Radical Reaction

by Dawn Marsanne

  She had no idea what the future held but it was time to take some chances and embrace opportunities. Life was too short to spend all one’s time deliberating and analysing things. She went back upstairs and slid carefully into bed. Not carefully enough though as Ron stirred and turned to face her.

  ‘I thought you’d abandoned me,’ he whispered.

  ‘I was thirsty, too much brandy I think.’

  They kissed again. ‘You’ve made me a very happy man, Maureen. The future is so exciting. We will be a formidable team you know.’

  ‘I’m very happy too,’ she said. ‘I hope I won’t disappoint you.’

  ‘Never! Don’t say that. Now, let’s try to get some sleep. We’ve a lot of things to plan in the days ahead.’

  Ron snuggled up behind Maureen and they lay together like spoons. She heard his breathing slow down and he soon fell asleep. However, for Maureen sleep eluded her and it wasn’t until light dawned that she finally dozed before waking suddenly to find the bed beside her empty.

  **

  Nick and Polly had sat down next to each other on the sofa and when the tears stopped flowing it was Nick who was the first to speak.

  ‘You don’t know how desperate I was to be back here with you,’ he said.

  ‘I’ve been frantic with worry,’ she replied. ‘When I couldn’t contact you I thought the worst. I was watching the news report and well, I thought you had been shot or blown up or something.’

  ‘It was the bravery of one of the staff, Deepak. Without him, I don’t know what might have happened.’

  ‘Don’t ever leave me again, OK?’

  ‘I won’t. The two of us will go everywhere together from now on.’

  ‘That’s not quite true,’ said Polly.

  Nick frowned. ‘Why? I thought you wanted to be with me all the time?’

  ‘I do. But it’s not just the two of us. Not anymore.’

  ‘What? Really?’ Nick’s face was a mixture of shock and pleasure. ‘You did the test?’

  ‘I’ve done a couple and it seems certain. But it’s early days. I’m going to register with the maternity services so that I can have all the scans and support and so on.’

  ‘Oh, Polly, I can’t believe it. I’ve been so looking forward to this moment! I just knew that you would get the news when I was out of the country.’

  Polly smiled. ‘Don’t tell anyone yet, not for twelve weeks. I still might miscarry.’

  ‘You won’t because I’m going to look after you.’

  They hugged once more.

  ‘Look, let’s try to get some sleep. You must be shattered. I just want to hold you.’

  Nick went to take a quick shower then undressed and climbed into bed next to Polly. Just to feel each other’s bodies was the best experience in the world. Nick felt so contented. Not just because of tonight’s news but because of the support which Matt and Brett had shown him and also Polly at this difficult time. It made him realise how friends were much more important than material possessions. Nick and Polly soon drifted off to sleep. Without realising, Nick’s hand had settled on Polly’s stomach, as if protecting their unborn child.

  Chapter 56

  Maureen showered and went down to make some breakfast. She was still wearing the ring which Ron had given her last night. It all felt like some sort of dream. She was too old to have been swept off her feet like that. It had been such a bizarre evening with revelations on both sides but in a way it felt cleansing that they had each admitted their faults and indiscretions. She had a busy day ahead as Francis Harcourt wanted to see her about the financial account he was preparing for probate. He’d come across a few things he didn’t understand and he hoped that she could shed some light on them. She just hoped that more secrets wouldn’t start to emerge from the woodwork.

  Whilst she drank her tea she made a note on a piece of paper. Ron had been interested to know how much Hubert’s stake in PersCure was worth but had stressed that it didn’t matter if she forgot to ask. It was fortunate that Hubert had been renting the house where he’d died. Even though she wouldn’t have to sell his house there were all his personal possessions that would need to be cleared. That was an awful job but she and Graham would have to face it sooner rather than later so that the house could be let again.

  Her mobile rang.

  ‘Morning, Ron. I’m breakfasting alone, sadly.’

  ‘Sorry, busy day. I’ll see you tonight, can you come over to me?’

  ‘Yes, sure, if that’s what you want.’

  ‘It is. Why don’t you bring a couple of suitcases of things, then you will feel more at home?’

  ‘I can. If that’s OK with you?’

  ‘Of course, it is. I’ll see you later. I need to get going now. Lots of meetings.’

  ‘Speak to you later, bye.’

  This was it, thought Maureen, he was asking her to move into Brensford Manor. Things were moving so quickly she could hardly keep up.

  **

  Joe was rushing around the laboratory and in his haste, he became slightly clumsy. Whilst putting some glassware on the drying rack with wet gloves a large beaker dropped to the floor and shattered into tiny pieces.

  ‘Oh, fuck!’ he shouted. ‘God, today is really winding me up.’

  ‘Chill, it’s only a beaker,’ said Adam. ‘The juggling lessons not going too well I see!’

  ‘Ha, bloody ha,’ said Joe. ‘Sorry, I’m in a bit of a rush. It’s always the way when you are short of time, everything is awkward.’

  Adam looked at the clock. ‘It’s only just after three. What’s the hurry?’

  ‘Oh, didn’t I tell you. I’m going to London this evening. Getting the train just before seven.’

  ‘That’s four hours away, though.’

  ‘Yes, I know but I have to go back to the house first.’

  ‘Why didn’t you bring your stuff straight here. I could have run you to the station.’

  ‘Because I couldn’t get to use the washing machine so I had to put my things in this morning, they are drying at the moment. Now I really must get on. My data must be ready to collect now although the machines have probably broken as well, that would just about put the lid on it.’

  Joe stomped off and Adam decided to let the matter rest. He’d learnt that it was best to keep out of Joe’s way when he was in a foul mood because he could lash out when he was tense. It wouldn’t be the first time Adam had received a tongue lashing from him. It was a bit strange all the same. Joe seemed to make things difficult for himself by not planning ahead, didn’t he have any clean clothes just for one night?

  Joe returned and took the data through to his desk. He wasn’t swearing so that was a good sign. Adam sincerely hoped that the data would be satisfactory otherwise he might have to go and make himself scarce until Joe left. After ten minutes Joe returned looking relatively pleased.

  ‘So, why are you going to London this evening? Hot date?’

  ‘I certainly have. He’s about six foot two with a beard and plays rugby!’ said Joe sarcastically. ‘And it’s his twenty-fifth birthday. I knew him at Leeds.’

  ‘Oh, sounds good. What is it drinks and a club?’

  ‘Something like that,’ said Joe non-committally.

  ‘Well, enjoy! I guess you will be staying over?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll be in later tomorrow.’

  That was the end of the conversation, Adam decided to quit whilst he was ahead.

  **

  Christian Dalton was tense but he felt in control. The Phase I study was now underway with the cohort of patients supplied by Ron. There were a couple of participants he was keeping a special eye on as they had been the ones without proper medical records. The nurse assisting him had queried their responses to some of the questionnaires but Christian had managed to pacify her. When he had produced the bogus records he’d spent the last evening forging, she had seemed happy and despite some communication issues all was proceeding smoothly.

  However, when he stopped concen
trating on the science his mind wandered to Laura and each time his mobile rang he had a momentary panic that she would begin hassling him again. Ron was due to pop by just to check everything was ticking over nicely. He had sounded unusually cheerful on the phone and Christian wondered what had occurred to add such euphoria into his tone. Perhaps he’d just had a financial windfall. Ron was obviously driven by money. Wasn’t that often the way with people, the desire to create more and more wealth became a drug and an obsession?

  **

  Adam was relieved when Joe finally left the building. There had been a few more outbursts when he’d found solvent bottles empty or he’d spilt something in his rush to beat the clock. Hannah and Seth both exchanged knowing glances with Adam from time to time as if to say “keep your head down” and previous incidents had shown that as with a meteorological storm it would blow itself out eventually.

  Once they saw that he was definitely out of their hair Adam was the first to speak.

  ‘I just hope the trains are running to time otherwise he’s likely to land a punch on a station employee!’

  The others laughed. ‘Yes, he might get his name in the local paper,’ added Hannah.

  ‘Don’t joke about it. I think Joe will be on blood pressure medication when he gets older. He’s definitely got a few anger issues, don’t you think?’added Seth.

  ‘He’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder,’ said Adam. ‘He’s had it a bit hard from what he’s told me. I’ve been careful how much I question him as he’s a bit touchy. His father has just lost his job as his company was taken over. I looked up the business and it was taken over by a bigger player up in Leeds and as usual, there was some consolidation as they call it.’

  ‘It’s tough finding a new job when you are over fifty,’ said Hannah.

  ‘Sure is, it seems they are really feeling the pinch,’ Adam paused.

  ‘He’s not really talked to me much about his parents,’ said Hannah. ‘It must be a worry for him and he can’t just pop over to see them when he wants.’

  ‘True,’ added Adam. ‘It’s easy for me with the train up to London.’

  ‘Have you heard when Nick is going to be coming back to work?’ asked Hannah.

  ‘No, not directly although I overheard Matt telling Pat that he should be in at the end of the week. Oh, talk of the devil,’ said Adam.

  ‘What?’ said Pat as he stepped into the lab. ‘Oh, nothing, we were just talking about you,’ joked Adam. ‘All good of course.’

  ‘Glad to hear it,’ replied Pat. ‘Adam, I need some reaction conditions to send off to India. Can you find them for me?’

  ‘Sure, what exactly do you need.’

  ‘There are a few so I’ve jotted them down for you. I hope that once they get these they will be able to make some progress.’

  ‘Give me five minutes and I’ll sort them out for you,’ said Adam. ‘I just need to add the rest of this to my reaction.’

  Normality had resumed and they each got on with their work. Thoughts of Joe and his bad mood had been dispelled.

  Chapter 57

  Adam was preparing to leave. It had been a strange day after the meeting with Matt and then Joe’s outbursts. He felt like he needed some beers to help him unwind. He shrugged on his jacket and pushed his chair under his table but the castor caught on something on the floor. He looked down and noticed it was Joe’s wallet. He had the desk adjacent to Adam’s and in his haste, he must have let it fall out of his jacket. Adam had a quick look inside and it had all his credit cards, driving licence and his train ticket for this evening. Adam looked at the time. It was approaching 6 p.m. and Joe said his train was just before seven. Providing the traffic wasn’t too bad he should be able to get around to his house and reunite him with his wallet. He tried to phone him but the voicemail cut in immediately. Adam left a message and jogged along the corridor and out of the building towards his car.

  ***

  Joe was in a rush as his bus back home had got stuck in traffic. He’d alighted a few stops earlier and had run back to his house. He’d quickly got changed but now in his anxious state he found himself just as hot and sweaty He’d noticed the call from Adam whilst he was collecting everything together but had ignored it as he was the last person he wanted to speak to just at that minute. He could listen to the message on the train.

  Finally, he was ready to leave. He grabbed a can of coke from the fridge. Checked his rucksack for the umpteenth time, scanned his room and walked down the stairs and out on to the road. He had around twenty minutes to get to the station which should be ample.

  He suddenly remembered he hadn’t checked he had his ticket. He reached into his pocket for his wallet and froze. Where was his wallet? He’d looked at it several times during the day but now he couldn’t find it. He was in turmoil. This could not be happening. He had no ticket and no money to buy another one. What could he do? His housemates hadn’t yet returned from work so there was no way of borrowing any money from them. He wondered whether there was any money in the kitchen. They each put in ten pounds a week to cover the cost of communal items for the house. He would have to raid that. His anger was now at fever pitch, despite all his checking he’d been careless. He found his key and went back towards the front door.

  He heard a car horn beeping and automatically turned around to see who it was. He recognised the red Audi which had just pulled up outside his house. It was Adam who jumped out of the car and was waving something at him.

  ‘Hi, mate, you dropped your wallet! I’m so glad I caught you.’

  ‘Oh, thanks, Adam,’ said Joe, relieved and agitated at the same time. ‘That’s great. I’d just realised I’d left it at uni.’

  ‘Well, you wouldn’t have got very far without it,’ said Adam. ‘What time’s your train?’

  ‘Just before seven,’ said Joe beginning to walk down the road.

  ‘I’ll give you a lift. Come on, jump in!’

  ‘No, it’s OK, I’ll walk.’

  ‘You’re cutting it a bit fine. It’s no trouble. Don’t be silly, get in.’

  Joe realised that he was making a fool of himself. He returned to the car and climbed in.

  ‘Put your bag on the back seat, you’ll have more room,’ said Adam.

  ‘It’s OK, I’m in now,’ said Joe and he fastened his seatbelt. The rucksack was to the side of his legs next to the door.

  They set off and joined the stream of traffic making its way through the town centre. Just as they approached some traffic lights they changed to red and the car in front stopped.’

  ‘Shit, I thought he could have gone through then, these lights are a pain there’s always a long wait.’

  It was a warm evening and as the car had been parked in the sun all day the air-conditioning hadn’t really had much of an effect on the internal temperature of the car. Adam began to smell something. It had the characteristic smell of solvent, acetone in particular.

  ‘Can you smell acetone?’ he asked Joe.

  ‘No, why?’

  ‘I can smell it really strongly. Did you spill some on your trainers?’

  ‘No, of course not, I can’t smell anything.’

  Adam leant forward. ‘It’s coming from your rucksack! What have you got in there?’

  A wave of fear washed over Joe. This was not what he had planned. Adam was glaring at him intensely. He could almost see the brain cells working inside his skull. What should he do? His plan was in tatters. He had failed miserably. He was sure that Adam was beginning to work out what was happening.

  At the same instant, Adam’s brain was processing the information before him. There could be only one reason why someone would have a rucksack smelling of acetone. He thought about Joe’s feeble excuse about not bringing his things with him so he could go straight to the station. But was this really possible? Why on earth would Joe have a bomb? The situation was completely surreal. There must be some mistake.

  Before he had a chance to say or think about anything else. Joe pro
duced a knife.

  ‘Get out of the car! Now! Leave the keys and get out!’

  The lights had changed. Horns were beeping. Adam obeyed and Joe slid over to the driver’s seat. He pulled away leaving Adam standing in the middle of the road unable to comprehend what had just happened.

  Adam crossed the lanes of traffic to the safety of the pavement. He pulled out his mobile and dialled 999.

  ‘Police! My car has been hijacked by someone called Joe Blackstone. I think he’s got a bomb in his rucksack!’

  ‘Slow down sir. Please give me your name.’

  ‘Adam Newman. He’s driving through the centre of Persford in my car! He’s got a bomb! Did you hear me! You’ve got to stop him!’

  ‘What car is it?’

  ‘It’s a red Audi A1. Registration..er, hang on...’ Adam was in such a state he could hardly remember his own registration number. ‘It’s LK65 HJB, no wait it’s HBJ. Sorry, I’m in shock.’

  The operator read back the details he’d given and Adam confirmed it was correct.

  ‘Where did he steal the car from you?’

  ‘At the traffic lights on London Road, I was heading to the station but he must be going somewhere else now. He went in the direction of Quayside I think but I can’t see him now.’

  ‘And you say he’s got a bomb in a rucksack?’

  ‘Yes, we work in a laboratory at the university. He would have had the means to take stuff from there for a bomb. I don’t understand why. But he’s got a rucksack and it stinks of solvent!’

  ‘I’ve alerted all units. We will phone you back. Stay where you are. We will need you to explain to them your suspicions. Please do not make any calls on your mobile. They will need to contact you.’

  ‘OK. Thanks.’

  Adam felt sick. He didn’t care about his car but if Joe had really assembled a bomb and it was what he thought it was then he could really do some damage with it. He cursed himself. Why hadn’t he suspected him earlier? But what grounds did he have? Hindsight was a wonderful thing. Everything was a complete muddle in his head. He suddenly felt dizzy and staggered over to a bench on the pavement. Although he wasn’t religious he actually prayed that he could be intercepted before anyone got hurt.