Page 116 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
It was Eli who spoke, in a tone that could have frozen the Allegheny River. “Why the hell not?”
Todd. It had something to do with Todd.Shit.
“There’s been concern with Todd Douglas, and given Dr. Kurt’s relationship...”
“Then give me access,” Sam snapped. “I’ll do the fucking audit myself.”
Fazil held his breath. Eli peered at Sam and there was almost a smile touching his lips.
“Excuse me?” Sandra’s voice was breathless.
“Give me access to the code base.” Sam spoke slowly and calmly, but with the same amount of venom. “And I’ll do the fucking audit.”
Silence from the other line.
“You’ll pay for my time, of course.”
“Mr. Anderson—”
“No,” Sam said. “I trust my employees. He signed your NDA. He was abused by your engineer—”
“All the more reason—”
“For us to end this call and cancel the project?”
Fazil covered his mouth and his stomach heaved. No. Not because of him. Eli caught his eye and patted the air.Don’t panic, he mouthed and pointed at the Coke can.Drink.
He did and his stomach settled. Sam eyed the phone.
“I can get you access to the system,” Sandra said at last.
“Good,” Sam ground out the word. “Because I’m sure you’d like to show yourself in the best light for BinBox.”
There was a threat in Sam’s voice, given the way Eli thumped back in his chair. Fazil didn’t know what it was, though. He gulped another mouthful of soda.
“I— Yes. We’d certainly prefer to workwithyou, Mr. Anderson.”
“As would I.” Sam laid his pen down. “Is there anything else?”
“Nothing that can’t be handled over e-mail.”
“Then have a pleasant afternoon,” Sam said, right before he stabbed the off button. He took a deep breath. “Tell me why we’re working with these people again?”
Eli snorted. “Because the tech is damn good and most of the staff aren’t unmitigated assholes.”
Sam rubbed his forehead. “Right. I said that, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did.”
Fazil fiddled with his Coke can. “Sam—”
Sam’s face softened. “You’re as bad as Eli. These things happen.” He flopped back against his chair. “Besides, I’ve read their HR policies—I had them sent over—and there’s nothing that prohibits fraternization between employees and contractors—only between management and employees.”
“That’s not what they told Todd.”
Eli shifted. “If they let him go, he gets unemployment and any unused vacation. Cheaper to make him leave.”
Fazil closed his eyes for a second. “Have I mentioned how much I enjoy working here lately?”
