Page 27 of Shadows Relived
“I’m simply saying I’ve had to do a lot of damage control. The press hasn’t made a connection between the senator’s daughter and the school shooting. That’s the last thing we need. If they had?—”
“If they had,” she cut in, voice shaking, “it would force you to admit that your own choices put me and my students at risk.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Meaghan.”
“Oh, don’t you dare,” she snapped. “You caused this mess.”
“Now wait just a second.”
“No, I’ve waited enough.” She paced the porch, her hand gripping the railing until her knuckles turned white. “Blaze, Callen’s contact on his team, already found thetrail, Dad. New Horizons Acquisition Group? The one skirting EPA laws and bribing zoning officials? You’re getting major kickbacks, milking people for money. And don’t bother denying it.”
“You don’t understand how politics work, sweetheart?—”
“I understand more than you want me to, you mean,” she said, cutting him off once more. “I understand you put children—my students—in danger because you couldn’t keep your hands clean.”
His voice rose. “I had nothing to do with?—”
“Bullshit.” The word tore out of her, sharp and ragged.
Her father sighed. “Meaghan, look, I didn’t have all the details. These deals move fast. That’s the nature of this type of deal.”
“Didn’t have the details?” she echoed, her voice rising. “You didn’t care about the details, you mean. Only the bottom line, right? And now three of my students are hiding in a cabin in the woods because someone wants leverage over you.”
“Sweetie, you’re being emotional.”
“No. I’m being real,” she snapped. “And this is the last conversation we’ll ever have unless it’s you apologizing. I’m done.”
“But they’re not in danger anymore. Callen got them out.”
“They were never supposed to be in danger at all!” she screamed, and then jerked her attention to the door, worried the kids had heard her. “I wasn’t supposed to be in danger. They only came after me because you pulled someshady shit.”
His silence this time was telling. There was nothing left to say. She stood there for another second, fighting for composure, throat burning. “I’m done, Dad.”
She hung up.
Her hand shook as she placed the phone on the railing, gripping the wood and squeezing as if she could shove her fury into the railing. She stared out into the woods, counting her breaths, wishing he would have at least been honest with her.
After a few moments, she managed to collect herself, and snatched the phone off the railing. It felt heavy in her hand as she walked back into the cabin with her shoulders squared, but her insides felt like glass, cracked and sharp and ready to shatter.
Callen rose from the table when he saw her, wiping hands on a dish towel, tracking her every move as she crossed the room.
“You okay?” he asked as he moved over to pour her a cup of coffee.
She nodded once.
“Do you want to talk…”
“No.”
He turned to hand the mug to her. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” she assured him, but not harshly. Just final. She was done talking about her father.
He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Want me to say he’s a bastard?”
She scoffed. “You can. But I already know.”
She sank into a chair and pressed her fingers to her temples, taking a long breath. Sophie peeked up from hercoloring, sensing the shift in energy more than likely. She was always a perceptive kid.
