Page 83 of Perfection

Chapter Nineteen

Kindra sat at her desk with her nose in the computer. She cross-checked the scenarios, the children involved, the circumstances, the genetics—everything she could think of, even if it was a wild card. They knew the virus had been distributed via the dolls. The only logical reason the Coder kids and D Generation couldbothdevelop the virus was that they shared some core gene. All the blood samples were in HERO, so it was a waiting game to see what conclusions and solutions the computer found.

She thought of Brianna in cryo, and her stomach tightened. “Come on,” she whispered to the computer. “Give me a vaccine.” She hung her head.

Cal rested a hand on her shoulder. “It will happen. Have faith.”

“Kindra,” Comp Nine said. “Director A-Isaac has requested your presence in his office.”

Wearily, she stood. Cal rose beside her.

“You don’t have to come with me,” Kindra said.

“Oh, no, you don’t understand. The suspect could be anywhere. York would kill me if anything happened to you.”

“But I’m not leaving Seville.”

He crossed his arms. “Your point?”

“I’m sure I’ll be safe.”

“Really? Because I’m not sure at all.” He vigilantly scanned the halls and offices they passed as he tagged along after her. He leaned close, whispering, “I don’t know how you can work here. The place gives me the creeps, all sterile and detached. Too many robotics.”

“Not you, too, with the robotics thing.” It must run in the family.

When they reached A-Isaac’s office, she rapped on the door. “Enter,” he said.

Without a word, Cal propped himself against the wall in the hallway to stand guard. Inside the office, the director sat behind his desk. Her first thought was,What are you hiding?She looked at his cool expression.

“Have a seat,” he said sympathetically. “We have a problem.”

Apprehension skated through her as she did as he requested and sat in front of the desk.

“Everyone in the world is coming down on the Committee about the virus. Seville’s credibility has been severely damaged. And while they’re glad for the improvement from the cryogenics, it’s not enough. It’s been a PR nightmare, and there’s an outcry for someone to take the fall for this. The Committee has decided that someone is you. I’m sorry, Kindra,” he said, folding his hands on the desk and leaning forward.

She inhaled sharply. She’d figured if it came to blaming someone, it would be her. But the reality was far worse than she had imagined.

He continued. And he actually did sound sorry. “I tried to dissuade them, but the decision has come down from the top. I have to let you go. You may collect your belongings and leave the building.”

Kindra stood, even though her knees were about to buckle. How could they do this in the middle of a crisis? She didn’t care a whit about her job, but someone needed to advocate for the children and find a cure before the virus became an epidemic. “Sir, don’t do this. I’ll stay without pay and leave right after we develop a cure.”

“No. We can do this without you.”

Kindra stepped forward, placing her palms on the desk and leaning in. “My daughter is among the victims. I have a personal stake in this. Please, I have to find a cure.”

“I’m sorry. It’s not my call. I have orders I must follow. You are done here, Kindra. Please leave.” He pushed backward in his chair and stood. “Computer, have Harry B-Watson escort Dr. B-Zaika out of the building.”

Stunned, she headed for the door.

“And Kindra,” he said, lowering his voice. He peered toward the exit and then his eyes bored into her. “I’d be careful how much you cavort with the lieutenant. Illegal entanglement… Well, it looks bad. It could be another strike against you.”

Kindra tossed back her head, beyond infuriated. She had no words. They wouldn’t do her any good anyway. A shot of anxiety hit her in the chest. The injury to her back throbbed with every heartbeat. The truth struck her that she would be at the mercy of Seville, just like all the other parents.

With quiet determination, Kindra left A-Isaac’s office. Cal jumped in step with her as she marched purposefully down the hall. She wasn’t about to wait for B-Watson.

“What’s wrong?” Cal asked.

“I’ve been fired.”