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The Darlington in Crisis!The BlackroomLeaks Financial Reports.
INsiderheadline
Henry
I rubbed my face. My eyes were burning. The only sources of light in my otherwise dark office were my laptop and the desk light. It was already late, and I should have been finishing my work—but instead, I was fuming overThe Blackroom. The site had somehow managed to get its hands on The Darlington’s financial plans. Ever since it had started, the blog had been a thorn in my side. Our lawyers had been trying to get it taken down, but so far, we hadn’t managed to track down the people behind it. Confidential information kept surfacing in their posts, information that wasn’t intended for the public. It was a mystery to me how they had found out that the alleged reason for the planned closure of the fourth floor—renovations—was a lie.
I pushed my chair back with a sigh and walked over to the small coffee machine in my office. It whirred to life as I slid a capsule into the machine. While the coffee brewed, I pulled the small box frommy trouser pocket and took a pill. A pang of guilt washed over me, but I forced myself to ignore it.
The machine announced that my coffee was ready with a beep. I took the cup and went back to my desk to answer emails. I had managed to work my way through most of my inbox, my focus razor-sharp, when my phone vibrated.
Kate:
I’m thinking of you.
The message was followed by a blurry photo of Kate. The lighting was dim, and I could make out many people behind her. She was holding a glass of beer and grinning at the camera. That morning, she had told me she would be going out tonight. Since the incident with Randell, she always let me know where she was, or where she was planning to go. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to reassure me or herself. Either way, I wasn’t complaining. I was still having nightmares about what had happened at the cemetery. Kate had told me afterwards that Randell had blackmailed and threatened her for months, and that she had used the four thousand pounds I had given her to pay off her “debt” so he would leave her alone.
In hindsight, I regretted letting that scumbag walk away. He didn’t deserve to get away scot-free, not after everything he had done to Kate and her mum. I hated the thought that he could appear again at any moment to threaten Kate. I hoped he had taken my warning seriously, and that he would stay away from her from now on. If he didn’t, things would get pretty ugly for him.
46
That bitch is crazy if she thinks I’m that easily intimidated! Her boyfriend doesn’t scare me.
Message from Randell to Edwin
Kate
Snowflake:
What pub are you at?
I shared my location with Henry. After everything that had happened with Randell, it made me feel safe when he knew where I was. And even if he didn’t say it, I could sense that he felt similarly. My confession about Randell had shaken him.
Me:
I’m with Rose and Grace.
Snowflake:
Is Rose the one who doesn’t like me?
Me:
Yes, but I think it’s mainly because she doesn’t like your dad. Don’t take it personally.
Snowflake:
Good to know.
Me:
Are you still at the office?
Snowflake:
Yes.
