Chapter Seventeen
A ddy stared down at her phone and cringed. They’d only pulled into Archer’s driveway two hours ago and the president of her research organization had already requested a private and immediate meeting. She’d never met the man before, and after hearing Branch’s experience, she had no desire to. Maybe he’d taken the lieutenant commander’s reports that Wyatt had been unprofessional and unfit for the mission to heart. She sighed and glanced down at her clothing. She had on Archer’s big, comfy sweatpants and a T-shirt. By the time she showered and changed into something more suitable, Archer would be home from his meeting at the barracks and would probably want to drive her. If he wasn’t, she’d leave him a message and get the meeting over with so they could enjoy their evening. Maybe she’d get takeout on the way home and surprise him with dinner. She sent a quick reply to the email and stripped out of her clothes.
Much like Archer himself, the rain shower would never stop thrilling her. She cranked on the hot spray and let it melt over her body, easing some of the anxiety over the coming meeting. Hopefully, the president realized this was all a big misunderstanding. After washing more quickly than she would have liked, she turned off the water and grabbed a towel from the heated rack. She breathed in the scent of Archer’s laundry detergent. Thinking about him made her consider how different her life was now than it was a year ago. Then she hadn’t even known Julian’s teammates. Had yet to meet Archer. She really had it all between the friends she’d made and Archer coming into her life. The fact that his parents welcomed her and seemed to genuinely like her was a huge bonus. Emily had already texted her twice since they left Maryland. Some people might feel smothered, but she only felt welcome and cared for.
She knotted the towel above her breasts and left the en suite to rummage through her duffel bag for clothes. As this was an impromptu meeting, casual was going to have to do. When thumping sounded at the front door she froze. She doubted it was Julian because he was home with his wife and new baby. The knock came again, this time louder and more intrusive. The hair on the back of her neck rose. She was being ridiculous. This was Archer’s home, and no one knew she was here. Plus, she’d never lived with this much security in her entire life. Something brushed against her leg, and she yelped, then laughed at herself when she glanced down to Pretzel.
She was safe. At least, that’s what she kept telling herself as she shuffled into the hallway. Straightening her shoulders, she walked to the window and peered out. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart started to pound. Wyatt was standing on the stone steps. His body was postured with his hand raised in a fist over his head, pounding on the entryway. She let out a shaky breath, walked back to the bedroom, then grabbed her phone with trembling hands. For some reason, she had never really thought of Wyatt as a physical threat, yet again, she’d never seen him appear as unhinged as he did right now.
If he really meant to do her harm, wouldn’t he try to catch her off guard or sneak into the house? Wyatt was an intelligent man, but it seemed foolish to come here in broad daylight, especially after filing a formal complaint that was on record. She was about to punch in Archer’s number when she paused. Maybe she should see what he wanted. She could leave the latch on the door or keep the storm door closed. She placed the phone down, then picked it up again. The breath whooshed out of her. No, Archer would want her to call him first. She hit his contact information and waited. After several rings the call went to voicemail. She’d leave him a message and then go down and see what Wyatt was doing there.
“Hey. I’m calling because Wyatt is on your front porch knocking on the door. I wasn’t sure if I should open it. Maybe I’m being silly.” A nervous laugh bubbled in her throat. “Okay, so I’m going to see what he wants but I just wanted to let you know. If you get home and I’m not here I had to leave for a meeting with the president of the research organization. Maybe he is having second thoughts about the complaint after hearing the team’s side of things. I love you, Archer. I’ll see you soon.”
A car door slammed, and she went back to the window. Wyatt was peeling out of the driveway. Well, that was one less thing she had to deal with today. Julian had dropped her car off at the house while they’d been in Maryland, which meant she wouldn’t have to call an Uber to take her to the office. She didn’t bother drying her hair or applying makeup. After receiving her voicemail, Archer would be concerned, and she wanted to be home when he arrived. She took the steps to the first floor, grabbed her keys off the credenza, and went into the garage.
The gate lifted slowly as she checked her phone. Nothing yet from Archer. The nerves in her belly twisted. It wasn’t like her to feel so off. Chalking the odd sensation up to nerves about the meeting, she backed out of the driveway. The farther she drove from the house, though, the more the feeling of dread built. She tried Archer again with no luck. When she finally made it to the office, she decided she’d overreacted. She unbuckled her seat belt, grabbed her purse, and made her way into the concrete building.
The glass doors automatically opened as she approached. Their usual security guard had left her post, so she walked briskly down the tile hall toward the elevators, her feet silent in the sneakers she wore. She hit the button to go up, trying not to stare at her frazzled appearance. Maybe she should have taken the time to apply a bit of makeup or at least put her hair into a clip.
A metallic squeal filled the empty area as the machinery churned down toward the first floor. Typically, she’d take the stairs, but her heart was already hammering. She’d done nothing wrong. She certainly shouldn’t be overcome with nerves. The chime of the elevator startled her so badly she jumped. The doors slid open, and she tightened her grip on her purse, looking for some kind of anchor as she got on.
Addy hit the operation panel for the correct floor and leaned against the wall. There was more than one reason she took the stairs. The elevator scared the crap out of her. It was old and creaky. More than once it had stalled for several minutes. The car shuddered with effort before jerking to a halt. Promising herself she’d take the stairs on the way out, she exited, stepping into a room of abandoned cubicles. Only a few people came into the office on a regular basis, and there weren’t many researchers at this facility. Still, the floor was eerily quiet. Even the administrative assistant’s desk was empty. She started to turn back toward the elevator when Dr. Marks, the research president, poked his head out of the corner office. “Come in, Addison.”
“Where’s Marla?” she asked, gesturing toward the desk.
“Lunch break.” He adjusted his glasses, pushing them up his long, thin nose. “Thank you for coming on short notice.”
“She must’ve been busy. Three is awfully late for lunch.”
“Yes, well, aren’t we all.” He used two fingers to beckon her toward the office. “As much as I’d like to chat, I only have a small window of time for you, so please come in.”
Addy swallowed the lump in her throat and crossed the utilitarian gray carpet. She was probably going to be fired, but after hearing how Dr. Marks sided with Wyatt without discussing anything with her, she wasn’t sure she wanted to stay.
“Close the door,” he said, sitting in a leather office chair behind a wide mahogany desk. The snap in his voice made her bristle. This whole experience was putting a sour taste in her mouth. The door clicked closed and she sat on the other side of the desk. She imagined this was how it felt to be in the principal’s office.
“Addison.” A wedge lodged in her throat at the man’s scratchy drawl. “As a highly respected research organization, aiding government entities has always been a possibility, and although this was a new experience for you, I’m disappointed in your performance and deeply unsettled at what transpired on the mission.” He leaned back in his chair and slipped his glasses off.
She was on the edge of her seat and had to force herself not to flinch beneath his intense stare. “Sir, I—”
He held up one hand dismissively. “I know what happened. No need to explain.”
“Actually, I’d like it if you explained. I’ve never had a professional experience that felt as uncomfortable as being accused of something, but not being told what that thing is.”
He used the corner of his sweater vest to clean the round lenses of his glasses. “Then imagine how I felt, going out on a limb to ensure we connected with the right people so we could aid this research assignment in the Amazon, only to have you contradict my lead researcher when he tried to complete a personal assignment for me.”
She shook her head, unable to verbalize all the opinions she wanted to voice at once. Connecting with the right people? A personal assignment? He couldn’t be admitting to something so grossly unethical.
“I think we should stop talking.” She abruptly stood, pushing the chair back.
“We’re not done yet.”
“You’re implying you coerced someone from the United States Navy into recommending our organization for an assignment to better your own interests.”
“Don’t get all politically correct on me.” He placed the glasses back on his face. “A year ago, Wyatt was supposed to bring me an interview and photographs that would’ve been a significant professional achievement. The research grants we would’ve received having an inside source for one of the most private groups of indigenous people would’ve changed the face of this organization. National Geographic , Time , they all would’ve featured us.” Dr. Marks’s face had grown an alarming shade of red. “Wyatt recommended that tributary for a reason. So he could finally get the photographs I was promised. Even though the interview would’ve been impossible, the pictures would’ve meant everything.”
She swayed and sunk back down in the chair. The last thing she wanted to do was stay in this office, but her legs were shaking so badly, she needed a moment to regroup. “How could you have known we’d even go by that specific spot? If those boats hadn’t been blocking the main riverway, those tributaries wouldn’t have been a consideration.”
He raised a dark brow peppered with gray. “For a brilliant anthropologist, you’re not putting the pieces together, are you?”
“Did you have something to do with the trafficking?” Part of her recognized the danger in asking more questions, but the other part couldn’t seem to keep her mouth shut. The office wasn’t the least bit cold, but suddenly her upper body was trembling along with her legs.
He made a disapproving sound in the back of his throat. “I’m a scientist, not a monster. I simply cut down your exit options. Wyatt was the only one who was supposed to know that there were two tributaries.”
“The one Wyatt wanted to take was impassable. The boat would’ve reached a dead end. We would’ve been stuck and had to go on foot into the exact place we were trying to avoid.” Bile raced up the back of her throat. “You didn’t want to avoid the people of that region, you wanted to exploit them and put trafficking survivors at risk.” Suddenly, she couldn’t get enough air in her lungs. He was confessing to things that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life. Unless he never intended for her to leave the office. “Why are you telling me this?” She didn’t want to know the answer, but she had to ask.
“Because you’re going to go back with your Navy SEAL boyfriend to fix your mistakes. Starting today you’ll take two weeks of vacation time for a personal matter. I have two tickets to Brazil. From there, you’ll navigate back to the tributary that will take you to the tribe we are researching.”
“This is wrong.” She pressed her lips together, trying to regain some composure. “Do you really think Archer would go along with that?”
“It’s not my job to think up a way to get him there.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. His eyes were a bloodshot blue. “That’s your job.”
“I don’t know what convinced you that my integrity could be persuaded so easily but you’re wrong. This is my last day with the organization.” She stood up again, this time forcing her legs to stay steady. She had to get out of this office.
“You’re not going anywhere until you agree to do this.” Spittle flew from his lips.
“And if I don’t?” As soon as the words passed her lips, she wished she could take them back.
“Then you’re no good to me and you know far too many secrets.” His hands were positioned on top of the desk as if he were about to jump up at any moment. She didn’t wait to find out, running toward the office door. Time slowed as she reached for the door handle. Her clammy palms slipped on the knob and a desperate sob broke from her lips. She glanced over her shoulder to see him rounding the desk. The breath caught in her throat, and she threw the door open. She didn’t look behind her as she streaked toward the elevators. The sound of heavy footfalls behind her had her doubling her efforts. She looked back. A mistake. He was right on her heels, and he dove, knocking her facedown on the floor. Something cracked and her mouth filled with the metallic tang of blood. She pushed herself up, turning slightly to see if there was a way to dislodge Dr. Marks from her legs. She kicked wildly, thrilled when the heel of her foot connected against his face. He swore and was momentarily stunned, giving her the opportunity to run.
She was bolting toward the stairwell when she passed the elevator. Addy paused. The steel doors had never shut when she got off a few minutes earlier. Taking a risk that might very well get her killed, she darted inside and rapidly pounded on the button to close the elevator doors. If it didn’t work, she’d just cornered herself in the worst possible spot. The doors began to close, as a crash sounded down the hall. Her breath was coming in uneven pants as she willed the elevator to go faster. Her body temperature dropped, a chill seeping through her skin, when Dr. Marks’s hand shot through the small opening in the door. She desperately tried to kick and push his hand out of the way as he pried at the door, screaming obscenities.
The elevator suddenly dropped ten feet, the rapid shift knocking her to the ground. Above her was a shrill, pain-filled shriek. Dr. Marks must’ve gotten his hand caught in the elevator shaft. She didn’t dwell on it, because again the floor dropped out from beneath her, and she was caught in a freefall. Her last thought was that she was glad she’d told Archer she loved him. At least he knew how much she cared.