Dariux raised his brows. “Not significantly, if at all.”
“Regardless, what if you had carried an ancient pathogen? One for which we have no antibodies in our century? They should have quarantined you until they thoroughly tested you. But I guess the proverbial horse has escaped the barn in this case.” He finished with a slight frown.
Despite maintaining an impassive expression, Dariux felt a sense of surprise at what could be considered a powerful display of emotion exhibited by Mr. Greer. Highly uncharacteristic of him. The issue must be of the utmost importance then. He would do well to remember they were playing for high stakes here.
“Kalli and I tested ourselves for pathogens before traveling back.” It was true, of sorts. Kalli had been sick, so they had both had to test themselves to make sure they did not carry any pathogens. But he suspected that was not what Mr. Greer was worried about.
“Good, good. Nevertheless, we should have her tested soon.”
“I gather you also summoned her here today,” he said with as much casualness as he could muster when it came to Kalli. He couldn’t let Max get even a hint of his feelings on the matter.
“Who told you that? That was classified information.”
“And that is another thing. Why so much secrecy? What’s with all this classified information nonsense? Can you believe the tech who performed my tests refused to give me my own results?”
Mr. Greer’s eyes shifted before he responded with studied casualness. “Oh, of course they are not classified to you. I’ll provide your results right now.” He pressed a button on his watch. “Gina, send Mr. Kinkaid his test results,” he ordered his assistant.
“Done, sir,” she replied through the speaker from the other room.
“There you go. You have your tests results. You can check them now or later. I just didn’t want them to fall into the incorrect hands. There’s a lot of interest in our research. Corporate espionage is always a concern.”
It was a solid reason, Dariux had to admit. And delivered with finesse. But he had not missed the slight shift in Max’s eyes. So he still suspected the man had a secret agenda, but he would let it slide for now.
“So tell me about Dr. Brooks.”
The sudden change in topics, along with the mention of Kalli, had Dariux tensing, momentarily thrown off balance in their verbal fencing match. As was no doubt the intention.
He did his best to cover his reaction, not sure he was successful. The other man must suspect nothing of Kalli’s and his involvement, such as it was. They would already face scrutiny because of the accidental dragging, which they couldn’t conceal. But he’d be damned if he would allow his personal life to become a subject for debate.
Of course, Max could already know, or at least suspect, something. What if his results showed an altered estate in his brain chemistry? What a dumbass he was. Of course they did. Wasn’t that what they themselves were measuring during their mission? Could they accurately interpret those results as attraction, or even... love?
He shrank back from the word. Shaken for the first time. It was a herculean effort to remain impassive under the man’s astute regard. But now, more than ever, he had to be convincing. If Max was on the trail of their relationship, he had to throw him off.
“What do you want to know?” He was proud that his voice sounded casual, almost bored.
“I’m sure you know she is trying to prove that parbots are the reason the population is plummeting. And that the solution is to promote human relationships.”
“She is trying to find solutions to the problem that afflicts us. Hers is a theory among many. A valid one, worth considering.”
“A theory that, if proven, could result in significant losses for ChronoSynthetics.”
Ah! Max was worried. Kalli represented a threat. He had to throw him off the scent.
“Some losses, yes. But the company would survive. If she can prove the theory, which is a big if, there would still be plenty of uses for parbots.”
“Maybe you underestimate the losses.”
“Maybe you underestimate the threat to humanity.”
He realized his error at once. He had said too much. Revealed his hand. And he wasn’t even sure where he stood on the matter. And yet it had seemed natural to come to Kalli’s defense.
“Are you saying you agree with her findings?”
He must tread carefully here.
“I don’t even know what her conclusions will be.” That was true.
“But you went on the mission with her. I’m sure you had plenty of time to get to know each other better.”
