Maddie’s pulse quickened as she clicked the mouse to bring up the report for the Clovis blade. In the last day, she’d uncovered two more, along with scrapers, drills, and needles. The Clovis point was part of a generalized toolkit—the Leatherman of the ancient world, and she had a whole set right in her hands. Well, in the hands of the university anyway.
Yesterday had been long and stressful. Each time she’d found a piece, she’d sweated, unsure if Victor would show up and see it.
She inched closer to the screen. The test results indicated the blade went back at least thirteen thousand years. She pumped a fist in the air and let out a whoop causing Lucky to jump up from his bed.
“Sorry, little guy.” She patted his head. Thank God, he’d recovered from the poisoning. And Victor Mole would pay for hurting her pup. Now, she could shut down his operation and launch the field survey into the next phase. He’d never get his resort built.
Scott’s warnings about Victor echoed in her head. He’s tortured and killed people. Her shoulders pinched together. Once she filed the report, he’d have no recourse. He couldn’t deny the evidence of historic treasures on the land. To protect herself, she needed to get out of town.
She logged into her email and found a message concerning a job she’d applied for in Colorado. They were offering her a position. Not as a lead, but a job was a job. She could bring the dog, and the project started next week. If she wrote up the real field survey and booked her flights, she could be out before Victor even knew she was packing.
Her phone rang with Sarah’s tone. Ugh, Maddie wouldn’t be around to see the new baby. She’d be that long-distance relative who sent cards and gifts. Her stomach tightened. With her current situation, she had to do what she needed. Maybe something would change down the road.
She answered the call. “Hey, Sarah. How ya doing?”
“Great. Up to my eyeballs in pink stuff.”
“I bet. That’s the fun part, right?”
“Yup. I wanted to check on you. The last time we talked, you and Scott were—”
“Yeah, that didn’t work out.” Maddie’s heart sunk. She’d told Sarah about them sleeping together. “A lot has happened in the last couple of days.”
“Like what? I was so excited that you two were together again.”
“I was…hoping for more…but it’s not meant to be.” Maddie glanced at the computer. “In fact, I’m going to take a job in Colorado.”
“What? This is sudden. Why? You just moved into your new place.”
“Well, they rent by the month here, so I’ll only be out a couple of weeks.” Maddie rubbed her eyes and spoke matter-of-factly, “I’m going to give my furniture to Nikki because she has a new place and not much money. It’s all for the best.”
“Hold on. What the hell happened that I missed? The last time we talked—”
“I was a fool to think we had a chance at anything. Scott made it clear his job is too dangerous for us to have a relationship.” And the guilt over his brother’s death kept him duty-bound to put away the drug lords. Maddie came second. The truth squeezed the air from her lungs. “I have to leave, Sarah. It hurts too much to be around him.”
“Oh, Maddie.” Sarah sighed. “I’m so sorry. Are you sure?”
“Yeah. My finals are graded, and the excavation I’ve worked on for the last year is finished. There’s nothing left to keep me in town.”
Except the man she loved.
“I don’t understand how Scott can pick his job over you. He’s done nothing but jerk you around from day one,” Sarah said in a I-wanna-kick-his-butt tone.
“Can’t argue that, but I opened myself up to it. And things are kinda complicated.” Damn, despite the hurt, she couldn’t stop herself from defending him. Sarah didn’t know about his brother or Victor.
“Doesn’t sound like it to me. He’s never going to find anyone like you. He’ll—”
“I should go, Sarah. There’s a ton I need to do if I’m going to move. I’ll keep in touch.”
“All right. I’ll stop ranting. I’m just so disappointed. Anne and I were hoping to see you soon and have a sisters day before the baby comes.”
Maddie’s throat swelled. It could be a while before she came back. “I’m sorry.”
“I know. Call if you want to talk or if you want me to send Bruce out there to—”
“Not necessary, but thanks.”
“Okay. Talk to you later.”
Maddie hung up and scooted off the chair to hug Lucky. He licked her face and whined as if he understood her pain.
“It’s okay, boy. I did it before, and I’ll do it again.” She rubbed his furry belly and blinked hard. Back to the old days where she packed light and lived frugally. A box for a coffee table, a canteen to fill with water, and most everything else was fluff.
She used to love living rough with only the necessities, but something had changed. Just like he had two years ago, Scott made her long for a home where they shared dinners together. One night in bed with him and she couldn’t erase the warm feeling of his body against hers. What she wouldn’t give to wake up in his arms every morning. She sniffled, squeezed Lucky one last time, and stood. Enough wallowing. Scott didn’t have room for her in his life.
Time to move on.
Scott stood in front of the computer and stretched. Excruciating didn’t come close to describing the last twenty-four hours. Between phone calls with Zach and watching Maddie extract piece after piece from the field survey site, his nerves were fried. Now that she had packed up and left for the day, he switched off the live feed.
His stomach grumbled. He went to the refrigerator, opened the door, and frowned at its paltry contents. Beer, water, a packet of mini carrots, and a jar of salsa. He could dip the carrots in the salsa and call it a meal if he were a bone-thin supermodel. That kind of woman did nothing for him. Not like Maddie—damn. Back to her. She had nothing but sexy curves, all too ready to press against him. And that spunky attitude of hers that made him stay on top of his game, he loved everything about her.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t do a thing until he nailed Mole. But he should have enough evidence to arrest him soon. After, Scott’s life would be his own, and he’d find a way to be with Maddie.
Right now, he had to meet with Eric and tell him where the fake artifact the DEA had constructed was hidden. What a complete dickface. He had it coming big-time for hurting Nikki and doing Mole’s dirty work. Dinner would have to wait. Scott grabbed the carrots. Better than nothing.
He headed to his car, drove to the meeting place, and parked by a hiking trail next to Eric’s empty truck. Scott made his way up the path to the first marker. Eric, his back to Scott, stood in front of a wooden plaque with pictures and descriptions of the local vegetation.
Scott silently approached. “Learn anything?”
Eric jumped. “Why the fuck do you do that?”
“Because I can.” Anything to scare the little prick. “Did you bring the money?”
“Yeah, but the boss wasn’t too happy about it. Said this lead better pan out.” Eric tugged out a wad of bills and handed it to Scott.
“All I’m doing is telling you where the artifact is. What happens after, I don’t want to know.” Scott had asked for three grand this time. Chump change for Mole, but Scott needed to act like a cop who would think that was a lot of money. He counted the cash.
“It’s all there.” Eric glanced around. “Put it away before someone sees us.”
Stupid dipshit. Didn’t even realize Scott was the one who would be at risk if caught in the act. He glanced at Eric’s other jeans pocket. Unless Eric was excited to see him, he had something in it. One guess what. “Gimme the rest.”
Eric shifted his feet as his gaze darted around the woods. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s the amount you asked for.”
Scott snorted. “You’re a dumb fuck. Empty the other pocket.”
“Why? You got what you came for.” He slid a hand over the denim as if to hide the lump.
The smell of sweat and fear wafted off him. Scott took a step closer. “Don’t fuck with me, or I’ll tell your boss you tried to cheat him.”
Eric’s eyes widened. “You don’t know nothin’.”
“You willing to risk that? What do you think he does to people who cross him?”
The color drained from Eric’s face. With a curse, he shoved a hand into his pocket and whipped out another wad of bills. “This is my money.”
“Yeah, right. And I’m the Pope.” Scott snagged the cash and shook his head as he counted. A thousand dollars. Eric must have told Mole that Scott wanted four thousand, intending to keep the rest himself. He could have died over a measly grand if Mole knew.
“I need to go. Where you got that thing hidden?” Eric asked.
“In a refrigerator at the storeroom.” No one used the place since repairs were underway and the climate control system didn’t work. Scott had put a small padlock on the outside. Eric would at least think he was breaking in again. A nail clipper probably could cut through the tiny bolt.
Eric raised an eyebrow. “Why would she keep it there after the place was already busted into?”
Huh. The asswipe still had some brain cells. Scott shrugged. “How do I know?”
“Yeah, whatever. I gotta go.” Eric yanked his keys out and dropped them. They fell into a pile of vines under a tree. He snatched them up and took off down the trail.
Nothing like a good case of poison ivy.
Scott smiled to himself and headed down the trail to his car.
Even though Maddie shouldn’t have a reason to be at the storeroom, he had to make sure she didn’t go there. With his luck, she’d stop in to check on the progress and bump into Eric. Not likely, since Eric shouldn’t be stupid enough to break in before dark. Still, Scott wouldn’t put anything past the loser.
After he got in the car, he dialed Maddie. The phone rang four times and then went to voicemail. He left a message for her to call. Shit. She might be avoiding him. If he could have given her some sort of promise, he would have, but Mole had slipped through the DEA’s fingers before. Until Scott had him for sure, all bets were off with Maddie.
He drove out of the lot and tried her number again. No luck.
Damn it.
Now he’d have to find her.