Contributor (Contributor Trilogy, book 1) (8 page)

Dara knew she should protest, but she didn't. She refused to observe form for form's sake. It had been a long day and she had neither the energy nor the patience for it.

"Magnum is very protective of its secrets," Letizia continued, sounding like she chose each of her words with the utmost care. "If trade secrets leaked... Well, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that it's one of the Creators' worst fears."

"What does that have to do with me?" Dara asked, impatient for Letizia to leave.

"It means that Magnum is very interested in the information exchanged by employees."

"Are you saying that...that the conference rooms are observed?" Dara recoiled, appalled.

"Not observed, no. But there are recording devices—and not just in the conference rooms either."

"So everything I said in the room..."

"Was being recorded, yes," Letizia confirmed.

Panicking, Dara rose from her chair and began to pace the room. "Did I say anything? Oh, Creators." She dug her fingers into her hair, her nails scratching her scalp. Letizia looked worried.

"I don't think so. I wanted to warn you, but obviously I couldn't. I didn't mean to sound so...cold. I was trying to be careful about what I said."

"Why are you telling me this?" Dara asked. She stopped pacing and turned to look at Letizia. Pressing her palms hard against her skull, Dara wished she could squeeze her fears right out of her head.

"Andersen misses nothing. I know this is a trying time for you, but I don't want you to ever forget that—ever." The ferocity of Letizia's voice stunned Dara, and her hands fell to her sides.

"So he'll be evaluating my reaction." Dara practically spat the words.

"Yes. I know you've got a lot on your mind, but you need to be wary. Whenever Andersen is around, LeTour is going to try his best to get to you—and he's going to be relentless. Will you be able to handle it?"

"I don't know," Dara said honestly.

"Well, you have to be." Though extremely unpleasant, the truth was a lifeline, and Dara was grateful. Without it, she might have fallen into a trap.

"I'll do my best to help you," Letizia continued, "but you have got to be on your guard. I can't say it any more plainly than that."

"Okay."

Letizia nodded and stood up. "I hope you understand now why I thought it was necessary to meet."

"I do, and I'm grateful. I don't want to drag either of us down."

Shaking her head, Letizia looked at her sadly. "It's not about that, Dara. I'm not here because I'm afraid for my career."

"I didn't mean to offend you," Dara said, her cheeks flaming. "But I wanted you to know—"

"No, I mean it. I'm not worried about my career. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's how to be a survivor. But, well, I'm sorry to say I'm not entirely convinced you have that ability."

"You must think I'm an idiot." Dara could no longer meet her master's eyes. She couldn't believe how incredibly naive she'd been, thinking that all her hard work and effort would guarantee her a safe and cozy life.

"I don't think you're an idiot," Letizia said gently. "I think you're a young woman who has no concrete idea how the world operates. I didn't either. It's not something you're taught in school, so unless you have parents as ruthless as LeTour's, it's something you have to learn from experience."

Biting her lip, Dara nodded. "Why did you decide to tell me all this?"

Letizia looked chagrined. "I really do seem like I'm made of stone, don't I? I'm sorry about that. It's a defense mechanism—one you'd probably better learn as well. Allowing people to get too close can be very risky."

"You didn't answer my question," Dara pressed.

With a sigh, Letizia answered, "I guess it's because you remind me a lot of myself."

"I do?" Dara couldn't conceal her surprise.

"Yes, and I realized that having to watch that innocence being crushed all over again is...it's devastating."

"You're the only person who's been honest with me."

"Try to remember that it's not that everyone is necessarily dishonest. Sometimes they're genuinely unaware. Think of all the training you've received. There was a reason for it."

Dara nodded. It seemed like she'd aged at least a hundred years in the space of this one day. "I'll be careful."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to add to your burden." Letizia looked genuinely worried. She twisted her hands and shifted her weight from foot to foot. For the first time, Dara felt like she saw the actual substance of her master, and not just some shiny veneer.

"I'd have been a lot more burdened if you hadn't told me and I'd had to learn the hard way."

The look of relief on Letizia's face told Dara her master felt absolved of her guilt.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Dara said, heading for the door.

Letizia paused at the threshold. "I know going in is last thing you want to do, but it's the wisest course of action."

"That doesn't make it easier."

"Nope. It's a load of shit," Letizia said, coaxing a startled laugh from Dara.

"Yes, it is."

"Try to get some sleep."

"I'm not sure I ever will again."

"Welcome to the wonderful world of a Contributor," Letizia sighed.

Chapter 11

When she woke the next morning, Dara was a physical and emotional wreck. Exhaustion had finally overcome her, and she had managed to get in a couple of hours of sleep. However, it had done absolutely nothing for her, thanks to a string of nightmares that left her tossing and turning.

Stumbling out into the kitchen, she found her father leaning heavily against the counter, his forehead propped against his hand. The dark circles and heavy bags under his eyes attested to the fact that he had also had precious little sleep.

"Anything?" Dara asked, her stomach fluttering with nervous anticipation.

As if waking up from a very deep sleep, Joshua slowly raised his head and looked at his daughter, his expression blank for several seconds until her question penetrated. He shook his head.

"No. I talked to the doctor and her condition is still the same," he said, his voice hoarse from a combination of lack of sleep and tears, the evidence of them still visible on his cheeks.

Dara wondered how someone could age twenty years overnight. Joshua's face was unshaven, his hair a mess, and his shirt only half-tucked into his slacks.

"Dad, are you sure you can handle going in today?" she asked gently.

"Yes, yes. I have to." His voice held a slight edge of panic.

"Well, if you're sure..."

"I am." He shook himself visibly, his eyes clearing. "Dara, you're so young."

Puzzled, she studied him. "And?"

"I...I hate to have to ask you this, but...but your mother...I can't...if Magnum decides she needs long-term care—"

"We won't let that happen, Dad. I promise." Dara's voice was soft but firm. She went over to him and took his hand. "You don't have to worry about anything. You couldn't stop me from helping take care of her, no matter how hard you tried."

His face crumpled, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes, and he gave her hand a feeble squeeze. "Thank you, sweetheart. But to burden you with this—"

"It's not a burden, and please don't ever say it is. Really, Dad, I'm serious."

"I'm just so worried about her," he whispered.

The lump in her throat grew so large she could barely speak around it. "Me too."

He gave her hand another squeeze, then turned to pour them some coffee. Dara gratefully took a cup; she feared she'd fall asleep without the jolt. As she picked at her food, she knew she should eat it, that Magnum would frown upon the waste, but she couldn't summon the energy to care. Five minutes later, she scraped their almost untouched plates into the garbage chute.

"Dad, you need to shave."

"What?" he asked, startled. He ran a hand over his jaw and frowned. "I can't believe I forgot about that." He sounded vaguely surprised, as if he was making an observation about a distant stranger.

He headed off to shave, and Dara went to her room to finish getting ready. Try as she might, there wasn't enough makeup in all of Magnum's dome to make her look any less exhausted than she so clearly was, and she gave up after ten minutes of trying to erase the dark circles under her eyes. She smoothed her hair back into a neat knot, deciding her appearance couldn't possibly get any better.

"If you hear anything at all—" she began, as she and her father stood near the door, gathering their things.

"I'll get a message to you immediately, I promise." He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Do you want to walk with me and Jonathan?" He was so distracted, she feared he might end up on the other side of the dome.

"No, no. I need to pick Stephen up. We have a lot to discuss," he replied, referring to one of his colleagues.

"Are you sure?" Though she was relieved he wasn't going to walk to shift alone, her fears had not been allayed. She had never before seen her father so distraught.

"Yes, I am. I know I don't look it, but I promise I can keep it together today, Dara. Your mother needs me." His eyes filled with steely determination.

"All right, Dad. Just...just take it easy today, okay?"

"I'll do what has to be done," he said, by way of answer. "It's what I've always done."

Confused, she looked up at him, but he seemed not to notice. He dropped a kiss on her head and then was gone. Dara still stood in the doorway staring after him when Jonathan arrived.

"Did you get any sleep at all?" he asked, kissing her cheek and looking worriedly into her face.

"Not really." She shrugged listlessly.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Not right now. But thanks." She clasped his hand. He took it between both of his and tucked it into the crook of his elbow.

"Promise you'll get a message to me if you need me," he said, as they walked.

"I will," she promised, though she knew it was a lie. If something happened, she would not trouble him with it—not because she didn't think he would help, but because she was certain he would. Though they loved each other, this problem was hers and hers alone. She would not jeopardize his future, no matter what happened.

"I'll see you after shift," he said, as they entered headquarters. He looked reluctant to leave her there and she put a lot of effort into giving him a fleeting smile.

"I'll see you then."

"We'll go straight to the med center."

She nodded and, with one last, regretful look, he turned and headed off to logistics.

"How are you?" Dara turned to see Javier studying her.

"I'm fine, I guess," she said, shrugging.

He nodded. "I'm sorry about your mom. I hope she'll be okay."

"Thank you." His unexpected kindness brought tears to her eyes. Hastily, she looked away.

"Well, I'll see you in engineering." He walked off, raising his hand in a brief gesture of good-bye.

She headed to engineering, running into Letizia just before she entered the area. Her master must have been waiting for Dara, wanting to head her off.

"How is she?" Letizia asked.

"She's stable. The doctors say her vitals are strong, but she hasn't woken up yet."

Letizia looked grave. "Still, it's good that her vitals are strong. Do they have a prognosis?"

Dara shook her head. "They said they can't predict anything until they see how she responds to tests when she regains consciousness."

Now Letizia looked worried. "This must be so difficult for you."

"It is," Dara said honestly.

"I'll try to help you however I can but, Dara, everyone will be watching to see how you handle this."

"I know. I'll keep it together, I promise."