Perfect Specimen: Brietta by Kate Donovan Read Free Book Online Page A

what she had almost given him in a moment of weakness.
     
    * * * *
     
    This time, it was Taggert who told stories around the campfire, regaling them with Phrygian mythology, then detouring into a Georgian version of the Golden Fleece tale. After that, he settled down to the real business at hand, explaining that they needed to get some protocols in place for when he was off exploring.
    “Particularly, I want you guys to check in with me every thirty minutes. I’m still pissed you didn’t radio me when Brietta collapsed.”
    “But at least I told you when you got back,” Vince reminded him.
    “Oh, right,” Brietta drawled. “I’ve been meaning to thank you for ratting me out like that.”
    “Huh?”
    She eyed him in mock annoyance. “Starting tomorrow, you work for me , so forget about pleasing your hero over there, and concentrate on moi . Which means no more ratting me out no matter what happens.”
    Vince stared, clearly horrified.
    “She’s kidding,” Melody whispered.
    Taggert laughed. “She’s definitely in charge of this site, but I’m still your lord and master, judge and jury. So if she so much as sneezes, I want to hear about it right away. Melody, I’m making this your responsibility. When I’m off-site, you check in with me every thirty minutes. If I don’t respond, it means I’m busy, so try again every ten minutes till we connect. Got it?”
    “That doesn’t make sense,” Brietta protested. “If you don’t respond, it could mean you’re hurt. So you need to answer Melody when she calls no matter how busy you are.”
    “You’re missing the point,” Taggert assured her. Then he turned back to the grad student. “Have I made myself clear?”
    She nodded solemnly.
    “Excellent. Now let’s all get some sleep.”
    “Good night, everyone,” Vince said quickly, grabbing Melody by the hand and half dragging her toward the small tent they had decided to share.
    Hannan chuckled and said to Brietta, “He is afraid of you. And with good reason.”
    She arched an eyebrow. “Don’t forget it. Anyone who rats me out will pay.”
    “And anyone who doesn’t rat you out will pay double,” Taggert assured her. Then he told Hannan, “That goes for you too. If Brie gets sick, or hurt—if any one gets sick or hurt—I want to hear about it right away.”
    “And if you get hurt?” Brietta reminded him. “It’s a two-way street, right? Back me up on this, Hannan,” she added in the bodyguard’s direction.
    “Brietta is correct,” Hannan said simply. “There are vipers up there. Including the deadliest of all. The one with three white rings on his tail.”
    Taggert seemed about to argue, then he shrugged. “If I can’t answer right away, I’ll call back within ten minutes. How’s that?”
    “Perfect, thanks.” Brietta gave them each a wistful smile, said, “Sweet dreams, you guys,” and headed for her tent.
     
    * * * *
     
    She dreamed about the mad scientist with the chain saw again, but this time he had friends. There she was, tied to a chair in the middle of the cemetery, her horror-filled screams muffled by a gag in her mouth, as a line of shadowy male figures took turns zapping her spinal cord with electrodes until her entire body quivered with misery. When she woke up, she was still terrified, but so grateful to be awake she almost sobbed in relief as she crawled out of her cot.
    Pull yourself together, she pleaded with herself as she popped her next dose of amoxicillin. If Taggert saw you right now—
    He would send her home. And maybe he’d be correct to do so.
    Which means you’d better shake it off, and fast. You can’t lose this dig. It’s too amazing .
    Reminding herself of what Taggert himself had said—that dust, altitude, air pressure, and jet lag would be rough on anyone, even without a sinus infection—she grabbed her shower kit and hurried to the lavatory tent. Once she had created the illusion of a rested, healthy young woman, she located her boss under