Page 27 of Guarding Truth
Caleb’s face flushed and he wrung his hands together. His anger was almost tangible. “Rushmore has now messed with my family. If they find out that Ivy saw their program and most likely memorized it…”
Juliette moved next to him on the couch. Not too close though. She wanted to touch him, reach out and take his hand, but she knew he wasn’t keen on people invading his personal space.
“I think you are both in danger. And I’m here for you. And before you say it, I don’t think you need a bodyguard. You are more than capable of taking care of yourself, but you need sleep so you’re sharp tomorrow. Let me take the couch. This way you both can rest well.”
Absolutely, the man was more than capable of defending himself. But Caleb needed someone to watch his back. A fierce sense of loyalty welled up inside of her, something she hadn’t experienced in quite some time.
She risked it and dared to put a hand on Caleb’s arm, and he stilled. “Didn’t you once tell me that sometimes you need to let someone else protect you? Let’s take it day by day.”
He nodded, and she realized her hand was still on his arm. A sizzle of excitement came from her touch. Maybe she should have thought this through a bit more before she’d agreed to spend the night, even if it was on his couch.
But then again, that’s what made her Hazard Pay Montgomery. Always rushing in for the rescue, even without a solid plan.
And he was Caleb. The solid, dependable rock that she’d come to rely on once.
“You know I’m not going to just back down from this, Jules. These hackers think they’re coming for me. I’ll turn the tables on them. Hunt them down, expose their hiding spots in the most remote corners of the internet. They won’t get away with this. They’ve kidnapped Theo, and Ivy’s not safe if they uncover what she knows. I’m going on the offensive.”
“I expect nothing less. Just remember, we’re partners. You know any of the others from our basic training class would do the same thing for you. I just happened to have been close by when the call for duty rang out.”
His tight facial expression relaxed a fraction. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Caleb checked his watch. “Maybe I can order us some Chinese food for delivery.” Her favorite.
“I’d love that.”
“I’ll need to call Agent McGregor to let him know what Ivy has uncovered.”
“Yes, good idea.”
A text to Noelle confirmed her decision to stay, and Noelle responded with an offer to bring Juliette a change of clothes.
Caleb headed to the kitchen, probably to avoid more awkward small talk. Would things between them ever be comfortable again?
He turned back toward her. “Something doesn’t sit right about this. Jules, what if one of my employees is a member of Rushmore? Because how else did they get their program on the laptop?”
* * *
WEDNESDAY, 6:30 A.M.
Juliette was at least right about one thing. Caleb had gotten a good night’s sleep. But from the second he’d opened his eyes, his heart had been racing. She was sleeping on his couch.
He stretched and turned off his beeping phone alarm. Last night after Ivy had gone to bed, he and Juliette had made a plan. They’d called Agent McGregor, who’d come and retrieved the laptop. But not before Caleb had checked out the program.
Based on the email communication from the hackers, he assumed the hackers were targeting the office to search for the missing laptop and destroy any incriminating evidence. Agent McGregor had assigned agents to the office, and the security in the building would double down their efforts in screening anyone who entered.
Caleb planned to attend his staff meeting and then work remotely. But as a leader in the company, he also wanted to make his presence known to alleviate their fears. He refused to hide. Employees would still be grieving Theo’s disappearance and probably be nervous about their own safety—his blood boiled every time he thought of Rushmore kidnapping his employee to get to him. He checked his phone, but he hadn’t received any updates from Agent McGregor in finding Theo.
His suspicions from last night returned and made his stomach sour. Someone in his company was in league with the hackers. And Caleb would do everything in his power to flush out the mole in his organization.
Laughter filtered through the cracked bedroom door, and he threw on some clothes. He walked down the hall to see Ivy and Juliette sitting at the dining room table.
Juliette pointed to the bar that separated the dining room from the kitchen. “Made you some coffee.”
He nodded his thanks and poured himself a cup. Ivy pounced. “Are you going to the office today? Oh, please, let’s all play hooky. The three of us can spend the day together. Please, please, please?”
The three of us?
Ivy’s voice got whinier with each please. Her intelligence made her seem all grown up, but she was still a little girl, loving silly things and believing that everything was right in the world. He prayed she didn’t have to grow up so fast.
“Ivy, I just need to run in for this meeting. It will be half an hour, and then I’m out of there. I have to meet with the executive committee and then address the staff. It won’t take long.”