Read Online Sounds of Murder by Patricia Rockwell - Free Book Online Page B

put our heads together and solved all the world's
problems while downing a pitcher of Margaritas."
    "I for one,” said Arliss, perking up, "could
use several pitchers. The situation with the animal lab has me in
such an emotional pit that I just can't think straight."
    "Arliss, you can't let the animal lab become
your personal crusade," said Pamela.
    "Yes, dear," added Joan to Pamela's concerned
comment, "Make Bob Goodman handle it. He’s in charge over there—not
you. He needs to solve the financial problems in the animal
lab."
    "But, Joan, Pam, if he doesn't solve them
soon, he’ll be gone, and I’ll be out of a job," said Arliss, her
shoulders sinking in dejection.
    "Now, dear," said Joan, "you’re young. You
have your whole life ahead of you. What about going on for your
Ph.D.? Didn't you tell us that was your ultimate goal? If Grace
University's animal lab folds, it would be the perfect opportunity
for you to strike out on your own."
    "But, I don't want the lab folding to be my
motivation. I want my motivation to be something positive." Arliss
sat with her elbows on her knees looking down at the floor. She
shivered. "This lab means so much to me, to Bob; we’re doing such
important work there. I just don't see why the department can't
come up with enough funds to help us maintain it better."
    "There, there, dear," said Joan. "I’m sure
something will happen soon. You never know what’s around the
corner." Joan reached over and placed a soothing hand on Arliss’
shoulder.
    "I say we plan our Who-Who's outing
for this Friday, ladies," announced Pamela suddenly. "Okay?"
    Both women immediately perked up and nodded
in agreement. Joan smoothed her flowered dress. Arliss poked her
glasses up her nose. Both women seemed to realize at that moment
that it was getting late and that they needed to go.
    "Well, dears," announced Joan, grabbing her
keys from Pamela's desk and standing abruptly. "I must be going. I
have that paper for Educational Psychology Abstracts that
must be finished and off to the editor by tomorrow. It’ll be a late
night for me." She stepped lively to the door and turned, "Friday
it is. Who-Who's ." Then she was gone.
    Arliss remained seated. Pamela looked
suspiciously at her friend.
    "What is it, Arliss?"
    "Joan talking about me going back for my
Ph.D. just made me even sadder. I hadn't thought about that in
ages." Arliss lifted her head. "Pam, all I can think about is the
lab. You just don't know what a mess it is. I’m trying so hard, but
we don’t even have a graduate assistant. We have over 40 mice and
the two chimps, Sheila and Bailey. Bob’s making so many advances
with Bailey. You wouldn't believe how much progress he’s making
with the little fellow. Bailey is really recognizing and expressing
different human emotions. I mean, Bob’s close to a breakthrough.
And it all could be jeopardized because of Charlotte Clark and her
stupid million-dollar grants depriving our animal lab from getting
even the most meager of maintenance funding. Now that she’s dead,
there’s probably no chance of our lab ever getting any of that
funding."
    "Arliss," Pamela said, moved to see her
friend in such turmoil. "I wish there was something I could
do."
    "Just listen," replied Arliss. "Just listen."
The two friends sat like that for a second or two.
    Suddenly, Kent, appeared at the door. He was
wearing jeans and his customary black t-shirt, today with a flaming
dragon design on the front.
    "Hey, Dr. B, I contacted all our experimental
participants and cancelled them for today. I figured with the
police in the lab, you know, that we couldn’t collect data. Do you
think I should cancel our subjects for the rest of the week too?"
asked the energetic young man.
    "Kent, thank you for thinking of that. Yes,
cancel all week. Our experiment totally slipped my mind, what
with…" stammered Pamela.
    "It’s okay, Dr. B. I figured you’d be upset
after what happened last night," he said softly.
    "Kent, this is Miss