They Killed Me in the Lab, So I Woke Up Early novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: The Office

The Institute held a staff lunch every Thursday at noon in the glass atrium off the lobby.

Maren walked into it with rain still dripping from her hair.

There were about thirty people at long tables. Researchers, administrators, two cooks, a man who watered the plants. They were laughing over paper plates.

At the head table sat Hester Quillan in her grey cardigan, and beside her, with a cup of tea she was not drinking, sat Ruth.

Ruth saw Maren and shook her head very slightly.

The room quieted by degrees.

"Maren!" Hester rose with both arms open. "There you are. We were so worried."

"You have my neighbor," Maren said.

Every fork in the room stopped.

"Your neighbor is a guest. We're having a lovely chat." Hester glanced around at the faces. "Dale thought you were in trouble. He may have been overeager."

"Dale broke into my building."

"I'm sure that's not..."

"I'm leaving with her," Maren said, loud enough to carry. "Now. Or I'm calling every person I know, and the first call is to the news desk that did the story on this foundation's grant."

A researcher at the nearest table put his fork down.

Hester's smile stayed exactly where it was.

Maren watched her read the room.

Thirty people were looking at her. A few had phones in their hands.

"Of course," Hester said at last, warmly. "Of course she can go. Dale, apologize to Mrs. Tolliver."

Dale Rusk stood against the far wall with a mint in his cheek.

"Apologies, ma'am," he said, with no apology in it.

"Ruth," Maren said. "Get up."

Ruth got up, slowly, with her handbag over her arm.

"Wonderful biscuits," Ruth said to the table. "Terrible tea."

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