was angry. Her face was red under her tanned skin, her body rigid.
Shelly Cates was a fit woman in her early forties. Her hair was up in a tight ponytail. She was the type of person who seemed more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt, but in the museum she always wore nice suits usually topped by a lab coat. She had come to the profession late. After being a stay-at-home mom, she got an undergraduate degree in geology and took courses in museum management. Her job meant a lot to her.
“She has been pitching a fit in front of visitors in the museum,” said Shelly. “I was just about to call you.”
“Doc,” began Mike. “I’m sorry.”
“Mike, why don’t you and Shelly go talk in her office. I’m going to speak with Dr. Lymon.”
Mike hesitated a moment. So did Shelly.
“Now,” said Diane.
The two of them turned and went into Shelly’s office. Mike moved slowly and stiffly, favoring one side.
“Dr. Lymon, let’s go sit down, and you tell me what’s going on.”
Diane managed to maneuver Annette Lymon so she could shut the door to the geology lab, cutting off the view and the sound of the unfolding drama from the public. She held the office door open for Dr. Lymon, who reluctantly walked through and sat down behind the desk, as if she intended never to get up again.
“Now what’s this about?” Diane pulled up a chair and sat opposite her.
“How dare you hire him! I told you he is incompetent, and you gave him my job!”
“Dr. Lymon, who I hire isn’t your concern. You wrote me several letters telling me of your dissatisfaction and intention to quit. You told me you are severing ties with the museum. I had a position to fill. Mike is qualified. As far as you are concerned, that’s the end of the matter. Why were you looking for me?”
“To talk to you about giving him my job.”
“It’s not your job. And you can never come into the museum and make a scene. The visitors in the museum don’t need to be subjected to whatever problem you have with my hiring practices. Your letter said you are resigning the curatorship.” Diane was exasperated, but tried not to show it. She hoped she sounded matter-of-fact, but firm.
Dr. Lymon had a stubborn set to her face. Her chin was thrust out and her mouth was turned down into a frown. “That’s not the point. You didn’t have to hire him. Not him. He came on to me; did you know that?”
Diane was starting to get angry. She was glad she had an independent witness to the episode. “No, he did not come on to you. You came on to him. It was inappropriate, and if you weren’t leaving I would fire you. I have no tolerance for that kind of thing here.”
Angry tears sprang up in her eyes. “He’s lying. He’s just trying to get my job. He’s just trying to make himself look like he’s the wronged party.”
“Mike never told me about it. You were observed by another curator.”
Annette Lymon’s eyes grew wide. She was silent for a long moment. The tears spilled down onto her cheeks, leaving black mascara tracks. She grabbed a Kleenex from her purse and wiped her eyes.
“He rejected me. Do you know what that feels like? Who was he to reject me after all these years? After everything I’ve done for him. I put him through school.”
“He was your student. He doesn’t owe you sex, Dr. Lymon.”
“Doesn’t owe me? We were married for sixteen years.”
“What? Who are you talking about? Mike’s not your ex-husband.”
Dr. Lymon looked puzzled for a moment. “Not Mike. Ransford. I did everything for that son of a bitch, and he leaves me for that young slut.”
Diane suddenly felt way out of her depth. She hadn’t a clue how to treat the woman.
“I understand that your husband betrayed you terribly. But that wasn’t Mike’s fault; nor was it the museum’s. Is there anyone I can call for you? A friend or family member?”
Dr. Lymon shook her head.
“Why don’t you stay here and collect yourself before you go home.”
“Why did you give him this job?”
“I need a curator, and he had an excellent proposal with several good ideas for the museum.”
“I’ll bet that was the reason. I know about you and him.” Her eyes glittered as she stared at Diane.
“Dr. Lymon, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you alone in a state like this, and I’m ill equipped to give you what you need. I’ve called one of the nurses and she is going to stay with you until you are ready to go home. She’ll drive you, and I’m going to ask one of the security guards to follow in your car.”
Dr. Lymon didn’t say anything. Diane hoped that meant she agreed.
“Can I have your car keys?” Diane held out her hand.
“My keys?” Lymon looked at her as if she’d asked for a frog.
“Your car keys. For the guard. You don’t need to be driving home. I’m having someone take you.”
Dr. Lymon still had her keys in her hand from when she had arrived and saw Mike. She handed them over without a fuss. When Diane heard the nurse enter the lab, she got up and met her with a great deal of relief. It was Mrs. Pierce. She was a very motherly woman with a knack for comforting children. In a low voice, Diane told her the problem.
“It sounds like she’s had a break with reality, doesn’t it?” said Mrs. Pierce. “I’ll stay with her until she’s ready to leave, then take her home. Don’t you worry.”
“Thank you. I’ll have one of the security guards follow in her car.”
Diane led the nurse into the office and introduced her. Glad to be out of there, she walked to Shelly’s office to fetch Mike. She felt like taking one of his ears and pulling him down to his car.
“Look, Doc. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know she would be here. She hardly ever comes to the museum.”
“One of the nurses is taking her home.”
“One of the nurses?” said Shelly. “How about the police?”
“She’s confusing Mike with her husband at the moment. I’m trying to get her some help right now.”
“You mean she’s totally flipped?” said Shelly.
Diane called museum security, explained the situation to Chanell, her head of security, and asked that a guard be sent to escort Dr. Lymon when she was ready to leave.
“Damn,” said Mike. “Did she think I was him when-”
“No. I think it’s rejection that’s sending her over the edge right now. Anyway, Mike, while she’s in the office, I want you to come with me. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to see you.”
Mike followed her out, and Diane resisted the urge to grab his ear.
Chapter 34
“I’ve really pissed you off, haven’t I, Doc?” said Mike when they were alone in the elevator on the way to the third floor. “I had no intention of getting into it with Dr. Lymon, especially in front of visitors.”
“That wasn’t your fault. What I’m concerned about is your being out so soon. Does your doctor know?”
“You’re worried? Really?”
“Yes, and so is Neva.”
“If it were up to her, she’d tie me to the bed-not that that doesn’t hold a certain appeal-but really, if I’m going to get stronger, I have to be up and about.”
“Driving? Coming to work? Look, Mike, this is really none of my business, but as a friend, I do worry that you are pushing it too soon.”
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into the lobby in front of the staff lounge and headed toward the osteology lab.
“I know my limits.”
