The Mutant Prime by Karen Haber Read Free Book Online

Well, let’s see.” He leaned back in his chair, studying the screen. “As far as I can tell, you’re probably in the clear. But your old man is damned lucky he’s in the storehouse.”
    “You may be alone in that opinion.”
    “Hardly. Best defense these days.”
    “You mean he could be held liable for the disaster? How?”
    “Well, let’s just say that the record of his lobbying efforts to reduce safety regs for space engineering would make a convenient noose.”
    “But he was right! Dammit, Bill, those regulations were ridiculous. A waste of time and taxpayers’ money, more cosmetic than effective. Besides, they didn’t even relate to this project.”
    Sutherland shrugged. “With enough safeguards, the dome might not have blown, right? Even if nobody in the business would have manufactured that many fall-back systems. I’m a lawyer, not a space engineer, but I know how Federal investigators think. Where were the safeguards? And after the reporters are finished with you, what’s left won’t be worth much in this industry. When the dust settles, the Koreans will be the only ones building domes. You’d better come up with a rock-solid defense of the manufacturing process and materials.”
    “I wasn’t even working on this project.”
    “I know. But you’re the boss now. So, retroactively, you’re responsible.”
    Michael sat back in his chair, thunderstruck.
    “Shit.”
    “Yeah.”
    “I think you’d better plan on attending this with me, Bill.”
    “Of course.” Sutherland gave him a wry, sympathetic look. “Cheer up, Mike. Things could be worse.”
    “How?”
    “You could be François Aubenay.”
    “Keep reminding me of that.” Michael rubbed his jaw, numb with shock. “Thanks, Bill. I’ll get with you later.”
    Half the screen turned black.
    “Save and store message. Research.”
    The summons disappeared, replaced by a view of the research department over Penny Lansdale’s shoulder. She smiled at Michael, lines raying out from the corner of her golden eyes. But the smile faded as she saw his expression.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Bad news, Pen. Drop what you’re doing. I need you to compile a detailed analysis and report on File R9C.”
    Penny turned to her auxiliary screen and requested the file. A moment later, she looked up. Her expression was grim. “Our assist with the Aubenay Moonstation contract. I remember it.”
    “I thought you were here then,” Michael said. “Good. I need a solid defense, Penny. They’re looking for somebody to hang. We’ve got to convince them that our neck is not the right size for their noose.”
    “Is it that bad?”
    “Worse.”
    Her eyes widened. “I’ll get right on it, Michael.”
    “Thanks, Pen.” He cut the connection. What next? Might as well share the good news with Jena.
    Dourly, he called her shop. She answered on the first buzz, her image bright in a turquoise tunic. Behind her, the walls of the store sparkled with precious objects.
    “Expecting a call?” he asked.
    Something about his body language must have broken through her self-absorption.
    “Don’t play games, Michael. I was near the screen, that’s all. What’s wrong?”
    “Federal summons to the Moonstation investigation,” he said.
    “What? Why are they calling you?”
    “My old man did some subcontracted work on the dome.”
    “He did?” She frowned in irritation. “Are we at risk?”
    “Looks that way. I’ll have to go to the West Coast next week. Want to come?” He managed a hearty tone. “You can get in some shopping.”
    She fiddled with her hair nervously. “I—I can’t, Michael. I’m expecting a shipment of Gabonese reed glass. I don’t trust anybody else to unpack it. And who would watch the store?”
    “Your staff.”
    “And Herra?”
    “She’s old enough to stay alone. She’s hardly ever home anyway.” For a moment, he stared at her. Blond hair framing her face, golden eyes glinting, she was as beautiful now as when he’d married