Page 64 of Mountain Security

Alex is sure about this.

“Let me speak with him,” Yvette said. She reached out and knocked, the sound more tentative than she’d meant for it to be.

Alex nodded, but stood protectively in front of her as the door opened. Théo was still in the same smart dark suit he’d worn to work, though now his shirt was untucked, and his normally neat brown hair was wilder than she’d ever seen it.

As he looked at them, he ran his fingers through it, messing it up even further.

His eyes looked at them cautiously.

No, not cautiously.

He’s scared.

In her heels, she and Théo were about the same height. She looked right into his eyes … and knew it was true.

Her heart fell.

“Théo?” she asked.

“Yvette. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Tears came to his reddened eyes, and she realized he’d been crying already.

When did he leave the office today?

She couldn’t for the life of her remember.

But then, everybody had been sent home, after the shock.

Except apparently there’d been no shock for Théo. He’d been the one to …

Yvette shook her head. None of this made any sense to her.

“Are you here to arrest me?”

Alex shook his head. “I’ve already informed thegendarmerie. They’ll be here soon. But in the meantime, why don’t you make things easier on yourself and tell us what you did?”

“It wasyouthis whole time, Théo?” Yvette asked.

Théo made a small strangled sound.

“You turned off the cameras, and you stole the keyloggers.”

“The … thewhat?” Théo asked. A large teardrop rolled down his cheek. “I didn’t steal anything. All I had to do was turn off the cameras.”

Alex’s look was harsh. “That’s notallyou did.”

Théo let out a soft breath. “No. He called me yesterday, told me I had to do one more thing. Drop a package in your office. He said it wasn’t dangerous. I didn’t realize … when I think that I could have hurt you all, I …” He stopped, smothering his whimper with the back of his hand. “I’m so sorry, Yvette.”

Alex took a step forward, towering over the man. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not lying.Yvette, tu me connais. You know me.” Théo’s stare was desperate. “I didn’t steal anything.”

Yvette sighed. Despite everything, she believed Théo.

“Who told you to turn the cameras off?” Alex asked. His voice, too, was softer now.

“I … I can’t tell you!” Théo wailed. “If I tell you, it will all have been for nothing.”

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