Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“Ready?” he asked.
She gave a definitive nod. It wasn’t as if she had any options. There was no way she was going to let Dr. Hughes win this time. She had plenty of evidence against him. It was the principle of the matter. He’d done this sort of thing many times. If she didn’t confront him and take him down, he would do this again to yet another scientist within months.
Hawking took her hand, gave it a reassuring squeeze, and led her out of the main building and toward the dock, following Caesar.
She was grateful she was able to sit behind the windshield of the speedboat to avoid arriving at the next dock with crazy hair. In addition, Caesar drove them slowly enough to prevent the wind from blowing her carefully arranged hair too badly.
A half-hour later, she and Hawking were in the backseat of the SUV with Phoenix behind the wheel.
“Any problems?” Hawking asked as he reached across to buckle Celeste safely in. He wrapped his larger hand around her small one and held it against her thigh.
“Nope. I did spot two vehicles loitering around the entrance as I left. One of them followed me for a few miles, but I stopped at a gas station and filled up. They drove by slowly but returned to their perch when they saw I was alone. Rocco confirmed that a few minutes ago.”
“Good.”
Celeste focused on breathing as Phoenix drove them to the studio. As far as anyone knew, Dr. Hughes had no knowledge of the upcoming interview. The woman who’d called her yesterday to confirm the time and location had told her there had been no leaks and only those who were directly affiliated with the interview were aware of it.
It took two hours to reach the studio, and even though Hawking had done everything in his power to distract her with questions about her childhood, schooling, and even science the entire time, she was a nervous wreck as she let him help her exit the SUV.
Phoenix stayed with the car as Hawking led her into the building.
She was surprised by the size of the facility and how many people were hurrying around in the lobby. A woman who identified herself as Charlene—the same woman who’d called Celeste yesterday—was waiting for them in the lobby.
After introductions, she led them to the elevator and then through a maze of studios and camera equipment. It looked to Celeste like six or more people could be filming at the same time. However, her own interview was supposed to be live.
“Would you like to use the restroom before I take you to the stage where you’ll be interviewed?” Charlene asked.
“Yes. Thank you.” Celeste didn’t want to take a risk and end up needing to pee during the interview. It would be stressful enough as it was.
“I’ll wait right here, CB,” Hawking told her, planting himself directly outside the door to the bathroom.
She loved that she knew he was thinking Cuddle Bug in his mind, but Charlene would have to assume CB was short for Celeste Blanke.
After using the toilet, Celeste headed for the sinks and stopped dead in her tracks. Another woman was in the restroom. Celeste hadn’t heard her come in.
The woman wasn’t simply a random person needing to pee, either. She was leaning against the center sink, arms crossed, her gaze narrowed on Celeste.
“If you want your boyfriend to stay alive, you’ll call off the interview.”
Celeste gasped, eyes going wide. “Pardon me?”
“You heard me. Call off the interview. Tell them you lied and have had an attack of conscience. Or tell them you’re sick. Do whatever it takes.”
“I can’t do that,” Celeste murmured. “Everyone already knows about my research. It wouldn’t even make a difference.”
“No one’s doubting the research is valid, you idiot.” The woman scowled.
Celeste stood frozen. So, this was all about Hughes. He intended to steal the research. It was possible no pharmaceutical company was even aware of the threat to their precious cancer drugs.
“Make the right choice, stupid girl. It would be a shame if anything happened to that hunk of man standing guard outside the bathroom.” At that, the woman shoved off the counter and waltzed out the door.
Celeste remained rooted to her spot in the middle of the room. What should she do? Making sure she got credit for a scientific discovery wasn’t worth getting Hawking killed.
Suddenly, the door opened and yanked her out of her trance.
“Celeste?”
Her breath hitched when Hawking walked in.
“What are you doing?”
Celeste shuffled toward the sink and turned on the water before pumping soap into her palm and washing her hands. “Just finishing up,” she muttered.
He came behind her and set his palms on her shoulders. “You’ve been in here far longer than necessary. I saw that woman enter and leave the bathroom. Did she say something to you?”