Page 86 of Perfection

“If Seville pulls back from working on this with us, then she’s the only expert we have,” York said.

“Then all the more reason to keep her safe.” Avery stood with his hands on his hips. “And get her everything she needs. Oh, and keep the pressure on Seville. Whether she’s there or not, they owe us answers. They’re not beyond the law.”

Kindra absently rubbed her left bicep. “Is your arm okay?” York asked.

“Just a little sore. Are there any leads on who shot me?” Kindra asked.

Captain Avery answered. “From surveillance footage, we’ve determined it was a man. About York’s height, but with a smaller build. The suspect managed to stay away from any major cameras that would show a frontal view, though.” Avery backed toward the door and paused. “We’ll keep looking. In the meantime, just be careful.”

“Thank you,” she said with a nod. To York, she said, “Let’s get started. We don’t want anyone falling through the cracks. If even one child goes undetected, it could mean a wider spread of the disease. With Coders contracting the illness, too, I suspect the virus has mutated.”

“God, it’s been a long time since science class,” York muttered.

“Has anyone checked the city travel log? As far as I know, the outbreak is contained in Chicago. Are cases showing up elsewhere? Have any of the infected children traveled recently?”

York blew out a breath. “I’m not sure, but I’ll get someone on it. It’s been so long since we’ve had to worry about disease, there are no procedures in place to handle an outbreak of anything. I know other cities are monitoring what’s happening here, though.”

“What about the additional cryo units?” Captain Avery asked.

“We can’t get other cryogenic units shipped in because the wealthy are buying them up. Cities are putting holds on them due to pressure from the GEI population.”

“The manufacturers should be required to sell to cities like ours, where there is a desperate need,” Kindra said.

“That’s one for our politicians. But we can use whatever pressure we can muster,” York said. “I’ll contact Senator Russ.”

“I’m going to go back to Foster Cryo,” Cal said. “Just in case anyone from Seville shows up, but also to help if more kids come in.”

York cuffed his brother’s shoulder. “That’s why you’re the Golden Boy. Good thinking.”

Cal wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know. With the attempt on Kindra’s life and now this crazy firing with Seville…” He shook his head. “My gut says we should increase security at the cryo center.”

“Agreed,” York said. “This sick perp could decide to take out the kids.”

A gruff voice joined the mix as Avery added, “Good job. I’ll send more officers to pump up security, plus assign some drones for good measure.”

“All in a day’s work,” Cal said as he headed out along with Avery.

York turned to Kindra. “Have a seat and relax for a minute. I’ll be right back.” He hussled through the door following his brother and the Captain.

“Wait,” he called to them. “I followed up on the suspect Vi was after. Found her dead by genetic mutation, just like Vi.”

Cal’s jaw tightened and his eyes hardened as he looked at York.

“Sorry, I couldn’t include you on this one,” he said. Peering at Avery he added, “I’m not sure of the connection to our genetic case. But my gut says they’re related.”

Avery nodded. “Stay on it.”

* * *

Kindra advanced through the halls of the police lab. She wasn’t used to such scrutiny, and it made her very uncomfortable. She felt like the outsider she was.

Good heavens, she’d never envisioned a scenario like this for her life. On one hand, she felt at home around the lab techs and their sterile gear; on the other, the place reeked of Coder testosterone in both the males and females. They were more forceful and vibrant in their interactions than her GEI colleagues, and their personalities were so different.

But York was in his element. He led the way into her makeshift lab. He reorganized a few tables after she had mentioned the lack of flow. The muscles of his arms bulged as he lifted the last table and set it on the other side of the room.

It struck her how much her life had changed in the span of a week. She’d lost her job, wasn’t staying in her own home, her daughter was in cryo, and there’d been an attempt on her life. It was all so overwhelming. She chewed the corner of her lower lip. If she were honest, York was the only support system she had. Her life was comprised of work and her daughter. And now both of those things were gone.

Temporarily, she vowed to herself. Yet a kernel of fear nestled inside her chest. She blew out some of her nervous tension, dismayed by the reality. She had no real friends to speak of. Had she become as mechanical as a Nanny Sally?