Dolphin Tale 6

Chapter [27]

C h a p t e r   T w e n t y   S e v e n

THE TENSION IN THE ATMOSPHERE at Clearwater Marine Aquarium was tangible. It hung in the air like a blinding fog, snuffing out and dulling any other emotions. There was no set time for George Hughes to arrive, so furtive glances were often cast at nearby clocks, watches, or phones. 

Dr. Clay had spent most of the morning pacing around the medical pool where Nicholas was currently being held. Despite trying to persuade Sawyer to return home after his long night shift, he had failed; Sawyer said that he had to stay; that he wanted to stay; he needed to be there to support everyone and help with various things that had to be done.

Hazel spent most of her morning with Phoebe, preparing fish for Winter and Hope and a special formula for Nicholas. They didn't speak at all, so the room was shrouded in a stiff silence. 

Kyle spent the morning stationed by the front entrance, ready to relay information to Dr. Clay and all the other staff members when George Hughes reached the aquarium. And that moment arrived at precisely nine-twenty-four when he saw a black car with official USDA markings pull into the car park.

Pulling out his phone, he called Dr. Clay.

"Kyle?"

Glancing around at the car that had just parked a few meters away from the entrance, he said, curtly, "He's here. George Hughes is here."

"Is he alone?" Dr. Clay asked nervously.

Kyle squinted at the now immobile car. "I don't know, Clay. I can't see into the car . . ."

Dr. Clay sighed. "All right. I'll be down in a minute."

Kyle nodded. "Okay," he said softly before ending the call and placing his phone back into his pocket.

"Morning . . . sorry, what's your name?"

Kyle looked at George Hughes, startled by his sudden appearance, and managed to muster a tight lipped smile. "It's Kyle. And good morning to you too," he said, tilting his head to one side and observing the expression on the USDA official's face.

It was stoic, most likely a façade to how he truly felt.

"Ah, Dr. Clay."

Kyle spun around and was relieved to see Dr. Clay standing behind him, his arms hanging loosely by his side, his face hidden by shadows.

"George Hughes," Dr. Clay said stiffly, stepping into the sunlight and walking over to shake hands. "Glad you could make it."

"I'm truly sorry for what happened, Dr. Clay, but you do understand that if things aren't up to standard I'll have to order a transfer," George said, his tone monotonous.

Dr. Clay nodded slowly. "Yes, I do."

"Good," said George. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing to the entrance.

Kyle noticed Dr. Clay's posture visibly stiffen, and watched as he furtive glances between George and the front entrance.

Eventually, Dr. Clay's posture softened and he nodded curtly. He gestured for George to enter first before following him in, but not before shooting Kyle a fleeting look that conveyed nothing but painful helplessness and bitter resignation.

* * *

"Water contamination?" George Hughes exclaimed, raising an eyebrow sceptically as he looked up from the file he had been glancing over. "Clay, this is bad."

"You don't think I already know?" Dr.  Clay quipped bitterly, annoyance ebbing its way through his veins, quickly followed by a mind-numbing wave of sadness and resent.