Electra Chapter 9 #2
His frown remained as he answered. “No, not a policy, but it seems odd. You’ve eaten lunch every day at the office. The most you’ve done is sometimes order takeout when we do. How was your lunch meeting on Friday? I heard you tell Annette you were going to one.”
“Lunch went extremely well.”
“I know you’ve been working on gaining Recovery more exposure and donors. I assume this was one of those. Do you think you got their support?”
There was an odd inflection to the word donor, but I chose to ignore it, and I answered him with a vague reply.
“I’m not sure where it’ll go, but I’ll keep working on it. And yes, I have been trying to increase the support for Recovery.”
I swore for a moment there was a flash of anger in his eyes, but if there was, it was gone. I couldn’t be sure it was real. Why would it be? He seemed to support my endeavors when I proposed them a few weeks back.
“So this benefactor will be your main focus, or are there others you’re actively pursuing?” Swerve asked.
“I’m always open to having a dialogue with anyone, but yes, this one I’ll be concentrating on the most.”
I hated how I was mixing truth with lies, but I couldn’t tell Swerve what I’d really been doing at lunch.
I was almost positive my goal at Recovery was a bust. Nothing was supporting my initial belief.
There was a long silence as Swerve stared at me.
I fought not to squirm. I was about to ask if he was alright when he snapped his fingers.
“Come, Dozer. We’ve taken up enough of Electra’s time.
We’ll be in the office tomorrow, but I’m unsure how much I’ll be there for the remainder of the week.
I’ll keep you informed. I have a big presentation for my other job.
I’m glad we’ve cleared this up. We’ll let you get back to what you were doing. ”
As he said this, Swerve was swinging his chair around and wheeling himself toward the door. I jumped up to follow them. Dozer was slowly following him, casting sad looks back at me. Swerve’s abrupt departure surprised me. I almost had to trot to get ahead of him to open the door.
“I’m glad we did, too. I’ll see you tomorrow. Ride safely. Bye, Dozer.” I patted the dog’s head.
“Stay safe. Goodbye,” were his final words.
Swerve’s gaze was intense as he spoke, then, like that, they were disappearing down the short sidewalk.
I slowly closed the door, trying to determine why this visit troubled me so much.
A finality seemed to hang in the air. I reluctantly went back to the television, but I knew I wouldn’t be watching anything tonight.
My mind was in even more turmoil than before.
???
I timed my arrival at work so I got there five minutes before opening time. I noted that Swerve’s regular vehicle, rather than his bike, was in the lot. Annette’s car was there, no surprise. The other few I assumed belonged to the buildings surrounding us.
Entering the office, I found the front area empty.
However, the murmur of voices told me where I’d find Annette.
When I came to Swerve’s door, I stopped to say good morning.
I wanted to make things relaxed again. Standing next to his desk, with her hand on his shoulder, was Annette.
There was a possessiveness in that simple touch that made me want to go over and rip her hand away from him.
It was ridiculous. She had every right to touch him if Swerve permitted it.
I didn’t see him telling her to move away.
He appeared happy with it. Maybe they were more involved than I knew.
My stomach felt queasy at the thought. I forced a pleasant smile on my face. I knew how to act.
“Good morning, everyone. Happy Monday. I hope you had a great weekend,” I called out cheerfully.
Dozer trotted over to greet me. I petted his head and scratched under his chin.
“Thank you, I did. I hope yours was, too,” Swerve replied.
“Good morning. I wondered if you were coming in,” Annette responded.
“Of course I am. If I weren’t, I would’ve texted you. I won’t hold you up. I know we’re all busy. See you later.”
I gave Dozer a final scratch, then, after a carefree wave, I walked away.
In my office, I resisted the urge to close my door.
Instead, I went to my desk and settled in.
I had a rather full day of calls and reports to work on.
It was midmonth, and I liked to see how our numbers were doing and adjust my outreach accordingly, if necessary.
I somehow got caught up in what I was doing, and the morning flew by.
I heard Swerve on the phone or talking to Annette or Dozer numerous times.
I noticed how often she found an excuse to visit his office.
She used Dozer as an excuse, such as having a treat for him or bringing him fresh water.
She brought Swerve coffee, and at other times, she had paperwork she had a question about, or some other bogus excuse.
I gritted my teeth so much that my jaw hurt.
I noted it was almost lunchtime. I hadn’t brought anything with me, so I’d work through lunch, anything to stay away from the two of them.
My cell phone rang, startling me. Picking it up, I saw the caller ID. My heart picked up the pace. I hurried to answer.
“Hello, Rho, what’s up?” I asked softly.
“I need you to meet me for lunch. Same place and time.” His answer was terse.
“Is everything alright?”
“Just be there, Ellie. And watch yourself,” he replied gruffly. I knew him well enough to know he was worried.
“Got it. I’ll see you where we met on Friday. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes,” I promised.
Rhodes hung up without saying goodbye. Something was very wrong for him to do that.
If I wanted to make it on time, I needed to leave soon.
I had to let Annette and Swerve know I was out for lunch again.
Trying not to panic, I finished up the task I was working on and locked my computer screen.
Snatching up my purse and keys, I stood and hurried out and next door.
Swerve was seated behind his desk. His head came up when I knocked on the door. His face was tense.
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m taking lunch again outside the office. I’m not sure how long it’ll take, but I’ll be back before the end of the day. Call or text if you need anything.”
“I’m sure we can handle anything that crops up. A new donor?”
“No, I’m meeting a prior one to see if I can talk him into giving support.” The lie rolled off my tongue less easily than usual.
His mouth tightened, but his words were bland. “Hope it works out. We’ll see you later.”
I hesitated a moment after his dismissal.
Swerve bent his head and was back at work.
Wanting to sigh, but unable, I left him and went to the front.
I didn’t bother to stop and chat with Annette.
I told her I was going out to lunch and would be back, and Swerve knew to contact me if necessary. Her scowl told me she didn’t like it.
Outside, I rushed to my car and wasted no time getting on the road.
I stayed alert because Rhodes warned me to.
With the amount of traffic, it was hard to see if anything suspicious was around me.
I was tense the entire drive, only relaxing slightly when I arrived at the restaurant.
I scanned the parking lot for his car. I found it in a far corner.
I swiftly made it inside. Like last time, I saw him easily and walked toward him to sit down.
He was at the same table. As I got closer, he stood.
Before I could say anything, I was enveloped in his arms and tightly hugged. He whispered in my ear, “Thank God.”
When he eased away, I saw the terror in his gaze. What the hell? Rhodes pulled out my chair and scooted me closer to the table before he resumed his seat.
“Rho, what’s going on? You’re scared.”
He shook his head. “Let’s get a drink and order first. We have to eat, and if we don’t, it’ll look suspicious.”
It was hard to act relaxed and go through the steps of ordering. It seemed to take forever. Finally, we were alone. I raised my eyebrow at him. He knew I wanted answers now. Rhodes took a deep breath and sighed before he started.
“Ellie, I’m so fucking sorry. We don’t know how it happened, but I swear, we’ll find out, and whoever did it will regret it. I’ve got a few trustworthy people working on it. They have no idea that we know. I’ll make sure you’re protected.”
I held up my hand to stop him. “Rho, I have no clue what you’re talking about. Sorry about what? Protect me from what?”
“Your real identity was leaked. The ones you’re after know your name. They’ll be coming for you. You know they’ve wanted to get their hands on you for years. I won’t allow that to happen. And when I discover who told, they’ll regret it,” he snarled.
I’d admit, my heart jumped, and panic edged in at this news. It had been a concern for years, but I had thought it would never happen. I was careful not to let it happen. My backstory was flawless. I sat there letting it sink in. After it did, I asked my next question.
“What does this mean for me now?”
“You go back to Wrath’s Recovery and tell them you quit.
Get your shit from there and go to your place.
We’ll have you cleared out by tomorrow. You’ll be relocated and given a new identity.
One that only I and one other will know.
You’ll be kept hidden until they stop searching for you.
You know what this means, Ellie. You won’t be able to continue to do what you’ve been doing. ”
“No way am I letting anyone stop me from fulfilling my promise to Selah. We knew this was a possibility. I never agreed to stop if I was exposed. And I can’t just up and leave the job at Recovery unfinished.”
“Goddamn it, you’re not getting yourself killed! I lost Selah, I’m not losing you, too. It’ll kill me. And the job at Recovery is done. You said there’s nothing there to support the tip we got. They’re not involved. Walk away. Let me protect you.” He grasped my hand and squeezed hard.
I shook my head. “No, Rhodes, I won’t just drop it.
Yes, I agree that there is no indication that the Horsemen are involved in what we were told.
However, I can’t just leave them without a chance to hire someone to replace me.
They’re doing amazing work there, and they need the help.
Just because those animals know my real identity doesn’t mean they know where I am.
I refuse to run from those motherfuckers,” I hissed.
“You will. I’m giving you an order,” he snapped.
“Then I quit.” I went to stand, but he tugged my arm until I sat.
“Why are you so goddamn stubborn? You’d really quit, wouldn’t you?
Fuck, I don’t know how much time you have.
They could show up tomorrow. I have to be able to protect you.
And not knowing who leaked your identity leaves me with barely anyone to trust. I’m flying by the seat of my pants here, Ellie.
If you won’t leave, at least move. Come stay with me. ”
“Rhodes, you know that won’t work. I love you, but we’d kill each other.
Now that I know the risk, I’ll be more careful.
I agree, maybe moving is a good idea, but I can’t stay with you.
I’ll figure it out. I’ll talk to Swerve and let him know that I have to resign.
I’ll give them the standard two-week notice. I can’t abandon them without notice.”
We went back and forth, and even after our food came, it continued in between bites. Finally, when the meal was over, Rhodes gave in, but only under protest. He insisted on walking me to my car when our meal ended. Standing next to it, he held me close.
“Don’t let anything happen to you, Ellie. I meant what I said. It would kill me. I love you.”
“I’ll watch my ass, and I love you, too, Rho.”
He buried his face in my hair for a few moments, then eased back far enough to place a quick kiss on my lips. “I’m following you back to the office, and I don’t want to hear any arguing about it.”
Chuckling, I patted his chest. He opened my door and closed it once I was in before hurrying to his car.
We were on our way within a minute. As I drove, I went over how to break the news to Swerve without breaking down.
The truth was, I hated the idea of leaving and never seeing him again. Tears pricked my eyes.
However, when I returned to the office, I found that I’d have to wait to speak with Swerve.
He was gone again. Annette said he left right after I did and would let us know when he’d be in.
Relief filled me. I didn’t have to do it yet.
Rhodes wouldn’t like it, but I couldn’t do it over the phone.
I had to tell Swerve in person. Somehow, I managed to get through the rest of the day, but I barely accomplished any work. I was too distracted to concentrate.