Full Circle (28 page)

The English scientist said, “He also discovered that the enzyme was highly toxic to humans.”

The Indian lady said, “And he built his reputation on this work.”

Peter nodded solemn agreement. “But using new molecular techniques, which were not available to your department head when he did his original research, you made a significant dis-covery. That was last year sometime, was it not?”

Hao Ping replied, “This past January.”

“Which is most interesting, as it more or less parallels the beginning of your own difficulties.” Peter smiled at their silence, as though he could not have hoped for a better response. “You managed to dissect the enzyme, which according to Dr. Beachley is a singular feat. You removed the toxic particle.”

“We've been working on this for five years,” Ms. Haine said. “Removing one particle after another until the danger was eradicated.”

Peter went on, “And what you have as a result of your diligent work is a powerful new painkiller. One so potent it removes all sensation entirely, yet your test subjects remained fully conscious. These are astounding results.”

The Indian lady said, “Not according to our department's funding committee.”

“Hardly a surprise, since your work overturns the major life-time achievement of your department head.” Peter let the silence hang for a moment, then said, “This is as far as we got with Dr. Beachley. Perhaps you would be so kind as to continue?”

The three scientists exchanged a long glance. There must have been some silent accord, because Hao Ping turned back around and said, “We went to the university lawyer, who put us in touch with some venture people.”

“Venture capitalists,” Ms. Haine corrected. “City types.”

“Might I inquire of their name?”

“Madden and Van Pater.”

Adam had the sense of being jolted out of his chair. He knew that bodily he was still seated. But some component of his awareness lifted clear of his physical reality and bolted about the room.

Peter, on the other hand, merely bowed his head.

Ms. Kamuran asked, “Do you know them?”

“So well,” Peter replied, “I can probably describe the scenario you have faced.”

The Indian scientist said, “Go on, then.”

He raised his head. “mvp expressed an initial interest. They demanded data and more data. They dithered.”

When the two scientists turned toward Ms. Haine, she pro-tested, “Don't look at me, I didn't tell Dr. Beachley any of this.”

“It's a favorite tactic when dealing with nonbusiness types. They dangled the prospect of major funding just out of reach and in the process caught a glimpse of just how dire was your need. Once that was revealed, their pessimism began to grow. They apologized profusely, but said they couldn't take on such an enormous risk without your first giving up a majority share. And once you agreed to that, the stake they offered you began to shrink.”

By this point, all three scientists were gaping openly at Peter, who went on, “And all the while, no money has actually appeared.”

Ms. Kamuran demanded, “How do you know?”

Peter glanced at Adam. “Perhaps you would be so good as to explain.”

Adam laid it all out. From the beginning to now. Including the destruction of Kayla's project.

When he was done, the office was silent except for the softly shrieking wind. Finally Ms. Kamuran asked, “How do we know you are any different?”

Peter asked, “Is your product truly as good as Sylvia indicated?”

The English scientist gestured to the boxes. “Our lab reports clearly document—”

“Forgive me, Ms. Haine. For the moment, set the statistical results to one side. As they say in my trade, let us please cut to the bottom line.”

Again the trio exchanged a glance. This time, the Indian scientist said, “Tell them.”

Hao Ping said, “Our discovery is as strong as morphine, but does not affect the cognitive processes. The subject remains entirely alert, but simply no longer feels pain at whatever point of the body has received the injection. There are no side effects. Nor are there any lingering traces. The body breaks down the drug as it would any other naturally produced enzyme. In summary, this could well mark a turning point in the treatment of chronic pain.”

Ms. Haine said, “We need to move to human trials.”

“Of course you do.” Peter extracted an envelope from his side pocket. “This is the only way I know to demonstrate the difference between MVP and ourselves.”

Hao Ping opened the envelope and read the check, “Two hundred thousand pounds.”

Adam stared at the check in the scientist's hands and repressed a smile over the irony of using Steen's own money against the company who had employed him as a thief.

“We are currently working with a company that specializes in human trials. They have labs attached to the Radcliffe Hospital. You must, of course, verify your findings with their board of governors, but if they agree, the company will represent you in seeking government approval.”

The Indian lady asked weakly, “When?”

“The approval process can take months.”

“No. When will they make the application?”

“I spoke with the director this morning. Assuming your documentation is in order and your product lives up to your claims, they will begin the paperwork this afternoon and make the official governmental application next week.”

Hao Ping said numbly, “Next
week
?”

“Seven years,” Ms. Haine murmured.

Ms. Kamuran asked, “In exchange for what?”

“We will take half of your company's ownership plus one per-cent,” Peter replied. “We would hope to go public in six months or less. In the meantime, you are welcome to continue packing.”

Hao Ping asked, “Where are we going?”

“Oh, didn't I say? The director assures me your lab space will be ready by this afternoon.”

chapter 30

A
dam drove through the company's tall front gates and spun softly around the forecourt. He came to rest by a massive oak with the Mercedes' snout pointed back toward the exit. The wind now carried rain mixed with snow and frozen pellets that bounced off the hood. Kayla scampered down the front steps, climbed into the rear seat, and demanded, “Tell me what happened.”

Peter nodded to Adam, who related the outcome of their meeting. When he finished, Kayla sat in silence. The motor purred. The heater sighed softly. The dashboard clock ticked off the moments. The rain fell.

Kayla said, “This application process and human trials could take months.”

“Years, more like.”

“But you're certain this untested product will give Daddy the leverage he needs?”

“This isn't about bringing the product to market,” Adam replied. “It's the
potential
. All they need is a product with the
potential
to be a headline grabber. The lab company that was such a drain on our resources suddenly becomes a huge draw for major drug firms. They'll be lining up to place bids.”

“You gave them Derek's money?”

“It's not Derek's, it's yours,” Adam quietly corrected. “We couldn't have done this without your help.”

“He's not exaggerating, my dear,” Peter confirmed. “What an extraordinary gesture you've made. In this dire hour, you've helped shape an answer to prayer. Both of you. I can't thank you two enough.”

Peter opened his door. “I shall go inform Joshua and the board. Adam, perhaps it would be best if you stayed out here. No need to wave the red flag in his face.”

“I need to go tell Dr. Beachley what's happened.”

“I'll go with him,” Kayla said.

“Do tell her I shall be around directly to thank her personally.”

They watched Peter disappear into the company headquarters. Kayla slipped from the rear into the seat beside Adam. She studied his profile in the faded gray of a rain-swept day. What was it the professor had called him? “The wounded hero.” She saw the man's strength, felt it in the warmth that encircled her hand. And saw his weaknesses as well.

Derek's image came to mind then. No longer Geoffrey, the fable now firmly banished. Adam might still have the capacity to
act
the thief. But Kayla knew the true capacity to
be
a heart-less robber of dreams was no longer real. Derek had never been capable of admitting weakness. Any question that threatened him was deflected with a laugh, a joke, a false embrace. And it was false, all of it. Yet as she examined these facts, Kayla sensed a difference in herself. This time, in accepting that she had been blinded, she also admitted that she had
wanted
to be blind. It was not merely that Derek had lied to her. Kayla had
helped
him. The falsehood had been complete only because she had wanted it so.

She blinked, and in so doing washed away Derek's image. Such a simple act. One moment there, the next gone, and this time without the aching void at the center of her being.

Kayla reached over and gripped Adam's hand. She recalled that morning's prayer.
Help me to hope again.
She wondered if the moment's flavor was how forgiveness tasted.

Adam said softly, “I need to go back to America. I don't care what Mom says or thinks or dreams. I need to be there for her.”

Kayla nodded agreement. Adam licked his lips. He tried to speak. To ask the impossible. But could not find the strength.

Kayla knew the words as clearly as though he had spoken them aloud. She felt herself falling into that gaze, so deep she could read the invitation and find the strength to ask, “Would you like me to come with you?”

chapter 31

W
hen they returned from Norham Gardens Road, Kayla went into the company offices to fetch her father. Adam thought Kayla had never looked more beautiful than she did that afternoon, walking with her father down the company's front stairs. Oh, she might have been more elegant at one time or another. Her hair might have been done by a London stylist, and a beautician might have painted her features to perfection. Armani might have produced her dress and Jimmy Choo her heels. But no manufactured myth would ever hold Adam as she did now, walking through a gray afternoon, the rain slipping softly into snow.

Which was a silly reason to be smiling and reaching for her when she entered the car. But her smile told him it was all right. And maybe even better than that.

Peter slipped into the rear seat and announced, “The board did not exactly fling their arms and declare my project the deliverance we've all been hoping for.”

“But they backed you,” Adam said.

“It was a close run thing. But they agreed to hold all further actions until the new year. Joshua was most displeased.”

Kayla settled her hand upon Adam's shoulder, up where she could trace one finger along Adam's neck. “Good.”

Peter smiled and said, “I have instructed our bank to trans-fer the funds back into Kayla's account. They should be in place before the close of the day.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” Kayla turned far enough around to look her father in the eye and say, “Let's go home and celebrate your birthday.”

The snow swept in, and with it came the wind. Their world became limited to the first few cars before them and the head­lights immediately behind. As Adam turned onto the main road headed out of town, Peter said, “I regret that I was unable to convince the board that you should be immediately rein-stated. I fought them rather hard on that point. But they were insistent. No doubt I shall have better luck at the January meeting.”

Adam felt Kayla's gaze on him. He knew she was mulling something over. The weight of her thoughts carried across the pair of seats and lodged in his skin where she stroked him.

“In the meantime,” Peter said, “I'd be grateful if you would continue assisting me in an unofficial capacity. It's hardly fair, given the role you've played in this turnaround. And you will be compensated. I can assure you—”

“Daddy.”

“Yes, my dear?”

“Adam isn't doing this for the money.” She continued to watch him. “Are you?”

“No.”

“Of course, I understand. But I would still like to see you rewarded for your efforts.”

“I am. A hundred times over.”

“As your first responsibility, I would like you to help me structure a new division. I am thinking we should name it Legacy. We need a definable structure for future projects. I've been altogether too haphazard in the past. The company does not even have a fixed amount of our budget designated for these projects. We need to create a definable structure within which to operate.”

Adam said, “That's a great idea.”

“I'm so very glad you approve.”

Kayla turned slightly in her seat. “Adam needs to go see his mother.”

“Well, of course—”

“I've agreed to go with him. We will leave tomorrow. I'll fly straight from Washington back to Dar es Salaam.”

Peter's only response was to watch Kayla's hand upon Adam's shoulder. The snowstorm disappeared just as they passed the Ring Road and entered the first layer of hills. Overhead, the leaden gray was whipped to froth. Peter's gaze remained on his daughter's hand and the finger that traced its way back and forth along Adam's hairline. He said, “I do believe this is going to be the finest birthday I have ever had.”

Adam watched the next snow flurry bear down on them. It pelted sideways, driven with the force of frozen white nails. Ahead of him, lighter cars jerked as the deeper puddles shoved them about. The Mercedes, however, belonged to an era when cars were built without regard to weight or aerodynamics. Even in this storm, Adam maintained control with a light touch.

Five minutes the deluge lasted, then it was gone, leaving behind a sky that was not so much gray as void. Adam turned onto the smaller country road. Around him, treetops waved in excited unison. Adam took a breath so deep his ribs popped. The air was spiced with Kayla's fragrance and the heady scent of a better tomorrow.