Fight for Survival by Alicia Brodersen

Author:Alicia Brodersen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141918563
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2008-03-11T04:00:00+00:00

Cutter tried to compose himself as Lester continued talking. His air of superiority was infuriating – it was obvious he was trying hard to impress Jennifer.

‘Ms Lewis has been appointed to a senior position in the team,’ he said. ‘That means she answers to me, and you lot answer to her.’

‘I didn’t know we answered to anybody,’ Stephen glowered.

Lester straightened his tie and smiled winningly at his star recruit.

‘Scientists, Ms Lewis,’ he apologized, as if sharing a private joke.

‘It’s quite all right, James,’ the woman replied, smiling at him flirtatiously. ‘I’m used to working with creative people. And do call me Jenny.’

It was too much for Cutter. He’d watched the exchange with disgust. The sight of creepy James Lester making eyes at Claudia, or Jenny, or whoever she was, was just too much. He had to put a stop to it.

Without thinking, Cutter stepped forward and grabbed the startled Jenny by both arms.

‘Claudia!’

The woman was clearly taken aback. ‘My name’s not Claudia.’

‘You’re Claudia Brown,’ Cutter repeated slowly. Jenny grimaced. This strange man was beginning to make her seriously nervous.

‘You must be confusing me with someone else,’ she stuttered.

‘You only think you’re Jennifer Lewis,’ Cutter insisted, tightening his grip. ‘You’re really a woman called Claudia Brown.’ He searched her eyes desperately, looking for any hint of recognition. How couldn’t she know him, after everything they’d gone through? ‘You’ve changed somehow… I can explain… there’s a reason for this… there has to be!’

Jenny looked over at Lester, visibly shaken. She tried unsuccessfully to force a smile as the government man intervened.

‘Meet Professor Nick Cutter,’ he sighed, as if Cutter was an exhibition in a zoo. ‘A fascinating case study of the tipping point between inspiration and lunacy.’

‘Are you feeling all right, Professor?’ added Leek, craning to look over Lester’s shoulder.

‘Claudia, please!’ Cutter persisted, ignoring the comments. ‘I know this sounds insane, but you’re not who you think you are. Just listen to me!’

Connor watched as Jenny finally managed to free herself from the professor’s grip and anxiously took a step back. He felt genuinely sorry for Cutter. Whatever was going on, it was obviously very real to him. Lester was just standing on the sidelines smirking at him, as if Cutter really was insane.

Connor realized he had to get the palaeontologist out of here before he completely flipped out.

‘The anomaly detector, Professor…’ Connor said, stepping in and making Cutter look him in the eye. ‘You said we should discuss it, remember?’

Cutter finally drew his gaze away from Jenny and looked at Connor blankly. For the first time in minutes he was aware of other people in the room and suddenly realized how ridiculous this must look. He followed Connor out to the corridor.

‘It’s Claudia,’ Cutter said quietly, leaning tiredly against a wall.

‘I know,’ Connor said gently.

Cutter’s eyes widened in hope.

‘Then why didn’t you say something?’ he whispered urgently.

‘I mean, I know that’s what you believe,’ Connor said, furiously backtracking. ‘Me? I’ve never seen her before in my life.’

Cutter shook his head as if trying to dislodge something.

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