There was another edge of uncertainty in Newton’s laugh. ‘You’re talking as if you can walk away if you don’t like the housing arrangements.’

‘That’s exactly how I’m talking.’ Parnell was glad he hadn’t advertised vacancies in his new department and given people false hopes.

‘You forgotten you’ve got a legally enforceable contract, studied and agreed not just by Dubette’s lawyers but your independent attorney as well?’

‘It very specifically sets out in that contract that I shall have every research facility I might need. Which I don’t have. I don’t intend any ridiculous breach-of-contract litigation against Dubette. I’ll just resign and we’ll both put it down to experience.’

‘ You don’t intend any litigation!’ exploded the research director, incredulous. ‘You think this organization lets people walk away just because they don’t have a desk by the window!’

‘I’m not complaining about not having a desk by the window,’ retorted Parnell. ‘I’m saying I do not have my contracted working conditions and facilities. Now tell me what you’re saying. Are you telling me that if I resign, Dubette will take me to court?’

‘You’re damned right I am.’

‘OK,’ said Parnell, rising. ‘I’ll see the lawyer who negotiated for me, and get my resignation letter in to you in the next day or two.’

‘Sit down,’ ordered Newton, sharply. ‘You’ve scarcely been here long enough to find the washroom. Let’s not get off to a wrong start, the two of us. You want a change of location, I’ll see what I can do. But if we’re going to work together, there’s something you’ve got to understand very clearly… I don’t like – won’t have – confrontations.’

‘I don’t want any wrong starts or confrontations, either,’ said Parnell, easily. ‘I accepted Dubette’s approach precisely because I recognized the opportunity to extend genetic science through an international organization with huge research resources. That’s all I’m asking for, that chance to do the work I came here to do. But can’t.’