Page 43 of Sky Song
“I will go back the same way I have arrived.” He was so calm. How could he be so calm when she was a ball of nerves?
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“Don’t believe it, then.”
She threw him a loaded look.
On approach, Cricket busily scanned the area on account of Yanet. Not only was Yanet nosy beyond belief; she had met Lyle. Thankfully, there was no sign of her, and the side entrance, used mostly by the staff, was relatively deserted. From the vehicle, Cricket spotted a man exiting the building who she knew worked the earlier shift, indicating that as per usual, they didn’t overstay.
“I’ll lead the way, and you stay close to me.”
“Yes, commander.”
“If anyone talks to us, keep your head down and let me answer.”
“Yes, commander.”
“Lyle!”
“What?” All innocence, he pulled at his hat.
“It isn’t a game! Be serious!”
“Yes, commander.”
“I’m gonna kill you. Let’s go.”
She took a deep breath and got out of the rider. Lyle got out on his side and circled around in no hurry. With bated breath, Cricket quickly walked to the door with him seamlessly following, so much more at ease, a bold, self-assured male in a ridiculous straw hat. Those four hearts of his must contribute substantially to Rix nerves. While hers were strumming like loose strings, his were solid as if made of forged steel.
It didn’t take any longer than usual for them to cross the small lobby, bumping into no one, and for the elevator to arrive to take them down, but it seemed like an eternity to Cricket. She aged a year in those minutes.
Only once they were at the lab, and she ensured no one else was around, did she exhale and wipe sweat from her forehead.
Lyle was looking at her funny.
“What? I’m not a spy by nature.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he quietly assured her.
She only shook her head. He meant well, but what would he do if they ran into Yanet or Dr. Ragberg?
“We have approximately fifteen minutes before Salty and Terrance show up. What should we do?”
“Why, get into the system, of course.”
Filled with doubts so much she thought she’d burst, Cricket accessed the main computer where she could see general information about the hospital's operating procedures, the directory, the drug list and so on. The records were varied and extensive. “What do you want to see?”
But Lyle was paying little attention to the screen. His large eyes roamed around the lab as he scanned every nook and cranny, every sample processing instrument, every bottle of chemicals.
“Hello, Lyle? All eyes on the screen. We don’t have much time.”
“Yes, my hearts, I’m looking. What is this?”
A small fireproof cabinet was mounted on the wall near the metal door that led to the supply room.
“A cabinet.”
“How delightful,” he chuckled. “What’s in it?”
