* * *
JUST BEFORE THE CLOSE of business the next day, Alex made a delivery to one of the account executives from Golden Financial. She strode into his office and sat down for a little small talk. However, the cup of tea she brought provided her with the crucial time she needed to succeed.
“Blueberry hibiscus,” Alex said as she placed the cup in front of Paul Wellman, the Golden Financial employee she knew best.
“My favorite,” Wellman said, wrapping his hands around the cup. “At least, my favorite American tea.”
“We’re still trying to catch up with the British in that culinary department.”
“It might be the only one that you haven’t surpassed us in at this point—though if your traitors hadn’t dumped crates of tea into Boston Harbor, things might be different on that front as well.”
They both shared a laugh before Wellman gulped down his drink.
“What brings you over today?” he asked.
“Just the usual. I needed to discuss some security concerns we had with some of our clients.”
He drank some more of his tea. “And you just decided to stop by my office and bring me tea? A bit unusual, especially for you.”
“I normally don’t venture out much, but this was necessary. But no need to panic. I just thought since I was here, a gesture of goodwill might be in order since you were such a gentleman to me the last time we were out together.”
Wellman chuckled and then cocked his head. “Me? A gentleman? I don’t think I quite recall what you’re referring to?”
“You don’t? The Lion’s Pub downtown with some of your co-workers, who were hitting on me—you made them stop. Is any of this ringing a bell?”
Wellman shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t remember any of it.”
Alex shrugged. “Maybe you were drunk too, but you were quite chivalrous in your response.”
She watched him twist his wedding band before hiding his hands beneath his desk.
“Well, maybe you can make it up to me sometime with a stiffer drink,” he said, hoisting his cup in the air again before finishing it off.
“You can bring your wife along as well,” Alex said.
Wellman’s face went red before turning pale. He held up his finger and stood.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
He hustled out of his office and disappeared.
Fast-acting laxatives for the win.
Alex went to work, reaching across Wellman’s desk and snatching his security card. She jammed it into a device she’d hidden in her purse and started to create a cloned copy. One of the four green lights indicating the progress blinked slowly as the card reader gathered all the information.
A second light then began to blink.
Come on, come on.
She glanced into the hallway to make sure Wellman wasn’t about to walk in the room. There was still no sign of him.
After about a minute, a third light joined in.
Just one more minute.
The seconds that ticked past seemed to move at glacial speeds. Alex looked once more toward the door for Wellman. He wasn’t there—but Harry Sterling was.
“Alex? Alex Duncan? Is that you?” he said, leaning against the doorjamb.
She forced a smile and nodded. “You caught me.”
“What are you doing in Wellman’s office? You know he’s just going to refer you elsewhere,” Sterling said before looking over his shoulder and then continuing in a whisper. “He’s quite clueless when it comes to matters of security, despite what his title might suggest.”
Alex tried to maintain eye contact and ignore the urge to glance down at her purse.
“I think he’s rather knowledgeable,” she said.
Sterling smiled. “He’s standing right behind me, isn’t he?”
She shook her head. “No, feel free to speak your mind any time—just do so at your own risk.”
“Oh, God, I didn’t mean it like that. It was a joke, right? Please don’t say anything to Wellman. I absolutely adore him.”
“Certainly doesn’t sound like it.”
“You Americans struggle mightily when it comes to the humor department.”
Don’t look down, Alex. This jerk will be gone shortly.
“We can’t be great at everything, but excel when it comes to revolutions.”
“You’re particularly catty today,” Sterling said. “Perhaps you need to loosen up after work, maybe meet me there for a pint.”
“We Americans are also devoted to our work—and this American has plenty to do once I finish meeting with Wellman. So, if you’ll excuse me.”
Sterling chuckled. “Wellman’s still not here. What did he do? Fall in when he went to the loo?”
Alex shrugged and turned back to face Wellman’s desk. She noticed that the fourth light on the card reader finally lit up. It was done. All she had to do was get the card back before he returned.
Slipping her hand inside her purse, she grabbed the card and prepared to ease it onto the desk when Sterling plopped into Wellman’s chair. Sterling interlocked his fingers behind his head, leaned back, and propped his feet up.
“So, tell me, Alex, what is it that you dream about at night?” Sterling asked.
“I’m not doing this with you,” she said.
“Doing what? It was just a friendly question.”
“Harry, you know good and well what I’m talking about. I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“I second that notion,” Wellman said as he entered his office.
“Finally,” Alex said. “Is everything all right? I was beginning to worry that you weren’t coming back. I received a call that I’m needed back at the office right away and—”
“When did you receive a call?” Sterling asked. “I never saw you answer your phone.”
Wellman swatted at Sterling’s legs. “Get those off my desk right now, you filthy swine.”
Alex clutched the card in her hand still hidden in her purse, waiting for the precise moment to return the security card. But a good opportunity hadn’t readily presented itself. With each passing second, she felt like a spotlight was being shown on her arm that was diving deep into her purse. She felt sweat beading
