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Sloane’s dream was to develop organs in a lab setting. She was convinced she could do it, and doing so would fundamentally change so many lives. People wouldn’t have to be near death’s door before receiving an organ transplant. Success rates would rise.
“Our contact says it was a credible tip, but they had no proof. Only rumors. When Lumina invested, given they’re an international conglomerate, they determined any questionable practices would cease. It’s been a low priority for them. Sounds like it’s a file that hasn’t been opened since the last round of funding.”
I squint into the sun, filtering the information through the prism of Sloane’s comments. “Sloane was excited about the work they were doing, but she wouldn’t cross ethical boundaries.” The temperature on the roof must be hitting the nineties, yet my fingers, palms, and forearms are chilly. “If she discovered anything like that, she’d…” She’d whistleblow it. They’d have no choice but to silence her. Or… “It’s rumors, though, right?”
Felix’s sunglasses cover his eyes, but he’s frowning, and an uneasiness settles in my stomach.
“One of the reasons for studying embryo development is that many congenital abnormalities develop at the beginning, and I guess the hope is they can learn ways to combat those abnormalities? I don’t know. But that wasn’t what Sloane’s research was about. She was studying cell development for organs. She was fascinated by embryonic stem cells. And I guess how those cells develop into organs. Her research held promising signs for organ creation. In labs. Ethical organ creation. That’s what she said.”
“With stem cells?” Felix asks.
“Yes. I think. If I understood her correctly. She was really excited about research coming out of Massachusetts that used adult skin cells to regenerate functional human heart tissue.” My gaze falls to the gravel underfoot. “I didn’t understand it, but it sounded promising. When she took the job with Origins, she was going to be doing research similar to what was done by the group in Massachusetts. She sent me pictures. Honestly, though, it didn’t look like an organ to me. If someone walked into her lab, I don’t know what they would think. But I know Sloane wouldn’t do anything that warranted the police watching her.”
“Hey, I’m just relaying what Interpol shared. Ryan’s contact is going to send over what they have, but it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be much to go on.”
A horn beeps on a nearby street. Up here on the roof, our view is mostly of rooftops and bendy palm trees. It’s easy to forget there’s a bustling town below.
“You guys staying up here?”
“Nah. We’ll head down with you,” Knox says.
He places his palm against my lower back as we exit, and it’s kind of incredible. But I can’t read into it. Knox and Sam are alike. Natural protectors. He’d be like this with any woman who needed help.
We follow Felix back down to the second floor. Empty cubicles fill the open area between the stairwell and the conference room from earlier. Offices line the exterior walls. Stella peers out from one office.
“Sage?”
“Hmm?”
“Can you come here for a minute?”
“We’ll be back in our office,” Knox says. “On the far wall.”
Golden sun pours through the large windows lining one wall of Stella’s office. A photo of Stella in a white cocktail dress shoving cake into her groom’s face sits beside an oversized computer monitor. He’s wearing a suit, and he’s got the kind of big laugh that even frozen in a photograph brings out smiles. Or at least, I’m smiling.
Stella pushes her office door closed and leans against it. I hover near a chair, uncertain if I should sit or stand.
“Knox mentioned you might need refills on your medications.”
“Well, not for another…” She stills, and I swallow back the impulse to keep my information private. “I have over a week’s supply left.”
“If you write down what you need, Kairi can handle getting refills for you.”
“I can get them…”
“To be safe, we’d rather handle it. Just in case someone is tracking. If anyone is looking for you, your prescriptions would be an easy place to start.”
Right. A splash of blue flowers decorates the top of the notepad she hands to me. I dutifully write them all down. Twenty-one pills a day. Used to be more.
She reads the list. “No birth control pills?” I blink. “Might as well let us get everything you’re going to need.”
“No birth control pills.” I take enough medicine as it is. Someone like me…I shake my head as heat warms my cheeks from embarrassment. But there’s no reason to be embarrassed. “That’s it. It’s everything. Right there.” I should give her my prescription card, but if it’s not in my name… “How’re you… There’s no way an insurance company is going to approve those meds.”
I need those prescriptions, and at times I have issues with the insurance demons.
“It’s okay. Kairi’s husband is a doctor. He’s helping us.”
Without insurance, my meds will cost a small fortune. I have around nine thousand in cash, but?—
