Something of a Kind - By Miranda Wheeler Page 0,54

me feel crazy.

“We’re not saying it’s impossible, we’re not even saying you children are lying,” Adam continued. “We haven’t even factored in the plentiful abundance of natural factors that could explain it.”

“The plentiful abundance,” Aly repeated offering an unimpressed stare.

Adam swallowed, pulling at his turtle neck. Fidgeting, he straightened, folding his hands on the table. Maggie paced behind him.

“We take our jobs seriously, Alyson,” Maggie suggested. Warnings and implications rolled from her paper thin lips. “Just think about that for a second.”

I can’t get mad. Just breath.

“I don’t need to do anymore thinking,” Aly clarified. “Unless you’re seeking recollection.”

“We’d appreciate it if you would recollect a little harder.”

I don’t really see how trying to be helpful warrants scolding from two strangers. If they think I need a parent, mine should be outside somewhere.

She bit her tongue.

“Ask away,” Aly replied.

Maggie glared.

“All right,” Adam cleared his throat, motioning towards her. “Why do you think your evidence is real?”

Aly quirked a brow. “That’s your job, right? To find out if he’s real?”

“We’re attempting,” he said flatly. “Let me paraphrase. Why should we spend our time investigating your case?”

“Let me paraphrase,” Aly repeated, “You want me to justify to you why you should believe me.”

“Inevitably,” Adam confessed. “It’s suspicious.”

“You could start by ex plaining why I need to defend myself to you. All I did was make a report. It’s a wonder you get anywhere with this research, choking the life out of everyone who offers you anything. Except, of course, you don’t, because Greg’s my long-lostfather who everyone hates. I get it, okay?” She groaned, burying her face in her hands. Look up suddenly, she tucked a curl behind her ear. “You guys have forensic scientists and everything, right?”

Maggie had stopped pacing. Both stared.

I guess I’ve effectively name-dropped.

“Those kind of tests…” Adam faltered. “That’s asking our limited budget to dish over hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. It’s asking a lot.”

“There’s lie detectors and image specialists,” she pressed. “Why don’t you have that on-staff if you’re such an authority?”

“How would you know about any of that?” Maggie demanded.

“My mom worked late shifts before she died. When your options are between N.C.I.S. or Paid Programming, you make difficult choices. I’m also well-versed with the Cooking Network, now can we get on with it?”

“Right,” Adam muttered.

Aly couldn’t tell if he was uncomfortable with the big D, or moving off topic. He seemed uncomfortable with her in general.

“That’s why you’re with Gregory?” Maggie blurted. Her jaw was in danger of hitting the floor. Aly bit her lip, looking at her hands. She didn’t want to know what her father had been claiming.

“Yeah,” she sneered, unable to make contact. Pain was eating at her chest. “Want a DNA test too? Unless, of course, that would bleed the bank.”

“She didn’t mean anything by it,” Adam sighed, pitching the bridge of his nose.

Aly wasn’t sure who he was placating, but silence wedged into the conversation. The tapping of Maggie’s heels as she resumed pacing bounced off the walls. She realized it had never been an interview, but an interrogation. With her patience thinning, Aly smirked at the thought of making it a crime scene.

“Do you even believe they’re out there?” she asked finally, shooing the elephant from the room. They exchanged glances, surprise carved into their faces.

Adam said, “We know they exist. What we don’t know is if your experience is legitimate.”

“Rowley told me all about your technology when I was outside. I know that if you wanted to, you could stop wasting your time looking for a confession and utilize the photographs.”

“You do realize that claiming to know a lot about this is draining your credibility down to nothing, right?” Maggie spat.

“Do you realize insinuating I’m a know-itall isn’t going to make me say I’m lying, right?” Aly retorted, anger welling in her chest.

“Your father is the head of this sector, and you’re a child – his child. What foundation do you have for these claims? Why are you pushing this? I’m trying to keep you from embarrassing Greg,” Maggie demanded.

“Why does this have anything to do with my father?” Aly hissed. “He doesn’t own more than a thought in my entire day.”

“You’re lucky, then. I-”

“There’s no basis for you to decide he affects anything about me or influences any part of me,” Aly continued, seething. “Whatever your obsessive personal vendetta, it’s unwarranted. I’m here to assist with a research project on an animal, and you’re acting like I’ve personally crossed you. It’s totally juvenile.”

“You’re just like him,” Maggie