We evolve, or we die.

It was almost clear on her face that she was figuring out what ‘five figures’ meant. It was also obvious when she figured it out as she raised her eyebrows. “Are you going to give me questions to ask? ‘Cause I have a lot of really juicy ones that I’m totally sure I can get Sarah to answer.”

“I hope it’s a camera I can hide in a bag or something. And not, like, big glasses like I’ve seen in movies.”

“Yes, I’m sure you do,” Rachel sighed. She could only imagine the sort of inane questions Krystal would ask if left to her own devices. “Perhaps we should stick to a script for the time being.”

“Let’s set the matter of the camera aside for now,” Rachel said, regretting that she’d even brought it up. “The real question is whether you believe you can convince her to meet with you.”

Well, there it was. Krystal’s eyes snapped back to Rachel when she made it clear she would give her money. “How well compensated are we talking here?” Feeling like she had the upper hand now, she smiled softly. It only grew wider when Rachel complimented her. She didn’t know what a cohort was, but thought now wasn’t the time to ask. “Thank you.” 

“Do you want me to, like, hide a tape recorder in my purse or something? Although I guess there’s an app for that.”

“We can hammer out the details later, but I don’t think five figures is out of the question. As a start.”

Dealing with Krystal was a true exercise in restraint, though Rachel felt herself adjusting by the moment. Still, she struggled to keep the disdain off her face at the mention of a tape recorder.

“You needn’t trouble yourself. We can provide you a small camera. Discreet and undetectable. They won’t suspect a thing.”

“Work with you,” she repeated as if it was her only way to process what Rachel was saying to her. Crossing her legs, she perched on the edge of her seat. “And what exactly would I get out of this?” She studied Rachel again, before her eyes drifted around the room. The other woman didn’t seem to be lacking in the money department. 

Rachel couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Krystal’s eyes wandering the office.

“You would be well-compensated, of course. Financially. All I would ask in return is that you continue to meet with Sarah and report the details back to me.”

Rachel put on a kind smile, swallowing her pride.

“You see, she and her cohorts think they can pull the wool over your eyes. They underestimate you, Krystal. That will be their undoing.”

“Steal my-” She cut herself off, head tilting to the side as if she was easing tension out of her neck. “He told me that he was just trying to help. They were going to steal my identity?” How quickly she seemed to be changing her opinion.

Letting out a loud ‘ugh!’ at Rachel’s warning, she rubbed at her temple with her index finger. “What’s new? I can’t trust anyone.” She reminded herself that the same could be said when it came to the woman in front of her. “Look, there’s not much else I can say about them. Totally being honest? I tuned her out a lot.”

“That’s fine,” Rachel said calmly. “I wouldn’t dare insult your intelligence by asking you to trust me implicitly, but it does appear as though we share a common enemy. I’m sure you’re curious as to Sarah Manning’s intentions, and to be honest, so am I. Perhaps we can broker an arrangement of sorts, something mutually beneficial for the both of us. That is, if you’re willing to work with me.”

“Exactly,” she replied dramatically, glad someone finally saw how badly she was being treated. “Like, I’m just trying to help her out and she doesn’t give me the time of day.” When she was asked what Sarah wanted, she sat up straighter in her chair.

“First of all, she was like obsessed with telling me that we’re clones or whatever. Weird, right? And then she keeps telling me I’m in danger as if I don’t know this already. Hello? I’ve already been attacked by these super creepy twins and my boyfriend was mysteriously murdered. Why does she think I started taking self defense classes?”

“So, she has the nerve to act concerned for your safety. You’re aware that it was she and her brother who conspired to steal your identity a few months ago?“

Rachel brought her hands together, fingers forming a steeple over her mouth as she gave Krystal her best attempt at a sympathetic look.

“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, but you should be careful who you trust. Sarah Manning is not your ally.”

Krystal was quick to agree when Rachel seemed to take pity on her. “And dating so should not be hard for me, you know?” She perked up when it appeared as though Rachel was promising to give her answers. “Like, what kind of questions do you have?” Well, it wasn’t like she was dismissing the other woman’s offer.

“Cause let me tell you, I have so much info. Way more than even Sarah knows. Well, she didn’t want to hear it last time I saw her. She said it wasn’t important.” She rolled her eyes, remembering how the other woman had shot her down.

Rachel slowly exhaled through her nose. Krystal’s ‘information’ was undoubtedly more useless drivel about cosmetics and animal testing.

“Yes, you’ve been busy, haven’t you? All that effort and she dismisses you out of hand. I’m certain the information you’ve gathered is important, just as I’m certain you’d prefer to play things close to the vest. So let’s start somewhere else, shall we? Could you tell me more about your meeting with Sarah Manning? What did she want?”

“No? I just told her that she’s not doing enough research. You know? Like, I don’t want any rock not turned over- or whatever you’re supposed to say.” She rolled her eyes at Rachel. “It’s not like we’re friends. I don’t trust anyone anyway. Any time I do, I date them and then they die or ‘mysteriously disappear’.” Krystal used actual air quotes on the last two words.

“Still don’t know what happened to Michael. One minute we’re fine and then the next he won’t answer any of my texts or calls and none of his friends can get a hold of him. He knew something.”

“I imagine that must be very difficult for you,” Rachel said, voice dripping with as much honey as she could stomach. “We are more alike than you might think, Krystal. I know what it’s like, not to be taken seriously. I had to fight tooth and nail to get where I am today, but I am here, and rest assured, I have the resources to deliver all of the answers you’ve been searching for. That is, if you’re willing to help me find a few answers of my own.”

I wouldn't trust smiley rachel but i'd make out with her

“Escape what I am? I’m not a pig head, that’s for sure.” Rolling her eyes at Rachel, her hand lifted to flick back her hair. “Look, I don’t even know who Veera Summons is, alright? Sarah only told me what she said I needed to know.” 

After the words left her lip, she seemed to have remembered something going by her expression. “Ah crap, I wasn’t supposed to say her name.” The latter half of her sentence was said through an exhaled sigh.

Rachel’s eyes narrowed. It was actually the second time Krystal had mentioned Sarah’s name unprompted. Perhaps a change in tactics was warranted.

“Did she? I can’t say I’m surprised. It is what she does. She will say what she has to to pull you to her cause, and then she will toss you aside when you’re no longer of use to her. Tell me, is that any way to foster a relationship of trust?”

Krystal leaned forward, eyes drifting to the drawer as it was pulled open and a file was taken out. “Is that my-?” She was cut off as Rachel mentioned Hector, swallowing hard in the hopes it would keep tears at bay. “Y-yes, but what does that have to do-,” she cut herself off as the other woman continued to speak. Opening and closing her mouth a few times, she finally found the words to respond. 

“Are you threatening me?” As she spoke, she swiped through her phone (without even looking down) so she could get whatever Rachel said next on video.

“It’s hardly a threat, merely a statement of fact. Did you really think you could win? You, Beth Childs, Veera Suominen, Sarah Manning... deep down, you’re all exactly the same, each of you just as pig-headed as the last. You would all fight to your last breath rather than accept reality as it is.”

Rachel drew in a breath through her nose, calming.

“You can’t escape what you are. I’m afraid none of us have that luxury.”

Krystal’s mouth slowly opened as she Rachel began to threaten her. “Excuse me?” She looked to the chair, arms crossing over her chest. “You think you can just, like, threaten me and think I won’t do anything about it?” 

Her arms unfolded before she reached into her purse to grab her phone. “I’m sure the cops would have a fun day with all the stuff they would find around here. And all the evidence I have against you? You’d go down so hard. You and Big Cosmetics.””

“Yes, your evidence is all very compelling, I’m sure,” Rachel sighed. She pulled open her desk drawer, quickly finding Krystal’s file and pulling it out.  “Call them if you like.”

She flipped through the folder before landing on the pertinent page.

“It was a shame what happened to your boyfriend. Hector, was it? You were there that night, weren’t you? With another man, from my understanding. Now, I’m certain you had nothing with his death, but I should think a case could be made. And DYAD’s relationship with the police has always been... mutually beneficial. ”

Rachel’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

“You understand, don’t you?”

“Clones,” Krystal deadpanned, her eyebrows creasing together. “No? They’re twins.” Shaking her head dismissively at Rachel’s words, she pointed a finger accusingly at the other woman. “Whatever. I think you’re just trying to trick me. Make me forget about why I’m here.”

She stood up slowly, trying to avoid getting any closer to the other woman. “You can’t hold me here against my will.”

“Is that what you think?” Rachel hissed. “I don’t believe you understand the position you’re in. I have been nothing if not patient, but I am through playing this game with you. You will answer my questions, or I can promise you, there will be repercussions.“

“Now,” she said, gesturing to the empty seat. “Sit. Down.”

A pout shifted her expression when Rachel stood and walked to the window. So much for having the upper hand. “Uh, yeah,” she replied, confused as to why Rachel was giving in so easily. What had been the point in snooping around. 

“Can you tell those twins to back off? They should totally be in jail for everything they’ve done. And they keep popping up, like, all over the place.” 

“Clones.”

Rachel recalled reading about Krystal’s encounters with the Castor subjects in her file. She turned back to face her, began walking in her direction, slow and deliberate.

“Those men are clones. Genetic identicals, created in a lab. A boorish sort, the lot of them, but I suppose their mere existence could be considered a marvel of science.”

Rachel paused once she’d reached the desk, looking down her nose at Krystal.

“Does this surprise you?”

A satisfied smile appeared when Rachel moved back to sit in her chair. Standing up now, her hand settled on her hip. Honestly, Krystal didn’t think she would make it this far. “Well, for one,” she began, looking upset now, “you should free all of those poor defenseless animals you have locked up.”

Her lips pursed together as she held back tears. “They don’t deserve any of this.”

“The animals,” Rachel sighed. She pushed herself to her feet and walked over to the window, looking out over the city below.

“Yes, there are terrible things that happen within these walls. There is nothing more pitiable on this earth than a caged animal that still believes it is free.”

She cocked her head over her shoulder, just catching Krystal in her periphery.

“Anything else?”

Krystal looked her up and down, knowing that she was trying to get information out of her. “I know you’re, like, the head of DYAD or whatever.” She leaned forward, trying to give off the same intimidating vibe that Rachel was. “But, I know all about the experiments you have in here.”

“Is that so?” Rachel asked, smiling wryly. She shrank back into her seat, allowing Krystal to think she was the one in control. For now.

“Well, it seems you have me in something of a bind. It wouldn’t do to have DYAD’s secrets exposed, now would it? So you have my attention, Ms. Goderitch. Tell me what you’re after, and I’m certain we’ll be able to come to terms.”

“Thank you,” Krystal replied sarcastically, making a show of rubbing her elbow where it had been grabbed. 

Martin looked from Krystal up to Rachel, knowing better than to question her. So with a curt nod he turned to leave the room.

Krystal flicked back a piece of hair that had fallen into her face in the scuffle, finally looking upwards to see who Ms. Duncan was. Her jaw dropped at the woman leaning towards her. “Whoa, wait,” she began, hand moving upwards as if to halt the other woman. “Why do you look like Sarah but with a way better hair cut?”

Rachel’s eyes narrowed as Krystal spoke. Surely, she couldn’t be serious.

“Remarkable,” she said flatly. “So, you’ve met Sarah Manning. She is... how should I put it? An estranged relative.”

While she was still curious as to Krystal’s intentions, it seemed something far more interesting had fallen into her lap.

“May I ask what you two spoke about?”