Page 25 of The Aries Alliance
“We need to look at our plan holistically. We can’t change how we move too much, or people will be suspicious.”
“I agree. As always, I’ll take copious notes behind closed doors. We can connect via these.” I reached for my bag and pulled out two small burner phones.
When I handed one to Scarlett, she turned it around in her hand and turned it on.
“This is kind of old school.”
“But it’ll keep us safe since EFU is a public school subjected to public records requests. Use it or message me on social media. Here’s your phone’s password. Don’t lose it.” I handed her a pink sticky note with a five-digit code.
Scarlett put the paper inside her bra and set the phone on the table.
When she started rubbing her upper body again, I pointed toward the bedrooms, knowing Scarlett was too stubborn to admit she was in pain.
“It’s getting late. Why don’t you get settled in your room? Yours is the big one at the end.”
“Sounds good.”
When she rose, I followed suit.
“Do you want me to clean up the kitchen?” She pointed behind us.
“No. I’ve got it. I’m a night owl, so I’m going to binge-watchBarbeque Champions. Grilling is my guilty pleasure. You’re welcome to join me.”
Scarlett chuckled, then scratched her temple.
“You, Warrick Redmond, never cease to amaze me.”
“Why’s that?”
Scarlett picked up her phone and then looked back at me.
“Because every time I think I have you figured out, you change.”
“You don’t strike me as a woman who likes monotony, so it’s my pleasure to switch things up.”
“What makes you think you know me so well?”
I smiled and squeezed Scarlett’s hand.
“It’s my training.”
Scarlett stared at me and held her mouth as if she wanted to say something more. Instead, she gave me a faint smile and stood, cleaning up our materials and eventually retiring to her room down the dark hall.
When Scarlett left, I cleaned up the kitchen, reflecting on her words and how isolated she was in her social justice work. From our time alone, I felt her authenticity and the depth of her love for people. She wasn’t pretentious or fake, which was a green flag for our mission. That was refreshing after working in corporate spaces where many people undermined others to get ahead.
After the hell she went through, Scarlett deserved to thrive. In the report, people praised her for being courageous, confirming that her values were exponentially stronger and purer than anyone with whom they ever worked. She was too good for EFU.
Today, Scarlett Kane was more than an employee. In her eyes, I saw hurt and apprehension. All she needed was someoneto care and cheer her on, someone with power to cover her as she fulfilled her God-given mission.
That person would be me.
Settling In
War’s proposal made sense.For once, someone wasn’t afraid to address the problem with EFU. His plan was unorthodox yet more sound than anything else I’d heard. He gave me the peace I needed to carry my heavy justice mantle without being crushed under its weight.
“War.” His after-hours name rolled off my tongue like slick oil as I stood in the mirror in the spacious bathroom at the cottage and examined my body.
Within hours, Warrick Redmond transformed from an adversary to a confidante. Since one of the perpetrators in myreport also violated Warrick’s mother, he was as much a victim of workplace abuse as I was.
