Page 27 of Hidden By the Convicts
“Still no luck?” Gavin asked.
Bowen glanced over his shoulder. “Shouldn’t you be in the greenhouse counting seeds or something just as mindless?”
“Testy, testy. What has you so worked up? The engines?”
“Yes, the fucking engines. Five fails in two weeks. That’s never happened. I think someone’s sabotaging them.”
“You going to make quota?”
Bowen blew out a breath. “Maybe.”
“You’re a fucking bad liar, Bowen.”
“Like you’re any better?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You and Teagen. You said nothing happened that first night, but ever since then, you’ve been moping around and avoiding her.”
“I danced with her.”
“Sure, but have you talked with her? Gotten to know her? She spends more time talking to Harlis, and he’s not a good role model.”
“I think you’re looking at that wrong.She’sa good role model forhim. You don’t have to worry about him corrupting her. Well, maybe not much. That’s why I’m here. The greenhouse was getting kind of crowded.”
Bowen stood up, not liking the worry in Gavin’s voice. “What do you mean?”
“He brought her. Created a pit, and a system to delay the guards at the doors to the greenhouse.”
“He what?”
“He said she needed to get out of the house. He’s not wrong. You’ve seen it, too, right? Every day, she’s just a bit more withdrawn.”
“She’s getting better. Not as many nightmares.”
“Only when you hold her. Her confidence has increased, but hiding her away is damaging her spirit. She’s starting to break. She needs this.”
“It’s too risky,” Bowen said.
“But needed.” Gavin took a deep breath. “I caught her with Harlis. Doing. . . Let’s just say he worked his way past her walls.”
The wrench clanked against other tools as Bowen dropped it. “He touched her?”
“Yeah, but he didn’t force or pressure her. I watched to make sure.”
“I’ll kill him,” Bowen said.
“Why? For making her laugh? Treating her as if she’s not fragile? The damn kid seems to know what she needs. More than we do.”
“You’re sure he didn’t force her in any way?” Bowen said, his body relaxing.
“Helikesher.”
“We all like her.”
“Yeah, well, she smiles for him.”
“I’ve seen,” Bowen admitted as he picked up a sniffer to search for a leak in the power lines. “You sound a bit in awe of the kid. Are you jealous, Gav?”
