The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 4

Josey's Cafe was just two blocks from the 26th precinct station on Harlem's Amsterdam Avenue. The area had undergone redevelopment and now some businesses and shops lined the main streets. As Paul neared the door, he could see Maria through the window sitting at a booth.

"Hey," Paul said, as he slid into the booth bench across from her.

"I'm so glad you could take time to talk with me," Maria said. She leaned forward eager to tell Paul about her interview with the police.

She sounds really depressed. I can understand that. My interview was disturbing too. "That interview was more like an interrogation. I felt like they suspected me of involvement in Frank's...."

Maria interrupted, "Exactly, I was really on the defensive. I must have seemed even guiltier. I really blew it."

"It's an unnatural situation designed to be uncomfortable. My father was a police officer, and he told me that when they interviewed people, they acted aggressive to get information they otherwise wouldn't get."

"That's how I felt. Like they wanted me to slip up and tell them something. I had nothing to tell. I know it might have looked.... strange that I was there at all. Frank and I had a nasty breakup. But we almost got married and I still have feelings for him as a friend." She added the friend tag after an almost imperceptible hesitation.

"It didn't seem weird you were there." That's a lie. It was strange. Maybe she wanted to get back together with him?

"Yes, Frank and I had a new understanding, and we were friendly. I supported him as much as I could. Did you know I was going with Frank to Singapore? In fact, I still have tickets to leave tomorrow."

"Really? Frank didn't tell me. I knew your family was from Singapore but I didn't know you were going there with Frank." This is a surprise.

"We would stay with my Uncle Lee who has an apartment. That's where I always stay when I go."

Maria choked up with emotion. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Wonder if there's anything I can do to help her through this? "Are you still going to Singapore? What about the police? Will they be ok with you travelling?"

"Yes, I think so. It'll do me good to get away. I had several things planned while I was there. I'm pursuing my Biochemistry PhD at Columbia. They have a partnership PhD mobility program agreement with NUS (National University of Singapore) so I can conduct research at their laboratory in the Ecopolitan complex. That's what I was planning while Frank did his work for the UN."

"Columbia's a great University. I got my Statistics PhD from there a few years ago."

"I hadn't thought about the police. They said nothing about not being able to travel. My uncle has a serious genetic disease. I need to go to help him too."

"Well, if they didn't say anything it's probably okay?"

"They didn't take my passport."

"This might not happen. My boss still needs to approve, but I might go to Singapore to complete Frank's investigation. I would be the obvious choice because I co-authored Frank's paper and the primary purpose for the trip was to find if the inventors, responsible for the bulk of the patents that Frank uncovered, had superior intelligence my statistical method predicted."

"I didn't know you co-authored Frank's paper. The conference program didn't list your name."

"The program only listed the presenters. My name would have appeared on the published paper."