Page 41 of Allie's Shelter
“Not about this. I’m out of my league with this. I contacted an attorney, but they have yet to acknowledge my inquiry.”
“You were planning to do the official whistleblower thing?”
She sighed, poking at the black olives on her pizza slice. “The analysis is absolutely heinous, Ross. It goes beyond cold to downright cruel.”
“This attorney…”
“Not my dad,” she answered the question he clearly didn’t want to ask. “If they got to Ruth, then they obviously hacked Nicole’s computer. No one else at the company knew about Ruth’s vacation. The long reach is startling.”
“Some big corporations have financials and assets that would intimidate an octopus.”
She nodded. “It shouldn’t surprise me. I’ve seen the emails. If Bradley had that much pull, I shouldn’t be surprised his superiors would find a way to harass my aunt.”
“You’re getting mad.”
“Damn straight.” She caught the grin he tried to hide behind his beer. “What do you find so funny?”
His eyes danced with humor. “Thinking it’s about time. Mad suits you.”
“Coming after me is bad, but understandable. I actually stole something, even if it’s only proof that the company’s behavior is despicable. Aunt Ruth and Nicole are completely innocent in all of this.” She pushed to her feet, dinner forgotten. “What can I do?”
“First of all, it’s ‘we’.”
That made her smile. “Good. What can we do to get this over?”
“Finish dinner first.”
“I’m serious,” she said, but she settled into the chair once more. When he gave her a pointed look, she took another nibble from her pizza slice, though her appetite was long gone. “You know, the stupid note is kind of a relief on one count.”
Ross frowned, his dark brown eyes contemplative. “How so?”
“It means someone still needs the information I have.”
“Does give us leverage.” Ross tipped back his beer, then gave her another long look. “I sent an update to Rick. If your friend is in trouble, he’ll take care of it.”
Allie managed a weak nod. “Thanks. I hate the idea of anyone getting hurt because I made a rash decision.”
“You had solid, intelligent reasons for what you did. Rick’s next report better shed some light on this. It’s not going at all like I’d expect.”
“You have expectations about this kind of situation?”
His hand was warm when he laid it on hers. “In my line of work, expectations are key, even when things don’t go as planned. Anticipating the other guy’s move and taking precautions mean the bad guys get caught and the case wraps up faster.”
“I could do with wrapping this up faster.”
“We’ll get there. For tonight, we stay put. The systems are armed and we’re as safe as I can make us. Rick should have news for us soon. Eva too.”
“And tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow we’ll make a plan based on the new intel.”
Intel. The term sounded so official and proactive. The devious expression on his face, combined with knowing him as she did, gave her hope. He was on her side. She had an ally she could count on at last. “Thanks, Ross.” She struggled, searching for better words. “I’ve felt so alone since… Well, that doesn’t matter. Please know that I appreciate your expertise and friendship here and now.”
She looked into his eyes, waiting for him to say anything, hoping for something she was half afraid to define. His gaze slid away from hers, and his silence said too much as he cleared the table. Years ago, he’d been her best friend, and while she’d taken a chance with the kiss earlier, taking a chance on sharing the intense emotions building inside her frightened her more.
“Ross,” she started, at the same time he said her name.
“Go ahead,” she urged him to continue. Please let us be on the same page here. She couldn’t be the only one feeling this connection and uncertainty because of how they’d parted after high school.