Page 72 of Hidden Ascent

“There’s a room on the second floor in the east wing where you might find what you’re looking for, but I can’t tell you more than that. I don’t go in there.”

“Sharpe keeps his paperwork in there?”

“I have no idea. What I can tell you is he wouldn’t keep them in his main office. It’s too risky. The east wing room is the only other place I know of that he spends any time on his own. But my information is not extensive. I’m not one of his top-level guys. I think he knows my loyalty remains with Mr. Blanchet.”

“You’re taking a risk letting us in, and we appreciate it,” Jay said. “Thank you.”

The guy shook his head. “I don’t think you understand the riskyou’retaking. I hope it’s worth it.”

“It is,” Isla said.

“When you’re done, leave the way you came in.”

Jay nodded, and they waited for Carl’s man to get clear before they moved farther into the building.

“Once this is all over,” Jay whispered as they crept down the hall, checking open doors before passing them, “I think I’ll go on a vacation.”

“Why?”

“Because, after this, I’m going to need it.”

“I thought you were used to this stuff.”

“Not this. Not like this. And then, when you add in my swim, I could use a break. What about you?”

“I’ll keep working.”

“After everything you’ve been through?”

“Becauseofeverything I’ve been through. If I stop working, I’ll think too much. I’d rather focus on work. Like now. This probably isn’t the time to chat about our future plans.”

“Maybe not.”

Jay moved ahead of Isla, ducking his head around a stairwell to confirm it was clear. Then he nodded and hurried up the stairs with her following quickly behind.

The upstairs appeared to be empty. Hopefully, Carl’s guy could keep it that way.

“This must be it,” Jay said when they reached a closed door. He tried the handle, but it was locked. “This is definitely it. Would you like to do the honors? Or should I?”

“Be my guest.”

Jay quickly picked the lock. At the click, he glanced up to Isla to see if she was impressed. She wasn’t even looking.

“It’s open,” he said.

“What are you waiting for?” She pushed in front of him and entered the office.

“You’re welcome,” Jay said as he pulled the door shut behind him.

“For what?”

“Never mind.” He scanned the sparsely furnished office. “This is not what I expected from a John Sharpe office.”

A plain pine desk with a metal chair was on one side of the room, and a couple of beat-up filing cabinets were on the other.

“What did you expect?”

“Sharpe is a man who enjoys the benefits of being wealthy. Even here, I’d expect more extravagance than this.”

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