Page 9 of The Knight
“No. It’s okay. I’ll wait.” Freya sat in one of the eye-watering chairs and faced Sylvie. She wasn’t going anywhere until she spoke to Einar.
Sylvie sighed. “Coffee?”
“That would be lovely, thanks.”
Sylvie stepped out of view into the coffee nook off from her reception area.
Freya was on her feet instantly. She hurried up the glass walled corridor behind Sylvie’s desk. The corridor behind was narrow, bordered by a wall on the left and meeting rooms on her right, framed in glass.
The first two rooms were empty.
Einar was in the third.
He was taking notes on a yellow legal pad under the beady gaze of a Rembrandt print.
As if sensing her scrutiny, he looked up and met Freya’s gaze. She pushed into the meeting room.
“Freya. How are you? I wasn’t expecting to see you here today.”
“Sylvie said you were in a meeting.” She gave the empty room an accusing glance.
“I am.” He pushed back his shirt sleeves. “I mean, I will be.” He stood up. “This is highly irregular. Can we arrange a time for you to come back?”
“My security detail. It’s been canceled. I need to know why.”
“Freya.” Einar blinked. His gaze slid away from her. “How are your eyes, the tear gas?—”
She folded her arms. “We need to discuss the security arrangements for the transport to Norway.”
He picked up the legal pad, tucked it under his arm. “Perhaps we could go into my office to discuss this?”
Freya folded her arms and shook her head. “No.” She knew his tells. He was preparing to tell her something bad. She wouldn’t make this easy for him. “Here is fine.”
Einar exhaled a gusty breath. “I have arranged new personal security to escort you and the data to Norway. That is correct.”
“There’s no need. I already have security provision for returning to Norway.”
Einar shook his head. “Those above us are not convinced. That was a close call. Those idiots broke into the lab.” His lips firmed. “You were lucky to escape with minimal injury.”
“Yes. Because my team was there and kept me safe. I have increased the security provision. Additional personnel is completely unnecessary.” This was her archive and she would oversee every detail. Freya fought to keep her voice level.
“The break-in was too close for comfort.” Einar’s tone was clipped.
Her foot tapped a rapid staccato on the floor. “You can’t override my decisions?—”
“They can, Freya, and they have.” Sweat popped on his forehead and it brought her at least some satisfaction to see that she was making him squirm. “Besides additional security being allocated to escort the data storage, you’ll have two escorts provided by Guardsmen Security. All members are former military elite and have significant experience with Raptor Industries. They are the most well equipped to handle any potential risks during the journey.”
“What use are a bunch of jar-heads going to be?” Her voice was rising, but she couldn’t stop herself. “I have a working relationship with my current security.”
Why was he doing this?On one hand, she knew he had a point, but the idea of having to get to know a new security detail made cold sweat pop along her spine.
“This isn’t about working relationships, it’s about data security. You and I both know how vital it is that this data does not fall into the wrong hands.” He sucked in a sharp breath. “Trust me. They’re not your average security?—”
She ignored his comment. “I don’t need ex-military. I’m not some damsel in distress, I’m a scientist.”
Einar’s jaw went rigid. “We’re talking former Navy SEALs and British Special Forces?—”
Sylvie appeared at the doorway. Her eyes widened imperceptibly when she spotted Freya. “Einar. There’s?—”