Page 18 of Unwanted

There was a large table in the center of the room with a pile of small white notebooks off to the side. “Is this okay?” Dr. Swift asked, pulling a chair out from the table and indicating one across from it.

“This is great, thanks,” Mark answered, taking the seat across from the doctor.

Dr. Swift looked at him expectantly, lacing his fingers together on the table. He was a large man, and his shirt stretched tight over his wide shoulders, a button sitting on his stomach looking dangerously close to popping. “Isaac Driscoll retired…let’s see”—he looked upward, obviously doing the math—“in two thousand two or three?”

Mark nodded. “Yes, I know it’s been a while.”

“What is this about, Agent? Is Isaac in some kind of trouble?”

“Yes, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Isaac Driscoll was found dead two days ago.”

Dr. Swift stared at him for a few moments, seemingly frozen with surprise. Finally, he blew out a long breath. “Found dead… How?”

“Murdered.”

Dr. Swift’s eyes widened. “Murdered? Isaac? How? Why?”

“We’re still investigating the crime. I don’t have many answers yet. I’m hoping you can shed some light on a few things.”

Dr. Swift blew out another breath, running his hand through his black-and-gray-speckled hair, dramatic streaks of silver at his temples. “I can try. It’s been a long time since I even talked to the man.”

“What exactly did he do here at Rayform? His job title is listed as social researcher.”

Dr. Swift nodded. “His job entailed collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. The government was, and is, particularly interested in findings that might help change social policies or affect current ones. The applications are dependent on the purpose of the study.”

“And are most of the studies conducted here funded by the government?”

“Most, yes, though some of the studies are funded by research grants or fellowships.”

“Can you give me an example of a specific study Isaac worked on? I’m trying to get a better picture of who he was and why someone would want to harm him.”

Dr. Swift looked off to the side in thought for a moment before answering. “I think the study he completed just before he retired was about poverty and criminal behavior, something along those lines. I don’t remember the specifics, but I could probably look it up and email it to you.”

“That’d be great. Thanks.” Mark slid a business card across the table, and Dr. Swift took it, putting it in the breast pocket of his shirt. “What can you tell me about Dr. Driscoll on a personal level?”

“Overall he was a nice guy. He could be intense. A little…awkward at times maybe.” He smiled. “What can I say? He was a researcher. We’re not often known for our bubbly personalities.” He frowned. “God, I can’t believe…can’t believe he’s dead. Murdered.” He looked back at Mark. “You don’t think his death had anything to do with his work here, do you?”

“It’s doubtful since he retired so long ago, but I’m still trying to see the big picture. Dr. Driscoll bought several thousand acres of land about twenty miles outside the nearest populated area. Do you have any idea why he would retire and move out to the middle of nowhere?”

Dr. Swift looked surprised for a moment and then thoughtful. He sighed. “From what I remember, Isaac grew increasingly pessimistic about people in general…society as a whole.” He pressed his lips together for a moment. “I do remember him saying several times that he was ready to be done with people entirely, that animals behaved more rationally and in a way that would preserve their species as a whole rather than destroying it.” Dr. Swift chuckled, though there wasn’t much humor in it. “I thought he was mostly joking or just…venting. Although I have to say, I didn’t completely disagree with the sentiment. It’s easy to become cynical after studying societal downfalls year after year. Sometimes it feels like things never change.”

Mark offered a wry smile. He didn’t completely disagree with the sentiment either. He’d seen things in his line of work that made the idea of abandoning people entirely and living with wild animals sound appealing. People were hateful and cruel, vicious and underhanded. But…but they were also capable of selflessness and acts of deep love and grace. Mark had to remind himself of that often. And the fact was, people needed other people in order to hold on to their own humanity. He didn’t need to be a social scientist to know that.

“So you think Isaac Driscoll may have bought land far away from society because the work he did caused him to disdain people in general?”

Dr. Swift released a long breath and rubbed at his eye with one finger. “I can’t speak to his exact motives. Like I said, it’s been a long time since I’ve spoken with him. But…it doesn’t sound improbable to me.”

Mark nodded, reaching into his pocket and bringing out the small notebook. Inside, he’d placed a printout of a still frame of Lucas as he’d waited in the holding cell a couple of days before. He unfolded the printout and handed it to Dr. Swift. “Do you recognize this man?”

Dr. Swift regarded the picture for several moments before shaking his head. “No. Who is he?”

“A man currently living on Driscoll’s property. He says Driscoll allowed him to stay there after his parents abandoned him.”

Dr. Swift sighed again. “That sounds like Isaac.”

“How do you mean?”

“Isaac did a lot of volunteer work for social services programs. We did many studies on the foster care system—still do—and it was one of the areas of research that particularly bothered Isaac.”

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