“You’re fucking fired!” Amber’s mouth tightens and she reaches for Dan to help him up.
No, not to help him up.
He is carrying, and she grabs his gun. Lifts it.
Points it.
Right at me.
19
Edmund
Danica tugs on my sleeve. “Um, where is Troy, anyway?”
“Good question.” I take her hand and start toward the door where Amber disappeared.
The press of people wearing their finest is thinning out. Hushed, scandalized voices are growing louder. Gossip is rampant. We just witnessed the end of Amber’s company. The waste in Mekinsaw Lake was a huge headline nine or so years ago. The sick people recovered, thank god, but the Clayborne company was nearly destroyed in the process.
And PECS was behind the dumping. They advised Clayborne to use the lake. I knew about it—Troy told me. But holy shit. The video Troy had…it’s a lot more incriminating than I thought. No, it wouldn’t have changed anything. It wouldn’t have un-poisoned anyone.
But it will absolutely ruin Amber’s company. And, along with that—Amber.
I haven’t talked much to her—I couldn’t stand her even when she and Troy started dating. But I know she won’t take any of this quietly. If she’s going down, she’ll take Troy with her.
“Hurry.” I tug harder at Danica’s hand. She has to jog to keep up with me.
I have a bad feeling. Troy hasn’t come through that door yet, and Amber went in there.
When Danica and I reach the door, I let go of her hand. “Stay here, wait for us, okay?”
Her eyes flash like steel. “Um, how about no?”
“Danica. I don’t want you to have to be a witness to whatever?—”
“Fine, shut up.” She gives me a beseeching look. “Just…go help him?”
I nod and hurry through the door. The hall beyond is dimly lit, and quiet. Rather than letting the door swing shut behind me, I ease it closed.
Fuck. It’s too quiet. Where the hell is Troy? If he’s hurt…
Stop feeling so goddamn much. Emotions aren’t going to help me now. I need to turn everything off, find the clarity of acting on my instincts.
“The flash drive,” a woman hisses. “Right now, or I swear to god, I will pull this trigger.”
“Go ahead. I don’t fucking care.” Troy’s voice. “You ruined everything already—what should a bullet matter?”
She ruined everything—he means with Danica. Does he really think that? Pain stabs through me at his words, but I shove it aside. No room for feelings.
I keep my footsteps as quiet as possible and move down the hall. There are two doors—one is closed, but the other is open. Pretty sure their voices came from the open room.
I ease to the edge and wait, listening.
“Just give me the fucking flash drive, Troy.” Amber’s voice is shaking.
I have to see what’s going on before I burst in there. If Amber’s unsteady, she could get startled and shoot Troy. Either on purpose, or by accident. I’m not willing to risk it.
I crouch down and peer around the edge of the door.
