“Thanks for your time, Shawn,” I interrupt him, having completed what I came here to do.
“Wait,” Shawn stops me before I’m out the door. “Have you thought about the proposal I sent over?”
Tilting my head to the side, I recall the email he’s referencing. “The one about merging the head of cybersecurity and the chief security operator positions, creating a head of global security?”
Shawn nods.
Placing my hands in my pockets, I rock on my feet. “Yes, I have. It’s an…” I have to think carefully about my words. “Interestingmove, but I don’t think it’ll pan out. Hollis Calder fills his role as Chief Security Operator well, and we’re not interested in dissolving his job.”
What I don’t say is that the idea is absolutely preposterous. Shawn has zero experience in physical security, while Hollis Calder is a former Navy SEAL.
Shawn narrows his eyes. “If that’s what you think is best.”
I don’t respond, turning away and leaving the room.
My phone vibrates in my inside suit coat pocket. Viewing the screen, I find multiple new messages. I read as I make my way to the elevator.
Hunter: Meet me in my office.
Rory: Why?
Hunter: Because
Rory: Because why?
Hunter: You’re acting like a child.
Me: And you’re acting vague.
Hunter: I have a plan.
Placingmy phone back in my pocket, I press the button for the top floor in the elevator, type in the PIN, and scan my palm. There’s a ding, indicating I’ve passed the security measures.
Reaching the top, I walk down the hall, heading for the office next to mine. I raise my brows when I find the door locked. Everyone knows a locked door doesn’t keep me out.
Internally, I groan as I lower myself down on one knee and pull out the small tool kit from my back pocket. I swear, I’m too old for this shit.
When the tumblers in the lock click, I stand, my knees and hips popping as I go.
Definitely too old for this.
Swinging the door open, I lean against the door jamb. Rory stands with his hands in the pockets of his gray suit pants, peering out the floor-to-ceiling window of his office.
“Not going to Hunter’s?” I question.
“What?” Rory spins around like he didn’t hear me come in. “Oh, right. Coming.” He strides right by me, not making eye contact as he slips past me in the doorway.
When we get into Hunter’s office, we find him in there staring down at some papers on a small conference table with a glass of scotch in his hand.
“A little early for a drink, don’t you think?” Rory inquires in jest, his demeanor having made a complete one-eighty from a few minutes ago.
Guess he’s just like that with me right now. I shouldn’t be surprised, but it feels like rejection. And rejection sucks.
“Didn’t I see you earlier downing a glass of brandy?” Hunter shoots back.
Disregarding their banter, I take a seat at the table. “What’s up with the bat signal?”
“I’ve been going over some ideas, and I think we should go with a honeypot mixed with a tarpit.” Hunter stays standing, moving around some of the papers.
