Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and works of Jurassic Park.
Chapter 2: A Bargain
Claire walks through a hallway with her a tray of two coffee cups in one hand and a folder with files in another. As she walks towards her cubicle, she stops by Owen's and comments, "The office doesn't really suit you if you ask me".
"Tell me about it. Have you gotten anything on him?"
"Nothing yet, but", Claire crouches next to one of his ears, "I reached out to some of the contacts through private letters. One of them is an aquaintance of mine so I'm sure I'll hear something from him". Owen turns around and tells her in a half-romantic state, "You're amazing". Claire backs away and tells him, "Save that for later Mr. Grady. We have a date for 3 tonight. So put on your best suit. Okay?" Claire walks away to her cubicle and Owen goes back to his computer screen containing behavioral analysis data.
Later that evening, Owen, in a blue shirt and dark pants, ties up his shoes and answers the door. Claire is in a silver gown with a large white handbag.
"I thought big purses were a no-go for dinners." the two walk down to Owen's car.
"It's a business matter. I have some important documents in here for when we meet our contact shortly". Owen helps her into the passenger's seat and she loads the GPS, which directs them to a high-quality Indian restaurant.
"When did you get into Indian Food?" Owen asks in confusion.
"It's just to accommodate our contact this evening. Shall we?". The two enter the restaurant.
"Table for 3, Dearing", Claire tells the receptionist. She and Owen have a seat in a side table that is relatively cut off from the center of the main dining floor. As the waiter comes around with the menu and water, Claire tells the waiter to call over a slim and bewildered man waiting in the line at reception. The man appears to them as a young but mentally aged college professor. He shakes hands and speaks with an american accent.
"Ms. Dearing. It's a pleasure to be your acquaintance this evening. And you as well. Mr. -"
"-Grady. Owen Grady." Owen gives the man
"Pleased to meet you Owen. I'm Adam, colleague of Dr. Wu from Stanford. Please, have a seat." The three order their food and take some suggestions from Adam. While they wait for the food, Claire takes out an InGen file with the tab labeled Wu, Henry.
"So, how long have you known him?" Claire asks Adam.
"I've known him since '95. I was a junior in undergrad at Stanford and I took his advanced Molecular Theory lecture. He soon became my mentor for my senior thesis and I ended up going to grad school because I was so engrossed in the work that Henry left for us before he moved back to the island. Ever since Jurassic World opened, he stopped teaching and he only worked in the lab a week or two each month. But, he hasn't showed up in the past few months leading up to the incident and the news that he went missing has had me worried".
Owen asks, "So, do you have any idea where he could have gone off to?"
"No, but he mostly uses his computer in his office near the lab. So, I've been told how to access it, in the case of an emergency. But, I need something in return. I need some sort of incentive".
Owen asks, "Incentive?"
Claire adds, "Like what do you propose?"
"I need some sponsorship. You see, Dr. Wu is or was a gem to the biology department at Stanford. Ever since he started going back to the island, the department's been facing a lot of negative criticism such as 'the program lacks the passion it had in the 90s'. That sort of stuff".
"We can try to arrange something, Masrani's been a little tight on funding lately, but once we find Wu, I will recommend the department to our company".
"Excellent. We are in your debt Ms. Dearing", says Adam excitedly. Owen, keen on information, asks, "So, now can you tell us about the computer?"
"Oh, yes. The computer is quite updated, Windows software, the latest and fastest. But I'll need to get you two in with my ID."
"When can we come in to get that examined?", Claire asks.
"This weekend should be fine. There'll be fewer staff on site, especially in the morning".
"How's Sunday, at 8 am?", Claire asks again, looking at Adam and then at Owen.
"That's perfect!", Adam responds.
"Fine by me", agrees Owen.
Robert goes to his mailbox on a Saturday morning and receives another Masrani Global letter. He opens it up to find Claire's contact information:
Dr. Lewis,
I hope this message is being received to you on time. Thank you for agreeing to help. I apologize for the cryptic way of contacting you, but I have found a source at the University who will show us what we need. I'm going to link you to a secure video feed this Sunday, February 14th at 8AM PST so have your phone ready for that.
Best of Luck,
Claire Dearing
Island Operations Manager
Robert returns to his apartment and places the Masrani envelope in his laptop case. He then prepares for his morning weekend jog with Tim to a community park. The two walk to the entrance to the park and begin jogging.
"So, I see that you finally got more than just one mail letter for the first time in a long while. Any news?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow afternoon at 4, we're going to connect with Claire, my contact, from Stanford University".
"Isn't that where he teaches? Wu?"
"Yes. They've got in touch with one of his coworkers so hopefully we get something from tomorrow's feed. Enough chatting, more running". Robert begins to run past Tim.