Page 68 of Reckless Chance

“It’s Daniel. I’m sorry to bother you, but it’s important. Can we talk?”

I’m surprised that the head of security would call me when he must know I’m in here with Lowri.

“What’s up?”

“A red flag came up this morning. I also have answers to some of your questions from last night.”

“Okay. What has you concerned this morning?”

“You need to see the videos. It will be easier to explain them in person. Would it be possible to meet this morning?”

“Did you check my schedule with Emily?”

“Um. I did. She didn’t know where you were, and I was hesitant to share your current location. My understanding is that she’s not aware of the panic room.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. At some point, I should tell her about it but not now. I’ll text her and have her clear my calendar at 11:30 a.m. Be at my office then.”

“Will do.”

The line goes dead.

“That sounded ominous. A red flag can’t be good,” Lowri says.

“We’ll find out soon. We better hustle if we’re going to get upstairs, shower, change, and be back in time.”

“Can Walter conjure up a quick breakfast too? We never ate last night, and I’m starving.”

“I’ll text him now. Remind me to fill you in on the annulment stuff later.”

“Sure. A little delay’s not a big deal. We have work to finish anyway.”

“We do.” I smile, relieved at the reprieve.

37

SEAN

Lowri and I make it back to my office by 11:15, coffee and breakfast tacos in hand thanks to Walter. We take seats at the conference table as we hear someone at the office door.

Knock. Pause. Tap. Tap. Tap. Pause. Knock.

“Come in, Emily.”

“How did you know it’s her?” Lowri asks.

Emily walks in and, hearing Lowri’s question, answers, “I wanted a signature knock to signal that I’m alone. If a senior-level employee is pestering me to interrupt Sean, I use a different pattern. If Sean doesn’t want to be interrupted, he ignores it, and I tell the visitor that he must have stepped out and offer to schedule an appointment. If they don’t know Sean’s here, it’s easier to send them away.”

“It saves all of us time. Too bad we didn’t figure out this system sooner,” I say.

“Do you need anything before your meeting with Daniel? Did you need me to sit in and take notes?” Emily asks.

“No, we’re good. Please make sure we’re not interrupted though,” I say.

“Consider it done,” Emily confirms as she leaves.

I call after her, “You can leave the door open for Daniel.”

Daniel arrives five minutes early, laptop under his arm. He joins us at the conference table, saying, “Thanks for rearranging your schedule. It’s important that you see this as soon as possible.”