Page 22 of Wicked Rush

“No, I, um, I used to spend a lot of time in the water, though. I scuba dive.” Braelynn glanced to Lars, her eyes pleading for the questioning to stop.

“She’s in research,” Lars commented, a hint of irritation in his voice.

“You’re in an office all day? No way.” Ignoring the anger emanating from his friend, Seth continued. “You go in the ocean, right? Anyone who lives down here has got to like the beach?”

“Yes, I love the beach.” Braelynn set down her fork and laid her palms calmly on the table. “Marine biologists. We don’t all work in the field, I’m afraid. Of course, that’s what I love but sometimes…well, we can’t have what we want. We grow up. Settle. Do what’s best.”

“Best for who?” Seth asked, his voice gentle.

Sadness washed across her face, and she wiped her mouth as if she were trying to erase the pain inside. “Sometimes…we do what we think is right. Not just for us but for everyone.”

“Hey man, you mind if I talk to you for a few minutes on the way out? I know you’re in a rush to get in a few waves.” Lars stood, waiting on Seth.

“Yeah, sure.” Seth gave him a guilty grin, and Lars shook his head in response. “He’s right. I’d love to eat more, but not great before a ride. I’d better get going.”

As Seth shoved to his feet, Lars noted Braelynn’s solemn demeanor. No matter how hard she attempted to conceal her torment, she wore it like shackles. He’d lost patience with the conversation as it did little to expose the catalyst for her pain or what had happened on the beach.

“It was nice meeting you, Doc. Hope to see you soon.” Seth waved and nodded as he slowly backed away from the table.

“Can you give me a minute?” Lars asked Braelynn.

“Yes. But Lars.” She paused.

“Yeah.”

“I need to go home soon.”

“Talk first,” Lars said, her words cutting through him. No matter the kindness he’d shown her, she doubted him. “Don’t move.”

They exchanged a heated stare as he went to follow Seth. Braelynn turned her gaze to focus on the rolling waves, and Lars grew more determined to expose her secret before letting her go.

“Hey, what we talked about,” Lars began as he reached for the door knob. “Brae. Don’t mention this to Garrett.”

“Dude, I’m not going to tell him that she’s here. But if he asks me flat out, you know I can’t lie to him.” He sighed, plowing his fingers through his unruly hair. “You know I want answers too. But thinking on this…if Garrett was trying to warn you off last night, well, then, he’s in this deep. I don’t know how far or why.”

“Chase. He doesn’t want me pursuing this either.” As he spoke out loud, a realization slammed him. “Interestingly he is also a marine biologist. Does a lot of deep sea diving.”

“Yeah, but he’s hardly ever in the office. What would he have to do with Braelynn? I’ve never seen her at Emerson.”

“True, but maybe Chase is the one driving the bus?”

“It’s all speculation.”

“You’re hardly ever in the office. You’re out testing products, and let’s get real, it’s not like you have to work.”

“Pot meet kettle.” Seth shook his head with a sideways grin.

“All I’m saying is that neither you nor Chase are married to the office. Maybe he knows her from one of his assignments. She’s worked in the Caribbean. Chase has been there.”

“He’s been lots of places, though. Not that you’re going to see his name on the projects because you know how he is. And the doc has been here in San Diego for almost two years. You ran a background check on her, yeah?”

“I did. Interestingly, she’s only been at Bart-Aqua for about nine months.”

“Before that?”

“Looks like her data has been scrubbed. Some jobs are there. In college, she’s worked some of the ecotours. Kayaking. Hiking trips. Stuff like that. She had a one month job she did in South Africa. Then her work in the Caribbean. Post-doctoral work or something. Then there’s a big gap.”

“But I thought she had been doing research prior to her move here?”