Maden Mike - Tom Clancy Firing Point

Kang nodded. “Okay, that makes a lot of sense.” She made another note. “When was the last time you saw him?”

Again, Parsons glanced at the ceiling, counting off the days. “Six months ago, give or take a week. I bumped into him at a place in Knoxville. It was just a quick hello. He was with someone.”

“Who?”

“A woman. I don’t know her.”

“What place was that?”

“Myrtle’s Chicken and Beer. The one on Market Square. Best damn chicken and waffles around.”

“Oh, man. I love me some chicken and waffles,” Silva said.

It speaks. Parsons stifled a laugh.

“Can you remember the specific date?”

“Sorry, I wish I could.” Parsons smiled. “Oh, wait. I get it. You want the date so you can check security cameras and stuff. I saw that on TV once. Um, let me think. Yeah. I’m pretty sure it was a Sunday. That’s about the only day we ever get off around here. Eleven-ish if I’m remembering correctly.”

“That’s really helpful,” Kang said, noting it. “And that was the last time you saw him?”

“He called me about two months ago. Wanted to go out for drinks and dinner, catch up. But I turned him down. I was just too busy at the time. But no, I didn’t see him.”

“And you haven’t spoken with him at all since?”

“No.”

“In the time you were still in contact with him, did you keep him apprised of the progress on the RAPTURE project?”

“No.”

“He was intimately involved with it for two years. I’d think he’d be interested.”

“Dylan would know better than to ask me something like that. He was no longer cleared for that kind of information and I take this work too seriously to risk either the project or my own security clearance. Besides, he walked away from RAPTURE. He lost his right to be curious about it.”

“Speaking of walking away, I’m just wondering, in the weeks or months before he left, did he exhibit any odd behavior?”

“You’re in a building full of eccentric, high IQ people. You’ll have to be more specific.”

“Oh, you know. Any kind of behavior that made you think something was bothering him.”

“Bothering?”

Kang shrugged. “Was he acting guilty? Maybe becoming more distant or aloof?”

“Not that I recall.”

“Did he buy an expensive car? Maybe take a big vacation?”

“Vacation? Are you kidding? We’re on a clock around here. Besides, they polygraph the shit out of us—counterintelligence and lifestyle. If he was engaged in any criminal behavior while at ORNL, it would have shown up, I’m sure.”

“So maybe he quit because of a growing sense of anger or frustration? The crappy hours, or lack of promotion?”

“No.”

“Did you see him coming to work late more and more often, or even missing days?”

“No, none of those things. He was a very diligent and conscientious worker.”

“Was he on any kind of prescription meds?” She set her pen down. “Maybe smoked a little weed to take the anxiety off?”

“Not that I was aware of. Dylan was into hot yoga, if that means anything.”

Kang scribbled a few more notes.

“How about his relationships? Did he get along well with the people he worked with?”

“Yes, absolutely. He had a tremendous sense of humor.”

Kang and Silva exchanged another glance.

Parsons’s jaw clenched. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

“And I’m sure you’ve already been through his files at Human Resources.”

“We have, actually.” Kang smiled.

“Then you already know that Dylan and I were . . . friends.”

“Friends with benefits,” Silva said.

It speaks again, Parsons said to herself. She turned toward him. “Fuck buddies, we used to call it in grad school. Nothing romantic. Strictly sexual. But nothing untoward. That’s why we filed the mutual consent forms with HR. Dylan didn’t think it was necessary but I did. It was important for me to do that because I was his supervisor.”

Silva offered a slight smile. “That’s very conscientious of you.”

Parsons wasn’t sure if his grin was supportive or condescending. She had a hard time reading people sometimes. Well, most times.

“Look, we all work really long hours here. There isn’t time for a social life, and we’re told to avoid using apps like Tinder to meet people—that’s where the bad guys hang out, right? Looking for lonely ORNL scientists to compromise?”

“That would be a really dumb idea for all kinds of reasons,” Kang said.

“Biology is primal. The drive to reproduce ourselves is coded in our DNA. We’re all just paramecia, but with bigger brains and opposable thumbs to access Pornhub. Every now and then, we all have to burn off some energy. It’s like a square dance. You pick your partner, you have some fun, get a little sweaty, then it’s over and you get back to work. No harm, no foul.”

Kang nodded, and made more notes.

Parsons saw that neither Kang nor Silva wore wedding rings. “Sort of like the way cops hook up, or so I’ve read,” Parsons added. It was a jab, for sure, but she really had read that.

“Yeah, I’ve read that, too,” Kang said without looking up. “So, just to be clear, you haven’t had any communication with Dr. Runtso in any form in the last six months?”

Oh, shit. Now they’re trying to trip me up, Parsons told herself. Game on.

“No, that’s not accurate. What I said before was that I haven’t seen him in the last six months. We spoke by phone two months ago when he asked me out.”

Parsons thought a moment. “I can request the IT department to get you all of Dylan’s e-mail and computer logs. The contents would be heavily redacted because you don’t have the right security clearances but at least you’d be able to cross-reference the metadata against people, dates, or events you’re concerned about. Would that be useful to you?”

Kang’s eyes widened. “That would be great. Thank you.”

“Saves you from having to get a warrant. Now, I don’t mean to be rude, but I really do have a lot on my plate. Is there anything you need from me today?”

Kang and Silva stood. “No, you’ve been more than cooperative.” She extended her hand. Parsons stood and shook it, and Silva’s, too.

“If you don’t mind my saying, you look tired,” Kang said.

“I’m working too many hours on a project that doesn’t seem to want to end. But I don’t care. I’m totally committed to completing it. I’ve given my life to it. I don’t have any kids, and never will. It will be my legacy.”

“That’s damned impressive,” Silva said.

Parsons smiled. “I appreciate both of you as well, and thank you both for your service.”

Kang politely demurred. “Thank you. It’s our privilege to serve.” She turned to Silva. “Don’t you agree?”

“Oh, yeah. I love my job, and the chance to do the Lord’s work.”

“That’s awesome,” Parsons said, turning away.

“Oh, there is one more thing I forgot to ask,” Kang said.

Parsons forced a smile. “Please.”

“You are willing to take a poly, right? About Dylan?”

“Of course. Anytime. I take them twice a year as it is. They don’t bother me.”

Kang waved a hand. “Yeah, you’re right. Probably not necessary at all. I just wanted that in the record. You know how bosses can be, all up in your shit, micromanaging everything. If I don’t dot my i ’s and cross my t ’s, I get written up.”

“Bosses. Tell me about it.”

“Okay, well, thanks again for your time.”

“Sure.”

Parsons sat down as Kang and Silva turned to leave.

“Oh, jeez. Where’s my brain?” Kang said, turning back around. “I forgot to tell you that someone broke into Dr. Runtso’s home and ransacked it.”