With a shrug, she replied, “Isn’t that what the cameras are for? To observe when no one’s around?” A bold statement that implied she didn’t care whether the cameras were watching her or not. That wasn’t even really part of the original conversation, but it was apparently being pulled in that direction. “You got your answer, though, so I don’t guess it matters.”
Jackie may not have been giving Evan her complete attention, but she did notice that he wasn’t giving her his complete attention either. This sort of debunked his prior statement about being observant. “All kids are sheltered anymore.” She knew vaguely that the little girl in question had been a prisoner of the government, but didn’t know much more than that. “Or most of ‘em are, anyway. The ones whose parents want to keep them oblivious to the flesh-eaters outside.” Her tone likely gave away how little she was a fan of that mindset.
“My bad for assuming,” she apologized offhandedly. “Guess you’re pretty excited about that.” Jackie didn’t really know him on a personal level, but he didn’t look distressed by the situation and that generally meant excitement. If ever Jackie wasn’t an enabler of excitement, obviously there was something wrong. Mostly she was just making conversation with the guy who had apparently decided to stick around and be curious.
She listened as he explained his more passive role with the science crew. “I had an interest in it in high school, but it was never really part of my career. Mostly I just did - do - the grunt work. Finding the equipment they need, testing theories out on the field… Putting out fires, when someone gets overzealous with a project.” She grinned a little. “I’m not brainy enough to do some of the shit they do, but it sates my curiosity to hang around them.” The past and present tense was a little confusing, but things were just starting up again.
Evan asked about the boxes and Jackie’s expression sobered. “Nobody really wants to see this lab reopened, boss. Not after what happened here. That’s why we’re setting up shop in a warehouse in town. It’s fortified, secure, and off-site, so there won’t be any more unfortunate mishaps within the compound.”