53

The knock on the door came shortly after Sarah Bellman returned from breakfast. She was greeted by two uniformed men and marched across the compound to Dr Razia’s office. Shortly afterwards, she was joined by Professor Kennedy, who had also been forcibly escorted from his quarters. They were instructed to wait in silence. Eventually, Razia made an appearance, smelling of cologne and cigarette smoke. He bade them a friendly good morning and relaxed into the reclining chair behind his desk.

‘I apologize for the unscheduled nature of this meeting but we have a busy day ahead. You are looking much better, Professor. I trust the medication has done the trick?’

‘It would appear so,’ Kennedy said, avoiding Razia’s gaze.

‘Good. I’m glad to hear it.’ He turned his attention to Bellman. ‘And you are keeping well?’

‘Yes … Thank you.’

Razia rocked back in his chair and clasped his hands over the comfortable dome of his stomach. ‘No doubt you are aware of the matter we are here to discuss?’

He let the question hang.

Neither Bellman nor Kennedy replied.

‘Allow me to prompt you. For reasons that are too obvious to need explanation, with the help of Dr Holst I conduct a regular review of your work. The data you enter on your computers is not of course private to yourselves. It’s the property of our employers. Therefore, in my position of oversight, I have unfettered access.’

Another pause. He looked from one to the other, like a schoolteacher waiting for the thief to confess.

Bellman felt her heartbeat quicken. A sensation of panic simultaneously rose up from the pit of her stomach and pressed in on the sides of her skull. All the while, Kennedy remained still and poker-faced, his level gaze fixed on Razia.

‘Yes, Dr Bellman, you have every reason to feel anxious. I know that it was you who attempted to sabotage the code. Thankfully, Dr Holst has a keen eye for these things and was able to repair the damage.’

Kennedy turned to her with a look of disbelief. ‘There’s been a mistake,’ he said.

Bellman tried to speak but her tongue refused to respond.

‘I’m afraid not, Professor. All the evidence points to your protégée being determined to undermine our work.’ He let out a regretful sigh. ‘Which leaves me with a very difficult and unpleasant decision.’

‘No. Please –’ Bellman found her voice. ‘I was angry … It was a misjudgement –’

‘Indeed. Your work until then had been excellent. Faultless, in fact.’

Professor Kennedy leaned forward. ‘Whatever you’re contemplating, Razia, don’t do it. We didn’t ask to come here, so if either of us gave in to frustration, you’ve only yourselves to blame.’

‘I should hate to lose Dr Bellman. I really would. She has such a unique and promising mind. You, on the other hand, Professor, have already done your best work. And singularly failed in your responsibility to manage your junior colleague.’ He turned to Bellman. ‘Let this be a lesson to you.’ He nodded to the two men who had been standing silently at the door.

In an instant they had hoisted Professor Kennedy from his chair and were marching him to the door.

‘No! What are you doing?’ Bellman said. ‘Please, don’t hurt him. He’s got a family –’

The single gunshot silenced her protest. She heard the sound of a body slumping in the anteroom to the office, followed by the grunts of the two men as they hoisted it from the floor and carried it from the building.

‘Next time there will be no chance to explain yourself, Dr Bellman. We will shoot you in your sleep.’ Razia gave a dismissive wave of his hand. ‘Please remove yourself from my sight.’