Chapter 2

Megan

“So you’re saying that even though our drinking water is filtered and appears clear, there are still contaminates in it?” The girl crinkled her nose, and her friend giggled. It was hard to distinguish these college students from the high schoolers I’d toured last month, but at least the day was almost over.

I slapped on a big grin and gave her a toothy answer. “That’s right, clear doesn’t mean clean. That’s what it’s so important to watch what we put back into our environment. Many of the chemicals that are present in our water do not affect the color or clarity. Are there any other questions?” My feet were killing me, and though I loved my job, I was ready for this college tour to be over.

My employer, Easton Environmental had assigned me to lead a series of tours at the water treatment plant for some of the local colleges. There had been four total, and I’d been on my feet for hours. I made a mental note to wear better shoes next time as I waited for the next question.

Most of the students stood slouched with their hands in their pockets, and though they weren’t much younger than me, I felt years away from them. I’d finished college early and began working with Easton three years earlier, and even though I was a rookie compared to most when it came to years of experience, I was making a name for myself with my drive and determination. Though I’d always loved the environment, my true passion was people, and far too many I’d known had died from cancer. My grandfather had passed away from pancreatic and liver cancer, which were thought to have been caused by him living near the refineries for so many years. For me, the subject was life and passion, but as I looked out at the blank faces of the students, I wondered if they even knew what passion was.

“If there aren’t any more questions then I’d like to thank you for coming today.” The group, along with the professor cleared out and I turned and ducked behind a stack of barrels. I pulled off my shoes and vowed to never listen to Jana again. She’d encouraged me to dress up for the occasion, which to her meant wearing flats. I was a sneaker kind of girl, and now that feet were aching I couldn’t believe I’d bought into my best friend’s logic of comfortable footwear.

I decided she needed to hear my grievance first hand and so I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and found her smiling face in my contacts. I touched the screen and waited to hear her voice.

“Jana James,” she said. She always answered the phone the same way, and never said hello like a normal person.

“Yes, Ms. James, this is the complaint department of Easton Environmental, your flats are the most uncomfortable piece of footwear I’ve ever had the displeasure of wearing in front of a bunch of brain dead college students.”

“Brain dead? That doesn’t sound right. Usually, those groups are ready to go.”

“The other groups were actually kind of amazing, but this last bunch needed to wake up. The only question I got was from amateur hour.” I walked out of the plant and to my car, taking off my lanyard and nametag.

“Well, to be fair, you are more passionate than most, and it is the end of the day. No telling what those poor people had to sit through to wait their turn.” She wasn’t kidding. I’d sat through many a boring training videos and lectures throughout my college days.

“I’m glad I’m done. Now if something exciting would happen I’d be thrilled.” I turned on my blue-tooth and started my car.

Jana’s voice filled the cab of my car. “Be careful what you wish for, besides, you need a break, and I still think you need a man.”

I sighed thinking she was about to get on another one of her soapboxes about me not dating. We’d been over that a million times. “You think every woman needs a man. No thanks, I have enough work in my life without adding more.” A tone sounded out interrupting our call. I glanced down to see it was my boss. “I have to go, Jana, that’s Neil calling.”

“Call me later.” Her line went dead, so I answered the other call. After saying hello I held my breath. There was never any telling what I’d be asked to do.

“Good news, Megan. I have an opportunity for you, and I think you’re going to love it.” I liked the sound of that already but proceeded with caution in case he was buttering me up. Neil had a way of polishing turds and trying to pass them off as candy.

“Are you going to make me wait all day or are you going to tell me?” Predictable as ever he chuckled.

“I should make you wait and ask you how the tours went this morning, but I’m sure you had a wonderful day talking about our wonderful career in an educational environment.” The water treatment plant was hardly an educational environment but who was I to argue.

“Things went great. There’s a whole new generation of us to come.” I didn’t think I should tell him what a disappointment some of them were and instead pressed for my new assignment. “So, what’s this new deal?”

“You’ve heard of the Walker Industries and their latest accusations; I take it?” The name was familiar right away, and I’d read all about the claim of contaminants found in the water in the surrounding area. This was a good case for sure.

“Are you telling me I’m being brought in on an investigation of Walker Industries?” I caught my smile in the side mirror as I hit the interstate.

“Well, close. You’re being brought in for the company. They’d like you to look for ways to prove that they aren’t contaminating the environment and want you to help them enforce better practices for prevention in the future.” It wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped. Ryan Walker was probably the hottest billionaire bachelor known in the state, and probably the entire country, but I’d also heard the man was an ass. To be brought in to endure his ego for the duration of the project was going to be rough. I didn’t play well with others of his kind. His type of big industry was what made me come into the business in the first place.

“It’s a great opportunity, and you came to them highly recommended, so they’re really looking forward to working with you.”

Great, so I couldn’t say no. A few more seconds of contemplation was all I needed, and it wasn’t like I could say no anyway. “When do I meet with them?”

“Good girl, I knew you’d be perfect for the job when I recommended you. You’ll see him Wednesday morning at eight sharp. Don’t be late. Our reputation is riding on you.”

I raked my hand through my long auburn hair forgetting that Jana had encouraged me to try her hairspray. At least it was in a pump. “Thanks. I think. On second thought, I’ll thank you later, and only if this goes well.”

“You’ll be fine. Keep that smart mouth of yours in check, and you’ll do wonderfully.” That was easier said than done and I had a feeling he knew that.

“Is there anything else I should know?” I held my breath and pursed my lips.

“I was going to save this as a surprise, but what the heck. Your friend Jana Jones will be along as well. For the initial meeting anyway. I want her working on the backend here at the office for the most part, but it will be good to show a strong front in the beginning, and she’ll need to know what’s going on first hand.”

“Awesome! You haven’t told her?” I wondered if she knew about it when I’d called.

“No, and I’m counting on the two of you to not get in any trouble. Don’t give these people a hard time. I need you to work lead on this but make sure you rely on Jones and send her all the information you can. I don’t want her thinking she’s on vacation.” Jana was known as a bit of a slacker at times, but I was excited I’d have my best friend along for the initial experience.

I’d come into Easton as a wildcard, and luckily Neil had loved me. I’d made friends with Jana pretty fast, but many of the others took me for a white trash hillbilly who’d grown up poor and lacked social graces. Maybe some of that was true, but I wasn’t a dummy, and my mother had raised me right. I’d had to fight tooth and claw for acceptance from my peers at Easton and that first year had been a doozy. I’d come into my own and made friends since, but I was still set in my ways and could come off a little abrasive.

“I’ll do my best.” I ended the call and wondered what Jana would suggest I wear to meet a billionaire. I cringed knowing she’d say heels.