Destructive Reasoning (The Authorities Book 2) by Scott Meyer

Author:Scott Meyer [Meyer, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rocket Hat Industries
Published: 2022-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

Rutherford again found himself sitting in the driver’s seat of the parked minivan, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, looking at Casper Morrison’s house, which was now swarming with police. A steady stream of officers carried out weapons from the hidden gun closet.

Terri stood in front of the house, talking to Detectives Frederick and Burski. Frederick did most of the talking, but only looked at Terri occasionally as he talked. For the most part, his gaze, or to be more accurate, his glare was aimed straight at Rutherford. A few times Frederick pointed at the house, the other police, and one time up at the sky (though Rutherford suspected he was pointing at God), but it was clear that Rutherford was still Frederick’s primary topic.

Off to the side, across the street and a few cars down, Max and Chaz stood, having what had become an ugly public spat next to a second TurkMO remote-driven minivan Max had called to take Chaz somewhere that Terri would find him less of a disruption to the team’s work. Chaz took this as a rejection, not just of him professionally by the team, but romantically by Max, and he clearly believed both were unwarranted. He felt everyone involved was lucky he was present, and foolish for sending him away. He explained why at great length and escalating volume. Max stood by, listening, occasionally saying a quiet word or two before Chaz interrupted to reiterate his case.

Albert said, “Poor Max. He knows he has to send Chaz away, but you can tell he really doesn’t want to.”

Rutherford said, “He probably knew it would play out like this.”

“It had to happen,” Sloan said. “And Max knew it. It sucks, but as long as he stands far enough back that Chaz can’t dislocate anything or make out with him, he should be all right.”

“Hey Rutherford, I’ve been thinking about your predicament with Dr. Romero,” Albert said.

Rutherford said, “I must remember to thank Terri for briefing you all about this.”

Sloan said, “We already did. Profusely.”

“Do you want to hear what I think or not, Rutherford?” Albert asked.

“Sure. What the hell?”

“I think you’re pretty much screwed.”

Rutherford said, “Great. Thanks for that.”

“But you’re screwed in a really interesting way.”

Professor Sherwood sat alone in the rear seat and remained fully reclined, but he raised his voice to be sure Rutherford heard. “Yes! In my years working on a college campus with student lab help, I’ve seen many a romantic conundrum, but nothing that comes close to the no-win scenario you’re in. It truly is fascinating.”

Albert said. “The professor’s right.”

Rutherford said, “He agreed with you, and now you’re agreeing with him agreeing with you.”

“Yes,” Albert said. “Because we’re both correct.”

Rutherford said, “I don’t know about that.”

Albert said, “We’ll explain it to you.”

“Must you?”

Professor Sherwood said, “Perhaps not, but we will. First, the basic givens of the situation. For your work, you pretend to be a bad boy, something you very much are not.”

“Was the ‘very much’ really necessary?” Rutherford asked.

Sloan nodded. “If anything, he undersold it.

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