Chapter 67
Chapter 67
In the cozy private room on the third floor of Riverfield, a small crowd of seven or eight people–men and women alike- were fidgeting with anxiety.
“Hey, Dr. Pacheco,” one of them piped up, her voice wavering. “It’s been a good half–hour. You don’t think she’s a no–show, right?”
Daniel Pacheco checked his watch, his fingers tapping the smooth surface. “It’s only seven fifty–five,” he reassured them, trying to sound confident. “And we’re supposed to meet her at eight. We’re right on time.”
“But what if—” she started, her voice trailing off as a waiter’s voice interrupted their anxious chatter. “Miss, if you’d follow me, please…” the waiter called out.
The door swung open, and in walked Quiana. Her outfit was casual–a white t–shirt, comfortable pants, and white sneakers, with a baseball cap on her head. It was a simple look, but there was something about her that stopped everyone in their tracks.
Before they could blink, Daniel was on his feet, his hands wringing together. “Ms. Levine!” he exclaimed, his voice a mix of relief and respect.
“Ms. Levine?” someone echoed, their voice laced with disbelief. “Did he address her with respect?”
“I heard that too…” another chimed in, their eyes wide with astonishment.
Daniel was the top forensic expert in town, after all, but he had just called that girl “Ms. Levine” and treated her with such deference.
Quiana responded with a simple “Mmm,” her tone indifferent.
Daniel quickly pulled out the main chair, giving it a quick wipe with his sleeve. “After you,” he said, his voice filled with respect.
Quiana sat down, her posture relaxed and composed, as if she was used to this kind of attention.
Daniel waved the waiter over. “Dishes, please.” Actually, he had got everything ordered to Quiana’s liking.
As Quiana took a bite, Daniel couldn’t help but ask, “How’s the food? Like it?”
Quiana shrugged, “It’s okay.”
Daniel let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Good, good,” he said, a smile breaking through.
Everyone else at the table was just sitting there, their eyes wide. They’d never seen Daniel act like this, especially not with a young girl. It was like they were witnessing something they never expected.
“Wait… She looks familiar,” someone finally spoke up. “Like that lost girl of the Larrison family.”
“Yeah, now that you mention it…” another person chimed in.
The realization hit everyone like a punch to the gut. Phones came out, and fingers flew across screens.
“Whoa, it really is her!” someone exclaimed.
“What?” another one blurted out, his voice full of shock.
The group stared at Quiana and Daniel, their eyes wide with disbelief. “Dr. Pacheco, are you serious?” one of them asked.
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Chapter 67
Daniel frowned, his voice firm, “Absolutely.”
“Dr. Pacheco, she’s Quiana! You know who she is, right?”
“And she’s only twenty…”
“Can you believe she’d be into forensics? You think she’s cut out for this kind of work?”
Daniel frowned, “Why not?”
“She…” The questioner hesitated, “It just doesn’t add up.”
82%
The group
nodded in unison. Quiana was stunning–like a movie star, not some lab coat–wearing sleuth. Her hands were so delicate, that they seemed made for a manicure, not a lab.
Daniel’s voice was firm, “She’s young, but she’s got the skills.” He noticed their disbelief and his frown deepened, “I’ve seen her crack a case with evidence. She’s the real deal.”
He was hooked after witnessing her in action, practically stalking her for months until she finally took him on as an apprentice out of sheer annoyance.
It was a wild story, so someone said, “Dr. Pacheco, she’s the Larson family’s long–lost heiress. And she ended up in showbiz with all those scandals.”
“I was wondering who kept us waiting for so long…” another one complained.
“We’re all here, and she’s late, acting like she’s the only one who matters. Who does she think she is?” the third one sneered.
As the group started snarking, Daniel’s face darkened. He glanced at Quiana, who looked unfazed. He slammed his hand on the table. “Did I ask you to tag along?” he snapped.
Daniel had planned to go it alone, but when his buddies found out he was bringing in Ms. Levine, they just had to get involved.
“If I knew Quiana was in on this, I’d have skipped it, no matter what,” one of them grumbled.
“Quiana doing an autopsy? That’s about as likely as pigs flying,” another scoffed.
“If she can handle an autopsy, I’ll drink all the formaldehyde in the lab,” someone else joked.
“What a buzzkill!” the group groaned, feeling like they’d been played by Daniel. They got up and left without a second thought.
Only a short–haired girl remained, the one who hadn’t spoken a word the whole time. She noticed Daniel and Quiana looking at her and quietly said, “I trust you, Dr. Pacheco.”
Daniel introduced her, “This is Erin Norris, my apprentice.”
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