do.”
CHAPTER 14
The Victorious
Dutch Harbour,
Alaska
Andrews paced in the meeting room, waiting for his guests to arrive. Russo was pushing to get things underway as soon as possible, and, anxious not to upset the man who had ensured that the trip was funded, Andrews didn’t want to be the one to let him down.
Freeman knocked on the door and entered the room, followed by Clara and Dexter.
“Miss Thompson,” Andrews said, striding to meet them and extending his hand.
“I’m Doctor Martin Andrews, thank you for coming to meet me. I trust the journey was comfortable?”
“It was fine, thank you. I certainly didn’t expect the private jet. Seems you were in a hurry to get us here.”
“Indeed I was. We have much to discuss. Please, take a seat.” Andrews gestured to the large meeting table.
As Clara and Dexter took their seats, Andrews pulled Freeman aside. Clara watched as the two shared in hushed conversation, following which, Freeman left quickly, closing the door behind him. Andrews took his seat and folded his hands on the table.
“My colleague emailed me the findings of your investigation on the remains of the Blue whale. I thank you for your observations.”
“I wanted to discuss them with you in person when I got here. Mr Freeman was pretty forceful about sending them ahead of me.” Clara said, making no attempt to hide her annoyance.
“I’m sorry about that, as I’m sure you understand, we are on a strict timetable here.”
“Maybe you are. As a rule, I don’t appreciate being bullied for answers, especially before I have had sufficient time to analyse the results.”
Andrews smiled. Clara remained neutral.
“My apologies. I don’t wish for us to get off on the wrong foot here. We asked you to come because you are said to be the best in your field. You were the one and only name on our list. I can only ask you to forgive my urgency. As you by now know, this situation is unique to say the least.”
“Well, until you tell me exactly what I’m dealing with, we aren’t going to get anywhere. Why did you bring us here?”
“Your findings about a potential predatory attack to the whale carcass are in line with our own observations.”
“I’m sure you could have confirmed that by telephone.”
“This is a confidential situation. An unsecured telephone conversation wasn’t an option I’m afraid.”
“You do intend to tell people about this? To warn them?”
Andrews squirmed and offered a strained smile.
“You know as well as I do that the public would panic if they suspected something in our oceans was capable of such a violent attack, not to mention the impact to the fishing and shipping industry. They would demand action, and until we have an answer to give them, it’s important to remain discreet.”
“I don’t think the public would react as badly as you seem to think. In fact, maybe it would be better if people were told that the oceans might not be a safe place to be right now.”
“You don’t understand as much as you think,” Andrews said as he looked at them in turn.
“Then let’s not waste any more time.” Clara shot back “Tell me what you know and I’ll see if I can help you.”
“You have to understand this is, as I said, a very sensitive subject. Due to the nature of this operation, I need to ask you to work with us with the limited information I am authorised to provide.”
“I’m not sure I do understand. Do I get access to the research or not?”
“Well,” Andrews said, choosing his words carefully, “the subject matter of this investigation is highly, highly confidential. We have our own team of scientists and experts involved already who will deal with the more… sensitive aspects of the investigation. We would only require you for certain clarifications and confirmations of our findings.”
“You either want me in or you don’t. I won’t play second fiddle.”
“I’m afraid there are limits to the
CHAPTER 14
The Victorious
Dutch Harbour,
Alaska
Andrews paced in the meeting room, waiting for his guests to arrive. Russo was pushing to get things underway as soon as possible, and, anxious not to upset the man who had ensured that the trip was funded, Andrews didn’t want to be the one to let him down.
Freeman knocked on the door and entered the room, followed by Clara and Dexter.
“Miss Thompson,” Andrews said, striding to meet them and extending his hand.
“I’m Doctor Martin Andrews, thank you for coming to meet me. I trust the journey was comfortable?”
“It was fine, thank you. I certainly didn’t expect the private jet. Seems you were in a hurry to get us here.”
“Indeed I was. We have much to discuss. Please, take a seat.” Andrews gestured to the large meeting table.
As Clara and Dexter took their seats, Andrews pulled Freeman aside. Clara watched as the two shared in hushed conversation, following which, Freeman left quickly, closing the door behind him. Andrews took his seat and folded his hands on the table.
“My colleague emailed me the findings of your investigation on the remains of the Blue whale. I thank you for your observations.”
“I wanted to discuss them with you in person when I got here. Mr Freeman was pretty forceful about sending them ahead of me.” Clara said, making no attempt to hide her annoyance.
“I’m sorry about that, as I’m sure you understand, we are on a strict timetable here.”
“Maybe you are. As a rule, I don’t appreciate being bullied for answers, especially before I have had sufficient time to analyse the results.”
Andrews smiled. Clara remained neutral.
“My apologies. I don’t wish for us to get off on the wrong foot here. We asked you to come because you are said to be the best in your field. You were the one and only name on our list. I can only ask you to forgive my urgency. As you by now know, this situation is unique to say the least.”
“Well, until you tell me exactly what I’m dealing with, we aren’t going to get anywhere. Why did you bring us here?”
“Your findings about a potential predatory attack to the whale carcass are in line with our own observations.”
“I’m sure you could have confirmed that by telephone.”
“This is a confidential situation. An unsecured telephone conversation wasn’t an option I’m afraid.”
“You do intend to tell people about this? To warn them?”
Andrews squirmed and offered a strained smile.
“You know as well as I do that the public would panic if they suspected something in our oceans was capable of such a violent attack, not to mention the impact to the fishing and shipping industry. They would demand action, and until we have an answer to give them, it’s important to remain discreet.”
“I don’t think the public would react as badly as you seem to think. In fact, maybe it would be better if people were told that the oceans might not be a safe place to be right now.”
“You don’t understand as much as you think,” Andrews said as he looked at them in turn.
“Then let’s not waste any more time.” Clara shot back “Tell me what you know and I’ll see if I can help you.”
“You have to understand this is, as I said, a very sensitive subject. Due to the nature of this operation, I need to ask you to work with us with the limited information I am authorised to provide.”
“I’m not sure I do understand. Do I get access to the research or not?”
“Well,” Andrews said, choosing his words carefully, “the subject matter of this investigation is highly, highly confidential. We have our own team of scientists and experts involved already who will deal with the more… sensitive aspects of the investigation. We would only require you for certain clarifications and confirmations of our findings.”
“You either want me in or you don’t. I won’t play second fiddle.”
“I’m afraid there are limits to the
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