12. Sullivan

12

SULLIVAN

“ T here he is,” said Con, who’d taken the seat to my right while Tag sat on my left. David sat across from me.

“Where would you like to start?” he asked, looking between Con and me.

“Tag mentioned a data breach at Crown Herald,” I said, anxious to hear about Con’s meeting with the new editor in chief, who I’d yet to meet.

“It was extensive,” Con began, explaining that, upon closer inspection, whoever had hacked into the servers was looking for anything and everything to do with Eric Weber and Tower-Meridian.

“Most of what I’d actually uploaded was backed up elsewhere.” What I didn’t say was I’d never put the majority of my work on any of the news agency’s servers. “When I last spoke with my editor, he said Ms. Wallace told him to shut down the investigation.” I bit my lip. “So I removed it from the servers.”

Con nodded. “They got it anyway. This was a sophisticated scrub, Sullivan.” He drummed a stylus on the table. “What was that you said about shutting down your investigation? You said that edict came from your editor?”

“Clive Edwards, who you should probably know is also my uncle. I assure you that he had nothing to do with my getting the job, though.”

“What are you thinking, Con?” David asked.

“Fallon didn’t say anything about killing the investigation. Quite the contrary, actually.”

“Elaborate,” David pressed.

Con turned to face me. “She considers it very worthwhile, in fact. More so after the apparent hit taken out on you. She also said you’re one of the best investigative journalists she’s seen.”

That stunned me. I was more used to criticism than praise. The other thing I’d gotten used to was the majority of the people I worked with not wanting to have anything to do with me. I knew they often went to the pub after work, even though I’d never once been invited to join them. I thought about showing up a time or two anyway, just to fuck with them, but never went through with it. Even Clive was stingy with any kind of praise or encouragement.

“In case you’re questioning whether I’m being truthful with you, she’d welcome the opportunity to tell you herself.”

I smiled, realizing I’d been shaking my head. “Not necessary, but thanks.”

“I’d like to suggest we consider Weber’s cyber capabilities equal to ours. At least in the interim until I can properly assess the threat level.” From the corner of my eye, I saw him wink, but I knew from the security I’d seen thus far that he wasn’t being facetious.

“Sullivan, would you be willing to brief the rest of the team on your investigation?” David asked.

I met his gaze. It was the first he’d looked at me since he returned to the dining room after being gone far longer than it should’ve taken him to retrieve his computer. Wanting to feel connected to him again, my eyes bored into his. I didn’t answer or look away.

His eyes scrunched. “Sullivan?”

I nodded. “Yes. I will do.”

“Ash, you’re scheduled to meet with Periscope at fourteen hundred,” said Gus, looking up from his mobile.

“Bloody hell,” he said under his breath. “In order to do so, I need to leave in the next thirty minutes. Can you not?—”

“No,” Gus responded before David finished.

Would I sound childish if I said I wasn’t comfortable discussing the details of my investigation without him present?

“Let’s table Sullivan’s briefing until you return,” said Con, saving me from the embarrassment of saying it myself.

“Not necessary,” said David.

“It is,” I blurted, my eyes meeting his again.

“Very well,” he said, his voice softening as though he was speaking only to me.

I longed to be alone with him, to feel his arms around me, to hear his reassurance, to know that, no matter what, he’d protect me. I wanted the David from last night, not the one he’d reverted to being this morning—cold, distant, and detached.

When he left the room, saying a collective goodbye to the group, I raised my chin and squared my shoulders, not wanting him to see the hurt I was experiencing. This wasn’t any different than when the people I worked with shunned me. As for friends outside of the news agency, I’d lost touch years ago with anyone who might’ve been considered as such.

If David had been as demonstrative today as he was yesterday, there was a chance I would’ve been the one to withdraw. I was a loner. I lived alone, I worked on my own, and as far as a social life was concerned, I didn’t have one. So how would he fit in my life anyway?

“Earlier, I said Ms. Wallace would welcome the opportunity to meet with you, Sullivan. Is that something you’d be happy to do?” Con asked.

“Of course.”

“As it turns out, Fallon’s family has a place on the Isle of Arran. If you’d like, I could make arrangements for her to visit today.”

Today? “Um, sure, but I don’t want to inconvenience her.”

“She’s looking forward to it.”

I glanced over at Tag, who was studying his mobile. Based on the look on his face, it wasn’t good.

“Is everything all right?” I asked, unable to help myself.

He glanced up at me. “Yes, fine.”

I had to clench my fists hard enough that my fingernails dug into my palms to stop myself from calling him out on his expression. There was always a chance that whatever it was had nothing to do with me.

“Tag,” said Con.

When we both raised our heads to look at him, he was motioning to me, chuckling.

“What?” I asked.

Con raised a brow, then said Tag’s name a second time.

“No update on the intruders. We’ve been unable to track them.”

“When will David return?” I asked, suddenly feeling impatient and antsy.

“I’m not sure he’s even left,” said Gus.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss at this time?” I asked.

“I don’t believe so.” Con looked between the two men, who shook their heads. “Only whether I should arrange the meeting with Ms. Wallace.”

“Sure, and thanks.” I pushed away from the table and left the room, but rather than going upstairs, I went into the library. I hadn’t had time to explore it yesterday, but with David gone for several hours, doing so today would help keep my mind off when he’d return.

The Glenshadow library was among the most beautiful I’d ever seen. There were hundreds of books in the floor-to-ceiling shelves, comfy, oversized chairs were placed throughout the room, and plush, handwoven rugs kept the space as warm as the fireplace that was lit both yesterday and today. My favorite thing about it was the window seat that looked out over the loch. If I ever had a room such as this, it would be hard for me to leave even to sleep.

I stood by the window, clutching a throw pillow to my chest, and raised my face to the sun’s warmth streaming in through the panes.

“It’s a lovely spot.”

I opened my eyes and spun around when I heard David’s voice.

“It is,” I said, turning back toward the window and placing the pillow where it had previously rested on the cushion.

He walked closer and stood beside me. “Not quite as nice as the library at Ashcroft, though.”

“No? That’s hard to even imagine.”

“Sullivan?”

I wished I still held the pillow and could hug it tight to my chest. Perhaps then, the ache I felt from my overwhelming need to put my arms around him wouldn’t hurt as much.

“I’m sorry.”

I blinked away ridiculous tears and folded my arms. “No need.”

“I wish I didn’t have to return to Edinburgh today.”

What could I say? That I wished he didn’t have to, either?

“The good news is I won’t be gone nearly as long as I thought. Gus was able to arrange for air transport. In fact, I believe I hear the helicopter arriving now.”

The sound of blades got louder, and when I leaned forward, I saw it landing on the lawn below.

“I should be on my way.”

“Safe travels,” I said, still unable to look at him for fear my every insecurity would play out on my face.

“When I return, we should talk.”

I bristled but nodded. “Of course,” I mumbled, wishing I had the option of leaving before he got back so I could avoid the inevitable letdown he planned to deliver.

“Bye, David,” I said, turning in the opposite direction and walking over to the closest bookshelf.

I felt him behind me, close enough that if I leaned back just slightly, my body would rest against his.

“This is, err, unfamiliar territory for me. I, uh, that’s to say, I’m not one who has ever…” he stammered.

“Me either,” I whispered.

He put his hands on my shoulders and spun me around. “The connection I feel between us may be something I’ve made more of than it really is.” He smiled and touched my cheek with his fingertip. “As my three closest friends would attest, I fancied myself quite smitten with you when we were children. Silly, I suppose.”

“Not silly.”

“You’re being kind.”

I shook my head.

He groaned and looked up at the ceiling. “I’ve really got to go.”

“As you said, we’ll talk when you return.”

“There’s just one thing.”

My gaze met his.

“I want to kiss you.”

I’d expected a quick and chaste buss, but when his tongue pressed against my lips, I wrapped my arms around his neck and opened to him.

He pulled away when his phone vibrated several times.

“You have to go,” I said before he could.

“Actually, the message is for you. Apparently, Con had the pilot stop on the Isle of Arran on his way here to get me.”

My eyes opened wide. “Ms. Wallace is already here?” I smoothed my hair and glanced down at what I was wearing, relieved when I remembered the clothes Mrs. Drummond—or whoever—had arranged for me were far nicer than anything I owned.

David took my hand. “Come, walk with me. Wait, you’re shaking,” he said, looking down at our fingers, woven with each other’s.

“I’ve not met her.”

“Should I tell you she already thinks you’re brilliant?”

I rolled my eyes and gently pulled my hand from his.

“Right. Meeting the boss. Should be professional,” he muttered.

I stopped walking and put my hand on his arm. “I hope it goes well with Periscope.”

“I’ll admit this is not a meeting I’m anxious to attend. However, if it gets us some answers, it will be worth it.” He sighed and put his hand on top of mine. “Answers for you, Sullivan.”

David and I kissed once more before we rounded the corner where Con was waiting with Ms. Wallace, Tag, and Gus. I was stunned by how young she looked. I’d seen a photo, but in it, she appeared a decade older than she did in person.

“Fallon, this is Ash,” said Con when David stepped forward.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Forgive my abrupt departure, but my ride awaits.”

The woman smiled. “I’m aware I delayed your travels. Apologies,” she said before turning to me. “You must be Sullivan.”

“I am. It’s an honor to meet you, Ms. Wallace.” From the corner of my eye, I saw David walk out to the waiting helicopter.

She extended her hand, and we shook. “Please call me Fallon.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She smiled. “Fallon.”

My cheeks flushed, and I grinned.

“Is there somewhere private we can chat?” she asked.

I looked at Tag. “Wherever you’d like,” he offered.

“The library is my favorite room in Glenshadow.”

“I already know it will be mine as well. I’m also most at home in a room full of books.”

“Can I bring you anything?” Tag asked.

“Tea would be lovely.” Fallon linked her arm through mine as we walked away. “We have much to discuss,” she added.

“Of course. I expect you’ll want an overview of the Tower-Meridian investigation.”

“Before you do so, my understanding is that Clive Edwards?—”

“My uncle.” My cheeks flushed. “Apologies for the interruption.”

“Of course. Anyway, according to Blackmoor, he told you I wanted the investigation shelved. I assure you I said nothing of the sort.”

If she was telling the truth, it made the mystery of the conversation I’d overheard more curious. “There’s more.”

“Go on.”

“I was on my way out of the office and went to wish him a happy Christmas when I heard him speaking to someone on what I guessed was his mobile. He said, ‘I’ve done all I can. The rest is in your hands now.’”

Her eyes scrunched, and she approached the window. “Concerning,” she muttered under her breath before turning to face me. “What do you think he was referring to?”

“As difficult as it is for me to accept as his niece, I can’t help but wonder if he set me up.”

Next, she asked how I learned Eric Weber would be attending an event at Edinburgh Castle, and when I told her about the alert that appeared on my computer, her eyes darkened.

“Have you brought this to anyone else’s attention?” she asked.

“Not yet.”

“Good. Let’s keep it between you and me for now. In terms of updating me, I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Of course.”

“I sense hesitancy.”

“I’d planned to brief everyone after David, err, Ash returned.”

She raised a brow. “Yeah?”

My cheeks flushed again, and I couldn’t hold back my grin, hard as I tried. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-two.”

My eyes opened wide.

“I suppose you’re wondering how I made editor in chief so young.”

“Not at all, actually.”

“Good, given it’s the same reason you’re about to make executive editor of investigations at the age of twenty-eight.”

I chuckled, but stopped when I realized she was serious.

“I’m, um, flattered.”

Fallon shook her head. “You shouldn’t be. In my opinion, it’s overdue.”

“Clive has years?—”

“Because of Clive Edwards, you almost lost your life, Sullivan. If you’re not clear on that fact, then I will rethink promoting you to his position. Thank God Ashcroft had the presence of mind to realize not all was as it seemed.”

“I know you’re right. It’s just harder to accept, given he’s my mother’s brother.”

“I understand.” She reached over and squeezed my hand. “I must say, from what I know so far, you and I are going to make a fantastic team.”

“You should know I’m not exactly well-liked in the department.”

She smiled more broadly. “No? Well, the same is true of me in the entirety of the news agency.”

“ I like you.”

“And I like you. Which is precisely why I believe we’re going to bring this old boys’ network to its knees.”

“I hate to beat a dead horse, as they say, but you’ve just met me?—”

She held up a hand. “I didn’t need to meet you to recognize the caliber of your work.”

“I appreciate it.”

She looked around the room and rubbed her hands together. “Something tells me there’s a treasure trove of information contained within these walls. Perhaps even something that will help us with the evil Eric Weber.”