by Ravenna Tate
“No, he wouldn’t. They found out about the lumber pricing scheme. They were going to fire him anyway.”
Rissa realized she’d have to memorize all this. She had no idea how much of this Barclay already knew, but she had to tell him what these two had said.
“You still have an inside person at Hampton Data. Maybe she knows if one of the Weathermen has your laptop?”
Fuck! Rissa held her breath, waiting for one of them to say a name, but three women walked in, talking loudly and laughing. Rissa glared at them. When she heard one of the stall doors open, she slipped out of the bathroom. She didn’t want Rob or Olivia to know she’d been listening.
The bustle would have to wait. She retrieved her phone and went outside, walking away from the building and ducking around a corner to make the call so no one would see her. She had worked at Hampton Data Recovery Services for almost a year, but if she’d exchanged words with Barclay ten times, that was being generous. However, this could not wait until Monday morning. She had to find someone who had his personal phone number.
He might be at the office. The man worked all the time. When he’s not out with his woman of the month, that is. That much was true. He was in the tabloids more than anyone she knew. It was Saturday night. He was likely on a date, but she took a chance anyway and called his office phone. It might go to voice mail, but it was worth a shot.
“Hampton here.”
Rissa nearly dropped her phone. “Um, hi. This is Rissa Kerry. I work for you. That is to say, I work on one of the data recovery teams under—”
“I know who you are, Rissa.”
He did? That was news to her. Sure, she’d spoken to him, but wasn’t aware he’d connected any of their brief exchanges with an actual person.
“Oh, okay.” Could she sound any more idiotic if she tried? “Um, I’m at a wedding, and I just overheard a conversation that you need to know about.”
“Oh? You’re not drunk, are you?”
That voice! So full of sexy humor. Did he always sound that way on the phone?
“Not even close.” Rissa glanced over her shoulder, but she was alone. “May I assume you know who Rob and Olivia Marin are?”
His hesitation answered the question in her mind before he spoke. “Yes. Why do you ask?”
Gone was the sexy humor, replaced with suspicion and possibly fear. What the hell had she stumbled upon?
“The wedding I’m at is Sallie Davis’s. Well, Sallie Davis Pease, now. She’s Olivia’s cousin, and this is what I just overheard Olivia and Rob talking about.” Rissa outlined what she’d heard, making sure to include the key points about blackmail and having inside people, including one at Hampton Data Recovery Services.
He didn’t speak for so long after she finished that Rissa thought she’d lost the call.
“And you didn’t overhear a name?”
“No. Other women came into the bathroom and Rob and Olivia stopped talking. But Olivia definitely referred to the inside person as female.”
“Did they see you?” His voice was too sharp, and the hair on the back of her neck prickled.
“No. I stepped out before they emerged from their stall.”
“Thank you, Rissa. It shows real dedication to track me down on a Saturday night and tell me about this.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d be at work.” I thought you’d be out, or in bed with a woman.
“My plans tonight changed.”
Was that a hint of sarcasm? None of your business, Rissa. Let it go.
“Well, okay.” She felt awkward now. “Is there anything you want me to try to find out?”
“How close are you and the Marins?” His voice was still sharp, and again she wondered what the hell was really going on here.
“Not close at all.”
“Then it might be best if you pretend you never heard what they said. I don’t want anyone on the fringes involved in this mess.”
“Why is it a mess?” Had Rob’s laptop been stolen by one of them? Had Barclay had a hand in this?
He cleared his throat. “I need to make a few calls. Thanks again, Rissa. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Before she could respond, he disconnected the call. Who the hell was she actually working for? What was going on here, and why was a laptop from someone who lived in another city so damn important to her boss and his friends?
End of sample chapter.
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