Chapter Four
Beth watched the curling wisps of steam from her coffee cup as they rose and dissipated, a unique shape created and then lost forever, seen only by her. She felt like there was some irony in there somewhere. Still, nagging thoughts were hardly a new concept these last few months. Nagging thoughts and that relentless, heavy and dragging feeling of losing something which you know you need to find.
Except she knew she wouldn't find it. Not now. Probably not ever.
She shifted in her seat, curled up with her knees under her chin and cup held on the arm of the chair, shafts of sunlight streaming through the windows of the apartment, and watched more wisps twisting and vanishing before her eyes.
Three months of this weight. Three months of this feeling of just watching the world go by without her, except it just felt like it was her that was vanishing. Her that was twisting and writhing before floating away into nothing. And all because he'd gone, and everything with him.
Silly really, feeling like this. She'd pushed all the memories away for years. Done it out of duty, and because they'd told her to. But then she'd watched that damn news report, back in November, and she'd seen him. Heard him. It had brought it all back.
The excitement had built slowly over the weeks, as more and more reports came through in the press, on the television, in the papers. Interviews, documentaries and radio appearances from former InGen heads. Talks of the company's history, and speculation about its future. All of it making her remember the incredible things she'd been a part of. And it felt good, in that brief window, for the world to be sharing in it somehow. Even with that damn Susie calling every week to reminisce about the good old days. Reminisce and probing her if she'd spoken to anyone yet as well. Probably wondering if Beth had sold a good story to get some gossip on. Seemed a lot of others had.
And then it had happened. He'd died, everything had come to a stop. John Hammond had passed away, just before Christmas, and it had felt like someone had hung a great stone around her neck, dragging her down into a tedious and depressing routine of going to work and coming home again, a routine of utter boredom. The world had moved on without her, still enthralled with its fascination and pursuit of what Hammond had left behind, but she was stuck in the past, pining for that future again.
Her fingers found their way to the necklace that Oliver had given her for Christmas. That small, single diamond tear drop hanging from that fine chain of silver. It was comforting, just like him. And infuriating, just like him. As ever. A gesture of his affection and, truly, a lovely gift, but it might as well have embodied that weight she felt.
It felt like an anchor, keeping her tethered to this mundane existence and committing her to a future she didn't want. She took a sip of the coffee, knowing this was nobody's fault. Knowing she shouldn't be feeling like this. Yet she blamed everyone. Hammond. Oliver. InGen. The damn world even, for continuing to poke into those islands at whatever opportunity, digging and dragging at the scabs of the wounds that were trying to heal. Wounds and memories. All lost. All gone.
She snorted lightly to herself, knowing full well how abysmally pathetic this all was. A touch of melodrama on a Saturday morning, what could be finer? What her mother would have said was finer, she couldn't bring herself to contemplate. She knew exactly what most people would say to it though. She should be sleeping in past nine on a clear spring day. A bit of gentle and unhurried morning sex maybe, before one of them went to get the breakfast so they could sit in bed and listen to the world outside whilst they lazed and stretched and probably fucked again, no doubt.
And all of that she'd done, in the beginning. When life wasn't quite so acutely mundane. Now though? Now she just watched the steam from the bland coffee.
The sliding door of the shower in the washroom squealed and she heard Oliver thud down onto the wooden floor, his humming coming with it, muffled by the wall and the running faucet now. He'd be shaving in a moment, and Beth could already predict the rhythm of the taps of his razor on the basin edge. Always sounded like a demented woodpecker had broken loose in there. She was also predicting the quantity of shaved hair left on the porcelain and the level of scolding she'd give him. She snorted again, and found her fingers had crept to her necklace, giving the diamond a rub between thumb and forefinger.
The phone rang, making her jump. A small drop of coffee managed to slide over the edge of her cup and plummet down to her thumb, the heat leaving the slightest of stings.
"Christ sake,'' she muttered, unfolding herself from her chair and setting the cup down, gently sucking her thumb. The brown line left down the white cup was upsettingly antagonising. She was now predicting the hushed excitement in Susie's voice as she reached for the phone, equally antagonising. The woman was getting earlier and earlier with her incessant telephone calls. "Hello?" Her voice had a crackle a little harsher than she meant.
"Dr. Weaver? Dr. Elizabeth Weaver?" The voice had a velvet tone to it, but it sent a cold jolt of shock through her. "Do you know who this is?" She knew, and found she was nodding. A ridiculous reaction.
"Dr. Wu."
"I don't suppose you have five minutes to talk. Or is this a bad time perhaps?"
"I…" Beth glanced at the washroom door, Oliver's humming still in full swing. "Of course." There was the slightest huff of air from Dr. Wu.
"Good," said Wu. "Have you been paying much attention to the news lately?".
"It was a bit difficult not to,'' said Beth, keeping an eye on the washroom door still. She didn't really know why this all felt so private.
"Doubtless you are up to speed then with the current state of InGen." It took Beth a moment to think further than Hammonds passing and the other stories the media were reporting. Speculation about a new company approaching InGen with rumours of offers and proposals. Susie had been animated about it but, as ever, Beth had tuned out of her rumour mongering.
"I don't put much faith in the wild guessing games of the press to be honest,'' said Beth. "Until an official announcement is made, I tend to treat it all with indifference."
Wu made a soft humming noise of his own at that, impossible to discern its meaning. Approval? Dissatisfaction at her answer? Or was he just clearing his throat?
"In this instance, the press have been fairly close to the mark," went on Wu. "Before Mr. Hammond died, he was in talks with Masrani Global. A deal was indeed made prior to his passing, and InGen has been purchased. That level of conversation was not something that can go undetected for long." Beth wasn't sure what Wu wanted her to say. "Masrani are an extremely prosperous and influential company, and the future of InGen has been secured." Beth found she had sunk a tooth into her lip, gently nibbling as she tried to work out just what relevance this was to her.
"I imagine those still in InGen's employ were delighted,'' she said, knowing she sounded more than slightly bitter. She was more than slightly bitter.
"Yes." Wu's voice didn't seem to change. Just a smooth, unwavering tone that would be the same if you were arguing ethics or discussing the weather. A moments silence hung between them. "This corporate buy out has yielded some new opportunities, Dr. Weaver." Beth could see a baited hook when she saw one. Or heard one.
"Opportunities?" she asked, knowing she was taking the bait and trying to keep her own voice level, just like his. After months of wallowing in her own misery, Beth couldn't quell the flutter in her stomach. Just the word opportunities was making her mind race.
"Dr. Weaver, are you busy today?" The question made her falter for a moment. She couldn't think what on earth their prior plans had been. Another moments silence found its way between them as she tried to gather her thoughts. "Dr. Weaver?"
"I'm not busy, no. It is Saturday after all." Beth found she was nibbling her lip again. Where was this going? And why her? Why now?
"Dr. Weaver I would very much like to meet with you. I'd like to discuss a few further things with you in person. Things pertaining to a potential future." Beth swallowed as her stomach forgot the flutter and did a full somersault. "Let's see, its half past ten now. Are you able to meet me in Rawlins Park at two o'clock? At the west entrance of the park there a bench beneath the first magnolia tree. Are you able to meet me there?" Beth knew the park, just about. It wasn't too far from her. She could make that.
"I can meet you there, yes,'' she managed.
"Whilst I can say I have seen your work, Dr. Weaver, I am afraid I have not seen you in the flesh before. I will need you to wear something for me to identify you. Do you own a red scarf?"
"I do, yes," said Beth, glancing out of the window at the sunny weather. Hardly the weather for a scarf. Beth felt a sudden pang of uncertainty. That somersault had landed in a pit of caution. "Dr. Wu, forgive me, but this is all very sudden and a bit strange. Can I ask what this is really all about?"
"At this point Dr. Weaver, it would be easier to discuss in person. Please have my assurances though that this would be extremely beneficial for you. Consider it my latest signature stance that I only consider working with the most ambitious and promising young minds." Beth found it somewhat strange how he had emphasised those words.
Movement caught Beth's eye, over by the front door. There was a hiss of paper and something slid under the door, coming to a stop by the coat rack. A small envelope. Beth frowned, almost forgetting she was on the phone still, that small knot of caution giving itself a bit more of a twist. The mailman always used the lobby post holes. This seemed just a bit too coincidental.
"I…" she began, not quite sure where her thoughts were going now. That small huff of air came from Wu again.
"I am sure you have questions. I will answer them all later. Goodbye for now, Dr. Weaver." The noise of the call disconnecting clicked in her ear, and she was left holding the phone and staring at the envelope. Oliver was still humming and bumping his way around the washroom. Beth heard the spray of deodorant. He'd be out soon. She fumbled the phone back onto the cradle, fingers working deftly, and then crossed the room quickly, scooping the envelope up in one fluid movement and tearing the thin seals open.
A small piece of paper was inside, folded once. Beth opened it out and read the words written on it. Words written in neat, precise handwriting.
Dr. Weaver, 10:34am
Do not wear a red scarf. Please wear a blue sweater.
Do not arrive at two o'clock. Please arrive at two fifteen.
Do not keep this letter. Please destroy it immediately. Tell no one of this.
Dr. Henry Wu.
Beth read it twice, her eyes darting over each simple word and instruction. Her mind was racing much faster now. That feeling of caution was developing into a very strange blend of trepidation, excitement and enough curiosity to sedate a cat. The contradictory letter to the phone call was as baffling as it was intriguing. She didn't know whether to trust it or not. Why would Wu say one thing and then send her a letter, a letter with no address on the envelope, a few minutes later? Did he even send it? She read it again, looking at the signature. Her eyes traced over the letters of his name. Her mind clicked, remembering his words from a few moments ago.
Latest signature…
She understood, crumpling the letter and then tearing it up into as many pieces as she could. Her hand was shaking slightly, not from caution or worry anymore, but from an undeniable exhilaration that she could feel climbing up from her toes. It felt like a fresh breeze against the stale air of the boring routine she'd been subjected to these last months. She needed the answers to all the questions of the last five minutes.
Oliver appeared from the washroom, ambling out with a smile and looking quite handsome. She found she had smiled back.
"Hey you,'' he said. "I was thinking of making linguine tonight, with some shrimp and garlic. Sound good?" She nodded, nibbling her lip again. "I'll have to pop out to the store later to get some bits."
"I could go for you?" she said, her mind moving at what felt like breakneck speed now.
"You sure? I was gonna go anyway."
"It's no bother,'' she said, gliding over to him and giving him a hug. "I said I'd go see Nicole's new apartment just after two anyway, if that's ok?" It would have to be ok. Oliver made a kind of pleasantly surprised pout, nodding his head and giving her a kiss on the cheek. It felt nice.
"Well if you don't mind," he said.
"Sure. Hey have you seen my blue sweater?"
XXXXX
The gravel crunched under her shoe as she stepped off the sidewalk and onto the park's footpath. She had always enjoyed the sound. It reminded her of long walks with her mother when she was a girl. Happier times. Certainly when it came to thinking about her mother. She shook that thought away as quickly as it had come, turning her attention back to the approaching magnolia trees of the park and basking in the warm sunshine.
Rawlins Park had always been a beautiful spot this time of year. The soft pinks of the magnolias in blossom was stunning, and the clear blue sky above reflected in the pool in the centre of the grounds offered a pleasing contrast to the colours of the trees. People meandered and strolled through the park, enjoying its scenery or on their way to who knows where, or maybe they were on a clandestine meeting like Beth was. Maybe.
She felt that excitement again as she headed towards the bench under the first tree. She checked her watch. She was on time, almost to the minute. She found the bench, twenty yards away, and stopped.
Two people were already sat there, engaged in what looked like an erstwhile conversation that showed not the slightest sign of ending soon. Beth felt a stab of annoyance. This was not the plan. This was not the plan at all. She felt a new stab of panic that this slight hiccup of pure chance was going to spoil everything. Everything that had been so intriguingly dangled before her.
Then she saw the red scarf on one of the people. A woman. A woman with shoulder length brunette hair like her. Just like her actually. Beth's eyes slid across to the woman's companion, a tickle in her throat starting when she saw the man had black hair. And looked to be of Chinese heritage.
Her eyes locked on the pair, Beth walked away from them, putting the central pool of the park between them and walking beneath the opposing magnolia's. She slowed, getting a better look at the woman. Pale skin, like her. A round chin, too. Just like her. Beth swallowed a lump in her throat, her eyes boring into the woman now. Beth's mouth was dropping lower and lower as she slowed to a stop, completely mystified by what she was looking at.
It was her. Talking to Dr. Wu. Her eyes flicked between both of them now. It was like looking at a photo or a memory that she didn't have. Only, it wasn't, now that she looked harder. The nose was just slightly different, and the other Beth's frame was a bit fuller. Wider hips. God, what if she really did look like that though. She glanced down her body, checking herself and tutting. Tutting and shaking her head as the confusion continued to swell. This had to be a mistake. A mistake or some absurd joke.
"Remarkable, wouldn't you say?" The even and smooth voice made her start, a sharp intake of air rushing in. Dr. Wu was beside her suddenly, dressed in a casual blazer with an open umbrella couched against his shoulder, keeping the sun off him. Looked like a man just enjoying the weather, like most. Wu was looking at the couple on the bench, still avidly discussing whatever they were discussing. Beth could feel each crease in her face as her confusion only deepened.
"Dr. Wu,'' she tried, squinting at the couple. "What is going on here? Who is…those people over there…that woman…" The words just dried up in her mouth, and she opted for looking at Wu instead, hoping something would soon make sense. Wild thoughts were beginning to plant, seed and sprout all in one go in her mind. Wilder thoughts of cloned people and long-lost twins. The stuff of bad horror stories.
She looked at the woman again, so similar to her. And the other Wu now, like reflections from the pool made flesh. The woman laughed, and the sound didn't sound like Beth's laugh. Dr. Wu let out a small huff and turned to her.
"Walk with me, Dr. Weaver." He didn't wait for an answer, just began to glide past her through the park, obliging her to make an awkward start just to fall into step beside him. He walked with his head up, the slightest upward tilt of his chin. "I apologise for the mysterious circumstances, but I assure you they are necessary."
"Who are those people?" said Beth, glancing over her shoulder as they walked away from the couple and through the park. The magnolia's swayed overhead, a beautiful ceiling of pink unnoticed as Beth waited for the answers.
"Those people?" said Wu, as if it was quite normal to see almost perfect doppelgangers most days. "That was of course Dr. Henry Wu, of InGen, speaking to Dr. Elizabeth Weaver about a new proposal at his research facility in California. I imagine right about now, he will be offering her very attractive terms for a lengthy study and series of experiments. I am not quite sure of her answer just yet though."
Beth's was aware of those creases in her face again. "I don't understand,'' she managed.
"Actors, Dr. Weaver, hired to play their roles for as long as is required," said Wu, guiding her out of the park and along the adjacent street. "They are our cover story, should any questions ever get asked. We cannot be too careful with who may be watching or listening."
"Questions about what?" said Beth. Intrigue and excitement flickered inside her again. Just a flicker though.
"About the proposal I do have for you. A real one. For the real you." Wu gave her the slightest of looks. "You are one of the few former employees of InGen, namely those that worked on either Nublar or Sorna, that has not gone to the press or media about your experiences since the news last November."
Beth felt her eyebrows climb up her forehead, steamrollering any creases.
"How could you know that?" she said.
"You didn't think Susie Everett called you most weeks just for idle chit chat did you?"
"I…" Beth's mouth snapped shut. The mysteries kept coming. "You know about Susie calling me?"
"Susie has been calling everyone,'' said Wu, his voice still so even. "She was tasked with finding out who had spoken once the secret broke, and who had not. We need trustworthy people, Dr. Weaver. I believe you are trustworthy." More questions now. Beth felt a mixture of panic and outrage that conversations she thought were private were known about. God, what if she'd said something?
"Trustworthy for what though?" said Beth, taking a breath, trying to find composure.
"Do you recall the US Senate passing the Gene Guard Act?"
"Of course,'' nodded Beth, remembering the news coverage.
"Sorna and Nublar are now restricted, as you will know. The Costa Rican Government, further funded by InGen, now under the management of Masrani Global, has set up a well trained and dedicated branch of the Coast Guard to patrol the waters and airspace of the las Cinco Muertes island chain." They waited for the traffic to stop before crossing the road to the other side of the street. "Anyone caught inside the restricted area is subject to prosecution under the Gene Guard Act." Beth nodded along, finding this familiar and still just as perplexing.
"Considering the things we did there, I think it was the right thing to do,'' said Beth. Dr. Wu looked like he grimaced slightly. A small twitch at his mouth perhaps. "How does this relate to the need for body doubles though? And the actual proposal?"
"We are going back to Isla Sorna, Dr. Weaver. I would like you to be a part of the team that goes." Any further words dried up in her mouth. It took a moment for her brain to reengage, yet more questions poured in when it did.
"Go back? Why? What for? And why me?" She was looking at him now, feeling horribly anxious and flustered, and yet that glimmer of excitement just wouldn't go away. Wu's face remained a serene mask.
"You're work on Nublar, with the avian DNA, was insufficient at the time. We found a better alternative to the problems we had. The problems I had. But, upon re-reading your file entries and research, I believe we…I, overlooked certain aspects that could now be much more relevant. I want you to be a part of any further breakthroughs." Beth could feel her pulse settling now. Talk of research and the science of her old work was much more familiar and allowed her mind to process. To order things. Nice and neat.
"Why would you need me now though?" she asked. "You have my research already. Research I had to leave with InGen. You are one of the most famous Geneticists on the planet, you don't need me." Wu's mouth twitched again, almost a smile.
"The years since the incident on Nublar have taught me a few things. As scientists, we should always want to learn, of course. I have found I can still learn from others. The fact is, Dr. Weaver, that I need minds. Like-minded individuals with ambition. With daring. Willing to risk things others wouldn't in the pursuit of discovery. Of creation."
"What exactly do you have planned?" said Beth. "Why not pursue this on US soil, in your labs?" Wu sighed deeply.
"I would have thought it obvious, Dr. Weaver. Given the Gene Guard Act, not only are the islands restricted but any further work in the developed of de-extinction has been prohibited. To be caught conducting work like this would be catastrophic."
"I fail to see how the risk is any different doing this on the islands. Surely the risk is greater, in fact?"
"True. But the facilities on Sorna are better equipped for the tests. The resources are still there. Despite the ruin the island suffered, the infrastructure of Sorna is still viable."
"And the animals?" said Beth. "As I understand it, the animals are all now roaming freely. Is there not a question of safety to be considered? Clearly, there has been some difficulty in predicting or containing the animals. Can you be confident your experiments will go undetected by both the authorities and the species living there?"
"That has been considered. Measures have been taken. It will not be easy, of course. But none of this ever was." He stopped her suddenly, a gentle hand taking her arm. They stood to the side, unnoticed by the other pedestrians. "Dr. Weaver. You are in a very fortunate position. You have the option to be a part of something new. Just like we all were five years ago. Can I count on you now, to take that option?" Beth considered him, meeting his eyes evenly.
"If I say yes?" she ventured, raising an eyebrow.
"If you say yes, then the Dr. Weaver wearing the red scarf in Rawlins Park will shake hands with Dr. Wu, and in two weeks' time will depart for California to join him at the labs there for several months of study and testing of my recent breakthroughs in the hybridisation of plants."
"Months?"
"As I said, none of this will be easy. If you say yes, the real Dr. Weaver will accompany me and some selected others to Sorna, for several months, for further study and testing of…other things." He really knew how to bait the hooks. Beth could still feel that wave of anxiety, sweeping through her, keeping her sceptical. But it was tempered at every turn by her desire to drag herself out of the misery of the past few months. Here it was, landing in her lap, that chance she'd had no right to wish for. And the trouble was, her ambition felt like a hungry fish eyeing up the bait, even if there may be a barb on the hook.
"What about my work at the University?" she said.
"Those actors are not the only cover story put in place. All angles will be covered to ensure there are no gaps in the story. We have thought of everything."
"We?" said Beth.
"InGen's financial saviours are not interested in letting all that work go to waste. They have a vested interest for it to continue. They understand the risks as well."
Wu tilted his head upwards a measured inch, encouraging an answer. As if it was that easy to just give an answer. As if it was just that easy to go back to Oliver and break the news that she'd be going away for a few months. Just that easy to lie to his face, to be knowingly and completely dishonest, all in the name of her ambition. To risk prosecution, reputation such as it was. To risk her life, even. To pin everything on a yes or no answer.
Which of course, it really was that easy.