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“Don’t worry. She doesn’t care about anything you have to say anyway. So spit it out. What brings you to Benson Security?” He leaned forward and clasped his hands in front of him on the desk.
“I have a delicate matter to discuss regarding my company.”
Joe flicked open the folder he’d compiled on their prospective client. “You mean the Ford-Talbot company TayFor Pharmaceuticals and the rumor you’re losing money?”
To his credit, the fake Mr. Brown didn’t blanch at being found out. “I see you’ve done some digging.”
“Aye, we tend to do that around here, seeing as we’re in the security business.” Callum cocked an eyebrow at his business partner’s father. “What I’d like to know is why are you here under an assumed name and why aren’t you talking to your daughter, Mr. Ford-Talbot?”
Ford-Talbot cleared his throat. The first sign of nerves since entering Callum’s office. “I thought it best to test the waters first.”
“In other words, you’re scared of Rachel’s reaction.”
He huffed out a breath, making him seem almost human. “Yes, well, you know my daughter.”
Callum snorted. He did indeed. Rachel could eviscerate a man with a few well-placed words. It was actually kind of comforting to know her family wasn’t exempt from her attitude.
“Clam!” Sophie thrust another drawing at him.
He glanced at it. They were getting better, but he still didn’t have a clue what half of them were. That didn’t stop him from keeping every single one—he even had special folders for them.
Rachel’s father frowned at Sophie again before returning his attention to Callum, who just stared calmly at him. They were talking in front of Sophie or not at all. He sure as hell wasn’t going to kick his daughter out of the room to please Rachel’s lying father.
Ford-Talbot took a deep breath. “Mr. Barone is right. Rumors are swirling around my company. But the problem goes far deeper than the rumor we’re losing money. I have come to believe my competition has infiltrated my company.”
Oh, now that was more interesting than Callum had expected. He cast a glance at Joe, who was all about paying attention now that they’d gotten to the juicy part of the meeting.
“You want us to find the spies and shut their operation down,” Joe said.
“Yes.”
“And you don’t want Rachel to know,” Callum added. “I’ll tell you right now, that isn’t going to happen. I don’t keep secrets from my business partners.”
“No, that isn’t my intention.” Letting out a breath, Ford-Talbot pinned Callum with eyes identical to his daughter’s. “I want you to talk her into taking the job. I want her to be the one investigating from inside the company.”
Joe let out a low whistle. “Good luck with that.”
It was well known around the office that Rachel had nothing to do with her family business, and she tore the head off anyone who asked why.
“Interesting.” Callum sat back in his chair and considered the man in front of him. “At least that explains why you didn’t go to one of the bigger security companies.”
It was Ford-Talbot’s turn to snort. “And risk the wrath of Rachel? I don’t think so. My daughter mightn’t want anything to do with her heritage, but she’d be furious if I took company business elsewhere.”
But that didn’t answer the burning question. “Why do you want Rachel to investigate? She’s the last person I’d send in.”
Joe nodded his agreement. “We have operatives here who are far more skilled. People who’ve done undercover work with intelligence agencies. They would know what to look for and have the ability to find it.”
“I realize that.” His eyes flicked to Sophie, and his gaze softened. “What do you know about TayFor Pharmaceuticals?”
Callum shrugged. “Boutique company. Well respected. Your R&D Department’s won plenty of government grants and awards. You have a niche market and you’re the best in it.”
“And”—Ford-Talbot tugged at his tie in a nervous gesture that seemed out of character—“we’re a family-run company.”
“Ah,” Joe said, glancing at Callum. “You suspect a family member might be involved.”
Looking his age for the first time since he strode into the office, Ford-Talbot ran a hand down his face. “I honestly don’t know, but I fear that might be the case. My son,” he said and paused, “is the CEO. He’s very involved in the day-to-day workings of the company. Very little gets past him.”
