Page 48 of In The Trenches (Owens Protective Services)

“So what?” I asked, refusing to give even an inch. My secrets were mine for a reason. I wouldn’t give them up to even her.

“Fine, be that way.” She stood from her chair and headed for the door. “I’ll get started on gathering intel on Grady. Let me know if our new friend gives you anything else.”

“You know he won’t.”

She pulled the door open, glancing back at me one last time. “Are you sure about that?”

Then she disappeared into the dark hallway.

18

BETH

I waitedall night long for someone to show up at my door. Despite the fact that everything was normal on my way home, I was sure that it wouldn’t be the last time I ran into Seth. I sat in the corner of my studio apartment waiting for the door to be broken in. My muscles were strung so tight that I could hardly get up to use the bathroom.

When daylight finally broke, relief surged through me. I debated what to do with the knowledge I had. Something was definitely off about last night. Even though those men had badges to get in, I knew instinctually that they weren’t supposed to be there.

In a snap decision, I headed back to the research building. I was tired and needed to get some sleep, but I also had to figure out if I was supposed to show up to work tonight. The minute I stepped outside, I knew life was going to be very different for the foreseeable future. Cars were lined up on the streets, honking at the intersection for their chance to get past the non-functioning street lights. It was chaos.

Pulling my jacket closed, I hurried down the sidewalk. It was a half hour walk back to the building, and I was usually fine with making it, but today was different. Everyone was on edge. I watched as people across the street gathered, talking in hushed whispers. I could feel the growing panic in the air as people spread gossip about why there was a power outage and when it would be restored.

“I heard the entire west coast was affected,” one woman spoke as I passed.

I slowed my steps to try and hear more.

“My son said it was an earthquake.”

“That’s ridiculous. We would have felt an earthquake that strong.”

I kept walking, a million thoughts running through my mind. Up ahead, a traffic cop was doing his best to keep cars moving through the intersection. I felt terrible for him as people shouted at him, cursing him for not being able to control the odd vehicle that didn’t pay attention to his instructions.

I turned the corner and kept walking, quickening my steps. The sooner I got to my work, the better I would be. After what felt like hours, I finally arrived outside the main entrance to the research facility. When I tried to open the doors, a security guard came forward.

“The building is closed,” he said gruffly.

“I work here.”

“Like I said, the building is closed today.”

I almost turned and walked away, but found myself rooted to the spot. Whoever was in charge needed to know what happened last night. “I was working last night when the power went off. There are things I need to speak with the boss about.”

“Such as?”

“Some men showed up here.” I left it at that, hoping he understood that I wasn’t comfortable saying more than that at this time. He scrutinized me for another moment before nodding and allowing me to enter.

“Parker!” the man shouted to another guard. “Take this woman up to the main office. She has information for Mr. Hayes.”

The other security officer nodded and motioned for me to follow him. We walked over to the stairwell together, then climbed the stairs to the top floor. It felt odd to be following him, when any other day I would be going about my job.

“Right through here,” he said, opening a door for me. It led to a waiting room outside another office. He walked over and knocked on the door, opening it when someone on the other side answered. “I have a lady here who says she has information for you.”

“Send her in,” the deep voice answered.

I found myself suddenly terrified to go into the office. This guy sounded like a grouchy old man who didn’t like anyone. Still, I came this far, so I walked through the doors, surprised when I saw a man no more than thirty-five years old. He wore dark-rimmed glasses, and his short hair flopped just over his forehead giving him a haphazard look. He was dressed oddly, wearing a plaid shirt and dress pants with tennis shoes. I expected a man in a suit with white hair and a grouchy face. This man just looked tired.

“Yes?” he asked, his voice rough and gritty.

“Um…I work on the night crew,” I said slowly. “I came into work last night and was filling my cleaning cart when five men walked in through the basement.”

---