Page 27 of Perfection

York peered at her as they fell in behind the tall man. She wanted to warn York about A-Isaac. The director was power hungry and could be a colossal pain in the ass. Worse, he had contacts in high places.

The trio gained stares from Seville employees as they trekked through the hallways. There were so many people at work already. How long had they been out? She glanced at her watch and silently cringed. It was 9:15 a.m. They had slept for six hours. Thank goodness she’d let Nanny Sally know she was needed at the lab and wouldn’t be home before she and York had entered the unity room.

When they walked past Kindra’s office, she saw Harry B-Watson standing just outside the door. He sneered, seeming quite pleased with himself.

York flashed him a cocky smile.

Kindra told York in a low tone, “This isn’t amusing. I stood before the Committee three months ago for a disciplinary meeting after altering their recommendation without approval.”

“So?” York whispered back.

“It’s not fun. And they’ll fire me.”

“I’ll see that doesn’t happen.” York half chuckled, as if considering something, then added, “At least, not for the unity room incident.”

A-Isaac led them into his office and gestured for Kindra to shut the door. As she did, he strolled behind his desk. Kindra and York remained standing.

“Now I have two problems.” A-Isaac paused, seemingly for emphasis. “A child who shouldn’t have died, and an illegal coupling.”

Kindra’s eyes widened. “Sir, with all due respect, we were fully clothed. We weren’t coupling and never have.”

“I wouldn’t sleep with a GEI, ever,” York added, sounding disgusted.

Kindra stared at him, somehow feeling insulted, outraged, and betrayed. Irrational, she knew. She swallowed a lump in her throat. What had she expected? She’d been born GEI, and Coders didn’t like her kind, feeling Gen-Fairs were privileged. But she’d had no more choice in her creation than he’d had.

She swung her attention back to A-Isaac. “The fact is, York…ah, Lieutenant Richmond and I fell asleep when we were examining details related to the case.” She paused. What exactly had they examined?

“The child experienced some sort of spiritual hang-up,” York chimed in. He glanced at Kindra. “Thus, the visit to the unity room. Quite enlightening, I have to admit.”

York’s concession seemed to be genuine. Even so, she shot him a shut-up-I-don’t-need-your-help look.

A-Isaac shook his head, unconvinced. “B-Watson informed me something was going on.”

“Harry B-Watson?” But how? She’d sent him away earlier. Had he been accessing video through Nine again? She knew he liked spying on people. And now he was bucking for a promotion from minor dweeb to major pain in the ass. It certainly explained Director A-Isaac’s untimely entrance.

“He didn’t mention a spiritual problem,” A-Isaac added.

“That’s becauseI’mthe genetic scientist the police brought in. It’s my report to make.”

“And that report would be?”

Kindra began to explain, only to have York speak at the same time, like vehicles hitting a major intersection and both pausing for the right of way.

“Kindra.” Director A-Isaac nodded for her to take the lead.

“I should go,” York said, sounding impatient. “I have work to do.”

He wasn’t used to being challenged.A dominant male,she thought, which reminded her how much his world differed from hers.

“No. I want to hear from you as well, Lieutenant,” A-Isaac said.

“My superior gets my initial report,” York said. He stood taller.

A-Isaac’s glare switched from York to Kindra. “Let’s have it, then.”

While Kindra relayed what she knew, York paced as if on a tethered line. Occasionally, he paused in his pacing and she could swear she felt his stare cheering her on, bolstering her, urging her to stay strong. As difficult as it was for her to do her job well when she didn’t like or respect her boss, she would never consider relinquishing her principles to make for a less bumpy road.

Finished with her unemotional summary, she waited for the onslaught.