Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
O live continued waiting to hear what Ryan had to say.
He knew something, she realized. But would he share?
Finally, he cleared his throat and lifted his chin. “Everyone I’ve worked with here at Conglomerate has been aboveboard and exemplary in their job performance. I don’t have anything bad to say about anyone.”
Her shoulders nearly sagged with disappointment, but she didn’t let them. “I see. And what about Beau’s murder yesterday? Do you have any theories as to what happened?”
His expression remained stoic. “It’s not my job to theorize. I’ll leave that to the police and to the security department. I know what I’m good at doing, and I know what other people are good at doing. And I’m not good at projecting potential crime scenarios.”
The man was blunt . . . but his words were true.
“I understand.” Olive knew she wouldn’t get very far with him right now.
But she felt as if she’d been close. That maybe he’d thought about opening up before second-guessing himself.
Or was it guilt she’d seen in his gaze?
She had one last trick up her sleeve. “I hear you got a new house a few months ago. Chatter here at the office is that it’s nice.”
He sent her a sharp glance as if trying to read between her words. “I saved a long time for that house. There’s nothing wrong with having nice things.”
“No, there’s not. Not as long as those nice things are obtained legally.”
His eyes lit with anger. “What are you suggesting?”
“I’m just having a conversation.”
“I highly doubt that,” he growled.
She leaned closer. “Ryan, the truth is if you’ve done something wrong, it’s better to come clean. Because if something is going on, I will find out.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re just a poser!”
He had no idea.
“I’m just doing my job, one in which you think I’m unqualified. I will prove to you, however, that I’m not.”
“I doubt that,” he snapped.
His gaze burned into her.
She’d shaken him, which could be good.
“If I find out you’re behind any potential data breeches here at Conglomerate, I’ve been given permission to pursue every charge against you that the law allows. You understand that? You understand that the person responsible for selling any classified information will be going to prison for the rest of their lives?”
He only scowled at her. “You’re overreaching. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Or do I?”
He stood quickly as if desperate to get away. “Since I don’t have anything significant to report, I need to get back to work. Have a great day.”
“You too.” Olive watched as he left.
His foot caught on something near the door, and he stumbled a moment.
He threw a scowl behind him as if his clumsiness was her fault. Then he straightened his shoulders and kept walking.
He was definitely on edge.
She would need to talk to him again sometime and see if she could get more information out of him—sooner rather than later.
She didn’t have much time. She would need to up her efforts if she wanted answers.
But in the process of upping her efforts, Olive couldn’t show her hand . . . or this whole investigation could be ruined.
Olive continued working the rest of the day, knowing she needed to make progress.
But her thoughts remained on other things.
Finding Beau dead.
The confrontation with Jason.
Tom’s revelation about her father never working for the FBI.
Watching Bennett meet that man in secret.
Having another confrontation with Jason.
Her conversation with Ryan.
It was a lot to sort through. But she couldn’t afford to lose her mental focus.
She’d sent Tevin a picture of the man she’d seen Bennett meeting with. He was researching who exactly that guy was.
He was also still working on dissecting the video to see what part had been cut out when the murderer—or someone working with him—had gotten hold of it.
Those two answers could be Olive’s best leads as she tried to decide where to go next with this investigation.
Right before the end of her workday, her phone rang, and she answered with a crisp, “Olive Whiten.”
“Olive . . . it’s Ryan.” His voice trembled.
She froze with anticipation. “Hey, Ryan. What’s going on?”
“I did think of one thing I wanted to mention to you. I needed to think about it before I said anything. Speculation isn’t usually my forte. But I’ve decided I want to share something.”
Her breath caught. “Okay. That would be great. What is it?”
“I can’t tell you on the phone.” His voice still sounded taut. “Can I meet you later? After work?”
“You just name the time and place.”
“Millenium Park isn’t far from here. I can meet you there at one of the benches near the bus stop at Michigan and Randolph.”
“I’ll be there.”
“And please don’t tell anyone you’re meeting me. I . . . I can’t let anybody know what I know. No one but you.”
This guy had had a major change of heart. “You’ve got it.”
As Olive ended the call, a ripple of excitement rushed through her. Maybe this meeting would give her some of the answers she needed.
The sooner she could close this case, the sooner she could get away from Conglomerate.
And the sooner she could get away from Jason Stewart.