Chapter 9: The Donor

On Monday, the donor's car arrived at ten.

I stood next to the director on the front steps with my hands clasped behind me.

The back door opened, and a tall gray-haired man in a camel coat got out.

Then Felix climbed out after him.

He wore a pressed pale blue shirt, and he held on to the car door with both hands.

He saw me, and his eyes went huge and wet.

"Elliot," he breathed.

"Hello, Felix," I said.

The director shook hands with the donor.

"Professor, you've been so patient," the man said warmly. "This is my son Felix. He couldn't wait to see where his friend has been working."

"Elliot is our youngest researcher," the director said.

The man in the camel coat turned to me and took my hand in both of his.

"The famous Elliot. Felix talks about you constantly. He was devastated all summer."

His grip was friendly, and his eyes were kind.

I hadn't expected that.

I had expected a man who was cold, or cruel, or too busy to be kind.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said.

"Well, he's here now. And so are we."

The tour began at the front stairs, because the model room was on the second floor.

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