NEIL
The drive to the Sam and Jess’s place took us deeper into the mountains, along roads that hadn't seen a county maintenance crew in a few weeks. Kim pressed close to my side in the truck, still shaky from Pemberton's call. The bastard had no idea what he'd just started.
"Tell me about your brothers," she said, needing distraction.
"Kevin runs a maple syrup operation. He's the oldest, the one who keeps us all in line. Sam's a wilderness guide for rich tourists who want to pretend they're survivalists for a weekend. And Shane's a paramedic”
"You all sound so different."
"We are. But when you grow up in the system, you learn that the family you choose is the only one that matters."
Kevin's truck was already there when we arrived at Sam and Jess’. Kevin’s wife Tonya was helping him carry containers of food inside.
"That's a lot of food," Kim said.
"Food fixes everything.”
Shane arrived last in his beat-up paramedic vehicle.
Tonya took one look at Kim's face and pulled her into a hug without asking. "Neil texted that you were having a rough day. Boss troubles?"
"He threatened to fire her," I said flatly. "For refusing to steal the documents she found on my property."
Kevin's expression went dangerous in that quiet way of his. "Explain."
I laid it out while Tonya and Jess got Kim settled inside. I brought my brothers up to speed about the discovery, and Pemberton's demands.
"Wait." Jess leaned forward, her lawyer instincts engaged. "He claimed ownership of your project after he told you it was all bullshit?"
"He said my employment contract gives the university rights to any discoveries made during company time," Kim said, wrapping her hands around her mug of tea like she needed its heat.
"Were you on the clock? Was this an official university expedition?"
"No, I was using personal time."
"Then he's bluffing." Jess's smile turned sharp, the kind that probably terrified opposing counsel. Did you record the call?"
"I... no. Should I have?"
"Doesn't matter." Jess pulled out her phone, already making notes. "I can write a cease and desist if he tries to claim the documents. The Historical Society will be thrilled to work directly with the property owner and the discovering historian."
"I'm not sure I have the qualifications.”
Tonya made a dismissive sound. "You have your doctorate, and you found something everyone else missed. That’s good enough."
Kim blew out a shaky breath. “I’m not sure I can do this.”
"You can," Shane said.
Sam sprawled in his chair, grinning. "Plus, think how pissed this Pemberton guy will be when the news breaks. 'Local historian discovers major Underground Railroad site.’”
“I’m not local,” Kim said.
“You will be by the time this is all over with.”
Kevin had been quiet, thinking with that strategic mind of his. Finally, he spoke. "Here's what we do. Document everything on site, work directly with the Vermont Historical Society, and let Jess handle any legal threats."
"But what about my career?" Kim asked. "He'll make sure I never work in academia again."
