
