“You were led to believe wrong. Listen, Dr. Lindstrom, I realize you’re new around here, and maybe where you’re from you’re used to pulling rank. Let me make this perfectly clear. If I had my druthers, you wouldn’t even be here. But I’m given to understand that Dr. Lawrence has a fondness for you, so here you are. I can easily change that.”

As much as she knew his words were meant to intimidate her, Nora had no intention of being bullied. “I understand that, Colonel. I’m simply asking for what is fair.”

He rocked forward suddenly so that he was as close as he could get to her without going over the desk. “Winning this war is all I care about. Surely you and I can agree on that. Winning the war is not dependent on you sleeping cozily at night. You are not getting a Cemesto. I’ll have my assistant put you on a waiting list for a Flat Top. That’s the best I’m going to do. And let me make it perfectly clear that we are never going to have this conversation again. Understood?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you for your consideration.”

He straightened his uniform tie and sat back. “Now can we get on with the business of why you’re here?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.” He shook his head. “Women,” he muttered under his breath. “It will be your job to oversee a bunch of unqualified, green-behind-the-ears female high school graduates and to train them to perform one of the most vitally important jobs in this war. I thought perhaps you’d like a tour of the plant and a primer on how the machine works.”

“Yes, sir.” She was happy to be back on safe ground.

“Dr. Ludlow, who works under Dr. Lawrence’s tutelage at Berkeley, will take you to the Pilot Facility, familiarize you with the calutron machine, and give you a tour.”

“That would be great, sir.”

“Lindstrom?”

“Yes, sir?”

“There’s a lot riding on the success of this operation. Up until now, nobody except specially trained Ph.D.’s have worked on these machines. It’s dubious at best to think you’ll be able to make this work. The odds are against you. I want you to succeed. Keep your girls quiet and make sure they don’t ask any questions about what they’re doing or why. It’s best if all they know is that what they’re doing will help us win the war.”

“Yes, sir. Mum’s the word.”

“Barbara!”

“Yes, Colonel?”

“Is Ludlow here yet?”

“Yes, sir.”

“All right. Get out of here,” he said to Nora.

“Yes, sir.” When she reached the door, she turned back. “I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot, sir. I do appreciate the help with housing. Thank you.”

“Not another word, Lindstrom. Don’t make me regret it.”