Cook, Robin - Acceptable Risk by Cook Robin

Author:Cook, Robin
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2005-01-26T17:35:35+00:00

<H4 id=ref_23 align=center>Wednesday, August 31, 1994</H4> Moving day was hectic from the first hours of daylight when Kim got up.

The van arrived at Kim’s apartment at seven-thirty and loaded her things first. Then it went to Cambridge to get Edward’s belongings. By the time the last chair was put in, the truck was full.

Kim and Edward drove to the compound in their own cars, with their own pets. When they arrived, Sheba and Buffer met for the first time. Since they were approximately the same size, the confrontation ended in a standoff. From then on they ignored each other.

As the movers began bringing things into the cottage, Edward surprised Kim by suggesting they take separate bedrooms.

”Why?” Kim questioned.

”Because I’m not acting like myself,” Edward explained. “I haven’t been sleeping well with everything that has been going on. If we have separate bedrooms I can turn on the light and read if I need to calm myself down.”

”That wouldn’t bother me,” Kim insisted.

”You’ve been sleeping at your apartment the last few nights,” Edward said. “Haven’t you been sleeping better?”

”No,” Kim said.

”Well, then, we’re just a little different,” Edward said. “I’ve been sleeping better. Knowing I’m not bothering you makes me more relaxed.

Anyway, it will be a temporary arrangement. As soon as the lab opens and things settle down, the pressure will be off. Then we’ll move in together.

You can understand, can’t you?”

”I suppose,” Kim said, trying to hide her disappointment.

The unloading of the moving van went considerably faster than its loading, and soon the cottage was filled to overflowing with boxes and haphazardly placed furniture. When the truck was empty, the movers picked up their gear and the boxes that had been unpacked and stowed them in the truck. Kim then signed the moving documents and watched the movers drive away.

No sooner had the truck disappeared from view than Kim saw a Mercedes emerge from the trees and speed toward her. She recognized the car. It was Stanton’s. She called up to Edward to tell him that he had company before going to the door and opening it.

”Where’s Edward?” Stanton demanded without so much as a greeting.

”He’s upstairs,” Kim said, pointing over her shoulder.

Stanton pushed past her and yelled for Edward to come down. He stood in the foyer with his hands on his hips, tapping his right foot. He was clearly agitated.

Kim’s pulse quickened. Knowing Edward’s fragile mental state, she was worried that Stanton would set him off. Stanton always operated as if he had no regard for other people’s feelings.

”Come down here, Edward,” Stanton yelled again. “We’ve got to talk.”

Edward appeared at the turn of the stairs. He was descending slowly.

“What’s the problem?” he asked.

”Oh, nothing much,” Stanton said sarcastically. “It’s just that your burn-rate on our capital is out of control. This lab of yours is costing an

ungodly amount of money. What are you doing, paving the johns with diamonds?”

”What exactly are you referring to?” Edward asked warily.

”The whole thing,” Stanton said. “I’m beginning to think you used to work for the Pentagon, since everything you order is the most expensive available.

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