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"I'll get to the bottom of this," I say firmly.
Steve flinches. "We need to sue them into the dirt."
I will not tear her world to pieces before I have all the information. But that's not the excuse I'm going to give to Steve. Plus, there are other concerns.
"We don't want it to look like we're not taking responsibility for this. So far, we've won some PR points by being open and honest. If we try to pin it all on some smaller company, a contractor, we look weak. If a small department in TechGuard can derail us, what are we worth?"
He sighs. "After this, no more contractors."
"You're getting no argument from me there. It's my fault for caving to the shareholders and their greed. They've learned their lesson now."
Steve gives me a rare smile. "I know. I heard you on the call with them. I've never heard somebody flayed over the phone before."
I laugh. He's not wrong. I unleashed fury on them, so they'd understand a few million extra in profit isn't worth a fuck up of this magnitude.
"I'll make enquiries," I say. "In the meantime, fix the code. Fix the AI. Fix the car."
"We will," Steve replies. "But please..."
“Go on,” I say tersely, when he looks down and stops pauses.
He swallows. “I’m sorry, but please don’t tell her anything.”
“We’re done here,” I say, my voice devoid of emotion.
He turns and quickly leaves the room. The thought that he thinks he has any right to speak about her makes me sick. Who does he think he is? He doesn’t know her.
Sure, I don’t know her, not as much as I’d like, but those days in Vegas were meaningful. I formed a connection with her I’ve never experienced with anyone else. Ever. I have to believe that counts for something.
After another conference call, I take out my cell and text Sera. It will be around seven PM on the East Coast right now. I’ve moved one of my meetings… using the excuse I’m digging into the TechGuard mess. But a precious few minutes to talk with Sera? That’s worth more than even a billionaire could pay.
Luke: How’ve you been, Sparkplug?
I smile when she replies almost instantly.
Sera: Woah, is this something more than ‘good morning’?
Luke: I’m sorry, beautiful. I’ve been so busy.
Sera: I’ve seen online. But it looks like you’re doing a good job. You’ve kept the share price steady apart from an initial blip.
That’s true, but trust in the AI feature is at an all-time low. If I can’t make it work – and get answers – the share price situation will change drastically. People expect results… not bucketfuls of cash sunk into research and development to receive no real gain.
Luke: How have you been keeping yourself busy? Apart from fantasizing over a certain CEO, of course…
Sera: LOL. I wish I could shoot you down, but I can’t. If I was a cool, calm, and collected sort of chick, I’d tell you I haven’t thought about you once. But the truth? I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Furthermore, the last couple of days have proved how difficult long distance can be.
She’s right. I want to tell her it’s just because I’m going through a busy period, but huge portions of my life – weeks and months at a time – are busy periods.
Luke: I’ve been thinking about you a lot, too. You’re always on my mind.
Sera: Other than that. I’ve been spending time with Ellie.
Luke: How is she doing?
Sera: She’s happy to be getting some treatment. Graham is staying stoic, but I can see how worried he is underneath it all.
I swallow, not wanting to lead the conversation where I know it has to go.