Free Cats Meow by Nicole Austin Page B

night she’d found a cabin to rent. She had the keys in her purse. Her
plans were coming together so what exactly was she waiting for?
    By now the security team would have filled
Weltman in on the morning’s events. Would it be enough to convince him the lab
environment was counterproductive to his goals?
    Her father’s voice flowed through her mind
offering a swift kick in the ass. You’ll never find out with your head stuck
in the sand, Rebecca. Stand tall and show them what you’ve made of.
    Yeah, since when did she hide from adversity?
The general had taught her to be strong and face challenges head-on. He’d be
ashamed of the way she was behaving.
    Rebecca squared her shoulders, steeled her
spine and stormed out the door. Her heels beat out a steady rhythm as she moved
down the hall. She didn’t pause or give Weltman’s assistant the chance to say a
word, she charged right by and into his office.
    A guard she had not met shot upright from a
chair in front of the desk and turned to face her.
    “Rebecca,” Weltman gasped, startled by her
bold entrance. “That will be all, Martha. Please close the door,” he told his
assistant.
    Weltman stood and extended a hand toward the
guard. “Kyle Slater, this is Dr. Rebecca Southerby, the
zoologist working with Lasiter.” Weltman turned to her. “Rebecca, this is Kyle,
head of security here at the lab.”
    They didn’t shake hands, the man merely
nodded then followed Weltman’s example and returned to his seat. She looked him
over and made a quick assessment. Everything about the dark-haired stranger
screamed military, from his quick response to the way he held himself.
    Instead of sitting, she planted her hands on
the desk and leaned in, forcing Weltman to lean back. She would not be able to
intimidate him, but the position gave an impression of authority and power.
She’d take any advantage she could get.
    “This isn’t working!”
    He sighed heavily. “Kyle and I were just
discussing this morning’s session.”
    She kept her focus on Weltman, ignoring the
other man. “Then you understand the situation. Being locked up in a cell and
under constant guard here at the lab has impeded making any real progress. I’m
going to have to take him offsite.”
    Weltman sprung to his feet and leaned forward,
got right in her face. His heated breath washed over her, the smell of onions
from his last meal turning her stomach. But she didn’t back down and refused to
flinch.
    “It’s too dangerous.”
    “He won’t hurt me, Gabe. He’s had plenty of
opportunity. If anything, Micah has displayed protective behaviors toward me.
The lion is too keyed up here. He won’t let Micah take complete control in this
atmosphere.”
    “No. He could turn on you.”
    She softened her tone and gave the appearance
of relaxing her stance. “I know cats, Gabe. That’s why you hired me. Working
with him here, I won’t be able to produce the result you’re after. Allow me to
work with him from home and I can help Micah get control of the lion.”
    Weltman dropped back in his chair. He frowned
then made brief eye contact with the guard. From the corner of her eye, she saw
Slater nod.
    “She’s right. He won’t hurt her.”
    Holy shit, this is going to work. Because
of Slater. She wondered if he knew Micah and was
possibly a friend.
    “I want results, fast.” Weltman rubbed his
temple and sighed. “How long?”
    She shrugged. “Two weeks for him to fully
adapt to the lion and master its instincts. Maybe less. It’s hard to predict
since I’ve never worked with anyone like him before.”
    “He is unique. Our first success.” He leaned
back in the chair, fingers steepled, and remained silent for several long
moments. He seemed to reach a decision and pressed a button on his desk.
    “Yes, sir?” The assistant’s voice wafted
through a hidden speaker.
    “Martha, call down to communications and have
someone bring a company phone for Dr. Southerby.” After
disconnecting, he