I nodded. “Major Grant showed up at Coco’s. It was not pretty. I thought Dad was going to kill the guy.”
Mom frowned at Dad’s still form. “He probably would have. They have a…history. But he said you had worked things out together?”
“We’re getting there. I don’t think he quite knows how to handle having a daughter.”
She chuckled and looked at me with sad eyes. “I wish things had been different. We thought being apart would be safest for all of us. It wasn’t fair to keep him out of your life.”
“And what about your life?” I raised an eyebrow. “What haven’t you told me?”
Mom shifted in her chair. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on. I saw you guys kissing in the kitchen. Dad told me he was still in love with you. And you never got over him either, did you? The bitter divorce thing was all an act.”
She shrugged. “We did what we had to do. Keeping you safe was more important.”
I traced a finger over the worn fabric of the chair arm. “None of us are safe now. I think Branston caused the explosion that almost killed Dad.”
She half-rose to her feet. “What?”
I told her about Grant’s email, and she got up to pace the room.
“I suppose it isn’t surprising that Branston has spies inside QT. They’ve poached several leading scientists from other branches in the last year.” Her lips thinned. “We just have to figure out who the mole is and how to stop him.”
Mom and I spent the night pretzeled into the two chairs in Dad’s room before he woke at dawn. He was groggy and out of it but all right. The doctors did an MRI and a few other tests to make sure he hadn’t sustained any brain damage, and though he was in a lot of pain, they told us he’d probably be back home in about a week.
Since he was out of the woods, Mom and I left to get some rest at home. But before I did anything else, I desperately needed a shower.
I stripped clothes off as I sprinted toward my bathroom, shedding the stench of smoke and fear and hospital as I went. I cranked the shower as hot as it would go and stood under the stream, letting it wash away the smell coating my body like plastic.
I scrubbed my hair, letting the floral-scented bubbles wash over me and feeling my muscles finally start to relax. I never wanted to go through anything like this again. I paused, hands tangled in my hair. If we didn’t stop the saboteur, things might get even worse next time. Someone might die.
After I hurried through the rest of my shower, I stumbled back to my room, towel wrapped around my head. I did a quick check of my phone as I plugged it in to charge. Two texts from Asher, one from Max, and one from Zella. The little red number next to my messages icon made me surprisingly happy.
I opened Asher’s and smiled as I read.
Just checking in. Hope your dad’s doing well. Wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything. Besides me, of course.
Grinning, I texted him back.
Haha. Home now. Dad’s awake and well. We’ll talk about what I need later.
I switched off my phone so I wouldn’t be tempted to keep checking for his response. Right now, I needed a nap.
I slept for almost twenty-four hours and only woke when Mom tapped on my door.
“The hospital called. Your dad’s awake again. Want to head over?”
I nodded and yawned before throwing back the covers. I twisted to turn on my bedside lamp and spotted the Branston brochure on my nightstand. The one from Avery’s office. The one with the jotted-down phone number. I stared at my phone in the charger.
One call and I might have some answers. One call and maybe I’d be able to figure out who was working for Branston. Who’d hurt my dad and was trying to destroy the project.
I snatched up my phone and listened to it ring twice before someone picked up.
“Hello?” a girl’s voice asked.
I frowned. “Um, hi. Who am I speaking to?”
“Lexie, is that you? It’s Amy. Is everything all right? How’s your dad?”
I let out a gasp, turning it into a cough before I could answer. “Amy. Hi.” My brain whirled furiously, and I tried to keep calm. “He’s fine. The doctors say he’s going to make a full recovery. I just wanted to make sure you were okay after the explosion yesterday.”
She laughed, though I thought I caught a hint of nervousness. “Yeah, Asher and I were working from my house, thank god. Good timing, huh?”
“No kidding. Anyway, I should be going. Just wanted to check in.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Lexie, how did you get my number?”
“Asher. He was busy with his dad so he asked if I’d call.”
“Ah. Asher.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “Well, guess I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.” I hung up and dropped my phone like it was a piece of alien tech. The weight of my discovery felt like a vise tightening around my chest until I could barely breathe. What was Amy’s connection with Avery?
And what was her number doing scrawled on a Branston brochure?
My head spun until it ached as Mom drove us to the hospital. She kept sneaking me glances, but I couldn’t speak. I didn’t even know what to say. I couldn’t stand Amy but for completely different reasons. I’d never thought she could actually be the Branston traitor.
“Lexie? Is everything all right?” Mom finally asked as we rode the elevator to Dad’s room.
“Not really.”
She squeezed my hand. “He’s going to be okay. I promise.”
I let out a shaky laugh. Of course I was worried about Dad, but I had bigger things on my mind right now.
Back in Dad’s room, I paused in the doorway. He looked like he’d been on the receiving end of a bad beating. He had a black eye, stitches across his cheek, and his hair stood on end.
Mom crossed to his bed and kissed his good cheek. “You had us worried, William.”
He smiled up at her, and my breath caught at the love in his eyes. “Sorry about that. I’m glad you’re here, Maria.”
“Me too.” She smoothed his hair back and adjusted his blankets before sinking onto the bed beside him and holding his hand.
“Are you okay, Lex?” he asked. Propped against the pillows, he looked so thin and weak. It hit me again like a punch in the gut, and I felt tears well up in my eyes. I could have lost him.
I sniffed and looked away. He didn’t need to see me crying. “I’m fine, Dad. I’m just glad you’re okay. Do you remember what happened?”