Page 78 of Troy Story
He walked over to the alcove that housed the washing machine. Beside it was the cabinet where he’d stashed the spare keys. The top drawer was open, but the keys weren’t in it. Someone must have grabbed them. Dr. Hughes? Dusty?
Either way, he was too late.
He glanced around the alcove, still hoping to spot the keys. To his surprise, the washing machine was open, loaded with a mound of clothes covered in a layer of powdered detergent. Looking down at his feet, he caught sight of Dusty’s familiar laundry bag, the one she’d embellished with a drawing of a cartoon skunk. He reached into the washing machine and pulled out one of her favorite shirts—a faded blue tee bearing a picture of the Muppets.
Why had she left her clothes in the washing machine? Even if she’d been furious at Dr. Hughes, she wouldn’t have dashed off without taking all her stuff.
Stuart marched over to his boss’s room and banged on the door. “Open up!”
When Dr. Hughes opened it, his face was red, his voice thick with rage. “I already fired one member of the team today. Don’t make me do it again.”
“I know you’re not telling me the whole story. What are you hiding in there?” He tried to push past Dr. Hughes, but the older man shoved him away.
“My room is off-limits. Understand? I’m not hiding anything. I realize you’re hurt because your girlfriend left, but for God’s sake, be a man about it.”
Stuart wanted to shake some sense into him, but he controlled the impulse. Violence solved nothing and could get him fired. He forced himself to speak humbly. “Please tell me what happened. I’m worried about her.”
“There’s nothing to tell. She’s gone.”
“Then I’m going after her.” Saying it infused Stuart with a powerful surge of energy. Why was he wasting time seeking answers from this asshole? The only person who knew the truth was Dusty. He had to find her.
“Good luck with that,” Dr. Hughes said. “She’s probably halfway to Istanbul.”
As if that would stop him? “It’s only five hours away. If I leave now, I can be there by eight.”
“Are you mad? It’s a city of fifteen million people. And you don’t know where she is, do you? I’m guessing she’s not answering your texts.” His boss gave a smug smile, as if to assert his superiority.
Stuart didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he was trying to figure out what Dusty would do once she arrived in Istanbul. Thanks to her parents’ connections, she knew people who worked at the American Research Institute in Turkey. She’d probably see if they had a spare room available.
“I’m leaving. If all goes well, I should be back by tomorrow morning.” He kept his voice firm, as though his decision wasn’t up for debate.
Dr. Hughes frowned. “I’d think twice about that. If you leave, I’m going to report you to Dr. Fiorelli. I’ll tell her you abandoned your post—and your responsibilities—to go after your wayward girlfriend. The same girl who insulted me and threatened me with violence. Your actions are hardly becoming of an assistant dig director. Or a professor.”
Stuart’s shoulders tightened. Every time he thought his boss couldn’t stoop any lower, the man proved him wrong. “Are you threatening me?”
“Consider it a warning. I can’t condone such unprofessional behavior.”
Stuart swallowed, not wanting to imagine Dr. Fiorelli’s response. She’d asked him to keep the dig on track, but he was allowing his feelings for Dusty to derail everything. But for the first time in his life, he couldn’t do the prudent thing. Not if it meant losing the woman he loved. He’d have to take the risk and live with the consequences.
Without responding, he turned and left. Dr. Hughes shouted something after him, but he ignored it.
Grabbing his messenger bag from his room, he went to the kitchen and loaded it with supplies for the drive: a water bottle, a can of Coke, an apple, and a package of Ülker sesame stick crackers. On his way to the Land Rover, he stopped by the picnic table, where the others were in the midst of their midday meal.
He stood for a moment, hesitating over how much to reveal. Should he tell them Dusty had gone missing? Insinuate that Dr. Hughes was involved—not just in Dusty’s departure, but in something more nefarious? Though he was loath to make any accusations, he wanted them to understand the serious nature of the situation.
Clapping his hands together, he called them to attention. “Sorry to leave you in the lurch, but Dusty’s gone, and I’m going to bring her back.”
“Is she okay?” Clarissa asked.
Mort banged his fist on the table. “It’s foul play, isn’t it? Is that wretched Dr. Hughes involved?”
“I think so,” Stuart said. “I’m still not sure, but I’ll know more once I talk to Dusty. In the meantime, don’t let Dr. Hughes leave the field house.”
“Stuart.” Kerim’s expression was grim. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know yet. But I need to find Dusty. I’m worried about her.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
