"Sounds like she didn't have much of a personal life."
"I didn't pay her to have a personal life. I paid her to manage mine. And I compensated her handsomely.”
"I'm sure.”
"Are you aware of any potential data breaches within your organization?" I asked.
Rory laughed. "You realize what we do here, don't you?”
"Cybersecurity of some sort?"
"Of some sort, and we’re very good at it. We have proprietary technology and algorithms to spot intrusions and unauthorized access to files. We’re the best in the business. Our products provide a secure ecosystem across all devices—mobile, tablets, laptops, workstations, and wireless IOT devices. We don't have data breaches." Rory was confident of that.
"Are you familiar with the White Rabbit?”
He gave me a quizzical look. "White Rabbit?"
"In your line of work, I'm surprised you’re not aware of her.”
He gave me a blank look.
"Private intel firm. Corporate espionage, data brokering. That kind of thing. We believe that Evelyn was in contact with the White Rabbit.”
Rory kept a neutral expression. I think he was playing dumb. Rory was by no stretch of the imagination dumb. I'm sure hisIQ was off the charts. "And you think she was selling company secrets?"
"It's a working theory.”
"We have the most advanced technology in the business. Impenetrable security, cutting-edge intrusion algorithms, all AI-enhanced. It's leaps and bounds above anything else on the market. No doubt, every competitor would love to get their hands on our proprietary software." He considered it for a moment, then dismissed it. "But I can’t imagine Evelyn would betray me like that. She was loyal and dedicated.” His face scrunched the more he thought about it. “Though people can surprise you.”
"Can you tell me where you were on the day of her murder?"
His brow knitted, and he gave me an incredulous look, then burst into laughter. "You can't possibly think I had some involvement."
I shrugged it off. "Just doing my due diligence. Standard question.”
"Sure. I understand. But the idea is preposterous.”
"You're right. I imagine a man such as yourself wouldn’t do the dirty work. You’d probably hire someone to do it."
His jovial demeanor faded. “If you're trying to insult me, you're doing an excellent job."
"It's my job to shake the trees, rattle the cages.”
Rory stared at me for a long moment. "Of course. Listen, I wish I could be more helpful. On your way out, you can talk to Angela. She has my schedule and can verify my whereabouts. Evelyn wasa valued member of my team, and I refuse to believe that she was engaged in corporate espionage. There is no way that she could have acquired data from our system without my knowledge. It's just not possible.” He paused. "I can understand your mistake, and I appreciate your attention to detail and your diligence in this matter, but you're operating on flawed assumptions. You need to assume that there was no data breach. Perhaps Evelyn wasn't selling secrets to the White Rabbit. Maybe she was buying them. That could explain any communication she may have had.”
"Then why would she leave something in a dead drop for the Rabbit?”
Rory stared me down for a moment. "I'm going to reiterate my prior statement. I think you’re operating on flawed assumptions." He forced another smile. "It was a pleasure meeting you, deputy. If you’ll excuse me, I do have urgent business to attend to. Angela will show you out.”
I dug into my pocket and gave him a card. "In case you think of anything that might be helpful."
Rory took the card, then turned around and walked back toward his desk.
I stepped into the hallway, checked with Angela about his schedule, and verified his whereabouts. There was no doubt in my mind his employees would lie for him.
I left the office and walked back to the parking lot, hopped on my bike, pulled on my helmet, and rode back to theAvventura.
There was a surprise waiting for me when I returned, and it wasn't good.
