Page 49 of Hidden Gem
“Did she say something to make you think...”
Marnie nodded, a grave look on her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I was scared and tried to forget all about her. And I think you’re right, those chocolates got under my skin. But yeah, she sounded a bit odd on the phone. Like she’d suddenly forgotten everything we’d just talked about. She started over and corrected herself. It was weird.”
Jason leaned back on the driver’s seat, rubbing his temples. It wasn’t an isolated incident. It couldn’t be. If only they could get the word out there, even just to create suspicion. Maybe he could force Kathleen to take a step back, allow them to investigate the tax for a bit longer. But he couldn’t ask Marnie, not anymore. A heavy silence sat between them as Marnie stared out the window, her chin quivering as she chewed on her lip.
Finally, she turned to face him. “I want to do it,” she said, pinning him with a fierce look. “I want to talk to those people in your office, or whoever you think should know about Kathleen.”
“Are you sure? I know I asked you when we first met, but that was wrong. I shouldn’t have. And Kathleen knows you now. She might figure out it was you.”
Marnie nodded, her face firm. “I know, but I refuse to be intimidated. What is she going to do? Kill me with a gift basket?”
Jason rested his fingers on the ignition, holding his breath. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, let’s go. We’re already driving to Wellington. We can stop at your office on the way.”
Chapter 23
The highway split intofour, then five lanes. After six hours on the road, they finally approached Wellington. The turquoise ocean glistened on one side, steep green hills climbed sky-high on the other, casting a shadow over the road. Marnie’s initial nerves had faded during the long drive. She’d loved talking to Jason, hearing more about his parliament reality, as well as what he missed from his old life. So many things she’d taken for granted, like spending a day at the beach, or catching up with a friend with no work agenda.
Marnie had driven most of the way, worried about Jason’s fatigue. One good night didn’t magically cure months of insomnia. In Lower Hutt, they’d finally switched places so Jason could navigate them to the parliament carpark. Marnie had returned to the backseat, curled under the blanket, and was starting to overheat.
She’d been so sure about their plan, filled with determination, but the closer they got to the capital city, the more out of her element she felt. Her casual top and yoga pants were fine for a secluded beach house, not the parliament. But she couldn’t back down, not now. This was too important.
The Beehive looked imposing, the late afternoon sun casting a golden halo over the building. The view was soon replaced by the sickly yellow lighting of the underground carpark. Jason got out of the car and scanned the space. There were only a couple of other cars, no people in sight.
“All clear,” he said, opening the door to the backseat.
Marnie climbed out, stretching her aching limbs. Jason had promised to do his best to keep her anonymous, but she accepted the risk. Every nerve vibrating, she followed Jason to the lifts and they ascended to the office floor. Everything looked the same, the maze of long, carpeted hallways. Green and red. portraits of serious, balding men. It was Saturday night, just like last time. But something had shifted. The way Jason touched her lower back, guiding her. She felt his protection, his concern. The warmth of his hand travelled through her, soothing her wobbly stomach. What would it be like to have someone in her corner like this all the time?
He stopped at the office door, his eyes fixed on hers, face drawn. “Are you sure? We don’t have to do this. I don’t want to risk what we have, that’s more important to me.”
Marnie’s insides flipped at his words, but her mind resisted. “More important than housing thousands of people?”
Jason paused, glancing at the door, the pain evident on his face. “I know it sounds selfish. I’m just scared that you’ll regret this.”
“Kathleen’s not there, is she?” Marnie swallowed.
