Page 98 of Perfection

Chapter Twenty-four

Kindra was full of nerves when she stepped off the plane after the three-hour flight. Although many of her friends adored air travel, she did not. The anxiety of everything going on at home had her nerves on edge as it was. Added to that, the anticipation of seeing her father after such a long time gave her goosebumps. To say she was not at her best was an understatement.

As they stepped on the people mover taking them through the airport corridor, she messaged her dad to let him know they’d arrived.

York called Captain Avery. Disconnecting, he halted and pulled her off to the side. “Avery said they have all Seville employees in for questioning except for B-Watson, A-Isaac, and B-Cobb…who haven’t reported yet.”

“Does that mean one of them is the killer,” she asked.

“Perhaps.”

Inside the terminal, York rented them a transporter. “Highly inadequate, but it will have to do,” he complained.

“Oh, the hardship. They didn’t have anything custom-made?” She tried for a smile, the sample bag clutched to her chest.

They found their transporter and headed straight to King’s Genetics Centre. York was attentive and seemed intent on putting her at ease, but after the attempt on her life and then the explosion, he remained on high alert. His eyes darted to every corner and shadow.

Maybe he thought they were being watched. If someone at Seville Center had created the virus, he or she could have followed them here. It wouldn’t be hard to predict that she would turn to one of the other HERO computers next.

At the KGC, she checked in at the reception desk and then led the way up to Robert A-Zaika’s office. A rush of childhood memories assailed her as she walked the tan halls and took the elevator up to the fourth floor. The smell of the familiar floor cleaning solution tweaked her nostrils. So little had changed since she was last here years ago.

York strode at her side, his eyes watchful.

When Kindra reached her father’s office, she knocked. The door opened and her dad stepped back to usher them inside.

“Hi, Daddy.” Her heart bounced into her throat. She reached both hands out to him.

“Hello, Muffin.” Her father took her by the arms and held her away from him. He looked at her for a long minute, then pulled her to him, squeezing her in a big bear hug. “This is so much better than video chats,” he said with a soft Scottish accent. He set her back, peering over at York.

“Daddy, this is Lieutenant York Richmond, the bodyguard I told you about.”

“Yes, well, I’m glad you’re looking after my little girl, what with computers blowing up and all. Unbelievable.”

York nodded.

Kindra was glad she’d decided not to mention being shot at.

“Let’s go to the lab, shall we?” her father suggested.

Kindra knew exactly where she needed to go and led the way. She’d grown up in this center. When they reached the lab, she removed the virus samples and set them out, ready to prepare them.

“I’ve read the reports you sent me, but fill me in,” her father said.

“The virus attacks the brain. For some reason, it only affects D Generation, but now it’s appearing in Coders.” She paused. “I had to put Brianna in a cryo-pod.”

His eyes widened. “She has the virus?”

Kindra’s throat tightened. “Yes.”

York stepped forward. “We determined the virus was introduced via a popular toy—the Global Doll. The victims seem to have contracted it from the doll itself or from contact with an infected surface. It also spreads from person to person from direct contact.”

“Good to know. I’ll tell you what. We’ll get everything set up and started here. Then the lieutenant can take you to the hotel so you can rest while the computer analyzes everything.”

“No,” she refused. “I can’t. I have to stay.”

York placed a hand on her back. “It’s been a long day. I think your father’s right.”

She glanced from York to her father to the computer. The only rest she’d had in twenty-four hours was what she’d managed on the flight. “I… I don’t know.”