Page 31 of Crocodile Tears
“Hey, wait—”
She’s already reaching for what appears to be a portable Bunsen burner, brandishing it like a weapon while backing toward the door.“I watch true crime documentaries, and I know exactly how this goes.”Her voice carries the kind of controlled panic that suggests someone who’s prepared for emergencies but hoping she’ll never need to implement those preparations.“You’re probably some creepy stalker who broke in here to steal her research or plant recording devices or worse!”
“I’m Calvin Hargrove.I’m Rebecca’s—”
“I don’t care who yousayyou are.”She adjusts her grip on the Bunsen burner, clearly prepared to use it as a bludgeoning weapon.“Dr.Lawson would never leave her office unlocked with strange men inside unless something terrible happened!”
“Something terrible did happen.Rebecca’s been kidnapped.”
The statement stops her mid-threat, though she maintains her defensive posture.“Kidnapped?What do you mean kidnapped?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.Six men in tactical gear abducted her from the parking garage approximately thirty minutes ago.”I keep my hands visible and my voice calm.“I’m trying to figure out who took her and why.”
“And you are?”
“Calvin Hargrove,” I repeat.“Rebecca and I had dinner last night.I came by to see her and witnessed the abduction.”
“Right, right.”She shakes her head and her expression shifts from immediate hostility to suspicious evaluation.“You’re the paranoid security consultant.”
“That’s… one way to describe me.”
“The one who lectured her about Canadian goose migration patterns and kissed her against a wall because you thought you were being followed.”
I flush.“Rebecca told you about that?”
“She told me quite a bit.”The woman lowers the Bunsen burner slightly but maintains her wary stance.“Including the part where you convinced her someone was conducting surveillance during your date.”
“Someonewasconducting surveillance during our date.Thesamepeople who justkidnapped her.”
“Prove it.”
I gesture toward Rebecca’s computer, where the security footage is still playing on the monitor.“Frank, the security guard, pulled this from the building’s camera system.You can see exactly what happened.”
She approaches cautiously, keeping the Bunsen burner ready while studying the footage.Her expression changes from suspicion to horror as she watches Rebecca’s abduction unfold in digital clarity.“That’s really her.”She sinks into Rebecca’s desk chair, finally setting down her improvised weapon.“They actually kidnapped her.”
“I’m sorry.You are?”
“Margo Compton.Dr.Lawson’s research assistant and best friend.”She looks up at me with a mixture of shock and dawning realization.“I knew you were a spy!”
“I’m not a spy.I’m a security consultant.”
“Same thing.”Margo waves dismissively.“The point is, I knew there was more to you than civilian dating.Normal people don’t detect professional surveillance or recognize military-grade kidnapping equipment.”
“Normal people also don’t get targeted by South American paramilitaries for their genetic research.”
“South American paramilitaries?”Margo’s eyes widen with obvious excitement despite the circumstances.“Like drug cartels or government contractors?”
“More likely contractors working for clients who want access to Rebecca’s research applications.”I turn back to the computer, reviewing the notes she left open.“Her work on enhanced genetic expression in reptilian subjects could have significant military applications.”
“Military applications like what?”
“Accelerated healing, enhanced physical performance, and improved resistance to injury and environmental stress.”I pause, considering the implications.“The kind of capabilities that certain organizations would pay significant money to develop or control.”
Margo nods thoughtfully and then suddenly brightens with the kind of enthusiasm that suggests she’s been waiting her entire life for this exact situation.“Agent Scales, what’s our mission parameters?”
“My name is Calvin, and I’m not an agent of anything.”
“Fine, Calvin.”Margo rolls her eyes.“But you are going to rescue Dr.Lawson, right?Because I’m pretty sure that’s what happens next in this scenario.”
