Page 73 of Her Wild Coast Promise

Inside the building, I sign in, pass through the metal detector, and take the broad steps to the mezzanine. The rain sheets on the giant glass windows outside, but is drowned out by the sounds of people rushing by, conversations, the elevator’s ding, a keyring jangling.

A woman waiting for the elevator gives me a sharp look, like she’s annoyed.

Oops. It’s my phone. I give the woman an apologetic nod and step away. It’s Hunter.

“Got a minute?” he asks.

“I’m about to step into a meeting with Congressman Gerald White.”

“No shit?” Hunter replies. “He was a colleague of my dad’s. They were both in passport security then.”

“Any tips I can put to use for this meeting?”

“To be honest, I don’t know much about him, other than he’s always promised his support of my family.”

“Sounds like he cares.”

“For sure. He’s who I tapped when I was helping Lexie fight the development company that wanted to drill in the Soren Creek watershed.”

From what Cora researched, Congressman White has voted both for and against development, but he almost always sides with business. “Was he against the mine?”

Hunter grunts. “He’s an Alaska statesman. If he was against drilling and mining, he’d be out of a job.”

Behind me, the elevator dings, but I decide to skip this ride. “Did he help you?”

“When I talked to him, he was very concerned and promised to see how he could intervene, but Dawson’s ex showed up and things went south pretty fast.”

Including a series of bombs timed to explode while his sister Lexie was in the survey camp. Lexie survived thanks to Dawson and Quinn, who risked their lives to rescue her.

“That’s what I’m calling about,” he continues. “Ambrose and Madison have updates. Can you meet up after your tea party?”

I know he’s making light of what’s likely to be a serious head-to-head, but I can’t help thinking of a different kind of tea party, one with a little girl and a set of miniature teacups. I rock back on my heels and huff a slow breath. Something is happening inside me, and I’m not sure I like it. I sure as hell don’t understand it.

“How about…one o’clock?” I reply.

“See you then,” Hunter replies, oblivious to my stutter.

I return to the queue at the elevators, but I don’t have to wait long for a car. The doors open at every floor on the way up, and by the time I arrive at Congressman White’s level, I’m alone. Before stepping into the shiny marble foyer with big glass windows foggy with the rain, I silence my phone and follow the signs down a brightly lit hallway to Congressman White’s office.

A secretary with short gray hair and sharp eyes greets me with a cordial smile from behind her mahogany desk.

“Deputy Seth Dalton?” she asks.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Please have a seat. I’ll let Congressman White know you’re here.”

The waiting area is small but opulent, with big windows overlooking the adjoining park below. On a clear day, the view of the mountains would be stunning. Too bad the secretary’s desk faces the elevators. The magazines fanned out on the table between two couches look untouched, but maybe I’m the first visitor of the day.

“Deputy,” the secretary calls from the edge of the waiting area. “Congressman White will see you now.”

I follow her to the double doors behind her desk. She pushes them open and strides through, stepping to the side as I enter. I thank her and she nods, then closes the doors behind me.

“Come in, come in,” calls a man from the other end of the big office. The carpet is so thick it’s like walking on springs, and the air feels thick. Maybe it’s the dark wood paneling, or the window behind the giant desk brighter than seems real given the weather.

Congressman White stands and I hurry over to shake his outstretched hand.

“Off duty, huh?” he asks, nodding at my suit.

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