I leaned in without thinking and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around my lower back and pulled me closer.
“Ah, Ash, we need to finish this,” I giggled.
“Sorry, got carried away,” he grinned, before kissing me one last time. “Okay, what were we saying? The bombs?”
“We were saying that the bombs must have a link.”
No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t work without a grin on my face.
Shaking myself into focus, I stood and took my usual pacing route. I could hear cheers of laughter from students still on their night out. How strange it was to go from a nice evening out with Ash, to pondering bombing motives.
“If it’s the same bomber, hitting the uni must make sense in his plan. It showed that he could get in here, I suppose. Could it be for attention, like you said? What did he want to say to the police?”
“Maybe he wasn’t saying anything to them.”
“What do you mean?”
Ash stood and blocked my path. “The police weren’t involved with the bomb here. There was no biological weapon in the bomb. Maybe he was trying to say something to us.”
“To us?”
“The university. Why else would he break his pattern?”
“Pattern. That’s what Wang was talking about when I met him. The bomber is only targeting specific people within a group. If his sole intention is killing, then why did he not target anyone here? There must be something in the pattern.” I rubbed my face in frustration and sat back on the settee.
“But, it still doesn’t fit.”
“Hang on, how do we know that killing is his sole intention?” Ash sat beside me and put his arm around my shoulders.
“Well, what else could it be? The body count at each bombing has gone up each time. Except when he bombed here. The amount of toxin has gone up too.”
I felt Ash’s body freeze beside me. He slowly slid his arm from my shoulders and pushed himself forward so he was sitting on the edge. “It can’t be.”
I leaned forward and pulled on his shoulder, forcing him to face me. “What is it?”
“The gradual increase in bomb size, the growing dispersal of the toxin, it all fits.” I shook my head. He continued. “The bomber does have a sole intention; we just haven’t seen it yet.”
“What do you mean? We’re seeing it at every bomb.”
Ash dropped his head into his hands. “The bombs, they’re not the end, they’re the preparation. Look at the locations. The Bournemouth one was next to a block of council flats. And look,” he grabbed one of the reports and held it up, “the Llandudno bomb was next to the job centre. The theatre was an independent charity, run by volunteers. The village was tiny and unnoticed. You see it?”
I scanned the paper, looking for the connection. “No, what is it?”
“The size of each bomb has grown each time. Low income, high casualty. He sees them as disposable. Roz, the bombs are strategic. It’s a testing period.”
He jumped from the settee and took my place pacing the room. His strides were too long for the limited room. My eyes followed his feet, mesmerised, terrified of what he had just said.
“A testing period?” I whispered. “Like in an experiment?”
“Exactly. You have a toxin which can wipe out whoever you want. The first thing you need to do is run experiments, make sure you can control it.” He picked up the phone, banging his finger into the buttons.
“But, if they’re experiments, where’s the main target going to be?” I asked, bringing my knees up to my chest to hug.
“I don’t know, but we need to find out.”
He growled at the phone and dialled in another number.
“Hello, Jay? You need to grab the others and get over here right now. We need to work.” He slammed the phone down and turned to me. “Roz, we need to confront Mark.”
I stood and folded my arms. “It’s not him. He’s my friend, Ash. I know it’s not him.”
“I know.” He stepped forward and cupped my face with his warm hands. “But, if we’re to find the bomber, he’s going to be our best bet. He has more of a chance of understanding the toxin than Fern. We need help, and we need it from a friend.” He grimaced at his last words.
I hung my head. I was glad he now agreed with clearing Mark’s name. But, to question Mark I would have to reveal my suspicions. Without word, I picked up the phone and dialled Mark’s number.
* * *
It didn’t take fifteen minutes for Mark to arrive at my door. Ash had just brought Jay and Owen up to speed as he knocked. They all stood back, looking at me to open it. I took a deep breath and pulled the door open. Mark stood waiting, Mendel sat by his side.
“Ye call, I come runnin’,” He said, grinning at me.
My heart sank as I stepped aside. He followed me through to the living room and stopped dead when he saw my three friends waiting.
“Okay, what am I missin’?” Mark asked. He stood in the doorway, forcing me to squeeze through.
“We just need to talk to you. It’s nothing to worry about,” I said.
“Nothin’ to worry about, eh? Why’s three muscles here then?”
Owen laughed. “Me muscle? I kind of like that idea.” He sat on a chair with his laptop on his knee.
I pulled on Mark’s arm, urging him to sit with me. “Honestly, it’s fine. This is my team. Well, some of it. We’re missing Bree, Warwick and Fern.”
“Fern’s in your team? Well, you’ll not have any luck getting’ hold of her,” Mark said, as he took the seat beside me. Mendel sprawled on the floor over our feet.
Ash stood in the centre of the room, arms folded. “Why do you say that?”
“’cause, she’s gone with Levins to investigate the village massacre.” We all froze and stared at him. Mark’s eyes flicked to each one of us in turn. “What’s goin’ on?”
I put my hand on his, ignoring the grumble which came from Ash’s direction. “Mark, you know how we’ve been researching the bombings? It’s our task to get through this year.”
“Yeah, of course I know that.”
Jay stood beside Ash, mirroring his stern stance. “How much do you know about them?” Ash asked.
“About the bombs?” Mark asked.
Jay and Ash nodded simultaneously.
“Not much. Just what I’ve seen through Levins’ research.”
The room went still. Owen looked to me and I shrugged. Ash looked like he was about to lynch Mark.
“What?” Mark shouted.
“Mark,” I said, “I’ve spoken to Levins. He explained to me that the toxin used within the bombs effects the genes. It causes a kind of cellular breakdown.”
“An extreme form of necrosis,” Owen said, reading from a sheet.
Mark stared at us like he was waiting for us to continue. “Yeah, so?”
“So?” Jay interjected. “Only your research can correct it. So, we’re thinking maybe it was your research which caused it.” He stepped forward, as if wanting him to try to run.
“What? Are ye kiddin’ me? How the hell could ma research have caused the bombs? I’m workin’ to help people, not do them in.”
I held up my hand, stopping Jay from shouting again. “Mark, we’re not accusing.”
“Then what’re you doin’?”
“We’re asking for your help. For you to help us stop this and clear your name,” I said, gently stepping closer. “Look, Levins said that only your research would have a chance at finding something to stop the toxin in the bombs. And, that only someone with an understanding of that research would know how to create it.” My hands were shaking, I knew how this sounded as I spoke.
“My research? My research has nothin’ to do with the bombs. The bombs target specific chromosome sequences. My work is with genes,” Mark said, staring back at me like I’d betrayed him.
Jay huffed. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
“On the level you’re talkin’ about, the finesse in manipulatin’ them? No, the
y’re very different.” Mark turned to me and whispered. “Roz, did you say that Levins told you this about my work?”
“Yes. But, Mark, you just said the bombs are working to target chromosomes? How do you know that?”
“Levins has had us workin’ on a vaccine for weeks. We’ve been usin’ his research to try to create a barrier to the toxin used in the bombs.”
“Here.” Ash held out a file. Mark took it. “These are the latest reports from the village. We found a connection with the toxin.”
“A connection? Brilliant. What is it?” Mark asked.
“Something called L08. We don’t know what it is, but figured you…” Ash broke off as Mark ripped the paper from the file. He tore through the pages frantically.
“Mark?” I asked.
“Where did they get it?” He looked at me, his face drained of colour, eyes wide. “Where did they get it?”
“Get what?”
Mark slumped into a chair, seemingly forgetting everyone else in the room. “It’s mine. L08, it’s my creation.”
“You killed those people?” Jay bellowed.
“What? No! I said it was my work, not that I used it. Someone’s taken it.”
“But who could’ve taken it, and known how to use it?” Ash asked.
“If they did.” Jay muttered, under his breath.
Mark leapt to his feet, causing Mendel to jump with him. “You know what, think what you like. If you want to think I’m some psychotic terrorist, you go ahead.” He shoved passed me and wrenched open the door. I chased after him, my words frozen in my mouth. He paused at the door and turned on me.
“I can’t believe you think I could do somethin’ like this.” He stormed away before I could say a word.
I closed the door quietly, leaving my hands pressed against the wood. How could I have done that to my friend? I had never believed it was him. But now, he thought the worst of me. I couldn’t blame him. I had asked him over, not telling him that an inquisitor squad was lying in wait.
* * *
We all woke to the sound of wailing. The screech ripped through the air, vibrating my eardrums. I leaped from my bed and fumbled for a pair of jeans. In true winter mood, it was still dark out. The wind had been gusting through the air vents all night. Still pulling my boots up, I left my room and bumped into Bree in the hall.
“Fire alarm?” She asked.
“I don’t think so. It sounds like it’s coming from outside too.” My heart froze. “It sounds like the bomb warning.”
“Ohmigod, not another one!” Bree screamed. “We need to block up the doors. Owen!” She thumped her fist against his bedroom door.
He opened it on the third thump, wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. “I’m here, calm down.”
He carried an armful of towels with him and headed down the stairs. Without word, we all took a towel and began blocking the door frame. It didn’t take us long to tape down the edges, blocking any access to the outside air supply.
We sat together, waiting for word of our impending doom. Bree sat between Owen and Warwick. I sat alone on the chair hugging my knees. None of us dared put the kettle on or switch on a light. We sat in darkness, waiting for a sign of life.
I had counted three hours on the clock when there was a knock on the door. We looked at each other in surprise, then ran as one to wrench it open.
It was Llamp. She pushed through, tutting as she saw our barricade.
“Would you like to explain yourselves?” She demanded, as she ticked our names from a chart she was holding on a clip board.
I wrapped my arms around myself. “Explain ourselves?”
“Yes, Miss Grove. Explain, why each of you felt justified in ignoring the emergency evacuation drill? If this had been a real bomb, you may all very well be dead right now.”
I turned to my friends, who all looked as shocked as I felt. “I’m sorry,” I said, “we thought it was another bomb. We thought it would be best to stay inside and block the gaps.” I pointed to the towels on the floor.
She nodded in agreement. “I see. But, that is all well and good if it were a biological attack, but what if it was simply, a bomb? Would it be best to remain in that situation?”
Warwick stepped forward to stand beside me. “We did what we thought was right for the current situation.”
She grinned at him. “Did you not consider finding the truth?”
We looked at her, blank.
“By listening to the university radio, for example?”
Bree laughed from behind. It sounded strange in the tense situation. “The university has a radio station?”
“Of course the university has a radio station. A station which broadcasts critical information during an emergency. This is all in the information booklet you were provided with upon enrolment.” She noted something besides our names on the clipboard. “I must say, I am disappointed.” She turned and left without hesitation.
We all stood by the doorway of rolled up towels, watching her retreat. She didn’t head toward any other house. We must have been the only ones to fail. How did we not see this coming? Of all the obvious and ridiculous things to fail in, we buggered up a routine drill.
“Another test?” Warwick shouted. “How the feck were we supposed to know that was another test?” He walked to the wall and punched it.
“Calm down, it’ll be fine,” Bree said, holding his fist so he couldn’t hit the wall again.
“No, it’s not fine. We’ve been through this, we can’t fail. You know what happens if we fail.”
“We have a suspicion of what happens,” Owen said.
“It’s not a suspicion. I know they murdered my brother. If we don’t get through this test, we’re going to end the same way.”
I jumped over the mass of towels and joined him and Bree. “Then, we’ll get this test finished.”
“Just like that?” He laughed.
“Just like that. I’ll go talk to Mark. You,” I looked at Bree, “will bug the science lab computers.”
Bree grinned. “We’ve already bugged them.”
“We can’t have gotten all of them. If Mark’s telling the truth, someone’s been accessing his computer. Levins says it’s all resting on Mark’s research. Mark says it’s stolen. I say, we need to be sure our snoops are still in place. We need to find the truth.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Owen stood beside me as I knocked on Mark’s door. It looked disturbingly familiar after watching it on our monitor screens for so long; an act I was now feeling immensely guilty for.
I heard Mendel’s bark from inside. His nose snuffled against the letter box as Mark’s approaching footsteps echoed. He opened the door and his smile dropped the moment he saw us.
“What ye want?” He said, with no hint of welcome.
“We just want to get this cleared up. I don’t think it was you who set the bombs, Mark. But, we do need to talk to you to clear your name.”
“My word’s not enough?”
“I’m sorry. But, think about it. If your name’s come up in our investigation, it’s only a matter of time before the police come knocking. We want to find the real bomber. Help us find him.” I smiled at him, hoping he would one day see me as his friend again.
“Fine.” He stepped aside, letting us pass.
We followed him through to his living room. I smiled at the sight of his desk, piled high with papers and empty crisp packets. He shoved a stack of books off the settee and indicated for us to sit. He took the black leather desk chair.
“So, how do you want to question me this time?” He said, folding his arms.
I took out a note pad and clicked my pen. “We need to know what you know about the bomb toxin. You said it was targeting the chromosomes?”
“That’s what it looks like. The police ‘ave called in Levins as advisor. He’s been asked to study the toxin, to find a vaccine or cure.” He didn’t look away. His fingers tapped against his elbow as he watched us.
; “When did they call him in as advisor?” Owen asked.
Mark shrugged. “Some time after the second bomb. The bombs used the same toxin an’ used his delivery system. The police wanted him tae find a way to block it.”
“Why would he create something like that?” I asked.
“He didnae. He just made the delivery system. Whoever the bomber is, they adjusted it tae behave their way. He’s just tryin’ to find a way to stop it.”
“Can he? If he can block it, then people won’t become infected, right?” I said.
Mark shook his head. “No. He’s been working on that delivery system theory for years. It would take just as long to create a counter agent.”
“Then, what have you all been working on?” Owen asked.
“We’ve been tryin’ to create a biological diversion. Somethin’ to draw in the toxin and keep it contained in one area.”
“Like a cure?” I asked.
“No. More like a trap. Whoever is infected will still be at risk. But, if we can create this agent, the toxin will be drawn toward it and congregate in that one area. Then, whoever has been infected will need to have that area surgically removed.” He dragged his hand through his scruffy hair, looking down. “It’s drastic, we know. But, it’ll give people a chance tae survive.”
Owen held up his hand. “Hang on. The toxin kills within minutes. So, for this to work, won’t the people already need to have this diversion agent in them? Is this what you’ve been working on?”
“I told you, it’s not my work. I work with faulty genes. I’m lookin’ for a way to surgically correct, not infect.”
“Then, how will you get the agent in them? That would mean you need to know who will be targeted next.” My eyes widened in horror. Owen grabbed me by the arm and began to drag me back.
“Wait!” Mark shouted. “You’ve got it wrong.”
Owen stood in front of me, blocking my view. “Then explain how you know who will be targeted next.”
Mark sank in his chair. “We don’t. We’re goin’ to have tae give everyone the agent. The entire country. That’s what we’ve been workin’ on. We have tae be sure it’ll be safe for everyone before they disperse it.”
Trials in Walls of Ivy (Triskelion Trilogy Book 1) Page 23
