Free Shadow in the Pines by PJ Nunn Page B

hear you,” Dani mumbled around a mouthful of fries. She only had ten minutes to get to the lab, but thankfully it was one of her short days and she’d be out by four instead of six. “I’ve gotta run,” she got up, gathering her trash on the tray. “See you later!”
    “Laters!” Beth’s melodic voice followed her as she rushed to the door, stopping to drop off her tray.
    She’d intended to get to the lab early today, but with her stomach growling and her microbiology paper lacking there was just no way.
    “Hi, guys,” she said to no one in particular as she hurried into the lab. Several of the students were already waiting patiently at their stations. Without stopping to put on her lab coat, she dropped her stack of books on the desk and picked up a marker to start writing the day’s instructions on the board.
    “Okay,” she turned to face them when she was finished. “Today’s the big day,” she smiled. This group was composed mainly of freshmen, most of whom had no real interest in Biology other than meeting the degree requirements for their diplomas. It was amusing at the beginning of the semester, but as the weeks turned into months and the work got more challenging, her amusement faded fast. “For the next four weeks, you’ll be dissecting fetal pigs, mounting and labeling the organs, making wet mounts of each one, and writing a paper to describe your findings,” she said. “Those of you who still haven’t finished your frogs need to do so today. I want everyone’s pig signed out before you leave here. Got that?”
    Ignoring the murmurs and groans, she hoisted a plastic pail containing the specimens up on the table closest to the desk and said, “I’m ready when you are.”
    About half the students lined up holding large dissection pans with gloved hands and she watched as they each selected a specimen from the pail. Once everyone settled in, she started her rounds, observing each student in turn and helping out when it was needed. It promised to be a long and tiring day.
    ***
    “I’ll be right back,” a frazzled young man called over his shoulder, exiting the back door of the office as Noah came in the front.
    Scanning the office with a practiced eye, he noted the sparse furnishings and lack of storage. Only one small file cabinet in the corner gave any indication that it was an office at all. He stepped up beside the desk and placed a large hand on the calendar that covered it, twisting it until he could read the handwritten notes. Nothing of consequence there. With one hand in his pocket, he paced back and forth in the small waiting area, idly glancing at the photos of snakes that lined the walls.
    He’d finally gotten Thaddeus Gregory’s family records from the university’s stored records office and the results were pretty much what he expected. Thad’s father died last year of a stroke, but Noah reached his mother by phone late this morning. The last time she heard from Thad was six years ago. At that time, he was thrilled with his new job here at Ophidian and never mentioned anything about moving away. Noah’s heart sank as he heard the hope in her quivering voice when he introduced himself. It made him all the more determined to find some answers and give the poor woman the closure she needed. The next stop, after getting the records he wanted from the lab, was the dorm where Thad was living prior to his disappearance.
    “Sorry I took so long,” the young man came back in the same door he’d exited a few moments before. “Can I help you?”
    “Yeah, you can,” Noah sized him up swiftly. Tall and gangly, his frame could pass for a teenager, but the lines on his face and the expression in his eyes made him seem plenty old enough to have been here awhile. “Tyler PD,” he said, flashing his badge. “I need to see a list of employees and volunteers who worked here during these dates,” he handed him a slip of paper and watched closely for any sign of recognition.
    Narrowed