Page 29 of Savage Seduction

The clock in the car says it's later than I want it to be, but it's set twenty minutes fast. I crumple up the to-go bag and toss it into the trash box I keep on the floor on the passenger side of the car. I adjust the rearview mirror a few times, scanning the reflection of the view behind and to the sides of the car making sure no one is lurking behind vehicles or watchingme from the bushes. I hate the paranoid feeling that's growing inside me like some insidious disease; every shadow, every blind corner, feels like a threat.

There's no more time for me to dwell on things that haven't happened yet. I grab the backpack with an extra change of clothes in case I get dirty unpacking boxes and studying the pieces of the Tutankhamun exhibit. Slamming the car door, I swipe the door handle to lock it. It's a short walk across the museum grounds. The landscaping is kept immaculate with freshly trimmed topiaries and large potted flower beds that explode with color. When the sun hits the vibrant hues just right, it feels more like being inside a painting than in the middle of a huge city like Los Angeles.

Once inside, I check the time and am glad to see I'm early. There is time to look around the museum before I have to meet Dr. Austin in the laboratory. I make my way to the Prehistoric Animal Exhibit Hall. The huge skeletal remains of creatures that lived during times long lost to human memory bring me a sense of awe and wonderment.This is why you're working so hard. Stay focused and don't let these distractions get the better of you, I think.

The lead museum curator and president of the board of directors, Catherine Nakamura, steps over to me wearing a tailored dark blue pantsuit—her Louboutin heels alone must cost more than my apartment. "Max," she says. "It’s great to see you."

"You too, Doctor Nakamura."

"Oh, please. Call me Catherine. Doctor Nakamura is for Bob and the others." She turns and eyes the gigantic remains of a Stegosaurus and sighs. "Aren’t they magnificent? I never tire of being in the presence of such historical grandeur."

I haven't spent a lot of time talking with Catherine but have always wanted to pick her brain about being at the top of her field and the path she took to get there. She's a truetrailblazer; a woman in a male-dominated field. While it's true that more women than men work at museums, being in a high-profile leadership position such as lead curator is still predominantly a man's domain.

"When you first started working here for us, you came to me about wanting to be more than a junior curator. Do you remember that?"

I nod. "Yes, ma'am."

"You had no idea you would need more than a PhD. To move up in the ranks in a high-profile museum such as this, you would need to be published… continue to hone your expertise." Catherine smirks. "The look on your face… At first I was sure you would have a change of heart."

"It was a shock, but I’ve never been more excited. In fact, I just recently completed another art history course at USC."

Catherine turns to me. "With that strong positive attitude, you will go far in this industry. Not to mention the fact you’re not intimidated by anyone. Some of those pompous assholes will try and bully you and make you second-guess every move you make." She sighs. "Believe me… I didn’t always stand this straight and tall." She stomps her left foot. "The fact that I’m wearing designer heels and leading a century-old institution in Los Angeles California is proof that you can do anything you set your mind to."

I smile. "I don’t know if I can pull off those heels."

Catherine throws her head back and cackles. "Touché." She looks me up and down for a moment. "I see big things in your future. You’re smart, dedicated, and not jaded… not yet."

"Thank you, ma'am. It makes me feel good to know someone in your position believes in me."

She puts her hands on her hips and her expression hardens. "That’s why I’m going to tell you this. It’s important you take me seriously. Got it?"

My heart pounds as dread fills the deep pit in my gut. "What’s going on, Catherine?"

"There was an anonymous call that came directly to my office yesterday," she says. "When I answered it, a man accused you of stealing museum property."

"What?" My voice cracks with shock. "I swear I have no idea what you’re talking about. What did they say I stole?"

She shakes her head and holds up her hand. "I have absolutely no information on the caller, but something about his voice and the way he spoke about you… It just felt off to me."

"Off, how?"

"He sounded more like a jilted lover than a whistleblower."

Catherine's words smash into my chest like a battering ram, knocking the breath right out of me.

I am speechless. The note from the package flittered into my mind. It, too, seemed very personal—sickeningly so.This couldn't be happening to me.Just when my life had started to make sense again and I felt like my path had been paved.I clear my throat and ask, "Did they say what I supposedly stole?"

Catherine looks over her shoulder and smooths her shoulder-length gray hair. "Come with me." She glances up at the security camera in the corner of the room. "We shouldn’t talk here."

My heart races. We exit the exhibit hall and cross the expansive entrance to the door that led to the administration offices. Once in the hallway, Catherine turns to me and puts a finger to her lips. I look behind us. No one seems to have followed.

"Please, Doctor Salgado. Come into my office. I’d like to discuss your future here at the museum."

I follow her into her office, and she closes the door behind us.

"Catherine," I start to say, but she raises her hand to silence me.

"Keep your voice low," she says. "I really shouldn’t be talking to you about this to begin with. I should have called the police, but… well, please have a seat."

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