Elijah chuckles, taking me by surprise.
“So he is one of the few?”
“That he is,” I say.
When he’s finished looking around, I direct him to the sofa and take a seat opposite.
“So why are we here?” he asks.
“We can’t work at your office. My presence will raise too many questions. We don’t want to tip off whoever is behind this, and I can’t be seen with you. I’m a soon-to-be-married woman to your main competitor, and as you are now a single man...”
I leave the rest of the statement hanging.
His lips purse, but he remains silent.
I have my suspicions that this is bigger than either of us is aware. I’ve sent out feelers to my contacts, but I can’t tell Elijah that. I’ve just got out of this business. I don’t want to expose myself tothe lifeanymore.
“Whoever is involved may be the one who planted the bugs. If I’m seen to be there, we may cause them to change course. The element of surprise is going to be our greatest advantage. At least until we know what we’re facing.”
“We’re facing?”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Yes,we’re. I’m involved in this now. I was the moment Gabriel called me.”
“You don’t have to be,” Elijah says.
“Are you telling me you don’t need or want my help?”
Our eyes clash, and Elijah pauses. I can see his brain whirring, wondering if he should tell me to mind my own business, stay out of his business. Maybe I should have. It’s not like we’re friends anymore. Not in the true sense of the word. Acquaintances at best.
That ship sailed a long time ago. The day I made a promise, circumstances forced me to abandon our business venture and, as Elijah saw it, our friendship.
Elijah runs a hand down his face, squeezing his mouth as he studies me over his hand.
When he finally let’s go, he exhales.
“You’re one of the best coders I know. If anyone can help uncover what’s going on, it will be you.”
I nod, surprised when he continues.
“We used to be an unstoppable team. Am I stupid enough to cut my nose off to spite my face? No chance. I have clients to consider, their businesses, and my employees. Whatever is going on, I need to understand it, and fast. If that means working with you again, accepting your help…” He pauses, his eyes still locked on mine. “I’d appreciate your help, Pen.”
No gloating or sarcastic comment springs to mind. Instead, a wave of sadness envelopes me. If only things had turned out differently.
If only, a pointless statement.
Elijah looks at me as if waiting for me to add something. When we were students, I would have teased him endlessly, but life and our experiences have transformed us both. We’re different people than we were back then.
Instead, I nod and rise to my feet, making my way back over to the monitors.
Elijah moves to stand next to me.
“I understand your presence in the office might raise questions, but what can we do from here? We need access.”
I turn my head to look up at him. His closeness sets me on edge.
“Pen, what’s going on?”
