Chapter 23
“I’m here to see Rory Sinclair,” I said, flashing my badge to the receptionist at the exclusive office.
Disturbed by my presence, her face contorted with uncertainty. "Do you have an appointment?”
I smiled. "It's more of an impromptu visit."
"Mr. Sinclair is extremely busy."
"I'm sure he can fit me into his schedule. It's in his best interest."
She stammered, "I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you."
She dialed his extension. "Hi, Angela. There is a Deputy Wild here to see Mr. Sinclair. He says it's urgent." She listened intently for a moment. "I'll tell him." She ended the call, cleared her throat, then addressed me. "Please have a seat. Someone will be with you shortly.”
I reclined on the cushy leather couch, grabbed a magazine from the coffee table, and started flipping through it.
High heels clattered down the hallway 10 minutes later, and Angela stepped into the lobby.
She had long, wavy red hair, fair skin, and caramel eyes.
She wasn't bad to look at, especially in that navy skirt and cream blouse.
She forced a smile. "Deputy Wild, I'm Angela," she said, extending her hand. "Mr. Sinclair’s assistant. How can I help you today?”
I stood up and greeted her. "I’d really like to talk to Mr. Sinclair.”
"He's extremely busy at the moment. Can I give him a message?”
"I'm sure he can make time to talk about something that could affect his company's bottom line."
Her curious eyes narrowed. "Can you be more specific?”
"I think this is a matter Mr. Sinclair would rather discuss privately."
"I see. Have a seat, and I'll see what I can do."
Angela spun around and strutted back down the hallway. I took another seat on the sofa and waited.
Eventually, she stepped back into the lobby. "Deputy Wild, Mr. Sinclair will see you now."
I climbed off the sofa again and followed her down the hallway to Mr. Sinclair's office.
It was large, with an expansive view of the ocean.
Floor-to-ceiling windows, a minibar, a gallery flat panel, comfortable couches and chairs, a coffee table, a pool table, a dartboard, and a few old-school stand-up arcade games.
It was more like a rec room than an office. Rory looked barely more than a child.
Though he was a man of 35 years, he had a boyish quality to him with a narrow face, big eyes, and shaggy curly hair that hung on his head like a mop. Of course, he was dressed in the typical founder’s uniform of a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. He was a skinny guy without an ounce of body fat.
Angela escorted me into the office, announced my presence to Mr. Sinclair, then pulled the door shut behind us as she left.
Rory was on a call with wireless earbuds. He stood by the window looking out over the ocean. It was a magnificent view. Florida sunshine spilled in.
After a few words, Rory ended the call, then walked across the room to give me a handshake. With a smile on his face, he said, "What can I do for you, deputy? They made it sound like it was urgent.”
"It's about Evelyn Ellington."
He frowned. "Tragic loss. She was a wonderful assistant. I heard she got mugged at the mall." He shook his head. "I don't know what I'm going to do without her. She kept my life organized. Now it's in disarray."
Rory didn't have concern for anyone but himself.
"I don't think she was mugged.”
"Really?”
"I think she was targeted.”
"Well, you can't really believe anything you hear on the news, can you?”
"When was the last time you talked to Evelyn?" I asked.
His lips tightened, then he blew out a breath. "Probably the day before she died. I was in almost constant communication with her. Sometimes well into the evening. We'd often exchange text messages up until midnight.”
"Sounds like she didn't have much of a personal life."
"I didn't pay her to have a personal life. I paid her to manage mine. And I compensated her handsomely.”
"I'm sure.”
"Are you aware of any potential data breaches within your organization?" I asked.
Rory laughed. "You realize what we do here, don't you?”
"Cybersecurity of some sort?"
"Of some sort, and we’re very good at it.
We have proprietary technology and algorithms to spot intrusions and unauthorized access to files.
We’re the best in the business. Our products provide a secure ecosystem across all devices—mobile, tablets, laptops, workstations, and wireless IOT devices.
We don't have data breaches." Rory was confident of that.
"Are you familiar with the White Rabbit?”
He gave me a quizzical look. "White Rabbit?"
"In your line of work, I'm surprised you’re not aware of her.”
He gave me a blank look.
"Private intel firm. Corporate espionage, data brokering. That kind of thing. We believe that Evelyn was in contact with the White Rabbit.”
Rory kept a neutral expression. I think he was playing dumb. Rory was by no stretch of the imagination dumb. I'm sure his IQ was off the charts. "And you think she was selling company secrets?"
"It's a working theory.”
"We have the most advanced technology in the business.
Impenetrable security, cutting-edge intrusion algorithms, all AI-enhanced.
It's leaps and bounds above anything else on the market.
No doubt, every competitor would love to get their hands on our proprietary software.
" He considered it for a moment, then dismissed it. "But I can’t imagine Evelyn would betray me like that. She was loyal and dedicated.” His face scrunched the more he thought about it. “Though people can surprise you.”
"Can you tell me where you were on the day of her murder?"
His brow knitted, and he gave me an incredulous look, then burst into laughter. "You can't possibly think I had some involvement."
I shrugged it off. "Just doing my due diligence. Standard question.”
"Sure. I understand. But the idea is preposterous.”
"You're right. I imagine a man such as yourself wouldn’t do the dirty work. You’d probably hire someone to do it."
His jovial demeanor faded. “If you're trying to insult me, you're doing an excellent job."
"It's my job to shake the trees, rattle the cages.”
Rory stared at me for a long moment. "Of course.
Listen, I wish I could be more helpful. On your way out, you can talk to Angela.
She has my schedule and can verify my whereabouts.
Evelyn was a valued member of my team, and I refuse to believe that she was engaged in corporate espionage.
There is no way that she could have acquired data from our system without my knowledge.
It's just not possible.” He paused. "I can understand your mistake, and I appreciate your attention to detail and your diligence in this matter, but you're operating on flawed assumptions.
You need to assume that there was no data breach.
Perhaps Evelyn wasn't selling secrets to the White Rabbit. Maybe she was buying them. That could explain any communication she may have had.”
"Then why would she leave something in a dead drop for the Rabbit?”
Rory stared me down for a moment. "I'm going to reiterate my prior statement. I think you’re operating on flawed assumptions." He forced another smile. "It was a pleasure meeting you, deputy. If you’ll excuse me, I do have urgent business to attend to. Angela will show you out.”
I dug into my pocket and gave him a card. "In case you think of anything that might be helpful."
Rory took the card, then turned around and walked back toward his desk.
I stepped into the hallway, checked with Angela about his schedule, and verified his whereabouts. There was no doubt in my mind his employees would lie for him.
I left the office and walked back to the parking lot, hopped on my bike, pulled on my helmet, and rode back to the Avventura.
There was a surprise waiting for me when I returned, and it wasn't good.