Page 3 (1/2)

"They’re really nice people," Abby said softly

"They seem very healthy" Leah retreated into the foyer when a few partiers cast curious glances her way "Why do they need two doctors at their beck and call?"

Abby hesitated before replying, "They havespecial needs" With a quick smile, she motioned toward the double doors at the back of the foyer "My lab’s this way"

After one last worried glance at the party, Leah headed toward the double doors

"Not much of a people person?" Abby asked as she held open a door

Leah entered the next corridor "I’ve alanted to help people That’s why I became a doctor But I discovered I was better suited for lab work" And being alone

"I recognized the deer-in-the-headlights look on your face" Abby gave her a sympathetic smile "I felt the san rallies or state dinners It was all I could do not to throw up"

"Really?" Leah stared at her, stunned "But you seem soconfident"

Abby snorted "I learned to mask it, but I always felt terribly aard at social events Once I left the lab, I never knehat to say Is it like that for you, too?"

"Yes I’ve always found science much more reliable than people"

With a nod, Abby smiled "I felt the same waybut then I met my husband" She turned left into the corridor "Colanced about as she walked The left as interspersed with doors; the right as lass and overlooked a basketball court and a well-lit patio furnished with tables and chairs She spotted a gazebo covered hite twinkling lights in the distance So pretty "This looks like a nice place to work"

Abby nodded "I’m very happy here I have a fabulous lab"

Leah slanted a curious look at Abigail Holstein Could she actually becoer to befriend Leah in college and ht her out in hopes of free tutoring froe of fourteen and e of seventeen Dr Freakazoid, they had called her behind her back And when they’d no longer needed her to pass a course, they’d quickly disappeared

She’d started off so na&iu that people were often undependable and unpredictable Mercenary and coly harmless fish would turn out to be a shark The only way to remain safe was to remain alone

Science, on the other hand, she could trust Unlike people, chemicals bonded in a consistent, reliable manner They could break apart or combust only if she introduced a new variable In her lab, she was in control, queen of a universe where all her constituents obeyed the rules

She took a deep breath "When Dr Lee hired me, he said I would spend enetics research that interested him the most"

"Yes, we’re very excited about that" Abby slowed to a stop "Don’t let the nu very healthy They won’t need your services unless one of the a child"

Leah noticed that Abby’s hand had rin, Abby nodded "We found out last night"

"Wow Congratulations"

Her face bea, Abby leaned toward Leah "Don’t tell anyone, okay? We’re going to announce it at the party"

Leah nodded Would Abby be shocked to know she’d never had a friend confide a secret to her before? "I won’t say a word"

Abby clasped her hands together "Gregori is so excited And his ine your parents will be thrilled," Leah added

Abby’s smile faded a bit "I hope so"

Was there a problem there? A chill skittered down Leah’s spine, and she peered over her shoulder Another calanced at the camera "Maybe We have excellent security"

"Can they hear us?"

"I suppose, if they turn up the volued "I wouldn’t worry about it There hasn’t been an incident here since the bo deal No one was seriously hurt"

Leah’s mouth dropped open "This place was bombed?"

"I know it’s hard to believe someone would do that when synthetic blood saves so epeople out there" Abby patted her on the arhten you I’ain at the ca? "I know the world is full of weirdos"

Abby gave her a worried look "As you say" She walked forward a few steps, then stopped next to a door "Welcoori asked as he sauntered into the security office "It smells like Bubbly Blood in here"

"There was a wee accident" Angus al was partially hidden beside the desk, picking up shards of glass that were once a bottle and tossing theori greeted hihtened "Ito ad hio on us see on his wee accident

"Where’s Ro for his boss

Angus pointed at a hallhere Ro with Jean-Luc "They’re on their way to the party"

"I’ll give hiori punched a number on his cell phone, then asked Roman to head toward Abby’s lab in ten al located a broo to be his office, he’d start taking care of it now He swept up the last of the broken glass and dumped it into the litter bin

"I wonder what they’re talking about" Angus turned up the volu Abby and Leah

"We found out last night," Abby said, sratulations"

"Och,to be a father?"

Gregori grinned "Yep You bet your little plaid skirt"

Angus rolled his eyes "The puir bairn"

With a laugh, Gregori punched Angus on the shoulder "I knew Abby wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret She’s so excited"

"Congratulations," Dougal told hilanced over her shoulder straight at the ca around the handle of the dustpan