CHAPTER FORTY ONE
Suddenly, the PA system flickered on, and Dr. Aruda's voice echoed through the tinny speakers.
"Attention all museum personnel. Mrs. Pepper has resigned as head of the museum.
As your acting museum head, I have an announcement.
Xeno Baxterson and Haiden Ashworth are to report to Ms. Pepper's old office effective immediately. "
The pair looked back at each-other and smiled.
Ms. Pepper's office was much the same as he remembered it.
The pink walls that once felt oppressively calming now exuded an air of joviality.
He'd only seen inside once before, and that wasn't a day he was keen to relive.
Still, seeing Dr. Aruda sat at the table was comforting, and the pair sat down opposite her.
"You wanted to see us, ma'am?" He asked jokingly.
"Oh, hush with that." She rolled her eyes, smirking. "Congratulations, you two. I really did all I could to distract her, but she got suspicious almost immediately."
"All's well that ends well." Haiden grinned.
She turned to Xeno. "Now, back to business. Obviously, you are to be reinstated as the head of astronomy."
A wave of relief washed over him. "Thank you so much." He breathed. It almost felt unreal.
She smiled. "Now, Haiden, I believe you have a conjecture?"
Haiden stood up. "Yeah, I thought that if we use the money that was originally going into Ms. Pepper's pocket, we could probably afford to keep all the departments up, right?" He talked with his hands, gesturing with each beat of his sentence.
"It's a good idea, Haiden. Of course, I'll look into it, and if there really isn't enough money then you told me about a Plan B, which I thought would be interesting."
He turned to look at him, explaining his idea. "I was thinking we could merge Palaeontology and Astronomy. I mean, we were both on the chopping block, it makes sense, right?"
"It's a good idea." She repeated. "And besides, with Jess and Dr. Carmazan gone, a department merge alongside new personnel could be exactly what this museum needs to ensure this never happens again."
"So she really made it all up?" Xeno asked. "The budget cuts, I mean?"
"Well, there were certainly some cutbacks, but only to her personal paycheck.
" She replied. "It seems to me that she got cocky and thought she could kill two of her birds with one stone.
" She turned to Haiden. "As for you, I'd recommend that you ask Mr. Crossley to train you to be the head of palaeontology.
" She winked. "For no particular reason. "
"Really?" Haiden's face lit up, before morphing into one of confusion. "What about him?"
"I was hoping he would take the position as my second- in-command as the head of the museum.
Perhaps we could catch up. A lot can happen in fifteen years.
" She mused, regarding him for a moment.
"Anyway, your quick-thinking and ideas are exactly what that department needs, and you clearly care deeply for it.
" Shifting focus, she looked at both of them.
"Don't worry, the power won't go to my head; there'll still be plenty of money for all the departments. "
"How do you know you're going to be the head?" Xeno asked, confused. "Not that I'm complaining, obviously!" He rectified.
"When Zar-.. I mean, Ms. Pepper signed the contract for the museum, I was named as the interim head in case of emergency." She pulled out a couple of sheets of paper from Ms. Pepper's desk. "I'd classify this as an emergency, wouldn't you?" She paused. "Speaking of contracts."
She produced a document from the filing cabinet in front of her.
It was slightly yellowed, with crinkled edges that gave it an almost sinister appearance, like a witch's scroll.
"It's Dr. Carmazan's non-disclosure agreement.
" She smiled, holding it out in front of herself and tearing it.
Once in half, then into quarters, and then into eighths, placing it down on the table. "No loose ends." She said.
"Well played, Doctor." He replied, impressed. "Should I.. get to work then?" It felt bizarre to say, even if he'd only been away for a couple of weeks.
"Oh, please, Xeno." She began, smiling.
"You can call me Kiara. If anyone's worth it, it's you."