Faces in the Rain by Roland Perry

it.’
    â€˜I don’t think I would be interested now,’ she said, ‘and anyway, I’m not sure about your motive for making these drugs.’
    â€˜I’d like to be first to make a breakthrough – have some impact with cancer cures.’
    â€˜And make billions doing it.’
    â€˜It’s going to take billions to do it.’
    â€˜So it’s fame and fortune you want?’
    â€˜I want the corporation to make its mark.’
    She was faintly amused by something.
    â€˜You know how to make God laugh,’ she said.
    â€˜No, how?’
    â€˜Tell him your future plans.’
    I mustered a fleeting smile. Cassie looked at her watch. I wondered if she was stalling for Walters’ appearance. Then the door chimes went.
    â€˜That’ll be Peter,’ she said.
    â€˜Get rid of him.’
    â€˜I can’t! He can get in!’
    I crept to a peephole in the front door. I could see Walters bending down on the porch fumbling with a tile in the wall. He found some keys and began fitting one to the lock on the wire door.
    â€˜Make sure he doesn’t stay long,’ I said, darting back, ‘and don’t let him know I’m here.’
    Walters was coming up the stairs. I grabbed my champagne glass and ducked into a room off the hallway leading from the front room. I left the door slightly ajar and could see Walters enter the apartment. He was carrying flowers.
    â€˜Why didn’t you answer the door?’ he asked.
    â€˜I was in the bathroom,’ Cassie said, touching her dress as if she was adjusting it.
    Walters handed her the flowers.
    â€˜That’s nice, Peter,’ she said, ‘thank you.’
    â€˜Well,’ he said, ‘how did I look on the box? Was I brilliant or what?’
    â€˜You were good. Except when you opened your mouth.’
    That threw Walters. He looked hurt.
    â€˜Then you were terrific,’ Cassie said. ‘Anyone who can say so much and yet so little at the same time is truly gifted.’
    Walters smiled slightly at the irony. ‘Well, I couldn’t really be too specific.’
    His expression clouded when he spotted the champagne.
    â€˜You’ve drunk nearly a bottle on your own!’ he said.
    â€˜I used a very big glass.’
    â€˜Not like you, Cassie.’
    Walters found himself a glass and poured some champagne into it.
    â€˜We do happen to have something to celebrate,’ he said, ‘I’m bringing my trip to Europe forward a few days. Leaving tomorrow.’ He placed an affectionate hand on her neck.
    â€˜I’ll book a ticket for you too,’ he said.
    â€˜No,’ she said, ‘too much work.’
    I was startled by the sub-machine gun rattle of a computer print-out in the room next to the one I was in.
    â€˜That’s research coming in from Boston,’ Cassie said, ‘it’s making my point. I’m too busy at the moment.’
    Cassie stepped down the hall. I pulled my head away as Walters followed her to a study. I could hear her unlocking the door. Moments later she started up her computer as the printer continued on. Walters must have been standing at the door because Cassie remarked, ‘The man-eating plants have been fed. You can come in.’
    â€˜I’m honoured,’ Walters said, ‘I’ve never been in the inner sanctum before.’
    Cassie was typing at the keyboard.
    â€˜Note how secure this place is,’ she said, ‘tighter than a nun’s knickers. That’s why I got it. All my main files and research analysis is here.’
    A minute later Cassie and Walters returned to the front room.
    â€˜The trip will only be for eight days,’ he persisted, ‘you’ll love it. Paris at the end of the summer is great.’
    â€˜Thought you said you never mixed business with pleasure.’
    â€˜I’m making an exception.’
    â€˜It’s all too rushed.’
    I eased open the door again. Walters