Chapter 33

Alexis kept rolling the same question around in her head. Where had Dr. Butler hidden the flawed formula's documentation? His research notes and trial records would make the task of correcting the formula so much easier.

"I don't want to park in front of the house and spook the professor if he's up," Drake said, pulling to the curb in front of the house beside Dr. Butler's place. "According to Rodriquez, the professor has insomnia."

Dr. Butler lived in a more affluent neighborhood close to the university. He'd bought the property before housing prices increased and the area had become one of the more sought after. Alexis knew he'd had several offers when his wife had passed, but he'd refused to leave their home. He hadn't renovated the place, although many of his neighbors had done so, but the white house and yard were immaculate.

"It seems odd," Seb commented as they looked at the house. No lights were on, but that didn't mean Dr. Butler was asleep. "I'd have thought Antoine would have had men watching the house in case Alexis showed up here."

"Rodriquez and Smith observed the place for the last two days. Nothing out of the ordinary, not even a cable company truck."

She couldn't put it off any longer. Alexis reached for the door handle. "I may be a while. If I run into problems, I'll text."

She got out of the car and so did Seb. He slid his arm around her waist.

"You can't come with me. This is something I need to do myself," she said, taking a step back.

How could she explain she needed to settle the past before she accused Dr. Butler of creating the tainted algae and going against everything she'd thought he'd believed in?

Seb tipped her chin up with his index finger and peered somberly into her eyes. "You don't have to do this alone."

Alexis kissed his cheek. There was no need for an explanation. He understood. But this was something she needed to do herself. It was something she should have done a long time ago.

She let out a huge breath. "I'll text if something doesn't feel right. You and Drake should be able to outrun a seventy-year-old man if he decides to bolt."

"I know I'd be able to keep up, but I can't speak for Drake." Seb grinned and got into the SUV.

Alexis hurried along the sidewalk, the houses on either side of her dark, asleep. The shadows from the large magnificent trees bled onto the sidewalk. She hesitated when she reached the house's front door, preparing her for the inevitable truth.

If Dr. Butler was involved, she'd need evidence. Alexis pulled out her cell phone, tapped the record button, and slipped it back into her pocket. Her heart sank to her feet as she pressed the doorbell.

The house remained dark. Alexis rang the doorbell. Two quick bursts. Patience, she reminded herself. It would take Dr. Butler a few minutes to wake up and decide whether to answer the door. The small semi-circular window at the top of the door glowed white as a light came on within the house. The porch lit up, and the door opened.

"Yes?" the pajama-clad man asked her. He'd thrown a thick housecoat over his pajamas.

Wrinkled and stooped, Dr. Butler looked a decade older than he had when she'd caught a glimpse of him at a conference a year ago. The hand holding the door open shook slightly, and he leaned heavily on the cane in his other hand.

"Dr. Butler," Alexis said, not sure what to say. "You may not remember me."

"Alexis Hayes," he said, and his mouth lifted into a smile. "Of course, I remember my favorite student. You took me by surprise. I didn't expect to see you on my doorstep this late at night. Come in. Come in."

He let go of the door, and Alexis caught it, closing it behind her. The professor shuffled down the hallway, and she followed him to the living room.

He eased himself into a worn armchair and gestured to the couch facing him. "Sit down."

"Dr. Butler, I'm sorry to disturb you this late at night." Alexis didn't know where to begin. "I just got into Miami and didn't know if I'd have a minute free to contact you while I was here."

Impressive, Alexis.You kicked off the conversation with a lie.

"I don't sleep much at night, so don't worry yourself about it." He swiped the air with a frail hand. "You took the time out to see me. That's what's important."

"I should have taken the time long ago. To apologize," she said, guilt weighing down every word. "You'd helped me so much and I repaid you by taking a research position with another prof. I owed you an explanation, but I didn't have the courage."

"Alexis, I approached Dr. Clarkson and asked him to offer you the position." Dr. Butler leaned forward in the armchair. "You needed to explore something new and find your niche. That wouldn't have happened if you'd stayed with me."

"I… I didn't know," Alexis stammered as she tried to process the information and reconcile the past with the present. "I found out you'd lost your grants and Dr. Clarkson had funding pouring in. Then I learned he was using me as a sales gimmick and I left, transferred to another university, without explaining. I've always felt responsible for what had happened to you."

"The man has always been an ass and his research has always drawn funding. Sharks are dangerous and sexy. Shrimp are for eating." Dr. Butler waved that aside with another swipe of his hand. "Clarkson was supposed to tell you it was my idea. If I'd known he hadn't, I'd have talked to you and explained."

"I'm sorry that I never explained why I left Miami."

"You were young and following your dream. No explanation was necessary. Besides, your conversation with the president ensured I've never lacked funding." He sank back into the armchair and chuckled.

Alexis could feel the blush on her cheeks. After the fundraising event, she'd stormed into the president's office. Angry, Alexis had told him exactly how she felt. Her language had been less than appropriate and her voice had been hundreds of decibels higher than the level for a quiet conversation.

"I'm looking forward to the look on Clarkson's face when I present at the conference in France next week." He was grinning like a boy. "I've genetically engineered a strain of algae that enhances shrimp growth. We combined that with research I conducted on water quality, temperature and feeding practices and the resulting shrimp are significantly larger. The aqua farming company funding my research has replicated my lab results with promising success. We have a way to go, but I believe the groundwork is sound."

"Congratulations," Alexis said, her smile hiding the turmoil within her. The ground breaking impact of the algae and his research on aqua farming practices weren't what he'd be remembered for. "The other reason for my visit is to discuss your research. I saw the shrimp in your lab. They're impressive."

"You were at the lab? I'm sorry I wasn't there." His face dropped at what Alexis knew was the opportunity to show her firsthand what he'd accomplished.

She wished there was a subtle way to find out if he was involved in creating the toxic algae. If he had no part in it, he would be upset that she'd thought he'd been involved. Simple honesty would have to do.

"I was involved in an incident almost a month ago. We believe someone used your research to create a genetically engineered algae capable of contaminating freshwater ecosystems."

"Impossible." His eyes widened in disbelief, and then he shook his head. "I store all my research on the University's cloud service."

Dr. Butler had continued to use the password Alexis had created when she was his research assistant. She was certain he'd shared it with everyone who'd worked with him. The list of people who could have downloaded a copy of the research trial with the tainted sample would be long.

"Other than Kyle, no one could access those files. There has to be some mistake."

"Kyle helped you develop the algae?" Alexis knew coming up with something this complex on his own was impossible, but selling the original research? He was more than capable of doing that, but anyone who knew Dr. Butler's password could have been tempted.

"I know he used you, Alexis." Dr. Butler held up a hand before she could argue. "Just as he used others and continues to do so. I didn't need someone brilliant and motivated to help me. Kyle does the legwork for me and anything I find too taxing. Several years ago, doctors diagnosed me with Parkinson's. This past year has not been good in terms of my health. After I share my research at the conference, I'll be announcing my retirement from the scientific community."

Parkinson's disease. It explained his pallor and frailness, the shaky hand on the doorknob.

"Kyle expects to take over my research." Dr. Butler ran a hand across his brow. "The Dean will offer him my teaching position, with my blessings. They're bringing in a researcher to continue my work. I've been putting off telling him. He'll be disappointed at first, but he's aware of his strengths and weaknesses. He'll see academia as a new opportunity to make his mark."

"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

"Yes, tell me everything about this damned algae you think someone created using my research." His voice had lost its gentleness. The shaking in his hands wasn't because of the Parkinson's. It was outrage at what someone had done.

Alexis quickly related everything that had occurred since she'd discovered the waterproof box at the bottom of the ocean. It was awkward and embarrassing explaining she had broken into his lab and had hacked his computer. Dr. Butler excused it with a quick… it's what I would have done.

"Do you think Kyle could be involved?" Alexis had to ask. He would have been aware of the botched trial that was used to create the algae.

"Kyle has helped me. His teaching skills are solid, but his research skills haven't improved since you worked with me. I'd never say this in front of him or anyone else, but your question is valid and needs to be considered." Dr. Butler passed a weary hand over his face. "No. He isn't smart enough to work it out without help."

His answer didn't surprise Alexis. It had been her initial response as well.

"Do you have access to the flawed formula?" Dr. Butler asked. "I remember the trial, but nothing specific."

"The sample, the tainted algae, both formulas, and research notes outlining the process."

He reached for the cane he'd propped up against the armchair and rose. "Let's go upstairs to my study and look at what you've got. Between the two of us, we should be able to figure something out."

A few minutes later, they were seated in front of his computer and Alexis had downloaded the folders she'd saved to the remote server. She could have pulled out the algae sample and USB drive she'd placed in her crossbody bag, but she hesitated. Seb seemed to trust his gut over logic, so Alexis had followed hers.

He tapped on the computer screen. "There it is. There's the problem. Do you have the research notes?"

"There were none," Alexis said as she bent over him, using the mouse to open a different folder. "While I was looking at your research, I copied your notes from your last trial, the formula, and alterations to the aquaculture system." She opened another file. "I also copied all your notes for the research trial you ran that produced the tainted sample. If we compare the formula to the one I found, they're the same."

"My memory isn't as sharp as it used to be, so I'll need time to read over that trial before we can begin looking at ways to correct the second formula." Dr. Butler clicked to the first page of his notes. "I'm certain you have some ideas, but you'll need to give me an hour to get up to speed."

It would give Alexis time to loop in Seb, Drake, and Emery as well. They'd need to work out their next move. She was certain it would involve security for Dr. Butler. Now that he knew how his research had been used, he was at risk.

"Do you have ideas, Dr. Hayes, about how to correct the mistake?"

Alexis spun on her heels to face the door. A man dressed in a dark gray suit leaned casually against the frame, his piercing blue eyes studying her intently. They hadn't heard him enter. Dr. Butler swiveled his chair to face him. "Antoine, I didn't hear the doorbell."

Antoine.

Alexis forced a smile and feigned composure as she placed her hand on the top of Dr. Butler's chair to steady herself. Black hair falling just short of his shoulders framed a face that belonged in a Hallmark movie. A neatly trimmed beard and mustache added a hint of intrigue to his appearance.

"You must remember to take your keys out of the lock when you close the back door, my friend," Antoine replied and tossed Dr. Butler the keys in his gloved hand.

"Alexis, this is my friend Antoine Dubois. We belong to the same country club. Antoine, I'm sure you recognize Dr. Alexis Hayes."

"It's a pleasure, Dr. Hayes," he said, remaining in the doorway.

Alexis had carefully omitted names of people when she'd shared the events since discovering the algae, Antoine's included. Dr. Butler was unaware a killer stood in his study doorway.

"So, can you correct the problem you've found in the formula?" Antoine asked. His eyes had never moved away from Alexis.

"It's…" Dr. Butler glanced at the clock on his desk. "Four in the morning, Antoine. While us scientist types are used to running experiments at all hours, I'd think you business types had more sense and would still be in bed." Dr. Butler's initial delight at seeing his friend was fading, as he sensed something was wrong. "What can I do for you?"

"Answer my question. Do you believe Dr. Hayes can solve your problem?"

"She's a genius, Antoine. Work it out for yourself." There was a sharp tone in his voice.

"You have faith in her, Garrett. That's all I needed to know."

Antoine straightened and stood in the middle of the doorway. The hand which had been hidden from view held a gun. He raised the weapon and pulled the trigger.

"Please don't move, Dr. Hayes." Antoine's friendly expression remained unchanged as Dr. Butler stared at him, blood spreading across the old housecoat. "There's nothing you can do for him."

"You called him your friend," Alexis said, struggling to keep her voice steady.

"Fortunately for me, I make friends easily." He shrugged, as if nothing of importance had occurred. "We've had a difficult time tracking you down, but then you had help."

Alexis kept silent. Any reaction or response would provide Antoine with information he could use against her.

"I parked my car on the block behind Garrett's place. I could force you to come with me, but I'm a reasonable man. You have a choice. Come with me willingly or your friend Sebastien Tremblay will suffer the same fate as Dr. Butler. Xenia told me you'd grown quite fond of Mr. Tremblay."

As threats went, Antoine had chosen well. Alexis would sooner die than put Seb at risk.

"If anything happens to any of my friends, you will regret it."

Antoine threw back his head and laughed. "I've followed your career for a long time. No one mentioned you had a sense of humor. You are in no position to threaten me."

"I'm ridiculously smart, Antoine. I would find a creative way to make you suffer. It's not a threat. It's a promise."