“I didn’t send the evidence, Dec. I wanted more time to figure out how to get him out of this. I’ve learned too much. It isn’t fair.”
Declan stands and takes a few turns around the room before stopping. “The evidence came from your channel, Nova. If you didn’t send it, whoever did knows how to access your network.”
“There are only two people who have access to it.”
“Ella and I,” he says before I can.
“She wouldn’t.” I shake my head.
“Nova, I know you won’t take my advice, but you need to let this go. It’s a dead end. You can’t get him out of this, and you risk not only your career but also jail time. As a friend, I’m asking you to please not pursue this.” His voice is now the one that’s pleading.
I stand, already knowing what I have to do. “No, Dec. I’ve seen the bad guys. The true bad guys, and he’s not one of them.”
With that, I walk out of the office. I don’t look back, and Declan doesn’t follow me.
The instant I’m out the door, Noah falls into step with me. “What do you need from me, boss?” he asks, his voice laced with concern and defeat.
“Find Parker. I need to speak to him. I have to make sure the company and charities have been transferred.”
Noah nods. “Anything else?”
I stop abruptly before the elevators and face him. I know my cheeks are red and streaked with tears, but I don’t care. I meet Noah’s narrowed gaze and instantly fold myself into his arms. “Someone sold me out.”
Noah nods again, lightly stroking my back.
I pull away and steel myself, wiping away the last of the tears.
“Oh, and Noah? Find me Peyton Radd. He has some explaining to do.”
With that, I turn and head for the elevator, dreading the call I know I have to make. Afraid that my best friend may have stabbed me in the back.
Ella picks up immediately.
“Nova!” she shouts. “Are you ok? I saw Dec leave the office with a dozen agents. Rumors are that they got the evidence needed to arrest someone. I feared it might have been Owen.”
I can’t help the accusation that spills out of my mouth. “So you know nothing about it?”
There’s a long pause on the other end of the phone. “Why would I know anything about it?”
“I think you know.”
“If you’re accusing me of something, Nova, just say it!” she shouts.
She rarely gets angry.
“I trusted you!” I yell back. “You’re the only one who knows about this case.The only one. And other than Dec, you’re the only one that has access to my network.”
I hear a sharp intake of breath, but Ella’s voice comes out as a shaky whisper. “I would never. You may have reassigned me, and I will admit I was angry at first, but Iknewit was out of love. It wasn’t personal. So why would I do that to you?”
Fuck.
I don’t know what to believe anymore.
I don’t respond. I don’t know how.
“Nova? I won’t waste my breath defending myself. You can believe what you want. All I care about right now is you. I’m shaking. I feel powerless to help you, and despite what you think, I stillwantto help. Please. How can I help you?” Her voice is on the edge of breaking, but it’s not her that breaks.
It’s me.
