Ultraviolet Catastrophe(16)
Author: Jamie Grey

My eyes widened. All that frantic research had been laid back? I was in so much trouble. “I like you, too, Max. Thanks for being so nice.”

Max smiled. “You’re welcome. And don’t let them get you down too much. We need new ideas and people here.”

I blushed and looked away.

He shoved the computer in his backpack and got to his feet. “It’s five, so my mom’ll be waiting for me. I’ll see you tomorrow, right? We didn’t scare you off?”

“Even if you had, I’m stuck here, so yeah, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good answer.” He raised a hand in farewell.

I smiled and waved back. Maybe today hadn’t been as bad as I’d thought.

With Max gone, the silence in the library stretched until the faint humming of the computers and the whir of the air conditioning took on epic proportions. Dad had said he’d meet me here, but we hadn’t talked about a specific time. And knowing him, he’d forgotten all about me again.

With a sigh, I swung my feet off the extra chair I’d been using as a footstool and shoved my tablet into my messenger bag.

“Lexie.” Director Danvers strode toward my table and sank into the now-vacant chair. “I didn’t expect to find you in the library so soon. I didn’t think anyone actually started their projects for at least a week after getting them.” She winked and stretched out her long legs, kicking off her heels. “Oh my god. I swear I’d give up this job tomorrow if I never had to put on another suit again.”

I nodded, but really I was trying to figure out what exactly she was doing here. With me.

“How did your first day go?” Her blue eyes studied me, and I realized she probably already knew the answer.

“About as well as I expected,” I said with a shrug.

Her lips pursed into a thin line. “Oh, Lexie. I’m sorry. I think all of us have gotten so comfortable here with our routines that new things throw us out of whack. Don’t get me wrong — we’re on the cutting-edge of discovery every day here, but that’s why the rest of the routine is so important. And the students have it worst of all. Competition is fierce, and you’re an unknown. It’s going to take a while for them to get used to you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. And in the meantime, I’m struggling to even figure out what they’re talking about. My classes back home did not prepare me for this.” I didn’t think college could have prepared me for this.

Danvers pursed her lips, watched me for a moment. “You know, I’d like help, Lexie. This has got to be a tough adjustment. Please feel free to stop by my office any time. We can talk through what you’re finding in your research, and I’ll be a safe place to ask any questions you’re afraid to bring up to your classmates or teachers. And, of course, I can give you some tips on how to fit in a bit better if you want them.”

My eyes widened, and I nodded. “That would be amazing. Thank you.” It didn’t seem possible that the head of QT wanted to help me, but I wasn’t about to turn her down.

She gave me a conspiratorial smile. “Good. I’ll tell my secretary to expect you.” She checked her watch, then slid back into her shoes and stood up. “Off to my next meeting. But I’ll see you soon, Lexie.”

I nodded and watched her stride from the library. Weird or not, I was lucky she’d taken an interest in me. I had a feeling I was going to need all the help I could get.

The reminder I’d programmed into my tablet beeped. Five-thirty and still no Dad. I slung my bag over my shoulder. Time to remind him he actually had a daughter.

The hallways were starting to empty as most of the staff at QT left for the day. My tennis shoes squeaked softly on the granite floors as I made for the elevator. A security guard passed me with a nod, and I wondered if he was just being nice or if they’d already started recognizing me as Dr. Kepler’s daughter.

I pressed my finger to the scanner below the elevator button, and it dinged as the doors slid open.

“What floor, Lexie?” the elevator asked.

“Six, please.” Would it really have been so hard for me to press a button? I shook my head. I was never going to get used to this place.

My stomach dropped as we descended through the facility, and a few moments later, the doors swished open. The hallway was empty in both directions, and I chewed my lip. Dad had brought me to his lab over the weekend, but I hadn’t been paying much attention.

Then, suddenly, a series of images flashed through my mind until it landed on the facility map, and I knew exactly where to find his suite. I steadied myself against the wall until the world stopped spinning. I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to that feeling.

As I walked, I peered through the glass walls into various labs. Some were completely clean and shiny, with slick countertops and crisp, white computers, like no one was using them. But more often than not, the rooms were full of cages and boxes, of strange machines I’d never seen and tables full of vials and bottles. Some of the glass walls were frosted, and I couldn’t see anything.

The silence grew heavy, and the skin at the back of my neck crawled like it always did when someone was watching me. But the hallways were empty, a long expanse of cold, stark marble and harsh, fluorescent lights. I shivered and stared straight ahead as I walked, imagining some of the experiments that could be hiding behind the closed doors. Somehow, I didn’t want to know.

Dad’s office suite was at the far end of the hall, and I pressed my finger to another scanner. There was the familiar beep as the door unlocked, and I let myself into a small waiting area full of sculpted plastic chairs and glass tables. It was all very modern. Dad’s personal office was through the lobby and to the right. I’d pushed open the door and started down the narrow hall when I heard voices.

A woman’s giggle, to be exact.

I paused. When the giggle came again, I crept closer to Dad’s office and peered through the cracked-open door.

A woman had her arms around Dad’s neck and was staring lovingly up at him.

Really, “woman” probably wasn’t the right term. She looked like she could still be in college. Who the hell was she? And what was she doing trying to make out with my father? Just the thought of it made me want to puke. Less than two days ago, he’d been kissing Mom.

Dad shook his head and ducked from beneath her arms. “Stop it, Jordan. I have work to finish before I can get out of here.”