Page 9 of Thorns of Malice

Avery shifts next to me.

Karen declares, "Two patents were filed on behalf of Hybrid Pharmaceuticals."

"That's correct. My attorney filed a third"—I glance at my watch—"about ten minutes ago."

Avery grips the podium so tight her knuckles turn white.

Karen says, "My understanding is that one of your new drugs is to stop the sexual urges from getting worse. Is this correct?"

I reply, "You're referring to our drug CogniShift. What we've concluded is if a male or female—or any animal, I should point out—is given too much or too many doses of Trance in a short time span, they'll have increased sexual urges that only get worse over time. So this particular drug we created will stop them from worsening."

"But it won't eliminate them?" Karen questions.

I shake my head. "No. That's why we created our second drug, NeuroZap, for when CogniShift doesn't give enough relief to the victim."

"NeuroZap is the drug that eliminates all addictive urges?" Karen asks.

"Yes."

"So why don't you give everyone NeuroZap? What's the point of only giving them CogniShift?"

"That's a good question, Karen."

"Well?" she urges.

I admit, "NeuroZap comes with a side effect the patient may not want to experience. It should be taken with extreme caution."

"What is the side effect?"

My chest tightens. I confess, "I wish we could eliminate this issue, but so far, my research and development team hasn't found a way. For some patients, they'll want to take it no matter what. For others, they won't want to take it if given the information and choice."

"Why?"

"There's a risk they won't ever have any sexual desire again. So some people won't want to take that risk. For others, they're willing to do it because the addiction has gotten so overwhelming it's destroying their everyday life. So even taking CogniShift to stop the progression isn't enough."

The reporters all raise their hands.

"Alex," I direct, pointing to a dweeby twenty-something man who works for a national radio syndicate.

He clears his throat. "What's the third drug?"

I keep my gaze off Avery, too afraid I'll be unable to handle my glee. I answer, "TimeMarker. It's a drug used in conjunction with our proprietary software. The patent for the technology was filed ten minutes ago as well. Through our research anddevelopment, we discovered that Trance leaves an imprint on DNA. TimeMarker pinpoints any exposure down to the date and hour a victim was drugged, as well as the amount of the drug ingested."

A reporter calls out, "Will it hold up in court?"

"I expect the head of my research team to be in court often, until the precedent is sent that TimeMarker is admissible in legal cases. In addition, I've already sent thorough data to several senators who are on board with pushing this agenda through the courts. And that's our hope. To help victims find justice against their predators. Isn't that right, Avery?" I turn toward her.

She takes a deep breath and recovers, putting on her sympathetic expression. "Yes."

Another reporter calls out, "Aren't you afraid this might cause a rift in your friendship with Bobby Winston?"

Avery slightly flinches.

I refocus on the press. "As you mentioned, lawsuits filed against Bobby were all dropped. I can't comment on legal things, as I'm not an attorney, but if he's as innocent as he claims, my drug would also prove it." My stomach flips, knowing he's far from it.

He deserves what's coming to him.

"If you'll excuse us, my sister and I have more meetings to attend today," I state, whisking my sister off the stage and through the yelling press.

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