Sinclair fidgeted on the love seat, took a sip of his tonic water, and finally admitted, “Additional funding would be helpful, of course, but only up to a point.”

His smile suddenly vanishing, Tomlinson said, “Let’s cut to the chase, Professor. What’s your problem?”

Sinclair’s eyes flashed, but he immediately regained his self-control. “We pushed too hard last year and it resulted in an explosion that killed one of our technicians. I’m not going to rush things again.”

Tomlinson said, “I can understand that. You’ll be in charge of the program all the way, though. Nobody’s going to rush you or try to control your research, I assure you.”

“That’s more easily said than done,” Sinclair countered.

Tomlinson paled slightly. It was very subtle, but Jake thought that just for an instant Tomlinson took Sinclair’s truculence as a personal insult.

Before either of the men could make things worse, Jake jumped in. “We could revive the state’s coal-mining industry with MHD. There’s a lot more riding on this than who controls the research program.”

Sinclair glared at Jake, but Tomlinson eased back on the little sofa and said gently, “What’s really bothering you, Professor? Just what’s eating at you?”

Loyalties

LOYALTIES

For a long moment Sinclair didn’t reply. Instead, he took a long gulp of his drink. Tomlinson sat stock-still, his face grave, his eyes probing. Jake, standing in the middle of the room, saw that Sinclair’s eyes were on Nacho Perez.

At last Sinclair cleared his throat and said, “I’m … I am committed to support Senator Leeds.”

“I understand that your son works in Leeds’s office,” said Tomlinson.

Wordlessly, Sinclair nodded.

“The senator is holding that over you.”

“No!” Sinclair snapped. “It’s not like that! God, you make it sound as if he’s blackmailing me.”

“Isn’t he?”

“No, he is not.” With some of his usual strength, Sinclair said, “I have supported Christopher Leeds in the past and I see no reason to change that support now.”

Jake heard himself ask, “Has Leeds promised to put federal money into your MHD work?”

Sinclair’s face flushed. “We haven’t discussed that. Not at all. We haven’t even talked about the MHD program.”

“Why not?”

From his seat in the corner of the room, Nacho Perez spoke up. “Hey, the senator’s got a lot of other things to worry about. This MHD stuff is small potatoes.”

“Really?” Tomlinson asked. “Is that Chris’s attitude?”

“He’s not interested in helping the coal industry?” Jake demanded.

“He’s got more important stuff to do,” Perez said.

Turning back to Sinclair, Tomlinson said, “I can’t believe that Senator Leeds hasn’t shown any interest in your MHD work, Professor.”

Squirming slightly, Sinclair replied, “I’ve … mentioned it to him. Once or twice.”

“And he’s not interested?” Tomlinson seemed incredulous.