Read J.M. Dillard - War of Worlds: The Resurrection for Free Online Page B

curved in a satisfied grin. He closed the watch and slipped it back into his pocket.
    "Blaaackwoood!"
    The door to Blackwood's office slammed open, and a researcher dressed in a white smock stormed in. This man looked like Dr. Solomon, only thinner . .. except that his shoulders and balding head were sprinkled with brightly colored confetti. The children began to titter. Even Jacobi smiled; Suzanne forced herself to maintain a serious expression.
    The researcher glared at Blackwood, then realized that Jacobi was standing nearby. "I'm glad Dr. Jacobi is here to witness this, Blackwood," he snapped. "This has all the markings of another one of your infantile practical jokes!"
    Blackwood took a step toward him and said in a confidential tone, "Jeffrey, you really should see someone about that scalp condition." More giggles escaped.
    "You should see someone about your mental condition!" Jeffrey shouted.
    At that, someone in the group roared; that did it. The children howled. Jeffrey did a beautiful double take. In his fury, he apparently hadn't noticed that he had an audience. His anger faded to self-consciousness, then to red-faced embarrassment.
    Blackwood gestured at him like a leading man encouraging his co-star to take a bow. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce Dr. Guterman, the next stop on your field trip. Dr. Guterman doesn't subscribe to my assumption theory, and occasionally finds things falling down on him when he walks through doorways."
    "I'll get you for this, Blackwood," Guterman thundered. He stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.
    Blackwood was nonplussed. "Why don't you look around the room for a few minutes," he told the sixth-graders, "while Dr. Guterman regains his composure?"
    While the children milled around the office, Blackwood strolled over, hands in his pockets.
    "Inspiring young minds is so rewarding. Morning, Ephram." He turned to Suzanne, his blue eyes regarding her curiously. "Hi—Harrison Blackwood."
    "Suzanne McCullough." She felt herself frosting up. He was a charmer, just a little too glib. There was a boyishness about him that reminded her uncomfortably of Derek; he even resembled him a little physically. The fact both attracted and repelled her. But he was still too pleased with his joke on Guterman to notice.
    Jacobi sensed her disapproval and quit smiling. "I really do wish you'd leave that poor fellow alone, Harrison," he chided mildly. Suzanne got the feeling he said it only for her sake.
    Blackwood grinned unrepentantly. "And give up all my fun?" It was clear he wasn't in the least bit afraid of Jacobi. He turned to Suzanne. "I'm a firm believer that a person's reaction to a harmless practical joke is a window to his—or her—soul."
    She eyed him coolly. If he wasn't afraid of Jacobi,
    then, by God, she wasn't afraid to let him know what she thought of his childish antic. "Does that apply to whoopie cushions as well, Doctor?"
    He blinked, but his cheerfulness never wavered. She got the feeling he understood exactly what she meant but didn't give enough of a damn to take offense. He went right on to the next thought without missing a beat.
    "Ephram—now that I have you. Whatever happened to my request for a microbiologist?"
    She drew in a breath. So Jacobi hadn't even told him about her! She'd moved across country to come here to work for Blackwood, and Blackwood didn't even know yet....
    Jacobi's expression was smug. "Have I ever denied you, Harrison?" He rested a supportive hand on Suzanne's shoulder. "Dr. McCullough has just joined us. She's yours if you want her."
    "In a manner of speaking," she said, qualifying Jacobi's statement, then blushed to think that she had called attention to the double entendre herself.
    But Blackwood politely ignored the remark. "Welcome to the Pacific Institute of Technology and Science ... or, as we so fondly refer to it, the PITS." He extended his hand.
    Without thinking, she hesitated.
    His smile widened