“You sneaky little brat.” I reach down and grab one of the two boxes I’d somehow missed, pull it out, and then grab another.
I’d already done this corner of the room, but when I walked by it today, I had this sense to recheck. Sure enough, there were two boxes that had been shoved behind a cabinet, covered in dust.
I flip open the lid to one of them and pull out a stack of papers. I shuffle through, and then everything freezes. I blink to make sure it wasn’t a mirage. That my brain isn’t tricking me into seeing what I want because I’ve been at this for so long.
“It’s not,” I breathe out, my eyes roaming over everything, reading and rereading to double, triple, and quadruple check.
There’s no denying what it is: the original deed from 1843, signed in ink that has faded to brown, with a survey attached. The eastern boundary was drawn clear as day, exactly where the treaty said it should be. The proof Caldwell needs. The proof Solaria needs in order to maintain its rights to the land!
I reach down and pinch myself for good measure to make sure I’m not dreaming.Ouch.The instant pain tells me I’m not. Holy crap! I’ve really found it.
I scramble up too fast, my foot catches on a lower box, and down I go. My knee slams into the floor, the deed flying from my hands.
“Don’t mind me,” I mutter to the empty room, already laughing at myself and ignoring the burning sensation. “Just talking to myself. Totally normal behavior.”
I gather the papers, this feeling so unreal. I want to stand up and jump around and scream, “I found the gold ticket!” but I need to see Wells. That means I need to move my booty.
I’ve done it. I’ve actually done it.
Truly can come now. I feel a part of Solaria.
The thought blooms through my body. Too excited to contain myself, I scramble to my feet, not bothering to dust myself off. I begin to run, not caring that I just took a tumble, adrenaline coursing through me.
Jenson is waiting by the car when I come flying out of the building. He jumps out, rushing towards me, worry etched in his face.
“Ma’am, what’s happening?”
I stop short, seeing his hand go to his waist, likely where he keeps a gun.
“It’s good news. No one is chasing me!” I tell him. “And I thought we talked about the ma’am thing.”
“Mable.” He shakes his head. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“Keeping you on your toes,” I tease. “But look!” I wave the deed around and then think better of it. It’s old, and I need to be careful. Jenson actually smiles, the kind that crinkles the corners of his eyes.
“You did it.” He holds out his hand, and we high-five like dorks, but I’m so excited it’s like I’m pumped up on Red Bull.
“Can you take me to his office? Now?”
“Of course.”
The drive seems as though it goes on forever despite us maybe speeding. I’ll never admit that.
The only good thing is it gives me a chance to look at the deed, tracing the lines of the survey with my fingertip, rehearsing what I’ll say. No way I can play it cool. I can’t wait to see Wells’ handsome face. I know I don’t need him to be proud of me, but I still want him to be.
I’ve been to Wells’ office a few times before to bring him lunch. The last time I was here, he’d bent me over his desk. The security guard nods as I head inside and right to the elevator. It opens, and I hop on and push the button a million times, like that will make it go faster.
When I get to his floor, I hurry out and toward his office, passing by Tomas’ desk, but he’s not here. He’s often off out running errands and such.
The door is cracked open, and I hear two voices. One of them says my name, making me pause. It’s Wells and Cordelia.
I shouldn’t listen, but I don’t move. I barely breathe.
“—You were right. Things aren’t working with Mable and me.”
I tighten my hold on the deed, which suddenly feels heavy.
“It’s, fuck, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he continues, his voice carrying that particular tone I’ve learned to read—patient, considering, the way he sounded when he was negotiating. “I should have listened to you.”
