Chapter 4 - THE RESEARCH PARTNER WHO KNEW THE CALL
Greer ran after the van.
Celeste blocked the loading bay. “The specimen is being transferred to an independent facility.”
“Under whose authorization?”
“The board’s.”
Rafe arrived before the doors closed. He ordered the driver to stop.
Celeste handed him a resolution bearing his electronic signature.
“You approved emergency transfer last week.”
Rafe read it. “This authorized backup tissue transfer, not removal of the plant.”
“The legal department interpreted it more broadly.”
For the first time, Greer saw Rafe’s corporate authority fail in public. Two directors had invoked a conflict provision because his wife led the project. He could not unilaterally countermand them.
Employees watched from behind glass partitions. Rafe had built his reputation on never appearing uncertain. Celeste used that reputation against him: any emotional objection would look like proof he placed his wife above governance; any silence would let the orchid leave.
Greer recognized the architecture of an impossible choice. Hours earlier, Rafe had built one for her. Now Celeste built one for him.
The van left with the orchid.
Rafe turned to Greer. “I did not contaminate it.”
“I know.”
The certainty broke something in his face. It was not reconciliation. It was simply one truth neither would weaponize.
Nolan joined them, breathless. Celeste looked at him and said, “Interesting timing, Dr. Keene.”
Greer remembered the phone call. Nolan said the last orchid was collapsing before the monitoring system sent its automatic alert. He knew seven minutes earlier than the alarm log showed.
“How did you know?” she asked.
“I was watching the chamber feed.”
“The feed was down.”
Nolan’s eyes shifted.
He claimed he noticed pressure changes through a secondary sensor. Greer asked to see its records. He said the sensor overwrote them during protocol seven.
Rafe watched the exchange. “Who knew Greer was in my office?”
Nolan laughed nervously. “Everyone knew you summoned her.”
“No. My assistant cleared the floor. The meeting was private.”
Only Greer, Rafe, and the person who placed the divorce agreement on his desk knew the exact time.
Rafe opened his phone. The draft agreement came from outside counsel, but the printed copy had been delivered by Celeste.
The sabotage call had been timed to arrive at the worst second of their marriage.
Celeste remained calm. “You are searching for conspiracy because your wife chose the lab.”
Rafe looked at Greer. “She did not sign.”
It was the first time Nolan learned that.
May you like
Relief flashed across his face—then disappointment.
Greer saw both.
