40. Chapter 40
Chapter forty
Galen
Galen debated waking Alex, who had fallen asleep on the helicopter with his upper body leaning toward Danyal lying on the medical gurney. He gently shook Alex by the shoulder and said it was time to wake up.
Alex sat up, wiping the sleep from his eyes. “How long was I asleep?”
“Two hours. You needed it. Ya get Danyal settled when we land. Have a few things that need to be done. Time to start eliminating suspects from our list.”
Alex nodded and said he was demanding Danyal be treated in the penthouse, where they could tightly control access with only one way in and out.
Galen smiled. Alex had clearly started to think more strategically. He watched as Alex helped roll Danyal down the hall to the penthouse elevator. He was glad the weather was better than predicted, making landing and unloading Danyal safe and easy.
Galen sought out Ryo, who was sitting at his desk. “Got a sec, boss?” he asked.
Ryo said he was running behind preparing for a meeting, but that he did. “Alex and the medical team are back safely?”
“Getting Danyal’s medical care set up in the penthouse. Will get right to my request. Need access to the computer files and employee records for Zoe Palmer, Dr. Bruno, and Dr. Donalds.”
“I won’t give you access to those records just because you want them.”
“Bullshite, Ryo.”
Galen had been reviewing the contracts each employee had to sign. They stipulated all computer and phone records within the building were subject to electronic monitoring. PGC contracts said that under duress, employee records would be released without consent if their safety was at risk or they were under suspicion of a crime. Could Ryo really argue their current situation didn’t meet these criteria?
“Damnit, Galen, as head of security, it’s my job to investigate. You need to step off and remember your place. You’re a grunt who needs to stay in his lane.”
“Let me help ya.”
“You mean you or your partner-in-crime? You two are getting too close; it’s clouding your judgment.”
Ryo and Ms. Dea assigned him to protect Alex, and now Ryo judged him for it. That was rich. He’d protected Alex by putting his life on the line.
“Some people could judge ya for yur security failings, Ryo.”
Ryo took a deep breath, stood up from his desk, and stepped closer to Galen until they stood nose to nose. “Choose your words carefully, Galen, because they will have consequences. You have no authority here, and don’t delude yourself; you’re replaceable. You’re a mere cog in the machine.”
“Not yur enemy, Ryo. We’re on the same side. Let me help ya find our spy before other people are hurt. Ya can even claim mah actions were unknown to ya. Plausible deniability.”
Galen could tell by Ryo’s scowl he was mulling over options.
“Galen, I have a meeting I’m going to be late for. It’s funny how our computers don’t lock themselves for ten minutes. It’s an annoying fact, but one I’ve come to live with. Someday, I must change the policy.” Ryo passed Galen in his doorway. “Disregard or challenge my authority again, and you’ll find yourself on the street where not even the Unicorn can save you. Don’t be here when I get back, or else I’ll stick a boot up your ass, and you’ll need even more surgery.”
Galen sat at Ryo’s computer, quickly searching all the personnel files he needed. Looking through the files, he downloaded the home addresses, information on significant relationships, and the financial disclosure records PGC required. Phone records were kept separately, so he’d need to get them from communications. Galen locked Ryo’s computer and carefully wiped the keyboard to remove any fingerprints that could associate him with a data breach. He closed the door to Ryo’s office behind him and headed to the elevator to the communications floor.
Upon leaving the elevator and walking down the hall, he gently knocked on the last door on the left.
“Knock, knock,” said Galen. “Good afternoon, Monica. How ya doing?”
“Galen!” exclaimed the tall, athletically built African-American woman, who enthusiastically jumped up to hug Galen. She said she was glad to see him and was delighted he was recovering so well from his accident. She smiled and said they missed him at the darts league.
Galen said he missed playing, but his world had become a mix between a telly soap opera and a Tom Clancy thriller.
“I’m so sorry,” said Monica. “The darts league truly misses Templeton. That skinny little guy could talk trash, but he sure was endearing. We’re taking turns checking in on his wife, since she’s due any day with the twins.”
“That’s why I’m here, Monica. Tracking down leads to help bring the people who hurt Templeton to justice. Need access to PGC phone records.”
“Galen, I could lose my job for giving you access. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
“Might be against policy, and could get ya into trouble, I know. However, ya could also help end this black cloud over this company.”
“I know it sounds easy enough to just print the records, Galen, but will you pay my rent and put food on my table when I get fired for helping you?”
“Yu’re skilled, and ya can do this without anyone finding out.”
“Sneaky––now you appeal to my ego, you little shit.”
“Do it for Templeton.”
“That’s not fair, Galen. You’re playing dirty.”
“Will play any way that helps find the people responsible for his death.”
Monica massaged her temples. “So, if I help you, I get to live with the fear of getting fired and even prosecuted. If I don’t help you, I live with the guilt I could have helped identify Templeton’s killers. Fuck you, Galen. You’ve no right to put me in this situation.” After a long pause, Monica said, “I’m only doing this for Templeton and his family. What do you need?”
“Need the communication records for Dr. Donalds, Dr. Bruno, and Zoe Palmer.”
“Zoe? I guess that shouldn’t surprise me.”
“Aye, what makes ya say that?”
“She’s been different the past three weeks. More withdrawn and, honestly, quite unfriendly. I’ve tried to be a friend and offer a sympathetic ear, but she just shuts me down.”
“Interesting. How long would it take to get the records?”
Monica said she couldn’t get him recordings, but she could give him names and numbers related to calls from the PGC offices and cell phones. She added it would take a moment before she turned to her computer and worked feverishly until she looked up at Galen to ask if he wanted a digital or hard copy. Galen replied hard copy, because it was harder to trace. Monica printed the records and placed them in a black folder before handing them to Galen. She paused before releasing the file.
“Promise me, Galen, you’ll get the bastards that killed Templeton.”
“Promise to do my best. Might even have a little divine help as backup.”
“Oh, Dr. Lieth. I’ve only seen him in passing. Then again, if I was in charge of casting the role of a god, he’d be more than adequate.”
Galen laughed. Monica said maybe Galen could bring Alex along for darts and beer sometime. Galen smiled and said he’d extend the offer, but she needed to know Alex was a bit of a hustler who liked to use his divine abilities to cheat. Galen had learned that the hard way.
Monica smiled, shook her head, and said it was amusing they had to sign a nondisclosure agreement––no one would believe their stories anyway. Galen smiled and said he’d tell her all about Alex’s exploits someday. He was badass for a mild-mannered professor, but would feed his ego too much if he heard Galen say it.
“Oh, so you’re on a first-name basis with him.”
Galen gave Monica an exaggerated frown. Monica, in response, rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth.
“Cheers, Monica. Owe ya a favor and several stubbies,” said Galen as he turned to leave her office. He tightly held the folder with the phone records as he entered the elevator.
On to the next step of the plan!
Galen pulled out his phone to text Alex. Going to be out in the field on recognizance. May be MIA for a few days.
He received a reply before Galen could place his phone back in his pocket.
Galen, we’re in this together. Dr. Donalds is drawing blood and running tests on Danyal. I’ll work on her to determine if we can eliminate her from our suspect list. Please be safe; I’ll hunt you down if you get hurt. ?????
Real subtle, mate.