Pulling Strings, page 17
To top it off, Devon obsessively checked his phone for any alerts they might receive, but the entire weekend was quiet, which had all of them wondering if they had missed something. But when he got the borrowed laptop set up and everything installed, he was able to securely log in and verify that nothing out of the ordinary had been run.
“What are you doing?” Devon asked when he closed the lid on the laptop, bringing his attention out of his work.
“Making dinner,” Powers answered, turning to give him a smile. “I figured that you’d be hungry once you pulled your head out of the computer and decided to rejoin the living.” He was teasing, and his smile confirmed it. “You don’t do anything by half, do you? Work hard, play hard….” Powers leaned across the table to get closer. “Make love hard… and soft at the same time. You throw yourself into everything, and that’s as sexy as most things I can think of.” He took a quick kiss that sent a shiver through Devon before returning to the stove. “I thought pasta with pesto for dinner. I have some penne, and I think it will go nicely.”
Devon chuckled. “Do you think we’ll have the place to ourselves tonight?” He winked, and Powers chuckled and nodded.
“Alexander invited Lucy out tonight, and while you were working, she skipped out of here like a schoolgirl. I don’t think I’ve seen her smile like that in quite a few years. He’s a nice guy. I texted him after she left that he’d better be good to her or he’d have to deal with me. Alexander text-laughed at me, and Lucy sent a threat back fifteen minutes later, so my messages were received.”
“You did that on purpose just to get under her skin. That wasn’t very nice. You know as well as I do that Lucy can take care of herself, and God help any man who tried to take advantage of your sister.”
“Yeah. But plenty of guys have taken one look at her and thought they could try to change her.” Powers shook his head. “She’s had her share of broken hearts, the same as the rest of us, and I want her to be happy.” Powers lifted the pot of cooked pasta off the stove and drained it in a colander.
The scent of basil filled the kitchen and reached his nose. Devon’s stomach rumbled, and he set the computer to the side. “Can I help you set the table or something?”
“Sure.” Powers showed him where the dishes were, and Devon got the dishes and some napkins. Then he sat and stayed out of the way, watching Powers as he worked. For a man as big and powerful as he was, he moved with such real grace that Devon couldn’t help looking.
Powers went to the refrigerator and pulled out a plate. “Antipasti,” he announced, bringing it to the table. Olives, salami, cheese, and a few other nibbles covered the plate. “I didn’t want you to get too hungry while I finish dinner.” He snagged a few samples and went back to his kitchen.
“What is this cheese?” Devon asked as he took a bite of one of the pieces.
“Welsh cheddar. I love it. I know it doesn’t go with the theme of the dinner, but it’s so good.” Powers snagged another piece off the plate. “The rest of dinner will be in a few minutes.”
“I’m ready for it whenever you are.”
“Can you open some wine for me?”
Devon took the bottle, grateful it had a screw cap, opened it, and poured two glasses. He brought one to Powers and sipped from his own glass. “This is really good.” He sniffed the wine and then took another sip, sitting back down and staying out of Powers’s way until he brought bowls of salad and pasta to the table. Then Devon refilled both their glasses and waited while Powers sat down and joined him.
The front door opened and closed. “Powers!” Lucy called, and Devon groaned. For most of the weekend, Lucy had been somewhere else in the house. It had been the only drawback to being here at Powers’s. “They lost our reservation,” she snapped as she entered the kitchen. “Dang, that smells good. Is there enough for Alexander and me?”
“No,” Powers said as he flashed her the stink eye.
“Why don’t you go to the pizza place around the corner?” Devon offered.
Alexander slipped his arm around her waist. “Come on. Pizza is fine with me as long as I get to eat it with you.”
Powers rolled his eyes, and Devon snickered.
“Okay,” she said gently. “But we can come back here after dinner and….”
Powers hit her with the stink eye once more, and Alexander leaned close to whisper something into her ear. She turned to him, a cloud building in her eyes, but that dissipated when Alexander whispered something else. Then she smiled and nodded, and they turned, heading back toward the door. “You really got guts, you know?” Lucy said.
“I’m not just a pretty face,” Alexander retorted, and then the front door closed with a slight boom.
“That was something I didn’t need to hear,” Powers snarked. “Not that I’m upset that they’re gone. Alexander must have some sort of superpower or something.”
“Your sister loves to eat, that’s for sure.” Devon lifted his glass. Powers did the same, and they clinked lightly.
“What are we toasting to?” Powers asked.
“How about to possibilities we never dreamed of?” Devon had never thought so many things were possible in his life just a week ago, and now so much had changed. He simply had to get through the next few days, figure out who was behind all this, and maybe then he could have a chance at some happiness. Of course he had to do all that while not getting hurt and managing to keep his job by not getting the finger pointed at him for this entire mess.
“To possibilities and everything that goes with them,” Powers added with a gentle smile.
They clinked their glasses once again and sipped. Then Devon took the first bite of the pasta, sighing as the rich flavor delighted his taste buds. It lasted a few seconds, and then nervousness took over once again. Devon had picked at most of his meals all weekend, and found he had very little appetite now, even though the food was obviously amazing.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to do this,” Powers told him again after setting down his fork. “We can figure out something else.” The concern in Powers’s deep eyes touched his heart.
“No. That asshole pulled me into this, and I need to expose them in order to clear my name. Judy has been looking at me strangely all week. I hope she isn’t involved.” Devon really did. “But if she isn’t, then I need her to know what’s going on so I can earn her trust again. Susan, Karen, and Lee have been keeping their distance because they sense that something is wrong, and….” He sighed. “This has to come to an end now. Any longer and I think I’m going to start to go crazy.” Devon took another bite and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor. “I look at everyone in the office as though they are a suspect, and they are friends. It makes me feel like a traitor.” It was hard for him to describe, but that was as close as he could come.
“The person behind this and the people involved are the traitors. They are the ones who take a salary and then turn around and sell secrets. That’s what you have to try to remember.”
Devon nodded, really wanting to talk about something else. “How did you get into this business anyway? I know you don’t just fall into it or decide to open shop and get clients.” He continued eating as his belly seemed to even out and more of his appetite returned.
“I was in the military, intelligence, and I’ve investigated a lot of things in my time that I can’t talk about and probably never will be able to. It’s hard to know sometimes when things are declassified unless you keep watch, so you don’t talk about it just in case. I could have gone into the FBI if I’d wanted, but I was tired of working for someone else, especially the government, and Lucy had some connections, so I started the company with her, and we’ve had some success. Most cases are simpler than this one, and more often than not I’m called in to close the barn door once the horses have escaped. This case is turning out to be unique because it looks like we have a chance to prevent the information from being disseminated in the first place.”
Devon narrowed his gaze. “There has to be more to it than that.”
“There is, but I don’t generally talk about other clients or cases. It’s part of what I’m hired for. But I did have a case once with a shoe company that turned into an un-case. I won’t mention names, but they had developed a new shoe that was going to be the hottest thing. New technology for support, stuff like that. The prototype went missing, and they were frantic, afraid it had been stolen.” Powers grinned, and Devon soaked in that warmth in his expression. He loved seeing Powers happy; it was a beautiful thing.
“Did you find it?”
Powers chuckled and nodded. “The prototype had been left in one of the conference rooms, and one of the janitors had thought it was being discarded… and it was his size.”
Devon gasped and chuckled as well. “No.”
“Yup, we found the shoes on his feet as he was emptying trash cans a couple of days later.” Powers continued smiling.
“Did they fire him?” Devon sure hoped not. It sounded like an innocent mistake to him.
“Nope. When we talked to the janitor, he said he had been about to throw the shoes away. They weren’t comfortable and didn’t cradle his feet. In fact, he said they hurt his toes after he’d worked in them all day. They were apparently fine when he first put them on, but the fabric stretched as it heated up and the shoes rubbed. In the end, they got their shoes back and changed the design based on the comments… and they added the janitor to their design test team.” Powers smirked.
“All’s well that ends well?”
“In that case, definitely. Most of the things I’m brought in on don’t work out that way.” Powers drained his wineglass and refilled it, then pushed the bottle away. “That’s my limit.”
“Mine too. I have to get up for work in the morning, and tomorrow is going to be a big day.” Devon finished his dinner, feeling better.
“I know you’re nervous, but I’m going to be there, and so is Lucy. Both of us will be around and as close as we can get. Just play it cool, and whatever happens, keep a clear head and don’t overreact. We don’t have to catch our puppet master tomorrow. All we’re hoping for is that he’ll reveal himself somehow. After that, we can do the work to put the pieces together.”
“Got it.” He had been the bait before, and hopefully this was the last time. He took a deep breath and sat back in his chair.
Powers leaned forward. “I have done this sort of thing before, and I’m always nervous. But it’s a matter of courage.” He paused. “The best example I can give are the Marines. For them, courage is running toward the bullets. It doesn’t mean they aren’t scared—it’s just what they do, and they’re damned good at it. Afterward, it almost certainly affects them, but in that moment, they do what they need to.” Powers took his hand. “I know you have that kind of strength inside you. I can feel it.”
Devon wasn’t so sure. But Powers’s determination was catching. “I’ll try. I just hope I don’t mess it up.”
“You won’t. The important thing is to be safe and not take any chances. Stay with others and watch around you. As I said, both Lucy and I will be as close as we can get.” Powers’s tone was so determined that Devon found himself nodding. As long as Powers was there, Devon could do this. He had to do this. “Do you want to go over everything again?”
Devon shook his head. He’d been through everything enough times that he could recite the plan word for word. He just had to keep up his part of the bargain.
Thankfully, after dinner, Powers used his wiles to help him forget some of his nervousness for a while. But Devon couldn’t help lying awake well into the night, wondering what would happen when the case was truly over and Powers moved on to the next one. He really didn’t want to think about it, but they hadn’t talked about anything long-term, so Devon kept worrying if this ended when the case did.
“YOU REALLY have a meeting with Mr. Mauer this afternoon?” Lee asked, with Karen and Susan right behind him, all three peering into his work cubicle. “What for? Does it have to do with this secret project?”
“Yes, and I really can’t say too much more.” Devon met Mark’s gaze over their shoulders, and he nodded and churlishly returned to work. “Please, guys, I need to get back to work right now.” He pointedly let them see that he was doing his regular work and not something out of the ordinary.
They returned to their desks, but whispers swirled around him as they talked among themselves. Devon smiled and slyly sent a text to let Powers know he was okay and so far the plan was working.
Yes. And Alexander has stirred things up with the managers, really well too.
It wasn’t too long after that message that Devon was called into the small conference room their team used. It was comfortable, though utilitarian, and as soon as Devon stepped through the door, he was met with four managers and two directors all staring at him. Judy and James, as well as their boss, Craig, sat on one side of the room, while the other development support team director, Jansen Brown, and his managers were on the other.
“Please sit down,” Craig said, and Devon pulled out the chair. “We… all of us really need to know what is going on and why you’re meeting with Mr. Mauer.” His voice was agitatedly level.
Devon sat, his leg bouncing on the floor. There was nothing he could tell them, and he wondered if he should try to come up with some lie to cover what he’d been doing. Then the plan that they’d spent so much time on ran through his mind like a mantra, and he knew this was his chance to make sure the seed they needed was properly planted with management.
He shrugged and slowly stood back up. His legs didn’t want to work right, he was so jittery, but he did his best to cover it. “I’m sorry. But if Mr. Mauer hasn’t shared that with you, then it isn’t my place to tell you.” He paused as their expressions grew stonier, and Judy especially seemed livid. “I was asked to look into some things with a contractor Mr. Mauer brought in, and I’m not at liberty to discuss it further.” He spoke softly and received a collection of agitated and maybe now nervous stares, as if they weren’t sure how to proceed. “If that is all you wanted to speak with me about, I have work I need to finish.”
Craig cleared his throat, eyes shooting daggers. “You know….”
A knock on the door interrupted him, and it opened almost immediately. The director of HR stepped in. “I’m sorry, but this meeting is over.” Glenda was young but had a steel backbone, and she stared down each of them. Devon hoped he was never on the receiving end of one of her chastising looks. He had a shiver running up his spine as he followed her out of the room.
“Thank you,” he whispered, like a child who had been given a reprieve from the principal’s office.
“You’re welcome. Mr. Mauer got word of this and wanted it put to an end.” She stopped walking and turned. “I don’t know what it is that’s going on, but I hope when you can talk, you’ll tell me about it.” She motioned toward his desk. “Let me know if you have any more trouble.”
He nodded, and she slowly walked off as the conference room emptied out. Devon didn’t meet any of their gazes as he hurried back to his desk. Devon sent Powers a message to explain what had happened as best he could, pretty proud that he’d been able to drop the hint before Glenda arrived to save his butt from the management inquisition.
I got wind of the meeting and asked Mr. Mauer to intervene, Powers said. You did good dropping the hint. Now be careful.
Devon promised he would and wondered what he was going to have left at the firm when this was all over. The managers were now out to get him, and even if they weren’t involved, they had looked bad, and that wasn’t something they were likely to forget. Devon turned back to his computer, checked the time, and tried to get some work done. He still had almost five hours until this “meeting,” and he was starting to wonder if he was going to survive.
Finally, Devon was able to clear his mind enough to get something done.
“Anything else happen?” the janitor asked as he leaned down to empty Devon’s trash.
Devon turned and instantly recognized Powers.
“That little stunt by the managers isn’t going to earn them any points,” Powers whispered as he lifted the can. “Just keep your attention focused on what it is we’re doing, and the rest will work out.”
Devon nodded and continued working as Powers moved on down the way. He hadn’t seen Lucy, but Devon had no doubt that she was nearby somewhere, probably in a similar disguise. “Just keep it under control,” he muttered to himself. The entire purpose of the plan was to unnerve everyone enough that the puppet master would have to make some sort of move. The managers were curious, and so were the various team members. Word had to have gotten to the puppet master that Devon knew who was involved and was going to be talking to Mr. Mauer. Devon was sure of it. Now he had to be willing to wait it out until they made their move. Powers had told him that sometimes the waiting was the most difficult part, and now he was truly about to find out.
DEVON HADN’T brought anything for lunch, and keeping with Powers’s advice, stayed with others from the office as they left the building for the deli just down the street. Devon wasn’t exactly with them, but he knew the people and talked to them a little as they walked. He texted Powers where he was and got his sandwich, then headed back to the office because he felt exposed in the deli and didn’t want to sit there alone, glancing around nervously. God, maybe he wasn’t cut out for this kind of stuff.
Devon paused, straightened his shoulders, and took a deep, steadying breath. He had agreed to this, and acting like a scared rabbit wasn’t going to help. Somehow, he had managed to get through the inquisition, so he could get back to his desk without problem. Powers and Lucy were close by; he was fine. After his little self pep talk, he went into the lobby toward the elevators. His phone vibrated as he pressed the elevator call button.
I need to see you. It’s important. Come to the seventh floor.
It was from Powers. The elevator doors opened, and Devon got in. He pressed the button for the seventh floor, and responded that he was on his way. Then he messaged Lucy.
“What are you doing?” Devon asked when he closed the lid on the laptop, bringing his attention out of his work.
“Making dinner,” Powers answered, turning to give him a smile. “I figured that you’d be hungry once you pulled your head out of the computer and decided to rejoin the living.” He was teasing, and his smile confirmed it. “You don’t do anything by half, do you? Work hard, play hard….” Powers leaned across the table to get closer. “Make love hard… and soft at the same time. You throw yourself into everything, and that’s as sexy as most things I can think of.” He took a quick kiss that sent a shiver through Devon before returning to the stove. “I thought pasta with pesto for dinner. I have some penne, and I think it will go nicely.”
Devon chuckled. “Do you think we’ll have the place to ourselves tonight?” He winked, and Powers chuckled and nodded.
“Alexander invited Lucy out tonight, and while you were working, she skipped out of here like a schoolgirl. I don’t think I’ve seen her smile like that in quite a few years. He’s a nice guy. I texted him after she left that he’d better be good to her or he’d have to deal with me. Alexander text-laughed at me, and Lucy sent a threat back fifteen minutes later, so my messages were received.”
“You did that on purpose just to get under her skin. That wasn’t very nice. You know as well as I do that Lucy can take care of herself, and God help any man who tried to take advantage of your sister.”
“Yeah. But plenty of guys have taken one look at her and thought they could try to change her.” Powers shook his head. “She’s had her share of broken hearts, the same as the rest of us, and I want her to be happy.” Powers lifted the pot of cooked pasta off the stove and drained it in a colander.
The scent of basil filled the kitchen and reached his nose. Devon’s stomach rumbled, and he set the computer to the side. “Can I help you set the table or something?”
“Sure.” Powers showed him where the dishes were, and Devon got the dishes and some napkins. Then he sat and stayed out of the way, watching Powers as he worked. For a man as big and powerful as he was, he moved with such real grace that Devon couldn’t help looking.
Powers went to the refrigerator and pulled out a plate. “Antipasti,” he announced, bringing it to the table. Olives, salami, cheese, and a few other nibbles covered the plate. “I didn’t want you to get too hungry while I finish dinner.” He snagged a few samples and went back to his kitchen.
“What is this cheese?” Devon asked as he took a bite of one of the pieces.
“Welsh cheddar. I love it. I know it doesn’t go with the theme of the dinner, but it’s so good.” Powers snagged another piece off the plate. “The rest of dinner will be in a few minutes.”
“I’m ready for it whenever you are.”
“Can you open some wine for me?”
Devon took the bottle, grateful it had a screw cap, opened it, and poured two glasses. He brought one to Powers and sipped from his own glass. “This is really good.” He sniffed the wine and then took another sip, sitting back down and staying out of Powers’s way until he brought bowls of salad and pasta to the table. Then Devon refilled both their glasses and waited while Powers sat down and joined him.
The front door opened and closed. “Powers!” Lucy called, and Devon groaned. For most of the weekend, Lucy had been somewhere else in the house. It had been the only drawback to being here at Powers’s. “They lost our reservation,” she snapped as she entered the kitchen. “Dang, that smells good. Is there enough for Alexander and me?”
“No,” Powers said as he flashed her the stink eye.
“Why don’t you go to the pizza place around the corner?” Devon offered.
Alexander slipped his arm around her waist. “Come on. Pizza is fine with me as long as I get to eat it with you.”
Powers rolled his eyes, and Devon snickered.
“Okay,” she said gently. “But we can come back here after dinner and….”
Powers hit her with the stink eye once more, and Alexander leaned close to whisper something into her ear. She turned to him, a cloud building in her eyes, but that dissipated when Alexander whispered something else. Then she smiled and nodded, and they turned, heading back toward the door. “You really got guts, you know?” Lucy said.
“I’m not just a pretty face,” Alexander retorted, and then the front door closed with a slight boom.
“That was something I didn’t need to hear,” Powers snarked. “Not that I’m upset that they’re gone. Alexander must have some sort of superpower or something.”
“Your sister loves to eat, that’s for sure.” Devon lifted his glass. Powers did the same, and they clinked lightly.
“What are we toasting to?” Powers asked.
“How about to possibilities we never dreamed of?” Devon had never thought so many things were possible in his life just a week ago, and now so much had changed. He simply had to get through the next few days, figure out who was behind all this, and maybe then he could have a chance at some happiness. Of course he had to do all that while not getting hurt and managing to keep his job by not getting the finger pointed at him for this entire mess.
“To possibilities and everything that goes with them,” Powers added with a gentle smile.
They clinked their glasses once again and sipped. Then Devon took the first bite of the pasta, sighing as the rich flavor delighted his taste buds. It lasted a few seconds, and then nervousness took over once again. Devon had picked at most of his meals all weekend, and found he had very little appetite now, even though the food was obviously amazing.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to do this,” Powers told him again after setting down his fork. “We can figure out something else.” The concern in Powers’s deep eyes touched his heart.
“No. That asshole pulled me into this, and I need to expose them in order to clear my name. Judy has been looking at me strangely all week. I hope she isn’t involved.” Devon really did. “But if she isn’t, then I need her to know what’s going on so I can earn her trust again. Susan, Karen, and Lee have been keeping their distance because they sense that something is wrong, and….” He sighed. “This has to come to an end now. Any longer and I think I’m going to start to go crazy.” Devon took another bite and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor. “I look at everyone in the office as though they are a suspect, and they are friends. It makes me feel like a traitor.” It was hard for him to describe, but that was as close as he could come.
“The person behind this and the people involved are the traitors. They are the ones who take a salary and then turn around and sell secrets. That’s what you have to try to remember.”
Devon nodded, really wanting to talk about something else. “How did you get into this business anyway? I know you don’t just fall into it or decide to open shop and get clients.” He continued eating as his belly seemed to even out and more of his appetite returned.
“I was in the military, intelligence, and I’ve investigated a lot of things in my time that I can’t talk about and probably never will be able to. It’s hard to know sometimes when things are declassified unless you keep watch, so you don’t talk about it just in case. I could have gone into the FBI if I’d wanted, but I was tired of working for someone else, especially the government, and Lucy had some connections, so I started the company with her, and we’ve had some success. Most cases are simpler than this one, and more often than not I’m called in to close the barn door once the horses have escaped. This case is turning out to be unique because it looks like we have a chance to prevent the information from being disseminated in the first place.”
Devon narrowed his gaze. “There has to be more to it than that.”
“There is, but I don’t generally talk about other clients or cases. It’s part of what I’m hired for. But I did have a case once with a shoe company that turned into an un-case. I won’t mention names, but they had developed a new shoe that was going to be the hottest thing. New technology for support, stuff like that. The prototype went missing, and they were frantic, afraid it had been stolen.” Powers grinned, and Devon soaked in that warmth in his expression. He loved seeing Powers happy; it was a beautiful thing.
“Did you find it?”
Powers chuckled and nodded. “The prototype had been left in one of the conference rooms, and one of the janitors had thought it was being discarded… and it was his size.”
Devon gasped and chuckled as well. “No.”
“Yup, we found the shoes on his feet as he was emptying trash cans a couple of days later.” Powers continued smiling.
“Did they fire him?” Devon sure hoped not. It sounded like an innocent mistake to him.
“Nope. When we talked to the janitor, he said he had been about to throw the shoes away. They weren’t comfortable and didn’t cradle his feet. In fact, he said they hurt his toes after he’d worked in them all day. They were apparently fine when he first put them on, but the fabric stretched as it heated up and the shoes rubbed. In the end, they got their shoes back and changed the design based on the comments… and they added the janitor to their design test team.” Powers smirked.
“All’s well that ends well?”
“In that case, definitely. Most of the things I’m brought in on don’t work out that way.” Powers drained his wineglass and refilled it, then pushed the bottle away. “That’s my limit.”
“Mine too. I have to get up for work in the morning, and tomorrow is going to be a big day.” Devon finished his dinner, feeling better.
“I know you’re nervous, but I’m going to be there, and so is Lucy. Both of us will be around and as close as we can get. Just play it cool, and whatever happens, keep a clear head and don’t overreact. We don’t have to catch our puppet master tomorrow. All we’re hoping for is that he’ll reveal himself somehow. After that, we can do the work to put the pieces together.”
“Got it.” He had been the bait before, and hopefully this was the last time. He took a deep breath and sat back in his chair.
Powers leaned forward. “I have done this sort of thing before, and I’m always nervous. But it’s a matter of courage.” He paused. “The best example I can give are the Marines. For them, courage is running toward the bullets. It doesn’t mean they aren’t scared—it’s just what they do, and they’re damned good at it. Afterward, it almost certainly affects them, but in that moment, they do what they need to.” Powers took his hand. “I know you have that kind of strength inside you. I can feel it.”
Devon wasn’t so sure. But Powers’s determination was catching. “I’ll try. I just hope I don’t mess it up.”
“You won’t. The important thing is to be safe and not take any chances. Stay with others and watch around you. As I said, both Lucy and I will be as close as we can get.” Powers’s tone was so determined that Devon found himself nodding. As long as Powers was there, Devon could do this. He had to do this. “Do you want to go over everything again?”
Devon shook his head. He’d been through everything enough times that he could recite the plan word for word. He just had to keep up his part of the bargain.
Thankfully, after dinner, Powers used his wiles to help him forget some of his nervousness for a while. But Devon couldn’t help lying awake well into the night, wondering what would happen when the case was truly over and Powers moved on to the next one. He really didn’t want to think about it, but they hadn’t talked about anything long-term, so Devon kept worrying if this ended when the case did.
“YOU REALLY have a meeting with Mr. Mauer this afternoon?” Lee asked, with Karen and Susan right behind him, all three peering into his work cubicle. “What for? Does it have to do with this secret project?”
“Yes, and I really can’t say too much more.” Devon met Mark’s gaze over their shoulders, and he nodded and churlishly returned to work. “Please, guys, I need to get back to work right now.” He pointedly let them see that he was doing his regular work and not something out of the ordinary.
They returned to their desks, but whispers swirled around him as they talked among themselves. Devon smiled and slyly sent a text to let Powers know he was okay and so far the plan was working.
Yes. And Alexander has stirred things up with the managers, really well too.
It wasn’t too long after that message that Devon was called into the small conference room their team used. It was comfortable, though utilitarian, and as soon as Devon stepped through the door, he was met with four managers and two directors all staring at him. Judy and James, as well as their boss, Craig, sat on one side of the room, while the other development support team director, Jansen Brown, and his managers were on the other.
“Please sit down,” Craig said, and Devon pulled out the chair. “We… all of us really need to know what is going on and why you’re meeting with Mr. Mauer.” His voice was agitatedly level.
Devon sat, his leg bouncing on the floor. There was nothing he could tell them, and he wondered if he should try to come up with some lie to cover what he’d been doing. Then the plan that they’d spent so much time on ran through his mind like a mantra, and he knew this was his chance to make sure the seed they needed was properly planted with management.
He shrugged and slowly stood back up. His legs didn’t want to work right, he was so jittery, but he did his best to cover it. “I’m sorry. But if Mr. Mauer hasn’t shared that with you, then it isn’t my place to tell you.” He paused as their expressions grew stonier, and Judy especially seemed livid. “I was asked to look into some things with a contractor Mr. Mauer brought in, and I’m not at liberty to discuss it further.” He spoke softly and received a collection of agitated and maybe now nervous stares, as if they weren’t sure how to proceed. “If that is all you wanted to speak with me about, I have work I need to finish.”
Craig cleared his throat, eyes shooting daggers. “You know….”
A knock on the door interrupted him, and it opened almost immediately. The director of HR stepped in. “I’m sorry, but this meeting is over.” Glenda was young but had a steel backbone, and she stared down each of them. Devon hoped he was never on the receiving end of one of her chastising looks. He had a shiver running up his spine as he followed her out of the room.
“Thank you,” he whispered, like a child who had been given a reprieve from the principal’s office.
“You’re welcome. Mr. Mauer got word of this and wanted it put to an end.” She stopped walking and turned. “I don’t know what it is that’s going on, but I hope when you can talk, you’ll tell me about it.” She motioned toward his desk. “Let me know if you have any more trouble.”
He nodded, and she slowly walked off as the conference room emptied out. Devon didn’t meet any of their gazes as he hurried back to his desk. Devon sent Powers a message to explain what had happened as best he could, pretty proud that he’d been able to drop the hint before Glenda arrived to save his butt from the management inquisition.
I got wind of the meeting and asked Mr. Mauer to intervene, Powers said. You did good dropping the hint. Now be careful.
Devon promised he would and wondered what he was going to have left at the firm when this was all over. The managers were now out to get him, and even if they weren’t involved, they had looked bad, and that wasn’t something they were likely to forget. Devon turned back to his computer, checked the time, and tried to get some work done. He still had almost five hours until this “meeting,” and he was starting to wonder if he was going to survive.
Finally, Devon was able to clear his mind enough to get something done.
“Anything else happen?” the janitor asked as he leaned down to empty Devon’s trash.
Devon turned and instantly recognized Powers.
“That little stunt by the managers isn’t going to earn them any points,” Powers whispered as he lifted the can. “Just keep your attention focused on what it is we’re doing, and the rest will work out.”
Devon nodded and continued working as Powers moved on down the way. He hadn’t seen Lucy, but Devon had no doubt that she was nearby somewhere, probably in a similar disguise. “Just keep it under control,” he muttered to himself. The entire purpose of the plan was to unnerve everyone enough that the puppet master would have to make some sort of move. The managers were curious, and so were the various team members. Word had to have gotten to the puppet master that Devon knew who was involved and was going to be talking to Mr. Mauer. Devon was sure of it. Now he had to be willing to wait it out until they made their move. Powers had told him that sometimes the waiting was the most difficult part, and now he was truly about to find out.
DEVON HADN’T brought anything for lunch, and keeping with Powers’s advice, stayed with others from the office as they left the building for the deli just down the street. Devon wasn’t exactly with them, but he knew the people and talked to them a little as they walked. He texted Powers where he was and got his sandwich, then headed back to the office because he felt exposed in the deli and didn’t want to sit there alone, glancing around nervously. God, maybe he wasn’t cut out for this kind of stuff.
Devon paused, straightened his shoulders, and took a deep, steadying breath. He had agreed to this, and acting like a scared rabbit wasn’t going to help. Somehow, he had managed to get through the inquisition, so he could get back to his desk without problem. Powers and Lucy were close by; he was fine. After his little self pep talk, he went into the lobby toward the elevators. His phone vibrated as he pressed the elevator call button.
I need to see you. It’s important. Come to the seventh floor.
It was from Powers. The elevator doors opened, and Devon got in. He pressed the button for the seventh floor, and responded that he was on his way. Then he messaged Lucy.
