Page 20 of Love Under the Microscope
“You have to,” Zelda insists. “It’s the best way of quickly finding out what’s going on there.”
“I’m a journalist, not a scientist.” The idea is ludicrous. “Did you discuss this with Mr. Z and Nate Lowe?”
“Mr. Z knows. It’s his idea.”
What? I need to tread carefully. I don’t want to piss off the big man, especially when I’m this close. “Exactly what sort of job do you think I’ll be able to get there?”
She rubs her chin and closes her eyes. “Jack Parker, bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in journalism, and you quit part way through your PhD in biochemistry. You worked at Henderson Pharmaceutical during the summer and at your university’s pathology laboratory until you finished your undergrad degree. You also worked at Medi-Lion while you were getting your doctorate.”
Damn her. How does she know all this about me?
An internet search would provide a bunch of that information, but not all, especially the high school stuff. That would entail more than a background check. I’m not sure whether to be impressed or upset.
Her eyes open. “Did I miss anything?”
No, but… “The answer is still no.”
“No isn’t a word Mr. Z is used to hearing. Now”—she picks up her phone and glances at the screen—“I need to go.”
She waves me away as if I’m nothing more than a bothersome gnat, and like a stupid idiot, I stand and leave. The next thing I know the coffee shop’s door closes behind me and I’m standing on the sidewalk.
What the fuck just happened?
I’m not sure what I expected from Zelda, but this meeting hadn’t gone the way I thought it would at all.
The sun peeks out through the clouds, but my mood is gloomy.
As I walk to my office, I consider what Zelda has asked me to do. There’s no way I’ll get a job at UnoPharm. I don’t want to work some shit job at a pharmaceutical company. The last time I worked for a pharmaceutical company, I found and lost the love of my life. After leaving Medi-Lion, I promised myself I’d never return to that. It’s why I quit my PhD program.
I can’t go back.
I won’t.
Not even for the exclusive interview with Mr. Z.
Not even for the biggest story of the year, possibly the decade, and all that money.
There must be another way to get the information she wants so I can get what I need for the feature. That means I’ll need to come up with a smarter plan.
After hours of contemplation at work and then at my studio apartment, I finally figure out why applying for a job at UnoPharm will never work. It’s the best, the only, explanation.
Thank God, it finally came to me.
I glance at the time—two thirty in the morning—and tell myself to be patient, but I can’t wait to talk to Zelda about this. I need her to understand my earlier hesitation. But when I can’t sleep, there’s only one thing to do.
I open that slip of paper Drew gave me.
At least I know where she lives.
CHAPTER 4
ZELDA
Something pounding wakes me. Am I dreaming? Must be, except—
The sound continues. I open my eyes, glance at the time on my phone, do a double take, and bolt upright in bed. “What the hell!”
I listen closer. Is that pounding or is someone knocking? Whatever it might be is coming from my living room. I’m too tired for this. “Ugh!”
