Page 41 of Love Under the Microscope
When we reach the access control entrance, Zelda pushes in front of me as if wanting to try her card first.
Even though I appear calm and collected, I’m nervous. I have to believe she is too. If we get caught, this will cause problems for both Zentello and PharmaNews.
Holding my breath, I watch the diode flash green on Zelda’s card so she can pass. The same thing happens with mine. Seconds later, we’re on the other side of the entrance. I release my breath.
“Thank God,” I whisper. “Now as long as we don’t get stopped around the building.”
“We won’t.” She keeps her voice low. “Their security is ridiculously lacking. At Zentello, most offices and labs are accessed via a badge and a palm print.”
“High-tech.”
“That’s why we’re the best.” She grins at me. “We need to take the elevator to the tenth floor.”
The elevator bank is directly ahead of us, and thankfully, Zelda knows exactly where she’s going. “I hope you’re right about all of this. It’s a hell of a risk to take if you’re not.”
“I’m positive this is where he keeps the papers.”
Once we’re in the elevator, Zelda puts on her white lab coat, making her look more official. As the floors whiz by, my pulse speeds up. No turning back now.
“If anyone asks what we’re working on, you’re doing a time and motion study on my role as a researcher.” Zelda motions to the spreadsheet on the clipboard. I assume she created it just for today.
I smirk. “And what are my findings?”
“That I’m extremely efficient and good at my job, and you recommend I get a pay raise.”
I laugh. “We should come up with a persona for each of us.”
“That would be fun.” Zelda wiggles her eyebrows and glances at her badge. “I’m Mary-Ann and originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. I love cheese and Friday night fish fries. What about you?”
I consider a few ideas based on the name printed on mine and then wink at her. “I’m Emile from New Orleans and love to bake beignets. I live with my girlfriend, Monique, and our French bull terrier, Phillipe.”
Zelda laughs. “I like that name for a dog. I may steal that from you if I ever get one.”
“Call it my gift.”
“If we get caught and sent to jail, do you think I’ll be okay?”
“What?” Her question catches me off guard. “You’re kidding, right?”
She shrugs. “If I get sent to jail, I could be in trouble. I’m not a good sleeper without my Egyptian cotton sheets. I also hate lukewarm food. I’m attractive, but I really don’t want to become someone’s bitch.”
She’s so damn cute. “You’ll be fine, but we should be fine. If we get caught, we can say we’re pranking Carrington or something.”
The elevator arrives at the tenth floor. The doors open, and we step out. Here goes. As we walk down a hallway, it becomes obvious that we chose our disguises well. A couple of people nod and say hello. That’s promising. Maybe this will work after all—
Oh. Shit. What’s he doing here?
About thirty feet away from us, Carrington heads toward us. He’s talking to someone on his phone and doesn’t notice us. Yet.
I whisper, “Fuck, Zelda. Look.”
She gasps. “What’s Nigel doing here? He’s supposed to be with Tinkerbelle.”
Her startled gaze meets mine. “What do we do?”
I spot a doorway to a dark office. At least it appears that the lights are out, but who knows? We don’t really have a choice, and I hope we’re not about to burst into a PowerPoint presentation being given at a crowded meeting. That doesn’t stop me from grabbing Zelda’s hand and pulling her inside with me. The room is empty—thank God—so I softly close the door until the latch clicks.
“You said he wouldn’t be here today,” I hiss close to her ear.
