The Flicker Men by Ted Kosmatka Read Free Book Online Page A

never dated.”
    â€œI understand the sentiment, I do, but I have to be honest with you. I don’t think this is the kind of thing that will change the review board’s mind.”
    â€œThat’s not why I’m doing it.”
    â€œThen why?”
    And how could I explain the need? A thing I barely understood myself—the rightness of that moment when I opened the crate and saw what was inside: the experiment that physics had been living in the shadow of. As if I was meant to see it. The gulf between the quantum world and relativity that physics could not cross.
    When I didn’t answer, he walked over to a stool and sat. “Please,” he said, gesturing to a chair. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” His expression was solemn.
    I sat.
    â€œEric, I don’t normally do this, but I wanted you to know that I’ve made a few inquiries on your behalf.”
    So the visit wasn’t so random after all. “You didn’t have to do that.”
    â€œIt turns out there are projects already in place here that could use a good researcher like you.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œFor the most part, we hire people who drive their own paths here, as you know, but sometimes a project will grow beyond expectations, and researchers start looking for good team members. There’s a small team in South building that could use another body.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œDr. Lee. He already has two other researchers working with him.”
    â€œAnd I’d be the third wheel, is that the idea?”
    â€œWell, fourth, technically, counting him. He said he could plug you right in. He welcomes another set of gloves on the project. His words exactly.”
    â€œHe doesn’t know me. Why would he say that?”
    â€œBecause I lied and told him you were easy to work with.”
    â€œYou mean, you asked him for a favor. Did you tell him I was charming, too?”
    â€œMy dishonesty goes only so far.”
    I took a moment, imagining how that conversation might have gone.
    â€œYou don’t need to do this,” I said.
    â€œWe all need favors from time to time. Favors are what make the world go round.”
    And I could see he believed it. Or wanted to. “I already owe you,” I said.
    â€œIt will still be tricky, but there’s a chance, if you worked with Dr. Lee…” His words trailed off. I realized he couldn’t even bring himself to say it.
    â€œThe review board might overlook my lack of productivity?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s possible. Like I said, it’s just a chance. I don’t want to make any promises.”
    â€œAnd what chance would you be taking, playing favorites like that? You have bosses, too, isn’t that what you said to me?”
    â€œLet me worry about that.”
    â€œI’m not letting you risk your own position to help me.”
    â€œThe risk is small.”
    I studied his face, looking for the lie. I didn’t trust his evaluation of risk. He’d put himself in harm’s way before. And it had cost him.
    â€œYou haven’t even mentioned what Dr. Lee is working on,” I said.
    â€œDoes it matter?”
    I stared at him.
    â€œMacrophages,” he said.
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding.”
    â€œYou’re too good for macrophages?”
    â€œHardly,” I said. “I don’t know anything about them.”
    â€œWhat’s there to know? Besides, you’re a quick learner. He needs assistants, not PhDs.”
    â€œIt’s not my area. It will quickly be apparent to everyone involved that it’s not my area.”
    â€œThen what is your area, exactly?” He snapped. He hadn’t expected this resistance. It was the outrage of a man who’d just thrown a life ring, only to see the drowning man paddle in the other direction. “You turned your back on all the work you did at QSR.”
    â€œI had my reasons.”
    â€œWhat