"You look like you'd rather be anywhere else." Even his laugh was somehow distinguished. He accepted his drink from the bartender. "I'm David, by the way. David Turner."
"Finn Cochrane."
Recognition flickered across David's face. "Wait—you're the assistant guy? From Elena's lab?"
"Yes."
“It sounds like you guys might be on to something groundbreaking. Keep it up,” David said with a smile.
“Thanks.” Finn could have said more. He probably should have said more, considering the influence that he imagined David held. But there was something about David that Finn didn’t like already.
“I mean, there are so many applications for this treatment. It could be quite lucrative, especially if we are the first mover. The shareholders would love it.”
Yep, there it was. Finn didn’t like him.
"I don’t really think about the shareholders while I'm in the lab,” Finn said, meeting David’s eyes. “I’m just focused on whether the treatment works.”
David's smile faltered for just a moment, genuine surprise flashing across his face. He clearly wasn't used to being spoken to in this way. "How... refreshingly idealistic," he said, recovering his composure. "Well, I should go find Elena. Lovely to meet you, Finn."
He moved away into the crowd, leaving Finn gripping his glass too tightly.
"That was... amazing."
Finn turned to find a woman sliding onto the barstool beside him. She looked familiar, a person he had seen in meetings, perhaps.
“I have been wanting to say something like that to him for years. I’m Rachel Sampson. We haven’t formally met. I was at the last team meeting where you and Elena introduced the new protocol.”
“Nice to meet you, Rachel. Who was that exactly?” Finn was a little worried his lack of filter may have caused some damage.
"David Turner. Very high up at Bridgepoint Health, the largest healthcare network in the Pacific Northwest. He's the Chief Financial Officer of Research and Clinical Operations." Rachel explained.
Finn frowned. "What does that even mean? Isn't that like three different titles?"
Rachel laughed, but it was bitter. "Yep. It seems like they add an extra word to his title every year. I'm sure a single word is enough to justify a raise that's more than my entire annual salary."
She studied him with open admiration. "First you stood up to Paul in our team meeting, now you do the same to David Turner, one of the most influential people in this room. I can see why Elena brings you everywhere." Her eyes swept over him appraisingly. "You're like her enforcer or something. You certainly have the build for it."
Finn didn't respond, his eyes already searching the crowd. "I don't like him.”
He found Elena quickly. That black dress was unmistakable. But his chest tightened when he saw David's hand resting on the small of Elena's back as they talked with another group. She was smiling, leaning in to hear something David was saying.
Definitely don’t like this guy.
"I should get back," he said, not really talking to Rachel anymore. Against every logical instinct telling him to stay away, Finn found himself walking toward them. The group shifted, and David was gesturing toward him, Elena following his gaze. Finn straightened, adjusting his tie unnecessarily.
"There you are," Elena said as they reached him. "David was just telling me he met you at the bar."
"We had a brief conversation," Finn confirmed, studying her face. How well did she know this guy?
"David is chair of the board for the research department," she explained. "He's been very supportive of our work."
Paul Thompson appeared at Elena's elbow with a practicedprofessional smile. “Mr. Turner, what a pleasure. I've been hoping to connect with you this evening."
"The pleasure's mine, Dr. Thompson," David replied smoothly. "I was just telling Elena how excited the board has been with the work being done in your labs.”
Right, Finn thought.They’re so thrilled, they cut her timeline in half.
To his credit, Paul’s smile did not waver. “Well, Elena has certainly assembled a dedicated group. We can only hope that their dedication shows in the results.”
