Montana Standoff. Nadia Nichols

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СКАЧАТЬ and peeled out a hundred dollars in an assortment of crumpled bills. “For food, first aid, and lodging,” she said, extending the offering. “I can’t thank you enough for all you did.”

      “I don’t want your money,” Steven said.

      “Please,” she pleaded. “If you don’t take it, I’ll spend the rest of my life feeling guilty for taking advantage of your incredible kindness.”

      “I helped you out because I wanted to,” Steven said. “The only thing you should feel remotely guilty about is trying to sell the citizens of Moose Horn on a project like New Millennium Mining.”

      Molly felt the sting of his words and replaced the money in her purse. Her chin lifted. “You see things a little differently than I do, Steven, but there’s nothing wrong with giving fair representation.”

      “How long have you been working with mining companies?”

      Molly’s chin crept higher and she felt her cheeks flush. “Eleven months.”

      “Ah,” he said, as if her answer had effectively ended the conversation. He turned toward his Jeep.

      “Listen, I know how you feel about New Millennium,” Molly said, “but technology really has made great strides. Responsible mining companies have learned from past projects how to better protect the environment. Times have changed.”

      He glanced back. “Mining companies don’t give a damn about the environment or the resident human population, and they’re powerful enough to break all the laws and get away with it. The profits far outweigh the cost of a good conscience or the fines levied against them.”

      “It’s not like that,” Molly protested.

      “Isn’t it? You have a lot to learn. Maybe you should take a look at one of Condor International’s mines that’s currently operational to know that some things will never change. The Soldier Mountain uranium mine would be a good example of their ethics.”

      “Where’s that?” she said, embarrassed once again by her ignorance.

      “Just east of the Rocky Ridge Reservation on federal lands.”

      “Show me.”

      “It’s a long drive.”

      “You said I have a lot to learn. I’d better get started, hadn’t I? When can we go?” Molly knew she was being blatantly forward, but she also knew she wanted to see this man again, very much, and he wasn’t trying to make that happen. No doubt he thought she was as incompetent as the rest of them did. Well, she wasn’t, and somehow she had to create the chance to prove that to him.

      “You should see the pit on a weekday, while they’re working it.”

      “All right. How about this Wednesday?”

      Steven hesitated. “You don’t really need me along. Your credentials will get you through the gate.”

      “Yes, that’s true. I could go alone, or I could ask Brad to take me. Brad’s already shown me two sites and both were very interesting. He pointed out what he wanted me to see, told me what he wanted me to know. If you really want me to understand this issue from your point of view, you need to do the same. I really want to see both sides of this coin, Steven. It’s important to me, and it should be equally important to you. Thursday?”

      “I don’t know,” he hedged. “I’ll have to see what’s on the books.”

      “Tomorrow, then…?”

      “Tomorrow’s Sunday. You wouldn’t get the full effect.”

      “I have an incredible imagination.”

      He hesitated again, obviously reluctant to commit.

      “If we leave here by 9:00 a.m., we should be in good shape, time-wise. I’ll pack the lunch, buy the gas, and drive.” She tossed her purse onto the passenger’s seat and climbed into the Mercedes. “I live at 244 Prospect Street, apartment four. Brick building, second-floor walk-up,” she said, turning the key in the ignition. The engine purred smoothly to life. Steven stood watching her, hands shoved in his jacket pockets, wearing the same inscrutable expression. She eased out on the clutch and the Mercedes moved forward. “Thanks again for everything, counselor,” she said, hoping he’d respond with something like, “See you tomorrow.”

      But he didn’t. He just stood in silence and watched her drive away.

      THAT AFTERNOON, as soon as she arrived back in Helena, Molly arranged to meet her best friend at their favorite café. Though the wait wasn’t long, she’d already shredded four paper cocktail napkins into confetti before she spotted Dani breezing through the door. “Thanks for coming so quickly,” she said as her friend dropped into a chair across from her.

      “No problem at all. I happen to be starving, I didn’t eat breakfast this morning, so this works out well for me. What’s up?” She leaned forward suddenly, eyes widening. “My God, what happened to your face? Did John hit you?”

      “If you’re referring to my cheek, it’s just a bee sting. Waiter? Another mai tai cocktail, please.”

      “They don’t serve mai tais here,” Dani said with an exasperated shake of her head. “Are you all right? When did you get stung?”

      “Yes, I’m fine, and they serve mai tais here now. I just taught the bartender how to make one, and it’s delicious.” Molly glanced around to make sure no one was listening and lowered her voice. “Dani, I need to ask you a big favor.”

      Dani’s eyes narrowed. “From the telltale glow, I have a feeling this favor has something to do with a man, but if the man is Stradivarius John, the answer is no.”

      Molly was startled that her agenda was so obvious. “This isn’t about John.”

      “Good. Who, then?”

      “I met someone last night, at a public hearing,” Molly said.

      Dani shrugged out of her blazer and draped it over the back of her chair. “Was this before or after the bee sting?”

      “Almost simultaneously.”

      “What’s the favor?”

      “Could you please lend me your emerald earrings?”

      Dani laughed and looked around for the waiter. “Hurry with that drink.”

      “This is serious, Dani. With any luck, I’ll be spending the day with Steven tomorrow and I want to look especially nice, so any advice you have on what I should wear would be most appreciated. Fashion is definitely my failing.”

      “Yes, I know that, but you’ve never taken my advice before, especially regarding fashion.”

      “I always listen to what you have to say.”

      Dani nodded her thanks to the waiter who delivered her drink. “No, you don’t. I advised you not to date John, remember? He was just one month divorced from his third victim when he asked you out.”

      “Well, СКАЧАТЬ