Chapter Text
Ada sat in a stiff geometric chair nearly obnoxious in its modernity, facing but far from its pair where a man he had not seen in many years reclined. The days of the summer had passed somnambulant and slow. Now, after so many years Ada was back. Years, which for Esteban had been one long drawn out intermission.
“I for one am pleased at this new found alliance.” Esteban said, smiling with a perfected politeness.
“As am I” Ada said, wishing they could drop the pretense and obnoxious formalities.
“I trust you have been overseeing these proceedings for a while now.” The way he said it seemed tinged with jealousy, maybe animosity. Perhaps Daddy’s boy hadn’t felt as involved with the family business and was here to make Ada suffer because of it.
“Of course. I foresee this to be exceedingly mutually beneficial.” This dialogue seethed with an inflated sense of self importance and Ada wondered how Esteban could stand it. Yet he seemed to, smirking gently, his pointer finger tracing the rim of his glass while his eyes rested stubbornly on Ada’s face. Ada pondered; perhaps some men are born with less cognition and that allows them to actually enjoy these conversations.
“I greatly look forward to our future collaborations.” Ada groaned internally wondering why this prick demanded to play his role so enthusiastically, as if the company’s collaboration actually needed to involve them at all.
“I was just thinking the same.” He said sensing this guy might become a serious pain in his ass. Just as it seemed another redundant round of dialogue was going to begin their fathers came through the imposing wooden door chuckling expensively.
Lazlo clapped his son on the shoulder and Esteban began to rise.
“I’m glad you too got the opportunity to become acquainted,"Ada's father remarked.
Esteban smiled without taking his eyes off of Ada’s his pupils swollen with things left unsaid. “Undoubtedly. I look forward to conspiring with you further,” He extended his hand to shake Ada’s firmly. Ada felt something curl in his gut at his enthusiasm.
“Indeed,” crawled through his teeth’s stiff smile.
When the pleasantries had concluded there still came the car ride to tolerate. Ada’s gaze was far out the window but his thoughts were not. His father summarized for him the proceedings for Morbius and Apex.
“We’ve agreed upon a list of material which to use strictly from their manufacturers as well as to direct all patients to their insurance companies first. In return we are getting quite a large sum annually and further they have agreed to limit their clientele. It seems Lazlo is also very interested in getting his son more involved although it seems he already is quite so behind the scenes. In turn I think we should act similarly although it will be a lot more responsibility I know you’re up to it.” His eyes were warm and glinting either with pride or a premonition of great profits.
“I am honored.” Ada bowed his head.
“As I would expect. This will be a great opportunity for all of us but of course, you and I especially. We’ll be meeting again next thursday after I’ve ensured all the paperwork has been completed to satisfaction. You could stand to be a little more cordial. That boy’s charisma is renowned so be wary of seeming ill bred. That being said, remain cautious he is still Lazlo’s son. If all goes well this will lead to further success for us but only if we keep ahead.”
“I’ll strive to do so.”
When they got home he returned to work. The vain repetitions in praise of how mutually beneficial this would be made him chuckle now as if either side did not shield an animosity and above all gluttony waiting for the other to fall and a chance to scavenge their remains. Sergio stood straight and expressionless. Awaiting by Ada’s desk.
“Give me a printed summary of all that’s passed at the central factory. Then find me all the information you can on Esteban and then dig deeper. I want video camera footage looked through, license plates tracked and any and all contacts. I have a file on my desk you can start with. If you need me I’ll be in my lab.” Sergio bowed silently, taking the file and existed to his office.
Ada opened his Armoire, then the door within. He descended the stairs where he stripped his suit and put on disposable scrubs, his white coat, rubber gloves and his mask. The lab lighting was cold, bright and fluorescent. He felt gloriously alone in this place with only the meandering memory to haunt him. He started titrating a group of new samples from the main lab and then went to check on the mice. Unfortunately all but one lay on their sides stiff with foamy saliva and blood coming from their mouths. He lifted the sole survivor gently examining its body which was met with little resistance from the mouse who seemed very close to joining his brothers. Ada sighed and began taking samples of their blood and saliva. Finally he switched his gloves and slid up his right sleeve tying a tight band around his upper arm. He drew 10 mLs of his own blood from the bulged vain before taking the slender needle of his suppressant and sliding its long shaft into his arm. He tried to relax his arm against the burn of the fluid his teeth gritted and air escaped as his diaphragm contracted involuntarily. He exhaled as he untied the band. Next he dropped five drops of artificial alpha pheromones in his scent glands rubbing them vigorously on the back of his neck. His swallowed three supplement pills and grabbed his log before changing back into his suit and heading back upstairs.
As he awaited Sergio’s report he began his own search. Though primarily known as a manufacturer for medical and security equipment, Apex had an expansive range of operations from chemical manufacturing to law enforcement and media. Niche public forums had a plethora of absurd reports and misinformation but not a single reputable news outlet or even individual offering contact information seemed inclined to follow up on such claims. After clicking through blank profiles for almost an hour Ada’s temples began to ache from his medications and the screen. The sun drooping in the sky mirrored his exhaustion and he reclined on his bed.
The morning’s breakfast was accompanied by Ada’s father’s chipper announcement that he had already followed up on his intentions to both improve company relations between Apex and Morbius, and further involve Ada by planning another meeting with Lazlo’s son.
Ada thanked his father, reflecting on the complete disregard of his schedule. Stephan didn’t notice his son’s agitation and continued his chatter between bites of bacon. Being home, across from his father, in the dining room surrounded by windows, Ada felt like a highschooler again. It made him miss Urarc, college, being on a different continent. Ada’s chair interrupted as it protested against the tiles when he slid it backwards striding off to his room. Stephan’s sentence trailed off. He was accustomed to his son’s detachment. He would permit it for their reunion, but couldn’t allow it to affect business prospects.
Ada read through Sergio’s lengthy follow up. Apex, currently ran by Lazlo who has three sons: Esteban, Ezekiel and Lucas. Of the circulating rumors, the most frequent involves Apex’s involvement in government affairs and rigged elections but as Sergio noted that is a common theme for conspiracies. Hiring reports from Police agencies show a statistically significant amount of former and current Apex employees hired for law enforcement positions and a similar situation is seen for the food and drug safety board and a few other government departments. A multitude of arrests of Apex employees have been made; illegal drug possession and distribution, forgery, bribery, the usual suspects but all were acquitted or otherwise nullified. Further investigation shows some former employees made claims against the company but two of the three died within the year and the other was arrested for assault of an officer with murderous intent and sentenced to life. A couple legal skirmishes wasn’t at alll unusual for a company of Apex’s size but the overall lack of available information made an ache of inadequacy settle in Ada’s stomach at the thought of his inner connections in the police force. Traffic camera footage was weak with a number of plates that Esteban had been chauffeured in, mainly shown going through usual intersections, to and from the company headquarters, restaurants, his in city apartment. No revealing footage though he often left town but with his parents home and number of out her real estate this didn’t raise a brow, seen with business partners and his father but otherwise few acquaintances. Ada sighed in defeat tossing aside the file while he ran his fingers through his hair digging into his sweaty scalp.