He cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. “You see, I have my concerns about this project.”
Concerns? “Oh?” How dare this man come out here and corner her like this. Hadn’t he worked with her father before? But for now, she would hold her tongue and listen to what he had to say.
“Yes. With your father laid up, that changed everything. He is a well-respected paleontologist.”
“Yes, sir. He is. And he is still involved. This is his find, after all.” The man better not be pulling any stunts. The hairs on her neck stood up. She would not allow anyone to steal this discovery from her father. Nor would she allow any slander or sabotage.
He held up a hand. “I am not removing his name. He deserves the credit.”
“Thank you.” She released a breath.
“But I am concerned about a woman being in a supervisory position.”
“I can’t believe—”
“Miss Lakeman.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “This is a project of unprecedented magnitude. This will change things for paleontology, and you know it. We cannot have any reason for anyone to doubt any part of this process. Thus, my suggestion is for my son, Albert, to become the supervisor on the project.”
She clamped her lips together. He couldn’t be serious!
“I also don’t believe a woman should be the one to submit the official sketches for the scientific papers, magazines, and eventual books that will surely come of this incredible dinosaur find. My son has done several other projects for prestigious publications. I propose that he—”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Oppenheim.” She mustered every bit of confidence within her to stand up to this man who thought she would cow under his authority. “I cannot allow you to continue. Your disrespect for me, my father, andmywork is absolutely the most rude thing I’ve heard in all my life. My father has great respect for you and has had nothing but praise for you and your support of the scientific community. But this is unacceptable. If you would like to continue on this absurd path, I will have to liken you with Marsh and Cope and theirunderhanded dealings. If that is what you choose, I don’t wish to have your name sully our field of science.”
“Isay, Miss Lakeman!” The man’s jaw opened and closed.
“Sir, paleontology deserves better than that. This dig deserves better than that. I deserve better than that. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
twenty
“And the mind that searcheth findeth
More than it had ever thought
And thou go ever onward
Moving on from thought to thought.”
~Earl Douglass
FRIDAY, JULY5
“Dad, I was so furious. I can’t believe that man. Why would you ever want to work with someone like that?” She stomped around her father’s bed.
His jaw was open, eyes wide. “I had no idea he would ever pull anything like this.”
“On top of everything else, his daughter, Rosemary, knows Joshua from Chicago, and she was fawning all over him the entire day. It was despicable.” She placed her hands on her hips.“Whereis Mr. Gilbert? I sent word over an hour ago.”
“I came as soon as I could.” Joshua’s voice came from the doorway. “Sorry to intrude. Louise let me in.”
Anna ran into his arms. “This is awful.”
“Don’t worry. Mr. Gilbert is on his way.” He squeezed her shoulders and turned toward her father. “Do you have ideas on how to deal with this situation?”
Dad grimaced. “I’m afraid there are some things that are not in our favor. The biggest one is the fact that we only have our verbal agreement before my collapse. I’m hoping Mr. Gilbert can help us fix the problems.”
A commotion outside the door made all of them turn. Mr. Gilbert appeared, hat and briefcase in hand, and a bit out of breath.
After they filled the lawyer in on the entire situation, he squinted and nodded. “The verbal agreement is still binding and the contracts were sent before Mr. Lakeman’s illness. Mr. Lakeman is clearly in charge and the head of the find. He should have the right to choose who will work in his stead.
