“As you know, after the whole attempted kidnapping thing, I started Sloane Consulting and Security Services and installed them on floors seventy-six to eighty-five,” Tommy explained cheerfully as he walked toward the elevators. “The Security Services Division have seventy-six to eighty, and the Consulting Division has eighty-one to eighty-five. Only the people who work for the Consulting side can access those floors.”
Evie nodded. Because the Tower house housed both Tommy’s businesses and private residence, he had designed the security systems in place, which were intricate and tailored to his specific needs, a mixture of technology and human surveillance.
On the business side, everything below the third floor was open to the public; everything above required fingerprint verification, and the higher you went, the tighter the security clearance became. Having a high security clearance for one division did not automatically grant clearance for another, and access was entered manually, requiring several confirmations from both security and the division heads.
The top five floors were considered to be Tommy’s private residence, even if he had set aside eighty-six for Evie and ninety for Thorn. There was a private elevator that two security guards monitored at all times, and they would notify Tommy, Thorn, or Evie if deliveries arrived or if visitors requested access.
They entered the elevator, and when Tommy pressed the button for floor eighty-two, a screen blinked to life, announcing that fingerprint and retinal scans were required for access. Tommy provided both, and the usual mechanical voice spoke.”
“Sloane, Tommy. Access confirmed.”
“Second person detected. Please enter the floor needed and provide security clearance scans.”
Evie pressed the button for eighty-two and went through the same process as Tommy. One of the most annoying aspects of working at Sloane Tech was the elevator, which would not move until all the people it detected had selected their floor and scanned their fingerprints. It was so bad that she refused to get on if there were more than five people already there.
“Stanley, Evelyn. Access confirmed.”
“Why is mine Evelyn and yours Tommy?” She asked, amused that her name was more formal than his, especially considering Rupert was the only person who used either of their full names.
“Because I entered mine and someone from security entered yours based on your driver’s license.” He smiled at her as the elevator began to move. “And you know how much I hate being called Thomas.”
“Fair enough.” Evie tapped her foot. The Non-Disclosure Agreement she had signed made it clear that anything regarding Sloane Consulting could only be discussed on those five floors, so she didn’t try to get any more information out of him.
“How’s your mom doing?” Tommy asked suddenly, throwing Evie off.
“Good, great, actually, considering her health is steadily declining.” Evie shifted on the balls of her feet as she pursed her lips. Tommy had been able to get her mother into the hospice almost immediately. She hadn’t asked what kind of donation he’d given them, but when they arrived with her mother, the staff had practically fallen over themselves to help get her settled away.
“They have daily mass and prayer groups, so she’s in her element.” She glanced at him. “I know I already thanked you for getting her in earlier than planned, but I’m not sure it was enough.”
Tommy shrugged. “I did it for her as much as for you. She was my rock when Mom and Dad died, so I returned the favour.”
Chapter Twenty-Five: Integration
The elevator doors opened, and Evie looked around curiously as they stepped into a reception area that resembled an art gallery more than an office, all warm light and precise geometry. Pale wood panels framed the walls, divided by shelves that displayed sculptural greenery and minimalist glass vases. The far wall shimmered with a textured white surface that caught the light in soft motion, reminding Evie of ocean waves on white sand.
Light filtered down in warm gold from recessed ceiling panels, reflecting off the polished tile floor and highlighting subtle copper accents. The air carried a faint hint of bergamot: a citrusy, bright, and clean scent, oddly energizing.
At the center of the space, a sleek reception desk glowed with soft amber light beneath a copper-toned inlay, polished to a perfect reflection. A woman about Evie’s age sat behind the terminal, her blonde hair pulled back neatly; the kind of professional who made competence look effortless. Above her, a geometric pendant lamp cast faint, shifting shadows.
To the left of the desk, a glass wall revealed what Evie assumed was Nissa’s office. It looked like something lifted from a design magazine. The walls were a soft mint green overlaid with silver geometric patterns that caught the light from the crystal chandelier shimmering overhead. A modern mirrored desk sat centred beneath it, reflecting the room’s soft palette in gleaming edges. A single monitor stood beside a vase of fresh flowers and a minimalist brass pen stand. The built-in shelvingbehind her held framed photos, silver vases, small books bound in white and gold, and a few living plants.
The receptionist looked up and smiled as soon as she saw Tommy.
“Mr. Sloane.”
“Lana,” he greeted warmly. “How are you?”
“I’m doing well, sir. And you?”
“Excellent.” He stepped aside, gesturing toward Evie. “Lana, this is Evie Stanley, our new Lead Systems Architect. Evie, meet Lana Wright, Nissa’s executive assistant.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you finally, Miss Stanley.” Lana stood and extended her hand. “Tommy has been practically bouncing with excitement since he announced your start date.”
Now that Tommy had made introductions, Lana dropped the formal tone so naturally that Evie had to grin, immediately liking her.
“Hi.” Evie shook her hand. Lana’s grip was firm and confident, and her expression carried an easy recognition, as if she already thought of Evie as a friend. “Please, call me Evie. Miss Stanley sounds like a character in an Anne of Green Gables novel.”
“Evie.” Lana’s smile widened as she sat back down. “We’ll have to grab a coffee once you’re settled and get to know each other.”
