“Calm down, Lucy,” McClain says. “We can discuss this when I get back.”
“Don’t treat me like some overexcited woman you can placate.” Her hazel eyes blaze with anger. “This is bad science. I was against fast-tracking human trials, and now I know I was right.”
McClain sighs heavily. “Everyone, just take a breath. Until I get back, no one goes into the room with the test subjects. Pass their food through the windows.”
Yeva looks like I feel—stunned. We were all so hyped about what we’ve accomplished so far, and now it’s all blowing up.
“Ellison, come on,” Lucy says, putting her arm out. “Let’s go to the hospital.”
“You can’t do this,” McClain says. “There are agreements in place.”
“I’m not violating my NDA by getting her medical care,” Lucy says.
“You also mentioned the police.”
“She was assaulted! He grabbed her breast and punched her. She’s not a lab rat, Randall, she’s a human being, and this isn’t right.”
McClain rubs his temple. “Everyone, just stay there. I’ll catch the soonest flight out I can get.”
He ends the call and we all look around at each other.
“I’m not waiting,” Lucy says. “Ellison?”
Ellison looks at the floor and then at Lucy. “I’ll wait for Dr. McClain.”
Lucy’s lips part with surprise. She looks at Yeva, who shrugs.
“I stay or go back to Russia,” she says.
“Mariah? Pyo?”
Mariah and Dr. P both shake their heads.
“I’m not saying I’ll stay, but I’ll hear what McClain has to say,” Dr. P says.
Lucy turns to me. “Marcus, don’t let yourself be led down this path. You have your whole career in front of you.”
I know her ethical concerns are valid, but Dr. McClain believed in me enough to bring me onto this team; I’m not turning my back on him.
“I’m staying,” I say.
Her expression turns sad. “I’m sorry, but I have to remove myself from this. I truly wish you all the best with it.”
She picks up her tray of baked goods and her bag, heading for the door. Before she gets there, two guards walk into the lab.
“Dr. Lucy Hollis?” one of them asks.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“You need to come with us.”
“Why?”
He takes her by the arm. “Just come with us, ma’am.”
They walk out of the lab, a chill passing through me.
“What the hell was that?” Dr. P asks.
