Green Table

FIVE

Renae stared at the orchids on her desk, the bright purples radiant, the smell sweet. It was thoughtful that he bought her flowers, yet deep down she knew it was a cover up to get his message to her without being suspicious; and it was nothing more than that. She didn't know why that bugged her. 
It seemed Cooper and her had the same two people in mind for the photo, and if it was true. They had to be careful about how they handled it. One question ate at her brain though, what are they trying to hide?

Not knowing where to start on today's work, she decided to take a trip up to the dig sites to ask about if they even had any available bones fore her to pull from. Turning her chair over to face Ricky, "Uh, Mr. Ammon? Do you know which dwelling the dig team is at today?" She questioned.
"I believe Tom mentioned he'd be digging at Spring house most of the day, it's about a 8 mile round trip hike with rough terrain, but the sights at the end are beautiful. You should really see them! I would wait until a Jeep can drive you up there though." Suddenly Ricky started acting paranoid. Talking speedily and panicked, "What are you needing? I can help?"
"Oh, no worries. I can wait for a Jeep. I just needed to ask some questions on my method of gathering DNA. And what lab room I'll be using to do so." It was true, she did need to know all that.

"Well then you're right those are questions for Tom or Dottie. It's close to noon maybe you can take your lunch and ask Dottie?" He shrugged.
This face looked less worried than before, glad he had avoided her going up to the dig.
"Perhaps your right." She turned back her chair to face the orchids, something isn't right. And Ricky's reaction to her questions further proved it. It seemed like they didn't want her to leave the bubble of the facility. What was out there that she shouldn't see? She would have to let Cooper know her suspicions. Cooper and herself were going to have to scope out the site themselves; since she wouldn't be getting any real information from anyone here. She couldn't take her mind off of it, as she tapped her pencil on the desk and stared at the flowers. What kind of criminal activity could they even be doing that would involved her?

Finally she decided to take a glance at the time that appeared on the computers bottom right screen. Noon; only noon. Thinking that there was no avoiding her talk with Dottie; she thought why not get it over with now. Taking one last look at the picture, slipping it back in the envelope and shoving it into her back pocket. She didn't want to leave it where someone could snoop in in. It wasn't like her to not trust others, yet there was something about the employees of EIA that made her uneasy. Even Ricky who was cheerful, knew more then he was letting on. That got her thinking maybe she shouldn't so easily trust Cooper either; yet he was a law enforcer. How could he be the bad guy? It was only her second day and she wanted to get the hell out of dodge.

* * * *

After searching the building for a good twenty minutes she finally stumbled upon a dark oak door, next to it slid into the name slot was a gold plaque engraved in elaborate cursive Dottie J Edinburg. Taking a deep breath she finally tapped on the thick wood, before even being able to knock a second time Dottie's strict voice boomed from the inside. "Come in" Renae slowly opened the door, it creaking only thickening the awkwardness that loomed the room. "I don't have all day, come sit."

Her office was the direct opposite of the rest of the lab, deep emerald green dripped down the walls. Gold frames adored with pictures of Dottie and celebrities covered the walls, the seats were red velvet with no backings. Dottie sat at her desk which was the darkest shade of black, her chair red with gold trim. It looked like a palace fit for a queen, she couldn't help but wonder as she sat down how does someone of her profession have the money to make her office this extravagant and fund a whole project the size of this one. Come to think of it she didn't know Dottie's real profession at all. This made her furrow her brows, and crinkle her lips tightly. She hardly knew anything about her, yet she left her life at MIT to come to dry Colorado. It made her feel silly, that she didn't think to do any prior digging before agreeing to come.