“We’ll just have to watch them, see what they do.”
They were examining the tree and shaking their head. Maybe they were unhappy that it died. The two men walked away, and another man covered in a protective suit came over with something that looked like a flame thrower.
As soon as he got up to the plant, he lit it on fire.
“Interesting.” Arthur was watching the screen intensely.
As soon as the plant was nothing but ash, a woman came over with a hose, and they washed away the dirt and ashes into the river. Quickly I moved my robot back into the water so it wouldn’t be seen.
The water turned dark and I couldn’t see anything.
“So, they just burned a tree and dumped the dirt and ashes in the river. Can you see anything around in there that can give us an idea of who these people are?”
I pushed the robot to swim up the river further, to where it was cleaner, then brought it back up to the surface and did a three-sixty spin slowly.
“There!”
We both stared at the symbol on the exit toward the back of the room.
“Terratrex Corp. Of course it would be them,” I grumbled. If anyone would be a pain in the ass and cause problems to nature, it would be them.
“All right, let’s get it out of there and go report what we saw.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Arthur
“So, they had a garden of sorts and burned the dead tree then washed the ashes and dirt into the river. Did I miss anything?” Echo asked, writing everything down on her notepad. Phillip was standing next to her, listening to everything we said.
“My guess would be it has something to do with their newest announcement, the promise of plants that would produce unlimited fruit. A game changer. All the remains of those genetically modified plants, plus fertilizers and God knows what else, are being dumped into the water. Makes sense, and I know for a fact what they are doing is illegal. They either have a hand in a politician’s pockets or no one knows about this. I’m gonna figure it out. Good work, guys.” Phillip looked angry as he spoke, then walked out of the room.
Echo watched him leave then turned back to us.
“We have enough evidence from your video for a warrant to go look at the place. I hope it’s enough, and we can stop what’s happening in the water. Nature is not happy about this.” She put her pad and pen in the pocket of her leather jacket. Echo was a strong woman, alpha to her core, and she was a good cop.
“Thank you.” Gwendolyn reached down to grip my hand between us.
“What for?” Echo’s head tilted to the side, confused as to what she was being thanked for. I had to admit I wasn’t sure either.
“Protecting people and nature, as a cop and a hero. I appreciate it.” Her fingers gripping mine tightly. Maybe this was hard for her, talking with Echo.
Echo seemed to be caught by surprise at Gwendolyn’s response, then smiled.
“Just doing what I can to make the world a better place, no different than you.” She gave us a wave then she left the room as well. It was now just us in the chill room at headquarters.
“You okay?” I looked at Gwendolyn then gestured to our joined hands.
“Yeah, I’m just not good at conversations with new people. I hadn’t met her until today, officially, but I’ve heard a lot about her—about the doctor that killed her parents, and then was murdering others with powers. She still tries to do good after everything that’s happened to her. I envy her that trait.” She didn’t let go of my hand as she started moving to the couch, wanting me to come with her. We sat down, and I still hadn’t taken my eyes off her. There was something deep going on in her head, and I was waiting to see what she needed from me.
“My parents left me right before my sixteenth birthday.”
I was right about the deep part, and now I was feeling furious for her. They left her?
“What do you mean left you?” I prayed she meant they died and not abandoned her like yesterday’s trash.
Her face was unreadable and cold.
“I had just been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. My parents had been in denial that I was different until I was a teenager. They’d always been about image and status. I was now different, and to them that was not acceptable. They told me they were going away for a business trip and just never came back. I tried finding them after I graduated, still hopeful that they didn’t abandon me just because I was an Aspie. I was still me. But that really was the reason. They moved on and started another family in Florida. I have a sister I’ve never met. She’s ten now. I’ve been debating whether to call and talk to her about powers, just in case she gets the gene from the gods, too. But I haven’t been able to decide.”
She had been avoiding eye contact with me the whole time she talked, and that just wouldn’t do. She needed to see me here and know I would never leave like her shithead parents. My other hand lifted and softly caressed her jawline, moving it slightly toward my face. Despite being so strong on the outside, she was still very fragile on the inside.
“I can’t even explain what terrible people they were for leaving you. But after hearing about them, I’m glad they did. You wouldn’t be the strong, amazing woman you are today if they’d stayed around and made you into some bitchy socialite. That’s not you. You’re a genius who helps people and strives to make others feel loved through your robots. You’re amazing. Fuck your parents.” Her skin warmed, giving me hope that I’d pushed my thoughts past that barrier in her mind. She had to know she was amazing.
“I know they were wrong. Lynn, my friend and therapist, helped me realize that. I forgave them for leaving.” The expression of my face must have been extremely obvious because she felt the need to explain why she forgave them. I was willing to hate her family for her after hearing this shit.
“It was either forgive them or live with the pain of knowing they left because I was different. That my parents didn’t love me enough to stay and work with me. I chose to let it go, rather than let the weight of my anger drag me down.” Those features on her face softened, revealing that she truly held no ill will toward them inside her.
“You are fucking amazing. I hope you feel it.” There was no stopping myself from leaning over and pressing my lips to hers. I’d become overwhelmed with this girl; she simply consumed me at every turn.
“I’m surprised no one’s made a baby on that couch. Just so you guys know, the couch hasn’t been broken in yet. But I’d avoid the elevator, the training mats, and the counter in the kitchen if you are looking for uncharted territory.” Gwendolyn flew back from my lips, and I glared at A.J., who walked over to grab an old Gameboy from the bookshelf then saluted me before walking out.
Shaking my head at the kid, I turned back to see Gwendolyn’s eyes narrowed toward the coffee table, her eyebrows pinched together, looking deep in thought.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
It was a full thirty seconds before her gaze turned to me.
“I was thinking about all the different places a couple could have sex. I guess if they were creative and quick, it could be anywhere. The couples here have taken advantage of that.”
Those eyes of hers seemed to burn a little bright as she delivered a blow to my self-control.