Page 57 of Hidden Chance

“Lucky for me.”

“Listen, I’ve got to get going. I’m late now. But you call me if you need anything.”

“I will. But he won’t try anything again. Not after that confrontation.” She couldn’t endure much more of Pike’s acute concern. At least she didn’t have to make any excuses to get away from him.

“Promise me you’ll contact Human Resources and put in a complaint against that dirtbag.”

“Maybe he really did misunderstand.”

“Trust me, he knew what he was doing. I know guys like that. If he’s done it once, he’ll do it again. Promise me you’ll report it. Otherwise, I will.”

“Okay. I promise.”

“Good. And remember. Anything at all. You call me.”

“Thank you.”

For a moment, she was afraid Pike would kiss her before he left, but after he escorted her to her office, he only touched her arm, and she had to resist the urge to shudder at his touch.

She spent the rest of the afternoon in her room with her door closed. It was too dangerous to have any contact with Robby while she was still in the office, but with several hours left in the day, it was an agonizing wait. She was desperate to talk to him after what she had found. At least she could do some research of her own.

Her phone dinged with an incoming message, and she rubbed her forehead. Pike had sent her another text.

He hasn’t bothered you again?

Nope. I think you took care of that problem. Thanks again.

Will you have time for that coffee today?

I don’t think I’m up for it. I’m a bit shaken. I’m looking forward to going home and going to bed.

Tomorrow then.

It will take me a couple of days to get the information together that you wanted to talk about. I’ll let you know when I have everything.

If you insist.

She put her phone aside and pulled out the sheet of paper she’d swiped from the back of Pike’s filing cabinet. It contained details about his visit to Burma, which wouldn’t be unusual except he’d never mentioned any trip to Burma before and had never shown any interest except for today as an excuse to have coffee with her. Why would he keep it a secret unless he was doing something he knew she wouldn’t like?

She closed her eyes to steady herself. If Pike was involved, that meant he’d been playing her the whole time. He kept himself distanced from Burma for a reason, but why would he want to get close to her about it? Why risk letting something slip?

By the end of the day, she was exhausted from her search. Then a knock came at the door, and she quickly turned off her computer screen.

“Yeah?”

The door opened, and Pike ducked in. “I just got back. Wanted to make sure you weren’t still too rattled.”

“I told you, I’m fine.”

“But your door is closed. You never have your door closed.”

“I do sometimes, but today I didn’t want to have to look at Robby if he walked by.”

“He’s not here anymore, so either he’s gone home or he’s been fired. Did you contact HR?”

“Not yet.”

“I know you always try to see the good in people, but there’s something fishy going on.”

---