The Speed of Sound (Speed of Sound Thrillers #1)(30)
“Yes, sir,” Stephen answered nervously. “I wouldn’t have interrupted otherwise.”
Dr. Fenton stood up and spoke calmly. “Stephen, this is Betina Winters and her lovely daughter, Rachel. Why don’t you show them around our facility? It shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes to rejoin you.”
Fenton picked up the phone as soon as Stephen ushered out the mother and daughter. “Get up here.”
CHAPTER 25
Harmony House, Woodbury, New Jersey, May 24, 11:32 a.m.
Lunch on Wednesdays was hot dogs and tater tots. Eddie rated today’s a four and a five, respectively. The vegetable was corn, which he found too soupy. He spit out the one bite he took and only gave it a one. Dessert was a choice of green Jell-O or vanilla pudding. Eddie took both. He sampled the Jell-O, but thought it too firm. Two. He shoved it away. The pudding, however, was so good that he gave it a rare five plus. He licked the small dish clean and returned to the service line.
When Jerome saw him coming, he turned and quickly started to walk away. After the last incident, he had adopted a policy of avoiding Eddie, if possible.
“Hey, Jerome, why are you walking away so fast?”
“Got dishes to clean.”
Eddie made his BUZZER sound. “Not true. Definitely not true.”
Jerome paused. “How would you know, man?”
“Dr. Fenton says I’m a walking polygraph.”
The man from Harlem bugged out his eyes. “For real?”
“For real.”
Jerome decided to give Eddie a test. “My birthday is April 19.”
Eddie made his BUZZER sound. “Not true. Definitely not true.”
Jerome was impressed. “I was born the day before. April 18.”
“True.”
Jerome decided to go another round. “My middle name is Malikai.”
“True.”
“I’m the youngest in my family.”
Eddie made his BUZZER sound. “You are not the youngest.”
Jerome shook his head. “I got four younger sisters.” He thought about what a power Eddie possessed. And what a burden. “Goddamn.”
Eddie looked puzzled. “Are you angry, Jerome?”
“No, Eddie. Look, I just better go, okay?”
“Okay. But I wanted to tell you the vanilla pudding got a five plus, and I almost never give any food a five plus.”
Jerome nodded his appreciation. “Is that your highest rating, five plus?”
“Yes. It’s only the second five plus I’ve given this year. The first one was for the green beans served for dinner on Wednesday, February 22, because they were the best green beans I have ever tasted.”
Jerome moved closer to him. “You know who made the pudding today?”
“The same person who always makes the pudding. You, Jerome.”
“Give the man a booby prize.”
“What’s a booby prize?”
“It’s something you win.”
“Why is it called a booby?”
Jerome shrugged. “Got me.”
Eddie looked confused. “Got you what?”
Jerome noticed his boss, Ida Peroni, moving toward them from across the cafeteria. She was shaking her head with displeasure. Jerome spoke quickly. “I got one last pudding. I was kinda saving it for myself, but you can have it if you like.”
“For real?” Eddie asked the question like Jerome had.
“For real.”
Eddie looked thrilled as Jerome handed him the pudding. He held it like a prized trophy as Ida arrived. Trying to hide her concern, she asked, “Eddie, is everything okay?”
“Everything is a lot better than okay, Ida. Jerome is the best vanilla-pudding maker in Harmony House. You should give him a booby prize because it’s something you win.” He brushed by her, finishing the pudding before he reached his seat, where he was surprised to find Skylar waiting for him. There was pudding all around his mouth. She offered him a napkin as he licked the dish clean.
“I guess that pudding was pretty good.”
“Your guess is correct, Skylar. It was five plus.”
“You look like you slept well.”
“I did. For over sixteen hours. How long did you sleep last night?”
“A little over four hours.”
“Do you feel tired?”
“A little.”
He made his BUZZER sound.
“Okay, a lot. I’m very tired, if you want to know the truth.”
“You can take a nap in my bed if you want to. I can tuck you in like you tucked me in. My pajamas will be too big for you, though.”
“Thank you for the kind offer, Eddie, but no thanks.”
“Why did you only sleep for four hours?”
“Because I was reading about you.”
“Why were you reading about me?”
“Because I think you are one of the most fascinating people I have ever met.”
“I think you are one of the most fascinating people I have ever met, Skylar. Can I read about you?”
“I’m afraid there hasn’t been much written about me.”
“If you wrote your autobiography, I could read that.”
“I’ll make you a promise. If I ever write my autobiography, I’ll give it to you to read.”