Stacy and Natalia Have Lunch

As Natalia bustled about in the kitchen, Stacy asked her from the lounge: "Do you know where I work? I suppose I ought to ring them and tell them I'm sick or something." "You gave up your job several months ago to devote all your time to your research." "Perhaps that explains why I've only got seven dollars in the bank, unless I've got a second account hidden away somewhere. I'm very grateful for your hospitality, Nat, but I ought to warn you that I may not be able even to pay for my food."

Natalia came through into the lounge, and threw her arms around Stacy in a hug. "Don't be silly," she said. "I wouldn't think of taking money from you. I know that you'd do the same for me were our positions to be reversed." Natalia's face was very close to Stacy's, and Stacy thought for a second that she was going to kiss her full on the lips. But Natalia seemed to change her mind at the last moment, released Stacy from the hug, and went back into the kitchen. Stacy couldn't tell what her own reaction would have been had Nat kissed her. Were they simply very close friends, or was there something more between them?

Her musing was interrupted by Natalia's call of: "Lunch is ready!" It was some sort of chicken and pasta dish out of a packet. Natalia didn't strike Stacy as the domesticated sort; she guessed that Nat's cookery skills were probably fairly minimal and that most of the meals she would get would be microwaved. Stacy found herself fantasising about rare steak for a moment, but then put that out of her mind and set to eating the meal in front of her. It was palatable enough, and they had some icecream for dessert.

Afterwards, they made themselves comfortable in the lounge. Stacy was about to ask Natalia again whether there was anything else she should know, but before she could do so Natalia asked her: "You did bring your journal with you, didn't you?" "You know about that?" "Of course. We don't have any secrets from each other, Stacy." "Yes, I brought the journal, and all my research material, including print- outs of stuff that was on my computer." "Good. Did you erase all the files on your computer's hard drive before you left?" "No. As far as I could tell, there wasn't anything very sensitive, though I did find the last email exchange I'd had with the Professor." "Could I see the print-out of that?" Stacy fetched it and handed it over.

Natalia read it, then looked up. "He's certainly very plausible," she said.

1. "And?" Stacy said, trying to draw her out.
2. "Did he really work with my father?" Stacy asked.
3. Stacy suddenly remembered Natalia's phone call to her. "What were you referring to when you asked if I'd changed my mind?" she inquired.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree