Page 38 of Imogen

“You said you were in trouble. What kind of trouble?”

“I got fired, and the police will be arresting me any day now. I could go to prison.” I don’t think I will, but anything is possible.

“What? Why?” Dad asks.

Ben clears his throat. “Please tell me you didn’t steal that gift basket of goodies?”

“What? No! Of course I didn’t. My boss asked me to give them to you,” I remark, offended he would think that. “Zach turned up at the office last week. He wasn’t supposed to be allowed on the floor, but he managed to get on it.”

“What did he do?” Dad bites out. “Is this because you broke up with him?”

“He stole a demo disc. He hasn’t admitted it, but I know he did it.”

“Why on earth would he do that to you? You have always been good to him. Too good if you ask me.”

I warily glance at Ben. “It’s a long story, Dad,” I respond, not wanting him to know the truth. “Hayden and I confronted him on Friday. He was supposed to bring it to me by this morning and didn’t.”

“So, he did admit he had it?” Ben asks.

“No, but Hayden can smell a liar a mile off. Even if she hadn’t been there, I could tell he had it. He was gloating.”

Dad grins at that. He’s always wanted Hayden to come work for him but this job isn’t exciting enough for her. “Then why the police?”

“My contract states that if I steal data, coding, or anything from the premises, I will be prosecuted by the law. I never personally stole it, but I can’t prove that. I can’t prove anything.”

There’s a light tap on the door, and Jerry sticks his head around the frame. “Boss, there are two uniforms here to see you.”

I inhale sharply. “Oh my god.”

Dad doesn’t break a sweat. “Send them in.”

CHAPTER NINE

Ben

Imogen’s hands shake in her lap as Jerry announces the police are here. I run my gaze over her face, seeing her sheer panic and terror.

She also avoided the question her dad asked about why Zach would do this to her. And from the quick glance she sent me, I have a feeling I’m somehow the reason. Evan may have missed the side glance and hesitation, but I didn’t. Later, when I get her alone for a minute, I will question her further about it.

Her odd behaviour when she came to visit me and I asked if she had somewhere else to be, begins to make sense. She avoided eye contact when she answered, and the tone she used seemed off. But even without her actions giving her away, I knew something was up. She and Zach spent a lot of time together. What I don’t understand is why she would want to hide that her and Zach broke up.

I also didn’t miss the relief I felt when Evan mentioned they broke up. She has always been too good for him.

It’s no secret that I don’t like Zach, and he has never liked me. He made that abundantly clear when he told me to stay away from her years ago. I didn’t listen, but I did have to watch as he treated her like a possession.

“It’s going to be okay,” Evan reassures her. “I will get this sorted.”

She nods, rubbing her palms down her trousers. She straightens in her seat as her leg begins to bounce.

Waiting for Evan to face the door, I reach over, rubbing my pinkie finger along hers. Her head swivels to meet my gaze, and so many emotions shine back at me. It’s like a beacon on a dark, cloudy night. Fear, nerves, and something I can’t decipher.

“It will be okay,” I whisper, as two policemen step into the room.

I recognise Jackson and Gray straight away. They worked with us on a fraud investigation a while ago.

Both are immediately drawn to Imogen. They share a look that gives everything away. They aren’t here to take her in, but they are here to talk to Evan about her.

“Imogen,” Gray greets, and Jackson gives her a nod.

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