Page 39 of Married to Lies

Holy shit.

I stared at it in disbelief, trying to figure out what to do next. I continued talking like I hadn’t noticed, being far more careful of my words. “I can’t wait for you to meet her. She’s a great woman.”

Hoping that was good enough, I set the photo back down. My mind spun just as fast as my feet as I hurried out of my office like the carpet was burning. Once the door was shut and I was several feet down the hallway, I stopped, chest heaving.

My fingers shook as I opened the co-founders group text.

Quentin: Someone bugged my office.

The thread immediately exploded with each person’s initials beside text bubbles. Jude’s reply came first.

Jude: How do you know?

All the other text bubbles disappeared, leaving Jude’s question waiting for my response.

Quentin: I found it on a picture frame.

Jude: I’m sending in a special security team to sweep the building and your home immediately and review footage. Aaric, have HR send out an announcement that all non-essential employees are to take off until New Year’s. All essential employees who can work remotely should. Cruz, have your people submit a press release on MyHome rewarding the employees’ hard work this year with additional time off for the holidays. Include a quote from Quentin to get the financial perspective in there so it doesn’t look like we’re flailing.

Jude: We don’t know what has been bugged or traced, so minimize all communication by phone until our retreat.

Cruz: This is bad.

Jude: I’m assuming it’s an amateur to put it on an object like that.

Aaric: Amateur? How?

Jude: The placement of it. A picture frame on his bookshelf wouldn’t pick up much. You want to get it closer than that.

My shoulders relaxed, only slightly. It was a small blessing.

Bryce: Seems like you know a lot about espionage, Jude.

My shoulders tensed again.

Aaric: Let us know the security team’s findings as soon as they come through. Have them start with a sweep of Bryce’s office to see if they’ve gotten any intel on the new app. We may need to pivot in the release depending on what they know.

Jude:

The thread went silent, but I was sure the others were reeling as much as I was.

I’d only felt this betrayed once before, and I didn’t like to think of it. Shaking my head, I left my office. Could my house be under surveillance as well? All I did was sleep or work out there, but maybe that didn’t matter to whoever placed this recorder.

I got out my phone and sent a text to Mom.

Quentin: Is it okay if I stay at your place tonight?

Mom: We’re not there.

She sent a photo of the football field from their front row seats. I could see the back of Tyrone’s white-and-purple jersey as he stood on the sideline, waiting for the defense’s turn to take the field.

Mom: But of course you’re welcome. There’s leftover barbecue mac in the fridge. Your favorite. We won’t be back ’til tomorrow but you’ll probably be at work. Boo.

I chuckled despite myself.

She always had all the words I seemed to be missing, even by text message. But I sent her the most important three.

Quentin: I love you.