•James Beaufort•

•Present•

My visit to the research lab was unplanned this morning. While I'm no expert in medicine, I still got my butt out of my couch and take my car downtown to the building where the newest medicinal drug is currently being developed.

I still don't understand why my father put me up for this.

The building is vast, divided into many departments and as I stroll through, Mr. Heath, the head researcher fills me up with the potential info.

Most of which is going over my head but I keep my ears trained, giving my best to understand everything.

"Pharmaceutical labs are more than just spaces filled with test tubes and microscopes," Mr. Heath says. "They are advanced centers of innovation and discovery."

Outside the Research and Development Department on the first floor, I look around standing only a foot away from the balcony while a dozen scientists are working inside the room.

"We identify promising compounds here," he explains. "And conducts initial trails."

He keeps going explaining to me the components of new drugs and their ability and safety when I flick my eyes downstairs and catch of glimpse of my phone thief.

Nora is wearing a white shirt underneath a tight-fitted flannel dress that reaches her knees. Her classic platform boots rhythm on the tiled floor, transfixing my concentration on her.

Mr. Heath's voice dies down somewhere behind me when I move ahead along the balcony, my eyes tracing every step she takes.

"I think I got it," I tell Mr. Heath, already halfway to the other corridor where the shaft to the elevator is built. "I'm just gonna take a look around. Alone."

He bows his head and leaves to join his scientist's buddies. The elevator takes the first stop on the fourth floor, probably where Nora went so I follow her.

I almost missed her when I reached the same floor, her head disappearing into a room, the buzzer from the key card reader dying down instantly.

I study the room from outside and the sign of the 'Document Management Department' written on the door. I hold the door to push it open but it doesn't budge, the lack of a key card hindering my way.

So I wait. Leaning against the wall, I make a mental note to ask Mr. Heath why he didn't show me the courtesy of telling me about this particular room. Although I won't be visiting the lab anytime soon, I still think I should have convenient access to every inch of this place.

Nora takes time. A copious amount of time when she appears back, shutting the door behind her. Our eyes connect when she turns to me and a ghastly look colors her face and her back slams against the door.

In that fraction of mere seconds, I see anxiousness instead of surprise. Her fingers tighten around her phone which she quickly drops into her bag before steadying herself.

Cocking my head, I ask her. "Now what would be the head of the IBU doing here?" I point toward the door plate.

" I would've told you if you were my boss," she says, plastering a deducing look, glowering me down.

"Not the boss but partners. Equals." I say in affirmation.

"I think you mean Joseph," She states curtly. "Hence what I do is none of your concern."

She unhitches from the door but I grab her arm when she tries to walk past me and twirl her a step back. "Fine. I'll ask something that does concern me." I state, taking my hand off her. "Why did you take my phone at the party?"

"It was a genuine mistake," she clarifies, her eyes all the way up trying to level me.

"I highly doubt that," I press. "What were you looking for in it?"

She chortles. "Why would I wanna snoop into your phone?"

"You tell me." I glower down at her as well.

Our one-on-one stare prevails for a moment before she sighs. "I think you're mistaken," She says, jabbing her index finger on my chest. "And it's not the first time you've made a mistake about me."

"Oh really?" I say as she brings her finger to her side.  "So you did not pretend to be drunk and fall into my arms?"

A speck of uncomfortableness crosses her face but after a beat, she answers, back to her usual self.

"Hmm," she pouts her lips, feeling content with herself. "Now if you'll excuse me."

She's only able to amble two steps from me when my voice travels across the hallway. "Did I mention I have a friend with a computer science degree specializing in cyber security?"

She doesn't turn but I know she's listening.

"He told me you ran a spying app on my phone," I partially lie. "I just wanna know why would you do that?"

She turns on her heels, facing me. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she says, without any hesitation or tension. Almost believable. "Now please excuse me. You really have wasted my precious time."

She stalks away, her fist uncurling, and gets into the elevator. I lock my eyes with hers from my spot, her grim expression identical to mine. The door finally slides back together as she disappears from my sight.

Lost in thoughts, I glance up again at the door of the room Nora was in earlier. Reminiscing the exact point of time when she sprinted out of there, I could tell she was terrified as if I had caught her in the middle of a crime. She also seemed a little jumpy when I mentioned my phone being spied on. Something I wasn't sure until I said to her.

I guess I'm gonna have to contact Tristan for real.

Nora Godfrey is up to something and I'd like to know about it as soon as possible.

.....

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