“It’s plausible,” Marion agreed. “The shellfish protein protects the fish from cold. People have been trying to put antifreeze proteins to use in tomatoes, strawberries, and so on for some time. You find the proteins in fish, bugs, bacteria, and certain plants. I don’t know why Tomagen chose the shellfish one. Pretty stupid idea, if you ask me.”
“I’m sure they thought they could neutralize its allergenic properties,” Karen said.
“What I’m saying is that neither the protein nor MC124 alone would have killed Sheila,” I went on. “The two were put together on purpose by someone at LifeScience. Someone who knew how MC124 worked. Someone who also had access to the tomato.”
Abe’s gaze travelled across the table from me to the man sitting next to him. Dugan’s rock of a head remained steady on his shoulders, his expression surprisingly chipper. He took his time with a sip of wine, just for effect. “Not bad,” he said, swirling it. “This has been a productive visit. I’ve heard some useful information tonight.” He looked at me. “I thank you for it. And I’ll thank you to turn over documentation of your claims. If there’s a problem with MC124, we need to know about it before ten o’clock Monday morning. Our lawyers will get a court order if necessary.”
“We’ll give the documents to the right people at LifeScience,” I responded. “As soon as we know who they are. I’d like to know why you were so persistent and aggressive about getting your hands on Sheila’s diary. You had Pratt following her the day she died. I’ve got it on tape. You were willing to do anything to stop her from exposing the flaws in MC124.”
A broad smile, which for all the world looked genuine, sliced across Dugan’s face. “Your theory’s got one problem. You pointed it out yourself. Access to the tomato. We don’t grow it at LifeScience.”
“But you know that Carl Steiner still grows it at home. You got him to bring in a bagful to give to Sheila.”
Dugan drained his glass. “How very helpful you are, Bill. We’ll be speaking to Carl about this.”
I touched Karen’s shoulder. “Call Carl. Warn him.”
“In the kitchen,” Marion said.
Karen went. Dugan rose halfway to his feet. “If he destroys evidence, he’s as good as proven his guilt,” he called after her.
“Your board of directors will be fascinated to hear all of this,” I said.
Dugan snorted, then bumped into the stack of magazines as he sat down again. They spread like a deck of cards. He glanced over them idly. “Oh, they’ll be fully briefed. I have nothing to hide.”
“I want to know what’s going on, Neil,” Marion demanded. “Why were you after Sheila?”
“We had reasons.” He raised the corner of a magazine gingerly. “Just how active in Greenpeace are you, Marion? They’re not exactly biotech’s best friend.”
“It all depends, Neil,” she said coolly, “on what we use the technology for. We had a good bioremediation program going, before you came along.”
“Maybe you’re not LifeScience’s best friend either,” Dugan replied. “Maybe your goals and ours have diverged.”
Marion was flustered. “You weren’t invited, and you have no right to poke into my private business. It’s time for you to leave.”
Dugan stood. He moved surprisingly quickly around the coffee table to block the path to the front door. “I’m not going anywhere without those documents.”
“You are too.”
Marion’s sharp intake of breath matched my own. Karen had emerged from the kitchen, behind Dugan. In her hand was a large knife.
“Put that down before you get hurt,” Dugan commanded.
I moved in Karen’s direction. So did Dugan. When I stopped, he did.
Karen bit her lip. She was upset, but she wasn’t shaking. “You killed my friend.”
She gripped the knife a little tighter. When she didn’t retreat, Dugan realized she was serious. He forced a laugh and sidled toward the front door. “The least you can do is call me a cab,” he said to Marion.
“How about an ambulance?” she replied.
Dugan’s arms hung ready at his sides. Now that he was a few steps out of Karen’s range, his alpha bearing returned. I went quickly over to Karen before the situation got out of control again. I was more concerned about him hurting her than vice versa, but avoiding bloodshed seemed wise all around.
Abe joined me. “Don’t get excited, everyone. I’ll take Mr. Dugan home.”
I looked Dugan up and down for the bulge of a weapon. If he had one, he wasn’t going for it. Not yet.
Abe made his way cautiously to the door. “We’re leaving. I’ll talk to you later, Karen. Right now, there are some things I’d like to ask you about, Neil.”
“There are some things I’d like to tell you about,” Dugan answered smoothly, opening the door.
“We don’t have the documents on us,” I called after him. “In case Pratt is waiting outside.”
Abe looked at Dugan. “Don’t worry,” Dugan said. “He’s not.”
The three of us watched from the doorway as Abe’s car drove away. Karen nonchalantly replaced the knife in the kitchen and picked up her coat. “I’m tired. I’m ready to go,” she said.
Marion stood hugging herself. “That man…”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no idea Abe would bring him.”
Marion seemed to accept my apology, so I went on. “I’d like to go into LifeScience tomorrow to talk to Doug Englehart and Frederick McKinnon. Can you get me inside?”
Marion didn’t hesitate. “Shall we say noon?”
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll meet you at the entrance to the parking lot. I don’t want to take my jeep in there.”
“You’re on. God would it feel good to nail Dugan.”
“What’s happening to us, Marion?” I said. “We agree on more and more every day.” I decided not to add my lurking fear that we could end up nailing McKinnon instead. There was always the chance he and Dugan had perceived Sheila as a common enemy and collaborated on her murder. Now that she was out of the way, their alliance was done and they’d reverted to their original rivalry. Except that each held a trump card that could destroy them both.
Karen and I said little on the drive back to Redwood City. I half expected her to break down, but she remained collected. My impression was that she really would have used that knife on Dugan, if he’d come at her.
When we exited the San Mateo Bridge, I made a few U-turns and dashed through a few yellow lights, in case Dugan had lied about Pratt. No one followed us.
Back at Karen’s hideout in Redwood City, a note said her friend was staying with her lover that night. Karen had the place to herself. Though her features still seemed composed, I noticed that her knees were going weak. The emotions of the night were catching up with us both.
“I’ll stay here with you,” I offered. “You shouldn’t be alone.”
She let herself fall onto the couch. “That’s all right,” she sighed, lying down. When she noticed me standing awkwardly in the middle of the living room, she patted the couch. “I don’t mean to hog the whole thing.”
She sat up partially so I could sit, then put her head right back where it had been. Except now it was in my lap. Her hand found mine and squeezed. For reassurance, I was sure, nothing more.
“We’ve been through a lot, haven’t we?” she murmured.
“I think I’m your bad luck charm.”
She laughed, then pulled my legs up to the couch. “Lie down.”
I took off my shoes and scrunched into the couch on my back. She slid alongside me and put her head on my right shoulder. Her hand tucked under my left shoulder. I held the back of her head. We lay like that for quite a while as the tension drained from our bodies.