Page 26 of Carmine

“Nowhere in her information did it mention a volcano. What was postulated was the fact the laccoliths may be becoming active. So please, before you dare lecture me, have your facts correct,” Dr Jones-White said calmly.

“Yes, but laccoliths don’t erupt,” Father argued.

“We are aware of that, thank you. However, if anyone had deigned to study the data Molly put forward three years ago, you’d have all seen something strange was happening here. You laughed her out of her job and disowned her. This put us at a disadvantage. I’m aware of your opinion of your ‘crackpot’ daughter, Dr Balfour-Cherlyn.” Mother straightened as Dr Jones-White addressed her directly.

“Instead of crawling away and licking her wounds and fading into obscurity, Molly headed here and set up her own tests. And what we’ve discovered is volcanic activity, and we’re trying to understand what is happening. We have several theories at the moment, but the most likely is magma is being forced through channels in the laccoliths and, therefore making them active. That was your daughter’s theory the entire time. Not that we’d missed a hulking big volcano.”

Dr Jones-White took a breath and continued, “Now, I’ve no idea why you’re here except to cause trouble, but neither of you is welcome. I have everyone I need on my side and do not need closed-minded individuals who’d changed evidence to suit their own. We are gathering evidence, and even this morning, we discovered a startling surprise. So, please take your attitudes and disappear and let my team work.”

“Damn, I could kiss her. The look on your parents’ face,” Carmine whispered in my ear.

Carmine wasn’t wrong. However, I recognised that expression. My parents were just gearing up.

“I have the right to speak to my daughter,” my father demanded.

“Dr Balfour, you do, but not on my time. Please go,” and with those final words, Dr Jones-White dismissed them.

“Excuse me!” Mother exclaimed.

Dr Jones-White turned back to face her.

“I asked you to leave Dr Balfour-Cherlyn and Dr Balfour. We are performing important research here and trying to understand what is happening. Because, despite as much as everyone wants to disagree, there is volcanic activity, and it is a concern. Now, I have wasted enough time on you and have work to accomplish. I’ve told you once to politely leave, I will not ask a second.”

“I’ll get the funding for this fool’s errands pulled!” Father exclaimed.

“Please do try to. I’m sure Phoenix Michaelson will listen to you,” Dr Jones-White replied.

“How is she involved?” Mother inquired.

“Phoenix Michaelson is funding this. Take your concerns direct to her, now, excuse me,” Dr Jones-White answered and headed in my direction.

Father began to follow when three hulking bikers got in his way.

“You were told to go. Now you can leave under your own power, or I’ll throw you out,” the middle one said.

“You have no right! We were asked to come here by Dr White!” Father yelled.

“And Dr White, while head of the GS, has no authority to interfere with a privately funded field team,” the guy replied with a smirk. He stepped forward, and Father took a step back.

“We’ll be back!” Mother warned.

They looked miffed when nobody came to their defence and stomped out.

“I’m sorry, they’re going to cause trouble,” I said to Dr Jones-White.

“Molly, it’s time you called me Susan. And how you came from those people, I’ll never understand,” Susan responded with a warm smile. “You’re doing good work, keep it up.”

I basked in her praise and gave Carmine a grin as Susan walked away.

“Dr Jones-White asked me to call her Susan,” I whispered with glee.

“I heard,” he replied as I wriggled in delight.

Carmine

Shit, something as simple as the other doctors asking her to address them by their given names sent Molly into reels of happiness. Molly lit up like a Christmas tree at Susan’s request. They’d all been very formal, but as time progressed and Molly was proven to be genuine, they relaxed. I’d no doubt that her parents were going to cause trouble, but for now, Susan had chased them off.

Checking the time, I noticed lunch was creeping up, and I kept an eye on the door for the old ladies arriving. Molly needed to eat. As soon as Ali-kat, Casey, and Artemis arrived, I was at the table helping them unload and set up.

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