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Ethan rose and shook her hand. “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate the opportunity.”

The security guard, standing outside the open door, cleared his throat to get Ethan’s attention, then said, “If you’ll follow me.”

“Actually, Owen, go ahead and leave Ethan and Tango in here. We’re done with the room for today. Have Tom come up and have a meet-and-greet with the man that saved Amanda Harcourt.”

Ethan remained politely standing as the executives filed out of the room.

Ever since he’d retired from the service, Ethan had been looking for a place where he clicked, someplace where he’d feel comfortable settling in, calling it home.

He rested his hand on the job offer.

As generous as this salary was, Ethan wasn’t convinced this was it.

Chapter Thirteen

Piper

Wednesday

That morning, Piper had slogged her way down the stairs to pour a cup of coffee in the community kitchen. She loved how cozy and welcoming it felt with its verdigris-colored walls and copper range hood. It usually cheered her to stand on the brick floor, her hands wrapped around a mug of something warm, with such a grounded sense of belonging and comfort.

Piper held the mug for a moment, with its picture of the sun and the “Make it a great day!” encouragement, then tossed the coffee into the sink.

Yes, absolutely, she could use the caffeine to take the place of sleep.

Another night of tossing and turning.

Another night of the walls closing in.

But her nerves were jangling enough without the stimulant.

On her way out the door, Chanti handed Piper a thumb drive with the code that would gather production information from the Alabaster computer system.

Piper felt culpable of some great, unbearable atrocity.

And the data she collected today could help prove that theory was true.

Not wanting to be alone with her thoughts, Piper had texted Vivian to say that she’d meet her at the mouse lab to pick her up. They’d be going to the Alabaster lab together to do an inventory of the chemicals she had on hand.

Vivian would be a warm body.

A distraction.

A crutch.

And so far, it was working.

Together they walked toward the great door with its massive lion-headed knockers.

“You’ve never been here before, have you, Vivian?”

“Never. But my fiancé is a security guard here.”

“Really?” Piper asked. “I didn’t know that.”

“He’s the reason that I applied to the mouse lab.” Vivian walked along with her lab coat draped over her arm. “I was looking for a local position after my fellowship funding was cut.”

“MRNA cancer vaccines. That’s a real loss. I hope things turn around on that.”