Noell sighs, slumping her shoulders. It’s the most out of sorts I’ve ever seen her. “Is there any evidence I can help with?”
I straighten up, leaning forward. The thought hits me instantly. “Actually, there is something you might be able to help with.”
“Anything.”
“Can you look over all of the financials of the three companies that were acquired? Look for anything out of the ordinary. Money coming and going that seems odd or out of place.”
Noell nods. “I can do that. It might take me a while to comb through everything, but I can do it.”
If she can find any monetary evidence of wrongdoing, it might help our case. I’m not hopeful, though. These people knew what they were doing.
“Don’t do it here. There’s someone who’s been hacking the company's system. I don’t want them to get wind of what we’re up to. Use a personal computer and meet me at my apartment.”
Noell smiles, or almost does. “I’ll be there.”
I stand, and Noell walks me to the door of her office. I stop halfway out the exit and turn to face her.
“Thank you, Noell.”
She gives me a curt nod, and I leave without another word.
I may not fully trust her, but I am not too proud to admit that she could really help us. We’re going to need all the assistance we can get.
Ella and Eagan are at my apartment when I get there. Both sit rigid at the kitchen counter, studying me. I shut the door and quietly walk to the couch and fall onto it.
Ella furrows her brow.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, knowing they’re waiting for me to say something.
“Where do we even start?” I finally say, my voice wavering from exhaustion and defeat.
Ella gives Eagan an encouraging nod.
“I think we start with figuring out who sent the evidence,” Eagan replies, biting his lip.
I sit forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “How?”
Eagan leans over and pulls out a laptop from a grey computer bag sitting next to his feet. He opens it and turns it on, though his eyes never leave mine. “I think I can trace the documents, but I’ll need access to your account.”
Nodding, I stand, blindly following his lead, as if my mind has switched off to prevent overheating.
I sign in to my account on his computer. Ella watches me intently, but she still doesn’t say anything, and I don’t speak to her. I’m not sure what to say. I accused her of sending the evidence, but why would she be helping me now if she did?
Stepping back, I let Eagan sort through my files. By the look on his face, it's obvious almost right away that something’s wrong.
“What is it?” Ella’s voice is laced with worry.
Eagan turns to me, frowning. “Did you put the evidence of illegal wrongdoing of the companies Owen acquired in here?”
“Yes. I put them all in the same file.”
Eagan turns back to the computer screen, rubbing his hand along the stubble on his chin. “It’s not here.”
“What?” Ella shouts.
My palms begin to sweat. I press them together, my heart rate kicking up a notch.
“There’s no other place they could be?” he asks me.
