‘What about the PERSONA equipment?’ asked Bianca. ‘Was it recovered?’
‘What was left of it,’ complained Kiddrick. ‘The main unit was badly damaged. I don’t even know if it’s repairable — we’ll probably have to build a new one.’
Albion gave him a wry smile. ‘Try to make it lighter this time.’
‘And what about the disk?’ said Adam.
Morgan and Kiddrick exchanged glances, the former hesitating before answering. ‘We found it at Harper’s. It had been destroyed.’
‘Oh, no,’ said Bianca, dismayed. She turned to Adam. ‘I’m sorry…’
He was stone-faced, at least on the surface. ‘It told me what I needed to know.’
‘But there was more on it than just—’
‘I know. It’s okay.’
Unwilling to accept that, she turned to the two other scientists. ‘Is there any way Adam might be able to recover his memories without the disk?’
‘No,’ said Kiddrick firmly. ‘Not a chance.’
Albion made a scoffing sound. ‘Ah, that renowned can-do spirit! Don’t be so quick to write him off, Nathaniel.’ He looked at Bianca and Adam. ‘There might be a way — a modified version of Hyperthymexine to force recall, maybe. I’d have to put some work into it, but all might not be lost.’ Kiddrick still displayed clear antipathy to the mere idea, but said nothing.
‘Anything more?’ said Morgan. Nobody replied. ‘All right. Tony, you and I have a lot of paperwork still to do. Everyone else, I hope to see you again if and when the project’s restarted.’
The group left the room. Albion paused outside the door. ‘Bianca? I’m sorry I dragged you into all of this.’
‘Thanks, Roger,’ she replied, letting the others past. ‘Although, while I wouldn’t exactly say it’s been fun, it’s certainly been an interesting experience. Even if I’m not allowed to tell anyone about it on pain of death.’
‘Oh, I’m sure they wouldn’t actually kill you. Just waterboard you for a couple of decades.’
She cringed. ‘You say that as a joke, but…’
‘What’s the situation with Jimmy’s company?’
‘The sale’s still going ahead, but everything’s bogged down with legal and financial stuff — just like you said. I wouldn’t have been able to do any work even if I’d stayed there.’
‘Good, good. So are you going back to England?’
She looked down the corridor at Adam and Tony. ‘Yes, but not right away. I want to do something here first.’
‘Help Adam through this?’
‘Yes.’
He smiled. ‘That’s another reason why I knew you were the right person to do my job.’
‘Don’t expect me to make a habit of it, okay? It’s far too stressful.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘I’ll see you around.’
‘Always a pleasure,’ he replied.
She hurried to catch up with the two men. ‘Hey.’
‘Hi,’ said Tony. ‘Something up?’
‘No, I just wanted to let you both know that I’ll be staying in the States for a little while longer.’
‘Finally taking up that offer of an apartment?’ Tony said, grinning. ‘Let me know if you need a hand moving in.’
She smiled. ‘I may do that.’
He stopped as they reached an office door. ‘Sorry, I’ve got some bureaucracy to deal with,’ he told her. ‘That’s what happens when you let someone wreck a building. But whenever you need me, just give me a call.’
‘I will. Thanks.’ Another smile, then he entered the office, leaving Bianca and Adam alone.
‘So why are you staying?’ Adam asked her. ‘The project’s suspended, and Roger will probably be able to work again by the time it resumes.’
‘I’m staying because of you,’ she told him.
He looked surprised. ‘Me?’
‘Yeah. Adam, I know it’ll be difficult for you to talk about what happened with other people — like your mother — because of the whole secrecy thing, but I want you to know that you can come to me. For anything.’
‘Thank you,’ he said.
She waited for him to expand on that, but he remained silent. ‘That’s it?’ she exclaimed when her patience ran out. ‘That’s all you’ve got to say?’
‘I don’t know what else to say. I’m still trying to come to terms with everything. And without the disk…’ A resigned sadness filled his eyes. ‘I had it back, Bianca. I had everything back. But now nearly all of it’s gone again. Like Michael. I know I had a brother, but… I don’t remember him. Not in the important ways.’
‘But at least now you remember enough to mourn him. Don’t you?’
He sighed, then managed a faint smile. ‘Yeah. I guess I do. That’s a start, I suppose. Thanks.’
‘I’m here to help.’
He nodded, regarding her thoughtfully — then his smile suddenly widened. ‘I know something you can do to help me.’
‘What’s that?’
‘My apartment’s kinda… empty.’ She arched an eyebrow. ‘No, I didn’t mean that to sound suggestive!’ he said, amused. ‘There’s a big space in the corner, so I was thinking maybe you’d help me buy a TV. So I can become a normal American again.’
Bianca laughed. ‘I’d love to.’
About the Author
Andy McDermott was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire and now lives in Bournemouth. As a journalist and magazine editor, amongst other titles he edited DVD Review and the iconoclastic film publication Hotdog. Andy is now a full-time writer.