“Do you have an appointment?”
“No. It won’t take long.”Please don’t let Harris see me.
Malcolm picked up his phone and spoke into it, then turned back to Kaden. “He’s sending someone down. I think I still have your ID in the desk. Come through the scanner.”
Hebeepedat him again and this time Kaden made sure he laughed.
“Still detecting that alien lifeform.” Malcolm grinned.
What? How?
He’s joking.
Malcolm checked Kaden’s backpack, then handed him the ID.
Kaden didn’t recognise the woman who emerged from the lift. But she took him up to the top floor and showed him into the CEO’s office.
“Can’t stay away?” Martin smiled and offered Kaden his hand.
“No. Sorry to bother you but I’ve written the article and I wondered if you’d make sure you’re happy with it before I submit it.” He took it from his backpack and held it out.
“Take a seat.”
Kaden perched on the chair. Martin laughed several times as he read it and Kaden quietly exhaled.
Are you sensing anything?
No.
Martin put the sheet of paper down. “It’s good. Thank you. You could have emailed it.”
“I wanted to be sure you were okay with it.”
“Or given it to Harris.”
“We’re not on speaking terms.”
“Ah. The reason for his broken nose?”
“Is that what he said?” Kaden didn’t hide his shock.
“He walked into a door.”
“That was clumsy of him.”
“It was.”
“The plan was that Harris would read the article but I don’t want to see him again. He came to see me and told me some material had gone missing the day I visited. He wasn’t accusing me. He said it had been in the tank when I left but…”Not quite.
He hoped he was opening the door for Malcolm to talk about it.
“Three pieces missing. Seven incinerated. But we were sure there were ten originally. The lab’s been deep cleaned. I’m satisfied there’s no problem.”
Kaden pushed to his feet and Martin handed him the paper.
“Thanks for letting me have a look around. I know you didn’t have to.”
“If it keeps the animal rights protestors away…”
