Playing With Fire

by Adrienne Woods et al.

  "Dr. Rhodes, this is Ms. Lexington."

  She shook my hand firmly. "Please, call me Sylvia."

  "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Cass."

  "Cass...is that short for Cassandra?" she asked.

  "Yes."

  "Ah, I remember, it was Greek mythology, right? She could see the future, but no one believed her?"

  Nothing quite like an oddly fitting obscure reference to blow your mind. I had a feeling she had been expecting me, even before I set the appointment.

  "I've heard that," I said, not knowing what else to say.

  Lisa slipped out, and I followed Sylvia inside her vast office, large enough to accommodate a huge desk, three large bookcases and even a sizeable couch along the far wall, tucked away in a corner. I noticed a large duffel bag near the couch.

  "Have a seat," she said, motioning to one of several chairs in front of her desk. She sat in the office chair behind her desk.

  "No thank you, I prefer to stand." My eyes were drawn to the laptop on her desk. What secrets did that little guy contain?

  "Suit yourself. Lisa mentioned you have a theory about Victor?"

  "I do, there was a transmission with an incorrect timestamp on it," I said. "I thought maybe his internal chronometer might be off, which would cause—"

  "His internal chronometer is synched to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, just like an atomic clock," she interrupted. "You must be mistaken."

  Mistaken? Really? I edged closer to the corner of her desk on which her laptop sat. "I saw the file myself, is Victor around? I can point it out to you."

  Was it dangerous to ask her that question? Maybe a little. I wanted to see how she reacted, plus I knew it would sting, losing what must've been an investment upwards of several million dollars.

  She breathed an exasperated sigh. "Victor is undergoing a series of tests now and is therefore unavailable."

  If I didn't know any better, I'd think she were glaring at me. "I get the impression, however, that you already knew that."

  The words made my stomach drop. Was Victor right? Is it possible Genitech is spying on him via some stealth code or backdoor even he couldn't detect? I knew I had to play it cool with her, if I wanted to get any answers at all. "If I knew, I wouldn't have asked. You're the one who hired me. I found a solid lead as to why he became unresponsive.”

  "Yes, we did hire you. The brilliant young programmer who can fix any computer issue. Some say, almost as if by magic." An uneasy smile spread across her face. "Tell me, what got you interested in computers? It seems a long way from exporting clothing, doesn't it?"

  She referred to my father's business, the Lexington legacy he had inherited from his grandfather. So she did her research on me and my family. It shouldn't be making my palms sweat. "Languages have always come easily to me. After mastering several human languages, it seemed natural to progress to machine languages."

  "I see." She stood as well and gazed out her office window, which overlooked the front of the building. I inched closer, almost in range to be able to touch her laptop. But before I could reach for it, she turned back around. "I'm sure the privilege of wealth made that transition easier..."

  It was common knowledge only the ultra-wealthy could afford the procedure to become enhanced. With that statement, she might as well have accused me outright of being enhanced. I had to change the subject, or this conversation would spiral out of control.

  "Lisa said you might be able to tell me a little more about the products and research you do here." I chuckled. "One might say your public information is intentionally vague."

  Sylvia didn't seem to care for that comment. She pursed her lips in a scowl and then relaxed into a fake smile. "I'm sure you're familiar with Lipman's work at InnovaGen? And the plague he unleashed on mankind..."

  Plague? Sure, there were some enhanced that weren't the best people, but I'd hardly call it a plague. "Are you talking about enhanced individuals?"

  She nodded. "Tampering with genetics never ends well."

  I held my arms against my stomach, feeling more and more like I was under a microscope.

  "The police haven't apprehended the Romeo killer," she continued. "They haven't said it publicly, but it's obvious he's enhanced. Who knows what abilities he has access to now?"

  I'd been following the story, and the fact that some of the victims were also enhanced suggested she was correct; he was likely enhanced himself. And considering what happened when Pete and I were together... Shit. He was collecting powers.

  "If we can't detect enhanced abilities, we'll never find him. And don't think for a moment he's the only enhanced to abuse his ability. How many more people will die because of enhanced? Mothers, daughters, sons...husbands." Her gaze went to the floor at the word "husbands," and she fidgeted with the gold wedding band on her finger.

  "You're talking about the enhanced detection tool, aren't you?" I asked. "Holmes?"

  At that, she gasped. "What exactly do you know?"

  I casually placed my hand on her desk, as if I were leaning on it, behind her laptop. I was mere inches away. "I know how dangerous that can be, with a public afraid of enhanced. What amounts to internment camps, is being discussed. And God knows what the OCEI is up to..."

  She narrowed her eyes at me. "So, you would sacrifice the safety of everyone else, for a handful of spoiled rich kids with abilities no one should possess?"

  Her tone was belligerent, her voice growing in volume as she spoke. I was sure she was about to throw me out of her office, or worse. If she really knew I was enhanced, a lot worse. My heart began to pound.

  And then a calm swept over me, a peace I'd only felt a few times before. I turned around, looking for Tyler. Was it him? The last time I felt that sensation, he wasn't there, it was Johnny. The time before, no one was around. I wondered if it were all in my head, but it was such an amazing feeling. Like the kind of rare bliss I feel when I'm curled up in my favorite comfy chair with a book and an exquisite cup of tea. Like nothing in the world could touch me.

  I smiled. "There was an investor here the other day, Tyler?"

  She folded her arms against her chest. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

  "I was wondering if he was still around," I said aloud, though not really directed at her. The calm stayed with me, making me feel more confident somehow. Bolder. I reached out and touched her laptop covertly, by the base. "Tell me something, Sylvia. Do you work with the OCEI?"

  "Again, not your business." She slammed her laptop shut and I withdrew, folding my hands over each other in a failed attempt to look casual. "If there's nothing else, I'm a busy woman..."

  Damn, I was so close. But while I was here, I might as well go all in. "Just one. What is PE-145?"

  "Did you hack into our system?" She walked out from behind her desk, moving too close to me. I backed away, and it almost felt like I bumped into something, but there was nothing nearby. The calm left me in a rush, replaced with a solid block of fear. "You should leave before I call the authorities."

  "I didn't..." I began but realized the futility of trying to convince her. She wouldn't hear me now, if she even did before. Without another word, I left her office.

  Lisa appeared in the hallway to escort me out of the building. She looked back at Sylvia's office and some unspoken conversation took place between the two of them.

  Her expensive heels clicked as we walked back to the lobby. "It should be clear that you're no longer welcome here, but in case it isn't, this is your official notice."

  "Lisa, you seem like an intelligent person. Do you not realize you're working for the bad guys?"

  She laughed. "I think we both know it's not that simple. Besides, everyone always thinks they're the good guys. Who are the real good guys? The ones who win and write the history."

  I knew it, I knew the lights were on inside her head. She had a point, and I found it more than a little chilling that it sounded like she was talking about a war. Is that how
Sylvia recruited them? By making it into some kind of crusade for humanity?

  "Okay. Well, good luck sleeping at night while enhanced, who by the way are humans, are being detained, tortured, and killed. All because of products you helped to develop."

  I tossed my badge to the receptionist as we neared the front desk, and then headed for the exit.

  "Don't come back here," she yelled after me.

  I flipped her off as I left. It seemed like such a waste, and encountering such blatant prejudice made me sick to my stomach. Part of me wanted to cry that people like Sylvia and Lisa could believe that. That an organization like the OCEI could not only exist but have access to advanced technology, tech that could easily fuel their genocidal plans.

  How the hell am I going to stop this?

  Chapter 10

  At home, I filled Victor in on what transpired at Genitech. He merely nodded at first, as if he'd expected it to go down like that, but then his forehead wrinkled.

  "I do not like this, Cass. You're on her radar now."

  I snickered. "Pretty sure I was on her radar when she hired me. That woman is super sharp. And I think she knows I'm enhanced."

  "This is bad. What if she sends someone after you?"

  I considered his words, after all, he'd actually worked with her and knew more about her. But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to be afraid. "She could've detained me there. Had me shipped off to the OCEI and no one would be the wiser."

  Tea sounded awesome, so I put the kettle on the stove. "No, I think she's got something else up her sleeve."

  "I hope you're right. But just in case, I will study various forms of self-defense." He found a corner to practice in, and I couldn't hold back a smile. If he couldn't fight off the bad guys, at least I'll be entertained.

  The doorbell rang again. Wow, when did I suddenly get so popular? "Please don't let it be Mrs. Swanson again," I muttered.

  Victor peered around the corner so that the front door was in his line of sight, still a good 15 feet away. "It's the water man from yesterday. I do not believe he is a threat."

  "Thank you," I said. His x-ray vision was rather useful. I opened the door and hunky blonde dude stood in front of me.

  "Johnny, right?"

  "Yes! I'm sorry to bother you again, Miss Lexington, I just need to take one more sample."

  That warm calm spread over me, and I closed my eyes for a second to savor it. "Of course, come on in. And call me Cass."

  As we passed Victor, Johnny waved by way of greeting and said hello. Victor just stared at him, his eyes following us the whole time.

  "Your, uh, boyfriend seems rather protective," he said with an awkward chuckle.

  "Still trying to find that out, huh?" I laughed, enjoying the game. It had been so long since anyone actually flirted with me. "He's not my boyfriend."

  "I apologize, I didn't mean to pry," he said, but then he smiled. We made it to the kitchen, just in time for the kettle to boil.

  "It's okay." I took the kettle off the flame, while Johnny sifted through his satchel for his testing equipment. "Would you like a cup of tea? I've got a few breakfast blends, chamomile and a fancy oolong variety."

  "Thank you, I'd love a cup. Whatever your favorite is."

  I hadn't expected him to accept, but I found myself delighted that he did. I prepared the oolong, which was by far my favorite, and gathered the creamer, sugar, and both cups of tea on a platter. Johnny got another vial of water and then followed me to the breakfast nook.

  He sat down with me, and the peaceful sensation seemed to intensify in closer proximity. After that meeting with Sylvia, it was just what I needed.

  I fixed my tea and took a long sip. It was sublime.

  Johnny also took a sip from his cup, and then closed his eyes. "It's the oolong, isn't it?"

  I was pleasantly surprised he knew his teas. It probably should've aroused suspicion in me, but I was too relaxed to be paranoid.

  "Yes, very good!" I said. "Are you a fan of tea? Kind of rare these days."

  "I used to drink it, but it's been awhile." A melancholy kind of smile appeared on his face. "This takes me back, thank you."

  "You're welcome."

  We sat and enjoyed the tea without another word, which with anyone else I think would've been torture—full of awkward silence and stress about what to say next. But with him, I could just breathe and be. Feel that amazing calm, and not be obligated to attempt idle chatter about nothing. It was almost surreal, the perfect silence.

  After Johnny took his last sip, he made eye contact with me. "That was a nice break, thank you very much."

  He smiled, and the calm mixed with the awesome tea had me on a kind of blissful high. I reached for his hand, and gently touched it. A subtle electricity sparked at the contact, which turned me on. I wanted nothing more than to feel his lips pressed against mine, taste his mouth, his neck...

  I breathed in and exhaled, still enjoying the calm yet exciting feel of his touch. He enclosed both of his hands over mine, and the sensation amplified. "I'm so glad to have met you, Cass," he whispered.

  My heart pounded, but then my skin prickled with a thousand warm little goosebumps. It was strange to feel so turned on but then also peaceful, at the same time.

  Don't leave, I thought. His strong hands felt so incredible encasing mine. I just wanted to stay there and continue to feel that delicious sensation. I closed my eyes, basking in it.

  Then the sound of Victor's voice, much too close, caused me to open them again. "Cass, can I speak with you?"

  I felt a noticeable chill when Johnny let go of my hand. "I should get going. Thank you for the tea."

  I nodded, afraid I would say something stupid and desperate sounding, just to get him to stay. Then I turned to Victor. "I'll be right back."

  I walked Johnny to the front door and followed him out to the porch. Not that we would really have any privacy, but the door closed behind us still felt a little more intimate.

  He took hold of both of my hands and planted a kiss on each of them. "Thank you for your hospitality."

  His lips left behind a trail of warmth from my hands that flowed throughout my body, enhancing the blissful calm I already felt. I so wanted to kiss this stranger I'd only met yesterday. "Anytime. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I've never felt so calm around anyone before."

  As soon as I said it, I remembered it wasn't exactly true. "Except for one person, actually, someone I met the other day."

  I looked up and Johnny was pale, with a freaked-out expression to match. He let go of my hands and said goodbye rather abruptly.

  The peaceful, zen sensation left me with his departure. I shook off a feeling of disappointment, loss. I had to remind myself, there really wasn't any time to have a fling with the water guy, no matter how attracted I was to him or how desperately my body needed a release. I returned inside to find Victor waiting for me on the couch.

  I shook my head, to try to get back to reality. "I'm sorry, what did you want to discuss?"

  "Our next move. Tyler?"

  The interaction with Johnny, and even my recent interactions with Victor were more than enough for my introverted mind to handle. The last thing I wanted was to track down Tyler and have to work with him. What if he was totally clueless? Then we would have to bring him up to speed, convincing him that the company he was willing to invest in would be ultimately responsible for humanity's extinction.

  Nope. That was way too much work.

  "I think we should stay on Sylvia."

  Victor's gaze grew sharp. "You agreed to look for Tyler next."

  "I know, but Sylvia is up to something. You should've seen her reaction when I mentioned Holmes and PE-145. In fact, I'd be willing to bet PE-145 is the codename for the serum."

  "You may be correct, but she made it clear she will have you arrested if you go back."

  "Yes," I agreed, and then smiled. "Which is why I'm going to break in at night."

  "No."

 
That was all he said. No argument. As if I would just say, "Well all right then, I won't do it because you said no."

  "You can't stop me," I said.

  "I think we both know I can." He was trying hard to be serious, but his lips upturned at the corners of his mouth.

  "Yeah, but you have a directive not to harm any humans," I said.

  "You've been watching too much Star Trek. I have no such directive."

  I took his hands in mine and smiled. "I stand corrected. You have a directive not to harm me specifically."

  "If I render you unconscious to stop you from harming yourself, I would be following that directive."

  "Come on, Victor. We need to do this. If we can get into her laptop, we can purge the files on PE-145. It will stop that future timeline from occurring."

  His eyes moved back and forth rapidly, as if he were calculating the probability of a successful outcome.

  "There are many factors to consider. Your safety is paramount, Cass. I don't know how to pull this off without jeopardizing it."

  "I'm willing to take that risk. I mean, all of humanity is at stake, right?"

  Victor just stared at me apprehensively.

  "You know I'm going to do this," I said.

  "Then I'm going with you."

  "Absolutely not. If you get caught, you'll be stuck back at Genitech. I doubt they'll let you escape so easily again."

  "You can't get past the advanced security there without me," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. Or maybe I just perceived it that way.

  "I won't ask you to break back into your former prison. It's cruel. if they caught you, I'd never forgive myself."

  "What happened to all of humanity is at stake? I calculated a 70% chance of success if I accompany you."

  Risking myself seemed easier than risking Victor. But I felt like we were so close to stopping this.

  "We could go with my plan," he said. "And try to find Tyler."

  I made a "pfft" sound and rolled my eyes.