No Ordinary Day , Tate, Harley [ebook offline .TXT] 📗

thought those had battery backup or a generator?”

John nodded. “They usually do. At least for a few hours.”

Emma chewed on her lip. “There’s a TV in Randall’s office that’s hooked up to a battery. If anyone is broadcasting, we should be able to pick it up.” She didn’t wait for John to follow as she rushed out of the break room and down the hall. She burst into Randall’s office and snatched the remote.

Nothing. The TV wouldn’t turn on no matter how many times she clicked the power button. “Strange. The battery lasts all afternoon.”

John bent behind the desk. “Looks like it’s fried. Battery won’t turn on.”

“My computer should have a charge.” Emma crossed the hall and leaned over her cubicle. She clicked the wireless mouse to wake her laptop from sleep, but nothing happened. She clicked the mouse again. Frowning in frustration, she pressed the power button. This makes no sense.

Her laptop kept a charge for at least half a day, sometimes more. There was no reason for it not to turn on, but no matter what she did, the screen stayed black and empty. She turned at the sound of footsteps.

“Any luck?” John paused in the doorway, looking as out of place in his black sweater and jeans as she felt in a lab with no working electronics.

Emma shook her head. “The darn thing won’t even turn on. Makes no sense. It was fully charged when I came to work, and I plugged it in when I got here. It should have hours left.”

A deepening frown spread creases across John’s forehead. “Everything attached to the grid is toast.”

A chill coursed through Emma despite the lack of air-conditioning. For once, the lab was pleasant, although it didn’t seem to matter. She rubbed her arms for warmth as she thought everything over. “When I stopped for breakfast this morning, the TV news ran a piece on a CME. Coronal something or other. I wish I remembered what it said.”

John shook his head, scowl still marring his face. “I don’t watch the news.”

She pulled out her phone, hoping in vain to see a signal, but a little red circle caught her eye. A new text. She opened it.

They coming to us gjfir Get out foehvh safe. Holly

Emma squinted as she read the text again and again. Zach’s message made no sense. Was he in trouble? Did CropForward pay him a visit? Had Gloria been right to be worried?

She tried to call, but it refused to connect. She tried to text. Undeliverable. She spun around in the office. The landline had to work didn’t it?

She hurried to the phone on the wall and picked it up. No dial tone. Emma tore a hand through her hair.

“Something wrong?” John pulled away from the doorjamb.

“It’s Zach. He used to work with me before this job.” She shook her head. “It seems like he’s in trouble, but I can’t get my calls to go through.”

John held out his hand. “Let me see.”

She hesitated. CropForward wasn’t John’s problem. She shouldn’t rope him into it.

“If you don’t want to—”

“It’s not that.” Emma stared at the phone screen. “I just don’t want to drag you into my problems.”

“I hardly think reading a text counts as dragging me anywhere.”

John had a point. She handed the phone over and watched as he scanned the message. “What do you think it means?”

“I don’t have any idea. Is there any reason to be concerned about his safety?”

Emma wrung her hands. She could say nothing and deal with this on her own, or she could tell John and possibly have an ally. One who was resourceful and kind, and so far, nothing but helpful. “You remember those two jerks in the break room?”

He nodded.

“Zach and I are whistleblowers against CropForward. We’re set to testify before Congress next week.”

“People testify before Congress all the time. I don’t see why you’d be worried about that.”

Emma swallowed. “If Congress takes action based on our allegations, CropForward could be out of business. Its executives could face criminal charges.”

John nodded slowly. “So, you think they might have paid Zach a visit?”

“I have no idea. Gloria—she’s another whistleblower—is convinced someone’s following her. She’s been too scared to sleep at home. She’s at a cabin up near Blue Ridge.” Emma pushed her hair away from her face. “I have to check on Zach. The more I talk about it, the more worried I get.” She held out her hand for her phone. “If something’s happened to him and I didn’t do anything…”

Something crossed over John’s face, but it was gone before Emma could process. He glanced out the window. “It doesn’t seem like a good idea for you to go by yourself. I can tag along if you really think something might be the matter.”

Emma waved him off. “You don’t have to do that for me. I’m sure that you have a million things to do. If the power outage is as bad as they say—”

He held up a hand. “I don’t have anything to do. Truth is,” he paused, “I was fired from my job for calling out fraudulent billing practices and I sued for wrongful termination. That’s what that lawyer meeting was all about. I’m supposed to testify in a deposition this week, but they keep putting it off.” He rubbed his temple. “I haven’t had a job in six months. Nothing is more frustrating than being stuck in limbo, let me tell you.”

Emma laughed and the knot at the pit of her stomach eased. “You don’t have to say that twice.” She grabbed her bag. “If you really don’t mind, I would love the company.”

She was thankful to have met John. He’d helped her out of the elevator, stayed with her while she searched the office, and now he was willing to come with her to check on her friend. If Zach really was in trouble, she didn’t want to be alone. She smiled at him as she motioned to the hall. “My car is in the