My Substitute Wife Is Not on the Return Manifest novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: Ask Me

Signe took the call in the station parking lot, with Dane standing three steps away pretending not to listen.

"Ms. Hallowell, this is the director of the data centre," the Dutch voice said. "Your start was delayed by the storm. I have a second problem. Your file has been flagged."

Her stomach dropped. "Flagged for what?"

"A reporter from your Cape newspaper has written to us. She asked whether we knew our new analyst had been accused of misleading a military board."

"That's false."

"I know. I have also watched the video from the gate, which has been sent to me four times today." The voice warmed a little. "My staff are very moved. Two of them have asked if the ferry woman will be sitting near them."

Signe let out a laugh that surprised her.

"So the position stands?"

"The position stands. But I must be frank. I cannot hold a desk empty for another month. You have one of two choices."

She waited.

"You may come in person on the new date. Or I can let you begin from home in Massachusetts. Remote, for six months, with a visit here in spring. Our night shift covers your time zone, and nobody there is better with coastal charts."

Signe closed her eyes.

It was the answer she had wanted for three years, handed to her in a parking lot.

She could leave.

She could stay.

She could do both, if she wanted it badly enough to be inconvenient.

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