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“Yeah. I don’t trust the guy they sent.”
“I didn’t know anyone was here.” He shifted to look out the door into the empty hallway.
“I ran into him down at the café.”
“Oh, wow. They got moving quickly, didn’t they? Even knew where to find you this morning. I told you people were always watching,” he joked.
She didn’t laugh. “I don’t care. I can take care of myself. I will not have some arrogant FBI agent following me around sneering at my work.”
“Why would he sneer at your work?”
“I don’t know. But he will. And there is no way I can focus with every keystroke being scrutinized and mocked.”
“It’s not like you to overreact. Has something happened that I don’t know about?”
“Only that he made it clear that he doesn’t want the job.”
“To your face?”
“He thinks Syd Davis is a man. He didn’t know he was talking to the professor herself. And quite frankly, I’d be happier to just forget the whole thing. If we need help, we can call 911.”
Pallon stood and walked over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Look, Syd, I know this isn’t ideal, but it’s for the best. Let’s just see how the day goes, and if this guy doesn’t work out, I can request a change.”
“I already told you it’s not working out.” Sydney folded her arms across her chest. It was a move of both frustration and an attempt to protect herself from her coming doom. “And it will interfere with my work.”
Pallon steered her around and pushed her to the door. “It will not. I’ve seen how singular you are in your focus while you work. And he won’t be looking over your shoulder. He’s not here for your work. He’s here to keep you safe. You don’t have to like him. He just needs to do his job. Now” — he stood at the door when she shuffled out — “I’ve got a few emails to send, then I’ll be over and meet this guy. If you need sticking up for, I can give you some reinforcements.”
“Fine, but I don’t like it.”
“Okay. Don’t like it. But let him keep you safe.”
* * *
Aaron took his time getting back to Lewis. He would much rather be spending the morning with Sydney than working. If today went as badly as he expected, he could always offer to Knightly to take some time off. There were places in the world he’d never seen. Finding the motivation would be the only tricky part. Lately, he had trouble doing anything unless his temper was activated. That was apparently the best way to get him to respond these days. But if he wasn’t angry, he moped, and that wasn’t like him either. Seeing Sydney reminded him of how he used to be. How could he have been so negatively affected in such a short period?
Lewis was sitting on a step outside the building, reading through the file again.
“You have that memorized yet?”
Lewis’s face puckered. “The whole thing? I thought you wanted me to know the pertinent information.”
“It was a joke.” Aaron considered the sour look that was probably on his face. “Never mind. Shall we?” Aaron said, passing him.
Lewis jumped to his feet. “You still don’t want the pertinent information?” he said as he followed behind.
Aaron stopped at the door, and Lewis bumped into the back of him. “The only information I need right now,” Aaron said with a sigh, “is where to find the professor’s room.”
“Uh, yes, sir. Here.” Lewis handed Aaron a visitor’s pass before leading the way through the door and up a flight of stairs.
He turned down the first corridor, then stopped and turned. “Sorry. It’s this way.”
They doubled back and went down the next hall until Lewis stopped at a door. “Do you want to go in first? Or … ”
Aaron entered ahead of his partner and looked around the large space. Several long metal tables were lined up around the room with various scientific instruments on them.
On the other side of the room was an open door that led into what looked like a smaller lab with no windows or other doors. The back of a chair was just barely visible and he saw it move.
He looked at Lewis. “Let’s go get the introductions over with.”
