A week passed with unannounced and often long visitations from Kozak. She had had the recorder on a few times but none of those times did he speak about his treacherous deeds or say anything reprimandable. It was just his presence. The way he'd watch and talk for an unnecessarily long time about the projects.

He apologized for not getting her another lab partner or 'playmate' as he called it.

One morning, an employee poked his head into the lab. "Mr. Kozak wants to see you in his office at 3:30. Her mind wandered as to what it could be about. She went to his office at the appointed time.

"Have a seat."

"No thanks. I'd rather stand."

"I ask you to sit down, you sit down. Now, I have other matters to deal with shortly. Now, have a seat." She did as she was told. "Do you know what came across my desk today?" he asked walking around his desk. "Your letter of resignation. You wouldn't believe how shocked I was." He sat on his desk in front of her. "Want to tell me about that?"

"No, I don't." He took a long frustrated breath.

"Tell me about your resignation," he said as if he wasn't fazed but he was really fuming on the inside.

"Fine. I went through the appropriate channels. I expect proper protocol to be followed." He looked down his nose at her for a few moments.

"Unacceptable. If you leave here, you will not be able to practice bio chemistry, anywhere. If you leave here, I will black ball you. You will never set foot into a lab, again not even for janitorial work. You will not have a future. I will make sure of it." Her mouth hung open, angered to her core at his words. She quickly said the first biting comment that came to her mind.

"You're not a CEO. You're a megalomaniacal inept cruel little man that takes credit for everyone else's work." He chuckled mirthfully.

"No need to insult my height. Now if you would be a good girl and get back to the lab, I have other pressing issues for the day."

He came into the lab during his routine checks. Looming behind her, he inhaled the scent of her hair. "How is the progress coming on the latest tests?"

"Good. Mostly positive."

"Good. Great, one of my favorite answers." He put his head nearly on her shoulder. "And how long before it is done?"

"A day, a day and a half at most."

"Perfect."

"Why? Why can't I leave? I can be easily replaced."

"Nonsense, you're special. You're, actually, a large part of why I'm here right now." He put both hands on her shoulders and squeezed nearly causing her to drop the vials she was holding. "And no, you didn't hear me wrong. I did just give credit where credit was due. Now, put those matters out of your head. I need you focused," he finished and slithered out of the lab. She took in a long breath.

She thought of setting her small recorder to record while she was at work today. She'd keep in in her pocket so when Kozak would come in she'd try to get him to talk about how he murdered Strickland and Larry. She had not wanted to turn him in. She had not wanted any trouble and she was handsomely compensated. However, after Larry's murder and the threat of him black balling her if she left gave her strength that she could get out from under the trap of silence, death and guilt.

She set out to prove him wrong, to prove she wasn't a coward and that he was not in control.

She was nervous and anxious as she waited for him to pay her his daily visit.

"How are the trials coming along?" he asked. She kept her eyes averted like most of the times when he spoke to her.

"Mostly successful, with very few adverse reactions." He nodded.

"And how are you?"

"Fine thanks. I miss Larry though. We were friends."

"I'm sorry," he said quickly but in a way that if you knew him you'd doubt his sincerity and even ability to feel.

"When did you decide to have him killed? Was it before or after I told you he wasn't a liability?"

"Gwen, he was in a car accident. I didn't decide if he was killed or not." She looked at him in awe at him. He had already confessed to her last week before her failed resignation. Now he seemed to completely clam up.

"Why did you bring me and Larry into this? We didn't hate Strictland like you did."

"We had a lot in common, him and I." Kozak stated. "We had many of the same goals. He was a fellow peer. I didn't want him dead."

She looked back at her work again. "But as you killed him you, you told him that he was a pig and you hated him."

"What if I told you Dr. Lichtman, that I disliked you as a person but greatly admired the way you did your job? Do you think I'd be out to kill you too?"

"If you wanted the position of power that I was in." She waited a few moments before continuing. "We spoke about all of this last week. Why won't you talk to me now, about what really happened?"

"All I hear is you putting words in my mouth, to what ends I'm not sure yet but I suggest you stop."

"Or what, you'll kill me too?"

"Suspension with out pay."

"Take back your bribe for my silence?" She became silent realizing she wasn't going to get a thing out of him. It was like he knew somehow. Well, he certainly knew she was mad at him for not letting her resign amongst other, more serious crimes. "What if I spoke and told them," she swallowed knowing she was walking a fine line. "Everything?" she finished. When she looked up he was gone leaving her quite shaky about what she had just threatened him with. No reaction at all seemed to be a very bad sign.

Due to it being lunchtime, the elevators were full. She stood in the back corner and the door opened to let more people on. Kozak pushed his way close to her and then turned his back, seemingly waiting patiently like every one else. She let out a long breath. Then he unexpectedly turned and caught her eye and gave her a mirthless smile. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear;

"I've had a little time to think about your 'what if' scenario and have come to the conclusion that there are many ways to solve it. A robbery gone wrong, a perfectly executed frame job leading to prison or a mysterious illness. It would be too easy really." The doors opened and she boldly pushed past him. Staying calm, he took her arm and squeezed it painfully. She hissed and went to pry his fingers off her. He tilted his head towards her ear and said in a hushed voice; "No, no, no, shh, shh, shh. Listen to me. Don't ever speak about what happened that day in the lab. I don't want to hear about the weak pathetic Larry. Also, I will not tolerate any more threats on your part. Do I make myself clear?" She tried to remain calm and composed.

"Yes," she answered.

"Good. Enjoy your lunch."

When she was in her car she touched her sore arm and mentally scolded herself. She wished she would've got a taped confession by now. Now he doesn't want her to mention it again and even if she does he'll just deny it. She still thought of defying him and mentioning it again in hopes of him letting something slip and or getting angry enough to say something incrementing.

Then she thought about why she cared so much. She wasn't Strictland's biggest fan. Larry was weak she had to admit but he didn't deserve to be murdered. Then her mind drifted back to Kozak's' words, the unfortunate things that could befall her and she wasn't hungry anymore. She sat and thought some more and before she knew it her lunch hour was over. She took the rest of the day off. She wanted to go somewhere were she could relax. After that she went to a bar and found herself not wanting to go home the later it got.

She begrudgingly went to work that following afternoon. "You were m.i.a. yesterday afternoon." He came in scolding, clearly annoyed. She kept her eyes averted. "I came here to check your progress and my lab was empty." He held out his hands for effect. "I can't have an empty lab. How did you come to the conclusion that you could just skip out?" She couldn't tell him how he had angered her, how much his threat made her literally sick to her stomach. How much she didn't want to come to work anymore. She just wished he'd shut up and leave so she could get some work done. "And then, I find out you were late today." He folded his arms. She rolled her eyes at him. She decided she'd turn her fear and discomfort around onto him and calmly said;

"What? Were you worried I was down at the local police station telling them I was there when you killed Strictland?"

"I insist you stop with the accusations. I wouldn't want to charge you with," he looked down his nose at her, "slander."

"I insist you tell me why you won't let me resign!"

"I suggest you keep your voice down. No need to be unprofessional about it. "You can leave anytime you want to. That choice is completely up to you." She let out a shaky breath at his audacity and his playing dumb at her needing answers and his unexplainable need to have her remain working in this place. She wanted to tell him so many things and taking a long walk off a short pier was one of them. He lingered there and stared at her pointedly. She averted her eyes, willing his molecules to dissipate beside her.

"Get out," she said simply. "Get out so I can work."

"What, you're telling me to leave?" He chuckled and moved closer to her. "I remember when you would only smile and nod. Be a good obedient worker drone, with no questions asked."

"That can change when you involve someone in a murder against their will."

"Not forgetting of course being efficient eye candy as well." He slithered up behind her. Being called obedient eye candy turned her face red.

"Get out," she said again.

"The Gwen I know would never and should never speak to me like that. I need to remind you of your place." He lightly spanked her butt. She stiffened and thought about striking him again. "You should join me for dinner," he invited. She turned with a shocked look on her face.

"My place is having dinner with you? Why would I ever do that?"

"Uh," He looked as if it was a stupid question. "Because I requested it."

"Uh, and you should leave now. because I requested it." She gave him large fake smile. Holding back a laugh, he smiled and licked his lips.