Page 21 of Hale Yes
“Joyce Davidson,” I reply, trying to keep the bitterness from my voice.
“Hmm, I don’t think I know Dr. Davidson,” Abigail muses, pulling off a chunk of bread and coating it lightly with seasoned butter.
“She’s not a PhD,” I reply. “She has a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies.”
Abigail’s hands stop, and she gapes at me in amazement. “How is she qualified to run a cosmetics lab?”
I barely manage to hold back the “she’s not” that’s on the tip of my tongue and instead reply with what I hope is a neutral tone. “She’s the CEO’s niece.”
She slumps against the back of her chair and shakes her head. “I think I understand.”
I knew she would. Dr. Abigail Blake is a sharp woman. Changing the subject, I ask, “How is it working for Dr. Hale?”
Abigail’s face breaks into a smile. “He’s utterly brilliant. I’d say he’s fairly easy to get along with. Definitely demands the best from anyone who works there, but he’s fair.”
“Do you feel like he listens to you and is accepting of new ideas?”
Her head tilts to the side in thought. “Helix can be a bit stoic, but he appreciates innovation, no matter if it's his idea or someone else’s. He’s a man of few words, but I feel like he always listens to me. I like to tease him that his ears work better than his mouth.” Abigail eyes me over the rim of her glass as she takes a sip. “Do you feel like you’re not being heard in your current job?”
Again, a sticky question with an equally sticky answer. Aquarius hasn’t had a single new product line since Joyce took over a year ago. I have ideas, but she poo-poos them as unnecessary becausethings are going fine. Why mess with a perfectly good formula? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
So I temper my response and answer as diplomatically as I can. “I enjoy new development. I prefer to push through the stagnant old ways and discover fresh, vibrant new products that keep consumers interested.”
Abigail nods thoughtfully. “That’s Dr. Hale’s approach as well, so I think you two will mesh well. I appreciate your honesty.” She winks. “And your very diplomatic answer. Helix would appreciate that as well. He values loyalty above all else.”
Loyalty. Hence the reason I didn’t call Joyce a complete moron and say she’s running the development lab at Aquarius into the ground.
As the server sets my plate of Texas redfish with crawfish étouffée in front of me, I tell Abigail, “Dr. Hale sounds wonderful. I look forward to meeting him.”
Though in the back of my mind, I’m thinking he’s probably a bit of a dud.
CHAPTER FIVE
The fuckmeister has arisen
Helix
“I think she would fit in really well here, Helix. We both know her qualifications are impeccable, but she seems like a good person too. She was so kind to Calvin, and he definitely approves of her.”
I’m at Remi’s flat in London, and I relax back onto his black leather couch as I speak with Abigail on the phone. Her report makes me feel better, especially the part about Calvin. I don’t stand for anyone being condescending toward him. I actually refused to work with one supplier after their salesman copped an attitude and made a rude comment about our driver.
While Calvin may not have the academic brilliance of his sister, the man is a gem. He’s loyal and kind, and I regard him with the utmost respect for his service to our country.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I ask, “And she seemed like she would fit in well with the rest of the team? You know I don’t like drama and shit.”
Abigail hums thoughtfully. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. Nicolette got along with everyone. She even took time to stop and engage with Cody and Marla while they were homogenizing some samples of that new under-eye gel.” Cody and Marla are two of our graduate students who are working toward their PhDs.
“Cody didn’t say anything stupid did he?” While he’s a highly intelligent kid, sometimes he can be a bit awkward.
I can hear Abigail’s grin through the phone. “He asked her what her favorite amino acid is.”
I shake my head in amusement. It’s not the weirdest thing he’s ever said. “And what was her answer?”
“Phenylalanine.”
“Mental acuity and mood. That’s a good one,” I muse. “I trust you, Abigail, and if you think Dr. Bell is a good fit, I’ll make her an offer.”
She sounds pleased. “Good. I was afraid if we didn’t find someone to replace me, you might hold me hostage in servitude.”
