Her heart sank like a stone, her body breaking out in a cold sweat. That was why Drew had wanted her to keep his investigation quiet. Everett Eastman was so powerful that if he had discovered anybody was on to them, he could have gotten rid of them with one board meeting.
“Do you want to talk to your lawyer?” she asked, handing his phone back to him.
“Yes. I’m going to send the information to my lawyer through an encrypted email.” He took his phone from her.
“Won’t the police be concerned about receiving information you obtained illegally?” she asked.
“Not if it’s enough to get them a warrant to search Everett’s home,” he replied. “That’s what we need to do right now. Get them to focus on a different suspect. If my lawyer can get the incriminating evidence to the police, it should be enough to put you in the clear.”
She chewed her lower lip. “What if it isn’t enough?”
His jaw clenched with determination. “It has to be.”
SIMON WAS USED TO PULLING all-nighters, but none of them had ever stressed him out like this. The minute he sent off the evidence against Everett to his lawyer he glanced at his watch. Eight o’clock was fast approaching.
His phone rang, and he answered it immediately. It was his lawyer. After a brief conversation Simon hung up the phone and glanced over at Heather.
She was sitting in a chair, staring at her phone with sadness in her eyes. He recognized that look instantly. That look always did something to his heart.
“You miss Finn, don’t you?” he asked gently.
“Yes. I do.” A sigh escaped her throat and she got up. “What did your lawyer say?”
“It’s good news,” he said. “He’s sent the evidence over to the police and they’re about to get a warrant to search Everett’s house. In the meantime, I have to call an emergency board meeting.”
“Why?”
“Heather, for weeks the staff at Dover has believed you were guilty of a crime.” He got up, so sleep- deprived that he had to hold on to the desk to steady himself. “It’s time we clear your name once and for all.”
AT NINE O’CLOCK SHARP, Simon stepped into the board room with Heather by his side. The board members were already seated, the room abuzz with tension as they all spoke to each other, obviously curious about the nature of the meeting. Linda and other department heads were also present, looking as baffled as the members of the board.
Simon spotted Everett sitting smugly at the head of the table. Everett wasn’t speaking to anyone, preferring to sit above it all like a king looking down on a bunch of commoners.
A long time ago Simon might have felt sorry for Everett. But his love for Heather didn’t allow for that kind of sentiment anymore. Everett had almost destroyed Heather, and it was time to set things right.
He motioned for Heather to sit by his side as he took his seat at the other end of the table.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering why you’re here. So, I’m not going to keep you in suspense,” Simon said loudly over the din. “I called this meeting to clear Ms. Hall’s name.”
“Oh?” Everett’s eyes narrowed. “What’s this, then?”
“I’m sure you’d like to know,” Simon snarled.
“Simon, what is the meaning of this?” Everett demanded in exasperation.
“You are the hacker.” Simon pointed his finger at Everett.
An audible gasp sounded in the room.
“How dare you!” Everett shot to his feet. “This is outrageous!”
“So, you’re saying you didn’t use your company credit card to pay off the electricians who came into my apartment building?” Simon asked evenly.
“I...” Everett faltered, and his eyes darted around. “Listen, Simon. I can explain. It’s not what it looks like.”
“So, explain it then,” Linda said from her seat. “What innocent explanation could you possibly have for paying off the very people who took photos of Simon’s servers?”
Pure fury twisted Everett’s face into a scowl. “I don’t have to explain myself to the likes of you. I’ll pay whoever I damn well please.”