Turbulence

Wrigley clutched his shoulder and took a step toward Jaden, as if he meant to hit him. “I don’t have to listen to this.”

“I think you do.” Jaden waved a hand around. “You’ve got nowhere to go, no title to hide behind and no secretary or staff to shield you. Here, your reputation and skills mean nothing. You’re just another crash victim, Dr. Wrigley, and you know more about our situation than you’re letting on.”

Maddie held her breath as Paul’s face twisted in anger.

His hands balled into fists as he drew an arm’s length from Jaden. “Hold on, Jaden. These are pretty serious accusations.”

Jaden nodded. “I know.”

“Maybe we should be asking you a few questions. You certainly don’t act like some lowly company rep. Dr. Wrigley worked for months with Heartline, and he never heard of you before, yet you seem to know a lot about our situation. Who’s to say you weren’t hired by the director to destroy the heart, and he turned tables on you?”

Jaden smiled, and there was something in the expression that told Maddie things were about to change. She watched in fascination as he reached for his backpack and drew out a nylon-wrapped package.

“Because of this,” he said, holding up the Berlin Heart.