“I’ll go through employees’ family history and service records,” I continue. “If that’s okay, and I find something interesting, I would like to have access to the internet that has a wider range. My Dad has an access to a much bigger database, so…”
Archer’s lips curl in a smile as he takes another piece in his perfect mouth and chews slowly.
“Are you gonna stop staring me down at some point?” I ask when he doesn’t answer.
“Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“At work, yes.” I hold his gaze as his smile widens just a bit.
He explains the different companies that send contractors to Zion. “Marlow can give you more info. Some of it, at least.”
By the time we finish the conversation, my plate is clean. His still has more than half of the chicken fillet, and he catches me looking at it, but I don’t say anything.
The same girl comes and cleans the table as I am about to leave.
“Not so fast,” Archer stops me, then sets something up on his computer, gets up, and motions to his seat. “When you are ready, just press the call button.”
He leaves, and when I walk around the desk to his seat, suspicion nibbling at me, my heart jolts in excitement.
My dad’s name is in the corner of the screen.
Slowly, I take a seat on the edge of the office chair and press the call button.
I haven’t talked to Dad since I used my satellite phone on the Eastside, which is still there. And when the ring button drops and my father’s face fills the screen, the sight almost brings me to tears.
“Dad…” I say in a whisper, my heart ready to burst out of my chest.
“Hey, Kit-Kat.” He smiles.
Emotions surge through me like a storm—a messy combo of happiness and nostalgia and guilt.
His eyes search the screen, trying to figure out where I am. I wish this was just an ordinary conversation.
“They know,” I say, knowing that I should tell him the way things are. “Heknows.”
Dad freezes. “How are you, sweetie?” he says instead. It’s his undercover habit to say as little as possible when wary of the surroundings.
I nod. “Good.” Embarrassment suddenly washes over me because I failed the only assignment ever given to me. “Archer Crone knows,” I repeat, wondering if this conversation is recorded.
“So… How is everything?” Dad is in permanent undercover mode.
“We made a deal,” I say.
“A deal?”
I explain briefly what I signed up for. Dad only nods, no emotion in his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, knowing that I screwed up before I even started, though I sure as hell will try to fix it. “Plan B, right?” I smile. It’s my dad’s training.
He smiles back. “Kit-Kat, it’s alright. As long as you’re safe. Youaresafe, right?”
I nod. I ask about Uncle and how things are at home, not taking my eyes off my dad, the face so dear to me that only now do I realize how much I missed him.
The soft sound of the door opening makes me look up.
Archer is in the doorway, and my heart skips a beat. I think of cutting the call but don’t, frozen to my spot.
So is Dad, knowing someone else is in the room.