Her mom’s past and how Charlotte came to be weren’t something she could or would share with just anyone. It wasn’t the kind of thing you casually discussed over coffee.
She’d only told her mom’s story to one person, and that only happened after she’d been dating him for almost a year. The guy had sat and listened and with each detail she provided, his demeanor gradually changed from quietly listening to horror and, finally, to pity. The last one had hurt the most.
Suffice to say, she never heard from him again. After that, she decided it was just easier to keep it to herself—a nightmare shared only with her mother.
Hawk was different—shewantedto talk to him about it. He had a unique insight into the types of human depravity that existed in the world and would listen with the wisdom gained from his life experiences.
“We should be at the diner in about fifteen minutes.” Hawk’s deep voice cut through her mental ramblings.
Charlotte checked the time on the dash—two thirty-eight.
“Oh, good.” She was confident her mom was in safe hands, but she also needed to see her and give her a huge hug. “You live all the way out here?” The OSI facility was at least an hour southeast of where they were now. “Isn’t this kind of far for you to drive every day?”
Charlotte scanned their surroundings. She hadn’t seen any buildings or other vehicles for quite some time. Both sides of the two-lane road were flanked by a forest rich with old-growth evergreens and pines. The deeper into the woods they progressed, the more the dense canopy of trees blocked the late afternoon sun.
“I have an apartment closer to work. The place I’m taking you to is where I go to escape from civilization.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Don’t worry, I have running water and indoor plumbing.”
“Hey, I’ve camped with less.” She laughed. “Speaking of which, it looks like there might be some great camping out here.”
“If you like tent camping, there are a couple of small state-run campgrounds with primitive sites just over there.” He pointed off to the right. “See that giant tree lying at an angle?” She nodded. “There’s great camping about a hundred yards beyond it.” He smiled at her. “We’ll have to camp there sometime.”
“I … I’d love that.” Charlotte wasn’t sure if he meant just the two of them or if he was talking about going with a group. Either way, she would be there. “But first, we have to figure out what’s going on with that list and how it’s connected with the bus contract.”
“Speaking of the list, Cole said that, on its own, it’s not really enough to go after the people on it.” He navigated a gentle curve in the road. “We’re going to need more solid evidence.”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that,” Charlotte said. “We’ll have to figure out a way to gather enough information to get the authorities in there to clean things up.”
Jail time was too good for the people involved.
“After we see your mom, we’ll head to my place and brainstorm,” Hawk said.
“It really ticks me off, because what those asshats are doing is very likely going to destroy HRA.” Her fear had begun to morph into anger. “All of the people who work there, people who are dedicated and just want to make a positive difference, are going to be negatively impacted. Not to mention all of the people who will lose that assistance.”
“Unfortunately, I think you’re right,” Hawk said.
“I mean, I’m not naive. I’m fully aware there are NGOs out there receiving billions of dollars in funding from the government that are then squandered on shadowy, elusive ‘administrative fees.’” She used air quotes. “I guess I just thought HRA was an exception.”
Some NGO executives and board members are also paid ridiculously high salaries—not because of their qualifications for the job but because of their connections and willingness to play the game and look the other way. Whatever pittance might be left over goes toward the actual mission.
“Unfortunately, until someone reins them in and holds them accountable, I’m afraid they’ll continue to get away with it.” Hawk flipped on his blinker.
Up ahead, Charlotte spotted a break in the trees on the right side of the road. As they got closer, she noticed a gravel parking lot, and at the back of it, nestled up against the edge of the woods, was what looked like an older home constructed of wood siding with a weathered cedar shake roof dotted by moss and clusters of old pine needles. At the edge of the road sat one of those light-up signs on wheels with the changeable letters. It readThe Chicken Nest, and at the top in a corner was a faded picture of a cartoon chicken sitting on eggs in a nest.
“I know it doesn’t look like much, but the food is incredible.” Hawk turned in to the parking lot. “And the owners are genuine, salt-of-the-earth people who’ve lived in these woods for generations.”
“I’m sure it’s great.” A big, gray truck with mud splattered up the sides was backed in at the side of the building. “Isn’t that Calliope’s truck?”
“Sure is.” Hawk chuckled. “I was with her when she bought it. Watching her run circles around the salesman and the general manager was more entertaining than any movie. It was a sight to behold. She knew more about that truck than both of them combined.”
“Calliope doesn’t strike me as someone who is easily taken advantage of.” Charlotte had never been known for her assertiveness, but thanks to her current predicament and Hawk’s faith in her, it felt like that might be changing.
“Underestimating her would be a huge mistake.” Hawk backed his truck in next to Calliope’s, pressed a button on the dash, and the engine quieted.
Remy popped up to stand on all fours on the back seat, fully awake, as if he hadn’t been snoring seconds ago. He shifted closer to the back door, his tail wagging wildly, making athump thump thumpsound as it whipped back and forth between the back of Hawk’s seat and the back window.
“He recognizes her truck,” Hawk said. “Calliope always sneaks him t-r-e-a-t-s.” It was adorable the way he spelled out the word so Remy wouldn’t react.
Charlotte leaned down to pick up her messenger bag from the floor and reached for the door handle.
