Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #2)(80)

“Because you’re a brilliant brat and people throw money at you all the time.” He’d definitely learned that about her. She was one of the single most sought after researchers in the world. He’d seen all the events she turned down, the numerous speaking engagements and offers to host her at various universities and hospitals around the world.

“The money isn’t important.”

“You can say that because you’ve always had it,” he replied, his stomach clenching at the sensation of being hungry. It wasn’t so much a visual memory that stroked across his brain but rather a feeling of pure guilt that came from knowing his mum was hungry while he and his sister were eating. He could feel himself pushing a plate toward her, trying to get her to take his portion because he would get food at school.

“Are you okay?” Her hands were suddenly on either side of his cheek. “You went pale.”

Something was definitely happening in his brain. The sensations came more and more often, that feeling of déjà vu that had started to make up his memory. Or rather replace it. He couldn’t trust it.

“I’m fine,” he replied. “And we’re going to have to work to help you pay closer attention to detail so this can’t ever happen to you again. Phoebe told me she’ll have something for us by the end of next week. She thinks she can figure out where the money went. She might not be able to give us a definitive who, but she’ll point us to where we should look.” Another lie. He was piling them on. He’d lied to her about work just this morning, saying it was his day off. He didn’t bother to tell her she was his work. “And that’s an excellent reason we don’t need to be here.”

A stubborn look hit her face, and he knew he wasn’t going to win this. “I want to look this person in the face and let them know I’m here to help. I’m not afraid. If someone thinks they can get away with this by stealing from my funds, I have to handle it. I’m already going to have to deal with Paul, and that’s not going to be a fun conversation.”

Yes, he was interested in Paul Huisman. Huisman had met with Levi Green. Green had disappeared after that first day, but that didn’t mean he was gone. Showing up in front of the Huisman building felt like an announcement of intent to him. The question was what was his intent. The fact that they hadn’t managed to find Green again meant the game was definitely afoot.

He really hated Levi Green.

“This would be an excellent time to feel out her relationship with Huisman,” Robert pointed out, his voice coming through loud and clear over the earpiece.

It was a reminder that he hadn’t done that before now. He should have pressed her for information over the last couple of days, but he’d been too busy making her scream out his name to gather useful intel. He slid his hand into hers as they started to walk back into the majestic house. “Do you think he could have anything at all to do with this?”

“Why would he?” Her arm rubbed against his as she walked close to him. “He’s rich all on his own. The Huisman family is incredibly wealthy. He lives in this massive house, and here in the city that means something.”

“For some people there is never enough money,” Sasha said. “By the way, I’m in position. You’ve got five minutes to the meet. I’m in a good place. She can’t see me, but I should be able to hear, and that means you should as well.”

It was good to know they were ready. He wasn’t. He wasn’t at all ready to step back and let her walk into this without him right at her side. “Does he like you?”

“I wouldn’t say like,” she admitted. “I think he respects me. At least my research. He’s always picking at me about how I run the team. He thinks I’m sloppy about admin duties, but then we all know he’s right.”

It wouldn’t matter if she could do what she said she would, but it was something a man like Huisman might use if he wanted to get rid of her. “Would you consider yourself rivals?”

“We don’t work on the same things.” She followed him as they rounded the corner and found the stairs that led up to the third floor.

“I thought you both were neurologists.”

“We are, but we’re working on different things.” She frowned as she moved up the stairs. “Okay, so it’s pretty close when you think about it. We’re working on the same group of diseases, but our approaches are different, if that makes sense. Our focuses are different. He thinks he can solve the problem purely with drug therapy. There’s a reason we keep our projects separate but we share a lot of the same funding. I use occupational therapies as well because the human body is an amazing thing. Especially the brain. Often if you give it the right stimulation it can heal itself.”

“Was he upset when you were put at the head of the department?”

“Yes, but we both know why they did it. The Huisman name is already on the foundation doors. They wanted my name to help bring in donors,” she explained. “I get the foundation a lot of attention.”

“I find it interesting that she is a…how do you say…rock star in this world and yet she does not tour,” Sasha mused. “She hasn’t left Canada for anything but to go home and visit her family in two years. It’s odd. Most of the doctors around the building travel a lot. There are rumors that she’s afraid of flying. There’s always gossip about her.”