Chapter 13
Lydia
The next three weeks went by quickly. I was getting more comfortable with my new work environment, and Chris gave me more and more tasks every day.
A lot of the work was reviewing and organizing his notes from meetings.
I sent him and Mr. Mason the notes I had typed and edited at the end of every day, which they both seemed happy with, and I was getting to know the company and the people Mr. Mason was meeting with.
I didn’t have any more panic attacks or lose track of time like I did that day. Madelyne checked on me from time to time, which was nice. She sounded very happy to hear that I was content with my new role, and I was happy to hear that she got good feedback from Chris and Dianne.
Mr. Mason hadn’t texted me again since that night.
When he had sent me those messages, I nearly panicked again on my couch, but I kept reminding myself how he was around his sister and other employees.
He was just being nice, like he was with everyone else.
I felt bad about telling him that he contributed to my discomfort and was surprised he noticed. He seemed to notice a lot about me.
He knew I would be more comfortable in a quiet environment and not at the front desk when he offered me the job. And when he said that I’ll never be unsafe around him…
I didn’t want him to know that I was uncomfortable. I didn’t want anyone to know that I felt that way when I was alone with them—it made me look weak and vulnerable, and that was dangerous. Then again, people didn’t usually touch me or stand so close. I didn’t let them.
I sat at my desk and went over my tasks. I was calmer now that I’d gotten used to my new space, but I still had that nagging feeling that had first put me on edge the day I stabbed myself with my ring. It was there in the background, as if I had left the stove on or forgotten to lock my door.
I helped Dianne prepare the room for the meeting with Ethan Howard and stood behind Mr. Mason and Chris when he arrived. He was with a lawyer and his assistant, who sat beside him at the long table. I sat beside Chris and Mr. Mason opposite Howard.
Chris took notes. I listened. From the moment Howard walked in, I started twirling my ring. When he shook my hand, it took everything in me not to wipe it on my pants. He could have been my grandfather, and there was nothing particularly threatening about him, but I felt uneasy.
Mr. Mason and Howard went over the terms, which they both seemed happy with, and then moved on to small talk.
“I heard about your latest acquisition out in Dallas. Congratulations,” Mr. Mason said.
“Yes, another construction project. The usual, you know.”
“Of course. So what got you interested in telematics?”
“My grandson recommended it and convinced me it was basically transportation, which I’m already invested in. Right up my alley, he said.”
Liar.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention. I got up to pour myself a glass of water at the small table behind Howard. With my back to everyone, I took a small sip, and in that moment, a thousand jagged pieces in my brain suddenly fell into place, taking the painful edge away.
My thoughts raced.
Brad winced, and his smile faltered when Rebecca mentioned shipping.
Howard is a major shareholder in Condukt. It was familiar because I saw it when I looked up Mr. Mason. Rebecca worked there when she started out as an engineer, and was now a competitor.
The telematics company has access to all of the shipping data. Rebecca has a new giant deal that requires shipping, and this investor is buying a company that…
What if Brad told Condukt which shipping company they planned on using? What if they knew which telematics solution that company uses?
I turned around and looked at Mr. Mason. They were all getting up and shaking hands again.
Howard looked very happy with himself. “I look forward to doing business with you, Daniel.”
Mr. Mason looked past Howard at me. I moved my head, barely the slightest shake, but he saw it. Or at least, I hoped he did.
“Of course. We’ll start the due diligence, and our lawyers will take care of negotiations,” Mr. Mason said, his voice a little less friendly than before.
“We’ve already agreed so quickly on all the terms, I’m sure the due diligence and negotiations will be a breeze.”
When Howard left, I went to the restroom outside the office, near the elevators, to clear my head. My phone buzzed with a message from Mr. Mason.
?? Where are you? Chris and I are discussing the Howard deal in my office
What if Rebecca’s PA is a traitor? Can Chris be trusted? Of course, he can. Mr. Mason does more security checks than his sister and has been working with Chris for years.
But what if I’m wrong?
I sent Mr. Mason my response.
?? Can we talk privately?
?? Containment room, eleventh floor.