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Trapped underground. Waiting and waiting for help that never came, as it grew darker and colder, and the rain made the soft sides of the cave start to crumble.
She shook off the memory. She wasn't trapped.
She climbed out of the useless car, slamming the door in disgust. Then she kicked the tire for good measure.
"Ow!" Hopping awkwardly in one dress pump, she winced and hoped she hadn't done something truly stupid like breaking her toe. She'd forgotten she was wearing interview clothes, and not her good, serviceable sneakers. Nothing was going her way today.
She limped back to the elevator, leaning heavily against the wall for the ride up. The elevator chimed as the doors slid open. Lacroix turned back from the entrance into the Institute proper, meeting her as she hobbled into the foyer. Cheeks blazing with chagrin, she tried not to look like a flamingo as she balanced on one foot.
"Did you forget something?" His eyes widened, and he hurried to her side. "What happened?"
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her to one of the tiny marble benches. His arm remained long after the need to steady her had passed, and she wondered if his concern was for her safety or a possible lawsuit against the Institute.
"My car wouldn't start," she said, reluctantly easing out of his embrace.
He lifted an eyebrow and gazed pointedly at her foot.
"So I kicked it," she admitted.
His lips twitched, not quite smiling. "I trust you showed it who was in charge."
She shrugged. "Not that it did any good. I accidentally left the lights on and drained the battery. Can I get a jump start?"
"Does your car have jumper cables?"
"No. It's a rental."
"Ah. That could be a problem. There are jumper cables in the Institute's truck, of course. But Evan took it to run an errand, and won't be back for some time."
Rebecca frowned. "Surely someone else has a set. One of the researchers?"
"Perhaps. It might be faster to simply get a new car."
"I need to call the rental company, then." She wondered if she'd have to pay extra for the second car, and if so, how much. This trip was rapidly turning into a financial disaster.
/> Lacroix snared her attention again. "We're a long way from Phoenix. Even if they have offices in Prescott, it will be at least half an hour before they can get a car here. You can rest and put your foot up in the visitor's suite, and I'll make the arrangements with the rental company. Where are the keys?"
She patted the pockets of her suit coat and skirt. "I must have left them in the car."
He smiled. "Don't worry about it. They'll be safe there."
"You really don't have to go to so much trouble."
"You were here at my invitation. I feel responsible for you."
He helped her stand. After confirming she was able to walk, he preceded her to the double doors leading into the Institute. The lock buzzed, and he held the door for her.
"Maybe I should unroll a ball of string," she joked. "The one thing I learned during my tour was that all these corridors look alike."
He chuckled. "It's not too far."
They walked on in companionable silence. He turned down a narrow corridor she didn't remember, around a corner, and then the white-tiled hallways gave way to black-veined marble floors, stuccoed gray walls and recessed lighting.
She hadn't seen this in her tour. Curiosity overwhelmed the lingering throbbing in her foot. What else hadn't he shown her?
Lacroix's voice broke into her thoughts. "They may not be able to get a car up here until tomorrow. Did you bring your suitcase with you?"
A trace of her earlier fear resurrected itself. "I'm sure one of the researchers can give me a ride into town."
