Page 52 of Ancient Obsession

“Oh, um. I told them what I’ve told you, Dylan, and Samira. It was some kind of fungal spore, not yet identified.”

“I see.” Dr. Brennan glanced back at Vera, and by her reaction, Oliver guessed it wasn’t friendly. When Brennan returned her attention to him, Oliver pressed himself back against the wall a little more. Dylan hovered menacingly over her shoulder, smirking like a henchman. He crossed his arms, biceps practically tearing the sleeves of his polo shirt.

“We were just curious what it might be.” Oliver tried to keep his voice from shaking, but failed. Sweat dampened his armpits and the small of his back.

“We wanted to know if we should go to the hospital and get tested for something,” Robin said. “Make an environmental report.”

Dr. Brennan retreated a few steps. “There’s no need for that.”

Robin edged toward the exit as they shrugged. “We don’t know that. You may not have wanted us there, but you allowed us to observe. And when Oliver helped out, you thanked him. All of that is on the video Beryl and Ricky were making, I’m sure. We deserve to know the same information you’re giving your team about that stuff.”

“You will be provided all the relevant details once Vera has finished her analysis and come to a definitive conclusion.”

“Great. Thanks. That’s all we wanted to know.” Robin met Oliver’s eyes. “We should get to class. Professor Garrity is expecting us.”

“Yeah.” Oliver slipped past Dr. Brennan and Dylan to join Robin near the exit. “Thank you for the information, Vera. Let us know if you need anything from us.”

“Sure. Of course.” Vera nodded, then frowned. “I don’t have your numbers.”

“Beryl has my number,” Robin said, gently nudging Oliver toward the door. “Thanks again.”

They both speed-walked down the hall.

“That was quick thinking,” Oliver said once they’d made it outside. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, no problem. Dylan was in full fuckhead jock mode, wasn’t he?”

“Good way to put it.” He squeezed Robin’s shoulder. “Thanks again. I don’t know what Dylan or Dr. Brennan were planning, but it didn’t feel good. You did great deflating their posturing.”

Robin nodded, staying quiet a moment. “Do you think the two of them could have stolen the mummy and killed Lucien and Dominic?”

“What motive would they have?”

“Stealing the mummy would give them more attention,” Robin said. “And maybe Lucien and Dominic found out and threatened to turn them in.”

Oliver nodded as he considered it. “Dylan is strong. He could have carried the mummy out of the room.” He thought about the damage to the apartment doors for both victims, the broken limbs and bruising around their throats. If Dylan was prone to angry outbursts, he might have been able to inflict all of it. “It’s something to consider. Vera did seem nervous around them.”

“I think she’s nervous around most people.”

They’d reached the Communications building by that time, and Robin held the door for Oliver. “I wonder where Samira’s been the last couple of days? Are you going to give Dr. Brennan her notebook?”

Oliver felt a twinge of guilt as he entered the building. He hadn’t shared with anyone about hearing the scream and finding the swatch of material in the spot Samira had set for their meet up. The longer they went without hearing from her, the more Oliver worried for her safety.

“Not right away,” he finally said. “After how Dr. Brennan treated me just now, she’d most likely have me thrown in jail.”

“True.”

“I just hope Samira’s staying safe.” Oliver gave Robin a tight smile. “For her sake as well as mine.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The man fitting Cody for his tux stepped back and crossed his arms. “You’ve gained some weight.”

“Well, your breath smells like roadkill, but here we are,” Cody snapped back.

With a huff, the man stalked away and disappeared through a curtain.

“Really?” Dave said from his chair.