Free Chromosome 6 by Robin Cook Page B

"Well, maybe," Kevin said. He was unconvinced. "But even if it were to start a fire, would it last?" "You're like a dog with a bone," Bertram commented. "Have you mentioned this crazy idea to anybody else?"
"Only to Raymond Lyons," Kevin said. "He called me yesterday about another problem." "And what was his response?" Bertram asked.

"He told me not to let my imagination run wild," Kevin said.
"I'd say that was good advice," Bertram said. "I second the motion." "I don't know," Kevin said. "Maybe we should go out there and check." "No!" Bertram snapped. For a fleeting moment his mouth formed a hard line and his blue eyes blazed. Then his face relaxed. "I don't want to go to the island except for a retrieval. That was the original plan and by golly we're sticking with it. As well as everything is going, I don't want to take any chances. The animals are to remain isolated and undisturbed. The only person who goes there is the pygmy, Alphonse Kimba, and he goes only to pull supplementary food across to the island." "Maybe I could go by myself," Kevin suggested. "It wouldn't take me long, and then I can stop worrying."
"Absolutely not!" Bertram said emphatically. "I'm in charge of this part of the project, and I forbid you or anyone else to go on the island."
"I don't see that it would make that much difference," Kevin said. "I wouldn't bother the animals." "No!" Bertram said. "There are to be no exceptions. We want these to be wild animals. That means minimal contact. Besides, with as small as this enclave is, visits will provoke talk, and we don't want that. And on top of that it could be dangerous." "Dangerous?" Kevin questioned. "I'd stay away from the hippos and the crocs. The bonobos certainly aren't dangerous."
"One of the pygmy bearers was killed on the last retrieval," Bertram said. "We've kept that very quiet for obvious reasons."
"How was he killed?" Kevin asked.
"By a rock," Bertram said. "One of the bonobos threw a rock." "Isn't that unusual?" Kevin asked.
Bertram shrugged. "Chimps are known to throw sticks on occasion when they are stressed or scared. No, I don't think it's unusual. It was probably just a reflex gesture. The rock was there so he threw it." "But it's also aggressive," Kevin said. "That's unusual for a bonobo, especially one of ours." "All apes will defend their group when attacked," Bertram said. "But why should they have felt they were being attacked?" Kevin asked. "That was the fourth retrieval," Bertram said. He shrugged again. "Maybe they're learning what to expect. But whatever the reason, we don't want anyone going to the island. Spallek and I have discussed this, and he's in full agreement."
Bertram got up from the desk and draped an arm over Kevin's shoulders. Kevin tried to ease himself away, but Bertram held on. "Come on, Kevin! Relax! This kind of wild flight of imagination of yours is

exactly what I was talking about earlier. You've got to get out of your lab and do something to divert that
overactive mind of yours. You're going stir-crazy and you're obsessing. I mean, this fire crap is ridiculous. The irony is that the project is going splendidly. How about reconsidering that offer for coming over for dinner? Trish and I would be delighted." "I'll give it serious thought," Kevin said. He felt distinctly uncomfortable with Bertram's arm around his neck.
"Good," Bertram said. He gave Kevin a final pat on his back. "Maybe the three of us could take in a movie as well. There's a terrific double-feature scheduled for this week. I mean, you ought to take advantage of the fact that we get the latest movies. It's a big effort on GenSys's part to fly them in here on a weekly basis. What do you say?"
"I guess," Kevin said evasively.
"Good," Bertram said. "I'll mention it to Trish, she'll give you a call. Okay?" "Okay," Kevin said. He smiled weakly.
Five minutes later, Kevin climbed back into his vehicle more confused than before he'd come to see Bertram Edwards. He didn't know what to think. Maybe