The Malcolm Effect
Lewis Dodgson had drove around the park for the past two hours, burning gas. At first, he had stopped by the paddocks, but now he was content to drive around in circles. It was a long two hours for the other occupants in the jeep. Ellie Sattler sat up front, staring out the window and Tim Murphy sat in the backseat. Neither of them said anything to Dodgson the entire time. It was uncomfortable and unbearable, but they forced themselves to sit quietly rather than entertain a conversation with Dodgson, who suddenly broke the silence.
"I have a splendid idea."
Ellie glanced at him, and then went back to staring out the window. Tim didn't respond.
Dodgson dug in his pocket and produced a walkie-talkie. Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he maneuvered the walkie-talkie and radioed Henry Wu.
"Where are you, Hank?"
There was messy static and then Wu's voice could be heard. "In the maiasaura paddock making sure our resident vet and park warden are doing their jobs."
"We'll be there in a flash." Before Wu could respond, Dodgson turned off the walkie-talkie and tossed it on Ellie's lap. "Hold it for me," he told her.
Ellie picked up the walkie-talkie with the intention of tossing it out the window and then thought better of it. She dumped it into the backseat and sat back, serene and unconcerned with Dodgson's reaction.
Dodgson took his eyes off the road to glare at her. "Real cute. We're going to the maiasaura paddock right now."
Ellie shrugged and met Tim's eyes in the rearview mirror. Tim looked worried, although he kept his gaze everywhere, but Dodgson's direction. So far, the plan had worked well. Tim was safe and Dodgson hadn't done anything to him.
Ellie wondered if this would still be the case once Ian Malcolm's plan went into action. She had no way of knowing what had transpired on the mainland with Roland Tembo or Lex Murphy, but she was confident Malcolm had accomplished what he had set out to do. It was only a matter of time before they found out. Ellie wished Malcolm could call her from the mainland to give her and the InGen staff a heads-up, but realized that would be too risky. The only way they would know if everything went according to plan was when Alan Grant and Dennis Nedry returned to the island with Malcolm and Lex sometime this week or the following week.
The jeep suddenly swerved as Dodgson slammed the gas pedal and turned the steering wheel. Within minutes, they were in a wide open space surrounded by green grass in all directions. Up ahead, a herd of maiasaurs stood together by the water hole. About a hundred feet away from them, Gerry Harding was hunched over a sick maiasaur. The animal lay on her side, slowly breathing, while Harding continued to do his work. Robert Muldoon stood nearby helping him and Wu watched from a distance. Dodgson pulled over several feet away, stopping the jeep abruptly.
"You—" Dodgson demanded, pointing at Tim, "get the fuck out right now!"
Tim hesitated. Ellie turned to him, a concerned look in her eyes, and then back to Dodgson.
"What are you doing? I told you he's staying with us! We agreed to this!"
Dodgson ignored her. "Are you deaf? I said get out—NOW!"
Before Dodgson could shout again, Tim yanked the door handle and scurried out of the jeep. He quickly went to stand by Muldoon, who now approached the vehicle to confront Dodgson. Harding stopped what he was doing, and even Wu seemed surprised by what was going on. Ellie started to open the door on her side when the jeep lurched forward.
"What the hell is he doing?" Muldoon asked no one in particular.
He watched Dodgson drive out of the paddock as quickly as he had drove in. Who knew what Dodgson planned on, now that he had dropped Tim at the enclosure—and had Ellie all to himself.
"I'm getting to the bottom of this, Gerry," Muldoon said. "And I'm taking Tim with me."
Harding nodded. "Do what you have to do."
Muldoon turned to Tim. "Let's go, we're leaving right now."
"We can't go anywhere," Tim protested. He glanced at Wu, who had the most fearsome expression on his face. "And he won't let us leave."
"He won't stop us," Muldoon replied. Without another word, he grabbed Tim's arm and sprinted towards the gas-powered jeep Harding had used earlier.
"HEY!" Wu shouted. "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE RUNNING OFF TO?" He watched them, shocked at Muldoon's actions. "You better come back here if you know what's good for you!"
Muldoon released Tim's arm so that he was running by his side. "Get in the passenger side fast!"
Muldoon was a swift runner and Tim struggled to keep up with him. In just a little while, they'd be in the jeep, out of the paddock, and driving down the back roads. Muldoon turned the ignition key and Tim climbed into the jeep. He could see Wu running towards them in the rearview mirror. Time to get out of here, Muldoon thought. He jammed the gas pedal and sped out of the paddock before Wu could climb into the vehicle. Muldoon thought fast. Dodgson had probably gone to the visitor center with Ellie. Maybe Tim knew.
"Did he say where he was going, Tim?"
"No—he just dropped me off out of nowhere," Tim said between gasps. "I have no idea—"
"I'll find out what he's up to."
Muldoon knew Dodgson didn't have good intentions when he dropped Tim at the paddock and drove off with Ellie. He wanted to go find Ellie first, but he knew Tim's safety was priority. As he drove down the back road, Muldoon made an immediate decision about the best course of action to take in this situation. Staff lodge first, visitor center second.
oOo
The gas-powered jeep was parked in front of the visitor center, empty of its occupants.
Dodgson dragged Ellie up the steps. She was obviously not willing to go along with him, so he resorted to twisting and pulling her by the arm. It came as no surprise to him that he had forcefully removed her from the jeep in the same manner. Ellie hit and kicked Dodgson, but he barely reacted. He simply dragged her against her will, and enjoyed her putting up a fight. With one hand, he pushed the visitor center's doors open and yanked Ellie inside.
"This would a lot easier if you stopped struggling, Dr. Sattler."
"Like hell I will," she snapped, trying to yank her arm out of his iron grip.
Dodgson smirked as he walked down the corridor of offices and stopped at Hammond's office. He kicked open the door and tossed Ellie inside. Ellie tried to use those few seconds she had free to run out, but Dodgson closed the door and spun around to face her.
"Your little plan to protect Tim backfired on you. Now that I've got you here, you aren't going anywhere."
Ellie's eyes searched the room for another exit—there was none. Dodgson quickly advanced upon her, backing her into a wall. Ellie looked to her left and right just as Dodgson grabbed her shoulders in a tight grip so that she couldn't escape.
"Just you and me…I was pissed off that Dr. Malcolm wanted to do whatever, but you know what? This little plan works out just fine; it was easy to twist it around. Now I can spend quality time alone with you."
Before she could respond, Dodgson grabbed Ellie's hair and yanked it back, exposing her neck. Ellie gasped in fright and pushed him away. It was like an ant trying to shove a boulder off a cliff. Dodgson didn't budge. He simply lowered his head and kissed Ellie's neck.
"You're sweet…"
Ellie's heart rode on a rollercoaster in her chest. What the hell is he doing? The horrible paralysis of fear spread over her and her mouth was dry like sand. She was frozen and just as quickly, her fury overtook her, giving her the power to fight back. Mustering every ounce of strength, she pushed Dodgson off her.
Dodgson backed up a few inches and maintained his balance. A creepy grin lit his face. "I like a woman who shows a lot of spunk." He traced his finger on her lips. "Very sexy."
Ellie grabbed his wrist with the tracing finger and threw it against him. When she spoke, her voice was a feral growl, "Stop it or I swear—"
They were interrupted by the phone ringing in the office. Dodgson froze and Ellie took deep breaths, regaining her composure. The phone rang again, insistent. Dodgson slammed his right palm against the wall, missing Ellie's face by an inch.
"Now what!" Dodgson strode to the phone on the desk, not hiding his anger. "Of all the fucking times—whoever the hell this is better make it fast."
Free from Dodgson's towering form, Ellie quickly went to open the door and run out.
"Keep that damn door closed!"
Ellie closed the door reluctantly and kept her back towards Dodgson, refusing to face him. She wondered who was on the phone with Dodgson—whoever it was had the right idea to call now. As she listened to the phone conversation from Dodgson's end, she couldn't help but smirk in triumph. If Dodgson had seen the wry expression on her face, he would've strangled her. It didn't matter since he was wrapped up in his conversation—and based on how he was responding; Ellie knew Malcolm's plan had worked.
"Uh-huh…I see. How long do you think—" Dodgson scowled when interrupted. He paced back and forth. "Repeat that again, I didn't catch that, Roland."
Ellie looked over her shoulder quickly. She was amused at seeing Dodgson agitated and heard Tembo's voice over the phone. His usual deep and powerful voice had been reduced to a mouse's squeaking. She didn't know if he was afraid or if it was due to a poor connection. Either way, she thought he sounded funny.
"Don't—how long—here—" Tembo's words got lost in garbled static.
"Speak louder, I can't hear you," Dodgson demanded. "Hello? Hello!"
"Damn Malcolm—the girl is—"
"What's that? I can't hear what you're saying." He heard another voice shouting in the background and then their conversation was cut off.
Dodgson threw the phone on the desk. He didn't bother to rest it on the hook. He came over to Ellie. She sighed and gave him a look that read: "what do you want me to do about it?" He hated the defiant glare in her eyes. He opened his mouth to say something to her when he decided he had other ways of making her feel his murderous rage.
Dodgson viciously slapped her across the face with his open palm.
Ellie's head snapped to the side and a brief gasp escaped her lips. She held her cheek that stung with pain. He yanked her hand off and quickly delivered another loud backhand smack. Saliva dribbled from her lips and she wiped her face. He grabbed her jaw, squeezing it between his fingers as though he had the power to crush it.
"Conniving. Little. Bitch."
"You call me 'bitch' like it's a bad thing." Ellie smiled, despite the pain heating her face and the constant ringing in her ears. She knew this might happen—she knew they had risked everything when she agreed to Malcolm's plan.
His fingers dug into her cheeks as he held her face tighter.
"You better start talking."
"About what?"
"Don't fuck with me, you stupid cunt."
"Wouldn't be the first time." She couldn't believe she said that, but she knew she had to show him that he didn't intimidate her no matter how much he degraded her. "You have your own bitches to play with. Isn't Raúl one of them? Or is it Roland, I forget." Ellie snickered, although her heart threatened to rip free from its ribcage.
Dodgson released her jaw and took a step back. He tossed his tinted shades to the floor and took a deep breath, trying to maintain control over a situation that was clearly beyond his control. His gray eyes smoldered like a forest fire and burned into Ellie's blue eyes.
"Let's try this one more time: where the hell did Dr. Malcolm and Lex go?"
"Wherever they said they were going—that's where they went."
Dodgson raised his hand to slap her again and then stopped himself. He grabbed her shoulders and squeezed them tightly.
"I want answers." This came through clenched teeth.
"Ask Roland, he went with them."
"You know where they went and what they did—you and Hammond's merry men." He slammed her back against the wall.
At that exact moment, the door was thrown open and Muldoon rushed in with Ray Arnold. George Lawala came in trailing after Arnold.
"WHAT THE BLOOD HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Muldoon demanded. "GET YOUR DISGUSTING HANDS OFF HER NOW!" He pulled Dodgson off Ellie, yanking him by the collar of his suit, and directed her to stand by the doorway.
Dodgson adjusted his collar and glared at Ellie. "She knows what's going on."
He approached her directly, intending to further harm her. Muldoon shoved Dodgson back, causing him to stumble against Hammond's desk. Arnold went to stand by Ellie to make sure she was okay.
"Are you alright?" he asked Ellie.
She nodded, although she was shaking from what just happened. "I've been better."
"What's going on here?" Muldoon asked, glaring at Dodgson.
"The lovely Dr. Sattler and I are having a little chat about where that brat and creep went—and why Roland Tembo is locked up on the mainland."
Muldoon, Arnold, and Ellie remained silent.
"Since you're here, you better answer my questions," Dodgson said in a low voice. He glowered at Ellie, although he now included Muldoon and Arnold as his targets.
"My time is precious." Muldoon held Dodgson's eyes. "Hurry up and ask."
"Where the fuck did Malcolm take Hammond's grandkid?" He looked from Muldoon to Arnold, watching to see if any of them would give information away. Both men glanced at each other and then back at Dodgson.
"There's no need for that language," Arnold said.
"I'll express myself however the hell I see fit," he hissed, pointing at Ellie. "The bitch here—"
Muldoon snatched his wrist in midair.
"Her name is 'Ellie'," Arnold said.
"And you will refer to me as 'Dr. Sattler'," Ellie finished.
Arnold nodded in agreement. "Understood?"
Muldoon released Dodgson's wrist. Ellie watched from the doorway.
"Yes, perfectly fine," Dodgson spat. "Dr. Sattler and the brat came by yesterday—"
"Her name is 'Alexis'," Arnold interrupted a second time.
"Yes, Alexis. They came here yesterday begging to see Hammond in the hospital. I was gracious enough to grant her request. She said she was going with Dr. Malcolm. They left at noon today."
"What's the problem?"
Dodgson's eyes widened and his fury skyrocketed. The fact that Arnold asked him in such a nonchalant manner was the final insult. He started pacing back and forth, like a death-row prisoner maddened by the fact that he was facing his impending execution.
"You know what my fucking problem is!"
"I don't," Arnold said, calmly.
"They were supposed to go and come back and now Roland Tembo's sitting in a damn jail cell."
"That's a shame."
Dodgson bristled when he heard the indifference in Arnold's voice. "I see you're no help. You should go back to the control room and sit on your ass watching the video monitors. That's all you're good for!"
Arnold wasn't the slightest bit offended by Dodgson's insults. "What's there to help with? He's in a jail cell. Go bail him out if you care so damn much."
Dodgson stopped pacing and approached them wearily. "You know what…when I find out where that mathematician and brat went…InGen's going to pay, pay, and PAY some more. You thought it was hell before? All those weeks where my team micromanaged you dirtbags down to your last breath? That was nothing."
Muldoon listened to Dodgson with a coolness that he had mastered long ago. There was no reason to be afraid or worried about Dodgson's threats. The InGen staff had seen horrible days since Biosyn had taken over, but they hadn't given up. As far as Muldoon was concerned, the fight wasn't over until Biosyn left the island for good, and it was only a matter of time before that finally happened.
Dodgson jabbed a finger in Muldoon's chest. "Start talking."
"What do you want me to tell you?" Muldoon swatted Dodgson's finger off his chest.
"Have you been listening to me? Or daydreaming about your love affair with Rhonda the Raptor?"
"It's hard to understand what you're saying when you cuss so bloody much."
Dodgson punched the wall. His knuckles slid down leaving a blood smear. "I know how to hit you where it hurts. Maybe I should strangle that kid in front of the staff and leave his stupid carcass for the compys to feed on."
"Oh my God—" Ellie gasped. "You would never—"
"Idle threats, Ellie," Muldoon said, meeting her eyes. "He won't dare touch Tim."
"Are you testing me?" Dodgson sneered.
"You'll have to get through me first before you can even complete your thought about what you'd do to Tim," Muldoon said, turning to Dodgson. "You'll do no such thing—not while I'm around, and seeing as you won't let us leave the island, that means I'll be around for good."
Arnold chuckled. "Good one, Robert!" Even Ellie gave a half smile.
"You think this is funny? Like some fucking stand-up comedy?"
Muldoon shrugged.
"You three," Dodgson snarled, "should be thankful that I'm here. I take care of InGen while Hammond's away and this is how you show your gratitude."
"We'll show our gratitude when you leave the island for good," Ellie said.
"Shut up! You wait until I'm finished speaking and then you can talk."
Ellie burst out laughing and Dodgson stared at her, astonished.
"Are you finished? We've got things to do," Arnold said, gesturing towards the door where Lawala stood waiting.
"Get out of my face." Dodgson waved dismissively. "The sight of you three is infuriating."
"Our pleasure," Muldoon said. "After you, Ellie."
"Just so you know; you all work for me. Dr. Malcolm and Lex being God knows where doesn't change anything."
Ellie walked out first, followed by Arnold. Lawala trailed after Arnold. Throughout the entire confrontation, he remained silent and observant. It appeared that Dodgson was too focused on the InGen staff to reprimand him. Muldoon joined them and turned around to face Dodgson.
"We work for John Hammond—and John Hammond only," he said icily. "That will never change."
The group left and Dodgson dashed into the hallway, shouting down at them:
"GOOD RIDDANCE! YOU THREE ARE A WASTE OF SPACE ON THIS ISLAND!"
They didn't hear him or they simply ignored him. He knew they knew what had happened, but they didn't break. Never mind that—Dodgson had to forget about the InGen staff and focus on his team. Infuriated, he wondered how he would bail out Tembo. Under no circumstances would he leave the staff by themselves. That was out of the question.
Dodgson thought some more. Who had been with Tembo that night? Howard King. He would send King, by himself, to get Tembo out. Before he did that though, he had to make a few phone calls to see how much bail, if any at all, had been posted. Dodgson went inside Hammond's office and slammed the door behind him.
oOo
Muldoon approached Harding in the maiasaur paddock, still trying to put the confrontation against Dodgson out of his mind. Insanity and chaos was the norm on the island, but it still wore on Muldoon's nerves, especially the way Dodgson harassed Ellie and threatened Tim. He knew Dodgson's behavior must've stemmed from the success of Malcolm's plan. Muldoon was happy that Malcolm's plan had worked, but knew it was a double-edged sword because now the InGen staff had to protect themselves from Dodgson and his team. There was no telling how he'd take his anger out on Ellie, Tim, or anyone else from InGen.
Despite everything, he was glad he had the foresight to hide Tim in the staff lodge before going to the visitor center. Muldoon had taken Tim to a tiny bunker in the staff lodge, where he could remain for now. Only the InGen staff knew about it and they planned to keep it that way. There was food, a bed, blankets, first aid—it had everything he needed. Muldoon wasn't thrilled to place Tim in the bunker, knowing it might remind him of the week when he, Lex, and Malcolm had been locked in one against their will. This was about Tim's safety, as Muldoon explained to him, and Tim accepted it. Muldoon promised to return later.
After the confrontation in Hammond's office, Muldoon told Ellie about the bunker once they were out of the visitor center. She had gone to check on Tim, which was a good thing. Muldoon wanted to make sure an adult from InGen was always near Tim so that Dodgson wouldn't be tempted to make his threats a reality.
Now he returned to the maiasaura paddock again to check up on Harding's progress.
Harding was bent over the sick maiasaur,a still trying to figure out how to help her. The duck-billed animal lay on her side, breathing heavy. Her brown tongue lagged, spittle dripping onto the grass.
Harding looked up when he heard Muldoon and approaching.
"Hey Robert, what's going on? I thought you forgot about our patient here," he patted the maiasaur on the head.
"I had to see what was going on with you-know-bloody-who. He was harassing Ellie and yelling about how Roland's locked up on the mainland. I was able to get Ray from the control room. George Lawala let him out for a few minutes."
"Really?" Harding was surprised. "Seems like Lawala is the only one with an ounce of respect."
"He didn't do anything to stop it; he just watched the whole thing. Ray and I had to step in; otherwise Dodgson would've done something crazy. He probably did before we got there, that's what pisses me off."
"It never ends around here…" Harding sighed. "Is Ellie okay?"
"She's alright, just rattled from the incident."
Harding nodded. "Where is she now?"
"With Tim in the staff lodge. Someone on staff must stay with Tim at all times."
"Definitely, we need to make sure he's safe. Strength in numbers, you know?"
"Right, that's the idea."
Harding thought for a moment. "It's good that Roland's stuck on the mainland, it gives Dr. Malcolm and Lex time to complete their plan."
"It does," Muldoon agreed. He looked around and noticed that someone was missing. "Where's Henry?"
"Lopez came by and picked him up after you left," Harding said. "That's the only thing he's ever done on this island that I appreciate. I don't need either of them breathing down my back, telling me how to do my job." He wiped his forehead that gleaned with sweat. The day had just begun and he had a feeling he was going to be out here all day, trying to nurse the maiasaura back to health.
"Is this the same maiasaura Ray told you about?" Muldoon asked, redirecting their focus on the dinosaur.
During the past several weeks, this particular maiasaura had been observed on the video monitors to be dragging her weight and ambling around the paddock. Arnold made it a point to watch it closely and discovered she wasn't eating or even trying to make any attempt to stay alive. It was as though she was choosing to die. Now the sick maiasaura was situated far away from the herd; it had become an outcast among its own kind. This was very unusual considering the normal behavior of maiasaur; usually they stayed together as a herd for protection.
"Yeah, this is her. She's been sick for awhile, but I don't know from what…" Harding's voice trailed off. "This is different from the stegosaurs, and they're always getting sick."
Harding massaged his temples, and thought about what he should do. No answers came to him. He looked down at the maiasaura; the animal was breathing hard and she blinkaed her eyes. He tried not to let the situation get to him, but it was too much. It always hurt Harding to see sick animals, especially when he didn't know how to remedy the problem. He was a true veterinarian at heart and viewed the dinosaurs as his actual patients. He would do anything in his power to save a sick animal. Harding felt they were deserving of the same compassion and care a human would receive if they were extremely ill.
"I just wish I knew what it was."
"Could be the water supply," Muldoon suggested. "It hasn't rained on the island for months now."
Rainfall provided water for the waterholes the dinosaurs drank from. They had man-made troughs in their paddocks and tended to go back and forth between that and nature's water. Nature's water, the rainfall, had not been plentiful lately. Maybe the dinosaurs were drinking old still water, making them sick. Harding asked Muldoon about it.
"It's possible," Muldoon said. "We have to order more water for the animals to make sure they're getting what they need to survive. We've done it before."
"Yeah…" Harding shook his head. "I think it has more to do with those screwy food plans that Lopez is using. He's made all these changes like having the herbivores eat goats, and the carnivores eat plant matter. It's ridiculous."
"There's only one thing we can do about it," Muldoon said.
"What's that?"
"Confront him and Dodgson—and force them to stop doing it."
Harding groaned. "They're not going to listen to us. You know that already."
"I know, but he can't rip our heads off for telling him the truth. If he wants to make a bloody fortune off this park under Biosyn's name, then he doesn't have a choice."
oOo
"Do me a favor, Raúl. Get me bottled water from the cafeteria. Thanks, it'll help me figure this garbage out."
Raúl Lopez nodded and left the office, leaving Wu behind with Dodgson. They were in Hammond's office brainstorming how to get Tembo out of jail. Dodgson imagined the worst possible scenario: he would have to pay bail to get him out and Tembo would have to go to court and face charges. Although Dodgson had successfully freed Nedry from federal prison, he wasn't sure he'd be able to do the same for Tembo. He wasn't familiar with the Costa Rican judicial system as he was with the American system. Lopez had expressed optimism before he left.
"We don't know if he's been charged with any crime. You can always call the cop that helped us before."
Dodgson had stared at him. Lopez hadn't been sure if Dodgson was impressed or infuriated by his suggestion. He took a chance and continued with his idea. "For the right amount of money, he can be bribed to release Roland with no charges."
Dodgson considered the idea. Wu offered no suggestions as to what could be done, although he seemed to agree with Lopez. Lopez came back with the bottled water and handed it to Dodgson.
"What do you think, Dr. Dodgson?"
"It's good to have friends in high places," Dodgson said, grinning. "I'm going to call that cop and see if he can pull some strings."
"Good idea."
"It was yours, Raúl."
Lopez grinned with pride. He was finally getting the recognition and appreciation he had always wanted. "As I said before, he might just spend the night in jail and then be released. No sweat."
"You're right; I just don't want to pay stupid bail because he was dumb enough to get arrested. Arrested for what?"
"Dr. Dodgson," Lopez said quietly, "we don't know, so let's not assume anything. If anything, I think InGen set him up." He muttered the last words, knowing they would set off Dodgson. He reached for the phone on the table between them. "Call the cop, offer him some hush-money, and everything will be set. Roland will be back before you know it."
Dodgson nodded. "I'm going to do that right now. Get Sonya and Howard in here. By the time I'm done calling, they need to know what's going on since one of them is going to the mainland to get Tembo."
Lopez nodded and left Hammond's office while Dodgson dialed the number Gennaro had given him to reach Antonio Contreras. Contreras had also given Dodgson his card the last time they were there in case he needed assistance. There was a brief ringing and then a phone on the other line picked up.
"Hello, who am I speaking with?" Dodgson said gruffly. He immediately warmed up. "How are you, Lieutenant Contreras? That's what we're calling you these days, huh? Good for you. Anyway, I have some questions regarding one of my employees. Not that one…I want nothing to do with that jack-ass…I'm surprised they didn't ship him to the States yet. What's the hold up?" Dodgson was silent for a moment as he listened to Contreras. Then he continued. "His name is Roland Tembo and he was probably brought in earlier."
Lopez returned with Howard King and Sonya Durant. He opened his mouth to speak to Dodgson, but was waved away. Of course, it was never a good idea to interrupt Dodgson when he was on an important phone call and taking care of business matters. Lopez totally understood.
"So there will be no charges…just the night in jail. I'm sending in my personal assistant tomorrow, he'll give you a personal donation for your generosity."
Dodgson slammed the phone down. He looked up at Sonya and King. King looked confused as to what was happening, and Sonya appeared suspicious. She remained standing in the doorway and didn't return Dodgson's confident smile.
"Excellent news!" Dodgson said excitedly. "Our friendly neighborhood cop is erasing Roland's record of arrest. He was going to change the charge, but he's going to see if he can get rid of it for good. One of you has to be there tomorrow at three in the afternoon to pay him off, and we're set. He'll be at a bar near the police station, you'll meet him there."
"That's why you should've let me go with him," Sonya muttered.
"What did you say, Sonya?" Dodgson asked, looking straight at her.
There was an edge in his voice that everyone on the team was familiar with. Even Wu, who had just started working with Biosyn, knew that tone meant you had crossed a boundary with Dodgson.
Wu, Lopez, and King turned to stare at Sonya.
"He shouldn't have gone by himself," Sonya said, keeping her voice low.
"Sonya Durant, if you're going to speak, then make sure it's loud enough so that everyone can hear what you have to say," Dodgson said, his eyes narrowing to slits. "Or shut your fucking mouth. I don't have time to waste on your smart-aleck backtalk. I had enough of that from Dennis—and I don't need you taking his spot."
Sonya swallowed nervously. She hated being embarrassed in front of the team, especially since she considered herself to be one of Dodgson's most loyal employees. This whole situation with Tembo needing to get bailed out of jail came about because Malcolm and Lex played their stupid games. They tricked him into getting arrested to throw him off their trail. It was obvious to Sonya the situation had been planned out and executed perfectly.
Not that Dodgson would listen. He should listen and take it out on the InGen staff—because Sonya knew she definitely would if she was in his shoes—but Dodgson was prideful. As furious as he was from the whole situation, he would never admit he was wrong to send Tembo by himself. Sonya knew it, and she was certain the rest of the team knew it, but no one would say anything. Sonya would've pressed the point, but she didn't want to face Dodgson's anger or be dismissed. Instead, she stood at the doorway, refusing to say anything else.
"Are we clear, Ms. Durant?"
Sonya gave a curt nod.
"Good." Dodgson grinned in her direction, satisfied that she knew her place. "You're still one of my best!"
She gave a lukewarm smile, but still didn't join the rest of the group.
"What was he arrested for?" Lopez asked, bringing the group back to business.
"Bringing a firearm into a hospital, but he's going to change it to disturbing the peace in a public building—some nonsense. He said it's not a serious charge and Roland will spend the night in jail. One of you," Dodgson pointed at Sonya and King, "is taking the trip tomorrow. I'd prefer you to go, Howard. I need Sonya here."
King shrugged, seeing as he didn't really have a choice. "Sure Lew, I'll do it."
"Good. Now let's talk about—"
Muldoon and Harding suddenly rushed into Hammond's office followed by Ellie. They brushed past Sonya, who hadn't heard them coming. Dodgson kept silent as they approached him. Wu's eyebrows rose in surprise and King seemed disinterested. Lopez smirked at Sonya and they watched Dodgson go into action.
"We have a serious problem," Harding said.
"I have a serious problem too, but it's about to be solved," Dodgson said, as he opened the bottled water. "I still have some minor setbacks with Dr. Malcolm and Lex running around on the mainland, but that's okay. Two less InGen shitheads to worry about works for me!"
Harding ignored what Dodgson just said. "We need to order a fresh supply of water for the troughs—the dinosaurs drink from them."
"I know what they are," Dodgson snapped.
"Hammond ordered the best water especially for his animals," Muldoon added. "If you want them to be maintained, then you have to order more water."
As ridiculous as it sounded, Muldoon and Harding were telling the truth. Hammond, in his own famous words "spared no expense" when it came to the dinosaurs' conservation. Although a heavy rainfall was healthy for the dinosaurs, he always insisted they receive the best, so he ordered thousands of gallons of water in case there was a shortage in the park. Certain areas like the dilophosaur paddock never had this problem because the jungle river ran through it. Other areas, like the maiasaura enclosure, were not as fortunate. When there was a lack of rainfall, the waterhole in the maiasaura enclosure dried up. It had not rained on Isla Nublar in months and the water supply was dwindling.
Harding was silent for a moment before he continued. "The animals are getting sick because there's not enough fresh water for them—and because of your staff."
Dodgson slammed his bottled water on the desk in response. "Say that again? I don't believe I heard you right."
"I said," Harding made sure his voice was firm, "the animals are getting sick because of your staff."
On the way to the visitor center, Muldoon and Harding decided to hold true to the reason the maiasaur was sick: Lopez changing their diets. They had gone to see Tim in the bunker, and Ellie decided to go with them. She predicted it wouldn't go well. Muldoon and Harding knew she was right, but decided to chance it anyway. Dodgson swore up and down that they better take care of his animals or else—and now he didn't take them seriously. Not that it was anything new.
"You're joking, right? How dare you blame my staff on anything that goes wrong in this damn park!" Dodgson had been sitting behind Hammond's desk and now stood up. "Things were going wrong before we stepped foot on this island."
"And your presence has made everything worse," Muldoon shot back.
"Robert—wait—" Harding started, but Muldoon held up his hand.
"Your bloody staff is the reason for the dinosaurs getting sick. This never happened when John was here."
"That's a joke," Lopez said, snickering. "Henry told me about that sick stegosaur during the first park inspection."
Wu nodded in agreement, and smirked at Harding.
"We're talking about now, and right now, you're screwing with their diets," Muldoon said, directing his glare at Lopez. "You should know your stuff as a paleontologist."
"Excuse me?" Lopez was thoroughly offended. "Who the hell are you accusing?"
Dodgson made his way around Hammond's desk so that he faced off Muldoon.
"I've heard enough of this crap. I'm not going to stand by and let you accuse my staff of things that you InGen twats are doing or not doing." Dodgson pointed at Harding. "You have a responsibility to ensure the animals' health. Ordering water for the dinosaurs in this park is one thing…but to suggest they're getting sick because of my staff's new way of doing things—or because they're not lapping up Poland spring water—is damned ridiculous. That's some funny shit right there." He chuckled and gestured with his bottled water. "I don't have to order a damn thing."
"It's not a joke; they need to drink fresh water, just like we do," Ellie insisted.
Dodgson twisted the cap off and hurled his bottle of spring water to the floor. "There's your fucking water!" The water pooled into a puddle on the floor. "We're on an island in case you haven't noticed. You know what an island is, don't you? Use a bucket or a cup to collect the water. I don't care how you do it. No one's getting off this island. Nice try."
Lopez and Wu laughed, amused at Muldoon and Harding's speechless reaction.
"Get ready, Howard. We have to prepare for your little trip."
King nodded and left the Hammond's office.
Muldoon and Harding exchanged a glance at the mention of "little trip". What did Dodgson have up his sleeve now?
Ellie watched him leave and started to follow him. Dodgson snapped his fingers and in a flash, Sonya blocked her path. Ellie tried to step around her, but Sonya kept moving in front of her, grinning the entire time. They were both the same height and Ellie was tempted to shove her out the way. It wouldn't be hard to take Sonya down, especially since Ellie was still fired up from her earlier confrontation with Dodgson and at Sonya for destroying her greenhouse.
"Don't even think of playing tag-along, Dr. Sattler," Dodgson growled from behind. "If you do, I'll have Sonya take care of you. You don't want that, trust me. She's brutal when necessary."
"Which is most of the time," Sonya added, as she picked at strands of Ellie's blonde hair.
"I'd hate to see your pretty face get torn apart by my most loyal employee. It would break my cruel heart."
Ellie and Sonya locked eyes, oblivious to Dodgson in the background.
"I'd love to tear it apart. Whenever you're ready, Goldilocks," Sonya sneered.
"Anytime you are, you rotten bitch."
Sonya's eyes widened. So Dr. Sattler has a little fire in her…we'll see who gets who, won't we?
Muldoon placed a hand on her shoulder. "She's not worth a bloody penny, Ellie."
Ellie nodded, although her hands were clenched into tight fists. She was thrilled when she saw the slight shock in Sonya's face. She has no idea who she's messing with, Ellie thought. Muldoon squeezed Ellie's shoulder, reminding her to not bother with Sonya—at least, not right now. Satisfied, Ellie left Hammond's office with Muldoon and Harding, remembering what Harding had told her after Dodgson's gang had taken over Isla Nublar: there's strength in numbers.
oOo
"I spoke to your boss," Antonio Contreras told Roland Tembo.
They walked down a long gray hallway to a dark cell. There were cells on both sides of them. Inmates shouted at them, some laughing and some cursing.
"Who?"
"Dodgson."
Of course, Dodgso pulled strings, Tembo thought. He was good at using people to achieve his goals, even those who worked for law enforcement.
"You'll be out of here by tomorrow. Don't stress it."
Tembo nodded, but found himself infuriated by the entire situation. That joke of a mathematician and Hammond's bratty granddaughter think they have the last laugh. Now he was locked in a damn facility on the mainland. At least he'd be out by tomorrow. Even so, he couldn't let go of the fact that they had made a fool of him.
Contreras opened the cell and Tembo walked in. Claustrophobia washed over him. Tembo prided himself on not being afraid of anything, but he knew he would never be able to serve a day in prison. How could anyone live in a ten by twelve cell—or even smaller? How could they face waking up to the same gray cell and steel bars for years? He'd rather shoot himself in the head. Tembo stared outside the bars, still in disbelief that he was locked up, even if it was only for one night. Contreras locked the cell door, the clanging noise echoing in the small confines. He called to the occupant already inside.
"I thought you'd like some company."
He received a raised middle finger in response.
"I have a good mind to come in there and break your little finger. I'll save that for your guest."
This time, Contreras met silence.
"You're learning to keep your trap shut. Good. Behave yourself or I'll throw you in the hole again like last time when you couldn't play nice." He leaned over to Tembo. "I'll have you moved to another cell in the morning." Without another word, Contreras walked away, whistling, leaving Tembo standing inside the cell.
Tembo watched Contreras leave. He didn't fully trust the cop, although he had been paid off by Lewis Dodgson. Contreras was obviously corrupt, and had probably been so for a long time, even before Dodgson showed up. Tembo decided not to dwell on it. He hadn't met his cellmate, nor did he want to. Thank God he would be out of here in less than twenty-four hours. The first thing on my list will be to find that blasted Dr. Malcolm and wring his neck fifty different ways, Tembo thought. He smiled when he imagined it.
"Welcome to the big house."
Tembo turned around suddenly when he recognized the man's voice.
"You're still here?"
oOo
That evening the InGen staff sat together for dinner in the cafeteria.
Muldoon and Ellie sat on both sides of Tim, protecting him. Harding and Arnold sat across from them. Gennaro was nowhere to be found, he wasn't even sitting with the Biosyn team. Tim had been reluctant to go to dinner once he found out it was in the visitor center's cafeteria. He didn't want to run into Dodgson or anyone from Biosyn. After Muldoon explained they would sit with him, Tim felt more confident. He also wanted to get out of the bunker. Being in there all day was beginning to make him feel anxious, especially after Muldoon and Harding came back with Ellie following another incident with Dodgson. For now though, he would try to enjoy his dinner and not worry too much about Lex and Malcolm.
Harding smiled. "There's strength in numbers," he told Tim.
Tim nodded. He did feel safer sitting with his grandfather's staff. He felt nothing could break through InGen's solidarity. It was great to see them sit together since it hadn't happened in a long time. He could've counted the secret meeting in the staff lodge (which was terrific itself), but tonight's dinner beat that by a long shot. The InGen staff's sitting together in the cafeteria in plain sight for Dodgson to see was meant as a threatening gesture to their rivals. Tim glanced briefly to the left side before Muldoon nudged him.
"Don't worry about them; they're not going to do anything to you."
The Biosyn team sat across the cafeteria. They ate silently, while watching the InGen staff the entire time. Dodgson was the only one not eating. He stared at the InGen staff, not saying anything.
It went unspoken amongst both companies that the InGen staff had succeeded in undermining Dodgson. He had exercised complete control over them for some time; and now with Malcolm and Lex on the mainland, and Tembo incarcerated for the night, it proved they had managed to weaken his stranglehold. They had also directly challenged him earlier with that matter concerning the sick animals. Dodgson detested being challenged, questioned, and resisted. He always demanded full submission of his employees, and there was no way he'd allow InGen to run amok.
One thing was certain: they hadn't weakened Dodgson's determination to make Jurassic Park his own property.
Dodgson stood up and approached the InGen staff. They continued to eat their dinner, paying no mind to Dodgson. Arnold and Harding chatted about their tasks for tomorrow, and Ellie and Muldoon discussed quietly about their evening's plans. Tim involved himself in their conversations and stopped when Dodgson came over.
"So you guys like turning this island upside-down?" Dodgson asked.
Ellie and Muldoon exchanged a glance.
"That's your domain," Muldoon said, casually.
Dodgson ignored him and focused on Tim. He stared at him for a long while and chuckled to himself. Tim tried to not shrink back into his chair. It was obvious that Dodgson was trying to frighten him. Suddenly Dodgson flipped the table over, spilling plates, cups, utensils, and leftover food onto the InGen staff. Most of the items landed on the floor.
"What in the world is wrong with you?" Arnold wiped food crumbs off his trousers. "Is that supposed to be a joke?"
"You better watch your back, Tim—or better yet, hope your grandfather's little runts have your back."
Dodgson laughed and walked back to where his team sat. They were chuckling and jeering at the InGen staff.
"Don't worry about it," Muldoon told Tim. "I'll stay with you the entire night. We all will to make sure he doesn't harm you."
Tim looked at the rest of the staff to see if they really meant to stand by Muldoon's words. He relaxed when he saw Arnold, Ellie, and Harding nod in agreement. Tim thought about what Harding had told him. There's strength in numbers.
oOo
The sun greeted Isla Nublar and its inhabitants the following day. No one from InGen showed up for the usual morning meeting in the cafeteria. It was just as well since the Biosyn team was nowhere to be found. The InGen staff took it upon themselves to go about their usual tasks. Although it was a new day and one would hope for a positive start, Arnold realized what lay in store for the InGen staff as soon as he got to the control room.
On the video monitor next to Arnold's console, the park's cameras had picked up a disturbing image. Arnold placed his coffee mug down on his desk and squinted at the screen. He couldn't be sure of what he saw, but it couldn't be anything else.
Lying on her side was the sick maiasaur that Harding had tended to yesterday. A cloud of flies buzzed around the carcass and beneath them, Arnold could barely make out the brownish-red leathery skin of the dinosaur. The once vibrant colors had faded and the arms, legs, and tail had stiffened in death. Arnold swallowed nervously and picked up a walkie-talkie to radio Harding.
oOo
"That's her…that's the one."
Arnold sat in his swiveling chair and lit a cigarette. "I didn't want to tell you, Gerry. It's the last thing you need to hear."
"I was going to find out sooner or later."
Harding had been in the triceratops' paddock taking care of a sick animal, when Arnold had contacted him to come to the control room. He shook his head in disbelief that this was happening. It seemed like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were dying faster than he could get to them to find out what was happening.
"Do you know how she died?"
"Probably the stuff I told you about last night…lack of water, changed diet…"
Arnold puffed on his cigarette and stared at the monitor. "You know Dodgson would be like 'clone another one, no big deal'—only he'd never let Henry hear him say that."
"Tell me about it." Harding sighed. He was mentally exhausted from the stress and frustration. "You know what? I'm going out there to check if it is her."
"And if it is?" Arnold asked.
Harding grew quiet. He wasn't sure what he would do yet. "We'll figure it out later. I'll take the gas-powered jeep in the garage—is Robert using it?"
"Not now. Do you want him to go with you?"
"Thanks, Ray, I got this. If you can just shut off the power for that paddock briefly—even better, I'll go in through the back roads."
"Alright, I'll cover you."
"Be back in a bit."
Arnold nodded and watched Harding leave the control room.
oOo
He wanted to go by himself, but as soon as he left the visitor center, Harding wished he had asked Muldoon to accompany him. There was "strength in numbers" as Harding often told his coworkers. When more than one InGen employee was around, the Biosyn team tended to back off. Still, Harding needed to see the maiasaur by himself.
As he parked near the enclosure, he wondered again what was going on with the dinosaurs in the park, and what had contributed to the maiasaur's death. Was it the lysine dependency? Not enough proper nutrients or fresh water? Screwed up diets? Was the extreme heat making it harder for the dinosaurs to live? The last question Harding dismissed. Most dinosaurs in their actual years had lived in extremely hot climates, so the weather couldn't be the answer as to what was hurting them now.
Harding had used the back roads and now he radioed Arnold to let him know it was okay to keep the paddock fences on. He walked into the grassy area from the back of the paddock. The maiasaurs were known to be docile creatures, so Harding wasn't worried about them charging at him. Three adults were grazing in the open field. The rest were moving slowly in a large group. One maiasaur cocked her head at him, curious, and then turned back to the group.
Fifteen feet into the enclosure he found what he was looking for. He was able to smell it, even before he saw it. The dead maiasaur lay on her side; the leathery skin split apart around the belly area, revealing reddish pink muscles. Thick yellowish mucus-like fluids ran down the body. The sour smell of death hung about the animal. Harding wrinkled his nose: it smelled like a foul combination of mud, rotten eggs, and rain. Clouds of flies buzzed over the head and swarmed around the carcass.
Despite the grizzly sight, Harding knelt down beside the dinosaur and gently moved her head. The eyes were open with the black pupils dilated reflecting back Harding's image. Harding gently closed the dinosaur's eyes with his hand. He noted that the leathery skin of the dinosaur was rock hard. He sighed and felt a tear sting his eye. I can't believe I'm crying, he thought and wiped his face. He set the head tenderly down.
Muldoon would probably be called in to remove the body with his team, or the compys could take care of it. The latter thought did not appeal to Harding, although the park staff sometimes used the compys for that purpose. He decided to head back to the control room and let Arnold know about the animal. It was the only thing he could do now. Everything that Harding could do, he had done, and still the maiasaur had died. He was heartbroken.
Muffled footsteps sounded behind him in the area.
Harding spun around and saw George Lawala several feet behind him. The sadness he felt moments ago was replaced with shocked anger. I'm being followed now? What the hell! He was ready to shout at Lawala, but Harding found that his fury had the opposite effect: it silenced him. He was so angry that he couldn't even talk or find the words to express what he felt. How long had he been there watching? Harding glared at him and left the paddock without uttering a syllable. And to think, just the day before, he had credited Lawala as being the most respectful person from Biosyn. Harding climbed into the jeep and drove away, hoping that sooner than later the invasive Biosyn staff would leave Isla Nublar.
Permanently.
oOo
Lawala watched Harding leave the paddock. He could read the expression on Harding's face loud and clear: obviously the vet didn't take kindly to being followed and spied on. Regardless of how Harding felt, Lawala was obligated to report back to Dodgson his findings. He took out his walkie-talkie and pressed the button.
"Dr. Dodgson? Just giving you a heads-up: Dr. Harding left the paddock minutes ago without helping the dinosaur. We have a dead animal on our hands. Over."
oOo
Harding pulled up in front of the visitor center. The image of the dead maiasaur was fixed in his mind and he knew it would be a long time before he got over this loss. Not only was Harding trying to save the dinosaur, but he was trying to help Hammond in his own way. If he couldn't visit Hammond, the least he could do was take care of the animals. That was his job, but in the past months, Harding took it more to heart than ever before. He turned off the jeep and took out the ignition key. At least he could talk to Muldoon, Arnold, Ellie, and Tim about what happened. Harding stepped out the vehicle when suddenly he heard the visitor center's doors thrown open. He looked up and saw Dodgson running down the stairs with Wu following close behind.
"I heard from Lawala! How dare you not do your job?" Dodgson yelled as he rushed down the steps. "What are you being paid to do? Take syringes up your ass?"
Harding froze. He should've known there was a reason Lawala followed him. He had been ratted out, tattled on. It was so elementary that Harding would laugh if he wasn't upset about the dead maiasaur. Dodgson marched towards Harding, his face beet red, and his black shades shoved in his breast pocket revealing piercing gray eyes. Harding stood his ground, refusing to be intimidated while Dodgson bellowed at the top of his lungs.
"You're not tending to the dinosaurs' needs—if you can't do your job, I'll find someone who will! We don't need you fucking around with the animals if you're not going to help them!"
Harding took a deep breath and maintained a calm silence. He wanted badly to yell back, but it was useless. Dodgson stopped ranting and then Wu came forward, ready to add his two cents.
"You're destroying my creation, Gerry. Happy now?" Wu circled Harding. There was a cold glint in his black eyes.
Harding watched him swagger around. He knew Wu would take advantage of any opportunity to be malicious towards him since Harding had made jabs at him for joining Biosyn. Wu stopped in front of Harding and yanked his InGen identification badge. The badge stayed in place on Harding's shirt. Wu snatched it again, the second time it came off. He held it in the air, sneering.
"Do you need this, Gerry?" Wu asked as he walked to the lake in front of the visitor center.
Harding didn't reply, but kept his eyes on Wu.
"I didn't think so." Wu tossed Harding's badge into the lake. Dodgson applauded.
Harding watched, wordless, as his badge sank into the water.
"You're fired," Wu growled. "Pack your bags and get the hell out of Jurassic Park. You won't be receiving unemployment either."
A beat of silence.
"Make me."
Wu's eyes widened, surprised at Harding's words. "You don't want me to make you… you'll be sorry you said that."
Harding said nothing, but kept his glare focused on Wu. He wasn't afraid of his former co-worker. Let Wu try and lift a finger and he would meet an entirely new Gerry Harding.
The visitor center's doors opened again and Harding looked past Wu and Dodgson. Arnold, Muldoon, and Ellie raced down the stairs to stand with him. Perfect timing, Harding thought. They probably heard Dodgson shouting. One person was missing though. Where's Tim? He mouthed to Arnold. Arnold mouthed staff lodge. Tim was safe there. Harding nodded, relieved and thankful that his co-workers had come to his aid; and that Tim was safely hidden away.
"Back. Off," Muldoon demanded. He stepped in front of Harding and blocked Wu.
Wu and Dodgson didn't budge.
"Fine then," Muldoon said, and he gestured at Arnold and Ellie to stand next to Harding. "We're not leaving until you take a swim in the lake and retrieve his ID badge."
Harding heard a slight slurring in Muldoon's words. He must be drinking again from all the stress, he thought. Arnold was right: this place is nothing but stress.
"I'm not going in there," Wu said, pointing at the lake. He wore a smug expression on his face that fit his new arrogant persona.
"Bloody hell, you are—even if I have to make you!" He grabbed Wu by the lapels of his lab-coat. "Go in there and swim to the bottom, you lying son of a bitch!"
Muldoon was in Wu's face to the point where their eyelashes could touch. Wu looked genuinely petrified and Dodgson stood nearby, gloating. Harding was going to tell him to forget about the badge, when Lawala, Sonya, and Lopez came from behind and pulled Muldoon off Wu. Harding stepped back and Ellie gasped in shock. They had come out of nowhere! Lawala and Lopez tossed Muldoon to the ground like a beanbag. Muldoon was a strong burly man, but they handled him swiftly in a coordinated manner—like a pack of raptors.
"You need to back off, jack-ass!" Lopez yelled. "Keep your damn hands to yourself!"
Muldoon's back slammed to the ground. Disoriented, he tried to stand up and Lopez kicked him in the stomach, hard. Arnold went to his aid, but Lawala shoved him down. That left Ellie alone next to Harding.
"We talked about your face before, Dr. Sattler." Sonya strutted towards her and raised a clenched fist. "I'm sure Dr. Malcolm would hate to see your face stitched up."
"I'm not afraid of you." Ellie's words came through clenched teeth. "Get the hell out of my face."
Sonya blinked and sauntered off to stand next to Dodgson. Ellie checked on Muldoon and helped Arnold to his feet. Dodgson pointed at Harding, the focal point of the scene.
"Make those fucking lizards stop getting sick. You're the doctor, so do something about it!"
Dodgson snapped his fingers at Lopez and pointed at the gas powered jeep. Lopez understood what he wanted and shoved Harding into the passenger seat of the jeep. Sonya opened the car door on the driver's side.
"Find out what's wrong with the maiasaur. This time you'll be escorted there and escorted back."
"She's dead," Harding protested. "There's nothing I can do for her."
"Bullshit! Raúl, Sonya, escort Dr. Harding. Make sure he does something to help the animal."
By now, Muldoon was on his feet again, standing next to Arnold and Ellie. He had overheard Dodgson forcing Harding to go back to the paddock and knew he was doing it on purpose. Dodgson knew how much it hurt Harding to deal with a dead animal, but he was pushing everyone beyond their limits because he could. Harding looked like he wanted to vanish from sight and he shook his head at Muldoon. Go to staff lodge or the control room, he mouthed at the InGen staff.
"If she's dead, then I want a time and cause of death documented," Dodgson said. "Don't even think of returning here until it's done."
Harding kept his eyes downcast as Sonya pressed the gas pedal and they headed into the park, leaving everyone else behind. Lopez chortled in the backseat. So much for strength in numbers, Harding thought.
oOo
That evening, King returned and headed straight for Hammond's office that Dodgson used as his own. He had completed the task of getting Tembo out of jail, although upon first sight of him, he tried not to appear shocked. Tembo looked like he had been roughed up the night before. His face was bruised, but despite the black shiner around his left eye, Tembo was still Tembo and as arrogant as ever.
King had made conducted the money exchange in an efficient manner. He didn't want to stay longer than he had to. Contreras had taken the money gleefully, after explaining he'd release Tembo in an hour. King had waited for Tembo at the bar where he had met Contreras. When Tembo finally met with King, he revealed nothing about the failed assignment to guard Malcolm and Lex. King figured Tembo would discuss that with Dodgson. Whatever. It wasn't King's problem anymore. Now he sat across from Dodgson, relaying the news of how everything went down.
"Good work, Howard," Dodgson said. "That wasn't hard at all, you deserve a gold star."
oOo
"Gerry's still in the park," Ellie said. "It's nine in the evening; he should've been back by now." She sat in the control room across from Arnold. Next to her, Tim played Snood on the computer.
"I know, but Dodgson's whores forced him to go back to the maiasaur enclosure. God knows when they'll be back," Muldoon said.
"'Dodgson's whores'?" Ellie repeated.
Muldoon saw the perplexed look she gave him. "It's a long story."
"I see." She didn't ask.
Arnold lit a cigarette. "This day does not want to end. Why is that?"
"It does feel that way," Ellie murmured. "No one's heard from Ian? Or Lex?"
Muldoon and Arnold shook their heads. Ellie sighed.
There was a sudden knock on the control room's door.
"Maybe that's Gerry now," Arnold said, tapping the cigarette over his ashtray.
Tim looked up from the computer and shook his head. "That's not Dr. Harding," he said.
"Who is it?" Muldoon asked as he started towards the door. Then he stopped in his tracks. "Never mind, it's that bastard. Make him wait outside, I don't bloody care."
Tim went back to playing Snood and Ellie moved further into the control room, next to Muldoon's workstation.
"We have to get in contact with Dr. Malcolm. Sooner than later," Muldoon said to Arnold and Ellie. They nodded in agreement. "I'm sure he'll call—"
A thunderous gunshot sounded right then—it had come from the entrance of the control room. Ellie took a deep breath and Muldoon went to check out the source. Tim left the computer monitor and went to stand with the adults. Arnold turned around slowly in his swiveling chair, his jaw dropped as the door to the control room swung open and the electronic lock crashed to the floor.
"What the hell?"
Roland Tembo walked calmly into the control room, carrying his infamous rifle. Smoke trailed behind him. He ignored Arnold's comment and picked up the ruined electronic lock that was used by island staff to gain access into the control room. Now an InGen electronic card wouldn't be necessary as Tembo had rendered the security device useless. He held it up like a trophy and then threw it down on the floor for everyone to see.
"I knock only once. If you won't let me in, then I do the honors and let myself in."
oOo
It was past midnight.
Harding sat alone in the control room's far corner, staring at the video monitors. Dark bags were under his eyes and he looked like he'd fall out at any moment. Ellie had already retired for the evening and took Tim with her to the staff lodge. Arnold lit a cigarette and turned when he heard the door open. There was no buzzing noise since Tembo had destroyed the electronic lock on the control room door several hours before. Muldoon walked in and tried to close the door.
"Don't even bother with it," Arnold said.
Muldoon nodded as he went over to his workstation. He propped his legs on the table and took out his flask. He had been aggravated when he first entered the visitor center. He had to do his routine night drive through the park with Tembo. The liquor had a calming effect, although he still wanted to kick Tembo in the face. It appeared somebody else had already done it, so Muldoon took pleasure in seeing Tembo's bruised face the entire time they drove in the park.
"So what's the plan for tomorrow?" He asked. "Wait for Dr. Malcolm to return?"
"I don't know." Arnold shrugged. "Gerry, what's that you're looking at?"
Harding didn't reply.
"Bloody when?"
"I'm sure he'll back soon," Arnold said, puffing on his cigarette. "Remember how John used to get pissed off when Dr. Malcolm predicted doom for the park?" He laughed. It sounded odd and forced, considering everything that occurred that day, but it felt good to laugh. "And then Ian would get even more pessimistic in his claims of things going from bad to worse here. What'd he call that again? The effect when things seem to be going right, they unexpectedly spin out of control?"
"The Malcolm effect," Muldoon said. "What's so funny about that?"
"I don't know," Arnold said, laughing again. "Are you okay, Gerry?"
Harding remained hypnotized by the video monitors, oblivious to Arnold's and Muldoon's conversation.
"What's Gennaro up to?" Muldoon asked, unscrewing his flask again. "I haven't seen him around all day. Didn't he want to be in charge? Or wasn't he going to help us against them?"
"That stupid lawyer is floating around the visitor center not doing a damn thing to help us." Arnold mashed his cigarette in the ashtray next to his keyboard. "You can never tell which side he'll be on from day to day."
"Depends on which direction the wind blows," Muldoon observed.
"Exactly."
"And George Baselton? I thought John hired him."
"Another traitor," Arnold said. "I'm sick of it."
He got up from his swiveling chair and stretched his arms. Yawning, he went over to stand beside Harding to find out what had captured his attention. Arnold was suddenly wide awake as if his head had been dunked in a bucket of ice cold water.
"Oh hell," he said softly. "I'm sorry, Gerry…you don't need to see this."
Muldoon turned in their direction and went to the video monitor they were watching.
"Good night," Harding mumbled, as he stood up. He left the control room.
Muldoon and Arnold watched the video monitor in silence. The image flickered on the screen and they wished it wasn't real. But it was all too real, just like Wu turning against InGen was real and Hammond being paralyzed really happened. Any other time, the situation may not have bothered Harding so much, like it did now. Arnold sighed and finally turned away, leaving Muldoon alone to stare at the video monitor.
The screen showed an adult triceratops lying on her side, eyes glazed over; and unnaturally still in the death that had quickly settled over her…