Experiment 5475

Two weeks later...

"How are your four assignments going? Have you started on your big assignment yet?" Robert asked, leaning back in his own office chair, a wide grin on his face. Nathan sighed, stretching his arms above his head, a smile finally breaking through his weariness. He had just, moments ago, clicked save on the final file, the last account closed before he could even think about the massive project for BMD Labs. "I actually just finished the last one. I'm going to deliver it to the boss today."

Robert turned, his eyes sparkling with pride for his best friend. "You know what that means, don't you? We have to go to the club to celebrate tonight! Bring Trixe along too, if you want. She might like it." Nathan groaned, the thought of a loud, crowded club instantly deflating his sense of accomplishment.

He hated clubs – the deafening bass vibrating through the floor, the sticky drinks, the cloying scent of cheap perfume and stale beer, the sea of swaying, drunken bodies. "I don't know..." He was almost certain Trixe wouldn't like it either. She had finally started to relax around him, the edges of her constant vigilance softening. He didn't want to jeopardize that fragile peace.

Robert hit him playfully on the back, a booming laugh escaping him. "Come on, man, live a little!" Nathan chewed on his lip, considering. Trixe hadn't really left the house in the past two weeks, except for a few cautious steps onto the porch. Maybe a change of scenery would do her good, even if it was a chaotic one.

He nodded slowly, picking up his freshly printed folder. "Fine. I'll ask her if she wants to come, but if she says no, she doesn't have to. Deal?"
Robert grinned, already turning back to his computer. "Deal."
Nathan rose, the folder clutched in his hand, and walked down the quiet hallway of the accounting firm. He stopped outside Mr. Jennings's door, gave a soft knock.

"Come in!" Mr. Jennings's gruff voice boomed from inside. Nathan pushed the door open. Mr. Jennings sat behind his large, mahogany desk, but another man stood opposite him, silhouetted against the bright window. He turned as Nathan entered, and an immediate prickle of unease ran down Nathan's spine. The man's eyes were dark, almost black, and his long, straight black hair framed a sharp, angular face. There was something in his gaze – a cold intensity, a way he seemed to assess rather than merely look – that made Nathan feel suddenly exposed.

"Umm, sorry to interrupt, sir," Nathan said, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling. He walked closer, placing the folder on Mr. Jennings's polished desk. "I just finished the last of my assignments. I'm ready to start the assignment for BMD Labs." the dark-eyed man looked at Nathan with a slow, appraising gaze, one eyebrow lifting slightly. He seemed to take in every detail, from Nathan's sensible tie to the slight tremor in his hand. "Perfect timing, Thompson," Mr. Jennings said, gesturing towards the man. "Nathan, this is Don Smith, Co-owner of BMD Labs." Nathan's eyes widened.

This was the man behind the new, huge account. He quickly extended his hand, pushing down the odd feeling of being scrutinized. The man's lips curved into a faint, almost amused smile as he took Nathan's hand, his grip surprisingly firm. "Hello, sir, Nathan Thompson."
As Don released his hand, they both faced Mr. Jennings again. "He'll be the accountant working on your case," Mr. Jennings explained, his voice business-like. "Here's his employee card if you want to call him for any reason." Mr. Jennings slid a white card across the desk – Nathan's employee ID, with his work number and a standard headshot. Don's long fingers picked it up, his thumb idly tracing the edges.

Mr. Jennings then reached into a drawer beneath his desk, pulling out four thick, weighty folders. Nathan's eyes widened. The folders, stacked high, looked like they contained enough paperwork to build a small fort. "This is all the records. If you have any questions about anything, the company number is inside." He slid the formidable stack closer. Nathan picked it up, the weight of the folders a literal burden. He couldn't help letting out a soft sigh. This was definitely going to take forever.

"Get to work, boy," Don's voice was low, almost a purr, but it carried an undeniable command. Nathan simply nodded in Don's direction, the hairs on his neck prickling, before turning and walking out of the office, closing the door softly behind him. He didn't look back.

Don watched the door for a moment, a slow, predatory smile spreading across his face. "He said his name was Nathan Thompson, correct?" he murmured, pulling the employee card from his pocket and looking down at the picture. "Yes, sir." Mr. Jennings replied. Don hummed, rubbing his jaw. "Interesting... very interesting." He couldn't wait to get back to the lab. Ms. Fisher would be delighted to hear they'd found Nathan Thompson. Right under their noses.