Heating Up the Holidays 3-Story Bundle(11)

*

“Where have you been?” Dana demands when I exit into the lobby of the corporate offices.

“Human resources,” I say, and I don’t stop. My cell starts ringing and I dig it from my purse as I add, “I need to handle something for Mr. Ward.”

“Hello?” I say, answering the call.

“Are you there yet?”

“No. Not yet. I can email it from my personal account if I need to.”

“That’s okay. Just try to find the files. Where are you?”

“Walking in to your office.” I open the door and flip on the light, and the scent of him rushes over me. I shiver with the impact but shove past it, ignoring the seating area. I round the conference table to my left, heading for the massive black-and-glass desk at the center of the room.

“Are you at my desk?”

“Sitting down now,” I say, setting my briefcase and purse on the floor and letting the cushy leather absorb me. “Let me put you on speaker.” I hit the button and then say, “Okay. Where do I look?”

“Left drawer, in a file marked New York Ventures.”

I thumb through the files. “Got it.”

“Perfect. This is highly confidential. I want it sent on our server and email. I have a scanner attached to my computer, so power up.”

“I have your email and documents,” Maggie announces at the door.

“Oh, good,” I say. “Thank you. Can I bring you the documents in a bit? I just need the email immediately.”

She rushes forward and, oddly, Mr. Ward says nothing, like he doesn’t want her to know he’s on the line. “Here’s the email.” She opens her folder and pulls out a sheet of paper. “If you want to power up, I’ll show you how to log in.”

“Yes, please.” I punch a button of the computer, and for Mr. Ward’s benefit I say, “Powering up now.” Maggie’s gaze lands on the report on the desk, lingering a bit too intently it seems, and I get a funny feeling deep in my gut. She’s been around a lot longer than me so this shouldn’t bother, but it just feels like she’s being nosy. I shut the file and frown at the flashing green light on the computer screen. “What do I do now?”

Maggie motions to the computer. “Key in your first and last name.”

“Where?” I ask, thinking I must be blind or doing something wrong.

Frowning, Maggie comes around the desk, and her eyes go wide. “Oh. Oh, my. That’s not good.”

“What’s not good?” Mr. Ward demands.

Maggie jumps and presses her hand to her chest. “Mr. Ward. I didn’t know you were on the phone. The screen is flashing with a green line. I think your computer has crashed.”

“It’s not only his computer,” Dana says, appearing in the doorway. “It’s everyone’s.”

“Call tech support immediately,” Maggie instructs.

“That’s the first thing I did,” Dana quickly assures her. “They said the servers are down and they will be in touch.”

“Take me off speaker,” Mr. Ward orders.

I grab the phone and hit the button, then put it to my ear. “I’m here.”

“Dana knows the airline I charter. Tell her my meeting has been canceled and to get the plane ready within the hour. I’m headed to the airport.”

“Oh. Okay. So you don’t need the file?”

“Get me the plane, Ms. Miller.”

The sharpness of his tone takes me off guard. “Dana,” I say. “Get Mr. Ward a plane, please. His meeting was just canceled and he’s ready to be home. He’d like to leave within the hour.”

“Okay,” she says. “What about the computers?”

“I’ll get an update from tech support for you,” I promise, winging it, not sure what is happening but certain it’s far more than we all know.

“On it,” Dana assures me, and turns to leave.

“I’ll go check in with tech support in person,” Maggie offers, and she’s gone before I can reply.

“Ms. Miller?”

“Yes,” I say, pressing the phone fully to my ear. “I’m back.”

“Text me your personal email. I’ll see you in a few hours.” He ends the call.

I grimace at the phone. Something is off. Something is really off. I text him my email. He doesn’t reply. Until he does, I don’t even know what to do next. Nerves flutter in my stomach for no explainable reason.

Intending to find a scanner not attached to the network, I gather the file and am stuffing it into my briefcase when Terrance appears in the door, his jaw clenched, eyes hard. Those nerves I had turn into stabbing pains. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

“There’s been a security breach. The casino and hotel are going on lockdown. We hope to have the public areas cleared in a few hours. Anyone considered high risk will not be released until we have the source of the breach. You’re a temp and it’s your first day. That means you, Ms. Miller.”

Ms. Miller. Not Kali. My throat tightens and I rasp out, “What does that mean—lockdown?”

“It means I’m going to give you a cushy room with free room service, where you can work until the breach is located or Mr. Ward arrives and decides differently.”