Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
ELIJAH
“ A re you eating properly?”
Lottie stares over the video conference.
“Of course, I’m eating,” I say, forcing a smile.
“Just checking. You look stressed.”
Shit, that’s because I am.
Not that I can tell Lottie that. The last thing I need is my soon-to-be fifteen-year-old worrying about me.
“I’m fine. I promise I’m eating,” I say, trying to crack a smile. “Who’s the parent here? You look decidedly relaxed. You must be enjoying your course.”
“I am,” she says, grinning from ear to ear. “I have so much to tell you and show you when I get back. You’re going to love some of the techniques my teacher is showing me.”
“I can’t wait,” I tell her honestly.
She looks over her shoulder and then back at the screen.
“I have to go. Breaks over. I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, angel. Take care of yourself.”
“Will do. Bye.”
Lottie disconnects, and I sink back into my chair.
I miss every hair on her head. This is the longest we’ve been apart since the day she was born. From the moment I held her in my arms, I was a goner.
I pinch the bridge of my nose before returning my gaze to the data on my screen. Stomach acid hits the back of my throat, and I run to the private bathroom off my office and empty what’s left of my breakfast into the toilet pan.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror over the sink.
“ Shit! Shit! Shit! ”
Returning to my desk, I stare at the log on my screen, my throat tightening as a heaviness settles in my chest and stomach.
Fuck!
Not a glitch.
Fuck!
My login has been compromised, and someone has tried to cover it up!
Pages and pages of code changes!
I scroll through the backup file I have downloaded from the server.
Fuck!
I pick up my phone and dial, weighing up the pros and cons of what I’m about to do.
“Todd, can you pop in?” I say, trying to keep my voice calm.
“Right away.”
Within five minutes, there’s a knock at my door and Todd, my head of technology and second in command, appears.
“What do you need?” he asks, his voice decidedly chipper.
“The latest release…”
His shoulders tense, making me pause and rethink my next statement.
Todd’s been with me from the beginning. He was on my university course and is an exceptional coder. He’s unusually outgoing for our field, this has proved helpful over the years, especially during our initial meetings with investors and clients. And then later with staff.
I force a smile, a line of sweat breaking out along my spine. “I wanted an update on the latest changes. Where are we with testing?”
A frown mars his brow. “Did you not receive the latest report? I sent it to you this morning.”
Shit , he had.
Breathe! Smile!
“I wanted to check if there was anything I was missing,” I add quickly.
His shoulders relax, although his frown remains.
“No issues. Everything is going according to plan,” he says, smiling. “Phew, I thought you were going to tell me you needed additional functionality.”
The words, whose plan? shoots into my mind, but I stomp down on them as another wave of heartburn stabs through my chest.
Could Todd be involved?
“That’s great,” I say, forcing another smile.
Todd’s frown deepens, and he steps further into the room.
“Is everything okay? You seem…”
“I’m fine,” I say, almost through gritted teeth.
What could be wrong?
An unknown person has compromised my login and made hundreds of code changes in my name, some of which are already live. Worse case scenario, my reputation is ruined, I lose the company, fifteen years of devotion, gone in the blink of an eye.
How the fuck, does The Cyber Guy tell his clients his software and company have been compromised right under his nose, and he’s only just noticed?
My vision narrows as my stomach roils violently.
“I’m popping out for an hour,” I say, standing up.
Todd’s eyebrows rise slightly.
“Okay,” he says, rubbing his chin, his eyes narrowing.
“Are you sure everything’s okay?” he asks again.
No! I want to shout. Instead, I take a deep breath.
“Yes. Why?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. You seem a little.…distracted.”
I square my shoulders, tightening my muscles.
Todd’s my friend, although that might be pushing it. A close acquaintance. I don’t let people get close to me, not anymore.
He takes in my expression and holds up a hand. He offers me an encouraging smile.
“Elijah, please don’t take this the wrong way, but as your friend and colleague. You’ve been through a lot recently. You need a break. Why don’t you take a holiday after this release goes live? Get away somewhere hot.”
I look away, no longer able to hold Todd’s gaze. Instead, I stare at my desk.
Get away? After this release, there’ll be nothing left.
I say nothing.
What can I say?
I press my lips together as I try to stop the tic in my jaw. I need to get out of here before I say or do something I can’t take back.
Todd continues, oblivious to my churning stomach.
“You’ve been working too hard. Since Lottie went to visit her mum in Italy, you’ve been here every weekend with the developers. I have to say something. It’s not healthy, you’re going to burn out.”
Keep cool, Elijah . He means well.
Instead of ripping his head off as I may have done a year ago, I surprise myself by saying, “Thank you, Todd. I’ll think about it.”
Todd’s genuine smile surprises me.
“I’m popping out,” I say again.
Todd’s grin widens. “Not a problem. I won’t keep you.”
I give him a curt nod, and he turns to leave.
It can’t be Todd.
However, with a significant client release launching early next week. I need to know what’s going on, and I’m not sure who I can trust with what I’ve just uncovered. I should call a board meeting, but—I dismiss the thought as soon as it enters my head. What the hell do I tell them?
I download a copy of the files I was reviewing before he came in, sliding the memory stick into my pocket. I make my way across the city to my brother’s office in the financial district. Gabriel is the sensible one. Maybe he can tell me I’m overreacting.