Chapter 30

Sophie had just switched her mobile from silent when it lit up. The ringtone blared through the night air. She snatched at it as Jett’s number flashed up. ‘Hey. You’re home!’

‘Not yet. Had to stay back and help out the night crew for a bit. But I’m on my way to South Bank. Meet me there, pronto!’

Sophie halted as if lassoed from behind. ‘You want me to go back to South Bank? I’ve just finished my shift at the restaurant!’

‘Mrs Colton remembered you had to work, so called me about twenty minutes ago hoping I could come. She’s supposed to be meeting Blaine but was stuck in traffic. Thought we might be able to get there faster to ensure he doesn’t wander off, thinking she isn’t coming. Even if she arrives ahead of us, I figure we might be able to help somehow.’

‘Sure, Jett, I’m going now.’

‘Meet me at South Bank Station. Bye!’

Jogging the rest of the way, Sophie unlocked her car and was soon pulling out of the park. The aroma of stale fried-fat on her uniform was more pungent inside the confines of the car. Winding down the window, she let fresh air flow in.

She had been reluctant to take her shift that night, but couldn’t bring herself to call in unavailable without giving the boss any warning to replace her. Thankfully it wasn’t a really long stint. Her dad had assured her he’d call if there was any news. She’d kept the phone in her pocket on silent throughout the evening.

South Bank. I knew it.

Finally they could ask Blaine what was happening. Yet, she worried as she considered Mrs Colton’s warning about his health. And then there was Dr Hartfield’s claim he was potentially dangerous.

‘Got to trust my gut on this one.’ Whispered prayers rose from within her.

‘Want to take the Wheel for a spin?’ It was a spontaneous suggestion Eddie was sure would receive a vehement ‘no’.

‘Love to, Dr Jonick.’

Eddie was baffled. Her enthusiastic tone didn’t match the way she was professionally distancing him by using his title. What are you up to, Mel?

Sam had also phoned during dinner, reporting that Belinda Colton was again on the move with backpack in hand. Melissa’s calm, pleased response to this information had doused Eddie’s appetite. They all knew backpacks weren’t Belinda Colton’s style. She was leaving the house to meet Blaine. And what was Sam expected to do about that, if anything? If only I could talk sense into this woman!

Soon they were out in the fresh air. Theatregoers strolled from the performing arts centre, buzzing about the show they’d seen. The antics of young sweethearts tortured Eddie’s heart as he rued the stupidity of coming here with a woman who despised him.

He watched the huge wheel turn, hoisting one gondola after the next high into the air. Each occupant was offered a brilliant view of the inner city river vista.

Melissa turned to him. ‘Shall I grab the tickets?’

Eddie was relieved she’d asked. It demonstrated she wasn’t expecting much from their evening out. ‘Go ahead. I got dinner, so you owe me.’

‘Is that so?’ Melissa shot him a daring smile.

Eddie had trouble reminding himself she was merely taking advantage of him.

They got to the wheel, only to discover the line was over fifty metres long.

‘This could take all night!’

‘Maybe we should go for a bit of walk first, Mel. We can try again later.’

‘Deal.’ Melissa nodded her agreement.

Back on the waterfront, they meandered towards Streets Beach. Stopping short, they settled onto one of the seats along the way.

‘I had an interesting call from Sophie Faraday this afternoon.’

Eddie glanced at Melissa, detecting the calculating edge in her tone. ‘And?’

‘Someone matching Blaine’s description is wanted for questioning regarding the attack of a woman at South Brisbane train station.’

‘I heard that report.’ Eddie shifted so he could better see her face. ‘You don’t seriously think he would have?’

Melissa shrugged. ‘It certainly looked that way on the security footage, plus he would be desperate for money. I reminded her of that.’ She paused, a sly smile forming on her lips. ‘This morning I was also contacted by a police investigator who is interested in Blaine’s whereabouts for questioning over the incident. I told them about his unpredictable behaviour and that it was quite possible he was involved; that he was also growing increasingly paranoid.’

Eddie, having leaned in to listen, drew back with a start. ‘Why would you say that? It’ll put our entire research centre at risk!’

‘No.’ She shook her head and eyed him with a smug expression. ‘I ensured that everything I told them only discredited Ramer, not us. It’s his treatment that has failed to produce reliable outcomes, instead, generating a monster.’

Rising to his feet, Eddie scraped his fingers across his eyes. ‘So let me get this straight. You are determined to discredit Ramer by whatever means it takes, so that your profile will be elevated?’

‘Eddie, that’s a bit harsh.’ She came off the bench and wove her arm into his. The image of a serpent entwining its prey slipped into his mind. ‘I’m just ensuring we’ve got the best possible record to guarantee continued public and financial support.’

‘And because you’ve failed to make any significant progress in the last three and a half years, you’ll destroy anything that has succeeded, just to build your own reputation!’

Melissa threw away his arm and snarled. ‘How dare you, Eddie?’

‘Oh, I dare, Mel.’

Eddie watched her closely. Even in the darkness her eyes simmered with rage. It dawned on him that his career as a research scientist had probably just ended.

So be it. I’m not up for a price like that. He decided it was time to let her know what he really thought. ‘Ramer used a gutsy approach—’

She broke in before he could finish. ‘In that his animal trials reported a thirty-four percent morbidity rate, but despite this he still carried on with the clinical trials?’ Her face contorted in fury.

‘Yet another point! He developed those particular animal models; a breakthrough that enabled him to trial therapies no other research group could. Those trial participants already had a death sentence! As for verification of his procedures, well, the proof is in the outcomes.’

‘One long-term, sustainable “cure” out of seven? The others only gained transient or minor benefits and there have been two deaths since.’

‘But that’s one life that wouldn’t have been at all without Ramer’s willingness to take a risk. Blaine had complex mutations of multiple mitochondrial pathways and Ramer hit them all in one treatment! That’s not just remarkable, it’s unheard of! I still can’t get my head around how he possibly achieved it.’ He transiently framed his head with his hands. ‘Your trials have scarcely gone beyond tissue culture applications! Yet you mock him?’

‘Pathway bypass therapy will be just as effective, given time.’

‘But that’s what Ramer recognised! Those kids don’t have time!’

Melissa turned on her heel and strutted past Streets Beach. Eddie followed, though he wasn’t sure why. He didn’t want to continue the argument, but nearly collided with her when she came to an abrupt halt. It seemed she had completely forgotten his presence.

Then Eddie realised why.

‘Is that who I think it is?’ Her eyes were locked on a middle-aged woman standing near a series of food outlets. She was holding a backpack and scanning the crowd, as if looking for someone. ‘Sam was right.’ Melissa’s lips morphed into a calculating smirk.