Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey Page A

here?”
    â€œIt’s a long story,” Reef said.
    â€œI see.” He rocked back on his heels. “Well, I’m sure the police are doing what they can. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He stepped past them, heading for the door.
    â€œPlease, wait,” Kirra said. “She is missing and in danger. It’s complicated, but if you could just tell us the last time you saw her, it could be of great help.”
    He paused on a long exhale. “Who did you say your cousin is?”
    â€œMeg Weber.”
    â€œMeg Weber . . . Ah, young redhead.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI think she was in my Friday lecture, but I can’t be certain. You’ve seen the size of my classes.”
    â€œShe was supposed to leave Friday afternoon for Anchorage to see her father off in the Iditarod, but we believe she went elsewhere.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œWe don’t know. We spoke with her roommate, and she mentioned that Meg was really getting into fighting for the environment,” Reef said, hoping he worded his sentence in a way that would grab the professor’s attention. As of yet, he seemed disinterested at best.
    â€œAnd so you assume . . . what?”
    â€œHer roommate didn’t know the names of Meg’s new friends, but she thought you might. She thought maybe they might have seen Meg last or known where she was headed.”
    â€œSeems farfetched.”
    â€œRight now it’s our only lead.”
    â€œWell, that’s pitiful.”
    â€œCan you help us?”
    â€œI’m not going to give out student names, but I will tell you that the ROW group is meeting in the student union right now. The students that are currently on campus, at least.”
    â€œAnd where would the rest of the group’s members be?”
    â€œAt a Save the Whales rally in Seward.”
    â€œThank you, Professor Baxter. If you think of anything else that might be helpful—anything at all—would you give us a call?”
    Kirra fished out a business card for Nanook Haven and scribbled her cell number on the back.
    â€œKirra Jacobs?” He tapped the card. “That name . . .”
    Kirra shrunk back, nearly hiding behind Reef.
    â€œShe graduated from here,” Reef said. “Maybe she took one of your classes.” He looked to Kirra.
    â€œNo. I didn’t.” She tugged Reef’s arm. “Come on. We’ve taken up enough of Professor Baxter’s time.”
    â€œWhen did you graduate?”
    â€œShe graduated from the vet school two years ago,” Reef said as Kirra practically dragged him toward the door.
    â€œHuh. Well, I’m sure it’ll come to me . . . Kirra Jacobs.” His hand stilled. “Kirra. You’re the one who . . .” Contempt oozed from his voice.
    Kirra’s shoulders dropped as her hand wrapped tight on the door handle.
    â€œI suggest you wrap up your business and leave campus immediately.”
    Leave? Reef looked to Kirra, who looked mortified.
    â€œIf she’s your cousin, I’m sure the circumstances surrounding her supposed disappearance have been greatly exaggerated,” Baxter said.
    Reef turned, moving back for Baxter. “Excuse me? How dare you insinuate . . .”
    â€œCome on, Reef.” Kirra tugged him through the door and shut it behind them.
    â€œBe careful with that one,” Baxter hollered after them, his angry voice echoing down the long cinderblock hall. “When it comes to insinuation, she’s a pro.”

    Kirra’s heart raced in her chest, her stomach swirling in a rapid pull that threatened to knock her to her knees.
    â€œWhy did you yank me out of there?” Reef asked. “He can’t talk to you like that.”
    She was shocked that’s all Professor Baxter had said. She’d forgotten how close William and he had been—the mentor and mentee, now apparently colleagues