Sharp Shootin' Cowboy (Hot Cowboy Nights, #3)(71)

“I told you he’s not like that.”

“So you insist… What is he to you, Haley?”

“An old friend. I knew him back in California.”

“So you’re screwing him,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I suppose that explains everything.”

“What the hell does that mean?” she snapped. This was a side of Jeffrey she’d never seen before, a nasty side she hadn’t even known existed.

“It means, Dr. Cooper, that you seem to have lost your objectivity.”

“Really? Objectivity might be the single thing I’ve gained since accepting this job.”

“So now you’d bite the hand that feeds you?”

“I don’t understand. What has any of this got to do with you?”

He smiled smugly. “Everything. How do you think you got this job?”

“I received a call from a recruiter.”

“And why do you think you were on their A-list?”

“Because of my work. My reputation.”

“So sorry to burst your bubble, but I chose you. You’re here because I put you here. The organization needed someone in place that we could count on. Our Washington connection made sure it was you. Unfortunately, you’re turning out to be quite the disappointment.”

She was stunned speechless. How could she have been unknowingly manipulated? Was she really that na?ve? That gullible?

Bits and pieces of the last six years flashed through her mind—that first winter she’d spent alone in Alaska, the spying she’d done on the wolf hunters, all the work she’d done on his research without pay or even due credit. She recalled countless hours she’d volunteered for fund-raising. At the time, she’d chalked it all up as paying her dues, but now the ugly truth reared its head. Even the relationship she’d regarded as one of mutual respect was nothing more than a well-orchestrated seduction. Her eyes had finally opened. Jeffrey had controlled, manipulated, and used her. He’d played her from the very start.

Jeffrey picked up her phone and began scrolling through her photos. “You took pictures of the horse and the grizzly?”

“Yes, I documented everything.”

“I’m glad you’re so thorough.” He tucked the phone into his pocket. “It’ll help our cause.”

Haley’s throat tightened. “You wouldn’t. You can’t, Jeffrey!” She stood toe-to-toe and jutted her chin. “Give my phone back! I’m not going to let you politicize this!”

“Really?” His lips curved into another condescending smile. “And just how do you propose to stop me?”

Haley watched him walk out. Her chest was so tight she could hardly breathe. She felt betrayed and so many other things she couldn’t even categorize.

Reid.

She had to call him and explain. But Jeffrey had taken her phone, and Reid’s number was programmed into her contacts. Should she call the ranch?

With trembling fingers, Haley Googled the number and then picked up her desk phone. He wouldn’t be there yet, but she could at least leave a message. She had to warn him what Jeffrey was up to.

Reid’s words about dishonesty rang a peal in her brain. Jeffrey might have political clout beyond what she’d realized, but Reid Everett wouldn’t let this deception go unanswered. And he sure as hell wouldn’t go down without a fight. The only question was whether he’d ever trust her again after this.

She chewed her thumb as the phone rang and rang. It was the sixth ring before someone finally answered. “Two Rivers Ranch and Everett Expeditions, Krista speaking.”

Shit! Why did it have to be Reid’s sister who answered? Haley almost hung up in despair. “Krista? This is Haley Cooper. I need to get in touch with Reid.”

“You’ve got his number.”

“No. I don’t. It’s in my phone, and I’ve lost it.”

“Yeah. I heard about that. He’s bringing it to your office. Why don’t you just dial it?”

“He already brought it back to me.”

“Then why—”

“Look, I can’t explain all that right now. It’s imperative that I get in touch with him. Could you please ask him to call me?”

Silence.

“Please Krista,” she begged. “It is really, truly urgent that I speak to him.”

“I’ll pass on the message when I see him.” Click.

She might as well have said “when hell freezes over.”

Haley stared at the receiver feeling helpless. She needed to act, but what could she do? If she went out to the ranch to warn Reid, she’d only give Jeffrey more time to wreak whatever havoc he had planned. If he meant to cause trouble for Reid with the Feds, which is what she suspected, her best course would be to go straight to Jim at Wyoming Game and Fish. She didn’t know what he could do but at least he was a friend to the Everetts.

She phoned the Cody WGF office.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Cooper,” his assistant said. “Jim’s gone to Cheyenne for a big meeting between WGF and the Board of Outfitters.”

“When will he be back?” Haley asked.

“In the Cody Office? Not until Monday morning. You could try his cell phone, but he probably has it turned off. That’s why your call came to me.”