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“Research foundation?” Joey was going to take advantage of Tammy’s loose lips and get as much insider information as possible. Plus, Tammy would be a good friend to have. Having someone inside Human Resources could be helpful.
Tammy leaned forward. “Oh yes. You’ll learn more about it next week during the official new-hire bootcamp, but Zia not only conducts in-house research, but we are also the sole sponsor of the Zia Promise Foundation. ZPF sponsors university research grants, prescription assistance, and scholarships for bioscientists, medical researchers, and geneticists.”
Joey let her admiration show. Even she couldn’t pretend she wasn’t impressed by what Tammy said about the non-profit side of Zia. “Wow, that’s pretty great.”
She couldn’t let herself get too carried away with positive feelings for Kensington. It was probably all for the tax write-off. There, a nice cynical thought to balance out the admiration trying to weasel its way in.
Tammy nodded emphatically. “Yeah, it really is. I know sometimes our industry gets a bad rap. But once you are inside, you really see how much everyone is doing because we want to help. And Mr. Kensington takes it very seriously.”
Joey thought back to this morning. Saying that he took it seriously might be an understatement. She didn’t have a problem with protecting the things that were important or prioritizing accordingly. But she also liked to find joy where she could. Sometimes, working at BTS meant dealing with some pretty tough situations. Like stalkers trying to kill her boss’s sister. Or a kidnapper demanding ransom for the return of an innocent little girl. But that didn’t stop Joey from decorating her desk with trolls or playing Disney music while she hacked into the personnel records of a Fortune 500 investment firm.
“Come on, Joey. I’ll show you around and deliver you to Patrick–just in time for him to buy you lunch on your first day. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to win his heart!” Tammy winked, and Joey gave a weak smile. That was the last thing Joey would be thinking about.
Tammy walked her through the main areas of the Zia Pharmaceuticals headquarters. In the basement, they watched through glass windows as researchers in white coats worked on things that Joey couldn’t even pretend to recognize. Tammy scanned her badge at nearly every door they walked through, and pointed to even more that were restricted to them both.
Joey pretended to be surprised. “Pretty tight security, huh?” She recognized the system from her time at Raven Tech. Raven had made his fortune developing security solutions that were cutting edge. And she’d been with him every step of the way.
Tammy chuckled at Joey’s casual observation.
“You could say that. Everything is locked up to everyone except the teams who work there. I’ve worked here for seventeen years, and there are entire floors in this building I’ve never seen.”
They turned down another hallway. “I feel like I’m going to get lost,” Joey said with a nervous laugh.
Tammy smiled. “You’ll be fine. We’ve got maps. And you can always ask anybody for help. You’re working for Patrick, which means you’ll be on the fourth floor with the rest of the tech squad. Just find an elevator, swipe your badge, and hit the button for four.” She shrugged. “Or you could find the stairs, but I can’t help you there. I’m sure you would be unsurprised to find out I avoid the stairs as often as possible.” Tammy ran her hand downward in front of her, gesturing to her waist and thighs.
“You obviously don’t need them. You’re gorgeous, Tammy.”
Tammy blushed at the compliment. “I can see we’re going to be friends already, Joey.”
Joey smiled, “I think so, too.” A twinge of guilt flashed through her mind. Lying never sat well with her, but what else could she do while undercover? Friendships didn’t survive assignments like this.
“Here we are. Fourth floor. Technology Services.”
Tammy led her toward what Joey assumed was Patrick’s office, quickly confirmed by a glance at the nameplate as Tammy knocked.
Patrick stood, and Joey quickly appraised her new boss. Tall and fit, a touch of gray around his temples was the only indicator that the man was probably close to forty. He wore one of those golf shirts with fabric that was far too thin. Didn’t they make undershirts for that sort of thing?
She held out her hand to shake his.
“You must be Josephina. I’ve heard so much about you.” When he smiled, Joey could see what Tammy was talking about. He had that Dennis Quaid look.
Very charming.
“Please, call me Joey. And only good things, I hope,” she said with a smile, easily falling into the game of corporate small-talk.
“Joey it is, then. Thanks for bringing her up, Tammy. I’ve got it from here.”
Tammy promised to check in later in the week, making Joey laugh by pointing at Patrick and fanning her face when he wasn’t looking.
After Tammy left, Patrick waved her farther into his office. “Come on in, have a seat. I want to get to know my newest specialist. Cole didn’t tell me much about you.”
“Oh? I thought you’d heard so much about me?”
Patrick’s smile faltered slightly, and Joey wished she hadn’t called him on the inconsistency. She quickly backtracked. “Sorry, sometimes I speak before I think. What do you want to know?”
The smile returned to her new boss’s face, but Joey could tell it was measured. “Cole said you were a family friend and that you have some computer experience. I don’t even think I’ve seen your resume,” he said, his earlier friendly demeanor replaced with obvious annoyance. “I’m skeptical about what Cole calls computer experience. He’s not exactly one of us.”
Hadn’t Cole said Patrick wasn’t especially technical? Joey pretended to be embarrassed. “I still can’t believe Cole just handed me the job. All I asked for was an interview! I’m so sorry to just be thrown in your lap.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the resume she’d crafted over the weekend.
