Deep Dark Blues

Chapter 4- Siren's Call

"I am sorry?" Reed wasn't sure how to reply, the heat of embarrassment travelling to her cheeks.

"I apologise for calling so early, however, it is a pressing matter... My name is Clarence Thompson, I am calling on behalf of Gateway Oceanic Institute. I must inform you that the call is being recorded. For confirmation, am I speaking with Ms Rowan Agatha Reed, employed at the Salthill Institute and Rescue Centre?"

"Erm... Yes, that's me..." She coughed out, now more docile than mere minutes before. She was ready to cuss the man and his kin out, fully prepared for him to be Bell. Truly, you couldn't blame her, the man had thrown similar feats before, calling on ungodly hours, dumping unexpected papers on her or moving deadlines with disregard for Reed's personal time. If there was anybody who would call her from an unknown number, it would be Bell.

And yet, it was not him...

"Ms Reed, have you heard about GOI before?" Clarence asked, tone unwavering despite the awkwardness radiating from Reed's side of the call. She shook her head, before remembering that Clarence could not, in fact, see her.

"No... I am afraid I haven't."

"We are an independent Oceanic Research institute, located on the coast of Florida. Currently, we are searching for candidates for a new Deep-Sea project led by one of our head scientists, Doctor John D. Cannan, who is also the person who has requested you to be added to the list of candidates, based on your experience and the published works."

To say Reed was stunned would be an understatement. It was the second time, in the span of a few days, somebody would contact her to request her help. Eight years... Eight years passed since her early retirement from the scientific scene. Eight years since anybody of importance had contacted her to request partnership or help... It felt somewhat good, to be that "expert" everybody suddenly wanted in their team. However, just because something presents itself as good, it doesn't mean it will end well, and Reed knew it more than the others. The fact that she was being contacted out of the blue by strange people was more concerning than thrilling.

"I am sorry, but... How did you get my phone number?"

There was a pause, the man behind a phone clearly taken aback by the question.

"Well... We have run a background check, and employment database and eventually, we have found your contact data on one of Salthill's websites." He replied slowly. Reed bit the inside of her cheek. Milo clearly didn't care for Reed's adamant request not to be put on the contact list. Most likely, Bell had also found her through the contact page then...

That cheeky bastard... He promised...

"Were you not aware of your contact information being public?" Clarence asked awkwardly. Reed sighed, rubbing the morning grogginess away from her face.

"No... I guess I wasn't. I am sorry Mr Clarence, but I am afraid I already have a place of employment, moreover, I do not envision changing it."

"Would you maybe be interested in hearing about the project before declining our offer?"

Persistent little fucker...

Reed rubbed her temple, feeling the nausea bubble in her chest. It was early, she was hungry and tired, definitely not in the mood to argue with some foreign institute whether she liked her job or not. Had Clarence called her a little later in the morning maybe she would have entertained him, but given her emotional and physical state, Reed's temper was much more shorter than usual.

"Alright, listen here... Clarence... I already have a job, a job that I really like..."

...even though it brings little money.