Flint studied his face for a long time. Then he shrugged. “Listen, I’m going to tell you what I think, and then you can make up your own mind. I believe they knew they had a problem with their facility here in Jackson. Maybe they wanted to test something out, and it got away from them a bit. Instead of asking for help, they tried to cover it up. When that didn’t work, they went out and hired you as a backup plan. Maybe they even forged a few documents so that when things thawed out and the shit really hit the fan, it would look like you were the one responsible. With your history, when you fought back, who would believe you?”

“That’s crazy.”

“Really? How about the way they treated you at the meeting in Quebec City? And sending you out here in the middle of winter. Hell, the project’s snowed in; nobody can even get to it for the next couple of months.

Why put you here now? And let’s face it, they’ve got the money to hire anyone they want. You’re not exactly a shining star in the industry. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know.”

Angela arrived with Flint’s breakfast. When she’d arranged the plates, refilled the coffee cups and left, Flint leaned in again. “Seems to me you have a choice. Either stand with them and go down with the ship, or work with me on the inside for the next few weeks to help me build a case. If you can’t uncover anything incriminating, we’ll know I’m wrong. If you do, I can make sure your name stays out of everything. You get out with our highest recommendation. I can even help you relocate.”

David’s mind was reeling. He didn’t want to believe it, but everything Flint said held the ring of truth. Hydro Development had to know he’d take the job, and they knew his history. He was the perfect scapegoat, if that was what they wanted.

“Hell, those forged documents might already be floating around with your name on them,” Flint said, as if reading his mind. “You ever think of that?”

That was when Amanda Seigel walked through the door.

“That storm has really turned ugly,” she said, shaking off the snow. “I’m sorry I’m a little early, but I couldn’t wait. I hope I’m not intruding?”

Flint just stared at her, and David shrugged. The day couldn’t get much worse, right?

He was wrong.

The storm had gotten ugly indeed, and it had taken Amanda over fifteen minutes to drive the three miles or so from the simple bed-and-breakfast where she had spent the night to the Railway Cafe. Even so, she got there half an hour ahead of time, hoping to have a cup of coffee and settle her nerves.