Ash took a few seconds to think about that. “I can try, but it could take days or weeks to find any and all access points.”
“We definitely don’t have that kind of time,” Portia agreed.
“What about people loyal to him? He ran the company for years. Does he have people in place he can use as proxies?” It was an obvious question to Aleks. Computers and technology may run everything, but it was the people-to-people connections that made and broke companies.
Portia rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Fewer than there were, but probably more than I know about.”
“You think he still has loyalists in the company?” Killian asked. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“When?” Portia asked. “It’s not like we’ve been on speaking terms most of the year.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “Right. But you could have told me.”
She sighed. “I’ve barely been keeping my head above water, Killian, fixing all the problems my father’s absence created. Every time I turn around, there’s a new problem from one of his old programs. I’ve eliminated some of his old cronies, but I have no idea who’s on his side. How would I?”
“I think a lot of people are loyal to the company, not a specific person,” Dizzie said.
Everyone looked at her. “What do you mean?” Portia asked.
“People like me were so far down the corporate ladder, you and your father were really just names. It never felt like you had a direct impact on our lives.”
“You were loyal to the company when you were a courier?” Portia’s tone said she didn’t believe her.
Dizzie shrugged. “I didn’t think in terms of loyalty. At least not to the company. I was loyal to my friends. Mostly, I did my job and dreamed of paying off my contract. I wasn’t disloyal. I just didn’t think about it at all.”
“Well, that’s helpful,” Portia snapped.
“I wasn’t alone, Portia. The company may have raised us, but it also kept us on a financial leash. Most of the people on the lower rungs just want to live their lives with as little interference from above as possible.”
Portia dropped her head to the table with a thunk. The action took everyone at the table by surprise.
Aleks circled around the Jack and Ash and placed a hand on Portia’s shoulder. “Are you okay?” He ached to pull her into his arms and comfort her.
Portia raised her head. “No, not really. Everything I’ve worked for is falling apart, my father’s back, and my company is a shithole.” She took a deep breath.
“Maybe Dizzie’s right. Maybe with all the shady shit that my father did, the company isn’t worth saving. Maybe I should just abandon it to the Solveigs and walk away.”
“Anyone got a direct line to the newsies?” the Jack asked.
Everyone’s heads swiveled toward her. Portia sat up and glared at the other woman. “What the hell? I thought I could trust you with this.”
The Jack sneered. “Oh, you think I’d be calling them about your business problems?” She snorted. “Nah, I just want to let them know to change your nickname. You’re not the Ice Queen. You’re a fucking drama queen.”
Against the shocked silence around the table, Portia’s gasp was loud. Loud, angry, and horrified all at once. Aleks choked back a laugh.
“How dare you?”
“Aw, is the poor little rich girl getting mad? About damn time!”
Aleks turned away because he did not want to piss off Portia by laughing. Dizzie didn’t seem to have that concern, because her laugh rang out around the table.
“She’s right, Portia,” Killian said. “You’ve faced worse than this. If anyone can do this, it’s you. But you’ve got to commit, because we’re all risking something by helping you.”
Portia glared at the Jack. “Fine. I get what you’re saying, but you didn’t have to be such a bitch about it.”
“Right,” the Jack said. “Because you were just going to pull out of that spiral on your own.”
“You have my support whatever you decide to do, Portia. Whatever you need, I’m here,” Killian said. “As long as it doesn’t harm Dizzie,” he added.
