Paul nodded rapidly, clearly uncomfortable with the emotional weight of the moment. "Of course." He backed toward the door. "I'll, um, leave you to it."
The door closed behind him with a click. Finn sat frozen for a moment, his mind racing through the implications. David Turner was trying to destroy Elena's career because she'd rejected him. The deadline that was shortened not only once but twice, and now this.
He should say something. Do something. Maybe he could?—
But before he could move, Elena was already on her feet, heading for the door.
"Let's go get a burger," she said, not really asking.
Finn blinked at the unexpected shift. "I... okay?" All he could do was grab his jacket and follow.
Chapter Twenty-Six
ELENA
The vinyl booth squeaked as Elena’s mental state shifted for the third time in as many minutes. One moment she wanted to throw something at the wall just thinking about David's smug face. The next, her stomach twisted with the sick realization that she might have to pull Miguel from his school, move to a cheaper apartment, start over somewhere else at forty-one. Then she would look across the table at Finn, and everything would feel a little lighter.
She was exhausted from the emotional whiplash.
"You folks ready to order?" The server appeared with a notepad.
"Burger and fries," she said without looking at the menu. "And a Coke."
"Same," Finn said, handing back the menus.
Elena looked out the window at the Seattle rain. "The thing that gets me is how obvious it all is.”
Finn said nothing, just waited.
“Anyone with a single ounce of humanity understands what he’s doing is wrong.”
Finn nodded. “He keeps pushing the limits of his power. So far, it doesn’t seem like there is any.”
Their drinks arrived. Elena stared into her Coke. "I feel like I am failing at everything. The research needs me. Miguel needs me. And I can’t do both well, so… I’m just failing at both.”
Finn shook his head. “Yesterday, you left work early to spend time with Miguel. Then you came back for Eric’s final assessment. And by the way, he’s doing amazing, thanks to you. Then you went home for a movie night.” He touched her hand for a moment. “In my eyes, you’re doing the absolute best you can.”
“That’s the thing, Finn.” Elena had to pause for a moment, careful to not let her voice crack. “That was one day. If I try to do that every day, something is going to suffer. The research or my relationship with my son. No, my best isn’t good enough.”
Finn looked out the window. “Your best is more than enough. David and the board… they ask too much of you.”
Elena nodded. “I used to wonder why the last two lead researchers didn’t last. It’s becoming pretty clear.”
Finn tilted his head. “I didn’t know about that. What happened to them?
Elena shrugged. "I don’t know all the details. I just know that they weren’t at the Institute long. Only four years between the two of them."
Their food arrived, two identical plates of burgers and fries. Finn looked at his food and leaned forward. "Look, I know I can't fully understand your situation. I'm twenty-six. No kids. Just getting started. I have way less to lose." He paused. "But here's what I see: they've been dictating your life.”
He waited until she looked back at him. "What if you started calling the shots?"
Elena shook her head. "But how? David makes all the decisions. He has all the cards. All the power. Even the other board members do what he says."
Finn took a drink, thinking. “Butyoudon’t have to. And, the way I see it, there’s one source behind all of your problems.”
“David Turner.” Elena said, her voice lower.
“Exactly.”
