Page 35 of A Rebel's Shot

“Thank you for welcoming me into your community and giving me the opportunity to speak with you today.” Her voice echoed through the gym, and she paused, taking in the sea of faces before her.

“I’ve been to many places around the world, but I have to say, I’ve never been greeted with a view quite asstunning as the moose and her calf that I saw when I arrived.”

A murmur of appreciation rippled through the crowd, and Merritt felt a flicker of connection.

“It’s a reflection of the beauty and importance of this land, and I want you to know that I understand that. I promise you that protecting this environment is a top priority for me and for Harland Global Resources.”

Someone scoffed, and her perfectly memorized speech flew out of her mind.

A scuffle sounded behind her, and she turned. Two teen boys pushed against each other as they made their way into the gym, reminding her of the boys in the refugee camps on the other side of the world.

Merritt looked back at the bleachers, meeting the eyes of a woman in the front row who held a baby on her lap. The child’s wide, curious gaze seemed to see right through her, and Merritt drew strength from that innocence.

“We’ve put extensive safety measures in place to ensure that the mine will not harm the environment or the people who depend on it. Our waste management procedures have been designed to contain any potential acid mine drainage, and we’ve had multiple geologists assess the site to confirm that the risk is minimal.”

The words flowed more easily now, buoyed by the nods of encouragement from Aklaq and Tiikâan.

“Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency has thoroughly evaluated our plans and given us their approval to proceed. We would not be moving forwardwith this project if we weren’t confident that it was safe for the land, the water, and the people.”

Merritt paused, her gaze sweeping over the room. “I know that you have questions and concerns, and I’m here to listen and address them to the best of my ability. Your input is valuable to me, and I want to work together to find a way forward that benefits everyone.”

Questions flowed for almost an hour. When she didn’t know the answer, Nolan jumped in. His easygoing demeanor, good ol’ boy smile, and extensive mining knowledge made any resentment she had at him being there melt away.

Several people asked about a claim coming from Fairbanks stating the mine was a danger. Her heart clenched as she promised that they were looking into it.

She had to find out who the geologist was and if the claim was true. After looking in their faces and hearing their concerns firsthand, she knew she couldn’t let them down.

As the meeting drew to a close, Merritt thanked everyone for their time and promised to keep them updated on any developments. She shook hands with Aklaq and several other elders, their weathered palms rough against her own.

As she turned to leave, a young man stepped forward, his dark eyes intense. “You say you want to protect our land, but how can we trust you? Your father’s company has a history of putting profits over people.”

Merritt’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt Nolan tense beside her.

The man’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to alow, menacing tone. “Anyone who questions Harland’s reputation is either paid off or disappears. Coincidence? I think not.”

“What?” Nolan stepped forward, disbelief on his face. “No way. I can assure you that’s not how HGR operates. Any business as large as ours is bound to have rumors circulating. That’s all they are––rumors.”

But Merritt wasn’t so sure. Her father’s cryptic message to trust no one echoed in her mind, mingling with the memory of Silas’ hushed words to the HEAS guy about making the geologist problem go away, no matter what. A chill ran down her spine, and she fought the urge to shiver.

She forced a smile, her voice steady despite the unease churning in her gut. “I assure you, we take all concerns seriously. If there’s any truth to these rumors, I will personally investigate and take appropriate action.”

The man scoffed, shaking his head. “Pretty words from a pretty face. But we’ll see if you’re still standing when the truth comes out.”

With that, he turned and stalked out of the gym, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Merritt’s heart raced, and she could feel every gaze on her. She had to act fast to uncover the truth before it was too late.

As she made her way out of the school, Tiikâan fell into step beside her, his presence a comforting warmth in the chilly Alaskan air.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and concerned as he nodded at people they passed.

“I will be, once I get to the bottom of this.” Her own words sounded hollow in her ears.

She climbed into the ATV, her mind racing with questions and possibilities.

As they drove back to the airstrip, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message on the screen. It was from an unknown number, and the words made her blood run cold.

Stop digging, or you’ll end up like your father.

FIFTEEN

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