Page 99 of The Words We Lost

“Hey, some of us aren’t ready to give that one up yet,” Allie says.

Chips laughs. “Sorry. All right, so what’s our plan? What do we need?”

The smile that touches my lips is a testament to Chip’s outstanding loyalty. “I’m hoping you might have a contact in the IT department who can help us, someone I could send an urgent request to. Someone you trust.” I swallow, knowing what I’m about to ask him goes beyond a pocket-sized favor fit for a coworker; it’s potential careersuicide.“But before you get involved, you need to be sure you’ve thought through the risks.”

“Pretty sure I wasinvolvedthe minute SaBrina eavesdropped on our private conversation, threatened me in her office, and blackmailed my boss about a memoir that was in no way hers to demand.”

Joel smiles approvingly and mouths,I like him.

I point to the front door. “Then let’s see if your IT contact feels the same way, and if he does, then I say we make a plan.”

“Seeing as I’m on VR with Trevin right now, I’m pretty sure I can arrange a meeting. Keep your phone on.”

31

THREEDAYSLATER

Alifetime of events has passed since the day I first saw Joel standing in my office at Fog Harbor Books, and yet I can’t imagine being here today without him. He was at my side when I called to tell SaBrina we’d found the missing manuscript and when we formalized a plan with Chip on how our other discoveries would need to be revealed. Through all the unknowns to come, one thing is for certain: Whatever happens over the next few hours, the two of us are in this together.

Chip is the first to greet us in the lobby. Despite the constant, sleep-deprived communication we’ve kept with him throughout the last seventy-two hours, there is absolutely nothing about his appearance that suggests he isn’t his usual bright-eyed self. In fact, he may even be a tad peppier than usual as he hands each of us a double-shot Americano from a drink carrier.

“I figured you could both use one of these before we head upstairs. I’ve already had two.”

Joel arches an eyebrow appraisingly. “Let me say again, Chip, it’s easy to see why Ingrid speaks so highly of you.”

“He’s one of a kind,” I agree, taking the coffee and recalling the long hours we’ve spent divvying up tasks between Allie and Chip.All of which were outside their typical job descriptions. “Do you have the—”

“Yep. The package is waiting for you on your desk, just like we talked about, and the conference room is booked for your one o’clock meeting. Figured it should happen there. Poetic justice and all.”

Nerves take flight in my lower abdomen, and I attempt to drown them with espresso.

“Have you heard anything more from our White Horse?” Chip asks, using the code name he insisted upon as he escorts us toward the elevators.

“Nothing more yet,” I say as Joel steadies me with a hand to my lower back. “But the White Horse has had a lot of red tape to wade through.”

Chip stops to look between us, and I note the first hint of unease I’ve seen from him since this process began. I block the elevator panel with my hand before he can tap the up arrow, and lower my volume. “It’s not too late for you to back out. Joel and I are prepared to—”

“Too latewas cowering in a bathroom stall after being interrogated like I’d committed a war crime for talking to my editor after hours in the break room. Believe me, I want to see justice done as much as you do.”

Joel claps him on the shoulder, smiles. “Have you ever considered a career in the hospitality industry?”

“No, but you’ll be my first call after I’m fired for insubordination in roughly, uh...” Chip glances at his watch. “Thirty-two minutes.”

“No poaching my assistant.” I narrow my eyes at Joel before zeroing in on Chip. “And you. No more jokes about getting fired. I mean it. We are not the ones on trial here.” But even as our elevator rises to the third floor, my stomach swoops low with anxiety, and I don’t miss the silent exchange between the two guys behind me. It seems we’re all a bit more tense then we’re letting on.

Before the doors have a chance to open, Chip holds his thumb to the button at the bottom of the panel to ensure they don’t. “Whatever happens in that meeting today, it’s been a pleasure working for you, Ingrid. You’ve taught me so much about—”

“Chip.” I squeeze my eyes closed and exhale through my nose.

“What? This is my pre-game pep talk.”

Joel clears his throat. “Might be best if we wait for a post-game talk.”

“Right.” Chip gives a stiff nod. “Let me know if there’s anything more you need. Until then, I’ll keep my eye out for the arrival of the White Horse.”

“Will do,” Joel says, placing his hand on my back once again. “Thanks.”

A dozen sets of eyes trail us down the hallway, and I do my best to appear calm and in control, but I have no doubt whatever rumors have been circulating about me—and what I may or may not have in my possession—are multiplying with the sighting of Joel Campbell. He’s not exactly low-profile material.

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