Hawke by Emily Jane Trent

Author:Emily Jane Trent [Trent, Emily Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Camden Lee Press, LLC
Published: 2019-07-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Emilia left the event, relieved that it was over. It would have been an ordeal in any case. Yet considering what had happened, it was worse. Hawke helped her into the Jeep then took a minute to text Ryker. “I’ll have him add Roston Hugh to our list to investigate, along with his lab.”

Then he started up the engine and said, “Where are we going?”

“I need a drink,” Emilia said.

“I know just the place. We can hang out for a while without interruptions.”

During the short drive, Emilia tried to subdue her emotions. She was upset and disappointed. Her goal had been to present a good image of herself and her company. Instead, the event had been another disaster.

Roston was well known in the biotech world. If he was antagonized, there was no chance he’d keep quiet about it. It was just as well that she’d ducked out early. She couldn’t have faced another challenge, and cringed to think of the attendees talking behind her back.

It had to stop, but she had no idea how, as she couldn’t seem to get on course. Her intentions were good, but forces pushed against her at every turn. It was disheartening, but she couldn’t allow herself to give in, since there was so much at stake.

Hawke startled her out of reverie. “Who is this Roston guy? Why does he harbor resentment toward you?”

Emilia leaned against the headrest and looked out at the city that had seemed friendly before, the place she’d grown up—but it was starting to feel unsafe. “He’s an industry leader. His firm has produced some stellar products, and my guess is that he doesn’t like being outdone.”

“Clearly, he has a problem with that.”

“The details of lab tests aren’t shared like favorite recipes. We keep our experiments private, until ready for release.”

“Then it could be that he didn’t get riled up until the media leaked details.”

Emilia thought about that. “It could be, yet I don’t think so. The way Roston spoke gave me the impression that he had prior knowledge. He appeared overly sure of his position, as opposed to a person who’d recently discovered the controversy.”

Hawke glanced at her. “If you get tired of science, you can join my team. That’s very perceptive of you.”

“Before you think too much of me,” Emilia said, “I’ve been in this industry long enough to pick up on stuff. It seems like Roston took up a counter-position before being prompted. Professional jealousy is one thing, but his reaction went deeper.”

“Good point.”

Emilia was still rattled. “Do you think Roston could be a physical threat? I know it sounds crazy, but is it possible that he’d actually do me harm?”

“I can’t say for sure, but I’d err on the side of caution,” Hawke said. “I didn’t like the look in his eyes, and his body language indicated potential violence. I know the type, so I’d watch him closely.”

“He has a temper. I’ve noticed that before, but he’s usually kept it under control. I hadn’t foreseen that he’d attack me, even verbally.

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