When I reached his double doors, they were cracked open, light spilling out. Alarm filled my stomach. Nobody had a key but me, and mine was in the purse in my hand. I slowed my steps and approached the office as quietly as I could. Soft noises from within made me freeze. A distinctive moan floated out the crack in the door, then a man said, “Raquel.”
My stepmother was inside my father’s office with another man! I took two deep breaths, trying to decide what to do. If I confronted her, there was the possibility no one would believe me.
My phone. I pulled my cell out of my bag. Luckily, I’d put it on silent before the party. Launching the camera, I double checked the flash was off and hit record.
Surreptitiously, I glanced around to check nobody was nearby to witness me get down on my knees and slip the phone inside the door. I could see the screen and could tell I definitely filmed something, but the angle was bad, and I couldn’t make out anything specific. I let it record. Truth be told, I had no desire to watch what happened in the room, but I knew I needed to get the proof. It was my big break.
Several minutes later, my legs burned, and my arm felt like it was going to fall off from holding the phone out. Laughter floated up the hallway behind me. I pulled the phone out and turned off the camera. I waited in the office beside my dad’s until the giggling couple passed by.
I peered into the hallway. Dad’s office door was shut. The lovebirds noticed the passersby and pushed the door closed. I ran on tiptoe toward the party as fast as I could in the heels, slowing to a normal pace when I passed someone in the hallways.
Thankfully, Rick and Todd sat at the table when I arrived. I tugged on the first arm I came to—Wes’s. “Come with me, please. Todd, Rick, do you know where the cafeteria is?”
They both nodded, giving me curious stares. “Where have you been?” Todd hissed at me.
“In a minute,” I whispered. “Discreetly bring Arch and Gray down there. It should be empty now; all of this was catered externally. Don’t come together, split up and play it nonchalant.” My head spun with the information I’d gathered.
I gave a winning smile, congratulating myself on my acting skills, and took Wes by the hand. “I’ll show you to the restrooms,” I said for the benefit of anyone standing nearby.
As soon as we left the room, we hurried to the elevators. “We need to get out of sight,” I said.
“Why?” Wes watched me like I was a firework about to explode.
“Not here. Act normal.” My eyes darted around. It was hard for me to follow my own advice and act normal as keyed up as I was about the video in my phone.
Several people exited the elevator to join the party. I introduced Wes to a few people I’d known all my life. I handed out more envelopes and asked about families. Externally, I was a calm, professional cucumber. Inside, I was a pickle, screaming with anticipation.
We entered the empty elevator and headed for the service level. I pulled Wes to me for a hug. “The elevators are monitored, and I think they have microphones. Someone tried to steal a highly anticipated sequel one time, and we upped security,” I began to whisper. “If anyone catches us down there, we’ll pretend we were seeking out some privacy.”
“What’s going on?” Wes asked. “I’m worried.”
I simply shook my head. I needed them all to watch the video I took and tell me if my hopes were up for nothing or if I had won my case. I still wasn’t sure what I recorded. If it was Scott and my stepmother having sex, it would at least sway my case.
Once we were safely in the cafeteria, I collapsed into a chair, relieved. We made it.
“Now, will you tell me what the hell is going on?” He wore his blond hair slicked back, and it was disheveled. He’d been running his fingers through it, and I hadn’t even noticed. My evasive behavior upset him.
“I’m sorry, Wes, but I have no idea where all the cameras and microphones are. As soon as everyone shows up, we’re going to go into the bathroom across the hall. I know there are no surveillance devices in there.”
Wes gave me a look saying clearly, I’d spoken another language. “I’m being far too cautious and overly dramatic, but this is my future on the line. I need to be sure.” I couldn’t risk Raquel finding out I shot the video before I was ready for her to know.
The arrival of Todd and Arch saved me from any further explanations. I jumped out of the chair as they entered. “Rick and Gray should be right behind us. What thehellis going on?” Arch demanded.
“Not yet. Wait until they get here.” Three faces stared at me like I’d grown horns. Pacing seemed the thing to do while we waited. Rick and Gray burst in moments later, causing me to jump and scream.
Gray was furious. “What’s wrong with you? Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you while you were gone?” He grabbed my hands and began to check me over.
“No! I’m not hurt. Follow me, and I’ll explain everything.” Peeping out of the cafeteria, I peered up and down the hall. I couldn’t see anybody, and I was pretty sure the stretch of hall didn’t have cameras. If security was watching the cafeteria, they wouldn’t know where we’d gone, giving us enough time to get the explanations out of the way. There was no way I could’ve waited until we got home, which would’ve been the smartest thing to do.
When the coast was clear, I bolted across the hall to the bathroom. Holding the door open, I gestured for them to all follow. Wes murmured something to them, which spurred them along. I fought laughter as they all looked both ways to make sure nobody spotted them.
The comedy of the situation hit me hard. We played secret agent, running around a large company like children. It would’ve been fun if I wasn’t apprehensive about what was on my phone.
The bathroom was basic—nothing like the swanky bathrooms where we entertained clients. I rolled my neck and took a deep breath. “Okay. I need advice.”
Arch shook his head and seemed to be trying hard not to roll his eyes at my dramatics. “Start at the beginning, please.”
“I’m not sure how much you’re allowed to know, given you’re practicing lawyers, and you’re the partners of my lawyer. If I get into information you shouldn’t know, tell me immediately.”
