5:58 p.m. Passion Ministry

“At this particular moment, Maggie, I couldn’t care less about ethics or religious caterwauling,” Sheila said, as they entered Andrew’s lab.

Andrew looked up. Stopped working. Remained silent.

“That’s the domain of philosophers and psychobabblers. Frankly, I don’t know if I believe in Jimmy.”

“Not believe?” Maggie sputtered. “Jimmy...Jimmy’s deathly ill, John’s close to breaking down.” She paused. “He thinks I betrayed him. And you don’t believe?”

“You’re my best friend,” Sheila replied. “I’ve told you…things. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Oh, Sheila, I wanted to.”

“Not good enough.”

“Even you have secrets.”

Andrew cleared his throat. Stepped into view.

“There you are,” said Sheila turning to Andrew. “You people are raising Jesus Christ and you don’t clue me in? If not as a friend, then why not as the Ministry’s lawyer? Not to mention public relations director. I’ve got a news conference in an hour. If it goes bad, we’re dead.”

“Don’t raise your voice,” Andrew retorted. “I see no reason to panic because some two-bit journalist thinks she’s got a story. And neither should you.”

Sheila laughed bitterly. “Every news agency in the world wants a statement. Scientists from all over want your head. Thousands of idiots are storming our gates and John’s received death threats by the hundreds.”

She perched on a stool. “My gut says strike back with every fact we’ve got. That’s where you two come in.” She pulled out a notebook and pen.

“Come on, Andy,” Maggie said. “You’ve got to tell her everything.”

“Everything, my dear?” He gestured to the safe and his many notebooks. “Over thirty-five years of scientific experimentation.” He grinned nastily. “Besides, it’s a secret.”

“Screw your precious secret!”

“Sheila!”

“No! Maggie, don’t you get it? While this genius jerks me around, John’s—scratch that—all our reputations are vanishing into a black hole.”

“Please, Andy,” Maggie implored.

Andrew paused for a long time, then finally replied, “All right. But it’s my research. My discovery. We do this my way. Now, you must leave so I can lock up. I need to get cleaned up, then I’ll talk to John.”