by Andrea Hicks
‘He would be tried under the law for terrorism and threatening the security of the country.’
My mouth drops open at her hypocrisy. ‘But it’s okay for you to demand I use it for your husband? Is Commander Devereaux aware of what you want to do?’
She stops in her tracks and glances at Michael Finch who doesn’t seem to have registered the reference. ‘This has nothing to do with her.’
‘But she’s part of the Chamber of Eugenics, isn’t she? One of the leaders, I understand. Like you. And I hear they’re not keen to make my father’s formula public.’
‘There’s more research needed. If we let the pharma companies have it we’ll lose control. The world population could rise by billions. How will they be fed?’
‘There will be more healthy people to grow food. The government could help farmers and food producers. Surely that’s preferable to ploughing money into the NHS, and world health companies which are always under-funded and under-staffed. It’s the one thing I agree on with Cain. He holds the same opinion.’
‘That’s utopia.’
‘But you would rather have dystopia.’
‘No, Nina, of course not. But Michael is special, needed. We need him to help us make the right decisions. Tate’s input is valuable as a scientist, but Michael is so much more than that. The world needs him, as he was, not how he is now.’
I don’t like the sound of what she just proposed. It sounds too much like what the Nazis proposed in the Second World War. ‘And what if it doesn’t work?’
‘We won’t know until we try.’
Edward Spencer who has been unusually quiet intercedes. ‘Will you do it?’
‘Do you think I should, Mr Edwards? Or should I call you cousin? What a close and loving family we are.’
‘I would look upon it as a personal favour to me as Prime Minister, to the government, and to the country. Michael Finch is an academic we cannot do without. I would wish you to seriously consider it.’
‘You can stay here, Nina,’ my mother says. ‘With us, in this house, with your parents at last.’
I shake my head and make for the door. ‘I will consider your request, but you must consider mine. I want to be part of the Chamber of Eugenics. If I am to be the catalyst of something that could change the world irrevocably, I want to have a say in how the information and the formula is used, and to make sure there’s a balance that has nothing to do with politics or MI5, pharmaceutical companies, or anyone else with a vested interest. I wish you, to seriously consider that.’
Chapter 27
‘I’m coming back.’
I hear a deep sigh of relief. ‘You’re okay?’
‘I’m okay.’
‘Will you stay?’
‘Yes, Leo. I’ll stay.’
Thank you for reading!
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Thank you for spending so much time with me.
In gratitude,
Andrea xxx
Jagged Edge Psychological Suspense Series No.1
THE OTHER BOY
For readers in the UK
For readers in the US