A Small Degree of Hope by Lyndi Alexander

Author:Lyndi Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Published: 2013-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

“What do you mean, I can’t leave?”

Testing Cary’s theory had proved more contentious than Kylie had expected. She’d been up and around, in street clothes for ten days now. She’d performed all the SIRT tests up to her former standards and most of them even better. In every physical capacity, her abilities had grown. So she was ready to get back to the world.

“I can’t release you yet, Kylie.” Purposely apologetic, the doctor attempted to soothe her, but failed. “We haven’t isolated the reason for your transformation.”

“If I was on the outside, I could help with the investigation. I’m a lot more useful at my desk than I am here.”

“Actually, you’re not.”

Jaco’s voice came from the overhead speakers. Alarmed, Kylie pushed her chair away from the table and retreated until her back was literally against the wall. “You’re eavesdropping? Spying on me?”

The doctor’s eyes flicked up to the speaker. “He’s an ass, is what he is.” Louder, she said, “You promised not to interrupt if I allowed the feed.”

“I think Sanderson needs to know where she stands. She stays put. Knowing what factor in her chemistry worked for the lizards is a priority. No more half-green women have turned up since she’s been in the hospital.” Jaco’s laugh was unpleasant. “For all we know, they’re waiting until she’s out to grab her again.”

The thought had occurred to her, but not in that exact context. “Damn it, Jaco, they won’t break into SIRT headquarters. That would be suicide, even for them.”

“Yeah, well, until you all figure out why Kylie’s prom queen, I can’t afford to keep headquarters full of people to babysit her.” He paused then his tone became a little more understanding, perhaps ingratiating. “Seriously, we’re doing all we can out here to track the ones that got away. Your pal Griff has been very forthcoming with information. Until we get more bodies, your time is best spent knocking out the details.”

The thought of more needles and poking and prodding burned in her brain, until she thought she’d explode in a red-hot ball of flame. Mindful of the cameras, she controlled her agitation except for one finger, tapping in staccato rhythm on the oak table. “What happens if I don’t play along with your plan, hmm?”

“Come on, Sanderson. Don’t you want to know what kind of time bomb you’ve got ticking in you? Be a good girl and get to work.”

His last phrase did it. Sent her right over. The same phrase the colonel had used for so long to manipulate her and Nissa into becoming little pretty-girl robots. She was done with that.

If he didn’t have a daughter, maybe she didn’t have a father, either.

“Right. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it, Jaco?” She moved along the inner wall toward the door. On the far side of the table, Dr. Astrid slowly pushed herself to her feet, her eyes narrowed. “That’s my job description at SIRT, the ‘good girl.’”

A ripple of strong emotion passed through her, something torn between shreds of anger and despair.

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