Page 117 of Never Forget

Leaning back in my chair, I try to assume a more relaxed pose.

“Do you like it?”

“Oh, I love it. Everyone’s very kind. Even…” she gestures to me, then to the walls. “I haven’t actually met any of the talent yet. Haven’t even spotted anyone,” she says shyly.

“Most of us are pretty chill. Although I heard Smith Christophson is a bit of a diva,” I say in a conspiratorial whisper. He’s also a shit-talker that doesn’t actually know how to play his guitar, but I’ll keep that little tidbit to myself.

Kathy smiles and relaxes. We make small talk for another five minutes or so. She’s definitely as nice as Emmy made her out to be, and she seems genuine enough. I really hope she’s not a closet asshole.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Is it whatever you’re really here to talk about?”

I smile back at her. She’s sharp and doesn’t hold back. I like that.

“About a week ago, Emmy got a cell booster from you.”

“Yeah, I remember. It went to Raleigh.”

Her voice has a slight wobble in it that has me paying closer attention to her. My eyes shift to Cory, who gives me a slight nod.

Deciding that being direct is going to be my best option here, I lean in and show just a bit of vulnerability.

“Were you the one who put the listening device in it?”

Kathy gasps and looks around. Cory shifts in his seat, getting ready for her to bolt. She notices the movement too, and all the color drains from her face.

Despite knowing Cory isn’t going to do anything unless she makes a move at me, I hold my hand out as if settling Cory.

“You knew the booster was for me, yes?”

She nods slowly. “Emmy said you have bad signal at your Raleigh office and that you use it as an excuse to be antisocial.”

“All true,” I chuckle. “But he should have been a little more specific. It’s not really an official office or anything. It’s my home office.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh.”

“Do you watch the news or read tabloids, anything like that?”

“I watch the news,” she confirms. The way her cheeks redden make me pretty sure she knows where this is heading.

“That very personal recording of me happened while I was in my home. Where I have a reasonable assumption of privacy.”

Kathy makes a choking sound, and her eyes well up. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I thought… They told me…” She buries her face in her hands and sobs. It’s not theatrical at all, but it’s enough to get the attention of the people sitting closest to us.

Reaching across the table, I gently place my hand on her shoulder, patting lightly until she can get her composure. When she uncovers her face, it’s wet with tears and snot. Cory silently passes her a few napkins, and we give her a minute while she blows her nose and wipes her face.

She looks up at me with red, swollen eyes. “I promise I had no idea,” she says, her voice catching on shaky breaths. “I even questioned it, but Mr. Tuft insisted it was ordered from the higher-ups. He said it was because of the investigation.”

“Investigation?”

Kathy blinks back a few more tears. “I don’t know if I’m supposed to tell you.”

“I understand,” I say calmly. “If all you can tell us is exactly what happened with the cell booster, that would be very helpful. We need to get to the bottom of who is responsible for that recording. Were you speaking of Mr. Francis Tuft?”

She nods. “He’s the point of contact for the new hire transition.”

My eyes cut to Cory again.