Page 63 of Only the Wicked

“He’s not talking about a job at his company. But would you mind looking at my resume? Spruce it up, so when I share it with him, it’s impressive. Who knows? He said he wouldn’t hire me in his company, but if my qualifications appear desirable enough…”

“I’ll see what I can find on who they’re hiring. Why wouldn’t he hire you? Is he pulling the I-don’t-date-employees card?”

“You mean like someone else we know?”

“Syd.”

I stifle an amused snort. “We didn’t really talk about it, but I think that’s what he was implying.”

“It’s a good policy. Anyhoo, our West Coast peep stole a colleague’s ID card. She might use it tonight—if the employee doesn’t notify HR it’s missing. If she does, I'm betting today is her last day in the office. There’s no way video surveillance won’t ID her.”

“Why the push?”

“She’s confirmed her consulting firm’s access is limited. It’ll be six months minimum before the project’s completed, and that’s a lengthy engagement for the chance that she’d be offered a permanent job.”

“Go big or go home.”

“Right now, you’re our one in. If they catch her tonight, they’ll be on edge.”

“Come on, now. As a company? They’ve got to live on edge. We’re not the only ones attempting a breach. A blocked attempt is just another day in Candy Land for those guys.”

“Good point. Okay. So, how do you want to make contact?”

“I’ll call you?”

“Negative. Your call history is too easy to check. We’re sending two guys to D.C. They’ll have eyes on you when you’re out and about, but they’ll likely lose visuals over the course of the weekend. The real purpose is having backup nearby if needed.”

“They’re staying at the same hotel?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I can leave written messages at the front desk for them.”

“But they can’t reach you that way. You’re a runner, right?”

“Yes.”

“Let me check area maps and come up with a contact plan. You’ve still got your rental car, right?”

“Yep.”

“Tell him you have to return the car. If that buys you solo time, swing by here and we’ll review the D.C. plan.”

“Sounds good.”

“How are you for clothes?”

“He’s seen my suitcase. He knows what I packed.”

“He also knows you live in Maryland, right? He has your home address?”

“I haven’t given it to him, but yes, it’s easy enough to find.”

“Has he mentioned stopping by your place? Are you concerned?”

“I understand we’re proceeding with caution, but my operational assessment is that Rhodes poses minimal direct physical threat. He’s not the type to personally get violent—white collar all the way, no background with weapons or physical confrontation.”

“Wealthy, powerful men like him are dangerous in a different way. They don’t need to be personally violent when they can afford to delegate problems. You can’t underestimate what someone would do to protect their company. Their net worth. Their reputation.”