Wraiths of Time Read Free Page A

her, Tallahassee realized, with actual distaste, and she could sense his resentment. Was he one of those who disliked and downgraded any woman with a pretense of knowledge in their own field? She had met several of that ilk.
    â€œYou are quite young,” he commented in a way which made the observation vaguely offensive. “But surely you are aware that this place is not a proper one for social contacts.”
    He had looked beyond her at Jason. And if he was implying what she thought he was—Tallahassee had to subdue her flaring temper with every bit of control she could muster. After all, she would have to work with this man (whether either of them liked it or not) until the Brooke collection was catalogued.
    â€œWe have something to put in the safe.” She hated herself for even explaining that much, but she knew she had to. “And—” She opened her purse. For once luck was with her. That card was right on top, and she did not have to waste any time delving around in sometimes jumbled floating contents to find it. “I was given this. It is for you to call as soon as possible.”
    She laid the card down on the edge of Dr. Greenley’s overflowing desk and did not look at the man again as she went to the safe. As long as Hawes had not yet snapped on the night alarms she could open it.
    Jason, his mouth set in a way she well knew (he had his own temper, even if he had learned long ago how to keep it under), came around the other side of the desk with the case ready. She did not know nor care at the moment whether Dr. Carey had his precious phone number or not. As the door came open at her pull Jason slipped the case in. Tallahassee slammed the door, spun the dial. Still ignoring Dr. Carey, she walked to the phone and punched the number of Dr. Greenley’s home.
    â€œIs Dr. Joe in?” she asked as she heard Mrs. Greenley’s deep, pleasant voice. “Yes, it’s Tally. Oh. Well, when he comes in, tell him there’s something in the safe. It was picked up—by the FBI.”
    She had Jason’s nod to reassure her that she could keep to that story.
    â€œYes. They want an opinion on it. They’ll contact him tomorrow. No, I don’t know much more. But it’s terribly important. No, I’m not going home right away—Jason’s in town and we’re going to eat out. Thank you. I’ll ask him. Good-bye.”
    She set the phone down and smiled with angry brightness at Jason. “Mrs. Greenley says if you have time before you leave, do stop in and see her. Now”—she swung back to the man who had made no attempt not to listen in—“you have the reason for my being here, Dr. Carey. If you care to check on me, you need only call the Greenleys.”
    â€œNot so fast,” he said, as she turned away. “As you have been working on the Brooke files, I want you here the first thing in the morning. They must be completely rechecked, of course.”
    â€œOh course,” Tallahassee said softly. “You have your own methods of working—”
    â€œI certainly do!” he snapped.
    It came to her that he was watching her with a kind of outrage—as if the mere fact that she existed and must be a part of his daily round in the future was an insult which he found hard to bear. And his hostility was so patent that she began to lose her own control, but also grew curious at what had so forcibly triggered this seemingly instant dislike for her.
    As she and Jason went down in the elevator she was aware of something else. That feeling of a third person was gone, even her queer hunch was fading. Maybe she had left it all back in the safe and, if it did have any effect, let it bother Dr. Carey—it might do him some good.

Tallahassee sighed contentedly and Jason laughed.
    â€œFor a black chick you sure do put away a Chinese dinner in a competent manner,” he commented.
    â€œI like Foo Kong’s, I like