Page 20 of A Simple Mistake
Gareth called Janet’s husband first, pleased to find him already on the way to collect his wife.
Next, he called a taxi for Frazer, whom he didn’t want stuck on a crowded tube train while distracted.
And finally, he checked in with Daniel and Nico and found Daniel busy making one of Jack’s favourite dinners.He grabbed his briefcase and locked his office for the day.
“Right, you lot, time to call it a night,” he said, letting a hint of command seep into his voice.“Janet, your husband’s waiting below, and so’s your taxi, Frazer.”
“I didn’t call a taxi.”
“No, I did.Don’t make them wait.”
It wasn’t the first time Gareth had interrupted late night work parties, but Frazer never seemed to get used to being sent home.He flushed beet red, but he didn’t argue.He shuffled his notes into order, locked the files into his desk, and fled.
Janet was packing up, too.“You don’t have to do that, you know?My husband’s a professional.He understands that work can take over.”
“I know.And I applaud your work ethic.But this isn’t an emergency, and you have a life.It’s my job to remind you.Besides, have you seen the paperwork that comes with the Working Times Regulations?”
“We’re exempt from that,” she shot back.“Security and surveillance.”
“Paperwork,” Gareth reminded her.“Now go enjoy your evening.”He watched her leave, then turned to Jack.“You’re not staying here, either.I know you can do this from home if you really have to.”
“You think I don’t?Have to, I mean?”Jack sounded distracted, but he ended programs and closed down screens while Gareth watched.
“It’s a priority, not an emergency.Unless you’ve found something that makes it one?”
“You’d already know if I had.Still…”
“What?”
“I’m not fond of loose threads.”
Gareth chuckled.A mildly morose Jack, whining over loose ends, was preferable to a frustrated, angry Jack in need of a target to destroy.“Come on.Daniel’s turning the remains of yesterday’s roast into fajitas, and I feel a margarita calling my name.”
Jack finally stood and stretched.“I could do with a cold beer myself.”
“I’m sure we can manage that.”
They waved goodnight to Rush and left Nancarrow Mining in comfortable silence.Jack’s mind hadn’t disconnected yet and Gareth was happy to give him time to decompress.It wasn’t until they were halfway home that he asked, “How did you divide the jobs?”
“What?”Jack’s head came up.“Oh, Janet’s doing deep dives on the competition companies.After that, she’ll trace the monies they’ve paid out for permits and such.For now, she’s building company hierarchies and passing any names she comes across to Frazer, so he can put each under the microscope.If it’s a concerted attack, eventually he’ll find connections.To each other, to staff at Nancarrow, or to the family.”
“And you?”
“I’m sweeping the network for bugs and intruders, going back about a year.”He raised a hand as if deflecting criticism.“I guesstimated how long it might have taken to steal data from us, assess it, and get set up to disrupt so many projects.And yes, a year might be optimistic.”
“Then why not go back further?”Gareth, stopped at a traffic light, turned his head to watch Jack’s response.“If you need help to wade through the data—there’s no shortage of people happy to pitch in.”
“Thanks, but… it’s not that.I’d hate to think that Frazer and I have missed something so important.We’re sweeping continually.We’ve practically rebuilt the entire network after Gorish, and that wasn’t even an outside attack.”
“You can’t watch every nook and cranny.You told me so yourself.”
Jack didn’t respond to that, but when Gareth held out a hand, he took it and twined their fingers.“Did I hear you mention fajitas?”
What We See, What We Know
SkylarcrossedCoventGardenMarket to a small shop that was his go-to place for masks.Jack had sent him photos of Jess and Carol and the dresses they’d chosen for the ball, and Skylar rifled through the display for masks to complement Carol’s slim, floor-length gown and Jess’s beaded flapper dress.Then he chose more sedate half masks for Daniel, Nico, and the three pairs of parents, colour matching as he went.The entire operation lasted less than an hour, and Skylar headed home, satisfied with his purchases.
A thick courier’s pouch with the address of Aidan’s chambers prominent on one corner waited for him at the concierge’s desk—and Skylar felt the urge to open it right there.
