Page 100 of He's the One

“I had a James Bond moment.”

Theo’s father raised his eyebrows.

“I looked over his shoulder.”

“Why would Darnley keep the password from you? This is our computer. Our safe. He told me he’d changed the combination to the safe but didn’t tell me you’d had a problem when you wanted to put your watch in there.” He gritted his teeth. “Tell him the truth about the password, that you happened to see it. If he has nothing to hide, he won’t be worried.”

Theo was fidgeting. “He’s going to ask which company came and took the computer. He’ll call them.”

“I’ll find a name and number you can give him.”

“I… If…” Theo took a deep breath. “You don’t sound shocked,” he finally forced out. “I thought you’d be angry and tell me off. But you’re calm and…”

“I think perhaps I’m not entirely shocked. But there’s no real proof. Just suspicion and supposition, and it might be nothing. You need to stay calm, Theo. No blurting anything out. No amateur spy craft. In fact, you might like to find a way to be out of the office on Thursday when Darnley’s back.”

“Darnley said he was taking me to see Kaleb. He wants to show me how to collect a debt but—”

“I know Kaleb’s position. His account is now up to date. No visit is necessary. And now the other matter.”

Col tensed as the marquess turned his gaze on him. He found himself being judged, and made sure he neither swallowed nor blinked.

“Can the two of you be discreet? Because if you can’t, Col needs to walk away now.”

“No!” Theo snapped. “You can’t say that.”

“I can say whatever I like. Be careful, Theo. You know the rules.” He turned to Col. “Bring the computer up to my office. Theo, show him where it is. After that, I want you back in one hour, on your own, with your laptop.”

Then he walked off.

Col gathered up the computer leads and lifted the tower off the floor.

They hardly spoke again until they were heading across the courtyard to the stable block. Col wondered if Theo was glad his father knew what he suspected.

“That was not the way I saw this evening going,” Theo mumbled.

“I think it’s for the best though. Don’t you?”

Theo stopped by Col’s car. “Oh. Right. Okay. Yes, I suppose so. I understand. It was just that I hoped…” Theo pressed his lips together.

“No, youdon’tunderstand. I’m not walking away from you.”

Theo stopped moving. “You’re not? Yes, you are. You’re still walking.”

“You promised dessert.”

Theo chuckled and caught up with him.

“I meant it was for the best that your father’s aware of your suspicions concerning Dastardly.” Col took his hand once they were through the door, and they made their way up the stairs.

“I feel relieved I told him. Except, much as I dislike Dick Dastardly, I’m going to feel so bad if I’ve made this into something it isn’t.”

Col closed the door and leaned back against it. “You haven’t.”

“My father seemed to take it well. I’d thought he’d rant and rave and say there was no evidence, because there really isn’t. Well, not much.”

“Yet. If your father didn’t feel there was something to this, he wouldn’t have taken any action.”

“I guess.”

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