Shaking her head, she walked into Building One, which was far more impressive than the tiny faux New England structures. She noted that there was no signage indicating that these buildings housed League offices. She supposed this was because tourists could make a wrong turn, end up in Mystic Bayou and drive past the village. Considering that the League was a secret organization, that was probably a bad idea.

The air-conditioning practically slapped Dani in the face as she walked in. She shivered, shutting the door behind her quickly. Despite the manufactured chill, the auburn-haired receptionist at the front desk was still fanning her face with a copy of Popular Photography. A painfully thin girl with dark hair was staring at the receptionist, in a manner that would have made Dani distinctly nervous, like she was imagining a towel rack made from the receptionist’s ulna.

“I don’t understand why I can’t just see Dr. Ramsay. I only need five minutes of her time,” the brunette seethed.

“Because you don’t have an appointment, Dr. Portenoy,” the receptionist replied coolly. “No appointment, no access to Dr. Ramsay. She’s a very busy woman and she can’t have people just showing up and interrupting her day.”

“Which is why I will only take a few minutes of her time to discuss this acquisition form, Lara. Somehow, half of the supplies I ordered for my lab were left off of the order form, leaving me without vital equipment I need. If I can’t run the required tests, I might as well be back in the morgue in Baltimore.”

The word “morgue” had Dani taking a step back.

“Lara” stopped waving her magazine and cast Dr. Portenoy an exasperated look. “Is that the corrected form?”

“Yes. I need to make sure each and every item is in my lab, by Monday.”

“Fine, I will place the order myself, if it means that you leave my office and stop trying to interrupt Dr. Ramsay’s schedule.” Lara said primly.

“Thank you,” Dr. Portenoy sighed. She turned and the laser focus of her blue eyes landed on Dani. She didn’t flinch, but it was a near thing.

“You’re Danica Teel,” Dr. Portenoy said, squinting as if she could see through to Dani’s thoughts.

Stop thinking about how off-putting she is, Dani told herself. She’ll hear you!

Dani cleared her throat. “Yes?”

“Ivy Portenoy. I work for the forensics department. It’s so nice to have another girl here working for the League. Besides Dr. Ramsay and Lara, and a handful of others, most of the other League employees are male.”

“I had noticed that. And it’s Dani, please.”

Dr. Portenoy sent an annoyed look Lara’s way. “Some people are more agreeable to those ratios than others.”

Lara frowned at her. “And some people should remember that their supply order hasn’t been placed yet.”