“Final phase?” she repeated, with enough interest to keep it casual.
He hesitated. “I probably shouldn’t say too much. NDA and all that.”
Marise nodded in sympathy. “Of course. Still, I bet it’s something fascinating.”
He gave a crooked smile. “Yeah. Kathleen’s work is… groundbreaking. She’s created a sustainable bio system. She calls the project, Florabite.”
Marise kept her expression interested, having no idea if it sounded like oil producing plants. “Is it working?”
He leaned closer. “Between you and me? Yeah.”
“Wow,” Marise murmured. “That’s… incredible.”
Ted nodded. “It is. But it also makes her a target. There was a break-in a few months back. They didn’t take anything, but it spooked Kathleen bad. Since then, security is tighter. Biometric entry, vetting for contractors.”
“Contractors?”
“For cleaning —Com Co Services. Kathleen picked them herself.”
Marise nodded slowly. There it was. “And the project? It’s still private?”
“She hasn’t even published. Not a word. Everything’s locked down until she’s ready.”
“That must be frustrating for you.”
Ted shrugged. “I respect her. She’s got vision. Besides, I’m only the assistant.”
They paused as their food arrived. The smell of charred meat and butter filled the air. They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes.
Then Marise said softly, “You really admire her.”
Ted nodded. “Kathleen’s brilliant. And kind, even if she’s a little awkward. Most people don’t see her clearly.”
Marise sipped her wine. “And you do?”
“I try to.” He glanced up at her. “But I’m not blind either.”
She tilted her head. “Meaning?”
“I know she’s secretive, and I get that, with work like this. But sometimes it feels like she’s carrying it all alone. Like she doesn’t know who to trust.”
Marise felt the words settle heavily in her stomach. She certainly had lost her trust.
Now she had the name of the cleaning firm, she could drop the Cass alias before Kathleen found out. “Maybe she’s right to be cautious,” Marise said quietly.
Ted nodded. “Maybe. But if you ask me, she needs people though she hasn’t figured out who yet.”
Marise didn’t comment on that, and the rest of the meal passed with more wine, more laughter, less guarded words. Marise made herself relax. Cass could enjoy this. Cass could smile and make Ted feel seen. Under it all, though, she was memorizing details and names. She wasn’t here for the wine and the food.
When they left the restaurant, the evening was cool and breezy. They walked to the subway where Ted was catching a train. “Thanks for tonight,” he said. “It was fun.”
“It was,” she said.
“Would you want to do it again soon?”
She nodded. “Sure. I’d like that. I’m busy for the next two weeks. What say I ring you when I’m free.”
He smiled, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Sounds good. Goodnight, Cass.” He leant over and gave her a quick kiss.
