AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He ducked into his office and dialed Joey’s extension.
“This is Joey,” she answered. Her voice sent a ripple of awareness over him.
“Do you have a second?”
“Of course. How can I help?”
He narrowed his eyes at her helpful, professional tone. “Let me guess. People can hear you?”
“Iloveworking in this open concept office. Privacy is overrated and computer work is so collaborative. No one down here complains about it at all.”
He smirked at her obvious sarcasm. “Okay, I got it. I got it. Offices with real walls next time we renovate. I have a question. I’m thinking of looping in my lead researcher in my suspicions. I’ve known her since college. She’s a good friend. But I figured I would make sure you have done your terrifying brand of wizardry to see if there are any red flags?” He nudged away the guilt that flared at the idea of digging into his friend’s life. He was determined not to trust anyone though.
“What’s the name?”
“Laura Conwell.”
Joey’s voice got quieter, and he strained to listen. “I remember the name. I didn’t see anything in her personal life that raised major red flags. Some debt. But that’s par for the course these days. Do you really need to bring her in though? I thought we had a plan? We could move forward and then bring her later. She’s got the kind of access someone would need.”
Cole ran a hand through his hair. “I hate this, Joey. These are my people. I need to start clearing some names or I’m going to go insane.”
“We’ll work on it.” Joey’s voice brightened. “Thanks for checking in. I’ll tell my father you said hello, Mr. Kensington.”
His eyebrows flew upward. “I’ll see you at BTS tonight.”
He hung up without waiting for a response and went back to the conference room to a waiting Laura.
“Sorry about that.”
“Is everything okay, Cole?”
He shook his head. “Not really. I can’t share more right now, but I will soon. Can you send me the raw data files for this project?”
Her eyes were sympathetic. “Cole, you can’t be serious. You don’t have time to–”
He cut her off. “Just send them, Laura. I’ll worry about my time.”
Her objection silenced, Laura nodded curtly. “Yes, sir.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I just–”
“I understand,” she said. But he could hear the hurt in her voice.
Cole ground his teeth together. He hated everything about this. He paused for a moment, trying to convince himself to wait for Joey.
Then he shook his head sharply. “Oh forget it. She’s not going to be happy, but whatever. I trust you. Come here,” he insisted. “Here’s the deal. I think someone is stealing our research in an attempt to derail our progress. And now, based on what you’ve shared here, I suspect it is someone internal and that not only are they stealing the research, but they are actively sabotaging the trials by tampering with the data.”
Laura’s horror was evident. If she was acting, she deserved an Oscar. “No, Cole. That’s not possible. I know you’re disappointed that the results aren’t better, but no one on the team would–”
“Trust me, you think I like the idea that someone we trust is behind all of this? We’re working to prove it, but I might need your help. For now, just act like everything is normal.”
“We? Who is we? Who else knows about this?”
He shook his head. “I have someone from the outside helping. Our plan will work, especially with your help.”
Laura was shaking her head. “I can’t do this, Cole. How am I supposed to go back to the lab and face my team thinking that one of them is a traitor?”
“You have to. We don’t have another option right now. It’s just a few more days. Take a deep breath.”
