Page 45 of Implode

“So it was a completely random thing that happened?” I inquire further.

“Not necessarily. At the same time the cameras stopped recording, there was someone trying to access the back door to the building and set off an alarm that went silent from the internal power outage. All of the lights and computer systems were on a different circuit. However, the security system was able to trip with the glitch.”

“How do you know someone was trying to break in then?” I ask, sitting up farther in my seat. This is all news to me. The back doors are set to deadbolt during any type of malfunction. This is probably why no one was able to get through the back door at that time. It was an added feature I enabled last minute when I updated the overall system.

“I was able to get access to some of the neighboring buildings’ feeds. Took me some time to get permission, but I managed to get some still images. They are blurry though, and you can only see the back of the intruder’s head.”

My pulse races at the thought of someone trying to get inside the building unannounced and through the back door. Whoever it is will pay. “I would like to see them.”

Dan nods and opens up his folder, pulling out a series of enlarged images. He passes me the stack, and I glance at the photos. Shit. The person who appears to be trying to get into the building undetected looks just like Tyler from the back. I feel my heart sneak up into my throat. He was just here in my office delivering me information. We met earlier at the tea shop. But the time stamp on these images don’t coincide with those meetings.

Could it be that the man I have been assigning to look out for Claire is someone who may have an ulterior motive? I look down at the image again and the striking resemblance to my hired investigator. Dammit. I have no way of really knowing this is him, but now that the doubt is in my head, I’m not sure I can fully trust him.

Maybe that is why Dan was eyeing him weirdly today when they were passing through the door. Maybe he saw the resemblance, despite meeting Tyler for the first time.

“This is good work, Dan. You are really solidifying your position on the team. Keep it up.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Dan’s face lights up from the personal praise. He leaves the images with me and exits my office space. I follow him out and grab a bottle of water from the snack area down the hall. Brenna is at her desk typing up an email when I clear my throat, bringing her gaze up to meet mine.

“I know we briefly discussed this before, but I need you to find a way to be on Claire’s floor more often without it being awkward. She is not here at the moment, but when she returns, I need more frequent updates on her so I know she is safe.”

Brenna nods and waits for me to walk away before going back to her typing. I head back to my office and shoot Graham a text.

Nic: I may need to borrow Collins for some work. Can he be spared at all this week?

Graham: Yes. I will send him to you. He’s in the building.

Nic: Thank you

Graham: Everything ok?

Nic: I’ll discuss it with you later. There may be a mole.

Graham: Need my help?

Nic: You focus on getting ready to end your single life. I got this.

Graham: My single life ended as soon as Angie and I first met.

It is true. As soon as Graham met Angie for the first time, he knew that his life would forever change. We may be brothers, but we are very different in how we pursue and accept love. Maybe this whole time I’ve been expecting my feelings to be fireworks worthy in regard to the opposite sex. Things with Claire never were like that. She was a part of the bigger picture long before I actually saw her. Sure, she was always beautiful to me. However, it took getting to know her and seeing her different sides that caused me to fall, and when I finally did, I fell hard.

It might have taken me longer to come to terms with my feelings, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t real or intense. I have grown up in the shadow of my brother, and while we are similar in many ways, we still go through life walking in vastly different shoes.

Where Graham is open to expressing his love verbally, I’ve always been more reserved. No one ever questions what Graham is thinking because he wears all of his emotions on his sleeve. I, on the other hand, am more mysterious with how I let others know what I’m feeling.

Maybe this feeling I am having makes me edgy because I have never felt it before—not until Claire walked out. Sometimes it takes losing someone precious to realize how important that someone really is. Yeah, it’s cliché but it’s the truth.

It takes Collins approximately four minutes to make his way to my office. He has been working for Graham for years, so asking him for a favor is not new or outside of his job description. He is paid well for his years of service and loyalty. I thought Tyler was going to hold a similar title and rank. However, if he is trying to double-cross me, then he will have to be dealt with. He has ample opportunity to see into my life and what I value. If someone is going to cause me damage, Tyler would have enough ammo to inflict the most pain.

He knows my biggest weakness—Claire.

“What can I do for you?” Collins asks, walking slowly into my office.

The entire day has been a circus of visitors walking in and out of my door. Some were welcome, some were not.

“I hate to ask this of you, but I need a huge favor.”

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