Page 25 of Honor Code

"What's up?" she asked Phoenix, then gnawed on her lip, a habit she had when she was nervous.

"I need to ask you about what happened last night," he said, his voice gentle. "When Billy got swept off the platform."

"Oh, that." She let out a relieved sigh. "I thought I was in trouble."

He frowned, genuine concern in his eyes. "Why would you think that?"

"Oh, just because we were told not to go topside, not for any reason. It was out of bounds. I thought that was because of me, that it was my fault that Billy got injured."

"No, it was just dangerous, that's all. Nothing to do with you." He reached out and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, his touch electric even through the fabric of her shirt.

She exhaled, relieved. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. Ellie, I want you to focus on what happened last night. Can you talk me through the events leading up to Billy’s accident?"

“Sure.” She took a deep breath, trying to do as he asked and not focus, instead, on his piercing blue eyes inches away from hers, his day-old stubble, or how good he smelled. "We heard that almighty crash as the crane came loose and fell over. You and Boomer raced topside to check it out."

"Yeah, what made you come up too?" He tilted his head, studying her intently.

"We wanted to see if we could help. I followed Suzi up on deck. Once we got up there, we noticed the railing was loose and buffeting around in the gale. We thought it might come apart and injure someone, so I grabbed a rope, and we tried to secure it."

"That's it? Nobody told you to do it?"

"No. What's this about?" She searched his chiseled face for clues.

Phoenix lowered his voice so only she could hear, leaning in closer. She could feel the heat radiating off his hard body. "We inspected the railing this morning, and it looks like it's been tampered with. Some of the bolts holding it together were removed."

Ellie gasped, shocked by his revelation. "Deliberately removed?"

He gave a grim nod, his jaw clenched.

"I don't understand. What does that mean?" Ellie asked, her mind reeling.

"It means someone tried to sabotage the rig. They knew the railing would come loose in the storm and might injure someone," Phoenix explained.

"Do you think someone wanted to hurt Billy?" It was unthinkable, Billy was such a great guy, yet Ellie's mind was already trying to work out the puzzle, if there was one.

"Did you say Billy came to help you? That he told you to stay clear?" Phoenix questioned.

"Yes, that's right." Ellie distinctly remembered him saying that. If it wasn't for him, it would be her who'd been standing by the railing when that rogue object came hurtling toward him.

She gasped, as the revelation struck. "You don't think—?" She couldn't finish. It was too terrible for words. Too frightening.

Phoenix gave a sage nod, his expression darkening. "I think we have to consider the possibility that someone was trying to hurt you, Ellie."

Suddenly the room started to spin. She clutched her throat and gasped for breath. Phoenix frowned.

"Ellie, are you okay?" His husky voice was laced with worry.

But she couldn't respond, couldn't focus on anything except the rising panic threatening to consume her. Her shoulders heaved as she fought for air. Hoarse raspy breaths burned her lungs.

Breathe. Ellie heard her therapist's voice in her head.

In and out. In and out.

It wasn't helping. Oh, God. She was going to pass out.

Wildly, she looked for an exit. Spotting the door, she turned and ran. If she could get outside, get some air, she might be okay.

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