The Leaves in Winter by M. C. Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

aren’t forgiven. He chose a covert assignment over knowing Alyssa. He got a cushy classified title; what did she get? She’s different because of it. I’m certain of it. I’m reminded of that fact every day.”
    Malcolm put down his fork. “Ever hear the word Senex – S-E-N-E-X?”
    Janis poked at her food. After a wait, she offered a shake of the head.
    “It’s Latin for old man .” Folding arms on the table before him, Malcolm hesitated before saying any more. He considered the dice he was rolling. If Janis knew anything more, this was no time to let up on her. Any second she could crack.
    “Riya’s last whisper spoke of somebody called Senex. She said Senex was her contact – at GeLixCo.”
    Janis’ reaction was transparent. Malcolm knew mention of GeLixCo would drop a bomb. GeLixCo was the foremost North American corporate rival of NovoSenectus. The adversarial relationship between them went way back.
    Janis sat blown away with nothing to say.
    “I checked with someone reliable, a source I’d had for a long time. They say Senex is a codename. It was assigned years ago – to Colin Insworth .”
    Janis was stunned. The idea that Colin was somehow assisting Riya pass information from her lab to GeLixCo carried airs of disturbed unreality.
    “Before she died, Riya told me she’d made a computer backup. With her last breath she gave me the password. She said she’d hid this backup at GeLixCo offices in Puerto Rico . She said Senex was her contact.” Malcolm reached across the table and grabbed Janis’ hand. “You see now why I have to trust you?”
    The rush of it all crushed down on Janis. It was too much to fathom. Riya and Colin involved in corporate espionage – together? Riya had known about Janis’ past, the divorce, even knew that Colin had chosen a new title over his family. It was hard to imagine Riya ever being civil to Colin let alone trusting him with her life.
    It didn’t make sense. If any of this was true, why would Riya contact Colin? How would she ever have managed it? If anything, Colin would have made first contact. His position was that deep, guarded, and insulated. There was no way Riya could have reached out to him and succeeded.
    Not unless he wanted to be found.
    But why? Whatever could be on the secret backup?
    Janis searched Malcolm’s face for a sign. “What do you think they were up to?”
    “How much is 300 years of life worth?”
    Janis physically recoiled from the suggestion. “No – I don’t believe it. Riya selling GenLET secrets?”
    “Only the two of you knew everything. If somebody wanted extended life, there were only two people to get it from. If they didn’t target you, it had to be her.”
    “I worked with Riya every day. You loved her. You don’t really believe that, do you?”
    “Get me a way to contact Colin and let’s ask him. Either that, or I need to find some way to read what’s on that computer backup in Puerto Rico .”
    “I told you – I know nothing about Colin that’s current.”
    Malcolm grabbed her other hand. “You want to know who has Alyssa…why they took her? Think about it. You are the only other person who knows all of GenLET’s secrets. That fact is no secret. My God, Riya praised you at the start of her lecture. Everyone knows who you are and what you know.”
    “Nobody’s contacted me.”
    “What do you call the unfortunate episode in the park?”
    “I don’t believe Riya was like that. If you knew her as a lover, I’m surprised you’d even consider it.”
    “All people have layers. Even those closest to you don’t show everything.”
    “The police think the kidnapping is somehow connected to Riya’s murder. They believe NCO is behind both.”
    “I’m suspicious of quick and easy answers – especially from authorities. Everything I’ve seen tells me the truth is never that one-dimensional.”
    “It’s clear they want to put pressure on NovoSenectus. NCO doesn’t care about grabbing GenLET secrets for