“What kind of problems have you been having?” Wade wanted to know the Grantham position in order to compare it with what Kepnes had told him.
“I thought you were up to speed with the project,” Shelby said, her brow arched.
“Kepnes complained about not getting all the information he needed to do the job.” Wade cleared his throat. “I confess I find it disturbing that Ms. Nash is just now finding out about this assignment. That means she’s even farther behind than I am.”
“Alan trusts me to do the job the way he wants it done.” Her voice stayed soft and calm, but her closed body language, crossed arms and legs, practically dared him to disagree with her.
Wade had faced that unscalable wall before, so he knew better than to try. He shifted back to Bradley. “Sir, I have every confidence in Ms. Nash’s abilities—I attended school with her, as you know—but it’s highly irregular to dump someone into a project of this scope with no preparation.” He couldn’t shake the sense that something else was going on. What hadn’t they told him?
When Shelby started to bristle, the attorney held up his hand. “The development, overall, is proceeding well. Yes, it’s had its share of challenges. We have a good team there now, and they’ve developed a rhythm. The first phase is nearing completion, and the second phase is about halfway done, with preliminary work underway on the other two villages.” Bradley’s shrewd gaze seemed to challenge Wade.
He swallowed, understanding where Shelby had gotten that look. His mind raced. Nothing Bradley had said added anything to what Wade already knew. His gut told him there was more, so why not share? Charles Grantham had a legendary reputation for paranoia. Did his staff operate that way too?
“What aren’t you telling me, sir?” Wade asked, his voice soft.
Bradley glanced from Wade to Shelby, keeping his gaze on her longer, before letting out a deep breath. “You already know this island resort is to be Charles Grantham’s signature project. His legacy, if you will.”
“Right, like Disneyland is for Walt Disney,” Wade said. “And?”
“You don’t get to be as big as Grantham Industries without making enemies.” The attorney folded his hands on the table before him. “We believe there’s been some sabotage on the island.”
Wade’s stomach lurched. Everything he’d read about the project and even one of Kepnes’s cryptic comments fell into place. “Then why are you sending Shel— Ms. Nash there?”
“Whynotme?” she asked, irritated.
Wade continued to meet the attorney’s gaze, seeing in the older man’s eyes the same concern. Wade understood. Bradley didn’t want Shelby to know ... what? The way she seemed to accept the assignment, it must be the attorney’s normal mode of operation with her.
“We’ve increased security, and itisan island,” Bradley said. “What better place to keep her safe?”
“Wait. What?” Shelby lurched to her feet. “You’re only sending me so you can get me out of the way?”
“Of course not. Sit down, Shelby. Please.” When she did, Mr. Bradley rubbed his face. “Mr. Grantham was debating which of his two top project managers to send in when Philip’s staff confirmed the latest event was no accident. When your father heard that, he wasn’t going to send you.”
As she shifted in her chair again, Mr. Bradley raised his hand. It seemed a practiced motion.
“Philip assures me,” Bradley said, “that with everything he’s put in place, it’s safe now for you to work this project.”
“Sorry. I’m not sure I understand,” Wade interrupted. “Are you saying that Shelby’s a target?” He looked at her then. She rolled her eyes, of course.
“Yes.” Bradley said. “She was identified in a threat that came in yesterday.”
“Because of a cultural island retreat in Southern California?” Wade couldn’t keep the incredulity out of his voice.
“No,” Philip Shang said from behind them. “Because she’s seen as a way to force her father’s hand.”
“To do what?” Shelby asked.
“Grantham Industries is a diverse company with many different holdings.” Philip didn’t look at anyone but Mr. Bradley. “Some have uses that the US government has found ... convenient. Not everyone is happy about it.”
Wade studied the attorney, who frowned, like opening up about this bothered the man. Wade’s uneasiness at the direction the conversation had taken continued to grow. His father had ranted for years about big businesses that did whatever they wanted and didn’t care about people hurt in their pushes to dominate the market. And now he was working with one that had secret contracts with the government? Wade felt like he was in an espionage movie. He didn’t like it at all.
“Okay,” Shelby said as she crossed her arms, “this is starting to make me feel slimy.” She pinned first Mr. Shang and then Mr. Bradley with one of her pointed looks. “I’m not sure I want to have anything to do with a company that does secret contract work with the government.”
“You have no need to worry about that,” Mr. Shang said. “It’s technical in nature and highly classified.”
“Then why are you a target?” Wade asked.
“Grantham Industries is always a target,” Mr. Shang said. “As is any large corporation that has a presence around the world. I will not go into details and neither will Mr. Bradley. Just know that we are aboveboard, and you have no cause to be concerned in your scruples.”
