“Ian will teach you everything you need to know. Are you willing to give it a try?” Cate’s eyebrows rose.
Sixteen times the number of votes.
Sixteen.
Maybe Cate was right. Maybe I could make more of a difference here. My breath caught at the thought of what Davin was doing right now. He’d said numerous times that he didn’t think he’d ever be free. That he didn’t want me wasting my life on him. He’d said he wanted me to move on.
Moving to Seattle would definitely be that. I’d be hundreds of miles away from him.
I swallowed. “Okay, I’ll try it for a month.”
3 – COMPOUNDS 10 & 11
Cate flew to D.C. the next day. It was strange to not be on the plane with her. Instead, I sat across the kitchen table from Harper in their Seattle home. It was just after seven in the morning, and a car was due to arrive soon to drive me to the Compound.
Even though I’d agreed to give Cate’s position a try, my main focus was still on freeing Davin and my friends. I didn’t know if she was right, that having my presence here would make a difference, but I was willing to try.
I picked up my electronic tablet to read the news while I ate a plate of scrambled eggs. The article on the top of the list caught my attention.
Senator Douglas rallies to contain the Kazzies within Reservation 1.
I made a disgusted sound and threw the tablet down.
“What?” Harper’s hand stilled. She held a piece of toast halfway to her mouth.
I pointed at the newspaper’s front page. “He’s still fighting us.”
Harper picked up the tablet and skimmed the article. She finished it with an eye roll. “He’s a bigot. Always has been, always will be. If he didn’t have the Kazzies to pick on, he’d probably turn on women, or homosexuals, or some other minority. That guy’s an asshole. You should hear what my mom says about him.”
I smothered a smile. I knew exactly what Cate said about him. Cate and I had spoken more than once about the senator from Arkansas. He’d fought us continually during our campaigns in July and August.
“I don’t know what he’s so afraid of.” I glanced at the article again. “If he was exposed to Makanza, he’d see that there’s nothing to fear. That the vaccine works.”
“Maybe we should expose him.” Harper grinned.
I laughed just as I heard a car pull-up outside. “I think that’s my ride. See you later?” I stood from the table and grabbed my bags.
“Yeah, but if I’m not back by suppertime, please eat leftovers. No offense, but I’d rather make my own dinner than have you try and cook it.”
I smothered a laugh.
We said our goodbyes, and I headed out. Since Cate and Harper always let me stay with them when I traveled to Seattle, I’d practically become a permanent fixture in their guest bedroom. I was glad to do it. I enjoyed Harper’s company, and I knew she didn’t want to stay in the large house alone. It seemed like a good arrangement for the coming month.
AN HOUR LATER, I still sat in the back of the MRI car. The driver expertly maneuvered the various roads, highways, and interstates. I pulled out my phone to make a quick call before we arrived.
Sharon picked up on the third ring. “Hi, sweetie.”
“Hi, how’s everything in South Dakota?” A long pause followed. I pulled my phone from my ear to make sure I hadn’t lost connection. “Sharon? Hello?”
“Sorry, yes, I’m still here.”
“I thought I lost you. Is everything okay?”
“Um . . . yes, everything’s fine.”
Trees flashed by the window as we drove down a highway. In the sky, a lone passenger jet flew overhead. The happiness those changes brought was dimmed by Sharon’s grim tone. “Why do I get the feeling everything’s not fine?”
“I’m sure it all is.”
I gripped my phone tighter. “Is it something to do with Davin? Have you talked to him?”
“No, not yet. I’ve tried a few times, but the line’s always off the hook. It must be the maintenance. They’re probably still working on things.” Rustling sounded in the background. It sounded as if she was nervously busying herself with something. “But I’m sure everything’s fine.”
“You’re still driving there this weekend, right?”
“Yes, I plan to visit on Friday after work.”
Sharon, like all family members that had visited Kazzies on the reservation, had already been exposed to the virus. They were like me now. Immune. They could move freely among people infected with Makanza and not worry about contracting it or dying.
“Will you call me on Friday?”
“Of course.” I could practically hear her nodding.
Compound 10 came into view. I expected the driver to pull up to the main gates. Three other cars were lined up for entry, but instead, he drove down the road and stopped in front of the Director’s door.
“Um . . . Sharon, I better go. I’m at work.”
“Sure, sweetie. I’ll call you this weekend.”
We hung up, and I tapped my finger absently against the blank screen. Since it was only Tuesday, it would be a few days before I’d know if the reservation was open.
Before I’d know if Davin was okay.
Pain made me wince when I bit down on my lip hard enough to draw blood. I dabbed at the puncture. A single drop of crimson blood came back on my finger. Rustling around in my purse, I pulled out a tissue. My hands shook.
Relax, Meghan. You’re just getting worked up for nothing. And it’s not like you can do anything anyway. You’re hundreds of miles away.
My brow furrowed as the driver opened my door. I hadn’t noticed him leave the front to walk around to help me. I smiled sheepishly as I brought the tissue to my mouth.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Dr. Forester. When would you like me to return?”
Cold wind blew around us. I bundled my jacket around me, but it did little to alleviate the chill inside me. “Seven tonight?”
“See you then, ma’am.”
The driver slid back into his seat as Private Carlson began the admittance procedure. I did my best to pay attention, but my thoughts kept drifting away, like leaves fluttering through the breeze on a crisp fall day.
All of the phone lines into the rez aren’t working.
Sixteen times the number of votes . . .
Maybe I just needed to keep reminding myself of that number so I’d stop fretting over Davin, but as I stepped through the outer access door, my mind kept drifting to scenes of rolling prairies and a fiercely proud Native American trapped within a barbed wire fence halfway across the country.
I shoved those thoughts aside and hurried down the long tunnel to the Compound.
A moment later, the sound of running footsteps reached my ears. A figure was in the tunnel. The person, most likely a man from the build, was at the end running my way.
I cocked my head as I tried to make out who he was.
“Meghan!” the runner called. “I mean . . . Dr. Forester!”
As the figure neared, I recognized Ian. He reached my side, panting. Looking embarrassed, he put his hands on his hips and grinned. “You arrived earlier than I thought you would. I just got word that you were being admitted.”
I checked my watch. “It’s almost eight o’clock. Usually, I’d have been working for a few hours by now.”
Ian made a horrified face. “Yikes. I think I like Cate’s schedule better.”
A laugh bubbled out of me.
Ian grinned.
He looked much the same as yesterday. Tall, broad shouldered, dancing blue eyes, and reddish-gold hair that had a tendency to curl. His beard was freshly trimmed, and once again, a sense of warmth emanated from him.
It was strange, but despite the worries that plagued me, I found myself smiling as Ian turned and led me down the tunnel.
He shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “I was thinking we could start today with a proper tour. I know the Co
mpounds are laid out very similarly, but we’ve made a few changes in ours that are different from 26.”
“Sure. Just let me drop my bags off first.”
“Would you like me to carry them for you?” He held his hand out.
“I can manage but thanks.”
When we reached the end of the tunnel, I turned toward the north wing which was where my office was located in Compound 26.
“Um, this way, Dr. Forester.” Ian nodded toward a moving belt that researchers could hop onto when navigating the long halls. “You’ll be in Cate’s office.”
“Oh, right.” My cheeks flushed. “And please, call me Meghan.”
Ian’s eyes lit up. “Sure. Meghan it is.”
We made our way to the fourth level. The entire time Ian chatted easily about the various differences between South Dakota and Washington’s Compounds. My earlier fears about Davin and Reservation 1 slowly faded to the back of my mind.
“Here we are.” We reached the fourth level. Cate’s secretary sat at a desk outside of Cate’s office.
Ian waved the introductions. “Dr. Forester, this is Brad Monticello.”
Brad appeared to be in his mid-thirties. He dressed casually—jeans and a button-up shirt which was open at the collar. He had brown hair and brown eyes. His hair color was similar to my own.
After Ian introduced us, Brad held his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Forester. It will be a pleasure to work with you during Cate’s absence.”
My palm cooled in his grip as we shook hands, and my anxiety kicked in—my heart rate increased, a light sheen of sweat erupted across my brow, and my palm turned to ice the longer he held it.
When he finally let go, I was forcing a smile. While Brad seemed friendly and engaging, he was still a new person. He didn’t hold quite the charisma Ian did.
“Do you want to put your bags in here?” Ian opened the door to Cate’s office.
“Um, yes. Sure.” The words tumbled out of me and for the millionth time I wondered why in the world Cate thought I’d be good at this job.
I strode into the office to the desk. Taking a deep breath, I sat everything down and then took a moment to compose myself while staring out the floor to ceiling windows. I crossed my arms as I gazed outside. My heart rate slowly returned to normal.
Ian cleared his throat from behind me. “Excuse me for asking this, Meghan, but if you’re not comfortable having Brad as your secretary, I can find someone else who would suit you better.”
I whirled around. “What? No, Brad’s fine.” I avoided the urge to tug at my shirt collar. “Why would you suggest that?”
Ian’s gaze followed my barely controlled nervous movements. “Well, you seemed a bit on edge around him.”
Crap. So Ian’s a very observant person. Good to know.
The words almost left my mouth, in which I denied everything he was implying, but then I stopped. Before I could consider how wise my next words were, I told him something I admitted to very few people.
“I have anxiety. Sometimes it acts up around new people, but I’ll be fine. I don’t need special treatment.”
The bold admission surprised me. Normally, I tried to hide that side of myself, like the drunk uncle at Christmas that nobody wanted to claim as a family member. I’d been ashamed of my reaction around groups my entire life, but lately, I’d become tired of always pretending. Always trying to act like everything was fine. And there was something about Ian. I had a feeling he wouldn’t judge me.
Still, I tensed as I waited for his reaction.
“Anxiety’s pretty common.” The words flowed easily out of his lips. “I think most people have it to some degree. In the world we now live in, there are a lot of unknowns. It’s normal to feel anxious about stuff.”
I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until he finished. “You’re right. I’m sure I’m not the only one.”
Ian brightened and opened the office door. “Shall we go on that tour?”
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Sure.”
I FOLLOWED IAN for the rest of the day. He joked around a lot and tried to keep things light. In some aspects, he reminded me of Mitch but in a less sarcastic way. He was polite to a fault, incredibly attentive, and seemed genuinely interested in helping me find my way in the Compound.
As the end of the day arrived, he walked me out through the tunnel. It was still weird to not exit through normal security.
“Have I scared you off yet?” Ian smiled. For the first time, I noticed a dimple in his cheek. It was hard to see since his beard covered it.
I laughed. “Not yet, but you still have twenty-nine days to do that.”
“I bet you’ll be looking for a home to purchase before the month’s finished.”
His dancing blue eyes held mine as my ride pulled up. Already it was completely dark out while a fierce wind blew hair around my face.
I felt Ian’s gaze linger on me as I walked to the car. Trying to ignore it, I slipped into the backseat.
As the driver pulled away from the curb, Ian stood on the sidewalk and watched us go. The road stretched out in front of the windshield as the driver picked up speed.
A sixth sense told me that I was still being watched. I turned in the seat.
Ian hadn’t retreated inside. He held a hand up and waved.
My cheeks heated. I waved awkwardly in return before turning back around.
Leaning my head back against the headrest, I closed my eyes and chewed on my lip. Davin’s bright blue gaze and broad shoulders filled my mind. A longing sigh escaped me.
I miss you.
4 – PHONE CALL
The rest of the week passed in a blur. There was so much to learn, and as each day passed, I still wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to do this. While I was flattered that Cate had such confidence in me, I wasn’t sure I was cut out to be a Director. I’d always been a behind-the-scenes kind of person.
I functioned well in my lab, alone with my samples and theories. The managerial role, that Cate made look so easy, was anything but. Her job required people skills I could only hope to master and a confidence that I struggled to portray.
It wasn’t surprising. When it came to science, I knew my place. It was a world I understood. But when it came to running a company full of faces that looked to me for guidance and support, I felt like a fish out of water.
By the time Friday afternoon rolled around, I picked up the phone and called Amy. Not only did I need the distraction, since I hadn’t heard from Sharon yet, but I also needed advice.
She answered readily. “Hey, Meg. How’s it going?”
I sighed. “It’s weird. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that I’m in Seattle and not with Dr. Hutchinson on the east coast?”
“Yep, the news has spread like wildfire. Rumor has it that you’re going to be the next Director there. But we already knew that, didn’t we?”
I slumped back in Cate’s giant office chair. “Amy, I’m not cut out for this. Really, I’m not.”
“So you don’t want the job?”
I groaned and as I did, the answer came to me like a flash of lightning. Suddenly, everything was clear.
“No, I don’t.” I hadn’t wanted to admit that to myself, since I’d been trying so hard to find my way out here, but if I was honest, it wasn’t for me. “But I don’t know what to do.”
Amy bit into something. Crunchy chews followed. “That’s easy. Just tell them you don’t want the job and come back here.”
I sighed heavily. “If only it was that easy.”
“It is. Just tell them no.”
Amy always had a way of making everything so simple. I pictured Ian, his eager face and grins every morning when he saw me. I could already imagine his disappointment when I told him I was leaving.
But then Cate’s words haunted me. Sixteen times the number of votes.
“Say, Meg?” Another crunch sounded from Amy’s side. “A package of blood samples showed up for you in the
lab this morning. Is this that package you wanted me to run tests on?”
My heart rate sped up. My weekly package from Dr. Roberts had arrived. “That’s the one.”
“Um . . . okaaaay . . .” Another loud crunch followed. “So can I ask what this is about?”
I grimaced. I’d been waiting for the questions. Amy had been distracted when I’d told her about the weekly packages that would come addressed to me. Now, from the sounds of it, she wasn’t distracted anymore.
I ran an agitated hand through my hair. “Would you mind screening those samples for drugs without asking why?”
Her crunches stopped. “A drug screen? What drugs would I be screening for?”
I rattled off the numerous classes of drugs I tested the samples for each week.
“That’s quite the list. And I can’t ask what this is all about?”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t.” Nobody knew about my deal with Dr. Roberts. I knew if Amy, Mitch, or Charlie found out, they’d fly off the handle. But the situation was what it was. So far, Dr. Roberts had kept his end of the bargain. I needed to keep mine too, and starting more problems for him could potentially ruin the tentative truce we’d reached.
Amy sighed heavily. “Fine. I’ll run the tests. Want me to call you with the results?”
“Yes, please.”
We spoke for a few more minutes until a knock sounded on my door. Ian opened it without waiting for a response. He smiled when he saw me.
“Amy, I gotta go. Talk to you later?”
I hung up as Ian strolled into the room.
“Were you busy? Did I interrupt anything?” He wore jeans, a T-shirt, and a flannel shirt over that. One thing I’d observed, Washington’s Compound employees dressed just as casually as South Dakota’s.
“No, not busy. It was a personal call.”
He glanced at the clock. “It’s getting close to quitting time. Are you ready for tomorrow?”
I grimaced. “I’m never ready for that.”
My first speech at a rally in downtown Seattle was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. The expected crowd was to be in the thousands. That was easily ten times the amount of people who had attended the rallies I’d done in South Dakota.
The Complete Makanza Series: Books 0-4 Page 63