A growl of frustration came through the line. “Why are you like this?”
I didn’t answer. Olivia shouldn’t have roped me into this nonsense to begin with.
“Fine. I’m glad you made it home in one piece.” She didn’t sound glad. “We’re tracking a system that is passing north of Wichita in about four or five days. I want your eyes on it, too.”
The bite of mashed potato I’d stuck into my mouth turned to cement as I swallowed. “Wichita? That’s Kansas.”
“I’m aware. I want you to watch the system and report developments. You’re the expert. If it smells promising, we’ll go.”
“But… to Kansas?”
“Yes, Gale. To Kansas. We’ll drive to Kansas. What’s the problem? That’s what we do.”
“I didn’t… How often do you do this? The running around. The chasing.”
“Do you know anything about my life?”
Do you know anything about mine?I wanted to say.
“Between late March and June? A lot. Dozens of chases, Gale. Dozens, so stop whining.”
“Oh.” I poked at my dinner, no longer hungry. “I want out.”
“Too bad.”
“Please, Olivia.”
“You signed a contract. We’re doing this.”
The patio door slid open, and my father came through. He seemed surprised to see me, and I realized I hadn’t texted to let him know I was home. He must have registered the anxious look on my face and frowned.
“I have to go. Dad’s here. We’re having dinner.”
“Watch that system.”
“Yeah.” I hung up, bitterly angry and exhausted.
“You look haggard.” Dad took a seat across from me.
“Long day.”
“You survived your first chase. Any luck?”
“It depends on what you mean. There was funneling, but it didn’t end up producing.” I cut into the meat loaf with the side of my fork, ate a bite, then put the fork down. The small amount I’d eaten sat heavily in my stomach.
The heat of Dad’s gaze made me squirm. If anyone could read me, it was him, and sometimes, I feared what he saw.
“What?” I asked when he stayed quiet.
“I thought you’d be more excited. I know you didn’t want to take part in this nonsense, but you must have taken some nice pictures?”
He was trying to brighten my mood. I sensed it in his tone.
“Hopefully. I’ll develop them tonight.”
“Can’t wait to see them. Got your heart thumping, I bet.”
“It did.” I thought of Ozrik and his scrutiny, of the drive home, of his attempt at making conversation. Then I remembered his inquiries about Olivia. I was an idiot.
