Hidden Abnormality

4. Omalonumero Phobia

Chapter Four
 

  "Welcome back, Mr. Mestiere," my receptionist greeted.

  I waved at him half-heartedly. "Good morning, David."

  He stood up and started to say more as I opened my office door. "What?"

  "The doctor from Hallway Z is in your office, sir," he replied quietly.

  I frowned. "Oh. Thank you, David."

  He nodded and sat in his seat again.

  Holding the door handle with a newfound grip, I dreaded opening it the rest of the way. What would David think if I started to hold up a conversation? Would he think I was acting weird? Or would he understand why I was stalling to enter my own office?

  "I tried to get him to come back later. When you had already been inside for a few minutes. He would have nothing of it."

  I nodded slowly. "Thank you. For trying."

  David gave me a tight smile. "Of course, Mr. Mestiere. I haven't been working here the entire time with you to only answer your phone calls."

  "Of course not," I chuckled. Maybe I should sit out here and chat with David longer. It had been a long time since I had sat down and given my receptionist my attention.

  Unfortunately, I feel Mr. Opus wouldn't have that either. So, I put on my fake face and stepped inside my office.

  Before I could say or do anything more, Mr. Opus opened his mouth. "I heard you asked for the videos of 12z figuring out your puzzles."

  To say I was stunned was the least worrying thing at this moment. I had called the supervisor of hallway Z after I dropped Jaz off at school to find out how I could obtain the video clips of 12z handling the puzzles I had made for her. No less than ten minutes ago I had hung up with the supervisor.

  He told me I would have to make sure it was alright with Doctor Opus first. If he thought it was a good idea, he would easily hand over the clips.

  I had planned on waiting until the end of the day to discuss this with the grumpy man. Yet, here he was. Sitting in the chair across from my own, waiting for a reply, in the morning.

  "I did," I replied simply. Taking my time to walk to my seat seemed to frustrate the man. So I took an even longer time.

  Placing my things at the foot of my desk, setting my phone beside my computer mouse, and lazily sitting back in my chair had never seemed so appealing before. The man before me squirmed and frowned as if he was a very busy man and I was taking up too much of his precious time.

  "Why do you want the video?" he asked.

  "Plural. Videos. I told you yesterday. I want to find the flaws in her ways of discovering things. To do that, I need to watch her closely. More than before. Having those videos would make things a lot easier."

  The doctor clasped his hands together tightly. "You do understand that this is my property? You don't have the right to waltz into my district and take over my subjects."