‘I’d back off if I were you, Carl,’ said a firm, feminine voice, from behind Gayens.
He stilled. Casting a look of hatred at me, he stepped back and lowered the gun. He didn’t surrender it, but he turned slowly to face the woman.
‘Opeia, darling,’ he said, smoothly. His whole mannerism changed. My eyes flicked from Alwin, who was struggling to stand, to Gayens, who was still close enough to snuff me, to the woman, a very familiar woman.
‘Don’t darling me, Carl. You really think I’m that stupid. I’ve been monitoring this room since they came in. You didn’t know I was watching that mail account did you? I know everything. Have known everything from the beginning, except where you had hidden her. I come from a long line of business sharks and you have finally played into my hands. It’s takeover time.’
‘Opeia, I can explain. She’s a clone. I know I shouldn’t have made her. I wanted to get rid of her so you wouldn’t find out. I know how much you hate the idea of clones. Why do you hate my research so much?’
The woman stepped forward and my breath caught. Somewhere inside me, I recognised the auburn hair and creamy skin. Her eyes were grey like mine but larger.
‘Opi?’ I said. A faint image of a room with toys and a laughing face, overlaid with a sense of happiness loomed out of my mind. I was mesmerised by my mother. Her eyes bored into mine as she walked over. They were kindly and sparkled with tiny dots of light.
‘In a minute, honey. I have to deal with Carl first.’ She glared at him, those kind eyes now hard. ‘Let’s get a few things straight, Carl. I’m not stupid, and you’re an ass. You think I didn’t know Essa wasn’t mine? Do you think I couldn’t tell my own daughter? Do you think I let you hang around because I desired you, liked your company? I cut your funds and closed down your research because I was getting ready to jettison you.’
Alwin butted in. ‘But when Rae went missing you couldn’t do it.’ She assessed Alwin. I think I saw a flash of recognition in her eyes.
‘Bright boy. Exactly.’ She took another step towards Gayens. ‘So I’ve kept you near me, waiting for this moment.’ Gayens’ gun came up again, though he didn’t know where to point it.
‘Bitch. You undid me. Ruined me. I lost everything in that riot.’ Spittle was flying out of Gayens’ mouth. His hands were shaking. I didn’t like it. Desperate people did unpredictable things. I knew that much.
‘I know,’ she said, smiling in a predatory way, ‘that’s why I started it. It was what I needed to get the law changed.’
Gayens’ gun wavered. All three of us were on a knife-edge. Opeia’s aim never wavered. She was waiting for the opportunity to puncture him, I was sure. I could almost see her desire for him to play into her hands. I shook my head. She was a brave woman. I don’t think I could’ve done the same in her place.
I took a risk. I bent my knees and pushed up. Lightly suspended by gravity I took aim. Alwin, seeing my move, ducked and toppled Opeia. My foot connected with Gayens’ gun. It spun in apparent slow motion up and away.
Opeia yelled frantically into her communicator. ‘Now, now, now.’ Three security guards burst in, one from the main door, one from a side door and one from the ceiling. Carl Gayens was buried under three muscled bodies, his screams of outrage muffled by the security guards’ bulk.
I stepped back, eyes searching for Alwin. He stood behind Opeia, watching everything at once. I supposed his mind was thinking, calculating as was his usual way.
They dragged Gayens to his feet. He flopped between the guards and the beginnings of a huge bruise puffed his eye.
‘Thanks,’ Opeia said, dusting off her hands. ‘Did you get all that, Lieutenant?’
Another man sauntered in, young looking, but not young, with beady eyes and thick eyebrows. He had a dark goatee on his rather wide chin. He reminded me of a pirate I once met. ‘Yes, thank you Ms Gayens.’ His voice grated like a rusty conveyor belt with misaligned spokes and cogs. ‘Mr Gayens won’t be troubling you for some time. Perhaps never.’
‘Great.’
The guards dragged the sagging Gayens out. He glared at her. ‘By the way, Carl, you’ll have to represent yourself in court. You have no assets remember.’ He groaned and began cursing her loudly. The door shut with a snap, cutting him off.
I stood there open mouthed. Opeia stepped towards me, touched my cheek with her forefinger and smiled.
‘So you remember me, Rae?’ she said softly.
I examined her face. It stirred a ghost of a memory. ‘Not much. I associate the word “Opi” with you. I don’t know why.’
Alwin looked embarrassed, not knowing whether to go or stay. I reached for his hand and squeezed it.
‘Because that’s what you used to call me.’ A tear slid down her cheek. I was feeling pretty choked up myself. Just then, the main door opened and a girl with a long plait, deep in the embrace of a young man with long blonde hair and dressed in leather and studs, fell through the door. At first I thought they were wrestling but then I realised they were kissing.
Alwin gaped at me and I shrugged. ‘What next?’ I said to myself.
Opeia’s eyebrow rose and she angled herself in their direction. ‘Honey, Essa come and meet your sister.