Page 45 of Drunk In Love
Max speaks up before I can respond. “I know this is hard to hear, but after Kamaya went out with Zach, she got a bad vibe from some of the things he was saying. Not to mention that I overheard him saying ‘Everything is going according to plan. Under the impression the journal was hacked’ at your wedding.”
Brandon looks between the two of us for a beat before responding. “At most, this sounds like circumstantial evidence against Zach.”
“Well, all of this is circumstantial. Right now, the most probable person is Harry Cooper, Cecily’s son, Franco DiLaurentis, and, well, Zach.”
“Not to mention Charles Dennis,” Brandon adds.
I can see Brandon wrestling with hearing about his friend. I felt for him. Hell, I went out with the man hoping there was potential between us. “This is what Max and I have come up with so far. I’m planning to look into spoofed IP addresses after the meeting and see if I can track anything that way.”
“Brandon gave me some backstory to what you and Max are working on. A similar event happened at Clark University. I have a friend at my former office who may be able to help you all,” Harlowe adds.
“Perfect,” Brandon says, leaning back in his chair. “Reach out to your contacts.”
“Speaking of,” Bree says, “my friend from organized crime didn’t have any cases related to what you and Max are working on. She found it strange that no one from Financial Journal reached out about it as of yesterday if this has been an ongoing problem.”
Brandon releases a deep sigh at what Bree informs us of. Maybe this would reiterate Zach’s possible involvement.
“Thank you for your help, Bree. For now, we’ll take any assistance we can, Harlowe. Finally, before the meeting adjourns, there is one more important thing,” Brandon says, looking towards Max. “Ava and I are temporarily moving to the UK, and that’s why I brought Harlowe along today to get a feel for what we do here in New York.”
“What! When did you decide to do this?” Bree asks.
Brandon proceeds to inform Harlowe and Bree of his wife’s new career opportunity in London and his longstanding desire to open another branch in the UK.
“Moving to London? That’s why you’ve been pressuring me to get here,” Harlowe says.
Brandon laughs. “I’ve always thought you’d be a great addition, but now more than ever the team will need more help. I’m grateful that Max has finally agreed to take the leadership role and step in while I’m away.”
“Wow, congrats, Max!” Bree says.
“Max is the perfect choice,” I say, angling to my left at Max. He was more than ready for the position; I just hoped it wouldn’t interfere with what we were building.
Once the meeting adjourns, Max and I begin heading back to our workstations while Harlowe, Brandon, and Bree head towards the kitchen area.
I wished I could kiss him, but that would not be appropriate. Have to keep my head on straight when we’re at work together.
I check the time on my phone just in time to see an incoming message from Dani.
“It’s Dani. She says her afternoon classes have been cancelled.”
Maxwell frowns. “That’s odd. Did something happen?”
My phone vibrates in my hand. Another message comes through on the lock screen from Dani: omg did you hear
Before I have a chance to respond, Dani forwards an article from local news site.
HARRY COOPER ARRESTED AT CITY UNIVERSITY – STORY DEVELOPING
What! I had no idea. Are you safe?
Daniella takes what feels like forever to respond. Her apartment she shares with two roommates wasn’t too far from here. If she needed me, I could make it to her place fairly quickly.
Yes I’m ok. Afternoon classes were cancelled today because police are all over campus. I’m back in apt now and safe
Glad you’re okay -- keep me updated ??
“Turn the TV on!” I say to Max. He reaches for the remote and the television breathes to life. “Local news, please.”
Brandon, Bree, and Harlowe emerge from the kitchen and stand next to Max and me. “What’s going on?”