Laurel’s heart and hopes plunged into despair. “Your work was an add-on here. I’m sorry, you can’t continue.” Sympathy rang throughout each of Stewart’s words.
Laurel couldn’t breathe. Her heart fluttered. Her life’s work. What was she going to do? She might have been hit in the chest for all her ability to say a word. She groaned. A breakthrough was so close. “Why, Stewart? I almost have an answer. My research is important.”
The older man nodded his head in understanding, his eyes filled with compassion. “I know. But others’ work is equally important. Money is always an issue where research is concerned. You know that.”
“Isn’t there some other way?” There must be. Lives were at stake. “I can’t stop now. I’m too close.”
“As much as I hate to say it, it’s not going to happen at this lab.” He paused.
She leaned toward him. “This isn’t right! What about the people I’m trying to save?”
“I wish I could tell you there might be hope down another avenue but I would only be giving you false hope. Maybe you should consider the Prince’s offer after all. From what I understand, it was an impressive one. It might not be too late.”
Her face twisted in disbelief. She couldn’t do that! Travel to a foreign land with a stranger. Where she knew no one.
She leaned forward and gripped the edge of the desk. “Isn’t there something else you can do?”
“As of right now, no. I would hate to lose you, but the best I could do is put you on another project.”
This couldn’t be happening. Panic welled in her. The timing seemed off. The Prince had shown up and the next thing she’d learned was that she no longer had funding. He’d made it clear he got what he wanted. No, he didn’t have that much clout. She narrowed her eyes at Stewart. “The Prince didn’t have anything to do with this, did he?”
“Not that I know of. I’m sure he knows people on the committee, though. You know most researchers would be glad to be offered such a wonderful opportunity.”
“I don’t want to move. I know nothing about Zentar or Prince Tariq. I’m a home body.”
“Maybe it’s time you stepped out of the bubble. Just think what you could do with all that research money at your disposal. A chance like that doesn’t come along more than once in a lifetime.”
Phrased like that, she had a hard time disagreeing. If only it wasn’t so far away. And she wasn’t so affected by the Prince. She would have to guard herself where he was concerned. She had no intention of repeating her mistakes. “I like the way things are.”
“I know you do, but maybe it’s time for a change. For you to get out of the lab and live a little. This could be your golden chance. Sometimes change can be a good thing.” Stewart was looking and sounding like the father figure she privately considered him to be.
“I don’t want adventure or change. I want to find a way to help hemophiliacs.”
Stewart looked over the rim of his black glasses at her. “You do realize the Prince is offering you an opportunity to do just that? You could go until funding comes through.”
Could she do it? Step out of her comfort zone? She had done it once before in college and still wore the scars. Yet she was so close. Only months away from finding the key to unlocking the secret to the gene. With the Prince’s offer it might be sooner. She really wasn’t left much choice. Laurel looked at Stewart for a long moment before releasing a resigned sigh. “Do you know how to get in touch with the Prince?”
* * *
Tariq had been expecting Dr. Martin’s call. He had known the night before she would not be receiving her funding. He had done nothing to make her lose it but he could not say he was not pleased. What he had done was put the word out that she had funding elsewhere so that no one else would step in and she would have to turn to him.
“Mr. Al Marktum...uh... Prince, this is Dr. Laurel Martin.”
“Yes.”
She sounded out of breath. “I...uh...was wondering if you were still looking for someone to oversee your lab?”
“I am.” He waited.
“I might be interested after all. And I’d like to meet to discuss it.” The words came out fast as if she was hurrying so not to stop herself.
“I am flying out first thing in the morning so we will need to talk tonight.”
“I guess that’ll have to work.”
She sounded unsure. Was she reconsidering? He could not have her do that. Tariq leaned back in his chair. “I’m at the Chicago Hotel. Come up to the Presidential Suite. We will not be disturbed while we talk.”
There was silence.
“I can tell by the pause that you are thinking of refusing. I would suggest the bar but I think it will be noisy and I do not know the area well enough to propose another place. My assistant is with me so you will be safely chaperoned.”
“I don’t require a chaperone. I’ll be glad to meet you.”
He smiled slightly. Had she bolstered herself to make that statement? “If you say so.”
“I’ll see you in an hour.”
“I look forward to it, Dr. Martin.”
As good as her word, one of his bodyguards announced her arrival right on time. That alone he could appreciate about her.
Meeting Dr. Martin at the door, he escorted her across the room to one of the two sofas in the center. She was a tiny thing. Not tall and leggy like the women he usually found attractive. He mentally shook his head. This was a business meeting. He needed her to run his lab and that was it. The color of her eyes or the length of her legs did not matter. “May I get you something to drink?”
“No, thank you, I’m fine.” She shifted her large bag cross her like it was a shield.
“Please, sit.”
Dr. Martin gave him a timid nod, then took a seat next to the arm of the sofa. She looked as though if he said boo she would run. That did not matter. What did was how good she was at her job. Tariq sat on the sofa across from her and crossed one ankle over the knee of his other leg. It was time to get down to business. “I understand you want to talk about my job offer.”
“Uh... I wanted to see if you’d consider a compromise on the position you offered me.”
“I’m listening.” He watched her. Her hair remained tightly pulled back and her glasses had slipped down her nose. She wore almost nondescript clothing and the big black bag remained hugged to her chest. Not a single piece of jewelry was visible. She seemed to dress not to be noticed. Did this woman live in a hole and crawl out to go to work in a lab?
“I have lost my funding. I was wondering if you’d consider putting funds into the lab here where I can continue my work with the understanding that your country would have first access to any of my findings.”
He stared, shaking his head before she’d even finished. “That will not do. I want someone working in my country. With my people.”
Her voice contained a tight, desperate tone. “But I can’t do that.”
“Why? I will see you have a place to live. A driver. All the comforts.” He leaned forward, watching her closely. She did have interesting eyes. There were tiny flakes of gold in them.
“I can’t just fly off to some place I don’t know.”
“We have already had this discussion. I am offering you a chance to continue your research. I do not think you will be disappointed in the lab I have set up. Wouldn’t