I see a notification my screen that my brother hasmessaged me, and I grimace. I’ve barely seen him since the club was destroyed. He wants me to come to the club for an update on the final repairs he’s been overseeing for us. I shoot him a quick reply that I’ll swing by later today.
Climbing into the truck, I head to campus, parking in the lot near the Novelle Center. I go in using my key card, the sterile atmosphere making me feel at ease immediately. But instead of going down to the lab, I go up to the second floor where Applegate's office is.
At his door, I knock.
'Come in,' he says, rising as I cross the threshold.
We shake hands and I sit down. He doesn’t say anything at first and I give him a moment, in case he’s organizing his thoughts.
While I wait for him to tell me why I’m here, I peruse the few documents in frames on his wall, showing his many awards in STEM.
When, after about thirty seconds, he still hasn’t said a word, I look at him.
'What's this about?' I ask, a little impatient to be getting downstairs.
Was that a wince I just saw?
'There's no easy way to tell you this.'
He finally looks me in the eye and I don’t like the pity I see in his expression.
'Your funding has been cut.’
I stare at him uncomprehendingly, the words rolling around and around in my skull. He can’t be saying what I think he is.
‘What?’ I ask dumbly.
‘The non opiate is dead in the water. No more resources are going to be devoted to it in the Novelle Center lab as ofyesterday. The grant won’t be renewed.’ Applegate sighs. ‘I'm sorry, son. It happens.'
I blink at him, silent and still frozen, as I try to compute what he's telling me. His lips thin and he gives me a moment, typing on his computer slowly and shuffling some documents around on his desk. He doesn’t look at me.
'I don’t understand,’ I finally say faintly.
Applegate gives me his full attention once more, and I see the tightness in his eyes and the way one of his hands is clenched in the other. He's pissed.
'The Novelles… They'll no longer be funding the research, Mr. Shaw.Mav.'
'This is bullshit!' I exclaim, jumping to my feet.
'I know it is,’ he says quietly as if he’s afraid someone will hear. ‘But there's nothing I can do.'
'Fuck,' I snarl. 'This is Andrew, isn't it? Fucking Andrew.'
Applegate lets out a long breath. 'I believe so, yes. He didn't contact me directly, of course, but he's the head of the family now. He decides where his grant money goes. There's more. I'm sorry. You're off the lab roster, too. You, Jack, Blake, and Miss Evans. It's been given to the post grads.'
'Jesus.' I run my hands through my hair. 'This can't be happening. I was so close.'
I look at him with pleading eyes. ‘I’m so close, Fin.’
Applegate rises and squeezes my shoulder.
‘I’m sorry, Mav,’ he says again. ‘As far as I'm concerned, your project was more important and prestigious. I don't know why Andrew Novelle has made these changes.'
'I do,' I mutter. 'He's an asshole, just like his dad was.'
Applegate snorts. 'Unfortunately, without your own financial backing, there's very little that we can do whensomething like this happens. My advice to you is to take it on the chin. There will be other grants. Other chances.'
'Come on. You hated John Novelle.’
