I turned to Katy, who leapt for me, hugging me tightly. ‘Who?’ she said. ‘Who is it?’
Zola’s glare remained on the monitor. ‘It will tell us when the search is complete, I think.’
It was all too much. My chest tightened as I imagined Jimmy signing away his company in defeat. Was he fighting for himself, or letting it all slip away? Waiting felt like torture – ten minutes stretched into an eternity.
Then the timer stopped and a new window appeared.
Employee number: one match.
I gasped, Zola held her hand over her mouth in shock, while Katy covered her face.
Finally, we had our answer.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Ella
We raced out of the IT suite and headed towards the main offices. People stared as we rushed past, but I barely noticed them. All I could think was:Don’t let them make a final decision, not until we show the facts. Then I spotted the boardroom and I felt a slight simmer of relief that we were so close, staring at the boxed-off room. Through the glass walls, I saw Jimmy at the table in his black suit, black shirt and tie. He looked defeated, exhausted, as if he’d already decided to give up. I hoped that it wasn’t too late. Sitting at his side were Fee, then Travis, about five men I had never seen before, followed by Britney and Ethan.
‘Come on.’ Zola bolted even quicker, dashing over the last few metres and swinging open the door. I was next, then Katy came panting behind.
‘What the fuck are they doing here?’ Fee shouted, turning to Jimmy, then squinting her eyes towards her husband, who didn’t know where to look.
‘Sorry .?.?. please excuse me—’ Katy grabbed the jug of water from the centre of the table and poured herself a glass, completely breathless.
‘We have some evidence we’d like to share. Some that we think will make you reconsider whatever decision you are going to make today,’ Zola began.
Britney stood up. ‘I’m sorry, but you have to leave. This is a board meeting, and after your stunt at the Met, I think—’
‘I think you should shut your mouth,’ Ethan cut in.
Jimmy was glancing around in complete confusion, his eyes sad. ‘Ella, what is going on?’ he asked. ‘This isn’t the time or the place for more drama!’
‘We know who has been sabotaging the company,’ I said. ‘It’s been the same person signing off on a bad investment every time. They are trying to ruin your business, Jimmy!’
The board members sat up, suddenly very interested in our presence.
‘These girls have done nothing but lie since they arrived,’ Travis scoffed. ‘Why would we believe anything they said?’
‘The only lie we were forced to tell was because you decided to shag us!’ Katy spat.
I turned to Zola and back to the room, packed with board members. ‘Not all of us,’ I felt the need to explain, ‘just her.’
One of the older gentlemen sighed, clearly having no time for any of this. ‘What is the evidence? Of the sabotage, I mean.’
‘No, I refuse even to countenance it! I want them out, Jimmy! Now!’ Fee held her hand up, palm facing Katy’s face as if she couldn’t stomach us even a second longer.
‘We are going back to Scotland after this, I promise,’ Zola said. ‘Just let us tell you. We’ve figured it all out – and you do need to know.’
Jimmy turned to the boardroom and shrugged.
‘Be quick,’ another of the older men replied.
I turned to Jimmy and quietly mouthed, ‘I’m sorry.’ Then, I looked at the board members and delivered my answer: ‘It’s Fee Link.’
I said it without any preamble in case they changed their minds and called for security. My hands were shaking, but I felt brave, determined to stand up for Jimmy.
‘What the fuck?’ Fee twisted her face up, looking as if I’d just made the most ridiculous statement she’d ever heard.
