Page 193 of Nocere

Epilogue

"No. That's not how this works," I said, pointing at the computer monitor filled with data.

"C'mon, Bryant. Make the fucking thing find the thing." Sali shoved the screen and I leapt from my chair to catch it before it fell from the desk.

"Oh my God, get out of my office." I elbowed her as I pulled the equipment back into place. "This isn't going to work. I quit. Where's Walsh?"

Sali laughed and shoved some papers off my desk so that she could sit on it. "You say that every day."

"You're the worst person in the world to work with. Never in my life…" I couldn't even finish my sentence as the exasperation she caused me hit a max. "I'm taking my lunch break now."

"Oh good. I'm starving." She rubbed her hands together, and if I was any less of a person, I would've swatted the smirk right off her face.

"You're not invited. I'm meeting my sister."

"Then I'll stay here and keep working." She gestured to the computer and I grabbed the monitor out of blatant fear.

"You will not."

"Fine. Then I'll work on the maps," she said, pointing to the pinned paper maps we had on the cork boards.

"No. Last time you tore it and we had to go back to digital ones."

"Then what am I supposed to do!" She flailed her arms, and I dodged her theatrics.

"I don't know! Figure it out." I grabbed my purse, and stood by the door to my office. "Let's go. Out with you."

"I'll stay here," she said, swinging her legs idly like a child perched on a park bench.

"You can stand in the hallway, but I'm not leaving you here alone." I pointed to the hall. "Out."

"I fucking hate you, Bryant." Sali launched herself off the desk and stormed past me.

"Because you don't understand the concept of boundaries or limits. With anything." I locked my office door, and she shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket like a brooding teenager. "Where's your wife?"

"Teaching a class while I deal with you." She scoffed and it made me laugh.

"Is it difficult working with her? I mean, does she want to kill you all day long?"

"Probably, but then she fucks me real good every night so it balances." She shrugged, and the smirk returned to her lips.

"Ugh. You're so crass." I made my way to the front door, but Sali kept following. "This is where we part."

"Unlikely." She grinned and I rolled my eyes. "What's the probability of me listening to you in comparison to the rules of general society when analyzed across a proximity matrix, Bryant?"

"That doesn't even make any sense." I groaned as I pushed open the door and made for the diner across the street.

"See? Unlikely. Less than point-zero-zero-zero-one percent."

"You are the literal worst."

"Thank you. I try."

We found Juni settling in at a booth in the back of the diner. My newborn niece slept contently in her carrier perched on the seat beside her. Platinum ringlets hung delicately across her wrinkled forehead and I couldn't help smiling.

"Rosie," Juni called, her smile bringing immediate joy to her rosy cheeks. "Hi."

"Hi." We embraced and I gave her a squeeze. "Juni, this is my coworker, Sali. She wasn't invited but refused to have any sort of manners at all."

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