For the next week, the news teemed with stories about Claire and Owen. It was mostly unexciting and nothing even remotely salacious came to light. One of the more exciting aspects was trying to figure out why Alan Grant chose to call her out. Jurassic World PR released the fact of her attendance at his talk at Dartmouth, but that story was a dead end. Grant refused to do any more interviews. Claire came to the conclusion that it was not a personal attack. She was simply a target he could hit. This was Grant's ploy to break down that barrier between Jurassic World and InGen that Billy had emphasized. Grant was angry with both organizations and probably wished them both to burn. It was clear, however, that Claire Dearing didn't burn the reputation of Jurassic World, and Owen Grady didn't burn the reputation of InGen. If anything, both of them made their organizations look better for their hiring. Claire's Ivy League credentials, two years with one of Masrani's smaller companies in New York, and three years on Isla Nublar made her knowledgeable and invested in Jurassic World's success. Owen was everything Billy painted him to be in the press conference. Photographs and stories cemented Owen Grady as a brave and trustworthy person. Neither Claire nor Owen did any interviews themselves. Billy endlessly repeated the company lines. Simon Masrani downplayed the drama and supported them all in a very general sense. One particular new magazine decided to compare and analyze Claire and Owen, characterizing them as "wholesome, driven loners." A panelist on the show called them "blank slates on which each of their companies can write their own version of the truth." That was the only part of the coverage that made Claire cringe. She was otherwise pleased to have come out well herself and enjoyed looking at photos of Owen in uniform or in the water. Zara had remarked it was a shame that the two of them couldn't commiserate. Claire put on her stone face, not sure if Zara picked up on anything.
Life went on, largely as usual, at the park. Billy had predicted correctly about the bump in public interest. Jurassic World had a sudden flood of bookings from people who wanted to get on the island before the raptors returned. Social media was buzzing about whether it was really true that the raptors would not be for public display. It turned out, quite a few people wanted to see raptors in the flesh. Owen was only peripherally aware of the hubbub. He intentionally stayed away from the news and asked his staff not to discuss it in his presence. Owen was anxious to get the animals hatched, but he wanted to feel ready, for his own sake as much as everyone else's. After two weeks staying at the resort, he moved into a trailer at the site where the paddock was being constructed. Owen worked 18 hour days and loved every minute.
Three months after the press conference, the inquiries directed toward Jurassic World about the raptors virtually halted. There was also no update from InGen about the raptor embryos. Lowery opined to Claire one day in the control room that, "Maybe he'll decide against it." Claire knew that wouldn't be true. She was finally settling into the role of Senior Assets Manager and feeling comfortable with the title and all it entailed. Out of fear of prying eyes and reporters, Claire hadn't left the island since getting promoted. She was itching to go shopping on the mainland again. Zara invited her to come along one weekend, but she declined.
Owen regularly spoke with Henry about the embryos. Henry teased that he didn't write the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting Raptors." He could tell that Owen was getting close to pulling the trigger on them. His suspicions were confirmed on the random Wednesday that Owen appeared in the lab unannounced. Henry smiled at him in an almost dastardly way, "It's that time, is it?" Owen rolled his eyes and nodded before taking an accusatory tone, "No leaks. In case something goes wrong, we're not announcing anything until they've hatched. It will be too difficult to hide after that. Until then, however, they'll just be another six eggs in an incubator. Got it?"
Henry snorted, "Most mothers just keep it under wraps during the first trimester."
"Fuck you, Henry. Have your staff signed the NDAs?" Henry nodded with a grin before Owen asked pointedly, "Have you?"
"Not yet."
"Good."
Henry looked at him with surprise then raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms, "Am I to be your messenger?"
Owen took a deep breath, "I want you to give Claire Dearing a head's up, just like you did before."
Henry smiled like the cat that ate the canary and said, "No problem. Good idea, to let her know that she has a window of time to visit her favorite boutique on the mainland."
Owen was momentarily flummoxed and stammered, "What? No. I just meant...she was drug through the mud last time. Things have calmed down, but...when they hatch, it'll start up all over again...maybe worse."
"I knew what you meant," Henry smirked and added mockingly, "This contact prohibition is tough."
Owen stared him down with irritation until Henry softly chucked. Henry shrugged his shoulders to say, "She's a clothes horse, but the poor girl has been too afraid of being recognized to go to the mainland since the news broke. I know it's what she'll do as soon as I tell her." He smiled mischievously when he added, "When do you want me to tell her?"
"Right before you sign that NDA," Owen scoffed.
"I'll get it to you Friday afternoon."
Owen practically stormed out of the lab.
Claire was sitting at her desk wrapping up the week's business when she received a text from Henry. He said he was stopping by her office with a weekend message. She rolled her eyes and wondered if he would try to bait her into giving away some tidbit about someone or something. Henry once told her that Enrique "always had the best dirt." He appeared five minutes later, carrying a single sheet of paper, and shut her door behind him.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" asked Claire.
Henry smiled while running his fingers around the edges of the paper, "It's safe to go shopping...for a bit." She raised her eyebrows at him, "Huh?"
"Come on, Claire, I haven't seen you in a new outfit in months. Go to that boutique you like so much. You've been incubating too long on the island. Time to break out."
"What. Are. You. Talking. About?"
"I was aiming to be discreet. If you really just want me to-"
"Stop," Claire's eye widened in realization, "Got it. In your...professional opinion, how much time do I have?"
"Three months."
"I appreciate your stopping by." Henry looked at her expectantly. She rolled her eyes and added, "Oh, fine...tell your female staff to be careful with the newest predator on the island, a surgeon named Dr. Staley."
Henry smiled, "You remind me more of Enrique with each passing day. In all honesty, Claire, you're doing a great job. Have fun this weekend." Henry started for the door and then turned on his heel, "Oh, wait, almost forgot. Can I use a pen?" Claire passed him a pen, and he signed the bottom of the paper he was carrying. He passed the pen back to her, nodded appreciatively, and walked out with his paper. Claire leaned back in her chair to plan for the weekend.
