Gary looked up as Richard and Donna stepped through the door to the genetics lab. “What are you doing back up here?”
“I don’t have a patient anymore. Despite my concerns about Linda and her baby, Sam went over my head and released her. If you don’t want me here, I’ll be perfectly happy to….”
Gary held up his hand. “No, please, be my guest.”
Donna went into the back and started working. She reached for her purse. As she opened the flap, a plain white envelope fell out onto the floor. Donna took out the sample of Euphoria Richard had bought her and laid it on the desk. She bent down and picked up the letter, turning it over. There was nothing on it. Her curiosity had been peaked.
Using her nail file, Donna opened the letter and pulled out a folded document. She scanned through the short message. She slowly narrowed her eyes and tightened her jaw. “This is so childish.” She paused briefly and read through it again. “How long are we going to play this game, before you realise it’s not working?” she scoffed. “You’re not scaring me!” She crammed the document back in the envelope and stuffed it in her purse.
Shaking her head in bemusement, Donna picked up the tiny crystal vial of shimmering blue perfume and held it up, allowing the sunlight from the window to pass through it. The liquid seemed to glow and pulsate as if it had a life of its own. She carefully pulled the top off and sniffed it for the first time. She twisted her nose and made a face. There was nothing pleasant or alluring about it. The odour reminded her of a cross between blood and dead fish.
“Planning on trying some of that?” Richard asked as he reached for the last dish of the cultured stem cells.
Donna jumped. “No! It’s repulsive Richard! Why would I want to put something on me that stinks of dead fish. Unless, of course, I was trying to attract the seagulls. Have you smelled it straight from the bottle?”
“No, but it certainly smelled good on the people I’ve given it to. Especially on Joyce, but not so much on Ruth.”
Donna’s eyes widened in surprise. She held the bottle under his nose. “Smell it then!”
Richard furrowed his brow and turned up his nose. He took the vial and lightly whiffed it under his nose again. “You’re right. It does smell slightly of dead fish.”
Donna’s eyes twinkled. “That suggests to me that it must have some kind of organic or synthetic biomatter in its composition.”
Richard’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you suggesting that it’s alive?”
Donna grinned. “Why not?”
“That would account for its fluidic mobility,” Richard agreed.
“Wanna help me find out what it’s made of?”
“Sure,” Richard smiled. “Get things set up and I’ll help you as soon as I’ve harvested these. If you’re really nice to me, I might even take you to the carnival tonight.”
Donna furrowed her brow. “Carnival?”
“Yes. There’s a carnival on the seafront at Whitley Bay. I’m surprised Sam hasn’t mentioned it to you.”
Donna frowned. “It seems there’s a lot Sam hasn’t mentioned to me. Maybe I misinterpreted the meaning of my dream,” she mused.
Richard studied her eyes. “What dream, Donna?”
“Oh, nothing – never mind. I was just thinking out loud. You wouldn’t be interested in that psychic stuff. Sam wasn’t. He laughed at me.”
“Then why don’t you share it with me. I may not put a lot of belief in it, but I promise not to laugh. Who knows? Together, we may be able to figure it out. If we can’t, I know someone who might be able to help.”
“Who would that be? A former girlfriend?”
Richard grinned. “As a matter of fact….”
Donna held up her hand. “Never mind. I’ve had enough of dealing with former girlfriends. Every woman in the Centre either hates me or avoids me because I’m with Sam.”
“Probably because you’re stealing their action. You don’t think he’s stopped seeing those women, do you?” Donna narrowed her eyes. Richard held up his hand. “OK – forget I said that. It was a cheap shot.”
“Yes, Richard, it was, and I’ve already told you how I feel about that.”
“So will you let me take you?”
Donna sighed. “It depends on what kind of explanation Sam offers me about going over my head and releasing one of my patients. Is that good enough for you?”
Richard softly smiled and brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. “I can deal with that.”
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Sir Richard stopped by Melissa’s room on his way to his office. John told him what Donna and Sam had said about Melissa’s progress. He was pleased, but John could tell something was bothering him. “I appreciate your sending the troops out to guard the old man,” Sir Richard chuckled. “But, whether you realise it or not, I am capable of looking out for myself.”
John arched an eyebrow. The corners of his mouth turned up in a cheesy grin. Sir Richard softly laughed and held up a hand. “OK – most of the time,” he added.
“Have the men run Tina down?”
Sir Richard closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair and exhaled. “Yes, John.”
“What did she say?”
Sir Richard raised his head and locked his eyes on John’s. “She’s not talking. Is she?” John guessed.
Sir Richard kept his eyes locked on John’s and slowly shook his head. “She was probably drilled not to.”
“Tina’s dead, John.” Sir Richard handed John a copy of the police report. “The DVD is footage from the security cameras tracing Tina from her apartment where she got in her car and drove to Clive Street in North Shields. Her body was found in a derelict factory there, along with the heroine kit.”
John opened the manila folder and read through the report. He looked up and frowned. “You’ve got to be kidding me – overdose? Of cocaine? This sounds highly unlikely,” he scoffed. “If Tina had been doing recreational drugs it would have shown up in her drug screening.”
“See, that’s what I thought. But… I suppose, with her being a lab tech, she could have faked her test results. The problem is I can’t find any evidence suggesting she was a user.”
“Well… her strange behaviour and then Linda Wilson’s medical records disappearing the same time Tina did….?”
“I know John. It looks highly suspicious to me, too. That’s why I’m going to suggest to Sam that he check with forensics and see what he can find out. Maybe he can get us some samples.”
“How did Gary take this?” John asked.
“I haven’t told him yet. I have to tie up a few loose ends. Because of me Sam is not in a good position with Donna. He rang me and said she’d found out that Linda had been released. What impressed me was Sam admitted to her that it was him who turned Linda loose. Donna is pretty pissed off with him right now. On one hand, that’s not a bad thing.”
“Then maybe you should just let it go.”
“No way. I’ve kept enough secrets from Donna already. She’s got her mother’s temper, and you remember how determined Marie could be when she wanted to know something.”
One side of John’s mouth turned up. “I seem to remember you getting a few red cheeks from time to time.”
Sir Richard grinned and rubbed his cheek. “I loved fighting with Marie. She used to get so mad at me that you could almost see the red sparks dancing in her eyes. God she was sexy!” Sir Richard stood and patted John’s shoulder. “Anyway, I’ve asked Sam and Gary and Donna to meet me in my office. I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone.”
“Do you want me there?”
“No. I think we can handle this on our own. You stay and keep an eye on that beauty in the bed,” he motioned with his head.
John smiled. “Thank you, Sir. I’ll make it up to you when this is over.”
“Oh – you can bet on it, Old Friend,” Sir Richard chuckled and headed for the private lift.
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Sam was in Sir Richard’s office when Donna and Gary walked in. Gary raised an eyebrow at Sam. “If you two are going to start fighting, maybe I’d better sit in the middle.”
Sam studied Donna’s eyes. “I’m not going to fight,” he responded.
“John has taught me how to take care of myself,” Donna grinned and took the chair between them.
Sam leaned his mouth close to her ear. “I’m sorry about Linda, sweetheart, but I was under orders. You walked away without letting me explain.”
“I’m sorry, Sam. I have issues with lies. Sir Richard said he could clear the air between us, so I’m here. Let’s just leave it at that, for now - OK?”
“Can I request one thing?”
“What?” she asked, not looking at him.
Sam held out his hand. Gary glanced at them out the corner of his eye. Donna cut her eyes at his outstretched hand. Turning her head slightly, she impassively stared into his eyes. Jared wouldn’t even consider forgiving me. You seem so sincere. Can I be that cold to you? Richard’s words echoed through her head. ‘Sam will never give you what you want Donna. It’s not in him. He’s afraid of commitment.’ How can you be afraid of commitment and share a daughter with me? You seemed so happy with her – we seemed happy. How can that be unless the man with the dancing aqua eyes is actually Richard? But if that’s the case, why can’t I feel for him what I feel for you? Yet, if I were where I wanted to be, I wouldn’t be with you or Richard. Oh this is so confusing. Chance and choice Donna.
Sam waited patiently. No matter how she felt about Richard or Sam, Donna couldn’t forget the little girl with long black hair. She couldn’t turn her back on her daughter. Cautiously, she laced her fingers with his. Sam breathed a sigh of relief and lifted the back of her hand to his lips; tenderly kissing it.
Donna faced forward, seemingly unaffected by his relief. She swallowed hard and sighed.
“Sorry I kept you waiting,” Sir Richard said, closing the door behind him. He sat in his chair, stretched his arms across the desk and laced his fingers. He glanced at Sam and Donna’s hands and then directed his attention to Gary. “We have a couple of things to cover, but Gary, this will likely hit you the hardest.” Gary’s eyes widened. He grabbed the arms of his chair as he waited. “Tina’s dead, Son,” Sir Richard began and slid the manila folder across the desk.
Sam’s mouth dropped open. Donna let go of his hand and turned in her chair to face Gary. She rested her hand over his arm. “I’m so sorry, Gary.”
Gary’s eyes glossed as he slowly opened the folder. The first thing he saw was a photograph taken by forensics when Tina was found. Gary shook his head.
Sam reached across Donna. “Do you mind if I…” he motioned to the folder. Gary passed it to him. Sam opened it and started scanning through the report.
Sir Richard continued. “Tina’s body was found in a derelict factory on Clive Street in North Shields. According to the police report, she died from a drug overdose. They found a cocaine kit in the glove box of her car, parked outside the factory. As you can see, the tourniquet was still on her arm. The empty syringe was found near her hand where she’d apparently dropped it.”
Sam looked up. “Sir Richard, it’s a lie. Tina didn’t take drugs. I would have fired her if she had.”
“What about the possibility of Tina changing the results of her drug test?” Sir Richard asked.
“No,” Sam shook his head adamantly. “I had a situation with an orderly, not long after I took over the infirmary. From that point on, because the wellbeing of the patients and employees in this complex are my responsibility, I do the drug screening tests myself.”
“I appreciate that, Sam,” Sir Richard smiled. “I had a feeling you would say that, and I have to agree. In light of the fact that Forrest is prancing in our paddock, I don’t think Tina died of a drug overdose. That’s why I’d like you, as Tina’s immediate supervisor, to contact forensics and see if you can work something out with them, so they’ll let you examine the body. I’ll back you up, if necessary.”
Sir Richard turned his attention back to Gary. “Son… I did some research and as far as our records are concerned, Tina didn’t have any living relatives. Did she mention anything about her family to you?”
Gary’s cheeks showed some colour. He tucked his chin. “Sir Richard… I have to admit, Tina and I – well – we didn’t do a lot of talking, if you know what I mean.”
Donna pressed her lips into a thin line and cut her eyes at Sam, who smiled knowingly back at her. It embarrassed Gary to admit his sexual prowess in front of Donna.
Sir Richard nodded. “I figured as much,” he sighed. “In that case, as you know, in South Korea, which is where Tina was from, cremation is favoured to burial, but I’m going to leave that up to you to decide. If you want to have a regular funeral and graveside ceremony for Tina, I’ll arrange it and take care of the costs.”
Gary swallowed the lump in his throat. “Thank you, Sir Richard. I’ll give it some thought and let you know.”
“OK, Gary. With that out of the way, since the other business concerns Sam and Donna, I’ll let you get back to your work.”
Gary stood. Donna held his hand. “We’ll talk in a little while.” Gary nodded and left.
Sir Richard turned his attention to Donna. “I’m sorry you found out the way you did about Sam releasing Linda Wilson from the infirmary. It wasn’t planned. When I found out Forrest was in the UK, I knew he would go after Wilson and his wife. Like you, Kevin Wilson is not my favourite person, but I’m not going to take that out on his wife and an innocent child….”
Donna opened her mouth to protest; Sir Richard held up his hand. “Before you get your knickers in a twist, let me finish. Linda is still your patient and you’ll still be able to care for her and treat her. As I said, Kevin Wilson is not one of my favourite people and quite frankly, I don’t trust him. For that reason, Kevin and Linda will be living in my guesthouse, so I can keep an eye on him, and you can continue to treat Linda.”
Donna narrowed her eyes. “Can I speak now?”
“Please… do so.”
“I can treat Mrs. Wilson from a genetic point of view, Sir Richard, but I’m not a neonatologist, which is who should be treating her for her pregnancy. In fact, to be truthful, for the sake of Linda’s health, the baby should be aborted as soon as possible. If I’m right, even if she carries it full term, the baby will never be normal, Sir Richard. As I see it, whoever treated her in the States should be sued for negligence and malpractice. There’s no way this kind of thing wouldn’t have shown up in a standard blood test. I found out through the ultrasound, which is why I did the amniocentesis. To make sure I hadn’t made a mistake in my judgement, but since the results disappeared, I didn’t get that chance.”
“Will it make any difference if we go ahead and let her try to carry it to term?”
Donna frowned. “Yes, Sir Richard! I believe it will. I know how much Linda wanted this baby. She had been trying to conceive since I took over the research department. For some reason or the other, she couldn’t get pregnant. I offered to see if I could figure out why, but Mr. Wilson refused. He said if it was meant to be it would happen. He didn’t want to subject Linda to more fertility tests. Linda was willing, but he wasn’t. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I don’t think Mr. Wilson wanted this baby, as much as Linda did.”
“Why do you think that?”
“A conversation Mr. Wilson and I had, not long before Jared and I got together. He told me he was concerned that he was too old to start a family. He was afraid he might not be around to help Linda raise the baby. I believe he had a trust fund set aside for that purpose when they found out Linda was pregnant. Anyway, I didn’t want to talk to the Wilsons about this until I had medical evidence to back up my diagnosis.”
Sir Richard sat back in his chair. “I want you and Sam to make a list of equipment and supplies you’ll need to treat Linda and Missy. John and I have talked at length about this. For security reasons, as soon as she’s stable enough, John wants to move her to the Hall. Apart from a few odds and ends, the West Wing is empty. We’ll alter it to be a temporary lab and infirmary. I would be better satisfied with the genetics team working from there, anyway.”
Donna looked incredulous. “You’re going to move all our equipment to the Hall.”
“No, Donna. That would be too inconvenient. I’ll purchase new equipment and supplies. The Centre cannot be secured as easily as the Hall can be, and is, for that fact. The only vulnerability is the River Tyne, but I’m taking measures to secure that, as well. The local environmentalists will not be pleased, but it’s necessary. At any rate, I wanted you to know that Sam was not to blame. He was acting under my orders, so don’t take it out on him.”
Donna grinned slightly. “I’ll try to remember that, but, unfortunately, Sam and I have other issues to deal with.”
Sam frowned. “We do?”
Donna studied his eyes. “Yes, we do. Sir Richard, when did you plan on making the move to the Hall?”
“I’d like to do it as soon as possible. Some of it is already being done. It’s the specialised equipment and supplies that I need a list for. I was hoping to have everything set up and running by the weekend. Why? Is there some kind of problem that would prevent us from moving then?”
“No, Sir. It’s just that – well – this is going to sound a little childish of me, but Richard said there’s a carnival going on tonight at Whitley Bay, and I’d kind of like to go. I haven’t been to a carnival for a long time. Jared took me to Coasters – n- Castles in Phoenix and we had a ball with…” Donna’s voice choked. She swallowed hard and continued. “With Beth, our daughter – I mean – Jared’s daughter. I could use a little fun time, if you know what I mean?”
Sir Richard pursed his lips. “You know with Forrest here, it will be risky.”
“I know that, Sir Richard, but with Richard and your security men, surely it would be all right for a few hours. Please, I really need this.”
“Hang on a second,” Sam spoke up. “Were you planning on going to the carnival with Richard?”
Donna pressed her lips to a thin line, suppressing a grin. “He is the one who asked me to go, Sam. You haven’t said anything to me about the carnival.”
Sam frowned; his eyes widened. “Well, no, I hadn’t because I figured it would be too risky – as Sir Richard has suggested. You don’t think for one second that Forrest came to the UK empty handed – do you?”
“No, of course not. If you’re afraid that it’s too risky, that’s fine. Richard said he would take me.”
Sam’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh no. If you’re going to the carnival with anyone, it will be me. Sir Richard, will it be safe enough?”
“I’ll make you a deal, Donna,” Sir Richard responded. “If Missy is well enough for John to go with you, then I’ll agree to it.”
Donna narrowed her eyes. “You’ll agree to it? Does that mean if you say no then I can’t go? Sir Richard, don’t start that again. I don’t like being ordered around by anyone, or told who I can and can’t spend time with,” she added, directing her attention to Sam. “If I want to go to the carnival with Richard, and he’ll take me, I’ll go. I told you before we decided to live together that this was a no strings relationship, and I meant it. I am not ready for a serious or a monogamous relationship. If you start trying to cramp my style, our partnership will abruptly end.” Donna stood to leave. “Sir Richard, if you don’t have anything else to discuss with me, I’d like to go now.”
“No, Donna. I’m done. You’re free to go.”
“I’ll have the list ready for you shortly.”
“Donna…” Sam groaned and held her wrist.
Donna pulled her hand away. “Sam… don’t! If you wanted to take me to the carnival, you should have asked me instead of assuming you were the only person I would go with.” Donna left.
Sam groaned and shoved a hand through his dark hair. “Sometimes that woman can be incredibly stubborn.”
Sir Richard grinned. “She gets it naturally. Her mother was the same. Go on,” he said with a wave and chuckled. “Go talk to her. Trust me. She’s worth it. Just don’t forget to sort this thing out with Tina.”
“I won’t. Thank you, Sir Richard,” Sam said and hurried to the door. What Sir Richard had said about Donna hadn’t registered. He took out his cell phone and rang her. “Donna, where are you?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“So I can grovel at your feet. I need to ask you something.”
“So ask….”
Sam groaned. “I don’t want to ask you like this. Come on, sweetheart. Where are you?”
“I’m standing on the roof, preparing to jump to my doom. Where do you think I am? I’m on my way to the genetics lab. You know – that place where I work. I’m going to talk to Richard and tell him that I accept his invitation to the carnival. Now, if you’ll excuse me….”
“No! Don’t! Sweetheart, please let me take you to the carnival. If I’d known you wanted to go I would have already asked you. I was concerned about being out in the open, but if you really want to go, then go with me.”
“I have a better idea. I half-promised Richard I would go with him, why don’t we ask him to go with us.”
“You want me to ask Richard to go with us to the carnival?” Sam asked incredulously.
“No. I’ll do it.”
“Well, there shouldn’t be a problem then,” Sam scoffed. “He’d probably jump off the building with you if you asked him.”
Donna softly chuckled. “He probably wouldn’t go to that extreme, but he would do pretty much anything I asked him to. So that’s the deal. If you want to take me, Richard goes, too.”
Sam’s eyes twinkled. “He can’t. I only have two seats in my car.”
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“Yes, but Richard’s has room.” She knew Sam was looking for excuses.
“Ah – come on sweetheart! You can’t possibly expect me to agree to this.”
“No, Sam. I don’t, but that’s my final offer. Make your mind up, cause I’m on my way to tell him now.”
“Do you take stubborn pills?”
Donna grinned. “I’ll see you when you get to the lab. I’ll be in the back. That way Gary and Richard won’t have to see you grovelling at my feet.” She ended the call.