Page 52 of Troy Story
Because it wasn’t like either of themevercalled to have a friendly chat. “I’m good. Sort of. This Troy gig has been harder than I thought.”
“What’s the problem? I’m heading out to a planning meeting at the Grand Egyptian Museum, so I don’t have much time.”
Typical Mom. At least she hadn’t told Dusty to call her back later. “It’s Dr. Hughes. I know you warned me about him, but he’s worse than I imagined. Twice now, he’s threatened to fire me because he’s still carrying a grudge over that Ancient Excursions tour. What did you do to him?”
“Oh, dear.” Her mother let out a lengthy sigh. “I should have told you the whole story, but I was hoping he’d moved on from that incident.”
“What incident?” Dusty jolted up from her chair, too agitated to sit still.
“Calm down. It wasn’t that bad.”
“Mom, tell me. I need to know everything.”
“It happened when we were halfway through the tour. We’d finished up in Egypt and were spending a week in Turkey. Until that point, I hadn’t minded working with him. There’s no denying he was the boastful sort—the type who always has to be the biggest person in the room. But he could also be a real charmer, especially with the older women on the tour.”
Did this mean her mother had succumbed to his charms? Dusty grimaced, not wanting to imagine it. “You didn’t fall for it, did you?”
“Hardly. Only one man has ever won me over with flattery, and it’s your father. Anyway, when we got to Istanbul, two of the women on the tour took me aside. Young women in their twenties. They told me Hughes had propositioned them privately. At first, I thought they’d misread his intentions, but the more they shared with me, the more I realized how inappropriately he’d behaved.”
Dusty shuddered as she recalled everything that Clarissa, Hayat, and Mort had told her about Dr. Hughes’ comments. How he’d often referred to women in a way that demeaned or objectified them.
Her mother continued. “I took up the issue with Hughes. Just a warning, nothing more. But he erupted in a rage. Said it was none of my business and that the women were overreacting to a few flirtatious remarks. So, I let it go. But he was so upset that I’d brought it up that he barely spoke to me the next day.”
It sounded just like him. What an immature prick.
“That’s it?” Dusty asked. “That’s why he’s so mad?”
Her mother gave a rueful laugh. “I wish that was all. Two nights later, one of the women came to me in tears, claiming he’d drunkenly groped her when they were at the bar. As you can imagine, I felt horrible I’d let it get that far.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s his for being such an ass.”
“Even so, I was the one who’d enabled him by not putting an immediate stop to his behavior. This time, when I talked to him, I was angry. But he blew me off again. So, I called the tour office to report him. I wasn’t sure what the repercussions would be, but if he assaulted one of those women, I never would have forgiven myself.”
When her voice broke, Dusty’s throat clogged with sympathy. Her mother so rarely lost control of her emotions that this incident must have affected her powerfully. “What happened?”
“The company kicked Hughes off the tour, but it didn’t end there. He was so furious that he tried to get back at me. After he flew home, he called your father and filled his head with lies.”
“What kind of lies?” Dusty’s heart constricted as she imagined her poor father picking up the phone only to be subjected to Dr. Hughes’ vicious slander.
Her mother gave a dismissive snort. “That I’d slept with two of the men on the tour. Or was it three? Either way, I’d behaved like a complete slut—his words, not mine. I would never describe another woman that way.”
“That piece of shit. What did Dad say?”
“He didn’t believe a word of it. He’s always stood by me, no matter what.” Her mother paused. “Has Stuart been standing up for you on this dig?”
Dusty swallowed, suddenly uneasy. “Not exactly, but…”
“I’m sure he’s acting out of self-preservation, but it’s something to consider. When you finally decide to settle down—if ever—make sure you find someone who’ll stand up for you.” She gave a wry laugh. “Look at me, dispensing motherly advice.”
“Um…thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome. Now, if that man ever lays a finger on you, tell me immediately. If I have to fly over to Turkey and take him on, I will.”
Dusty could only imagine how well that would go over. “It’s okay. I can fight my own battles.”
“Just as I taught you. Now, I must rush. Don’t want to keep those curators waiting.”
She signed off, but her words resonated in Dusty’s ears.You need someone who’ll stand up for you.
