His grip tightens on my hand and he blinks rapidly. When he inhales sharply, I know then that he knows. He releases my hand and stands up, his body stiff, his handsfisted.
"Excuse me," he says and walks to thedoor.
"What's the matter?" Ed says but Michel ignores him and leaves the room, closing the door behindhim.
Oh,damn…
"Let me," Terri says and stands, removing her glasses and following Michel out the door, leaving me alone with Ed. He turns tome.
"Whathappened?"
I cover my eyes for a moment, horrified that this happened. I had no idea that he'd be expected to use his telepathy on me and would find out I'd read themanuscript.
"Eve, what happened?" he says again. I take my hands away and bite my cheek to keep control over myemotions.
"I don'tknow."
Ed frowns and leaves the room as well. I sit alone in the boardroom, facing an emptytable.
Oh, no, oh no, ohno…
* * *
In about ten minutes,Terri returns to the room alone. I've managed to get a grip on my emotions, and I've tried to think of how to respond to their questions. The manuscript was mine. I had every right to read it. But I know it's a betrayal of Michel's trust and here I was going on to him about how he had to prove he was trustworthy and yet I'm the one who betrayedhis.
"Michel's not feeling well so we have to postpone this part of the interview. You should go home now, Eve. We'll contact you when the interview'srescheduled."
"OK," I say and gather my things up. "Tell Michel I'msorry."
"For what?" she says, frowning. "He's justill."
I nod, trying to recover. "That's what I mean. I'm sorry he's not feeling well. Tell him I hope he feelsbetter."
She nods as if she understands and smilespolitely.
I gather up my coat and backpack andleave.
When I hit the street, I stand for a moment on the corner and try to catch my breath. Michel knows I have the translation. He'll be by to take it fromme.
I walk to the bus stop and check my cell to see when the next bus is due. Just then, a car drives up and the passenger window rollsdown.
It'sJulien.
"Get in. Let me take youhome."
"I can take the bus," I say, not sure I want to be alone withhim.
"I insist. Consider this part of the security arrangements you're going to have to get used to from nowon."
I glance around the darkened streets. Even with streetlights and a few businesses that are still open, it's pretty creepy in this neighborhood. I'll be home in under ten minutes if Julien drives me. If I take the bus, it will be at least thirtyminutes.
I get in, buckling up. The car is an old GTO, royal blue, with a leather interior. The radio is tuned to some jazz station. There's a police scanner and computer system hooked up as if Julien monitors the policecalls.
"That was short. Tell me whathappened."
I don't say anything. Julien takes my hand for a moment. I try to pull it back, but he persists, his grip strong. I feel him at the edges of my mind, and wish I could learn how to block him and Michel out. That way, this mess with the translation wouldn't havehappened.
"Eve, I know what happened. Tellme."