“I am, how do you know me?”
“I’m Jason Black, I know the name doesn’t mean anything to you, but for the last twenty-some years, I worked as the lead lawyer for the DOD.” At her confused look, he grinned. “Department of Defense.Iwas the one that gave the legal okay for them to issue the grant to you. But only on the condition that the other people you had worked with in Seattle have nothing to do with your grant. I could tell by the work they turned in, they only knew half of what they were talking about. After your interview with the committee, we all knew they were trying to ride on your coattails. I was the one to come up with the legal jargon in the contract that they can’t work with you and that their names will have anything to do you yours in conjunction with your work.”
“Thank you,” Staci said, and turned to Caleb and the others. “They tried to steal my work. No offense to anyone, but they were in the business for twenty years already, and when I came along and blew their research out of the water, they got pissed and tried to discredit me. However, I had the facts on my side. Scientific facts. I documented everything I did, recorded every conversation, and made sure my backups had backups. When they kicked me out of the college, I went to the Dean and told them what was going on. I don’t know if it was because she wasa woman, or what, but they were immediately put on probation and an investigation was opened. When I filed for the grant they tried to say the work was theirs, that’s when they kicked me out permanently, but they tried to take my files.”
“How old were these men? Not that it matters, but I’m curious,” Ilsa asked.
“In their late forties to early fifties.”
“Ah, so they are of the mindset that women couldn’t work in their field because they’re not smart enough.”
“Pretty much,” Staci agreed with a nod. She turned to Jason. “Thank you for doing what you did. I now have five years to get this program off the ground. I only now need people to help.”
“Help how?” Ilsa asked.
“Volunteer to allow me to make a brand-new state-of-the-art prosthetic for them.” She turned toward Caleb. “Have you discussed this with Erin?”
“I have, and she’ll talk with you, but isn’t your grant for military only?”
“For twenty people, I can use it for five people that are not current or previous military.” She shrugged. “I think this would broaden the scope of my work. Though, in my personal opinion, the military has plenty of people that need my services.”
“Oh, then yeah, you can talk with Erin. I told her about the one you developed that the fingers movedlike real ones, and she wanted to know if she could pick up a pen with it.”
“She can, she’ll also be able to use it to write, type, and do everything she did before she lost it. You’re still a physical therapist, right?”
“Yes, and I’ll be working with any clients you have before, during, and after the process. That’s part of my job here, and I’m sure it might be part of your grant. I’m not trying to take anything from you, just letting you know that I’m available when you need me.”
“Good.” Staci nodded, and when everyone was done eating, she started clearing the table, with Jason and Katherine’s help. By the time she was left alone for the night, she was ready to call it a night. She had driven a lot, now with a full stomach, she wanted a warm bed. She gathered her clothes, took a shower, then was in bed and sound asleep before nine that night.
The next morning,Staci was able to make herself some toast for breakfast. She had just finished, and was on her second cup of coffee when a knock came at the door. Expecting Katherine or Caleb, she called for them to come in, and froze when Duane Manchester walked in. He saw her expression andheld up his hands.
“I come in peace.” He nodded. “Have you had breakfast yet?”
“Yes, I just finished. Are you here to give me the tour?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, when you’re done, can you drop me off where Caleb works?”
“I can. If you’re ready, we can head out.”
“Is it still snowing?”
“No, but it’s cold. You can’t tell being in the woods here, but it’s really cold, so if you have a coat, I’d wear that.”
“Okay,” Staci said as she finished her coffee, and went to her room. She returned with a hoodie, and followed him out. They were on the front porch and he pointed out what was there, which happened to be the four cabins.
“Is the empty cabin going to be filled soon?”
“Not that I’m aware of. There’s another new guy coming later this week, but he’s going to be working over at New Double, so he’ll take one of the cabins or bunktels there.”
“What’s a bunktel?”
Duane explained it, then grinned. “I’ll show you when we get over there. Wait, no, I can show you on the back way to Broken.” He saw her confused look and grinned again. “Trust me.”
“I guess I’ll have to.” She followed him to his truck, and for the next four hours, he drove aroundall of the properties and explained how they came into existence, and how or why Erin thought of doing them the way she did. By the time she was sitting in front of Caleb’s work building, her mind felt like mush. She turned to him with a shake of her head. “Thank you for totally blowing my mind.”
“No problem, now you get to go inside and have Caleb blow what’s left of it. As I mentioned when I first arrived at your cabin this morning, there’s another guy that’s supposed to arrive later this week. We’ll have a welcome BBQ at the office Jason and Ilsa were working in once he arrives and settles in.”
