CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Thrilled to bits, Lara held Draco’s hand tightly as he urged her quickly along the corridor. They were on the tenth floor, where her father’s office and the board rooms were located.
Draco drew to a halt outside a door at the far end of the corridor and entered a code into the keypad located on one side. It looked like it might be a cleaner’s storage cupboard. He turned the handle and the door opened.
Beckoning her in, he glanced up and down the corridor.
Amazed, Lara followed him. “You hacked the code?”
He laughed. “Lara Compton, you’re going to have to stop thinking like that. Your dad gave me the code so we could observe a meeting.”
She stared around the narrow room. It was barely lit, with LED lighting running around the skirting boards so you could see where you walked. A couple of stackable chairs stood in one corner, but nothing else. Then she noticed a tinted glass window filled one wall. Beyond the window she could see a boardroom. “Wait, what? My father has a secret viewing room?”
“Yes, and he’s allowed us to watch because we think you’ll enjoy this. And…if it goes well, your dad might let me hang around here a bit longer.”
Before she had a chance to reply, people streamed into the boardroom beyond.
Lara recognized many of the management team, but there was a young guy dressed entirely in leathers, and he was being ushered the table by Janice. Janice put him at the opposite end to her dad who was already in his seat.
“Who’s that?
“That’s Rory, my stepbrother.”
“Oh, wow!” She peered at the biker guy, intrigued.
Rory put a document folder and his bike helmet on the table.
Lara craned her neck to see her dad’s reaction. He appeared to be staring at the unlikely presence of a motorcycle helmet on his pristine glass boardroom table with an amused expression.
The meeting began.
Lara suddenly realized a speaker allowed them to hear what was being said.
She grinned at Draco.
He nodded. “I know! How cool is this?”
“Before we get to matters on today’s agenda, I’d like to introduce a guest speaker. Rory, if you’d like to give your presentation.”
Rory stood up. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve come here today for a few minutes to talk about computer security and recent unapproved accessing of financial accounts within the company.”
Douglas Warrington, the IT manager, shuffled in his seat and looked at Compton Senior before gesturing with his hands.
Lara saw her dad put up his hand, indicating Warrington should stay quiet.
“First of all let me explain my appearance. I have to be at my real job soon.” Rory grinned. “I’m a motorbike mechanic and my usual place of work is a bike workshop. I’ll leave my card in case any of you ever need motorcycle maintenance.”
Draco put his hand over his mouth as if trying not to laugh.
One of the assembled managers harrumphed loudly enough for all those assembled to hear. Her dad shot him a silencing glance.
“I’ll be direct. My brother hacked into Compton Finance’s security system around eighteen months ago and is currently serving a jail sentence.”
Around the table there were gasps and murmurs of disapproval.
Rory continued. “Mr Compton was concerned there might be another security breach during the last few weeks. I was called in. I found the breach, and the name of the individual was passed to Mr Compton.”
The tension around the table magnified.
Lara leaned closer to the glass, thrilled.
“I’m sure many of you are wondering why a motorbike mechanic can analyse the systems used by numerous financial gurus on a daily basis. Let’s just call it a knack.” He smiled. “I was employed because someone believed I could analyze the system quickly and efficiently. Job done. However in the process of analysing the security breaches—and there were several—I noticed some additional areas could be tightened up. With Mr Compton’s approval I put together a document with a few suggestions. I’ve printed out several copies of the document and Janice will be emailing a copy of this to each and everyone at you after the meeting.”
Lara watched her father carefully. Had he welcomed Draco on-board and let him execute his suggestions?
Draco caught her eye and she could see he was pleased. She took his hand, realizing what he and her dad had cooked up. She glanced around. Everyone was focused on Rory, thinking he was the interloper, the one pointing out where they were failing in their jobs. As long as her father approved of the outcome, Draco’s position would remain untarnished. If her dad agreed, no one would think twice about him joining the company on a permanent basis.
Rory picked up his motorcycle helmet and strode around the table to shake her father’s hand.
“If you take a seat outside, Rory, I’ll see you at the end of the meeting.”
Rory shook hands with him.
“A small thank you is with my PA.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Disconcerted mumbling started off around the table when Rory left the room.
“They can’t hear us, can they?” Lara whispered
Draco shook his head and moved closer, wrapping his arms around her.
“I can’t believe you got him to do that! I love you so much, Draco.”
He stared down at her, serious a moment. “I think I loved you from the moment I locked eyes with you in the diner.”
“That’s not possible.” She laughed.
“I love it when you laugh.”
“You make me happy”
“Just as well, if you’re going to give up all this,” he waved his hand at the tinted window and beyond, “just to keep seeing me. Although I don’t think that’s entirely necessary now.”
She stared up into his eyes. “I would have, willingly.”
“I think you would. Then again, you are a crazy lady.”
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