“Thank god,” I said. Of course it was something like that; Anvi was too excitable to be a real criminal.
“Right, but that’s the bad news part. That was kind of our only lead. At least until the software is up and running on your boss’s computer, which should honestly be any minute now if your guy comes through.”
Anxiety for Nathan hit me again. This was so unfair to him. If he got into trouble because of me, I’d never forgive myself. Or Maggie.
Andrew must have seen my expression. “Keep us posted on when you hear from him.”
“Will do,” Maggie said. “I’ll call you soon. Hang in there, Bridge. We’ll handle it.”
Chapter 22 - Nathan
The normalcy of everything was unnerving. Anvi and I kept the same routine as before, albeit with more work for both of us without Bridget’s help. We worked largely in silence now, which was a relief. I was even less prepared for small talk than usual.
On the train, walking into the clinic, buzzing into the lab, I’d been aware of the innocuous USB stick burning in my pocket like sulfuric acid.
“All you have to do is plug it into the computer and install the program,” Soren had said when we’d met up the day before. “We’ll be able to access the files, email, everything.”
It was black and silver, unmarked and unremarkable. “This is illegal, right?”
Soren had shrugged. “Yep. But if someone’s fucking with Maggie’s friend, I’m willing to bend the rules.”
It was a sentiment I recognized. I was prepared to technically break the law for Bridget, too.
After an uneventful morning feeding the cells, I returned to the office to make a cup of coffee. Lisbeth still hadn’t shown up, but that was nothing unusual. I sank into the chair in my office. If she didn’t show up at all, I’d have to just wait until tomorrow.
After a few minutes during which I cleared out my email, she breezed in. Her gray bob was immaculate, and she was wearing a bright purple shirt and a white skirt.
“There you are,” she said, exasperated, as if I was the one who was hours late instead of her. “Give me a second.” She hustled into her office for a few minutes.
I calmed my breathing and pretended to work on my laptop.
She barged into my office without warning. “I have resumés. Candidates to replace Bridget.” She set down a few pieces of paper on my desk.
Don’t react, I told myself. “Sure. I’ll look and see who might be a good fit.”
“Good. I have a meeting to get to, so email me your thoughts,” she said, turning to go. My heart sank. I was going to lose my chance after all.
Inspiration struck. I flicked the back of my hand against my coffee cup, soaking the stack of resumés, and splashing coffee onto the back of Lisbeth’s white skirt.
Lisbeth froze, then turned her upper body until she could see the damage to her clothing. The stain was spreading quickly across the fabric.
“I’m so sorry,” I said.
“Damn it,” Her eyes blazed with annoyance behind her thick black glasses. “I need to go take care of this.”
I did my best to look contrite. “Could I reprint these?” I held up the papers, dripping coffee.
“Yes, fine,” she said, distracted and already bustling out of the room.
I waited until she was gone before I ducked into her office. Her computer was charging, so the screen was still on.
I printed the documents first, then plugged in the USB drive.
The file on the drive was named “autoupdater.exe.” I didn’t know what to expect when I clicked it, but there was just a small window that opened and immediately closed. When nothing else happened, I slipped the drive back into my pocket.
“What are you doing?” Lisbeth asked.
I stood up, my hands behind my back. “Get out of there,” she said, gesturing impatiently for me to move. “I’m running late thanks to you.”
