Page 26 of Lagoon

Riley hesitated, looking back at Jonathan’s cabin, and then went after Nancy. They went into the lab, and Riley realized she still didn’t have a keycard. She wasn’t sure what had happened to Dr. White’s body. Was it in this building somewhere? Would it be shipped back to his loved ones so that they could bury him? Why was there so little communication with the outside here?

It didn’t make sense. They all had access to the internet, after all. Of course, her own phone had been waterlogged and ruined when Bub had captured her, so she was going to need a replacement, but she had her laptop back in her cabin and a tablet as well.

At any time, they could tell anyone what was going on here.

But she was pretty sure everyone was keeping their mouths shut.

For the sake of Anderson Scott? Because of that NDA they’d all signed? Were they just crazy?

Then they entered the back room, and she let out a little whimper.

She hurried to the middle of the room where Bub was motionless and dead. He’d been bludgeoned to death. Her breath came in wheezes. “Jonathan didn’t do this!”

“Well, who else?” said Nancy. “None of the guards have access to this building.”

Riley stood up. “You have access, I see.”

“Me?” said Nancy. “Why wouldIdo this?”

HARRIS’S LIPS TWISTED. “Everyone knows you want out of here, Nancy.”

They were all back in the mess hall, everyone except Jonathan, because Riley hadn’t gone to get him yet. She’d marched straight back here to announce the news, and it seemed everyone agreed with her. Nancy had killed Bub.

“I did not do it!” Nancy threw up her hands. “I’m not even strong enough.”

“Oh, well, Dr. Greyson there, he’s Hercules,” laughed Harris.

“I’m surprised you can even make a mythology reference,” came Jonathan’s voice. He stepped inside the door. He hadn’t shaved, and his stubble was dark on his chin. He sauntered into the room.

“Tell them!” Nancy said. “Tell them that I didn’t do it, you did!”

Jonathan raised his eyebrows.

Riley hurried over to him. “Jonathan, you’d best come with me. There’s something you need to know.” She didn’t think the scientist would want to hear the news in front of Harris or the others. It would be cruel to do that to him, because he’d likely be emotional. It was complicated, certainly, but she knew that Jonathan had indicated yesterday that Bub was his friend.

It was all disgusting right now, and she knew that, but she felt oddly detached from her emotions.I’m overwhelmed,she decided. Anyone would be overwhelmed after going through everything she’d gone through.

Jonathan gave her an appraising look. He looked at Nancy and then back at Riley. Then he shook his head. “Nancy started it,” he said darkly. “I had to finish it. It wasn’t what I wanted to do, but I had no choice.”

Riley was stunned. “Y-you did that to Bub?”

“Nancy came into the lab with a bat and started destroying tanks,” said Jonathan. “Bub got free, and with that glass broken, there was no other place to contain him. I tranqed him first. He didn’t feel it.” His face twisted, and he looked away. “He was too dangerous to be free.”

Riley put her hand to her chest. “Well, then… what does this mean?”

“It means it’s over,” said Jonathan. He nudged his way past her. “I hope someone’s started a pot of coffee.”

Everyone was silent.

Nancy lifted her head. “I guess everyone’s going to want me to apologize, but I didn’t know. I didn’t know that thing was trying to mate with—” She broke off. She stalked across the room and snatched the mug out of Jonathan’s hands. “It stuck things in my stomach.” She pointed at herself.

Jonathan took the mug back. “Yes, I’m aware of that.”

Angela spoke up. “It did that to me, too.”

“What was it doing?” said Nancy. “What did it do to me?”

“I have no idea,” said Jonathan, pushing past her and pouring himself some coffee.

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