Radiant Oddities (Anomaly Saga #4)

4

The next morning at seven AM sharp, Chandler arrived outside the pet shop. They weren't open yet. No reptiles at the moment. Light rain began to fall.

Only one minute late, Alice came walking around the corner and approached Chandler. She held a blue umbrella, and she stared eagerly at him through silver-rimmed spectacles. "Hello!" she said.

Chandler gave a curt nod. "Hello. I'm assuming you wanted to ask me out on a 'date'?"

Alice laughed. "Straight to the point! I like that. And the answer is, well, kind of. But mainly," she looked around as if she was checking to see if anyone was watching, "I want to come with you! I may have eavesdropped a little on your interview with Ms. Lockley."

Chandler stood in silent amazement for a moment. "Come with me?" he finally said, not exactly sure how to react. "It's very dangerous. I'm good at evading death."

"So am I! I've survived three car accidents!"

"You'll need to know how to use a gun."

"I've shot at a range before! My dad used to take me shooting once every month."

Chandler hesitated, trying to think of another excuse. "Is Ms. Lockley aware of this?"

"No, but I think she'll forgive me when we come back with a finished case!" she patted the laptop bag she had slung over her shoulder.

Chandler nodded. "Why? Why do you want to risk your life so badly?"

For the first time, Alice's cheerful smile was replaced by a contemplative frown. "Well, I just . . . I just want to do something, you know? Being a secretary is really boring. I like you, Mr. Chandler. Not many people would be willing to do what you did and accept that mission so quickly. I'd like to solve the Sunnyville case with you. It'll be fun! Dangerous, maybe, but a wonderful and new experience all the same."

Chandler pondered this. "You didn't sound this excitable when we first met."

Alice nodded. "Ms. Lockley told me to act all subdued while I'm at work. Apparently, my personality 'doesn't benefit her vision of the workplace'. That's another reason I'd like to join you. She'll see that I can do so much more."

Chandler stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You know what? As long as you accept the risk, you can come. The supplies should be here in five minutes. After that, we drive off to Sunnyville."

"Into the unknown," said Alice, her eyes wide in awestruck wonder. "Thank you so much. You won't regret this!"

"Into the unknown," Chandler replied. "Welcome aboard, Alice."