Page 37 of Misdirection

She’d told the truth when she’d said she turned her life around. But what he didn’t know was that it had taken her whole family being massacred for her to do that.

Afterward, when she’d gone to live with Tom, she’d felt like she had nothing to live for. She’d poured all her time into school and any achievements she could get that were not relational. She’d been accepted at a top university.

Her cover story was solid . . . but not if someone from her past started digging too deeply.

Someone like Jason.

She’d just situated herself at her desk when a knock sounded at her door. She looked up and saw Ryan standing there.

She plastered on a pleasant smile. “Come in. Please, have a seat.”

Ryan walked into the room. Thirty-six, dark coifed hair, classic good looks, and arrogant eyes.

He straightened the collar of his shirt as he sat in the chair in front of her desk. Another sign of nerves.

But what did he have to be nervous about if he wasn’t guilty?

“Can I get you some water?” Olive reached behind her to grab a bottle.

He didn’t answer her, but she set the bottle in front of him anyway.

“What’s this meeting about?” Ryan got right to the point.

She folded her hands on the desk in front of her. “As you know I’m the new External Information Security Analyst, andI’m examining the company for any intellectual weaknesses. As part of that, I’m talking with each of the executives here since they’re primarily the ones who have clearance to the top-secret information.”

He brushed something invisible from his pant leg. “I see. What do you want to know?”

She gave him a look. “It sounds as if you’re in a hurry.”

“I am. I have a lot of work to do and meetings to attend—as I mentioned earlier.”

Olive continued to study him. “And why is it that you look nervous?”

He blinked as if surprised by her question. “I’m not nervous. Just stressed.”

She nodded slowly even though she didn’t believe his words. “Let me cut to the chase with you then. I’m here to examine each employee and anything dangerous that may be going on here at Conglomerate. After Beau’s murder, this is especially urgent, as you can imagine.”

“It was a terrible thing that happened to him.”

“We deal with technology that can change the world, and we need to be very careful how it’s handled. It’s my job to root out any areas of vulnerability before these vulnerabilities become liabilities—not just for the company but for the world.”

“That’s a big job for someone so young.”

She didn’t miss the condescension in his voice. But she ignored it, not giving him the pleasure of a reaction. “It’s not about the age but about the qualifications. That said, have you seen anything suspicious going on here at the office that I need to know about?”

His eyes widened with what appeared to be amusement. “Suspicious?”

“Yes. You know the saying, ‘see something, say something.’ I’m sure you realize that what we deal with here at Conglomerateisn’t simply a consumer product that makes people’s lives easier. But there are products that can either keep the world safe if they’re in the right hands or, in the wrong hands, that can mean death and destruction for thousands of people.”

His face went paler. “Of course, I’m aware of that. I’ve been working here for two years. So please don’t come in here as a new employee and think you know more than I do about these things.”

She made sure to remain unaffected by his insults. “That’s not what I was trying to imply. But one of the benefits of me coming here is I have no personal relationships. That allows me to see things more objectively than an employee who’s been here longer. That’s why I’m doing the job I’m doing right now.” She paused. “Now, is there anything you’d like to tell me?”

Ryan swallowed hard and tugged at his collar again.

Olive held her breath, hoping he was about to spill something important.

CHAPTER 15

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