"Joe cheated on Amy? That's unbelievable. They're high school sweethearts, and he's kinda dorky."
Scottie clicks on a sidebar, bringing up a new screen full of conversations. He types in a few search terms and the screen changes. I'm a speed reader, but this is too much for me to catch up on.
"Joe apparently likes it dirty with multiple partners. It's easy to get over the dork factor when the man is wealthy and hung like a horse. There's a picture of his—"
"Scottie, if you show Ashlyn a picture of another man's dick, we'll have a problem," Miller grouses.
"I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. It sounded like you were exceptionally adequate this morning."
"Scottie! Now is not the time for your crass shots." I jab him in the side.
He barely flinches, swiping again. "Oh, it looks like we have another issue, this one with one of your female counterparts. No video, but she's busted for sleeping with a prominent land developer."
"Is this entire thing about uncovering infidelity?"
"No, but sex is more exciting and dramatic than exposing bribes and extortion. That's happening, too."
"Scottie, you said this network was confidential. Those videos were taken on this floor. I can probably take you directly to the employees' desks. That's not confidential; that's close."
"You're thinking small scale. I'm showing you these because they relate to us, but this kind of exposure happens all the time. Most likely, there are people in this office that know of each other and their involvement in the group. But this is global. People have no idea this is happening in Chicago. If you noticed, there are no identifying markers of where this is happening. All locations, names, and faces are stripped away. Every member of this message board network is a pseudonym to protect themselves."
"This is unreal. I didn't understand the scope of what you were telling me until now. If everyone goes to extremes to keep their confidentiality, how'd you track anything back to this firm?"
He glances down at me, his eyes glittering with mischief. "The less you know, the better. My alias has spent endless hours online building my credibility with outrageous claims that gathered attention."
"Out of thousands of members, you were able to zero in on employees of this firm?"
"I put crawlers out. Pretended I was moving to Chicago and wanted juice on the firms. People love to gab and gossip. Information poured out, and the rest was investigative. Then I set the balls in motion. Like I said—endless hours."
"If you found them, can't they find you?"
"To these people, I'm a bullied paralegal working in a huge firm in Kansas City that is filled with scandalous activity.”
"Jesus, I don't understand it all, but if it works, I owe you."
Scottie perks up under Miller's approval. "And the best part is Ashlyn is squeaky clean."
"It doesn't feel clean to know marriages and careers are ending."
"That's not on any of us. All of this is part of the bigger picture. This exposure is meant to shake foundations and prove no one is untouchable. That part is done. Now it's your turn." Scottie points to my desk and goes back to the sofa.
"Anything I can do to help?" Miller offers, stepping behind me.
"Not unless you gained a law degree, expertise in acquisitions, and signed an RK&R iron-clad NDA."
He chuckles, leans down, and brushes his lips along my ear. "I'll be happy to watch you do your thing."
I squeeze his hand and turn my attention to the paperwork.
It doesn't take long for my mind to get into the zone and everything else disappears. My fingers fly across the keyboard, taking notes and detailing inquiries that don't seem to be in the discovery or documents. A familiar and welcome energy buzzes through my system, reminding me of the basic thrill I used to get with my work.
A bottle of water is placed in my line of sight, and I jolt out of my fog, peering up to Miller.
"I brought you a drink."
"Thank you." I take a quick sip and almost choke on my moan when his firm hands massage my shoulders.
"Time to take a break."
"I will soon."
"Ashlyn, you've been going at it for over two hours. Take a break."
My eyes pop out at the time on my screen. "Wow, I lost track of time."
It's then I notice his suit jacket lying across the back of the chair in front of the desk. Scottie's is across the other. They set the small table in front of the sofa up with my personal laptop, Scottie's tablet, notepads, bottles of water, and empty food wrappers.
"Where did you get the snacks and water?"
"Scottie and I took a trip around. We told you we were going."
"I was absorbed in work."
"I noticed." He flashes a smile.
Realization strikes and my stomach rolls. "You went out there? Without me?"
"We were only questioned twice, and Scottie explained we were with you."
"I'm not worried about security. I'm worried about the fact the piranhas are on the prowl. You're fresh meat."
He barks out a laugh, Scottie joining in.
"I'm serious."
"Princess, with the vibe all over this office, we were barely noticed."
"Has anything else happened?"
"Nothing like this morning, but word is spreading to clients who are flooding the staff with calls. But with the widespread awareness that spouses were getting anonymous tips on illicit activity, employees are lined up outside of Human Resources waiting to 'talk'." Scottie uses air quotes.
"I'm not complaining, but it's odd Brock hasn't shown his face."
"He's indisposed. Emergency partner meeting."
"Your message room report that?"
"No, that news isn't interesting to these people. We heard it in the break room."
I close my eyes and rub my temples to ease the tension building. Miller's fingers ease mine out of the way and take over, the warmth seeping into my skin.
"You
