Claire stood on the shore of the beach, watching the waves lap against the sand. It was peaceful here, as she knew that the calm was likely only to be for a bit. She could see the storm clouds on the horizon, somehow that matched with what she felt inside of her. Speaking to Levine, and then watching the television interview afterwards, she wondered what sort of game she was playing. It certainly was not one she was in any way familiar with the rules.
The sound of seagulls carried along the sea shore, as she watched Grady come walking over to where she was, as he stood out and watched it with her. Somehow, she felt a bit better with her next to him. "I suppose you watched that interview too?" She asked him, a sinking feeling in the bottom of her stomach, as she knew the answer. It had been broadcast well all over, she felt.
"I did. Jessica…she's a piece of work." Grady shook his head, as he would resume eating a hot dog that he had been holding in his other hand. He picked at the sand with his right foot disinterestedly, as he looked to the side. There were many families and children at the beach today. It was a good day for them to be out here after all. Far away from their worries or responsibilities. Or more importantly, away from dinosaurs… at least they hadn't had to worry about them too much in these cities.
Claire shook her head, feeling herself still shaking all over. Ever since the Carnotaurus incident, it felt like she hadn't been able to calm herself down. She had told herself that it was something that she would get acclimated to in time, but it just never did. It was…something which she couldn't fight against. Maybe she shouldn't fight it.
But the funny bit was…she guessed she needed that. "I don't know. I don't know. I thought I was so good at reading people." She still was not sure if she was simply jumping to conclusions. Although what conclusion that was, she was not sure yet. One thing was for sure, between what Grady had told her and Levine's speculations… it felt like there was a piece of the puzzle yet missing.
Or rather that someone else had the picture on the box, and knew where they went. It felt so unfair, she thought, as she felt the sea breeze on her face. Levine had told them he wouldn't be able to help them. At least not yet, until he could get concrete proof. Something about needing to do more research. Maybe they had time, she though, she couldn't go to Masrani yet.
"We don't know what, if anything she's up to. Can't say anything with only a hunch…and I'll give her this. I'm less credible if I'm suspended," Owen said shaking his head. It was true. He had not been formally let go yet, but Claire knew that it was only a matter of time. Cooper was already in the news, catching a Trex, that was going to do a world of good for his career. Still, she would feel that there were things she needed to talk to him about.
It had been difficult enough getting a free moment away, as she had made sure that she had some time saved over. Making sure that they weren't being heard was another, as she knew that since the suspension, it might not be a great idea for them to be seen together. Still, the beach seemed like a safe spot.
Both of them were dressed casually, Claire in brown pants, a green jacket over a similarly covered top. Owen for his part, hadn't changed it up much, only going with a darker version of his shirt and vest.
Owen looked over his shoulder, as Claire looked at him. "I made sure I was not being followed. This isn't some spy movie." The more she said it, the more she did not know if she believed it though. "You know, it might seem less weird if we're walking together," she said finally. Yes, that might be something that would help them out. Still, she had a lot of things to get through…as they began walking along the water's edge.
Owen reached over, holding her hand, as she blinked suddenly, about to pull it away, and then she realized what he was doing. There were lots of couples at this beach after all, she could see quite a few among the crowds. So this would help them blend in after all… smart, she thought as she would step a bit closer to him, shoulders not quite brushing.
"Never know. Just have to be careful. Just as we have no idea what's going on. One thing is clear. They needed me out of the picture." Claire frowned as she walked, unsure if that was entirely true. She could see where it might be easier, but still…Masrani was still running things. Wasn't he? She thought back to what Jessica had said, about an announcement in the coming days.
"We don't know that yet-" she said as she sighed, feeling that even she wasn't believing her own words. It was definitely something here…getting them to doubt themselves, doubt each other. But what was the purpose of all of that then?
Owen nodded, seeming to accept this, at least for now. Claire felt her shoulders brush his, as she would bite her lip. This was going to be…well, it couldn't get any more awkward than it already was, she thought. "Not that it's weird…but let's see what we do know. What Zia said…these raptors, they are using the chips for them." Owen grunted, nodding, he had not accepted it at first, denied it would work to her.
It was a relationship or something, was his wording to be exact. Although, she wouldn't bring it up now, as she knew that it might be too much of a sore spot. Not that this was going to be easy for either of them at all.
"Owen. These chips. It's funny… until last week nobody even told me about them, that they were being developed at all. I'm the operations manager, and I was still left in the dark." She didn't like that that foreboded, being left in the dark like that. It meant that they were already willing to hide things, in a manner that would exclude the pair of them in the future.
She bit her lip, turning to the side as she shook her head. Indeed, she had been asking for reports, but at the same time it was as if everyone seemed to know things before she did. Maybe that meant all of this was just a ticking clock for the both of them. She did not know where it was leading though.
But Owen, he seemed sure, sure of himself. "Claire…" he tightened his grip on her hand, and she felt that she maybe did not mind that so much. "What I saw out there. These raptors, they were following commands, but they weren't really…their heart was into in it. Without these chips they would never have listened to him at all. I could see it in their faces."
Then there was the other elephant in the room. She knew that. The Rex. These chips, she looked out at the stretch of beach ahead, watching children playing in the sand, couples laying down together, and seagulls cawing above them. "Zia said she saw it with her own eyes, that the raptors were aggressive towards Cooper when he went in. That he was, well rather aggressive towards them too." It was funny, how this seemed to be one big game of catch up for them. That they might be behind already, when things were picking up speed.
She just wanted to take her mind off of things, but she felt that she couldn't. Just standing here talking with him. It felt good, she thought as she sighed, eyes lingering on one particular couple sitting together. "It does feel a bit like old times," she said wryly, changing the subject for a bit. Maybe to make herself feel better. Although given what had happened, she was not exactly sure how this was supposed to make her feel better at all really.
Owen paused, looking down at the sand suddenly, as he seemed to be lost in thought. "That was a long time ago. Didn't figure you for the sentimental type, Dearing," he said finally, a bit of tongue in cheek in his voice. Claire shrugged, she was not really. It was more so that this moment made her think of it. They had been here before, not quite here, but in different circumstances to be sure.
But she found as well that she didn't care if she was making it awkward. They had been spending more time together now, she'd be a fool not to at least address it. "Think that's why they had us work so closely together?" She asked him, not really sure if she was being serious herself. Or just seeing where this road led. It might be an interesting route either way.
Although they were getting a bit far from the topic, she was sure of that, as she swallowed. As much fun as she'd like to just talk about old times, maybe now was not the best use of their time to get sidetracked. After all, they were still no closer than they had been when they started to figuring out Jessica's game plan. For that was what it was, she realized, that interview had solidified things for her.
The way she'd talked about her. Yes, that was more than enough to tip the scales for her, as she sighed, thinking back to the bar. How easily she had been turned one way and another, thinking that she had found someone to confide in. Not knowing that there was yet another person to watch your back on.
Although there was one thing she was decided on, as she knew that meant that she must take action first. "It's going to look really weird if I don't attend whatever announcement she has planned. Also they are going to be on the lookout for you. So I don't know. Stay hidden." She knew that his tenure was not long for this world, given what was said on the interview. Probably he was aware of that too, and that was why he seemed a bit more stressed, his demeanor had changed a lot too, she'd noticed. But again, there were a lot of parts moving.
"I'll follow up with Levine. He said he has something else he wants me to see," Owen said as he stopped, turning to her now, as he picked up her other hand, as she felt color coming into her cheeks. Well, they were just standing here and talking, right? "Claire. Be careful. I know you don't need me to tell you this but whatever is going on. Whatever is really going on… this is bigger than you or me. Bigger than both of us."
He continued walking, and she would veer onto the boardwalk so that they could get out of the sand. Something she didn't understand still. The chips worked with the raptors, that part she understood, the other thing that did not make sense was still in front of her eyes, she thought she could almost grasp it as she shook her head again, swallowing hard as she realized something that disturbed the hell out of her. Owen said it, the thing that she had not wanted to think about. "That Rex. It came towards me, suddenly like it knew I was there."
She was sure that he would have to follow this up. But exactly how, she wouldn't know, or rather she did not want to know. Just being out here on the beach with him seemed like more than enough. To let them both take a breather before doing what was necessary.