Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 7

Will and Louis walked in to Rachel's office just as the squirrelly psych left. Will waved to the nervous man and then stared at the psychologist's back as he walked down the hallway.

"Why does he smell like fruit?" Will asked closing the office door

"He met Bella," answered Rachel, motioning them to take a seat.

Louis plunked down with a sour scowl. "What's the torture for tomorrow?"

Will sat with a wince at his partner's words. Torture to one... something else for the other. He kept his mouth shut. Louis didn't want to talk about it, and he certainly wasn't going to bring it up in front of Rachel.

"Two tests actually," said Rachel as she laid out folders for them. "The first is with Louis only, practicing the range of selective shrinking, so you'll have to come in half an hour early to complete that and rest."

"Two?" said Louis, voice clipped and low.

"You need the practice, and then..." Rachel got up from her desk and picked up a tiny wire cage behind her. In it a white mouse with red eyes licked it's hands. "We get to test out oxygen absorption with this guy. Meet Dory. You've already met him actually, but now you're formally introduced."

Will tilted his head, and then it clicked. "So... this is the "animal organism"?"

"Yes," said Rachel.

Will thought for a moment. "Well, it could have been worse."

"Worse how?" asked Louis.

"It could have been a frog."

"A fro—" Louis broke off as Rachel smirked. "Frog in your throat..."

Will gave a small smile and shrugged.

"Fanboy."

Rachel continued outlining the rest of the test for tomorrow, and Will managed to keep a smile pinned to his face. But unease settled in his mind like a thick fog.

***

Milton bumped into the red-head as he took his place back under the stairway, observing Main Tech and a late breakfast in hand. Dr. Sampson, Rachel he should say, had told him to narrow his analysis to three pairs of agents, the red-head and the Asian woman, Reese Carmichael and Benita Chang, the blond and the auburn men, Louis Patriarch and William Rowe, and the two women he had seen earlier Megan Shiloh and Teegan Carry. If he had any observations on any other personnel then he should feel free to take note of them. Rachel had also, thankfully, given him very simple directions to a vending machine and he satisfied his hunger with a Snickers bar and a bag of Sunchips. He'd find his way to the break room later.

Licking a bit of melted chocolate from his thumb, Milton, caught a frown of frustration on William's face as he looked at his partner. Louis didn't seem to notice, in fact no one did. Something was in conflict between William and his partner. From Louis' posture and attitude, he seemed standoffish and unapproachable. What his attitude hid Milton did not yet know.

As Milton wrote his thoughts down, the red-head, Reese, stumbled into his shoulder again, muttering apologies as he meandered back to his desk. Reese seemed preoccupied as well according to his posture.

Later, as he left for the day, Milton found his wallet in his briefcase instead of his jacket pocket. And it was missing a few of his business cards. He reviewed over the day, remembering the few times he had taken his wallet out at the vending machines. Then the stumbling red-head. Milton smiled. Perhaps he would have to change his original observation about Reese. And maybe have a little fun.