“I’ll have someone personally confirm its arrival at Seville. They can send you the results.”
As they traveled in the air-car, the hum of the vehicle’s engines assaulted her nerves more than ever. Brianna sat quiet and inactive in the back seat.
With Foster Cryogenics in sight, Kindra noted the sun’s position in the sky. She couldn’t suppress the tension twisting inside her. How many hours had she wasted, coming home when she should have been searching for a cure?
No, not wasted. She began to see how fragile and important those moments were. And she prayed there would be many more when this was all over. She bit down on her lip and gazed out the window at the bright landscape of the city. Below them, she spotted a line of about twenty children being escorted by one or two adults.
“So much for me thinking the virus had stopped spreading,” York said as he landed.
“But we didn’t receive notice from Seville.”
“It looks like parents are skipping a step and heading straight here. What do you think Seville looks like?”
“I don’t want to know.” Kindra carried Brianna toward the entrance, and York placed his palm against her back. She was thankful for his support.
“These kids are Coders, like Fiona,” he stated thickly. “They wouldn’t go to Seville.”
Kindra stopped walking. “HERO said the virus only attacked D Generation children. If Coder children are getting it, then the computer was wrong. So what else could technology be wrong about?”
“That’s something to look into, right?” York encouraged, guiding her onward.
They were heckled as they passed parent after parent. “Hey, the end of the line is back there,” shouted one woman.
A man grabbed Kindra’s arm and jerked her to a stop. “Ow!”
York whipped out his identification and shoved it in the guy’s face. “This is the scientist who is working on a cure. Hurt her and you hurt your child’s chances.”
The man cursed York but released Kindra.
York continued to glare, but softened his tone, though it remained thick with frustration. “I know it’s not easy, believe me, but sit tight.”
“Yeah, while the GEIs get first dibs on those units,” someone called out.
At the door, York paused to look back at the line. “You know, they’re echoing the same sentiments I shared just days ago,” he admitted as he guided her inside.
“You want me to give them a unit before Brianna?” she demanded, brushing his hand away.
“Of course not. But I promise you, I’ll see to it that every one of them has the same chance of survival. Every single one. If it’s the last thing I do.”
The door closed behind them, and Kindra adjusted Brianna higher into her arms. She snuggled her face into her daughter’s hair and breathed deeply. “I never realized how privileged my life has been.” Her eyes welled with tears she fought desperately to hold in check. “It’s not GEI verses Coder children. We need a strategy that makes the best of an unfair situation, but how do you decide who lives and who dies?”
“Now you’re getting it.”
Kindra gave an emphatic nod. “You’re right. The cure will have to benefit all.”
* * *
“Let’s see what you’ve got.” York knew it was out of his work area to take on overseeing that there were enough units for the kids, but every child needed an advocate looking out for them. And now Brianna needed a pod when all the newer ones were occupied.
He walked along with Jeffery Stowe and two female employees to the back reaches of Foster Cryogenics. The staff recognized him now, and they progressed without incident until they arrived in the cryogenic storage area. He was pleased to see they had a half dozen or so old units here. “I know these are older models, but I suggest you use everything you have.”
“I agree,” Stowe said. “Just let me know what you need. I appreciate you being the intermediary between us and Seville. We’ve had bad blood there in the past.”
“Right.” Sometime issues between GEI and Coder businesses stuck around.
Satisfied they would have more places to put kids should the need arise, he moved to the next item on his to-do list.
He texted Captain Avery with a status update, letting him know that Kindra B-Zakia’s daughter might be affected with the virus.
Avery shot back a message about the pressure he was receiving from city officials to find a cure. Everyone seemed more interested in the state of the virus than the fact there was a crime being committed and someone needed to be held responsible. At least they agreed that at first opportunity, Captain Avery should make a public statement.
That done, he faced Kindra and inhaled deeply. “Now to wait for the test results.”
She closed her eyes tight, as if she didn’t want to know, and then opened them again.
“Maybe you should take a seat over there.” He indicated some bench seating. “I have some work to do.”
“Such as?”
“I’m going to take a few minutes with the technical team.” He indicated the two guys working on the cryo units. “They’re trying to get every single one of these antique units up and running.”
“Oh,” she said, smoothing back Brianna’s hair.
He saw the look in her eyes, the one that asked, Will it be safe for Brianna?
“These things don’t have the latest bells and whistles, but they’re still in good shape,” he assured her.
“I know. I just want the best for my child.”
“Don’t we all?”
“Thank you,” she said with a nod, but her voice couldn’t hide her fear and doubt.
“You’re welcome.”.
He watched over the shoulder of the technicians, asked questions, and followed what they were doing. What if this didn’t work? York felt an explosion of pain in his chest. He stared at Brianna, suddenly thinking the unthinkable. Perhaps he should give Danny’s unit to this little girl. His boy had essentially died six years ago. He had no idea if anything would ever bring Danny back, but his ex-wife had put their son in cryo in case of the most remote possibility.
He glanced down at the outdated unit they’d just worked on and tested. If it failed for Brianna or one of the children waiting outside, he’d never forgive himself.
Still, he needed to rely on his faith that old mechanical equipment many times were good for a second life. They already had two units checked out and ready to go. They moved on to the next.
Kindra’s communicator chimed. He snapped his head up as she took the call. He knew it was from Seville. He didn’t need to hear the words to know Brianna had the virus. Kindra’s expression said it all.
“Okay,” she said, “I’ll be there as soon as I get Brianna settled.”
Damn. He was glad he’d insisted that she take a little time with Brianna this morning. The situation wasn’t giving her much breathing room. It wasn’t giving her any breathing room at all.
Chapter Eighteen
Kindra stood and lifted Brianna into her arms. “Nap time, ladybug.”
“It’s okay, Mommy.” Brianna placed her small palm on her mother’s cheek. “I know you will find a cure.”
“I definitely will.” She squeezed her child in a desperate hug, reluctant to let her go. Finally, she put her in the pod. “Here you go, baby,” she said, fluffing her pillow.
“I’m not a baby, Mom.”
Mom? But you are a baby, Kindra thought. My baby.
Brianna was only two, but she had the intellect of a child five times her age and an understanding even greater than the other GEI children due to the work her mother did. “I know,” Kindra replied. “You’re growing up so fast.”
“Children are supposed to grow.” Brianna rolled her eyes. “That’s how they become adults.”
Leave it to her little girl to break it down to the simplest terms. She nodded. “You’re right.”
Brianna smiled. “I know.” She glanced at York.
The assistant held out
the micro-dot. Kindra took it. Her hands shook as she held it on the tip of her index finger. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“I know.”
She smoothed the dot onto Brianna’s neck, affixing it there.
Brianna giggled. “That tickles.”
Kindra smiled back weakly.
Moments later, Brianna closed her eyes in sleep. Kindra tensed as the cryogenic crew stepped forward and took over. She eased back, feeling numb. York wrapped a powerful arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him. “This is what all those parents felt.” Her throat grew thick, closing in on itself.
“Yes,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry.” The agony was too much. She didn’t want any mother or father to have to go through this.
She felt tears run down her cheeks. Because she hurt. Deep down, she hurt. And she was close to losing it.
It was hard to believe her baby girl was, at this very moment, sleeping in a cryo machine. “Hang on, ladybug,” she whispered.
“Come. I’ll show you Danny.”
She was thankful for York’s support, and she wanted to provide the same for him. Leaning on each other, they went into the next room. “He’s over here,” he said.
They stood by another cryo unit. This one was newer, with more gadgets. A small boy with dark-brown curls slept inside. At least that’s what she chose to believe. “You said he died. But never told me of what.”
York tensed. It was her turn to comfort him.
“We tried a back-door genetic engineering technique to get rid of a gene carried in my family.” He glanced away. “Something went wrong, but when I reached out to your people, the red tape took too long. In the end, the Committee denied me anyway.”
“What kind of gene?”
“A rare blood disorder, alpha thalassemia. Evidently, it was caused by a genetic accident when Danny was formed.”
Kindra’s brows came together. And that is why genetic engineering was a good thing. It eliminated those accidents and children didn’t have to suffer. “When this is over, I’m going to take a look at his case. Genetics has changed drastically over the past six years. Perhaps we have an answer.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Then he looked away and swallowed hard.
* * *
Stowe had mentioned more units in the cellar. Several workers were bringing the retired units up and lining the walls with them. Fifteen more units meant fifteen children saved. Good, but not enough. “How can we do more?” He talked through the process, verbalizing his thoughts for his own benefit rather than expecting an answer.
The staff stared at him. He folded his arms over his chest. “How many more have checked in?”
A woman he didn’t know answered. “Twenty-two as of right now.”
He clasped the base of his neck and rubbed. “Thanks. So we’re still short.”
Damn, every time he thought they were caught up, more children arrived. He looked over the small sea of pods. It didn’t matter if the children were GEIs or Coders; they were all vulnerable. He stared into the most recently filled unit, which housed a little girl. Too bad they didn’t have smaller units instead of one-size fits all. That would take up so much less space.
From somewhere deep in his subconscious, a temporary solution came to him. Excitement and hope gave his steps purpose. He peered into several of the units. Yes! He clapped his hands with a hoot.
“That’s it! The units were made for adults. We can put two children in each unit, positioning them at opposite ends. Why didn’t I think of it earlier?” Aggravated with himself for not realizing it, he marched toward Jeffery Stowe’s office to see if they could make it two for one.
They couldn’t move any of the children already in the cryo units. That would be too risky. But for the ones waiting outside, this was good news. Stowe confirmed in this special case, indeed, due to the small size of the children, they could share units.
The parents weren’t too keen on the idea. However, they didn’t have a choice. He understood. It smacked once more of GEIs getting the best and Coders the rest. York helped tuck the final kids in, glad there was a temporary solution.
But it wouldn’t last. He knew that.
On his way out, with Kindra at his side, he stopped by the cryogenic office again and personally spoke with the company president. “Mr. Stowe, please call around and secure more units. Given the nature of this disease, it’s only a matter of time before another wave hits.”
“You’re going to need another solution,” the president snapped, seeming overworked and overtired.
“When kids could die, it’s everyone’s problem. I appreciate your help,” Kindra chimed in, sounding defeated and sad.
“Hey, you called?” his brother’s voice intruded. York turned to see him in the open doorway.
He excused himself and went to join Cal in the hall, bringing Kindra with him. She seemed a little dazed and distracted, but he couldn’t blame her. Her child had been stricken.
To Cal he said, “You can escort Kindra back to Seville. There was an attempt on her life last night.”
“What? How?”
“Laser. Luckily, the suspect didn’t seem to know what they were doing. She only received a scratch and a stun shot. It could have been much worse.” The thought of her dying made him ill. He rubbed his knuckles over his sternum.
Cal blew air through his teeth, disgusted. Then he turned all-business. “Jeez.”
York clasped his shoulder. “I need someone to stay close to her. Who knows where this perp is hiding or what he’s planning next. She’s not safe until he’s apprehended.”
York gave Kindra a consoling look.
“Okay.” Cal sliced a sideways glance at her. “What about you?”
York gave an unconvincing shrug. “I’m following a lead from Vi’s phone. It could be nothing.”
With a shake of his head, clearly not convinced, Cal started escorting Kindra. “See you later,” he said. But under Cal’s breath, York heard his brother mutter, “These sorts of things never end well.”
York noticed Kindra’s face pale. He could have decked Cal for his thoughtless comment.
* * *
The news blared on the monitor louder than usual, but he was disengaged and in a state of numb disbelief. When everything fell apart, he found small, dark corners worked best to reestablish the parameters.
He watched the images of Coder children being taken into cryogenic units. What had gone wrong? The virus wasn’t supposed to make anyone else ill, just the D Generation. The plan was to put the high-and-mighty GEIs in their places and make them suffer. He knew they’d eventually find a cure, but in the process, they’d realize they were vulnerable just like everybody else. Just like Coders.
And GEIs would learn they weren’t as smart as they thought they were.
Part of him was glad Lieutenant Richmond had gotten the kids into cryo. But that was it. No more. He needed to take a stronger stand. Now he realized the error in his plan. He should be the one to discover a vaccine. He should have had that in his back pocket before he’d begun. Unfortunately, he’d run out of time. He had wanted to set his plan in motion during the WHO convention. Which meant now. So the thing to do was create one, he could do that, before Kindra B-Zaika did.
He blew out a disgusted breath. He had attempted to eliminate her and failed miserably. Fuck, he hated failure. He hadn’t been aware of the intricate workings of a laser gun. Who knew there was more to it than point and shoot? Or that there was a stun function? She was alive due to his error—but not for long.
With his back pressed against the corner of the wall, he shifted position. He entered some notes into his spot comm. She would be punished for putting the children in that cryogenic facility. He hadn’t anticipated that. Dammit.
Soon, she would pay. They all would pay. Just like Gina had.
* * *
Last night after he’d gone through Vi’s reports and found the woman of interest, a computer search and iden
tity match showed his suspect to be a Gina Walls. He’d ordered a warrant to search her place and bring her in for questioning. He sent a notice to Shishido to meet him at her address.
He purposefully omitted sharing the news with Cal, because his brother would have wanted to tag along, and because he trusted Cal like no one else to keep Kindra safe.
Shishido and another officer met him outside a three story apartment building on Main. Shishido went inside with him. Gina Walls’ unit was on the second floor. York knocked. “Police.”
Not a sound came from inside. He slid his police override bracelet over the lock and went in.
He knew immediately upon entering, Gina, or someone was dead. The acrid smell almost overwhelmed him. He brought his sleeve up and covered his nose. “Jesus.”
Shishido did the same. “Oh, man.”
Past the sofa in the living room, he saw a body on the floor. It was like Vi’s death all over again, except this victim had been gone for a while. He tried to move her fingers over the computer scanner. Rigor mortis had set in. She was so disfigured by mutations he wasn’t sure he could ID her. He went through the motions anyway, taking out his gauge for time of death and scanning her fingerprints with his spot computer. TOD, oh two hundred forty hours. To his surprise, computer gave a positive ID. Damn, good.
He stood and took in the living room. The coffee table was upended. The chairs looked as if they’d been kicked around. She had definitely put forth a struggle.
York turned to Shishido. “I want you to check out Gina Walls. She worked for a small news media. She would have been privy to unreleased inside information. See what else you can dig up. Acquaintances, family, interests. You name it.”
He let out a disgusted sigh. His one true lead, and she was dead.
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 could both develop 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.
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