Page 2 of Rupture

Rose peeled the wetsuit off her shoulders and pushed it down to her waist.

“Hey.” She slid a finger under Gina’s dipped chin. “It’s okay. It’s not your fault and try as we might, we can’t control every aspect of what they use MARV for.”

Gina nodded as Rose glimpsed herwet hair in the mirror. Ugh. Looked like she’d been crowned with seaweed. Did anyone look good after being encased in a rubber suit for several hours?

A glance at her watch confirmed she was supposed to be in the hospitality suite in ten minutes to schmooze the suits with the money. She was a lost cause. “Did you find anything to eat? I’m starving.”

Ginafrowned. “Sandwiches. I left them by the door.”

Rose exhaled. “I’m starving. I can’t schmooze on an empty stomach.”

“I’ll get them for you.”

“Thanks, Gina.” Rose perched her backside on one of the wooden benches that lined the changing rooms. Adrenalin buzzed warmth through her system. MARV would revolutionize sub-sea safety and lots of contractors were going to shower her with money to make it happen.

The comms unit on the wall rang.

Rose looked up. “We expecting someone?”

Gina shook her head. She balanced the plate of sandwiches in one hand and pressed the button to answer. “Dive pool. Gina Woods speaking.”

“Dr. Woods. Is Dr. Wyndham with you?”

Rose recognized the polished tones. Not Haverham, her boss but his PA, Cara.

“Um.” Gina looked over to Rose.

Rose made a slicing motion across her neck and stuck her tongue out sideways.

“Well. I think… yes?” Gina looked apologetic.

Rose rolled her eyes.

“What do you mean, you think yes—” Cara’s voice shrieked like metal under stress. A strict fan of firmly rollered hair and precise makeup, she was not a woman to be trifled with. There was an unusual hint of fluster in her voice, even over the comms. “There’s a woman here to see Dr. Wyndham?—”

Rose stood up and moved over to the comms. “I’m here Cara.” She eyed the plate of ham sandwiches, her stomach cramping. Breakfast had only been black coffee. Her nerves had been so jittery.

A voice was talking in the background, speaking to Cara. Female. Commanding.

“Cara, I have a meeting with Haverham and potential sponsors once I’m dressed. Can you please ask whoever it is to make an appointment?” Rose ended the conversation with a tap on the comms.Cara was the best. No one would get through her.

Gina squawked. “Can’t believe you did that.” She worried her lower lip, still clutching the plate.

Rose lifted a ham sandwich and took a bite. “I’ve got just over five minutes to get changed and look vaguely presentable. Hmm. These sandwiches are better than what they give us in the canteen. What’s the deal with that?”

“No… no you can’t…I really must insist.”

Rose swung at the sound of the raised voice.

Cara burst into the changing room, the swing door clattering behind her. “I’m so sorry, Dr. Wyndham. Some people will not listen to reason. Really.” She smoothed an invisible wrinkle on her blouse, her painted lips in a puckered bow.

A tall woman pushed through the door behind her, her gaze impassive as she locked eyes with Rose.A long black coat clung in expensive swathes around slim legs clad in fitted plum-colored trousers above heels licensed to kill.

Two enormous men shadowed her, their necks thicker than their heads.

An involuntary shiver hula-hooped down Rose’s spine.She smiled at Cara as she dropped her half-eaten sandwich in the trash. “Cara. It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

The tension in Cara’s shoulders relaxed.“Well…if you are sure.” She shot a glancing glare at the female interloper. “I have a lot of paperwork to be catching up with. If you will excuse me. Dr. Wyndham.” She inclined her head at Rose and then Gina. “Dr. Woods.”

---