Page 57 of Rio
“The mangroves are thinner?”I ask Tomas.
“Yes.”
“The reef is damaged?”
“Yes.”
“Is the water undrinkable?”
“Yes.Ever since they rerouted the drainage for the foundation.”
“Then why are the reports not showing that?”
He looks ahead of him, nods.Seems to be weighing something internally.“It’s time you looked at the evidence with your own eyes, instead of relying on what you’ve been told.”
I groan.A hall full of people can’t be wrong.Tomas knows more than he’s letting on.He’s too careful with his words.I need to get out there soon, but tomorrow the old man’s got me locked into back-to-back meetings with government reps, environmental consultants, and a parade of so-called project managers.The kind of people who’ll smile, show me charts, and spin the story he wants me to hear.
Listening to what Raquel said, even if she delivered her words in a brutal way, there is some truth I need to look out for.She was amazing back there, even if she put me on the defensive.I see now that she’s passionate, and fights fiercely.I’m beginning to understand her more, and see who she is behind all those thorny brambles and high walls she puts up around her.
She’s only trying to do her job, and she thinks I’m trying to get into her panties.Not true.
Well, not entirely.
Chapter 17
RAQUEL
I need to shower and cool down but I need to prepare the brief.Alma wants to file tomorrow and I have a lot of work to do tonight even though I’ve been working flat out.
I quickly change out of my work clothes and slip on a tank top and shorts.Then I put my hair up into a bun, but I feel sticky and sweaty all over.Sweat clings to the back of my neck, my temples, and runs down my cleavage.But I sit myself down and get into work mode.
Only, there’s an important phone call I need to make.One I should have made a few days ago, but I’ve been avoiding it.Avoidinghim.Maybe because I’ve left it until the very last moment.Maybe because part of me doesn’t want to deal with the fallout.
It’s not professional.It’s borderline insubordination.Pierce will rip me to shreds, no matter how solid the case is.
He picks up on the second ring.“Raquel.I thought you’d gotten lost in the jungle.”
I release a shaky breath.“I’ve been busy.Pierce, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“You’re having too much fun and you don’t want to come back,” he replies, joking.
“Everything’s changed.EcoGuardians want to file an injunction.”
“What?When?”His tone is low and he’s pissed at me already.
“Alma told me as soon as I got here.”
“Who?”
“Alma Flores, the woman heading up EcoGuardians.She said this wasn’t just a fact-finding mission anymore.They wanted me to file.”
“You’re not there to file, and why the fuck am I hearing about it onlynow?”
“I’ve been busy.They don’t want to waste time.They want it done fast.”I try to keep my voice level.“There’s serious immediate damage being caused here.I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
“No.NO.That’s not why we sent you.”His voice sharpens.“You were meant to smile, gather info, look serious and come back with a folder we could shred.”
“I can’t ignore this.If you saw the damage—”
