Slipperless Series (Book #1)(28)

Fiona,

We need to discuss an urgent matter regarding the competition and the Link Protocol. Please report to my office as soon as you receive this. If you’re not here in thirty minutes, I’ll send Holly to get you.

Gabe

I swallowed as I clicked the email message closed after I read it.

Glancing up from my computer screen, I looked around the lab at some of the others. Had anyone else gotten something similar from him? From the looks of things, the answer was ‘no’. In fact, no one seemed to be reacting or doing anything other than working.

If it was true, then why was I being singled out? Had he heard about what happened? Was he about to kick me out of the competition or worse, fire me?

A million scenarios crowded into my mind, creating a massive tangle of complications and possible outcomes. I glanced around the room once more. What was going on? What was I going to do?

I tugged my lab jacket sleeves, clutching them in my fingers.

For a moment, I considered asking if anyone else got an email from Gabe. But almost as soon as the idea occurred to me, I dismissed it. If Amanda or Melissa got wind of the fact Gabe wanted me in his office, well, the fallout would likely be more catty behavior.

I chewed the inside of my mouth as I searched for a solution when suddenly, an idea came to me. Realizing Gabe’s half hour time constraint, I decided to wait and see if Holly collected anyone else when she came down. It would still raise suspicions, but at least I could find out if Gabe singled anyone else out without having to ask.

My plan was simple enough. I’d just tell Holly I’d been away from my computer when the email arrived, if she even asked. To complete the charade, I got up from my workstation and headed to the break room to wait. After making my way through the lab without anyone paying much attention, I entered the room, and as I did, a chill came over me.

Heading towards the coffee maker, I rubbed my upper arms with my hands as I fought to rid myself of the sudden rash of goosebumps. I reached for a Styrofoam cup and poured some of the two-hour-old dark liquid into it. After I finished, I wrapped my hands around the cup, lifting it to my lips in an effort to warm myself. I took several sips in succession, desperate to take the edge off my shiver. As I did, I slid into one of the hard plastic chairs that dotted the room, crossing my legs and arms in the process.

For the next twenty five minutes or so, I took sip after sip of the bitter, warm beverage until at last, the cold began to leave my body. I exhaled as a bit of tension escaped from between my lips. But no sooner did some of the stress leave me than the cause of it reappeared in the doorway.

Without warning, Amanda made her way around the corner and walked inside, strolling by me on her way to the refrigerator.

“Hey,” she said, with a casual flick of her hair as she disappeared out of my peripheral vision. “How’s it going?”

From behind, I heard the door to the fridge open, followed by the sound of her rummaging through some of its contents.

I lifted my coffee cup to my lips and before taking a sip, I replied, “Fine.”

A swish of cool air hit me from behind as she closed the door. “Are you making good progress with your work?”

“Yes,” I lied. “How about you?”

Just then, she reappeared as she walked around into my line of sight once again.

“Oh fine. Actually, I’m ahead of schedule right now.”

“Oh,” I nodded, as I struggled to remain polite. “Well, that’s good. Congratulations.”

But as I finished my thought, I looked up to see Melissa and Holly enter. Distracted by my discussion with Amanda, I hadn’t heard them approach from down the hall.

“Here she is,” Melissa said, as she gestured in my direction upon entering.

Holly pasted a professional smile on her lips as our eyes met. She stood in the doorway looking at me for a moment before speaking. “Are you ready, Fiona? Gabe is expecting you.”

As she finished, I noticed Melissa and Amanda exchange glances. For a moment, it looked as if they might ask the meaning of Holly’s visit. But instead, they remained silent and glared at me as I stood from my chair.

“Expecting me?” I asked, pretending not to be aware of it.

“Didn’t you get his… oh, never mind. He’ll explain.”

“Do I need to bring anything? My lab results?”

Holly shook her head.

“Gabe didn’t mention anything.” She paused for a moment and glanced towards Amanda and Melissa. “If there is something, I’m sure one of you two could run it up. Right?”

I stifled a smile as they mumbled in reluctant agreement.

“Okay well, I’m ready.” I said, as I pitched the remainder of my coffee into the trash.