Page 40 of Love Under the Microscope
I hang up, more certain than ever that Nigel is the source and that I have to find a way to get what belongs to me back. Well, as soon as I figure out what he stole. Given what he’s asked for, whatever he took isn’t giving him the same results we’re seeing, so that’s good. Still, I have to do something.
Think, think, think.
An idea comes to mind. It’s crazy, madcap even. But I’ll do whatever it takes to help Zentello.
I type a quick text.
Zelda: Hey, Jack. Thanks again for tonight. I need you to do something for me before you speak with Mr. Z.
A couple of minutes later, a reply comes.
Jack: What?
I grin, thinking about my plan. But the last thing I want to leave is a chain of evidence.
Zelda: Not over text.
Jack: As I said before, as long as no dead bodies are involved, I’m in.
Zelda: That’s the spirit. I’ll text you where to meet me tomorrow.
I place my phone on the nightstand, hoping Jack will be up for breaking and entering. I need to find out what Nigel has and get it back to save Orchid and Zentello.
And the best way to do that is from the inside.
CHAPTER 9
JACK
I’ve done some sketchy things in my time in the name of journalism, but today is the craziest. Maybe I should have stuck with being a scientist. If only my freshman English teacher, Mr. Pennywell, hadn’t asked me to write a piece on the school’s history for its hundredth anniversary. I loved talking to people about their memories and researching the history of my school in the library. After that, I was hooked. Writing became my balm, and when Aisha died, I wanted to escape the discipline that had killed her. Journalism was where I landed.
Yet here I am, wearing a cap and glasses, getting ready to break into Nigel Carrington’s office. Yes, Zelda’s idea is the definition of insanity, but I must admit the brunette wig with long bangs looks good on her. She’s also wearing a pair of glasses I’ve never seen on her before. I wouldn’t have recognized her if I bumped into her, which is the point of the disguise.
“We can’t stand here forever,” I remind her.
“A few more minutes.”
I reposition myself behind the large plant in UnoPharm’s lobby. I’m not sure why I agreed to this plan. I only hope my exclusive with Mr. Z is worth the possibility of being arrested and having a record. At least if I end up in jail, I won’t have to pay rent, and I’ll get three meals a day. I suppose it could be worse. But I’m beginning to rue the day I emailed Zelda two years ago.
I glance at her standing next to me. Though crouching might be a more apt description. “You know that this is insane, right?”
“I know.” She grins at me. Her eyes twinkle behind her black-rimmed glasses that make her look smart, but her latest idea has me wondering if her brain is firing on all cylinders. “Fun, though.”
“That’s debatable.” I peek around the plant we’re using to be inconspicuous. I wouldn’t say we’re hiding, per se. More like looking lost or wanting to kiss out of public view. Not that kissing is on the schedule even though I’ve been dreaming of my lips against hers and on other places on her body. Damn subconscious.
Focus. I survey the lobby once again. “A bunch of people are waiting at the reception desk. This is it.”
Zelda’s carrying a white lab coat, and I hold a clipboard, trying to fit in. We wear lanyards around our necks, holding the access passes a techie guy I know cloned for us. Mary-Ann Stavez and Emile Monroe, the names on the badges, work in the janitorial department on the night shift, so hopefully, we won’t have any problems getting in. Even so, we decided to wait until the reception desk was busy in case we had a problem.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say.
She inhales. “I’m ready.”
“Are you sure we won’t bump into Carrington?” I ask.
“Yes. He’s a creature of habit. He’s worked from home on Tuesdays for years, even before working remotely became a thing,” she says. “His dog has therapy with an animal behaviorist, and it’s across town from here, but he likes to be there.”
As our footsteps clatter on the marble floor, I can’t help but think Nigel doesn’t seem like a dog lover. It makes him seem more human and not like the jealous narcissist Zelda made him out to be.
