Change of scenery, finally! So glad that you guys continue to enjoy the story. Your support is welcomed and appreciated!
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"Miss Dearing, you witnessed the release of these dinosaurs?" Senator Sherwood asked from his center seat of the courtroom podium. He shared it with six other DC officials as they sat hearing statements.
"Only after the fact." Claire clarified into her microphone, knowing that every word was on the record and could be played back at any time. Senator Sherwood didn't look encouraged by her answer. "How is it that your fingerprints were recovered from the controls in the underground lab?"
Claire swallowed, but maintained a well-meaning stare. "You're all aware of my lead involvement with the Dinosaur Protection Group. I did unlock the cages with the intent of releasing them."
This set the courtroom abuzz, the faces across the podium going grim. Claire continued. "However… our groups intent, as well as mine, has always been to preserve these incredible species for the admiration of future generations. Not to throw them into a world that they're no longer a part of." Claire took a breath at the memory of that decision. "I did not open the outer doors and my team and I evacuated the estate."
More murmurs; Claire could just see the smoke flying off the pens as reporters took notes. Senator Sherwood eyed her carefully. "So, it is your belief that someone else opened the doors and released these animals?"
"Yes. As I'm sure it is yours." Claire said; before wondering if that was overstepping. Franklin had wiped the security cameras to the holding garage and most of the estate. Zia had had to twist his arm to do it, but in the end, there wasn't much to witness other then the auction and the Indoraptor. There was some footage of her and Owen, of the dinosaurs of course. But most importantly, there was none of Maisie.
"There's no sign stating that I have to wear this." Zia Rodriguez had pulled at the waistline of her plaited skirt.
"No, just a government approved pamphlet they hand out." Franklin Webb had pointed out, yanking at the cuffs of his cheap, yet pressed suit. To which Zia had rolled her eyes. "You're way too happy to be in that monkey suit."
"There's nothing wrong with having pride in your presentation." Claire had stated to Zia as she straightened her collar. Finding her own ensemble that kept attention off of her leg had been hard enough, but she had had to monitor Zia's wardrobe as well. Zia had followed her lead with a black skirt past the knees and a white blouse... but had added her own touch of a jean jacket and an aqua tie. Claire looked between her colleagues, commanding their attention. "Ok, my hearings are at 10, 2 and 4, assuming things stay on schedule."
Zia had snorted. "The government was late to its own creation."
Claire had glared her down. "Zia, I need your best behavior on this. And, if anyone asks…"
"No girl at the mansion." Franklin had half whispered. Zia had made the motion of a zipper across her lips. "You sure that's… wise?"
Claire only had to think about Mills to answer that. "I can't go into it, but… she needs protection right now and I'd rather go about finding her relatives more, discreetly…"
That was where Zia and Franklin shared a look. To which Claire's brow furrowed. "What?"
"Just cute seeing you in mama bear mode." Zia smiled. Claire rolled her eyes. "I get enough from my mom and sister, so don't you start."
"So you're just looking for the next relative to shovel her off to."
"She's not a box of cargo waiting to be shipped." Claire snapped. Franklin chuckled at that. "Something only a mama bear would say."
"Not that we're judging." Zia said, messing with her skirt again. "It's a good look for you… be better if they made these things with elastic! How do they expect us to move?!"
Claire could only hope that Zia's snarky dialogue held enough seriousness to get them through the day. Though it was laughable that she was asking them to lie, while she was the first on to practice it in her first statement.
She'd escaped off the island with Owen and the others after being double crossed by Eli Mills. They had proceeded to Lockwood's estate and shut the auction down to avoid the release of the Indoraptor. Were there parts concealed or withheld from that; yes. But hey, the state was in its fifth day of a dinosaur rampage and containing that was the nation's top priority. A little girl's whereabouts were the last thing on people's minds right now. Best to keep it that way.
"Miss Dearing," Senator Sherwood went on with the questioning. "Can you tell us; what do you believe should be done with these creatures?"
How differently I might've answered that a week ago. Claire realized, a little frightened by how much she'd charged through in so short a time. "They… they need to be removed from society. Whether through lethal or non-lethal means, I can't be the sole reason in that decision, but" her lip quirked. "For survival… there needs to be as much distance between us and them; as soon as possible."
The officials thanked her and reporters screamed questions as Claire exited the courtroom. To say that these meetings were crowded was an understatement. The foreseen irony of the meetings in Palo Alto was that they were being held at the city's congressional offices. A fifteen minute drive from InGen HQ! Claire had passed it on the way in from her hotel... Hammond and Lockwood might have begun in their basement, but InGen- with its white-washed walls and overwhelming glass windows- was the cowering creator of the first dinosaur. Nearly 31 years ago by now. The first block pulled in a doomed game of Jenga.
The congressional offices might as well have been the toppled heap of the fallen blocks, it was that chaotic. Reporters had been roped off into the wings of the swooping foyer that rose up over the four floors of the building. They clawed for even an inch closer as politicians, scientists, geneticists, and numerous business advocates mingled in the space reserved for them. There were three courtrooms, each with their own itinerary of hearings going on.
It all shrouded itself in civility, but really everyone was there because they wanted the truth about what had happened- on the island, at the estate, everything! Claire would've stayed to hear the remaining statements- Dr. Ian Malcolm himself was rumored to be here! But she was starving after a mere granola and yogurt breakfast. Plus, she'd promised lunch with Zia and Franklin. She walked into a more central point of the foyer, craning her neck to try and spot them.
"Miss Claire Dearing." came her name, with a tug on her arm. Claire spun to face an abrasive looking man with rock-lined features and a buzzcut. He raised a hand in apology. "Forgive that rash approach, but in this zoo I wanted to be sure I had your attention.'" He bowed his chin to her. "Rodion Aldovich."
"Mr. Aldovich." Claire repeated, brow knit with cautious interest. "Have we met?"
"The pleasure has not been mine before today." Mr. Aldovich stated with a light smile. Too light. And that accent...
"I wasn't aware of Russia's interest in American politics." Claire said, returning the lightness of his smile. He laughed. "Look closely and you'll find every corner or the political market here, Miss Dearing. Though my goals are somewhat more specific. I am hoping you can help me reach them."
Claire squared her shoulders in her strictest business posture. "How so?"
"My employer has hopes of meeting an acquaintance of yours," Mr. Aldovich's eyes gave a slight flicker about. "Owen Grady."
Claire didn't like the way he said 'acquaintance', but kept her expression polite. "I don't believe Mr. Grady is here."
Mr. Aldovich's eyes became intent on her now. "Fascinating that he would keep his distance, when given the chance to explain something as groundbreaking as taming dinosaurs."
Claire wanted to be surprised by this, but he wasn't the first one to inquire after Owen. Somehow, his name had exploded on the forefront of the topic of 'handling' dinosaurs. Why that would be an issue when the dinosaurs were facing removal, she didn't want to think about it. The auction had started with twenty-some dinosaurs; some had been sold and not yet recovered. Were those people considering trying to train a dinosaur?
Claire smoothed a nonchalant hand down her skirt. "There were many people involved in that research-"
"Mr. Grady was the fortunate one to make it work." Mr. Aldovich pointed out. His eyed her up and down. "And you two were-"
"Acquaintances, as you said." Claire finished, laying the word on thick. "We both worked at Jurassic World."
She offered nothing more and Mr. Aldovich accepted that, holding a tan business card out to her. "My employer is a man of conversation. He has expressed interest in what Mr. Grady has to tell him about training dinosaurs."
Claire had to giggle at the image of Owen rejecting him on the spot. "I believe the word 'train' is an exaggeration, Mr. Aldovich." She took her card gingerly. "If I see him, I will certainly pass the message along."
"I trust you will." Mr. Aldovich nodded; like it was an absolute certainty. And it creeped Claire out. She watched him turn and melt back into the crowd, flipping the card between her fingers. Why did his walking away make her feel suddenly isolated? Maybe for the same reason she kept expecting Owen to reach for her hand and squeeze it encouragingly. Claire looked down at the business card; another Russian man's name she didn't recognize. Someone who had been at the auction? Who had worked with Dr. Wu or someone else at Jurassic World? What if… what if it was someone who somehow knew about Maisie?
InGen's research and assets have been halted. Claire realized. What wasn't seized by the FBI. Making resources for understanding the dinosaurs scarce... scarce makes people desperate...
Thoughts suddenly racing, she threw the card in her purse, exchanging it for her phone.
"Tell me you're ordering take-out." Zia popped up, her jacket and tie off. Even though she had another hearing this afternoon. Claire shook her head. "No. I'm changing my flight to tonight."
"Why?" Franklin was there on her other side, ready to look worried for her. "They might call you back in tomorrow."
"They can set up a conference call." Claire told them. She didn't care. She was going home!
