Page 68 of Shadow Break

“You didn’t need to apply?”

“No.”

“That’s very interesting. Do you remember Dr. Christopher Pallon, Sydney’s supervisor?”

“Yes.” Another sip of water.

“I’ve spoken to Dr. Pallon recently, and he said he had to ask you to leave.”

“Well, yeah. He did because he lined up a job for me here.”

“Is that what he told you?”

“That was what happened. Sir.”

“Pallon set you up with this job?”

“Yeah.”

“Gee, that was awful nice of him.”

Theo cleared his throat. “He’s a nice guy.”

“There was no other reason you got the job? Dr. Pallon was just feeling generous? Because I’ll be honest with you, Theo, Dr. Pallon had nothing nice to say about you. Do you have any other theories about why he got you the job?”

Theo shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I guess. He, uh. I don’t know. He didn’t tell me why. He just did it.”

Aaron leaned back in his chair as if he had all the time in the world. “In my line of work, when someone receives an extravagant gift, it’s either because someone is in love with them, or they expect a favor in return. There is always a reason. And from what Pallon said, I don’t think he loves you. Even like a son.”

“I guess I’m the exception. I don’t have anything more to say about it. Can I go now? I’ve got a lot of work to do.”

A calm relief had taken over where the frustration and anger had been. The link was clear now. This was the key he needed and he wouldn’t stop squeezing until he got every last drop.

“Yes, I’m sure you’re very busy. But there’s just one thing. You see, I have reason to believe that you leaked information to a newspaper about the research that Ms. Davis was working on.”

“ProfessorDavis, and I would never do that. Who told you I did that? Dr. Pallon? Did he say that?”

Aaron took a leaf out of Gretta’s book. “I’m not at liberty to divulge my sources.”

“Whoever said that lied. I was honored to work with Professor Davis. I may have been an average student, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the science and Professor Davis is one of the best minds I’ve ever known.”

“Then why did you leave?”

Theo’s Adam’s apple jumped. “This was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

“Right. And you didn’t leak the information?”

“No way. I didn’t even really know anything. Professor Davis explained to me when I started that the information was sensitive and I would only be given access to what I needed.”

“And you were fine with that?”

“Yes. I was only a student. I couldn’t expect more. Honestly, I didn’t care. Whether I understood exactly what was going on or not, like I said, it was an honor to work with her.”

“But you must have been curious.”

“I was. I mean, of course I was. Who wouldn’t be? But that’s the way it is.”

“Did you ever see Ms. — Professor Davis speaking to anyone outside the lab?”

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