Sometimes It Is Rocket Science Read Online Free PDF

Does that mean I can go anywhere in the house?”
    “Of course you can.  It includes Dan’s workshops in the garage and the master suite.”
    “What if I bring in my own projects that I want to make inaccessible to others?”
    If she was rattled by his icy tone and clipped consonants, it didn’t show.  “Then we’ll clear out one of the rooms of your father’s workshop and change the access code for that room.”  She gracefully slid past him and returned to the hallway.  “I know you grew up here, but since setting up NORA, a couple of things have changed.  Do you want a quick tour?”
    “No.”  It was peevish of him, but he couldn’t stomach the thought of being given a guided tour of his childhood home.  “I’ll look around later.”
    “Fine.”  She pulled out a small ring of keys and dangled them in the space between them. “Here.  Keys work as a manual back up, but you’ll need to identify yourself to NORA within ten seconds or the alarms will go off.  NORA has my home and cell numbers if you need anything.”
    “Why’d you dye your hair?”  It wasn’t the question he’d intended to ask, but the words had slipped out before he could stop them.
    The inquiry flustered her.  She curled a fallen strand of hair around her finger and studied it.  She was going to lie to him; he could feel it in his bones. Disappointment stung like a paper cut.  The Georgiana of old had always been brutally honest.
    “I don’t know.  It seemed like the thing to do at the time,” she said, gaze averted.
    “I didn’t recognize you when you grabbed me.  I doubt anyone who doesn’t see you everyday would recognize you at first glance.  Was that your intent?”
    “Jesus, Bobby, I don’t have time for an inquisition.”
    His eyes zeroed in on the fingers tapping her thigh and the restless energy radiating off her.  He couldn’t forget how concerned Mrs. Mercer had been about her Georgiana’s exhaustion.  The stark, white marble hallway washed the color out of her cheeks.  She was petite, always had been when standing next to him or her father, but he’d never considered her delicate.  Not until now.
    “Georgiana, is something wrong?”
    “No.”  Her brittle smile did little to reassure him.
    “Are you ill?  Is there a problem with Tab?”
    “Bobby, I’m fine,” she said, obviously the exact opposite of fine .  She shook the keys.  “I need to go home, now.”
    He wanted to reach for her, to pull her in his arms and do whatever it took to wipe that strained look off her face, but he settled for slipping the keys from her freezing fingers.  “I know we’ve drifted, Georgiana, but you can come to me if you need help.”
    “Thanks.”  She popped up on her toes and brushed her lips across his cheek.  She quietly removed herself from the room and slowly trekked down the stairs.  “NORA, I’m leaving.  Take care of Bobby.”
    “Good night, Georgie dear,” the house’s AI responded.
    Robert waited until he heard the Aston Martin’s engine rev to life before descending the stairs.  He wandered into the gleaming white kitchen and leaned his elbows on the cool, granite countertop.  “NORA, is there something remiss with Georgiana?”
    “At 140/85, Ms. Collier’s blood pressure is slightly elevated.  Her heart and respiration rates are also elevated.  However both are within acceptable parameters.  Last analysis showed mild iron deficiency anemia, a deficiency in all required vitamins, and low levels of serotonin.”
    “No, damn it, that’s not what I meant.”  Robert rubbed the back of his neck.  He couldn’t get angry with the house, not when it sounded so much like his mother.  “I’m sorry.  Thank you, NORA.”
    It took twenty minutes to haul all five of his suitcases into the house.  His old suite was free of dust.  There were fresh linens on the bed.  He was willing to bet every dollar in his wallet that it was Georgiana’s handiwork. 
    He was tired.