“Dad, it’s not what it looks like.” I wanted nothing more than to spill everything. He was an assistant director; he’d be able to help us figure out what was going on. Maybe even stop it. But Asher and the others had agreed to wait. I couldn’t break their trust.
“Lex, I was a teenager, too. I know what you two were doing. And where it might have gone if we hadn’t stumbled in on you. Promise me it won’t happen again. Promise you’ll be careful.”
I nodded, though the smart-ass part of me wanted to ask if he was being careful himself. The way Jordan had been hanging all over him last night had led to his own brand of gossip snaking through the dance floor.
Dad sighed. “Since you were…busy during Dr. Danvers’ speech, did you hear the news?”
“What news?”
“I’m taking over as head of Project Infinity.”
I stared at him in shock. How could I have been so distracted by Asher that I’d missed news like that? “What? That’s fantastic, Dad!”
He tried to keep his expression modest, but it turned into a full grin. “It was unexpected. I thought Seth would get it since he was Avery’s right hand man.” He took a sip of coffee and shook his head. “It’s going to be a crazy couple of weeks though. We’re going ahead with the first test on Friday, and I still need to catch up on Avery’s notes. The guy was so disorganized I don’t know how he found anything.”
“I’m sure you’ll do great, Dad. You’re smarter than anyone else at QT.”
“I’m not sure about that, but I’m honored to be in charge. I just wish I had more time to go through Avery’s plans. I hate feeling out of the loop.”
So did I. And as far as I knew, Asher hadn’t found any clues last night on Avery’s computer. It was up to me. “Have you heard anything else about the investigation into Avery’s murder?”
Dad’s lips thinned. “You know I can’t talk about that, Lexie. It’s classified.”
“Come on, Dad. Who am I going to tell? It’s not like I have friends.”
“Asher’s not a friend, then?” He sounded almost snarky before he glanced down at his coffee. “This doesn’t leave the room. Understood?”
I nodded.
“The autopsy came back yesterday. Avery was injected with some sort of fast-acting toxin. The scientists have never seen anything like it before. They’re still trying to figure out who had a motive, but the guy wasn’t exactly popular. The only thing we know is it had to be someone with Division Seven access or higher. They’re interviewing everyone with clearance.” He stared out the window, and I knew he was wondering which of his colleagues had committed murder. And if there were other targets who might be next.
I clutched the arm of the chair, remembering Grant’s serum. Branston was involved. I knew it. I’d hid the brochure I’d found in Avery’s office in my nightstand, but its presence felt like a weight on my shoulders.
We were running out of time. Branston had already found me once. What if Dad was their next target now that he was in charge? “I’m sure they’ll find whoever did it soon.”
He got to his feet. “I hope so, Lex. Because until they do, QT isn’t going to be a fun place to work.”
Dad was right. Starting Monday, new security protocols were implemented at QT. We had to go through two full body scans, and our bags were searched both on entry and exit of the building. Divisions were locked down and security revoked for non-essential personnel. It took an extra fifteen minutes just to get into the building in the morning, and I was glad I didn’t have normal classes or even a specific schedule. As it was, Max, Zella, and Amy were working off-site, Asher was locked in the lab, and I spent most of the time in the library trying to figure out how Avery’s calculations fit in with the ultraviolet catastrophe information I’d already researched.
People still whispered about Avery’s murder, but most of the project members were too busy getting the first test ready to have time to hang around gossiping. Dad slept at the lab a few times that week, leaving me to take the shuttle back and forth and generally fend for myself. It worked out well since Asher wanted to get us all together to go over the scan of Avery’s computer on Wednesday.
I got to Coco’s before everyone else and had a seat at the bar while I waited.
“So what’ll it be?” she asked. “I make a mean pumpkin spice latte.”
“That sounds perfect.” I stifled a yawn and watched her brew the espresso.
“You meeting someone or just getting some studying done?” Coco asked over her shoulder.
“Meeting Asher and the gang.”
She nodded. “Looks like you’re fitting in here just fine, huh?”
I gave her a secret smile. Asher had asked me out, and Max and Zella were being friendly. Things were starting to look up.
Coco laughed. “I know that look. ‘Atta girl. Asher’s a great guy.”
The bell on the door jangled, and everyone walked in together. “Hey, guys.” I slid off my stool.
Asher slung an arm around my neck and held me in a headlock for a second. “Did your dad give you a hard time about finding us Friday night?”
I couldn’t stop my grin. “It could have been worse. He just warned me you weren’t trustworthy and I should be careful.”
“Smart man.” Asher let me go as we headed toward a round table in the back of the restaurant.
I tried to ignore Amy’s glares as I slid into the chair beside Asher. She, of course, sat on his other side.
“Guess he’ll just have to get used to me being around, huh?” Asher bumped his shoulder into mine.
“Guess so. We still on for dinner Friday night?” I tried to be casual about it, to hide the kick of my heart at the thought of going on an actual date.
“I’m not letting you out of it now. I’ve never worked this hard for anything.”
My smile was a little bigger than it needed to be as I turned to Zella on my other side. “Hey, I like that sweater. That color green is gorgeous on you.”
She blinked at me. “Thanks.”
“Yeah, Lexie’s right,” Max said, tilting his head as if noticing for the first time.
Zella let out an uncomfortable giggle. “I’ve had it forever.”
“Well, I like it.” They smiled shyly at each other, and I stared down into my latte, trying not to giggle myself.