“Luck might be on your side today… if Margot’s appointment schedule is correct.”
I don’t like that the CSS has a full history of who’s made appointments, but I don’t tell him. I’m sure he knows. I ask a much more important question.
“Is he here?”
“He had an appointment. I hoped when he came out I could…” He mimes pointing with his head.
“You can’t tell me his name?”
“I could, but I won’t. Because if you accidentally let it slip to anyone else, I’m the one they’ll look at and this guy…” He looks back at the stage. “This guy is not someone you want looking in your direction.”
“Then why does he work with the CSS? If he’s not safe…”
“Because he’s always worked with us. He’s a founding member of the CSS. He wrote half of our codes and designed several of our systems… Despite not being on payroll, heisthe CSS. Even if some of us don’t think he should be anymore.”
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone this scared since?—
“There he is. Blue coat, headed toward the door.” Riann looks through the crowded space, but all I can see is the back of the man’s head.
“Friendly conversation won’t hurt anyone.”
“It might,” he says, before downing the rest of his drink. “If anyone asks, you didn’t see me after you left my office.”
“See who?”
“Exactly.” He leaves like he didn’t want to be here in the first place, headed for the appointment I’ve made him late for.
Leaving my untouched drink on the table, I go after the mystery man.
But I don’t get far.
“Why does it feel like you’re stalking one of my patrons?” Margot asks, popping up seemingly out of nowhere.
“Because I am.” I step around her. “Excuse me.”
She shoves herself right back in front of me. “I will not.”
“I need to talk to that man.”
“What man?”
“The one who’s leaving.”
“If you can’t tell me his name, I can’t let you.” I look past her and watch the doors to the elevator close.
“We all have secrets, Risk. And it’s my job to protect my clients.”
“Third.”
Her head pulls back and her brows twist. “What?”
“That’s third on your priority list.”
“It’s still part of the job.”
There’s nothing I can say to her that she’ll accept, but, “You can’t keep me here when I want to leave.”
Glaring at me, she steps out of the way. “Whatever you’re doing, don’t do it here again.”
