From the moment Bertram had determined the bonobos were living in two social groups, he’d thought it best to round up the animals and keep them in separate cages where they could be watched. But he’d been thwarted by Siegfried. Bertram had considered going over Siegfried’s head by appealing to his boss in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but had decided against it. Doing so would have alerted the GenSys hierarchy that there was potential trouble with the bonobo program.

“We’re not opening that discussion!” Siegfried said emphatically. “We’re not giving up on the idea of keeping them isolated on the island. We all decided back when this started that was the best idea. I still think it is. But with this episode with Kevin Marshall, the bridge has me worried.”

“Why?” Bertram asked. “It’s locked.”

“Where are the keys?” Siegfried asked.

“In my office,” Bertram said.

“I think they should be here in the main safe,” Siegfried said. “Most of your staff has access to your office, including Melanie Becket.”

“Perhaps you have a point,” Bertram said.

“I’m glad you agree,” Siegfried said. “So I’d like you to get them. How many are there?”

“I don’t recall exactly,” Bertram said. “Four or five. Something like that.”

“I want them here,” Siegfried said.

“Fine,” Bertram said agreeably. “I don’t have a problem with that.”

“Good,” Siegfried said. He let his legs drop from the desk and stood up. “Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

“You want to go now?” Bertram asked with disbelief.

“Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?” Siegfried said. “Isn’t that an expression you Americans espouse? With the keys in the safe, I know I’ll sleep a lot better tonight.”

“Would you want me to come along as well?” Cameron asked.

“It’s not necessary,” Siegfried said. “I’m sure Bertram and I can handle it.”

Kevin looked at himself in the full-length mirror at the end of the banks of lockers in the men’s room. The trouble with the coveralls was that the small was too small and the medium was a little too big. He had to roll up the sleeves and the pant legs.

“What the hell are you doing in there?” Melanie’s voice called out. She’d pushed open the door from the hall.

“I’m coming,” Kevin said. He closed the locker where he’d stored his own clothes and hurried out into the hall.

“I thought women were supposed to take a long time dressing,” Melanie complained.

“I couldn’t decide which size was best,” Kevin said.

“Did anybody come in while you were in there?” Melanie asked.

“Not a soul,” Kevin said.

“Good,” Melanie said. “Same for us in the ladies’ room. Let’s go!”

Melanie motioned for the others to follow her as she started up the stairs. “To get to the administration area from here, we have to pass through part of the veterinary hospital. I think it’s best to avoid the main floor, which has the emergency room and the acute-care unit. There’s always a lot of activity there. So let’s go up to the second floor and go through the fertility unit. I can even say I’m checking on patients if someone asks.”