Page 49 of Big Bad Bully
Jamie angles her body toward ours, but folds her arms over her chest and looks over our heads. “Did you get a security keycard?”
“A security card?” Jan frowns. “Why does she need that?”
“The hard drive wasn't enough,” I say, looking to Jamie for confirmation. “We need access to the servers.”
Jan is already shaking her head. “This is going too far.”
“Jan–”
“No, Aubrey, this is too much. Too risky. And I can’t use anything obtained illegally.”
“Can’t you subpoena it?” I ask, remembering our last conversation.
“We don’t have enough to file a suit, yet.”
“But we will, if we can get the email server,” Jamie murmurs.
“Again–” Jan is totally impatient with the conversation now, but I can see both sides.
“If we had the email server contents, they wouldn't be admissible in court, but they could be leaked to the New York Times, like you said at our last meeting. Then the District Attorney might pick up the case and subpoena everything.”
Jan takes a deep breath and sighs. “I’m not behind any plan that involves breaking and entering.”
“It’s already done,” I say. “I have the keycard already. That’s what you need, right, Jamie?”
“It’s step one,” Jamie says. “I need you to break into the server room, too.”
“What?” Jan and I say at the same time.
“I thought I had someone who would do it for me. But he changed his mind.”
Jan and I exchange looks. We both feel uneasy with Jamie including another person in our conspiracy.
Jamie doesn’t seem to notice our worried faces. “And it can’t be me–I can’t be on the premises. But you, Aubrey–”
“Absolutely not,” Jan says. “I don’t want you in there.”
I gnaw on my lower lip.
I don’t want to do it, either, but who else can? Jamie’s already being watched. I have a semi-excuse to be in the building. Or at least I could claim one.
“I’ll get back in there. There’s a gala to unveil the mural, and I’m invited. If it’s easy to slip away from the party and get down to the server room, I’ll do it. If not, I’ll abort.”
“I’m not going to answer to your parents about why I let something happen to you,” Jan says. “If you do this, I won’t represent either of you.”
I stare at Jan in surprise. Damn. Tough love.
Jamie’s watching my face with a worried expression. She’s counting on me to make this right. She risked and lost her job over her ideals. Ideals that I share. She would do more, but she thinks she’s being watched.
I rise to my feet. “I’ll see what I can do. No promises,” I say.
“Aubrey–” Jan sounds upset.
I wave my hand. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this. I won’t take unnecessary risks.”
She frowns and shakes her head. “I don’t want you in there again.”
“Understood.” I raise my brows to punctuate the firmness in my voice. She doesn’t want it. I do. I’m an adult who can make my own choices.
