Page 44 of A Rebel's Shot

“The mine’s current plans for mitigating the drainage are woefully inadequate,” Dr. Erikson explained, his voice tight with barely contained anger. “The acidity levels in the surrounding water sources could be catastrophic, not just for the environment, but for the people living downstream.”

He pointed to a series of graphs and charts, his finger trembling slightly as he traced the projected levels of contamination. “The mine’s own initial study shows that the drainage could be up to ten times worse than what they’ve publicly disclosed. You’re gambling with people’s lives.”

Merritt’s stomach churned as she absorbed the implications of Dr. Erikson’s words. If he was right, then the mine was not only putting the environment at risk, but also the health and safety of countless innocent people.

Why hadn’t she seen this study in all the reports she’d been scouring through the last two weeks?

She shook her head. “I haven’t seen any of this. These reports aren’t in any of the paperwork that I have.”

Dr. Erikson nodded, his expression grim. “That’s why your father wanted to meet with me. He knew something was wrong, and he was determined to make the mine safe, even if that meant putting the mining on hold.”

Merritt’s heart ached at the mention of her father. But she knew that she couldn’t let his death be in vain.She clutched the papers tightly in her hands, the evidence grounding her in the moment. She wasn’t about to let her father’s legacy be tainted by lies and greed.

She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she met Dr. Erikson’s gaze. “Tell me everything,” she said, her voice steady and strong. “I need to know it all if I’m going to fix this.”

Dr. Erikson leaned back against the cluttered desk, his eyes narrowing as he studied Merritt’s face. “I suspect that either the geologists were paid off or they were already on the payroll to ensure their reports came back clean. It’s the only explanation for why the official findings are so different from what I’ve discovered.”

Merritt’s heart sank as she considered the implications of Dr. Erikson’s words.

The thought of HGR’s own employees, people her father had trusted, being involved in a cover-up made her feel sick to her stomach. He had always prided himself on running an ethical company, but now she couldn’t help but wonder if that had all been an illusion.

“What needs to be done to make the mine safe?”

Dr. Erikson sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

“There are a few key steps that need to be taken before the mine can move forward. First, you need to conduct a thorough, independent assessment of the potential for AMD. No more relying on in-house geologists or third-party companies with questionable loyalties.”

Merritt nodded, her mind already racing with the logistics of arranging such an assessment. It would becostly and time-consuming. Her family was going to freak.

“Second,” Dr. Erikson continued, “you need to develop a comprehensive plan for mitigating any potential drainage issues. That means making sure the water treatment facilities can handle the toxic load, implementing strict monitoring protocols, and being transparent with the public about any risks or challenges.”

He fixed Merritt with a piercing stare, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. “And finally, you need to hold those responsible for the cover-up accountable. No more secrets, no more lies. The truth must come out, no matter how painful or damaging it may be.”

Merritt swallowed hard. She knew he was right, that the only way forward was through transparency and accountability. Yet she had no clue whom she could trust.

By his last message, her dad hadn’t either.

The people behind this could be anyone, even those closest to him. Taking on the very people who had been her father’s closest confidants, the ones who had stood by her side at his funeral, made her heart ache with a deep sense of betrayal.

She could trust Tiikâan.

That much she knew.

If she could convince Dr. Erikson to help with the environmental side of the mystery, maybe she could talk Tiikâan into helping her with the rest. He had contacts in Alaska that would help her find out if her father was truly murdered or if the plane crash was just an unfortunate accident. She’d text him as soon as she got to her car.

But first, she had a skittish scientist to convince to venture out of his burrow.

Merritt took a deep breath, her gaze locking with Dr. Erikson’s. “I need your help. I want you to lead the environmental team, to make sure that we do this right.”

Dr. Erikson’s eyes widened, surprise etched across his face. He shook his head, taking a step back.

“I… I can’t,” he stammered, his hands coming up in a defensive gesture. “I’m not cut out for that kind of responsibility. I’m just a researcher, not a leader.”

Merritt stepped forward, her hand reaching out to rest on his arm. She could feel the tension thrumming through his body.

“You’re the expert here, Dr. Erikson,” she said, her voice soft but insistent. “I don’t have a clue who else could help me make this right. But you do. You know the science, you know the risks, and you know what needs to be done.”

Dr. Erikson stared at her for a long moment, his eyes searching her face as if looking for any sign of deception or manipulation. He sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

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