Free Dallas [Wolfe Brothers 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Kaylee Feagans Page A

you.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “What happened when you brought the issue up to Shawna McMillin?” Angela pointed to the head of the human resources department.
    “I was told that she would take care of it, and she said that he would be written up, and that I didn’t need to take it any further. Why?”
    Shawna’s boss walked into the room and slammed the door. Shawna looked sick. “Because she didn’t follow governmental procedure. And why would that be, Ms. McMillin?” Mr. Jefferies demanded.
    “Because he and I are seeing each other. He promised that it wouldn’t happen again!” Shawna had teared up for good measure.
    “You and I will be meeting after this privately.” Jefferies turned back to Cristal. “I have notified the authorities. While we should have had this incident better documented, we have several witnesses who saw you after the incident, including Angela Wright. If you wish to press charges, and I urge you to do so, the authorities will be here shortly. Have you had any issues with him since?”
    Before she could speak, Angela did for her. “Several of my engineers have contacted me in regards to threats he was making against her.”
    “If you look at my e-mails, I had one from him threatening me. I’ve also had various text messages,” Cristal explained.
    “Get those together. I’ll have them meet you in the conference room. It shouldn’t take very long, and your coworkers were more than eager to help you out. You should be back in the field after lunch.”
    “Yes, sir. Thank you.” She headed off for her cubicle where she printed out all the necessary documents. She was able to speak with the police and file her complaints. By noon, she was able to grab something for lunch then head out in the field to do the required water testing on the Fieldstone properties.
    The property in question had a small creek running down the middle of it. According to reports, the previous owners had been cited for dumping illegal materials in the creek and underground. The owners, according to the information filed with the state, wanted to build a new housing unit. If the water contamination levels were too bad in any one area, it could really hurt people.
    She dug her “toolbox” with testing containers out of her vehicle. Squatting down, she filled one test tube then capped it. She was reaching for the big bucket needed to check the organisms growing in the creek when she heard snapping twigs behind her.
    Her head jerked up only to find Craig Ledbetter standing a short distance from her. Slowly as though not to alarm him, she stood up. The only “weapon” in her toolbox was a knife that she kept in case of an emergency.
    “What are you doing here?” Cristal asked him as she held her toolbox in hand to hide the knife.
    “I wanted to talk to you without your guard dog present. He’s a real asshole, you know that?”
    “He can be, but then so can anyone else.” She eased toward her car. She’d come back for the bucket later.
    “I’m not going to hurt you, Cristal. I just wanted to apologize.”
    Sure he does! she thought. His eyes held the same eerie glaze that they held Friday when he knocked her down, and he thought she was just going to trust him. “Okay. Apology accepted. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll see you around town.”
    He glared at her. “You’re not listening to me. I hate it when you do that.” He was getting more and more agitated. “Come with me, and I’ll drive you back to the office.”
    “No thanks. I brought my vehicle, but it was really nice of you to offer.”
    Damn, his face was turning red. She didn’t think twice, but held the knife, dropped the box, and took off running. Her keys were still in the ignition, and she hoped that she could outrun his pudgy ass, but she didn’t even bother to look back.
    She almost made it. As her hand reached for the door, his reached her. His hand reached back for her and slammed her head into the top of her car. “Shit!” she