Page 34 of Perfection

“You know it,” she said.

“While you’re composing reminders”—Comp Nine’s voice traveled with them down the hall—“you have a memo about accepting the Teresa Award tonight at eight o’clock.”

She scrunched her nose in revulsion. “I hate those things.”

“Seville cultivates such decorations,” Nine replied.

Kindra continued to make the face. “Interesting word choice. They can keep their politically inspired recognition.”

“I don’t follow,” Nine said.

“Never mind. Let’s just say I detest being thrust into the limelight.” She glanced at York and saw a glimmer of empathy in his eyes.

She felt his agreement, though he only said, “The award is an honor, Kindra. Congratulations.”

She hiked a shoulder and then let it fall. “Thank you.”

She thought of her father. He’d earned every distinguished award she could think of and it hadn’t made him happy. To her, this sort of recognition seemed more for the Committee’s benefit than the recipient’s.

“I’ve prepared an acceptance speech,” she said quietly. “But I’m not going. I need to stay focused on finding a vaccine for the virus.”

Director A-Isaac rounded the corner just ahead of them. Odd, that most of the time she rarely ran into him, yet in the past two days she’d encountered him twice.

She swiftly stepped sideways to avoid a head-on collision with him. Her elbow brushed York’s. “Sorry.”

“Be where?” A-Isaac asked.

“Nine was just reminding me about the award ceremony tonight.”

“Good, good. Youmustattend. Act like everything is normal,” A-Isaac suggested.

“Do you really think that’s best?”

“Yes.” He walked past her a few steps and turned. “Any headway on a cure yet?”

Was he being flippant, or did he actually believe it would be that easy? Or was he testing his deadline? “Nothing yet. I have two teams working every scenario.”

A-Isaac shook his head and continued on his way. York waited until the man was gone and then muttered, “Totally GEI. Gotta love ’em.”

“What?”

He held his palm out as if indicating,Ladies first, and they resumed their walk to her office. “Never mind.”

“How do you keep getting in here anyway? Seville doesn’t allow visitors. At least not in the lab.”

“Police officers have the authority to go anywhere.”

“Oh, yeah. Right.” She halted outside the door to her lab and glanced up into his rich brown eyes. “So you’re taking me to Isabelle’s?”

“Yes. My captain approved it.”

“Humph. Chain of command. NowthatI understand.” She went to her desk and unlocked a drawer using a code to retrieve a black and red satchel filled with test supplies in case she needed them at B-Gastion’s. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I haven’t been home yet. If I go with you, I need to make a quick stop by my house first, especially if I have to go to this event later. And maybe the Mall Center before that. Otherwise, the trip to Gastion’s home will have to wait until tomorrow.”

“The Center?” She saw the telltale flex of muscles in his jaw as he clenched his teeth.

“Yes. I have a promise to keep.”

“But we have—”

“I know, Lieutenant. But I also have personal obligations.”

“Do you always honor your promises?”

“Always.”

York took her by the wrist and, gently pulling her after him, led her out of her office, headed for the lobby. “Let’s go then.”