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Draco took a quick look around, his attention drawn again to those massive screens on the wall and the information they contained. C.S. liked to have his finger on the pulse, or so it seemed.
Compton gestured at the chair in front of his desk. “Take a seat.”
Draco undid the button on his jacket and sat down, ready to deliver his prepared speech.
“Who are you?” C. S. said. “Because you sure as hell aren’t Steven Smith. Steven Smith is some wet behind the ears geek from the midlands.”
He’d checked the university data. That was inevitable. It was only a matter of time. Draco wondered why Compton hadn’t confronted him about it before now. Had he been watching, waiting to see what would transpire?
“You’re some nobody who saw an opportunity to use Lara, to get inside this company.”
“You’re right about me being a nobody. But I’m not using Lara.”
Compton gestured with his hands. “What is it you want to say?”
“You have an in house funds leak, a case of fraud, or so it seems. Lara told me you had concerns about it, so I’m helping her look into it.”
Compton barely flinched, but Draco sensed he was surprised.
“I know what’s behind it.”
Compton gave a dry laugh. “If you’re so sure, give me the name.”
“I don’t have to, do I?”
The laugher faded on Compton’s lips. “You haven’t a clue. You’re trying to cash in.”
“Wrong again. I’m supporting Lara.”
Compton ignored that. “I saw you watching my sons, you’re jealous.”
“Wrong again.” Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out a notepad and pen. “I suppose I could write the name down on a piece of paper. If you think I’m wrong you can choose to tear it up. I’d never say the name aloud ever.”
Compton scowled. “What do you hope to gain from this?”
“Just one thing, something for Lara.” He paused, let that sink in. “I don’t need to write the name down though, do I?”
Compton’s eyes narrowed. “You’ll have to, to prove your point.”
Poker faced, Draco shook his head. “I don’t think so, because I can write down some numbers instead, that’ll be much more useful proof.”
Compton stared at him resentfully, and it was enough to show Draco he was on the right track. Quickly, he scribbled a string of code. He pushed the piece of paper across the desk. “It’s a clever little macro, made to look as if there’s fraud, but no money is really going out, is it? It’s just being transferred back and forth between two accounts.”
Compton Senior glanced down, studied it for a moment then pushed the paper away. He said nothing.
“My only query is why didn’t either of your sons spot it?”
Compton’s mouth pursed. He didn’t like that.
Draco knew he wouldn’t, but he couldn’t resist. “It’s a puzzle, one they should’ve worked out by now. I reckon you didn’t bank on Lara getting involved. Why didn’t you rate her enough to give her the clues too?”
“Apparently she didn’t need any.”
“You knew she was involved?”
“I only suspected when she requested to bring a friend on board. She had a hungry look in her eyes once she thought of bringing you in.”
Draco nodded, he’d seen that look too. “She does that.”
