Page 82 of Shadow Operative

“Hector . . . good to see you again,” Nia started.

The man rose and offered a stiff nod. “You too, Nia. Although I wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.”

“You and me both.” She turned to Gage. “This is Gage, a friend of mine.”

Hector offered a nod, a cautious look remaining in his eyes.

They all took seats, and Hector asked, “What brings you this way?”

“I know this is a bit unconventional,” Nia started. “But I need to know what happened to Rob.”

“Is this about the contract? Because, despite Rob’s death, it’s already a done deal—although I’m not sure if Rob sent you everything you need for the app. But I’m not sure I’ll be able to help you with that.”

“No, it’s not about that. I’m trying to piece together what happened to Rob between the time we met in my office on Tuesday and the time the two of us had dinner together.”

Hector’s forehead wrinkled. “So he did have dinner with you?”

Nia’s eyebrows rose. “You knew about that?”

“I encouraged him to meet with you. So I’m glad that he did. Although now . . . I suppose it doesn’t really mean anything . . .”

“It sounds like you met with him after he was at Nia’s office,” Gage said. “Is there anything you can tell me about that meeting?”

Hector let out a long breath. “There are things I can’t say because of confidentiality. But Icantell you that Rob did contact me around three yesterday.”

“Do you mind if I ask what he said?” Nia asked.

“He sounded nervous, but he didn’t tell me much. Only that something had come up and he’d changed his mind. He wanted to know if the contract was iron-clad.”

“And you told him?” Gage asked.

“I told him that it was, unfortunately.” Hector nodded slowly. “That The Anderson Group could sue him if he tried to back out and that they’d probably win. He said it might be worth it.”

“He asked me at dinner that night if I might changemy mind.” Nia frowned. “But he didn’t say what had set this in motion.”

Hector shrugged. “Unfortunately, he didn’t tell me either. But it seemed like a new development. He was gung-ho earlier in the day.”

Nia shifted in her seat. “I’m trying to put together a timeline. He left my office around two-thirty on Tuesday. He called me at four asking if we could meet. That’s not much time for something to change.”

“From what he told me, he went back home to work on his product. That’s where he called me from.” Hector paused. “His assistant was with him. Maybe you should talk to him.”

“Cormac?” Nia murmured, a touch of surprise in her voice.

“Yes, he’s the one.” Hector nodded in affirmation.

Nia exchanged a look with Gage, and he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Cormac was the missing puzzle piece they were looking for.

They had to figure out a way to find him.

chapter

thirty-nine

Gage paused oncehe and Nia were out of the office and downstairs, away from anybody who could hear. “We definitely need to find Cormac.”

“I agree,” Nia said. “I just don’t know how we’re going to do that.”

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