Nano

CHAPTER 39

Pia sat on Paul’s couch, drinking her third glass of wine of the evening. Nothing about Pia’s story of her difficulties getting into Nano had changed since Wednesday, but she had recounted it again over dinner, and it appeared to Paul as if she were about to do so again.

“Okay, Pia, I don’t wish to be rude, but I know what happened. Nano has revoked your access to your lab until you have a medical release, and you’re pissed. Understandably. I get it, they’re ungrateful bastards with all the work and help that you have given them. But I don’t see what you can do about it other than hire a lawyer to get you that meeting with human resources.”

“I don’t need a lawyer!” said Pia, for the tenth time.

“An employment lawyer. I’m not talking about a personal-injury lawyer or anything like that. Nano hasn’t terminated you, but you can’t get into work, even though they are still paying you. Funny, a lot of people would love such a situation.”

“It’s not the money,” Pia complained.

“I know. Come on! Calm down! I’m talking about an employment lawyer who will get this resolved, and if he can’t get you into the lab, then he will get you a settlement. Then you can move on with your life. You can’t go on like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like this, Pia, going over and over the same things like you’re picking at a scab. Not every mystery gets resolved. Go to the newspapers with your story. See what they can do. Perhaps the Chinese runner and this more recent Chinese cyclist will remain a mystery. Right now, only you and I even know it’s a mystery, and I must admit, I’ve lost most of my interest in it.”

“If I go to the newspapers, even if they pick up on it, I’m sure Nano has contingency plans. It’s not going anywhere unless I find out what they’re doing and can be specific with the press.”

“But your hands are tied. If you can’t even get into the place, there’s no way you can figure out what they are doing. It’s as simple as that. Frankly, right now, I don’t even want to think about it anymore.”

“So I’m on my own. Is that what you’re telling me?”

“Of course not. I didn’t say that. I will help you get a good lawyer. I know lawyers. In fact I know the scariest lawyer in Boulder who happens to be involved in labor law. He’d be perfect. As soon as he calls, they’ll roll over and give you whatever you want.”

“I want access to my lab.”

“A lawyer is not going to be able to get you access if Nano doesn’t want you to have access. Be reasonable. Let’s talk about something else.”

“Will a lawyer be able to make them tell me why they tried to kill us?”

Paul let out a sigh. “No, Pia, that’s not going to happen. Nor do we know for sure that they had anything whatsoever to do with the accident. I just have this imprecise recollection of a vehicle behind us just before we went off the road. But I’m not sure about that. You’re not going to get anywhere trying to reopen that can of worms. Because there are no worms!”

“I’ll never accept the idea that I just ran off the road. It’s absurd.”

“You are entitled to your idea, but I’m telling you that you can’t keep on with this monomania. It’s like Moby-Dick.”

“What?”

“Never mind. Do you still want to come down to Denver with me? We both could use a diversion. Come on, Pia, what do you say?”

“I’m good,” said Pia. “I’m not in the mood.”

“You sure?”

Pia nodded. She wasn’t in the mood for socializing and small talk at all. And she’d had enough wine for the night.

“Hey, Paul,” she said. She sounded brighter. “Do you still have that camera you borrowed from your friend? The one we fooled around with that time?”

“Yeah, it’s still here. Why?”

“Can I borrow it?”

Paul hesitated. He tried to look Pia in the eye, but she quickly looked away. “Why do you want to borrow it?”

“I don’t have a real camera, and I feel like going hiking tomorrow while you’re in the ER. I think my ribs can take it. I want to take some pictures of the wildflowers that are blooming in the foothills.”

“Pia…?”

“C’mon, Paul, don’t be so suspicious. I’d use my phone’s camera, but I have in mind to make large blowups for all those bare walls in my apartment you’re always complaining about. So I need the high definition.”

“Exactly what’s brewing in that mind of yours?”

“Nothing,” Pia said casually. “I just feel like being creative, seeing as I have all this free time. What do you say? Or do I have to go out and buy one?”

“Okay. I’ll get it,” Paul said. She could be so damn willful.

“And can I have that cord that connects it to the Mac, too?” Pia called after him. “You’re an angel.”

“I know,” said Paul. “And probably a fool,” he said under his breath.