Adam hadn't been on-site at Sector C for several months. He was the logistics man, the 'big-picture' guy. He didn't need to be on site every day to make sure things were moving as they should. He'd been the protégé of Kevin Beechwood since he joined Calder Energy when he was 17, and Adam excelled under his tutelage.
"Hey, Sharice." Adam walked up to the reception desk at Aegis Security like the conversation yesterday never happened.
"Oh, Hi, Mr Ashworth. Look, about yesterday-"
"Hey, forget it. Look, yesterday was a rough day. I know I can be a tyrant when I'm under pressure but, it's the only way things happen the way they're supposed to sometimes." Sharice looked at Adam blankly. She seemed like she wanted to say something but, held it back.
"So, the new boss. Nick, was it? Is he around?"
"Unfortunately not, you just missed him. He's offsite all day."
"Ah ok, missed him again. Can you believe it's been 17 months already since we first broke ground? You've been instrumental in keeping this office moving smoothly for a long time."
"Oh no, not at all, I'm just-"
"Don't even finish that sentence. You're not "just" anything, Sharice. I know you do good work here. For 17 months, the entrance to this entire site has been right through this corridor. The first thing every contractor, every worker, every security guard, every executive sees, is you. And you present yourself so well. You're a credit to Aegis Security, truly."
"Thank you, Mr Ashworth, that's very-"
"Don't mention it Sharice. I meant every word. If I could have you as my secretary, I would. Anyway, if I stay here any longer the board will send out a search party. But before I go, do you know what Alan Smith wanted yesterday? Has it got anything to do with where Nick has gone today?"
"I-I don't know if I'm supposed to-"
"Sharice, I'm the project manager. I don't expect every single thing to run through me but, when I ask, I should know, am I right?"
"You're right, Mr Ashworth. Nick is at Apex Intelligence for the rest of the day."
Adam felt a twinge in his gut when he heard those two words. He'd worked very closely with the A.I team during the Sector C project, but 'Alan Smith' had destroyed every piece of goodwill towards the corporation.
"Oh, interesting. They seem to have taken a shine to Nick. First he meets with Alan Smith last minute, and now he's spending the day at their HQ. They trying to poach him or something?" Adam leaned against the reception desk, placing his elbow on the top shelf.
"I believe their team are ready to start wiring the place up. Nick and Mr Smith wanted to nail down the site access for everyone in advance. I don't have to tell you, but the site is huge, far bigger than anything Calder Energy have built before." Sharice said.
"I know, believe me. This project is going to be my crown jewel when it's complete." Adam noticed a slight eye roll from Sharice. He needed to be quick.
"I'm sure it will. I believe they are installing the new CILLA hub next week."
"Now that I knew about because, that I arranged with Apex. I didn't know they needed to steal away our Security Site Manager for a day to arrange lanyards and access passes. I'll make sure I bill them for his hours, ha!" Adam could feel that he was fighting an uphill battle. Sharice either knew nothing, or she was covering for Nick. Or he was barking up the wrong tree entirely, and it was all coincidence.
"Oh, hey, that's a lovely photo." Adam pointed to a digital picture frame behind the reception area, to the side of Sharice's monitor.
"Yeah, that's me and...Leo. Your brother. On our first date. It was a whirlwind romance. We'd only known each other for a few weeks when we got engaged."
"And I never knew! How long ago was that?" Adam truly had no idea his brother had even gotten engaged.
"Probably a couple years ago that picture. But, we broke up, just over six, seven months now. Not long after Nick joined us here actually."
Adam did the maths: Nick had barely been in place before Leo was out — and Nick had his job. He still had no idea why Leo was let go.
"Speaking of. I know this is probably over-stepping but...I did message your brother, Daniel, earlier today but I never got a response. How's Leo doing?"
"Oh, that's...kind of you to ask," Adam couldn't bring himself to say 'I have no idea because I'm a terrible brother', so instead he went with, "yeah he's doing great. He's got a very special lady in his life and the support of a loving family." Adam was clearly speaking about Carol in both parts of that statement.
"That's, good to hear. I'm glad. I feel bad for what I did. Please tell him I'm sorry."
"At the risk of becoming an agony aunt...what happened, what did you do?" Adam feigned interest, hoping that it might shed some light on why Leo was fired.
"I cheated on him. With Nick. I didn't mean for it to happen, but. Working together during the day, going home together each night. And then Nick arrived like a breath of fresh air. He just had something about him. He understood me. It was like he knew everything about me." Sharice dropped her head as she reminisced, with a hint of sadness about the whole ordeal.
"Ok. Well, this took a turn I didn't expect. I kinda feel like I should say something mean and storm out, Sharice. But hey, we're all adults and we all make mistakes. You and Nick were a one-night stand or...?"
"We're engaged. I'm Mrs-Aldridge-To-Be," Adam felt the blood drain from his face. Nick Aldridge.
"Well, congratulations. I hope breaking my brother’s heart was worth it." Adam knocked his knuckles on the edge of the reception desk and stormed out of the building.
Outside, Adam walked back to his car, the driver waiting diligently for his return. The door opened as he approached, ready to jump into the back seat. The driver asked "where to, Mr Ashworth?"
Adam replied, "I need to see my-" just as his phone received a ping.
"Good afternoon, Mr Ashworth.
I have good news, your bank account has been released back to you. I hope you're not wasting what precious time you have left?
See you in your office, tomorrow, 8am. I'll bring us some breakfast. I hope you like bagels."
"Hey, Chris-"
"Yes, Mr Ashworth?"
"Do you remember where my mum lives? South-Central housing, near the old war memorial?"
"I do, Mr Ashworth. Heading there now." Chris, Adam's driver, drove off as CILLA set his navigation for him.
"CILLA, raise the privacy glass."
"Yes, Mr Ashworth. Privacy glass raised. The cabin is in silent mode. How can I help? I know you were unable to meet with the Site Security Manager."
"I fuckin' knew he was a mole! He's a fuckin' Aldridge, CILLA! That snake-weasel replaced my brother and must be feeding this Martin bastard information. I should have kept my cool in there but, I couldn't help myself."
"I know, Adam. I checked to make sure I had Aegis Security team on speed dial just in case Nick showed up. But then I remembered where you were."
Adam laughed, genuinely, for the first time in days. "You're hilarious. But, seriously, once I get this money, it's bought me a week. I don't know where I can get another fifty grand in seven days. And pay back my mum at the same time. I need to find this Martin Aldridge and I need to. I need to...fuck"