As she walked back out into the sunlight, the city noise hit her like a wave, but for once, it didn’t feel overwhelming. She’d done it. The law was in motion now.
Darlene Hunt’s empire was coming down around her ears. She couldn’t help feeling a little petty satisfaction that she was going to get her comeuppance after being such a bitch.
Kathleen swiped her access card and pushed open the door to the lab. The blue-lit tanks glowed softly against the wall, and the low hum of equipment provided a steady backdrop. Veronica followed her inside, then stood back in the shadows in the corner while she approached Ted.
He looked up from his stool near the microscope, eyebrows lifting. “I didn’t think I’d see you today,” he said, setting down a pipette. “Everything okay?”
“Fine,” Kathleen replied, trying to sound casual. “I had some things to check on. I figured it was better to do it myself.”
He leaned back in the stool. “Right. Well, good timing. I’ve finished running the conductivity data on tank two. Numbers are up from last week.”
Kathleen gave a tight smile. “That’s good to hear.”
“Hey, look I’m sorry I snapped at you yesterday. We were both duped by her, so I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
“I thought you were more annoyed that I hadn’t let you know I was publishing.”
He frowned at her. “Well, yeah. ‘Cause I was. I thought you’d let me help with that. We’re a team.”
“You’re a great assistant, Ted, but it’s my work we’re talking about. That paper was mine to write.”
He flushed red. “I guess. I thought—” He stopped abruptly when Veronica came into the light. “Fuck, Kathleen, what the hell is she doing here?”
“I invited her to come. There’s something we need to talk about.”
He shifted uneasily on the stool. “What’s this about?”
Kathleen folded her arms and stared down at the plants. “How long have you been working here now, Ted? Eighteen months?”
“A week over,” he said, with a shrug. “Why?”
“You’ve always been efficient,” she said. “Capable. You knew exactly what you were doing when you joined this project. I remember how detailed your application was. You referenced papers most people hadn’t even heard of.”
He smiled faintly. “I did my research.”
“Apparently,” Veronica said dryly. “Do you remember the interview?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I? You were impressed with my lab work.”
“I was,” Kathleen cut in. “You were the only applicant with a perfect understanding of what my project entailed.”
Ted smiled. “Thanks.”
Kathleen took a step closer. “I thought I was fortunate hiring someone so talented. Now I know I wasn’t so lucky.”
Ted crossed his arms. “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you?” Veronica said lightly. “Come on, Ted. Someone submitted all my private notes to lodge a patent before I did. It could only have been you. You have the full access to the lab, but more importantly, you’re the only one who understood exactly what to submit.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
“She’s talking about grand theft,” interrupted Veronica. “You took her life’s work and gave it to your mother to auction to the highest bidder.”
“My mother died when I was sixteen,” Ted snapped.
“Your stepmother did, you mean. Your father remarried when you were a young child. Your real mother is Darlene Hunt,” Kathleen said, voice steady. “We found the records. Birthcertificate. University archives. Marriage announcements. Your mother was Fay Darlene Winters, married to Alan Winters. You were born Edward Alan Winters.”
Ted gave a soft snort. “What does it matter who my mother is?”
