Page 26 of Gates of Tartarus

“Before we begin,” Emlyn continues, “can I offer anyone a cup of tea?” I see there’s a proper teapot and tray on the bookcase behind his desk; I guess CEOs rate more than a thermos.

“Thank you.” Elizabeth’s voice is smooth and surprisingly low. “Milk, no sugar.” She waits until Emlyn hands her a cup – and saucer – before turning to me. “So, Maela. May I call you ‘Maela’?” I nod. “I understand that you took part in our phase-one clinical trial at St Cosmas. We’re so grateful to have volunteers like you; you really do make a difference, and if this drug is successful, you’ll transform lives. But I’m told that there have been some unusual side effects.”

I nod again, and Emlyn states, “That’s right, and that’s why we’ve asked you for a meeting. It appears–”

“If you don’t mind,” Elizabeth interjects, raising one elegant hand, “I’d like to hear this from Maela.”

“Well, uh,” I titter. “Believe it or not–”

“Let me reassure you: I do.” Elizabeth smiles briefly when I stare.

“Oh! OK. So, after taking part in the trial, I began to have dreams.” I go on to tell her about Ratko and Magda; how I reported the visions to the police and was then approached by MI5; how I began to work with Emlyn to refine my visions; how I had a flash of precog – Elizabeth’s eyes flash at that – and how we tried to get to Ratko through Vlado; and, finally, how Ratko was murdered by Magda. I gloss over the part where I was kidnapped.

“Well,” Elizabeth says when I finish, “that is quite remarkable. Not your usual side effect,” she adds wryly. “And you really think that our drug triggered this ability?” She turns to Emlyn questioningly. He nods: “It seems a straightforward case of cause and effect. The drug is similar to ketamine, I understand, and we know that ketamine use can result in hallucinations. Here, the drug seems to have ‘unlocked’, for want of a better word, some part of Maela’s brain.” I’m a little taken aback at that, all of a sudden imagining the lobes of my brain springing open on a lab table.

“But why wasn’t this reported? There’s nothing about it in the files,” Elizabeth counters.

“I called St Cosmas to ask about unusual dreams,” I shrug. “They told me it was probably something I ate.”

Elizabeth’s lips thin with anger: “Everyside effect should be recorded. How can we possibly develop a safe drug without knowing all of the facts? Has anyone else reported this reaction?”

“Not that we know of,” Seef breaks in. “But we’d like you to check with your own people.”

“I can assure you I will.” Elizabeth’s mien is icy, and it doesn’t take foresight to see that a firing is in the works.

“We’d also like to know the exact formula.”

“No,” Elizabeth replies bluntly, and Seef’s eyes narrow. “Mr. Arend, that is commercially confidential information. Gaia has spent millions developing this drug, and we have already submitted all that is required to the national regulatory agencies.”

“Ms. Cole, without knowing the compound, we can’t even begin to understand how the drug reacted with Maela’s brain.” Again, I’m hit with a vision of my brain on scales. I wish they’d stop talking about it.

“The best I can do is to say I’ll consider it.” Elizabeth turns back to me. “So, Maela, have you experienced any other side effects? You say you thought you had a flash of foresight?”

“More a feeling than anything else. It wasn’t a vision, just a sense of wrongness when I was walking down a street. And then I saw Ratko murdering someone there two days later.” I shudder, remembering.

“So you can see why the formula would be helpful,” Seef tries again. “And why it’s important not to let it fall into Kronos’s hands. If they refine the formula and start selling it on the streets, we’re going to be looking at mass hallucinations or people thinking they’re going psychotic.”

“I’ve said I’ll consider it,” Elizabeth retorts, without even turning around. The corners of my mouth start to turn up: Seef the Sadist Scrot, or “triple S”, tee hee, has been well and truly put in his place. “And I hardly think the risk is that great. Maela is the only person who has responded this way to our drug; it’s working just as intended for the other participants.” She rolls her eyes at me, and I have to bite my bottom lip to stop from grinning. “Now, I do have another appointment shortly, so was there anything else you wanted?”

“Yes,” Emlyn replies. “We understand from Maddox Smith that you didn’t recognize Ratko’s or Magda’s photofits.” Emlyn’s looking discomfited, and while I feel for him, I’ve decided I want to be Elizabeth when I grow up. She’s taken command of the conversation effortlessly, and I bet she’s never had a moment of self-doubt in her life.

“No,” Elizabeth shakes her head. “Not Ratko. I’m afraid I’m not in the habit of consorting with criminals. As for this Magda person, the drawing looks like a bad Picasso. No offense intended,” she assures me.

“None taken. It’s weird: I can see her perfectly well during the visions, but when I try to recall her features, everything becomes hazy.”

“That’s odd.” Elizabeth furrows her brow. “Maybe it’s because you’ve never seen her in real life? Or have you?” At the shake of my head, she continues. “How mysterious. As I said, Maela, I’ve got another appointment, but I’d love to continue this conversation. As you may know, my parents were both scientists with the Stargate Project, so I’ve got an open mind when it comes to extra-sensory abilities.” She smiles at my start of surprise. “Yes, I’ve always thought they were perfectly logical. And it would be helpful if you could answer a few more questions so that we can take your reaction into account when progressing the trials. Perhaps you could come by our headquarters, say on Thursday afternoon?”

“I’d love to, Elizabeth, if that’s OK with Emlyn.” Seef can keep his opinions to himself, for all I care.

“Of course it is,” she responds drily. “After all, this one” – with a nod towards Seef – “needs you to get the formula.”

I don’t even try to stop the grin. “Well then, I guess I’ll see you Thursday.”

“I’ll send a car to–”

“Here,” Emlyn interjects. “She’ll be here.”

Elizabeth looks amused. “Until Thursday, Maela. Gentlemen.” She nods at them as she sweeps out of the room.

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