The lecture was interesting but not that busy they had not found out anything new about the stone. However every time they tried to ask the professor a question she seemed not to notice them. They were about to give the evening up as a lost cause when the professor's assistant came over to them and handed them a piece of paper without saying a word.
“I wonder what that was all about?” Lauren said as she unfolded the small piece of paper.
I would like to speak to the two of you after the lecture. I think that I may have the answer to some of your questions but they will have to wait until after the lecture. The note read.
“It's from the professor she wants to speak to us after the lecture,” Lauren told Lonna
“I wonder how she knew that we wanted to speak to her?” Lonna asked.
“Well, we have been putting our hands up every time she asks if there are any questions. That might have given it away.” Lauren said trying to hide the smile that was developing as she answered Lonna’s question.
The lecture ended around 9.30 and Lonna was about to send her mother a message when she realized that there was no point as her mom was on night shift she was not at home and wouldn’t know what time she had got back. She was again thinking of Mrs Rodriguez as her mother and of her house as home it just felt natural to her to think and feel that way. She didn’t share her thoughts with Lauren as she did not want to worry. She had only just managed to get over the visit to the Rodriguez house and the conversation that she had there. She hoped that the professor would have some answers for them for both their sakes.
Lauren was concentrating on not letting Lonna see how much the events of earlier that evening had upset her. True she had not been too successful in that endeavour in the car on their way here but now she had to show that she was the grown-up and wait until later to let the tears flow. She would have plenty of time later to khóc như một cô bé. Granted that depended on what the professor told them when they got to speak to her.
Around 15 minutes later the assistant once again walked towards the two women. “Follow me please.” She said as she directed the two of them towards a small room to the right of the lecture hall where the lecture had been. She knocked on the door and then opened it.
“Ah thank you Jenifer that will be all for tonight. I need to speak to them on my own.” The voice came from a redheaded woman sitting with her back to the door pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“Are you sure professor?” Jenifer asked.
“Oh quite sure my dear. They mean me no harm. I will see you at the office in the morning.” The Professor said.
The young woman who Lonna and Lauren know knew was called Jenifer left the room. The two of them wondered what was going on. They gave each other a look which told the other that this was not the norm.
“Oh don’t worry ladies, I mean you no harm. I did not want Jenifer to hear our conversation. She already thinks that her employer is mad and I did not want to confirm her suspicions besides I am sure that you don’t want her to find out that you have found one of The Jewels of Puck that my book is about do you? Coffee? The Professor said as she offered them a cup.
Lonna and Lauren just looked at each other as they tried to hide the shock that they were feeling at that moment. Lonna managed to regain her senses first. “I don’t know what you are talking about. We just wanted to talk to you about your book that was all.” She said trying to allow time for Lauren to get over her shock.
“Now, you don’t need to worry about anyone else finding out. That is why I sent Jenifer away before I said anything.” Professor Black replied.
By now Lauren had managed to process what the professor had said. “What makes you think that we have found one of these Jewels?” She asked the professor in such a way as not to confirm the professor's statement.
“I know you have but before we get into that why don’t we start with introductions? I am Professor Kathrine Black but you knew that from the poster outside.” Professor said as she sat down at the small desk in the room and gestured for the two of them to join her.
Cautiously they did so. “I am Lauren Tran and this is Lonna Tran,” Lauren told the Professor indicating the silent Lonna who was currently studying the Professor intently.
"Oh, the same last name are you related?” The older woman asked.
“No, I am one of Lonna’s teachers.” Came Laurens’ rely.
“Interesting, very interesting.” Professor Black said with an expression on her face which said I bet it wasn’t always that way, was it?. “Well then now that is out of the way let's get down to business. Are we sitting comfortably? Let me tell you the story of The Jewels of Puck. I think you will find this interesting.” She said with a grin on her face.
“I could read your book if I wanted to know that.” Said Lonna who had finally found her voice after watching the professor for the last few minutes.
“Oh you could but that’s not the whole story and not the story that is of interest to the two of you.” Professor Black said.
