Waking The Zed Read Online Free Page B

determine if anything about our process caused a failure.”
    “Hmm,” Enrico said. “Well, if you have a bit of free time I have some new designs I would like you to review. ” He shot Pam a quick and condescending look. “If you think Pam here can handle her station, that is, I really do have an urgent need for your attention.”
    He kept his eyes on Pam for a moment . As she met his eyes, she was sure his thin smile communicated triumph. Then he glanced back at Dr. Klein, and his oily features seemed to transform themselves instantly. He looked at the doctor with an expression that approached adoration. Pam quickly looked down to focus on her work station to hide her distress. She was glad he had attached herself to Dr. Klein because she certainly had no use for him now.
    “I think I can be spared,” Dr. Klein said. “There’s nothing particularly difficult to attend to at the moment.” Pamela stared at her monitor, but she could hardly tune out the conversation . If they weren’t trying to speak in code for arranging a little work break for hanky panky, I must have hatched from an egg yesterday.
    Dr. Klein turned to Pamela. Her tone was simply stern and businesslike. “Just send a text message if anything minor happens. If you think it is urgent, call me. Please, try to handle any routine matters yourself if you can.”
    “Sure,” Pamela said, glancing up at her boss. The arrogant smile told he r that her boss knew that Pam had suddenly guessed at her relationship with the young engineer. Everyone had always told Pam she was too transparent.
    The situation deteriorated rapidly and Pamela finally firmly decided against showing up for work the next day. She would simply leave her resignation in a text message later tonight after she had shared a glass of wine and a good rant with some of her friends. Hopefully the company would still send her final payment, and she could be off attending to business somewhere else. Pam started wondering if there were any friends or relatives she could tap for money. As a last resort the university’s financial aid office would certainly find her an on-campus job or a loan.
    The younger woman tried to keep herself from biting her li p as she said, “I will do my best. I believe I understand your instructions and can handle my station.” Though Pam attempted to keep her tone neutral, she was sure her facial expression betrayed her discomfort.
    “Of course you can,” Enrico said pleasantly. Suddenly Pamela forgot why she had ever found him attractive. Instead of looking handsome, his features simply struck her as oily and plastic. He suddenly reminded Pam more of an old science fiction TV show monster who could change faces at will than a romantic leading man. He’s as creepy as Dr. Klein. They belong together.
    Enrico gazed meaningfully back at Dr. Klein, Pamela actually thought he looked at the much older woman with the soft expression of a man in love, but there was oiliness about his manner then as well. Just a day ago, she would have sworn he had looked at her with the same deep interest. Feeling foolish, she turned back to her monitor and pantomimed the actions of somebody who was very interested in taking detailed notes.
    The pair left, obviously absorbed in each other, and perhaps a little giddy over lording their relationship and power over Pam. Narcissists need an audience. Not for the first time that day, Pamela considered getting up from her chair, replacing the lab coats, and leaving the premises. She could not remember the last time she had felt so discomfited by other people.
    But she had been raised with a solid Midwestern work ethic. Some petty squabble, or even a troublesome co-worker, did not excuse getting up and leaving her responsibilities in the middle of the day. Plus, I’ve got a lot of bills to pay. So far, Dr. Klein had, at least, helped her pay her bills with this job.
    Let me just get through today, and I can think tonight. I can get paid for