“Can I help you?” My voice is a squeak.
“Crystal Carter?”
“Yes.”
Wait. Did he call me CrystalCarter?
“Ziddo. I’m protective detail for Natalie.”
“Did the police send you?” I thought they were considering the case closed.
“Wes Harrington.”
Uh, okay. That’s unexpected.
I text Wes, and sure enough, he’s hired a bodyguard for Natalie. I smile. With everything that has been happening all at once, I’d forgotten about Wes.
I wonder if he knows Nathan’s alive.
Another text.
Yep. He knows, and he’ll be coming to Maverick Key soon. I’ll finally get to meet him.
I’ve tried not to take advantage of his kindness. But right now, we need his help.
I give Ziddo the address, then call Maddie to warn her he’s on his way.
The moment I arrive at City Hall, I’m summoned to the mayor’s office.
I’m sure this has something to do with the daily press conference. With anxiety rising across the island and the media circling nonstop, the mayor has been on the hook to face the people and the cameras every day.
He’s usually calm, immaculately dressed, steady. But the last few days have taken their toll. A shadow of stubble darkens his usually clean-shaved jaw, and his shirt and pants are slightly wrinkled.
Citizens are getting restless, and we’ve given them very little. No answers. Minimal progress to report. And now, with the arrival of the Navy and the death of the SEALs, Maverick Key is making national news.
“Crystal, we need your help with them today,” Mayor Bent says, loosening his tie. “Dr. Clark is busy with the dives, and we need someone who can answer basic questions about the science.”
He lets out a long breath and sinks back into his chair. “We can’t afford another bad briefing. Especially with the big networks breathing down our necks.”
I swallow my nerves. I’m used to making presentations to City Leadership, the Coast Guard, and NOAA officials, but the public and the media are another story.
“Mayor Bent, I’m a scientist. I can’t be a spokesperson.”
“Sure, you can,” he says. “Approachable. Pretty. You’ll make them feel comfortable, and they’ll trust you.”
“I don’t know. When does it start?”
“Now.”
I only have a few minutes to freshen up before walking on stage. Standing behind the mayor, I look out at the crowd. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but there are even more people crammed in the auditorium, and now that the press has been allowed in, large clusters of cameras line the aisles.
I can feel streams of sweat sliding down my back, and worry it might be noticeable.
This is not my wheelhouse.
After the mayor delivers his usual introductory remarks to warm up the crowd, he hands the microphone to me.
Don’t say anything stupid, Crystal, I tell myself.
