The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 18

The door crashed into its frame with such force that the windows vibrated. Hari, the cat, ran into the bedroom and Lee cautiously poked his nose out of the kitchen, as if he might be the target of the next outburst. Maria exploded into the room throwing her purse onto the sofa and brushing Lee aside as she jerked open the door to the refrigerator and yanked out a soda.

"What's wrong with you?" Lee said hesitantly.

"Just got back from my interview with that so-called Inspector, Nara, and he confiscated my passport," Maria said. That incompetent bastard!

"Why would he do that?"

"It's because Paul and I were connected to the convention center kidnapping. You know, we were going to interview the inventors. Nara didn't know what to do, so he took my passport and Paul's too. It'll give him time to investigate."

"When will you get it back?"

"I don't know. He said it shouldn't be too long. Until the investigation clears us I guess? Hell, the way they work that could be months."

"Well, the good news is that you are not planning to leave anytime soon anyway, so you don't really need your passport."

"I know, but it pisses me off. Those idiots might just accidentally find something they think requires more investigation. What a hassle. I'm sure they'll want to talk to you too."

"It doesn't sound like there's any reason to worry. The police here are incompetent. They won't find anything connecting you to the kidnapping and you'll be free to go. Shit, they took thirty years to get the goods on me and everyone knew I was in the forgery business."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Maria was the calming down after her ordeal at the police station. "The police are just a horrible example of government incompetence and corruption. It's way better here, in Singapore, than all the surrounding countries, but still... The police in those places are just government thieves, stealing from the people they're supposed to protect. They ensure government control by their coercion of the population and are immune to prosecution. They operate quite independently and according to their own code."

"Now, now, Maria, I know you're fed up with these oppressive governments and..."

The grimace on Lee's face signaled his serious pain. He slumped sideways, supporting himself from falling by leaning against the kitchen wall. Maria wasn't looking in his direction but she did when she heard him gasp. "Are you in pain?" Lee didn't respond, lowering his head and facing the floor. Maria strode quickly down the hall to her bedroom. He needs more medication. The microneedle injection array shouldn't have run out yet. I've been so preoccupied lately I might have missed the renewal date. I'll give him another injection array and that should help right away. It'll last for a week.

She reached into a sealed storage container to pull out a packet. Then she unrolled a protective latex cot onto her index finger. Carrying the packet into the living room she sat on the arm of the upholstered chair where Lee slumped against a large pillow. She carefully positioned the almost microscopic injection array on her fingertip. "Here, turn your head to the side." She used her finger to squeeze Lee's earlobe. "You'll feel better in a couple of minutes."

I should take out the spent one. I don't see it. It must have dissolved prematurely. Water must have gotten to it? The new material I'm working on is waterproof and should safely dissolve after the right number of days. Lee sat silently with his face still exhibiting considerable pain. Maria went back into the kitchen to get her soda. Soon he opened his eyes obviously feeling better.

"Thank you, I'm feeling a lot better now. The medicine is taking effect. I know your system isn't perfected, but it really has helped me a lot."

"I know. It's helped me to use my prototypes and learn from your experience." They both gave each other loving gazes. I need a drug delivery system that can last months or even years.