Page 10 of Falling for the Enemy

Isla shrugged. “Well, in that case.” She took the card. “When do you leave?”

“Bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“Well, I’m glad it’s only for a few weeks, especially after Egypt, when you gave us such a scare. I know it’s hard out in the field, but make sure to send us something—an email, a flare, a message by carrier pigeon—to let us know you’re all right.”

“We’re near a biological station, so I’ll be able to get word to you.” I picked up the boxes. “Okay, yummies, let’s do your job and make everyone smile.”

Robyn had set up the meeting table with itineraries, lists and everything else people would need for the trip. I found a tray in the lunchroom, and we piled it with the pastries. Ian and Evan walked in together. They both looked revved up and ready for the adventure. Norman walked in behind them with earbuds in his ears. He didn’t look quite as revved up.

Pam Boswitch had her short blonde hair clipped back, and she was carrying a laptop. She set it out on the table. “Plug?” she asked without even a hello.

“Sit on that side of the table,” I explained. “The panel is underneath.” Apparently, she was planning to take copious notes about the trip even though all our handouts covered the details.

Milo walked in next carrying his bike helmet. Ian walked over to greet him. It seemed they knew each other, so that was a bonus.

“Everyone, help yourself to a pastry,” I said. “Coffee is on the cart.”

“Are those gluten-free?” Pam asked. Her nose was already pinching up on the side to show her discontent with the treats.

“Nope, they’re about as gluten-y as a pastry can get,” I said with a smile. Her nose continued its upward curl to finish her show of displeasure.

Jack was late, so I walked to the door to shut it. I couldn’t have cared less about sharing information with him or getting his input. As I shut the door, his hand stopped it.

“Nice try, Lo, but if I’m stuck going on this trip, then you’re stuck with me, too.” He sidled past. “Hmm, pastries.”

The pastries had been a good call. Everyone had smiles on their faces as they nibbled the treats and sipped coffee. Everyone except Pam, anyway. She tapped away on her keyboard as the rest of us settled into a comfortable social group. It seemed she wanted us to know that she was quite busy with something far more important than our trivial meeting. Milo had no problem mingling with our group, and in fact, I was sure I noticed that he had a bit of a thing for Robyn. I hoped that wouldn’t be a problem on the trip, but I knew Robyn pretty well. She didn’t seem the slightest bit interested in the men who surrounded her all day in the lab. The other non-social entity was Jack. Not the least bit surprising. He enjoyed thetwopastries well enough, but rather than join in the casual conversation, he scrolled through his phone like a defiant teen.

When the niceties and the pastries seemed to be waning, I stood up to start the meeting. At least Pam had enough manners to shut her laptop and give me her attention. I couldn’t say the same about her mentor. Jack kept scrolling through his phone.

“As you can see, Robyn has printed out the itinerary for our two-week expedition. The flight leaves at eight in the morning, so please give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport andthrough security to make it to the gate on time. I’ve instructed my team to have only carry-on luggage. That way you don’t have to deal with checked bags. Plus, as you’ll see in a moment, the journey to the campsite will be somewhat strenuous, with a lot of walking and a short river rafting trip. The river trip will cut about three miles off the walk. You don’t want to be dragging along a big suitcase.” I looked over at Jack. He was smiling at something on his phone. I badly wanted to reach over and yank the phone from his hand. I gritted my teeth for a second and then forced a new smile.

Norm’s brows were bunched in utter despair as he stared at the itinerary. “A river rafting trip?” He looked up with even more despair.

“The river doesn’t flow fast at this time of year. When I called to reserve our spots, the owner of the rafting company assured me it would be a calm, pleasant trip downriver. As I mentioned, this will save us miles of walking.”

Music blurted out of Jack’s phone. He quickly silenced it. “My apologies.”

I stared at him long and hard. He stared back. The small crease in his cheek told me he found my scowl amusing. I pulled my gaze away and found that everyone was watching our silent exchange with great interest.

I took a deep breath. Norm was back to looking worried. I had a great deal of apprehension about taking him along on this trip, but he’d been part of the grant. I assumed at the time that he just wanted to give his input, but he hadn’t really considered what would happen if the grant came through.

“Norm, you do know how to swim, right?” I asked.

Jack snickered. I shot him another scowl, but that was it. I was all out of scowls at this point.

Norm’s cheeks turned red. “Yes. Of course I can swim. It’s just I was doing some research, and there is a significant population of crocodiles in the Sarapiqui River.”

“Guess we know who to use as bait,” Jack muttered.

I’d had enough. “Excuse me. Robyn, if you don’t mind taking over for a minute. I need a word with Associate Professor Sinclair. Outside.” I said the last part through gritted teeth.

Jack shrugged and still acting like an arrogant teen he slowly put his phone in his pocket and got up with a slumped, indifferent posture to follow me to the door.

We stepped into the hallway, and I snapped shut the door. A group of students were passing, holding what looked like essays in their hands and comparing grades. I waited for them to clear the hallway.

“Seriously?” I asked him. “You’re seriously going to sit through the meeting like a spoiled brat named Kyle who wants to stick it to the man by showing he doesn’t have to listen to anything the teacher is saying?”

“You’re not my teacher, and the name’s Jack. Not Kyle.”

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